Mills may have new buyer

There's been a potential buyer found for two former Buchanan owned sawmills in Northwestern Ontario. Eacom Timber Corporation of Montreal says it's entered into a purchase agreement with the receiver for both the Sapawe Mill and Northern Sawmills in Thunder Bay. The purchases are subject to a number of conditions, including securing necessary approval from third parties and the courts.

Majority might end gun registry

The Vice President of the Ontario Anglers and Hunters sees a Majority Conservative Government as a good thing for the long gun registry. Thunder Bay's Glenn Rivard says the PM has promised them he'll scrap it. Rivard notes the Harper Government has also promised to form a National Advisory Panel on Fish and Wildlife Management.

Province provides money for abuse victims

The Provincial Government is giving 50 thousand dollars to the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. The money is going towards an awareness campaign to new Canadians who may be at risk of domestic abuse. Support workers will receive culturally sensitive training.

Final ground search for Wabasse to begin tomorrow

Thunder Bay Police will be doing another ground search for Jordan Wabasse Wednesday. Spokesperson Chris Adams says they'll be walking along the Kam river shore line and won't leave a stone un-turned. The 15 year old Webequie First Nation boy has been missing since February 7th.

Hansen set for December visit

The Man in Motion Relay starts in August and Rick Hansen is out promoting the 25th Anniversary Relay.  The relay will involve some 7-thousand Canadians and will re-create the Canadian-portion of his original tour.  Hansen says he would like to be part of the festivities in Northwestern Ontario.  The Relay will stop in Thunder Bay on December 22nd and will resume in the City on January 10th.  Hansen says two places will always hold a special place in his heart; China and Thunder Bay.

2011 Census in the mail

Local residents should begin receiving their census forms this week. Statistics Canada has begun the census process and has enumerators going door to door across the Northwest. Gary Dillion is the Regional Co-ordinator for Stats Can and says its important for all households to fill out the census form. While every household is required to fill out the 10 question mandatory short form census, only 1 in 3 households will be given a long form survey.

Kasabonika gun seizure

The Northwest Regional Guns and Gangs Unit has charged a 45-year-old man in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.   Police executed a search warrant last Friday and seized 10-firearms and 4-prohibited devices.  Officers found semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and 4 high-capacity rifle magazines.  Police say John Winter faces 3-charges including weapons trafficking and careless storage.  Winter will appear in court on June 16th.

Beardy reacts to federal election results

The Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Stan Beardy is congratulating the Conservative and NDP parties for their successes in the federal election. However Beardy is concerned that NAN issues may get lost in the shuffle. Beardy said when he looked at the Conservative party platform it had very little mention of NAN issues. The Chief hopes that between the Conservative and NDP parties that some of those issues will be addressed.

Thunder Bay residents have their say

Following the federal election, Thunder Bay residents had some mixed reactions. 

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Increase in voter turn out

Around 37-thousand residents exercised their right to vote in the Thunder Bay Superior North Riding.  Returning Officer Bill Everitt says it's an increase in voter turnout.  The official numbers for the Thunder Bay Rainy River riding have yet to be released.

Green candidate lauds May victory

A local Green Party candidate in yesterday's election is elated his leader has won a seat in parliament. Ed Shields says the victory of Elizabeth May should do wonders for the party.   He believes the news media will pay attention to the party.   Shields agrees May's election is a watershed for the party in Canada

Rafferty re-elected in Thunder Bay Rainy River

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking forward to returning to his job in Ottawa.  The NDP Member of Parliament was re-elected Monday night and was excited to hear his party is forming the official Opposition Party.  Rafferty says the one dark moment on election night was the Conservatives winning a Majority Government.  Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann was the runner up in unofficial results, with Liberal Ken Boshcoff coming in third.

Harper majority, locals re-elect NDP

Stephen Harper is going to form a majority government in Canada...but Thunder Bay's two ridings will be represented in the official opposition.  Harper and his Conservatives have won a  majority with about 165 seats in parliament and the NDP rocketed into the official opposition with about 105 seats...the Liberals now rank in third with about 30 seats. Locally Bruce Hyer in Thunder Bay-Superior North and John Rafferty in Thunder Bay-Rainy River both have won their ridings for the NDP again with about 50 per cent of the votes while the Kenora riding stays Conservative with Greg Rickford holding the seat.

Council upset over heritage building repairs

Some City Councillors were shocked to find they would have to pay to repair the exterior of the Whalen Building.  The city is on the hook for repairing the Terra Cotta exterior because they own the heritage building.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't think they should restore the building when there's other more important projects.  Council approved a million dollar contract with KGS Group Consulting Engineers dealing with the Whalen Building's repairs.

CEDC provides update to City Council

Thunder Bay's Economic Development Commission is taking credit for creating several jobs within the City. CEO Steve Demmings says they created 133 direct jobs and 55 indirect jobs.  The CEDC told council Monday night that their goal for this year is to foster the mining industry.  The CEDC also plans to announce in six weeks time who will be hired as the City's Mining Coordinator.

Grand Marais station to open soon

Boaters take note.    The American inspection station at Grand Marais will be open in less than two weeks.   The station will open May 15th and remain open 7 days a week until September 30th from 9 until 5 pm Central Time.

Election day is finally here!

It's election day and the polls in Thunder Bay will be open until 9:30 tonight.   There are close to 60 thousand eligible voters in both area ridings, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River.   There are over 420 polls in both ridings.    The Giant will have news reports on election results after the polls are closed.

Company takes new FORM

A well known Thunder Bay architectural company is changing it's name. Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo are announcing FORM Architecture Engineering as their new name. Among other buildings, they are most noted for the construction of La Verendrye High School and the George Jeffrey Children's Centre.

No election break for councillors

It's business as usual at city hall tonight.   In spite of the federal election, city councillors will be holding a regular meeting this evening.   One of the items on the agenda is the contract for sidewalk and street lighting worth 1.3 million dollars. As well a decision is expected on some exterior work on the ceramic facing of the Whalen Building on Cumberland Street, the home of Thunder Bay Hydro.

Man and woman busted for cocaine

Two 23 year olds in the city are due back in court May 25th on drug charges. Police say that the man and woman were arrested over the weekend on outstanding warrants. As part of the arrest they seized close to 58 thousand dollars worth of cocaine. They face possession and trafficking charges.