NOMA Skype's standing committee

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is calling on the government to change its proposed Forest Tenure Act.  Vice President Iain Angus says they don't support the legislation as it is now.   NOMA wants the bill amended before it returns to the Legislature for third reading.  NOMA provided their comments to the standing committee in Toronto via video conference.

Harper visit confirmed

It's official.  The Prime Minister will be campaigning in Thunder Bay.  Stephen Harper will be visiting with the two local Conservative candidates at the Da Vinci Centre on Monday night.  A local Conservative Party official says the rally gets underway at 7:30 in the evening.

Old Mission Mill hit by fire

Damage is minimal following a fire at the old Abitibi Mission mill on City Road during the noon hour.   Fire Service Platoon Chief Joseph Lafontaine  says the blaze was in a paper machine being dismantled and may have been started by workers who were cutting with torches. 

Gilbert weighs in on Bill 151

With Forest Tenure hearings concluding in Queen's Park, local Conservative Candidate Fred Gilbert is expressing his outrage.  Gilbert says the opposition is furious that no hearings for Bill 151 are scheduled for the north.  The opposition says the Liberals have been less than supportive in getting hearings in Thunder Bay.

NAN dislikes Bill 151

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is speaking out against the Ontario Forest Tenure Act.  First Nations residents are concerned bill 151 doesn't consult aboriginals.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the legislation doesn't recognize aboriginal and treaty rights.

Leaders' Debate Reaction

It doesn't appear any one political party stood out during the English speaking Leaders debate.  We hit the streets to hear what Thunder Bay residents thought.

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Fire at Abitibi Mill

City firefighters have a fire at the Abitibi Complex on Mission Island under control. Firefighters are still sorting out details but an old rubber belt seems to be the cause of the fire.  The Magic news room will have more on this story as it develops.

No injuries in accident

No one is injured following a two vehicle mishap on Memorial and Second Avenue Wednesday morning.   It was a collision between a mini-van and an SUV.   Fire, Police and Paramedics were called to the scene just before 11 o'clock.

DSSAB workers have new deal

There is labour peace at the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board. The board and its workers have both accepted a new 3 year deal which is retroactive to January 1st, 2009. Union rep Marie Dean admits it took a while to come to this point.  The contract affects 85 workers and gives them a 5 per cent total wage increase.

WSIB under review

Chair Harry Arthurs

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is under review. Hearings are being held in Thunder Bay today to see how they can better fund it. Steve Mantis leads the local injured workers group and says the hearings are focused solely on money and should examine workers instead. Meanwhile, WSIB Funding Review Chair Harry Arthurs says finding a funding solution is going to be a daunting task. Arthurs says if all the claims that are currently in the system go through; the WSIB would be facing a 12 billion dollar bill. The WSIB Funding Review Committee is speaking with both injured workers and Northwestern Ontario companies today.

Aboriginal science program

Confederation College wants to get more First Nation residents interested in Science.  The college is holding it's second science fair designed to help engage youth in developing interest in science,

engineering and technology.  The fair will showcase many projects with Aboriginal content.

Earth Day this Saturday

People wanting to reduce their environmental footprint on the planet have something to look forward to this weekend.  In celebration of Earth Day this Saturday, the Farmers' Market will be setting up displays on ways to "live green".  The Farmers' Market will have demos on bee-keeping, soil-testing and gardening.