Police live with forensic's delay

As volunteers continue to search for 15 year old Jordan Wabasse a different waiting game is taking place.  Police have sent a hat, similar to the one Wabasse was wearing, for DNA testing in Southern Ontario. The wait for results will be about six weeks. Inspector Andy Hay admits it's frustrating.  He says while they have asked forensic experts to speed up the process,  they've learned to live with the delay.

Outfitters get no sympathy from minister

If angry tourist outfitters were expecting help from the Natural Resources Minister they're out of luck. Linda Jeffery doesn't give any indication she's willing to budge on the issue of increased land permit fees. Some outfitters say their fees have shot up 700 per cent, but Jeffery indicates it's a done deal with the Outfitters Association.   Jeffery doesn't believe the fee increase will cause some fishing lodges to close as the outfitters claim.

Jeffery says selling act is a work in progress

Ontario's Natural Resources Minister knows her work is cut out for her. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Linda Jeffery says selling the Far North Act to First Nations in the region isn't easy. She is hoping that more and more of them will eventually buy into the governments way of land use planning and calls the discussions, a work in progress.  Jeffery says over time it's been easier to talk about the act with First Nation's chiefs.

Another Federal Minister comes to town

The National Revenue Minister is encouraging students to stay away from the underground economy. Keith Ashfield spoke to students at confederation college about how working under the table hurts the economy and says its part of an awareness program across Canada. Ashfield says underground work removes millions of tax dollars from the economy, that could go towards improving the lives of Canadians.

Building owner hit with hefty fine

The owner of an apartment building on South Brodie Street has been zinged with a big fine.   The Fire Service says it was for breaking fire code laws.  They relate  to improper maintenance of fire extinguishers and not providing working smoke detectors.   He's facing a fine of 11 thousand 700 dollars.

Watkins predicts Supreme Court on 2-4-1

On the legal beat, a Toronto judge has upheld the Federal government's controversial sentencing law.  The law takes away the two-for-one credit that offenders had  received for time served before their sentence. Thunder Bay lawyer Chris Watkins expects the issue to go to the Supreme Court of Canada. Watkins, as do most defence lawyers, favours the two for one credit

Federal minister to visit Con College

For the second time this week there will be a federal cabinet minister in the city.   National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield is going to speak at Confederation College Thursday morning.  He will be talking about the underground economy and then hold a roundtable discussion.

Loppet looks for record participation

The Sleeping Giant Loppet takes place  on March 5th.  Organizer Marianne Stewart says this year they hope to have a record number of participants in the cross country ski event.  They are shooting for 1 thousand skiers. The loppet take place at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

ECE's get new deal

Early Childhood Educators in the public school system have one less thing to worry about.  They have a new 2 year contract with the school board.  The board says the full and part time workers are members of the Secondary School Teachers Federation and work in teams along with Kindergarten teachers.  The union and the trustees have voted to accept the deal.

Debt Clock to roll through Thunder Bay

The national Debt Clock is coming to Thunder Bay.  At least that's the plan from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation as it takes it's anti-debt message across the country starting this week.   Spokesperson Kevin Gaudet says the counter should be here within a month or so.  The device shows Canadians how fast the federal government's debt is rising .

Mother pleads for missing son to return

A tearful plea from a distraught mother.   Bernice Jacob called out to her missing son Jordan Wabasse to come home.  He disappeared in Westfort back on February 7th, since then an extensive search has failed to find him.  His mother couldn't hide her grief as she cried for Jordan to "let us know where you are".  Police say the investigation into his disappearance will continue with the help of volunteers.          

 
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Provincial Government saying no to Hydro rate hike

The McGuinty Government isn't allowing Hydro companies to pass off court fees and fines to consumers. MPP Bill Mauro says the court made a decision to fine companies for over charging interest on late payments and the Ontario Energy Board allowing a rate increase to cover those costs is a mistake. Mauro says the Energy Minister has told electricity companies to find the costs within.

Police investigate the death of a baby

Police are investigating the death of a 6 month old girl in the Webequie First Nation.  The baby died yesterday and was taken to Winnipeg for the post mortem.  Police officials say they hope to find out the cause of death once that is complete.

Firefighters deal with morning garage fire

A garage fire kept Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue busy today. The blaze destroyed a garage at a house in the 200 block of Francis Street. Crews needed about an hour to put it out and no one was injured.

Help on the way for Seniors and people with disabilities

The Federal Government is providing almost 400 thousand to help seniors and people with disabilities in region. Minister of State for Seniors Julian Fantino made the announcement yesterday in Thunder Bay and says its an important issue that needs support. The funding is part of the 2010 Federal Budget and is being distributed through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

City looks into low-income tax & water rebates

City council is looking for ways to help residents with low incomes. Council asked for a report last night to see if a program to provide tax and water rebates to low income residents would be a good fit for the city. The report should be completed by June.

New budget passed

The city's new budget has passed. Council voted largely in favour of the budget after some last minute attempts to make cuts fell flat during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Mayor Keith Hobbs voted against his first budget as mayor and says the 1.27% tax hike is a deal-breaker. Hobbs says that the process has been a learning experience.


Councilor Larry Hebert voted against the budget as well; the rest of council voted in favour.

Northwood Councillor Mark Betnz voted for the budget. While Bentz doesn't think the tax increase is unreasonable he wants leaders to keep the city's financial health in mind all year long and not just when it comes time to make a budget. Bentz says that given the circumstances, he feels City Manager Tim Commisso did a good job of keeping costs down.

The budget still needs to be ratified in March before it's official. 

Brown questions legislation

The McGuinty government plans to declare public transit workers in Toronto an essential service.   Thunder Bay Transit Union president Charlie Brown says apart from opposing the idea, he wonders why other parts of the province aren't included in the new legislation. It was an election promise by new Mayor Rob Ford and city council  has requested T-T-C workers be banned from striking.  The NDP is hinting it may delay the legislation.

Commisso says growth is growth

The Conference Board of Canada may not have confidence in the Thunder Bay economy, but our city manager does.  Tim Commisso says the boards prediction of slow economic growth for the city isn't the end of the world.  He says the economy of the city is growing at a stable and steady pace and is diversifying.  The board ranked the city last in it's survey of 27 Canadian cities.

NAN talks economy

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is holding it's first ever economic summit in the city.  Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit wants First Nations leaders to form a single voice on things like taking minerals from the ground in the Ring of Fire mining development. Louttit hopes different strategies will be developed over the course of the week.