Di Matteo talks population

A Lakehead University professor is not surprised Northwestern Ontario has less people than it did 5-years ago. Livo Di Matteo says its a reflection of the state of the region's forest industry. Di Matteo says while urban communities lost people, several First Nations communities experienced growth.

Rickford on Aboriginal education

The Federal Government is promising to take a good look at a report on Aboriginal Education.  The Federally appointed panel released its final report earlier this week.  Parliamentary Assistant for Aboriginal Affairs, Greg Rickford says they've already committed a lot of money towards improving the aboriginal education system.  The National Aboriginal Education Panel visited a number of communities across the country last year, including Rat Portage.

MP begins budget town halls tonight

MP Bruce Hyer is going on the road. He'll be hosting a series of town hall meetings to give taxpayers a chance to discuss what they'd like to see in the federal budget. Tonight it's Thunder Bay. It takes place at the Prince Arthur Hotel starting at 7:30.   The town halls will also be held in Marathon, Nipigon, Greenstone and Terrace Bay. 

Police nab suspect in Shoreline Stabbing

A 22 year old man is being charged in Wednesday's stabbing in front of the Shoreline Hotel. Constable Julie Tilbury says they picked the man up yesterday when they were called to a south side home about an assault. Tilbury says he's charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

Petro Can Gas Bar Robbery

Police are releasing pictures of the man who robbed the Petro Can Gas Bar on Dawson Road Wednesday morning. Constable Julie Tilbury says the man had his hood pulled up to hide his face. He approached the till and pulled a syringe out of his pocket and demanded money. He's described as being in his early 20's with a medium build. He was wearing a two tone grey winter jacket with a hood, blue jeans and white runners.

Water Rate debate rages

City Councillor Larry Hebert is echoing many residents thoughts on the escalating water rates.  Hebert says they've asked administration to consider a lower rate for this year.  Some Councillors would like to see a 3.4 percent increase rather than a 6.7 percent one.  A report with the lower water rate will come back to council in the future.  Meanwhile Councillor Rebecca Johnson says one way or another the rate will go up, putting it off will just cost the city more money in the long run because the difference will have to be debentured. Johnson says it might be better to just take the hit now.

Murder trial to hear from last crown witness

The prosecution is about to wrap up its case in the Andre Wareham murder trial.  The crown says it will be calling it's last witness on Monday. Wareham is facing a second degree murder charged in the stabbing death in 2009 of William Atkins. Wareham is pleading self defense. In a police video played at the trial Wareham is heard telling an officer shortly after he was charged, that just before his arrest, he was getting his life together saying he stopped drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana. He also says he was throwing himself into his two jobs. He said " I wanted to re-invent Andre Wareham."

Raid nets Oxys

Police efforts continue to stem the flow of illegal prescription drugs in the city.   A raid at a south side city hotel on Wednesday netted police about 32 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone.  Police say they also seized a small amount of Cocaine and almost 12 thousand dollars in cash.   They say a 22 year old woman and 38 year old man were arrested and charged.

Rafferty bids gun registry farewell

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is happy to see the long gun registry debate come to an end.  The final vote for the controversial bill is expected to come to a close on Wednesday.  Rafferty says there are so many other issues the Federal Government should be focusing on instead of the gun registry.  Rafferty says he hasn't had any further blow back from his party over his recent voting on the gun registry.

Census data for Kenora

New census data shows the population of Kenora fell below the national growth rate over the last five years. Statistics Canada released the first batch of numbers from the 2011 census this morning and the population of Kenora increased to about 15 thousand, 348 people.  Vincent Dale is an analyst with Stats Can and says the city's growth rate was below both the national and provincial average.  Stats Can says Kenora's population grew by 171 people in the past five years.

Rickford on gun registry vote

A bill to scrap the federal long gun registry is speeding its way through the House of Commons. Earlier this week the Harper Government decided to limit debate on the bill. Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford expects the bill could pass third and final reading as early as next Wednesday.

Mauro on Toronto's endorsement of LRT

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro calls Toronto's transit plans a moving target.  Mauro is happy to hear the City recently endorsed the light rail transit plan.  The Provincial Government's money for the project is tied to Toronto Council's endorsement of the transit plan.  Our Bombardier Plant is in line to build the light rail vehicles.

Dewar gets support

There's Northwestern Ontario support for Paul Dewar's bid to lead the federal NDP. Maurice Grinstead, the riding association president in Thunder Bay Superior North, says Dewar's recent visit to the city cinched it for him.

Mayor not sweating census numbers

Mayor Keith Hobbs is not pulling the alarm bell now that census numbers show our population dropped by just over half a per cent over five years. Hobbs says the key to increasing the population is simple...attract jobs. The Mayor, does however, think the census numbers may be inaccurate and may not reflect what has been really going on to attract more people here.

Housing stats down last month

January was a quiet month for new housing starts.  Canada Mortgage and Housing stats show Thunder Bay had half as many starts this year compared to January of 2011.  There were 3 starts last month which was below the 10 year average. 

Trudeau says more jails not the answer

Margaret Trudeau  says that prisons are not the place to house people with mental illness. The former wife of Pierre Trudeau spoke out against the Harper government's new crime bill to students at Confederation College Wednesday afternoon, saying more jails are not the answer.  Trudeau has spent the last five years speaking on the struggles she had with depression.

Fire and Rescue pick up a pair on the harbour ice

No charges are being laid after a pair of people walked across the harbour to the break wall.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Platoon Chief John Mill says the ice boat was used to pick up the pair and take them back to shore.  Mill says its illegal to go on the harbour ice and the two were given a warning.

Police investigating hit and run

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a hit and run.  Officers say a pickup truck ran the stop sign at Windemere and Van Norman Monday afternoon and hit a car.  No one was hurt but police are looking for the grey Dodge Ram with front end damage.

First Nations sign MOU

A group of eight Northwestern Ontario First Nations have signed an agreement which they hope will lead to more affordable electricity. Brian Davey of the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund says the major priority is to deal with a fuel shortage.  The deal was signed in Thunder Bay Wednesday

Police looking into stabbing

Police are looking for two people involved in last night's stabbing.  Officials say two men approached a parked vehicle outside the Shoreline Hotel and stabbed the man inside.  Officers say they were known to each other.  No arrests have been made and the victim is in fair condition in hospital.