Education, Ring Of Fire & Economic Development

Ontario Liberal Leadership Debate candidates are addressing the elephant in the room.  Education came up as a topic of discussion at Sunday's debate at Lakehead University and Kathleen Wynne took the time to say the Provincial Government needs to repair their relationship with teachers.  Gerard Kennedy told the audience more needs to be done for Aboriginal students.  Meanwhile Glenn Murray says Northerners need to have a say on employment training decisions. Other topics of discussion included the Ring of Fire and Economic Development in Northern Ontario.

Liberal Leadership Debate Draws Protesters

Wind Farm Activists, Teachers Unions and First Nations are just some of the people who protested at the Ontario Liberal Leadership debate.  Local Secondary School Teachers Federation Vice President Richard Sealey says they wanted to drive home to the candidates that the Provincial Government should respect their right to bargain.  Public Sector Workers spoke to three of the seven candidates about putting an end to privatizing government jobs. Police were posted outside of Lakehead University on Sunday while people rallied outside of the debate at Lakehead University.

ETFO Lakehead to Strike on 12th

ETFO Lakehead teachers and occasional teachers will stage a one-day strike this upcoming Wednesday. Ellen Chambers, the ETFO Lakehead Teacher Local President says they want to send the government a message that Bill 115 is severely impeding local collective bargaining. Chambers says they are striking because there were no negotiations. Both locals will move into a legal strike position tomorrow.

Greenspace Protection Wanted

A petition is being presented to city council Monday night which asks the city for its help in protecting some greenspace next to the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. The petitioners are concerned that without any zoning protection the area might fall prey to development

Local Food Project Funding Recommended

City administration is recommending adding 100 thousand dollars to the city's budget to help with the distribution and promotion of locally grown food within city institutions.  The money will come from the province's so called Greenbelt fund to help promote such projects across the province.   City Councillors will deal with the issue Monday evening.

Council Considering Loan Forgiveness

City Council is considering forgiving a loan to the local Emergency Services Training Corporation. The money was used to build the group's training facility. However, city staff are suggesting they turn down a request for over 600-thousand dollars to build an indoor gun range. The report will come before council Monday night.

Tories Eye Kenora-Rainy River

Progressive Conservatives intend to focus a lot of attention on the Kenora-Rainy River riding in the next election. The riding has been an NDP stronghold for many years, but MPP Garfield Dunlop believes there's enough support out there for the Tories to grab. Dunlop was in the Fort Frances area to talk to area leaders about ways to get more young people interested in the trades.

Company To Ask For City Support

A new company is asking for city support. Digestic Corp. plans to use food waste from local restaurants and grocery stores to generate renewable green energy. They want to take the waste directly from the businesses and throw it in their digester bypassing the landfill. A letter of support from the city could be used to help the company with its application to the Provincial Government's renewable energy program.

High School Teachers Plan Monday Sanctions

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation is starting new job sanctions today. High School teachers will arrive 15 minutes before the work day and leave immediately after class ends.Local OSSTF President Paul Caccamo says they'll also cut out any after school activities.Caccamo says they hope the job action sends a message to Education Minister Laurel Broten.

No Strike Date For Local Teachers

There is still no date set for a one day strike by local public elementary school teachers. The school board's Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says so far the teachers union hasn't given 72 hours noticed, but she says that could change anytime, even on the weekend. Siemieiuk says when there is a strike, all public elementary schools will be closed.

Wawa Gets Help

The Provincial Government is helping Wawa rebuild and recover from its recent flood damage. The province has committed nearly 7 million dollars to help the community.  3.5 million dollars will be available under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program for emergency costs and essential infrastructure repairs. Another 3 million is going towards replacing a bridge repairing Highway 17.  Residents and small businesses that lost property in the flood are eligible to apply for assistance as well.

2 Million Already Raised For DFC Residence

Fundraising efforts for a new student residence at Dennis Franklin Cromarty school aren't even a week old and already 2.1 million dollars has been collected. Tom Kamenawatamin of the Wasaya Group says mining companies are going to be one source in reaching their 15 million dollar objective. One has already come through with KWG Resources contributing 2 million dollars.  Fundraising will kick into full gear in the new year once a business plan is addressed.

Frazee Released

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's hockey team have released their leading scorer Thomas Frazee. There is no clear cut reason for Frazee's immediate release other than Lakehead’s Athletic Director Tom Warden said “We feel that this decision is in the best interest of our hockey team.” Frazee had 7 goals and 15 assists and was 7th in O.U.A. scoring after 16 conference games in the first half.

No Other Flood Victim Complaints

The plight of one East End flood victim appears to be an isolated complaint. She says her Christmas is in tatters because her relief money will come too late. The chair of the city's Disaster Relief Committee, Wayne Fletcher, says the fundraising rules prevent an early payout, something they realized early on in the process and that's why they offered the early initial payments of 1 thousand dollars. Fletcher says no other flood victims have had a similar beef.

Bombardier Workers Have Their Walls & Roofs

It's good news for the Thunder Bay Bombardier Plant. Bombardier workers in Quebec have voted to accept a new collective agreement that ends a nearly five-week strike. Local CAW President Dominic Pasqualino says it's just in time since they supply roofs and side walls to the local plant. Pasqualino adds they're not sure whether or not Thunder Bay workers who were laid off last month will be able to return to work before Christmas as was expected.

Bight Opens Today

The waterfront's new restaurant Bight Restaurant & Bar is now open.  The eatery located in the Water Garden Pavilion at Prince Arthur's Landing will be open 7 days a week.  The concession service will open this weekend.

Schreiber Pedestrian Vehicle Collision

Schreiber OPP are investigating a pedestrian vehicle collision today.  Around the noon hour today a 23 year old woman was crossing Beach Road in Terrace Bay when she was struck by a north bound vehicle. The driver made a brief stop and then continued east bound.  The woman was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.  Schreiber OPP are currently looking for the driver of a newer model black Ford Focus. 

Fort Frances High Locked Down Today

A 16-year-old boy is in police custody following an incident that forced the Fort Frances High School into a lock downed position around the noon hour today. Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says OPP were called after the boy was observed carrying what turned out to be a replica firearm. Class resumed within about an hour after the lockdown was put in place. No one was injured.

Drainage Rebate Program Comes In The New Year

The City is offering homeowners who were impacted by the May 28th flooding a flood prevention rebate program.  Spokesperson Kerri Marshall says they'll be helping pay the cost of three drainage initiatives.  Council has approved 750-thousand dollars for the rebate program which could help up to 200 homeowners.

Salvation Army Christmas Meal Sunday

The Salvation Army is expecting up to 300 people for Christmas Dinner Sunday.  The dinner is being cooked and served by the staff of the Valhalla Inn.  Major Merv Halvorsen says they're providing a shuttle service from City Hall and Water Street Bus terminals at 11:45.  The Christmas meal will be served at noon Sunday at the Salvation Army Booth Centre on Cumberland Street North.