Rickford Defends ROF Process

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire.  Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas was critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project.  Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project.  The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Tbaytel Reaches Safety Milestone

Tbaytel is patting itself on the back for reaching a safety milestone.   The workers have gone half a million hours without a workplace injury.  The city run utility credits the dedication of the staff for keeping it a safe working environment.   A special  ceremony to mark the occasion was held today.

New President At George Jeffrey

Firedog Communication's Stephanie Ash is George Jeffrey Children's Centre's new President.  Ash was previously a Board Director, and replaces long-standing President, Bob Speer.  Ash says her goal is to help get service to as many children as possible and to reduce the waiting list which currently stands at about 200 children.

Hobbs Hoping For Fed Funds For Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon.  During an event today the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed.  Hobbs says he has high hopes for the project and will keep pushing for Federal funding.  Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

LU President Going To Queen's Park

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is going to visit Queen's Park on Monday and Tuesday.  It's part of the annual Lobby Days. Stevenson will be joined by VP of External Relations Deb Comuzzi, and Director of Government Relations Richard Longtin.  They'll be meeting with key ministers, critics and party leaders.

3 Million Dollars In FedNor Funding Announced

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is in Thunder Bay today and he brought his cheque book with him.  Over 3 million dollars was announced for several area projects including over a million for the City to renovate the Whalen Building and the Delaney Arena.  Rickford says the investment in Thunder Bay is going to improve the economy.  49-thousand dollars is going towards the Friends of Chippewa Park and another 49-thousand will go towards hosting the Canada Rural Revitalization Foundation's national conference in Thunder Bay.

MV Thunder Bay Welcomed

It's a proud day for Canada Steamship Lines.   The freighter MV Thunder Bay made its first stop at Keefer Terminal today.  A special ceremony was held to welcome the ship to the city. CSL President Louis Martel says the ship was built to fill a need for the company on the Great Lakes. This is the fourth ship named after our city in the company's history.

LRCA Budget Set

The operating budget for the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is set.   Chair Bill Bartley says after a modest increase of 1 and a half per cent it works out to about 1 and a half million dollars.  He says while nothing special is planned the Victor Street erosion project will continue to be a priority.  The budget was approved at this weeks authority meeting

Prescribed Burn In NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources is preparing to ignite a prescribed burn in the Horse Lake area in the Sioux Lookout District. Officials say the burn will renew almost 700-hectares within the Lac Seul Forest which suffered severe weather damage between 2001 and 2007.  The burn is scheduled for today.

NPI CEO Has Big Plans

The independent think tank the Northern Policy Institute is embarking on a number of projects.  They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says one of the first things they've done is commission a review of the Federal Aboriginal Education Act.  NPI is also looking to create an online community consultation tool that will poll Northerner's thoughts on Provincial Government policies. Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Thunder Bay yesterday.