Horwath Aims To Improve Highways

Provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath has announced her plan for improving area highways. Speaking in Thunder Bay today, Horwath said the NDP plan to make northern highways safer by putting 200 new pieces of snow removal equipment on the roads. Horwath says the northern Ontario highways are a lifeline for northern residents, as people rely on the highways to get from smaller towns to bigger cities. Horwath is aiming to have the plan in place by next winter.

NAPS Adds New Officers

Six new officers are joining the ranks to serve the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. Two of the officers are from northwestern Ontario. Constable John Conrad is from Thunder Bay and has over 10 years' experience with the Canadian Forces. Constable Steven Hookimaw hails from Attawapiskat and is a former Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Auxiliary Constable. The other officers are from Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Wallaceburg and Collingwood. They will be stationed in the communities of Sandy Lake, Attawapiskat, Poplar Hill, Kingfisher Lake and Moose Cree for their initial training period.

Slow Month For Pigeon River

The Canada Border Services Agency is reporting a decrease in the amount of action at the Pigeon River Border Crossing. The CBSA says they processed nearly 40,000 travellers throughout March, a 13 percent decrease from March 2013. The CBSA adds that they conducted close to 3,000 secondary examinations.

Some Hydro Issues Unresolved

Most power outages as a result of the spring snow storm have been resolved. Thunder Bay Hydro is reporting that crews finished up their maintenance just after midnight. Meanwhile, many Hydro One customers are still without power. Communications Officer Nancy Shaddick says close to three thousand customers don't have any power. Shaddick says many people have been without power since Friday morning.

NAPS Seizes Drugs

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police have seized drugs from the Attawapiskat First Nation. Officials say marijuana, Oxycodone, and just over $7500 worth of alcohol was seized, while $7500 in cash was also found. A 25-year-old woman and 33-year-old woman have been charged and will appear in court in August.

Rafferty Pleased With Court Ruling

A Supreme Court ruling is boding well for NDP MP John Rafferty. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Harper government could not make any changes to Canada's Senate without consultation from other provinces and territories. Rafferty says the highest court in Canada gave the answer everyone was expecting. Rafferty adds that the Senate will never be reformed under the Harper government.