Far North Act passed

The McGuinty government's Far North Act has passed in the Ontario Legislature despite the objections of First Nations and many northern communities.  The Conservative's Northern Affairs Critic Randy Hillier says plenty of people have come out against the legislation; yet the McGuinty Government won't back down.  Nishnawbe Aski Nation has said that if their concerns are not met they may blockade and protest in response.  The law is designed to protect about half of the north's land from development.

Council tackles LRCA levy

Thunder Bay could be paying more money to the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. Administration is recommending council provide almost 113-thousand dollars extra to their 2010 levy. The extra cash is for the recovery of professional fees associated with the failed facility on Fort William Road. The remaining funds are to be used for maintenance and capital expenditures for the old facility.

Calling before you dig is easier now

The city is partnering with a Dryden company to help contractors call before they dig. Dig North provides the service. The company has information from various sources to find what utilities are underground.  The Construction Association of Thunder Bay is also part of the new program.

Council prepares for election

City administration is taking steps to keep the municipal government rolling after the upcoming election.  A resolution is being brought before council on Monday night asking them to delegate power to the City Clerk and the General Manager of Finance and Corporate Services.  The senior adminisitration team would then be able to issue debentures for capital projects that were previously approved in budgets prior to 2010.

Wet weather in store for Thunder Bay

What you see is what you'll get weather wise for the next little while. Environment Canada's Jim Prime says we could see as much as 40 millimetres of rain by tomorrow afternoon. Prime says things will clear up over the weekend with temperatures hitting the high teens early next week.

The Full Moon Memorial Walk hits city streets

There will a walk tonight to honour the hundreds of murdered and missing aboriginal women in Canada. Ontario Native Women's Association spokesperson Tasha Sheilds says the walk starts at 6 o'clock at the corner of Simpson and Victoria but everyone is encouraged to show up by 5:30.  Sheilds says its important to remember all these women to raise awareness about violence towards aboriginal women. 

High School students meet with Kenyan Runners

A Thunder Bay high school is learning from the winner and runner up of the Miles with the Giant Marathon.  Members of the Westgate Tigers Cross-Country Team will meet with Kenyan Runners Philip Kipchumba and Gilbert Kiptoo.  The duo will be speaking to a library full of students and runners today.

Go Tobacco Free, get money

Local sports teams in need of cash can get financial aid just by promising to be tobacco free.  The provincial government is providing a 500 dollar grant to teams that adopt a tobacco-free policy.  According to the local health unit, 15 Thunder Bay teams are tobacco free including the diving club, women's hockey association, and Fort William Figure Skating Club.

Long Gun Registry Alive

The long gun registry lives.  MPs voted 153-151 Wednesday night to kill the Tory bill to scrap the program.  Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he's going to poll his constituents on what they would like seen  done with the registry in the future.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says his party will introduce a bill calling for changes to the registry.  Meanwhile, Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's dissapointed and notes it was an emotional day.  All three Northwestern Ontario MPs supported scrapping the registry.

Environmental Report critical of MNR

Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller says ineffective oversight from the Ontario government is allowing mining companies to illegally construct mining camps and airstrips in the Far North. It was one of the many findings Miller noted in his annual report.  He says the Ministry of Natural Resources has no presence in the region and that's why these activities are happening.  Miller adds the ministry needs more money and funding levels should be brought back up.

Charges laid in City's 4th murder

A shocking development in city's latest murder.  Two girls aged 14 and 15 have been charged with 2nd degree murder.  The charges stem from a body found yesterday morning behind Wentworth Crescent.  Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident.  A postmortem on the 16 year old victim will be conducted tomorrow in Toronto.

Money to teach adults how to read

Adult learning centres in Thunder Bay's two provincial ridings are getting taxpayer funding to improve reading skills. There are a total of nine centres sharing almost 3 quarters of a million dollars. Confederation College will get the most money, close to 400 thousand dollars.

Fewer flu clinics this year

Expect a change to how the Health Unit runs it's flu clinics this year.    Spokesperson Darlene Binette says they're tentatively scheduled to start in November.  She says there will be fewer clinics, but the locations will be larger.   Binette says they're still waiting for instructions from the government on which groups will get priority for flu shots.

Air traffic volumes up

Thunder Bay's Airport has recorded record breaking August traffic volumes.  Last month saw a 6.6 percent increase with over 65 thousand passengers flying in and out of the local airport.  President Scott McFadden attributes it to a number of factors including the improved economy.  McFadden expects air traffic to continue to rise through the foreseeable future and will be tendering another parking and ground trasnportation project soon.

City hires expert to review wind park

The city is hiring an outside expert to review all the information they have so far on the controversial Horizon wind farm. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says the city doesn't have the technical expertise to review what they've received from the company.  Smith says the expert in wind energy will evaluate all the information especially the financial impact of moving turbine locations.   The issue comes back before city councillors on October 4th.

Canada's Worst Handyman

Thunder Bay is going to welcome producers of the show "Canada's Worst Handyman". Show representatives will be in the city in November to meet with show hopefuls.  A Thunder Bay woman was on the third season, and producers hope to find more wanna be handymen.  To nominate someone e-mail handyman@ propertelevision.com

Talks to resume in NOSM dispute

It's back to the bargaining table as negotiations are now planned in the School of Medicine dispute.   The school and OPSEU have agreed to continue bargaining for a first contract at the end of the month.   Two days have been set aside in Sudbury for this latest set of talks.    The 150 support workers have been on strike since August 16th.

Police investigating another murder

Thunder Bay Police are investigating the city's 4th murder of the year. They say the body of a 16 year old girl from Sachigo Lake was found in the bushes off the bike path behind Wentworth Cres. around 7:30 this morning. That's right behind Al Laird's house.  He says it was at about that time he heard something chilling while he was in his back yard.  He says he heard "some real loud screaming, a woman's voice"  in the bush.   He says that it lasted for about a minute or so and then there was silence.  Police expect to release more details later today

Legislation could hurt Thunder Bay Port

Three quarters of the Port of Thunder Bay's commercial business could be lost if the State of New York goes ahead with its ballast water treatment legislation.  C.E.O. Tim Heney says the legislation has wide implications for Thunder Bay since most of the grain ships travel the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Heney is calling on the Federal Government to work with New York State to find a solution to their proposed legislation.

Hannam explains lame duck council

Thunder Bay City Council could be deemed "lame duck" after the municipal election.  A lame duck council is formed if four or more of the current council isn't re-elected. City Clerk John Hannam says a lame duck council can not hire or fire personel, buy or sell land, or spend money over 50-thousand dollars.  As long as the current eleven members of council are re-elected they will maintain their decision making powers.  There are four meetings scheduled in November before the new council is sworn in in December.