More evidence of the forest industry's difficulties.
Statistics Canada says monthly lumber production by sawmills in May decreased nearly 4 per cent.
Compared with the same month last year, lumber production declined 26-per cent.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
ServiceOntario Centres to Expand
Starting this fall, Ontario health cards,driver's licenses and vehicle registration services will all befound under one roof.
ServiceOntario centres across the province will spend the next 18months expanding to offer integrated services.
Minister of Government Services Harinder Takhar says integrated centres will make things faster, friendlier and easier for residents.
The announcement means health cards, which were available from only 27 OHIP offices, can now be picked up from 300 locations.
Health card services in rural communities will grow from only two to more than 160 centres, while northern communities will see an expansion from six to 67 integrated offices.
There are only two ServiceOntario centres which offer integrated services at present.
ServiceOntario centres across the province will spend the next 18months expanding to offer integrated services.
Minister of Government Services Harinder Takhar says integrated centres will make things faster, friendlier and easier for residents.
The announcement means health cards, which were available from only 27 OHIP offices, can now be picked up from 300 locations.
Health card services in rural communities will grow from only two to more than 160 centres, while northern communities will see an expansion from six to 67 integrated offices.
There are only two ServiceOntario centres which offer integrated services at present.
Native Leaders Worried about H1N1
Aboriginal leaders say many questions need to be answered before a potential resurgence of the H1N1 virus during the fall flu season nears.
Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's concerned about how remote communities will get supplies if the pandemic becomes severe.
"My understanding is should a full pandemic that we may have our communities close down," says Kelly, "so we're concerned should that if that happens how quickly will services come in, whether that be the vaccine, food or what not."
Liberal MP's say squabbling between governments and health boards about who is responsible for the health of aboriginals is stalling vital flu preparations.
Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's concerned about how remote communities will get supplies if the pandemic becomes severe.
"My understanding is should a full pandemic that we may have our communities close down," says Kelly, "so we're concerned should that if that happens how quickly will services come in, whether that be the vaccine, food or what not."
Liberal MP's say squabbling between governments and health boards about who is responsible for the health of aboriginals is stalling vital flu preparations.
Winnipeg River Search Continues
OPP divers continue to comb the Winnipeg River near Minaki for a missing man.
25-year-old Dave Pundyk of Winnipeg has been missing since early Saturday morning after he was thrown into the water when two boats collided on the river.
Police now say a 27-year old Kenora man who was operating one of the boats had been drinking.
25-year-old Dave Pundyk of Winnipeg has been missing since early Saturday morning after he was thrown into the water when two boats collided on the river.
Police now say a 27-year old Kenora man who was operating one of the boats had been drinking.
Head-On Sends One Person to Hospital
One person was taken to hospital following a head-on collision on Highway 11 between International Falls and Rainer.
The accident happened just before 11:00 p.m. last night near the Falls city boundary.
The Koochiching Country Sheriff's department says members of the International Falls Fire Department had to use the jaw-of-life to extricate a female driver from one of the vehicles.
She was taken to Rainy Lake Medical Centre for treatment. Her condition is not immediately known.
The driver of the other vehicle escape serious injury.
The accident happened just before 11:00 p.m. last night near the Falls city boundary.
The Koochiching Country Sheriff's department says members of the International Falls Fire Department had to use the jaw-of-life to extricate a female driver from one of the vehicles.
She was taken to Rainy Lake Medical Centre for treatment. Her condition is not immediately known.
The driver of the other vehicle escape serious injury.
Post Office to Close
A storefront post office in International Falls is among those the United States Postal Service is preparing to close in what's believed to be the first wave of closures in Minnesota.
The office located on 18th Street East is among seven the Postal Service expected to close as early as this fall.
Another 17 similar sites across the state also believed to be on the chopping block.
A decline in usage has been identified as reasons for the closure.
The office located on 18th Street East is among seven the Postal Service expected to close as early as this fall.
Another 17 similar sites across the state also believed to be on the chopping block.
A decline in usage has been identified as reasons for the closure.
Help to Find Doctors
Ontario's Health Minister David Caplan expects residents of northern Ontario to have many doctors to choice from in the not to distant future.
Caplan says 70 percent of the Northern Ontario Medical School's first year graduates plan to go into family practices - hopefully in this part of the province.
"We don't have a way to force people where to work," says Caplan, "but the feedback we're getting is that people who come from the north, who are trained in the north, and understand the needs of the community and the kind of practice you'll have in rural and northern medicine will stay there."
Meantime, the province has set up the Health Care Connect website to help residents find a doctor more immediately.
Caplan says 70 percent of the Northern Ontario Medical School's first year graduates plan to go into family practices - hopefully in this part of the province.
"We don't have a way to force people where to work," says Caplan, "but the feedback we're getting is that people who come from the north, who are trained in the north, and understand the needs of the community and the kind of practice you'll have in rural and northern medicine will stay there."
Meantime, the province has set up the Health Care Connect website to help residents find a doctor more immediately.
Dryden Mill to Resume Operations
While workers at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances are in the middle of a week-long shutdown, workers are slowly returning to work at Domtar's pulp mill in Dryden.
About 230 workers have been laid off since the end of April.
They are now returning in phases with the entire workforce back by July 27th.
The mill's steam plant will be start Sunday, with pulp production coming online shortly after that.
About 230 workers have been laid off since the end of April.
They are now returning in phases with the entire workforce back by July 27th.
The mill's steam plant will be start Sunday, with pulp production coming online shortly after that.
Emo Abattoir Get More Money
More money for the Abattoir project in Emo.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing another half-million dollars toward the project which is now being built.
It brings the provincial contribution to a million dollars.
The two-million dollar not-for-profit community owned abattoir is expected to open by the end of this year.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing another half-million dollars toward the project which is now being built.
It brings the provincial contribution to a million dollars.
The two-million dollar not-for-profit community owned abattoir is expected to open by the end of this year.
Bass Tournament Turns 15
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will celebrate its 15th anniversary tonight.
Since 1995, the championship has drawn anglers from across north America to fish the waters of Rainy River.
Chair Tom Fry says community support plays a big part in keeping the event going.
"I think right from the outset is the dedication from our volunteers and the community involvement from a perspective of sponsorships," says Fry. "Without them we couldn't have kept going."
The annual tournament has become big business for the Fort Frances area with hotel, restaurants and other stores seeing a brisk business.
Fry says a recent study showed the annual event generates more than two-million dollars in the local economy.
"That includes all of the before and after effects from fisherman visiting the area, coming in for pre-fishing and coming in for other events to fishing in the fall."
Tournament organizers will mark the 15th anniversary in a number of ways this evening at the tent site.
An event that had been intended for only the anglers and sponsors of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will now be open to the public.
Winnipeg Comedian Big Daddy Tazz will perform under the big tent at 8:00 p.m.
Opening ceremonies have been moved to 7:30 p.m.
A fireworks display along the waterfront will follow at around 10:00 p.m.
Since 1995, the championship has drawn anglers from across north America to fish the waters of Rainy River.
Chair Tom Fry says community support plays a big part in keeping the event going.
"I think right from the outset is the dedication from our volunteers and the community involvement from a perspective of sponsorships," says Fry. "Without them we couldn't have kept going."
The annual tournament has become big business for the Fort Frances area with hotel, restaurants and other stores seeing a brisk business.
Fry says a recent study showed the annual event generates more than two-million dollars in the local economy.
"That includes all of the before and after effects from fisherman visiting the area, coming in for pre-fishing and coming in for other events to fishing in the fall."
Tournament organizers will mark the 15th anniversary in a number of ways this evening at the tent site.
An event that had been intended for only the anglers and sponsors of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will now be open to the public.
Winnipeg Comedian Big Daddy Tazz will perform under the big tent at 8:00 p.m.
Opening ceremonies have been moved to 7:30 p.m.
A fireworks display along the waterfront will follow at around 10:00 p.m.
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