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Acadia Kenora-Dryden (CJRL)

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More Burial Sites Expected In The Region

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The MPP for Kiiwetinoong sees the discovery of potential burial sites at a former residential site near Kenora as just the beginning.

A total of 171 potential sites were discovered during testing at Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation since last May.

Sol Mamakwa says the discovery is further proof that the governments must continue working with First Nations to find all children who attend residential schools.

Mamakwa adds that all levels of government must continue to offer full support to the First Nations-led process of investigation, repatriation, and healing initiatives in light of another discovery of potential burial sites around a residential school.

Sixteen such schools were located in northern Ontario so he says it’s likely more burial sites will be found.

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Over $240,000 for Seniors, Youth in Machin

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The Ontario government is pledging over $240,000 to support youth, families and seniors in Machin.

Kenora – Rainy River MPP, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister of Northern Development, Greg Rickford, was in Machin yesterday to announce four projects aimed to support local youth, gym-goers and seniors throughout the community.

“We are extremely grateful to be receiving these grants from the provincial government,” said Mayor Gordon Griffiths, Municipality of Machin. “Without funding from the government, none of these projects would have been possible.”

“COVID-19 affected every community, but I feel it made a larger impact on smaller communities like ourselves. Our projects are aimed at bringing residents back out into the community in a safe setting,” adds Griffiths.

Ontario’s funding to the Municipality of Machin includes:

– $106,400 to install new playground equipment through the Trillium Foundation,
– $97,200 to hire a full-time Recreation Facilitator, arts and yoga instructors and new equipment,
– $28,600 to the Happy Go Lucky Seniors’ Centre for additional operating funding,
– $7,824 to improve wireless internet at the Happy Go Lucky Seniors’ Centre, to help them host additional events and interactive travel experiences.

“As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the importance of staying active at all ages for our mental health and wellbeing,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River. “Our government is pleased to invest in community projects, like the ones we are celebrating today in Machin, that make a big difference in the lives of seniors and families.”

The Ontario government adds the Trillium Foundation invested nearly $209 million into over 2,000 community projects across the province in 2022.

(Photo credit: Tom Thomson)

 

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Policing Coalition Hopes For Solution From Province

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Kenora, Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake are hoping the province has a solution to their high policing costs.

The mayors of three communities have a meeting set up with the new Solicitor General next week at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference.

The average cost of policing in these three municipalities is three times that of other communities in Ontario.

The coalition was formed ten months ago and since then they have met with officials from the OPP, ministry staff and the minister on the years long crisis.

They have developed options and discussed possible solution to bring policing costs in-line with the rest of Ontario, but the province has not proposed any firm resolution to their demands.

“We are cautiously optimistic that Minister Kerzner will be coming to the table with a solution”, said Sioux Lookout Doug Lawrance.

“This issue is not about the quality of OPP service, which has been excellent. This is about the financial burden on our local taxpayers which is unsustainable and has been so for many years. Our communities are relatively small, but our police costs are extraordinarily high.”

“Reducing the cost of policing so that we are in-line with other Ontario municipalities is a top priority for Kenora Council,” said Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier.

“The current cost formula unfairly penalizes taxpayers for expenses that are out of our control.”

Pickle Lake Mayor James Dalzell said, “We need a long-term solution from the provincial government. This is what I am expecting from our meeting with the Solicitor General.”

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Update: Highway 17 West And East Of Kenora Closed

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Highway 17 is closed from the Manitoba border to Clearwater Bay due to a collision.

There has been freezing drizzle for most of the morning and that’s also adding to the poor road conditions.

There has been no word when the highway might reopen again and no other details about the accident have given.

The Ministry of Transportation says the road closure could be for another 2 hours ( around 3pm).

Highway 17 east of Kenora has also been closed because of an accident and poor road conditions.

The highway is closed from Vermilion Bay to Triangle Lake.

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Province Urged To Restore Funding For Access Roads

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The provincial government is being asked to increase funding for forest access roads in the region.

Erik Holmstrom is the manager for Ontario Timberlands for Weyerhaeuser and says the amount of money dedicated to forest access roads has actually decreased.

“Initially the funding for public access infrastructure was $75 million,” Holmstrom told the Ontario Finance Committee during their hearings in Kenora this week.

“The current government has reduced this funding to $54 million. Inflationary pressure alone would require increasing the program to $100 million.”

Holmstrom says the forest access roads aren’t just for lumber companies, but different recreation activities.

“Most of the roads in the Kenora Forest and Whiskey Jack Forests are used by forest industry, the mining industry, first nation communities, hunters, trappers, fishermen, recreationalists, and tourist operators. This program is not a subsidy but an investment in our northern infrastructure.”

Tom Ratz, a forester from Resolute also says some first nations, like Slate Falls, even rely on forest access roads to get into their communities.

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Government Moves To Reduce NEXUS Backlog

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The federal government says more interview slots for applicants of the NEXUS program are being made available.

It’s part of an effort to reduce the backlog of applicants waiting approval of the alternate form of ID to cross the border.

The added spots will come by extending the hours at enrollment centers in the United States.

Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are also fast-tracking the approval of mosts program renewals and extending their deadline by five years as they await interviews are part of the project.

The border agencies says those efforts have reduced the backlog by 100 thousand.

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Red Lake Makes Case For Event Center And Arena

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The Town of Red Lake continues to push for funding for a new arena and event center.

Mayor Fred Mota says unfortunately they have been turned down for infrastructure funding for that project.

“The problem we face from the province is that there is no programs currently available to support our asset management plans for projects such as this,” Mota told the Ontario Finance Committee during pre-budget hearings earlier this week in Kenora.

Mota says the Cochenour Arena is over 60 years old and needs to be replaced.

“Red Lake is willing to make the contribution, but we need provincial support in order to move projects, such as this, to an area where we’re ready to dig.”

Mota says while Red Lake only has a population of five thousand people, that number could double once a bridge to northern first nations is completed, so there will be no shortage of demand for the arena.

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Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign Launched

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Officers and leadership with the Treaty Three Police Service are continuing to crack down and raise awareness about human trafficking taking place in northwestern Ontario.

Police unveiled new community posters that feature anti-human trafficking messages in Anishinaabemowin at a traditional feast in the territory of the Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing, otherwise known as Big Island First Nation, on January 10.

The posters feature artwork from Treaty #3 artist Kelly BigGeorge, as well as a new word in the Anishinaabemowin language which translates to human trafficking. The initiative was created by a Treaty #3 Elders Group.

“As a group, we developed the vision for the art piece by listening to the Elders speak of past traumas relating to violence and human trafficking,” says Jody Smith, coordinator for the Spirit of Hope program.

“There were teachings shared specific to women and young girls,” adds Smith. “I am truly honoured that from this group, a word was created in the language which translates to human trafficking as there was not one prior to this,” she adds.

Ontario is a major centre for human trafficking in Canada – accounting for more than two-thirds of cases nationally. Overall, Indigenous women and girls are among the most at-risk groups of individuals, and many cases involve incidents on sex trafficking.

“We look forward to seeing these posters in the communities,” says Jocelyn Johnson of Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services. “Seeing the messages in the language will have a profound impact and our hope is that the messages and posters spread awareness and supports healing.”

Residents with any information regarding human trafficking in northwestern Ontario is asked to contact police immediately at 1-888-310-1122, anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestoppers.ca.

The Kenora Sexual Assault Centre can provide free training on how to spot signs and help people who may be victims of human trafficking. KSAC can be reached at 807-468-7233, or contact their toll-free crisis line at 1-800-565-6161.

Victims of human trafficking can contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-833-900-1010 for support at any time. For immediate support, residents are asked to call 911.

February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Ontario.

(Photo provided by Treaty #3 Police)

With files from Ryan Forbes

 

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KDSB Addresses Social Service Needs

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The Kenora District Services Board says it doesn’t necessarily need more money.

Henry Wall is the Chief Administrative Officer and made a presentation to the pre-budget consultations in Kenora on Monday.

Wall told the finance committee that it wants to do things differently to make difference in lives of people who need their services.

“There is a very bright potential future for northern Ontario, but we need to do things differently,” Wall told the Ontario Finance Committee during their stop in Kenora this week for a pre-budget hearing.

“The Ministry of Health needs to work with the Ministry Housing. We should streamline housing so that those on the ground, we can build. We shouldn’t have to worry about finding the money, we should worry about actually building. That’s what we’re good at.”

Wall says there are more than enough people to fill the job shortages in the region, but they need help for housing, child care and training, to make that happen.

“With respect to the shortage of nursing, shortage of PSW’s, shortage of paramedics, we’re actually providing wrap around services, and giving our people here a fighting chance for those jobs. We don’t always have to look to the south to fill our labour needs.”

Wall says there are more than enough people to fill the job shortages in the region, but they need help for housing, child care and training, to make that happen.

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Dryden Working On Agreement With NWMO

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The City of Dryden is looking at an agreement for a 1.2 million dollar project with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

It’s for a Learn More program developed by the NWMO.

Under the proposal, a special projects manage will be hired along with a partially funded Economic Development Manager and Junior planner and along with two summer employees.

It will also cover the costs that city staff contribute to the project.

Other part of the agreement include:

  • Legal counsel and professional communication support
  • General Operating and Travel expenses
  • Youth Centre support
  • Municipal strategic planning and organizational development, community investment marketing as well as architectural and engineering services for community capacity projects
  • Community Well-being fund

There is also Near-Term Investment funding of two million dollars.

The city says the agreement does not constitute support for the Township of Ignace as a host community for a nuclear waste repository.

City council will vote on the proposal at their open meeting next week.

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