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Kenora-Rainy River MPP Tours Through Dryden

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A quick visit to the City of Dryden by the Kenora-Rainy River MPP.

Greg Rickford was at the City Hall recently to formally announce the Connecting Link funding for in and around the City.

Rickford says he’s glad the funding made it to Dryden.

He also took time during the visit to speak with City official and hear their concerns.

The announcement was made in relation to report that you can find by clicking the link below.

https://www.ckdr.net/2019/07/25/connecting-link-funding-for-dryden/

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Province Pledges To Improve Autism Program

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With the Ford government getting heat on the autism file there is a promise to making it work.

Todd Smith, the minister of social services, confesses he understands the anxiety parents of autistic children across the province have gone through over the last year.

Smith apologized to the parents saying they are “sorry for the anxiety that this has caused” and are “committed to getting this right.”

As part of the commitment, the province is expanding the scope of the autism expert panel to provide advice on what a needs-based autism program would look like.

The province has set aside $600 million for the autism program which the social services minister is confident is enough money.

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Connecting Link Funding For Dryden

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The City of Dryden is getting some provincial money for road upgrades.

$112,000 in Connecting Link funding will help in the detailed design, study and upgrades to the Highway 17 and Highway 594 intersection.

The PC government is spending a total of $30-million to support 25 projects across the province.

The funding covers up to 90% of the costs of a project.

The only other area community to receive money is Fort Frances.

They are getting $3-million to reconstruct Scott Street from Colonization Road East to Reid Avenue.

$116,200 will support the detailed design for the reconstruction of Scott Street from Pit Road Number 1 to Oakwood Road.

 

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Public School Board Approves Budget; Spending Down With Less Money Coming In

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The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has approved its 2019/2020 budget.

It contains $92.6-million in spending but leaves the public board with a deficit of $602,000.

The board is getting about $1.1-million less than last year from the province.

Superintendent of Business Richard Findlay says “we cut 25% of department budgets board wide and that accounted for millions in savings which we then threw back into front-line school jobs. Teachers, education assistants, things like that.”

Findlay adds “There were some job losses in certain areas. On the other hand, the teachers that were surplused, most of them will come back doing long-term occasional placements or permanent placements.”

He notes “There is the odd school with less staff, such as Ignace for an example. They have got 37 students in High School. Last year they were staffed at six teachers, now they are down to three. That’s probably one area that had the most significant decline.”

Overall, the board is projecting just over 4,700 students, a decrease of about 2 students from the year before.

The elementary student population is increasing a total of 95 students, but at the secondary level, the decrease is around 98 students.

Findlay says Dryden High School will see the biggest decrease, approximately 55 students, while New Prospect in Dryden will lose 21 students

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Federal Funding For Forestry Program

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The national charity Project Learning Tree Canada is thrilled to receive $4.4-million from the federal government so they help 500 students across the north get hands-on job experience.

President Kathy Abusow says they help students who may not have any job experience and face hurdles getting into the work force.

She says the funding will help teens who may need necessities like work boots, or a roof over their head, get into a job in the forest and conservation sectors.

Abusow says the goal is to spark an interest at a young age and help teens build a network to help them succeed in the industry.

She stress the green jobs program wouldn’t be possible without the financial backing of the federal government.

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Summer Learning Programs Supported

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The Ontario government is looking to improve student math skills.

It’s providing $6.6 million dollars to continue a Summer Learning Program which provides additional learning during the summer in both numeracy and literacy to students who enroll.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the program is effective.

“These programs are designed to minimize summer learning loss for students as well as to build confidence develop skills and increase excitement in the subject,” says Lecce.

The Rainy River District School Board is currently running its program at Robert Moore School this month.

Lecce says they are also setting up a virtual “Math at Home” program.

He says this will allow students to brush up on their math skills at home anytime.

“Math at home will also ensure that parents are aware of opportunities to better prepare their child for success as they transition to the next grade.”