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Kenora-Rainy Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford

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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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Highway 17 West Twinning Set To Begin

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It’s been 12 years in the making.

Highway 17 west of Kenora will finally be twinned after the provincial government signed two agreements with local first nations on Friday.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney says work could begin as early as December.

“We’re going to be going to the tendering process to do some clearing work and some work on the raw materials to get the highway built,” says Mulroney.

“The plan is still to go ahead with three phases. We’re talking today about Stage 1 and we look forward to having shovels in the ground very soon on Stage 1. People have been waiting a very long time for that.”

Stage 1 is six kilometers long and includes the section from the Ontario/Manitoba border to the turn-off to Shoal Lake #39.

Fred Green is a spokesperson for Shoal Lake #39 and calls this a historic occasion, but it hasn’t been easy.

“I can assure you that it’s not been easy to agree to come to something like this because historically that has not been the relationship, but we’ve built it.”

Actual construction of the new highway won’t begin until spring of 2022.

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Isolation Centers Being Set Up In The Kenora Area

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The provincial government is helping to fund isolations centers in the Kenora area to deal with outbreaks of COVID-19 in a couple of
first nation communities.

Yesterday, there were 38 new positive cases yesterday.

Greg Rickford is the Indigenous Affairs Minister and says they are working to keep everyone safe.

“We’ve had a good relationship with the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and the Northwest Health Unit and my Ministry is leading a coordinated incident management response in an effort to provide additional isolation facilities…mobilize rapid testing,” says Rickford.

“We’re mobilizing the facility out on the Muriel Lake Road and we’re taking a look at some other options. I spoke with Waylon, chief Scott yesterday and he and I agreed that isolation capacity was quite limited.”

Many of the new cases are on the Wabaseemoong First Nation northwest of Kenora, but there are two cases on the Northwest Angle #33 First Nation.

Medical offer of Health Dr Kit Young Hoon says it’s important that we not let our guard down

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 positive test results in the Kenora region since early January”, says Young Hoon,

“Most of the cases appear to be linked to a small number of social circles who tend to gather together.

However with such a large number of cases, things can change rapidly and Kenora area residents must follow public health restrictions to prevent broad spread of the virus.”