Major Tender & Construction Work with Waterfront
THUNDER BAY, ON - July 14, 2009 – The City of Thunder Bay has begun tender releases to form Stage 1 – Phase 1 for the redevelopment of Prince Arthur’s Landing. Construction is set to begin immediately following Labour Day.
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Thunder Bay Hydro Delivery Increase
THUNDER BAY, ON - July 7, 2009 – The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has approved an increase in the local delivery charge for Thunder Bay Hydro customers. The decision will raise the Monthly Delivery Charge line of the bill by 76¢ or 3%. This has an impact of 0.69% on the total bill paid by a residential customer using 1000 kWh per month. read more...>
Gas Prices Quick to Rise, Too Slow to Fall
THUNDER BAY, ON ---- July 5, 2009 ----- This article began as an all out rant on the cost 
of fuel in the Northwest and the Thunder Bay Area. It seems everywhere you go in the city the price of gasoline is about 109.7 cents a litre. To be sure we paid more last year when oil was trading at about $140 a barrel so you would think that all things being equal when oil is now about $67 a barrel we should be paying half of what we did last year. read more.....>
$4M RECREATIONAL THUNDER BAY-SUPERIOR NORTH
THUNDER BAY, ON July 3, 2009 ---- Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay–Superior 
North, and Greg Rickford MP, for Kenora are pleased to announce today that
the riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North will benefit from $4,057,554 in joint federal and provincial funding to improve community recreational infrastructure, announced today under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC). Each level of government will be providing $2,028,777.
These projects will provide stimulus to the local economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to recreational infrastructure. Improving recreational facilities and services will also encourage higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building. read more......>
Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium Delivers Local Contracts
THUNDER BAY, ON ---- June 26, 2009 ---- The concept of the Thunder Bay Oil Sands 
Consortium was born in 2006 after a presentation to local businessmen by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The idea of forming a local consortium to compete for business in western Canada’s oil patch was too good to resist. Local politicians used the tools at their disposal to make the consortium happen, the city through Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, the province through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund worked to create an effective new group to support growth in Thunder Bay. read more.....>
Chinese Trade Delegations Visits Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY, ON, --- June 25, 2009 --- I could be just as “Invite them and they will come”. 
A high level Chinese trade delegation spent much of the past two days visiting Thunder Bay. Lead by Vice Consul General Lei Zhigang of the People's Republic of China, Nick Zeng, China Mining Association. The Chinese delegation came at the invitation of the Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forests. His office worked together with Richard Pohler of Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) members of city council and the business community. read more......>
Musings on Pension Reform
THUNDER BAY, ON ----- June 24, 2009 ---- The draft from Queens Park has brought with it 
some musings about pension reform in Ontario. Years ago many companies tried to reduce costs by offering employees defined contribution pension plans. My personal opinion is such plans should be discouraged at all levels simply because many of them leave pensioners broke.
Part of the reason for this is there is no tax incentive for businesses to do otherwise. That should change. Instead Ontario’s minister of finance Hon. Dwight Duncan is likely to shuffle so things around that may help some situations for defined benefit plans. Having said that there are some prices we may have to be prepared to accept. read more......>
OVER $2.85 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR RAINY RIVER PROJECT
THUNDER BAY, ON - June 12, 2009 - KENORA, ON - Residents of Rainy River, Fort Frances, Emo, La Vallee, Alberton, Morley and Dawson will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding, announced today by Greg Rickford, MP Kenora and Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP and Minister of Northern Development and Mines. This funding is just one more example of both governments’ commitment to stimulating the Ontario economy through the creation of jobs in our communities. read more...>
Questions to the Minister
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 29, 2009 - Ontario’s Minister of Finance Hon. Dwight Duncan 
was in Thunder Bay on a working meeting with local politicians and business leaders. In the afternoon he agreed to meet briefly with members of the media at the Prince Arthur Hotel. The following is a brief synopsis of the proceedings. read more...>
Liberal Government Announces Entrepreneur Program
THUNDER BAY, ON ----- May 20, 2009 ---- Another nugget of wisdom from the Dr. Robert 
Rosehart report is now in place. It is a plan to promote entrepreneurship in Northern Ontario. Rosehart recognized the importance of entrepreneurship in developing any economy and in his view no society can have enough of them. In his vision entrepreneurs are special people who drive new growth and wealth creation in society. They should be cherished and nurtured from an early age. Well the announcement by Minister Gravelle fell short of Rosehart’s vision of nurturing entrepreneurship. read more....>
New Democrats stand up for Small Forestry Businesses
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 15, 2009 - OTTAWA — Member of Parliament John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) attacked the Harper government today for not offering assistance to small businesses and suppliers affected by the bankruptcy filings of AbitibiBowater and Buchanan Forest Products. read more...>
Beaucage pledges postal campaign against harmonized tax
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 15, 2009 - TORONTO (May 14, 2009) – A prominent First 
Nations leader has launched a write-in campaign designed to reinforce the treaty right of First Nation citizens to tax exemption.
Speaking to meeting of Independent First Nations today, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, candidate for the office of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, outlined his plan to reinforce First Nation tax exemption as Ontario makes plans to harmonize the province's 8 per cent sales tax with the 5 per cent federal Goods and Services Tax. read more...>
Hyer Meets Baird Bombardier Jobs
OTTAWA – At a Tuesday meeting requested by Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Bruce Hyer, the 
Northern Ontario MP urged federal Transport Minister John Baird to assist in funding the landmark TTC-Bombardier streetcar deal. The 10-year, $1.2 billion deal is the largest transit contract in the country’s history.
Baird said priorities identified by the City of Toronto to him did not include “recent submissions” such as the Toronto Transit Commission contract that “came out of the blue.” The Minister said that the government’s motive is short-term economic stimulus, and that they have talked to the Ontario government to see if they’d take that approach as well. “We want stimulus now, not in 10 years.” he reiterated. read more.......>
CEP Pensioner Win over AbitibiBowater
THUNDER BAY, ON -------- May 4, 2009 ------- Communications, Energy and paperworkers 
union (CEP) at AbitibiBowater (TSX:ABH) have won court decision that Abitibi Bowater had no right to unilaterally rescind pension benefit improvements that had been negotiated in a collective agreement prior to the newsprint giant entering bankruptcy protection
Justice Clement Gascon ruled that the forestry company's efforts to unilaterally amend the collective agreement of current workers was illegal. "None of the arguments (by AbitibiBowater) justify the illegality of the gestures it made," Gascon said Monday in his verbal ruling. read more.......>
Ontario’s new mining act revealed today at Contact North
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 1, 2009 - While the Hon. Michael Gravelle was tabling the 
legislation in provincial parliament today, local media in the city were briefed on the details of the act at Contact North. In this photo Christine Kaszyki is shown reading the key points of the legislation to members of the press. The document summary follows. read more...>
families gain from Lower Taxes
THUNDER BAY, ON - April 30, 2009 - Ottawa – Today is the deadline for filing tax returns. 
“Canadian families in our community will notice even more savings after another year of Conservative tax cuts,” said MP Greg Rickford. “Every year since taking office we have cut taxes and introduced new tax credits to ensure Canadians have a little more money in their pockets during these challenging times.” read more...>
Are CONSERVATIVES ABANDONING TTC-BOMBARDIER DEAL?
THUNDER BAY ON ---- April 28, 2009 – Rafferty delivered a letter to Minister Baird today 
asking him to reconsider his recent public comments on the subject and ensure the federal government contributes its share of the money for this “important” national and regional project. The Canadian Autoworkers estimate that more than 300 jobs could be created in Thunder Bay if the eight-year, $1.2 billion TTC-Bombardier goes ahead as planned.
John Rafferty, Thunder Bay – Rainy River Member of Parliament believes that the Conservative government is laying the groundwork to reject federal funding for the recently announced TTC-Bombardier deal, and is outraged by Transport Minister John Baird’s public musings on the subject. read more.......>
Baird douse cold water TTC contact for Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY, ON --- April 28, 2009 – Just hours after the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) 
formally approved plans to buy new rail cars from Bombardier, federal Minister of Transport John Baird appeared to douse cold water on the deal.
Baird was quoted as saying the federal government’s priority was to create jobs now, while the Bombardier deal was a 10-year contract. The Minister further implied that the $1.2 billion dollar deal, the largest transit contract in Canadian history, may not qualify for federal stimulus funding. The transit contract depends on one-third financing from the federal government. read more......>
Incredibly great news for the City of Thunder Bay Mayor Peterson
THUNDER BAY, ON --- April 24, 2009 --- "This is incredibly great news for the City of 
Thunder Bay said Mayor Lynn Peterson. This is also great news for the people of Toronto as Bombardier makes an extraordinary product. We are delighted the TTC is recommending to Toronto City Council that the contract be awarded to Bombardier to build . the $1.22 billion dollar contract to build 204 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs). What an amazing day for the employees of the Thunder Bay plant, their families and the community as a whole."
Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North is thrilled that the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has recommended Bombardier for“It is extremely encouraging to hear the announcement today that TTC staff has recommended Bombardier for the $1.22 billion contract to build the fleet of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for the Toronto Transit Commission,” said Gravelle. read more......>
BMO Abandons Victoriville
THUNDER BAY, ON --- April 20, 2009 ---- The Bank of Montreal over night moved out of Victoriaville in the Fort William Business District and into their new Harbour Crossing branch located at 859 Fort William Road in Thunder Bay. The branch features expanded services, longer hours and more staff to better serve the community.For greater convenience, the new Harbour Crossing branch features ample free parking. read more.....>
Bowater to Restructure Under Bankruptcy Protection
THUNDER BAY, ON - April 16, 2009 - Early this morning David Peterson, CEO of 
AbitibiBowater announced the filing for bankruptcy protection in the United States, this move has quickly been followed by similar action in Canada. Citing the difficulty of raising capital in the current credit market Peterson said there was no other alternative than to seek the protection of the courts while the company restructures its operations. read more...>
Hon. Geoff Regan MP, Liberal Natural Resources Critic, Visits Northwestern Ontario
THUNDER BAY, ON - April 16, 2009 - The Hon. Geoff Regan, MP Halifax West and Liberal 
Natural Resources Critic, will be touring Northwestern Ontario April 16-17th.
Hon. Geoff Regan will participate in a Forestry Roundtable Thursday April 16, 2009 at the Travelodge Airlane Hotel, Thunder Bay. First Nations, municipal, labour and academic representatives from across Northwestern Ontario will discuss the current state of forestry, the forest industry, and their impact on residents. read more...>
Community Update on Project and Economic Impact
THUNDER BAY, ON ---- April 9, 2009 -----Residents of Thunder Bay are invited to an Open House, Italian Cultural Centre, 132 Algoma St. South, on May 14 on Prince Arthur’s Landing to learn about the project status, next steps, planned construction and find out first hand about the economic impact delivered to City Council. read more...>
SUDBURY GIVES SHINE TO ONTARIO DIAMONDS
SUDBURY, ON - April 6, 2009 - Ontario’s first diamond cutting and polishing facility will be 
located in Greater Sudbury and will create about 50 new jobs in the community.
Crossworks Manufacturing, part of the HRA-SunDiamond Group, who qualified for a supply contract with De Beers’ Diamond Trading Company (DTC), will cut and polish an estimated $25-million worth of rough stones a year at a new northern facility. Once completed later this year, the facility will employ about 50 people in special skilled diamond cutting trades, as well as administrative and maintenance positions. read more...>
Where there is some there is more?
THUNDER BAY, ON, ----- April 2, 2009 ---- The Magma Metals Current Lake Strike has 
grown from the finding of a boulder on the south west side of Current Lake which showed promising grades of Platinum and Palladium to one of the areas most active exploration zones. RFK explorations, a small Kirkland Lake exploration company states “RJK considers the Magma Metals Platinum-Palladium Thunder Bay North Discovery to be one of the more significant discoveries in Ontario over the last few years”. read more......>
Life Changes / When it’s time to sell
THUNDER BAY, ON ----- March 29, 2009 ---- For most Canadians their biggest, long term 
investment is in their homes. While in many European countries, mortgages take so long to complete that they are often passed on to the children of the mortgager, in Canada most of us look forward to the day when we can tear up the mortgage papers and celebrate. However, as life changes, so do housing needs. read more....>
Native leader to intervene in Ontario taxation reform
THUNDER BAY, ON - March 27. 2009 - NIPISSING FIRST NATION – The Anishinabek Nation is working to ensure that the harmonization of sale taxes in Ontario will respect First Nations’ exemption of taxation that is entrenched under law and in the treaties.
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, candidate for the office of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has petitioned the Government of Ontario to take part in the taxation reform process. read more...>
Lithium, Canada’s new Gold?
THUNDER BAY, ON ---- March 23, 2009 ------ While most of are trying to get by, some 
companies and governments world wide are planning ahead to get a foothold in the new future economy. Last year’s energy prices reached and all time high, and the cost of that energy taxed much of the life out of the economy. It is the remembrance of those times that had many people thinking, “What if we did not need Oil”
At to-day’s prices for oil, many people are not as concerned about fuel economy, and I do not believe that the vast majority of us care enough about the environment enough that they would give up their new SUV in favour of a small plug in electric car such as the electric Nissan shown above. That said should the gloom of high energy prices return this little car could look pretty good! Read more.....>
When Greed Controls
THUNDER BAY, ON - March 20, 2009 - When it comes to personal finance, I’ve long 
concluded that banks are not your friends. Banking services like food are a necessary part of modern life. Banking extends not only to our personal finances, but it is involved with the places where we work, and also with the pensions that we have earned. One a larger scale banking policies can determine the economic policy of a country and even groups of like minded countries. read more...>
Northern Ontario Sustainable Communities Partnership’s
THUNDER BAY, ON -- March 6, 2009 --- The Northern Ontario Sustainable Communities 
Partnership’s (NOSCP) workshop, “Community Forests: A Tenure Reform Option for Community Sustainability in Northern Ontario” was judged a resounding success. The two-day workshop (March 4-5th) involved an unprecedented number of First Nations communities and may have been the first time that so many First Nations have met with other northern residents in the same room to talk about the common forest land that we share. read more.....>
MORE SCHOLARSHIPS TODAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOMORROW
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 27, 2009 - KENORA: As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government will significantly expand graduate program scholarships, helping to deliver a more robust, competitive Canadian economy. read more...>
27 tips for hard times
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 27, 2009 - In the world of economics there are few proverbial jokes that offer less insight into the current state of the economy than this: "A recession is when your neighbour loses his job. A depression is when you lose your job."
The U.S. slipped into recession in December 2007. Canada is thought to have followed suit in December 2008, but we won't actually know for sure until May when official numbers are expected to indicate the economy to have gone through two quarters of negative growth, thus having the variables needed to declare it an official recession. read more...>
Knowledge-Based Growth in Non-Metro Areas
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 10, 2009 - Dr. Robert Atkinson is president of America’s 
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. His paper presented ideas about developing knowledge-based economy in non-metro areas. His premise that economic change is constant, new technology that drives growth cycles and creates a dynamic economy. The notion that capitalism destroys older systems as new ways of doing things makes sense. When something new is introduced in the market, its advantages are apparent and this creates a growth spurt. As the product matures on the market, other manufacturers fine tune and find ways to improve the product. In the latter part of the cycle mass production and cost cutting efforts are used to make the product the lowest cost on the market. This is the mature or last stage of the market cycle. read more...>
Fort Frances Five Mile Wharf
FORT FRANCES, ONTARIO – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest in the rehabilitation of the Fort Frances (Five Mile Wharf) Facility in Ontario.
The Five Mile Wharf Facility, which fronts the Couchiching First Nation Reserve, comprises 0.715 hectares of property consisting of an L-shaped stationary wharf, floating docks and a launch ramp located on Rainy Lake. The general project involves repairs to the wharf’s substructure, replacement of the entire timber deck and repairs to the floating docks. The project is expected to be finished before Spring 2009. read more.....>
Northern Ontario Sustainable Communities Partnership
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 9, 2009 - The Northern Ontario Sustainable Communities 
Partnership (NOSCP) will host a workshop on “Community Forests: A Tenure Reform Option for Community Sustainability in Northern Ontario” March 4-5, 2009 at the Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay. read more...>
RInC Funding Announced at KDMA
MACHIN, ON ---- February 6, 2009 –-- “For decades, community centres across Canada, 
and especially here in northwestern Ontario, have been a gathering place for families, friends and neighbours. Our Conservative government is taking action to reinvigorate these vital community landmarks with $500 million in Recreational Infrastructure in Canada (RInC) over the next two years,” said Greg Rickford, MP, Kenora. read more......>
What’s happened to the Rosehart report?
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 05 2009 - With the publicity around the recent “Think North 
Summit” held earlier this week at the Valhalla Inn it is easy to forget the initial work done by Dr. Bob Rosehart. His report now referred to as the Rosehart report was published in 2007. Minister of Mines and Northern Development Michael Gravelle calls the Rosehart report an important document saying “that many of his recommendations will be included in the new plan to develop the north”. At present only seven of his recommendations have come to fruition. read more...>
Lessons from Finland
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 5, 2009 - Paavo Löppönen presented a session titled 
Knowledge-based Transformation in a Global World, at the recent “Think North Summit. Using the example of Finland, Paavo went on to show that it is possible to turn a crisis into an opportunity. The question he and other had to address was how to save and restructure a small nation? read more...>
Think North Summit
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 4, 2009 - The “Think North Summit” opened with a reception 
on Monday evening, but it got serious business all day Tuesday. A full house of 370 people attended the conference in person, while even more watched by live video streaming through out Northern Ontario.
Representatives from local and provincial government were much in evidence, as were aboriginal leaders, business leaders, educators, forestry and mining representatives all came to hear an international panel of experts on developing regional economies. Noticeable absent were representatives from the federal government. read more...>
Site Chosen for Thunder Bay Consolidated Courthouse
THUNDER BAY, ON - February 2, 2009 - George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister 
of Energy & Infrastructure, announced on Monday that a new combined court house will be built in the heart of the South Core of downtown Thunder Bay. The new court house, Smitherman stated, will be environmentally friendly and reflect the new energy efficient standards for new buildings. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 once the building siting and design is completed. Shortly, the City of Thunder Bay will be hiring consultants to do a traffic, transit and parking study of the area as the new Court House will impact on the present Brodie Street parking lot and bus terminal. The new Thunder Bay consolidated courthouse will be located between Brodie and Archibald streets, south of Miles Street. read more...>
My 2 cents worth on Tax Free Savings Accounts
THUNDER BAY, ON, --- February 1, 2009 ---- Lately watching television these days means 
being bombarded by commercials touting the governments new Tax Free Savings Accounts. Be assured that there is somebody in government who has us the consumer’s best interest at heart. It might even appear as though someone is doing some serious thinking on our behalf. On the surface the concept seems like a good one, perhaps a little too late to help with our present economic difficulties but good just the same. Had I contributed $5.000 a year to a tax free savings account for the past 20 years it could turn out to be a better deal than E.I., RRSP’s and even my favourite sock. The point is Canadian’s could be saving at a healthier level. Had I amassed a small fortune, then some of life’s perils are not so catastrophic. read more.....>
New Court House for Thunder Bay District
THUNDER BAY, ON, -- January 31, 2009 --- The much anticipated announced on the 
location of the new Thunder Bay District Court house is expected to be announced Monday afternoon. It is expected that the proposed Court House will be located in the area between Miles street and Victoria Ave and between Brodie Streets and Archibald Street. read more....>
A Time for Rebirth
THUNDER BAY, ON ---- January 11, 2009 --- 
For months now when driving down Water Street I see hundreds of empty rail cars waiting for a load that may never come. The fleet of rail cars is made for one purpose only, to transport softwood lumber. I still see the odd loaded car leaving the city, Abitibi-Bowater ships about two car loads of softwood lumber a day when they are running, but the city is full of closed lumber mills, and the region has many more. read more........>
Premier Gold Announces $15M in Exploration Plans.
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, --- January 5, 2009 -- Ewan Downie President and CEO of Premier 
Gold announced his companies’ exploration plans for 2009 at a press conference given at the Valhalla in this morning. A total amount of $15 million will be spent on defining and exploration of advanced gold prospects in northwestern Ontario. read more......>
Canada's Economic Action Plan Delivers New School for Wabaseemoong and North Spirit Lake First Nations
THUNDER BAY, ON - April 17, 2009 - Ottawa - Members of the Wabaseemoong and the North Spirit Lake First Nations will benefit from new schools, thanks to the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. read more...>