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The search for a missing Norwegian trekker has ended tragically. The body of Steffan Skjottelvik was found Sunday morning near York Factory, Manitoba. The 29 year old was planning to trek along the Hudson's Bay coast from Fort Severn, Ontario to York Factory, a distance of more than 300 kilometers. He set out with his ...

The region's municipal leaders are pressing the importance of Confederation College to northwestern Ontario. The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association spoke to provincial ministers in Ottawa this week about funding, access to skilled labour and immigrant students. President Rick Dumas states that the college and i...

Employment and training services in Ontario are being strengthened to help workers impacted by the U.S. trade tariffs. The province is earmarking $70 million to expand programs. A portion of the money, $20 million, will go toward Protect Ontario Workers Employment Response (POWER) Centres, formerly known as Action Cent...

The leader of the provincial NDP is vowing to continue fighting for municipal needs in the Ontario legislature. Marit Stiles offered her support while speaking to delegates attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa. Stiles supports the need for a better relationship between the governm...

Some inmates and immigrants in Ontario could be receiving thousands of dollars for being forced into multiple lockdowns at provincial correctional and detention facilities. Two class-action lawsuits were filed, alleging the lockdowns were due to a lack of staff between 2009 and 2017. The suits were first launched in 20...

Premier Doug Ford is asking Ontario's municipalities to make it easier to build homes. The Premier addressed municipal leaders attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa. He says they need to look for ways to be even more ambitious in lowering the cost of building. "That means lowe...

In a move to bring more people into the construction industry, the provincial government is providing Ontario colleges and universities with $75 million to expand their programs. Confederation College will be among those to share in the funding. Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn says the money will open up...

There are renewed calls for more funding to hire additional education staff in Ontario. The provincial NDP says it is necessary to stem the rise of violence in the classroom. A published report suggests incidents of violence are up 77 percent since 2018, with over 4,400 incidents reported over the last school year. Edu...

Police in Thunder Bay have discovered almost $400,000 in illegal drugs they believe were bound for First Nations across northwestern Ontario. They say significant quantities of oxycodone and hydromorphone, along with 55-thousand dollars in cash, were seized after searching a home in the city's east end. The find was th...

Government workers involved in a hybrid workplace model for the past several years will be required to spend more time in the office. The provincial government wants them there four days a week, starting on October 20th. The goal is for them to transition to a full work week at the office in the new year. "The ret...

The Ford government is making one billion dollars available to companies impacted by the U.S. trade tariffs. The grant program will be open to eligible businesses with 10 employees or more. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says it will help those facing uncertainty. "The idea is that if you think you're qualifi...

A grant program for municipal fire departments is doubling. The province says $20 million will be made available for equipment purchases or hall improvements. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says it will give firefighters the tools they need to stay safe and effectively respond to life-threatening emergencies. "...

In addition to worrying about US tariffs, the Chinese have also put on tariff on Canadian canola. Manitoba premier Wab Kinew says the agriculture industry is very important to his province and they do everything they can to help. "We just continue to be there to support," Kinew said while he was on the Wauzhu...

The opposition is critical of the provincial government for holding closed-door meetings with First Nations this week. Reports indicate that the meetings are planned for Thunder Bay and Sudbury, focusing on the bill aimed at accelerating development. Some First Nations have expressed concern with the bill, saying it ai...

An agency that tracks tornado activity is confirming one having touched down near Mine Centre, east of Fort Frances. The Northern Tornadoes Project says it struck in a remote area to the northeast of the community on July 27th. A storm that passed over the district the same day caused damage elsewhere and knocked out t...

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is calling a U.S decision to increase tariffs on softwood lumber as unfair and unjustified. The export fee charged against Canadian companies increases to over 35 percent. President of NOMA Rick Dumas says the increase will drive up construction costs and worsen housing af...

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is supportive of Ontario's plans to build pipelines in the province. One of the pipelines would run through northwestern Ontario up to James Bay. NOMA calls it a bold, nation-building vision to develop an East-West Canadian Energy Corridor. NOMA president Rick Dumas says b...

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association calls them crucial investments to the region's forest industry. The federal government announced this week that it would provide $1.2 billion to help forest companies expand into new markets, add jobs and diversify their product lines. NOMA president, Rick Dumas, says it i...

Ontario's NDP leader says the Premier needs to hold the federal government to its commitment to delivering a national pharmacare program. Marit Stiles has written Doug Ford after comments from the federal Health Minister who refused to commit to funding in all provinces. No agreement is in place in Ontario for things s...

Another increase in softwood lumber duties from the United States. Duties have more than doubled going from 14.4 percent to 35.19 percent. The Ontario Forest Industries Association says to combat the new duties they are targeting domestic homebuilding and developing other markets. The OFIA says the new duties not only ...