By Tom Parisi

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce is looking to improve the education standards for First Nations communities.

The chamber is being recognized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for their policy on better funding for First Nations education.

“It’s an honour to be considered and recognized on the provincial level,” said Policy and Communications Director at the Timmins Chamber, Nick Stewart, “Unfortunately the aboriginal communities recieve less funding than non-aboriginal schools and we’re trying to rectifiy this and help make them contrbuting members of the community.”

Stewarted noted, Ontario could face a trade workers shortage in the next five to 20 years. “We hope that with the proper funding and right programs, we can help ease the transition after the baby boomers retire. We want to fill the void quickly with people we know can do the job.”

The policy is part of the Ontario Chamber’s “Emerging Strong” vision, aimed at helping communities become fiscally responsible and help foster strong economies.

The Timmins Chamber policy was passed in May 2011 and Stewart said he hopes it moves along the conversation.

Too many times First Nations kids of adults are left in the dark and with this policy we want bridge the gap between us so we can begin working together.”

By Tom Parisi

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce is looking to improve the education standards for First Nations communities.

The chamber is being recognized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for their policy on better funding for First Nations education.

“It’s an honour to be considered and recognized on the provincial level,” said Policy and Communications Director at the Timmins Chamber, Nick Stewart, “Unfortunately the aboriginal communities recieve less funding than non-aboriginal schools and we’re trying to rectifiy this and help make them contrbuting members of the community.”

Stewarted noted, Ontario could face a trade workers shortage in the next five to 20 years. “We hope that with the proper funding and right programs, we can help ease the transition after the baby boomers retire. We want to fill the void quickly with people we know can do the job.”

The policy is part of the Ontario Chamber’s “Emerging Strong” vision, aimed at helping communities become fiscally responsible and help foster strong economies.

The Timmins Chamber policy was passed in May 2011 and Stewart said he hopes it moves along the conversation.

Too many times First Nations kids of adults are left in the dark and with this policy we want bridge the gap between us so we can begin working together.”

By Tom Parisi

Attawapiskat has filed a court injunction to rid the reserve of the third party manager and give financial control back to Chief Theresa Spence.

Grand Chief of the Mushkegowuk Council Stan Louttit says, the decision to impose a third party manager was morally and legally wrong.

He added people are still living in tents and it’s time for Canada to see what’s the government is doing to First Nation Communities.

They posed for a picture together in Timmins two weeks ago, but MP Charlie Angus wasted no time going after Tony Clement in the first sitting of parliament for 2012.


While Clement has always maintained he had nothing to do with the decision-making, The NDP ethics critic is pressing the Treasury Board President about spending infrastructure money in his riding of Muskoka.


“It seems as though the only time Canadians can believe the President of the Treasury Board is when he isn’t saying anything at all. Because every time he comes up with an excuse as to how he got his hands on $50 million, he tweets himself into a bigger hole.”

Angus is also challenging Clement over his failure to provide the documentation of these projects to the Auditor General.

TIMMINS –In recognition of Lake Shore Gold Corp’s $500,000 contribution to Northern College’s Centre of Excellence in Trades and Technology, a 12,000 square foot trades shop housed in the Centre has been dedicated to the company.

“Lake Shore Gold Corp. is very pleased to have contributed to the build of such a great shop. This investment will help us develop the skilled trades people that will be key contributors to the success of our mining industry and of many other industries. I want to congratulate the College and the builders of this shop, it is very spacious, modern and quite impressive,” said Dan Gagnon, Senior Vice-President of Operations Lake Shore Gold Corp.

This expansion project has allowed the College to meet the needs of our students and communities by offering programs such as heavy duty industrial mechanic, mechanical industrial millwright as well as green technology training. The students that have been utilizing the 12,000 sq/ft trades shop claim it provides more work space, is brighter than most shops, and that the inventory of new and old equipment provides them with a more authentic shop experience, better preparing them for the realities of the real world experience that awaits them.

“On behalf of Northern College’s students and staff, I would like to sincerely thank Lake Shore Gold Corp. for their generous contributions to the Centre of Excellence in Trades and Technology. This strategic investment has facilitated collaboration between private and public partners and has enabled Northern College to act as a catalyst for workforce development and sustainability in Northeastern Ontario,” says Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “Workforce capacity is a critical concern to the mining industry and for many employers in our region and, as evidenced today, is a challenge that is best met with community-based solutions.”

By: Christina Hajjar

Northeastern Ontario has higher rates of chronic disease and mood disorders.

Lara Bradley with the Northeast LHIN said there a number of reasons why.

“Unfortunately we eat too much, drink too much and smoke too much. Consequently our rates of chronic disease like heart disease, diabetes, asthma and even mood disorders are higher than the rest of the province.” She said.

LHIN has launched an initiative to help North easterners live healthier lives in 2012.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

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By Garett Chisholme

A traffic stop over the weekend helped police in Gogama seize over 70 thousand dollars in cash.

A search of the vehicle was done, where officers located beer and numerous bundles of various currency in the 2011 Dodge Pickup.

26 year old Gordon Etherington and 25 year old Blake Faires have been arrested with possesion of property obtained by crime.

Both men will appear in court of March 20th. The recovered cash has been tallied and the $70,782.56 has been seized by the OPP.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

By: Christina Hajjar

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has opened a business center at the Victor M Power Airport.

Policy and Communications Director at the chamber, Nick Stewart, said it’s all a part of celebrating the city’s centennial.

” The chamber has always kind of had a long history of involvement with the airport. Starting back in 1949 the chamber was actually put together by a group of local business people to establish an airport in the city, so this is a nice way to touch back on that.” He said.

The business center is set up with ergonomic workstations to help people as they wait for their flights.

By Tom Parisi

A Children’s Aid Society (CAS) agency working in seven aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario, is threatening to lock out their workers at midnight tonight.

The Payukotayno is an aboriginal Children’s Aid Society providing child protection and family services to communities along the James Bay coasts.

They’ve threatened to lock out workers because of the lack of funds they recieve.

CUPE communications director Stella Yeadon said the staff at the Payukotayno are under compensated, under paid and want to be treated fairly.

“There is constantly a turnover of staff which means they’re always training new workers. They don’t have to funds to keep workers in their agency and they leave to better opportunities.”

“It takes special person to do this line of work, but it takes an even better person to do it in these remote communities where the works loads are immense and stressful.”

Contract talks have broken off and a lock is looming for the workers.

“It’s not the CAS workers fault,” said Yeadon “They’re looking for better compensation because as it stands they pay for most of their travel costs, food and any other business related matter that could arise.”

She finihsed by saying locking out the staff is not the answer, agreeing to a fair settlement should be their priority.

Before these negotiations the CUPE had successfully negotiated 23 CAS workers contracts in the last eight months.

By Tom Parisi

The Downtown BIA is holding dog sled races on the downtown streets on February 4th.

Mayor Tom Laughren said the races are to garner interest downtown during the winter months.

“I think it’ll be a great show and it ties well into the 100th Anniversary theme. When people first established in Timmins, during the summer you had horses but in the winter you added dog selds to the mix. I think it’s a nice touch by the BIA.”

On Feb 11th and 12th, South Porcupine is holding it’s annual Winter Carnivale with the the celebration of Timmins centennial as it’s theme.