Poverty and under funding are leading to a tough job market
February 2nd, 2012 by thomas.parisi
By Tom Parisi
With the number of jobs growing in the James Bay lowlands, many First Nations students are being left in the dark.
Severals mines have opened in the last few years, including the DeBeers Victor mine and the recently openend Detour Gold, and they’ll be looking for skilled trade workers. Vice President of Apprenticeship and Corporate Training at Northern College Bob Mack said, that’s where the aboriginal people can come in and help.
“There’s been a major lack in First Nation education since last year when funding was discontinued. If we can get back on track the aboriginal people can become an even more valuable resource in the north.”
Since funding was discontinued in March of 2011, Mack said a growing number of trade programs offered to First Nations student have seen a sharp decline in enrollement.
“We tried everything we could to get these programs full but they’ve been overlooked and under funded for so long, they have nothing to strive for. Student either drop out of school early or don’t feel the need to continue past high school. This is where we need to work with the government to make it work again.”
Last week it was announced the Timmins Chamber of Commerce’s new policy on the funding for First Nation education, was being considered and discussed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in an attempt to reestablish an education system along the James Bay coast.
Sabourin Named Deputy Chief
February 2nd, 2012 by garett.chisholme
Gerry Sabourin has been named the new deputy chief of the Timmins Fire Department.
Cheif Mike Pintar says his experience makes him an ideal candidate for the job.
Sabourin has been a full time firefighter since 1988.
OPP child pornography sting leads to 60 people being charged
February 2nd, 2012 by chajjar
Three Sudbury men are among 60 suspects rounded up by Police from across Ontario in a child pornography sweep being described as one of the largest in the province’s history.
Acting Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Scott Tod told a news conference officers from 24 forces arrested men and teenagers of all walks of life, including a child care worker.
“”Every child has the right to be nurtured and the right to be safe. Child pornography is the sexual abuse of children. Every image of child pornography represents a child victim. Every trading or transmission of that image represents a re-victimization of that child.” Tod said.
Det.-Sgt. Frank Goldschmidt says 22 victims were identified during the probe, and more arrests are expected.
The suspects are facing charges that include Internet child luring, possession, accessing and making child pornography.
Police say members of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet were involved in the sweep.
From August 2006 to Feb. 1, 2012 in Ontario, there have been 16,131 child porn investigations resulting in 5,837 charges against 1,867 people.
The South Porcupine Winter Carnival is just around the corner
February 1st, 2012 by thomas.parisi
By Tom Parisi
Ice sculptures, helicopter rides and a parade are only a few of the things you can do at the 27th annual South Porcupine Winter Carnival.
The carnival will have all the old favorites, said Director of Children Activities at the South Porcupine Pride committee Joanne Hagger-Perritt.
“We’ll have the inflatables at Roland Michener Secondary School and many activities at Scout Hall.”
City councilor John Curley said the carnival has been a staple in people’s lives for quite some time.
“The carnival has been around since the early 80s and residents from all over always flock to South Porcupine to enjoy the great show we put on.”
The carnival kicks off Friday Feb 10th and finishes on the 12th with a fireworks display at Porcupine Lake.
Schools looking to prevent fighting before is starts
February 1st, 2012 by thomas.parisi
By Tom Parisi
With the investigation into the fight between TH&VS and Theriault students ongoing, schools are ramping up their anti-violence campaigns.
After a lunch-hour brawl between the students, Director of Education with the Ontario District School Board North East, Linda Knight said, the students need to be accountable for their actions.
“Students have to step up to the plate and say this is not acceptable behaviour. They shouldn’t be cheering and jeering and creating a mob mentaility, they need to know there’s a better way to sovle the problem.”
Schools have already taken action by suspending the students involved and Knight said this is a step forward but more needs to be done.
“We have already begun working with smaller children about learning how to deal with these types of situations and who to turn to if it does occur.” “We are cooperating with the Timmins Police during the investigation and hope to have it complete shortly.”
Knight added consequences for those involved could be handed out as early as next week, with criminal charges a very distinct possibilty.
Missing Teen
February 1st, 2012 by thomas.parisi
By Tom Parisi
The Timmins Police are asking for the publics help in finding a missing teen.
Police say 15 year-old Jasmine Metatawabin was last seen leaving her foster home wearing dark jeans, a pink skirt, and a black coat with grey boots.
If you have any information of Jasmine whereabouts, please contact the Timmins Police at 705-264-1201
Police Investigate High School Brawl
February 1st, 2012 by garett.chisholme
By Garett Chisholme
Timmins Police are investigating a fight between Theriault and Timmins High and Vocational School last Wednesday.
At a press conference, Chief John Gauthier said it was almost a mob mentality, as students recorded the fight and posted it to social media sites. One student was taken to Timmins and District Hospital to be treated for injuries. So far, no one has been charged
District School Board Ontario North East Director of Education Linda Knight issued the following statement:
“District School Board Ontario North East is working very closely with Chief Gauthier and the Timmins Police in regards to the matter mentioned. Altercations such as this affect the learning environment of all students and as such, we take this matter very seriously. We have been conducting our own investigations, parallel to the police investigations, over the last week. In accordance with the regulations of the Safe Schools Act, we anticipate that there will be consequences for the students which could be as significant as expulsions.” – Linda Knight, Director of Education
Attawapiskat taking third party managment to court
January 31st, 2012 by thomas.parisi
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.
Angus Calls out Clement, again
January 31st, 2012 by garett.chisholme
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.
Trades shop dedicated to Lakeshore Gold Corp. for their generous contributions
January 31st, 2012 by chajjar
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.”