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[Northern Ontario] Cities seek share in mine tax revenues – by The Daily Press (Timmins Daily Press – March 5, 2012)

 The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Municipal leaders in Northern Ontario seek a better deal when it comes to sharing the tax revenues generated by the mining industry.

A delegation from the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) met with Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci recently. FONOM representatives also met with Yasir Naqvi, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance to discuss key Northern issues at the Ontario Good Roads/Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference held in Toronto.

FONOM president Al Spacek, mayor of Kapuskasing, and vice-president Tom Laughren, mayor of Timmins, made a presentation on mining revenue sharing.

“We heard the minister saying that it is this government’s priority to keep the province a prime place for mining companies to explore and have a very favourable investment climate,” Spacek said. “He’s willing to work with us, so we will continue to work on this with our municipal counterparts in the Northwest, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, as well as First Nations’ organizations.

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[Ontario] Northern Committee passes vote – by Kyle Gennings (Timmins Daily Press – March 3, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

First step in giving a voice to Northern Ontario

Thursday marked the turning point in history for Northern Ontario that was promised by MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP — Timmins-James Bay) earlier this week.

The motion to create a Northern Committee was passed readily at Queen’s Park via voice vote despite concerns over snags and party politics voiced by NDP House Leader Bisson.

“We’re really happy that it passed,” he said. “There was some concern that The Conservatives would be voting against the motion. “I don’t think that anyone wanted to be seen on the record as voting against it, so they allowed it to pass through voice vote.”

The voice vote allowed MPPs to vote freely on the motion without being held to task by their respective political parities.

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Lobbying pays off, mayor says – by Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – February 29, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Minister to alter Abitibi River Forest restrictions

A three-day lobby effort is proving worthwhile for Timmins and Northeastern Ontario.

Mayor Tom Laughren wrapped up his trip to the Ontario Good Roads Association convention in Toronto on Tuesday. He had an opportunity to meet with two more cabinet ministers and their representatives prior to returning North.

“Timmins issues have been very well received,” Laughren reported in a phone interview from the OGRA meetings.

Earlier in the week, Laughren had a session with Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Kathleen Wynne. He followed that up on Tuesday by meeting with MPP Mario Sergio (Liberal — York West), the parliamentary assistant to Wynne.

One Timmins-specific topic the mayor brought to the attention of the ministry was the city’s housing shortage.

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MPP calls for new Northern committee – by The Daily Press (Timmins Daily Press – February 28, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

MPP John Vanthof (NDP — Timiskaming-Cochrane) tabled a motion in the Ontario Legislature on Monday calling for the creation of a new legislative committee that would be made up of Northern MPPs.

“For too long, the Ontario Legislature hasn’t responded to the issues and challenges facing the North,” said Vanthof. “This new standing committee would ensure that Northern Ontario MPPs have a say on decisions affecting the North.”

Under Vanthof’s proposal, MPPs from every Northern riding would be a member of this new committee and would have the power to examine legislation that directly impacts Northern Ontario, investigate issues of importance to northern Ontario, solicit input from citizens, and make recommendations to the legislature and government.

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Speaking up for the North – by Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – February 28, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Mayor Tom Laughren meeting with provincial cabinet ministers in Toronto

Mayor Tom Laughren is wearing many hats this week as he meets with some of the most influential politicians in Ontario.

In addition to representing the City of Timmins, Laughren is also getting in face time for the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), the North Eastern Ontario Municipal Association (NEOMA) and the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) this week. The mayor is meeting with numerous provincial cabinet ministers and MPPs at the Ontario Good Roads Association convention in Toronto.

Laughren attended meetings Sunday and Monday, and has more lined up before heading home Tuesday. “It’s been very positive so far,” Laughren said in a phone interview Monday. “There has been a real willingness from ministers to listen.

“They’ve been very supportive and understanding of some of the situations we face.” So far Laughren has met with Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Kathleen Wynne, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci, and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle.

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First Nations becoming major economic players – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – February 24, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

GDP from Aboriginal communities larger than some provinces

These are “exciting times” for business opportunities in First Nation communities, a gathering of chiefs, business leaders and economic development officials in Timmins were told Thursday.

Clint Davis, president and chief executive of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, cited several factors that have aligned enabling First Nation communities to become major economic players, if they play their cards right.

It seemed fitting that Davis would be speaking about growing economic development opportunities for First Nations as the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the CreeWest Limited Partnership. CreeWest is a Moose Factory-based charter airline service that arose from the economic opportunities created by the start-up of De Beers Canada’s Victor Mine in Attawapiskat six years ago.

It is widely known First Nation communities are the fastest growing demographic in the country.

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Northern leaders frustrated by Queen’s Park ignoring Northern concerns – by Len Gillis (Timmins Times – February 22, 2012)

http://www.timminstimes.com/   lgillis@timminstimes.com

Some suggest inviting Premier McGuinty to a Northern Ontario summit

Northeastern Ontario’s municipal leaders, our elected voices across the North, are worried that their voices are falling on deaf ears at the higher levels of government.

The problem is so bad that Northern leaders are discussing whether to pool their money to hire professional lobbyists to speak out on behalf of the North at Queen’s Park.

The issue was debated at length this past week when the Northeastern Ontario Municipal Association (NEOMA) held its Winter-Spring meeting at the McIntyre auditorium.

The key concern is whether government is listening to Northern municipalities on such issues as severely limited logging in the Abitibi River Forest and the perceived need to protect caribou habitat. In both cases, the municipalities are worried that southern Ontario policies are being imposed on Northern Ontario without regard to the economic realities of the north.

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Southerners need to learn of folly of caribou plan – Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – February 22, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper. Wayne Snider is the paper’s city editor.

Time is at hand for NEOMA to step up lobbying efforts

It’s great to see that our leaders in Northern Ontario are switching into overdrive when it comes to lobbying. Members of the Northeastern Ontario Municipal Association (NEOMA) have a special subcomittee set up to look at ways to get the North’s voice heard in the corridors of power at Queen’s Park.

The most pressing issue right now is the caribou protection plan, pushed through by the government under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

If the plan goes through as currently structured, 65% of the Abitibi River forest will be off limits to industry within the next 20 years.

That means wood allocation for forest companies would drop significantly, leading to the closure of many regional operations.

NEOMA — which is comprised of mayors and council members from municipalities across the Northeast — realizes this would be a catastrophic blow to the region’s economy, creating massive job losses and jeopardizing not only the standard of living but the Northern lifestyle.

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NEOMA vows to fight caribou policy – by Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – February 17, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Municipal leaders from across Northeastern Ontario are turning up the heat on the provincial government over its caribou protection plan. And if the mountain refuses to come to Mohammed, then Mohammed will go to the mountain. Ideally, they are hoping for visits both ways.

Thursday in Timmins, members of the North Eastern Ontario Municipal Association (NEOMA) had a lengthy discussion about beefing up its lobby effort. Plans include holding a special lobby day as a group in Queen’s Park, possibly hiring a professional lobbyist or consultant to help with ongoing efforts, and even calling out provincial leaders to visit the Northeast.

Timmins Coun. Mike Doody said he would like to see Premier Dalton McGuinty and others come North to see first hand the impact government policy has on their communities.

“Why can’t we call a Northern Summit?” Doody asked. “The premier has never been to Timmins or visited NEOMA. But not just the premier, we need the leaders from all the parties here so we can tell them where we stand on these issues.”

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MPP [Gilles Bisson] says swap with feds would help First Nations – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – February 3, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Growing dissatisfaction with Ottawa’s management of schools on First Nations has spurred growing support for the province taking over the responsibility, says MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP — Timmins-James Bay).

“When it comes to education (on reserves), the current federal education system is a complete failure,” said Bisson, a long-time advocate for the idea. “Kids who finish Grade 12 (on First Nations) are at a level that is three to four years behind their counterparts outside of the reserve system.

“When I first started raising this issue, most people on reserve would have disagreed with me. Now, I would say there is a majority of people who are saying this is not a bad idea.”

Bisson said he has been sharing his thoughts on the issues with chiefs, band council members and First Nation education authorities throughout the region.

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Co-operative [industry/First Nations]approach to mining venture – (Timmins Daily Press – February 2, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Company, two First Nations sign memorandum of understanding

An agreement has been reached between a mining firm and two First Nations over mineral rights to about 60,000 hectares of land. Ring of Fire Resources Inc. has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Matachewan and Mattagami First Nations with respect to its mineral exploration activities in 10 townships just north of Timmins.

The memorandum sets out the provisions of a co-operative approach to developing the Ring of Fire Inc. interests within the territorial homelands of the two First Nations. The agreement provides for business and employment opportunities that encourage First Nation participation in the mining industry.

The parties have also committed to negotiating an Impact and Benefits Agreement should the project warrant a mining operation.

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Goldcorp plans draining, mine site reclamation – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – January 31, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper

Timmins council was provided with an outline Monday night of two projects being undertaken over the next couple of months by Goldcorp. The two projects reflect opposite ends of the spectrum for mining operations.

One relates to the planned re-opening of the Hollinger mine site, while the other concerns the reclamation of the old Halnor site.

In preparation for the Hollinger open pit mine, Goldcorp is draining groundwater and letting it flow into Pearl Lake. The lake is already used as a basin for groundwater that is pumped out from the old McIntyre mine workings.

Luc Duval, the city’s director of public works and engineering, said the Hollinger project requires the pumping of more water. It will flow into a creek the crosses under McIntyre Rd. and empties into Pearl Lake.

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Party leaders still must earn our trust – by Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – january 31, 2012)

Wayne Snider is the city editor for The Daily Press , the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper. Contact the writer at news@thedailypress.ca

North’s 11 seats suddenly seem more relevant

The North may not have been a key political battleground during the last few Ontario elections, but it is starting to get more interesting.

Checking out the political landscape after last fall’s campaign, the Liberals came within one seat of getting a majority by relying heavily on the vote in the Greater Toronto Area. The Conservatives did well in rural Southern Ontario, while the NDP largely painted the North orange.

For the first time in recent memory, all three parties came out with a dedicated Northern Ontario policy during the campaign. Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, four months into being the leader of the opposition in a minority government, is still selling ideas from his Changebook North.

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Sweeten the deal for mining companies in Ring of Fire: Bisson – by By Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – January 30, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper

NDP seeks support from Liberals

The New Democrats are suggesting the province use a carrot instead of a stick to convince chromite mining companies operating in the Ring of Fire to do all their processing in Ontario.

The NDP will ask the government to cover infrastructure costs as an incentive. “The Ontario government has got to respond by providing infrastructure to the site, namely hydro and transportation, which are critical to making it work,” said MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP — Timmins-James Bay).

Bisson is working with other member of the NDP caucus to put together an incentive package which they intend to pitch to the governing Liberal Party within the next couple of weeks.

The package would include an offer to develop transportation to the site in the form of railway or roads, as well as offer an industrial energy rate in the form of about four cents or less per kilowatt hour.

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Solid Gold fights court order – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – January 27, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper

A mineral exploration company that was forced by injunction to halt drilling outside Wahgoshig First Nation has responded with a two-pronged legal attack.

Solid Gold Resource Corporation has filed an appeal against the court’s decision to award an injunction and it is suing the Ontario government.

“We’re appealing the injunction that was awarded to Wahgoshig, ordering the Crown and Solid Gold to enter some kind of consultation,” said company president Darryl Stretch. That appeal is to be heard on Feb. 29 in Toronto.

“We have also just served notice to the Crown for damages that have affected our company as a result of this injunction,” said Stretch. “That claim is for at least $100 million.”

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