 | Canadian dollar - Canadian exporters struggle with parity
A heavy emphasis on exports finds Ontario suffering the worst in the wake of the Canadian dollar’s rise over the American greenback, according to Michael Gregory, senior economist with BMO Capital Markets. |
| Export program revived as Team Northern Ontario
Invigorated with a new sense of purpose, FedNor’s Team Northern Ontario trade export initiative is being revived after spending the last year in limbo. |
| Surging loonie hurts exports
Strong economic growth, particularly in the mineral sector, and an anticipated rise in interest rates may result in the loonie matching the American greenback by the end of this year, according to Lakehead University economist Livio Di Matteo. |
| Census confirms what we already know
The recently released census has confirmed what we in the Northeastern Superior Mayors Group (NESMG) have been trying to tell Government – we are in trouble! |
| Power rebate sends mixed messages
A new provincial energy rebate program to help Northern Ontario’s struggling |
| Commercial tax base overburdened
Increases to commercial property taxes throughout Ontario have |
| Opasatika assessing fibre supply for a biomass facility
Recent funding from the provincial government is allowing the small township of Opasatika to move forward with its efforts to recover from the devastating blow it was dealt following the closure of the local Tembec mill last June. |
| International bridge needs government buy in
There is value in the international bridge that links Fort Frances to their American neighbouring sister community International Falls and the owners of Boise Cascades are prepared to wait until the proper investor comes along. |
| Adjustment Action Summit Scheduled for October
Northern Ontario is facing serious economic challenges as the pressure on our resource-dependent economies grows. |
| Is your business ready for the GST reduction?
On July 1, the goods and services tax (GST) rate was from seven per cent to six per cent. |
| Funding bodies leaving towns in limbo
In May 2000, Canada watched as the small town of Walkerton, Ontario was devastated by bacterial contamination in its municipal drinking water system. |
| Province commits $10M to mining centre
Greater Sudbury’s vision to create a world class mining research centre received a huge financial shot in the arm from the province in late March with a $10-million investment to help launch their Centre of Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI). |
| Province challenges business to train next generation
Ontario Education Minister Gerard Kennedy wants business leaders to get involved in educating young people. |
| North weighs in on federal
Northern movers and shakers tell us what role the new federal government should play in building our economy |
| Discussion paper looks for answers (10/05)
Northern Ontario’s dominant position in the international mining sector is being challenged. |
| Councillor’s research led to Grow Bonds
One person can make a difference. At least that is Fort Frances Councillor Tannis Drysdale’s take on life. |
| Concerted effort to spur growth (6/02)
Business leaders are confident a new approach to economic development by the province will work in Northern Ontario. |
| Sudbury repositioning airport as catalyst for economic development (9/02)
The air terminal building at Greater Sudbury Airport will undergo a $6.34-million expansion and renovation project with the
intent to encourage economic development in Northern Ontario.
|
| Bill C-45 sets precedent for largest OH&S Act fine ever (10/05)
As many of you know, Bill C-45 came into force March 31, 2004, amending the Criminal Code of Canada to increase the potential for criminal liability for workplace injuries or fatalities. |
| How to negotiate a trade agreement in China (01/05)
Whether a company is seeking a joint-venture partnership or attempting to go it alone, doing business in China is not for
the faint at heart.
|
| March draws in 20 new jobs (04/05)
One could spend a lot more time trying to figure out exactly what a Maple Short is than understanding the positive impact
the phenomenon will have on Greater Sudbury's economy.
|
| Government uses North in border conjestion study (05/05)
Northern Ontario's border crossing faces various challenges but congestion, such as that experienced in the Windsor-Detroit corridor, is not one of them. |
| Rules of the road to growth (03/05)
Northern Ontario's problem is not finding people who want to stay here, it is identifying and developing opportunities that
build up the area without leaning on government for assistance.
|
| Dottori tees off on governments (02/05)
The Canadian and Ontario governments must show stronger leadership, reduce corporate taxes and stop over-burdening business with "silly" regulations, says Tembec president and CEO Frank Dottori. |
| Let’s work Together (07/04)
Northern Ontario community leaders need to think outside of their immediate areas and band together as a common front if they are going to survive and fight youth out-migration in the future, says Greater Sudbury Mayor Dave Courtmanche.
|
| Building Allies (7-02)
U.S. consumers, homebuilders to suffer from tariffs, forestry association officials say. |
| Government calls for mandatory forest certification (10/04)
Ontario forest companies operating under sustainable forest licenses (SFLs) are still trying to make sense of a surprise April
Fool's Day
announcement issued by Ontario Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay.
|
| Ontario health premium: who pays? (01/05)
Have you been wondering if employee groups will look to employers to pay their employees' portion of the proposed Ontario
Health Premium (OHP)?
|
| Funding freeze leaves R&D sector in limbo (09/04)
University researchers who qualified for government assistance may be left in the lurch until later this year, following the
abrupt cancellation of an Ontario government research infrastructure support program.
|
| North in the zone, province says (06/03)
It was the news that municipal leaders were hoping to hear and, when they did, it was greeted with cheers. |
| Winds of change require backing of government RFP, developer says (01/04)
If the McGuinty government is going to make good on its commitment to shut down coal-fired plants by 2007 and deliver more
renewable energy to consumers, they need to come out with a policy this winter to encourage green energy developers and the
investment community to get on board, says a Northern Ontario wind park developer.
|
| Privacy Act boon to shredding industry in the North (04/04)
Paper shredding companies across northern Ontario are beginning to enjoy an increase in business thanks to growing awareness
of Ontario's new privacy law.
|
| College Boreal launches contractors' virtual database (04/04)
The provincial government is helping to promote and expand access to business services in Northern Ontario through a College
Boreal initiative to develop a business network database.
|
| Grow Bonds to grow the North (06/04)
The inclusion of a Northern Ontario Grow Bonds program is heralded as an exciting opportunity for "northerners to invest in
themselves," says the president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC).
|
| Ontario laws, existing legislature online (4/03)
Ontario is the first province in Canada to provide new provincial laws, including existing legislation that has been amended
online within two business days of enactment to the public government officials, say.
|
| Industry voices border concerns (10/02)
Each year, trucks cross the Canada-U.S. border over 13 million times; that is approximately one truck every 2.5 seconds, 24
hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
|
| Mayors, U.S. associations, private sector join in fight against tariffs (3/02)
Timmins Mayor Jamie Lim, chairperson of Federation of Canadian Municipalities, huddled in Saint John, N.B. with Canadian mayors
in early March to map out strategy for a letter-writing campaign to American mayors, in an effort to lobby against the softwood
lumber tariffs.
|
| Northern College grads get top grades with employers (3/02)
Northern College graduates are getting high marks from employers, and that has led to a provincial funding contribution of
$152,629.
|
| Chamber voices concern over four-laning (9/02)
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is expressing concern over the timelines set out for four-laning Highway 69. |
| ATV tourism pilot project launched (9/02)
A pilot project for developing and promoting ATV tourism includes plans to provide the framework for developing future all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) trails in communities across Ontario.
|
| ONTC workers favour strike action (10/02)
With the future of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission still in doubt, unionized engineers, conductors and trainmen
have voted for strike action.
|
| First Nations chief appointed to oversee northern economic development (5/02)
Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault has appointed a special representative for northern economic
development.
|
| Consultation spurs ideas for improving economic outlook (10/02)
A group of community leaders met with dignitaries last week to share their houghts on how to improve the economic outlook
in their home communities, nd suggest opportunities for youth to continue to live and work in the egion.
|
| Upgrades underway at Roberta Bondar building (8/02)
The Roberta Bondar building in Sault Ste. Marie will undergo a $6-million facelift to accommodate more staff with the Ontario
Lottery and Gaming Corp.
|
| Rae review: show us the money (04/05)
Presidents of post-secondary institutions in Northern Ontario are hailing the Bob Rae report as a revolutionary blueprint
for future education in Ontario.
|
| New hazardous waste provisions (8/01)
The provincial government announced a proposal in July to charge companies for each tonne of hazardous waste they produce. |
| Web site simplifies business registration (11/01)
Canadian businesses have the opportunity to register for Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Nova Scotia and Ontario programs
through a new Web site.
|
| Province introduces new certification for construction inspectors (2/02)
The premier recently announced that Ontario's current commitment to highway construction is $10 billion over the next 10 years. |
| No deal in appeal, Falco says (8/02)
Falconbridge wants the City of Timmins to drop its appeal of the company's property taxes with no strings attached. |
| Mayor calls for unrestricted access to U.S. softwood lumber markets (9/02)
As Canadian and American trade negotiators prepared to resume talks to resolve the North American softwood lumber dispute,
Timmins Mayor Jamie Lim, chairwoman of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities lumber taskforce, is calling for unrestricted
access to U.S. markets.
|
| Cochrane lands funding for multimillion-dollar event centre (8/02)
The Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program will invest approximately $1,899,281 million each toward the development of the
new Cochrane Event Centre.
|
| Lumber dispute blamed for downslide in trade surplus (8/02)
Canada's internal merchandise trade surplus fell in June to its lowest level in more than two years, due to the ongoing softwood
lumber dispute with the United States.
|
| Pettigrew announces federal support for trade issues (6/02)
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew announced at a news conference in May that the federal government would spend
$20 million over the next two years in promoting Canada's position in the softwood lumber dispute and other trade issues.
|
| Chamber hosts info session on new privacy act (8/02)
The assistant commissioner for Ontario's Information and Privacy Commission, Tom Mitchinson, will be on site at Sault Ste.
Marie's Algoma Water Tower Inn in September to outline the development of the province's new privacy law.
|
| City council to host public input session on budget (10/02)
Citizens, businesses and interested organizations in the City of Greater Sudbury are invited to share their ideas during a
budget 2003 public input ession to be held on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in council chambers.
|
| Aerospace sector lands funding (9/02)
North Bay's aerospace sector received a financial boost last week from FedNor. |
| OMB puts brakes on recreational development (9/02)
The Ontario Municipal Board has said no to the development of Eagle Mountain Resort, a 70-unit recreational-vehicle campsite
at Cloud Bay near a fragile wetland.
|
| Northern tourism campaign receives funding boost (9/02)
Northern tourism destinations should receive better coverage in promotional materials and magazines through a new $4450,000-initiative
through the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
|
| Mayor backs spring bear hunt reinstatement (9/02)
The mayor of Fort Frances says he would use his position on the provincial government's nuisance bear committee to lobby for
the reinstatement of the spring bear hunt.
|
| Forest fire suppression costs to rise (4/02)
Forest-fire suppression in Northern Ontario will likely cost more this year. |
| Province lags behind in productivity (9/02)
Ontario is not an economic leader in North America. |
| Proposal targets health research industry growth (8/02)
A proposal to commission a strategy for growing the health research industry in Northern Ontario is rapidly picking up steam,
says Jim Gordon, mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury.
|
| Biomass project moves forward (8/02)
Emo seeks funding partners to develop waste-disposal plan |
| Act addresses logging safety (9/02)
Tree harvesting one of Ontario's most dangerous occupations |
| Online resource centre helps employers improve workplace literacy (9/02)
With four in 10 Canadian workers lacking the basic literacy skills required to do their jobs properly or to learn additional
skills, The Conference Board of Canada has introduced a new online resource centre to help employers improve the literacy
of their employees.
|
| Sudbury to host Global Traders Awards (9/02)
The City of Greater Sudbury is one of four communities in Ontario selected to host the 2002 Ontario Global Traders Awards
regional ceremonies.
|
| Incentives offered for green energy use (8/02)
Fuelled by energy savings and some financial help from Natural Resources Canada, architects across Canada and Northern Ontario
are signing on to a unique incentive program aimed at promoting the design of better energy-efficient buildings.
|
| Alumni association seeking nominations (9/02)
The Cambrian College Alumni Association is seeking nominations of Cambrian graduates for the 2002 Premier's Awards. |
| Strategic plan under review (9/02)
The Greater Sudbury Development Corp. is embarking on a new process to develop a comprehensive medium- and long-term economic
development strategy for the next 10 to 20 years, with the first consultation with community stakeholders slated for Sept.
11.
|
| A clearcut explanation (10/02)
Algoma Forest Coalition members open woodlots and mills to public |
| Chukuni CFDC first in Ontario to receive long-term funding (8/02)
Chukuni Communities Development Corp. has become the first community futures development corporation (CFDC) to receive long-term
funding, which will enable it to do more planning for the future.
|
| Province studies black bear population (9/02)
The Ontario Black Bear Association predicts an even bigger problem with nuisance black bears next summer. |
| Sudbury repositioning airport as catalyst for economic development (9/02)
The air terminal building at Greater Sudbury Airport will undergo a $6.34-million expansion and renovation project with the
intent to encourage economic development in Northern Ontario.
|
| Online business registration (5/01)
Businesses can register online with both levels of government with the click of a mouse. |
| Province invests in aquaculture research (11/01)
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. is contributing $50,000 for research of environmental monitoring techniques to aid the
expansion of cage-based aquaculture in the Great Lakes.
|
| Province supports northern agriculture (10/01)
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund has kicked in support to 11 agricultural initiatives across Northern Ontario. |
| City drops tax appeal (8/02)
The City of Timmins was considering dropping its appeal of Falconbridge's Kidd Creek mine's property taxes. |
| Women led startups on the rise (12/01)
Women-led business startups are far surpassing the national average for startups, despite the hurdles many women face when
launching their own business - and they are managing to do so with very little seed money.
|
| Employment act must be posted (12/01)
Considering firing an underachieving long-time employee without providing just cause or even tendering them a severance package?
Your best bet is to consult the new provincial Employment Standards Act , or you could be paying through the nose.
|
| Good news for Canada's lumber producers (12/01)
For the time being, lumber industries in Canada will get a break from the 19.3 per cent countervailing duties imposed on softwood
lumber.
|
| Province supports restructuring of prospectors association (12/01)
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will invest $3,047,000 to complete the restructuring of the Ontario Prospectors Association
into a modern, professionally staffed association to serve the prospecting community.
|
| Province invests in trail projects (12/01)
Municipalities stretching from northwestern Ontario to Parry Sound will benefit from a $400,000 investment by the Northern
Ontario Heritage Fund aimed at enhancing recreation activities in the north.
|
| Municipalities to share in $82-million funding (12/01)
Northern municipalities will share in a funding pool of $82 million from the province to assist in infrastructure-related
projects.
|
| Mill investigated following chemical leak (8/02)
Dryden residents spent some anxious hours wondering if the community would be evacuated following a chlorine dioxide leak
from Weyerhaeuser's pulp and paper mill on July 30.
|
| Sault chamber joins in lobbying efforts for four-laning (8/02)
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is contributing to the growing list of voices petitioning for the four-laning of
the Trans-Canada Highway from coast to coast.
|
| Sudbury taxpayers to bear burden of rising costs, report says (9/02)
With a dwindling population and a shrinking tax base, Sudbury taxpayers may be placed in a financial pinch in paying for the
rising costs of operating the Greater City of Sudbury.
|
| Trade tribunal findings evoke frustration (7/02)
Canadian steel industry executives were expressing frustration and disappointment at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal
(CITT) following its recent safeguard hearings into imports of nine classes of steel products into Canada.
|
| Economists hold mixed views on nation's economic recovery (7/02)
Despite the turmoil of doom and gloom, the future for recovery in the financial markets, particularly in the major cities,
is still intact.
|
| 60,000 opposition letters sent to ministry (9/02)
Opponents of a toxic waste incinerator for Kirkland Lake have delivered 60,000 letters to the Ministry of Environment. |
| Soaring temperatures force company to initiate shutdowns (8/02)
Falconbridge Ltd. has been facing soaring electricity prices during the warm summer, while independent electricity market
operators have been making pleas to the public to reduce hydro consumption.
|
| First Nations receive federal funding (8/02)
Several First Nations communities in the North were beneficiaries of a $1.7 million federal package for economic development
projects.
|
| University receives funding for forest management study (8/02)
Lakehead University's forest management study programs were awarded $1.3 million from the province's Living Legacy Trust. |
| Consul general visits Timmins (9/02)
Timmins played host to Consul General Antoinette Swain Marwitz of the U.S. Consulate in Toronto in late August as part of
her tour to get acquainted with the North and the forestry industry.
|
| Canadian economy cools (8/02)
After several months of strong growth, the Canadian economy slowed to a more moderate level and analysts anticipate the trend
to continue throughout the year.
|
| Tax-incentive zones should be across the north, chambers say (10/02)
Representatives at a Northwestern Ontario Associated Chamber of Commerce meeting in Dryden agreed to a proposal which suggests
the entire region of northwestern Ontario should be designated as one of the province's new tax-incentive zones.
|
| Ideas abound at innovation summit (10/02)
Business, aboriginal, government and community leaders gathered in Timmins Sept. 24 to exchange ideas on telecommunications.
|
| Province invests in snowmobile trail system (10/02)
Snowmobile tourism in the North received a $15-million provincial boost for trail development over the next four years. |
| North Bay region vies for tax-incentive zone (9/02)
North Bay and its surrounding townships are one of the first regions out of the block in organizing a local task force to
actively pursue and promote its selection as a possible pilot site for a proposed tax-incentive zone.
|
| Biotech firm garners FedNor support (10/02)
FedNor has announced funding of $1.4 million to assist a cutting-edge biotechnology company in Thunder Bay and provide funds
for the development of a new industrial park on local First Nations land.
|
| Hockey heritage tourism project scores cash (10/02)
Kirkland Lake's dream of a major tourist project dedicated to Canadian hockey received a $3.5-million boost from the Northern
Ontario Heritage Fund.
|
| Funding earmarked for telecommunications upgrades (6/02)
The Wawatay Native Communications Society has received $500,000 in funding from FedNor for the upgrading of their telecommunications
and information technology (IT) capacity, according to a June news release.
|
| Smart Growth panel members (6/02)
Members of Smart Growth zone panels northeast and northwest |
| Hampton slams province's budgeting of leftover heritage funds (6/02)
NDP leader Howard Hampton is disgruntled with the provincial government for not spending $44 million in leftover Northern
Ontario heritage funds on telecommunications, sewer and water infrastructure and other economic development projects in the
North.
|
| Government responds to report on Walkerton inquiry (6/02)
The federal government is soon to announce new mandatory training and a funding review that will curb serious liabilities
posed by unqualified staff at water treatment plants, and aging water treatment plants on reserves.
|
| Heritage fund injects $5.5M into Thunder Bay region (10/02)
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund announced it will pump $5.5 million for infrastructure improvements in the Thunder Bay
area.
|
| Notice of request for proposal (7/02)
The Living Legacy Trust invites respondents to submit proposals for the gathering of information on 'Directing Future Opportunities
in Ontario's Solid Wood Value-added Sector'.
|
| Softwood lumber: fight for fairness continues - Jim Wilson (7/02)
The forest industry has always been a vital part of the Ontario economy. It provides direct employment to over 20,000 people
and helps support the economies of over 40 communities, the majority of which are in Northern Ontario.
|
| Opening doors to economic growth (8/01)
Municipalities stand to gain from amendments to brownfield legislation, planner says |
| Toll-free payroll reporting service launched (7/01)
Employers have a quick and secure alternative to the paper chase of reporting payroll information. |
| New policy to subsidize Canadian ship buyers (6/01)
The Canadian government has announced a new ship-building policy aimed at subsidizing buyers of new ships. |
| Lumber industry takes steps to avoid trade dispute (5/01)
Despite an ongoing lumber war between Canada and the United States, it's business as usual at Northern Ontario mills.
|
| North Bay city council scraps index for development fees (8/02)
Officials with the City of North Bay say a revenue loss of about $84,000 is a small price to pay to keep home construction
costs from escalating as a result of an index rate structure.
|
| Stellar job growth gives Canadian economy momentum (10/02)
The Canadian economy remains in overdrive, combining stellar job-creation numbers with healthy growth in gross domestic product
forecast for both 2002 and 2003, according to the Conference Board of Canada's Canadian Outlook - Fall 2002.
|
| Guide content scanty, MPP says (8/02)
Politicians blast ministry's tourism guide, labelling it "unbalanced" and "misleading" |
| Industry Canada seeks input from northerners (8/02)
Industry Canada is encouraging citizens across the North to bring input on issues revolving around business, infrastructure,
health and education to the table during regional consultations.
|
| MOE to launch clear-cut investigation (8/02)
The Ministry of Environment and Energy was preparing to launch an investigation of the Ministry of Natural Resources to examine
massive clearcuts in the Gordon Cosens forest.
|
| Timber stock endangered (8/02)
Northern timber stocks are in danger because of changes in provincial fire management, say forest producers along Highway
11.
|
| Clear cut limits increased (8/01)
NDP Leader Howard Hampton says the province is not adhering to its own forest management practices by allowing clear cutting
beyond the prescribed limits.
|
| Funding for diversification of economies in North (12/01)
One-industry towns in Northern Ontario are eligible for a financial helping hand to diversify their economies. |
