Around the North

EarthCare Sudbury unveiled its 2010 Action Plan, a specific set of guidelines for environmental action, at the organization's annual general meeting held at Sudbury's Howard Johnson Feb. 18.

After more than a month of negotiations between Xstrata Nickel and the United Steelworkers Local 2020, progress at the bargaining table for a new collective agreement has been "incredibly slow," according to union officials.

The mad scramble by Northern Ontario forest product companies and organizations to apply to harvest 11-million cubic metres of Crown wood has forced the province to push back a critical application deadline.

Ursa Major Minerals reports it has started shipping nickel ore from its restarted open pit to Sudbury for processing at Xstrata Nickel. Ore shipments began in mid-February after the company's contractors began mining at the beginning of the month.

Porter Airlines is gearing up for a fast-paced year with the partial opening of a $50-million passenger terminal in downtown Toronto. The City Centre Terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport opens to passengers March 7.

Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton wants "pension fairness" for AbitibiBowater workers and retirees in northwestern Ontario.

Creditor protection has been extended for the idled Terrace Bay Pulp mill in northwestern Ontario. On Feb. 23, Ontario Superior Court granted the Buchanan Group protection until April 30, while the company restructures and searches for new financing.

The Township of Emo in the Rainy River District of northwestern Ontario is receiving a topped-up investment from the provincial government for its fledgling industrial park.

Essar Steel Algoma reported a net loss of $64.7 million for the Sault Ste. Marie steel maker's third quarter ending Dec. 31. The company attributes the loss to weakness in steel prices and low shipments due to damage to its No.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce recognized the best in local business at their annual awards, Feb. 13. Among the winners were Jennifer Krag-L'Hirondelle of Moss Yoga and Barnswallow Photography who received the Business Woman of the Year.