Around the North

Opponents of the province’s divestiture of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) are condemning the move with a mobile protest, which will culminate in a rally in North Bay on May 30. A train will depart Cochrane at 8 a.m.

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is voicing its support for a plan to redevelop industrial land in the city, suggesting the city should shoulder the full cost of the project.

Brigus Gold has temporarily suspended its milling operations and gold production at its Black Fox Mill, 30 kilometres east of Timmins, due to a power outage caused by a forest fire near Kirkland Lake.

AbitibiBowater shareholders have officially signed off on changing the pulp and paper company's name to Resolute Forest Products.

A strike by Canadian Pacific Railroad (CP) workers is forcing international nickel miner Vale to make alternative transport arrangements for nickel mined at the company's Sudbury operations, the company's vice-president of corporate affairs said.

Premier Dalton McGuinty reportedly met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tap Ottawa for money to develop the chromite-rich Ring of Fire in the James Bay lowlands.

The Ontario government is handing another GO Train coach contract to Bombardier in Thunder Bay. Premier Dalton McGuinty made the announcement in the city on May 25.

Forest fires have postponed the upcoming Northern Welding Trade Show in Kirkland Lake until the fall.

Timmins remains under a state of emergency and a full water ban due to the forest fire burning about 30 kilometres away. The fire – Timmins 9 – is currently the largest in Canada and is about 31,660 hectares in size.

Due to the fire situation in Timmins and area, the 15th Anniversary of the IW Awards that was scheduled for Monday May 28th at the Days Inn, has been rescheduled to Wednesday June 6th at the same venue.