Nakina Ward Newsletter, January, 2014

Dear Citizens,                                                                                                                   Spring, 2014

Establish Training Centre in Greenstone $3.5 M

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford and Ontario Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle were in Greenstone this week to announce $3.5 million in funding to help address regional labour needs and realize employment opportunities. 

The Government of Canada and the Ontario Government will each invest $1,750,000 to enable the Geraldton Community Forest (GCF) to build a regional skills training centre at the Greenstone airport. The facility, which will serve as a hub for regional labour force training opportunities, will house 10 training rooms, a series of meeting rooms, a computer lab and offices. GCF is a not-for-profit organization whose goals include creating employment opportunities that support the local economy. 

Identified as a regional priority, this strategic initiative is expected to create or retain 27 jobs, as well as another 30 construction jobs.

“Given our relative proximity to the Ring of Fire, this facility will help us meet the labour force needs right here in our own region while accommodating external training program providers. Ultimately, by enhancing the skills of area residents, it will make it easier for businesses to establish or expand their operations and create jobs in this region.”

Sam Drajanoff

Chair, Geraldton Community Forest

Of interest to the residents of Nakina who receive or have ideas on the matter of the removal of windrows, I stated at Council on January 20th that the input received on any proposed changes or considerations in the current windrow policy, need to be considered and either adopted, amended or rejected BEFORE the motions come back to Council. Therefore, the request made by the Nakina seniors to have influence in how the two motions will be dealt with, is still possible at least by influencing the Nakina ward councillor. As I have stated before in public meetings where there has been discussion on this service, I will support the continuation of this service. I will remain open to ways in which we can improve the service to qualified seniors and also consider incorporating the suggestions received through the deputations but I will not simply support the elimination of this service to qualified residents. 

This time of year reflects the many aspects of preparing the Municipal budget including reviewing levels of services provided including the operation of day cares and arenas, snow removal including the review of windrow clearing for seniors, capital purchases of equipment, road and bridge repairs to name a few. Currently serving as Chair of the Finance and Administration committee, we will be meeting over the next few weeks to review the existing policy on council remuneration, outstanding taxes, water / sewer billing model, OPP policing costs, and fiscal sustainability planning. The number of meetings increases during budget discussions as members of council will be included in daytime meetings with Municipal staff on the necessary planning. This past year, Council met 49 times which does not include the ad hoc, sub committee meetings or workshops / conferences. I continue to serve on the Admin. & Finance and IT committees as well representing Greenstone on The Thunder Bay District health Unit. Last week at the Health Unit Annual General Meeting, I accepted a nomination to serve on the Executive of The TBDHU.  

The Ontario Provincial Police are proposing a new billing model for charging municipalities for policing services, starting in 2015; the current billing model is a deployment model, in which cost recovery is based on percentage of detachment workload, actual detachment staffing levels, wages and benefits, and a cost recovery component for other expenditures, which model has been in place for over 15 years. The OPP have advised that 73% of their costs are fixed (i.e. base costs) and 27% are variable;

The actual specifics of the cost for calls for service have not been released or calculated, the OPP have estimated that the average cost per household in Ontario for policing services, including both the base cost and the calls for service, would be approximately $369.00;

This model would see the OPP costs for the Municipality of Greenstone increase 52% for the 3036 households in the municipality, from $306.00 per household under the current funding model to $575.00 for the average total cost per household. This new funding model proposal is fundamentally flawed, unfair and unequitable. Mayor Beaulieu and I will join with many other municipalities to lobby the Ministers and Premier at OGRA in February to oppose this deployment model.

Greenstone has requested meetings with the following Ministries at the OGRA Conference:

Aboriginal Affairs                               (Cooperative Development with Matawa First Nations for Ring of Fire)

Energy                                                (Priority Transmission Line to Ring of Fire East of Lake Nipigon)

Natural Resources                                (Greenstone Sawmills & Caramat/Manitouwadge Road

Northern Development and Mines         (Greenstone Sawmills & Transmission Line to Ring of Fire East of Lake Nipigon)

The 2^nd Grow Greenstone Expo is on March 17^th and 18^th        Details can be found at:    

http://www.growgreenstoneexpo.com/

Andy MacFarlane, formerly from Greenstone  and a teacher and hockey coach from Whale Cove, Hockey Nunavut, joined Council via Skype last Monday. The interest of his idea and support has drawn National attention and a stir of support from within Greeenstone to bring his hockey team from Nunuvat to Greenstone for a series of hockey games during the week of March 17th. Below are several links pointing to the publicity received to date. Way to go ANDY!!!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/social-media-makes-arctic-hockey-dream-come-true-1.2461705

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/12/17/viral-crowd-funding-raises-over-22000-for-rag-tag-group-of-inuit-kids-to-go-south-and-play-hockey-with-pen-pals/

http://www.citynews.ca/2013/12/09/nunavut-hockey-coach-hopes-to-bring-team-to-ontario/

http://www.bttoronto.ca/videos/2913636845001/

City TV Breakfast television

https://www.facebook.com/groups/182596075270746/               Happiness in Hockey (Facebook)

Businesses in Greenstone are kicking in with free hockey bags, sweaters, jackets, accommodation and tickets to see the Winnipeg Jets. Almost $22,000 has been raised to date.

After years of ‘pushing, pulling and tugging’ we have brought a Tourism Co-ordinator, Saidie Gross to our team. Sadie has hit the ground running addressing a new and desperately needed “Signage program” and an overarching “Greenstone Tourism Strategy.”

I am feeling good about our new website municipal incorporating a business relationship with iCompass using Civicweb and Agenda Notes to improve the way we can manage, archive and use our agenda and supporting documents in one App. I’ve enjoyed bringing my IT interest to the table of discussions which have brought about some significant changes in the past three years where new hardware acquisitions have allowed us to do our jobs better and more efficiently.

The Nakina Restaurant opportunity is still front and center in our attempts to find a restauranteur at:

http://www.investingreenstone.ca/         Have spoken with some parties, but no deal yet.

I continue to post periodic news items and information on Facebook which is searchable under ‘Greenstone Matters’ for the past year as well on my blog located at: http://jay-- daiter.blogspot.com/  Posting here provides more exposure to issues / interests related to the Nakina Ward and all of Greenstone and invites feedback from a broad readership.

Regards & Stay Warm,

Jay Daiter,  

Nakina Ward Councillor,

Municipality of Greenstone

$3.5 M Greenstone Regional Skills Centre. ▫ $ 4.5 mi

Federal and Provincial Government Support to Establish Training Centre in Greenstone

Funding to Encourage Training and Skills Development in Northwestern Ontario

January 20, 2014 1:00 p.m.

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford and Ontario Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle were in Greenstone today to announce $3.5 million in funding to help address regional labour needs and realize employment opportunities. 

The Government of Canada and the Ontario Government will each invest $1,750,000 to enable the Geraldton Community Forest (GCF) to build a regional skills training centre at the Greenstone airport. The facility, which will serve as a hub for regional labour force training opportunities, will house 10 training rooms, a series of meeting rooms, a computer lab and offices. GCF is a not-for-profit organization whose goals include creating employment opportunities that support the local economy. 

Identified as a regional priority, this strategic initiative is expected to create or retain 27 jobs, as well as another 30 construction jobs.

Quick Facts

• Once complete, this 13,500-square-foot facility owned and operated by GCF, will serve as a centre for training and skills development in the region and assist in realizing employment opportunities from the Ring of Fire and other resource development activity in the area.
• The Government of Canada funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.
• Ontario is supporting this project through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). With a focus on jobs and the economy the NOHFC is a key driver of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, designed to build on the North’s key existing and emerging sectors.

Quotes

Our government is committed to equipping Canadians with the right skills to capitalize on job opportunities created by economic growth in their regions. By establishing a regional skills centre right here in Greenstone, we’re helping people in Northern Ontario access jobs in the construction, mining and forestry industries, and making sure they have the right skill set to respond to these new market demands to further strengthen economic growth and ensure the long-term sustainable prosperity of our communities.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford

Minister of State for Science and Technology, and FedNor, and Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire

I’m incredibly pleased our government is supporting such a tremendous facility right here in Greenstone. We are seeing exciting new economic development opportunities in the northwest; mineral exploration activity is increasing and a number of new mine developments are set to come online in the next few years, boosting the regional economy and creating jobs. It’s crucial that we build a workforce that can meet both the demand and skills required, not only for the mining industry but across all sectors, including emerging sectors, all key to supporting a strong and diverse northern economy.”

The Honourable Michael Gravelle

Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

Given our relative proximity to the Ring of Fire, this facility will help us meet the labour force needs right here in our own region while accommodating external training program providers. Ultimately, by enhancing the skills of area residents, it will make it easier for businesses to establish or expand their operations and create jobs in this region.”

Sam Drajanoff

Chair, Geraldton Community Forest

This project to be undertaken by Geraldton Community Forest is a priority for the region. The centre will address labour market demands while the trainee traffic it generates will benefit the businesses in town.”

Renald Y Beaulieu

Mayor of Greenstone

Sensational Hot Rods & The Hoolies - Dance Tickets on Sale Now

Tickets for the Sensational Hot Rods and The Hoolies dance August 3rd are now on sale at $20 pp. Tickets can be purchased in Nakina from the Legion, The Northern Store, the LCBO. In Geraldton at Stedman's and Marino's Hardware, and at Melanson's Store in Beardmore.

Free bus transportation is being provided to Longlac, Aroland and Geraldton. Don't be disappointed. Get your tickets early.

Nakina's 90th Anniversary / August 2nd-5th, 2013

http://nakina90th.weebly.com/

Come See and

Be Seen in 2013

The above link will direct you to the schedule of events, times etc. being planned to celebrate Nakina's 90th Anniversary this summer from August 2-5th.

Nakina Ward Winter Newsletter 2012

Dear Citizens, Winter, 2012

Tourism Trade Show – Stuttgart Germany

Attention All the Outfitters, Resort Owners and all groups with an interest in promoting our amazing “Made in Greenstone” outdoor experiences.
Recognizing an emerging opportunity to support economic development opportunities related to tourism, The Municipality of Greenstone has agreed to support two Greenstone ambassadors (Karen Routly and myself) to attend the Tourism Trade Show in Stuttgart, Germany. The CTM Trade Show runs from January 12th - January 20th , 2013 and last year over 2 million visitors travelled through this show. http://www.messe-stuttgart.de/en/
This event marks first step in Greenstone’s efforts to tap into the European tourism market.

Volunteering to work Greenstone’s Trade booth for nine days, our ambassadors will be exposing and demonstrating with multimedia, all that Greenstone has to offer such as outfitting ventures, fly-in operations, local resorts and campgrounds and regional amenities such as parks, boat launches, kayaking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice climbing, hunting, golf, hiking, swimming, boating and the myriad of other secrets we all know too well.

The Municipality invites all Greenstone businesses to use this opportunity to advertise in Stuttgart, Germany through us. We will have laptops, an ipad, projector, and internet capacity (LAN and Wi-Fi) at the booth, and will encourage visitors to browse and be guided through your brochures, websites and images / video.

Please provide us with your promotional brochures and pamphlets by 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 27th  at the Nakina ward office. Your materials will be shipped overseas during the first week of January and distributed at the event by our ambassadors.

Electronic pamphlets and media (subject to size limitations) can be provided to us and used on your behalf.

At our Council meeting on Monday of Dec. 18th , support was confirmed in the audience from the Presidents of both The Longlac and Geraldton Chambers of Commerce, The Geraldton Dance & Entertainment Committee and an $800 private donation.

The Municipality of Greenstone continues to pursue strategic initiatives to capture growth associated with the tourism sector, and is excited to be a part of this project. Readers and listeners are asked to spread the word and help us make this a huge success. For more information or inquiries, please contact:
Jamie Armstrong, Financial Assistant to the Economic Development Office (807) 854-1100 ext. 2034

Rural Landowners meetings are being held throughout Greenstone to help map out a course in dealing with an issue(s) of local assessment especially where so many residential property values have dropped and rural waterfront has increased. Council is expecting a deputation on their behalf. A third meeting was held in Nakina on Monday, December 17th following planned meetings in Geraldton and Beardmore.

We recently received a generous donation of hockey equipment, hockey bags, hockey jackets and clothes from an AAA minor hockey team in Southern Ontario. This was all brought together by Bob and Joanne Rotz with the help of Manitoulin Transport who delivered the goods for free. THANK YOU BOB and JOANNE!

Snowshoes in a variety of sizes are now available for free use by borrowing them from our Ward office. This pastime is growing in popularity, is relatively inexpensive and can bring hours of outdoors experience with good exercise and good company. The trails across from the Seniors is a popular area which many locals have been using for the past few years. Thanks to Grant for doing some brushing and gps’ing the trail loops (if someone wants a map). Thanks Holly. This was her idea which I brought forward resulting in the purchase of snowshoes for each ward. If there is good use, I’ll ask for more.

The Municipality presently opens up over 340 windrows in Greenstone every snowfall, as well as 32 parking lots after each significant snowfall. Over the years, we experience from 10 to 26 snow events per winter, causing our costs to run from $80,000 at a minimum to $200,000 per winter season. In reviewing this service, Council gave direction to Public Works to begin the notification of businesses and community groups, that effective January 1st, 2013, we will discontinue the practice of free snow removal for all non-municipal parking lots. I am pleased the service of removing snow windrows for Senior citizens and handicapped residents will continue this winter. Looking ahead, Council will re-evaluate the service of windrow removal affecting seniors and handicapped applicants before the 2014 budget (to go in to affect next winter). At this time, Seniors should not be unnecessarily upset by this topic as I know it’s a “hot button”. I do not believe there are ‘real’ savings to warrant eliminating this service and I will join the discussion when it comes back to Council next fall.

I attended and enjoyed two recent festive dinners with residents and workers at The Nakina Kids ‘n Us Xmas dinner and Senior’s Christmas dinner. It was refreshing to see new folks participate and a sense that the Holiday Season is upon us. To the Seniors and staff, parents and children of Nakina Kids ‘n Us, Thank You again for sharing in your celebrations of service and support. In an increasingly troubled world, I am thankful to be somewhat isolated from the tragedies that befall too many. Prayers and support are extended to the families, children and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Council and its sub-committees have been meeting regularly in budget planning. The challenges of balancing sustainable funding to provide essential services are testing all of us. Please wish us well to get it as “right as possible”.

An energized group has begun the planning for Nakina’s 90th Anniversary. The festivities will run the long weekend of August 3rd-5th. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know the details but in the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook as well and join the already 595 followers to date. Lots of interest.

The arrival of the Basler turbo 67 aircraft flying out of the R. Elmer Ruddick is expected any day now. Crews have been trained and the Basler should be in operation as it is in currently in Thunder Bay waiting for a ‘certificate of registration’. The purchase and use of this much larger type of aircraft is an indicator of the current and expected activity associated with deriving business from mining companies in the Ring of Fire. While the political discussions continue, the attention and recognition of the enormous wealth and opportunity continues to grow in understanding the potential and the necessary protections. A new 300 x 300 area was prepped by the Municipality to support the leased space required for this aircraft. A new 5 year operation agreement between the Municipality and Nakina Air Service has resulted in several significant cost-reductions for the Municipality coupled with lower fuel costs as a result of the recent tendering on aviation fuels. I will be asking to re-evaluate the current tiered fee structure for fuel sales. (NOTE: The Basler’s usefulness has been proven in every imaginable application, from passenger, to cargo, to military and special purpose missions. This high-performance aircraft is versatile, tough, simple and spacious.) The support I introduced to form an airport committee has been useful. We have met three times to date (twice in Nakina) where the members from Nakina & Geraldton were involved in the expansion of the parking area for the Basler. I expect the committee will convene again early in the New Year to review future expansion plans.

I continue to post periodic news items and information on Facebook which is searchable under ‘Greenstone Matters’ for the past year as well on my blog
located at: http://jay-- daiter.blogspot.com/  Posting here provides more exposure to issues / interests related to the Nakina Ward and all of Greenstone and invites feedback from a broad readership.

Warmest Regards & Season’s Greetings,

Jay Daiter,
Nakina Ward Councillor,
Municipality of Greenstone

Opportunity for Outfitters and Tourism-dependent Businesses

MEDIA RELEASE – Trade Show

Attention All the Outfitters, Resort Owners and all groups with an interest in promoting our amazing “Made in Greenstone” outdoor experiences.

Recognizing an emerging opportunity to support economic development opportunities related to tourism, The Municipality of Greenstone has agreed to support two Greenstone ambassadors to attend the Tourism Trade Show in Stuttgart, Germany. The CTM Trade Show runs from January 12^th - January 20^th , 2013 and last year over 2 million visitors travelled through this show.

This event marks the first step in Greenstone’s efforts to tap into the European tourism market.

Volunteering to working a booth for nine days, our ambassadors will be exposing and demonstrating with multimedia, all that Greenstone has to offer such as outfitting ventures, fly-in operations, local resorts and campgrounds and regional amenities such as parks, boat launches, kayaking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice climbing, hunting, golf, hiking, swimming, boating and the myriad of other secrets we all know too well.

The Municipality invites all Greenstone businesses to use this opportunity to advertise in Stuttgart, Germany through us. We will have laptops and internet capacity at the booth, and will encourage visitors to browse and be guided through your websites and pictures.

Please provide us with your promotional brochures and pamphlets by 3:00pm on Friday, December 21st at the Geraldton Administration Building or local ward office. Your materials will be shipped overseas during the first week of January and distributed at the event by our ambassadors.

Electronic pamphlets and media (subject to size limitations) can be provided to us and used on your behalf.

The Mayor and Council are encouraging ongoing support to strengthen the partnership with the local Chambers of Commerce.

The Municipality of Greenstone continues to pursue strategic initiatives to capture growth associated with the tourism sector, and is excited to be a part of this project. Readers and listeners are asked to spread the word and help us make this a huge success. For more information or inquiries, please contact:

Jamie Armstrong, Financial Assistant to the Economic Development Office (807) 854-1100 ext. 2034

Greenstone confirmed as Gateway to the Ring of Fire

Sep 12th, 2012 1:13 P

(Greenstone, Sept. 12, 2012) “More and more it is becoming clear that the Municipality of Greenstone is emerging as the gateway to the Ring of Fire.” These words were used by Greenstone Mayor, Renald Beaulieu, while briefing Councillors on recent developments concerning the Municipality.

The first development is the Noront Resources (NR) announcement that their “base case” is predicated on transporting Ring of Fire ore using the proposed North-South Corridor (with a southern terminus in Greenstone’s Nakina ward. The second is that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is now considering an East of Lake Nipigon transmission corridor. 

When commenting on NR’s decision to transport ore on the planned north-south road, the Mayor said, “For decades, Nakina was viewed as the end of the road, but increasingly it seems that Nakina, a proud part of Greenstone, will soon be seen as the start of the road.” 

Adding greatly to the Mayor’s enthusiasm was the low key, yet pivotal, news that the Northwest Ontario First Nations Transmission Planning Committee (NOFNTPC) has been informed by the OPA that the OPA is now studying an East side of Lake Nipigon transmission line. 

The proposed transmission line would supply the Ring of Fire and bring grid-connected electricity to First Nations such as Marten Falls. Mayor Beaulieu observed, “Transmission lines are like ribbons of prosperity.” 

The East of Lake Nipigon route was a key feature of Greenstone’s “Kick Start for the Northwest” released in 2011 (see link below). The Kick Start plan outlined how an expanded and reinforced electricity grid benefits the entire North West. 

Mayor Beaulieu noted, “A shared road and transmission corridor north from the Nakina area would align with the Provincial policy statement that requires consideration of multi-use transportation/utility corridors.”

“Even more importantly, a stable electrical supply for First Nation communities currently dependent on diesel generators can address a lot of social and economic disadvantages,” Beaulieu stated. He concluded by saying, “We are committed to continue working with Matawa First Nations and the Nipigon Chiefs and communities as all our interests related to transmission are very well aligned.”