News

Election Offices Open

The recently called provincial election is ramping up in the city.

Elections Ontario has opened its returning offices in Thunder Bay in advance of the election on February 27th.

The returning offices now open are:

• County Fair Mall for Thunder Bay-Superior North

• The former Agnew H. Johnston School for Thunder-Bay Atikokan

Residents can vote early at their appropriate returning office until February 26th at 6 p.m.

If you haven’t registered yet to vote, you can do so until February 17th. And if for some reason you choose not to register, you can still vote with proof of address and identity.

Daily Poll

Police budget concerns?

We are a police-supporting bunch. 72.5% of readers supported the police budget, and quite frankly, many of you felt it should be higher!

Today’s question:

Economy

Still Tariff Uncertainty

So we kind of called President Trump’s bluff and he backed down.

Great.

But the general feeling is still one of uncertainty about what might happen after the 30-day pause expires.

Charla Robinson, the President of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, says despite the break, there is still concern going forward.

Especially vulnerable is the softwood lumber industry, of which northwestern Ontario is a major supplier.

But it’s not just big business that is worried. There is a small group of exporters in Thunder Bay that do 99% of their business with the United States.

Other stores in Thunder Bay carry brands that are only available for the U.S. and would be susceptible to any retaliatory tariffs by Canada.

The best thing we can do is continue to support our local businesses, no matter the economic and political climate.

Police

Jury Decides Stabbing Death Outcome

Two years ago Daniel Keefe was charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Aiden Cunningham.

Keefe is claiming he acted in self-defence.

The incident happened at the end of the night after the two of them, plus a third male, finished playing video games and smoking marijuana.

A fight broke out as the men were leaving Keefe’s. Keefe had a kitchen knife in his pocket that he used to stab Cunningham twice in the chest.

One of the blows ended up striking Cunningham’s heart.

Keefe claims he was attacked and was acting simply to defend himself.

The matter is now in front of a jury and will continue this week.

Transportation

Stop for School Buses You Ding-Dongs

School bus drivers are seeing more and more people ignoring their flashing lights and illegally passing.

Based on city school bus drivers, there is an average of 7.7 incidents a day where drivers are illegally passing school buses while their arm is extended and red lights are flashing.

The numbers are increasing:

• 6.5 per school day in 2023-2024

• 5.2 per school day in 2022-2023

• 3.7 per school day in 2021-2022

There is a movement to get cameras mounted on the stop-arms. However, the province will not allow its vehicle owner database to be accessed by companies that run stop-arm camera programs.

Or, crazy idea so hear me out… maybe…. we all just stop for the massive yellow vehicle with the bright red flashing lights and the big stop sign that extends off the side.

Crazy idea.

Mining

NWO Needs More Power for Mines

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) has determined that the region is seeing unprecedented growth in mining, but our electrical infrastructure isn’t keeping up.

The study found that the current and proposed transmission systems will be unable to meet the demand that will be required.

The region currently has 41 exploration projects, with 37 of those looking to be operational no later than 2033.

13 of those projects are for critical minerals.

NOMA is predicting significant power shortfalls in Dryden, Red Lake, Ear Falls, and Pickle Lake areas.

But not wanting to be just one to point out problems without solutions, NOMA is recommending:

• Doubling the size of Stage II of the Wassigan Bulk Transmission and extending the project to Red Lake

• Expand Watay Power line from Red Lake to Frontier Lithium Mine

• Double the size of Stage I of the Watay Power line from Dinorwic to Pickle Lake

• Re-route the first phase of the transmission line to the Ring of Fire through Geraldton

• Upgrade the transmission system west of Thunder Bay

Oh well if that’s all… 😳

Indigenous News

Inquest Into Death Starts

An inquest into the death of Sherman Kirby Quisses is scheduled to start this month.

Quisses, a member of the Neskantaga First Nation in Thunder Bay, died at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on June 4, 2012, after an altercation at the correctional centre.

According to police, Quisses was injured by a sharp object during an argument with another inmate days before he was meant to be released.

The inquest is slated to begin on February 14th, will last 15 days, and will hear from 19 witnesses.

Adam Capay was charged with first-degree murder in Quisses's death, however, he never made it to trial as the charge was stayed after Capay spent more than four years in solitary confinement, where he was kept alone in his cell for 23 hours a day with the lights on.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Young Frankenstein
Live theatre
Paramount Theatre
Feb 5-8 @ 7:30pm
$28

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar
Live music
Shooter’s Tavern
Feb 5 @ 8pm
$ FREE

The Colourless Chronicles
Children’s theatre event
Magnus Theatre
Feb 6-8 @ 1:30pm; 2pm; 7pm (check with theatre)
$15

Sports Trivia Night
Trivia contest with prizes
The Outpost
Feb 6 @ 6pm
$5

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 6

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5

• Howl at the Moon (Sober Karaoke)

• Norteños Cantina

• Polis Combatant’s Association - Branch 1

• The Waterhouse

• The Alley

Poetry Night featuring Musicians
Live poetry readings and music
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
Feb 7 @ 6:30pm
$ FREE

Follies: Time After Time
Musical theatre
Confederation College
Feb 7-8 @ 7:30pm
$10-$20

Live@Loch Featuring Cole Myronuk
Live music and skiing
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Feb 7 @ 8pm-10pm
$ FREE

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 7

• The Hodder

• The Social

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

Black and Gold Party
Dance lessons and dancing
Norteños Taqueria
Feb 7 @ 10pm
$10-$15

TBSO Family - Saint-George’s Sword and Bow
Live musical performance
St. Patrick High School
Feb 8 @ 2pm
$13-$25

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 8

• Westfort Prosvita

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Hodder

• Norteños Taqueria

• The Social

• The Bar

Paint Party Fundraiser
Painting fundraiser for Mario’s Bowl Masters & Youth Bowling Leagues
Moose Hall
Feb 10 @ 6pm-9pm
$40 (register here)

Home of the Day

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1 bedroom
2 bathrooms
1,116 sq ft

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3rd floor, lake-facing condo with balcony