By Steven Sukkau
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Sun

A national taxpayers’ advocacy group is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to eliminate what it calls a “hidden carbon tax” embedded in federal fuel regulations. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) warns the policy could significantly increase gasoline and diesel costs for rural Canadians, including farmers and residents of small Manitoba […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Indigenous artists and crafters across the Thunder Bay district are being offered a chance to showcase and market their work to “thousands” of tourists this summer at one of the region’s main tourist attractions. Pukaskwa National Park says it’s looking for “authentic Indigenous-made products” for its seasonal store at Hattie […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – City council has paved the way for more than a thousand new apartments to be built in the city. After changes were made to three of four major multi-unit housing projects, council voted in favour of declaring all four city-owned sites as surplus land, available to be […]

By Steven Sukkau
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Sun

With icy conditions making sidewalks and parking lots increasingly slippery, safety officials are reminding residents to take extra precautions when walking outdoors this winter. Recent freeze-thaw cycles have created hazardous surfaces across many communities, raising the risk of slips and falls. Active Aging in Manitoba recently shared how adjusting your […]

EVENTS CALENDAR The first 55+ movie matinee of 2026 at the Fort Frances Public Library will be on Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. featuring The Big Chill (1983) Rated PG. “A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a South Carolina vacation home after the […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

BINGWI NEYAASHI — The chief of a First Nation on Lake Nipigon says he wants to see telecommunications upgrades done alongside a proposed power line. Bingwi Neyaashi Chief Paul Gladu raised the issue at a Jan. 14 press conference in Thunder Bay where Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu was announcing over $850,000 for 14 […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — The chief of Bingwi Neyaashi says an upgraded power transmission line can’t come soon enough. Paul Gladu’s community, also known as Sand Point First Nation, was one of seven First Nations in Northwestern Ontario to receive a total of $350,000 from the federal critical minerals infrastructure fund. […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

DRYDEN — Dryden’s mayor says the city’s 2026 financial roadmap is a “fairly ambitious budget.” City council approved the municipal budget at its meeting on Monday. It will see a 2.82 per cent property tax levy increase over 2025 — that effectively means the municipality will to collect roughly $538,000 […]

By Thomas Kent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Canadian families are expected to spend up to $994 more on food in 2026, according to Dr. Sadaf Mollaei, an assistant professor at the School of Hospitality, Food, and Tourism Management at the University of Guelph. Mollaei worked as one of the advisors for this year’s Canada Food Price Report. […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

At a time when global uncertainty is rising and divisions are deepening, strength from a united country has never mattered more, and Northern Ontario knows this, a federal minister says. Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North and minister of jobs and families, said people see what can be accomplished […]

By Steven Sukkau
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Sun

Rural Manitoba communities could see a boost in doctors, nurses, teachers and other essential workers under an expanded federal student loan forgiveness program aimed at smaller towns and rural areas. The Government of Canada is widening access to Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, allowing eligible professionals to reduce their federal student […]