By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

The Ontario government has announced new funding set aside for the expansion of teacher training across the province. Welcomed by the Rainy River District School Board and others, this new plan aims to train thousands of new, qualified teachers, with an emphasis on supporting underserved, rural, remote, Northern, and Indigenous […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Ontario and Alberta recently signed two Memoranda of Understanding at the Calgary Stampede, with plans to collaborate on new interprovincial trade and energy infrastructure. This announcement is part of a national plan to make Canada a more competitive market and reduce interprovincial trade barriers following Trump’s tariff turbulence. “Built using […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

To expand access to primary care physicians across the province, the Ministry of Health has announced funding for over 130 new and expanded primary-care teams. This follows a previous announcement of $300 million to expand primary care teaching clinics across the province, providing greater access to training in primary care. […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

The province of Ontario has renewed the Rural Economic Development program as Rural Ontario Development. The program will go from $27 million over five years to $20 million over two years, a 46 per cent increase in available funding. While Christa Lowry, Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association and […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

According to the weekly monitoring report from the Government of Canada, Ontario leads the nation in measles cases with about two thirds of the total national reported cases. This prompted an announcement from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), and the recently elected Carney government, on the importance of vaccines. Per […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) annually hosts an event called Gagwe-gikendamaawiziwin each April. Robert Horton helps put together the event and holds the title “Gaa-aazhide-gikinoo’amaaged,” which means “coordinating Gagwe is a responsibility while also teaching Anishinaabemowin.” Competitors of Gagwe find themselves competing in five different formats, including storytelling, Jeopardy-style verb […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

To comply with the province’s Anti-Racism Act, the Ministry of Education mandates the collection of a student census. The voluntary, confidential survey data is compiled every other year, and this year, Jennifer McMaster, Superintendent of Education for The Northwest Catholic District School Board, shared the most significant changes and some […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture announced a second year of funding for its cost-share program promoting the purchase of local goods at participating farmers’ markets across the province. With an emphasis on locally produced food, fuel, fibre and flowers, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture aims to increase the visibility of […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Just days after Donald Trump took office, Borderland Pride issued a statement cautioning the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Borderland Pride characterized President Trump’s stance on trans and gender non-conforming people as a hostile, condemnable, and “despicable attack.” So, Borderland Pride’s members unanimously decided against having its annual border crossing pride march […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

According to the release from the Ontario government, the new budget passed in May 2025 will “protect Ontario workers, businesses and jobs,” and foster a self-reliant, resilient economy. But not everyone believes they will see the benefits. Investing in critical minerals, machinery and equipment, Indigenous equity partnerships, and a fuel […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Stacy Montgomery, Literacy and Re-engagement Lead for The Northwest Catholic District School Board, shared some highlights over the past year in literacy with the Fort Frances Times. Highlights include a pilot program teaching multi-syllabic words and an emphasis on explicit, systematic instruction. Montgomery said she has seen significant improvement over […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

While the Ford government announced its support for those on the Ontario Disability Support Program and other income support programs by preventing tax-collecting clawbacks of the Canada Disability Benefit, advocates are saying the changes don’t go far enough. “In a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty brought on by US tariffs […]