The world has come together in Paris and reached a goal of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius. It is a lofty goal—one not guaranteed by treaties between the 200 nations but rather optimistically hoped for. The new Trudeau government has set a deadline of 90 days to consult […]
Jim Cumming – From the Publisher Emeritus’ Pen
Jim is the former publisher of the Fort Frances Times Ltd. He writes a weekly column and can be contacted at jcumming@fortfrances.com
Former U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his first inaugural address, spoke these words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Current U.S. President Barack Obama carried a similar message when he spoke Sunday night from the Oval Office. “Let’s make sure we never forget what makes […]
I remember flying into Chicago when I was 16 years old with my father and as the plane began its decent into the airport, we passed through a greenish, yellow zone. It was a visible air quality issue. The yellow cloud was easy to distinguish. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went […]
While Canada has backtracked somewhat on the time frame, some 25,000 immigrants will win the lottery and become permanent residents of Canada by the end of February, including 10,000 by the original target date of Dec. 31. The refugees that Canada is choosing to welcome are women, children, and families. […]
As I walked through my front door Friday afternoon, my wife asked me if I was aware of what was unfolding in Paris. Earlier in the day, I had stopped following the news feed and was not aware of the attacks in the “City of Lights.” Afterwards, we discovered eight […]
On Sunday, my neighbour, Anna Carlson, was outside installing her brilliant white mini-lights in her yard and along the roof edge. I have plans to do the same at my home this coming weekend. It will take a full day to get the thousands of white lights on all the […]
June 25, 1950 marked the start of the Korean War and Canada was part of the United Nations’ force, led by the United States, that intervened on behalf of the South Korean government. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the start of that war. A truce has been holding […]
What a difference one week can make in a country. A new government is being formed. A new prime minister is assuming the role of leader of Canada. “Sunny ways” Trudeau spoke to in his campaign and on election night. He and members of the Liberal Party promised much over […]
The Rainy Lake Hotel is down to a pile of rubble. For decades it was the social and cultural centre of the Town of Fort Frances. Huge balls organized by fraternal or sorority groups filled the ballroom with party-goers and dancers. Regional conventions booked up the rooms. Brian Mulroney was […]
Across Canada this coming weekend, we will come together to celebrate our good fortunes that have united us as a nation. We very much are a nation of immigrants—welcoming newcomers from across the world who have left their native countries in search of better opportunities here in Canada. I can’t […]
I am beginning to understand the U.S. Republican race to represent that party in the presidential election in 2016. For the longest time, I could not understand how candidates like Donald Trump, Scott Walker, and Ted Cruz (a former Canadian) could develop a wide following supporting and funding their campaigns. […]
In Canada we are governed by the parliamentary system. Voters in each riding elect a person to represent them. The Governor General of Canada offers the political party with the most elected members the opportunity to form the government. Looking back in time, the local citizens of the riding paid […]
