The key to any negotiation, whether it be on the political front or in a labour dispute, is coming up with a solution that allows both sides to claim victory. Such is the case with the modified bargaining process that both Abitibi-Consolidated and the Communication, Energy and Papermakers union have […]
Editorials
The local public school board would do well to adopt former U.S President Harry S. Truman’s bold pledge that “the buck stops here.” At the very least, the board should give the impression that somebody is in charge of the “multi-use” project at Westfort. Right now, the only one people […]
The Supreme Court of Canada, in fine Canadian fashion, managed to accomplish what many people didn’t think was possible–issue a ruling on three questions probing the legality of Quebec’s unilateral separation that both sides could claim as a victory. But whether you view the nine justices as astute diplomats, or […]
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled last week the federal government was violating its own law by not paying its employees in traditionally “female” jobs equal pay for work of equal value. For some 200,000 past and present federal employees, it means back pay–with interest–retroactive to 1985. And that could […]
Just a scant few months ago, the town said it was prepared to spend $4.9 million to construct a brand spanking new double-rink indoor ice facility at the arena field, demolishing Memorial Arena in the process. As we all know too well by now, that deal fell through when the […]
As everyone knows, there’s two sides to every story. And that’s the primary reason why the Times has a policy to contact anyone who is specifically attacked in a letter to the editor and give them opportunity to respond. One such letter arrived at the office last week from a […]
Tensions in a group boiled over in Northwestern Ontario this week–and the fallout is only just beginning. No, it’s not word Ginger is parting company with the “Spice Girls,” although that news has caused youngsters right here in Fort Frances to go into denial. Rather, the fireworks began Monday when […]
It’s hard to believe another tourist season is upon us but the walleye opener Saturday marks the start of the annual influx of visitors flooding into Northwestern Ontario–a great majority of whom enter Canada right here in Fort Frances. As such, it’s our job to be the welcoming committee, which […]
The shooting incident last Wednesday morning, in which an off-duty employee of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fired a shot at two Rainy River First Nation men netting sturgeon on the river, shows just how strained relations are between the band and DNR. And unless both sides start talking, […]
The Reform Party came to Ottawa vowing to be different. It pledged to stay above the petty politics that often made an unruly kindergarten class look well-behaved compared to the House of Commons, and promised to refrain from the tired rhetoric and staged antics practised by the other parties. But, […]
Suddenly lost in the glare of the arena debate, and word council has to chop almost $1 million more from the town’s 1998 budget if it wants to keep a lid on taxes for the fifth-straight year, is the question of whether 384 parking meters should be re-installed in the […]
It’s safe to say that last Friday night’s fourth-annual “Quest for the Best” was the best one yet–a sentiment echoed among spectators and contestants alike. In fact, you felt sorry for the judges who faced the unenviable task of having to choose not only the top five but also rank […]
