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Ontario launches two new publicly funded prenatal screening tests

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Ontario is introducing two new publicly funded prenatal screening tests designed to improve care for pregnancies and reduce unnecessary medical treatments.

BORN Ontario and Prenatal Screening Ontario announced the new blood tests as part of the province’s $9.8-million investment in prenatal screening services.

The tests use a blood sample from a pregnant person to determine the fetus’s blood type, helping doctors discover pregnancies that need additional treatment or monitoring.

The two new tests include:

  • Fetal RHD screening: Helps determine whether RhD-negative pregnant people require RhD immune globulin (RhIG), a treatment used to prevent complications caused by incompatible blood types.
  • Alloimmunized fetal blood group genotyping: Helps guide monitoring and care for pregnant people with certain antibodies that could pose risks to their babies.

Being RhD-negative means your red blood cells do not have a specific inherited protein called the Rhesus D (RhD) antigen.

Before these screenings were available, all RhD-negative people got RhIG treatment regardless of their fetus’s blood type.

The new screening allows doctors to determine whether that treatment is needed, reducing unnecessary interventions and helping conserve RhIG, a blood product that is in limited supply.

“Our government is ensuring Ontario families have access to innovative and world-class prenatal care,” said Health Minister Sylvia Jones. “The introduction of non-invasive fetal blood type screening is another step forward in providing expectant parents with the best possible care while strengthening Ontario’s leadership in pregnancy and newborn health.”

The tests will also help identify pregnancies at risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a potentially serious condition in which maternal antibodies attack a baby’s red blood cells.

“By better identifying which pregnancies require intervention and monitoring, we can tailor care more effectively and improve outcomes for both pregnant individuals and babies,” said Dr. Barbra de Vrijer, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist.

Election -Elections Ontario vote sign June 2022

Two PCs, NDP win seats in Ontario by-elections

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Early results are in for three Ontario by-elections, and it looks like each party will hold onto their seats.

Progressive Conservative Jeff Beattie won for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek with 38.87 per cent of the vote. NDP Monique Taylor was next up with 32.9 per cent.

The York-Simcoe seat went to PC Susan Lahey, who had nearly half the vote. Liberal Naomi Davison was about 2500 votes behind at just under 39 per cent.

And NDP Fatima Shaban took Scarborough Southwest with 40 per cent support. Runner up Liberal Ahsanul Haiz took 30 per cent.

All of these results are unofficial, as Elections Ontario makes an official count in the coming days.

The two PC ridings were held by cabinet ministers Caroline Mulroney and Neil Lumsden before they announced their decisions to step down earlier this year.

The other was held by former NDP deputy leader Doly Begum, who won a federal by-election for the Liberal party on Monday.

kenora cip

Central Park in Kenora set to reopen

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There’s good news for kids who need a place to play.

The City of Kenora says the playground at Central Park will reopen on Friday afternoon.

Greenspace upgrades were recently completed.

The city says a small area near the clubhouse will remain fenced off while the contractor completes the remaining work.

A formal ribbon-cutting will be held at a later date.

Sol Mamakwa Apr 25 2024

Chiefs, municipal leaders urge province to declare state of emergency amid forest fires

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Ontario NDP Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa, along with Thunder Bay—Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois and Mushkegowuk—James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin, are backing a call from the Chiefs of Ontario for the province to declare a state of emergency amid wildfires throughout the northwest.

The joint statement also calls for the provincial and federal governments to remove jurisdictional barriers and coordinate emergency supports for First Nations affected by wildfires, including evacuation, transportation, accommodation, health services and community fire protection resources.

“Northern Ontario is burning,” Mamakwa said. “Communities across northern Ontario are in crisis as close to 200 wildfires rage, threatening to take away their homes. For the people living in Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (Collins), this is no longer just a threat, but a lived reality as all the houses in the community have burnt to the ground.” 

Lise Vaugeois wrote that the wildfires are spreading across the north at an unprecedented pace, overwhelming available resources. While firefighters and municipalities such as Thunder Bay are doing everything they can to respond, she argued the scale of the crisis requires additional provincial and federal support, including a state of emergency and the deployment of more resources to protect threatened communities.

Guy Bourgouin said governments need to act immediately, warning that delays in responding to the wildfire crisis could have devastating consequences. He pointed to the recent response to flooding in Ottawa as an example of how slow action can hamper emergency efforts, noting that one northern community has already been destroyed and others remain under threat.

“The Premier needs call for a state of emergency and every level must work together to get the support needed to protect homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods,” the statement concluded.

Alstom Worker

Ont. labour minister prefers focus on domestic workforce

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By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ontario Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Minister David Piccini has responded to a joint statement from Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski and Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas that they sent earlier this week about the decision that Ontario would not participate in relaxing federal rules regarding temporary foreign workers. They claimed it’s not in the best interest of the people of Northern Ontario.

Piccini says to address labour shortages, domestic workforce development must be prioritized rather than increasing the reliance on low-wage temporary foreign workers.
“We are putting Ontario workers first, making sure they have the opportunity to get their start and build their futures here in Ontario,” Piccini said.

Hallikas had pointed out that the needs of rural communities are not the same as those of large urban centres. He said that recent cuts to immigration have left smaller communities in Northern Ontario in a particularly difficult position.

“Over the past year, we have heard from numerous small businesses in Fort Frances, all of whom have indicated that without access to foreign workers, they would face serious challenges in maintaining operations,” Hallikas earlier said. “While some may dismiss the needs of businesses such as Tim Hortons and McDonald’s, in places like Fort Frances, these are major employers.”

He added that the labour shortage affects every aspect of daily life.

“Looking for a doctor? Do you have an elderly relative in need of chronic care? Good luck to you. We desperately need more doctors, nurses, personal support workers, and paramedics,” he said, adding that the shortage also has national implications.

“If we want to build more housing, rural sawmills in our region, many of which rely on temporary foreign workers, are essential. Major infrastructure projects require truckers to transport equipment and security personnel to support operations, both of which are in short supply.”

But Piccini sees it this way.

“The answer to filling in-demand jobs is not expanding access to low-wage temporary foreign workers — it is ensuring Ontario workers have the skills, experience and opportunities they need to succeed,” Piccini said.

“For many young people, jobs in sectors like food service and retail provide that critical first step into the workforce, helping them gain valuable experience, build confidence and begin rewarding careers. Our government will continue to invest in training, apprenticeships and pathways that connect Ontario workers with good-paying jobs while helping employers build the workforce they need for the future.”

Source: The Chronicle-Journal

Halifax Tiki Tour

Tiki Tours boat rescues jet-skiers in Halifax harbour

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A bachelor party on a pontoon boat with Tiki Tours Halifax made a surprise rescue on the weekend.

The group of 11 from Ontario were about halfway through their tour, around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, when the boat came across two men in the water whose jet-skis were flipped over.

Stephen Jeddry, the captain of the boat and owner of the tour company, says they were trying to get the Sea-Doos upright again.

“They kept spinning them over, so we headed in that direction, and it looked like one of them was sinking. It was three quarters submerged,” says Jeddry.

But when they got one upright, it would fall back into the water.

They pulled the boat closer and dropped the ladder on the boat and got the men on board.

Most of the pontoon boat is open to the air, but the equipment storage room is warmer, and Jeddry says he gave the two some dry, warm clothes and blankets let them warm up in there.

“I remember the first guy when he got to the ladder. He had no energy left. I thought, ‘We’re going to have to pick him up and carry him on the boat.’ And he managed to get up the ladder on his own accord, but he had no gas left.”

They also told him their arms were exhausted after trying so hard to flip the jet skis, but the cold ocean water would have made it much worse, says Jeddry.

Cold ocean water still dangerous in May

Cold shock is what happens when someone is suddenly immersed in cold water. It makes it harder to move and breathe and can be fatal in minutes, according to the National Boating Safety School of Canada.

They say any water below 21 degrees can pose a risk, but a lot of Canada’s waterways are colder than that for most of the year.

Jeddry says sometimes people forget, but the Halifax harbour has frigid ocean temperatures. He estimates the water on Saturday was between 6 and 8 degrees.

“That’s not going to take long for your muscles to start shutting down,” says Jeddry.

Thankfully, he says, they were wearing life jackets, and they were not too far from the shore, in case they did have to try and swim.

But he says the situation could have gotten dangerous. When they found the two men in the water, they were west of George’s Island near Pier 21, not easily seen by the people walking along the waterfront.

Once the men were on board, Jeddry says his crewmate and the group of bachelors tied the jet skis to the side of the boat, and they brought them back to the dock.

They made sure the men were all right, now with warm clothes and on dry land, and the Tiki tour boat went back out to finish the bachelor party.

“When they get off, one guy said, ‘Wow, what a great story we got to tell, leaving Nova Scotia.’”

Stephen Lecce Nov 19 2025

MPP Lecce credits mining streamlining for $14B investment

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A planned $14 billion investment from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is set to position Ontario as Canada’s leading resource hub—but Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says even bigger ambitions are on the horizon.

“[The goal is] not to be #1 in Canada. We want to be #1 on Earth when it comes to attracting mining investment,” Lecce said. “This is how we build our country. This is how we become more self-reliant and less dependent on the craziness going on in the White House.”

Lecce credits aggressive permit reforms and accelerated approval processes for attracting this investment.

“It took an average of 15 years to build a mine in this province, whereas in Europe or even Australia, it’s taking them five to six years. We were the second slowest in the entire OECD,” he said.

OECD stands for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a 100-nation forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis and best practices in public policy.

“When we’re the second slowest on Earth, that’s not a benchmark to be proud of,” Lecce said. “We need to challenge the status quo. We have to move faster.”

Lecce said streamlining mining development doesn’t mean cutting out important environmental and labour protections, but rather imposing deadlines on the government to make decisions faster.

“We have examples of assessments sitting on some bureaucrat’s desk for 1,500 days with no sense of urgency. Either we smarten up and work faster or we have our lunch eaten,” he said.

Lecce says Canada will still have “the strictest protections for our people and our environment,” which he calls the most ethical democracy.

“I’m not saying we’re perfect, but Canada is the gold standard. I’m so proud of our country and our values. I’d rather our democratic values prevail over the authoritarian regimes in Moscow and Beijing,” he said.

Many of the new mines under development will rely on Hydro One transmission lines for power. The company offers an equity partnership model that can provide local First Nations with ownership stakes of up to 50% in these energy projects.

“This provides an opportunity for reconciliation through sharing of benefits and meaningful participation,” said Chief Clifford Bull of the Lac Seul First Nation.

Agnico Eagle will build a new mine in the Upper Beaver Gold project on Kirkland Lake, a $1 billion investment that’s set to create 800 new jobs. It will also expand the Detour Lake underground project, the largest gold mineral reserve in the country.

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Man and woman from N.S. facing human trafficking related charges

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Two people are facing a long list of sex trafficking charges involving multiple victims.

RCMP say they started the investigation back in 2023 and identified multiple victims in Nova Scotia. A news release also stated they identified connections to New Brunswick and Ontario.

Financial analysts with the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) also found that more than $500,000 made from crimes was funnelled through casino activities in three provinces.

RCMP and members of the Halifax Regional Police pulled over a vehicle on Highway 102 near Milford on April 10, and a 49-year-old man from Porter’s Lake and a 43-year-old woman from Chester Basin were arrested.

Both face numerous charges related to human trafficking and financial crimes. 

The man remains in custody, and the woman was released. Both are scheduled for future court dates.

Robert Williamson 3

Show us your NWO

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As another Northwestern Ontario winter fades into memory, we’re taking a moment to look back at the season that once again reminded us just how breathtaking this region can be. From deep freezes and fresh snowfall to golden hours that seemed to set the sky on fire, winter gave us no shortage of unforgettable moments, and you captured them beautifully.

Beautiful Sunset by Connie Calvert

Throughout the season, viewers from across NWO shared scenes that told winter’s story in quiet, powerful ways. Frozen lakes stretched out beneath pastel skies, framed by towering evergreens dusted in snow. Several submissions featured sunsets blazing through the trees, rich oranges and pinks melting into deep purples as daylight slipped away over snow-covered landscapes. Even in the coldest months, there was warmth in the light.

Some photos highlighted the stillness of winter mornings: the sun low on the horizon, casting long beams across icy paths and untouched snow, reminding us how peaceful the world can feel before the day fully wakes up. Others captured dramatic skies, soft cloud layers streaked with colour, glowing halos around the sun, and subtle rainbows hidden in winter light, proving that the sky itself was often the main event.

Fireworks by Connie Calvert

One striking submission showed a nighttime winter gathering illuminated by fireworks bursting into the sky, their reflections glowing against the snow below. In a season defined by darkness and cold, moments like these stood out, proof that winter is also a time for connection and celebration.

Winter’s Last Glow by Robert Williams

Now, as temperatures slowly rise and the days stretch longer, spring is beginning to take over. Snowbanks will shrink, trails will soften, and those same landscapes will soon look completely different. But thanks to you, the magic of this winter is preserved, one photo at a time.

Ignace, ON – Matt Doran

Thank you to everyone who shared their view, their moment, and their slice of Northwestern Ontario with us this season. As we close the chapter on winter, we’re already looking ahead, because no matter the season, there’s always something worth showing off in NWO.

🌅❄️🌱
Keep sharing your views, and keep showing us your NWO.

Email in your photos:

Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca

Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca

Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca

Oshki-Wenjack nurses

Indigenous Education Institutes plan new programming with provincial grants

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Ontario will provide $57 million to Indigenous Education Institutes over the next three years as part of a larger $6.4 billion funding increase to post-secondary schools.

Thunder Bay’s Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Institute (Oshki-Wenjack) and Kenora’s Seven Generations Education Institute are among a handful to receive a share of the investment.

While Indigenous institutes currently rely on collaborative partnerships with other post-secondary schools for many of their programs, the new funding will help these institutes develop their own independent programs.

Oshki-Wenjack president Lorrie Deschamps says her school is still determining what new programs it will add, and is already surveying Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities for input.

She says the first priority will be Indigenous language programs.

“I think it’s important for those who may not know, or have lost their language, that part of our goal is to bring it back,” Deschamps says.

Beyond language programs, she says the community is mostly clamouring for programs in the trades, such as construction and plumbing, in early childhood education, and in teaching.

For many individuals in remote First Nations, Oshki-Wenjack’s appeal is in its flexibility, as it gives them the chance to study from their home communities.

“They’re able to be with their families and keep their employment while they finish the program,” Deschamps explains.

The situation is familiar for Deschamps, who herself had to travel far from home for high school as a youth.

“When students come here… they lose that relationship maybe with the land, with their parents, and they want to go home after a while because it’s so different here.”

Having recently become accredited, and now with new funding for independent programming, the next big goal for Oshki-Wenjack is to establish its own campus.

In the meantime, the institute plans to host a 25th anniversary gala on May 29 at the Valhalla Hotel and Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.

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