Sorting out the tax slips
A Calculated Look at Capital Gains Distributions from Mutual Fund Trusts

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----   March 11, 2010  ---   When winter winds finally give way to warmer breezes, you know that a new season is once again upon you – tax season. And with this new season, you may find the arrival of a tax slip for capital gains distributions from your mutual fund company.

Many people are uncertain about capital gains distributions and how they should be reported for tax purposes. Simply put, mutual funds buy and sell securities. Mutual fund investments may generate investment income in addition to gains if securities within the fund are sold for more than their purchase price.   read more.....>

PUKASKWA COASTAL TRAIL CLOSED TO ALLOW UPGRADES 

HERON BAY, ONTARIO, March 8, 2010 – Large-scale investments are being made in Pukaskwa National Park to replace two suspension bridges and upgrade backcountry visitor facilities along the Coastal Hiking Trail. These investments will enhance visitor experiences in the backcountry of Pukaskwa National Park for years to come.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors, Parks Canada is closing a 17.5 kilometre stretch of the Coastal Hiking Trail and the portion of the White River Paddling Route through Pukaskwa National Park to public access while bridge construction and site upgrades are being undertaken. The Coastal Hiking Trail
and both bridges are expected to re-open in the spring of 2011.  read more...... >

Master-classes Nurture Students

THUNDER BAY, ON,  ---  March 7, 2010 ----  Last week Andrei Streliaev, organist extraordinaire arrived in Thunder Bay for a weekend of entertainment, master-classes and a recital. Born in Riga Latvia, Andrei holds a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Toronto where he studied with John Tuttle. He is an associate member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. As a musician Andrei has performed in Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Sweden and France, participated in festivals and competitions including B. Dvarionas International Competition for Young Pianists in Vilnius, Lithuania (Diploma) and Concours International de Piano Maryse Cheilan in Hyeres, France (First Award). Dean Jobin-Bevans of Lakehead University jumped at the opportunity to bring Andrei to Thunder Bay for the benefit of the music department’s organ students.   read more...>

Bruce Meyer brings out readers and writers

THUNDER BAY, ON ----   March 7, 2010 -----  What makes great literature? Bruce Meyer addressed this topic in his lecture at Lakehead University on Friday night. Bruce travelled to Thunder Bay at the request of Bookends, a small reading group that has been reading and discussing literature in the city for the past 20 years.

The book club has been debating who might be the great authors of the 20th century, yet the question remained, what makes literature great? Through personal connections Joan Skelton (author of The Survivor of the Edmund Fitzgerald) knew of Bruce Meyer, professor of literature at Georgian College.

Meyer’s life has been passionately immersed in literature from the time of his childhood. His enthusiasm for literature has made him a compelling speaker and he is amongst TV Ontario’s top 10 short list for the Top Lecturer Award.  read more....>

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 5, 2010 - McGuinty Government Helps Hard Working Families.  Ontario is raising the minimum wage to $10.25 on March 31, 2010.  This is the seventh increase since 2004.

The province of Ontario started implementing annual increases early in 2003, raising the general minimum wage from $6.85 in 2004 to $9.50 in 2009. 
Phasing in these increases balances the needs of hard working families with the needs of small businesses that create jobs.

OTTAWA, ON – March 5, 2010 - New Democrat Members of Parliament John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) and Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay – Superior North) expressed disappointment in the federal Conservative government budget which they say is fiscally irresponsible, raises taxes, and neglects key economic sectors in Northwestern Ontario.

OTTAWA, ON - March 5, 2010 - The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the 2010 Federal Budget expressing with great dismay that the Harper government continues to delay efforts to balance the federal budget.

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 5, 2010 - UOI OFFICES – Instead of a day of celebration, First Nations should be nearly relieved that 500 years after first seeing us, other people have decided we have the same Human Rights they do. 

“We can only hope it doesn’t take another 500 years for governments in Canada to agree that we have the rights to choose our own citizens, to share in the wealth of our territories as we were promised by treaty, and to govern our own affairs,” says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 2, 2010 - Friends of Big Thunder Tell Province “We're ready to re-open Big Thunder”
Thunder Bay: The Friends of Big Thunder have submitted a response to the
request for an Expression of Interest to re-establish the former Big Thunder
Sports Park and National Ski Training Centre at Big Thunder.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, March 2, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice,
Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, today announced investments of up to $2.3 million, including from Canada’s Economic Action Plan, that will support visitor experience, infrastructure and ecological integrity projects at Pukaskwa National Park.

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 2, 2010 – On the heels of an historic level of success by Canadian Olympic athletes at the Vancouver 2010 Games, Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Bruce Hyer congratulated Thunder Bay gold medal winners Haley Irwin and Eric Staal, and all the athletes that helped make the 2010 Winter Games a huge success.

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 2, 2010 - Remember back to the 70’s when Northwestern Ontario was booming, and we were firing on all cylinders?  We were living prosperously due to our resources, while over in Newfoundland it was the exact opposite and they were known as a “have not province”.

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 26, 2010 - Joan Skelton - Of interest to reader, writers, and teachers are two talks by noted author, broadcaster, professor and electric speaker, Dr. Bruce Meyer. He will answer the often asked question What Makes Great Literature? Friday, March 5, Lakehead University, ATAC Building, Room 1001, at 7 p.m.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - February 26, 2010 – Mr. Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont – Dundas – South Glengarry, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced major investments at Sault Ste. Marie Canal and Fort St. Joseph National Historic Sites. Also, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Mr. Lauzon, announced funding for the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site revitalization. These projects are part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 26, 2010 – The Thunder Bay Chill Select Males will make their way to Mississauga, Ontario, this weekend to take part in the 2010 Ontario Indoor Cup. The competition will begin with the group stage on Saturday, February 27th, 2010, with the Semi-finals and finals taking place on Sunday, February 28th.