Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Laurentian faculty union pres says auditor’s report a ‘complete validation of pretty much everything we’ve said’
The president of Laurentian University’s faculty association says a report on the insolvent university released by Ontario’s auditor general Wednesday is a “complete validation of pretty much everything we’ve said during the past 14 months.” Although the report on the Sudbury university’s implosion is scathing, Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) president Fabrice Colin said it’s good news in the sense that it sheds light on what happened. “The truth is the first step toward a healing process … and a better future for Laurentian University,” Colin said. Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released a preliminary report April 13 summarizing the findings of her value-for-money audit of Laurentian University. A more fulsome report is to follow at a later date. Laurentian University continues to undergo court-supervised restructuring after declaring insolvency and filing for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (or CCAA) more than a year ago.
Judges’ decision also expected to include who covers legal costs in Minnow Lake case
In the event the Minnow Lake Restoration Group fails in their legal challenge against the city in relation to the Kingsway Entertainment District, who should cover the city’s $37,041 legal bill? This is the question a trio of judges led by Justice Thomas Lederer is expected to answer alongside whether the City of Greater Sudbury followed fair procedure in the lead up to a July 14, 2021, vote of city council members to proceed with the municipal arena project. Both parties’ cases were presented in virtual court on Monday, and the results of the judicial review are legally required within six months. “Typically, when a decision is reserved it could be weeks, but more likely it could be months,” city solicitor and clerk Eric Labelle told Sudbury.com. “(Lederer) did hear quite a bit of argument and there was public interest, so I feel like he’s going to take his time to write something fairly detailed,” deputy city solicitor Kelly Gravelle added. Representing the Minnow Lake Restoration Group, lawyer Eric Gillespie told Sudbury.com that it’s likely the court recognizes the fact that Gateway Casinos has put their investment in the KED on pause, in part to wait on the results of the judicial review.
Ford says he would extend remaining mask mandates if recommended by top doc
Ontario's premier says he would have "no problem" extending the remaining mask mandates beyond the end of the month, if recommended by the province's top doctor. Premier Doug Ford made the comments Thursday at an unrelated news conference in Toronto. The province has lifted mask mandates in most settings except those deemed high-risk like long-term care homes, hospitals and public transit. Masking requirements for those settings are due to expire on April 27 but Dr. Kieran Moore, the province's top doctor, has said he's considering extending them amid the latest wave of COVID-19 cases.Ford says he'd accept that recommendation if Moore makes it, because he want to protect vulnerable people.
Ontario, FNs take steps for all-season road to the Ring of Fire mineral deposit
Ontario has announced another step toward development of the Ring of Fire mining development. The province said today Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations revealed they will be submitting a Terms of Reference document for the proposed environmental assessment for Northern Road Link to that part of Northwestern Ontario. The proposal for an all-season road to the remote Marten Falls area is regarded as "the final piece of critical road infrastructure" to connect several remote communities and the Ring of Fire mining area to the Ontario highway network. The Ring of Fire area is the name for a massive group of chromite, copper and nickel mining properties located about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. One of the key discussions that has been underway for the past few years has been the need for an overland road link, connecting the Ring of Fire to the rest of Ontario. Although the mineral properties were discovered 15 years ago (August 2007), no mines have been developed as the various groups involved have been involved in attracting investors, having environmental discussions, and negotiating agreements with First Nations.
Capreol man remembered for his warm smile and gratitude
To some in Sudbury, Thomas William Jacobson-Rogers was the man in the news, the one who went missing, and was found dead seven days later. But to the residents of Capreol, Rogers was so much more than that. He will be remembered most as the face that greeted you with a smile at the Foodland in Capreol. There for conversation, a quick smile, and grateful for any help that he was offered. Rogers was last seen on Sunday, April 3rd. He was found dead on April 10, in a wooded area off of Fairbanks Lake Road. Police do not suspect foul play, and the results of the autopsy will be released only to the family, at their request. He had been living with his grandparents near there since moving in on March 24, just before his 25th birthday. It was a chance for him to take a break from his routines, currently, living with a roommate and sitting at the Foodland; his mother, Lori, hoping it might be the fresh start he needed. He will be sadly missed by his grandparents, his mother, his brother, and his beloved cats, Oreo and Malcolm.
Travelling Wolves fall 6-4 to Soo Greyhounds
he finish might not have been perfect, but the game itself is something to build on after the Soo Greyhounds picked up a 6-4 Ontario Hockey League victory over the Sudbury Wolves on Wednesday night at the GFL Memorial Gardens. The Greyhounds held a 5-1 lead through 33 minutes of the game, but surrendered three of the next four goals in the contest to make things close late. Wolves coach Craig Duncanson called the loss “disheartening.” “We had a handful of guys that didn’t get off the bus until almost a third of the way through the game,” Duncanson added. “They all feel like they want to be professionals and they want to play the game, you have to take a professional approach and, quite frankly, we didn’t for the first 20 minutes.” The Wolves fall to 23-37-3-4 with the loss. The Pack plays its final game of the regular season on Friday night at home against the North Bay Battalion. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Prior to Friday’s game, the Wolves will honour overage players Liam Ross, Mitchell Weeks, Dominik Jendek, and Kosta Manikis for their time with the Wolves and in the Ontario Hockey League. The Wolves will celebrate these overage players in a special pre-game ceremony. Four-time Olympic medalist Rebecca Johnston will also be in attendance during the game and will be dropping the puck in a ceremonial puck drop celebrating Women’s Hockey. Rebecca will be available during the game above section 2 for autographs and photos.
Good Friday weather not so good
Expect a high of just 1 degree under cloudy skies for Good Friday. There is a 70-per-cent chance of flurries or rain showers today as well. The wind will be out of the southwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 60. The temperature will stay steady near 1 with a -8 wind chill in the morning. The UV index will be three, or moderate. Tonight, the clouds will stick around the temperature will fall to -7.
