Former Chemical Company Worker Says He Buried Mercury and Salt Near Ontario First Nation
Leaders of a northern Ontario First Nation have held a news conference in Winnipeg demanding action from the federal government after new allegations about mercury dumping upstream from their community.
Grassy Narrows, which is near the Manitoba boundary, has dealt with mercury poisoning since the Dryden Chemical Company dumped 9,000 kilograms of it into the river in the 1960s.
Earlier this week, media reports emerged about a former labourer at the mill who says that as part of his job in 1972, he buried more than 50 barrels of mercury and salt in a pit near Grassy Narrows.
Chief Simon Fobister Senior says the First Nation doesn't know if that's new contamination. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says her government plans to get to the bottom of the allegations.
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Man Disappears in Saskatchewan Lake
A search is underway for a 23-year-old man last seen swimming in Katepwa Lake, near Fort Qu'appelle.
Mounties say the man swam past a buoy Tuesday where the water dropped off and began to struggle.
The man's friends and a bystander all tried to rescue the man, who disappeared underwater.
An RCMP underwater recovery team is expected to arrive on scene today to assist in the search.
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Pallister Defends Manitoba's CPP Stance
Premier Brian Pallister says Manitoba does not support a national agreement on boosting the Canada Pension Plan in part because it does not address the need for people to set aside their own retirement savings.
Pallister worked for decades in insurance and financial planning.
He says individuals have a responsibility to save for their future.
Manitoba abstained during the vote on the issue, partly because Pallister says his Tory government was elected only two months ago and is still studying the issue.
New Democrat finance critic James Allum says Pallister is siding with big business instead of working families who are worried about their retirement.
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Public Utilities Board Makes Recommendations on Payday Loans
Manitoba's Public Utilities Board says unlicensed Internet lenders are a problem.
The board released a report on Monday on Payday Loans in Manitoba.
Following public review and consultation, it recommends the cost for payday loans remain unchanged at 17 per cent of principal loaned and the borrowing limit remain at 30 per cent of net pay.
Among other things, it also recommends the Manitoba government should work with other governments to regulate unlicensed online lending.
The board says Payday Loans are an expensive way to borrow money.
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex Spending Popping By the Prairies
Winnipeg is set to host a royal visit today.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will arrive at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada just after 11am local time and will meet privately with Premier Brian Pallister and the lieutenant governor.
The queen's youngest son will preside over the Duke of Edinburgh awards honouring 50 young Manitobans, while the countess heads to Deer Lodge Centre, which is celebrating its 100th year of service to veterans.
After Winnipeg, they will head to Saskatchewan.
