THUNDER BAY — Here are 10 of the top stories we covered in January 2024, as compiled by Dougall Media Director of News, Leith Dunick.
- Terrace Bay residents got bad news, learning 400 workers would be out of work after the owners of the pulp and paper mill in the community would be shutting it down immediately. AV Terrace Bay is part of the Aditya Birla group.
- Thunder Bay lost a community icon with the passing of former mayor and MP Jack Masters. Masters served one term in the House of Commons, from 1980 to 1984, and was elected mayor in 1985, serving two terms.
- Local NDP politicians condemned the Thunder Bay Police response to a late 2023 incident that resulted in the death of Indigenous woman Jenna Ostberg. The province’s Special Investigations Unit is looking into the incident and police’s response to 911 calls connected to the incident.
- Organizers of the Ontario Winter Games said about 1,500 fewer athletes coaches and officials than originally planned would take part in the Ontario Winter Games, largely due to travel concerns and escalating costs. The Games, held in February, were a huge success nevertheless.
- City workers avoided a potential strike, reaching a deal with the City of Thunder Bay. The deal impacted 600 Canadian Union of Public Employees.
- Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre visited the city to showcase a new billboard critical of the Liberal government’s carbon tax. Poilievre’s team has used the slogan, “Axe the tax” as it gears up for an election at some point in 2025.
- An incident at Resolute Sawmill resulted in a fatality. The Ministry of Labour, called in to investigate, confirmed the victim was a Dallan Forestry employee. One order was issued to the employer.
- Regional air carrier Bearskin Airlines announced it would discontinue passenger service in Dryden, Fort Frances and Kenora, citing a decline in passenger volume connected to the pandemic.
- Two people accused in the 2021 beating death of Liam Slipperjack pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case. Desomond Keewaykapow and a youth were facing charges in the incident, which took place on Limbrick Street. In another murder case, Michael Gomez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder related to the 2021 death of 33-year-old Jordan Lapointe.
- NDP Leader Marit Stiles visited the city and urged the province to take highway safety in Northwestern Ontario seriously, calling for laws banning passing on double yellow lines and for more inspection stations and insight of commercial trucking schools.
