We can indeed be grateful in Canada, and specifically here in Northeastern Ontario, for the area in which we live.Not just the area, as in region, but area, as in space.There’s plenty of elbow room,

• From the “Why don’t they always do this?” category:The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) says the provincial government – six months ahead of a collective agreement expiration date –offered on June 2 to extend the agreement by four years.The union said the

By Diane JohnstonOne of my personal rites of spring is the Spring Fling – of the most sedate, church-going variety.I typically take a week off at the end of May, when The Speaker’s annual farm supplement is completed, and spend some time with family in Eastern Ontario.In recent years, my

By Steven Larocque Speaker Editor Our national anthem was written, or at least first performed, in 1880, says the online version of the Canadian Encyclopedia.Let’s jump ahead a few years to 1967 when, according to this source, it

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has announced a plan to increase the general provincial minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2019.Currently, Ontario’s minimum wage is $11.40 per hour.The minimum wage hike is part of a larger government piece of

By Darlene WroeGeography is a matter of perspective.I was born in Ingram Township.To me, it was the centre of the universe. To you, you may likely have no idea where it

• Thumbs up to citizens – private and corporate – who keep making significant contributions to the community.The Speaker has a photo this week showing a downtown New Liskeard barbecue that collected $1,300 for Mothers Against Drunk Driving thanks to the

From the time of the invention of the lawnmower, anyone with a yard has been encouraged in the pursuit of a perfect green carpet of low-cut grass.But the times have changed.The nurturing of dandelions is now understood to be part of a new endeavour in a quickly

Steven Larocque Speaker Editor I was going to take some food home the other night from a local restaurant, but they got my order wrong so I took my money back and left the food there.Man, was I angry.The incompetence, the lousy customer service, the nerve.

Here are two things worthy of a thumbs-up this week in Temiskaming and one deserving of a thumbs-down.• The announcement that the Frog’s Breath Foundation continues to make a huge impact in the region is welcome news indeed.They’ve been giving money to the community for almost