July 10 - 11, 2008

Minister's Tour in Northwestern Ontario

Minister Cansfield toured the Dryden Fire Management Centre and visited two Windigo First Nations Council communities on July 10 and 11.

She toured the Dryden Fire Management Centre, including the Fire Response Centre, District Fire Management Headquarters and equipment cache. She also viewed the specialized equipment and aircraft, including a number of different attack and observing planes. Fire Program Manager, Terry Popowich, provided her with an overview of the West Fire Region program in the Fire Briefing Centre.

The weather cooperated and the Minister had a chance to participate in a simulated initial fire attack and training exercise, during the demonstration and on the ground. She landed at the training site beside Banana Lake via helicopter and observed CL-415s make several passes. Firefighters arrived by helicopter and set up their equipment and a mock camp site beside the lake.

Dryden District Manager Bob McColm also escorted the Minister on a tour of the MNR Dryden District Office and she had an opportunity to greet returning firefighters as they arrived at the Dryden Airport.

The next day, the Minister visited Bearskin Lake First Nation, 425 km north of Sioux Lookout, accessible only by air or ice road. She met with Chief Rodney McKay and council members, where she was presented with a pair of embroidered moccasins. Minister Cansfield also had an opportunity to visit a new community daycare facility and stop into a Northern Store.

The Minister visited North Caribou Lake First Nation, also known as Weagamow or Round Lake, located on the north shore of Weagamow Lake, where she met with Chief Pierre Morriseau and council members. Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Thunder Bay, also attended both council meetings.