Mike Stimpson, NWOnewswatch Journalist Profile

Articles

Marathon mayor takes NOMA helm

1 day ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

THUNDER BAY — The new Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) president has, by his reckoning, “had a long apprenticeship” for the top job. Outgoing eight-year president Wendy Landry announced to the 2025 NOMA conference on Wednesday that Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas will take the helm. “I’m somewhat excited,” Dumas told Newswatch after the announcement, “but at the same time I’ve been around forever.
Marathon mayor takes NOMA helm

1 day ago | snnewswatch.com | Mike Stimpson

THUNDER BAY — The new Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) president has, by his reckoning, “had a long apprenticeship” for the top job. Outgoing eight-year president Wendy Landry announced to the 2025 NOMA conference on Wednesday that Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas will take the helm. “I’m somewhat excited,” Dumas told Newswatch after the announcement, “but at the same time I’ve been around forever.
Candidates sound off on climate change and carbon tax

1 day ago | tbnewswatch.com | Mike Stimpson

THUNDER BAY — The five candidates for Thunder Bay–Rainy River’s seat in the House of Commons all seem to agree nixing the consumer carbon tax was a good move, though for different reasons. At least one of them says the program was addressing a problem that isn’t real. The consumer carbon tax, part of a federal program of carbon pricing, was unpopular and Liberal Leader Mark Carney reduced it to zero it soon after becoming prime minister. The industrial carbon tax remains.
Advance voter turnout much higher than in 2021

2 days ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

THUNDER BAY — Nationwide and locally, this federal election is on track to have the highest voter turnout in more than 35 years. Elections Canada disclosed Tuesday that an estimated 7.3 million people voted at advance polls April 18-21 across the country. That’s about 25 per cent more than the 5.8 million who voted in advance in the 2021 general election. In Thunder Bay-Superior North, 15,244 of the riding’s roughly 68,000 eligible voters cast advance ballots, returning officer Dale Mason said.
'Really good questions' at election event in Fort Frances

3 days ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

FORT FRANCES — Health care, pipelines and the state of the economy were just a few of the topics discussed in a recent Thunder Bay–Rainy River candidates forum moderated by Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas. The event, April 12 at the Fort Frances Senior Centre, was well attended, Hallikas told Newswatch. “The audience asked some really good questions,” he added.
Election office ready for advance poll days

6 days ago | kenoraminerandnews.com | Mike Stimpson

Advertisement 1Author of the article: • Local Journalism Initiative • Article contentElections Canada is ready for this weekend’s advance voting in the Kenora-Kiiwetinoong riding but still short on workers for the big day, officials say. Advertisement 2Article content“All the staff for advance polls are trained and ready to go for the weekend, but they still need people for election day as such,” said Richard Theoret, regional media adviser for Elections Canada.
Green party runs teacher in Thunder Bay-Rainy River

6 days ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

ATIKOKAN – Green Party of Canada candidate Eric Arner says he’s running “for people who really prioritize and really feel passionately about the environment.”It’s important that those people in Thunder Bay-Rainy River have an opportunity to register their viewpoint in the April 28 federal election, he told Dougall Media. Garner was the Green candidate in Thunder Bay-Atikokan for the Ontario provincial election in February, and once before that in the 2022 provincial election.
Election office ready for advance poll days

6 days ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

KENORA — Elections Canada is ready for this weekend’s advance voting in the Kenora-Kiiwetinoong riding but still short on workers for the big day, officials say. “All the staff for advance polls (in Kenora-Kiiwetinoong) are trained and ready to go for the weekend, but they still need people for election day as such,” said Richard Theoret, regional media adviser for Elections Canada.
Beardmore, Nakina losing skating rinks

1 week ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

GREENSTONE — Municipal councillors decided Monday night that residents of Beardmore and Nakina will continue to have indoor space for curling and community events but not skating and hockey next winter. In motions passed after much debate and four deputations, councillors decided to permanently cease operation of the two communities’ indoor skating rinks this year.
Grassy Narrows grassroots hold rally in Kenora

1 week ago | thespec.com | Mike Stimpson

KENORA – Grassy Narrows community members hosted a rally Tuesday afternoon in downtown Kenora to send a message to federal politicians: Respect First Nations’ right to say no to nuclear waste disposal. The rally followed an email sent “on behalf of families from Grassy Narrows First Nation” to the members of Parliament for Kenora-Kiiwetinoong, Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Thunder Bay-Superior North and three other northern Ontario ridings.