MLAs spend all night debating teachers’ bill

The lights were burning all night at Province House.

After a storm delay, MLAs sat down to debate the government’s bill imposing a contract on the teachers. The opposition parties are fighting it, trying to delay it as long as they can, but the Liberal majority will make sure it passes.

The government is imposing a 3% salary hike spread over four years…basically thew same wage deal as the first two agreements that were rejected. The government will also set up a council to establish ways to improve classroom conditions…one of the main demands of the teachers…but the teachers union says it’s still far short of what teachers want.

Fatal fire on south shore

An elderly man is dead after a fire near Port Joli on the South Shore.

A neighbour heard a loud bang coming from the house on St. Catharines River Road around 11:00 yesterday morning. The body of an 89 year old man was found in the house. A woman was pulled from the home by a man working in the area and taken to hospital.

The cause is being investigated but it’s not believed to be suspicious.