Contrary to the rumour that the NPA is 'opting out', we are alive and vigorous (well, less vigorous than we would like to be), and, we support the restructuring of the OPA. This fact is not supported by the loss of our article in the Ontario Prospector Magazine due to a series of foul-ups including changing editors. At any rate this new issue of the Explorationist permits us a chance to recycle that article written in October, keeping us, at least environmentally, correct.

At the time of writing, all of Ontario is gripped by elections, federal and municipal plus or minus whatever interest is stirred by our American neighbours. Election fever may be appropriate but it is also ironic given the current lack of strong local candidates combined with voter apathy - it may indeed be a malaise of some sort. In Kirkland Lake, the issue of whether or not to use an abandoned open pit as a waste disposal site has come and gone. Candidates previously anchoring their platform to that issue are probably now madly rewriting a strategy. Meanwhile, a proposal to have one of our few remaining headframes designated as a historic site received unanimous endorsement during the campaign from our current town council. The Toburn headframe is near and dear to the Northen Prospectors Association's heart. The ability to incorporate this feature with our geological walking tour and our Trails 2000 subcommittee looks like it will now proceed. Located on the main road through town, the Toburn headframe is both an icon of the community, and, the property from which the Kirkland Lake camp was born. Designation was accomplished through LACAC the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. Tom Drewbrook, Chair, gave a spirited and entertaining presentation to council. They could hardly refuse. He more than adequately addressed the LIMO (Liability, Insurance, Maintenance, and Ownership issues) which can either drive or derail such projects once a need is recognized.

On the federal trail, the campaign has just begun. False starts and miscues are the order of the week. Issues, personalities and track records are being tossed around to try and capture the imagination of the voters. All parties are trying to 'flesh out' the pulse issue and then determine the right stance, while local candidates search for the spin that makes the issue locally relevant. As an eminent, former politician so aptly put it ? issues that other parties cannot support individually but issues that, when combined, can win. ( I paraphrase) The mini?budget, prior to the election call, articulated some flow?through share tax relief. At 15% it is a start and should be applauded - there are a number of stakeholders to recognize for their hard work. Similarly, however, this issue has come and, to some extent, gone with the election call. Hopefully, it will reappear in the next government. We must be ever vigilant. Voter imagination aside, the federal platforms have a constant struggle to embrace a land of regional interests be they physical, social, cultural or industrial. What services are needed, how to deliver those services, who pays what share, how much to transfer to the provinces, what services are outdated, how to help the disadvantaged, how to encourage success but obviate the need for grants ... on it goes, and, to do all of this united under one banner without sacrificing individuality.

It is a tightrope. A tightrope the OPA Restructuring Committee no doubt recognizes. Their efforts to strengthen the OPA are most arduous given our own disparate nature. May we keep the LIMO on the road.

NWOPA wishes to congratulate the New OPA for successfully clearing the ‘second’ major hurdle in their transition from old to new.

The first hurdle and the biggest one should now be for the most part behind us. The OPARC apparently survived it’s process, that was # 1. The actual qualifying for NOHFC funding as per the original guidelines was the second.

It looks like you’re well on the way to having an Executive director hired in the near future and we’re looking forward to getting back to the real business of representing the best interests of Explorationists in the province.

Thanks for the past ... welcome the future ...

Dave Christianson, Pres.
Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association