Nine women from Blueberry River are now certified drone operators
Fort St. John Huskies beat Grande Prairie in third overtime to win NWJHL trophy
The first in a six-part series on the history of the northeast B.C. forest industry
When Kim Strandberg’s daughter Avelyn was just shy of a year old, she knew something was amiss.
Avelyn wasn’t developing the same way as her three older boys and so she spent the next 13 years chasing all sorts of rabbit holes trying to figure out what underlying issue her daughter may have.
Avelyn, who is non-verbal, received an autism diagnosis at the age of three, although Strandberg says it was understood that she had autism either in conjunction with someone else, or as part of a bigger issue.
“Ava and I have been through the gambit at B.C. Children’s Hospital,” said Strandberg.
“I followed everything that I could, but I never got an answer as to what my child has,” she said, adding she was told science was progressing at a rapid rate and to wait for answers.
“What science has been able to do now is whole exome sequencing.”
Exome sequencing is a sci-
entific technique that reads important pieces of a person’s genetic code to understand symptoms of a disease. And because everything else the family had tested for came back negative, Strandberg was approved by MSP to do whole exome sequencing, which was conducted through blood tests at a lab in Finland.
The report came back stating that Avelyn had a mutation in what’s known as the MAST1 gene, essential for brain development. Her mutation is
SUPPLIED
considered ‘de novo’, meaning it wasn’t inherited from either her mother or father.
MAST-1 is a gene involved in encoding microtubuleassociated protein that is expressed in neurons in the developing brain. It’s one of 20,000 different genes that make up our genetic information.
“The science is expanding so quickly but we don’t always know what it means,” said Strandberg, adding that although a mutation with this
gene has been identified, science hasn’t been able to figure out how this gene affects different abilities in the brain.
Strandberg says there’s only nine other people in the world, that she’s aware of, who have been found to have a mutation in the MAST-1 area.
However, Avelyn is the only one of the recorded cases to have a deletion at the MAST-1 site rather than a duplication.
“The report will come back and say it’s of unknown clinical significance, which means just wait until science catches up, and I am not prepared to do that,” said Strandberg.
A variant of uncertain significance is a change in a gene where there’s been no other cases reported with that specific spelling error or genetic variant.
“Part of the issue in some of this new testing is that we’re learning as we’re going. It is not always possible to give a complete answer at any given time, depending on what the information is,” said David Koehn, genetic counsellor at the Provincial Medical Genetics Program.
Continued on A6
HALFWAY RIVER BRIDGE OPEN — The new Halfway River bridge on Highway 29 opened to traffic last Thursday afternoon. Construction of the new span span included 3.7 kilometres of new two-lane highway and the construction of a new, one kilometrelong bridge crossing the Halfway River, about 500 metres north of the old bridge structure being replaced. Eiffage-Infracon Halfway River Joint Venture was given the $104.6-million contract for the build, which began in 2020. The new bridge was needed to make way for the Site C hydroelectric reservoir, expected to start filling as early as this year.
A group of Irish dancers from Fort St. John share the stage with the world’s best in Montreal this week at the 2023 World Irish Dancing Championships.
Nine dancers from the local Watt School of Irish Dance qualified and have made the trip for this year’s Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne, which began Sunday and runs until next Sunday, April 9.
It’s the largest local group to travel to Worlds in recent years, and they join 3,000 dancers from two dozen countries, including Ireland, who are taking part.
Among the Fort St. John participants at the competition are Paisley Gibbons, Kayleigh Fowler, Reese Gibbons, Emalee Chapple, Lauryn Campbell, Naia Gibbons, Hillary Campbell, Melodié Kemp, and McKinley Pomeroy.
“I’m really excited. I feel like I’ve worked hard up until this point, and I feel like for all of us it’s well deserved,” said Lauryn Campbell, 15, who is making her third trip to Worlds after getting involved with the dance school when she was four.
“I’ve learned about resiliency and how to bounce back if you get a mark that
you’re not happy with,” said Campbell.
The dancers all qualified for the world championships in November with strong performances at the Western Canadian regionals. Their season began back in the last week of August, and they spent this past spring break tweaking and perfecting their qualifying routines in both hard shoe and soft shoe dance.
“They’ve been at it five days a week for a long stretch. It’s a significant amount of work,” said instructor Hailey Moore. “Some of their practices… last Sunday was four
hours, so they’re putting in a lot of extra work. But they do consistently show up for practice at least three days a week the whole season.”
Most of the local dancers are returning to perform at Worlds, but for others it will be their first-ever experience, including for Kayleigh
Fowler and Hillary Campbell.
“It’s pretty exciting, just to see how different it is from other competitions,” Fowler, 13, said about the opportunity.
They’ll benefit from the experience and mentorship of older dancers like Melodié Kemp, who won a world medal in 2016 in Glasgow.
“I feel like it was another era because I was so tiny. It’s been awhile, but exciting,” said Kemp, who is participating in her fourth Worlds.
“I just got to really stay focused and make every practice count, and work extra hard when it’s really tough.”
Kemp’s advice to her peers to help keep them motivated: “Just try extra hard even when it’s
really tough, mentally and physically. Just push yourself that extra little bit because it pays off.”
For dancer Emalee Chapple, this is her seventh Worlds competition. Her most memorable Worlds was in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2019, where she got to the final round, ever so close to medalling.
“Once you get there it’s more of a mental game than a physical game,” she said. “You know you can do it you’ve been dancing for the last six months. Your brain [wants to] shuts off and you got to not let that happen.”
For Naia Gibbons, 16, this is her fifth Worlds. She too is looking to win her first medal.
“I’ve trained a lot harder than past years so I think I’ve improved a lot,” she said. “I’m excited to see how I place.”
The championships run through Sunday, April 9, and the dancers will be joined by Coach Aisling Watt, who is also bring three dancers to Montreal from the Watt School in Vancouver.
Nine participants from Blueberry River First Nations are the first ever graduates of the Sky Keepers program
hpetersen@pgcitizen.ca
Nine participants from Blueberry River
First Nations are the first graduates of a woman specific Sky Keepers program.
The program hosted by the Construction Foundation of BC’s (CFBC), sees participants acquire a drone operating certificate, but also receive safety certifications for things like WHMIS and Food Safe. Participants also took workshops on computer training, financial literacy, cultural connections and other essential skills over the span of 10 weeks.
“It’s been an amazing group to work with,” said Sky Keepers manager of operations Keri Taylor.
“There was a sense of engagement, a sense of family, a really tight community. We’ve had some of these women using the Zoom application to participate in class despite having prior family and community commitments. They’ve worked extremely hard to stay involved.”
Drone training for Sky Keepers was delivered by Aboriginal Training Services (ATS), a private, Indigenous-owned
company developing training programs targeted specifically for the use of remote piloted aerial systems (RPAS, drones) in areas of consultation, surveying and emergency management.
“Working with this Sky Keepers cohort was a fantastic experience,” said ATS founder and owner Darcy Hunt.
“We were out for eight days and the attendance of the participants was great to see. The women who completed the program were issued Advanced Drone Certificates. Now, there are industry partners that are interested in taking them on for future employment.”
Participants flew the DJI M30T drone, a model popular in the Search & Rescue industry that includes features such as Ground Penetrating Radar and 200x zoom capabilities. Despite adverse weather conditions during training sessions, ATS and the Sky Keepers cohort were able to fly four drones outdoors.
While the program’s first cohort graduated in March, the Sky Keepers program has an additional nineteen participants registered for upcoming programming this spring.
What a great end to our curling season! We’d like to acknowledge all of our 2023 Bonspiel sponsors.
“A” Winners Team Busche sponsored by Probe Corrosion
“B” Winners Team Bayett Sponsored by Rae Evans IG Wealth Management
“C” Winners Team Murray Sponsored by Louisiana Paci c Corp
We’d also like to thank our prize donors Giesbrecht Law Corporation, MRC Global, North Peace Savings & Credit Union, First Truck Centre, Fort St John Links Golf course, The Hair Bin, Lake Point Golf & Country club, Nutrien AG Solutions, On the Rocks Liquor store, Petron Communications, Shoppers Drug Mart, and River Road Shoppe.
Thank you all for making this bonspiel a huge success!
A big congrats to our ladies League “A” Division winners graciously sponsored every year by Macenna Sta ng, Team Batten: Deanne Lawson, Cheryl Batten. Not Pictured - Johanna Haab, Erin Wuthrich and Melissa Breker. Our second place winners sponsored by Northern Truss, Team Busche: Deanne Busche, Donna Solodan, Connie Richter. Not Pictured - Coleen Zeiger. Congratulations ladies and thank you again for a great season!
Back to back to back to back.
The Fort St. John Huskies won their fourth straight NWJHL championship on the road in Grande Prairie on Monday night.
The club won this season’s Senators Cup in six games, beating the Wheat Kings 5-4 after Nathan Brownlee scored the game-winning goal early in a third round of overtime.
With the win, the Huskies took the best-of-seven final four games to two, and will go on the represent the NWJHL at the Alberta Junior B provincials.
It was a hard fought game, and series after the club found themselves down two games to none, which snapped the team’s remarkable 39 game win streak going back to October.
On Monday night, the Huskies found themselves down 2-0 after the opening period at the Crosslink County Sportsplex in Clairmont.
But Kurtis Lee, Raymond Dick, and Jackson MacDonald each scored in the second to give the team a 3-2 lead head-
ing into the third.
The Kings responded with two more goals of their own to start the third to jump back to a 4-3 lead; Colby Busche would even the score for the Huskies and send the two teams into overtime.
After two periods of overtime, the game remained tied 4-4. Brownlee, a fourth-year forward, scored just over two minutes into the third OT to clinch it for the Huskies, who out shot the Kings 66-35.
The Huskies finished this year’s season with a historic 38-3-1 record and 77 points.
The club also beat Grande Prairie in the NWJHL final last season, four games to two.
This year’s championship marks the fourth-straight Senators Cup for the Huskies after two seasons were cancelled during Covid-19.
The Huskies beat the North Peace Navigators in 2018, and also got by the Kings in six games in 2019.
The provincials take place in Okotoks April 5 to 9. The Huskies play their first game against the Okotoks Bisons at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
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Nine medals are returning home with Fort St. John area athletes from this year’s B.C. Winter Games.
Led by a strong performance by the Zone 8 regional badminton team that won two gold, two silver, and three bronze, local athletes excelled at the games hosted in Vernon March 23 to 26. Badmintonists Cas Wheat and Rhea Lawrence won bronze in mixed doubles, while their teammates shined in the skills competition.
Advai Nair won gold, Tanisha Mus-
tafa won silver, and Ezra Wiebe won bronze in the competition, where each were assigned a coach and a series of skill tests. Lawrence also won a gold and Wheat a silver in the competition.
The Zone 8 team also won the Most Sportsmanlike Team Award. It was a performance that made coach Rishav Sharma proud.
“Everybody played really hard,” Sharma said. “I am really happy.”
Also at the Games was Quintin Drschiwiski of Cecil Lake, who won gold in the team kumite karate event, and bronze in the kumite intermediate boys.
T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca
Fort St. John Special Olympic athletes came out on top during the 23rd Annual Gold Panning Invitational Bowling Tournament in Quesnel over the weekend.
Attending the March 24-26 tournament were 10 teams of five from Prince George, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, and Williams Lake. The Fort St. John team won their division with a total pinfall of 2103. Carmela Klassen won the ladies high single with
176, and Peter Fehr won men’s high single with 208.
Last Monday was the group’s last night of bowling for the season, after which athletes will be focused on their Club Fit health and fitness training until the end of June.
The Fort St. John Figure Skating Club was well represented at this year’s Super Series Final competition, bringing home seven medals and two trophies.
The Super Series Final draws skaters from across the province and is the largest competition the FSJFSC takes part in annually. This year, the club contributed 24 skaters to the roughly 1,300 who attended in Kelowna March 10 to 12.
Kassia Pajor placed first overall in the Star 5 U13 Ladies for the STARSkate Super Series, and Madyn Peebles placed second overall in the Pre-Juvenile U13 Ladies for the STARSkate Super Series.
“To place in the STARSkate Super Series is a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of these two girls for achieving this,” said club coach Jen Hammond. “Our entire club did very well at this competition, and we want to congratulate all of them on their hard work and achievements at this competition and this season as a whole.”
Of the 24 skaters who represented Fort St. John, six brought medals back to the North: Cheyanne Ralph, gold, Star 4 U13 Girls Free skate; Kassia Pajor, silver, Star 5 U13 Ladies Free skate; Kassia Pajor, silver, Star 7 Artistic; Kamryn Fleming, silver, Star 7 Artistic; Kolby Schultz, silver, Star 4 U13 Girls Free skate; Madyn Peebles, bronze, Pre-Juvenile U13
Ladies Free skate; and Shaye Peebles, bronze, Star 7 Women Short Program.
“It’s a lot of preparation and a lot of hard work. They train five days a week right from September. The only breaks we take are Christmas and spring break,” says Hammond, who has 17 years of coaching experience in the region.
The club only has about a month left of skating as they prepare for an ice show April 27, where they will be putting on their version of Grease at the North Peace Arena. Spirits are high moving forward as the club hasn’t been able to put on a production like this for a few years.
Skaters for the club can start again in August for a two-week summer camp, before they jump right back into the regular season at the beginning of September.
Connect
Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to 33 calls for service between Feb. 19 to March 28. Forty-seven written violations and warning tickets were issued to drivers between the above dates for various motor vehicle related offences. Highway and road safety continues to be a focus for the Hudson’s Hope RCMP.
Please make note of the new “NO LEFT TURN” sign that has been erected at the intersection of Osbourne Street and Canyon Drive. This sign has been put in place for motorist and residential safety. An offence of “Improper Turn at Intersection” comes with a fine of $109.
On Feb. 20, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of a single motor vehicle accident along Farrell Creek Road. The motorist lost control of the vehicle while attempting to slow down at a sharp corner, resulting in the vehicle sliding into the ditch and rolling several times. Due to the motorist utilizing their seatbelt, they incurred minor injuries. Weather was deemed a major factor in this incident.
On March 15, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report to a single motor vehicle accident along Kobes Road. It was reported that the motorist was travelling Northbound along the road and for unknown reasons, the trailer jack-knifed, resulting in the trailer colliding with the truck. No injuries were incurred to the driver.
On March 17, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of an online fraud. It was reported that the complainant transferred a lump sum of money and personal information to an unknown individ-
ual after being convinced that the monies would assist them with their medical conditions. It was later found that this interaction was fraudulent in nature. File remains open for investigations. Whether you’ve been scammed or targeted by a fraudster, you should always report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: www. antifraudcentre.ca or call: 1-888-495-8501.
On March 21, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received several complaints to a large herd of bison that had escaped their paddock and were roaming along Beryl Prairie Rd. Police attended the area and confirmed that the escapee bison were eventually corralled and secured. File passed along to the Animal/Livestock Compliance Officer for the area.
On March 22, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP stopped a motorist along Highway 29 for excessive speed after the noted vehicle was confirmed travelling at a speed of 173km/hr in a marked 90km/hr zone. Police further confirmed that vehicle had invalid insurance. The driver received an excessive speed ticket along with other
fines, and the vehicle was impounded for 7-days.
On March 27, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of a boater who had ventured past the “do not enter” area near the Peace Canyon Dam. Police attended the area and between police interactions and the blasting of the dam sirens, the boater eventually vacated the area. As of note, this area is marked as a “do not enter” for the safety of the public. Upon the dam releasing water from the spillways, the level of water in this area can rise within seconds and creates very unsafe circumstances for boaters and individuals in the immediate proximity.
Anyone with information regarding current or past investigations can contact the Hudson’s Hope RCMP directly at 250-783-5241 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Visit http:// crimestoppersnebc.ca for advice on submitting tips online and to browse the areas “Most Wanted” page.
A/Cpl. Erich Schmidt is Acting Detachment Commander of the Hudson’s Hope RCMP
From the front page
“When it’s a variant of uncertain significance, even if it’s in a suspicious gene, you still need other cases that are exactly similar and have the same changes to say, ‘Oh yes, that actually goes together here.’”
Koehn says there always has to be supporting evidence because it could always just be a benign change in a gene that has no effect.
“The conclusion at this point, in terms of variants in MAST-1, is it may give rise to a spectrum of neuro-developmental diseases but that the spectrum may be still expanded with further research.”
Strandberg says she’s frustrated that she’s had to chase answers for 13 years, and wonders how many other people may around the world may unknowingly have a similar genetic variant.
She says she had to be an advocate and champion for Avelyn just to get to this stage of information.
“There could be hundreds or thousands of children whose parents firmly believe there’s something else also going on, that have not been tested.”
Strandberg said she doesn’t want to sound alarmist to families with children on the spectrum, “but if you feel there’s something coexisting as far as dysmorphic features it would be worth exploring with your general practitioner.”
Whole exome sequencing is cutting-edge technology in genetics, but it has only been in use clinically for about five years.
In order to expand the research, Koehn says an individual has to come to medical attention, undergo testing, and then that information has to be put into databases so it can be reported in scientific literature — all of which takes time.
“She is the only person in the world to carry this, that we’re aware of at the moment,” said
Strandberg. “But my feeling is that there are going to be a lot more people that most likely will come out in the future that have an irregularity in the same region.”
“It can’t possibly be that she’s only one out of eight billion people on the planet,” she said. However, because the mutation is so rare and this type of genetic testing so new, Strandberg worries there won’t yet be funding for research facilities to study this gene. “I would like to see obviously more money thrown at this because it’s quite possible that you could have millions of people around the world and elsewhere who have a MAST-1 gene irregularity,” she said, adding that, with funding, research could start moving forward.
Strandberg’s hope is that by increasing awareness of Avelyn’s story, it may eventually lead to further testing and or best case outcomes for her and her life.
According to an investigation by CTV’s W5, about 50% of Fort St. John’s water mains are made with asbestos cement, which Italian studies have linked to asbestos contamination in drinking water.
With 88 kilometres of asbestos cement (AC) water pipes, Fort St. John was one of the communities with the highest percentage of AC pipes among the 85 communities across Canada included in W5’s report.
Other B.C. communities with high percentages of AC water mains included Prince George (67%, 394 km), Richmond (230 km, 36%), Kelowna (195 km, 32%), Vernon (209 km, 32%), Kamloops (175 km, 29%), Lillooet (8 km, 25%), Qualicum Beach (26 km, 23%), Nanaimo (100 km, 16%), Delta (76 km, 12%), Penticton (21 km, eight per cent) and Burnaby (53 km, seven per cent).
Vancouver, Surrey, Coquitlam, and Victoria each reported one per cent or less of their water main infrastructure was made of AC pipes. Data on AC pipes wasn’t available or incomplete for many other B.C. communities.
Asbestos inhalation has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer for decades, but research published in 2016 linked asbestos contamination in drinking water to increased risk of multiple forms of cancer, including gastric and colorectal cancers.
In an email, the City of Fort St. John’s communications manager Ryan Harvey stated that the City of Fort St. John currently has 88 kilometres of AC pipes, (not the 89 kilometres and 47% figures initially reported by W5), which represents about 50% of the water distribution system.
However, six kilometres is from Charlie Lake into the City as the previous water source that has been maintained as a backup.
Asbestos concrete pipes were used in municipalities across Canada from the 1940s to 1970s, and Fort St. John replaces hundreds of metres of AC pipe a year through its capital program.
“Additionally, we have a robust preventative maintenance and servicing program and samples and testing of our water system are conducted as re-
quired by Northern Health. This does not include testing for asbestos as it is not required by Northern Health,” stated Harvey.
He said Health Canada and the World Health Organization have concluded there is no consistent, convincing evidence that asbestos ingested through water is harmful to your health.
“There is no evidence of significant asbestos fibres entering water systems from leaking or deterioration of AC pipes,” stated Harvey. ‘NO
In an email, a spokesperson for the B.C. Ministry of Health and Ministry of Municipal Affairs said the B.C. government is following the lead of Health Canada when it comes to potential asbestos contamination in water.
“Asbestos is a known inhalation risk, however, according to Health Canada and the World Health Organization, there is no consistent, convincing evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous. As such, no guidelines for asbestos in drinking water is available in Canada,” the spokesperson said. “B.C.’s Ministry of Health works with Health Canada through the Federal Provincial Territorial Working Group on Drinking Water, which keeps abreast of emerging evidence to see if there is a reason to change position.”
Municipal governments are responsible for the management of their infrastructure, including drinking water systems, and the provincial government recently provided them with $1 billion for infrastructure projects through the Growing Communities Fund, the spokesperson added. The City of Fort St. John received $5.7 million through the fund.
According to Health Canada information about asbestos consumption in drinking water, asbestos fibres ingested through drinking water are typically eliminated from the body in feces. Asbestos fibres can be released by AC pipes carrying drinking water to your home, the website says.
“Standard water treatment can effectively remove these asbestos fibres from drinking water supplies,” Health Canada’s site says.
— with files from Arthur Williams, Prince George Citizen
• CAMPBELL Lloyd Frances (born 1986) was sentenced to a nine-month conditional sentence order, issued a nine-month peace bond and ordered to provide a DNA sample for possessing stolen property over $5,000 and fleeing police and sentenced to a 30-day conditional sentence order and prohibited from driving for 18 months for breaching a release order, all committed in Dawson Creek on Nov. 17, 2019, and July 25, 2020. Campbell was also sentenced to one year probation on the counts.
• BOWLEY, Jesse Victor (born 1982) was sentenced to time served with 18 months probation and ordered to pay $976.50 in restitution for mischief committed in Dawson Creek on March 12, 2022, and sentenced to one day day jail with 18 months probation and ordered to pay $200 restitution for mischief $5000 or under in Dawson Creek on July 29, 2022.
• GRINDER, Lisa Sarah Marie (born 1984) was fined $1000 under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving without due care and attention in Moberly Lake on Aug. 31, 2022.
• MCLEOD, Decklan Cohnner (born 1998) was sentenced to nine months probation, fined $500 under the Motor Vehicle Act, and ordered to pay a $75 victim surcharge for driving without a licence in Dawson Creek on Oct. 9, 2021.
• GAUTHIER, Steven Zane (born 1984) was fined $500 under the Motor Vehicle Act and given a one-year driving prohibition for driving while prohibited in Tupper on Nov. 15, 2022.
• LASCHEIT Jason Scott Hans (born 1979) was issued a one-year $500 peace bond after an allegation of causing fear of injury or damage in Dawson Creek on Oct. 30, 2022.
• MUANG-NGAM Phatchaya (born 1982) was issued a one-year $500 peace bond after two allegations of causing fear of injury or damage in Fort St. John on June 24, 2021.
• KNOWLES Jason Edward (born 1975) was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay a $100 victim surcharge for breaching a release order, committed in Pouce Coupe on March 21, 2023. Knowles was in custody for two days prior to sentencing.
A pickup truck stolen from a parking lot in Fort St. John earlier this month has been returned to its rightful owner, police say. According to a news release, RCMP say a driver was arrested for possession of property obtained by crime after officers spotted the white Dodge Ram being driven with no insurance in the early afternoon of March 18.
Officers later found the truck backed into a driveway and recognized the
driver, who was still sitting in the truck, according to police. While investigating, officers discovered the truck was operating with license plates belonging to another vehicle and had been stolen on March 7, police said.
The driver, whose name was not released, is due in court May 29 on the charge, and was also given a 24-hour driving prohibition for not having a valid licence at the time of their arrest.
It’saGirl!
Parents: Josef&AgnessaRoscher
Weight: 2990gms
Length: 49cm Time: 09:40pm
Date: March26,2023
Hometown: FortSt.John,BC
An executive delegation from Northern Lights College returned home this week after a visit to Japan to build partnerships on behalf of the college. President Todd Bondaroff, Vice President Community Relations & Institutional Strategy Jessie Drew, and Acting Vice President Student Services & Community Relations Scott Clerk travelled to Osaka and Tokyo on March 17-25 to renew some longstanding partnerships and move toward building some new ones. It was NLC’s first visit to Japan in nearly a decade.
NLC has enjoyed a friendship with some of their Japanese counterparts for more than 30 years, providing for a flow of visiting students from Japan to Canada and for NLC’s students to study in Japan. Pre-pandemic, NLC typically hosted more than 25 Japanese students annually.
On this trip, the NLC delegation met with high-ranking representatives from three universities and signed MOUs with two of them--Jumonji University in Tokyo and Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka. These agreements reactivate activity related to English as a Second Language education at NLC and study abroad oppor-
tunities in Japan. One goal is to bring these back to pre-COVID levels.
“The university partners we have in Japan are our oldest international institutional partners,” notes Clerk. “Their students coming here have had such an impact on our campuses and communities.”
“We’re all about relationships,” says Drew. “How can we make people’s lives better if we don’t know what those lives are like, if we don’t become part of them? It’s why I’m so very proud to be part of NLC and the way we are all moving forward together.”
President Bondaroff notes that “[NLC’s] new strategic plan discusses the space the NLC occupies in our communities and in the world. And so, in that sense, it is completely natural and even necessary for us to prioritize partnerships like the ones we’ve just built in Japan.”
He continues, “Even more than that, that same strategic plan specifically calls for accessible and flexible programming and a robust plan for increased enrolment. This visit and the relationships it solidified for NLC in Osaka and Tokyo speak directly to those goals.”
— Northern Lights College
ARIES MAR 21/APR 20
A message from a romantic partner or business associate could come this week, Aries. Keep a watchful eye on your email inbox or the regular mail.
TAURUS APR 21/MAY 21
Taurus, this week you can expect to have an interesting conversation with someone about a topic you’re fond of discussing. It could spark a new friendship.
GEMINI MAY 22/JUN 21
You likely will have a lot of physical and mental energy this week, Gemini. Figure out a project you can stand behind and put that energy to good use.
CANCER JUN 22/JUL 22
Keep an eye on the front door, Cancer. A delivery may be coming your way in the next few days. It’s not something you ordered, but could be a gift.
LEO JUL 23/AUG 23
Leo, you could use a diversion this week. When a friend seeks your company, this can be the perfect way to direct your mind somewhere else.
VIRGO AUG 24/SEPT 22
Virgo, nancial paperwork could take up some of your time in the days to come. It’s a necessary evil to keep things on track. Seek help from someone else if you get frustrated.
LIBRA SEPT 23/OCT 23
Speaking with someone else on a fascinating subject triggers your curious side, Libra. You may want to take a class or pursue this subject in another way.
SCORPIO OCT 24/NOV 22
Your emotions might get the better of you this week, Scorpio. Try to focus attention onto something that doesn’t trigger negative feelings. Distraction could be the key.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23/DEC 21
Stimulating social occasions are what you need right now, Sagittarius. Such get-togethers will introduce you to new people and new ideas that can inspire.
CAPRICORN DEC 22/JAN 20
Capricorn, this week you have an opportunity to impress others and get them talking, likely changing their opinions of you. Make every e ort to win others over.
AQUARIUS JAN 21/FEB 18
It’s important to keep in touch with friends even if they have moved away, Aquarius. Phone calls, texts and video chats can bridge the gap created by physical distance.
PISCES FEB 19/MAR 20
Pisces, tally up your investments because they could be worth more than you think, especially if you are invested in real estate.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
APRIL 2 Pedro Pascal, Actor (48)
APRIL 3 Paris Jackson, Model (25)
APRIL 4 Robert Downey, Jr., Actor (58)
APRIL 5 Pharrell Williams, Producer (50)
APRIL 6 Peyton List, Actress (25)
APRIL 7 Russell Crowe, Actor (59)
APRIL 8 Skai Jackson, Actress (21)
Team NLC had some of the best business sense at the Western Canadian Business Competition last weekend at Douglas College in Vancouver, beating out five other teams for one of the top awards.
Northern Lights College Business Management students Rebecca Christopher, Ramanpreet Kaur, Mohammad Asif Ekram, and Krisell Tullao, along with their coach and instructor, Issoufou Soumaila, made the trip for only the second time in NLC’s history.
The team earned the top score in the business simulation, which also happened to be the second highest score globally for that week.
“They really gave a lot of colleges a run for their money,” says Issoufou. “We don’t use the simulation program in our courses, so they had a month to get used to it and master it. They were really motivated and self-driven.”
The team was hand-picked by
Issoufou, and while they had classes together, they didn’t really know each other before the competition. However, their camaraderie became apparent the more they worked together to learn the simulation software.
“We did a great job and our team as a whole had great chemistry between us, it was easy for us to work as a team,” says Rebecca. “We did a good job and gave a good competition for the other teams; we gave them a hard time.”
Having never done any sort of competition before, it was a new experience for all four of them,students, but they came out of it with more than just a sense of accomplishment.
“I think the greatest takeaway I had for this competition is the friendship that we built,” says Krisell. “Rebecca and I didn’t talk much in school before the competition, but now we’re good friends.”
— Northern Lights College
Queen Elizabeth II
famously said: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
People understood what she meant because of the grief she bore from the loss of her father when she was a child, and her family’s difficulties more recently. Whether grief is from the loss of a loved one or heartache from the struggles of those who are still with us, we can reflect on our love and pray for those who are still with us to find peace in their lives in the future. Good Friday and Easter are about this kind of suffering love.
RECYCLING NEWS
Good news from the re-
cycling location south of the highway. The stretchy and crinkly plastic can now be put together. Yes!! Squishy foam is also included. The lady at RecycleIt is friendly, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
My daughter Joyce recommended a free course from edX called “ Sheep in the Land of Fire and Ice.” I am learning how sheep have harmed the environment of Iceland. EdX courses cover many topics and of the 2,800 courses 140 of them are free. There are free courses called Healthy Aging in 6 Steps, Nutrition in Ageing, and Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Ageing. Google edX to see what they offer.
GARDENING HELP
Lorne and I recently attended a two-hour session at Dunvegan Gardens called Gardening 101. The presenter Olivia Adams was very knowledgeable about gardening in the north. She said that she will have presentations on landscape design and trees and shrubs. Each session costs $15. I will be keeping my eyes open about the next session.
JAM SESSION FOR SENIORS
There will be weekly jam sessions at the FSJ Seniors Hall every Tuesday from 2:00-5:00 starting April 25. It is open for anyone over 55. There will be a $5 drop-in fee to support hall costs
FSJ Seniors Hall Mem-
The Trudeau government’s 2023 out of control ‘spend more and tax more’ Federal Budget leaves hard-working Canadians with more debt and little to show for it. Time and time again, this government makes expensive promises it doesn’t keep, recklessly spends taxpayer money, and then asks Canadians to pay more. Unsurprisingly, this government is doing that again, as the deficit is projected to be a whopping $40.1 billion this year alone and continues well into the future.Spending will be placed on the backs of hard-working Canadians, who have been skipping meals to afford their heating bills.
bership is NOT required to participate. Stop by and jam, listen, and dance!
MUSEUM HAPPENINGS
Mark your calendar for Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. That is when the North Peace Museum is having a Newcomer Story Night. If you are new to the area you can listen to stories about people who arrived before you. Sounds interesting. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided. This is a free event.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Easter is the only time of year when it is safe to put all your eggs in one basket.”
Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John
When most of us finish a project, whether it is milking the cows, doing the dishes, or our school homework, we know when it is finished and we can offer a sigh of relief or pure joy on its successful completion. As we approach the Easter weekend, we remember the words “It is finished” spoken by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What did He mean?
When we celebrate Palm Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday, we recognize it represents the time that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey with the cheering crowd shouting and encouraging Him by waving palm branches. What a welcome, and yet when Jesus spoke those words on Good Friday, the only allies He had as He hung on the cross were the
Apostle John, His Mother, His Mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Quite a contrast, as all His followers fled from Him because they did not understand what He had been telling them about who He really was, why He had to give His life, His ultimate victory, and where He was going to prepare a place for all who believed in Him.
All they saw was Jesus being arrested, flogged, whipped, a crown of thorns being placed on His head, and being nailed to a cross. In contrast on this dark Friday, what He meant by “It is finished” was that He saw my sins and yours on that cross. He saw victory over satan, which freed us from his hold over our lives. He saw the New Covenant of His blood that guarantees salvation for those who believe. He saw eternal life for all who follow
Him. He saw the fulfillment of scripture, He saw sorrow being brought into joy, He saw evil into love, He saw darkness into light, and He saw death into resurrection.
As He rose from that Garden Tomb on Easter Sunday, having conquered sin and death itself, we again see the contrast in two different gardens. Just a few days earlier, while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane knowing what He was about to endure for you and me, he prayed the words to His Father, “Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
On a personal basis, I don’t know about you, but I can accept what He did for me. But still to this day I cannot understand why He would choose to call me to His love, forgiveness, and eternal life. That is why as the clock turned from Good Friday to Easter Sunday we can rejoice, honour, worship, and cele-
brate the truth that indeed He has risen. Those words “It is finished” are the reason that on Easter Sunday you can celebrate and proclaim with the words “He has Risen indeed.”
This year on Good Friday, the Ministerial leadership of Pastors is united by having two church services (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) at the Peace Lutheran Church instead of having individual services. Regular services will take place at individual churches on Sunday. I encourage any reader who does not normally attend church to make an effort this Easter weekend to go so you can contemplate His words “It is finished” and join in celebrating ”He has Risen indeed.” Have a great Easter.
John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John
This budget also fails to deliver for Prince GeorgePeace River-Northern Rockies as no meaningful action was announced to replace aging infrastructure, such as the Taylor Bridge, or to counter downturns in our natural resource sector. There is endless potential for Canada’s northern energy industry to provide prosperity for ALL Canadians, but Justin Trudeau insists on continuing his ‘war on energy’. I will be voting against the proposed budget as it continues to raise taxes, spends taxpayer dollars like never before, while providing little to no benefit to northerners.
My Conservative colleagues and I will continue to hold Justin Trudeau accountable for raising the cost of living on hard-working Canadians while fighting to lower taxes, removing the gatekeepers and ending deficit spending that is driving up inflation.
MP Bob Zimmer Fort St. John LIBRARY OFFERINGSI am writing today about the FSJ Public Library. The director is Matthew Rankin, who originally hails from Saskatchewan, and the very knowledgeable Tanya Boyd is the lead library assistant for about the last 10 years. The library is fairly small compared to bigger cities, yet it has your basic electronic equipment and other library needs, such as the nine-computer station, including one for books and other library documents only. It also has a catalogue search computer for books ranked inside the ‘Dewey Classification System’. Last, but not least, the library acquired two interesting electronic devices acquired last summer: 1. A state-of-the-art 3-D printer that literally “prints” all kinds of plastic toys and other plastic items; and 2. A large plasma TV set that feature all kinds of upcoming events. Personally, I am an almostdaily visitor and I like it a lot.
Claude Dionne Fort St. John
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In January, Canfor announced the impending closure of its Chetwynd Sawmill and Pellet Plant. In February, Canfor Pulp, a subsidiary, announced that the shuttered Taylor Pulp mill is not likely to reopen.
Canfor CEO Don Kayne gave two rationales for the closure of Chetwynd: “…to match our mill capacity with the economically available fibre for harvest,” and, “…that fibre currently processed at the Chetwynd facility is utilized to support other local and regional manufacturing facilities, helping them to be more sustainable.”
A similar rationale was given for the Taylor closure: “As a result of a reduction in the long-term supply of fibre in the Peace region, the Company does not see a path forward to restarting the Taylor mill at this time.”
In short, there’s insufficient wood fibre available to keep all mills operational, so they picked one for closure to make the others more viable. They also announced a mill closure at Houston but are looking at rebuilding a newer and smaller version to replace it. Although some may portray Canfor as an insensitive and uncaring company, there are legitimate reasons why they made their decisions and, not so coincidently, reasons government chooses to ignore. Since those announcements many good questions have been asked.
So, what happened? Are there really no trees left? Have all northeastern
B.C. forests been logged? Why not take Canfor’s timber tenure and give it to someone else who will operate a manufacturing facility?
To understand why is to understand timber supply, how it is calculated and the factors affecting the determination of the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), which is used to determine how much timber is available for harvest. It also helps to understand the business side of the forest industry, and what keeps it sustainable. I used to be there. It used to be part of my job as I worked for Canfor in Chetwynd and have a good knowledge of the local forests. For 10 years I was employed in their woodlands department in charge of planning and permitting. Although I no longer have any affiliation or ties to Canfor, or the forest industry, I stay interested and follow it closely. Chetwynd also has a special place in my heart as it was one of my favourite places to live and work. I was Chetwynd’s mayor for nine years, which helps with the understanding of the politics that dominate our public land forests and forest industry debates.
Modern industrial forestry began in northeast B.C. in the 1960s. Prior to then, many small saw and planer mills were scattered across the north, primarily cutting for local needs. Most were family owned and cut their timber during winter when the ground
was frozen and access roads easily constructed. Some was milled onsite, some hauled to wherever the mills were located. In those years, anyone could apply to the government for permits to cut timber and, if you met its objectives, be granted rights to harvest. Generally, if one wished to obtain multi-year rights, then government stipulated one must agree to own and operate a manufacturing facility. That contract was called appurtenancy.
As demand and competition for timber rights grew, the government developed a process to determine the amount of timber cut on an annual basis (AAC) while keeping our supply sustainable in perpetuity. This process has been continually refined over the years and is still used today.
A bit of recent history, with my apologies if I got any of the company names and dates wrong. The Peace District, part of the Prince George Forest Region, includes the Dawson Creek Timber Supply Area (TSA), Fort St. John TSA, and Fort Nelson TSA. Each used to be their own Forest District, with each having its own AAC. These three Districts were amalgamated during one of the government’s downsizing exercises. License to harvest timber were/are issued to various entities to cut timber with each license limited to its respective TSA. Our forests are managed by the Ministry of Forests.
DAWSON CREEK
In 1963, Canadian Forest Products (Canfor) bought a number of small mill operators in the South Peace (including Fort St. John Lumber Company) and built the Chetwynd Sawmill, its second in B.C. In 2016, their pellet mill was opened on the same site. Canfor holds timber rights in Tree Farm License (TFL) 48 and a joint forest license with West Moberly First Nations in the Dawson TSA.
In 1978-79, West Fraser purchased Northern Wood Preservers in Dawson Creek and Chetwynd Forest Industries in Chetwynd. In 1980, both mills were replaced by one new mill at its current site in Chetwynd. West Fraser has a large coniferous forest license in the Dawson TSA.
In 1987, Louisiana-Pacific (LP) opened an Oriented Strand Board plant (OSB) in Dawson Creek, which continues to operate today. Their hardwood tenure in the Dawson TSA supplies most of its wood. In 1990, LP opened the Chetwynd Pulp mill and operated until it closed in 2001. It was then sold to Tembec Inc., which reopened it in 2003 and operated until 2012. In 2014 it was purchased by Paper Excellence, upgraded, and reopened, and then closed again in 2015 and its components subsequently sold by auction. In 2022, Peak Renewable purchased the former pulp mill site with plans to remediate the land and repurpose it for other industrial uses. Some of the pulp mill hardwood tenure is used for the
Dawson Creek OSB plant while some remains unharvested.
FORT ST. JOHN TSA
In 1981, Canfor purchased the Fort St. John Sawmill, at its current site, from Swanson Lumber. They also bought the Taylor Sawmill in Taylor from Balfour in the same year but closed that mill shortly thereafter and used its timber tenure to supply the current Fort St. John mill. The Taylor Pulp mill was opened in 1988 by Fibreco Pulp and purchased outright by Slocan Forest Products in 1998. In 2004, Canfor purchased Slocan and became the new owner of the Taylor Pulp mill. It operated until spring 2022 when it temporarily shut down due to markets and transportation issues. Canfor announced its “permanent” closure in February 2023. Canfor has multiple forest tenures in the Fort St. John TSA.
The Fort St. John OSB Plant was originally a joint venture between LP and Slocan. Just prior to its completion in 2005, Canfor purchased Slocan and replaced them as a partner. LP bought out Canfor’s share in 2012 and has operated it ever since. LP has forest tenure in the Fort St. John TSA.
Cameron River Logistics Ltd (CRL) operates a small sawmill and remanufacturing facility in Taylor and forest tenure in the Fort St. John TSA.
FORT NELSON TSA
In the early 1970s, Sikanni Forest Products built a small sawmill in Fort Nelson. In the late 70s, Tackama Forest Products opened its sawmill and plywood plant and later, Fort Nelson Forest Industries opened another sawmill. During the 1990s, Slocan Forest Products purchased both Tackama and Fort Nelson Forest Industries. They closed the sawmill in 1995 and built the Fort Nelson OSB (Polar Board) plant in 1996. Canfor purchased Slocan in 2004. Canfor then closed both the plywood and OSB plants in 2008. In 2022, Canfor sold its forest tenure to Peak Renewables. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nation currently hold a joint venture forest tenure. No manufacturing facility operates in Fort Nelson as of today.
For the past 50 years, our forest history has been mostly about small mills being bought up to allow for larger mills to be constructed to process timber that was offered for sale by the province, with a couple exceptions. The Chetwynd Pulp mill and mills in Fort Nelson were closed due to economic factors rather than timber supply constraints.
Today’s announcements have turned that around, as facilities are now being closed due to timber supply constraints rather than economic conditions. Next week, Part 2, appurtenancy, mountain pine beetle and changing government regulations.
Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John
Dear Miss Patti,
My three, soon to be four-yearold, has been having a hard time at preschool. He hits other children and his teachers and he screams when things don’t go as planned. His preschool teacher has asked if they can put in a referral for a support worker but this concerns me. I don’t want him to feel different or for the other children to consider him different, but I know that the staff can’t give him all their attention either.
—On The Fence
Dear On The Fence,
I hate to break it to you, but your child probably already feels different and he probably sticks out due to his struggles. I am a HUGE advocate for early intervention! Both my boys definitely would not be as successful as they are today without it.
Sometimes they just need a bit of guidance and a navigator to help with regulation, patience, and changes that occur in a normal day at daycare or preschool. Many educators would agree that trying to get young children to follow routines and the plans of the day is like herding cats, so when one of them is struggling and we have to give all our attention to the one, we’ve lost the rest (not literally but their attention). Then we turn back to the group to start again and the one that is struggling might get triggered by something again-this is a vicious cycle that can cause a lot of exhaustion, frustration, and guilt for the educators trying to create a fun and enjoyable day for all the children.
When we can have an extra hand, whose sole responsibility is supporting the one child, not only does this one child get the undivided attention they need, the other educators can then spend the time needed for the rest.
Imagine someone offered you a one-on-one teacher in school? Wouldn’t you want that for your child? See it as an incredible opportunity rather than a negative. You would much rather have this support now to help teach the skills needed to go with the flow versus they enter school, and the struggles are still there and now there are more expectations, bigger class sizes, and maybe no support available. In the schools there usually needs to be a diagnosis for support and even then, there is a time limit (my son was only supposed to get 2.5 hours a day). In a daycare/preschool setting, no diagnosis is needed and they can have that support the whole time they are there!
It also doesn’t automatically mean there is a serious issue involved. Some children just need more time to grow and warm up to new situations. Some children aren’t comfortable with a lot of noise and busyness. One thing my son’s struggles taught me is that daycares/preschools and schools are set up for extroverts — not introverts. It’s a real struggle for the child who just wants to be on his own, do his own thing and have peace and quiet. Maybe someone out there needs to start up one dedicated to our introverts?
Having said that, it is important that they learn to function with others around but it needs to be baby steps-this is where a one on one support person comes in and can help them engage in the day at their own pace. Think of a cold lake. Some people just jump in; others take their time, slowly getting used to the water. Imagine the support person is the one holding their hand as they slowly get used to the cold lake..
—Miss Patti
As of Feb. 28, work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline was 85.5 per cent complete, according to information released by TC Energy last Thursday.
Construction of the 670-km natural gas pipeline from west of Dawson Creek to Kitimat employed 5,489 workers as of the end of February, including 1,241 based out of Parsnip Lodge north of Prince George.
“Coastal GasLink begins commissioning process on its Wilde Lake Compressor Station,” a statement released by the company said. “Coastal GasLink’s Wilde Lake Compressor Station has welcomed gas into the facility for the first time. As part of the extensive commissioning process, crews have and continue to check every piece of rotating equipment, every weld and
every wire to ensure it has been built as designed with the safety of our workforce, the environment and the surrounding communities at the
forefront. The purpose of this early introduction is to conduct further tests on site and decommission the temporary generators currently powering
the facility.”
The Wilde Lake Compressor Station, located between Chetwynd and Dawson Creek near Highway 97, is the start-
ing point of the pipeline. Once complete, the pipeline will supply natural gas to LNG Canada’s liquified natural gas terminal, under construction in Kitimat.
The project is slated to be complete this year, and pipeline installation is complete in two of eight sections of the route, and more than 95 per cent complete in two others.
Pipeline installation was only 51.5 per cent completed in section 7 of the route, in the area southeast of Houston where the company has encountered ongoing blockades and protests by a group of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and their supporters.
“The introduction of gas at the Wilde Lake Compressor Station signifies another exciting milestone that brings us one step closer to completing this extraordinary project,” the TC Energy statement said.
RCMP arrested five people last Wednesday morning, three days after a security employee working the Coastal GasLink pipeline was allegedly swarmed.
In a statement, RCMP said the arrests were made as a search warrant was executed at a camp at the 44.5 kilometre mark of the Morice Forest Ser-
vice Road and all five face a count of obstructing a peace officer.
“Four refused to cooperate with police direction and one attempted to prevent members from executing the warrant,” RCMP said.
The search warrant was simultaneously executed at the Lamprey Provincial Park campground.
The step was taken following a report, received late night
Sunday, that a group wearing masks and camouflage had swarmed a security person at the 43-kilometre mark of the Morice West Forest Service Road.
RCMP said the group reportedly fired flares, poured liquid into a work vehicle and stole a chainsaw after the employee fled the area.
“The RCMP fully supports peaceful, safe and lawful protest. Criminal acts by persons
under the guise of protesting, particularly the violence exhibited by the suspects in this instance, will not be tolerated. The investigation into this matter is ongoing,” RCMP said.
In a statement, project opponents said the warrant had “no clear relation” to the site, which they called the Gidimt’en village site.
They also released a video showing RCMP at the site and claimed harassment in the
days prior by the RCMP and employees of a private security firm hired by Coastal GasLink. Coastal GasLink said no one was injured and that the company “will prioritize the safety of our work crews and the communities around us.”
The company said the project, which is to deliver natural gas from the B.C. Peace to the Kitimat LNG facilty 670 kilometres to the west, is 85 per cent complete.
Bob Kronbauer
An entire ski resort has come up for sale in Northern B.C. for $8,250,000.
The offering includes Powder King Mountain Resort as well as what seems to be a sort of “bonus” property - Azouzetta Lake Resort.
Near Mackenzie, roughly two and a half hours south of Fort St. John, the listing from Colliers calls it a “fully integrated all-season, master planned resort community.”
The ski hill has 900+ acres of skiable terrain, 37 runs, three lifts, and is “ranked #4 in North America and #1 in Canada for snow.”
It also has a 50-room “hostel-style” hotel, dining room, and lodge, and cabins that accommodate staff.
The lake resort property is 6 kilometres from the ski hill and offers numerous recreational activities. It has a convenience store, A-frame cabins, 18 private units, and RV sites as well as camping in the summer.
Skiable terrain at Powder King Resort
In 2020, B.C.’s oil and gas sector produced 12.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, according to the Canadian Energy Regulator – about one-fifth of B.C.’s total greenhouse gas output. To hit CleanBC’s ambitious emissions reductions targets, the province’s oil and gas sector would need to eliminate about a third of those emissions by 2030. The big challenge for B.C., with respect to climate change policies, has been how to fit a nascent liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry into an evershrinking carbon container.
Last week, B.C. Premier David Eby and his ministers of environment and energy and mines announced a new energy “framework” that they say will allow B.C. to have its cake and eat it, too. Central to the new clean energy framework is an emissions cap for the oil and gas sector – something applauded by the David Suzuki Foundation, Pembina Institute and former Green Party leader Andrew Weaver. The announcement coincided with a green light given to the Haisla First Nation’s $3 billion Cedar LNG project. Cedar LNG will be the last project to be permitted in B.C. under the old rules. Henceforth, LNG projects that are not yet approved will need to demonstrate their proponents have plans to get to net zero by 2030.
“We will require all newly proposed LNG facilities in, or entering, the environmental assessment process to have a credible plan to reach net zero emissions by 2030,” Eby said.
LNG projects that haven’t yet made it through the BC Environmental Assessment Office process yet include the Ksi Lisims project in Prince Rupert and the FortisBC Tilbury Island LNG plan expansion proposal. The Cedar LNG project will produce an estimated one million tonnes of CO2. The project’s planned use of electric drive will make it one of the lowest-emitting LNG projects in the world, so getting any further emissions reductions to meet net-zeroby-2030 requirements would likely require carbon offsets.
Jan Gorski, director of oil and gas for the Pembina Institute, said there is a 3.5-million-tonne CO2 gap that needs to be filled. That gap is the difference between the emissions produced now by the oil and gas sector (12.8 million tonnes) and what will be added as new LNG projects go into production. Closing that multimillion-tonne gap will require LNG developers to use a variety of tools, including electrification and carbon offsetting. “It’s some combination of them reducing their emissions from the project and potentially using offsets to offset the rest,” Gorski said.
One of the suppliers of natural gas to the Cedar LNG project will be ARC Resources, a major natural gas producer in the B.C. Montney formation. Some of ARC’s B.C. infrastructure, like its Sunrise gas processing plant, is already electrified. It’s too early to say how the cap will work and what kind of impact
it will have on oil and gas producers like ARC Resources, said the company’s chief financial officer, Kris Bibby. “We will be collaborating with the government and engaging with them to understand what they really mean,” he said. “But we will continue to use innovation and technology to work with the government.”
It’s unclear what the new emissions cap will mean for the LNG Canada project, which is about 80 complete for its first phase. That project is already approved and permitted for up to four trains. It is currently being built at half that capacity – two trains.
Whether the new emissions cap would prevent the consortium partners from sanctioning a phase 2 expansion to four trains is unclear. When asked about LNG Canada and its potential to expand, Eby was vague, saying only that one of the five LNG partners – Shell Canada – has its own emissions reduction targets “that are very much in line with the targets we have provincially.”
LNG Canada also wasn’t clear on what the new caps will mean for its Phase 2 expansion.
“LNG Canada and its five joint venture participants are looking closely at the new energy action framework announced March 14, 2023 and what it means for future developments,” Teresa Waddington, vice-president of corporate relations for LNG Canada.
Details on how the emissions cap will work, and how it might be met, will be fleshed out in the coming months through consultations with industry. If achieving more than a 30-per-cent reduction in emissions in just seven years through an emissions cap sounds like a tall order, that’s because it is. Better management of methane emissions could go a long way to meeting some of the reductions. But Eby and his ministers also clearly believe industrial electrification will provide a lot of the heavy lifting. Some of B.C.’s upstream natural gas sector has already been electrified, but a lot more electrification will be needed under the new emissions cap. The problem with electrification, however, is that it can take eight to nine years just to get a connection to tie into BC Hydro’s grid, Eby said. “Obviously, that is not consistent with where we need to be to build a clean energy future,” Eby said.
The government plans to launch a BC Hydro task force to tackle these kinds of barriers. “We’re going to have to work closely with BC Hydro,” Eby said.
“We’re going to have to make sure that the BC Utilities Commission regulation is consistent with where we need to go around where we need to go around electrifying our province’s economy.”
While he was an MLA and Green Party leader, Weaver was skeptical that the government could both have an LNG industry and still meet its own commitments under CleanBC. Weaver, who is a climate scientist, last week praised the Eby government’s new energy policies, notably the emissions cap for oil and gas. “In essence, it’s sending the right signal to the sector.”
The latest IPCC report, just out, has one clear message: to re-stabilize the world’s climate and avert global catastrophe, what has to change?
“Everything, everywhere, all at once.” Not slowly, not phased in, but right now, and we have everything, EVERYTHING we need to do it.
Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, etc.) is certainly a very controversial engineering genius, but he has a plan. Like him or hate him, I think he is actually doing what needs to be done. Lots of talking, but only he is actually doing. Really doing, right now, really fast.
Earlier this month he outlined his plan for a sustainable energy civilization on Tesla Investor Day: Master Plan 3. His plan will work. It is already working. Here is a summary:
A CLEAR PATH
“There is a clear path to a fully sustainable Earth, with abundance,” says Musk. “In fact you could support a civilization much bigger than eight billion humans. I am often shocked and surprised by how few people realize this.”
Most people assume that when we convert from fossils to an electric civilization, the same amount of energy is required to do what we need to do. This is not true. He points out that over 80% of global energy now comes from fossil fuels, but only one third of that energy delivers useful work. The rest is waste heat.
5 strategies for coping with emotions following a cancer diagnosis
ing lithium iron phosphate batteries. Energy density is harder for long haul planes but short haul planes are doable today. New zero carbon aviation fuels are also under development and are now becoming available.
HOW FAST?
How fast does all this need to grow? Solar and wind deployment three times, battery production 29 times, EV production 11 times. “All these gaps are going to close very quickly, especially as momentum for the transition to sustainable energy accelerates,” says Musk.
ARTWORK BY RICHARD BELL
The future, yes, but the future is now! It will be brighter than most people realize, and the move to a sustainable energy civilization is easier than most people think. In fact, we know exactly what to do, we have everything we need and we have begun
When you consider the efficiencies of electrification, the actual amount of energy needed to run the world is cut by half. This makes things a lot easier than most people think.
“A sustainable energy economy is within reach and we should accelerate it,” he says. I agree.
What do we need for a sustainable energy world? Elon and his team have run the numbers: 240 TWh (terawatt hours) of storage, 30 TW of renewable power, and $10 trillion in manufacturing investment. Is this doable? The total world economy is just under $100T, so if this $10T investment is spread out over 10 years it would take one per cent of the global economy, over 20 years, half a per cent. Yes, this is doable.
KEY STEPS
1. Filling the existing grid with renewable energy reduces fossil use by 35%. The land area needed for 30 TW of wind and solar would be less than 0.2% of the earth’s land area. This transition has begun: 60% of the generation added to the US grid was solar in 2022. World wide solar is growing 50% year on year, wind is close behind.
2. Switching to electric vehicles reduces fossil fuel use by 21%. EVs are four times more energy efficient than gas cars, that is, getting the energy from “well to wheel” and then transferring that energy to motion on the road. Resource extraction for batteries will decrease over time. Lithium, for instance, can be recycled indefinitely. “The electrified economy will require less mining than the current economy does.
Less, not more.” Overall EV production grew 59% year on year in 2022.
3. Switching to heat pumps for residential and commercial heating and cooling will reduce CO2 emissions by 22%. Heat pumps use 1/3 of the energy of combustion heating. Heat pumps now supply about 10% of overall heating needs, growing by about 10% per year. This is too slow and needs to be accelerated.
4. High temp heat storage for industrial processes will reduce carbon emissions by 17%. All manufacturing processes (even steel making) can be done with renewable electricity and green hydrogen.
5. Sustainable fuel for planes and boats will reduce carbon emissions by 5%. Long haul ships can now be battery powered by exist-
Over the last 20 years we invested $14 trillion in new fossil fuel infrastructure. Building a sustainable energy economy will cost about 60% less than trying to meet the same energy goals with fossil fuels. In other words, making this happen will cost less than just carrying on as usual, much less.
“The main message today is not just for Tesla investors who own stock, but really anyone who is an investor in Earth. What we are trying to convey is a message of hope and optimism. Optimism that is based on actual physics and real calculations not wishful thinking. Earth can and will move to a sustainable energy economy and will do so in your lifetime.”
Well done Elon. Let’s make it so.
April is Da odil Month, a national fundraising campaign for cancer research and support services. As cancer remains the leading cause of death in the country, it’s an important initiative. Indeed, an estimated two in ve Canadians will be diagnosed with some form of the disease in their lifetime.
Cancer, however, a ects more than just your health. A diagnosis can bring up powerful emotions such as guilt, fear, loneliness and depression. These feelings are completely normal, though dealing with them can be di cult. Here are some strategies that may help.
3. BE GENUINE
Some people feel they need to remain positive and upbeat for their loved ones while undergoing treatment. Remember, it’s all right to give in to your feelings and have a bad day.
4. RELAX AND DO THINGS
YOU ENJOY
1. EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS
It’s a good idea to talk about the impact of your cancer diagnosis with friends, family members, other survivors or a support group. Doing this can provide relief and comfort. If expressing your feelings openly is too di cult, try writing them down.
2. DON’T BLAME YOURSELF
It’s all too common for cancer patients to blame themselves for their diagnosis. The fact is, scientists can’t explain why some people get cancer and others don’t. Cancer can a ect anyone.
Engage in your favourite hobbies and creative outlets. In addition, meditation and spending time in nature can help you relax.
5. TAKE CONTROL
Setting a daily schedule, keeping appointments and being actively involved in your treatment can help you feel in control and may alleviate some of your worries and fears.
In addition, it can be bene cial to get support from a professional. If you’re struggling with a cancer diagnosis, reach out to a counsellor or psychologist in your area.
Expert
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Cecil Clara Cranston. She was a loving mother, respected business woman and former citizen of Fort St. John, BC for many years. During her retirement in Victoria , Cecil lived her life to the fullest by bing involved with many activities, groups and her church. Cecil was always there to help those in needed her kindness and generosity will always be remembered.
Cecil is survived by her sons Daryll and Dwayne Cranston and their families. A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place May 7th at the Sugar Swing Ballroon Edmonton AB. ose unable to make it can participate via zoom. For more info email cranston@shaw.ca
bids will be received at the court bailiff’s at the above noted address up to the hour of 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Sale may be subject to cancellation without notice. The court bailiff reserves the right to adjourn the sale without notice and may apply to the court for further direction if the need arises.
Terms of Sale: Each bid must be accompanied by a bank draft or money order for 10 per cent of the bid made payable to the court bailiff’s of ce. The balance of the bid, plus Social Services Tax and GST (if applicable), to be paid immediately upon acceptance of the bid.
Failure to pay the balance at the agreed time may result in forfeiture of the deposit.
To view the vehicle, call or visit Joyce Smith of Jennifer Smith Court Bailiffs Expert Bailiff & Collection Services Ltd. 10315 - 100 Avenue, Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 1Y8 250-785-9222
to Petron Communications at 250-785-3333 or 778-256-1111
For a 76.2m
Self-Support Steel Tower Constructed at. 56°17’34.8”N 121°45’49.7”W (LSD – 4-20-84-24 W6)
On August 1, 2023
Any questions or concerns can be directed to 3CIS at 780-433-3752
MINESACTPERMITAPPLICATIONNO− TICEOFAPPLICATIONFORMINESACT PERMITAPPROVINGTHEMINEPLAN ANDRECLAMATION PROGRAMFORNELSONPIT TakenoticethatRickKovachof OminecaAggregateLtd.hasappliedto theMinistryofEnergy,MinesandLow CarbonInnovationforapermittoex− tractsandandgravelfromasitelo− catedatDISTRICTLOT3093PEACE RIVERDISTRICTEXCEPT:PARTDED− ICATEDROADONPLANBCP38359. TheownerhasfiledwiththeChief PermittingOfficer,pursuanttoPart 10.1.1oftheHealth,SafetyandRecla− mationCodeforMinesinBritish Columbia,aproposedmineplananda programfortheprotectionandrecla− mationofthelandandwatercourses onthesite.
Acopyofthepermitapplication,in− cludingsupportingdocumentation,is availableforpublicviewingbyrequest toMMD−PrinceGeorge@gov.bc.ca. Anypersonaffectedbyorinterestedin thisprogramhas30daysfromthe dateofpublicationtomakewritten representationtotheChiefPermitting Officer,MinistryofEnergy,Minesand LowCarbonInnovation,c/otheRe− gionalInspectorofMines,Omineca/ NortheastRegionatMMD− PrinceGeorge@gov.bc.ca.
May 5, 1942 – April 9, 2022
Love gives us brief moments with another... but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime. And even with your passing, I’m sure your advice would be “Do not take life too seriously; you will never get out of it alive.”
Always in our hearts and thoughts Bobbi, Jim, Troy and Kent
About Us
Murphy Oil Corporation is a leading independent energy company committed to balanced crude oil and natural gas development and exploration. We remain steadfast in our devotion to innovative strategies and differentiated perspectives, resulting in sustainable, efficient growth worldwide. At Murphy Oil Corporation, we believe the rich experiences and backgrounds of our employees strengthen our Company, create a productive workforce, and drive our success. We encourage you to apply for the positions for which you meet the qualifications.
Please apply online, www.murphyoilcorp.com/life-at-murphy/
Job Summary
Reporting to the Superintendent - Canada, the Maintenance Clerk will be responsible for various administration duties related to field maintenance activities. The role’s primary accountability is to provide effective day-to-day support of other individuals in the maintenance department to ensure the overall administrative needs are met.
Responsibilities
• Work closely with maintenance staff to ensure that external service records and work history are received and accurately tracked to completion.
• Provide detailed oversight/management of external service provider costs to facilitate a clean link to the accounts-payable process – amending work orders, creating/processing PO’s / AFE’s, etc.
• Manage all materials related to external maintenance activities and ensure that work orders reflect accurate material data.
• Work with different disciplines to ensure required regulatory information/files are organized and uploaded to cloud-based document repositories. Leverage previous experience to ensure a functional, detailed, and accurate filing process.
• Work with maintenance staff to maintain an accurate database of preventative maintenance (PM) activities along with distribution of cost history reports.
• Assist technical team in Houston with maintaining accurate equipment database information
• Assist maintenance staff in preparing and maintaining presentations and spreadsheets.
• Effectively respond to various ad hoc requests for information and/or project support
• Collaborate with other administrative professionals at Murphy in the interest of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide backfill support to Field Administrators (when required)
Licenses/Certifications
• Valid driver’s license with no restrictions is required
Qualifications/Requirements
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years of direct work experience in maintenance-related role
• Relevant experience with a CMMS. SAP-preferred.
• Proven computer skills, specifically with MS Office programs, MS Teams & DocuSign
• Exceptional organizational skills - ability to identify, plan, prioritize and execute work objectives
• Demonstrated skills in time management
• Proven ability to multi-task and remain detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment
• This position is deemed as a Safety Sensitive position, pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is required
Desired/Preferred Qualifications
• Diploma in Applied Business Technology or successful completion of a related Office Administration program would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the oil and gas industry
Working Conditions
• Position can be based out of either the Montney Field Office, located in Dawson Creek BC, or the Kaybob Field Office, located in Fox Creek AB.
• Hours of work – 5-on, 2 off - Monday to Thursday 8.75 Hours/Day, Friday 4 Hours.
T.W. Buck
tbuck@ahnfsj.ca
Families last week have had an opportunity to “follow the pages” and enjoy The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak while they shopped and strolled at Totem
Mall. Written by the comedic actor perhaps best known for his role in the TV sitcom The Office, The Book with No Pictures is a children’s book that uses words to make funny and silly sounds, encouraging
interactive reading and laughter. By using books such as this, kids and parents are increasingly motivated to ‘turn’ the page. The story walk is also a useful tool to promote reading to kids outside of school,
and families are encouraged to discuss the story as they make their way page to page.
The city’s recreation department has worked with Totem Mall to put on the event, which ran until Friday, March 31.
The Northern Development Initiative Trust will get $10 million in additional funding to support economic development in northern B.C.
Last Wednesday, the ministry of jobs announced $10 million grants for each of the province’s three regional economic development trusts. Legislative amendments will
be introduced in the fall to allow the provincial government to provide the funding to the regional agencies. The province created the Northern Development Initiative Trust in 2004-05 with $135 million from the sale of BC Rail.
As of Dec. 31, 2021, Northern Development had provided $171.3 million in funding in
4,670 community, capacity building and business development projects in northern B.C.
“Rural B.C. is the backbone of our province and by continuing to support new opportunities for economic development and diversification, everyone benefits,” Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey said.
