AHN JAN 26, 2023

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A European couple is taking a winter adventure of a lifetime, motoring up the world famous Alaska Highway on the back of their sidecar motorcycles.

Robby Knecht and Mag Habouzit began their journey criss-crossing Canada in October, arriving at Mile Zero this month to chart a course north.

“Even in Europe, people know about the Alaska Highway,” Habouzit said during a stop in Whitehorse earlier this week. “We didn’t know until last week that we will take the Alaska Highway. We know where we want to go more or less, but we change our plan very often.

“But then we were in Dawson Creek and we were like, OK, great, let’s ride on the Alaska Highway, and we’ve done 1,400 kilometres.”

Motorbiking in the winter is old fun for the high school sweethearts. Habouzit recalls Knecht getting his first bike in 1984, when they were just teen-

agers, and picking her up to go skiing.

Their Canadian adventure now is just one of many since those days, and part of Knecht’s ambition to travel the world by motorcycle. He started last January riding up to North Cape in Norway, and finished by crossing 34 European countries.

“People said, ‘Oh, be careful in Eastern Europe, if you ride Turkey, Serbia, it’s dangerous’. No, no,” said Knecht. “Only TV shows the countries as dangerous. When you cross, people

are like you, like me, they want only peace.”

“When you cross countries, all people are very cool, very good,” he said.

With their three kids all grown up, and after careers working in international policing and humanitarian aid, Habouzit joined the global journey and the couple sold their possessions, buying up two of the last Russian-made Ural sidecars they could find for sale in Europe.

Habouzit says they were “super lucky” to find one side-

For all the news we couldn’t fit into print: alaskahighwaynews.ca

car through a dealer they knew in France, and a second that was supposed to ship from Germany to the United States, but was instead redirected to France, as the motorcycles were under export embargo due to war between Russia and Ukraine.

“When I was ready to join Robby, I said, OK, we have to have two of the same models. In case we have a breakdown, we have to have the same model, it’s a lot easier to repair,” she said. “So we have two of the last sidecars fully made in Russia... Ours are from Siberia.”

The sidecars were brought to Canada on a four-day plane ride from Geneva, Switzerland, to Montreal — “Five minutes, tick, tick, tick, we got the stamps, here we go. It was super easy,” said Habouzit.

They couple has since clocked more than 17,000 kilometres, travelling the country on a six-month visa and attracting the curiosity and enthusiasm of fellow motorists.

“Lots of thumbs up from truckers,” said Habouzit. “Every time we stop at a gas station, we get plenty of people asking questions.”

Added Knecht, “A sidecar Ural, it’s atypic. It’s a special look. A ‘wow’ look.”

As for taking an Alaska Highway journey now, during the winter: “Only because there is no tourists and no mosquitoes,” Knecht said with a laugh.

“We come from Switzerland; we know winter, we know snow. It’s a real pleasure to ride with fresh air, with a wide view.”

“Winter brings a different atmosphere than summer,” Habouzit added. “We meet a lot more locals, true locals who live here all year long. It’s completely different. And the scenery is magical.”

Continued on A16

B.C. announces cumulative impact agreements with Treaty 8 nations

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The B.C. government has reached new agreements with four Treaty 8 First Nations to address the cumulative impacts and future planning of industrial development in the northeast.

The agreements provide hundreds of millions of dollars for land restoration and resource revenue sharing, and lays the groundwork to develop new land use and wildlife plans and establish more protected areas in the region.

“We’ve come together to recognize all that Treaty 8 was meant to be well over a century ago, a place where Treaty 8 members could hunt, trap, fish and exercise their treaty rights as they’ve done for millennia past,” said Nathan Cullen, provincial minister for water, land, and resource stewardship.

“We’re here to celebrate a consensus among us that ensures treaty rights are protected into the future, that resource development is carried out responsibly, and that we address the impacts of decades of industrial development to heal the relationship and to heal the land.”

The agreements were signed with the Doig River, Halfway River, Fort Nelson, and Saulteau First Nations. Work to finalize agreements with the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations, as well as the McLeod Lake Indian Band is “progressing positively,”government officials said.

The nations came to the province collectively following the landmark Yahey decision from the B.C. Supreme Court in 2021. In that decision, the court ruled the province violated its treaty obligations by allowing extensive industrial development in the region without adequately considering the cumulative impacts to the land base and local First Nations.

Doig River Chief Trevor Makada-

hay called the agreements a stepping stone to a true partnership with B.C., and said he hopes the agreements set a trend for the rest of Canada.

“For us to have a real Canadian way, we all have to be part of how we do business, and how we have a hand in what our resource development and everything looks like,” Makadahay said. “We’ve always been advocating for a meaningful role in decision making, we’ve always wanted a seat at the table, for decades.”

Makadahay added, “We always want to make sure that our treaty rights are protected, there’s always land protected, and we want to play a real role in resource development,” he said, “and when I speak of resource development, I mean wildlife, oil and gas, even access to water.”

The four agreements announced Friday are part of a larger set of initiatives set out in a “consensus document” following negotiations with the First Nations.

Announced was a new Treaty 8 Restoration Fund, which combined with a $200-million Blueberry River-BC Restoration Fund announced earlier this week, will provide more than $600 million over 10 years to reclaim areas of industrial disturbance.

The province also anticipates the First Nations will share more than $200 million in royalty revenues from oil and gas development this year. Further negotiations will set out a new fiscal framework for revenue sharing in the future.

Saulteau Chief Justin Napoleon called the agreements a first step in addressing cumulative impacts and reconciliation with Treaty 8 nations, with lots of work to be done to implement.

“I look forward to it,” Napoleon said. “Implementation is going to have lots of blessings for us to learn from, and lots of growth and lots of

new areas to find how we can work together in true partnership and friendship moving forward.”

The province has committed to protecting a further 250,000 hectares for land conservation to address the nations’ interests for caribou recovery, water quality, wildlife management, and cultural practices. It has also committed to developing plans to eliminate aerial herbicide use, supporting cultural land burning, and creating a regional wildlife working group with the nations and stakeholders to monitor animal populations, predators, and hunting regulations.

Fort Nelson Chief Sharleen Gale said her nation was never against resource development, only opposed to being left out. Ensuring equity and that First Nations are at the forefront of their economies is important, she said, noting more than $12 billion in royalties have left the nation’s traditional territory since 1973.

“We have the role where we’re stewards of our lands, and we ensure that anything that we do there’s a balance between the economic prosperity and environmental stewardship,” Gale said. “I really believe this new agreement represents a beginning, a chance to chart a new course.

“Restoration and control over our land use planning is important and our nation will be able to control our economic opportunities and how they’re developed on our lands,” she said.

In a statement, Leonard Hiebert, chair of the Peace River Regional District, said he was pleased to see an outcome reached between the province and First Nations “through collaboration and mutual respect.”

“The regional district is confident that this consensus agreement sets a positive path forward based on partner-centred leadership,” he said.

Premier David Eby and provincial ministers meet with Treaty 8 First Nation leaders to sign a number of landmark agreements addressing cumulative impacts of industrial development in Northeast B.C.

Fort Nelson First Nation Chief Sharleen Gale (centre) and Doig River First Nation Chief Trevor Makadahay meet with provincial ministers to sign agreements agreements addressing cumulative impacts of industrial development in Northeast B.C.

Premier announces deal with Blueberry River First Nation

By Arthur Williams

B.C. Premier David Eby and Blueberry River First Nation Chief Judy Desjarlais announced that the governments had reached an agreement regarding the First Nation’s Treaty 8 rights.

On June 29, 2021, a B.C. Supreme Court ruling found that the province had infringed upon the First Nation’s rights under Treaty 8, due to the cumulative impact of decades of industrial development in their traditional territory. The court prohibited the provincial government from authorizing further activities that infringe on the First Nation’s rights in a 3.8-million-hectare area around Fort St. John, and directed the parties to negotiate a collaborative approach to land management and natural resource development.

“Reconciliation is an allof-government priority,” Eby said. “The path to reconciliation is through negotiation, not through litigation.”

The deal will provide stability and predictability for industry, while allowing Blueberry River First Nations members to exercise their Treaty 8 rights, he said. The deal sets out 650,000 hectares of “high-value” areas, which will be subject to restrictions on natural resource development. Timber harvesting will be prohibited in some protected areas, resulting in a 350,000 cubic metre reduction in the annual allowable cut in the Fort St. John Timber Supply Area – about a 15 per cent reduction.

The agreement also sets out a goal of reducing new land disturbance for oil and gas development by 50 per cent below current levels throughout the First Nation’s claim area. The deal sets out a cap of 750 ha. per year of new land disturbance for oil and gas development in the area, with new developments prohibited or heavily restricted in designated high-value areas.

On average, roughly 1,500ha of new land in the First Nation’s claim area is disturbed for oil and gas development currently, according to information released by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. In addition, the oil and gas sector will be required

to pay a fee of $60,000 per hectare of new land disturbance in the designated high-value areas. The province has committed to work the Blueberry River First Nation to create four Watershed Management Basin plans over three years, and three operational oil and gas plans within the next 18 months. In the interim, the province and First Nation have negotiated approval for a number of oil and gas and forestry project to go ahead.

Under the deal, the First Nation will receive an $87.5 million financial package over three years, will co-manage the new Blueberry River-BC Restoration Fund, which the province will allocate $200 million towards by 2025. The deal includes other measures, including protections for old-growth forest, moose populations and traditional trapline areas.

The Blueberry River First Nation has approximately 500 members and their primary reserve is located 80 km northwest of Fort St. John. “What a historical moment,” Desjarlais said. “I have never dreamed to see this moment.” Her people have watched the natural and traditional values of their land be degraded for generations, she said. They’ve lost the ability to live off the land, as they were promised under Treaty 8. “We have been working with the province to ensure there is a prosperous future for us all,” Desjarlais. “These changes are positive for everyone in the the northeast of B.C. Blueberry (River First Nation) now has a say, every step of the way.”

Lisa Baiton, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, welcomed the deal. “Indigenous partnerships and participation are integral to the success of the natural gas and oil industry in British Columbia,” Baiton said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “This agreement is a positive step forward and we are focused on gaining an understanding of the details within the agreement to chart a path forward, which enables the responsible development of B.C.’s rich natural resources in a way that ensures mutual benefits for industry, Indigenous Nations and British Columbians across the province.”

—Prince George Citizen

Ten dogs rescued

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Ten malamute huskies have been brought into SPCA care after being rescued from a home north of Fort St. John.

In a news release, the BC SPCA says the dogs were taken from a remote property after their guardian was hospitalized and the dogs left tethered without food or water.

The SCPA says the guardian was later found and contacted in an Edmonton hospital, ”who asked to surrender the animals into SPCA care as he was not sure when he was returning and he had no one else to care for them.”

The dogs are now being cared for in Prince George, the SPCA says.

“The dogs are in good health overall and appear quite friendly,” Eileen Drever, senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations with the provincial agency, said in a statement released last Thursday.

“We’re just relieved that we were able to get them off that remote property and somewhere safe and warm where they will receive the on-going care and attention that they

need.”

Six of the dogs were flown to Prince George with help from Upper Valley Aviation. The others were transported by vehicle.

“Because of the remoteness of the property and the snowy winter conditions, we had to come up with a creative solution to transport them to Prince George as quickly as possible,” Drever stated.

The SPCA is now seeking public support to care for the dogs. To learn more, visit the agency’s website.

PEACERIVERREGIONALDISTRICT

2023 BY-ELECTION - ELECTORAL AREA C DIRECTOR NOTICEOFADVANCEVOTING

PUBLICNOTICEISGIVENASFOLLOWS:

ADVANCEVOTINGDATESANDLOCATION

TWOADVANCEVOTINGOPPORTUNITIESwillbeHELDbetweenthehoursof8:00amto8:00pm:

Wednesday,February15

PomeroySportCentre 9324 – 96 Street, Fort St. John, BC

Wednesday,February22,2023

PomeroySportCentre 9324 – 96 Street, Fort St. John, BC

ELECTORREGISTRATION

Voting day only registration is in e ect for the PRRD

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors for this election will take place at the time of voting. In order to register at the time of voting, you will be required complete the application form available at the voting place and to make a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as noted below.

IDENTIFICATION:

Toregister,residentelectors must produce 2piecesofidentication (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

Toregister,non-residentpropertyelectors must produce 2piecesofidentication (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property (proof of ownership), and, if there is more than one owner of the property, writtenconsent from the other property owners.

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

To register as a resident elector you must:

•be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (February 25, 2023)

•be a Canadian citizen; be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

•be a resident of Electoral Area C, on the day of registration (at time of voting); and not be disquali ed under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disquali ed by law.

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

To register as a non-resident property elector you must:

•be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (February 25, 2023);

•be a Canadian citizen; be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); be a registered owner of real property in Electoral Area C for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

•not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and not be disquali ed under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disquali ed by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors: The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

IfvotingasaNon-residentPropertyElector,youareencouragedtocontacttheChiefElectionOcer wellinadvanceofvotingdaytoensurethatyouhavealltherequiredinformationpriortoattending thevotingplace.

TYPESOFDOCUMENTSTHATWILLBEACCEPTEDASIDENTIFICATION

You must produce at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence, at least one (1) of which must contain your signature. The following classes of documents will be accepted:

a)a Driver’s Licence;

b) an Identi cation Card such as:

i.a photo BC services card;

ii.a non-photo BC services card;

c)an Owner’s Certi cate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC

d)a BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard;

e) a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8, (now “Monthly Form EA181);

f) a Social Insurance Number card;

g)a Citizenship Card;

h)a real property tax notice;

i)a credit card or debit card; or

j)a utility bill, (such as electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services).

The above listed identi cation documents MUST be accepted by election o cials. An election o cial may also accept other forms of documents that provide evidence satisfactory to the election o cial (e.g., a valid, current passport).

FORFURTHERINFORMATIONONTHESEMATTERS, please contact:

Janet Prestley, Chief Election O cer at jprestley@telus.net or by telephone at (250) 263-8650, or Tyra Henderson, Deputy Chief Election O cer at Tyra.Henderson@prrd.bc.ca or by telephone at 250-784-3600 or 1-800-660-7773

Blueberry River First Nations and the Province of B.C. celebrate the signing of a historic agreement addressing cumulative impacts of industrial development in Northeast B.C.

BC SPCA

One of the 10 rescued dogs getting medical care.

Local bowlers set for Special Olympics Winter Games

Five Special Olympics athletes from Fort St. John and Charlie Lake will travel to Kamloops next month for the 2023 SOBC Winter Games.

Levi Fowler, Carmela Klassen, Peter Fehr, Sheryl Jakubowski, and Wyatt Turney will join their head coach Kim Turney in five-pin bowling competition being held at the Games, Feb. 2 to 4.

“As part of the team, I think I can say for all of us we are extremely excited and stoked in being able to take part in this event,” Fowler said in a statement.

“The bonding and new friendships with other athletes are always nice and to see ones that we have met before.”

This will be the first provincial

games for Special Olympics BC in four years, organizers say, and other sports include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.

Athletes were selected through their performances in regional qualifiers held last year from January to May 2022.

“The 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games will be an incredible opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities to show their skills, compete with pride, and develop meaningful friendships,” said Special Olympics BC President & CEO Dan Howe. “We are so grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters who are helping athletes achieve their dreams.”

Silver Willow 4-H Report

Hello, I’m Ella Kelly and my steer is 38. In the Silver Willow 4-H club we have gone to a few meetings and started to plan the year a bit. We have gotten club jobs and responsibilities, mine being the club reporter. Everyone is getting to know each other as we go on. We are about to have a Christmas party with the club. We have already had our rst weigh-in. My steer was 950 pounds. We are also setting up the 4-H weigh scale at my house to hold all the weigh-ins this year. We are looking forward to the future meetings and achievement days.

email:rwallace@ahnfsj.ca

OLYMPICS BC Fort St. John bowlers take part in the Region 8 5-Pin Regional Qualifiers held in Dawson Creek in March 2022.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Middleton crowned B.C. Men’s curling champion

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

New team, same old winning ways for Fort St. John’s Sterling Middleton.

Middleton and Team Gauthier won the 2023 B.C. Men’s Curling Championship 8-5 Sunday in Chilliwack, beating Team Pierce of New Westminster and finishing the tournament undefeated.

With the win, Middleton and the Victoria-based team will represent Team BC at the 2023 Tim Horton’s Brier in London, Ontario, in March.

Middleton played with Tyler Tardi until last season when the skip decided to disband the team. This year he joined Winnipeg skip Jacques Gauthier, who led a new foursome with team lead Alex Horvath and former Dawson

Creek curler Jason Ginter rounding out the team.

With the B.C. men’s championship final tied 5-5 heading in the ninth end on Sunday, Curl BC reported, “the intensity was at an all time high.”

“Some precise hits from Team Gauthier, paired with some key misses from Team Pierce allowed the team from Victoria to go up by three points headed into the closing end,” Curl BC reported. “Wellexecuted gameplay in the last end pushed Team Gauthier to victory.”

The Brier runs from March 3 to 12, and Curling Canada continues the 18-team fields for its men’s and women’s national championship in 2023 after two years of the format.

Wild-card entries increased from one to three in 2021, and are determined by the top

three non-qualified teams in Curling Canada’s ranking system. The Brier’s three wild-card entries will be named next month when all provincial and territorial reps will have been determined.

Ontario, Northern Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador conclude their men’s provincials Jan. 29 and Nova Scotia on Jan. 30.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and New Brunswick hold their men’s provincial and territorial championships in February.

The Brier champion will represent Canada at the world men’s championship April 1-9 in Ottawa.

— with Canadian Press files

Telizyn captures bronze at FISU World University Winter Games

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John speed skater

Josh Telizyn won a bronze medal Wednesday at the 2023 FISU World University Winter Games.

Telizyn and Team Canada

finished third in the men’s team pursuit with a time of 4:11.28.

The long track team was rounded out by David La Rue and Hubert Marcotte.

They were four seconds shy of Japan, which won the gold with a time of 4:07.52.

Korea placed second and

took the silver medal with a time of 4:09.62.

The FISU winter games run until Jan. 22 in Lake Placid, with the speed skating competition slated to run until the 20th.

In other events, Telizyn finished 8th in the men’s 500m (36.35), 8th in the men’s 1000m (1:14.02), and 9th in the men’s 1500m (1:53.25).

Telizyn is a product of the Fort St. John Elks speed skating program, and graduated from North Peace Secondary in 2020. He is now studying criminology at Thompson Rivers University.

Hudson’s Hope police report: Important ice shing safety tips

By Cst. Erich Schmidt

Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to 30 calls for service between Dec. 12, 2022, and Jan. 19, 2023. Thirty-eight 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.

On Dec. 18, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP observed a known individual walking throughout local parking lots and residential yards. This individual was observed walking up to random vehicles and testing the door handles to see if they were unlocked. Police intervened before any access was gained and an investigation proceeded. The individual was released with a warning and no further incidents have been reported.

On Dec. 19, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP attended a single motor vehicle accident along Highway 29 in which the driver swerved to avoid col-

liding with a moose, resulting in the vehicle sliding into the ditch. The driver nor Mr. Bullwinkle were injured, however the vehicle incurred minor damage.

On Dec. 20, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to a residential structure fire in town. It was found upon investigations, that the fire was deemed accidental due to a space heater being utilized in a small crawl space under the main floor to thaw out frozen pipes. No major injuries were incurred by the homeowner and based on the quick response by the Hudson’s Hope Fire Department, the fire was confined to a small area of the residence.

On Dec. 31, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP conducted checkstops during the eve of New Years to conduct enforcement for impaired driving. Police stopped and checked several motorists that evening and as a result, two motorists were charged for impaired driving.

Based on the investigations, one driver received a 90-day

driving prohibition and a 30day vehicle impound while the other driver received a threeday driving prohibition and a three-day vehicle impound.

The duration of driver prohibition and vehicle impound lengths, differs depending on the level of intoxication and impaired history of the driver.

On Jan. 10, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP conducted a vehicle stop after police observed a vehicle travelling through the marked school zone at a confirmed speed of 68km/hr. It was found that the attached licence plates on the vehicle were stolen and the driver was confirmed to be a prohibited driver. Subsequently, the driver was charged for possession of stolen property and driving while prohibited, along with several other Motor Vehicle Act fines. File remains open for court proceedings.

On Jan. 10, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of an ATV incident that occurred on Williston Lake. It was reported that two individuals had ventured out onto the ice

of Williston Lake on ATVs for purposes of ice fishing, when they hit a thin area and broke through the ice. Both individuals escaped taking a Northern icy bath, but both ATVs ended up being submerged for some time until later being retrieved. No major injuries were incurred to the riders.

As a reminder for all ice fishing enthusiasts, venturing out onto the local lakes during the winter months, though the ice may appear thick in some areas, the levels of the beds below can vary in depth, resulting in different thicknesses of the ice within a short distance. As a safety note, when venturing out onto the frozen lakes, take the time to test the ice thicknesses as you go and equip yourselves with safety equipment, ie: ropes, In-Reach devices, etc., and always advise someone as to an estimated date/time of return should a major incident occur.

On Jan. 13, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle fire along Canyon Drive. Police located a

single vehicle on fire and later located the driver who was found unhurt. Based on the investigation of the file, it was learned that the vehicle fire was non-accidental and that the owner had decided to light their own vehicle on fire for unknown reasons. Later in the day, police interacted with the same individual for another police incident and based on the circumstances of this incident, the individual was detained and transported to the Fort St. John Hospital.

On Jan. 15, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP conducted a stop of a motorist along Robson Road. after it was believed that the driver may be operating a motor vehicle while impaired. Based on the outcome of a road-side sobriety test, the driver was confirmed to be impaired and received a threeday driving prohibition and a three-day vehicle impound.

Read the rest of the report at alaskahighwaynews.ca

Cst. Erich Schmidt is Acting Detachment Commander of the Hudson’s Hope RCMP

Historian unearths footage of northeastern B.C. dating back 60 years

Darren Handschuh

This week’s trip down memory lane is heading to northern BC. Vernon-based historian and videographer Francois Arseneault has unearthed footage from 60 years ago in the Fort Nelson region.

“Winter’s harsh, challenging environment with daytime highs normally -18C and overnights -25C to -40C make driving and work a little more difficult,” Arseneault noted.

“The oil patch has long been an important employer in the region, creating jobs and exploring the region for energy.”

This footage was captured by someone in the industry.

“I rather enjoy these driving films, at a glance you can get a feel for the region, wherever it is, the mind can grasp

plenty of information and details, even fleeting, from the topography, signs and structures,” said Arseneault.

Arseneault, who is also well versed in military history, recognized a sign on a bridge over the Sikanni Chief River as part of the Canadian Army’s northern presence dating back to the construction of the Alaska Highway.

“At one time, the crossed swords, three maple leaves and crown of the Canadian army were ubiquitous. Those signs are nearly all gone now,” he said.

The northeastern region of the province has been the focus of petroleum exploration and development since 1952. When this footage was shot in 1963, the industry was drilling wells and sending

that oil and gas to refineries in BC and Alberta.

“Many families made their living here, building their homes, putting their children through school and helping provide energy for the country,” Arseneault said.

Arseneault is always looking for more information on the vintage footage he digs up, and he encourages people to add their input in the comments section on his Youtube page. Arseneault has an extensive collection of vintage footage, and he is looking for more. Anyone who may have old 16 mm or 8 mm film footage of B.C. is invited to email Arseneault at stockshooter. yyc@gmail.com.

Watch the video at alaskahighwaynews.ca.

Sterling Middleton and Team Gauthier are the 2023 B.C. Men’s curling champions.

Upper Pine church re investigation continues

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Police in Northeast B.C. continue to investigate whether a fire that burned down a rural church earlier this month was an accident or deliberately set.

The Upper Pine Gospel Chapel in Rose Prairie was lost Jan. 13, and Cst. Chad Neustaeter of the Fort St. John RCMP says the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Study nds ‘signi cant potential’ for carbon capture storage in Northeast B.C.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A first of its kind study in British Columbia posits that more than six decades of provincial greenhouse gas emissions can be captured and stored in Northeast B.C.

Geoscience BC says the region’s geology is key to the province’s carbon management and reaching it’s netzero goals. It presented the findings of the new Northeast BC Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas with its project partners at this week’s Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.

“Geoscience BC is proud to have been involved in the most comprehensive assessment to date of geological carbon capture and storage opportunities in northeast British Columbia,” Geoscience BC President and CEO Gavin C. Dirom said in a statement last Tuesday.

“I am excited to see how industry, government, communities, Indigenous groups and others use this public research in making decisions.”

According to a news release, the organization undertook the study in partnership with lead researchers Canadian Discovery Ltd., as well as the BC Hydrogen Office

and the Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy.

Initial assessments show “significant potential” to store carbon dioxide in depleted pools north and northeast of Fort St. John, as well as in deep saline aquifers in areas around the city, and areas around Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson.

Geoscience BC says the research found as much as 4,230 megatonnes of carbon dioxide could be potentially stored in such formations — for comparison, it says the province’s net emissions were 62.5 megatonnes in 2020. All told, that means the region could potentially store more than 66 years worth of B.C.’s GHG emissions, the organizations says.

“The Northeast BC Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas is an important tool for communities in northeast British Columbia as we work towards net-zero and consider the new economic opportunities and diversity that it can bring,” said Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen in a statement.

Geoscience BC says the early-stage public research has been peer-reviewed, and “includes geoscience data mapped against the locations of First Nation communities,

cities and towns, stationary carbon dioxide emitters, existing roads and pipeline infrastructure to inform discussion and decisions about potential carbon capture storage, carbon management and low carbon hydrogen projects.”

It adds “significant additional research and modelling” are still required to fully understand where and how much carbon can be captured and stored at sites throughout the region.

In a provided statement, provincial energy minister Josie Osborne said, “With our clean electricity, abundant natural resources and innovative companies, B.C. can be a world leader in the growing carbon capture and storage sector.”

“We’re already seeing B.C. companies engaged in operations that show how carbon capture and storage is one of the tools to help us meet our CleanBC goals while creating new, high-paying clean-tech jobs throughout the province,” Osborne said.

Canadian Discovery researchers will also present a technical talk on the study at the upcoming SPE Canadian Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition in March 2023.

“The incident is being treated as suspicious until investigators can absolutely rule out that it was not suspicious or deliberate or there are no further avenues of investigation by which we can determine it was deliberate,” Neustaeter said last week.

“The lead officer is following up on some leads and continues to investigate,” he said.

Police were alerted to the fire shortly after midnight, a few hours after the church had closed.

Neustaeter says police have been in contact with the church’s insurance company, however, the RCMP is the only agency investigating the

incident.

“The local fire departments are not involved as they don’t extend their fire protection area that far,” Neustaeter said.

Built in the late 1970s, the log chapel was dedicated June 1, 1980, four years after the first pastor family from Village Missions arrived in the area in August 1976 and held the first services in the Upper Pine School.

The church today serves a congregation of around 80 to 100 people, and has moved its weekly worship services to the Rose Prairie curling club.

“We are saddened by the loss of our building by fire. We are thankful no one was hurt and that it was just a building, the church is made up of people,” the church said in a post to social media.

“We will continue to worship together. So many memories surround the log building. Still seems unreal.”

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call Fort St John RCMP at 250-787-8100.

Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca.

PRRD vice-chair recovering

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The vice-chair of the Peace River Regional District is reported to be in good spirits and recovering after suffering a coronary event earlier this week.

Dan Rose was in Prince George for the BC Natural Resources Forum when it happened early Thursday morning, according to a statement from the PRRD.

“Director Rose is in good spirits and is on the road to recovery,” the PRRD said. No further details were immediately available.

Rose was first elected as the

Dan Rose

electoral director for Area E in November 2014.

He was re-elected in the 2022 general election and was the incumbent vice chair.

Airsoft pistol pulled in littering confrontation

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John police say several charges are expected in a “high-risk arrest” last Friday morning after a person pulled a pistol on a citizen during a confrontation over littering.

RCMP say both frontline and plainclothes officers responded quickly and arrested the suspect at 100 and 100 around 11:45 a.m. when it was reported they had “produced a pistol when a citizen confronted them for littering.”

The suspect was found to

be in possession a black Airsoft pistol and several knives, despite being known to police and under conditions prohibiting them from possessing weapons, including imitations, RCMP said.

“This call highlights the dangers of brandishing an imitation firearm,” Staff Sergeant Watson said in a news release.

The investigation remains under investigation, “with several charges anticipated,” Watson said.

No further details were released.

Nominate your favourite biz

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Do you know a small business in Fort St. John worthy of provincial recognition and that could use an extra $10,000 in cash? If you do, nominate them for the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Small Business BC Awards.

The organization is looking to recognize the best entrepreneurs across the province at its annual gala, being held June 2 in Vancouver.

Nominations are being accepted for three awards recognizing business impact in a community, e-commerce ex-

cellence, and youth business leaders under 35. A fourth category, the Premier’s People’s Choice Award, will be decided by a public vote.

Winners of each category will receive $10,000 in prize money, a top business title, and one-year of free advisory support from Small Business BC. Nominations are being accepted until March 10. Past winners in Fort St. John have included Northern Legendary Construction, awarded for apprenticeship training in 2018. And local restaurateur Audie Loui Banania was a finalist for Best Immigrant Entrepreneur in 2021.

SUPPLIED

The Northeast BC Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas study has identified, assessed, mapped, and catalogued carbon dioxide storage potential in northeast British Columbia’s portion of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. From left: Christa Williams, Robert Pockar (Canadian Discovery), and Randy Hughes (Geoscience BC)

Homeowners face 9% property tax hike

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John homeowners are facing a 9% hike in their municipal tax bills this year as the city tries to balance a $5.6-million deficit in its operating budget.

An average home assessed at $343,131, up 4% this year, would pay $154 more for a total $1,833 in taxes, according to budget documents going to city council on Monday, Jan. 23.

The bill for commercial businesses, assessed at $920,549, would increase by $1,024 to $13,838, while light industry taxes would increase $1,762 to $24,829 on an average assessment of $916,688.

The city expects the tax increases to raise around $1.85 million, which would only cover a portion of a budget shortfall driven largely by unionized pay raises for city staff and firefighters, as well as increased policing costs.

“[T]he increase in salaries, wages and benefits has put a large strain on the budget,” city CFO David Joy says in a report to council.

The city is facing a $3.145 million increase in contractual obligations to employees with the BC General Employees’ Union and International Association of Fire Fighters union, according to Joy’s report.

RCMP costs are also increasing $798,000 to cover a 3% pay increase for officers, as well as body cameras, cadet and police dog training, extended range impact weapons, pistol modernization, and blue force tracking, which a research paper from Defence Research and Development Canada describes as “military technology that provides positional awareness of friendly forces on a digital map” via GPS.

Operational spending is also increasing by $1.72 million for what the city says are maintenance projects that were previously capitalized but now covered under operations.

The city plans to draw $3.02 million in provincial Peace River Agreement funding and another $791,000 from its contingency reserve to balance the

rest of the operating deficit.

“The high inflation rates we have seen over the last year have impacted every area of our operations,” says city CAO Milo MacDonald in the report. “Several strategies have been employed to mitigate the revenue increase required and balance the budget without reducing service levels.”

However, Joy says the city must still reduce its reliance on its contingency reserve and the Peace River Agreement for its operations. Using just over $3 million of Peace River Agreement funding for operations this year equates to about 11.55% of this year’s allotment from the province, he says.

“Any reduction of this transfer would require an increase in tax revenue to balance the operating budget,” he says. “Such an annual transfer is a reflection of the increase in additional capital assets to the City’s inventory and the services required to maintain this additional inventory.”

Meanwhile, city council is also being asked to review and approve a proposed $52.2-million capital spending plan on Monday.

That spending includes $22.2 million on roads and transportation, $14.1 million on facilities and parks, $7.8 million on water and sewer projects, $4.9 million on vehicles and equipment, and $3.09 million on other studies and plans.

Major projects include the ongoing rebuild of downtown 100 Street and Kin Park redevelopment, as well as sidewalks and streetlights on 84 Street between 93 and 100 Avenues.

There are also identified upgrades to the Surerus Park trails, parking lot paving at Mathews Park, and a sanitary sewer extension on 93 Street between 112 and 115 Avenues, among dozens of other projects.

The majority of the capital budget, roughly 70% or $36.3 million, is proposed to be funded by provincial grant money through the Peace River Agreement, with the rest coming from water and sewer reserves, federal gas taxes, developer contributions, and other grants.

RCMP probe Dawson Creek murders

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Police are now treating the deaths of two people in Dawson Creek last weekend as homicides.

Major crimes investigators from the BC RCMP have been brought in to investigate after the bodies were found in a home in the 1200 block of 118 Avenue on Jan. 14, officials said Thursday.

“While no arrests have yet been made, police continue to gather evidence and progress the investigation forward,” Superintendent Sanjaya Wi-

Police service dog Mako arrests crime spree suspect

On January 15, at just before 5 p.m., the Fort St. John RCMP received a report of two stolen wallets made by staff from a local hotel. A suspect was identified by police but not located at the time. Front-line police officers continued to investigate.

On January 16, at 12:20 a.m., the Fort St. John RCMP received a report of a residential break and enter at a residence, where owners, who were just moving in, observed items that did not belong to them in the residence.

Front-line Fort St. John RCMP officers attended and observed evidence that indicated that someone had been staying in the residence for some time. Numerous kitchen items as well as three pairs of shoes were stolen from the residence.

On January 16 at 4:30 a.m. the Fort St. John RCMP were called to the Pomeroy Hotel located on the west side of Fort St. John, after a report of a stolen white 2014 Ford shuttle van. Police attended and observed the stolen vehicle briefly as it fled the area. Through investigation police determined that a very large amount of audio and video equipment had also been stolen.

plied with police instructions. Frontline police officers attended shortly thereafter and assisted in taking the suspect, identified as Ryan Donald Large, into police custody.

PSD Mako has only been attached to the Fort St John RMCP Detachment since December of last year but he and his handler are already making an impact, said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St. John RCMP. “PSD Mako is always ready to work and he took Ryan Large into custody, ending the crime spree.”

Evidence tying Large to the stolen wallets, residential break and enter report, and the theft from the hotel was located on him and in the stolen shuttle van.

BC Crown Prosecution Service has approved charges of:

- Break and Enter into a Dwelling House,

- 3 counts of Theft under $5000,

- Theft of Motor Vehicle,

- Theft over $5000,

- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance,

- Flight from Police,

- Break and Enter,

jayakoon of the Major Crime Section said in a statement.

No further information was released, and while RCMP would not confirm the names of the victims, CJDC-TV in Dawson Creek has reported the victims as Christina Nellis and Roy Isley.

The two were reported as missing by RCMP on Jan. 14 and said to have lived “high risk life styles which has increased the concern for their safety and well being,” police said at the time.

“We urge any individual with information to come forward to the RCMP,” Wijayakoon said.

UNBC’s research funding hits $15.2M

By Mark Nielsen

The University of Northern British Columbia increased its research funding for the third year in a row according to the latest edition of the Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities report, produced by Research Infosource.

UNBC’s total research income rose to $15.2 million, a 9.1% increase from the previous year and the largest overall total since 2010. UNBC placed in the top 10 among universities in its tier in categories related to research intensity and research income from not-for-profit sources. Overall, UNBC finished 42nd on the national list, down one position from 2021. UNBC is first among universities in its tier for the percentage of funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, according to the report’s five-year summary. Between 2017 and 2021, $7.7 million, representing 12.6 per cent of UNBC’s research income, came from CIHR.

“From examining the impacts of climate change on glaciers to studying the transition of economies in rural communities to exploring ways to make life-changing technology available to older adults and their caregivers, UNBC researchers are making discoveries and sharing their knowledge on important topics related to our region and the

world,” UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne said. “Successful research projects involve a team effort. Thank you to all the students, faculty, staff and community partners who make it possible for UNBC research to make a difference.”

Other research highlights over the last year include the creation of the Environmental Solutions Innovation Hub, the growth of the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North and the launch of the Hearts-based Education and Anticolonial Learning (HEAL) health care project.

“The results of our research go well beyond the findings presented in journal articles and books to informing real-world change,” UNBC Interim VicePresident Research and Innovation Dr. Kathy Lewis said. “The experiences our undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows gain by working with our faculty in the lab and out in the field equip them with the key skills they need to succeed in the knowledge-based economy.”

This marks the fourth straight year UNBC has finished first in a category in the rankings. Last year, UNBC finished first in research growth from non-profit sources. Previously, UNBC topped the charts in corporate-sponsored research growth and overall research growth.

—Prince George Citizen

On January 16, at just before 6:00 a.m., while front-line police officers were still on scene at the hotel, police received another call for a commercial break and enter in progress at a business in Montney, B.C. The business owner observed a white 2014 Ford shuttle van at the back of the building and lights were on inside the business.

The Peace Region Police Dog Services unit was the first to arrive on scene. The suspect exited the building and once he realized that police service dog (PSD) Mako was ready to work, the suspect immediately com -

- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and

-Possession of an Identity Document.

On January 17, 2023, Large was remanded until January 18, 2023.

Large had been arrested by the Fort St. John RCMP on January 10, 2023, on his multiple outstanding warrants after being located in a stolen vehicle and held for court. Later that same day Large was released by the courts on a Release Order with a future court date of January 23, 2023.

Released by Cst. Chad Neustaeter, Fort St. John RCMP

Suspicious pill just Ibuprofen: police

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A suspicious white pill found in a candy bar handed out at Halloween in Fort St. John was found to be an Ibuprofen painkiller.

RCMP reported the lab results to the public last Thursday after the incident was reported to police on Nov. 1.

“Placing an unknown pill inside a child’s treat undermines the safety and security of a neighbourhood but at least in this situation, the pill was found and no child was harmed,” Cst. Chad Neustaeter said in a statement.

“This was an isolated incident and the parent that found the pill did the right thing by reporting it to police.”

Investigators have not been able to trace exactly where the chocolate bar was given out. The parent who re-

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Residents interested in shoring up the ranks of the Fort St. John health care system are encouraged to attend an open house next month about the city’s new nursing program.

The University of Northern British Columbia will open the doors Feb. 1 for prospective students and community members interested in the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program.

Launched with its first cohort of students in 2021, the program is designed

ported the incident to police said they had been trick-or-treating in Kin Park area.

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP at 250-787-8100. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca.

to improve access to health care by training nurses locally. On hand at the open house will be UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne and Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Dean for the Faculty of Human and Health Sciences. “This is a chance for prospective students and community members to learn all about the nursing program, tour the lab, meet current students and faculty and chat with a program advisor,” the university says.

The open house runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and the UNBC’s Fort St. John campus next to Northern Lights College.

Ryan Large (left) and Fort St. John RCMP police service dog Mako

It’saBoy!

MASON BLAIR SANJENKO

Parents: MicahSanjenko &BrookeOlsen

Weight: 7lbs10oz

Length: 20inches

Time: 9:24pm

Date: January6,2023 FortSt.John,BC

Drop off or mail your FREE birth announcement to : The Alaska Highway News, 9916-98 St • Fort St. John • V1J 3T8 or email: compose@ahnfsj.ca

It’saBoy!

HAYDEN BENNETT

LOEWEN

Parents: Gary&AmyLoewen

Weight: 9lbs

Length: 22inches

Time: 4:42pm

Date: November2,2022 Buick,BC

CELEBRATEBABIES

BIRTH Ph:250.261.7563

BABY BOUQUET WALL

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca email: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca

ARIES  MAR 21/APR 20

Aries, make a concerted e ort to focus your attention on something that interests you. This may require that you nd something new to stoke your passion.

TAURUS  APR 21/MAY 21

It’s a week for love and you have all of the resources available to take advantage and explore your feelings, Taurus. Work things out in your head before taking action.

GEMINI  MAY 22/JUN 21

Gemini, currently you are playing a much smaller role at work than you would like. It is not that you aren’t capable, but it’s a matter of paying your dues before taking the next step.

CANCER  JUN 22/JUL 22

Cancer, don’t box yourself in with a strict to-do list and schedule. You need a little more wiggle room to explore your creativity and what makes you happy.

LEO  JUL 23/AUG 23

Your open and outgoing nature may lead many people to think they know all about you, Leo. Instead, you can be quite a mysterious person. Show others only what you want.

VIRGO  AUG 24/SEPT 22

Believing someone is awless can set you up for disappointment when you realize no one can live up to that standard, Virgo. Be realistic when assessing partners or other people.

LIBRA  SEPT 23/OCT 23

Being available to other people is admirable, Libra. Make sure this is not at the expense of your own well-being. You may need to dial back and prioritize your own needs.

SCORPIO  OCT 24/NOV 22

Living in your comfort zone may lead to missed opportunities, Scorpio. You may need to let your risk-taking side show this week. Enjoy the ride.

SAGITTARIUS  NOV 23/DEC 21

You might start to notice you are losing some traction in your love life, Sagittarius. Figure out a way to talk and spend more time together in the days ahead.

CAPRICORN  DEC 22/JAN 20

You may believe you can think your way out of a situation this week, Capricorn. But sometimes logic just doesn’t cut it. You may have to use your heart to get to the root.

AQUARIUS  JAN 21/FEB 18

Take a second look at your talents and your abilities, Aquarius. You may have been selling yourself short for some time. But you can accomplish anything with some e ort.

PISCES  FEB 19/MAR 20

Don’t make assumptions about how others see you, Pisces. You have a lot to o er. It’s time to recognize all your strengths.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY 22 Steve Perry, Singer (74)

JANUARY 23 Mariska Hargitay, Actress (59)

JANUARY 24 Matthew Lillard, Actor (53)

JANUARY 25 Alicia Keys, Singer (42)

JANUARY 26 José Mourinho, Coach (60)

JANUARY 27 Frank Miller, Author (66)

JANUARY 28 Tom Hopper, Actor (38)

RCMPGRAVES.COM

Robert Henry Simmonds served as RCMP commissioner from Sept. 1, 1977, to Aug. 31, 1987

RCMP half-mast for former commissioner

Cst. Chad Neustaeter

The half-masted flag commemorates the passing of former RCMP Commissioner Robert Henry Simmonds on Jan. 17, 2023, in Ottawa, Ontario.

As the 17th Commissioner of the RCMP from Sept. 1, 1977, to Aug. 31, 1987, Commissioner Simmonds will be remembered for his impressive tenure of ten years. As Commissioner he displayed a steadfast commitment to maintaining safe communities and supporting the RCMP membership.

There was a bond between Commissioner Simmonds and her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, which was forged when he first met her while with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. Many enjoyed hearing Commissioner Simmonds recount the stories about the many times they met over the years while he was with the RCMP.

RCMP detachments and buildings will lower their flags to half-mast from Jan. 18 until sunset on Jan. 20.

— Fort St. John RCMP

Dear Miss Patti,

What is your opinion of ‘time in’?

Sincerely,

—Time in/out and away

Dear Time in/out and away,

There is a lot of talk about time outs in parenting circles. It honestly doesn’t matter what you call it; time out, time in, or time away — it’s about the message we send.

In most of these occasions, it’s us as parents that need a break because we’ve reached a point of meltdown. We’re frustrated that they are not listening or behaving the way we would like. It was encouraged (and still is) to give your child a time out one minute for each year, and although this is not necessarily bad practice it is not the best practice. It’s sending the message that we are done with them and need them far away from us. Granted that IS how we feel at times. But it’s not solving the problem at hand. The child is so focused on figuring out why we don’t like them in that moment, and it brings up so much shame for them, we usually don’t learn the lesson when it’s coming from a place of shame. We either create people pleasers, children who will do anything to gain your affection back, or avoiders, children who will figure out a sneaky way to pinch their brother to avoid the time out. This is not the message or the adult we want to help create.

We want to give them skills to use for their life. The whole point of the time out is more about catching your breath, calming down and letting our rational brains think. It should not be a punitive thing. If you feel you need a time out, then just say that: “I think we could both use a break. Let’s get a drink of water/read a book/take a walk…” and keep suggesting things until the tears and anger subsides and you get a teary nod or OK. When you’re both a bit calmer, explain what happens to the brain when we are upset. It doesn’t

think so well, and we need to calm down so that we can think better.

If you’re at an extreme boiling point and don’t think you can say these things in a calm way, then make sure you have an inviting corner in your house that’s comfy and maybe have a box of extra special things that are only available during these times. (Bubbles, playdough, special smelly markers, squishy toys, one of their favourite books, etc.) Have a comfy chair set up close so that you can model you are also taking time to calm down. It’s so important to model to children that you need these times too. “It sounds like it’s time for the comfy corner. Let’s go take a break.” Then go. If they are still crying and carrying on, they will watch you take a break and probably follow suit. If they are still at your feet trying to get your attention in this way, just calmly repeat the direction until they hear it. “It sounds like you are still upset and needing a break.”

After your break, when everyone is calm and accessing their logical brain, talk it through. What was going on? Why were you so upset? There is no point addressing it when both of you are upset because they probably wouldn’t even know at that moment. Also model some self-talk. “Man, I sure feel so much better when I can take some deep breaths and calm myself down. Reading my book/ drinking water (whatever it is you did) really helps me to calm down and think better.”

Think of how many of us could benefit from this skill as adults? Knowing when to walk away and take a breath in order to address problems in a calm way would help with so many conflicts. We would be able to address problems in a much calmer, rational way. Let’s start teaching them this skill now.

—Miss Patti

Robbie Burns Day

By Ruby McBeth

J

Day, the day when people of Scottish descent and other merrymakers have parties and eat haggis.

anuary 25 is Robbie BurnsBurns is best known for his ode to friendship called Auld Lang Syne: “Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to min.” No, I have not forgotten how to spell. Burns was into using the dialect of the day. He did not believe that the nobles should be admired; instead, he admired the common worker. This is one of the things that has made him a poet whose work has endured.

Coming soon to a town near you

W

You recently read about Northern Health’s plans for a new drug site in Fort St. John, a plan that will soon make Fort St. John just like Prince George, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The basis for this new program, and the selection of a building at 10067-100th Ave., is an attempt to reduce the number of illegal drug overdoses and deaths occurring in Northeast B.C., to which we have some of the highest rates per capita in the province.

Northern Health COO Angela De Smit was quoted as saying “strategies to mitigate substance use harms and unnecessary deaths is an urgent priority” for Northern Health, and that the province has ordered health authorities to provide and support overdose prevention services in communities.

OK, on first blush, it’s a positive development, and I can applaud them for that. But what have we learned from other places in B.C. that have implemented this same type of plan, where drug addicts have a “safe” place to go to inject, ingest, and inhale their drugs, or obtain better ones supplied free by government, and then have someone watch over them just in case they overdose or are poisoned by their illegal drugs?

It sounds good, straightforward, and a kind thing for those in need, but is it? I say not for everyone, as we have some excellent bad examples to follow.

Anyone been to downtown Prince George lately, around Dominion and 1st to 3rd Ave, and seen the mess created? In the name of bettering lives, hundreds of homeless, street people, drug addicts, and others have taken up semi-permanent residence in an area that used to one of the city’s business and light industrial hubs.

ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS

William

elcome to 2023, a new year, and a new promise – I promise to be more positive in my critiques and, instead of the usual rant, offer more constructive criticisms and some positive recommendations… at least I will start the year this way.Government, primarily provincial, have located many of their social services there, especially those catering to the addicted and the use of street drugs. Some view this as making these people’s lives better, but for those who own property or a business in the area, they have made it a nightmare.

The “free and/or safe” drug centres do what they say, but their commitment ends when their clientele walk out the door and back on the street, blasted and oblivious. Their commitment does not include anything about stopping these people from harassing others for money, stealing to buy more drugs, food, or shelter, or generally creating havoc. No one assumes responsibility for these actions, and when the police try to, they are either slammed for harassing citizens or become so frustrated filling out the mountains of paperwork when they do make arrests only to see their “clients” quickly let out the back door and back downtown for the repeat.

Anyone who is still able maintain a business in the area does so because they have put up security barricades around their properties and are primarily businesses that do not rely on walk-in or drop-in traffic, as most people, unless they must, will not venture into this area especially on foot, or if you must leave your vehicle unattended and parked on the street for any length of time. Some are still there as they are unable to sell their building or business and move, as no one in their right mind wants to move there to be part of this. And how do I know? A close family member operates a business in PG’s street drug central.

It’s not complicated as to why these slums have been created, as they primarily relate to drug addicts following no rules and becoming dominant. Yet in our infinite wisdom we keep developing new areas for them to congregate so they can outnumber everyone else, and, at the same time, we have done little to help those business and property holders who were already there and are now left trying to hang on.

When one reads the news, you see the same reports from Kamloops and businesses closing due to an “undesirable clientele.” In Nanaimo, same stories as in

PG; in Victoria, they are beginning to lose their tempers over what is happening to their inner city; and the Downtown Eastside, which gets most of the press, has now, finally, become a focus of Premier Eby. The stories are similar: repeat offenders breaking windows, burning buildings, shoplifting, stealing anything and everything that isn’t bolted down, passing out, sleeping and defecating on the streets. Then we expect an understaffed police department to stem the tide without giving them the tools and supports to do so?

So, my question for Fort St. John: Are we about to see the same fate for our downtown, as small as it may be? Maybe not, if Northern Health is telling us the truth and that they do care about more than just meeting Victoria’s directive. But if they wish to take this on, then they must play a much bigger role than they currently propose.

Northern Health must provide security and other supports for the businesses and people who live and work in the area. Cafes cannot be expected to deal with those high on drugs taking up space at their tables, or those who decide the Cultural Centre is a nice warm place to hang out, or that the furniture store’s recliner in front of the TV is a good place to nap. Bank customers can’t expect to be accosted by those demanding more money, there can’t be an increase in break-ins and burglaries, and so forth.

Not complicated, just costly, and no, we can’t just move this to someone else’s neighbourhood without implementing the same types of controls.

If Northern Health doesn’t, then we must ask the question: Is it fair that some people must give up their livelihoods to support someone who cares not whether their business, its owners, and employees survive or not? And I haven’t even touched on the long-term plan, or is it supposed to be that we just keep them all stoned until they naturally expire?

Next week, Part 2, the pipeline with no controls.

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John.

He also had many wise sayings like: “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an pain, For promisd joy!” And, “O, wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us? It wad frae monie a blunder free us, An’ foolish notions.”

Yes, for all his philandering, Burns did leave us with songs and poetry worth remembering. I have had no luck buying haggis but I did find a recipe for simplified haggis. No need for a sheep’s stomach in this recipe. After checking around I found that Safeway has ground lamb and chicken livers so hopefully there will be simplified haggis at our house on Jan. 25.

SENIORS CLUB NEWS

The Seniors’ Club membership drive for 2023 is beginning. Anyone can be a member but only those over 50 are allowed to vote. Memberships cost $15. Although Deb does her best with getting grants, the meaning of the club is having people join in. If you haven’t already visited our club, please feel free to drop in on a Tuesday or Thursday to see what is going on. You will find us friendly.

ENJOYING THOSE LIGHTS

I would like to thank all those people who decorated their houses and trees with lights this season. I find it so uplifting to see those coloured lights. Our block is quite good with half the houses having lights. Perhaps next year some of the new arrivals will have some lights up. This is a dark time of year, so what better time to light up! While we have some Christmas lights on our house our main effort each year is to add another piece to our nativity scene. This year, Lorne made an ox.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’m truly sorry man’s dominion, Has broken Nature’s social union” — Robert Burns

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.

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Chief Crystal Smith: Being pushed to the economic margins by climate activism would be as tragic as the original colonial dispossession.

First Nations want an energy future, not eco-colonialism

By Chief Crystal Smith

Premier David Eby should not be persuaded by a recent activists’ ultimatum calling on him to place rejection of liquefied natural gas projects at “top-of-mind” to meet emission targets.

For one thing, an Angus Reid poll shows that B.C. residents rank cost of living, inflation, health care, and housing affordability as their top issues. The premier is unlikely to choose climate hysteria over the electorates’ more immediate concerns.

For another, the notion that Indigenous people would gain from this dark chorus is equally disconnected. The premier would do better to match his priorities with the First Nations LNG Alliance, a collective of First Nations who support and participate in sustainable LNG development.

While it is true that Indigenous people have seldom benefitted from major projects in their territories, industry and to some extent government, have learned to work with First Nations to establish genuine economic reconciliation opportunities, particularly in the energy sector.

As a result, two of the LNG export projects that the ultimatum opposes are proposed by First Nations: The Cedar LNG project led by my Haisla Nation, and the Ksi Lisims project proposed by the Nisga’a Nation. Indigenous people are

Lord, teach us to pray

By John Grady

When a parent is teaching their children different life skills such as riding a bicycle, playing the piano, learning to skate, how to eat properly, etc., they normally bring encouragement, motivation, and show the basic way for the child as they learn how to develop correct habits to be successful.

also achieving employment, contracting, procurement, revenue sharing and other impact benefits from the Coastal GasLink pipeline project as well as acquiring equity stakes in energy projects.

Being pushed to the economic margins by climate activism would be as tragic as the original colonial dispossession. Moreover, First Nations are making these gains with a clear eye to the environmental and climate consequences. BC’s First Nations Climate Initiative was represented at the recent COP 27 meeting in Egypt. Participation in environmental assessments is standard practice and no project receives Indigenous support unless environmental risks have been weighed by the community.

Focused only on a fractional reduction in Canada’s overall emissions, the stark demand of the climate activists remains oblivious to other basic considerations. Already economically vulnerable, most First Nations are heavily exposed to the consequences of adding energy poverty to domestic poverty. Unaffordable energy costs would compound cost of living increases in the rural, remote and northern locations where most First Nations communities are located and where travel distances are greater, public transit is non-existent, home heating requirements are greater and supply chains are longer.

There is also the question of how Canada will finance the social programs which First Nations and others rely upon without the revenues that flow from a robust energy sector?

It seems unlikely that Canada’s new billion-dollar plan to boost the critical minerals sector for the manufacture of electric vehicles would replace revenues lost by destruction of the energy sector, although it will create challenges and opportunities in the territories where new developments will occur. They need to be reminded that the right of Indigenous peoples to benefit from the wealth of their territories is recognized in recent court decisions and in the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Premier Eby is obligated to respect under provincial legislation.

If left to climate activists, Indigenous people would be the last to benefit, the last to participate, and the last to be connected to new infrastructure.

But not this time. First Nations will be full participants in the future. Not the cold, dark future that eco-colonialism offers, but a fair and prosperous future that Indigenous people helped plan, design and build.

Crystal Smith is the elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation in B.C., chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, and a founder of the First Nations Climate Initiative.

Canada needs to pick up economic tempo

By Chris Gardner

It’s a slam-dunk business

deal if there ever was one; strategic for both Canada and Japan – with investment, jobs and climate change boxes all getting giant checkmarks. And, it supports democracy and further isolates Russia – a country now committed to killing as many innocent Ukrainian civilians as it possibly can.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, representing the world’s third-largest economy, met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week to ask for more Canadian liquefied natural gas so that it can end its purchase of Russian energy.Kishida is asking Canada to lay the foundation for additional investments like that undertaken by LNG Canada, the largest private investment in Canadian history, to tap into Canada’s rich natural gas reserves and bring them to market. And LNG Canada will do this while generating emissions 35 percent lower than the best-performing comparable facility in the world.

Canadians can be deservedly proud.

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Corp. owns 15 per cent of LNG Canada. When it comes online in the next year or two, LNG Canada will replace nine per cent of the natural gas Japan currently gets from Russia. That’s a lot of LNG, but it leaves plenty of room for more clean Canadian energy to be sent to Asia. Our challenge is an approach by government that seems designed to do just the opposite – turn away investors, squander billions in new capital and kill thousands of jobs. Kishida went away empty-handed, except for a Trudeau lecture on decarbonization. “We didn’t get any concrete commitment,” he told the media. This follows on the heels of the visit to Canada by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last August. He was seeking similar commitments from Canada, only to be told not-so-subtly at a Trudeau press conference that there is no business case for sending LNG from Canada to Europe.

Canadians taking this all in would have been surprised to read just before Christmas that the prime minister of Britain and the president of the United States signed

One of the greatest sermons of all time took place on the Mount of Beatitudes that overlooks Capernaum, with the Sea of Galilee shining in the sunlight. This is where Jesus, in teaching His disciples, covers a range of different subjects including prayer. He clearly didn’t need the “how-to” because He goes right to our hearts and behavior of what not to do. He instructs His disciples that prayer has nothing to do with public performance, our volume, our pious repetition, or telling our Lord what He should do. Instead, we are to be in our prayer closet, intimate with the Lord, and as much as it is talking, it is learning to listen as communication is a two-way process. We need to remind ourselves that He knows what we need before we even ask. It is our personal prayer life that He is dealing with that is far different from our corporate church prayer life, which is to be encouraged, including praying for one another. That is where the power of prayer comes from as we do so with humility and humbleness.

What Jesus was teaching was based on the Lord’s Prayer, which most of us are familiar with but have not fully digested its full value and meaning. For example, “Our Father,” although that is what I call Him, does not refer to I or me, but we and ours as in family. “In Heaven” is a place of perfection free from our sorrow and sickness, that I trust we would

we all desire to go to. “Hallowed” is a place of honour and perfection as He has the keys to life and death. “Your name” refers to His holiness, reverence, and presence as His name is everything. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done,” gives us a clear understanding of why He was sent and why He came in total submission to His, our, Father. The Kingdom is everything and where God’s will is done contrary to our desire of our will. “Our daily bread,” which is basic to our daily life, and which we are to learn to deal with daily as we are not to be anxious for tomorrow.

“Forgive our debts” are a sin of omission where trespass is a sin of commission. “Temptation and the evil one,” God never entices us into evil, but we have an adversary where we need Divine protection and we are encouraged to pray for it. “Forgive” we have a problem forgetting sins against us, but we can forgive as sin is an act of the will. He forgives out of His grace, holiness, mercy, and love.

While the Lord’s Prayer was the initial start of Jesus teaching on prayer, He exhibited while on earth that He was always in communication with His Father, and we are encouraged to do likewise. Our Lord loves to hear from us what is in our heart and mind in the simplest honest manner.

As a rule, I do not highlight a particular church but, in writing about prayer, I would be remiss in not encouraging the prayers of all for the Upper Pine Gospel Chapel congregation in Rose Prairie, whose building was destroyed by fire on January 13. They are searching for a Pastor, a temporary building for their services, and their successful Awana weekly meetings. Please pray for them.

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John.

an agreement that will see exports of LNG from the U.S. to the U.K. double next year. Apparently, there is a business case after all. The pattern is clear and investors are looking at Canada as a place where it is simply too difficult to do business and to get to yes on major projects. Statista ranks Canada No. 26 in the world when it comes to the quality of our infrastructure, just barely ahead of Hungary and Oman. Our ports are placed at No. 24 in the world, tied with Malta and Azerbaijan. Even if the economic investment and political will could be mustered to build something, the World Bank tells us Canada ranks No. 64 globally for how long it takes to approve and permit construction projects.

As the Business Council of BC notes, international exports of goods and services used to account for more than one-third of B.C.’s GDP as recently as 2000. Today, it’s 23 per cent – bucking the growth trend of virtually every other advanced OECD economy. In fact, Canadian outbound investment has exceeded inbound investment every year since 2014.

The cascading effects are significant to our long-term prosperity. Underbuilt infrastructure, choking regulations and lack of political will are key reasons why the OECD says that over the next decade, with a projected growth rate of just one per cent annually, Canada will have the worstperforming economy among the 38 developed nations it tracks. Such anemic growth means that it will take more than 70 years for Canada’s economy to double in size –crushing the hope that our children will be better off than we are. At this rate of growth, it will take three generations to realize this dream.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Germany, as desperate as Japan to get itself off Russian energy, is building LNG plants and pipelines at record speed. Its first floating LNG plant was built and opened within 10 months. LNG now regularly ships from the United States to Germany. This has changed so fast that Chancellor Scholz created the phrase Deutschland-Tempo as a model for how the country wants to tackle its energy and infrastructure issues. “This is

now the new Germany-pace at which we are bringing infrastructure projects forward,” Scholz said at the LNG plant opening.

“The LNG Acceleration Act must be a blueprint for policy. Plan, build and modernize faster,” added German Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Right now, Canadian-Tempo could best be described as glacial planning, less building and slow modernization. It is frustrating to see so much opportunity slip away.

It’s so bad that 75 per cent of the jobs added in Canada since the pandemic started have been government jobs.

It’s hard not to believe that entrepreneurs, investors and employers feel as though they are being punished for wanting to build and invest in Canada. Canada needs to aim higher than dead last among developed economies. We have an abundance of resources, talented people and endless opportunity: Our elected officials just need to pick up the tempo.

Chris Gardner is president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.

TODAYS PUZZLE

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

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PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS

AgathaChristie AlexCross AnnCleeves DanBrown (David)Baldacci (Dean)Koontz Dorothy(L)Sayers

(Gillian)Flynn HarlanCoben (Harry)Bosch HerculePoirot (James)Patterson (John)Grisham JohnleCarre

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Record Santa fundraiser to support Hospital Foundation

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was certainly an unforgettable memory this past Christmas as a record $11,004.80 was raised through the annual Pictures with Santa fundraiser. For the last 15 years, minus two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Unforgettable Memories has hosted photos with Santa at their shop, with 100% of the proceeds going to support the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation

Students shown opportunity in local health care industry

Grade 10 students at North Peace

Secondary last week learned about the many health care career opportunities available to them from some of the best and brightest professionals working here in the city.

The Jan. 18 presentation was held through a Northern Health “Grow Our Own” program, aimed to educate youth in the northeast of the wide variety of career options available to them within the health care industry.

The presentation was hosted by work experience teacher Jeff Mayer, and included Riley Smith, supervising nuclear medicine technologist and site radiation safety officer, Mikayla Fedderly, special procedures radiologic technologist, Jill Fraser, clinical practice lead for social work and disciplines allied to social work, and Machiel Mostert, co-ordinator of volunteer resources.

Of particular note, Fedderly and Fraser grew up in Fort St. John and graduated from NPSS.

Fedderly, who has been working at the local hospital for four-and-a-half years, went to school at SAIT in Calgary for the MRT program, and continued with online education through

CAMRT and on-the-job training to be able to do CT scans as well as mammography.

Fraser has worked for Northern Health for almost 15 years, starting when she was 24 as a community geriatric clinician. That changed to community social worker, and Fraser was then promoted to chief social worker in 2018 before changing to her current position in 2002. Fraser grew up in Fort St. John and went to Northern Lights College for the  the Social Service Worker Diploma program, then went to UVic for her Bachelor’s of Social Work.

Smith grew up in White Rock, B.C., and completed practicum training in the Vancouver area at about six hospitals. He worked as a nuclear medicine technologist in Prince George for six months before taking his current role in Fort St. John in September 2021.

Mostert, who co-ordinates volunteer resources for the northeast region, grew up in a town called Somerset West, near the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and went to school at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 60 (PEACE RIVER NORTH)

“Revised” Board of Trustees Meetings January – June 2023

Owner Lynette Helm and Store Manager Meghan VanderMeulen presented the proceeds last month to Kelly Amboe, Executive Director for the Hospital Foundation. “Unforgettable Memories Foto Source is proud to be a member of our community and since opening in 2001 has always held a special place in their hearts for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation, holding draws or raffles for fundraisers,” said Helm. “Thank you again to each and everyone that made this such a great success.”

Most valuable homes

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A Moberly Lake acreage dubbed the “Jewel of the North” is once again northern B.C.’s highest valued property in 2023. Data from BC Assessment released this month lists the 100 priciest homes in northern B.C. based on their total taxable value.

The lakefront log lodge at 6653 Lakeshore Drive in Moberly Lake features regularly as the priciest on the annual list — this year assessed at $4.462 million. Wayne Christensen and Christina Yee commissioned the impressive home in 1999, said to be one of the largest log structures in the world. BC Assessment lists the property land size at 9.29 acres, the home sprawling 28,686 square feet and featuring 10 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.

Location: all meetings are held at the School Board #60 Board Office in the Board Room Committee of the Whole Meetings: held the first Monday of each month, with the above noted exceptions, because of statutory holidays and holiday breaks Regular Board Meetings: held the third Monday of each month, with the above noted exceptions because of statutory holidays and holiday breaks.

It was originally intended as a fishing lodge, but is currently a private residence. Williams Lake contractor Pioneer Log Homes built it—a company best known for staring in a reality TV show on HGTV.

In an April 2021 blog post, local video production company Eagle Vision noted the house also features two kitchens, a

wine cellar, home theatre, and workout room with a pool and hot tub.

The home topped BC Assessment’s northern list in 2022, too, when it was assessed at $3.783 million. In 2021 it topped the list at $4.427 million, and in 2020 at $3.284 million.

And of the top-20 most expensive homes in Northern B.C. in 2023, it’s the only one from the Peace Region to make that shortlist.

In fact, few other homes from the northeast cracked this year’s Top 100, which was dominated by real estate in Prince George, Williams Lake, and other areas of Northwest B.C.

An acreage at 9401 3 Street in Dawson Creek was ranked 83rd on the list, valued at $1.553 million. At just over 8,400 square feet, the home sits on 2.77 acres and features four bedrooms and six bathrooms, according to BC Assessment. And 14380 Welch Subdivision in Charlie Lake was ranked 93rd, valued at $1.499 million. The 4,840 square foot home sits on five acres and includes five bedrooms and five bathrooms, according to BC Assessment.

Performers wanted

The school district senior band is seeking performers for a fundraising concert next month.

To learn more about diabetes, volunteer, advocate or donate, please contact :

Northern Region (250) 561-9284 boyanne.young@diabetes.ca Northern Region

The band is raising money to travel to Niagara Falls to compete in the MusicFest Canada National band competition later this spring. It will cost $70,000 for all students to attend.

A telethon-style fundraising event will be held Feb. 23 at Ma Murray school, and the band

is looking for a range of family friendly entertainment, from singing and dancing solos or ensembles, to skits and comedy. Sets can range from five to 25 minutes.

The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include a silent auction, face painting, and treats. If interested, send your group’s name, performance idea, and length to music teacher Sabrina Brooks at sbrooks@prn.bc.ca.

Riley Smith and Mikayla Fedderly (top) and Jillian Fraser (bottom left) and Machiel Mostert were among the health care professionals speaking with high school students about their career options in health care last week.

O&G spent $2.5B in Fort St. John

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A new report from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers is proving Fort St. John to be the centre of oil and gas spending in British Columbia.

The city attracted more than half of the $4.7-billion spent by industry between 2018 and 2021 — $2.5 billion, to be precise, according to CAPP’s Our Communities Care report released Jan. 19.

The study was conducted with iTOTEM Analytics over 10 months to analyze industry spending on goods, materials, and services for natural gas operations in the province, and the economic impacts in communities.

According to the study, more than $4.7-billion in expenditures were paid to 2,400-plus B.C. businesses in 140 municipalities and First Nation communities.

That included 870 businesses based in Fort St. John, 50 of them Indigenous owned, “the greatest number of businesses active in B.C. natural gas operations,” according to the study.

And of the industry’s $2.5-billion spend with city-based businesses, $524 million was spent on equipment services, $448 million on drilling and completion, $351 million on construction, $199 million on transportation, and $140 million on environmental and industrial waste services.

“We are very proud of Fort St. John’s role as a major economic engine for the province,” Mayor Lilia Hansen said in a provided statement.

“Also important is that the work done in the Northeast benefits businesses across the province from Creston to Bamfield to Vancouver. While the report shows the benefits being created today, it also demonstrates the opportunity that liquified natural gas (LNG) exports present as a long-term opportunity for our region to grow.”

But it’s not just Fort St. John where industry spending is being concentrated.

The study found that $632 million was spent in Dawson Creek between 2018 and 2021, where “health and safety services had a high level of supply chain participation,” the study noted.

In Vancouver, $337 million was spent, with the city outperforming

others in chemical supply to industry, the study said.

Rounding out the top five communities that saw the most industry spending were Pouce Coupe and Wonowon.

Industry overall spent $1 billion on construction between 2018 and 2021, as well as $705 million on drilling and completion services, and $778 million on equipment services and maintenance.

Industry also spent $260 million on reclamation and $16.8 million on sponsorships, donations, and other community investments, according to the report.

“British Columbia is on the cusp of becoming one of the most important energy export hubs in the world,” said CAPP President and CEO Lisa Baiton in a statement.“As the iTotem study shows, the industry has been built on a foundation of respectful partnerships with Indigenous Nations and local municipalities, benefiting citizens right across the province.

“The emerging liquified natural gas industry on the West coast is a generational opportunity that will help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by providing some of the lowest emission natural gas on the planet, while being a source of prosperity for British Columbians and Indigenous Nations for decades to come,” Baiton said.

INDUSTRY SUPPLY CHAIN TOP 10

Spending

1. Fort St. John - $2.5 billion

2. Dawson Creek - $632 million

3. Pouce Coupe - $408 million

4. Vancouver - $337 million

5. Wonowon - $132 million

6. Charlie Lake - $120 million

7. Prince George - $83 million

8. Rolla - $78 million

9. Creston - $77 million

10. Fort Nelson - $40 million

Suppliers

1. Fort St. John - 870

2. Dawson Creek - 440

3. Vancouver - 120

4. Charlie Lake - 110

5. Fort Nelson - 100

6. Chetwynd - 55

7. Prince George - 50

8. Surrey - 40

9. Taylor - 40

10. Pouce Coupe - 40

Source: Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

TheFortSt.JohnPetroleumAssociationisactivelyseekingnewmembers.

The purposes of the society

FortStJohnPetroleumAssociation are:

To create a nonpro t fraternal organization for educational, benevolent and social purposes.

To create a medium through which the society members may express themselves in Social activities, Educational pursuits and Athletic endeavors.

• To contribute to the community in supporting worthwhile projects as decided upon from time to time by the society.

• To provide entertainment that is enjoyable, instructive and bene cial to its members and families.

To encourage a spirit of good fellowship among the society members.

pm

Thursday of the month.

the

The oil and gas industry spent on $448 million on drilling and completion services in Fort St. John between 2018 and 2021, according to a new study from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

COASTAL GASLINK

Construction on the Coastal GasLink pipeline. By this time next year, Coastal GasLink should be ready to start pushing natural gas from Dawson Creek to Kitimat through its 670-kilometre pipeline and then close a 10 per cent equity agreement with First Nations.

Proli c o enders arrested in collaborative investigation

On January 11, 2023, members of the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, and the Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit were conducting a joint investigation trying to locate Daniel Davidsen who was wanted on warrants in B.C. and Alberta.

Site C dam could be producing power as early as end of this year: BC Hydro CEO

By Nelson Bennett

B.C.’s electrical grid may be 98% “clean” and renewable, thanks to its vast hydro power resources, but 70% of B.C.’s primary energy use is still from fossil fuels, BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley said in an address last Thursday at the BC Natural Resources Forum.

So how much more power will B.C. need in the coming decades to achieve full decarbonisation?

To reach net zero, it has been estimated that B.C. may need to more than double its current power generating capacity, possibly even triple it, raising the question: Is the new Site C dam going to be enough to meet the “electrify everything” imperative?

“I’ve been asked that a number of times through the course of the last few days,” O’Riley said. “The short answer to that is yes, for now, and especially so with Site C coming on and the next year or so.

“The longer answer is yes, and we have a plan to acquire more energy as we need it and that will be renewables, likely wind and solar, likely in the north.”

BC Hydro’s biggest challenge isn’t generating enough power, but getting it to where it’s going to be needed. There is a growing demand from industry for large amounts of power, as they try to decarbonize their industries.

Jason Klein, CEO for LNG Canada, recently said that, should the partners behind

the project sanction phase two of the project – adding two more processing “trains” to the two being built in Kitimat – they will be powered by natural gas, not electricity.

There simply isn’t enough transmission capacity to go to e-drive, he suggested. At a session Wednesday, Klein suggested the LNG Canada plant could potentially move to electric drive at some point in the future, should the transmission capacity become available.

O’Riley said transmission is major challenge for BC hydro, west and north of Prince George.

Building new high-voltage transmission lines is no small thing, and there’s a bit of chicken-and-egg dilemma for BC Hydro. There is a potentially big demand for clean power from industry. Industries can’t commit to electrification without adequate transmission, and BC Hydro can’t commit to building new transmission without big industrial customers making final investment decisions.

“While we currently have enough transmission capacity to serve the existing and committed load in the north coast – and we’ve got room to spare – we do have an unprecedented queue of potential customers that have applied for service and these are mines and LNG projects, port facilities and the like,” O’Riley said.

“Most of those projects have not yet committed to their own investments, nor have they committed to tak-

ing service from BC Hydro.”

He said major transmission projects are expensive, timeconsuming, and have large impacts on the land and indigenous rights.

“The timelines are often longer than the decision cycles in corporations,” he said.

That said, he added there two projects underway to deliver more power to the North Coast region.

One is a new Prince George to Terrace capacitor project. Three new capacitor stations will increase electrical throughput by 500 megawatts on existing lines. O’Riley also announced Thursday a new plan to twin a 500-kilovolt transmission line between Prince George and Terrace.

BC Hydro will be asking for an expression of interest to gauge interest from potential partners and customers on the twinning project.

As for Site C dam, the dam itself is about 90% complete, and the project overall more than 70% complete. The official target for commissioning is still nearly two years away, though O’Riley suggested BC Hydro could potentially finish the project by the end of this year.

“Our official schedule has two years, or 20 months, till we get first power on the project,” O’Riley said. “We do have a shot at getting first power the coming December – so this year. Lots of things have to go right for that to occur.”

During the investigation members of the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit located a Dodge Nitro, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, that had been stolen from a break and enter that occurred on January 10, 2023, in Fort St. John, B.C. After being stolen, the Dodge Nitro was used in a series of break and enters to businesses in Dawson Creek, B.C. Further investigation by the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit and the Western Alberta District GIS Unit led to the arrest of Corbyn Hubley.

A search warrant was executed on Hubley’s hotel room where several items taken during the break-ins in Dawson Creek were located. Hubley was subsequently charged with Possession of Stolen Property and held in custody. Further investigation into the break and enters in Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John is being conducted by members of the Dawson Creek RCMP, Fort St. John RCMP, and the Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit. Anyone with additional information about recent break-ins is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers.

On January 12, 2023, a member of the public called the Dawson Creek RCMP to report a suspicious vehicle in the One Island Lake area in B.C. Dawson Creek RCMP front-line po-

lice officers attended the area and located Daniel Davidsen after he fled into the woods to avoid arrest. Members from the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, Western Alberta GIS Unit, Beaverlodge RCMP Enhanced Policing Unit, Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit, and North Peace RCMP Police Dog Services attended the area to assist the Dawson Creek RCMP in locating Davidsen. Through their joint efforts, the various RCMP units were able to locate Davidsen and successfully take him into custody on his warrants.

Both Hubley and Davidsen continue to be held in police custody.

“The Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit will continue to work collaboratively with the RCMP in Alberta to target prolific and multi-jurisdictional property offenders active throughout the Peace Regions of Alberta and B.C.,” said Sergeant Jaime Moffat, Acting Detachment Commander for the Dawson Creek RCMP. “Anyone with information regarding property crime offenders are encouraged to report to their local RCMP detachment, or through Crime Stoppers.”

The Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit was formed in December 2022 to investigate prolific property crime offenders throughout the Peace Region of British Columbia. The Peace Region Crime Reduction Unit currently consists of investigators loaned from the Dawson Creek RCMP, Fort St John RCMP, and North District RCMP GIS.

New highway car wash?

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John city council will consider proposed zoning amendments this week for a new car wash planned along the Alaska Highway. Developers are requesting the changes for a second phase of development already underway at 112 Street and Alaska Road South, which will include a gas station, convenience store, and several new fast food restaurants.

The land is currently zoned for highway commercial, and the developers are asking the city to allow a light passenger vehicle wash as a permitted use. The two-bay wash would either be operated by gas retailer Canco, or a proposed oil and lubricant shop, as “a supplementary service to their

core businesses,” and would be “consistent” with similar businesses operating nearby, developers wrote in a letter to the city. “We are committed to delivering a first-class highway commercial shopping centre and we feal that the addition of this use would help us achieve our goals,” said Dan Clark of 112th Street Investments.

A supplementary staff report to council notes that car washes are permitted as a standalone use on general service commercial properties, and have historically been allowed for highway commercial properties as an accessory use for car dealerships and gas and service stations.

If council gives first and second readings at Monday’s council meeting, a public hearing would be scheduled for Feb. 13 at city hall.

Kendra Johnston, CEO of the Association of Mineral Exploration, and BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George last week.

— Business in Vancouver

Released by Cst. Chad Neustaeter, Fort St. John RCMP

Construction continues in the Site C powerhouse, as seen in this handout image from BC Hydro.

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GORDON FRANK MEEK

July 31, 1931 - January 1, 2023

Longtime Peace River Pioneer & Historian, Gordon Frank Meek passed away peacefully on January 1, 2023 at the age of 91. Gordon is predeceased by his parents, Bert and Charlotte, brothers, Edwin, Buddy, Tommy and Gene; Sisters Verna (Clarke), Iris (Donis); son Shayne and wife Bonnie, grandson Dustin. He will be greatly missed by wife Faye; children Blane (Maryann), Randy (Kathy), Brenda Gagnon (Leonard), and Brandy Beebe (Kevin); grandchildren Colin (Leslee), Chantel, Shelby (Jordan), Blake Gagnon (Jodi), Shayna Gagnon (Ross), Walker Gagnon, Riley Gagnon (Marie), Devon Beebe and Kaden Beebe, great Grandchildren Finley, Olivia, Adilynn, Bentley and Hazel; as well as siblings Mabel Chmielewski and Lyle Meek.

Born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan on July 31, 1931, Gordon was 3 months old when the family moved from Saskatchewan to the Peace Country, spending this rst winter in Dawson Creek. In early spring 1932, the family moved to their homestead 10 miles west of Fort St John along the wagon road leading to Hudson’s Hope. Gordon lived and farmed this land his entire life, raising his family and spending many happy years with relatives and friends always welcomed at his and Faye’s supper table. He loved his horses and loved working the land as his forefathers did. Gordon loved music and was heard singing “The Ole Strawberry Roan” and many other songs as he was working and driving down the road with his kids and grandchildren.

Gordon was fortunate enough in the early 1950’s to be hired to do the Hudson’s Hope mail run. He often spoke of different memories along the trail and the generosity of so many people that offered him a meal or a bed.

Gordon and his father often worked together and on April 1, 1953, while logging with horses, Gordon lost his father to a tragic accident. As one of the older siblings, Gordon felt a great responsibility to his mother and family and always offered a helping hand. Gordon married Faye Donis on July 2, 1958. Together they built a home that was abundant with activity of rural life raising their own 5 children as well as cousins, neighbor children and relatives seated at their supper table. Many fond memories and antidotes of adventures can be reminisced about life on the Meek Ranch.

Gordon was never afraid of a new challenge and in 1959 he opened the Charlie Lake Esso with brother Buddy. As a young man, he worked at Moore Equipment in Fort St. John, the International Harvester Dealership, in the early 60s. This mechanical experience as well as his upbringing provided him with the knowledge and talent to become the innovative person that he was - always able to x, weld, drive, remake and repair. In 1968 Gordon became the Case Farm Equipment Dealer and was well known in the community for his abilities to get farmers’ equipment back to work. If he didn’t have a part, he would build it or take if off a new piece of equipment in inventory as he knew how important it was to “make hay while the sun shines”. His love of farming was evident always. Gordon had the rst bus run along the Hudson’s Hope Highway bussing many students throughout the years to and from the school. His rst bus was an old International Van in 1965. He had this run for over 40 years and adults today talk about when they rode Gordon’s bus.

In the 1970’s, Gordon started his adventures in the oil patch, having little cats and eventually tow tractors, working all over Northern BC and into Alberta.

Another love of Gordons was trapping and hunting, spending many days with his horses, packing, walking and riding at his trapline and hunting area. He was never afraid of hard work, never saying no to a job. He loved to work, and retirement wasn’t in his future. Gordon worked in the Patch well into his 80s. He was involved in many businesses and went through the ups and downs that occurred in the scurry of activity in northern BC during those times.

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Gordon loved to travel and travelled to many countries in the world, but his favorite was his many trips to Alaska with family and friends.

There were some very grievous times also. Losing his rst son, Shayne and his wife and unborn grandson was devastating to Gordon and Faye. Thank God for the great memories that such vibrant people leave us with enabling us all to step forward from the sadness. Gordon had many friends and involved himself in the community, sometimes politically, wrote many books, some controversial but always trying to better the “system”. He was an advocate to keep the freedoms and opportunities that he experienced in his lifetime available to the future generations.

Gordon lived on his homestead right up to his passing.

No service requested by Gordon. Condolences may be forwarded through www.hamresfuneral.com.

This is a quote from one of his books.

I remember working for Moore Equipment. I was a mechanic there and my foreman’s name was George Broadhurst. The shop had two large doors facing the street. Often on the hot days of summer, these doors were left open. Whenever there was a funeral in town the procession would pass in front of those open doors on the way to the cemetery. We would stop work and stand at attention while they passed. One day George said, “That sure was a good guy”, referring to the deceased. After him saying this several times I asked George, “Who was he?” George said, “Dammed if I know.” He said “When someone dies, he is always a good guy, even though while living he may have been a S.O.B” I’ve always remembered George’s words. How true they were. Re ecting on George’s remarks, I maintained that when I pass on, I do not want anyone getting up and saying what a good guy I had been. If I had been a good guy, I’m sure people would know. I’ve often wrote stories about people, but I’ve written very few lines about myself. If there is a story to be told or written about me perhaps someone else should write it.

Peace Lutheran Church has opening for an O ce Administrator. This is a combined Secretary/ Bookkeeper position for 15 hrs. Email resume to plc@pris.ca or mail Peace Lutheran Church 9812-108Ave Fort St John BC V1J 2R3

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Notice

ProposedAmendmenttoBoardProcedureBylaw

In accordance with the  Local Government Act, notice is hereby given that the Peace River Regional District Board intends to consider changes to its Procedure Bylaw at the February 2, 2023, Regular Board Meeting.

The proposed amendment is to add ‘Chair’s Report’ as a standing item on the order of business at Board meetings.

A copy of the proposed bylaw and the sta report outlining changes in further detail will be published on January 27, 2023, as part of the February 2, 2023, Regional Board Meeting Agenda on the PRRD Website;  www.prrd.bc.ca. Questions or comments regarding the proposed bylaw may be directed to Tyra Henderson, Corporate O cer, at 250-784-3200 or tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca.

Tyra Henderson Corporate O cer

Notice of Opportunity

Lone Wolf Golf Club Concession Agreement Request for Proposal No. 1-2023

The District of Taylor is seeking competitive proposals from qualified candidates to enter into a mutually beneficial contract for the operation of the Lone Wolf Golf Club Restaurant.

The Lone Wolf Clubhouse is central to a golf minded residential area and is within walking distance from the Taylor Elementary School, Ball Diamonds and District Ice Centre. The Clubhouse sits adjacent to the community Pickleball and Tennis courts and is the entrance to the beautiful Participaction Trail.

The Clubhouse restaurant includes a lounge area, dining room, covered patio and barbecue area licensed for 60 people inside and 132 people on the patio.

The District and its staff are dedicated to establishing a productive concession agreement. The District is interested in proposals from proponents with a strong commitment to outstanding customer service, trust, communication, teamwork and professionalism, and who can function as a contributing member of the community. The ideal proponent is a professional, can demonstrate exceptional performance and has the District’s best interest in mind.

SCHEDULED SITE VISIT - Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10:30am Local Time (Mountain Standard) Lone Wolf Clubhouse - 9999 99 Ave, Taylor, BC

RFP Closing date and time for submissions: February 17, 2023 at 2:00pm Local Time (Mountain Standard)

Questions can be submitted electronically to Jennifer Craig, Corporate Services Assistant at: jcraig@districtoftaylor.com

See complete RFP details at; www.new.bcbid.gov.bc.ca.

Hard Copy RFP documents are available at the District Office, 10007 100A Street, Taylor, BC Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm or Request electronic documents at: jcraig@districtoftaylor.com

From the front page

Depending on the weather and the cold, the sidecars range in mileage, sometimes taking them 250 kilometres, other times 340 kilometres, before needing to be refuelled.

“We have separate tanks always with us, of course, because your country is really big and we can have 400 kilometres with no gas station,” said Habouzit.

“We’re well equipped. We stop a lot as well to heat up, but again we don’t ride fast. It’s 70-80 maximum. It’s really a cruising ride,” she said. “We do very well with the weather. What’s amazing is in one day we have a snow storm and sunshine, and blue sky and fog... It’s crazy but enjoyable.”

The northern friendliness and hospitality has been second to none, too.

Habouzit says the couple enjoys free coffee every time they fill up at a gas station, and even got a warm night’s stay in Fort Nelson thanks to a friendly local hotel manager they met while fuelling up in the small B.C. community.

“All is beautiful in Canada. The Alaska Highway is very, very nice,” Knecht said. “But the most important part in

this journey is when you meet people.”

As of this writing, Knecht was making his way up the Dempster Highway from Dawson City, Yukon, to Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories to see the Arctic Ocean.

From there, the couple isn’t sure what direction they’ll go next, whether crossing into Alaska from Dawson City, or going back to Whitehorse to finish the Alaska Highway.

They’ve been invited to a world motorbike show in Toronto in February, and their ultimate plan is to travel south through Mexico and Central America, to the tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina. They also want to visit Chicago and Louisiana in the United States. Knecht and Habouzit are chronicling their journey on Facebook and YouTube at Robby3Wheels , all along the way.

“Many Canadians, they send us messages and they say, ‘Oh, thank you for making us visit our own country, our own roads’. Many of them say they don’t take the time, they fly to Florida to find the sun,” said Habouzit.

“Some of them just realize how beautiful some parts of Canada, I mean, every part of Canada, is.”