ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | VOL. 78 NO. 44
For all the news we couldn’t fit into print:
The only newspaper in the world that gives a tinker’s dam about the North Peace. Est. 1944
alaskahighwaynews.ca
FREE CLASSIFIEDS!
COACH HONOURED Ashley Hafner all smiles after being named Coach of the Year
15 Words or Less *Some restrictions apply.
Contact Lynn @ 250-785-5631 or classifieds@ahnfsj.ca
SPORTS h A5
Darlene Hunter
Chief to attend UN climate forum SUBMITTED PHOTO
POPPY CAMPAIGN BEGINS — Members of the 2276 Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, Fort St. John, began their poppy campaign last weekend. They will be out again this coming weekend raising money for our veterans ahead of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. Read more on A13
Left out of hospital security pilot Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
Flyers This Week: Peavy Mart, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Canadian Tire, The Brick
WELCOME TO FSJ 1 in 10 people you’ll meet in the street is an immigrant
The provincial government has unveiled plans it hopes will help protect health care workers against workplace violence. The project, announced earlier this week, will see up to 320 in-house protection services officers hired. “There are just horrible examples across the province. We’ve seen that escalate over time,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA and BC Liberal opposition health critic Shirley Bond, in welcoming the news. “So, it is long overdue that there is a co-ordinated and system-wide approach to mak-
ing sure nurses feel safe in their place of employment.” However, only select hospitals throughout the province were chosen for the new officers and only three of the 35 would be in the Northern Health Authority – the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, Mills Memorial in Terrace, and the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. That is worrisome to Bond, who visited Fort St. John earlier in the year and heard the working conditions described first-hand by health care professionals. “It is a concern when we see significant hospitals, like the one in Fort St. John, and across
the province are not going to have the benefit of this kind of protection in those hospitals. Those are the kinds of questions we will be asking.” “Words are one thing, action is what matters. So, we’ll be monitoring very carefully how this rolls out across the province.” In making the announcement Monday, B.C. health minister Adrian Dix said an additional $2 million is being added to the already $8.5 million set aside over three years since 2019 toward the newlyformed group, Switch BC, an acronym for Safety, Well-being, Innovation, Training and Collaboration in Healthcare.
NEWS h A3
AGRIVOLTAICS Sustainable ag and sustainable energy can work hand in hand
NEWS h A16 $1.50 INCL. GST
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
BACK TO THEIR WINNING WAYS — Fort St. John Huskies Sam Loewen tries to go around Fairview Flyers goalie Mason Ward during first period action against the Fairview Flyers on Oct. 29. After a winless slump, the Huskies ended October on a four-game win streak. Read more on A4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
46,450
$
+ TAXES AND FEES
48,038 km
2019 Ford F-150 Lariat FX4 Crew Cab 5’5” box
58,999
$
+ TAXES AND FEES
50,440 km
For Halfway River First Nations chief Darlene Hunter, it’s all about protecting the environment now and for future generations. “If I don’t have good water, you don’t have good water,” said Chief Hunter in an interview with Alaska Highway News Oct. 29. It’s a message she, and members of the First Nations Climate Initiative, hope to bring when they travel to an international climate change conference (COP27) next week in Egypt. “We have always tried to protect what we believe needs to be protected…the wildlife, the watersheds, not just for our community but for our neighbours, as well.” On Oct. 17, the HRFN signed a memorandum of understanding with FNCI, an already-established group that includes three North Coast B.C. members – the Haisla, Nisga’a, and Metlakatla First Nations. Its mission statement: to work together to strengthen the FNCI net-zero policy framework, achieve First Nations economic self-determination, and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Canada. While not against industry, Chief Hunter believes the past practices have to change to protect the environment. “We all need energy but we need to do it in a clean way.” She believes the goals of Halfway River are the same ones the initiative is lobbying for, including restoring ecosystems within traditional territory boundaries and providing economic opportunities to its members.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude
41,999
$
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
+ TAXES AND FEES
55,091 km
Continued on A3
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 3500 Crew Cab 6.75’ box + TAXES AND FEES $
87,999
74,785 km
Ty Lee
Sales Consultant Call/Text: 778- 484-8649 Main: 250-787-0634 Toll Free: 800-936-9353 6674 Airport Road Fort St. John, BC
STK#166095 STK#184345 STK#164643 STK#171560 • Heated seats/steering wheel • Command • Heated and cooled seats • Command Start • Leather Seats • Power Sunroof • Sunroof • Heated and cooled seats Start • 4x4 • 3.6L V6 • Panoramic Sunroof •3.5L Eco boost V6 • Blind Spot Indicators • 3.6L V6 • Trailer tow package • 6.6L V8 Diesel