AHN SEPT 29, 2022

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Determined to walk again

They say life can change on a dime.

For Matthew McDermott and those around him, it did in an instance one morning in July of 2021.

The 26-year-old was driving the company crew truck with three other co-workers on the Braden Road, he explained. `

“We were driving out to site. I went to pass a logging truck and he short signalled me. He hit my back end and send us into the ditch.”

“Pretty much after that, I can’t remember.”

While it wasn’t immediately known, McDermott’s spine took the brunt of the accident’s impact and would lead to paralysis.

The end diagnosis – he would never walk again.

“When I left the hospital in Edmonton after three months, I still couldn’t lift my left leg.”

Determined and with the support of a strong support network, he’s made major strides, advancing to a walker for shorter distances.

“I told myself I was going to walk again,” McDermott said.

His progress, however, has reached a pinnacle, of sorts.

To be able to walk again, McDermott believes he’ll need help from an advanced stem cell procedure, a project only offered in Panama.

Enter: I Need Legs, a fundraising idea by partner, Faith Phillips – its goal to raise

the money necessary for the surgery, twoweek hospital stay, and travel expenses to the Central American country.

“We’re hoping to reach our goal tonight of $30,000 which will just further Matt’s improvement and recovery process,” said Phillips Saturday night at a charity event in Taylor.

The procedure sees the stem cells directly injected into a person’s spine.

“Essentially, what they do is grow over time inside of him and they produce more stem cells which rejuvenate and heal the body. It’s about a two-year recovery rate after he’s done his treatment.”

The hope is the spine will strengthen

enough to where McDermott will be able to walk, however, there’s no exact timeline to the science.

In all of this, the pair appear to have grown closer than most might under the same circumstances.

“She has been the rock since this all of this happened. She’s amazing,” McDermott said.

“Matt has always been a good man at heart. No matter what, I’m keeping him. We’re good together. We have a solid chance at a good future together.”

Saturday night’s I Need Legs fundraiser will give the young couple just that chance – they met their goal.

QUALITY ENGINEERING TEST ESTABLISHMENT PHOTO

An investigator’s photograph of the CT-114 Tutor Snowirds jet that crashed at the North Peace Regional Airport on Aug. 2, 2022. The Royal Canadian Air Force’s Directorate of Flight Safety confirmed last week that an “improperly assembled oil filter” was behind the engine failure that caused the hard landing. Read more on B2

SPORTS h A5

DAY LODGE OPENED Whiskey Jack ski club opens day lodge at Beatton provincial park

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Matthew McDermott with partner Faith Phillips at a fundraising event Sept 24, 2022, at the Taylor Community Hall. McDermott is hoping to undergo a stem cell procedure in Panama that could help him walk again.

Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It’s an honour of a lifetime for Gary Bath, standing guard over Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Fort St. John resident began his duties in Ottawa earlier this month, one of about 18 military service members across Canada posted for the honourable service through the National Sentry Program.

A member of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Bath was eager to apply when the opportunity arose, writing about his family’s military history as a reason why he felt he would be a good fit for sentry duty.

“I’ve had several family members in the military and several that fought in World War Two, and some that passed away during the war,” Bath says. “It would be a great honour for me to represent Fort St. John and my family, Nathan Cirillo, and everyone else who’s died in the duty of Canada.”

“I was extremely excited when I got the email saying that I was chosen.”

The tomb rests at the foot of the National War Memorial, a towering cenotaph featuring two sculptures representing goddesses of peace of loyalty. Beneath them, 22 soldiers march through a granite arch, dedicated to the memory of the Canadians who fought in the First World War, and to those who have served since.

Bath stands watch over the tomb for an hour a day, rotating guard and other public relations duties with fellow Rangers and Air Force members also taking part in the sentry program.

“Even though it’s not really busy all the time, there’s always somebody there to ask a question,” says Bath. “People want to know about the monument, why we’re there.”

The memorial was unveiled during a Royal visit by King George VI in May 1939. The tomb was added in 2000, a granite sarcophagus for the remains of an un-

known Canadian soldier repatriated to Canada from a cemetery near Vimy Ridge in France.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War in 1917 saw more than 10,000 Canadians killed and wounded. Canada’s victory in battle forged the nation’s identity, and came to symbolize its independ-

ence from Great Britain.

“When they put his coffin in place there, they actually put soil from all the provinces and territories, and then they also put soil from the cemetery that he was repatriated from in Cabaret-Rouge, France,” explains Bath.

“What we’re doing is trying to keep people from climbing on it, which we’ve actually had to tell some people to get off it while we were standing guard,” he adds.

“We assume that people just don’t know there’s an actual body there. While we might get a little upset about it we just keep in mind that they could be from another country, that they don’t know that there’s someone in there.”

Bath will serve sentry duty until Oct. 22 and hopes to explore more of the nation’s capital during his days off duty.

Standing guard before the sacred tomb and monument has been a humbling experience, he says, especially knowing the tragic story of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who was killed while on sentry duty in October 2014.

“It knocks you down a peg,” Bath says. “It’s very humbling. No matter how crappy you might think your day is, or how sore you are today, it doesn’t compare to what they went through.”

Many readers will remember Bath from when he made international headlines in November 2020, coming to the rescue of an American family stranded in a snow storm on the Alaska Highway.

Bath drove from Fort St. John to Pink Mountain to meet Lynn Marchessault and her children, and then drove them to the Yukon-Alaska border so they could be reunited with their husband and father.

Two years later, the friendships forged from that once-in-a-lifetime road trip continues.

“A lot of people ask if we’re still in touch,” says Bath. “She came up for my wife’s birthday in April, spent the weekend with us and celebrated my wife’s birthday.”

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT Notice Of Assent Voting

Fort St John Public Library Financial Contribution

Note: The property tax limit of $0.0281 per $1,000 is an average of rates of all classes on land and improvements to determine the maximum amount that may be raised in any one year based on that year’s net taxable assessment. The estimated residential tax rate for the first year is $.011 per $1000. The tax rate is applicable to improvements only.

Voting Dates anD Locations

Mail Ballot Voting

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone qualified to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail. Requesting a Mail Ballot Package Mail ballot request application forms are available at the Peace River Regional District offices at 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, and 9505-100th Street, Fort St. John, and online at https:// prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/ or can be requested by phoning the offices at 250-784-3200 or 250-785-8084 or by emailing the Election Officers identified at the end of this notice.

Completed mail ballot request application forms may be dropped off or mailed to the Chief Election Officer at the office of the Peace River Regional District, Box 810, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4H8, during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily until Friday, October 14, 2022. Applications may also be submitted via fax to 250-784-3201 or email to tab.young@ prrd.bc.ca.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

• By mail delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8 up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

• In person, during regular office hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022 and at 9505-100 St, Fort St. John, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

• In person, at the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5, 12, and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To find out more about how to vote by mail, please call the office at 250-784-3200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

ADVance Voting: (All qualified electors may vote at an advance voting opportunity)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 and Wednesday, October 12, 2022, from 8am to 8pm (local time) at:

Location

Ovintiv Events Centre

Fort St. John Seniors Hall

GeneraL Voting:

Address

#1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek, BC 10908 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC

Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 8am to 8pm (local time) at:

Location Address

Ovintiv Events Centre #1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek, BC

Fort St. John Seniors Hall 10908 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC

Charlie Lake Elementary School 12655 Charlie Lake Frontage Rd., Charlie Lake, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

ADDitionaL GeneraL Voting

Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 12 noon to 8pm (local time) at:

Prespatou Elementary/Secondary School22113 Triad Road, Prespatou, BC

Buick Creek Community Hall 15288 Rodeo Road, Buick, BC

Cecil Lake Recreation Commission/Hall4864 Cecil Lake Road, Cecil Lake, BC

Wonowon Elementary School 19211 Petrocan Subdivision, Wonowon, BC

Montney Community Hall 12401 256 Rd, Montney, BC

Clearview Arena 13772 223 Rd, Goodlow, BC

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Please plan to show respect for other voters and elections officials through observation of physical distancing; and if you feel unwell, you may request curbside voting upon arrival at the voting place.

WHO MAY VOTE

Electors may vote only once for each service. If you qualify to vote as both a resident and non-resident, you will vote as a resident. If you qualify to vote as a non resident, and own multiple properties, you may vote only once, regardless of the number of properties you own.

You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the eligibility requirements noted below, as either a resident or non-resident elector, and you will need to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

Resident elector: you may vote if you are:

• eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• a Canadian citizen,

• a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before voting day, • a resident of Electoral Area B, and

• not disqualified by law from voting.

Non-resident property elector

If you own property in Electoral Area B and live somewhere else in B.C., you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• are a Canadian citizen,

• have lived in BC for at least six (6) months before voting day,

• are the registered owner of real property in Electoral Area B for at least thirty (30) days before voting day, and

• are not disqualified by law from voting.

Non resident voters are subject to the requirement to produce two (2) pieces of identification, and in addition, must provide proof that they are entitled to vote in relation to a property (ie: proof of ownership). If there is more than one registered owner of your property, written consent from the majority of the other owners will be required to authorize you to cast the one vote allowed for the property.

If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election Officer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW

“Electoral Area B Fort St. John Public Library

Financial Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2484, 2022”. If adopted, this bylaw would provide authority for the provision of financial contributions to not for profit organizations or local governments that are developing, improving, and operating the Fort St. John Public Library in the Peace River Regional District.

The establishment of this service does not include the authority to borrow funds for the provision of the service.

Service Area - The Service Area boundary for Electoral Area B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service is all of Electoral Area B.

Tax Rate - The proposed maximum amount that may be requisitioned in any one year for the service, is the greater of $100,000 or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax of $0.0281 per $1,000 when applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area. Based on current assessment values, the estimated residential tax rate in the first year is $.011 per $1000 of assessed value of improvements (buildings). Land will not be taxed for this proposed service.

The above is a synopsis of proposed Bylaw No. 2484, 2022, and is not intended to be, and is not to be understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected online at www.prrd.bc.ca, on Voting Day at the voting places, or at the Peace River Regional District offices (1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC and 9505 – 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC) during regular business hours.

For further information on the bylaws or the assent voting process, please call: Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Officer tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or (250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773)

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Fort St. John resident Gary Bath stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.

PUBLIC

Voting (referendum) will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 on the following question:

B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2484, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new service function in Electoral Area B, that will authorize provision of an annual financial contribution to the Fort St. John Public Library to fund the costs of operating the library, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $100,000, or $0.0281 per $1,000 on the net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, in Electoral Area B?

Heiberg acclaimed mayor

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Dave Heiberg will continue in his role as mayor of Hudson’s Hope for the next four years, with the decision by challenger Reg Knox to step down for personal health reasons.

Because Knox had let his name stand after Friday’s deadline for can didates to withdraw, he required permission from the Ministry of Muni cipal Affairs, based on the extenuating circumstances.

He received that approval, however, no further details were given.

Chief elections officer Jeannette MacDougall confirmed last week that with only one name on the ballot for mayor, the district’s current mayor would be acclaimed.

Councillor nominee Nicole Gil liss has also withdrawn. In this case,

however, Gilliss had reportedly let the district know by the Friday deadline in the midst of the evacuation.

Gilliss was acclaimed for her school trustee seat in Area 3 of School District 60.

The number of candidates now run ning for councillor in Hudson’s Hope is 11.

Voters in the district will have two opportunities to cast their ballots for councillor on Oct. 5 and 12.

All candidates forum next week

The Fort St. John of Commerce has set up two all candidate forums next week — one for councillor nominees Monday, Oct. 3, and a second for mayoral candidates Oct. 4.

Running for the position of council lor are: Trevor Bolin, Amy Cox, Lyle Goldie, Gord Klassen, Jim Lequiere, Sarah MacDougall, Gary Patara, Mor gan Robinson, Byron Stewart, and Tony Zabinsky.

Three names will appear on the mayoral ballot: Lilia Hansen, Steven Labossiere, and Shannon Stange.

Both sessions in Fort St. John will take place at the Lido Theatre begin ning at 7 p.m. each night.

An all candidates forum was held for the Taylor election on last week, Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Visit alaskahighwaynews.ca for coverage

How small business

Leanne Esau

Manager, Athletics and Community Engagement Northern Lights College

Phone: 250–784–5157

Email: leasau@engagesportnorth.com

Time slots: 8:30 - 10:30 am 1 - 3 pm 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Reserve your seat now 250-785-5631

2021-2022 rodeo team members

Sponsored by the Alaska Highway News and the Lido Theatre, this seminar is FREE to small business owners.

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Mixed doubles champs in Victoria

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Curlers Sterling Middleton and Emily Bowles are the 2022 Vic toria Mixed Doubles Cashspiel champions.

Middleton, who grew up in Fort St. John and Bowles from North Delta, went a perfect 5-0 at the triple knockout event.

Now bothing living in the provincial capital, the pair beat another Victoria team, Alex Horvath and Sasha Wilson 9-6 in the championship Sunday, advancing to the final after a

very narrow 7-6, eighth-end semi-final decision over New Westminster’s Patrick Prade and Diane Gushulak.

Horvath, you may know, is Sterling’s teammate on the B.C.-based Jacques Gauthier rink.

Like the semi-final, the final proved to be a see-saw battle for Middleton and Bowles, but unlike the game before, it needed an extra end to deter mine a winner.

After jumping out to a 4-0 edge, the duo saw their lead disappear in two short ends.

Tied 6-6 after eight, Middle ton and Bowles were able to lie three in the extra end to seal the win - each taking home $550 in prize money.

couldn’t

alaskahighwaynews.ca

CONNAR CROTEAU PHOTO

Sterling Middleton (l) and mixed doubles teammate Emily Bowles “kicked it” at a curling cash spiel in Victoria, taking the championship.

Dave Heiberg seeks re-election

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club celebrated the grand opening of its new day lodge at Beatton Provincial Park on Saturday.

“I’m just so happy that this day is here and that it’s a beautiful day,” said Eliza Stanford, who has led the club’s vision and planning for the new facility over the last six years.

Dave Heiberg is looking to return as the mayor of Hudson’s Hope after Oct. 15. A former teacher, paramedic, coach, and volunteer fire department captain, Heiberg moved to the district in 1980 with his sweetheart, Laurinda, for just a year or two.

now we’re in a place where we can focus a bit more on our programming because we’ve been so focused on infrastructure for the last 15 years...Now we need to focus on the people.”

“Guess what,” he jokes; 42 years later, he still calls the tight-knit com munity home. “We felt this was a really nice place to raise a family. This is a community that looks after the family,” said Heiberg.

Club members, support ers, dignitaries, and sponsors gathered for Saturday’s cele bration under sunny skies, which included tours of the new facility and a barbecue.

That includes putting more of the club’s energy now into building up its kids program, training people to give lessons or groom the trails, and making sure rent al equipment is working and there to meet the public’s needs.

He uses the current wildfire situa tion and evacuation as one example. “People taking care of their neigh bours. You don’t see that everywhere. So, we just made it our home and we’re still here.”

“People want it to be like other cross country ski areas that are more developed,”

Stanford said of the oppor tunities to grow the sport at Beatton park.

“They wanted more trails; more easier trails, more diffi cult trails, they wanted wider trails. They want a place to be warm, they want lessons, all of these things.”

the B.C. Hydro berm completed, the road re-alignment, I felt I had a pretty good background on most of those things and to bring it forward for an other four years was something I was willing to do.”

Though it may still be Sep tember, snow and winter are certainly on the way. The club plans to have the lodge open every weekend during the ski season.

Heiberg, first elected to office in 2011, is completing his first term as mayor after being approached four years ago by then-mayor Gwen Jo hannson. “She asked me if I would be interested in running for the mayor ship. No bloody way, I told her.” “Good, you’re in,” was the response from Johannson.

Stanford encourages ex perts and beginners alike to visit. The lodge will be open to all.

While the situation with the town’s water supply and wildfire are top of mind heading into next month’s elec tion, Heiberg sees other issues that will need to be addressed in the next term. The community hall and its out door pool, as examples.

“These are some big ticket items that are going to be on somebody’s agenda in the near future and hope fully a new council will look at those in a positive way,” Heiberg said.

“If you know how to walk you can learn how to ski, and if you’re really uncomfort able skiing we have snow shoes that you can rent,” Stanford said. “Give it a try, you might like it.”

New long-term care home planned

Whiskey Jack ski lodge opened at Beatton provincial park

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Plans are in the works for a new 84-bed regional long-term care facility in Fort St. John. A business plan is on the desk of the provincial government, Angela De Smit, chief operating officer for Northern Health in Northeast B.C., told directors of the Peace River Regional Hospital Dis trict on Sept. 8.

De Smit called it a “unique” plan to meet needs of the region, based on population trends to 2040 and a review of current long-term beds and their use. She told directors she expects the health authority will hear back from the gov ernment about the plan sometime in January. “We’ve developed a universal bed model within one campus, largely because our numbers are small,” said De Smit. “For us to build another 20-bed unit or a 100-bed facility [in another com munity], we don’t have those numbers.

we’re trying to address with this new facility is the lack of different types of housing, particularly related to dementia care,” De Smit said. “We find that indi viduals end up going into long-term care quite early and can stay there for 10 years as compared to the provincial average to have other suitable housing then go into full 24-hour care for last two to three years of their life.”

Regional director Dan Rose expressed some concern about building a regional facility in one community, and “pulling people away from their family units and removing that support network.” But Northern Health capital planning direc tor Mike Hoefer said the health authority got special permission from the province to move directly into business planning for a facility, which he said was “very unusual.”

“We’re trying our hard est to meet all of those de mands” she continued.

After two terms, Heiberg concedes he wasn’t sure if he’d run again for reelection. “I was humming and hawing about it. No secret, for months now. Laurinda and I talked it over and we kind of had things we wanted to do.”

“It’s been a constantly evolving club but I feel like

“Given the circumstances with the water treatment plant, wanting to see

“We feel strong for the commun ity. The community is our home. We know we can do things better. Every body can do things better. It’s just a matter of getting a plan to do better.”

“Winter is here whether we like it or not, so we might as well like it. Having a facil ity like this means that you’re going to like it.”

Heiberg is one of two names on the ballot next month for the position of mayor in Hudson’s Hope. He’s being challenged by another well-known person in the community, Reg Knox.

“We want to actually have a building that individuals would be able to transi tion in care,” she continued, “so they’d be able to come in terms of supportive living, move to assisted living, move to long-term care, but ideally stay within the same room and just have the services change, and then we can flex it based on the needs of the population.”

De Smit estimates there are 15 people on a wait list for Peace Villa in Fort St. John, and 18 for Rotary Manor in Daw son Creek. Wait times are highly vari able depending on an individual’s needs, but can range anywhere from six to 18 months, she said. “One of the factors

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF ASSENT VOTING GLOBAL GEOPARK GRANT IN AID

PUBLIC NOTICE is given to ALL electors within the Peace River Regional District, both rural and municipal residents, that Assent Voting (referendum) will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 on the following question:

Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2477, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new region wide service that will authorize provision of grants to fund the costs of developing, improving, operating and maintaining a Global Geopark in the region, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 OR $0.0125 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?

Note: The property tax limit of $0.0125 per $1,000 is an average of rates of all classes on land and improvements to determine the maximum amount that may be raised in any one year based on that year’s net taxable assessment. The estimated residential tax rate for the rst year is $.0072 per $1000. The tax rate is applicable to improvements only.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone quali ed to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail.

Requesting a Mail Ballot Package

Before 4:30pm on October 14, 2022, if you wish to vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot package in one of the following ways:

• In person, at PRRD o ces, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek or 9505 – 100th St, Fort St. John

• By email to tab.young@prrd.bc.ca

• By phone to 250-784-3600 or 250-785-8084 or 1-800-660-7773.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election O cer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

By mail - Delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

In person - During regular o ce hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022, or at 9505 –100th Street, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

In person - At the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5th, 12th, and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To nd out more about how to vote by mail, please call the o ce at 250 784 3200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS

ADVANCE VOTING: (All quali ed electors

Wednesday October 5, 2022 and Wednesday, October 12, 2022, from 8am to 8pm (local time)

Location

Fort St.

Chetwynd

ADDITIONAL

Wednesday October 5,2022

Address #1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek, BC 10908 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC 305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC

Pouce

Address

Pouce

2,

Chetwynd,

Tumbler Ridge,

St.

Pouce Coupe,

Avenue, Taylor,

Lake

Lake,

“We jumped on it right away,” Hoefer said, adding funding conversations would start with the regional hospital district once government has given its direction and approval of the plan.

Financed by local ratepayers, the regional hospital district is responsible for 40% of the capital costs of health care facilities and equipment purchases undertaken in the region by Northern Health. “Northern Health was asked for one submission and we said we needed five,” added De Smit, “so we’re really try ing to advocate for the need in Northern Health.” Board chair Brad Sperling said one of the biggest jobs of the regional district is advocacy, and asked for local population projections to help build the business case to government.

Creek Community Centre Doe River Community Hall Kelly Lake Community Centre Cutbank Hall

Area E McLeod Elementary School/Hall Moberly Community Hall

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

Address 22113 Triad Road, Prespatou, BC 15288 Rodeo Road, Buick, BC 4864 Cecil Lake Road, Cecil Lake, BC 19211 Petrocan Subdivision, Wonowon, BC 12401 256 Rd, Montney, BC 13772 223 Rd, Goodlow, BC 15439 Frontage Road, Tomslake BC 3816 Rolla Road, Doe River, BC 107 Kelly Lake Road, Kelly Lake, BC 13514 Highway 52N, Arras, BC 8025 265 Road, Groundbirch, BC 6494 Lakeshore Drive, Moberly Lake, BC

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Please plan to show respect for other voters and elections o cials through observation of physical distancing; and if you feel unwell, you may request curbside voting upon arrival at the voting place.

WHO MAY VOTE Electors may vote only once for each service. If you qualify to vote as both a resident and non-resident, you will vote as a resident. If you qualify to vote as a non resident, and own multiple properties, you may vote only once, regardless of the number of properties you own.

You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the eligibility requirements noted below, as either a resident or non-resident elector, and you will need to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

Resident elector: you may vote if you are:

• eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• a Canadian citizen, • a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before voting day,

• a resident of the Peace River Regional District, either in a municipality or in an electoral area, and

• not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non-resident property elector

If you own property in the Peace River Regional District and live somewhere else in B.C., you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• are a Canadian citizen,

• have lived in BC for at least six (6) months before voting day,

• are the registered owner of real property in the Peace River Regional District that is within the service area boundary (the entire PRRD, including municipalities) for at least thirty (30) days before voting day, and • are not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non resident voters are subject to the requirement to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation, and in addition, must provide proof that they are entitled to vote in relation to a property (ie: proof of ownership). If there is more than one registered owner of your property, written consent from the majority of the other owners will be required to authorize you to cast the one vote allowed for the property.

If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election O cer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW

“Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2477, 2022”. If adopted, this bylaw would establish a service function that would allow the Regional Board to provide grants toward the operational and capital improvement costs of developing, improving, operating and maintaining the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark.

The establishment of this service does not include the authority to borrow funds for the provision of the service.

Service Area

The Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Area boundary is the entire Peace River Regional District, including municipalities, as shown on the attached map

Tax Rate

The proposed maximum amount that may be requisitioned in any one year for the service, is the greater of $200,000 or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax of $0.0125/$1,000 when applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area. Based on current assessment values, the estimated residential tax rate in the rst year is $.0072 per $1000 of assessed value of improvements (buildings). Land will not be taxed for this proposed service.

The above is a synopsis of proposed Bylaw No. 2477, 2022, and is not intended to be, and is not to be understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected online at www.prrd.bc.ca, or at the following locations during regular business hours:

Peace River Regional District o ces 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. 9505 – 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC

Additionally, the bylaw is available during regular business hours at the municipal o ces of each member municipality of the PRRD, whose electors are also eligible to vote on this question; Dawson Creek City Hall, Fort St. John City Hall, Tumbler Ridge Town Hall, District of Taylor, District of Hudson’s Hope, Village of Pouce Coupe and District of Chetwynd, and will be posted on voting days at all voting place.

For further information on the bylaws or the assent voting process, please call:

Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Ofcer tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or Tab Young, Deputy Chief Election O cer tab.young@prrd.bc.ca (250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773)

Huskies start season

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

It was a memorable afternoon for two Fort St. John Huskies on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Oscar Burgess scored twice in his 100th game while Dan iel Sturgeon got his first shut out in the Northwest Junior Hockey League as the Husk ies blanked the Beaverlodge Blades 7-0 on the road.

“If you were to break it down, I think we were a much better club in the first two periods. We were better or ganized with the puck,” said head coach Todd Alexander.

“In the third, they kept working and we got away from our game a little bit. They were definitely the team with more energy.”

The Blades out shot Fort St. John 21-10 in the final frame.

“That’s something we’ll have to look at and make sure we’re closing out games properly.”

The Huskies had period leads of 3-0 and 5-0, the first two goals from Ashton Under hill and Burgess’ first coming just 39 seconds apart; Colby Busche would also add two of his own after 40 minutes

Brandon Modde and Nathan Brownlee tallied in

the third to close out the scoring.

The win improves the team’s record to 2-0 after opening weekend. The Husk ies shut out the Dawson Creek Kodiaks 4-0 Thursday night, Sept. 22.

Forwards Justin Brownlee, Kurtis Lee and newcomer Ashton Underhill each had two-point nights and goalie Jackson Powers turned aside every shot faced.

“It’s always nice to get the first one out of the way. Start on top. Got to keep pushing from here,” said Powers.

“He was solid. Not a lot of extra movement out of him to night,” said head coach Todd Alexander of his 19-year-old, 6’4” netminder.

“Super square to the puck. Hands were up. Played big. Big kid. Used his size real well. A lot of coaching goes into that. Travis (MacLean) has been working with him real hard for the last three years.”

Next up for the Husk ies: another road game Fri day against the North Peace Navigators before their home opener Oct. 7 versus the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings.

Puck drop on that night will be 8 p.m. at the North Peace Arena.

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF ASSENT VOTING SPORT AND CULTURAL EVENTS GRANT IN AID

festivals that are sanctioned by the relevant governing oversight body, held within the boundaries of the Peace River Regional District, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 OR $0.0125 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?

Note: The property tax limit of $0.0125 per $1,000 is an average of rates of all classes on land and improvements to determine the maximum amount that may be raised in any one year based on that year’s net taxable assessment. The estimated residential tax rate for the rst year is $.0072 per $1000. The tax rate is applicable to improvements only.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone quali ed to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail.

Requesting a Mail Ballot Package

Before 4:30pm on October 14, 2022, if you wish to vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot package in one of the following ways:

• In person, at PRRD o ces, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek or 9505 – 100th St, Fort St. John

• By email to tab.young@prrd.bc.ca

• By phone to 250-784-3600 or 250-785-8084 or 1-800-660-7773.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election O cer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

By mail - Delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

In person - During regular o ce hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022, or at 9505 –100th Street, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

In person - At the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5th, 12th, and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To nd out more about how to vote by mail, please call the o ce at 250 784 3200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

WHO MAY VOTE Electors may vote only once for each service. If you qualify to vote as both a resident and non-resident, you will vote as a resident. If you qualify to vote as a non resident, and own multiple properties, you may vote only once, regardless of the number of properties you own.

You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the eligibility requirements noted below, as either a resident or non-resident elector, and you will need to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

Resident elector: you may vote if you are:

• eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day, • a Canadian citizen, • a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before voting day, • a resident of the Peace River Regional District, either in a municipality or in an electoral area, and • not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non-resident property elector

If you own property in the Peace River Regional District and live somewhere else in B.C., you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• are a Canadian citizen,

• have lived in BC for at least six (6) months before voting day,

• are the registered owner of real property in the Peace River Regional District that is within the service area boundary (the entire PRRD, including municipalities) for at least thirty (30) days before voting day, and

• are not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non resident voters are subject to the requirement to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation, and in addition, must provide proof that they are entitled to vote in relation to a property (ie: proof of ownership). If there is more than one registered owner of your property, written consent from the majority of the other owners will be required to authorize you to cast the one vote allowed for the property. If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election O cer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW

“Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2473, 2022”. If adopted, this bylaw would provide authority for the provision of grants to support the holding of national and international level sporting and cultural events in the region, which attract international attention to the region, provide entertainment options for local residents, and attract visitors to the area

The establishment of this service does not include the authority to borrow funds for the provision of the service.

Service Area

The Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service Area boundary is the entire Peace River Regional District, including municipalities, as shown on the attached map.

Tax Rate

The proposed maximum amount that may be requisitioned in any one year for the service, is the greater of $200,000 or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax of $0.0125/$1,000 when applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area. Based on current assessment values, the estimated residential tax rate in the rst year is $.0072 per $1000 of assessed value of improvements (buildings). Land will not be taxed for this proposed service.

The above is a synopsis of proposed Bylaw No. 2473, 2022, and is not intended to be, and is not to be understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected online at www.prrd.bc.ca, or at the following locations during regular business hours:

Peace River Regional District o ces 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. 9505 – 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC

BC 12401 256 Rd, Montney, BC 13772 223 Rd, Goodlow, BC

Frontage Road, Tomslake BC 3816 Rolla Road, Doe River, BC

Kelly Lake Road, Kelly Lake, BC 13514 Highway 52N, Arras, BC 8025 265 Road, Groundbirch, BC 6494 Lakeshore Drive, Moberly Lake, BC

Additionally, the bylaw is available during regular business hours at the municipal o ces of each member municipality of the PRRD, whose electors are also eligible to vote on this question; Dawson Creek City Hall, Fort St. John City Hall, Tumbler Ridge Town Hall, District of Taylor, District of Hudson’s Hope, Village of Pouce Coupe and District of Chetwynd, and will be posted on voting days at all voting place.

For further information on the bylaws or the assent voting process, please call:

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Please plan to show respect for other voters and elections o cials through observation of physical distancing; and if you feel unwell, you may request curbside voting upon arrival at the voting place.

Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Ofcer tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or Tab Young, Deputy Chief Election O cer tab.young@prrd.bc.ca (250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773)

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTOS

Above, forward Nathan Brownlee faces off against the Dawson Creek’s Connor Quam in the season opener Sept. 22. Below, Cayden Frenette chases Nolan Krane during second period action.

55+ Games medals finalized

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The B.C. 55-plus Games So ciety has finalized the med als standings for its recent Greater Victoria event, add ing more medals in swim ming and pickleball to the count for the Peace-Liard team.

Dawson Creek’s Robin O’Reilly earned four gold and two silver in the pool.

The gold were in the 25, 50, 100, and 200-metre free style; the silver in the 25 and 50m butterfly.

In pickleball, Fort St. John’s Corey Jonsson picked up a gold with Dan Hogg from Taylor in mixed doubles 3.0 and a silver with Arlene

Boon in ladies doubles 3.0.

Zone 12 also earned a gold in darts – Fort St. John’s Andy Orcena and crossover part ner Brian Dean from Ques nel took first in the men’s doubles 55-64 division.

And, there were three medals from the golf course where Taylor’s Ken Anderson earned silver in the low net category for men 55+ while Chetwynd’s Carol Giesbrecht placed second for low gross in ladies 55-plus.

Mark Haynes from Tay lor brought home a bronze medal for his low net score in men’s 55-plus.

Combined, athletes from the Peace-Liard earned six gold, five silver, and one bronze.

Local powerlifter medals in UK at World Championships

Rob Brown editor@dcdn.ca

April Baldassarre is returning from the 2022 AWPC World Championships with some iron. The Dawson Creek powerlifter picked up a Silver medal in Manchester, UK.

“My time in the UK has been amazing, and everyone has been so welcoming to us Can adians,” she said.

“The competition was ab solutely one I will never forget. As always I learned something new about the sport both training wise and competition wise.”

Baldasserre picked up the win in the Open Classic Raw 90kg category. “(It) was a true test of my strength and hard work over the years.”

A hometown British com petitor won the category, with

a US lifter finishing third.

Baldassarre has been powerlifting for a couple of years now – and a May lift in Prince George saw her qualify for the big UK event.

“As for my numbers, I fin ished close to where I wanted to overall. Back squat was right on point with a final lift of 330.6lbs,” she says.

“Bench was also on point, for my final lift of 181.3lb.”

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF ASSENT VOTING REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY GRANT IN AID

PUBLIC

Note:

may be raised in any one year based on that year’s net taxable assessment. The estimated residential tax rate for the rst year is $.0136 per $1000. The tax rate is applicable to improvements only.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone quali ed to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail.

Requesting a Mail Ballot Package

Before 4:30pm on October 14, 2022, if you wish to vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot package in one of the following ways:

• In person, at PRRD o ces, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek or 9505 – 100th St, Fort St. John

• By email to tab.young@prrd.bc.ca

• By phone to 250-784-3600 or 250-785-8084 or 1-800-660-7773.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election O cer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

By mail - Delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

In person - During regular o ce hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022, or at 9505 –100th Street, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

In person - At the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5th, 12th, and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To nd out more about how to vote by mail, please call the o ce at 250 784 3200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

VOTING

October 12, 2022

8pm

October 5, 2022

8am

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

April and her coach decid ed to keep it close to training numbers for the lift. “We knew I could pull those numbers for sure. Deadlift final numbers were 336.2. Which I was happy with. Which gave me an overall total of 847lbs,” she says.

Baldassarre says she is right back into training upon touch ing back down in Mile Zero.

“It was a true honour to have competed on the world stage.”

Subdivision, Wonowon, BC

BC

Road, Tomslake BC

Doe River, BC

Lake Road, Kelly Lake, BC

52N, Arras, BC

265 Road, Groundbirch, BC

Lakeshore Drive, Moberly Lake, BC

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Please plan to show respect for other voters and elections o cials through observation of physical distancing; and if you feel unwell, you may request curbside voting upon arrival at the voting place.

WHO MAY VOTE Electors may vote only once for each service. If you qualify to vote as both a resident and non-resident, you will vote as a resident. If you qualify to vote as a non resident, and own multiple properties, you may vote only once, regardless of the number of properties you own.

You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the eligibility requirements noted below, as either a resident or non-resident elector, and you will need to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

Resident elector: you may vote if you are:

• eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day, • a Canadian citizen, • a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before voting day, • a resident of the Peace River Regional District, either in a municipality or in an electoral area, and • not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non-resident property elector If you own property in the Peace River Regional District and live somewhere else in B.C., you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• are a Canadian citizen,

• have lived in BC for at least six (6) months before voting day,

• are the registered owner of real property in the Peace River Regional District that is within the service area boundary (the entire PRRD, including municipalities) for at least thirty (30) days before voting day, and

• are not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non resident voters are subject to the requirement to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation, and in addition, must provide proof that they are entitled to vote in relation to a property (ie: proof of ownership). If there is more than one registered owner of your property, written consent from the majority of the other owners will be required to authorize you to cast the one vote allowed for the property.

If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election O cer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW

“Regional Connectivity Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2487, 2022”. If adopted, this bylaw would establish a service function for the Regional Board to receive grants and requisition funds to be used to provide grants to internet service providers and enter into agreements with internet service providers for the installation and operation of broadband infrastructure in under and unserved communities.

The establishment of this service does not include the authority to borrow funds for the provision of the service.

Service Area

The Regional Connectivity Service Area boundary is the entire Peace River Regional District, including municipalities, as shown on the attached map.

Tax Rate

The proposed maximum amount that may be requisitioned in any one year for the service, is the greater of $375,000 or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax of $0.0234 per $1,000 when applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area. Based on current assessment values, the estimated residential tax rate in the rst year is $.0136 per $1000 of assessed value of improvements (buildings). Land will not be taxed for this proposed service.

The above is a synopsis of proposed Bylaw No. 2487, 2022, and is not intended to be, and is not to be understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected online at www.prrd.bc.ca, or at the following locations during regular business hours:

Peace River Regional District o ces 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. 9505 – 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC

Additionally, the bylaw is available during regular business hours at the municipal o ces of each member municipality of the PRRD, whose electors are also eligible to vote on this question; Dawson Creek City Hall, Fort St. John City Hall, Tumbler Ridge Town Hall, District of Taylor, District of Hudson’s Hope, Village of Pouce Coupe and District of Chetwynd, and will be posted on voting days at all voting place.

For further information on the bylaws or the assent voting process, please call:

Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Ofcer tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or Tab Young, Deputy Chief Election O cer tab.young@prrd.bc.ca (250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773)

B.C. 55+ GAMES PHOTO

Dawson Creek’s Robin O’Reilly on the podium after winning gold in a 100-metre event at the 2022 B.C. 55+ Games in Greater Victoria.

It’s a Boy!

KINGSTON JAMES WILLIAM CARRIGAN

Parents: Jobina Chambers & Jeremy Carrigan

Weight: 8 lbs 1 oz

Length: 51 cm

Time: 10:19 pm

Date: August 22, 2022

Fort St. John, BC

It’s a Girl!

ELLIE BRYNN

Parents: Luke & Becky Middleton

Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz

Length: 55 cm Time: 01:59 pm Date: July 8, 2022 Fort St. John, BC

It’s

KARTER RAE WALTERS

Parents: Jordan Walters

Toni Archambault

Weight: 5 lbs

Length: 19

Time: 08:15 am

Date: August 23,

Fort St. John,

Labossiere in mayor’s race

A long-time resident of the Peace, Ste ven Labossiere considers himself a hard worker and someone who’s passionate about the city he’s called home for the last four years.

“You know, I like to get things done,” Labossiere said.

“I won’t be afraid to speak up. I’m looking forward to some good debates, if I’m elected.”

The owner of Northern Lights Driv ing School, Labossiere is one of the three candidates running for mayor in the City of Fort St. John next month.

As mayor, he knows the importance the role plays in representing the city outside of the community.

“I want them to know Fort St. John is alive and well. I want our provincial pol iticians to know we mean business.”

Business, as it turns outs, is one thing he believes needs to be invigorated fol lowing an almost two-year pandemic.

“In my job, I drive around town quite a bit and I see the empty spaces out there, businesses moving out of the city to the regional district. That translates into lost revenue in the tax base.”

“We’re losing businesses left, right, and centre,” he continued.

“Big oilfield companies that are pull ing up stakes and leaving shops empty.”

BABY BOUQUET WALL

For Labossiere, his biggest motiva tion to run for office are his grand kids.

“I want them to be able to live the rest of their lives up here, where they won’t have to worry about jobs or health care.”

As a married father of two daugh ters and grandparent to two young girls and a boy, talk of a new recreation cen tre in Fort St. John is high on his list of priorities.

“We use that pool all the time,” said Labossiere.

“Kinda mad that it’s closed right now, but I get it that there has to be main tenance, but that’s a big issue for me. If we’re going to build something new, let’s do it right.”

The mayoral candidate was asked if there’s a priority he envisions for the city in the next five to ten years?

“I would have to say growth. Growth in the downtown. Fill up the spaces all over town. Work with big business to give them a break. Keep the hospital vibrant, the specialists coming, keep nurses on staff.”

Although his first time at a run for office, Labossiere said, if chosen, he’ll commit to giving 150-percent towards the job.

Fort St. John voters will have three chances to cast their ballots for both mayor and council – Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 in advanced voting, and Oct.15 on gen eral election day.

Average citizen, big ambitions

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Amy Cox will be one of 10 names found on October’s municipal election ballot for councillor in Fort St. John

Raised in Prince George, she’s lived in the city since 2002, and labels herself “just an average citizen” but with one goal in mind.

ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20

Don’t push yourself too far this week, Aries. That is a surefire way to be overcome by stress and deplete your energy, which you need to get things done. Pace yourself.

TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21

Hold your tongue and try not to get into any heated arguments with people either at work or in your social circles, Taurus. Avoid controver sial subjects.

GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21

There’s a strong pull toward wanting to play as well as getting work done, Gemini. Is there a way to delegate some work so you can focus on recreation? Figure things out.

CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22

Cancer, you may have some exciting plans brewing but you might not know how to put them in motion. A friend may offer to help get the ball rolling.

LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23

The planets are trying to tell you to slow down and take a day off, Leo. You just have to listen more closely or you could run the risk of burnout in the days to come.

VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22

Virgo, this week things may get a bit more intense than you antici pated. Intensity doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a bad time. Everything will be exciting and fast-paced.

LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23

Libra, focus on your personal relationships this week, as you may need to modify a few things and do some housekeeping in your social relationships.

SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22

Focus on the finer details of life this week, Scorpio. If you have been waiting to have a gourmet dinner or to take a luxurious trip, now is the time to do so.

SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21

There’s conflicting energy in the cosmos this week, Sagittarius. All of what you think was right may be turned on its head. Some new deci sions may need to be made.

CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20

It may be challenging to figure out where you stand with someone this week, Capricorn. You thought you had it all figured out, but the tides have changed dramatically.

AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18

You’ll continue to face the difficult decision of whether to tend to your own needs or help someone close to you, Aquarius. It’s a fine line to walk with no easy answer.

PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20

There’s a positive drive guiding you along, Pisces. If you’ve been put ting off your to-do list, now you will have the energy to get things done.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

SEPTEMBER 25 Donald Glover, Actor (39)

SEPTEMBER 26 Serena Williams, Athlete (41)

SEPTEMBER 27 Avril Lavigne, Singer (38)

SEPTEMBER 28 Hilary Duff, Actress (35)

SEPTEMBER 29 Halsey, Singer (28)

SEPTEMBER 30 T-Pain, Rapper (38)

OCTOBER 1 Julie Andrews, Actress (87

“One of the reasons I chose to run, last year during the by-election, it kind of sparked an interest of me want ing to get into city politics,” said the 34-year-old.

“I was talking with a bunch of my friends and family, and customers, and it seems the average person really didn’t know who was running at any of the municipal elections, what was go ing on, or even how to do it.”

Cox admitted she was just as guilty of that.

“I had no clue either and as I started doing my own personal research, that changed.”

Her goal is to increase awareness by establishing communication within the community.

“I would like to be that vessel be tween city council and the average per son in our city,” Cox said.

“I enjoy finding opportunities within issues. I like to think of myself as a very creative person, to think outside of the box.”

She’s also given some thought to two other topics of concern, in particular, which she feels are linked.

“Voter participation and communi cation with the community from our

city councils throughout the years. I no ticed in 2005, only 25 per cent of our eli gible voters cast their vote. Fast forward through the years to 2018 where just 7.3 per cent showed up.”

While born and raised in B.C., her family has ancestrial ties to the Muscowpetung First Nation in Fort Qu’appelle, Sask., something she’s very proud of.

“I would very much like to think, although I don’t have a position on council or don’t sit on a board, myself somewhat as an advocate. I would love to be involved with our Indigenous community in Fort St. John.”

“I believe we’re all First Nations.”

All 10 candidates for councillor, in cluding Cox, have been invited to an all-candidates forum slated for Oct. 3 at the Lido Theatre. The first of two ad vanced polls is two days later, on Oct. 5.

‘Prolific’ drug operation busted

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John police say they seized

160 grams of suspected cocaine and other drugs and guns after busting up a “prolific” drug operation earlier this month.

RCMP say the local drug and crime reduction units conducted a joint force operation on Sept. 8, executing a search warrant on an apartment in the 8000 block of 86 Street.

According to RCMP, approximately 160 grams of suspected cocaine and other various amounts of suspected controlled substances were seized, along with a loaded revolver style handgun, a loaded bolt action rifle,

several rounds of ammunition, and $8,495 of Canadian currency.

RCMP say three people were ar rested and several drug and firearm charges are being pursued.

“Illicit drug trafficking contributes to a wide variety of social issues within our community ranging from mental health calls, property thefts, violence and toxic drug poisoning,” Staff Ser geant Scott Watson said in a news release.

“The proactive work by our plain clothes units like this contributes to a greater overall public safety for our entire community. Great work.”

Police continue to investigate. Any one with information is asked to call RCMP at 250-787-8100.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Steven Labossiere is one of three names on the upcoming municipal ballot for mayor in Fort St. John

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Fort St. John councillor nominee Amy Cox is advocating for better communication between city council and the community.

Is Canada angrier than ever?

By Evan Saugstad

In late August, an oaf in Grande Prairie accosted deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland in a building lobby, swearing and cursing her for daring to come back to Alberta. The media response was quick, and predictable. Quotes from everyone who is anyone, and the obligatory condemnation about those who show no common decency for the person behind their political job.

I agree — the person behind the title isn’t fair game for every crackpot to take a shot at. Every citizen in Canada is entitled to their own space and, in that, we are all equal, politician or otherwise, no matter who we are.

But then came the slant about an “angry Canada” and “violent right-wing extremists” and how hard it is for women to hold political office and put up with the crap that some choose to heap upon them.

It’s all out there, all partially true, but as a columnist for the Toronto Sun so aptly put it, threats, intimidation, and oafish behavior by louts are nothing new, not limited to one race, or sex, or part of the political spectrum, or part of the country.

I couldn’t agree more with the article. And like elsewhere in Canada, it exists here.

Remember the lout who showed up at the Peace River Regional District meeting when the Board was considering implementing building permits and inspections for rural areas? Remember that he carried a baseball bat into the meeting and placed it conspicuously in front of his chair in the gallery? And if I remember correctly, the Chair temporarily adjourned the meeting until the oaf and his bat were removed, and then carried on with the meeting.

Yup, no debate about political extremism, no debates about threats against women, just a bunch of exasperated Board Directors dealing with a half-wit who thought he could teach politicians about how to make decisions.

But today, oh yes, the oaf in Grande Prairie fits the current narrative with what is wrong

with Canada.

EVAN SAUGSTAD

Rhetoric aside, what is the real conversation about incidents such as this? What do we do with bad behavior?

In fairness to Minister Freeland, I see no response from her to say that this was anything more than it really was, that louts are still part of the business, and there may be a need to review security for politicians given the polarization that our current crop of leaders seem to revel in.

Is Canada angrier than ever before? Maybe, maybe not, but if our political leaders don’t begin to understand just how people feel then we haven’t seen anything yet, as it will get worse. Most are still stuck being frustrated, still sitting at home yelling at the evening news. But the difference between being frustrated and yelling at an inanimate object to getting up off the couch and doing something about it can be a very short distance.

Missed your flight and vacation because there were no security workers at the airport? Couldn’t travel and lost your booking because there were no passports available?

ArriveCan app arbitrarily quarantined you? Ten days off work rather than go to jail… Is anyone happy?

No job because you didn’t wish to be vaccinated? Haven’t got your job back because someone in Ottawa says you can’t? Travelled to Ottawa to protest and had your truck seized, bank account frozen, and then called names by our Prime Minister for your troubles? Got over it yet? Still a wee bit angry?

Well, be happy to know that every time you fill your gas tank Trudeau and Premier Horgan can use your money to give to others to subsidize their vehicle that you do not have the option to use.

Or if your gas furnace quits, be happy to know Horgan has added another tax if you can’t afford the thousands to retrofit your home to go electric.

Or if you can finally afford to buy a used vehicle, be happy to know you now must pay another 12% tax so Horgan can give that to someone else to make their life better.

Are you happy yet?

Happy that Victoria decided you should not have your moose tag this year, despite the pleadings and rationales by the local populations? Happy to see your legally obtained gun declared illegal and then confiscated?

Did you go to hospital emergency only to find it closed and you must drive 100 kilometres to find one that is still open? Isn’t life a joy without a family doctor?

Go to work on the pipeline, only to be blockaded? Or how about logging, blockaded by a different set of louts, many who are on the catch-andrelease program by our government, so they are free to pursue their obstructionist trades.

How about the oafs that lay down on our roads, streets, bridges, and freeways to stop our open and free society from being anything close to open and free — only to see on the evening news that they got home before you, another catch-and-release government program that allows them to enjoy their lives and start all over again the next day.

Are you happy yet?

Not likely.

Frustrated, yes, maybe soon-to-be angry. Yet do our leaders care? Who among them would have the intestinal fortitude to stand in front of you, despite the louts and oafs, to answer your questions and solve your problems?

Trudeau summed it up best. Just declare an emergency, throw some people in prison, problems solved.

Although I wish it would, I’m sorry to say oafs and loutish behaviour are not going away anytime soon.

God help us all — or maybe there will be hope as the next generation of politicians realize that job number one is to listen to the people, and to make our lives a wee bit better.

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John.

It’s probably not your daily co ee

One of the things that people will do when they are trying to master their money is to pay attention to all the little things that they spend money on. The concept behind this is that all those little things add up, and if that money was spent in a more productive way, we could see a big impact.

A popular way that this idea plays out is to look at how much we spend on our daily coffee. And, certainly, some of those fancy coffees will command a premium price. It seems like the conventional advice is ditch the fancy coffee, brew your own at home, and invest the savings. After years of compounding the money that would have been spent on fancy coffee can now be used in a more meaningful way. Or, so the story goes…

Folks, believe it or not, your daily coffee consumption will probably not change the quality of your life.

Here’s what I mean. Let’s say that you spend five bucks a day on coffee. Over a month that adds up to $150. Sure, if you did something productive with that $150 per month then over time you will see results.

And, to be clear here, I am not saying you should be oblivious to the little expenses. I just dropped $40 on lunch today. If you did that every day it is going to add up.

But let’s put things into perspective. That fancy coffee is five bucks a day. It’s a little expense. If you make a big change to little expenses you are still going to get little results.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you are absolutely ruthless with those little five dollar a day expenses, but then you go out and buy a new truck. Guess what? You just obliterated any good work that you were on track to accomplish.

The funny thing is, although big expenses cause big damage to your bank balance, it’s the little ones that we can obsess over.

The reason for that is that the little expenses are the frequent ones. They are the ones that we see over and over, so they are the ones that we fret about.

The second element of this is the big expenses are the ones where emotions get involved. We aren’t usually buying expensive things because that’s the purely rational thing to do. Expensive purchases are often more about a “want” than a “need”, and when we want something bad enough we

can easily find a way to justify spending the money.

Ironically, I lived this very thing today. Remember I had that $40 lunch? Well, sure enough, I had pangs of regret as I tapped my card to pay for it. The lunch was nutritious and delicious, but $40? Seriously?

Then, later in the day, I find myself looking at an impulse buy on a mountain bike. It’s not on sale, and it won’t be used much before spring, so there is no rush at all.

Nonetheless, I see this bike, and its starting to look pretty good, and it only costs $930.

Ooh, but then I see next model up, and its only $1100, that’s actually not that much more to spend. But wait, here is one even better at $1250! Oh! For $1450, this one is really nice!

That’s how it goes. And guess which mountain bike I am going to buy tomorrow? How many $5 coffees do I have to give up to erase my much larger, completely discretionary, emotionally driven purchase?

But here is the reason why I don’t worry as much about $5 coffees, $40 lunches, or even $1450 mountain bikes.

My financial future is not reliant on my discretionary expenses. And yours doesn’t have to be either.

Here is the solution to the anguishing over that $5 coffee. Pay yourself first.

Each month everything that is important for me to reach my financial goals happens automatically. All bills are paid. RRSP, RESP, and TFSA contributions are made. Accelerated mortgage payments. Life, disability, and critical illness insurance. All of it comes out of my bank account first, and it happens automatically.

This way, if I have a little cash in the bank, I can enjoy it, knowing that all the truly important stuff is already fully funded.

After all, I like my coffee just as much as the next guy.

Brad Brain, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, TEP is a Certified Financial Planner in Fort St John, BC. This material is prepared for general circulation and may not reflect your individual financial circumstances. Brad can be reached at www.bradbrainfinancial. com.

CONTRIBUTORS

Judy Kucharuk, Ruby McBeth, Brad Brain, Bronwyn Moser, Larry Evans, Evan Saugstad, Charo Lloret, Kalpana Loganathan, Don Pe it, Joleen Morrisson, Donald Fajemisin, Robin Routledge, Ken Boon, Merlin Nichols, John Grady, J.E. Stanway, A.M. Cullen, Valerie Lucas

Interested in contributing?

Send an email to Managing Editor Ma Preprost at editor@ahnfsj.ca to get involved!

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B.C. health care ‘on the brink of collapse’; nurse’s union

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The B.C. Nurses Union be lieves the province’s health care system is at a crisis point and it’s demanding the NDP government act now before it’s too late.

“It’s on the brink of col lapse,” said union vice-presi dent Adriane Gear speaking to members and the public at a noon-hour rally at Festival Plaza in Fort St. John on Tues day, Sept. 20.

“Almost daily, we are see ing service disruptions and temporary ER closures in com munities across this province due to the nursing and phys ician shortage. This is not okay!” said Gear.

“Here in Fort St. John, the hospital department emer gency room baseline nurs ing staff is far lower than any other ER around the province. How can the largest city in the northeast not have a fully func tioning intensive care unit?” she asked.

“This is shameful.”

President Aman Grewal is calling for immediate action.

“Enough is enough. Get to work and make some changes fast before there is no health care to be had,” she told the

crowd.

“Why do we have these shortages? Because nobody listened. Hospitals in Chet wynd and Mackenzie have gone on diversion many times, resulting in residents choosing long drives to other commun ities to receive care. Shame on them for that.”

Some of those trips are to the ER in Fort St. John.

“When I started back in 2020 with Northern Health, it was

common to have a one nurse to four patient ratio. Now, it’s more common to have eight to ten patients for one nurse,” said Prince George palliative care nurse Jereme Bennett, who also attended the rally.

“I’ve seen a lot of nurses leave. I’ve seen a lot of nurses cry at the end of their shift. I’ve seen a lot of nurses who look shell-shocked. They can’t be lieve what they’re being faced with when they go to work.”

Bennett said that’s resulting in many nurses refusing or de clining to take permanent pos itions, adding more strain on the system.

Grewal said some special ized care nurses are being ex pected to cover other areas they’re not familiar with or specially trained in.

Fort St. John mayor Lori Ackerman said it’s difficult for the city to attract new residents with the state of health care.

“Health care is foundational to communities. If you don’t have good health care, good education, and good public safety, you can’t build a com munity. It doesn’t simply mat ter how good your economy is,” explained Ackerman.

“We need to, pardon the pun, rip the band-aid off and start to deal with this.”

“I have had relatives in the hospital, I have friends that have people in the hospital, and I’m hearing horror stor ies about what’s going on,” said concerned resident Carol Kube.

Kube believes the area’s MLA should shoulder some of the responsibility.

“Dan Davies is shirking his responsibility by not scream ing loud enough, by not going to the people and asking what the people want.”

“We need to get some kind of residence up here to make it affordable for people who wanna come. We just can’t do this. We need more govern ment funding. They’re quite willing to take our money but they don’t want to give us any thing back in return and that’s not fair.”

“People need to stand up and start hollering,” added Kube.

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Members from the B.C. Nurses Union rally next to Festival Plaza in Fort St. John, Sept. 20, 2022.

10TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE The FSJ Hospital Foundation took part in the Hospital’s 10th anniversary open house. The event was attended by many local dignitaries and community members and highlighted the numerous community partners in health care. The FSJ Hospital Foundation Board and sta had the privilege of receiving a tour of the facility and seeing rst hand the passion and knowledge of our local health care providers at Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa Residential Care Facility.

Join us for an evening of celebration as we support local health care at our annual “Be an Angel” Gala. Tickets go on sale in early October. We are seeking live and silent auction items as well as ra e prizes for the event. To donate please call Kelly Amboe 250-261-7562 or email kelly.amboe@northernhealth.ca

Snowbirds crash investigation findings

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The initial investigation into Au gust’s crash of a Canadian Snow birds jet in Fort St. John has been carried out.

In a release issued Wednes day, Sept. 21, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s DFS (Directorate of Flight Safety) confirmed that an “improperly assembled oil filter” was behind the engine failure that caused the hard landing of a CT-114 Tutor shortly after take-off from the North Peace Regional Airport Aug. 2.

“The investigation is now ana lyzing the human factors that may have contributed to the occur rence,” said a National Defence statement.

As a result of the findings, an or

der grounding one remaining jet in Fort St. John and the rest of the fleet in Penticton, scheduled to perform at an airshow at the time, has now been lifted.

“The Operational Airworthiness Authority implemented the oper ational pause on August 8 after consulting with the RCAF’s Direc torate of Flight Safety (DFS) inves tigators and with experts from the Technical Airworthiness Authority within the Department of National Defence,” the release continued.

The news comes as a relief to Commander 1 Canadian Air Div ision, which oversees the Snow birds program.

“Thanks to the thoroughness of our investigative processes, we have been able to conduct a com plete risk analysis that has shown it is safe for the CT-114 Tutor fleet to

resume flying,” said major-general Iain Huddleston.

A decision, though, has been made to cancel the remainder of the schedule for the foreseeable future, even as the jets have been given clearance to return to their home base in Moose Jaw.

The Snowbird aircraft still in Fort St. John will return to home base in Moose Jaw this week.

“While we are all very pleased the team can resume flying, the decision to cancel their remaining performances was a difficult one. Looking forward, we will provide the Snowbirds with the support they need as they build towards their 2023 show season.”

The incident remains under in vestigation by the DFS.

The pilot was unharmed in the crash.

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

B.C.’s last Wildfire of Note, the Battle ship Mountain blaze near Hudson’s Hop,e was taken off the list Sunday morning at 10 a.m.

As of last Saturday morning, and for the first time since being discov ered August 30, it’s classified as ‘be ing held.’

“So, that means no additional growth is expected based on oper ations and suppression tactics that have occurred thus far,” said fire in formation officer Karley Desrosiers.

“The fire is currently estimated at 31,744 hectares and that’s where it’s expected to stay. What we are seeing is activity picking up in the afternoon or throughout the day when the winds are strong. The past couple of days, it’s been pretty windy and continues to be hot and dry.”

Desrosiers said any fire activity

is generally confined to cut blocks where fuels have dried out more quickly after the rain received last weekend.

“It has been smoky but, overall, despite the strong winds, no addi tional growth in the last couple of days and what we’re seeing is the fire blowing back onto itself, not to wards the perimeter.”

The south/southwesterly winds are aiding in the efforts of crews, by sending flames back into the already burned out sections of the 317-plus square kilometre wildfire.

Last Friday, the estimated size of the blaze was at 30,242ha, however, Desrosiers confirmed, that an aerial survey hadn’t been done in a couple of days – the new figure reflecting a more accurate capture of the fire’s boundaries.

But, even as the fire is downgrad ed to ‘being held’ the concern re mains of hazards.

With parts of this fire burning underground, it creates an un seen danger for crews, the integ rity of the burnt trees and the roots underneath.

“This will continue to be an on going priority. We saw the risk of hazard increase dramatically with the winds we’ve seen and the drought conditions through the summer.”

Four danger tree assessors and fallers are part of a contingent of 96 firefighters and 10 pieces of heavy machinery committed to the blaze.

Desrosiers added the Johnson Creek forest service road, which re mains closed this weekend at High way 29, will be re-opened at the highway but shut off to traffic at the Gething Creek bridge about 40 kilo metres in.

More restrictions could be lifted once crews believe that dangers have passed.

QUALITY ENGINEERING TEST ESTABLISHMENT PHOTO

CT-114 Tutor (CT114051), rear view.

$15 million for O&G projects

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Oil and gas operators in Northeast B.C. are receiving more than $15 mil lion to innovate and reduce their en vironmental footprint in the region.

The province says the projects will receive money under the CleanBC In dustry Fund program, paid by carbon taxes, to help capture and sequester carbon and cut methane emissions, recover waste heat, and study the feas ibility of producing blue hydrogen.

NorthRiver Midstream is among the biggest recipients of funding, re ceiving $6.43 million to install a waste heat recovery system expected to cut emissions from its Jedney facility by 174,299 tonnes through 2031.

NorthRiver is also receiving $360,000 to to study and evaluate the opportunity to produce blue hydrogen at its processing plants in Taylor and Fort Nelson.

The company is also receiving $75,000 to study the business case of a compressed-natural-gas fuelling hub for vehicles at its McMahon facility.

According to figures provided by the province, the funded projects com bined will cut some 363,992 tonnes of carbon emissions through 2031.

“Our government is cutting carbon emissions and creating good jobs in communities across B.C. with the CleanBC Industry Fund - an inter nationally recognized program that supports climate solutions,” said energy minister Bruce Ralston in a news release.

“We are investing in projects that spur innovation and are building a path to net-zero emissions.

Here are the projects being funded:

• NorthRiver Midstream Inc.Northeastern B.C.: $6.43 million to install a system comprised of 15 waste heat recovery units and five divert er valves to capture heat from driv ers during unplanned outages and planned maintenance. The installa tion will reduce the annual overall emissions at the Jedney facility by exchanging heat from the engine ex hausts with the process. The province says 174,299 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be reduced through 2031

• Tourmaline Oil Corp - North eastern B.C.: $2.65 million to install five waste-heat exchangers on com pressors within their natural gas pro cessing facility. These new waste-heat exchangers are expected to meet the heat demand for the facility, replacing a natural gas fired boiler as the pri mary heating source for the operation. This will reduce the amount of natural gas necessary for heating and increase the energy efficiency of the facility. The province says 64,314 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be reduced through 2031.

• Ovintiv Canada ULC - North eastern B.C.: $2.43 million to upgrade approximately 78 compressors with more efficient valves across 20 gas processing facilities in northeast B.C. This will reduce the energy required and fuel needed to continuously run these compressors. The province says 73,261 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be reduced through 2031.

• Ovintiv Canada ULC - North

eastern B.C.: $1.8 million to upgrade four Waukesha compressor engines across compression stations in north east B.C. to new high-efficiency units. This will reduce the amount of meth ane leakage and fuel consumed by the older series engines. The province says 39,233 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be reduced through 2031.

• Tourmaline Oil Corp - Northeast ern B.C.: $300,000 to study and assess the technical and economic feasibility of different post-combustion flue-gas carbon-capture technologies, includ ing chemical solvents, membranes, solid sorbents and hybrid systems at multiple natural gas processing plants.

• Petronas Energy Canada Ltd.Northeastern B.C.: $290,116 to pilot and refine a real-time and continu ous methane emission detection, measurement and monitoring solu tion at production facilities operated by Petronas Energy Canada Ltd. using remote-sensor technology. This leak detection improves on the current practice of conducting methane fugi tive surveys one to three times a year in person, allowing for enhanced abil ity to detect and reduce fugitive meth ane emissions.

• Canadian Natural Resources Limited - Fort St. John: $282,781 to install heat exchangers on each of the two condensate trains at their Fort St. John gas processing facility to trans fer the excess heat from the hot outlet condensate to the cold inlet conden sate. This will recover waste heat, reducing fuel gas consumption and making the process more energy effi cient. The province says 6,336 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emis sions will be reduced through 2031.

• ConocoPhillips Canada Re sources Corp. - Northeastern B.C.: $270,946 to pilot and refine a real-time and continuous methane emission de tection, measurement and monitoring solution at production facilities oper ated by ConocoPhillips Canada using remote-sensor technology. This leak detection improves on the current practice of conducting methane fugi tive surveys one to three times a year in person, allowing for enhanced abil ity to detect and reduce fugitive meth ane emissions.

• Petronas Energy Canada - North eastern B.C.: $240,808 to eliminate venting of methane used to operate facility equipment by installing a new instrument air-compression system. The air compressor will be run by a set of new 25-kilowatt (kW) generators. The small generators will allow the fa cility to shut down a set of larger 75kW generators. More efficient generator use will reduce fuel consumption and eliminate methane venting. The province says 6,549 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be reduced through 2031.

• NorthRiver Midstream Oper ations - Northeastern B.C. - Dis trict of Taylor: $180,000 to study and evaluate the opportunity to update a gas-processing facility to produce blue hydrogen. The study includes a feasibility assessment of the technol ogy required to produce hydrogen and capture emissions, reservoir storage, hydrogen transportation and com mercial hydrogen utilization in the area.

• NorthRiver Midstream Oper ations - Northeastern B.C. - Fort Nel son: $180,000 to study and evaluate the opportunity to update a gas-pro cessing facility to produce blue hydro gen. The study includes a feasibility assessment of the technology required to produce hydrogen and capture emissions, reservoir storage, hydro gen transportation and commercial hydrogen utilization in the area.

• NorthRiver Midstream Oper ations - Northeastern B.C. - District of Taylor: $150,000 to study and evaluate the technical feasibility of post-com bustion carbon capture technologies and reservoir storage options for the Taylor Cogeneration facility, which is a natural gas power station primarily used to supply steam to a NorthRiver Midstream gas-processing plant and provide power to the electricity grid.

• Veresen Midstream LP - North eastern B.C.: $96,000 to study the scope, cost and schedule for captur ing emissions from the flue gas of two process heat-medium heaters for po tential carbon dioxide recovery and underground sequestration, which would mitigate a significant part of

Council

the emissions to atmosphere from the Steeprock gas plant.

• NorthRiver Midstream Oper ations - McMahon Facility: $75,000 to study and assess, in partnership with Tourmaline Oil Corporation, the costs and business case of implementation of a compressed-natural-gas fuelling hub at its McMahon facility. Com pressed Natural Gas could displace the use of higher-carbon diesel for vehicles. The study will help remove barriers for the project, including de creasing implementation and market risks.

• NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.Northeastern B.C.: $47,169 to study the suitability of installing turboex pander technology at existing NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. natural gas compressor stations in B.C. A turbo expander has been identified as a po tential emissions-free energy source that harnesses energy created through the pressure reduction of natural gas from a high pressure to a lower, usable pressure. The energy derived from this usable pressure can be used to gener ate up to 42kW of clean power by spin ning a direct-drive generator shaft.

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10 years celebrating new Fort St. John Hospital

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Although it was officially opened on June 21, 2012, the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa were finally were able to mark their 10th anni versary Thursday Sept. 8, the public celebration the first to be held for both facilities since the pandemic.

“I think it’s been a tremen dous addition to improving both quality and safety just be cause of being in a new facility with individual patient rooms, bathrooms, and wheelchair ac cessibility,” said North Health’s northeast executive director Angela de Smit.

“In the old hospital, individ uals who had mobility issues, disabilities, had to go down to the main floor where there were wheelchair accessible bathrooms.”

Peace River North MLA Dan Davies remembers the con struction phase for the, then, $302 million dollar combined facility.

“I helped build this build ing. I was working for Inland Concrete as a truck driver. I can help identify tons of work that we did on the hospital,” said Davies. “I remember being here when it was a vacant piece

of land and being cleared off.”

While Northern Health northeast board member John Kurjata wasn’t a director dur ing the planning and building stage, he’s thankful for the work of his predecessors.

“Obviously, lots of work to put up a hospital. It takes a three, four-year construction period. Lots of money was in vested into this. Always a great

addition to any community.”

The land where the hospi tal and Peace Villa sits on was donated by the City of Fort St. John.

Mayor Lori Ackerman took part almost from the begin ning when the idea was first discussed.

“After I became the mayor 11 years ago. Understanding what was going on and what we as

sumed was part of the hospital and wasn’t. For example, the heli-pad,” explained Acker man. “Even prior to that, as a member of council, we did tours of rooms that were laid out in the warehouse on 101st Avenue.”

The new hospital replaced the old 44-bed 1962 facility that was situated just east of the Northern Grand hotel.

New bursary for nursing

Local health care assist ants training to become li censed practical nurses will be eligible for a new $10,000 bursary. The health ministry says a new $3-million bur sary fund is being launched to help with tuition and fees for access to practical nursing (APN) programs at six post-secondary schools across the province. Close to 300 students in B.C. will be eligible, the ministry says.

At Northern Lights Col lege, the province says students in the planned January 2023 and January 2024 intakes of the APN program, in its final stages of approval, will be eligible for the bursary, according to the province. Students will be required to sign a 12-month return-of-service agreement and commit work in the healthcare sys tem following graduation, the province said.

The province says exped iting the number of LPNs being trained will address staffing needs in a num ber of areas, from hospitals to care homes, to clinics, schools, and correctional facilities.

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING

An election by voting will be held to elect an Electoral Area B Director, and an Electoral Area C Director, with the following persons as candidates for each o ce:

Name Fitzgerald, Michael Kealy, Jordan Kitt, Je

Name Haab, Suzanne Sperling, Brad

Electoral Area B - One (1) to be elected

Residential Address 13525 247 Road, Cecil Lake 13531 Siphon Creek Road, Cecil Lake 17955 Kitt Road, Wonowon

Electoral Area C - One (1) to be elected

Residential Address 5795 Baldonnel Road, Baldonnel 13265 Lakeshore Drive, Charlie Lake

In Electoral Area D, Leonard Hiebert was acclaimed.

In Electoral Area E, Dan Rose was acclaimed.

ASSENT VOTING

The Peace River Regional District will be seeking elector assent from residents living in all communities in the region, regardless of which local government election they vote in, both municipal and rural, for four proposed regional services, and a fth service, applicable only in Electoral Area B. Formal notices regarding these assent voting opportunities have been published in local papers, and may be viewed on the PRRD website – please review the information about these services prior to attending the voting place. ALL eligible voters, whether they live in a town or city, or in the country, are able to vote on the assent voting questions, even if the mayor, councillor, or electoral area director in their area was acclaimed.

Sports and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service

Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service

Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service

Regional Connectivity Service

Electoral Area B Library Financial Contribution Service (Area B voters only)

The voting places for assent voting are the same as the voting places for the general election. Ballots for Electoral Area B Library Financial Contribution Service will be available at all voting locations in Electoral Area B, and at the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek voting places.

VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS

GENERAL VOTING - Saturday, OCTOBER 15, 2022 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm

SCAN ME:

Location Ovintiv Events Centre

Chetwynd District O ce

Tumbler Ridge Community Centre

Fort St. John Seniors Hall

Pouce Coupe Community Centre Taylor Community Hall

Charlie Lake Elementary School

Address #1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek, BC 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC 340 Front Street, Tumbler Ridge, BC 10908 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC 5010 – 52 Ave, Pouce Coupe, BC 9896 Cherry Avenue, Taylor, BC 12655 Charlie Lake Frontage Rd, Charlie Lake, BC

ADDITIONAL GENERAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES: Saturday, OCTOBER 15, 2022 between 12 noon to 8pm

Location Prespatou Elementary/Secondary School

Buick Creek Community Hall

Cecil Lake Recreation Commission/Hall

Wonowon Elementary School

Montney Community Hall

Clearview Arena

Tate Creek Community Centre

Doe River Community Hall

Kelly Lake Community Centre

Cutbank Hall

McLeod Elementary School/Hall

Moberly Community Hall

Address 22113 Triad Road, Prespatou, BC 15288 Rodeo Road, Buick, BC 4864 Cecil Lake Road, Cecil Lake, BC 19211 Petrocan Subdivision, Wonowon, BC 12401 256 Rd, Montney, BC 13772 223 Rd, Goodlow, BC 15439 Frontage Road, Tomslake BC 3816 Rolla Road, Doe River, BC 107 Kelly Lake Road, Kelly Lake, BC 13514 Highway 52N, Arras, BC 8025 265 Road, Groundbirch, BC 6494 Lakeshore Drive, Moberly Lake, BC

REQUIRED ADVANCE VOTING: Wednesday October 5 and Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 8:00 am and 8:00 pm

Location Ovintiv Events Centre (Mail ballots may be returned here)

Fort St. John Seniors Hall

Chetwynd District O ce

Tumbler Ridge Town Hall

Address #1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek, BC 10908 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC 305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC

ADDITIONAL ADVANCED VOTING OPPORTUNITIES: Wednesday October 5, 2022 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm

Location Pouce Coupe Community Centre Taylor Community Hall

Address 5010 – 52 Ave, Pouce Coupe, BC 9896 Cherry Avenue, Taylor, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

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:

To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (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, written consent 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, October 15, 2022

• 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 B or 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 (October 15, 2022);

• 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 B or 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.

If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election O cer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone quali ed to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail.

REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE:

Before 4:30pm on October 14, 2022, if you wish to vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot package in one of the following ways:

• In person, at PRRD o ces, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek or 9505 – 100th St, Fort St.

John • By email to tab.young@prrd.bc.ca

• By phone to 250-784-3600 or 250-785-8084 or 1-800-660-7773.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election O cer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

By mail - Delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

In person - During regular o ce hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022, or at 9505 – 100th Street, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

In person - At the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5th, 12th and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To nd out more about how to vote by mail, please call the o ce at 2507843200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

Election O

DAVE LUENBERG PHOTO

One of the newer pieces of equipment at the Fort St. John Hospital is a nuclear medicine CT scanner, where a patient is injected with a low dose of radiation to see deficiencies inside the body.

Tyra Henderson,

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was a second-straight month of record employment on the Site C dam in July.

BC Hydro reports 5,414 workers for the month, up from the record 5,209 workers counted in June.

The $16-billion project en tered its eighth year of con struction this summer.

Of July’s workforce, about one in five workers remained local, with 1,017 Peace region residents employed by con struction and non-construc tion contractors. That’s up 66 workers from the 951 locals re ported in June.

There were 3,647 B.C. resi dents, or 67% of the workforce, working for construction and non-construction contract ors, and in engineering and project team jobs, up 140 month-over-month.

BC Hydro reported 163 ap prentices as well as 412 in digenous workers and 570 working on the project in July.

There was one temporary foreign worker employed in a specialized position, BC Hydro said, and another 31 managers and other professionals work ing under the federal inter national mobility program.

Monthly workforce num bers include those working off the dam site area, working from home, and others who may have been on site at any one time in July, and who may have been on days off for other periods of time. Not all were on site or in camp at one time, BC Hydro says.

As of Sept. 23, there were 1,918 workers reported in camp on the Peace River just outside Fort St. John. Employment on Site C first surpassed the 5,000mark in October 2020 when 5,181 workers were reported.

The project workforce has surpassed that mark several times since:

June 2021 - 5,046 workers

July 2021 - 5,108 workers

August 2021 - 5,087 workers

May 2022 - 5,060 workers

June 2022 - 5,209 workers

Clinic closure not an option

Do heat pumps work in the north?

By Don Pettit

You may have heard about heat pumps as a new way of heat ing and cooling your home. Heat pumps are being widely adopted around the world and across Canada, but how well do they work up north, and how do they work anyway?

HOW THEY WORK

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

While Taylor’s council didn’t have the chance to meet prov incial health minister Adrian Dix face-to-face at last week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities Conference, it’s not giving up on keeping its medical clinic open.

Mayor Rob Fraser said their concerns, though, were clearly conveyed to ministry officials in a meeting that did take place during the convention.

“We told them we’re frus trated and disappointed at the closing of our clinic,” he ex plained, after the current pro vider, the North Peace Primary Care Clinic, said it wouldn’t be renewing its contract Oct. 1.

“We told staff that Taylor was ahead of the curve with the provision of health care. We provided, probably, one of the first clinics free of charge for doctors. Doctors coming out of UBC are now saying that’s what they’re interested in, a model we’ve had in place for 13 years.”

Fraser also brought up the lack of support, he feels, the district has seen from the area’s health authority in the same conversation.

“Northern Health has brought one doctor through our community since 2009 to

look at the clinic. Taylor was also among the first in the prov ince to bring in tele-medicine or tele-health in around 2012 and never got a bit of support from Northern Health.”

Fraser added the district was ahead of the curve in telehealth, something he said is being used consistently now around the province by North ern Health and the Ministry of Health.

“We instituted the commun ity payment model that doctors were using by opening up our clinic to a new clinic of doctors who wanted to use that service model. It now appears that the Ministry of Health, I believe it is, has put so much paperwork on doctors for that model of payment that the clinic decid ed they were going back to a fee-for-service.”

Fraser said the next step, and on the advice of health ministry staff, will be to pen a letter dir ectly to the minister on poten tial options.

“We are looking at a nurse practitioner to see if that model could work in our clinic.”

Fraser believes it’s one that might work well in a lot of other northern communities too, not just Taylor.

The latest figures from the province list 426 nurse practi tioners in British Columbia.

One of the great lessons of our on-going renewable energy transition is that there is energy everywhere, all around us, all the time. We used to think we had to MAKE energy, usually by burning some expensive and hard to find liquid, solid or gas.

Now we know better: we don’t have to make it much anymore, just collect the energy that is either pouring down on us every day from the sky (solar energy), blow ing around us (wind energy), or just pulling energy out of the ground or air.

And now we have the tech to do it remarkably well and at little cost.

Heat pumps do not cre ate heat, they collect it, con centrate and then pump it into your home. Heat pumps can grab their heat from the outside air (air-source heat pumps) or from the ground (ground-source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heating).

LIKE YOUR REFRIGERATOR

The basic principle is very similar to how your refriger ator works: heat from inside the fridge is collected and pumped outside the fridge, cooling your food. The mech anism is simple, reliable and uses very little electricity.

A small heat pump unit sits outside your home and sucks in air, removes some of the heat from it, concentrates the heat energy and pumps it into your home, usually through small pipes filled with cli mate-friendly coolant, and into another small indoor unit on the wall, ceiling or floor that blows the collected heat into the room.

The outdoor unit can be connected to several indoor units to heat individual rooms separately. These are called “mini splits” and offer indi vidual room heating for max imum efficiency and comfort.

Or the outdoor unit can feed one big whole-house unit that can use existing duct work from your old heating system. (The old system is usually left in place as a back up heat supply).

HEALTHY & COOLING TOO!

The same unit filters the air (removing pollen, smoke etc.) and also provides air con ditioning! Reverse the heat pump process and you get hot air pumped OUT of the house, thus cooling the build ing. Think of the refrigerator again. It is a huge benefit to get both heating and cooling from the same gadget.

For energy efficiency, heat pumps are considered the best yet. Compared to say a baseboard electric heater, a heat pump will provide the same amount of heat using about one third to one quarter of the electricity. That saves money too!

Plus they are super easy to use. Basically set a thermo stat to the room temp you want, and the heat pump will provide heating or cooling to keep it there in any season.

Set it and forget it, as they say.

COLD CLIMATE MODELS

It is an amazing fact that outside air at -18C contains about 85% of the heat that air at +21C does, so there is plenty of heat to harvest in even very cold outside air.

Many cold climate heat pumps are becoming avail able from a wide range of manufacturers who claim high efficiency to as low as -30C. These cold climate units are more expensive but are also of higher quality and ef ficiency overall.

THREE HEAT PUMP MYTHS

1. They do not work in the north: cold climate heat pumps certainly work in the north down to at least 20 below. Then your old back up system (baseboard elec tric heater, gas furnace, wood stove) just kicks in for a while.

2. They are expensive: not with the generous rebates and incentives available. The Can ada Greener Homes Grant and Loan, plus the Clean BC Program rebates can be com bined for impressive savings.

3. They need a lot of main tenance: all heating and cooling systems require main tenance from time to time. Do not buy on-line. Buy only through a trained, registered heat pump contractor.

If you are looking for a way to save money on heating and cooling by using the most ef ficient and climate-friendly technology yet, heat pumps are the way to go, even in the north.

On behalf of the Fort St. John petroleum Association executive and the general membership. We would like to congratulate Dave Bonar and Neil Carlstrom, these two outstanding Gentlemen are this years Ivor Miller and Oilmen of the year recipients These prestigious awards are Awarded to an active member of the FSJPA who has displayed exceptional dedication and service to the Oil and Gas industry or too the Fort St. John petroleum association.

Shane Stirling presented both awards

BC HYDRO PHOTO

Construction on the Site C penstocks.

Don Pettit lives and writes in Dawson Creek.

The Queen’s faith

By John Grady

There are no adequate words of compliment that have not already been spoken, written, or referred to about Queen Elizabeth ll that can be properly added.

You do not have to be a supporter of the Monarch, but it is impossible to deny this amazing lady’s global leadership over the last 70 years. It is also impossible to deny the outpour ing of admiration, affection and love the world gave back to this special woman who has re-defined the word “service.”

It is an honour and remarkable for the Queen to have four horses of the RCMP musical ride leading the fu neral procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, where the coffin was transferred to the state hearse, taking it for final burial in King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Queen was the Honorable Chief Commissioner of the RCMP, and her love of the Musical Ride horses is well documented and current and former RCMP members like myself, as well as all Canadians, should be pleased with this decision she made.

Queen Elizabeth ll was also Head of the Church of England, and her scrip ture choices and funeral services at both Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle were an acknowledgement of her faith in Jesus Christ as she was an unapologetic believer and follower.

Interestingly, the Queen and Billy Graham, the well-known Evangelist, developed a personal relationship that started in 1955 when Prince Philip and the Queen observed Billy on television and subsequently invited him to Buck ingham Palace for a visit. At the time, Billy was in the U.K. for three weeks holding crusades and during that time they visited each other on three separ ate occasions. Over the years they met at least 12 different occasions and the Queen invited Billy to share the Gospel at both Windsor Castle and Sandring ham House.

Every Christmas Day, the Queen gave her Christmas message that was televised around the world and her messages were as good a sermon as you would want to hear. For example, in 2014 a part of her Christmas Day mes sage was the following:

“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, He stretched out His hands in love, accept ance, and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.”

Truly this amazing woman of God who served Him and the world received these words that we read in Mathew 25:23 as she met her Savior: “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John.

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF ASSENT VOTING DINOSAUR MUSEUM GRANT IN AID

given

PUBLIC NOTICE

Are you in

of grants to fund the costs of operating and development of a Dinosaur Museum in the region, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 or $0.0125/$1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?

Note: The property tax limit of $0.0125 per $1,000 is an average of rates of all classes on land and improvement to determine the maximum amount that may be raised in any one year based on that year’s net taxable assessment. The estimated residential tax rate for the rst year is $.0072 per $1000. The tax rate is applicable to improvements only.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to ALL eligible voters. Anyone quali ed to vote as either a resident, or as a non-resident property elector, may choose to vote by mail.

Requesting a Mail Ballot Package

Before 4:30pm on October 14, 2022, if you wish to vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot package in one of the following ways:

• In person, at PRRD o ces, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek or 9505 – 100th St, Fort St. John

• By email to tab.young@prrd.bc.ca

By phone to 250-784-3600 or 250-785-8084 or 1-800-660-7773.

•

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election O cer by the close of voting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is responsibility of the voter to ensure their mail ballot is received by the deadline. A mail ballot package may be returned by any of the following methods:

By mail - Delivered to Box 810 Dawson Creek V1G 4H8, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022

In person - During regular o ce hours daily, at 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, up to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2022, or at 9505 –100th Street, up to 4:30 pm on October 11, 2022

In person - At the Ovintiv Events Centre Polling Station at #1, 300 Highway 2, on October 5th, 12th, and 15th, between 8am and 8pm.

To nd out more about how to vote by mail, please call the o ce at 250 784 3200 or view the webpage at https://prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote/

VOTING DATES

quali ed electors

ADVANCE VOTING:

Wednesday October 5, 2022 and Wednesday, October 12, 2022, from 8am to 8pm (local time)

Location Ovintiv Events Centre (Mail ballots

Fort St. John Seniors

Chetwynd District O ce Tumbler Ridge

Address #1, 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek,

WHO MAY VOTE Electors may vote only once for each service. If you qualify to vote as both a resident and non-resident, you will vote as a resident. If you qualify to vote as a non resident, and own multiple properties, you may vote only once, regardless of the number of properties you own.

You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the eligibility requirements noted below, as either a resident or non-resident elector, and you will need to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

Resident elector: you may vote if you are:

• eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• a Canadian citizen, • a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before voting day,

• a resident of the Peace River Regional District, either in a municipality or in an electoral area, and

• not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non-resident property elector

If you own property in the Peace River Regional District and live somewhere else in B.C., you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are eighteen (18) years of age or older on voting day,

• are a Canadian citizen,

• have lived in BC for at least six (6) months before voting day,

• are the registered owner of real property in the Peace River Regional District that is within the service area boundary (the entire PRRD, including municipalities) for at least thirty (30) days before voting day, and

• are not disquali ed by law from voting.

Non resident voters are subject to the requirement to produce two (2) pieces of identi cation, and in addition, must provide proof that they are entitled to vote in relation to a property (ie: proof of ownership). If there is more than one registered owner of your property, written consent from the majority of the other owners will be required to authorize you to cast the one vote allowed for the property.

If voting as a Non-resident Property Elector, you are encouraged to contact the Chief Election O cer well in advance of voting day to ensure that you have all the required information prior to attending the voting place.

SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW

“Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2476, 2022”. If adopted, this bylaw will establish a new service across the entire Peace River Regional District, (PRRD) which will permit the PRRD to requisition funding through taxation to fund the service. The funds will be used to provide grants in aid to not for pro t societies developing and operating a dinosaur museum in the region.

The establishment of this service does not include the authority to borrow funds for the provision of the service.

Service Area

The Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service Area boundary is the entire Peace River Regional District, including municipalities, as shown on the attached map.

Tax Rate

The proposed maximum amount that may be requisitioned in any one year for the service, is the greater of $200,000 or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax of $0.0125/$1,000 when applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the service area. Based on current assessment values, the estimated residential tax rate in the rst year is $.0072 per $1000 of assessed value of improvements (buildings). Land will not be taxed for this proposed service.

The above is a synopsis of proposed Bylaw No. 2476, 2022, and is not intended to be, and is not to be understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected online at www.prrd.bc.ca, or at the following locations during regular business hours:

Peace River Regional District o ces 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. 9505 – 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

BC 13772 223 Rd, Goodlow, BC

15439 Frontage Road, Tomslake BC 3816 Rolla Road, Doe River, BC 107 Kelly Lake Road, Kelly Lake, BC 13514 Highway 52N, Arras, BC 8025 265 Road, Groundbirch, BC 6494 Lakeshore Drive, Moberly Lake, BC

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Please plan to show respect for other voters and elections o cials through observation of physical distancing; and if you feel unwell, you may request curbside voting upon arrival at the voting place.

Additionally, the bylaw is available during regular business hours at the municipal o ces of each member municipality of the PRRD, whose electors are also eligible to vote on this question; Dawson Creek City Hall, Fort St. John City Hall, Tumbler Ridge Town Hall, District of Taylor, District of Hudson’s Hope, Village of Pouce Coupe and District of Chetwynd, and will be posted on voting days at all voting place.

For further information on the bylaws or the assent voting process, please call:

Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Ofcer tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or Tab Young, Deputy Chief Election O cer tab.young@prrd.bc.ca (250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773)

THE ROYAL FAMILY PHOTO

Queen Elizabeth II, Christmas 2021.

CANADIAN CROWN VIA FACEBOOK

Mounties lead Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession in London.

within the Peace River Regional District, both rural and municipal residents, that Assent Voting

Grant in

Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2476,

School

PUBLIC

Surname

Raena

The City of Fort St. John

(Peace River North)

Fort St John, BC

Fort St John, BC

Fort St John, BC Baldonnel, BC

Fort St John, BC

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS:

NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING

boundaries. T

electors of the unincorporated area of TEA 5 (“rural electors”) – see the map and description of the Trustee Electoral Areas below.

VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be:

Saturday, October 15, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at Charlie Lake Elementary School 12655 Frontage Road, Charlie Lake, BC

ADVANCE VOTING will be held as follows:

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 and Wednesday, October 12, 2022 Between 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at Fort St John Seniors Hall 10908 100 Street Fort St John, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

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 set out below:

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

To register as a resident elector you must:

· be 18 years of age or older on general voting day [insert date];

· 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 the [municipality or electoral area] on the day of registration (at time of voting); and

· not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified 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 [insert date];

· 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 the [municipality or electoral area] 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 disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified 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.

▪ In addition, in order to register at time of voting:

To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature).

Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners.

An election by voting is to be held to elect one Mayor and four Councillors, and that the following persons are candidates for each of ce:

MAYOR – One (1) to be elected

Surname Usual Names Residential Address ALEXANDER Peggy 9609 Fairway Avenue, Taylor BC TAILLEFER Brent 9756 – 96 Street, Taylor BC

COUNCILLOR – Four (4) to be elected

Surname Usual Names

Residential Address DAVIES Gordon 9716 – 96 Street, Taylor BC GIESBRECHT Murray 9820 Birch Avenue East, Taylor BC GRAZIANO Desirae 10332 – 97 Street South, Taylor BC PONTO Betty 9832 – 97 Street, Taylor BC TURNBULL Michelle 9723 – 96 Street, Taylor BC

ASSENT VOTING

The Peace River Regional District will be seeking elector assent from residents living in all communities in the region, regardless of which local government election they vote in, both municipal and rural, for four proposed regional services. Formal notices regarding these assent voting opportunities have been published in local papers and may be viewed on the PRRD website –please review the information about these services prior to attending the voting place. ALL eligible voters, whether they live in a town or city, or in the country, are able to vote on the assent voting questions, even if the mayor, councillor, or electoral area director in their area was acclaimed.

Sports and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service

Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service

Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service

Regional Connectivity Service

SCAN ME:

VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS

GENERAL VOTING will be open to quali ed electors of the District of Taylor on:

Saturday, October 15, 2022 between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at the following locations:

Voting Places

1.District of Taylor Location Taylor Community Hall Address 9896 Cherry Avenue West

ADVANCE VOTING will be held as follows:

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Taylor Community Hall 9896 Cherry Avenue West, Taylor, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

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 set out below:

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

To register as a resident elector you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;

• 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 the District of Taylor 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 or assent voting 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; • 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 the District of Taylor 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 or assent voting 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.

In addition, in order to register at time of voting:

To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary.

The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners. OR

MAIL

4:00 p.m.

are voting (for

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

(lford@districtoftaylor.com):

electors),

Method of delivery of your mail ballot package:

• pick up at of ce and, if you wish, name of person you authorize to pick up package for you, OR

• regular letter mail through Canada Post to residential address, OR

• regular letter mail through Canada Post to an alternate address that you provide when requesting the ballot package, and

(5) You must indicate whether you are going to be registering as a resident or non-resident property elector.

The District will send out mail ballot packages commencing on or about September 20, 2022.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Of cer no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Chief Election Of cer

Senior citizens dance Saturday

By Ruby McBeth

On October 1, there will be a senior citizens dance at the Legion. The cost at the door is $5. Another two dollars will get you involved in the door prize draw. Country Trio has donated their live music performance for the evening with proceeds going to the poppy fund. This event was organized by Dan Davie’s daughter, Hana Davies, and her friend Venice Aspi. Another example of a thoughtful person thinking of how to make our senior years more fun.

MICRO EVENT

A “People of the Peace Museum Tour” will be held on October 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the North Peace Museum. This is another event in the Seniors Reunite micro events 2022.

Larry Evans and Heather Sjoblom will be sharing the history of settlement in our region. The tour is free and refreshments will be provided. To register or ask questions phone Laura at 250-785-8880 between 9 a.m and 2 p.m.

MODERNA’S NEW VACCINE

The latest COVID vaccine is called Spikevax Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. It was developed to target both the original strain of COVID and the Omicron variant. Shopper’s Drug Store has the new vaccine, but you have to wait for your message inviting you to get a vaccination. The Fort St. John Pharmacy says their supplies of the new vaccine will come in October. This will enable people to get both their COVID vaccination and their flu shot at the same time. The scientists continue to work to protect our health.

FALL SUPPERS

It is that season again when we can attend delicious fall suppers. Cecil Lake and Doe River each have theirs on November 5th at their community halls; Rolla as usual has a supper on November 11.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” — J. R. R. Tolkien

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

MARATHON OF HOPE — Kindergarten to Grade 6 students at Taylor Elementary were able to enjoy the sunshine and warm temperatures Thursday as they took part in their annual Terry Fox Run from the school to the community’s Participaction Trail and back. Students were shown a slide show at assembly explaining who Terry was and what his goal was.