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An ice jam on the Bulkley River in Smithers pushes up water levels, with one couple deciding to leave their Twenty Second Avenue home after water and ice creeps on to their property and threatens to block access in and out. Smithers firefighters [inset] help them and their pets make an organized evacuation and assess the precarious situation.
Chris Gareau photos
Bulkey River ice jam By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
Homeowners are busy pumping water from crawl spaces and basements near the Bulkley River and one couple decided to evacuate their home after a large ice jam formed on Christmas weekend. Smithers firefighters geared up in dry suits and RCMP responded to a call about the rising water. They left after assessing the situation and giving Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako contact information to the couple, who are staying with friends. Ice and water crept up properties along the riverbank, covering backyards and threatening access to homes as it drove up roads on Ebenezer Flats. The province said the cold temperatures mean the ice jam will likely continue to grow, causing water levels to fluctuate with the freezing. The Regional District of Bulkley
Nechako has been warning people to stay away from the river after the ice jam formed downstream of Dohler Flats. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said the jam was 17 kilometres long. Ministry staff is monitoring the situation and will alert the District if it needs to call an evacuation. Information on how to prepare for a sudden evacuation is available on the District website at www.rdbn.bc.ca. Ice jams on the Bulkley River are not all that uncommon, but Coun. Phil Brienesse, who lives near the river, says jams in December and January are very unusual. “It seems to be happening a little more often in the winter ... It’s an unusual occurrence at this time of the year,” said Brienesse. He said the east side of the river where he lives is mostly OK, with the west side taking the brunt of the minor flooding as of Monday’s press deadline.
IT’S A GIRL! Big brother Tyson, 2, and parents Jesse and Jamie welcomed Bulkley Valley New Year’s baby Kaylee Margaret de Jong at 11:32 a.m. Jan. 1st, 2016 at Bulkley Valley District Hospital in Smithers. The Telkwa girl came into the world at nine pounds three ounces and 22 inches long.
A LOOK AT JULY TO DECEMBER 2015 The second half of our year in review covers headlines in news, sports and art.
LNG POISED FOR MONUMENTAL YEAR Minister of Natural Gas Development Rich Coleman makes his case on LNG.
MOUNTIE MOUNTS FUNDING CAMPAIGN Smithers Sgt. Shaun Begg is helping Syrian refugees with ‘most Canadian photo.’
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The Interior News
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
N EWS Roi TheaTRe A look back at July to August 2015 I Star Wars The Force Awakens
July
official community plan.
Coastal GasLink signs deals with six First Nations TransCanada’s $4.8-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline project signs agreements with Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Skin Tyee Nation, Nee-Tahi-Buhn Band, Yekooche First Nation, Doig River First Nation and Halfway River First Nation. The route runs 670 kilometres from Groundbirch near Dawson Creek to the proposed LNG Canada export facility near Kitimat, and passes near a Unist-oten camp that is set up to block any pipeline from being built over the Morice River south of Houston. Airport shed, cafe deal made Smithers Regional Airport pays $70,200 per year to have a cafe run by Shilo and Chris Werrell after a contract with Bugwood Bean ran out. Council passed the deal with an ambassador role to help tourists written into the contract. Council also approved spending $646,500 on an airport shed to house equipment at the same meeting.
Wed. & Thurs: 8 • Fri. & Sat: 7:30 & 9:45 • Sat. 1 pm MATINEE, Sun. - Tues.: 8 • PG
NEWPRO reopens as pellet plant The Smithers manufacturing plant receives an environmental permit to switch to wood pellets from particle boards. It planned to hire 30-40 people. Council sent a letter to the province supporting the switch after a delegation urged a halt to industrial plant approvals until air quality issues were resolved. NEWPRO had a valid permit to continue building particle boards, but wanted to switch to pellets which it said would cut emissions by 94 per cent. That is equal to removing 5,600 wood stoves from the Bulkley Valley, which B.C.’s Ministry of Environment says is the main cause of poor air quality in the area.
Hawkair closes Smithers operations Hawkair announces it would halt daily service out of Smithers starting Aug. 1.Company president Jay Dilley said there just weren’t enough passengers after a slowdown in the mining and oil and gas sectors, Jim Davidson remembered as a Jim Davidson at the second ice sheet with WestJet also drawing many community leader grand opening. Chris Gareau photo customers to Terrace. Customer The former Smithers mayor passed service and flight attendant away at the age of 83. His daughter Kathy said people had positions in Smithers were cut. About $67,000 was lost in no trouble getting his ear. “If you went to town with dad landing and terminal fees for the airport. The company on errands, you could be a while.” also stopped Prince Rupert flights later in the year. First elected to council in 1988, Davidson served as mayor from 1990-93, 1996, and 2002-08. His legacy list Town of Smithers buys lots for future affordable housing was long and included being involved in things like helping Council approved buying lots at 3888 and 3896 Railway get special needs children integrated into the education Avenue to one day have affordable housing built. Mayor system, the airport runway expansion, partnering to Taylor Bachrach said the Town itself would not build create the Wetzin’kwa Community Forest, building of the the housing, but was in talks with other agencies like the new town hall, and championing the second sheet of ice. Smithers Action Group Association, who wants to create space for people facing barriers including mental illness Four-storey hotel proposed and addictions. An 83-room hotel is proposed to be built by Bryton Group out of Prince George and franchised as a Coast New RCMP Staff Sergeant wants bike, ski patrols Hotel on Main Street east of Highway 16. The public Staff Sgt. Rob Mitchell is back in Smithers as the new hearing was delayed and is still to happen after council detachment commander after leaving nine years ago. asked for sightline and traffic studies. The four-storey He hopes to tackle traffic infractions, substance abuse, hotel with planned water slides, and indoor and outdoor violence and communication with residents with more hot tubs would require variances because it is higher than patrols by officers on bicycles and skis. the three stories allowed under Smithers’ bylaws and See MAIN on A3
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From LOOK on A2 Main Street fire Residents of seven apartments were looking for places to stay and three family businesses were closed until they could find other locations after a major fire collapsed the roof of their two-storey building on Main Street near First Avenue. Over 35 Smithers and Telkwa firefighters battled the blaze for hours after being called out at 7:30 a.m. July 27. Investigators determined the cause as a ceiling exhaust fan and lighting unit. The damage was estimated to cost $600,000.
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August New Moricetown chief aims to change minds on LNG Chief Duane Mitchell is elected to lead the Moricetown Band council after Barry Nikal chose not to run again in the July 16 election. Among the council members who voted in favour of two multi-million dollar LNG agreements in January, Mitchell said he hopes to change minds of some of those who Firefighters battle the Main Street blaze on July 27. Chris Gareau photo oppose natural gas pipelines, projects he sees as benefitting the community in the long-term. Unitst-ot-en protest camp spokesperson Freda Huson was Shane Vangrootheest pleads guilty to 21 charges of break also elected to the band council. Seventeen people ran for and enter that occurred last November and December in chief, 78 for council. Smithers B.C. Supreme Court. Two months prior to the spree, he completed parole for 17 break and enter convictions in Longest federal campaign of the century begins 2010. He was arrested in Moricetown Dec. 13. Vangrootheest The writ is dropped and the campaign to represent Skeena- quickly confessed to RCMP, and even brought them on a tour Bulkley Valley and the rest of the country begins. Candidates of the Smithers and Telkwa homes he broke into. Nathan Cullen and Tyler Nesbitt are the first nominated for their NDP and Conservative parties respectively, with Liberal Northwest Resource Alliance meets Brad Layton, Christian Heritage Party’s Don Spratt, and the An alliance of Northwest B.C. local governments meet in Green’s Jeannie Parnell joining the race soon after. Telkwa’s Terrace Aug. 15 for the first time officially. The 21 municipal Rod Taylor is chosen to lead the CHP and runs in Ottawa. and regional governments from Vanderhoof to the coast want to negotiate revenue sharing with the province. Vangrootheest pleads guilty to 21 break-and-enters See SEPTEMBER on A4
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From MAIN on A3 September Town CAO moves on Smithers’ top administrator attends her last council meeting Aug. 25 after nine years of service. Deborah Sargent moved on to become city manager in Campbell River, B.C. Telkwa co-housing gets seed money A co-housing project four years in the making recieves $10,000 from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Birchwood Cohousing’s plan evolved from a seniors’ complex in Smithers to a multi-generational community near Tyhee Lake. The plan is for a bare land strata with privately owned lots and houses, and commonly held space and structures. No police raid as Coastal GasLink offers alternate route Rumours that RCMP were about to raid the Unist’ot’en protest camp prove to be untrue after the camp and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs released a joint statement saying they were preparing for a “large-scale RCMP mass arrest operation.” The same week, TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink LNG pipeline project president Richard Gateman said the company has an alternate route that would avoid the main camp and stay out of the southern watershed of the Morice River south of Houston. Celebrity Golf chips in $120,000 for maternity ward Local hockey superstar Dan Hamhuis — who has been volunteering with the tournament since he was a 10-yearold caddy — helped the Celebrity Golf Tournament and Hockey Game committee deliver a $120,000 cheque to the Bulkley Valley Health Care and Hospital Foundation. That money, along with money from the Hospital Auxiliary and BVHCHF, is going towards major upgrades to the Bulkley Valley District Hospital’s maternity ward. Regional District closes reuse shed Bulkley Nechako’s board voted to immediately close the reuse shed and ban salvaging at waste management facilities including the Donaldson Road transfer station near Telkwa. Directors Taylor
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Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Bachrach and Mark Fisher voted against the move while Darcy Repen voted for it after recent problems including finding used needles mixed with toys, live ammunition, prescription drugs, and reports of public urinating and defecation. Rodeo rider seriously injured Kevin Cunin of Prince George broke several ribs, punctured a lung and fractured his vertebrae when he hit the ground head-first in front of hundreds of spectators at the Bulkley Valley Exhibition. He underwent surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, with his ability to walk again in question. Pipeline workers ousted TransCanada Coastal GasLink workers abandoned their fieldwork after Unist’ot’en camp spokesperson Freda Huson asked them to leave on a back road south of Houston. The camp used its Facebook page to show a video of Huson asking the workers, who arrived by helicopter, to leave for a second time in two weeks. Chevron said it had started clearing work near the camp for its Pacific Trails Pipeline, and was not changing its route as Coastal GasLink was. Town passes rainbow crosswalk Smithers council walks into controversy by voting to paint a rainbow crosswalk on Main Street in support of the LGBTQ community, with councillors Frank Wray and Shelley Browne voting against it. Council voted after the suggestion came from local woman Anna Zeigler. Opponents wrote many letters to the editor saying it was choosing one community over many in the religious community, and saying it was not the Town’s role. Proponents said it helped the LGBTQ community feel welcome after a long history of discrimination. Wray cited the fact maintenance was not costed and choosing one cause out of many as why he voted no. Mother-daughter duo face animal cruelty charges in two provinces Houston’s Karin and Catherine Adams are charged with animal cruelty in B.C. and Alberta. Horses, dogs, birds and cats were among the animals seized. They were found guilty in Smithers court and are banned from owning animals for 20 years. The Alberta case is still before
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the courts. Campaign to bring Syrian refugees to Smithers Smithereens start a campaign to bring a Syrian family to Smithers, and are met with lots of support. The BV Refugee Sponsorship Group has an account at Bulkley Valley Credit Union and at bvsponsorship.weebly.com.
Annual General Meeting Tuesday, January 19, 2016 7pm Held at the Healthy Living Centre on Main street. Everyone Welcome!
Sportsplex turfed A lack of financial support for an indoor turf sportsplex ends the Bulkley Valley School District plan, which had committed $1.5-2 million for the $3.5-4 million project.
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Federal candidates debate Four of the five candidates for SkeenaBulkley Valley make their case at an allcandidates forum in Smithers. All minus the Green candidate took questions from a panel of media and the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, and the audience at Della Herman Theatre on topics ranging from resource development, the environment, security, and minority government coalition considerations. Conservative candidate Tyler Nesbitt showed up a day after a cyclist was seriously injured by crashing into his parked truck on the shoulder of Highway 16 near Telkwa the day before.
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Boyfriend guilty of killing CJ Fowler A jury took just five hours to find Damien Taylor of murdering Gitanmaaxraised CJ Fowler. She was 16 when Taylor used a concrete block to take her life in Kamloops in December 2012. Taylor had learned hours before the murder that Fowler was pregnant with his child. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February. Cullen an island in red wave NDP MP Nathan Cullen is reelected in Skeena-Bulkley Valley with 51 per cent of the vote as Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party wins a majority government. The NDP fell back to third-party status, with the Conservatives becoming Official Opposition and former Prime Minister Stephen Harper stepping down as party leader. Voter turnout jumped to 68.6 per cent from 57.7 per cent in 2011, paralleling a rise in voter numbers across the country. See TRIPLE on A5
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Community Calendar
To list your nonprofit coming events please drop off your listing at The Interior News, 3764 Broadway Ave., fax us at 250-847-2995, or email laura@interior-news.com. More information is available through our Online Community Calendar at www.interior-news.com. Deadline for submissions is Fridays at noon. Maximum 25 words. Limited space is available. We regret we cannot accept items over the phone. An Evening of Kirtan with Emy Berti. Wednesday, Jan. 6 @ 7 p.m, The Old Church. Kirtan chanting is sung in Sanskrit & is a way of finding our way back to the core of our heart & to our connection with each other. Tickets at door by donation. heather@changefor the good.ca. Round Lake Coffee House. Saturday, Jan. 9 @ 7:30 p.m. Mark your calendars for the first coffee house of the new year at Round Lake Hall. Guests include Theresa Mohr and Lonesome P. Dawson as well as the Telkwa Two with Ransom E. Slaughter and Jon Bjorgan and home-grown talent Tiana Wisslelink. $5 a the door and contributions to the snacks/baking table most welcome! Winter Exhibits at the BV Museum. Check out our newest exhibits: Skating Though History, Pre-Emption 1915, and our featured Artifact of the Month. We also have a scavenger hunt for kids. Admission is always free! Hours available on Facebook. Ground 2 Griddle Neighbourhood Kitchen Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. James Anglican Church Hall. SCSA 250-847-9515 to join this free life skills literacy program. Childcare provided.
BV Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Monday, 7-8:55 p.m., Smithers NWCC campus, Room 109. linden_buhr@hotmail.com. Sep. to Jun. Smithers Tai Chi Players. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Come learn Yang-style tai chi and qigong. smitherstaichi@gmail.com or 250-847-5091. BV Genealogical Society meets the last Tuesday every month, Sunshine Inn meeting room, 7 p.m. Guest speakers and programs are presented to assist family root researchers. All welcome. Evelyn Community Association meetings first Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., Evelyn Hall. New members welcome. Legion Meat Draws every Friday 6-7 p.m. and Saturday 3-4:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Free Adult One-on-One Tutoring for Math, English, GED, driving and more. Visit SCSA or 250-847-9515. Brown Bag Lunch Thursday, Jan. 14, noon, Smithers Healthy Living Centre. Dr. Don Chinnick talking about Understanding Pain and Body Function. 250877-4424.
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Wet’suwet’en elders Irene Brown (Dzeeh), Henry Alfred (Watahk’eght), Katherine Naziel (Ts’ilhnan), Frank Alec Jr. (Dunen) and Moricetown Health director Ron Mitchell (Hagwilneghl) cut the ribbon to the $2.7-million Moricetown Health Centre Nov. 13. Alicia Bridges photo From SEPTEMBER on A4 Triple deletion condemned Premier Christy Clark ordered all cabinet ministers and their staff to keep all emails until new procedures are in place to decide what is necessary for public record and freedom of information requests. The order came after B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner condemned the widespread practice of “triple deleting” emails so they were not stored in daily computer backups. Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said records were intentionally destroyed to avoid public release, including records related to meetings in communities like Smithers discussing Highway 16 safety. The RCMP were called in to investigate Transportation Ministry staffer George Gretes, who resigned. November Flag flap leads to sign bylaw review Sign on Main Street business Sedaz Lingerie lead to a review of the sign bylaw and consideration of what “alpine theme” means. Smithers council and Downtown Merchants Association president Corina Brewer both said most business owners were not aware they were breaking the rules. Each offence is supposed to carry a $5,000 fine. Council voted to put a freeze on enforcement while it surveys the community on how to rewrite the bylaw, except for signs that are a hazard for pedestrians or sidewalk maintenance, of which the Town said Sedaz still is. New Moricetown health centre A celebration is held in Moricetown at the launch of a new $2.7-million health centre. The new building established by the band and with funding from the First Nations Health Authority houses 15 already hired staff. A nurse practitioner and assistant was also to be hired in partnership with Northern Health so the centre could offer most of the services of a doctor’s office and lower the need for drives to Smithers. The centre replaces a number of trailers and offices.
Northern Gateway should be dead: Cullen With new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issuing a mandate letter that included formalizing a moratorium on crude oil tanker traffic of B.C.’s north coast, the NDP’s new Environment and Climate Change critic believes Enbridge’s Northern Gateway oil pipeline is dead. “I can’t see a scenario in which [Trudeau’s] able to wiggle out of that,” said Cullen, who also took the Democratic Reform portfolio. December Crime spree prompts more patrols Smithers RCMP permanently increases patrols of the Main Street area after seven downtown businesses are broken into overnight Nov. 23, with two more attempted break-ins. A transient male suspect was arrested in Whitehorse on Nov. 27 after five break-ins there. He was suspected of similar crimes in Prince Rupert. Huckleberry Mine lays off 20 Huckleberry Mine lays off 20 workers and considers a temporary shut down as copper prices plummet. The open pit mine 88 kilometres from Houston has about 250 employees, and has enough minerals to operate until 2022 after opening in 1997. Hen bylaw passes Smithers council feels it did not lay an egg after passing animal control and zoning bylaw changes that allow residents to raise up to six laying hens in town. Highway 16 transport plan Security webcams and co-funding for communities to launch or expand their own public transit systems were among the measures included in the province’s $3-million transportation plan for Highway 16 announced Dec. 14. It came after a symposium held in Smithers. Grants for First Nations driver education and communities to purchase and operate vehicles are also being offered.
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2015-12-10 2:21 PM
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The Interior News
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Published by Black Press Ltd. 3764 Broadway Avenue, Smithers BC V0J 2N0
2010
Web poll
Publisher Grant Harris, Editor Chris Gareau CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2014
Do you like MP Nathan Cullen’s idea of holding a referendum on how we elect members of Parliament after trying a new system for an election or two?
No 65%
Yes 35%
Passages of 2015: Stephen Harper I
GUEST VIEW Tom Fletcher
first met Stephen Harper when he was running for the Canadian Alliance leadership in 2002. Speaking to a group of Fraser Valley members concerned that the party had split over the leadership of Stockwell Day, Harper didn’t mince words because a local reporter had showed up on a Saturday morning. He explained his prediction that no matter who leads the conservative movement started by Preston Manning, the national media would work
against it. “The press is owned by big-L liberals and staffed by small-L liberals,” Harper said. “Preston was too cerebral; Stock was not cerebral enough. I’m not sure where I will be, but the media will always be on the other side.” Harper’s cold war with national media is a theme that runs through his decade as prime minister, peaking in 2015 with the most slanted election coverage I’ve ever witnessed. The celebration continues over Justin Trudeau’s victory, with the supposedly non-partisan federal bureaucracy cheering along with much of the national media. Harper’s assessment of major newspaper ownership is
no longer accurate, except for the Toronto Star. But the dying tradition of owners looking up from their accounting ledgers to endorse a political party continued, with the Postmedia chain and the Globe and Mail pointing out that Trudeau’s rash promises didn’t add up. Endorsements were a brief interruption in the media assault on Harper’s record. His government’s plan to welcome 10,000 refugees, unveiled way back in January 2015, was portrayed as heartless and feeble, while Trudeau’s 25,000 by Christmas represented the generous character of the true Canada. As it turns out, the Liberals have been hard pressed to reach even the 10,000 mark. But they’ve put out a rash new promise to make it 50,000 at some point in the future, so the media’s new-found message of sunshine, hope and change continues. Those modest $10 billion annual deficits that Trudeau promised, and Harper warned against? Borrowing and spending will far exceed that, but we’re assured that’s because they were based on inflated Conservative financial forecasts. In fact, independent private sector forecasts are now the key reference for government budgets at the federal and provincial level. None of them predicted the further slump in energy prices that continued through 2015. And cooking the books before an election isn’t really possible any more, thanks to the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office. That was a Harper
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innovation, along with scheduled elections. And that Trudeau pledge to raise taxes on the wealthiest Canadians and use the proceeds to finance a tax cut for the middle class? That one didn’t add up either. For one thing, wealthy people have a variety of legal ways to reduce their taxable income. Here’s an actual front-page headline from the Globe and Mail, reporting this unfortunate fact, well after the election: “The way Liberals gauged response to new tax rate explains gap.” So it was just an understandable oversight, you see. Trudeau’s star turn in Paris, where he pronounced that “Canada is back” in the battle to control the world’s weather? The official submission from his bloated delegation to the UN climate meetings was actually the existing Conservative plan, which includes phasing out coal-fired electricity generation. Harper generally represented a preference for the individual over the state, a concept that at one time was known as “liberalism.” This was illustrated by his preference for parents rather than a nanny state to administer child care. He advocated free trade, small government and low taxes. We’ll see how that legacy survives the new government and its media cheering section. Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @ tomfletcherbc • ESTABLISHED APRIL 13, 1907 • MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCIL
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The Interior News
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L ETTERS
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LNG happening, poised for monumental year B
ritish Columbia’s liquefied natural gas industry made unprecedented progress this year. The first final investment decision was made by Pacific NorthWest LNG, marking their commitment to move forward with construction and operation. That pledge had two conditions; with the first requiring government to finalize a project UEST IEW development agreement with them, which we did. Minister Rich Coleman The other outstanding condition — environmental approval by the Government of Canada — is scheduled for a decision in 2016. I am confident that progress will continue and Pacific NorthWest LNG will finalize their investment in the new-year, in addition to other LNG proponents coming forward with their decisions. That could all happen while the expansion of FortisBC’s Tilbury LNG facility continues in Delta which has already provided $50 million in contract work to over 100 companies in neighbouring communities like Vancouver, Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, and more. These are positive developments for just three of the 20 facilities now proposed in our province. Other exciting news included LNG Canada finalizing the very first substituted environmental assessment in our province, keeping their proposal on track to be one of B.C.’s most promising export operations. The progress made in B.C. in the last year is remarkable because these are challenging times in the industry, for
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reasons beyond our control. Global prices have fallen since we launched our LNG Strategy and just as companies are considering making huge investments — some of the largest in Canadian history. But here’s what’s important to remember: B.C. is in this for the long-term. That’s why we’re taking actions on our end to ensure B.C. is globally competitive and an attractive place to invest. If you were to listen to the critics — the ‘scrooges’ of economic development — they would tell you that progress has stalled and government should relinquish the BC Jobs Plan’s ambitious goals for growth and market diversification. Those pessimists, to be frank, are short-sighted; reluctant to admit LNG is making progress, creating jobs and securing long-term prosperity for all of us. In fact, if just five facilities are built, we know the benefits are significant, including over 100,000 jobs. To date, industry has invested more than 20 billion dollars to advance development. The prospects of a stronger future are most evident in First Nations communities where access to new skills training and environmental stewardship programs are materializing. We are inking agreements with financial benefits — both immediate and long-term — that are making a difference in communities that have been on the periphery of economic development for far too long. Many First Nations are leading the charge as well. The Haisla Nation has been active in the Kitimat area for many years. Cedar LNG is another recent proposal that could move forward by partnerships owned directly by the Haisla Nation. In 2016, we are poised to take even greater steps forward. The B.C. government is negotiating project development agreements with proponents, working with First Nations to further strengthen environmental stewardship, and partnering with trades associations to increase skills training. Thousands of jobs are being created and our first
commitment is to have British Columbians ready for them. We are confident Pacific NorthWest LNG will confirm its financial commitment — the largest private-sector investment in British Columbia — as a hallmark operation which will keep B.C.’s natural gas sector flourishing for decades. Contract opportunities will increase, providing companies with long-term security and the ability to expand their businesses. These are only a handful of developments that will be highlighted during our annual international conference in Vancouver, Oct. 12-14 - the fourth year we will host the energy industry’s most influential people and discuss B.C.’s burgeoning role in the global marketplace. We [were just] in the midst of the holiday season. This time of year we need to be thankful for what we have. Our province is fortunate to have reliable access to energy and the quality of life it provides us. Many other countries, including developing areas of Asia, are not as fortunate. Exporting our natural gas — the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel — can, and will, help Asian countries improve their standard of living and provide others with a dependable source of clean energy for decades to come. Our government was ambitious about LNG from the day the BC Jobs Plan was released in 2011, when only a few export proposals were considered. In a few short years our prospects have increased exponentially. We are building a new, long-term industry in British Columbia. The benefits are far-reaching and despite what ‘Scrooge’ claims, the opportunity has arrived, and it’s only just beginning. For more highlights about the LNG industry’s progress, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/FS_BC_LNG_ accomplishments_EOY_2015.pdf Rich Coleman is B.C. Minister of Natural Gas Development
Agriculture policy needed for BC grown food
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ll indications are that the trend for increasing food prices will continue in the coming year. University of Guelph researchers found the average Canadian household spent an additional $325 on food in 2015 and will spend an additional $345 in 2016. Some of this has to do with the low Canadian dollar — 81 per cent of VIEW FROM THE all fruit and vegetables are imported in Canada. LEGISLATURE But climate change is also MLA Doug Donaldson having an impact with meat prices rising 5 per cent last year and expected to increase another 4.5 per cent in 2016 with drought conditions causing feed and other inputs to skyrocket. In B.C., we had the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture composed of Government and Official Opposition MLAs as one forum in the legislature to address topics associated with food production in the
Your
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province. and to strengthen applied research and education Unfortunately the standing committee was disbanded programming for agriculture and food systems. 14 years ago by the BC Liberals. The full report can be found on the Official In response to public interest in having a bipartisan Opposition website and if you would like a hardcopy forum to discuss agriculture policy in the province, the you can contact the Stikine MLA offices in Smithers Official Opposition initiated the re-establishment of or Hazelton. the committee through our agriculture spokesperson It is well worth the read as we enter 2016 knowing that Lana Popham. BC food production will become even more important Although the BC Liberals refused the offer to join if we want reasonably priced, healthy, provinciallythe committee or officially reinstate it, we formed the grown food available at our local stores. committee anyway with five BC NDP members and one independent MLA appointed. Doug Donaldson is MLA for Stikine. The committee toured the province in 2015 and delivered their first report on the last day of the fall session. Based on the written and oral presentations they received, committee members focused their recommendations in two broad categories: existing policy in need of improvement and policy in need of Letters to the editor policy new direction. Letters are welcomed up to a maximum of 250 words. Letters are subject to editing for Among the recommendations clarity, brevity and legality. All letters must include the writer’s name, daytime telephone are ones to reduce transportation number and hometown for verification purposes. Anonymous, or pen names will not be costs for food produced in B.C., to permitted. Not all submissions will be published. Letters may be e-mailed to: editor@ interior-news.com. increase food production capacity in the province, to support new farmers
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LIQUIDATING ASSETS A Scotiabank customer uses the ATM as cleaners work to suck up the water that burst through the bank at the mall, leaking onto the parking lot Sunday night. Temperatures dipping below minus 20 may have played a role.
Sat., Jan. 9
TOWN OF SMITHERS PUBLIC NOTICE OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS - 2016 Public notice is hereby given by the Town of Smithers, pursuant to Section 127 of the Community Charter, of Regular Council meeting dates and times for the year 2016. Regular Council meetings are held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, with some exceptions: • There will only be one Council meeting in September, occurring on the second Tuesday. • There will only be one Council meeting in December, occurring on the second Tuesday. Regular Council meetings will commence at 6:30 pm at the Smithers Town Office, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers BC.
Kitimat Arena Puck Drop 7:30 pm
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Proof of age (original birth certificate) & BC Care Card must be presented at the time of registration. Registration in regular school programs should take place at a resident’s neighbourhood school (see list below). If you have any other questions, please call your neighbourhood elementary school.
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Lake Kathlyn Elementary 7620 Highway 16 West Smithers, BC 250-847-9427
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Telkwa Elementary 1000 Hankin Avenue Telkwa, BC 250-846-5851
Muheim Memorial Elementary 3659 – 3rd Avenue Smithers, BC 250-847-2688
Bulkley Valley Education Connection 7620 Highway 16 West Smithers, BC 250-847-9427
Silverthorne Elementary 3455 – 13th Avenue Houston, BC 250-845-2228
Twain Sullivan Elementary 1771 Hungerford Drive Houston, BC 250-845-2227
S PORTS
The Interior News
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
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Sports review: July to December 2015 July Local rower returns with two golds from Pan Am Games Antje Von Seydlitz returned from the Pan Am Games in Toronto with two gold medals. The first came in the double sculls event. Von Seydlitz and Kerry Shaffer, from Welland, Ont., finished the women’s double sculls in seven minutes 13.01 seconds. The second medal came in the quad sculls, where Von Seydlitz and her teammates finished almost nine seconds ahead of the other teams. Cormac Hikisch wins Babine Mountain Run Cormac Hikisch wins the full marathon, coming in at 4:43:27, while Alex Buri wins the half-marathon with 1:57:00. Kira Hoffman wins the Women’s Half, coming in at 2:31:55. Participants of the Babine Mountain Run sped through arduous terrain of McCabe and Lyon Creek Trails in the Babine Mountains Provincial Park that had steep descents and inclines. August Local pitcher wins bronze Playing with the Sooke Storm, local softball player Logan Groves went to Regina to compete in the Western Canadian championship and won a bronze. Para-swimmer takes silver, sets record
Tony and Dave Dreger captivate at the Moricetown Mud Races in July with Ghost Rider. Jonathan Dieleman brought home a silver in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke and set the Parapan Am Games record time of 54.57 seconds. He took third in the mixed 4x50-metre freestyle relay, seventh in the 150-metre individual medley, and ninth in 50-metre freestyle. He now hopes to go to the Paralympics in Rio de Janiero. Legends in Smithers for Celebrity Golf Tournament and Hockey Game The Hanson brother goons and local hockey hero Dan Hamhuis are among the celebrities who played for legendary defenceman Bobby Orr’s team during the Celebrity Hockey Game. The game and Celebrity Golf Tournament also included local Stanley Cup winner Joe Watson. The event raised money for an upgrade to the maternity ward at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital. Organizers are taking a year off to plan another tournament for 2017.
Smithers golfer gets American college coaches’ attention Golfer Adam Veenstra, 17, swung his way to a strong finish in Pendleton, Ore. The PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship challenged Veenstra but he made it through to the round of 16, just three stages below the finals, and he says that got him a lot of attention from American colleges and universities hoping to recruit up-and-coming golfers. In November, he confirmed that he Dan Hamhuis gets tips from legend Bobby Orr during the Celebrity has committed to playing with California State Hockey tournament in August. Chris Gareau photo University, Chico.
At participating McDonald’s® restaurants in Canada. ©2015 McDonald’s
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Smithers Bike Park officially opens The Smithers Mountain Bike Association officially opened a new mountain bike skills park on Railway Avenue. Mayor Taylor Bachrach helped cut the ribbon on Aug. 23. September Disc golf’s season finale The 11th Ranger Park Disc Golf Tournament saw Jamie Cramer emerge as the winner of the Championship division with a score of 76, playing against the most seasoned disc golfers. Byron Turner took second with a score of 78, while Bulkley Valley Disc Golf Association president Ben Anderson took third with 89. Ken White won in the Amateur division after winning a tiebreaker against Steven Tworow, while Ari Rath Jenne, 9, won in the Youth division. The Women’s division saw the largest number of participants, with Melissa Storie winning it. Mountain biking season finale Mountain biking had its season finale with bikers out at the final race of the year. The chilly morning saw 17 bikers race in Upchuck 2 and Upchuck 3. Upchuck 2 involved racing uphill on the Longway, Remembrance Day and Broken Axe trails to a point called The Lookout. Riders would then regroup and race downhill in Upchuck 3. Peter Krause won the Men’s Open and was the fastest man up and down the race course. Katie VonGaza won the Women’s while Eric Dufresne won in the Masters category. See OCTOBER on A10
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Wednesday, January 6, 2016
S PORTS From REVIEW on A9
October Hudson Bay Mountain Resort president resigns The President of Hudson Bay Mountain Resort (HBMR), Gary Mathiesen, announced the immediate resignation of Alfredo Hermano from his role as a director and officer of both HBMR and Hudson Bay Mountain Estates. Hermano made his decision in light of his other business activities in the region, according to an emailed statement from Hudson Bay Mountain. Steelheads win four matches and lose one in October The Steelheads won once against the Terrace River Kings, Quesnel Kangaroos, Lac La Hache Tomahawks and the Kitimat Demons. They lost once to Terrace. SSS Griffons boys’ rugby team crowned zone champs The Smithers Secondary School Griffons boys’ rugby team defeated Prince Rupert’s team to take the Northern Zones 7’s Rugby Zone Champion title in a Burns Lake tournament held Oct. 17. November Steelheads lose two matches and win one in November The Steelheads lost against Kitimat and Terrace, but rebounded at the third game of the month, winning 6-3 against Kitimat on Nov. 28. Coach Tom DeVries attributed the losses to good goaltending on the part of their opponents. SSS senior boys win third in provincial crosscountry run
Smithers Secondary School seniors boys took third at the BC High School Cross-Country Championship held in Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver on Nov. 7. Consisting of one Grade 12 and six Grade 11 students, the team competed against 28 teams from around the province. They scored 103 points with an average time of 26:35.06 on the 6.9-kilometre course. They lost to two Victoria teams: Oak Bay High School, which had 40 points and an average time of 25:23.86, and Reynolds Secondary School, which earned 68 points and ran an average time of 25:48.87.
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Smithers to host minor hockey Bantam Tier 3 provincial championship Teams from all around the province will converge in Smithers for the Bantam Tier 3 provincial championship this Mar. 13-18. Ski Cross Nationals coming back It is announced Smithers will host the Ski Cross Nationals again March 15-19 — with a lot more lead time than last season when organizers had less than a week to get things ready when Prince George proved too dry to host the big event. It was also announced the BC Snowboard Provincial Series is coming Jan 22-24. Smithers was even in the running for the Ski Cross World Junior Championships, missing it by one vote to Val Thorens, France.
Kitimat LNG Community Notice Please be advised of the following tentative schedule of activity in your region:
• Monitoring work to maintain ongoing environmental compliance For more information please email KitimatLNGfeedback@chevron.com chevron.ca/KitimatLNG
December Steelheads finish games for 2015 The Steelheads are now standing with nine wins and three losses. They lost twice to the Terrace River Kings and once against the Kitimat Ice Demons.
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Officer helps refugees with ‘most Canadian photo’ By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
Smithers RCMP Sgt. Shaun Begg is raising funds for Syrian refugees and help renovate the arena in Kaslo, the small West Kootenay community where he was last stationed before moving to the Bulkley Valley with his young family in July. He and photographer Rick Wiltse are selling a photo taken in March that went viral on social media — where many called the scene of the then-corporal dressed in his red serge playing hockey on a mountain glacial lake “the most Canadian photo ever” — to raise the funds. The RCMP gave permission to take the photo, but it is a personal initiative of the two. “It struck a chord with obviously a lot of Canadians. We were committed to ensuring the photo continued not for personal gain but for a charitable
or humanitarian purpose,” explained Begg. They decided on the arena because of its importance to the small community, as arenas are for small towns across Canada. Helping Syrian refugees was an idea that came as news of the crisis in that part of the world started dominating the news. “Canadians, we help people right? So lets do something on the humanitarian scale and see if we could raise some money for the refugees coming to Canada who have nothing,” said Begg. “We were fulfilling our dream of being able to live here, being a Mountie, playing hockey, etcetera; and the Syrians, 25,000 that are coming here have nothing and there dream is to get to Canada ... I said let’s help where we can.” Prints can be purchased at kasloarena.ca/most-canadian-photo- This scene with Smithers Sgt. Shaun Begg has been called ‘the most Canadian photo ever.’ Rick Wiltse photo ever/.
Yoga teacher’s resolution solution Getting fit a grand idea
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By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
Getting fit and finding ways to take stress out of one’s life is a common New Year’s resolution. Linda Kusleika hopes to help people follow through with those self promises starting with a free session of restorative yoga Jan. 13 at the Ranger Park Building. Kusleika said she was certified as a Iyengar instructor after training for seven years and teaching yoga for 15 years in Smithers. She’s been practising yoga for over three decades, and stresses restorative yoga is a great way to relieve, well, stress. “The way I got into yoga was for a workout and to stretch tight areas. It was all about the body,” said Kusleika. “But now it’s for the spiritual connection; it interests me a lot more.” She said poses can
Linda Kusleika in the ‘legs up the wall’ pose.
Chris Gareau photo
be modified for people suffering injuries. “You’re not sitting on the sidelines,” said Kusleika. People of all ages can take part, which Kusleika said is evident by 76-yearold Father Joe Perera’s visit to Terrace in September. The internationally known Jesuit yoga teacher showed Kusleika and other yoga enthusiasts plenty of what
she described as “self care poses” that help with aches and pains from everything like headaches to back pain. “It’s incredibly stress relieving,” said Kusleika. The session at Ranger Park runs from 7-8:30 p.m. People can sign up by calling the town office at 250-847-1600. Kusleika can be reached at wellbeing2@ telus.net.
ow has it been so far? I mean the New Year. Did you make a resolution or two? After all, we do have something we need to fix or get rid of. Don’t we? I don’t make resolutions. Not because I don’t have flaws needing a fix, it is because I do have issues I should deal with. There is only so much time in a day. The regular resolution topics are lose weight, get in shape, save money, quit smoking. One year I did suggest to myself that I should resolve not to swear anymore. Then I said to myself “@##$***.” So SPICE there you go, so much for a resolution. You know for sure the folks in charge of OF LIFE manipulating our post holiday minds would like Brenda Mallory us to lose weight or get in shape. Losing weight suggestions will come in many forms. Take a powder, eat this, follow a certain program, join a group, have surgery or get the offending blubber sucked away. Nuts to that deal. Now to the getting in shape idea. I do think that is a grand idea. You will notice a bevy of advertisements suggesting you use certain machine. There are the really big contraptions that should work all parts of your body. Then of course there are a few smaller items that you can roll on the floor or others you can stretch to do something. After all the activity, we are told we will have rippling, defined abs. Not so much for women of course. Men — a different story. You will see younger male specimens with Michelin man ripply stomachs. I have seen an occasional naked man in my day (at a beach not in my house). Not recently for sure, but never, never did I see one of those bodies. All well and good I suppose, but I have to ask you one thing: Why are those young bodies hairless? If you ask me — and I know you didn’t, I think if I were a younger person I would prefer to see a hairy chest covering a less defined body. Cancel any tattoos as well if you please. I’m just saying. See MAYBE on A12
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ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the purchase or lease of a 2016 Equinox LS FWD and to the purchase or finance of a 2015 Cruze LS 1SA and 2015 Silverado 2500HD/3500HD WT 2WD with gas engines. License, insurance, registration, administration fees, dealer fees, PPSA and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer order or trade may be required. * Offer valid to eligible retail lessees in Canada who have entered into a lease agreement with GM Financial and accept delivery between January 5 and January 11, 2016 of a new or demonstrator 2016 model year Chevrolet model excluding Chevrolet Colorado 2SA. General Motors of Canada will pay two biweekly lease payments as defined on the lease agreement (inclusive of taxes and any applicable pro-rata amount normally due at lease delivery as defined on the lease agreement). After the first two biweekly payments, lessee will be required to make all remaining scheduled payments over the remaining term of the lease agreement. PPSA/RDPRM is not due. Consumer may be required to pay Dealer Fees. Insurance, license, and applicable taxes not included. Additional conditions and limitations apply. GM reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice. See dealer for details. ¥ Purchase price includes $750 Owner Cash (tax inclusive) and a cash credit of $4,200 and applies to new 2016 Equinox LS FWD models at participating dealers in Canada. Purchase price of $24,795 excludes license, insurance, registration, dealer fees and taxes. Dealer may sell for less. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details. ^ Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles delivered between January 5 and January 11, 2016. 0% purchase financing offered on approved credit by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank for 84 months on all new or demonstrator 2015 Spark, Sonic, Cruze LS 1SA, Malibu (except LS), Volt, Impala, Camaro, Trax, Equinox LS AWD, Traverse, Colorado 2WD, Silverado 1500 Double Cab 2WD WT / Crew Cab 2WD WT and Silverado HD’s WT 2WD with gas engine. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Down payment, trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Example: $40,000 at 0% APR, the monthly payment is $476.19 for 84 months. Cost of borrowing is $0, total obligation is $40,000. Offer is unconditionally interest-free. Freight and air tax ($100, if applicable) included. License, insurance, registration, PPSA, applicable taxes and dealer fees not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. ‡ $1,500 is a combined credit consisting of $500 Owner Cash (tax inclusive) and $1,000 manufacturer to dealer finance cash (tax exclusive) for a 2015 Cruze which is available for finance offers only and cannot be combined with special lease rates and cash purchase. † $3,500/$12,000 is a combined credit consisting of $500/$1,000 Owner Cash (tax inclusive) and a $3,000/$11,000 manufacturer to dealer cash credit (tax exclusive) for a 2015 Cruze/Silverado HD Double Cab with gas engine (except WT 2WD), which is available for cash purchases only and cannot be combined with special lease and finance rates. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are foregoing this $3,000/$11,000 credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. Discounts vary by model. †† Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any model year 1999 or newer car that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2015 or 2016 model year Chevrolet car, SUV, crossover and pickups models delivered in Canada between January 5 and January 11, 2016. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $500 credit available on Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Volt, Camaro, Trax; $750 credit available on other Chevrolets (except Colorado 2SA, Silverado Light Duty and Heavy Duty); $1,000 credit available on Chevrolet all Silverado’s. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. μ The Chevrolet Equinox received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact SUVs in a tie in the proprietary J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM. Study based on responses from 84,367 U.S. new-vehicle owners, measuring 244 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of U.S. owners surveyed in February-May 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. ¥¥ Based on GM Testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. ~ Visit onstar.ca for coverage maps, details and system limitations. Services and connectivity may vary by model and conditions. OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity is available on select vehicle models and in select markets. Customers will be able to access OnStar services only if they accept the OnStar User Terms and Privacy Statement (including software terms). OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. After the trial period (if applicable), an active OnStar service plan is required. ‡‡ Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). ** The 2-Year Scheduled Lube-Oil-Filter Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada, who have purchased or leased a new eligible 2015 MY Chevrolet (excluding Spark EV), with an ACDelco® oil and filter change, in accordance with the oil life monitoring system and the Owner’s Manual, for 2 years or 40,000 km, whichever occurs first, with a limit of four (4) Lube-Oil-Filter services in total, performed at participating GM dealers. Fluid top offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc. are not covered. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ^^ Whichever comes first. See dealer for details.
C OMMUNITY Maybe just do the best you can
A12 www.interior-news.com Wednesday, January 6, 2016
From GRAND on A11
We are lucky in this area to have a lot of things a person can do to stay in shape. I spoke to a reader yesterday who uses the pool facilities. She is in her 80s and looks pretty good. We have the Curves group. Those clients look very fit as well. Of course there is a gym where you can fight for fitness, skiing, snowboarding, etc. Can’t make it to another place for a great body? You can do a lot for yourself in your own home. Get a set of stretch exercise bands. A set of hand weights, a stationary
FIRST MONTH’S PAYMENT
OR
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bike. Those bikes are great. I have had one for years. I don’t use it but it does work really well for hanging clothes on. If you are older, don’t think it is a given that you will end up with a six pack set of abs. Our body compositions have changed over the decades. Some parts are a little lower, a little softer and a bit wider. Do the best you can. Maybe that is the resolution for this year: Just do the best you can. Give me a call at 250-846-5095 or email mallory@bulkley.net.
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Notice of Community Survey for the Sign Bylaw Review
The Town of Smithers has launched a Sign Bylaw Review process starting with a Community Survey available on the Town’s website at www.smithers.ca or directly on Survey Monkey by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YXBHTD5 . Hard copies of the survey can be obtained from the Town Office, 1027 Aldous Street, Monday through Friday (except holidays), 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Surveys are to be completed on or before January 25th, 2016. PUBLIC INPUT: All Community Members are invited to participate in the Sign Bylaw Review Process; keeping in mind the following important Dates (please note dates may change in 2016): Community Survey December 10th, 2015 – January 25th, 2016 Downtown Signage Tours: • January 19th, 2016 12noon at Bovill Square; • January 21st, 2016 4pm at Bovill Square. CONTACT: For further information please contact Liliana Dragowska, Planner, at (250) 847-1600 or ldragowska@smithers.ca. (first of three notices)
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The Interior News
www.interior-news.com
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
A13
What a show in 2015: July-Dec Art Gallery hosts de Lutti and Weymar The Smithers Art Gallery showcased large, dramatic oil paintings of Italian artist Pierluigi de Lutti juxtaposed with the delicate, incredibly intricate works of Diana Buri Weymar.Formerly a primarily abstract painter, de Lutti’s themes have changed in recent years as a result of his stays in Canada — he spends the summers on Lake Kathlyn — transitioning to a more figurative, pictorial style inspired by the pristine natural environment around him. Diana Buri Weymar’s work is concerned with the narrative quality of objects as it relates to memory, hand-building, text-making and nature. Knorr recreates salmon returning to breeding ground in Art Gallery Local artist Lori Knorr hosted her felted wool works detailing the journey of migrating salmon at the Smithers Art Gallery. Her art was concerned about the impacts of pipelines in the area and this inspired her to create The Salmon Journey. She enlisted the help of attendees of the Kispiox Valley Music Festival in getting her pieces done and hosted two workshops to continue creating pieces for the display. Scandinavian cellist Hans Nygaard treats Smitherens to music concert
Scandinavian cellist Hans Nygaard treated a Smithers crowd to a collaborative concert with Smithers musician Roxi Dykstra. One of the most successful cellists to come out of Scandinavia in recent years, the concert at the Old Church Aug. 12 invited attendees to witness his electric performance style and passion for classical music with Dykstra on the piano. Nygaard, who is a regular soloist in European orchestras including the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, recently relocated to Prince George from London, England to start a music school. Bulkley Valley Exhibition wows crowd More than 16,000 people passed through the gates to the 2015 Bulkley Valley Exhibition. The 96th annual Fall Fair had an expanded loggers’ sports area. Telkwa Barbecue brings fun for all Prism, Honeymoon Suite, Aaron Pritchett and Brett Kissel performed to a crowd of hundreds as headliners of the BBQ. The demolition derby took cars from roadworthy to smash-worthy. The baseball tournament drew 24 Brett Kissel plays at the Telkwa Barbecue. His performance attracted a teams from Haida Gwaii to Prince George. large crowd on the last day of the event. Xuyun Zeng photo See TV on A14
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The Interior News
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
A&E From SHOW on A13
New TV channels Smithers gets new over-the-air TV channels for the first time in almost 30 years when the Smithers TV Rebroadcasting Society converts its Hudson Bay Mountain tower to a digital format. Four free channels are currently available in Smithers: CTV, Global News, CFTK and the Knowledge Network. The Society voted to add Discovery, TV Ontario and the Family Channel, but they could be changed depending on feedback from viewers. Main Street becomes an art canvass Northwest Arts Festival participants got treated to an interactive project. Entitled Into the Current, the project saw people walking down Main Street behind a corrugated-plastic fish, leading participants from Heritage Square to the Alpenhorn, Bugwood Bean, and finally ending at Bovill Square. The four exhibits combined sound, visuals and activities to spur the viewer’s imaginaton. It was a collaboration between artists and students. Roleplayers go to Tir Bannog People from the Shire of Cold Keep (Prince George), the Kingdom
of Avacal (Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Territories) and Cae Mor (Kitimat) gathered in the castle in Tir Bannog (Quick) to attend the 19th Feast of St. Crispins, an event hosted by the local branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Home Concerts back in Smithers Once a month, Mike Sawyer’s living room becomes a lively concert venue. Musicians from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia converge onto the Twelfth Avenue home to perform to about 30 guests. Sawyer hosts these concerts through the Home Routes program. Art Gallery lauded for inclusiveness Community Living BC awarded the Smithers Art Gallery for being inclusive of people with disabilities and of all abilities.
Wet’suwet’en drum and dance group. Burns Lake artist paints for a brighter future A Burns Lake artist will paint a picture for every 25 kilometres from Prince George to Haida Gwaii to raise money for programs that will help people with low income. In total, Rene Jaspers hopes to put out 40 paintings by next October that will fund her Highway of Hope Foundation which hopes to empower people with low income. Jaspers hopes to sell each painting for $1,200, and this money will go towards her three-step plan to help people with low income. Jaspers first plans to use the money to fund workshops on preventing violence. Alex Cuba wins Latin Grammy, nominated for Grammy Fresh from winning another Latin Grammy for Best Singer-Songwriter Album in November, Smithers artist Alex Cuba has also been nominated for Best Latin Pop Album in 2016’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Dancers of Damelahamid come to Smithers The Bulkley Valley Concert Association brought the Dancers of the Damelahamid to the Della Herman Theatre, whose performance incorporated Sponsored Gitxsan traditional masked dance. They performed alongside Ewk Hiyah Hozdli, a local
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ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are familiar with the expression, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” This week you have bitten off a project that is just too much to chew. Enlist some help.
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GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may not know where your path is taking you, but you are fully aware that an adventure is in store. Take some time to prepare for the unknown that lies ahead. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Learning from your mistakes can help you to grow, Cancer. Accept a challenge presented to you this week, even if it scares you. You may find it’s not so challenging after all. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, many opportunities are within reach, but you are just not sure which way to go. Seek advice from Pisces when you get a spare moment. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, no one will know what you’re like deep inside unless you share a few secrets. You don’t have to give everything away, but let some information slip out.
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SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you never shy away from a challenge, but you also know when to pick your battles. If something arises this week that seems a waste of time, pass it by. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, when a past conflict pops up this week, push it aside. It is better to focus on the positive things that are in store for you rather than problems from the past. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish something, Aquarius. As you have proven time and again, you simply need to set a goal in your sights to get things done. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, when you love someone, it can be difficult to step aside and let that person make his or her own mistakes. Be patient.
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SMITHERS UNITED CHURCH Sunday 10:00 AM Worship & Children’s Program
At the corner of Queen St. & 8th smithersunited@telus.net
250-847-3333
Bethel Reformed Church Welcomes you to worship with us 10 am & 2:30 pm every Sunday
Pastor Lou Slagter 3115 Gould Place Smithers
250-847-2080
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Sunday Worship Services 10 a.m. 4035 Walnut Dr. Sunday School for ages 3-6 during the morning worship service. Pastor Ken Vander Horst
smitherscrc@telus.net Phone 250-847-2333 “Groundwork” on The Peak at 9:30 am Sundays
Come worship with us at
Main St. Christian Fellowship
FAITH REFORMED CHURCH OF TELKWA Pastor James Folkerts (URC-NA) 1170 Hwy 16, Telkwa
Sunday mornings 10:30 a.m. Pastor Rick Apperson
Services at 10 am & 2:30 pm
1065 Main St., Smithers Phone: 250-847-1059
Faith Alive Christian Fellowship Upper floor Fitness Northwest Centre, Broadway Ave. 10-12 noon Sundays Youth meeting Fridays at 7 pm
Listen to “Whitehorse Inn program” Sundays at 9 am on The MooseFM 870 am
Join us for Services. Renew your FAITH! We welcome visitors and new members.
ST. JAMES ANGLICAN CHURCH
FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. Jacob Worley
Morning Worship 10:45 am with Junior Church and Nursery
1636 Princess Street
Sunday 10:00 am - Service and Sunday School
4th Sunday
2:00 pm service at St. John the Divine, Quick
Rev. Don Mott, Phone 250-847-3864
250-847-6155 • Quick 250-847-9881 • Smithers
on the corner of Queen St. and 7th Ave.
Pastor Chris Kibble www.smithersbaptist.ca
250-847-3725
This proof has been carefully prepared by THE INTERIOR NEWS
according to our understanding of your specifications. It may contain CANADIAN Mount Zion errors, please check for proper spelling of names, prices and phone numbers. Fax changes to us at 847-2995 REFORMED CHURCH Lutheran Church Sunday Worship Services
Meeting in the Historic St. Stephen’s Church
10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
1620 Highway 16 in Telkwa
Pastor James Slaa 2788 Upper Viewmount Rd. All welcome to attend! Contact number 250-847-5879 www.smitherscanrc.org
Sunday Morning Worship 10 am
For information PO Box 874, Smithers, B.C.
Saturday Service • Everyone Welcome •
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
Welcomes You! Sunday Shool – 9:45 a.m. Classes for all ages Sunday Morning Worship – 11:00 a.m. Corner of Viewmount Rd South & Hwy 16 250-847-2466
www.mvaonline.org Affiliated with the PAOC
Seventh Day Adventist Contact 250-847-5983 3696 4th Avenue
Rev. Dwayne Goertzen Pastor Trevor Brawdy 250-847-2929 Email: efree@uniserve.com Website: www.smithersefc.org Services at 9 & 11:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. 1838 Main St.
A18
T HREE R IVERS R EPORT
www.interior-news.com
The Interior News
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
July to December in review Pacific Northwest LNG deal approved The B.C. legislature was recalled July 13 to approve a 25-year tax and royalty agreement for B.C.’s first major liquefied natural gas investment. Pacific Northwest LNG’s pipeline and export terminal near Prince Rupert has been approved by the energy companies proposing the investment of up to $36 billion. The project still needs federal environmental approval, with a decision expected in February. Members of the Lax Kw’alaams Band voted down an offer from Pacific Northwest LNG in May, citing concern about the terminal’s impact on salmon habitat in the Skeena River estuary, despite a design change to build a bridge for the pipeline above the Flora Bank. The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project would carry the natural gas to the terminal, passing north of Hazelton through Gitxsan tournament. Provincial program brings new Hazelton doctor Nigerian Dr. Godwin Ameh finally could work in his field again, after spending his first two years in Toronto and Estevan, Sask. working unrelated jobs due to certification issues, thanks to the Practice Ready Assessment pilot program. The program allows internationally certified
A division of
doctors to fast-track their way into medical practice in B.C. by skipping additional hoops required to practise nationwide. Outdoor arena The roof of the condemned Hazelton ice arena was demolished to create an outdoor rink, giving local clubs a place to skate this winter. More full-time paramedics The Hazeltons have more full-time paramedics with a wider range of skills when BC Emergency Health Service launched a new pilot program aimed at filling gaps in local health care. The community paramedicine program expands the role of paramedics to include basic, non-urgent medical care Madii Lii plans legal action Gitxsan hereditary chiefs from the Luutkudziiwus house group fundraise to take the provincial government to court for approving the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline. Luutkudziiwus leaders have set up a cabin at the road entrance to Madii Lii territory, which is northeast of Hazelton, to block crews working on the PRGT pipeline. Wrinch Hospital changes hands Northern Health says it is too early to say if any jobs
will be lost when it takes over management of Hazelton’s Wrinch Memorial Hospital in March 2016. United Church Health Services (UCHS) announced it would transfer the hospital to Northern Health because it could not afford to keep running it in the long-term. Issues with recruiting and retaining staff were also behind the decision, which will cease UCHS services in the Hazeltons after more than 100 years. Settlement reached in Wrinch lawsuit A long-running human rights lawsuit which accused Wrinch Memorial Hospital administration of discriminating against First Nations people in the Hazeltons has been settled out of court, leading to the creation of a new community health committee. In January 2012, Pauline Cole and Vernon Joseph, who died while the case was still active in April, filed a class action suit with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal on behalf of First Nations groups in the hospital’s service area. The purpose of the committee is to identify and close gaps in health outcomes for both aboriginal and nonaboriginal communities. New arena designs New designs for the proposed Heart of the Hazeltons recreation centre were unveiled at open
Twins Kierra and Ava, aged seven, celebrate the fact they will have a place to skate this winter. Stacey Brown photo
houses held in Hazelton and Kitwanga. An ice arena, gym, climbing wall, walking track and a space to play soccer are included in the design for the planned $15-million facility, which is also known as the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre (USRC). PRGT permits approved TransCanada is one step away from starting construction of its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline project after receiving the final permits it needs from the BC Oil and Gas Commission. Federal environmental approval for the Pacific Northwest LNG terminal at the end of the pipeline in Prince Rupert is now the only regulatory barrier to start construction.
Dr. Godwin Ameh
The Interior News photo
The Interior News
T HREE R IVERS R EPORT Funding loss for Gitxsan Health Gitxsan Health Society president William Starr says his organization will lose almost half of its funding after the Gitanmaax Band announced it was withdrawing financial support for the health provider. Two other bands, Gitanyow and Kitwanga, have already stopped allocating their funding to the GHS. The Kispiox and Glen Vowell bands will be the only remaining communities funding and using the service. Starr expects his organization will lose some staff, including nurses, but he is optimistic it can continue to sustain itself with contract work.
of the training will be delivered in the Hazelton area. Group starts Syrian refugee process A family of Syrian
www.interior-news.com
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
refugees could be starting a new life with a view of the Roche de Boule if a sponsorship bid by a group of Hazeltons residents is approved.
Have a Story? Let us know
The Upper Skeena Sponsorship Group has started working on an application to bring a family of up to six refugees to the Hazeltons. Although
it is not a church project, the group is applying to sponsor a family through a United Church of Canada refugee program.
250-847-3266 Email editor@interior-news.com Find us on Facebook at Smithers Interior News
A great deal just bubbled up.
Hazeltons celebrate Aviva win Members of the Skeena Ice Arena Association (SIAA) got the news they had won $100,000 from the Aviva Community Fund to help run their outdoor skating rink. The announcement came after an extensive community campaign to encourage online voting, which the competition used to select the finalists. Teenagers at Hazelton Secondary School and supporters from as far away as Ottawa, Scotland and Australia helped vote the “Hard Up in the Hazeltons” arena project into the shortlist. Training made for LNG jobs The Gitxsan received an $800,000 share of B.C. government funding for LNG skills training for First Nations. The money will be provided to the Gitxsan Development Corporation (GDC) and the Northwest Community College (NWCC) for training programs targeting LNG sector jobs. Courses in camp services, security, construction skills, driver training and occupational first aid will be available to 168 unemployed or underemployed Gitxsan members. All
A19
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Wednesday, January 6, 2016
January 6-12, 2016
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