The Northern View, March 02, 2016 by Black Press Media Group

Metlakatla Fires

Sr. Boys’ Zones

Aggressive Expansion

News: Three vehicles burned at a ferry dockw last week Page A3

Sports: Rainmakers bring home Northwest division banner Page A15

Business: CityWest’s Don Holkestad shares trailblazing plans Page A17

Prince Rupert VOL. 11 NO. 9

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

FREE

CHINESE NEW YEAR

News PNW president Culbert responds Page A3

Heart of Our City Sri Lankan altruist: Paul Rajendram Page A14

The city celebrates the Year of the Monkey with food and dance - A18 Sports Terrace rink wins Mixed Bonspiel Page A15

Shannon Lough / The Northern View

Sharmonie Pedersen, Emarie Lock, Melissa Luc, Taylor Jackson, Jada Yamamoto and Olivia Marogna performed the ‘Spoon Dance’ at the Chinese New Year celebration, hosted by the Prince Rupert Chinese Association, at the civic centre on Sunday, Feb. 28. For scenes from the festivities, see Page A18.

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A2 • Northern View • March 2, 2016

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Move PNW project from Lelu to Ridley: Cullen BY ROD LINK PRINCE RUPERT / Black Press

Skeena NDP MP Nathan Cullen said he thinks there is a deal to be made which could end opposition and controversy surrounding the proposed Lelu Island location for the planned Pacific NorthWest LNG project. And that would be for the company to move to another location. Cullen has another location in mind – the one on Ridley Island selected by BG Canada for its Prince Rupert LNG project. “I’ll even buy the coffee,” said Cullen of his offer to host a meeting of top executives from the companies and other decision makers. Speaking last week, Cullen said the proposal is based on two factors – the first being the opposition to Lelu Island and the second being the recent purchase by Shell of the BG Group. “I was never sure why they had picked Lelu Island in the first place,” said Cullen in reference to its location within the salmon-sensitive Skeena River estuary. He added that he’s asked Petronas, the Malaysian government-owned corporation, which is the lead company involved in Pacific NorthWest LNG, but he has failed to get an answer. “I know both the federal and provincial governments wanted them there. Actually, the federal government helped by changing legislation.” Ever since Lelu Island surfaced as Pacific NorthWest LNG’s preferred location for its LNG plant and export terminal, opposition has grown based on worries of possible effects on Skeena River salmon. A federal environmental review released for public comment last month suggested there would be no effects

File Photo / The Northern View

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen is proposing for Pacific NorthWest LNG to move its Lelu Island LNG terminal to Ridley Island to avoid potential negative effects to the Flora Bank region of the area.

on salmon populations, but still opposition to the project remains among some First Nations groups, including the Lax Kw’alaams who have Lelu Island within their traditional territory, and among environmental groups. Cullen says that with Shell now buying BG Canada, the Prince Rupert LNG project may not proceed simply because Shell is the lead partner in the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, which is significantly further along in the development phase. And that would make the Ridley Island location available, he said. Cullen did caution that any shift in Pacific NorthWest LNG location would require a complete environmental review. He did note companies cannot be compelled to

undertake massive shifts. But those same companies could generate a tremendous amount of goodwill and cooperation from various parties, Cullen added. “If there’s ever a region that needs economic hope, this is it,” said Cullen. The MP even suggested there might be a role for the federal government to play in any project location change - it needs to promote economic development. He also said he would do anything to acknowledge conversations among the Lax Kwa’alaams and the Metlakatla into possible locations of prospective LNG projects. “I would be really cognizant of the process they’re working through,” he said.

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Trade is building stronger communities. The Port of Prince Rupert is growing opportunities and prosperity by connecting the communities of northern BC. Last year, port activity was directly responsible for the equivalent of 3,060 permanent full-time jobs. Watch and share our video tribute to the workers and families of BC’s gateway industry: youtube.com/rupertport.

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March 2, 2016 • Northern View • A3

News

GHGs, harbour porpoise effects Vehicles set on fire can be mitigated: PNW president BY KEVIN CAMPBELL PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

Pacific NorthWest LNG president Michael Culbert shared some details last week over the company’s plans moving forward after the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) report was released in February. Following the report’s advisory that adverse environmental effects may be caused to harbour porpoise in the area due to sound concerns, and that the area would experience adverse effects due to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), Culbert detailed the company’s initial response. “In the case of porpoises, absolutely we will have ideas as to what can be done to mitigate noise as far as that construction process goes,” said the president, adding that the company understands the sound threat to be temporary, with the adverse sounds ceasing once the facility is operational. “On the greenhouse gases, we have submitted, and it was included in the report, that through technology improvement and design, we’ve actually reduced the GHGs associated with our original design ... In addition to that and in addition to the way the federal government would like to look at GHGs, we were also asked to comment on our natural gas supply, which is coming from the Montney Shale Gas Basin in northeast British Columbia,” said Culbert. “And the good news there – on average the Montney formation has significantly less GHGs

than the average North American natural gas supply, so again we’re targeting a formation development of that unconventional ‘geogas’, as it’s referred to, which is very low on GHGs. So, all in all the GHGs are some of the lowest that we can possibly achieve in Canada both in technology of the LNG facility as well as the selection of a natural gas supply.” The president added that the company would look into buying or building offsets under the carbon offset program developed by the Province of B.C. down the road when the credit system is more fleshed out. The company will continue its dialogue with First Nations in the area by facilitating longterm environmental monitoring measures with weather, storm and fish data all the way through the construction phase and into the lifespan of the terminal. “The discussions with First Nations are ongoing and sharing of information and collaborative discussions continue on all fronts with all the First Nations. So I think we’ve got some positive support from the First Nations Chiefs and that’s very much appreciated,” said Culbert. Pacific NorthWest LNG will now wait for the 30day public input period to be completed on March 11, followed by CEAA preparing a final report and submitting it to the Minister of Environment. Following her decision on the project’s effects, the project will go to review under the federal Cabinet in Ottawa.

Regional District Council In Brief BY KEVIN CAMPBELL PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

The public comment period for the municipal name change for the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District (SQCRD) has begun and will last until April 29, 2016. The district has proposed to change its name to the ‘North Coast Regional District’ to follow in line with other geographical areas in B.C., which have mirrored their name based on how their location is known throughout the province. The deadline for stakeholder groups to comment on the change passed on Feb. 1, 2016, with support, endorsements, ‘no concern’, ‘no objection’ or no comment received from member committees, ministries, districts, cities, villages and band councils. In June, a request to Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender will be sent to recommend the name change to cabinet. Upon a successful name change, regional district re-branding and media updates will occur in the fall and winter of 2016. The Prince Rupert Public Library was front and centre once again in budget discussions for the SQCRD. Directors Lee Brain and Nelson Kinney, representing the Electoral Area of the City of Prince Rupert, appealed to the board to help support the library and the Museum of Northern B.C. Brain and Kinney made the argument that both institutions are used regionally and would benefit from increased funding from the regional district. If the regional district helps fund the North Pacific Cannery, then the Museum of Northern B.C. should fall in that same conversation, the directors outlined. While any funds directed toward the museum may be “substantially more helpful” than those directed to the library (with the Museum facing a complete shut-down without the funds, whereas the library has more flexibility than the Museum or Performing Arts Centre), a $10,000 contribution to the Museum would go a longer way in making sure the institution would survive, whereas the library would still need $100,000 - $200,000 more to maintain services. Kinney also advocated for funding for the Performing Arts Centre, which he felt was valuable regionally, and noted that it runs with only two employees and 100 volunteers. Directors Karl Bergman (Electoral Area C) and Des Nobels (Electoral Area A) said their constituents have told them they have a hard time supporting the library or Performing Arts Centre based on frequency of use, whereas the Cannery has more value to them. The board motioned to look at other funding options for the institutions throughout their budget process.

Contributed - Rachel Ryan / The Northern View

Three vehicles were found ablaze last Thursday morning at a ferry dock.

BY SHANNON LOUGH PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

Three vehicles that were parked at the Metlakatla Ferry Dock were found ablaze at 3 a.m. last Thursday morning. The Prince Rupert RCMP and fire department were called to the scene and found “two vehicles sustained damage beyond repair while the third sustained extensive heat damage,” stated a press release from Sergeant Dave Uppal. Police are treating the fire as suspicious. “We know there are cameras along the waterfront, whether they cover that specific area, we’re looking into it,” Uppal said. The Metlakatla First Nation is offering a $1,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the fire.

One of the irreparable vehicles was a van that belonged to a Metlakatla elder. “The Metlakatla First Nation takes this and other acts of vandalism around the Metlakata Ferry Dock very seriously,” stated a press release from the Metlakatla First Nation. This isn’t the first time there was mischief at the Metlakatla Ferry dock. On Oct. 24, 2015 six vehicles were vandalized between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. The damage was estimated to be over $10,000. “It is reported that four males and two females were in the area at the time and are considered to be of interest,” the release stated. Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 250-6270700 or Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477.

Mayor Brain brings Tsimshian Access message to Minister Garneau BY KEVIN CAMPBELL PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

During the last Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District board meeting on Feb. 19, Director Lee Brain updated the board on his recent trip to Ottawa, which included meeting with larger city mayors and the Minister of Infrastructure, Amarjeet Sohi. The topic at hand was how federal money may reach municipalities and direct grants to communities, with a new system coming into place possibly this year. Under the current model of funds distribution, the federal government distributes money to the provincial government, which then allocates the funds to municipalities. However, a more direct approach is being taken in 2016, with money earmarked for physical, social and green infrastructure directly transferred to the communities the projects affect, as opposed to the province potentially picking and choosing the areas where the funds may go. A $60 billion infrastructure fund has been planned and is expected to be announced later this year, Brain said. “We can have a more direct relationship with the feds on projects that relate to them as well. We’ll hear something this year, probably,” said the director. Brain also spoke with the Minister of Transport Marc Garneau for the second

time during his trip, and again discussed the Tsimshian Access Project – a vital transportation component to the City’s Hays 2.0 plan which links the city’s airport, Prince Rupert itself and the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla communities. Brain said that Garneau is receptive to the idea but the federal government needs to justify the cost that they could be contributing funds to – for example if the Aurora LNG (Digby Island), Woodside Energy (Grassy Point) and WCC LNG’s Lot 444 site move forward with their projects. The director was happy to say that the government is opening a development case for the project, a necessary first step for any largescale project in the country to get funding from the feds, and that the specifics of the project will be outlined one year from the opening of the development case. In the meantime, a Wantage Road bypass is being explored to move the expected massive amounts of truck traffic with an LNG project go-ahead out of downtown and onto the bypass. The access project would be funded one-third by municipality and area stakeholders, onethird by the province, and one-third federally. “[The federal government] knows where we are and what’s happening here. The Minister of Transport will likely come again,” Brain said. The Tsimshian Access plan has been in the planning stages for some time now, but the Mayor is happy to see traction, he said.

News

A4 • Northern View • March 2, 2016

www.thenorthernview.com

Lead findings leads to change BY SHANNON LOUGH PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

The discovery of intolerable levels of lead in four Prince Rupert schools may result in systemic changes. British Columbia is on its way to joining Ontario as the second province in Canada to routinely monitor metals in schools. In Ontario, schools have to submit a sample once a year to test for lead. A letter from the Deputy Minister of Education was sent to all superintendents on Feb. 24 at the request of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall asking school districts to “work with local health authorities to establish a plan to evaluate water quality, especially in schools built before the 1989 revision of the BC Plumbing Code restricting the use of lead in potable water lines”. On Feb. 16 students were sent home with letters informing parents that mitigation measures had been put in place after Northern Health found elevated levels of lead in the water at Pineridge Elementary, École Roosevelt Park Community School, Conrad Elementary and Prince Rupert Middle School. A long-term management plan is in the works for School District 52. Superintendent Sandra Jones received the Deputy Minister of Education’s letter yesterday and is sorting out the details of the plan, which should include evaluating facilities based on age and water supply, carrying out testing at

priority facilities, mitigating risks, regularly re-sampling to verify effectiveness and communicating findings. The schools in the district are already doing manual flushing every morning as part of the mitigation strategy. “Moving forward we’d like to move into an automated flushing system, but obviously that takes a little bit of time to put into place but that’s where we’re headed,” Jones said. The schools are also in the midst of replacing all the water fountains with more “robust fountains that filter everything” Jones said adding the filters cost $300 a piece. “But it’s what we have to do.” School District 52 will also set up routine water testing. “We should have looked at this sooner,” said MLA Jennifer Rice who added that she is frustrated with the lack of education over the issue. A Kitimat school found unacceptable levels of lead in its water in 2012. The BC Centre for Disease Control published a report in 2014 to follow up on the incident. The report stated that “younger children may be particularly vulnerable due to their relatively higher exposures and absorption rates and greater neurological vulnerability.” The report’s findings highlighted “the need for routine monitoring of drinking in schools” and that schools should flush their pipes before each school day. The incident in Kitimat and the report didn’t cause enough steam to fire up

Shannon Lough / The Northern View

Mila Rothwell uses the water filter at École Roosevelt Park Community School, which was installed over a year ago. Other schools in the district will have the same water filter.

concrete change. It wasn’t until two new medical health officers, Dr. Raina Fumerton and Dr. Sandra Allison, began working for Northern Health that the water was tested. “Ensuring safe drinking water for all people that live in the north to me is an extremely important priority,” Allison said. The water quality committee for Northern Health was working with aggressive water and trying to understand the impacts to the northern regions. They reached out to the schools to get current testing results. Allison said the biggest concern is young children and pregnant women as lead consumption can affect development. Even if the schools provide filtered water, lead can be found in water sitting stagnant in pipes in homes built before 1989. General manager of Saanich Plumbing

Hired Equipment Registration Skeena District The Skeena District of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is creating its list of registered Equipment for Hire in the Skeena Service Area for the fiscal year 2016/2017 which begins April 1, 2016. All individuals or companies registered this past year through the District Office in Terrace will have received invitations by mail to re-register their equipment for the coming fiscal year. If you have new equipment to be added to your profile, you can register online or contact the District Office at the address listed below. Any individuals or companies who were not registered in 2015, but wish to have their equipment listed, are hereby invited to contact the District Office, either in person or by phone, to obtain the appropriate registration forms. Note that while you do not need to have Commercial (Comprehensive) General Liability Insurance, or up-to-date WorkSafeBC coverage to register, you will have to meet these requirements prior to working on any ministry projects. All owners of dump trucks or belly dump trucks must provide a current weight scale slip to the District Office which will be used to calculate hourly rates. Only owned or lease-to-own equipment is eligible for registration. Equipment can only be registered in one area in any given year. Seniority is not transferable from area to area. The deadline for new registrations is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2016. Late registrations will be accepted, but may appear at the bottom of the open list. Note that there is no charge for registering new equipment or for changing or removing equipment information already listed.

Register through the Skeena District Office at: 4825 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. You can also phone 250 615-3970 or send a fax to 250 615-3963 to have the forms mailed, e-mailed or faxed to you, or register on-line at www.bcbid.ca.

and Heating in Prince Rupert, Jerry Kurka, said approximately 60 per cent of domestic pipes in Prince Rupert homes are made with lead or copper. Northern Health recommends people run their taps until the water is cold to get fresh water from city pipe. Allison said this is not the first time there has been an issue with lead and she wants it to remain top of mind. She suggested having a lead awareness week once a year to remind people to flush their taps if they live in older homes. The routine testing at the schools will remain the responsibility of the school district, but Northern Health will be an ongoing resource in the process. “When they get their testing we can help with the interpretation,” Allison said.

Appointment Andrew Franklin, Director of Digital Development is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Baziuk as B.C. Digital Editor. Laura graduated from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2007. She worked in various newsrooms, including the Peace Arch News, the Province, the Canadian Press, and most recently, CKNW Radio. She spent four and a half years there, as a reporter and anchor, and was sent to Tofino to cover the whalewatching boat capsizing in 2015. Laura grew up in south Surrey and lives in Vancouver. She enjoys reading crime novels, baking and eating cookies! Please join us in congratulating Laura on her appointment as B.C. Digital Editor.

Laura Baziuk Black Press Digital

blackpress.ca

www.thenorthernview.com

News

March 2, 2016 • Northern View • A5

Evergreen containers new to Rupert port BY KEVIN CAMPBELL PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

New evidence that container shipping lines are choosing Prince Rupert has popped up recently, with the shipping line ‘MSC’ and a new brand of containers coming through the gateway in late 2015 and now in early 2016. MSC (part of the 2M Alliance consisting of Maersk Line and MSC) has serviced Fairview Container Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert through its TP8/ New Orient service since August of last year with 10 MSC ships and 11 Maersk vessels calling on the port. While not driving the same high number of containers compared to the port’s other marine services of COSCO, MSC and Maersk have been ramping up service since September of last year, said Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) manager of corporate communications Michael Gurney Thursday, Feb. 25. In addition to the CMA line coming online for Prince Rupert, two new container brands have been coming through the port – the first being CMA CGM containers arriving with COSCO since late 2015 and the most recent containers, Evergreen containers, arriving in the coming days with COSCO’s ‘CEN’ service. “If people watch Fairview closely, they’ll begin to see some Evergreen containers moved through there and they’ll be arriving on COSCO vessels,” said Gurney. The manager added that the PRPA’s throughput forecast for 2016 is likely to be close to the capacity of Fairview as it stands today, which means the ‘Phase 2A’ expansion coming online in mid-2017 will be welcome. “It’s good timing indeed,” said Gurney. “It’s good news, first of all, because it means that

Contributed / Wikimedia

Rupertites may begin to see Evergreen containers move through town after COSCO’s ‘CEN’ service started introducing them to the Prince Rupert Port, along with a new shipping line, ‘MSC’.

we’re building on a very strong relationship with COSCO, and diversifying the lines that call on Prince Rupert lends further weight to the understanding in the shipping industry that Prince Rupert’s advantages are strong and make a compelling case for moving goods through northern B.C.’s trade gateway.” Compounding the good news with the new shipping lines and container brands is the fact that ‘discretionary cargo’ makes up all the traffic that moves through Fairview, meaning that no containers are destined to be unloaded in the community of Prince Rupert, but are intended to be opened elsewhere in North America. “They’re not bound to this city, unlike major shipping centres like Los Angeles or Vancouver where there’s

quite a bit of local demand for the goods that travel in those containers. So we are a gateway port and that makes the fact that seeing this kind of growth is all the more compelling because the shipping lines are choosing Prince Rupert not because they have to, not because there’s local demand for containerized goods, but because the advantages in terms of speed and efficiency are such that it simply makes sense to have their goods transit this community,” Gurney said. “Because of the modest size of Prince Rupert itself, the trains can actually avoid the kind of congestion they might encounter in larger port cities and be slowed down for sometimes hours before they can reach their main line speeds.”

City proposes no tax increase in 2016 budget Infrastructure reserve introduced to mill rate to address $250 million deficit BY KEVIN CAMPBELL PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

The City of Prince Rupert is not anticipating raising taxes on residents and businesses for this upcoming budget year. The City’s chief financial officer Corinne Bomben detailed the preliminary 2016 budget in a presentation to council on Feb. 22. “We are pleased to announce that our budget is balanced for 2016, therefore there is no necessary increase to the mill rate for operations,” she said. Due to continued funding from grants, reserves, dividends (such as an anticipated $400,000 dividend from CityWest), general operating and operating surpluses, funds from Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. for the Planning for Major Projects initiative, a non-market change in assessment resulting in a property tax increase in revenue and taking into account expected revenues and expenditures for normal service operations, the tax rate won’t be raised. However, there are many challenges the City faces on a continuous basis that is causing strain on the revenues and expenditures process and it’s forcing senior staff within the City to keep a ‘status quo’ budget in mind. “This has been the practice for many years and staff are well aware that ‘nice-to-haves’ are still not an option. Rather, ‘must-be-done’ is the driving force behind the City’s service provision,” Bomben wrote in her report. Chief among the taxation challenges facing the City is the provincially-capped major industrial mill rate for all municipalities with the qualifying import-export property, with all major industrial properties (tenants of the Port of Prince Rupert) in the City’s jurisdiction falling under this capped rate. “These flat mill rates are levied on assessed values that depreciate, meaning they go down every year. A

“We cannot continue funding capital with reserves and surplus because they are not unlimited and we cannot rely on grants.” - Corinne Bomben flat mill rate on a declining assessed value results in less taxation,” noted Bomben. The City is compensated for this cut industrial mill rate through the Competitiveness Grant distributed by the Province to avoid massive tax increases to the City’s other tax classes. While industrial assessments on these properties decline year-by-year, resulting in less taxation paid by the heavy industrial tenants, the burden of making up the same amount of tax collection (let alone accounting for inflationary costs) is transferred to the other classes. “This is a large contributing factor behind why taxes on the residential, business and light industrial classes in Prince Rupert continues to increase without any noticeable change in services provided,” said Bomben. City staff are also recommending a “modest increase” of two per cent to the mill rate for future infrastructure needs and “allocation to reserves solely to mitigate large one-time tax increases in the future”. The City’s infrastructure deficit stands at $250 million. “We cannot continue funding capital with reserves and surplus because they are not unlimited and we cannot rely on grants. We need to save for future capital

replacement,” said Bomben. The mill rate must be adjusted to achieve the same amount a of taxation revenue as in 2015, which was $15,043,000. $ After implementing the recommended increase for f infrastructure reserve replacement, the proposed municipal m mill rates for each class are as follows (with 2015’s 2 municipal mill rate in brackets): residential – 6.8816 (7.38384), major industrial, non-capped – 52.4413 5 (50.18427), light industry – 28.85808 (30.52733), business b – 25.87597 (25.80240), and non-profit/ recreation r – 5.23987 (4.81863). The rates may adjust based on finalized BC Assessment A property values expected to be released March 31. “Many home values did increase during the year. However others stayed the same or decreased. This is why it is important to calculate the expected value of taxes individually to determine the impact to each property owner,” said the chief financial officer. City councillor Blair Mirau noted that the tax sharing agreement between the City of Prince Rupert and the District of Port Edward for Ridley Island is significant, with 17 per cent of taxes collected by the City from Ridley Island going to Port Edward. Last year, this amounted to $700,000 noted Bomben. “That’s a very tangible amount of money that has a significant impact on the City of Prince Rupert and I think it warrants some further discussion,” Mirau said. Bomben said she would draft a report regarding the historical details behind the agreement in time for the City’s first budget public consultation opportunity, scheduled for March 14 at 7 p.m at the Lester Centre for the Arts. The second public consultation opportunity will be held during the regular meeting of council in council chambers on March 21 at 7 p.m.

Opinion A6

Published by Black Press Ltd. at 737 Fraser Street, Prince Rupert, B.C.

March 2, 2016

In our opinion

Balanced budget the fruit of struggles There was a slight pause in City chief financial officer Corinne Bomben’s address to city council on Feb. 22, after she stated that the City of Prince Rupert’s 2016 budget is balanced and it’s therefore unnecessary to increase the mill rate for operations. The pause wasn’t for theatrical effect, nor for any catching of breath, but Bomben’s slight break in her speech allowed the message to sink in just a tad. “This is the part typically where in the provincial legislature, they clap,” joked the officer. Some clapping did arise, and it signalled the beginning of the City gathering the fruits of its financial struggles. While council has taken heat for cuts to the library and other reduced grant allocations, many of council’s moves like those were made in the effort to not raise taxes on a city burdened with high municipal rates already. Crafty financial management has allowed the City to ease up on its tax hammer and residents and businesses should enjoy the freedom it has allowed.

Fletcher: Bowing to the power of judges One of the enduring legacies of Pierre Trudeau’s time as prime minister is the legal supremacy of the individual, as articulated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We are seeing this played out with greater force than ever today, by an activist high court that swatted aside Stephen Harper’s attempts to restrain it, and now orders a meek, politically correct Justin Trudeau government to do its bidding. The Federal Court decreed last week that people have the right to grow their own “medical” marijuana. This ruling is unlikely to be appealed, given that Trudeau the Younger is committed to legalizing marijuana for everyone. There are conditions that show measurable relief from marijuana products, such as glaucoma or the nausea and loss of appetite associated with cancer treatments. But much of the so-called medical marijuana industry is based on unsubstantiated claims about an inconsistent herbal remedy that hasn’t been studied much because it’s been

illegal. charter, which in Section 7 The Federal Court case protects the “right to life, involves four people from liberty and security of the B.C., which boasts more than person,” includes a right to half of the contested medical have a doctor’s help to commit marijuana growing licences suicide. Euthanasia has been issued across the country. re-branded as “assisted dying” One of the petitioners by all the most “progressive” suffers from a vaguely defined countries, and Canada has Tom Fletcher condition known as “chronic been given a firm deadline to Black Press fatigue syndrome,” which led join the club. to a disability pension from a (Meanwhile, the term “right federal civil service job at age 45. to life” is all but banned from university The judge cited no research to support campuses, to minimize the risk of a the claim that sitting around smoking coarse literal interpretation that it means, dope all day relieves this condition. you know, a right to life.) Indeed it defies common sense that a set A Liberal-dominated committee of of symptoms with no identified cause, MPs and senators has recommended fullwhich might be confused with what we throttle implementation, not restricted used to call laziness, would be alleviated to terminal illness and including mental by chronic consumption of a drug that conditions such as depression and promotes eating chips and watching TV. dementia. The majority suggested even But we peasants aren’t supposed to “mature minors” should have this right. question our monarchs, especially those The politicians support allowing in ermine-trimmed red robes at the doctors to opt out of cases they won’t Supreme Court of Canada. condone, as long as they provide a That court has decreed that our referral to another doctor.

In Belgium, one of the pioneers of this brave new world, most of the growing number of euthanasia patients have had cancer. But as The New Yorker magazine reported in a ground-breaking article last summer, others have been euthanized because of autism, anorexia, partial paralysis, blindness with deafness, manic-depression and yes, chronic fatigue syndrome. B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake expressed the hope that Canada ends up with a consistent policy on doctorassisted suicide, rather than a provincial patchwork. The closest Lake came to politically incorrect criticism was to caution that “deep discussion” is needed around the court’s notion of a “competent minor,” someone not yet entrusted with the vote or access to a liquor store. Three dissenting Conservative MPs went so far as to say the recommendations don’t adequately protect seniors who might be coerced into checking out and passing on their estates. How oldfashioned.

Prince Rupert The Prince Rupert Northern View, a politically independent community newspaper is a Division of Black Press Group Ltd. and is published every Wednesday in Prince Rupert B.C. at 737 Fraser Street, Prince Rupert, B.C, V8J 1R1. Phone (250) 624-8088, Fax (250) 624-8085. All material contained in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without prior consent. Todd Hamilton Publisher/Editor

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Opinion

March 2, 2016 • Northern View • A7

On the street

Should B.C. follow Ontario’s policy in making post-secondary tuition free for students from families making less than $50,000/year?

With Kevin Campbell

JASON LEWIS

MAY MCKAY

DANNY SHELLARD

“No.”

“I think that’s a good idea because there’s a lot of students that can’t pay for supplies [with high rent].”

“Yes, I’d say so.”

Letters to the editor

MIKE BURGESS

“It’s a good idea for everywhere because [for my kids] they don’t want to look forward to student loan debt which is the most ruthless form of debt for any young person.”

Better medical communication needed Editor: Receptionists (assistants) in Lower Mainland doctors’ offices seem to have little or no conception of where people outside of their immediate area come from and the trouble that they have getting to these doctors. The problems encountered include flight expenses, hotel and meal expenses, miscellaneous ground transportation around Vancouver and from the airport, and the time involved getting to and from Vancouver, especially if time must be taken from work. This is not a bid for funding, although it should be recognized that one of these trips using air travel along with hotels etc. can easily cost more than $1,000, that is if you can get on the aircraft. At present we have have only one functioning airline in Prince Rupert. Considering the nature of these trips, taking the time to get to the terminal in Terrace is time consuming and adds stress for people who are unwell as it is. It can also be very hazardous to travel this highway in the winter. The main problem with all of this seems to be the follow up visits. The initial trip and incurring difficulties are understandable because of where we live. We are informed by phone that we have an appointment then take the appropriate action. It is the follow up visits that cause most of the problem. We got to the first appointment and then get dismissed and told that we can go home. This is

all the information that we have. Often within a few days we will get a phone call requesting that we come back in for an appointment for tests or a follow up within the next couple of days. When the person on the phone is asked “do you know where we are?” the answer is usually “no” and they don’t really seem to care. They apparently seem to have no conception of where we are and what we have to do to get there. It does not seem uncommon for them to call and ask us to show up the next day. It would seem that these people should be able to inform us of the possibilities of ongoing appointments or visits with other doctors or medical centers such as the cancer clinic, etc., and try to streamline the process to include them as well. This would give us the option to remain there for whatever time it may take. It would also give us the option to make ongoing travel arrangements for future visits. It wouldn’t seem that this is the problem of the doctors but of the communication link between the doctors and the patients. I have talked to several other people and it seems that I am not the only person whose life and finances have been adversely affected by this problem. Talking to the people involved has given no results so I thought I would try your office in the hope that you could assist with this problem. Grant Derry Prince Rupert

Canada should follow European partners Editor: On Thursday, Feb. 25 the European Parliament (EP) voted overwhelmingly in favour for its members to impose an embargo on selling arms to Saudi Arabia. The vote came following many reports of indiscriminate Saudi attacks on targets in Yemen, causing very high civilian casualties. For the past year the world’s richest oil producer has been spearheading a coalition of Arab states forcefully interfering in the ongoing civil war of its much less-affluent neighbour. The EP vote comes just days after Canadianbuilt Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) were identified in Yemen as part of the Saudi Arabian offensive, while Canadian-made rifles are now in Yemeni hands after being captured from the Saudi aggressors. Those European countries who are now on notice to quit supplying weapons of war to the autocratic desert Kingdom, are all our allies in

“Canada is out-of-step with other members of its military alliance in Europe.” - Bernie Smith NATO. Surely, the Canadian government must manup, and take a leaf out of the book of the EP. Canada is out-of-step with other members of its military alliance in Europe; it’s time for ‘The Chosen One’ in Ottawa to wake up from his postelection honeymoon slumber, and smell the coffee. Bernie Smith Parksville, B.C.

Photo courtesy Prince Rupert Port Authority PICK UP STICKS: The forest products industry in Smithers and other northern BC communities benefits from access to overseas markets through the Port of Prince Rupert. For OJ Egan at West Fraser Pacific Inland Resources, this means steady work with an optimistic future.

Port access a plus for lumber industry

RE:PORT

ituated halfway between the Port of Prince Rupert and Prince George, the town of Smithers is the hub of the Bulkley Valley region. Since the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway reached the north coast more than 100 years ago, Smithers has remained a logistically important community to the railroad industry. The Canadian National Railway Station in Smithers is recognized as one of Canada’s Historic Places. As the oldest building in the community it signifies the economic impact of railway development in Canada. Today, the community’s forestry industry relies on rail to bring increasing volumes of local lumber to the Port of Prince Rupert and on to Asian markets. OJ Egan is a quality control supervisor at West Fraser’s Pacific Inland Resources, a sawmill that has been one of the largest employers in the community for decades. Born and raised in Smithers, OJ and his brother Bill are both second-generation mill workers who enjoyed many years of work alongside their father before he retired several years ago. OJ’s formal career with West Fraser began more than 20 years ago after completing high school, starting out at a base job rate and working his way through the production line. The opportunity to build a long-term career starting from an entry-level position is still there for today’s workforce. Currently more than 40 of Pacific Inland Resources 240 staff are over the age of 55, which means that dozens of positions will open up as employees look to retire in the next few years. “You can build a great career here, and with the aging workforce the younger guys and girls coming in have a real opportunity,” said OJ. “We’re even busier now than five years ago, and you can see how West Fraser is really adapting to changes in the industry. And one of the benefits of being close to Prince Rupert and the port is that we were able to take advantage of the Chinese market in the American downturn.” Roughly 30% of the mill’s production now moves through Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal and on to the markets of Asia. That figure is poised to increase as softwood exports to China grow to record volumes and the country begins to embrace the use of higher-grade lumber for wood-frame construction and interior finishing. In addition to the opportunities created by a rebounding forest sector, with new development at the Port of Prince Rupert the next generation of Smithereens will also have the ability to pursue rewarding careers in areas such as resource extraction and transportation and logistics without leaving home. Like their father before them, OJ Egan’s kids show an interest in his work, and his oldest son is currently taking advantage of West Fraser’s weekend clean-up program for high school students. “This industry has given me the opportunity to raise four kids quite comfortably,” says OJ. “I live in a place where 20 minutes from my back door is everything you could possibly want to do. I know I’ve been fortunate to have a great run over the last 20 years, and with everything that’s happening right now between here and Prince Rupert, I’m hopeful my kids will too.” Re:port is a collaborative promotional venture by the Prince Rupert Port Authority and The Northern View.

A8 â&#x20AC;˘ Northern View â&#x20AC;˘ March 2, 2016

News

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Shannon Lough / The Northern View

The Northern Health Connectionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bus offers discount fares for patients from Prince Rupert travelling to Vancouver for appointments.

Ill communication Patients travelling to the Lower Mainland for health services encounter problems

brought to you by

Photo courtesy of the Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives, Visitors Bureau fonds

Then - Three totem poles graced the lawns of the Museum of Northern B.C. and Visitors Bureau. It was built as a centennial project and formally opened August 2, 1958. A carving shed was located beside the building and the Dept. of Highways buildings can be seen across the street on First Avenue.

Photo courtesy of Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives

BY SHANNON LOUGH PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

The miscommunication between doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offices in the Lower Mainland with patients travelling to an appointment from the North Coast struck a nerve with one man who decided to write an open letter addressing the issue, as published in this issue. Grant Derry has experienced this first hand and has said that many others in the area have had the same problem. In his letter he states that the problem is the follow up visits. The cost to travel to Vancouver is expensive; flights, meals, hotels and the time reserved off work. After going to the appointment, he is told to return home. A few days later he receives a phone call from the specialistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office requesting that he return for a follow up appointment within the next couple of days. It would be easy enough if he lived in Vancouver, but not if he had already flown back to Prince Rupert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They apparently seem to have no conception of where we are and what we have to do to get there,â&#x20AC;? Derry wrote in the letter. He continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have talked to several other people and it seems that I am not the only person whose life and finances have been adversely affected by this problem.â&#x20AC;? He states that he is not asking for funding,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to go 500 miles every time and for them to say you have to be here for noon tomorrow? A little sense involved is what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for.â&#x20AC;?

Now -The Museum moved to its current location in the Chatham Building Complex on First Avenue in April 1997. Today the Lax Kwâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;alaams CTR Community Office have taken over the old museum building and they have a view of the Pacific Marinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Memorial Park.

- Grant Derry

he just wants better communication between doctors and patients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to go 500 miles every time and for them to say you have to be here for noon tomorrow? A little sense involved is what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for,â&#x20AC;? Derry said. The letter was brought to Northern Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention, however the issue described by Derry involves private practitioners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a physician to a specialist. This situation does not pertain to Northern Health, which does not oversee private practitioners and how their administration sorts out appointments. Northern Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s communications spokesperson, Jonathon Dyck said that complaints â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in this case â&#x20AC;&#x201D; should be directed to a hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patient care quality office or to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. As for travel costs, Northern Health Connections (NHConnections.ca) offer discounted round-trip bus fairs for people living in Prince Rupert who have to travel to other locations including, Prince George, Kamloops or Vancouver for health services. It costs $80 to book a Northern Health Connection bus from Prince Rupert to Vancouver, with an overnight stay in Prince George. The discount bus service for patients does not pay for hotel or other travel costs but it does provide â&#x20AC;&#x153;medical room ratesâ&#x20AC;? at select hotels. Derry also sent the open letter to MLA Jennifer Rice. She responded to him, as the opposition spokesperson for northern and rural health in the provincial government, requesting that he ask others to share their stories with her as well. Rice stated that over the next four months she will be on a province-wide â&#x20AC;&#x153;information gathering tour in order to gain a better understanding of health care-related challenges faced by those living in northern and rural areasâ&#x20AC;?. Although Riceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tour is focused on maternal health care she said in the letter that she also welcomes the opportunity to discuss other issues about access to and delivery of healthcare in rural B.C.

www.thenorthernview.com

Community

March 2, 2016 • Northern View • A9

For the love of Corey BY SHANNON LOUGH PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

It has been nearly 11 years since Kitimat’s Denise Lodge’s son died in a motorcycle accident but she is still advocating to prevent the same tragedy from affecting other families’ lives. In February, Lodge made stops in Kitimat, Terrace and Prince Rupert to deliver her message to high school students, asking them to take the story to the streets. “At the end of the day, all we want is for you to come home safe,” Lodge said with apparent emotion. It was 2005, she was living in Kitimat and her two boys had moved to Vancouver Island for work after they finished high school. Her oldest, Corey, was 21-years-old at the time in 2005 when he upgraded from a sport bike with a 250CC engine to a street bike with a 1000CC engine. Less than 24 hours of receiving his learner’s motorcycle driver’s licence he took his new bike, with after-market enhancements, out on the Mallahat Highway and lost control of the bike crashing into a rock wall. “I’ll never forget watching the news that day,” Lodge said who was on the North Coast at the time. She had no idea that he had purchased a new motorcycle. Neither did Corey’s girlfriend, who were both saving money to buy a house, and who was in the hospital for an operation when the accident happened. Lodge’s youngest son, Jeremy, was living with his older brother in Victoria at the time. He flew home immediately to be with his family after he heard the news. He wanted to be with them when the RCMP paid that terrible visit and spoke the official words that left a permanent mark on all of their lives. After his death, she organized the C.O.R.E.Y (Coalition of Riders Educating Youth) to bring rider and driver safety knowledge to other youth. Lodge has also called on the B.C. government to introduce better safety regulations. A new law came into effect in June 2012 making motorcycle riders and passengers wear helmets that met specific industry standards. Skull caps and other novelty helmets would not meet the regulation code. New seating requirements were also issued with increased fines for reckless driving behaviour. The province estimates that three per cent of insured vehicles are motorcycles, but account for 10 per cent of road fatalities. Between 2008 to 2012 there were 5,172 injured and 203 motorcycle accident related deaths. Lodge has also pushed for graduated licensing for motorcycles that is along the same lines as the graduated licensing program for a car. In the current system, a driver could receive their motorcycle learner’s licence and 30 days later they could have a full licence, driving on the highway on a high speed bike. “Just because you have your driver’s licence doesn’t give you the qualifications to fly a plane, so why is a motorcycle the same,” Dodge said. Her request for a new licensing system made its way to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond. In 2012, Bond stated that the province intended to move forward with a graduated licencing program with power restrictions but it still hasn’t come into fruition. “We have been waiting 11 years for the government to go forward with this and every year more people die,” she said. “I keep getting the letter that it’s one of the high priorities but that’s not saving any more lives in the time frame. That’s why we started to think we’re going to start going this route and doing presentations for the high school students.” At the presentation Lodge first tells the story of her son then she gives the floor over to Corey Bowness from Road Safety B.C. who highlighted the add-

Todd Hamilton / The Northern View

Kitimat’s Denise Lodge continued her mission to prevent the tragedy that befell her family by introducing the COREY (Coalition of Riders Educating Youth) program to students at the Mount Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday.

“At the end of the day, all we want is for you to come home safe.” - Denise Lodge ed risks to being on a motorcycle. He also offers tips on the best ways for riders and passengers to protect themselves, such as wearing abrasion resistant clothing and purchasing a white helmet over a black one for higher visibility. RCMP officers also took a turn to lay out the fines and penalties a motorcyclist could face if they

break the rules and engage in dangerous activities, such as street racing. At the end of the presentation, Lodge played a song one of Corey’s friends recorded for him. The line: “I miss you man, I never got to say goodbye” drives her message home into the hearts of anyone listening just a little deeper.

A10 • Northern View • March 2, 2016

Community

www.thenorthernview.com

Contributed by Christine Franes / The Northern View

Students at Pineridge Elementary School on Pink Shirt Day.

Acts of kindness BY SHANNON LOUGH PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

Pink Shirt Day took on a focus of kindness this year at schools across the region. On Wednesday, Feb. 24 students were encouraged to wear pink to encourage anti-bullying. Schools also held assemblies to address prevention and intervention strategies. At Pineridge Elementary School, students wrote and acted out a play and then watched a movie about helpful and hurtful bystanders when bullying is taking place. “A hurtful bystander is someone who sits by and doesn’t do anything to step in and intervene,” said the principal Christine Franes. “By just stepping in and saying stop, or going to get an adult, kids can stop bullying within eight to 10 seconds.” A slightly different angle was taken up by École Roosevelt Park Community School staff and students where they

held a week-long campaign on random acts of kindness. “Students and teachers had to nominate someone who had done something kind just for the sake of it,” said the principal Andree Michaud adding that certificates were given to nominated students. There is also a bulletin board at the entrance of the school where little pink paper T-shirt cutouts have messages of kindness written on them. “We thought of doing it instead of wearing the T-shirt and that doing the campaign up to the day would be more significant,” Michaud said. A competition was held by the student council at Charles Hays Secondary School for who could wear the most pink. It was an all day event with an assembly on antibullying and the message “Kindness is one size fits all” written on some of the pink T-shirts people were wearing. Principal Sandra Pond said the student council also wrote out positive messages and stuck them on every locker in the school.

25th Ann u a l d i h r e n’s Fes l C tival Saturday March 5, 2016 11 am - 4 pm Jim Ciccone Civic Centre

Other Family Fun Activities Include: • Hammer n’ Nails• Bouncy Castle • Tattoo & Face Paint Parlour • Wall Climbing • Good Times Games • Angry Birds And tons of treats and fun for every child! For more event information or to volunteer for this event contact us at 250-624-9118 or prspecialevents@citywest.ca or go to our website at www.prspecialevents.com

ADMISSION N BY DONATIO

Sponsored by: Service Organizations, Business’ of Prince Rupert & Prince Rupert LNG

www.thenorthernview.com

March 2, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ Northern View â&#x20AC;˘ A11

Mike Morseof course! Personal Real Estate Corporation

Web: www.mikemorse.ca â&#x20AC;˘ Cell: 250.600.6620 Email: mikemorse@remax.net

PORT EDWARD LISTINGS NG ISTI L NEW

Jeff Clarke Web: www.jeffclarke.ca â&#x20AC;˘ Cell: 250.627.6116 Email: jeffclarke@remax.net

NG ISTI L NEW

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1333 - 8th Avenue East

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy sunsets over Porpoise Harbour from this spacious 4 bedroom, 2 bath rancher on a private 15,640 sq ft lot. It has a custom-built quality kitchen, cedar trimmed windows/doorways, a hand carved mantle above the double-sided wood burning fireplace, a master walk-in closet, and more. Also enjoy great sun exposure and the peaceful backyard with a firepit.

Plenty of room both inside and out is what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find with this four bedroom home which has three levels of living space and looks across the street into a serene park area. There is good off-street parking, a patio space and a yard that awaits your landscaping ideas. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a growing family or just like having extra space this home could be just the one youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re after.

This move-in ready home on a large lot has new flooring and paint throughout. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love the open, new kitchen, dining and living area with sliding doors to a new sundeck. The upper floor is the master bedroom along with an ensuite with double vanities. There are three more bedrooms along with a large rec room, laundry and storage areas. A new roof, siding and excellent off-street parking are added bonuses, too.

$393,500 MLS

$199,000 MLS

$297,897 MLS

496 Skeena Drive

849 Oceanview Drive

This corner lot is located in the heart of Port Edward on the main road and is zoned for mixed commercial/residential use. This property could be an excellent opportunity for anyone looking for land to start up a business in what could be British Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next boom town.

$62,700 MLS

All New with Character & Charm

NG ISTI L NEW

1264 Beach Place

1228 Conrad Street

Want to be impressed? This home is definitely that. Updated to modern standards yet the character and charm remain. Original hardwood floors, new heritage pellet fireplace and period windows accent the living and dining rooms. Custom kitchen for the baker in the family with an oversized island and built in eating nooks that will seat up to 8! All bedrooms are on top level, King size master with oversized walk-in closet & views of the sunsets & nearby ocean. The lower level can accommodate an in-law suite and or a great games room, just needs those final touches. Upgrades include roof, 200 amp electrical, new foundation, exterior walls, decks, windows. Welcome to your new home.

1248 Alexandra Place 1-3PM on Sunday, March 6

Four bedrooms plus office, 3 bathrooms, features include bamboo, tile and laminate floors, crown molding, gas fireplace, lots of sunlight, fenced back yard, one car garage, workshop, great neighbourhood, close to Charles Hays Senior Secondary School

This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home is located in a quiet cul-desac, close to Charles Hays Senior Secondary School on a large 5227 sq ft lot. The home has been well maintained. A great neighbourhood to watch your children grow, this is one for your short list.

$395,000 MLS

$334,000 MLS

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Kenn Long REALTORÂŽ

250.600.5666 kennlong.ca kennlong@remax.net

Affordable Investment 1744 Jamaica Avenue This 3 bedroom 1/2 duplex has the most superb mountain view. Enjoy a glass of wine from one of the two back decks while listening to the sounds of nature from the forest behind. Offered at a very affordable price this property is equipped with a spacious main floor and 3 large bedrooms on the upper floor. Whether you are looking for a place to live or for an investment in our growing city, this home is sure to suit your needs.

431 8th Avenue West

437 8th Avenue West

" , -0) +))' -0) -"+))' -)0(")., , 0#-" &)-, ) ,-)+ ! + * + - )+ -" 4+,- -#' .2 + )+ , ( #(/ ,-' (- *+)* +-2 (-+ &&2 &) - -" 23+ &), -) )-" -" '# & , "))& ( "#!" , "))& , 0 && , the golf course, # +#(% ( ,0#''#(! *))& && 0#-" !+ - /# 0 ) - 2, -) ($)2 )( ,.((2 +#( .* +- - +())( ( )+ / +2 reasonable price! #,- 2 (( )(! & +% $ 99,999 MLS $ 99,999 MLS

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2015 Prince Rupert and District Chamber Business Excellence Awards

A12 • Northern View • March 2, 2016

... and the winners are:

March 2, 2016 • Northern View • A13

Photos by Lonnie Wishart Photography

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award went to Empire Tree Services, sponsored by CFNR/Northern Native Broadcasting

Business of the Year went to the Wheelhouse Brewing Company, sponsored by BDC - Business Development Bank of Canada

Chamber Member of the Year went to TD, sponsored by Ridley Terminals Inc.

Community Involvement Award went to Northern Savings Credit Union, sponsored by CityWest

Community Service Award went to the Prince Rupert Rampage, sponsored by Prince Rupert Grain Ltd.

Customer Service Excellence Award went to Eddie’s News Stand & Novelties, sponsored by Pacific NorthWest LNG

Family Friendly Business of the Year went to Good Times Games & Electronics, sponsored by Success By 6/Early Years

Home-Based Business of the Year went to Ring System Music Studio, sponsored by The Crest Hotel

Industry and Manufacturing Excellence went to Lighten Up Electric, sponsored by DP World Prince Rupert

Newsmaker of the Year went to DP World Prince Rupert, sponsored by The Northern View

Retail Excellence went to Eddie’s News Stand & Novelties, sponsored by TD

Rookie Business of the Year went to Happy Little Clouds Art Studio, sponsored by Community Futures PNW

Sustainability Award went to The Argosy, sponsored by Prince Rupert LNG

Tourism and Hospitality Excellence went to Fresh Onion Café & Catering, sponsored by TransCanada Pipelines

Young Entrepreneur of the Year went to Kevin Pottle - Lighten Up Electric, sponsored by Northern Savings Credit Union

Event Sponsors Nominees Diamond Sponsor Prince Rupert Port Authority Diamond Media Sponsor Prince Rupert Northern View Platinum Sponsors BG Canada Ridley Terminals Inc. Pacific NorthWest LNG Crest Hotel Platinum Media Sponsors CityWest CFNR Network CJFW FM Gold Sponsors McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. Northern Savings Credit Union Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. Success By 6 TD Bank TransCanada Pipelines DP World PR (formerly) Maher Terminals of Canada Community Futures Development Corp. of Pacific Northwest BDC Business Development Bank Silver Sponsors Stuck on Design Voice Construction OPCO

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Jade Rowse Fortitude Fitness & Training Kevin Pottle - Lighten Up Electric Erwin Arndt - Pacific Flagging Jessica Laberge - Pacific Paramedics Amy Dopson - PAC 10 Tutoring Tourism & Hospitality Excellence West Coast Launch Ltd The Crest Hotel Fresh Onion Café & Catering Inn on the Harbour Naomi’s Grill Sustainability Award Fukusaku Posh Pirates Western Canadian Marine Response Corp. Paws and Claws Thrift Store The Argosy Rookie Business of the Year Andre’s Electronic Experts Empire Tree Services Happy Little Clouds Art Studio Kaien Safety Group Ocean Pacific Air Retail Excellence Eddie’s News Stand & Novelties Good Times Games & Electronics Homework Oceanside Sports Overwaitea Foods Industry & Manufacturing Excellence Rupert Harbour Machining Lighten Up Electric The Electrician Rupert Wood’N Steel Rapid Gantry Manufacturing Newsmaker of the Year DP World Prince Rupert Fukusaku Good Times Games & Electronics Posh Pirates Wheelhouse Brewing Company Home-based Business of the Year Green Island Lawn and Garden Ring System Music Studio Ocean Pearl Promotions &

Event Planning Perfect 10 Nails Lonnie Wishart Photography Family Friendly Business of the Year Good Times Games & Electronics Cowpuccino’s Coffee House Happy Little Clouds Art Studio Northern Savings Credit Union Ring System Music Studio Customer Service Excellence The Crest Hotel Eddie’s News Stand & Novelties JavaDotCup Kathy’s Hair Design Leanne’s Pet Shop Community Involvement Award Posh Pirates Northern Savings Credit Union Pacific NorthWest LNG Ridley Terminals Inc Royal LePage Prince Rupert Community Service Award BCSPCA Prince Rupert Branch Friendship House Association Prince Rupert Special Events RCM Search & Rescue Stn. 64 Prince Rupert Rampage Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award Empire Tree Services Kaien Safety Group All Nations Consulting Pacific Paramedics Silver Grizzly Transportation Chamber Member of the Year Michael Gurney Toastmasters Club of Prince Rupert TD Canada Trust Dave McKeever Debbie Snidal-Beaudry Business of the Year CityWest The Crest Hotel DP World Prince Rupert Happy Little Clouds Art Studio Naomi’s Grill Northern Savings Credit Union Posh Pirates Silver Grizzly Transportation Trishan Food Market Wheelhouse Brewing Co.