MORE FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED
Merritt Fire Rescue Department seeks
NLAKA’PAMUXCIN
Efforts
LOCAL FOOD BANK ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
times the food bank has had to endure.
The Nicola Valley Food Bank is getting a change in leadership as the former board chair has stepped down.
On Wednesday, April 2, the Nicola Valley Food Bank held their annual general meeting at the Merritt Civic Centre where it was announced that former President/Chair of the Board Deanna Palmgreen was stepping down from her role.
“It’s time for my ideas and my voice, which can be a loud one, to just step back for a little while and (for the food bank to) have some new blood,” Palmgreen said.
Palmgreen has been the standing President of the Nicola Valley Food Bank for the last five years.
She has been involved with the organization’s board for most of her time in Merritt. It’s been nine years since she moved to Merritt, following her husband who came to the town for work.
Over her half-decade long tenure as president, Palmgreen has seen the good and bad
She’s seen the demand for food increase significantly over the last two years. In 2024, the Nicola Valley Food Bank served clients just over 17,000 times according to this year’s annual report. This is a rise from 2023 where clients were served almost 16,000 times. Prior to that, in the last decade, the food bank’s highest yearly totals of clients served was at around 10,000 times.
This March, the food bank saw the usual dip clients looking for food bank services. Merritt’s food bank has benefited greatly from community donations in 2024, receiving nearly 120,000lbs of food. They have also shared over 15,000lbs of food to other organizations in the community such as Ask Wellness, Angel’s Animal Rescue and Conayt Friendship Centre.
This is coming at a time where the food bank is operating at a financial deficit
BUILDING: continued on page 3
Merritt dance teacher Heather Clark is super proud as her dance student Alex Cavaliere (above) qualifies for provincials. Read page 18
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
NEW BUILDING WILL ACT AS HOUSING TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS
of almost $30,000.
Despite some of the hardships economic decline and increasing food insecurity has put on the food bank during Palmgreen’s time as president, there have been many moments of success.
Palmgreen told the Herald the food bank’s success that she was most proud of was the purchase of the property on 1898 Blair Street in 2023.
According to Hewton, a new development will be built on the property that will act as housing to assist low-income residents.
“We hope that our new building can play a part in helping community members achieve long-term stability and well-being,” Palmgreen said at the AGM, adding that some of the amenities that they hope to add to the building include a fully-staffed kitchen and a garden plots.
Palmgreen was also proud of the community’s interest in participating in the food bank over her tenure.
“I would say the second largest
accomplishment is getting a very full and active board. For the past three to four years we’ve had all our positions filled,” she said.
During the AGM, Palmgreen was asked if she would like to stay on the board in the position of a member-at-large. The former president declined the nomination, saying she wanted to step back and take time off for personal reasons.
Replacing her as president is former food bank secretary Sarah Molnar.
Molnar, who has been involved with other community-service organizations in the past, has been on the food bank’s board for a year.
During the meeting she was nominated to replace Palmgreen and took the role.
As president Molnar wants the board to do their best in supporting the food bank’s staff and volunteers.
She also would like to figure out a way to get more of the public to sign up to become members of the food bank to support it.
Currently, membership for the Nicola Valley Food Bank costs $5 for the year.
CARNEY, EBY MEET WITH SOFTWOOD LUMBER DUTIES A FOCAL POINT
BRENNA OWEN
The Canadian Press
Steep American duties on Canadian softwood lumber were expected to be a focal point as British Columbia Premier David Eby met with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney, who was on a campaign swing in Victoria, told reporters ahead of the meeting that it’s not his first time talking with Eby about softwood lumber and Canada’s response to the broader trade dispute with the United States.
He says “we’re going to fight, protect and build.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a plan Friday to raise the duties on Canadian lumber to 34.45 per cent, more than double the current levy.
Asked about the U.S. plan during an earlier press conference in the Victoria area, Carney told reporters “these tariffs are wholly unjustified.”
He says he recognizes the importance of the industry that supports tens of thousands of workers and the federal government is stepping up on their behalf.
“This is another unjustified tariff. You can expect us to fight against it.”
Carney said there is an opportunity to play to B.C.’s strengths in modular housing and mass timber as the federal government looks to speed up homebuilding.
Eby told reporters the American announcement was “bad news,” after issuing a statement on Saturday saying the plan was an “attack on workers.”
Carney pointed to his Liberals’ recent campaign pledge to implement a
national housing strategy with the goal of building half a million homes a year, doubling the current rate, and said supporting Canadian lumber is part of that effort.
“We do have that ambition to build in this country, to use our resources.”
The BC Lumber Trade Council has issued a statement urging the U.S. Commerce Department to reverse its preliminary decision, saying the higher levies would hurt workers on both sides of the border and drive up lumber prices for Americans.
Council president Kurt Niquidet says B.C. does not subsidize its lumber industry and the U.S. duties are “unjustified and harmful.”
Rather, he says B.C.’s system is grounded in market principles, with timber sold through open, competitive auctions.
“Claims that B.C.’s system provides an unfair advantage are simply not supported by the facts. Commerce continues to employ flawed and misleading methodologies, resulting in the higher rates,” the statement says.
The federal New Democrats also issued a statement from several candidates from Vancouver Island, where many people and communities depend on the industry.
“The forest industry is taking a hit. The current softwood lumber tariffs are already devastating — this will be crippling,” says Gord Johns in Courtenay-Alberni.
“What we need right now is to build hospitals, bridges and houses — and let’s do it using Canadian lumber and steel.”
PHOTO/HERALD FILE
The Nicola Valley Food Bank will move to 1898 Blair St. The new facility will also act as a housing property for those in need in the community.
MERRITT FIRE RESCUE SEEKS NEW RECRUITS AMID DECLINING VOLUNTEER NUMBERS
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) is putting out a call for recruitment for paid-oncall firefighters, as the force is seeing lower recruitment levels in recent years. This comes as MFRD is trying to reach a recruitment goal of 40 members at the department. Currently MFRD is fielding a staff of 33 members distributed between different shift times. Around 22 of those members are paid-on-call firefighters and the other 11 members are work-experience and career staff.
MFRD are looking at a few qualities in an ideal candidate.
The minimum qualifications are:
- Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant status.
- Between the ages of 19 and 60.
- Must be in good physical condition and able to successfully complete a physical test.
- Hearing must be normal without aids.
- Vision will be according to the standards established by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles as a prerequisite for a Class 3 Driver’s License.
- Must live within 12 km of the City of Merritt at time of application.
- Possess a favorable criminal record that will not bring the fire department into disrepute or hamper one’s ability to obtain a First Responder’s Medical License.
- A favorable Drivers Abstract that has less than 6 points in any one year or less than 9 points in the five year history and must not have any 214/215 suspensions or any other impaired driving conviction or any Superintendent of Motor Vehicle caused suspension.
In recent years, Fire Captain Dave Tomkinson and Lieutenant Gareth Tilt have seen their recruitment levels drop.
“It used to be that, you know, you would have people already lining up that would come to you. It was quite rare to do an outreach recruitment of sorts, because there was always a list of people waiting to get in. And nowadays we’re definitely having to find people as much as they find us,” Tilt said.
Tilt said paid-on-call members are a “big-push” for the firehall, as those make up most of the department’s ranks.
Despite some financial compensation, Tomkinson describes the paid-on-call position as something between a volunteer and staff role.
Paid-on-call firefighters are compensated for time spent when responding to calls and while in-training. They are not paid for time spent waiting for calls.
There is also the time spent in training. MFRD runs a total of around 30 training sessions each month to keep their firefighters ready.
The time commitment required by the role may be off-putting to some, according to Tomkinson.
“Volunteer halls all across the nation are all in a bit of a staffing crisis, really,” he said.
“What it requires is people in the community to step up to serve their community, for sure. And so there’s lots of barriers out there. You can say generational. There’s just so many reasons why, you can even look at the economy.”
Another reason for the decline in applications for paid-on-call firefighters is that people lack the freedom of time these days. SAVE A LIFE: continued on page 5
‘WE MIGHT NOT SAVE A LIFE EVERYDAY, BUT I’D SAY WE AFFECT SOMEONE’S LIFE EVERYDAY’
“Why the volunteer aspect declined. In our community, one of the biggest things was employers not allowing their employees, who are paid on-call-firefighters, to leave during their work time, where maybe back in the 70s and 80s, that was very common, because it (a fire call) was a very rare occurrence. But now that call volume has increased, it’s a little hard for an individual to operate a business or something and have their employees leaving,” he said.
In February, MFRD had 83 calls for service. There were four notable fire that caused a total of $1,500,500.
Despite the shortage of volunteers, Tilt and Tomkinson named some of the benefits of joining.
One reason is the social aspect.
“This is really my social outlet,” Tomkinson joked. “A majority of my friends are firefighters. (The fire department) is a big draw for people in the community, especially if they’re thinking, ‘What things can I do?”
“It’s a whole fire department family here, and I really stress that we’re a pretty close knit group.”
Tilt said there’s also a sense of pride that comes with being a firefighter.
“There’s a huge amount of pride that just comes with being able to represent the
department in general. And people do get into this role for sort of the excitement and the opportunity to help serve and support the community,” he said.
Tomkinson echoed this statement, saying there are so many small ways that firefighters are able to make a difference.
“We might not save a life everyday, but I’d say we affect someone’s life everyday,” he said. “A lot of that is through our medical responses, where we see people one-on-one. We’re out on the freeway and we’re disentangling people from wreckage of vehicles and things like that. It’s pretty important work.”
Tilt said joining the fire department is a way to visit other parts of the province, whether that’s providing wildfire support in Northern B.C. or helping with major fires in other communities.
The two mentioned that the fire department is relatively flexible to one’s work schedule when it comes to training, as they host sessions in the afternoons and nights.
Tilt also made sure to mention paid-on-call and volunteer firefighters get “significant” tax breaks.
The two welcomed those interested or unsure to come down to the station at 1799 Nicola Ave. where they can answer more questions.
ONE-HECTARE WILDFIRE NEAR MERRITT
Firefighters in Merritt made quick work of an interface fire on Wednesday afternoon, extinguishing the flames before any homes were damaged.
According to Merritt Fire Rescue, crews were called to a small fire in the Monck Park Road area near Harmon Estates, just outside Merritt city limits.
,Kelowna &SurroundingAreas
“Thanks to the quick action of our firefighters, the one-hectare fire was brought under control with no damage to nearby structures,” MFR said in a post on social media.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
MFR is urging Merritt residents to exercise caution given dry conditions.
Merritt Fire Rescue Department tackled a one-hectare wildfire near Merritt last week.
TIM PETRUK Castanet
SAVE A LIFE: continued from page 4
NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT
THE WEEKEND THAT’S CHANGING THE WORLD
MITRA You Gotta Have Faith
Jerusalem, over 2,000 years ago.
E aster is the supreme Christian festival.
E aster is lot of other things as well – bunnies, chocolate eggs, the marvel of spring, golden d affodils, holidays etc.
B ut at its heart, Easter is all about Jesus: - about what happened to Him in
- about the fact that after being crucified on Good Friday of that incomparable w eekend, His grave was found empty on Sunday morning!
- and during the next few weeks, a large diverse group of people had a series of e ncounters which they understood as experiences with Jesus, now risen and alive.
- about Christianity, exploding into existence on the basis of these astonishing events, to become the major world faith which it still remains.
T hat’s Easter!
O f course, you may not like to go along with all these – “I mean, corpses being revived! Sorry, b ut I simply don’t believe it. At least not as something that ever happened.
B ut yes, it is the most marvellous story, and a wonderfully potent religious myth, symbolizing t he ability of the human spirit to triumph over even the bleakest circumstances.”
A ctually, the case for believing it really happened as the New Testament describes, is e xtremely impressive at the historical level. Here are some basic explanations.
1. The New Testament documents themselves have been shown to be authentic first c entury writings, composed in the years immediately following, by people who were a round at the time it all happened.
but also on the d own-to-earth fact that in virtually every case they subsequently suffered excruciatingly, to the point of losing their lives because of their faith in the Risen Jesus.
4 . A claim that the authorities removed the body for security reasons encounters a major d ifficulty. They would have done anything in the subsequent period to quash the p reaching of the early apostles, preaching whose main claim was the resurrection of J esus. Christianity could have been eliminated at a stroke if a mouldering corpse or the d ocumentary evidence of its disposal had been produced. They didn’t do it because they d idn’t have it!
2 . That Jesus’ tomb was found empty is almost universally conceded by those studying C hristian origins. Alternative explanations of His body having disappeared, are d isconcertingly difficult to sustain.
3 . The theory that the disciples ‘stole’ the body of Jesus, flounders not only on their patent s incerity as reflected in the New Testament writings they composed,
H owever, the historical case does not take us all the way. The full proof comes only through a n encounter with Jesus of the Easter faith Himself.
I f Jesus’ resurrection is to be believed, that encounter with Him is available to everyone who o pens themselves to it. That’s just one of the glorious implications of Easter.
T he assurance of life beyond death is another, as well as the possibility of our sins and failure of yesterday being fully and eternally forgiven and the discovery of the new source of power for l iving.
D o not let unfounded modern assumptions about the demise of faith keep you away from b elieving the Easter (resurrection) story. Old, orthodox Christianity is far from finished, it a ctually happens to be true.
H ow tragic if we miss it! Why not get a New Testament this Easter and read the account for y ourself?
H ow about going to a church this Easter Sunday and meeting a living Christian community in t heir celebration?
L ife may be pretty tough for you right now…loneliness, economic pressures, illness, broken r elationships, worries of all kinds, habits you cannot break.
O r, maybe you are just asking, “Is this all there is?”
B ut in spite of all that, or maybe because of it, Easter comes as a great opportunity to discover f or yourself, perhaps for the first time, the wonder of God’s love and forgiveness, and the joy of a new relationship with the Living Christ.
I t could just be the weekend that will change your world.
H appy Easter! Joyous Resurrection!
NARAYAN
LETTERS to the Editor
FOREST RESTORATION: KEY TO B.C.’S FORESTRY FUTURE
Editor,
I am writing in response to the article titled “B.C.’s forestry minister wants to create steady work in Merritt,” published in the Merritt Herald on March 27, 2025. While the article addresses important challenges facing our forestry sector, it misses a critical opportunity: expanding forest restoration to mitigate the impacts of tariffs and strengthen local economies.
The recently published Economic Value of Canada’s Tree Nursery Sector report highlights that this sector, an integral component of the forest restoration supply chain, generates $256.3 million annually, contributes $535.4 million to GDP, and supports 4,378 full-time equivalent jobs primarily in rural areas. As Canada faces increased wildfires and environmental challenges affecting our forests, the role of tree nurseries in forest restoration and economic resilience becomes ever more crucial.
If we aim to restore just 15% of the forests burned in 2023 and 2024, we will need over 5.3 billion seedlings. This endeavor could generate an additional $1.87 billion in revenue, contribute $3.91 billion to GDP, and create nearly 30,986 full-time equivalent jobs. Not only is this an environmentally sound strategy, but it also represents a significant economic opportunity, laying the groundwork for healthier forests in the future.
Focusing on growing tree seedlings offers several benefits:
1. Business Support: Prioritizing forest restoration will strengthen nurseries, their workforce and the entire forest restoration supply chain, as demand for seedlings rises with decreased harvest levels.
2. Sustainability: Growing high quality seedlings ensures a steady wood supply for future generations, helping stabilize the industry amidst market fluctuations.
3. Job Creation: Expanding planting projects provides employment opportunities and the potential to mitigating job losses from mill closures.
4. Environmental Health: Forest restoration is vital for combating climate change and ensuring healthy forests for our future. .
While U.S. tariffs present challenges, large-scale restoration efforts can address pressing economic concerns and secure the future of our forests. I urge local and provincial leaders to recognize the potential of enhancing forest restoration as part of a comprehensive strategy to support our forestry sector and counteract tariff effects.
– Rob Keen
Executive Director, Canada Tree Nursery Association
CHOOSING LEADERSHIP DURING A CRITICAL TIME FOR CANADA AND THE WORLD
Editor,
March 23rd marked the commencement of the 2025 Canadian federal election.
This is happening at a critical time for both Canada and the world.
There is no denying the political turbulence our country is facing due to the chaotic leadership of US President Donald Trump, who has threatened Canada’s sovereignty and cut international assistance through USAID.
They have shut down an agency that contributed more than 42 per cent of global health funding, putting decades of progress in combating extreme poverty and eliminating the world’s deadliest diseases at risk.
As a country, we have played a key role in reducing child mortality by half in the past 25 years, eradicating poliomyelitis almost everywhere in the world, saving the lives of over 7 million children as the largest donor to vitamin A supplementation, and lifting over 1 billion people out of extreme poverty since 2000.
We cannot stop now. I know it can be overwhelming to make a choice in an election because of its potential to change the course of things, but in reality, it’s quite simple.
Would your leader of choice be willing to put the needs of our country and others before their own?
– Bernice Ko Vancouver, B.C.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
A LOOK BACK
APRIL 6, 2017
LOCAL PLAYERS HEADED TO NEW ZEALAND
During the spring break, a group of female rugby players from Merritt Secondary School paid a visit to New Zealand to play some exhibition games, take in the countryside, and absorb a whole bunch of the culture from the land down under.
Later this month, nine softball players and coaches with ties to the Nicola Valley will be making a similar once-in-a-lifetime journey – to participate in the World Masters Games in Auckland and the neighbouring region of Waikato, from April 21 to 30.
APRIL 5, 2016
ALLOWABLE CUT REDUCED
B.C.’s chief forester has decreased the allowable annual cut (AAC) in the Merritt timber supply area (TSA), dropping it from 2.4 million cubic metres to 1.5 million.
By March 24, 2021 it will decrease to 1.2 million cubic metres
APRIL 2, 2010
P.E.I RUGBY GIRLS GET MERRITT EXPERIENCE
The Merritt Secondary School girls soccer team will be taking part in a cultural youth exchange to Prince Edward Island.
The exchange sponsored by the YMCA will involve 25 girl from the P.E.I. girls rugby team traveling to Merritt from March 28 to April 3 and the MSS girls soccer team traveling there the following week, April 4 to April 10.
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION
Proposed Zoning Amendment
Notice is hereby given that the City of Merritt Council will consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2399, 2025 for the property at 1500 Willow Crescent (subject property shown on map) in the Regular Council Meeting scheduled April 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers, City Hall, at 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, British Columbia.
PROPOSED CHANGES: Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2399, 2025 would amend the Zoning for the southern portion of the subject property from “R5 – Mobile Home Park” to “R7 – Medium Density Residential.”
The proposed Zoning will allow development of the subject property for Medium Density Residential, including townhomes and apartments.
As per the Official Community Plan, the property is designated for Low to Medium Density Residential. The proposed Rezoning is aligned with this designation and the general vision of the corresponding OCP sector of Middlesboro – to include a mix of low and medium density residential, parks, and industrial uses. Since this Rezoning Application is consistent with the City of Merritt Official Community Plan, a PUBLIC HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD.
PROVINCIAL PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to the Local Government Act section 464(3) the City is prohibited from holding a public hearing regarding the proposed bylaw. Consistent with provincial legislation, members of the public are not permitted to address Council regarding the proposed bylaw during the Council meeting.
Please note that the Council will not receive further submissions from the public concerning this application after the conclusion of the public hearing. It is the responsibility of the submitter to ensure that materials are received prior to the close of the public hearing.
MORE INFORMATION: A copy of the proposed Bylaw amendments may be viewed Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt BC, until Tuesday, April 22, 2024, or online at any time at WWW.MERRITT.CA.
FUNDING SECURED
Thanks to the Ministry of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness (EMCR), the City of Merritt has secured $60 million in funding to complete setback Dike 129 and setback Dike 130. This significant investment strengthens our community’s flood protection. These dikes will greatly enhance public safety by providing the river with the necessary space to expand in all seasons, including during ice jams, while also supporting biodiversity within the Coldwater River corridor. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our project partners.
FOR MORE CURRENT PROJECT STATUS, AND FAQ’S GO TO FLOOD.MERRITT.CA
FOR INQUIRIES ON THESE PROJECTS EMAIL FLOODMITIGATION@MERRITT.CA
Crews are out cleaning the streets, starting with the northern neighourhouds and working south. It will take several weeks to clean the streets. Please be patient, obey traffic signage and do not sweep yard debris into piles on the road.
GRASSLANDS 4-H MEMBERS DELIVER
UNIQUE SPEECHES AT ANNUAL EVENT
GRASSLANDS 4-H CLUB
Contributor
On March 9, the Grasslands 4-H Club held their annual speaking event.
At this event, club members must prepare and deliver a speech to an audience on a topic of their choice.
All the speeches were unique and descriptive.
Some made you laugh, and others gave you important information.
This speaking event was held at the Quilchena Club House, and volunteers donated their time to judge the event.
Some of the speech topics included: Why I Am Afraid of Out Houses, Rodeo, Bad Luck, Why I Love the Dishwasher, and many more phenomenal topics.
There was one Speak and Show titled Wild
About Wild Rags, and in the Cloverbud division, there was a Show and Tell about the hobby of knitting. Between each speech the Club auctioned off cakes and yummy desserts as a fundraiser and raised over $700 dollars for the club.
The winners in each category were as follows:
Junior Speeches
- 1st Place- Stella Elliott
- 2nd Place- Arthur Sutton
- 3rd Place- Mya Martindale
Senior Speeches
- 1st Place- Gretchen Willms
- 2nd Place- Myra Goss
Speak & Show
- 1st Place- Laycee Herman Cloverbud Show & Tell
- 1st Place- Charlotte Sutton
May27,1938-December13,2023
ShirleyJoanNicholls(neeWalker)passedawayunexpectedlyon December13,2023attheGillisHouseinMerritt,BC,whereshewas
OnMay27,1938,ShirleywasborninPenticton,BC.Inheryouth,she workedalongsidehermotherinthecanneriesintheNaramata/Penticton area.ThefamilylivedinvarioustownsandeventuallysettledinMerritt.
OnJuly16,1956,ShirleymarriedStephenNicholls.Together,they raisedtheirfivechildren.Theyenjoyedcamping,fishing,andhunting. Shirleyalsoenjoyedplayingfastballinheryoungeryears.Shirleyand Stevehadanopendoorpolicywherefamilywouldcometovisitandthe grandchildrenalwaysknewtherewouldbecookiesinthecookiejarand
Inherlateryears,shelovedwatchingtheCanucksontelevision, alongsideherbrother.ShirleytookdelightingettinganA&Wteenburger andgoingonabooniecruiselookingforwildlifeandwildflowers.She enjoyedputtingpuzzlestogether,andevenmoresoifshehadsomeone
PEDESTRIAN DEAD AFTER ‘UNAVOIDABLE’
COLLISION ON COQUIHALLA: RCMP
Castanet
Shirleywaspredeceasedbyherparents,EmeryandMary(Zimmer) Walker,herhusbandStephenNicholls,hergrand-daughterKristy McKenna,herdaughterDebraHeard,herbrotherJimWalker,andhersister
A man is dead following a collision on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt.
According to police, the man killed was a pedestrian walking along the side of the highway near Kane Valley Road.
“The vehicle involved was unable to avoid the collision and remained on scene,” RCMP Cpl. James Grandy said in a news release. “No criminality is suspected.”
The highway was closed for hours to northbound traffic, but all lanes have since reopened.
Police and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the incident. Anyone with information can call Merritt Mounties at 250-378-4262.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
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INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO TARIFFS, SAYS COLLIERS EXPERT
JAMI MAKAN Business in Vancouver
Industrial real estate, which has seen big gains and tight vacancy in recent years, could be brought to its knees by the unfolding trade war.
Adam Jacobs, head of research with Colliers Canada, said industrial real estate has been “bulletproof” over the past decade, benefiting from trends like high immigration, e-commerce expansion and same-day delivery.
But now, “It does seem like the impact of this [trade war] might be felt a little more on industrial just because the industries that are targeted, like automotive, agriculture, resources, all of those, they are just much bigger users of industrial space than they are of office space,” he said.
Conversely, some industrial users are actually increasing their storage demands to hedge against uncertainty and continue offering just-in-time fulfilment, but Jacobs said the tariffs are a net negative.
“I can’t honestly say tariffs are going to help anything in the real estate world,” he said. “They are not going to help the office market or the housing market or the industrial market. It’s clearly a negative, it’s just a matter of the impact might be a little more profound [on industrial real estate].”
Office real estate may not be hit as hard, with large occupiers like government, financial institutions and insurers not expected to downsize or sublet their space significantly, Jacobs said.
Meanwhile, real estate in the hospitality and travel sectors could actually see a boost, with Canadians cancelling their U.S. trips in favour of staycations or destinations like Mexico and Europe.
“I think there’s a whole domestic restaurant-hotels ecosystem that might actually get a little bump right now,” he said.
The same goes for retailers touting made-inCanada goods and services. Though they could have problems sourcing materials and inputs, they could potentially have their best year ever, Jacobs said.
Meanwhile, major infrastructure and investment projects such as high-speed rail, pipelines, ports, resource projects and roads could be taken off the shelf and prioritized, offering some measure of relief.
“I feel like now there’s a level of urgency,” Jacobs said.
The Colliers expert said B.C. may be insulated from the worst, with its diversified economy and relatively lower exposure to exports like aluminum, oil, potash, manufacturing and automotive – sectors that may have trouble pivoting to new suppliers on short notice.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce ranked the most tariff-exposed cities in Canada in a Feb. 11 analysis. Vancouver ranked No. 32 based on its U.S. export intensity (relative to local GDP) and dependence (relative to total exports).
“It’s a negative for everyone in terms of inflation and cost of living, but I think B.C. is a little more insulated,” Jacobs said.
It’s now clear that the tariffs weren’t simply a negotiation tactic and may be here to stay for quite some time, he said.
With Canada’s April 28 federal election fast approaching, the country’s leaders will soon have a fresh mandate to tackle the trade war.
“This has already gone further than I thought,” Jacobs said.
PHOTO/ORION CONSTRUCTION
Industrial real estate, such as this distribution centre in Campbell Heights, Surrey, is particularly exposed to ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
APRIL
ISSUES THAT CAN ARISE FROM POOR DENTAL HYGIENE
The importance of maintaining dental hygiene is emphasized from the time most people are small children. Indeed, parents start early by cleaning kids’ teeth the moment the first one pushes its way through a baby’s gums, and that hopefully kick-starts a lifelong devotion to dental care.
Appearance may be the main reason why many people prioritize dental hygiene, and few things set as strong an impression as a set of pearly whites. But health is another notable reason to make dental hygiene a priority. It goes without saying that dental health is adversely affected by poor dental hygiene habits, but the rest of the body also can suffer when individuals don’t take time to care for their teeth.
• Cardiovascular disease : The American Academy for Oral & Systemic Health reports that poor dental hygiene and inflammation of the arteries are directly linked. That’s because bacteria from the mouth enters the bloodstream and causes the arteries to harden, thus increasing a person’s risk for stroke or heart attack. The AAOSH also notes that poor oral health has been linked to high blood pressure and elevated levels of “bad” cholesterol, each of which pose a threat to cardiovascular health.
• Diabetes: The American Diabetes Association notes that periodontal disease causes inflammation in the gums. That’s a notable link, as the ADA points out that inflammation in the body can cause high blood sugar levels, which is a known risk factor for diabetes. Simple oral hygiene practices like daily brushing and flossing can protect against gum disease that can increase the risk for diabetes.
• High-risk pregnancy: Women should know that taking care of their teeth could be a notable way to protect their unborn children. A 2021 study published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that periodontal disease is strongly associated with premature birth. Authors of the study note that premature birth is associated with a host of negative outcomes, including perinatal mortality, immature lung development, reduced feeding ability, and inferior weight gain.
• Respiratory issues: The mouth is vulnerable to bacteria growth, which is one reason why daily measures like brushing and flossing are so important. The AAOSH notes that once bacteria reaches the lungs, an individual’s risk for infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory issues increases. Dental hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are simple measures, but they can have a profound effect on individuals’ overall health.
ORAL HEALTH MONTH
TOOTH DECAY MOST COMMON CHILDHOOD DISEASE
Dental caries, commonly referred to as cavities or tooth decay, continue to be big problems among young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and the leading cause of missed school among children.
More than half of children between the ages of six and eight have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists reported in its State of Little Teeth findings that while tooth decay had decreased overall, one in five children under the age of five have experienced tooth decay. Oral health experts surmise that controversy over the use of fluoride may be one contributor. Diet also has an effect on oral health.
Children who consume sugary drinks and treats, like fruit bars and gummy snacks, are doing their dental health a disservice. Amanda Hill, a registered dental hygienist, says she has seen an uptick in the number of young children with crowded baby teeth, leading to poor facial growth and unhealthy airway development. This may lead to “mouth breathing,” which increases risk for decay and gum disease. Hill suggests soft foods and “pouch” treats like yogurts and applesauce may be robbing developing children from chewing, thus leaving them with an underdeveloped jaw.
Children should see a dentist, if not at the time their first teeth erupt, by their first birthdays. Establishing a consistent dental routine also can ensure healthy teeth and catch dental issues early.
Goodoralhealthhasanimpactonour overall wellbeing!
Aspar tofahealthylifestyleandtohelp reducethe riskofOraldisease:
✔ Keep yourmouthcleanwith regularbrushing, flossingandlimitedsugar
✔ Checkyourmouth regular ly forsigns ofgumdiseaseororalcancer
✔ Eat well.Good nutritionhelps build strong teethandgums
✔ Donotsmokeorchewtobacco
✔ Visityourdentist regular ly forcheckupsandcleaning
EFFORTS TO PRESERVE NLAKA’PAMUXCIN FLOURISH IN MERRITT
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A new generation of Nlaka’pamuxcin speakers are being raised as efforts to teach the language to a new generation of Indigenous populations are seeing fruition.
In the last few years, new programs offering education in Indigenous languages are being taught at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT).
The programs were designed to preserve and revitalize the existence of Indigenous languages of the region, such as Nlaka’pamuxcin.
NVIT offers education in this field up to two years, which costs to the program would be covered through grants. Getting a full education in the subject requires one to go to UBC Okanagan to finish.
Later this year in June, the first batch of students from this program are expected to graduate.
REVITALIZING LANGUAGE
Some learners, who are not as far along on their language journey, are also taking big steps to gather fluent speakers of the Nlaka’pamuxcin language.
Lower Nicola Indian Band member Jamie Swakum and Tsatsu Bobb are two of the five second-year students at NVIT enrolled in the Indigenous language program.
On Saturday, April 5, the two invited some of the last fluent speakers of the Nlaka’pamuxcin language to be able to gather and speak the language.
“I think the realization that we are really losing a lot of our fluent speakers and that we don’t have very many speakers left is the reason we are trying to awaken or remember our language,” Swakum said.
According to Statistics Canada’s 2016 Aboriginal Community Portrait of the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council, only nine per cent - or 70 people - of the community had knowledge of an Indigenous language.
The number of speakers is seemingly in decline. The same census taken a decade earlier shows that 17 per cent of the community had knowledge of an Indigenous language.
In 2021, the Coldwater Indian Band reported they had 12 fluent speakers of Nlaka’pamuxcin. Swakum, who said she grew up exposed to Nlaka’pamuxcin through her grandparents, lost the language as she grew older.
“Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents,” she said. “One of my grandparents didn’t speak very much English. So, I want to say yes, it was my first language because I needed to understand what they were talking about.”
“As they passed away, I lost my language. I wasn’t (being) exposed to it anymore.”
To regain that knowledge, Swakum and Bobb enrolled in the Indigenous language program.
As part of their final project for the year, the pair gathered many of the region’s remaining Nlaka’pamuxcin speakers. Many of them are considered elders.
Their goal for creating this environment is not only for them to learn as students, but also to create an environment where the elder speakers can converse fluently with others.
“Someone had said, ‘their (the elders) voice gets lonely because they’re not able to speak the language,” Swakum said at the gathering.
She hopes the elders and learning speakers there were able to share their stories with each other to promote the program and language.
“I think the more we share the story, the more the language is going to become stronger,” she said.
Bobb, who is from Spuzzum first nation, said she is grateful to have the chance to meet with the large group of speakers considering her community only has one fluent speaker left, Marion Dixon.
She called the gather “historic”.
During her upbringing, Bobb was not exposed to the language. She said her family had lost it around the time of her grandmother.
“My late grandmother was very fluent, but she was ashamed because of the forced assimilation and colonization of Spuzzum First Nation during the gold rush,” Bobb said.
“Whenever the priests were around, she wouldn’t speak.”
Bobb shared the sentiment of giving the elders a place to speak their language. She said her dad shared stories of her grandmother meeting with another elder and being able to speak Nlaka’pamuxcin.
“They would get together in a corner and speak Nlaka’pamuxcin, and it was beautiful,” she said.
Many of the elders lost the ability of part of their ability to speak their language due to colonization efforts and through residential schools.
SURVIVING
ASSIMILATION
James Shuter, or Cicums in Nlaka’pamuxcin, is a native speaker of the language and is one such survivor of the residential school system. He took part in the gathering of Nlaka’pamuxcin speakers on April 5.
Shuter (Cicums) was born and raised in Shulus, B.C. up until he was four-years-old, when his mother died of tuberculosis and he moved to Douglas Lake with his aunt and cousins.
Nlaka’pamuxcin was Shuter’s (Cicums) first language growing up. He spoke it with his PRIORITY: continued on page 15
SCHOOLDISTRICTNO.58(NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN) BUDGET PLANNINGPROCESS–2025/2026ANNUAL BUDGET
Wednesday, April 16, 2025:
Wednesday, May 7, 2025: PLEASE
Apublic budgetpresentationwillbemade to interested stakeholdersattheMerrittSchoolBoardOfficeandlive streamed(instructions to beprovidedontheschool district websitenews feed). Representativesfromour rightsholders, schools’ Parent Advisory Council(PAC), District Parent Advisory Council(DPAC), teacher andsupportstaffunions,principals,andmembersof thepublicareinvited to attendthismeeting toreview provincialfunding,districtprojections forenrolment, as wellasprovidemorespecificinformation regarding thedistrict’sannual budget.Stakeholder groupsand members ofthepublicare welcome to outlinetheir prioritiesandprovideinputintothe budgetplanning processduringthequestionperiod.Themeetingwill commenceat5:00PM.
First reading forthenewBudget bylawwillbepresented atanOpenBoardMeeting,May 7, 2025,6:00PMwith secondandthird readingsscheduled fortheOpen BoardMeeting,May 14,2025,6:00PM.
Representativesfromstakeholder groupsormembers ofthepubliccanalsomakeapresentation to Finance Representativesinprivateiftheysodesire. Individuals or groupsinterestedinmakingsuchapresentation mustcontacttheSecretary Treasurerathcull@365. sd58.bc.ca by April 11,2025, to arrangeameeting, suppor ted by awrittensubmission.
PHOTO/TY LIM
A new generation of Nlaka’pamuxcin speakers is here as NVIT offers education in Indigenous languages.
‘THAT’S THE PRIORITY OF THE SCHOOL, THE LANGUAGE’
PRIORITY: continued from page 14
mother and grandparents, and later with his aunt and cousins.
When he was around 10-years-old he was put into a residential school in Lytton along with two of his brothers.
The residential school in Lytton was known as St. George’s school. It was a religious school established by the Anglican missionary organization, The New England Company which had ties with the Church of England.
According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCFTR), St. George’s dealt with overcrowding issues, along with sanitation and fire safety problems. The organization also said a former employee of the school was found guilty to numerous sexual abuse charges in 1993.
It wasn’t until 1979 that the school was closed. NCFTR lists 35 of the deaths of students.
Shuter (Cicums) said he and his brothers had to go to residential school if their family wanted to get “benefits”, like food, from the Indian Act.
“We had no options,” Shuter (Cicums) said. “They said that we had to go.”
Records from St. George’s residential school held by the Canadian government are under restricted access in accordance to code 32, which states the material may contain “potentially sensitive or injurious information” such as information in regards to a law enforcement investigation or a person’s private information or medical records.
NCFTR stated that one of the school’s principles in the 1930s used to drive kids who attempted to run away back to the school, chasing them in his car.
Shuter (Cicums) was one of 150,000 children across Canada who were put into residential school.
He said that he, like every child in the residential school system, was forced to abandon their language.
“They told us we couldn’t speak our language or anything like that. But we (continued to speak it) only to ourselves,” he said.
At the time, much of his knowledge of the language was based on what he remembered of communicating with his mother, aunt and grandparents.
He said when he got into residential school, he would visit older people who were fluent in Nlaka’pamuxcin.
“I had to kinda ask them sometimes, ‘what does that mean?’ Then they would tell me,” he said. “They would get after me sometimes that I should speak the language more,” he joked.
Shuter said after leaving the residential school system, part of the language was lost.
When asked how he continued to learn the language to a fluent standard, he said, “we didn’t. We just heard it as we gathered together with some of our friends or whatever,” he said. “We talked in little, short sentences, not big ones because a lot of the big, long sentences we kind of forgot because we didn’t hear them that often.”
Shuter (Cicums) said Merritt used to have a place where speakers Nlaka’pamuxcin could gather, naming a place called ‘Granny’s Kitchen’.
He was happy that the speakers had a place to gather today, but emphasised that he would like to see somewhere permanent.
“I feel there is no place where they (speakers) can gather, and all we hear is just the language (Nlaka’pamuxcin),” he said.
Now, Shuter (Cicums) teaches Nlaka’pamuxcin at the
LNIB school.
LANGUAGE SANCTUARIES
Swakum said some of her grandchildren who live in the Lytton area have easy access to Nlaka’pamuxcin language education in the schools they go to.
“That is the priority of the school, the language. So, when they come to events with me, they hear the language, they understand it,” she said.
Though some of her grandchildren who are in the public school system, suffer from the low number of native speakers to educate them.
Swakum said one of her grandsons in high school at MSS didn’t have the opportunity to take the language class because there was no teacher for it.
Meanwhile, Bobb and her cousins have been trying to rally more of their community to learn the language.
“There’s four of us that are learning it (Nlaka’pamuxcin) but that’s not enough. We got to create a culture, get them going to encourage them to learn because, Marion Dixon, she’s the last one, and she’s the only one who knows her dialect,” she said.
Swakum and Bobb are on the second year of their four-year-long education. Right now they have a knowledge of the vocabulary, but hope gatherings like these can teach them to speak conversationally.
“Here (At NVIT), the western way of learning is giving me the vocabulary, but gathering here is giving me my voice,” Swakum said.
PLUMBING &HEATING
Warren and Stacey Arnoldus decided to open their counselling clinic Four Corners, which offers affordable therapy for its patients.
NEW COUNSELLING SERVICE OFFERS AFFORDABLE THERAPY IN MERRITT
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Four Corners Counselling has opened in Merritt, filling what owners and registered therapy practitioners Warren and Stacey Arnoldus call a “needed service” in town.
“Since moving to Merritt and being in the (health) field, we’ve noticed a lack of support in the health field in general. We even have a hard time keeping our hospital open, so we saw a need for it here in Merritt and decided to open up our own practice here locally,” Warren said.
He and Stacey have lived in Merritt for nearly five years now. Stacey herself completed her Bachelor of Arts in social work at NVIT and is now studying for her Master’s of Arts in counseling psychology at Yorkville University.
For other experience, both have experience in social work. Warren is a certified social worker, and he has been doing one-on-one therapy sessions for the last 10 years.
They plan on providing general therapy to whoever needs it, with Arnoldus’ rates starting at $165 an hour. They are covered by about 30 health insurance benefits. Being on a practicum, Stacey provides reduced rates, at $65 an hour. They work on providing clients with affordable or pro-bono services if needed. Referrals for specialized needs are given out by them on a need basis. “The clients that are living kind of paycheck to paycheck, if we’re not able to help them ourselves, we’re able to connect them with a resource,” said Arnoldus, “There’s a few agencies in town as well that that offer pro-bono services,
and we do our best to try to connect them with funding for therapy services. If not, we’ll refer them to somewhere that’s more affordable for them.”
The two pride themselves on providing unique care for clients based on their needs.
“I really lean towards cognitive behavioral therapy,” Stacey said. In her schooling, she is also training to use other therapy techniques. One technique she mentioned she’s learning is the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a modern therapy technique that targets a person’s memories and reduces trauma.
With Warren, some of his “foundation” therapy techniques are acceptance and commitment therapy and narrative therapy. Both techniques revolve around offering flexible ways that can allow a person to make behavioral changes.
Through Warren’s time as a social worker, the two have established connections throughout Merritt and Kamloops, and they work closely with the local shelters, ASK Wellness Society as well as neighbouring first nations.
In case any of their clients need those connections, they believe it’s just a “phone call away.”
They look forward to providing support in a small town and recognizing everybody’s humanity, strengths and giving them a place for care.
“Looking at the core is that everybody’s human, and everybody deserves care and a place to go to for help,” said Stacey. Those who are interested or have more questions can contact Four Corners Counselling at 250-315-5051 or email admin@fourcornerscounselling.ca.
MERRITT RESIDENT TO MAKE HOME UPGRADES AFTER WINNING $1 MILLION FROM LOTTO 6/49
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
A lucky Merritt man has some extra money in his pocket after winning $1 million from a Lotto 6/49 draw.
Marshall Charles Willson, during a routine stop at the gas station in town, cheked several of his lottery tickets using a self-scanner and that’s when he learned that he won the massive prize.
He first shared the news with his son. “He didn’t believe it, but he was very happy for me and for this to help our retirement,” recalled Willson.
According to a press release by British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Willson plans to make some upgrades to his home, take care of his wife and save the rest for his retirement.
PHOTO/BCLC
Marshall Charles Willson poses with his $1 million cheque after winning a Lotto 6/49 draw.
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne says the province can now safely wind down a program that sent cancer patients to the United States for treatment. Then-energy minister Osborne, arrives for a news conference about BC Hydro investment in projects in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, June 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
PROGRAM THAT SENT BRITISH COLUMBIANS TO THE U.S. FOR CANCER TREATMENT ENDS
ASHLEY JOANNOU
The Canadian Press British Columbia is ending a program that sent cancer patients to the United States for treatment, saying provincial wait times have improved enough that they no longer have to rely on clinics south of the border.
A statement from the Ministry of Health says as of the end of February, about 93 per cent of patients are waiting less than four weeks to start their radiation treatment, an improvement from spring 2023, when that number was only 69 per cent.
It says the national benchmark is 90 per cent.
existing hospital space and expanded travel programs for people living in rural and remote communities.
The province says a total of 1,107 patients have completed radiation therapy in the United States through the program, but the use of that option has been in steady decline.
Thanks to the progress we’ve made over the past two years, we can now safely wind down this temporary program and focus on getting patients the care they need in B.C.
Health Minister Josie Osbourne
The province began funding as many as 50 radiation patients each week in May 2023 for treatment at clinics in Washington state, saying that in was necessary to ensure people got faster access to life-saving treatment.
The Health Ministry says since April 1, 2023, B.C. has added 224.6 full-time equivalent health-care providers to regional cancer centres, upgraded
It says estimates are that approximately 104 patients would access the program over the coming year if it were to continue, and those people can now be accommodated in B.C.
“By hiring more specialists, upgrading our hospitals, and expanding innovative treatments, B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan is working to improve wait times for radiation therapy and meet national benchmarks,” Health Minister Josie Osborne says in the news release.
“Thanks to the progress we’ve made over the past two years, we can now safely wind down this temporary program and focus on getting patients the care they need in B.C.”
NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS
MERRITT DANCE INSTRUCTOR PROUD AS STUDENT QUALIFIES FOR PROVINCIALS
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Heather Clark, a dance instructor at Merritt Performance Company, is celebrating a significant milestone with one of her students, Alex Cavaliere, who has qualified for the provincial dance competition this year.
Alex, who has been working independently on her dance solos alongside her group performances, qualified for provincials at her very first competition—a remarkable achievement considering the limited number of spots available for qualification.
“To be picked right off the bat is a bigger deal,” said Clark. “By the time you get to the seventh competition, most people have already been chosen. So qualifying early is truly special.”
Clark describes Alex as a dedicated, hardworking dancer with a great attitude and an innate artistic ability.
“She’s a beautiful artist and really excels,” Clark said.
Over the years, Merritt Performance Company has helped numerous students reach their full potential, encouraging them to compete and perform at a high level. Clark is incredibly proud of Alex’s achievement, which reflects the studio’s focus on pushing dancers to the next level.
“As a studio, we’re really trying to focus on taking dancers to the next level so they can compete and perform with success,” Clark explained. “We’re very
NICOLA VALLEY MEMORIAL ARENA HOSTS HOCKEY SESSION FOR GIRLS
proud of them for their hard work and dedication.”
Alex’s journey toward provincials isn’t just about competing; it’s also about personal growth and gaining valuable experience.
“We don’t care necessarily that you win or lose,” Clark shared. “It’s about the experience—taking classes from different teachers, meeting other dancers, and learning from it all. So a lot of that is taking the pressure off, because I think usually the kids put the pressure on themselves.”
As the provincial competition approaches, Alex has been putting in months of preparation, performing her solo at multiple competitions. Clark has already met with her several times to fine-tune her performance, ensuring she is ready for the big event.
“By the time they get to provincials, they’ll be very prepared. They’ve been performing that solo for months, and we usually have one more session before the competition to make sure everything is set.”
Clark believes that experiences like this are invaluable for young dancers, helping them grow both technically and emotionally.
“Alex is an old soul with an enormously bright future ahead of her,” Clark said.
With such dedication and artistry, Alex is sure to continue making an impact on the dance world.
PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ
PHOTO/SUMMIT DANCE CHALLENGE
Heather Clark talks about how proud she is of her student Alex Cavaliere (above) as she qualifies for provincials this year.
NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY
‘FREEDOM OF FLAWS’ CELEBRATES IMPERFECTION AT ART GALLERY
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The Nicola Valley Arts Gallery is showcasing the beauty in imperfection this month with the Freedom of Flaws exhibit.
Presenting in the art gallery’s fourth show of the year, featured artist Amy Maclaren wants to viewers of her work to let go of the idea of perfection.
“Perfection is never a good thing to try and achieve in art because it will make you insane, Maclaren said. This exhibition marks Marlaren’s first time wholly under the spotlight. Despite putting her pieces in previous NVCAC shows, Maclaren had never had a solo show.
“(I’m) excited, mostly. This is an opportunity to show how (art) has affected my life and how it helps me emotionally,” she said.
“When I was at university, I ended my training with a display show. With a display, since all your work was being critiqued by these professionals walking around, it was a lot more unnerving than this (show),” she joked.
Calming nerves is a big part of what drives Marlaren in her passion for creating art.
“I deal with a lot of anxiety,” she said. “(Painting and art) is helpful to just release everything and do something constructive,” she said.
“When I’m painting, I can just put on headphones and just zone out. There was a day where I was literally painting for six hours straight and I just didn’t stop,” she joked.
Many of her pieces use “off” or unrealistic colours to achieve a fictitious feeling in her art.
The use of these types of colours, and purposely creating a sense of unrealism helps Maclaren with the anxiety that comes with chasing perfection in her art.
“If I’m focused on doing something that’s very realistic with natural colours, I find I try and make it perfect and perfection is never a good thing,” she said.
“It makes you go insane because you go, ‘this is not right, this is not right, this is out of proportion,’ so I use off colours. I just use primaries, or I’ll just use bright colours
to deter me from (perfectionism) and I found that it’s helped me.”
Maclaren, who studied art at a Vancouver university, said her parents were major factors in developing her artistic skills.
“I’ve always had my foot in that (artistic) puddle,” she said.
Maclaren’s mother did art as a hobby as well. She was a quilter, and had friends who did the same, allowing Maclaren to grow up in an artistic environment.
Her father, on the other hand, was involved in the forestry industry, working with handmade maps that got her better at drawing.
Her mother even had an art room in their house.
“I think I’m lucky to have that kind of space growing up. In Merritt especially it’s hard to find that space for artists, and that’s why I think the art gallery is so important,” she said.
Over the years, and after moving back to Merritt, Maclaren has “made peace with the mess” and has developed her style until it was consistent enough for her to feel comfortable proposing a show to NVCAC.
Much of her painting work are portraits done digitally. She likes to use what she calls “unique faces” as inspirations for her art, which she mostly gets using open source photos from the Smithsonian museum. She referenced two paintings she has worked on; one being a woman with monolids and another being a person with down-syndrome.
“(I like working with) unique facial proportions and unique cultural aspects,” she said. “Everyone’s faces are unique, it’s like a thumbprint.”
As Maclaren grows as an artist, she hopes to one day be able to sell her art. She also hopes to use her skills to one day go into the graphic design field.
With the show, her message is this, “You don’t have to hide uniqueness or flaws, as the world sees it, because you can portray things in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing without changing someone’s core values. Freedom of Flaws will be showing all through April.
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911
Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Baptist Church
2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464
Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899
Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919
Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.
St. Michael’s Anglican Church 1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772
Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church
Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735
Service Time every Sunday - 10 am
Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268
Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church
1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502
Service Times: Sunday 10 am
Motion Church Merritt 2114 Nicola Avenue • 250-434-3333
Meets the first Sunday of the month at 10am
CLASSIFIEDS
TheSocialServicesCoordinatorisresponsibleforplanning,budgeting,funding,developing, delivering,communitycommunication,andadministeringtheColdwaterIndianBandSocial DevelopmentProgramsandServices.
AreaofResponsibilities:
•Develops,coordinates,andadministers,inconsultationwiththeBandAdministratorand CommunityMembers,aSocialDevelopmentProgramPlanfortheCommunity
MERRITT &DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY
Theobjectofgrieving is nottogetovertheloss but toget through itwith new strengths, understanding and hope reallytofully liveyour ‘new normal’. P:250-280-1701
www.merritthospice.org Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
•ConsultwiththeBandAdministrationstaff,BandAdministrator, Chief&Council,andColdwater CommunityMemberstoidentifyandanalyzesocialandhealthconcernsandneedsandto jointlyplanandimplementinterventionstrategies
•CoordinatesandfacilitatesgroupandindividualmeetingswithColdwaterCommunityMembers tounderstandtheirneedsforSocialDevelopmentProgramsandServices
•Supervises,coaches,and evaluatestheperformanceofemployeesintheSocialDevelopment department
•Developmentsinconsultationwiththe FinanceCoordinator&theBandAdministratorannual operatingbudget
•Develops,secures,andadministersallfinancialandprogramfundsandrecords
•PreparesandsubmitsrequiredreportingtoINACandotherfundingagenciesandorganizations
•LiaiseswithCommunityHealthresourcesinsupportoftheColdwaterCommunityMembership, includingScw’exmxCommunityHealthServicesSocietyandScw’exmxChild & FamilyServices Society, andmonitorstheservicesprovidedtoMembership
Qualifications&Skills:
•Bachelor’sdegreeinsocialworkorequivalent
VALUEADDED LUMBERREMANUFACTURINGPLANT PRODUCTIONWORKERS (FT/PT)
•Wages:starting$20to$28 (dependsonexperience& attendance)
•Steadydayshiftwork
•Studentswelcometoapply
•Noexperiencenecessary
•Willtrain
TRUCKDRIVERSWITHCLASS1 Localsteadywork LICENCEDSECURITYGUARDS
Excellentmedical& dentalplan
PLEASESUBMITRESUME INPERSONTO 1195HoustonStreet,MerrittB.C. 250-378-6161
• Post-secondarycoursesand/orformal TraininginSubstanceAbuse/Alcohol,Drug Counselling,CommunityHealth, Family Violence,HumanResources,Budgeting,Critical IncidentManagementandConflictResolution,anasset
•1-2yearsofsupervisoryandprogrammanagementexperience
•Experienceinthedevelopmentoffundingproposals
•Demonstratedexperienceinfiscalmanagement
•Preferredrelatedexperiencein FirstNationsOrganization
•KnowledgeandunderstandingofgovernmentpolicyandregulationsgoverningSocialServices
policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand. 1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices; 2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.; 4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity; 5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans; 6.Advocateforparticipants’needs; 7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships; 8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation. 9.Participateinteammeetings; 10.Maintainaccuraterecords; 11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.
RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator
2113 Granite Ave., Merritt,BC 250-378-2141 or1-800-668-3379 REGULAROFFICEHOURS Mon.,Tues.,Thurs.& Fri.: 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
•Excellentcommunication,organization,andproblem-solvingskills
•Abilitytoalwaysmaintainahighlevelofconfidentialityandethics
Merritt, BC Wednesday: 1:00 p m - 6:00 p m www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com
•Proficiencyintheuseofcomputers andInternetapplications
•SatisfactoryCriminalRecordCheckandBondable
• Validdriver’slicenseandreliablevehicle
SalaryRange Minimum Pay$30.00.Commensuratewithexperienceandqualifications. Position: 7Hoursperday, Monday-Friday,benefitspackage,aprobationary periodof6months, andperformance evaluation.
Pleasesubmitadetailedcoverletterandresumeexplaining howyoumeetthejobpostingrequirements.
Applicationswillbeaccepteduntil4:00pmonApril11,2025. Attention:ColdwaterHumanResourcesCommittee Email:kristopher@coldwaterband.org
•ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity; •AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense;
CLASSIFIEDS
ColdwaterIndianBand
JobPosting Receptionist
TheColdwaterIndianBandiscurrentlyrecruitingforafull-timeReceptionist.TheReceptionist isresponsibleforprovidingthereceptionfortheColdwaterIndianBandOfficeandclerical, administrative,andsecretarialsupporttotheBandAdministratorandAdministrationstaff.The ReceptionistperformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand JobDescription, Policies,standards,andproceduresandasdirected by theBandAdministrator.
GeneralRequirements,QualificationsandExperience:
•MaintainsconfidentialityonallmattersrelatingtotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand
•Receives,screens,anddirectsallincomingtelephonecalls
JOBPOSTING
AMA7SWA7NURSE
Full-timePermanent (35hrs/week)
Ama7 Swa7Nurseis responsible forprovidingqualityhomecaretoXwistenClients thatarereferred to theHomeandCommunity Care Program.
DutiesandResponsibilities
ProudlyrecognizedasMerritt'sBestBookkeeper/Accountantofthe2019,2020,and2021 People'sChoiceAwards.It'sbeenourpleasureandprivilegetoserveourcommunityforover20 yearsandwelookforwardtobringinganothercommunitymembertojoinouroffice.Attentionto detailandbeingateamplayerisparamount.Salarywillbedependantonexperience.
Maintaingeneralledgersandfinancialstatements. Calculateandpreparechequesforpayroll. Prepareotherstatistical,financial,andaccounting reports. Keepfinancialrecordsandestablish,maintain,and balancevariousaccountsusingSage50. MustbeefficientinMicrosoftExcelandWord. Please email resumeto cjrbook@telus.net, or mail to Attn.ConnieRauch(Owner) CJRBookkeeping&TaxServicesInc. POBox2402.Merritt,BC.V1K1B8
ColdwaterIndianBand
JobPosting FINANCEMANAGER
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING
Thompson-NicolaRegionalDistrict
When? Thursday,January18th,2024,at1:30PM
TheBoardofDirectorsoftheThompson-NicolaRegionalDistrictgivesnoticethatitwillholdaPublicHearing intheTNRDBoardroom,4thFloor-465VictoriaStreet,Kamloops,BC,toconsiderproposedBylaw2822.
WhatisTemporaryUsePermitTUP68,Bylaw2822,2023?
Itwouldenable Traveller AccommodationUse (“short-term rental”)withinanexistingsingle-family dwellingat6592MonckParkRd,at NicolaLake(PID:026-485-541), shownshadedontheadjacentmap, zoned LR-1:LakeshoreResidential zoneforuptothreeyears.The specificTUPconditionsarestipulated ontheproposedpermitwhichforms partofBylaw2822.
ColdwaterIndianBandrequirestheserviceofa FinanceManager.The FinanceManagerwill reporttoandbeunderthesupervisionoftheBandAdministrator. Thispositionisresponsiblefor theday-to-daymanagementofthefinancialadministrationoftheColdwaterIndianBand,including management,reporting,andcontroloffinancialinvestmentsandassets.Alldecisionsandactions mustmeetthepolicies,legislations,andproceduresoftheColdwaterIndianBand,includingthe FinancialLawandotherLawsendorsed nanceManagerwill overseeallthepayroll,accountsreceivable,accountspa ble,andotherstaffsupportingthe department.Thiswillensuretheday-to-d entandupdated.Thesuccessful candidatewillpromotethegrowthandrene terIndianBandfinancedepartment. Thefinancemanagerwill overseethefinancesoftheProgramsandServices,includingLand, Wills&Estates,Public Works,Education,Cold reHall, SocialDevelopment,EconomicDevelopment,and nancialInvestments,BusinessEntitiesand Assets.
GeneralRequirements,QualificationsandExperience:
Allpersonswhobelievethattheir interestinpropertymaybeaffectedby theproposedbylawshallbeafforded areasonableopportunitytoprovide inputatthePublicHearing.AnyonewhowishestopresentattheHearingvirtually(viaZoom)mustcontact LegislativeServicespriortonoononJanuary16th,2024,toarrangevirtualaccess.Anyonemayalsomake writtensubmissionsonthematterofBylaw2822(viatheoptionsbelow),whichmustbereceivedatouroffice priortonoononJanuary16th,2024.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart ofthepublicrecordforthismatter.
•Prefer Post-SecondaryDegreeinarelevantfieldsuchasBus nancial Administration,orequivalentcombinationofeducationandexperienceworkingfora First Nationsorganizationorworkingtowardsanaccountingdesignation
•ExperienceinallrelatedareasofAccounting(A/P, A/R,payroll,financialmanagement, budgeting,andfinancialreporting)
•ExperienceinthedevelopmentofAccounting PoliciesandProcedures
•Abilitytoorganize,prioritize,andmanageworkload
HowdoIgetmoreinformation?
•Strongsupervisoryskills
CopiesoftheproposedBylawandallsupportinginformationcanbeinspectedfrom8:30a.m.to4:30p.m., Monday-Friday(exceptstatutoryholidays)atouroffice,fromDecember22nd,2023,until1:30p.m.onthe dayoftheHearing;orpleasecontactusviaanyoftheoptionsbelow.
•KnowledgeoftraditionallanguageandcustomsoftheColdwaterBand
•GoodworkingknowledgeofXyntax,afinancialoperationsystem
•Exceptionalintegrityandprofessionalism
•Abilitytoconsistentlydemonstratetact,discretion,andsoundjudgment
HEADSTART/DAYCAREMANAGER
LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand
Full Time PermanentPosition
Wage$30-$35hr.
TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD).
Reporting to theHealth Manager, theAdministratorwillbe responsibleprimarily forthe overallSupervisionoftheHeadstart/ Daycareprogram.Thisincludesandunderstanding to staff supervisionandscheduling,ensuringalllicensing,and reporting requirementsarebeingmet,andensuringa quality land-based programisbeingoffered to childrenandfamilies.
FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsfileisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfficer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation.
Onlythoseshor tlistedwill be contac tedand to apply submit resumesand coverletter: Gary Forsyth, Administrator
Fax:250-256-7999E-mail:administrator@xwisten.ca
To pickupanEnrollmentRegistration Package. Positionopenuntilfilled
Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.
•Abletowo independently/withminimalsupervision
•DemonstratedknowledgeofrelatedGovernmentRegulations
Forinfo&submissions Mail Phone Email Website #300-465VictoriaSt Kamloops,BC V2C2A9
(250)377-8673 1(877)377-8673 legservices@tnrd.ca www.tnrd.ca
•Knowledgeof nancialAdministrationLaws(FirstNations FinancialManagementBoard)
•SatisfactoryCriminalRecordsCheck
ValidDriver’sLicenseandreliablevehicle
NorepresentationswillbereceivedbytheBoardofDirectorsafterthePublicHearinghasbeenconcluded. A.Krause,GeneralManagerofDevelopmentServices
HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk
•Preparemonthlyfinancialstatementsandsubmitthemtothe FinancialAdministrationReview CommitteeandCouncilforreviewanddiscussion.
MMUNITY RE (35 lexibl
•Preparedraftannualbudgetswithamendmentsandallitsentities
•Administerandmanagethechartaccountsandallentities
DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.
emberofthe a7Home Program,UnderthedirectionofHomeand Community Care Nurse thesuc andida willpr elegationofta etou HCCNaroundpersonalcaretoclientsliving ser le homeswher lients na We aling Lo ubmit Nasp list
SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities: PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.
•Ensurethefinancialadministrationsystems,policies,andprocedurescomplywith Financial AdministrationLaw
•Administerandsuperviseallmaintenanceof thefinancialsystemandrecordspertheannual audit
•Satisfactory CriminalRecordsCheckandBondable
1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices; 2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.; 4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity; 5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans; 6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;
7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;
SalaryRange Minimum Pay $32.60.Commensuratewithexperienceandqualifications. Position: 7Hoursperday, Monday-Friday, benefitspackage,aprobationaryperiodof6months, andperformance evaluation.
8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.
9.Participateinteammeetings; 10.Maintainaccuraterecords; 11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.
RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator
Pleasesubmitadetailedcoverletterandresume explaininghowyoumeetthejobpostingrequirements.
•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered); •ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity; •AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense; •PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract; •Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends. Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024 Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.
PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto: CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8
Applicationswillbeaccepteduntil4:00pmonApril11,2025. Attention:ColdwaterHumanResourcesCommittee Email:kristopher@coldwaterband.org
On tl te ac apply submit sumesand rl ry rsyth, ministr
Fax:250-256-7999E-mail:administr isten.ca pickupanEnrollmen egistration Positionope ntilfilled
NOTICEOFTEMPORARYUSEPERMIT
Thompson-NicolaRegionalDistrict
When? ThursdayApril17,2025 at1:30PM
The Board of Directors ofthe Thompson-NicolaRegionalDistrictgivesnoticethatitintendstoissue aTemporary UsePermitforTUP 77 inthe TNRD Boardroom,4th Floor- 465VictoriaStreet, Kamloops,BC.
Whatis Temporary Use Permit No. TUP 77?
TUP 77willenable a sole –proprietortruckingbusiness for three years at2527 AberdeenRoad in Lower Nicola, BC(PID: 026–579391)asshown outlinedonthe insetmap.
Allpersonswhobelievethat their interestinpropertymay beaffectedbythe proposed Temporary Use Permit and wishto commentmay doso bymakinga written submission totheBoard of Directorsvia the options below.Allwrittensubmissionsmust be received prior to noononApril 15, 2025.The entirecontent ofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpartofthepublicrecord.
HowdoIgetmoreinformation?
Copiesofthe proposedTemporary UsePermit and allsupportinginformationcan beinspected from 8:30a.m.to4:30p.m.,MondaytoFriday(exceptstatutoryholidays) atouroffice, fromMarch 31, 2025,until1:30p.m. on April,17,2025, orplease contactusviaanyofthe optionsbelow.
Forinfo& submissions
#300-465 VictoriaSt Kamloops, BC V2C 2A9 (250) 377-8673
Norepresentationswill be received bythe Board ofDirectorsafter the submissiondeadline. A. Krause,General ManagerofDevelopment Services
SUDOKU
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
1. Garden tool
5. A way to preserve 11. Gratitude
14. Domestic sheep 15. Simpler
18. Cavities containing liquid
19. Large fish-eating bird
21. Ocular protection index
23. Phil __, former CIA
1. Popular Sunday dinner option
2. Oil cartel
3. Agile
4. Greek goddess of discord
5. Genetically distinct variety
6. Indicates badly
7. Popular Mr. T character
8. Consumed
9. Chinese dynasty
10. NFL great Randy
24. Icelandic poems
28. Pop
29. Device
30. Actor Rudd
32. A pituitary hormone
33. Focus on an object
35. Corpuscle count (abbr.)
36. Young women’s association
39. Not shallow
12. Within
13. Palm trees
16. Fungal disease
17. Tall, slenderleaved plants
20. Affirmative! (slang)
22. A passport is one
25. Two outs in baseball (abbr.)
26. Swiss river
27. Deferential
29. Where a bachelor lives
41. Doctor 42. Furniture
44. Hindu male religious teacher
46. Highly spiced stew
47. A way to communicate
49. Almost last
52. Astronomer Carl 56. Small horses
58. A slender tower with balconies
31. Portable computer screen material
34. A crying noise of a bird
36. Sticky, amorphous substance
37. Starchy dish of dried tubers
38. Type of acid
40. Partner to “Ma”
43. 16 ounces
45. The Bay State
60. A disrespectful quality
62. Fully shaded inner regions
63. Short convulsive intake of breath
48. A well-defined track or path
50. Substitution
51. Defined period
53. Group of toughs
54. Region
55. Famed Scottish Loch
57. Blood relation
58. Not around
59. Recipe measurement
61. Father to Junior
