Merritt Herald March 27, 2025 by Merritt Herald

PAGE 1-11

B.C. MINISTERS TOUR MERRITT

B.C. Ministers of Forestry, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Economic Development see Merritt PAGE 20-22

SPORTS

Ice

MILLIONS OF FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR DIKES

City of Merritt has received $60-million from the B.C. government towards funding the reconstruction of two “critical” sections of dike along the Coldwater River.

The funding announcement on Tuesday, March 25, is the latest development in the costly battle to protect Merritt from future flooding.

The City of Merritt’s flood mitigation team currently has 10 projects they are working on. Since the 2021 flood, they have completed 11 projects, the reconstruction of the Middlesboro Bridge being one of their most coveted.

B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene visited Merritt also on March 25, answering questions about the funding announcement and touring some of the flood sites the city has worked on.

“Standing here on the banks of the Coldwater River is a strong reminder the communities in B.C. are

experiencing more frequent and more extreme climate-related disasters.

We’re seeing intense wildfire seasons, extreme heat events, atmospheric rivers and floods like was experienced here in Merritt and the Nicola Valley,” Greene said.

The $60-million will go towards rebuilding 2.9 km out of a total of 4.9 km of dike that was previously damaged during the 2021 flood.

Once the dikes are built - which flood mitigation team lead Sean Strang estimates could take from three to six years - around 80 per cent of the work on the flood mitigation plan will be completed.

The flood mitigation team has spent the last threeand-a-half years trying to get funding for their projects.

“This project represents a groundbreaking modern flood protection concept and establishes a new balance and a new healthier relationship between people FEDERAL: continued on page 3

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STILL PUSHING FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT

SUPPORT: continued from page 1

and the river as humans,” said Strang.

The construction of the new dikes use new measures that haven’t been commonly seen before.

The new dikes will be constructed whilst attempting to be as environmentally conscious as possible.

“We need security, we need to live somewhere, and we need housing to be something that we can afford. The river also needs room, and nature needs a space,” Strang said.

The dikes will be pushed back to give the river room to naturally maneuver over the course of generations.

This kind of construction uses less rock (riprapping) and also provides space so that natural habitat can form along the river bank.

The project also involved lots of consultation with the neighbouring Indigenous communities.

“I think one of the values I look at through the work with the city, is the ability to incorporate our community’s input and to help build a diking system that is not just designed for protecting people, but it allows for ecosystem to exist where it should exist,” Lindsay Tighe, Chief of Shackan Indian Band said.

He said the collaboration from the city is a step towards building a better relationship amongst all the bands in the Nicola Valley.

The dike system will also involve the acquisition of private property along the most narrow parts of the river.

Landowners among areas of potential impact will be contacted this spring with information regarding advisory process as the dikes will be put in.

It is planned for this fall that a third-party acquisition team will contact those landowners regarding the sale of their property.

Greene said the work the city has done on this project sets the expectation for municipal collaboration amongst different communities.

“They’ve done an excellent job in collaborating with First Nations here, with the provincial government, and advocating to the federal government. I think that really sets the standard of expectations for how to get projects done well and with the full buy-in of the region,” she said, also noting the collaboration with the Province to secure these funds.

The $60-million is adding onto previous provincial spending, creating a total of $130-million invested into Merritt’s flood mitigation.

Mayor Mike Goetz expressed his gratitude to the provincial government for their work and kept promises.

Still, he expressed his frustrations at the federal government’s lack of support.

“We had a (federal) minister here promising that, we would not be forgotten, we would not be left behind. So even though that minister has moved on, the other ministers in the spot will still have to carry that promise out,” Goetz said.

As the funding only represents a portion of the dike, there will still be 1.5 km of work that has yet to be funded.

“The feds have been quite silent. So yes, I’m expecting, and I will be pushing for the last 30 per cent to be funded by the federal government to help out with the situation. I think it’s only proper that that happens.”

Exact date on the start of construction on the dike has not been slated, though it is noted that regulations only allow for work to be done during 11 days in the summer.

JOBS MINISTER MEETS WITH BUSINESSES IN OKANAGAN, NICOLA VALLEY TO TACKLE U.S. TARIFFS

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

As tensions with the U.S. continue to strain trade relations, a few B.C. cabinet ministers are touring the Okanagan and Nicola Valley as the government rolls out efforts to soften the blow of the tariffs.

Diana Gibson, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, made a stop in Merritt on March 20 to address the mounting challenges faced by local businesses hit hard by the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

During her visit, the minister stressed the importance of supporting businesses through these difficult

times, while also identifying new opportunities for growth and resilience.

“Businesses are feeling challenged and I’m meeting with them across the region to identify some of the challenges and also some of the opportunities and how our government can be at the table to work with them, to pivot with the Province,” she told the Herald.

Gibson also highlighted the fact that the tariffs aren’t the only thing that businesses are facing across B.C. and Canada. The executive orders and policy change in the U.S. are shifting market dynamics and it creates BUSINESSES: continued on page 4

PHOTO/BC GOVERNMENT

Diana Gibson, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation of B.C., visited the Okanagan and the Nicola Valley to address the mounting challenges faced by local businesses hit by the U.S. tariffs.

STAND UP FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

opportunities for businesses to tap into the Canadian market.

“My work as the minister responsible for internal trade in Canada is really critical for working to undo any barriers there are for moving goods and services across the country, and we are here to work with the business to make it easy to get them onto the shelves, out in stores in Ontario and Quebec and even further,” she added.

Local businesses, according to Gibson, have shown remarkable resilience in the face of these challenges.

She expressed admiration for their ability to turn adversity into opportunity, while the provincial government works to support them in pivoting their products to new markets, both domestically and internationally.

“It’s very inspiring for me to see (businesses being resilient), and they really have the grit to say, ‘there’s a challenge, but what’s our opportunity here? How do we come out the other side of this’ and really looking to problem solve this,” she explained.

One of the key themes that emerged during the interview with the Herald was the ministry’s plan to support and diversify sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism in the coming years in the region.

“As part of this tour, we’ve been working with our value-added forestry sector, the manufacturing side of producing products with the wood,” Gibson said.

“Across the Okanagan, there’s businesses we’ve been working with and we’ve been funding through our manufacturing jobs fund to help them do more with the wood and ensure we’re getting the maximum value out of it after as we access markets and helping them pivot their markets as well.”

She also highlighted several provincial investments in infrastructure, such as transportation and connectivity improvements, that will support long-term economic growth in the region.

across the country,” the minister explained.

Gibson also added that the ministry is focusing on initiatives that support rural and Indigenous communities long term.

“There are a lot of initiatives that our government has underway to help support rural and Indigenous communities. Certainly, Indigenous loan program to help (the Indigenous communities) get equity as economic development grows, and support economic development with our Indigenous nations partners in this region,” she said.

In Merritt, Gibson also met with local officials to discuss ways to unlock new economic opportunities in sectors such as agriculture and forestry.

She emphasized the importance of transforming local resources into finished products, such as wood for housing construction, to address both the tariff challenge and the ongoing housing crisis.

“(We are) making sure we’re turning (agriculture production) into products we can put on shelves, our wood products that can be used in building homes across the country as we continue to tackle housing,” Gibson said.

“The resources are here. We need to make sure that those jobs are here to those quality manufacturing jobs.”

Youth retention is another priority for the government, with many young people in small communities often seeking opportunities in larger cities.

“One of our goals is to ensure that we have the right kind of jobs and quality jobs, and that we protect them as we face this crisis, so that they are there for the youth to come back to,” she said.

As she wraps her tour through the B.C. Interior, Gibson reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to defending B.C. jobs against the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs.

“Our government is ready to stand up and is continuing, since the first day of those tariffs threats came in, to stand up for jobs in British Columbia and work with the business sector and the local governments, the Indigenous nations and the unions at our provincial tables and on the ground in communities to defend jobs and emerge stronger.” BUSINESSES: continued from page 3

“I know the Minister of Transportation is at the table here, with this region working on any needed highway and other types of infrastructure challenges. And myself, I’m working on unlocking the ability to bring trucking across the country so ensure transportation isn’t a barrier to getting our goods and services

B.C. MINISTER TALKS STABILITY FOR MERRITT’S FORESTRY AMID MILL SHUTDOWNS

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

A steady course is set for Merritt’s forestry industry after Mayor Mike Goetz met with the B.C.’s Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar.

Parmar, who was recently appointed as forestry minister for the NDP’s B.C. cabinet last November, came to Merritt as part of a tour of the Interior last Thursday.

“I have much respect for this city. I was here when the Tolko plant shut down, so this place has a special place in my heart,” he said on March 20.

He came to Merritt under the pretense of wildfire management and discussions on how to defend the timber industry from U.S. tariffs.

Data from the Government of Canada shows B.C.’s timber harvest is forecasted to continue declining.

In 2024 there was a total harvest of just over 65-million cubic metres of timber in the province. Contrasted, the harvest predictions for 2025 show a drop of nearly seven-million cubic metres.

The trend emphasises a nearly two-decade long decline in timber harvesting.

Still, the lumber industry remains a vital part of the province’s economic

contributions, generating $17.4 billion to the provincial GDP in 2022, according to a 2024 economic impact report.

The industry fuels nearly 100,000 jobs in the province both directly and indirectly according to a report from Canada Action forestry.

As one of B.C.’s largest industries, it is heavily represented in Merritt and the Thompson-Okanagan region.

According to a 2019 BC Council of Forest Industries report, 20 per cent of lumber mills in the province are located in the Thompson-Okanagan creating over 14,000 jobs.

Merritt’s timber industry has been in flux over the last decade. The 2016 shutdown of the Tolko Industries sawmill lost the city over 200 jobs.

Aspen Planers, another Merritt lumber mill has been in a state of re-opening and closing over the last few years. Most recently, the mill was temporarily shut down last summer, and before that in early 2022.

As the mill shutdown last summer, the company vice president Bruce Rose said that around 100 jobs were affected by the shutdown. The shutdown at the time had

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B.C. Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar at a press scrum on March 20.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

DAVID EBY WANTS TO RULE, NOT SERVE, THE PEOPLE OF B.C.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

DAVID EBY WANTS TO RULE, NOT SERVE, THE PEOPLE OF B.C.

GORDON CAMPBELL

B.C. Premier 2001 - 2011

GORDON CAMPBELL

B.C. Premier 2001 - 2011

WWWWE live in troubling times. People are frightened and feel vulnerable.

E live in troubling times. People are frightened and feel vulnerable.

DAVID EBY WANTS TO RULE, NOT SERVE, THE PEOPLE OF B.C.

E live in troubling times. People are frightened and feel vulnerable.

Taking advantage of that David Eby’s Bill 7 tries to establish autocratic rule for the next two years in B.C. It’s the move of an aspiring autocrat. Now is the time for measured, thoughtful action.

Taking away democratic rights weakens us and destabilizes our future.

E live in troubling times. People are frightened and feel vulnerable. Taking advantage of that David Eby’s Bill 7 tries to establish autocratic rule for the next two years in B.C. It’s the move of an aspiring autocrat. Now is the time for measured, thoughtful action.

Taking away democratic rights weakens us and destabilizes our future.

E by decries President Trump’s actions while copying him. He wants to rule, not to serve, the people of B.C. He is trying to set aside democracy for more than half his term. His claim that this is necessary to address issues that may arise due to Trump’s tariffs is, put bluntly, nonsense.

T his is the same Premier who reneged on his commitment to call the legislature back right after the election. The election was October 19, 2024. He did not call the legislature back until February 17, 2025, well after President Trump declared his intentions regarding Canada. Eby delayed when it fit his political needs. Now, he introduces Bill 7 not to meet the province’s or Canada’s needs, but to serve his political wishes.

M r. Eby says he wants to remove all trade barriers between provinces. Fine. Lead the way. Table legislation that removes all barriers B.C. imposes on other provinces. Get on with it. He does not need to usurp the democratic authority of the legislature to get that done immediately. Mr. Eby, take down those walls!

T he legislature can be called back within 24 hours any time to properly debate, scrutinize and decide on any actions Mr. Eby dares propose. These are not, and should not be, personal decisions. Important decisions of this magnitude should be decisions where MLAs from every part of the province, from all parties, are included and held accountable.

A ll members of B.C.’s legislature are obligated to stand for Canadian democracy and due process, not to bow to autocracy.

We are Canadian. Our parliamentary principles and practises define our public institutions regardless of party. Canadian responsible government requires that the Premier and his cabinet account to the legislature. That’s the critical democratic link between a Premier and cabinet and the people of the province.

M r. Eby’s Bill 7 is a power grab, pure and simple. It gives Eby the sole power to amend any law, change any regulation, change any tax, use your personal information and ignore the legislature for more than two years. No checks. No guardrails. No recourse. That is simply wrong for all of us regardless of political affiliation or what is decided in the U.S.

M r. Eby’s Bill 7 undermines your rights and the governing principles of Canada. We are smart enough, strong enough and creative enough to withstand powerful changes. But we will fail, if we follow Eby’s desire to undermine the democratic foundation upon which we stand.

A ll people of B.C. deserve to be represented in these times. Any action should take place only with proper public scrutiny.

D emocracy is messy. It can be frustrating, but it is a necessary check on autocratic power.

A ll people of B.C. deserve to be represented in these times. Any action should take place only with proper public scrutiny.

A ll people of B.C. deserve to be represented in these times. Any action should take place only with proper public scrutiny. emocracy is messy. It can be frustrating, but it is a necessary check on autocratic power.

T he best, and constitutionally correct, way to fight Trump’s action is not by suspending our democratic institutions, but rather by fully and carefully considering our response to U.S. actions in our constitutionally enshrined parliamentary system. There is no need or reason to give Eby the dictatorial power he seeks. We should exemplify how a properly functioning democracy makes policy decisions through its legislative assembly in accordance with the rule of law. Eby engage the legislature despite his proclivities to do the opposite.

D emocracy is messy. It can be frustrating, but it is a necessary check on autocratic power.

E very MLA, from every party, has an obligation to uphold our democratic institutions. The legislature can and will act quickly when needed. With Bill 7, Mr. Eby takes away our rights and our elected representative’s responsibilities. We must hope that some New Democrats in his caucus remember they were elected as New Democrats, not New Autocrats. They should not acquiesce to the most autocratic bill ever tabled in B.C.’s legislature.

M LAs should be against this unnecessary power grab. Even if the NDP MLAs cannot find a democratic conscience, then all opposition MLAs must.

To stand up to the U.S., we must first stand up for democracy and against autocracy at home.

M LAs should be against this unnecessary power grab. Even if the NDP MLAs cannot find a democratic conscience, then all opposition MLAs must.

To stand up to the U.S., we must first stand up for democracy and against autocracy at home.

Write, call, email or text your MLA. Tell them to stand for Canada and for our democratic values; tell them not to support this unconscionable power grab of the New Autocrats in Victoria.

G ordon Campbell was the premier of B.C. from 2001 to 2011 and leader of the BC Liberal party from 1993 to 2011.O n March 11, mayors and regional district chairs from around the province joined a zoom call with Premier David Eby, Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon, and Minister of State Brittny Anderson to share insights on the impacts of the tariffs on our communities. E by spoke of aligning procurement policies across all orders of governments, however neither the provincial nor federal governments have yet made changes to their purchasing practices or issued any directives to local government.

T he District of Summerland is therefore currently staying the course with its existing policies and trade agreement obligations, while making every effort to buy Canadian where possible.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

LETTERS to the Editor

RECOMMENDATION FOR FRANK’S MECHANICAL SERVICES

Editor,

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A WORLD LEFT WAITING

Editor,

My name is Adil Mukhi, a high-school student from Mississauga, and I am a passionate advocate for global health and international assistance. I am reaching out to submit a letter to the editor titled “A World Left Waiting” for your consideration. I have copy-pasted the letter below.

The recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid has left millions vulnerable, and now, more than ever, Canada must step up. This is not just a policy issue—it’s a human issue. I have written about this in my letter. I would be honored if you would publish my letter to spark conversation and action. Please let me know if you require any edits or adjustments. I appreciate your time and consideration.

A child sits in a dimly lit clinic, her mother’s anxious whispers filling the silence. The doctor shakes his head—there’s nothing left. No vaccines, no nutritional supplements, no medicine. The cupboards are empty, the promises broken.

In an Ottawa office, decisions are delayed, and files are mixed up. Budgets for aid are discussed, cut, and put on hold for later. Yet, waiting is not an option for that kid or for millions of people like her. Bureaucracy does not stop hunger, and politics do not stop disease from spreading.

We want to picture Canada as a nation that helps others instead of turning away. But what happens if the hand we extend begins to shake? At what point does our dedication become subject to change?

With USAID receding from the global scene, the need has never been higher. This is not about charity; it’s about accountability. We focus on keeping trust with those who seek our help for collaboration, not just rescue.

The mother in that clinic does not know about budget lines or policy briefs. She knows only that her child is hungry. And she is still waiting.

Will we make her wait forever? Tell your MPs that this is the change we want as Canadians.

– Adil Mukhi Mississisauga, Ontario

A LOOK BACK

From the Herald archives

MARCH 2, 2011

B.C.’S NEW PREMIER

Despite lacking any of the heavy weight support that her contenders were brandishing, Christy Clark rose to the top of the leadership race and will now lead the B.C. Liberal party into the next election.

Clark beat out Kevin Falcon on Saturday by a few hundred votes to become premier, a result some pundits say means she will have to work tirelessly to hold the B.C. Liberal part into the next election.

MARCH 17, 2016

BIOSOLIDS

PROTESTERS

A biosolids protest assembled outside city hall yesterday afternoon opposing the City of Merritt’s continued composting and use of its biosolids compost around town.

The protest was organized by Friends of the Nicola Valley (FNV), who have been blockading access to a composting facility in Lower Nicola off of Highway 8 for over a year. This was the anti-biosolids group’s first demonstration against the city’s biosolids practices.

MARCH 15, 2012

SNEE’S GOT TALENT

Merritt’s own Cameron Snee wowed audiences both in person and those who were watching on television Sunday, as he sang Frederic Weatherly’s ballad ‘Danny Boy’ on Citytv’s Canada’s Got Talent.

Rejeanne Godin, Merritt, B.C..

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‘WE KNOW WE HAVE TO STAND UP’

much to do with the slow approval for cutting permits as well as the high price of stumpage.

The average salary in the forestry industry is around $105,000.

During the meeting between Goetz and Parmar, which took place in the morning of March 20, the topics of the mill closures and the need for stabilizing the local industry were topics of discussion.

“We’re here to support the workers, to keep them working. So the whole idea is, as a city, we need Aspen open. We need these permits. We need this wood. So as a mayor and council will work towards making sure whatever we can do in our part to help that happen,” Goetz said.

The permits Goetz talks about are for approvals for forestry practices which include cutting permits, annual allowable cuts and the necessary consultation with First Nations.

In 2023, Goetz proposed a more streamlined provincial approval process at a UBCM convention, a gathering which allows municipalities to make their case to the province.

The closure of the Tolko mill has also created other problems in the local industry according to Goetz.

He said that while logging companies like Tolko Industries and Weyerhaeuser have moved out of the Thompson-Nicola region, they still hold a variety of permits and cutting blocks in BC. The wood harvested there is often processed in the U.S.

“It’s concerning to me, the fact that our lumber gets knocked down, and then it goes somewhere else rather than being processed here,” he said.

“Then our mill is suffering because that timber goes somewhere else and then it also hurts the buying ability of Aspen Planers when they have to get a permit, they have to buy extra fibre from some of the warehouses.”

“As far as I’m concerned, that timber should be going to Aspen Planers rather than going to these other companies that are no longer here,” he said.

Canadian tariffs on the U.S. and viceversa creates a threat to both lumber industries.

But Parmar thinks there is a way B.C. can navigate this challenge.

“I think there is a huge opportunity before us to make sure we’re getting the most value out of our log,” he said.

“I was there on the ground when that Tolko mill shut down,” Parmar said in a press scrum. “I saw the devastating impact it had on workers. It’s why standing

up and delivering for workers, taking action, is my top priority. Whether it’s the devastating impact of tariffs or duties, we know we have to stand up.”

Parmar said there is a lot of work ahead of the administration in regards to the forestry industry. He said he will be conducting a comprehensive review of BC Timber Sales.

While in Merritt, Parmar said he made it a priority do “listen and learn” from community partners in the forestry industry.

The minister said he met with representatives from Aspen Planers, BC Forests Service as well as some of the first nations bands in the area, mentioning Shackan Chief Lindsay Tighe by name.

“I’ve seen, over my time in government, forestry go through this boom and bust. And if there’s something that I hope to accomplish is (to) work together with First Nations, working together with this entire sector, to create stability. Stability for workers, certainty and predictability for industry to be able to get the investments they need, and I think there’s an opportunity for us to do that in the weeks ahead,” Parmar said.

Along his tour of the interior, Parmar also attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Canoe Forest Products’ new drying mill in Salmon Arm, which the province helped fund through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

“B.C.’s local wood manufacturing companies like Canoe Forest Products are at the heart of our communities and are the best of what ‘Made in Canada’ has to offer,” he said in Salmon Arm.

Visiting the Merritt Fire Zone and Wildfire Training Centre, Parmar focused on the region’s efforts to mitigate wildfires, and how these disasters can hurt the forestry industry, a fact that Goetz repeated.

“I think wildfires have had a lot to do with how much the timber supply has been lost through wildfires. So not only do we have to talk about harvesting and replanting, but we also have to talk about protecting what we already have through proper wildfire management with some of the tricks that the First Nations use and some of the companies use, and we need to implement those more so we can save what we have,” Goetz said.

“Because every time we have a forest fire, we lose fiber every single time,”

Goetz said there will most likely be no large expansion to the local industry in the future, as it is more important to keep a steady supply of fibre.

WELCO O

B.C. GOVERNMENT STRENGTHEN WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS

recruitment.

The lens of the provincial government was focused on Merritt and its B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) base, as Forests Minister Ravi Parmar visited as part of his tour of the Thompson-Okanagan region.

With April 1 marking the start of B.C. ‘s wildfire season, Parmar, who was only recently appointed to Premier David Eby’s cabinet in November 2024, was shown the Merritt Fire Zone and Wildfire Training Centre at 4476 Airport Rd.

“As I’m wrapping up my trip, one of the things that’s top of mind for me is making sure B.C. is prepared for the upcoming wildfire season,” he said. “It’s a real honour for me to be in the Merritt zone.”

On March 20, Parmar announced that BCWS had broke their record for number of applicants this year, with the number closing in on nearly 1,700 people wishing to join. Parmar stated that the firefighting organization is one of the world’s best.

The month of January saw 578 applications to join BCWS filed.

“This (BCWS) is an organization that people want to be a part of. British Columbians from every part of our province feel it’s a duty to be able to serve, and I think that speaks to the 1700-plus people that have put in an application and want to be a part of this team,” he said.

According to the minister, the Merritt zone will be seeing a few hundred new recruits within the next few weeks as the trainees go through boot camp.

“We were joking that this place is very calm before the storm, because in a couple of weeks, this is going to be a really busy place,” he said.

Last fire season, the BCWS application deadline was broadened by two months as part of an effort to increase

BCWS employs around 1,000 wildland fighters every year. Seasonally, that number can increase to over 1,600.

The surge in recruits is just one part of a provincial effort to fight and prevent wildfires.

“As a new minister, I’m significantly concerned about what the future entails (for wildfires),” Parmar said regarding this year’s snowpack levels.

“We’re needing to adjust. Climate change is having a devastating impact on B.C. and across the world. It’s so important we are assessing, we’re innovating.”

According to the B.C. government, 2024 was the fourth largest wildfire season ever in which over 1.07-million hectares were burned in Canada.

That year followed, 2023 which was the most destructive wildfire season ever in Canada with over 6,000 fires putting a total of 16-million hectares of land to flame.

In 2022, the NDP government in B.C. announced that they were transitioning the BCWS to a year-round service to provide a “proactive approach” to wildfire management, according to former minister of inance Selina Robinson.

In Merritt, Parmar reassured that they were always preparing for the worst case scenario. He said while BCWS was increasing recruitment and using giving their wildland fighters new tools such as nighttime goggles, they have also been looking at various ways to prevent wildfires.

“We’ve invested a record number of dollars in the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. We’re working with (First) Nations on commercial thinning, partial harvesting, selective logging. Efforts for

Parmar touring the Merritt Fire Zone and Training Centre facility on March. 20.

WILDFIRES INCREASED

WILDFIRES: continued from page 10

better protecting and fire-proofing our province. It’s clear that we have a lot of work to do, and if we look to California it’s clear we have much more work to do to better prepare ourselves,” he said.

BCWS is currently doing multiple prescribed burns around the interior. Six of them are in the Merritt area, supporting the Shackan, Upper Nicola, Lower Nicola, Upper Similkameen, Coldwater and Nooaitch Indian bands.

The minister also stated that he sees “huge opportunity” for reforestation work across the province. He said he has particularly talked to First Nations communities around the area about this.

“We’re gonna be planting lots of trees this year, but it’s clear we have to do more. We certainly have to find ways to be able to get wildfire salvage out and to be doing more reforestation. So that’s certainly a big priority for me. So that’s not something that’s necessarily going to benefit us in the short term, again it’s about thinking seven generations ahead, it’s about thinking about the type of forest sector we want a hundred years from now.”

Threat of wildfires has increased across North America. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, an American non-profit organization, stated that fires burned more than 3.1 million hectares of land in 2024. Mexico saw nearly a million hectares put to fire by early July 2024.

More recently, the devastation of the California fires in January set the stage for increased cooperation internationally between wildfire fighting organizations.

BCWS sent around 35 members to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) during the fires. Parmar said he knew two of those members were from the Merritt area.

“It is really important for me to reiterate that British Columbians know all too well the devastating impacts of wildfires, and it’s so important for us to support our neighbours down south and I know they’re going to do the same if we need them this upcoming wildfire season,” Parmar said.

He stated he’s spoken with representatives from CAL FIRE and they are working on strengthening their partnership through resource-sharing.

“We already have an agreement in place, and we know CAL FIRE relied on resources from across the country, from across the world, but they spoke very highly of the unique partnership that BCWS has with CAL FIRE and how we can strengthen that relationship.”

From April 12 to 16, FireSmart BC will host a wildfire resiliency and training summit in Penticton. Parmar said representatives from CAL FIRE will be present to share their expertise.

“There’s a lot we can learn from CAL FIRE and there’s a lot CAL FIRE can learn from us. And we’re looking at opportunities to include Washington state, certainly Oregan, and potentially Alaska and Alberta as part of that conversation. There’s so many similarities between our jurisdictions, and we already are working together in providing and sharing resources,” Parmar said.

When asked if the on-going trade-war will worsen relations between the wildfire fighting organizations, Parmar said there is no need to worry.

“They (CAL FIRE) weren’t talking about two countries, they were talking about partners,” he said. “I think it’s important to reiterate that we have no interest as Canadians about becoming the 51st state, but we will always be there to support our neighbours in time of need.”

Parmar also criticized the budget cuts made to U.S. government departments. He called for increased investments into public services for all governments.

FUEL STATION, RESTAURANTS SHUT AFTER $3.75M DEBT DEFAULT

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

The fuel station and restaurants at 3999 Airport Rd. have been shut down after its property owners, Hemkund Developments, failed to pay off a debt to Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

Hemkund developments is a construction company that specialized in building “travel centres” in highway-cities across Canada, Merritt being one of them.

These stations are usually accompanied by fast food franchises that are tenants on the property.

These businesses usually relied on sub-contractors for service and manpower.

The property at 3999 Airport Rd. was used as a drop off and rest point for inter-city bus routes such as Ebus or RiderExpress.

Following the closure, Ebus has switched its transfer route to the Popeyes and Esso gas station on De Wolf Way.

On Jan. 13 Hemkund was deemed to have failed to repay $3.75-million in credit debt to RBC. The businesses’ assets were given to a debt management company under a receivership order issued by the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta on March 14..

In Merritt, RBC repossessed the Esso gas station, Burger King, Denny’s and Pizza Hut, according to the receivership order.

Grant Thornton were named as the recievers to manage all of Hemkund’s owned assets.

Companies listed under a receivership order are responsible for either selling or liquidating the companies transferred in the order.

The $3.75-million credit account was opened in November 2023, in June, 2024, RBC reduced the maximum credit to $2.5-million.

The final amount that Hemkund owed to RBC as of January 2025 is just over $3.76-million.

According to RBC senior manager of special loans and advisory services

Mark Kemp-Gee, the credit line opened by Hemkund owner Sweetpal Singh Chauhan was never brought below $2.5-million.

When agreeing to the loan, RBC and Hemkund also signed a security agreement, stating that if Hemkund were unable to pay the loan back then they would take “all of the debtor’s present

and after acquired personal property.”

According to financial statements provided by Hemkund, RBC found that the company should have been expected to make regular deposits into their credit account, as they had $8.5-million in accounts receivables according to Hemkund’s most recent financial report provided to RBC from Aug. 31, 2024.

The value of Hemkund’s assets were also valued at $3.15-million.

“Based on the above reported accounts receivable and revenues, I would ordinarily expect to see significant monthly deposits being made into Hemkund’s two business deposit accounts at RBC,” said Mark Kemp-Gee, senior manager of special loans and advisory services for RBC, in a court statement.

“The outstanding balance on Hemkund’s Credit Line remained consistently at or near its maximum limit throughout the 2024 calendar year. Apparently, since 2024, there were “little to no” deposits made into the Hemkund-RBC checking account.

RBC also found Hemkund had bank accounts with two other banking institutions. They were worried that funds gained by Hemkund were being put into these other bank accounts and not pay off the RBC loan.

More recently, in the last three financial quarters, Hemkund has failed to provide the Court of the King of Alberta or RBC with their financial statements.

The lack of financial reporting contributed to RBC’s lack of trust that Hemkund was able to pay the loan back.

Later, Hemkund’s lawyer Jagsharan Singh Mahal requested an 150-day extension to the loan according to RBC on Jan. 13.

It seems this extension was not given.

According to Hemkund’s last detailed fincancial report give to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta from June 2021, the Merritt businesses were giving Hemkund $246,000 in related party transactions through the fiscal year.

The Herald reached out to Grant Thornton regarding jobs lost by the closure and other questions by email. No response was recieved before going to print at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 25

PHOTO/TY LIM

Closed gas station at 3999 Airport Rd.

FEDERAL ELECTION BEGINS

DYLAN ROBERTSON

The Canadian Press

Canada’s 45th general election got underway Sunday, with the leaders vying to become Canada’s next prime minister each positioning themselves as best to strengthen Canada’s economy and stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney triggered the campaign midday by visiting Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and asking her to dissolve Parliament. Speaking outside Rideau Hall following that meeting, he said he is offering solutions instead of anger and division.

“It’s easy to be negative about everything when you’ve never built anything; when you’ve never had to make a payroll,” he said. “Negativity won’t win a trade war.”

Right out of the gate Carney promised a one point cut to the middle class tax rate and said an election is necessary to have a strong response to American economic threats.

The Liberal leader has not yet served as an MP, and he will seek election in the Ottawa riding of Nepean.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre launched his campaign an hour before Carney addressed media, saying he plans to restore the promise of Canada and tackle affordability issues that he blames on elites.

“Our nation is more divided than ever before, because the Liberal, radical, post-national, borderless and globalist ideology has weakened our nation,” Poilievre said in Gatineau, Que., overlooking Parliament Hill.

“Now, desperate for a fourth term, Liberals have replaced Justin Trudeau with his economic advisor and handpicked successor, Mark Carney.”

Poilievre said he will bring down the cost of living and fix the immigration system while having a strong military.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh launched his campaign from a downtown Ottawa hotel, reiterating his party’s success in convincing the Liberals to enact national dental care and pharmacare programs.

He said Canadians are losing their jobs and blamed what he described as “Donald Trump’s illegal trade war.”

Canadians are losing their jobs and deserve a government that “has their backs,” he said.

Recent polls have suggested the Liberals and Conservatives are in a neck-and-neck race and the comfortable polling lead the Conservatives enjoyed for more than a year has all but evaporated. The NDP, which a few months ago was tied with the Liberals in many surveys, has watched its support plummet.

Trump has threated to economically coerce Canada into becoming a U.S. state, implementing some tariffs and promising others in response for a shifting set of policy changes ranging from fentanyl flows to dairy quotas.

FEDERAL RIDING BOUNDARIES CHANGED

WAYNE MOORE Castanet

If you are confused as to which candidate you will be voting for in the upcoming federal election, you’re likely not alone.

Changes to the federal electoral map were unveiled two years ago but, because there wasn’t an election looming on the horizon, the news may have gone un-noticed by many.

So, as the federal election campaign gets underway, here’s what you need to know for your particular riding.

First of all, because of increased populations, the six previous federal ridings across the ThompsonOkanagan-Kootenay regions have now become seven.

Conservative MP Dan Albas, who has been a member of the House of Commons of Canada since 2015 for the Central Okanagan–Similkameen–Nicola riding – and which Merritt is part of – will now be running in the Okanagan Lake West–Kelowna South electoral district.

The Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding has been renamed Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola. Much of the Cariboo has been removed, replaced by a large portion of the Nicola region.

Frank Caputo, who has been a member of the House of Commons of Canada since 2021 for the Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo riding, will now be running in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola and Rob Morrison in Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies.

The new riding, simply called Kelowna, includes much of the city north of Mission Creek as well as the Highway 33 corridor, Big White, Beaverdell and the Christian Valley.

Some of the major changes occurred in Vernon and Kelowna.

The rest of Kelowna has been included within the newly named Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna riding.

Lake Country, formerly part of the old Kelowna riding, is now lumped in with the new Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee Riding. That riding now includes a portion of the West Kootenays and only stretches north to Armstrong.

The rest of the North Okanagan has now been swallowed within the boundaries of KamloopsShuswap-Central Rockies.

South Okanagan-West Kootenay is now SimilkameenSouth Okanagan-West Kootenay and includes much of the Similkameen and just the southern portion of the West Kootenays.

The boundaries of the new Columbia-KootenaySouthern Rockies riding now stop short of including Revelstoke and Golden.

Some MPs have also changed ridings. Conservative MP Tracy Gray is running in Kelowna while Mel Arnold is seeking re-election in the new Kamloops-ShuswapCentral Rockies riding.

PLUMBING &HEATING

PHOTO/SEAN KILPATRICK

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, March 21, 2025.

EDISON MOTORS RELOCATES TO GOLDEN

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

Merritt-based truck company Edison Motors is turning the page and moving to Golden, B.C., as they aim to open their manufacturing plant in a fresh chapter of their truck manufacturing journey.

The Herald sat down with both Eric Little and Chace Barber, co-founders of Edison Motors, to talk about their move out of the Nicola Valley.

“It’s super bittersweet, right?” Little said. “We’ve been supported by the community for years, we’ve now built three businesses here. It sucks that we have to go, we’re very upset.”

The frustration was echoed by Barber, who attributes their leave to foreign investors in the region

“It pisses me off a lot. I grew up in this town, I spent my life in this town, and went to school in this town. I spent 15 years logging and hauling in this town. This is where my roots all are,” he added.

“My family is here, our employees’ families are here and we got to say goodbye to all of it … there is no way other than it sucks.”

Back in April 2024, Edison Motors had made deals to move up to Terrace, B.C., due to lack of available land in Merritt. However, that deal fell through.

“The Terrace deal fell through because we couldn’t get permanent zoning, then the City of Merritt actually reached out and offered us about four or five acres of land out by the airport, but they would only do a five year lease,” Barber said.

“The reason we couldn’t move to Terrace was because we’d only have a three-year permit with maybe the option to extend it. I can’t also commit to building a multi-million dollar shop on a property that I’m only gonna have for five years. I need to be able to permanently have that property.”

The duo started looking for other options across the province and were reached out by Golden, which offered them affordable land for their development.

“It was about $8,000, $8,500 per acre. (They said) ‘we don’t have any zoning, you don’t have to worry about it, there’s no building permits that we require … you can build what you want as long as you follow the provincial building code,” Barber said.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t make anything in Merritt happen and we had to move to Golden.”

So far, Edison Motors have raised over $5.9 million to build a manufacturing plant in Golden, B.C., and ramp up production of Class 8 hybrid electric-diesel trucks.

According to Barber, the investment is open until April 21 and they hope to continue to raise money until then. The money raised will go towards building the shop where the trucks will be manufactured.

“We’ve got the property completely paid for our operating expenses in the next two years at the current rate paid for when we bought in the parts for the next track. So the last thing on the list is to build the shop. So what we raise between now and April 21 is going to dictate how big that shop is,” he added.

“Obviously the bigger the shop, the more trucks we can build because we’ve had huge demand for these trucks. We’ve got thousands and thousands of people who have tried to reserve these trucks and are on a waitlist to get them.”

continued on page 17

MERRITTLIBRARY SPEAKERSERIES

PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ

Eric Little (left) and Chace Barber (right) talk about the future of Edison Motors as they relocate to Golden, B.C.

MERRITT ARTIST BRINGS EMOTIONAL DEPTH IN NEW ALBUM ‘THE MAN I NEVER KNEW’

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

The music scene in Merritt just got a little more vibrant with the release of Bobby Garcia’s latest album.

Described by Garcia as an “album about love, loss and just having a good time”, ‘The Man I Never Knew’ explores a very personal experience that Garcia had in his life.

“I had a son back when I was in my early 20s and his mom and I had a falling out and she basically just moved away. I never heard anything after that,” he said. “In 2021, he reached out to me and he sent me a picture and he asked if it was me and said that he believed that I was his biological dad.”

Both reconnected after that emotional moment of each other’s lives.

“I wrote a song about it, the emotions are all there for sure and I think it can resonate with a lot of people, not just me, but I’m sure there’s other stories out there that are in the same situation.”

The album was produced in a studio in downtown Nashville, Tenn., with the help of Kenny Royster – who is responsible for Luke Combs’ career – and studio musicians that have played for Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Alabama and other big names.

Garcia said he wrote five of the six songs in his new album.

“Songwriting comes kind of naturally to me. I guess if I think of something then I just kind of write it down and then I think back to moments in my life and go from there,” he added.

By bringing a lot of his personal experiences and vulnerability into this new album, Garcia said it was tough to share his personal stories for his songs while maintaining a sense of privacy.

“This is the most personal that I’ve gotten with my songwriting and sharing it, so I just wanted people to

resonate with me. There’s so many other people out there that have the same story that I do,” he added.

“I think this is the most personal album that I’ve ever released and I just wanted people to know that side of me.”

From texts to phone calls and emails, fans in the Nicola Valley and beyond have been sharing their love and support towards his new album.

He looks back at his career and how much his music has evolved over the years.

“I’ve evolved as just becoming more confident in myself and my music and just just putting it out there. I mean, if it sounds good to me, then I think it’s gonna sound good to a lot of people,”

Garcia said.

“Compared to my last albums, this is probably one of my favourites, for sure, especially because it’s Nashville produced. But it’s a lot more personal as well.”

‘The Man I Never Knew’ is now available on all major streaming platforms and physical copies are available at Yaki Joe’s, the Legion and at the Old Barley Market Beer and Wine store.

“Thanks everybody for always loving my music and making me go that extra mile. It’s the fans, for sure, that keep me going. So it’s been really great. Merritt shows a lot of love for me, and I really love that.”

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PHOTO/HERALD FILE

Bobby Garica poses for a photoshoot.

“IT’S

BITTERSWEET, BUT WE’RE CONFIDENT WE CAN MAKE A REAL IMPACT IN GOLDEN”

BITTERSWEET: continued from page 15

Plans for the future

Barber is clear about Edison Motor’s aspirations. The duo is hoping to recreate what Western Star Trucks, an American truck manufacturer, did in Kelowna.

“They were making 3,000 to 5,000 trucks per year out of Kelowna. We had a great truck manufacturer an hour and a half down the road from Merritt.,” he said.

“We’re hoping to recreate that in Golden, that’s the plan. I think we got a good chance of getting there.”

Barber emphasized that despite the challenges ahead, the need for Canadianmade trucks has never been clearer, especially with U.S. tariffs in place.

“Tariffs aren’t making things easy when you don’t know what the price of your parts are going to be,” Barber explained. “So we’ve been moving our supply chains to a more Canadian-based supply chain to make sure that we can secure that. We’ve been working a lot with the boys over in Penticton. They’re building a lot more of our parts now, so we’re moving more things locally to avoid that.”

Despite the complications, Barber remains hopeful that Edison Motors can scale up production over the next few years.

“Well, this year we’re building 10, so we’re pretty small because we’re moving shop,” Barber said. “Next year, we want to be able to try and hit a goal of like five a month, 10 a month starting up, but we want to ramp that production over the next five years. It’s going to be slow at first, but as we scale, as we learn, and as we get these trucks out there, a little bit more proven, we’ll ramp up production and get more efficient.”

Looking ahead, Barber and Little envision Edison Motors producing 200 trucks by next year, with hopes of eventually reaching 500 or even 1,000 trucks annually.

“We went basically from three of us three years ago now, 15 people full time, hoping that once we went to Golden, and we’ll be able to wrap the fleet up to about 50 people to fit about 60 people, and that’ll be able to get us to about 5000 trucks by 2030,” Little said.

Economic challenges ahead

One of the bigger challenges facing Edison Motors is the current state of the industries they serve.

“We know in Merritt, logging is taking a hit. We build logging trucks. If we don’t

have a strong logging industry, who are we going to sell logging trucks to? We don’t have a great mining industry, and if the oil and gas industry goes down, that’s going to affect who we can sell trucks to,” Barber said.

“It’s a worry, but there is nothing we can do about that, other than build trucks.”

Barber believes a thriving economy is essential for the success of Edison Motors.

“We need a strong economy. So obviously, we’re looking at the overall economy, the macroeconomic situation. But we’re hopeful. We believe in Canada, we think that we can start building things, and hopefully, this tariff won’t hit our economy too hard, and by the time we get to production, we’ll have a roaring economy for ourselves.”

Despite the challenges, Barber remains committed to seeing the project through.

“We hope (Merritt) bands together and follows Golden and the ColumbiaShuswap Regional District’s lead a little bit,” Barber said, referring to the area’s less bureaucratic approach to development. “We need real solutions to address these problems, or else we’re only going to see more and more jobs leave.”

Barber’s message is clear as he thinks more needs to be done to make communities like Merritt more business-friendly and less burdened by regulations, expensive land, and excessive red tape.

“It’s super short-sighted,” he said. “We’ve had every incentive to stay in Merritt, and we couldn’t make it work. What do you think a business that’s not located in Merritt is going to do? They’re not going to come here. We’re just going to see more businesses like Edison Motors leave.”

Looking to the future in Golden

With a new chapter beginning in Golden, Edison Motors is pushing forward, with plans to build a manufacturing plant that will provide jobs, boost local economies, and contribute to the revitalization of Canada’s truck manufacturing sector.

Merritt’s loss may be Golden’s gain, but it’s clear that the journey for Little and Barber is far from over.

“We’re excited about what’s ahead,” Little said. “It’s a bit of a reset, but I think it’s going to work out. It’s bittersweet, but we’re confident we can make a real impact in Golden.”

DONATIONS TO HELP FUND MERRITT CRIMESTOPPERS

Merritt and Nicola Valley crime stoppers recently recieved donations from both Beem Credit Union and Royal Bank of Canada.

“These funds will assist our charity to purchase supplies and equipment for increasing community awareness building within the Nicola Valley,” Marlene Jones said in an email to the Herald.

“These funds will enable our members to continue our work toward increasing community safety as a long-standing

charity. We greatly appreciate the support and look forward to connecting through media and upcoming community events.”

Jones said it is great having partners, “Being proactive and funding an awareness campaign supports education, security and mental well-being for the community at large, arming folks with the tools necessary to stay safe online and in their day-to-day life.”

PHOTO/HERALD FILE New highway advertisements put up by Tourism Nicola Valley in 2020.

PHOTOS: TY LIM

Robin Humphrey at the Nicola Valley Art Gallery during a tattoo demo

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NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

Former Merritt Centennial Brodi Stewart on his new team Black Wings Linz in Austria.

FORMER CENTS PLAYER NETS OVERTIME WINNER

LAÍSA CONDÉ

editor@merrittherald.com

A former Merritt Centennials player made a big impact overseas, scoring the overtime winner in game seven to send his team to the second round of the playoffs.

Brodi Stuart, who now plays professional hockey in Austria for the Black Wings Linz, delivered the crucial goal in front of a roaring home crowd, solidifying his team’s place in the next round.

Stuart, a native of Squamish, B.C., started skating when he was two or three years old. He played minor hockey in Langley before joining Delta Hockey Academy at 14.

From there, he was drafted by the Kamloops Blazers, where he played four seasons in the WHL, including a stint as assistant captain. He also briefly played for the Merritt Centennials before taking his career overseas to Austria, where he is now in his third season.

Reflecting on his game-winning goal, Stuart described the intense atmosphere and excitement of the moment.

“The whole series was tight. Game seven went into overtime, and the atmosphere in our rink was crazy,” he said. “I got the puck in the slot, happened to put it in, and it was just exciting. It was a really awesome experience.”

Hockey runs deep in the Stuart family. His brother, Levi, is the head coach of the KIJHL’s 100 Mile House Wranglers and was previously an assistant coach with the Centennials.

Their father, John, is the head coach of the Team Canada Men’s Softball Team. Growing up in a sportsdriven household, Brodi always had role models to look up to, especially his older brother.

Stuart credits his time in the WHL with shaping him both on and off the ice.

“I had three different coaches in my time there, and they all helped shape me as a player and as a person,” he said. “You grow up fast in the WHL, and I was lucky to have a great billet family and my parents close by after

they moved to Merritt.”

Since moving to Austria, Stuart has embraced European hockey and its unique fan culture.

“The fans are crazy. It’s almost like a soccer atmosphere with chanting and drums going the whole game,” he said.

“It’s been a really cool experience playing here and getting to travel to places I never would have seen otherwise.”

Despite his personal achievements, Stuart remains focused on team success.

“Hockey is all about the team,” he said. “Obviously, personal success is exciting, but in the end, you just want to help the team win. This is the first time in a long time that our team has made it to the second round, so we’re just looking to keep pushing forward.”

As for the future, Stuart is taking things one year at a time but is open to continuing his career in Europe.

“Right now, I’m just taking it year by year,” he said. “I really like where I am, but my goal is to keep moving up and see where it takes me.”

For young players looking to follow in his footsteps, Stuart has simple advice.

“Enjoy every moment,” he said. “When I was younger, the older guys always told me to enjoy it, and they were right. You don’t realize how quickly it goes until you’re the veteran. So just work hard, have fun, and take in every moment.”

While his recent game-winning goal is a career highlight, Stuart still holds his WHL debut with the Kamloops Blazers as one of his proudest moments.

“Playing my first game with Kamloops and having my family there was really special,” he said. “But this goal in game seven was definitely one of the biggest I’ve ever scored.”

With his team advancing to the second round, Stuart remains focused on the next challenge and making the most of every opportunity on the ice.

PHOTOS:

STRUCTURE CHANGES FOR 2026-27 KIJHL SEASON

TIMOTHY SCHAFER Castanet

While the playoffs continue in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) the league is in the midst of major changes that could affect all of its member teams and change which clubs suit up under its banner.

The league is considering major changes to its future structure that will see the league’s 21 members compete within separate Junior A, Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues beginning in the 2026-27 season.

In July 2023, B.C. Hockey approved the KIJHL to be re-designated as a Junior A, Tier 2 league with a defined pathway to Junior A, Tier 1 membership. All 21 KIJHL teams subsequently participated in a Tier 1 assessment process conducted by Blackfin Sports Group, with their findings having played a significant role in the development of the structural changes announced.

In February, the KIJHL’s board of governors approved the following 11 teams to transition to Junior A, Tier 1 for the 2026-27 season, pending approval from BC Hockey: Beaver Valley Nitehawks; Columbia Valley Rockies; Fernie Ghostriders; Grand Forks Border Bruins; Kamloops Storm; Kimberley Dynamiters; Merritt Centennials; Nelson Leafs; Osoyoos Coyotes; Princeton Posse; and Revelstoke Grizzlies.

The following seven teams will be able to participate in a further assessment process overseen by Blackfin Sports Group in order to determine their status for the 2026-27 season: 100 Mile House Wranglers; Castlegar Rebels; Creston Valley Thunder Cats; Kelowna Chiefs; Quesnel River Rush; Sicamous Eagles; and Williams Lake Mustangs.

The following three teams will remain in Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2026-27 season: Chase Heat; Golden Rockets; and Spokane Braves.

However, the composition of each league won’t be determined until early in 2026 after B.C.

Hockey’s board of directors gives its final approval. Until that time the KIJHL has implemented a transitional operating plan with approved alterations to its governance model.

“Ultimately, it became clear that the best avenue to serve our teams and athletes would be a transition to separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues and we’re very excited to make this vision a reality over the next 18 months,” said KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois in a statement.

It is expected that the new structure would allow for increased competitive balance for the teams within both leagues, the KIJHL explained in a press release, with the possibility of adding new teams.

Under the new structure players will have greater advancement opportunities within B.C. Hockey and Hockey Canada-sanctioned programming.

“We are very pleased with the KIJHL’s approach to ensure this transition is done properly and not rushed,” B.C. Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said. “Taking the time to prepare will help set the league up for long-term success.”

Until the changes are made, the 2025-26 season will be played under the KIJHL’s existing league structure, with all 21 members competing at the Junior A, Tier 2 level.

“Our league faces some unique geographic and logistical challenges, and so the decision to play one more season under our current structure was made to ensure the long-term sustainability of all of our members,” Dubois said. “We will be taking further steps over the next 12 months to determine which teams will be at each level. This includes the possibility of adding Tier 2 members in new communities.”

The KIJHL will provide a further update regarding planning for the 2026-27 season following the league’s 2025 annual general meeting, scheduled for June 20-22 in Kamloops.

THRILLS AT 35TH JUNIOR

LAÍSA CONDÉ

editor@merrittherald.com

The Nicola Valley Memorial Arena and the Shulus Arena were buzzing all weekend as the 35th annual Nicola Valley Jr Native Hockey Tournament kicked off.

The tournament saw intense competition among youth teams, with players showcasing their talent and representing their communities with pride.

The event celebrated both hockey and Indigenous culture, drawing strong support from local communities.

The results as follow:

First place: Lil River Rush

Second place: Barnes Lake Bucks

Third place: Sharpshooters

U11

First place: Pukaist Jr Cowboys

NATIVE HOCKEY TOURNEY

Second place: Nicola Valley Grizzlies

Third place: Sylix Sharpshooters

U13

First place: Sharpshooters

Second place: Prolink Predators

Third place: Female Ashcroft

U15

First place: Nicola Valley Benchwarmers

Second place: Golden Eagles

Third place: St’at’imc Storm

U18

First place: Thunderblades

Second place: Alkali Renegades

Third place: OK Stingers

PHOTOS: TY LIM

Jr. Native Hockey Tournament U18 championship game.

SKATERS MAKE A SPLASH WITH UNDER THE SEA PERFORMANCE AT LOCAL ARENA

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

It was a packed afternoon at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena as Merrittonians attended the highly anticipated ice show hosted by the Nicola Valley Skating Club. The event, which celebrated the talent of local skaters, featured performances from nearly all of skaters that participate in the program.

The athletes took spectators to a journey ‘under the sea’ through the afternoon, with jellyfish, fish and other sea creatures entertaining the crowd with their movements.

According to coach Diana Lorenz, close to 300 people have attended the carnival on March 15.

“One of our best shows to date and all our skaters truly enjoyed their experience,” she said.

10-9 |Fri-Sat 10-10|Sun 12-8

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

PHOTOS: NICOLA VALLEY SKATING CLUB

About 300 people came to the biennual Nicola Valley Skating Club performance on March 15.

CLASSIFIEDS

ElaineOhata

October21,1939 -March 17,2025

Elainepassed awayinKamloopson March17,2025,attheageof85.

FrancisWilliam JamesGeorge

May25,1943 -October21,2024

Elainehad astrong workethic,and startedoutbyhelpinginthebakery businesswithher familyinChilliwack, HopeandMerritt’sSmitty’s bakery.ElainegraduatedfromMerritt SecondarySchool.Aftergraduationshestarted workingatthecourthouse. ShecontinuedherinterestinthecourtsystemandbecameaCourtRegistrar. Elaine’s otherposition wasJusticeofthePeace.

Elainespentmanydaysinherflower gardens.Shelovedsports.Baseball washerearlypassion,andthisiswhereshemetherhusband,Mickey.She wasagreathockey momand volunteeredatthefigureskatingcarnivals. Elaineenjoyedbothrecreationalandcompetitive curling.Hercompetitive teamrepresentedourzoneintheBCprovincialplaydowns.Elaine wasa memberoftheRoyalPurpleclubforseveralyears.

MostpeoplerememberElaineforherkindnessandgenerosity,especially withfood.Shelovedtocookandpeoplewhovisitedlovedtoeat;it wasa goodcombination.

Elainelovedallchildren,especiallyhergrandchildrenandgreatgrandchildren.Mostofall,ElainelovedMickey and wasmarriedtohim for53years.

Sheissurvivedbyherdaughter,Tammy(Steven);herson,Mike (Jenny); andgrandchildren:Darcy(Jessi),Stephanie,Justin(Meganne).Shealso leavesbehindherbelovedgreat-grandchildren,Neasha, Faith,Lane, Zariah,andReina.

Sheispredeceasedbyhermother,Gladys;her father,Les(Smitty);her brother,Ron;andher husband,Mickey Byrequest,therewillbenoservice.Therewillbe afamily gatheringat thelakelaterthisyear.

SpecialthankstoElaine’shomecareaides,adultdaycare,GillisHouse, and the staff at Kamloops Seniors Village

Elaine’sfavouritesayingwas “Lifeislikeamirrorreflectingwhat youdo,if yousmileatit, itwillsmilerightbackat you.” Shouldfriendsdesire,donationstobemadetothe Children’sHospitalfoundationand/or VarietyofHeartsTelethon.

MichikoTaki

October21,1934 ~September29,2022

FrancisWilliamJamesGeorge,knowntotheBlack Powdercommunityas Tiny,passedawayonOctober21, 2024,at 9a.m.

Thetwoyoungwomenhehadtakenunderhiswingspent hisﬁnaleveningwithhimandhiswife.Hewillbedeeply missedbyhisfamilyandclosefriends.TinyconsideredeveryoneintheBlack Powdercommunity afriend.

Itiswithgreatsadnessthatweannouncethepassing ofourbelovedmotherMichiko Taki.

ShepassedawaypeacefullyonSeptember29,2022 inKamloopsBC.Ithastakenover2 yearstowriteaboutherdeparture becausethelosshasbeenhardtoaccept.

Michikowassmallinstaturebutherpresencewasundeniable.Shewas akind,gentlesoulwhospokewithgreatwisdomandcompassion.Shewas veryprivate.Shewasn’ta complicatedorneedyperson.Sheenjoyedher simplelife.

MichikolovedherhusbandArt.Theywereinseparable.Theywerethe verybestoffriends.Theycouldtalktogetherforhoursorjustsitquietly andwatchtv.Oncedadpassed,itwasonlya fewmonthsbeforeshewould joinhim.

TheirashesareburiedtogetherinMerrittwheretheylivedforover65 years. Togetheragain.

Byallaccounts,momanddadlived alongandbeautifullife.Still,it ishardtoletgo. We willmissourmom’sgreetingsmileandcasualhand wave.Wewillalwayscherishtheﬁnalmonthswehadtogether.

Michikoleavesbehindthefollowingfamilymembers:sonsRichard (Jane),Frank(Joyce),Roy(Monika)andgrandchildrenChristopher (Cynthia),Stephen,Kevin,SidneyandgreatgranddaughterAbigail.

Loveyoumom

Hewasanactivememberofthecommunity,dedicatinghistimetogarbage cleanupinLowerNicola,volunteeringattheMerrittSoupBasket,servingon theboardofThreeEagles,andworkingwithConaytandtheMétisSociety. Passionateaboutsharinghisskills,hetaughtothersandcreatedintricatecarvings, beadwork,paintedplaquesanddrums,aswellashandmadeknives—ranging fromlargetominiature—BlackPowderaccoutrements,andﬁrearms. ACelebrationofLifewasheldonNovember2,2024,attheMerrittSenior Centrein TutillCourt.

Inhishonour,theJimGeorgeMemorialShootwilltakeplaceinearlyMayat theBuffaloRanchinMerritt.

Additionally,theNicola ValleyCharcoalBurnerswillholda MemorialShoot for TinyonEasterweekend,April19,at 9a.m.,following apancakebreakfast.A rendezvouswillbeginonFriday, April18. Cardsandcondolencesmaybesentviawww.MerrittFuneralChapel.com.

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

GIVE LAVISHLY LIVE ABUNDANTLY

By Helen Steiner Rice

The more you give, The more you get, The more you laugh, The less you fret, The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly, The more of everything you share,

The more you’ll always have to spare,

The more you love, The more you’ll find, That life is good, And friends are kind, For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day.

Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted

ProudlyrecognizedasMerritt'sBestBookkeeper/Accountantofthe2019,2020,and2021 People'sChoiceAwards.It'sbeenourpleasureandprivilegetoserveourcommunityforover20 yearsandwelookforwardtobringinganothercommunitymembertojoinouroﬃce.Attentionto detailandbeingateamplayerisparamount.Salarywillbedependantonexperience.

RESPONSIBLEFORTHEFOLLOWING: Pleasedonotcontactbyphone.

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

JOBPOSTING

AMA7SWA7NURSE

Full-timePermanent (35hrs/week)

Ama7 Swa7Nurseis responsible forprovidingqualityhomecaretoXwistenClients thatarereferred to theHomeandCommunity Care Program.

DutiesandResponsibilities

•Assistsindirectnursingcareasrequiredwithand forclients to achieveoptimum healthin varioussituations:chronicdisease, acuteillness,injur y, woundcareand palliativecare.

•Promotesandprovideshealth relatedk nowledge, treatmentservicestoclients, caregiverswhilesupportingindependence.

•Per form assessments;evaluations;plans;goals;deliveries;treatmentplanorcare plan.

•Maintain confidentialdata recordsanddocumentation

•Coordinate nursingcareserviceswiththeclient, physician,hospital,rehabilitation, long term careprogramsandother community services/programs.

•Coordinate,developand teachnursingcarestrategies to assistclientandfamily.

•Provideinformationandcreateworkshops regardinghealthrelatedissuesand preventativemeasuresasneeded.

www.merrittherald.com

•Maintainfinancial recordsandbudget

•ESDRT(ServiceDelivery Reporting Template) reportstoFNHAmonthly

•G manapprovedschoolofnursingandmusthold acurrent Registered NurseLicensewiththeBritish Columbia CollegeofNursing Professionals(BCCNP) orLicenced PracticalNurseLicense(LPN)

HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk

•Knowledgeofculturalsafetyprinciples, work ingwithinFirstNation'sHealthand Social Developmentareas

•Criminal Record Check:Vulnerable Sector

DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.

•ValidDriver'sLicense: Reliable Vehicle

•Excellentcommunicationskills -writtenand verbal;

SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities: PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.

•Abilitytodevelopandmaintainbudgets, anddofinancialandadministrative reporting;

•Filingand record keepingskills;

1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices; 2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.; 4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity; 5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans; 6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;

•Experiencesupervisingotheremployees

7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;

8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.

ColdwaterIndianBand JobPosting FINANCEMANAGER

ColdwaterIndianBandrequirestheserviceofa FinanceManager.The FinanceManagerwill reporttoandbeunderthesupervisionoftheBandAdministrator. Thispositionisresponsiblefor theday-to-daymanagementofthefinancialadministrationoftheColdwaterIndianBand,including management,reporting,andcontroloffinancialinvestmentsandassets.Alldecisionsandactions mustmeetthepolicies,legislations,andproceduresoftheColdwaterIndianBand,includingthe FinancialLawandotherLawsendorsed by theColdwaterCouncil.The FinanceManagerwill overseeallthepayroll,accountsreceivable,accountspayable,andotherstaffsupportingthe department.Thiswillensuretheday-to-day operationsarecurrentandupdated.Thesuccessful candidatewillpromotethegrowthandrenewaloftheColdwaterIndianBandfinancedepartment. Thefinancemanagerwill overseethefinancesoftheProgramsandServices,includingLand, Wills&Estates,Public Works,Education,ColdwaterSchool, TransitionHouse,Coldwater FireHall, SocialDevelopment,EconomicDevelopment,and FinancialInvestments,BusinessEntitiesand Assets.

GeneralRequirements,QualificationsandExperience:

•Prefer Post-SecondaryDegreeinarelevantfieldsuchasBusinessAdministration, Financial Administration,orequivalentcombinationofeducationandexperienceworkingfora First Nationsorganizationorworkingtowardsanaccountingdesignation

•ExperienceinallrelatedareasofAccounting(A/P, A/R,payroll,financialmanagement, budgeting,andfinancialreporting)

•ExperienceinthedevelopmentofAccounting PoliciesandProcedures

•Abilitytoorganize,prioritize,andmanageworkload

•Strongsupervisoryskills

•KnowledgeoftraditionallanguageandcustomsoftheColdwaterBand

•GoodworkingknowledgeofXyntax,afinancialoperationsystem

•Exceptionalintegrityandprofessionalism

•Abilitytoconsistentlydemonstratetact,discretion,andsoundjudgment

•Abletowork independently/withminimalsupervision

•DemonstratedknowledgeofrelatedGovernmentRegulations

•Knowledgeof FinancialAdministrationLaws(FirstNations FinancialManagementBoard)

•SatisfactoryCriminalRecordsCheck

ValidDriver’sLicenseandreliablevehicle

•Preparemonthlyfinancialstatementsandsubmitthemtothe FinancialAdministrationReview CommitteeandCouncilforreviewanddiscussion.

•Preparedraftannualbudgetswithamendmentsandallitsentities

•Administerandmanagethechartaccountsandallentities

•Ensurethefinancialadministrationsystems,policies,andprocedurescomplywith Financial AdministrationLaw

•Administerandsuperviseallmaintenanceof thefinancialsystemandrecordspertheannual audit

•Satisfactory CriminalRecordsCheckandBondable

SalaryRange Minimum Pay $32.60.Commensuratewithexperienceandqualifications.

PostingClosingDate:Positionopenuntilfilled.

9.Participateinteammeetings; 10.Maintainaccuraterecords; 11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.

RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator

Position: 7Hoursperday, Monday-Friday, benefitspackage,aprobationaryperiodof6months, andperformance evaluation.

•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered); •ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity; •AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense; •PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract; •Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends. Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024 Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.

Wage:$35.00 -$49.00(dependinguponLPNorRN)perhourminimumand dependingupon experience.While wewelcomeallcandidates,onlythoseselected foraninterviewwillbecontacted

ForwardResumesto: Gary Forsyth, Administrator

Pleasesubmitadetailedcoverletterandresume explaininghowyoumeetthejobpostingrequirements.

Applicationswillbeaccepteduntil4:00pmonApril11,2025. Attention:ColdwaterHumanResourcesCommittee

PO Box190LillooetBCVOK1VO Fax:(250)256-7999

PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto: CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8

Email:kristopher@coldwaterband.org

Joint Venture

AFIRSTNATIONSFORESTRYCOMPANY

CAREEROPPORTUNITY

SilvicultureManager

StuwixResourcesJoint Ventureisa well-establishedfibermanagement andmar ketingcompanythatisowned by 8 FirstNationsCommunities withitsofficelocatedinMerritt,BritishColumbia.Stuwixensuresour local FirstNationsstewardshipprinciples&valuesareincorporatedin forestmanagementatalllevelsofouroperations.

Commencingimmediately, we arelookingtofillaSilviculture Managerposition.Thispositionisexpectedtomanageand oversee thecompany’ssilvicultureprogrambothinthefieldandintheoffice.

Descriptions&Duties

Dutiesofthispositionincludebutmaynotbelimitedto:

•Developandexecutesilvicultureplans

•Siteprep

•Plantingprogram

•Conductfieldassessments

•Contractormanagement

•Compliancewithsafety,certification&regulations

•UseofPhoenix,RESULTS,andothersoftware

•Preparebudgetsandreports

•Assistwithotherworkasrequired

PreferredCharacteristicsandPrerequisites

•Genuinerespect&understandingof FirstNationscultureandvalues

•Minimum5years’experienceinsilvicultureandreforestation

•RPForRFTdesignation,orintheprocessofachieving ValidBCDriver’sLicense

•Experienceworkingwith FirstNationscommunitiesandincorporating culturalprinciples&valuesinforestry

•Demonstrateability toworkindependentlyas wellasinateam environment

•Strongverbalandwrittencommunicationskills

•Organizationalandtimemanagementskills

•Conditionedtoworkinanoutdoorenvironmentwithlimited supervision

•Strongcomputerskills–MicrosoftOffice,iOS,andfamiliaritywith forestmanagementdatabases

Salary

•Salaryiscommensurateonindividuals’ability,skills,andexperience

•StuwixResourcesJoint Ventureoffers acomprehensivebenefits package

•Stuwixbelievesinahealthywork lifebalance

•ClosingdateforapplicationsisApril18,2025

PleaseforwardresumeandcoverlettertoLindsayTighe,General ManagerEmail: admin@stuwix.com

MailingAddress:2-98Highway 8,Merritt,BC.V1K0A7

ColdwaterIndianBandSchool

JobPosting TEACHER

TheColdwaterSchoolisinvitingqualifiedapplicantstoapplyfortheposition ofTeacher.

Qualifications

•Bachelor’sdegreeorhigherqualificationineducation

•ValidBCteachingcertificaterequired(orbeinapplicationof)

•Experiencewithtechnology

•Experienceworkingwith FirstNationSchool’sanasset

•ExperienceindevelopingandimplementingIEP’s,orwillingtolearn

•Excellentcommunication,leadershipandinterpersonalskills

•KnowledgeoftheBCcurriculum

•Willingtocontinuetogainnewknowledge,skills,beflexible,bepositive andateamplayer

•F irstAidCertificateorwillingtoobtain

•CriminalRecordCheck

Preferencewillbegiventothoseapplicantswho:

•HaveknowledgeofNle?kepmxlanguageandNle?kepmxculture

•Haveclassroomteachingexperience

•HaveexperienceatthePrimar yandElementary levels

•Haveexperiencewithformativeassessmentpracticesisanasset

•Haveadditionalprofessionalexperienceand/orpost-secondar ycourses

•Haveknowledgeofearlylearningandearlyliteracy

•HaveAboriginalancestry

Howtoapply

Yourapplicationportfoliomustincludethefollowingdocuments:

•CoverLetter

•Resume

•Copiesofvalidrequiredcertification

•Threereferences

ClosingDate: On-goinguntilthispositionisfilled. Start Date: August25,2025

Shor tListedApplicantswillbecontacted.

Pleasesendyourapplicationto:

Principal,ColdwaterSchool

Box4600 ~Merritt,BC ~V1K1B8

Fax:(250)378–9212

Email:principal@coldwaterschool.ca

HEADSTART/DAYCAREMANAGER

Full Time PermanentPosition Wage$30-$35hr.

Reporting to theHealth Manager, theAdministratorwillbe responsibleprimarily forthe overallSupervisionoftheHeadstart/ Daycareprogram.Thisincludesandunderstanding to staff supervisionandscheduling,ensuringalllicensing,and reporting requirementsarebeingmet,andensuringa quality land-based programisbeingoffered to childrenandfamilies.

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

HOME COMMUNITY CARE WORKER

Full-Time (35 Hrs. perweek –FlexibleHours)

Wage$21-$27hr.

Workingas amemberofthe Ama7 Swa7Home &Community Care Program,UnderthedirectionofHomeand Community Care Nurse, thesuccessfulcandidate willprovidedelegationoftasks setoutby HCCNaroundpersonalcaretoclientsliving at homeon reser ve.In this role,youwilltravel to homeswhereclients requirepersonalcare. Daily/ WeeklyJournaling LogsaretobesubmittedtoHCCNasper client list.

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

LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand

NoticeofExpropriation

Pursuant to section6(2)oftheExpropriation Act, RSBC 1996,c. 125, take notice thattheBritish ColumbiaHydroand Power Authorityintends to expropriateinterests inlandslocatedintheMerritt Ruralareaandlegallydescribedas:

•PID: 012-994-651(DistrictLot 749 KamloopsDivision YaleDistrict); Thenatureoftheinterestsinthelandsthatareintended to be expropriatedare StatutoryRightof Ways,inthe formsattached to theExpropriationNotice filedwith the KamloopsLand TitleOfficeunder registration numberCB1939940. Forfurther information,pleasecontact604-641-4978.

Catchyour nextjobinour employment section.

DATES: APRIL3rd&4th2025 TIME: 8amto4:30pm

Location: Best WesternPlus3969CrawfordAve(SageBrushRoom)

Pre-register at https://tcpgateway.bccsa.ca

Cost: $300.00(TaxesIncluded) Payable by Cash,Cheque,orMoneyorderto EmconServicesInc.Unit#105–1121McFarlane WayMerritt,BC

ForMoreInformation: MikeDavidson250-315-5979orEmail:mdavidson@emconservices.ca

TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD). FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsfileisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfficer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation. Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.

INTHEMATTEROFTHEBANKRUPTCYOF DMLoggingLtd.

NOTICEOFFIRSTMEETINGOFCREDITORS (Section102(4))

Noticeishe thatDMLoggin Ltd.ofMerritt,B.C. madeanassignmentinBankruptcy onthe21stdayofMa h,2025. Thefirstmeetingofcreditorswillbeheld onthe10thdayofApril,2025at4:00p.m.at 306-2755 TuttStreet, Kelowna,B.C. Trustee 306-2755 TuttStreet Kelowna,B.C.V1Y0G1 778-484-9933

LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDisposi- tionofCrownLand

TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-Okana- ganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD). FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsﬁleisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapp lication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfﬁcer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheAppli- cations,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation.

Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsid- eredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomoﬁnformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.

,2024.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart

Notice of Expropriation

Pursuant to section 6(2) of the Expropr iation Act, RSBC 1996, c. 125, take notice that the Br itish Columbia Hydro and Power Author it y intends to expropr iate interests in lands located in the Merr itt Rural area and legally descr ibed as:

• PID: 013-021-281 (Distr ict Lot 750 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict Except Plans 15307, 17686 And KAP55133);

• PID: 013-114-778 (The South 1/2 Of Distr ict Lot 3996 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-114-727 (Parcel A (DD 42376E And Plan B6447) Of District Lot 3995 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-425 (Distr ict Lot 4065 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-222-040 (Distr ict Lot 3995 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict Except Parcel A (DD 42376E And Plan B6447));

• PID: 013-222-007 (Distr ict Lot 3994 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-328 (Distr ict Lot 3991 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-222-015 (Distr ict Lot 4297 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-310 (Distr ict Lot 3990 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-301 (Distr ict Lot 3989 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-387 (Distr ict Lot 4292 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-379 (Distr ict Lot 4069 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-189-344 (Distr ict Lot 3992 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 012-997-030 (Distr ict Lot 381 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict); and

• PID: 013-114-735 (Distr ict Lot 1324 Kamloops Division Yale District Except: (1) Plans 21179 And 26174 (2) Plan EPP77675).

The nature of the interests in the lands that are intended to be expropr iated are Statutor y Right of Ways, in the forms attached to the Expropr iation Notice filed with the Kamloops Land Title Office under registration number CB1941036. For fur ther infor mation, please contact 604-641-4978.

Notice of Expropriation

Pursuant to section 6(2) of the Expropr iation Act, RSBC 1996, c. 125, take notice that the Br itish Columbia Hydro and Power Author it y intends to expropr iate interests in lands located in the Merr itt Rural area and legally descr ibed as:

• PID: 013-025-198 (The Southwest 1/4 Of Section 12 Which Is Not Included Within The Limits Of Distr ict Lot 352; Township 98 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-201 (The Northwest 1/4 Of Section 12 Township 98 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 012-933-562 (Distr ict Lot 103 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-171 (The Nor thwest 1/4 Of Section 6 Township 99 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-180 (The Nor theast 1/4 Of Section 6 Township 99 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-139 (The Southeast 1/4 Of Section 7 Township 99 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-031 (The South 1/2 Of Section 6 Township 99 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-015 (Section 31 Township 96 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-007 (Section 30 Township 96 Kamloops Division Yale District);

• PID: 012-933-571 (Distr ict Lot 104 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-193-724 (Distr ict Lot 3371 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 012-866-008 (Distr ict Lot 100 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

• PID: 013-025-040 (Section 32 Township 96 Kamloops Division Yale District);

• PID: 013-165-704 (Distr ict Lot 3370 Kamloops Division Yale Distr ict);

The nature of the interests in the lands that are intended to be expropr iated are Statutor y Right of Ways, in the forms attached to the Expropr iation Notice filed with the Kamloops Land Title Office under registration number CB1942131. For fur ther infor mation, please contact 604-641-4978.

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. State in southwestern India

4. Pashto

10. Corpuscle count (abbr.)

11. Supervised release from prison

12. Greeting

14. Type of drug

15. __ Sagan, astronomer

16. Every year

18. Nasal cavities

1. Pastes for filling crevices

2. Acquire 3. Heralds

4. News group

5. Exact copies

6. Particles

7. Noted 20th C. performer Lena

8. Tempted

9. Midway between north and east

12. Slotted, hinged metal plate

22. Nova __, province 23. In an inactive way

24. Cream-colored root

26. Nervous system disease

27. Guitarist Clapton

28. Three came to see Baby Jesus

30. Lebowski’s nickname

31. Play a role 34. Not fresh

13. South American hummingbird

17. Neither 19. Walk with confidence

20. Omit when speaking 21. Imperial Chinese currency

25. A bakery specializing in French pastry

29. Talk incessantly

36. Where golfers begin

37. Negatives

39. Wild goat

40. Releasing hormone

41. Makes up

42. Fastens

48. Exists in large numbers

50. A connecting word

51. A phase of the heartbeat

52. Northern Ireland county

31. Ethnic group of Nigeria

32. Longtime NY Times film critic

33. Beginners

35. Makes a trade

38. Sleep

41. Not moving

43. Popular drink: Pina __

44. Potential benefits

45. A place you can get stuck in

46. Ancient Greek City

53. An independent ruler or chieftain

54. Pacific sea bream

55. Commercial

56. Azure

58. Doctor of Education

59. Protected oneself against loss

60. Car mechanics group

47. Chalcedony

49. Rover

56. Digraph

Kruse N’ Style

57. Investment vehicle

REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE FOR MSS

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

Merritt Secondary School’s (MSS) carpenting program has created a selffunding program that gives students real-world woodworking experience.

This year, for MSS’ carpentry program’s yearly project, students were tasked with creating a working shed to be put over a backflow valve in Grand Forks for Encom Services.

“We know the value of skilled trades and the importance of introducing students to career opportunities early. Trades offer

rewarding careers, job security, and opportunities for growth, and we love seeing local students gaining practical experience,” Encom stated on a Facebook post about the shed.

The program, run by MSS teacher Sam McKibbon, has been doing projects like this for a few years now.

In years prior, the program helped for a few known builds. For a while, McKibbon had his class build wheelchair accessible outhouses for parks of the BC Forest Service until they ran out of parks to build at. Later, he wanted his class to work on more

local projects.

“I’ve actually, you know, sort of tried to reach further outwards into our community, because I know that there’s a big desire for these kids to build these skills,” McKibbon said.

“I’ve always looked for creative ways to give them those construction skills, because those are where most of our kids are going in terms of a career.”

Lumber mill Aspen Planers were one of the locals in the trades industries who wanted to partner with the high school.

For that project, Aspen Planers supplied the materials needed for the kids to build them a shed.

McKibbon was able to sell the shed for a profit, providing the program enough money to jumpstart the program’s future projects.

“We were able to sell that shed at a profit, which benefited the program and sort of built the roots for a stronger construction program within MSS,” he said.

“From there, I think any small town, right, you get a lot of word of mouth happening after, you know, something like that. And that’s where we’ve had a number of people within the community, Simon Rizzardo (Encom Services) included, sort of approach us and say, ‘Hey, we have a project.”

For the school, shed building provides invaluable experience for people to do these projects.

“I think hands-on learning, especially in the trades, really speaks to a subset of students

that previously, at least in my generation and generations before, were undervalued,” he said. “I think the thing that’s super powerful about the education system right now is, it’s recognizing that we need all sorts of learners, and we need all sorts of workers within the workforce,” he said.

By 2032, there will be demand for over 60,000 construction workers in Canada according to a study by Statistics Canada.

Government programs, like SkilledTradesBC, actively train workers and help them get certified in their respective trade.

The class’ most recent project for Encom, $1,000 worth of tools were donated to the program.

For MSS, projects like this give attention to an already strong and growing trades program. McKibbon said he foresees a tight budget for the education system going into future years, doing projects like this and getting community donations or being able to sell their projects gives them some money they can put in the program.

“it’s a great thing for the town, and it’s a great thing for these these students that are taking a lot of pride in their programs,” he said.

“Having that ability to earn a little bit of income from a valuable and in demand skill is going to be important in terms of maintaining high levels of programming, and being able to maintain the high numbers that we’ve been sustaining in MSS.”

PHOTO: SIMON RIZZARDO

Sam McKibbon’s trades class stands in front of their shed going to Grand Forks.