Prince George Citizen February 13, 2020

New trial for sex charges

Mark NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a Prince George man accused of sexual interference.

In a decision issued Jan. 17, a threejudge panel found the trial judge who found Paul Peter Veeken guilty of the offence erred by shifting the burden of proof onto the the defendant in commenting on his denial of the alleged acts.

“The judge was certainly entitled to reject the appellant’s evidence and find that it did not raise a reasonable doubt about his guilt,” Justice Gregory Fitch wrote in the decision issued on behalf of the panel. “The difficulty in this case arises because of the judge’s conclusion that he could neither accept the appellant’s evidence nor find that it raised a reasonable doubt in the absence of independent and reliable evidence supporting his account. To approach the issue this way was to erroneously shift the burden to the accused to adduce evidence that confirmed his denial of wrongdoing.”

It’s the second time Paul Veeken has been given such a break. The first occurred in December 2017 when a jury trial was overturned after the BCCA concluded a judge’s instruction regarding hearsay evidence was insufficient.

Ind IG enou S W o M en f I le la WS u I t

Five First Nations women from different communities around B.C. are suing the provincial government over allegations they were sexually and physically abused in foster homes. The alleged victims, whose claims date back to the 1960s and run through to the 1980s, were young girls at the time and say that government social workers knew about the abuse or were willfully blind to it. Several say they were removed from a

foster home when complaints surfaced, only to be moved to another foster home where more abuse occurred.

One woman, who was born in Fort St. James and now lives in Prince George, was apprehended in 1963 shortly after birth and was in ministry care until 1981.

She says that she was physically, psychologically and sexually abused from as early as she can remember in the first foster home where she was placed.

The physical abuse was allegedly

perpetrated by her foster mother, who whipped her with rubber cords, dragged her around the house and slammed her head against the wall. The sexual abuse was allegedly perpetrated by the father of the foster mother and occurred while the mom was away at work. The ministry did not adequately monitor and supervise the foster home, says the plaintiff. When she and a foster sister disclosed some of the abuse, a ministry social worker’s solution was to have them speak

to the foster parents with the social worker and a native school coordinator present, she says. The plaintiff was removed from the home eventually and placed in another foster home, but endured more sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a relative of the foster parents.

In an email, the Ministry of Children and Family Development said it cannot comment on active legal cases and the government is committed to lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Citizen Photo by James Doyle

Maureen Washington returned to Prince George for an amazing show at the Playhouse on Saturday night.

Garden expansion plans unveiled

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

The sign along University Way announcing the future expansion of the David Douglas Botanical Garden has been up since last summer.

As far as Linda Naess is concerned, that future is now. All she needs is $2.7 million to realize that dream and construction could begin tomorrow.

Plans for the next three phases of the garden project were unveiled last week to city council but for now, the president of David Douglas Botanical Society is focused on raising the money needed to complete Phase 2 of the botanical garden.

“It’s a huge undertaking and our gardeners are ready to plant this spring, unfortunately the land isn’t ready, but they’re ready to go, that’s how excited we are,” said Naess. “The sign created a lot of awareness. It’s going to take money, so we’re looking for donors and we’re going for grants and we’ll fund-raise among our members."

Some of the features of the Phase 2 expansion include theme gardens which would include a wide walkway with wooden arches, a lookout station, tree house, a green wall made of living plants, sculptures, gazebos, and a maze constructed of hedge shrubs. During the spring runoff, Shane Creek runs through the site and large trees provide an indigenous forest feature on the south side of the property. A First Nations garden, which would include water and fire features, a medicinal garden, smudging pavilion and Indigenous art, is also included in the plan, as is a 3,000 squarefoot visitor information centre.

A research garden to test fruits and vegetables suited to northern climates is also in the Phase 2 plan as well as a community garden for UNBC students, with potential for a solar-heated greenhouse. Ornamental and seasonal lighting will bring people to the garden at night and to celebrate special events like Halloween and Christmas, similar to the decorative holiday displays at Connaught Hill

Park and the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum.

Phases 3 and 4 would develop ornamental theme gardens, a marsh wetlands and pond, fed by Shane Creek; selective clearing of the forest to allow planting of shade-tolerant plants; and expansion of the research gardens. The visitor centre would be expanded to include banquet facilities, a solarium and a café.

Jay Lazzarin, a retired landscape architect and David Douglas Society member, offered a glimpse of what the completed four-phase $5.9 million botanical garden will look like, illustrated by a conceptual drone video fly-over of the 23-acre site, on land UNBC donated the society, just west of the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre. The society will consult stakeholders such as the city and UNBC and will survey user groups for their input on what they would like to see in the garden. For tourists and residents there’s huge potential to make the botanical garden and attractive draw.

Construction of Phase 1 of the garden

project, between the two east parking lots of the university, started in 2002 and was completed in 2018. The society raised $1.1 million for the 2.6-acre project, a series of display gardens with a bridge and waterfall feature linked by a walkway which leads to the Rotary pavilion. The garden is a warm-weathermonths gathering place, used to attract the lunchtime crowd at UNBC, for wedding/graduation backdrops, and to host the society’s annual plant sale, which has helped inspire gardening enthusiasts.

The society is targeting Phase 2 as a two-year project to be completed in 2022. Construction of Phase 3, projected to cost $1.74 million, is slated for completion between 2024-2026. Phase 4, at $1.29 million, will require another two years, to be finished in 2028.

The society, which formed in 1991, plans to step up its campaign to sell annual memberships to the public through its website, ddbotgarden.bc.ca. Membership dues are $35 (family), $25 (seniors) and $20 (students).

LNG staff set to rise

Arthur WilliAms Citizen staff

The top bosses of Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada expect to have thousands more employees working on their respective projects by the end of this year.

Coastal GasLink president David Pfeiffer said 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be the major years for constructing the pipeline.

"We've got about 1,000 (people) working on the project now," he said. "We'll ramp up to about 2,500 this summer."

LNG Canada CEO Peter Zebedee said his workforce will double.

"We just finished what we call our pioneering work, clearing the land. We ended the year, 2019, with just under 1,500 people on the site," Zebedee said. "We expect to have 3,000 workers on site by the end of the year."

The two industry leaders were in Prince George lastTuesday for the #TrueNorth Business Forum.

Coastal GasLink is building a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline from northeast B.C. to Kitimat, to serve the LNG export terminal LNG Canada is building. The combined value of the project is estimated at $6.6 billion.

Pfeiffer and Zebedee started off addressing the elephant in the room: the ongoing blockade southwest of Houston by a group of Wet'suwet'en hereditary

chiefs and their supporters. On Jan. 3, the Wet'suet'en hereditary chiefs and members of the Unist'ot'en camp issued an "eviction notice" to workers at camp 9A and the surrounding area, part of an ongoing conflict about the development.

From day one, Coastal GasLink realized the importance of getting social licence from the communities and First Nations along the pipeline route, Pfeiffer said.

"We held meetings with all 20 of the nations (along the route), both elected and hereditary," Pfeiffer said. "In most of the nations, the elected and hereditary systems work together very well."

Those meetings have resulted in cooperation agreements with 20 First Nations, including elected councils representing some of the Wet'suwet'en First Nations like the Skin Tyee First Nation.

"One third of our fieldwork was done by Indigenous people, Indigenous companies, in the north," Pfeiffer said. "It's just such a great story."

Pfeiffer said the company is still hoping to resolve the dispute with the Wet'suwet'en peacefully, without enforcing a court injunction granted to them by the B.C. Supreme Court on Dec. 31.

"The reality is, I really want to emphasize, that adequate consultation has occured," Zebeedee said.

Dental care brings smiles

Citizen staff

Call it EDOC-plus.

For years, the Emergency Dental Outreach Clinic, held twice a month at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, has been providing treatment to low-income residents in need of relief from aching teeth.

But for help with anything much beyond basic extractions, they would have to look elsewhere or simply live with what they have - until this past fall, that is, when they began to be referred to the CNC dental studies program.

With the help of local dentists, students in the program have been working on what instructor Cyndi Lewis calls "restorative services" from fillings to root canals - the types of things EDOC volunteers often have no time to provide due to the lineup of patients.

For Andrea Nelson, who is working

towards a certificate in dental assistance, it provides the practical experience she would not get on a mannequin.

"It's different, it's having that person-toperson interaction and figuring yourself out around a real human mouth," Nelson said. "Because all of the dummies, they have very standard human mouths - they have perfect teeth and perfect, open contacts and they're easy to work on," Nelson said.

Patients include the homeless, the working poor and their families, as well as seniors whose dental plans have lapsed upon retirement. Appointments typically take longer because the instructors need to check the students' work as they go. But for some, like Linda Allen, it's a way to get work done without having to deal with her nervousness around dentists.

"I'm not paranoid of it, it's just that I

Dr. William Vansickle, and cnc dental

allen during the emergency Dental Outreach clinic on Friday morning.

get tense and it's one of those things you do because you have to," she said. "And the first appointment I had, I think was a three-hour appointment and I was just reading my book in between and it was just fabulous."

Lewis said the program is always looking for more patients and they don't have to go through EDOC to become one. Those interested can inquire at the front desk at the CNC dental building by asking for the patient services coordinator.

Show featureS

Exploration Place is being featured on Dino Trails on Amazon Prime.

In an episode on Northern B.C., paleontologists Rich McCrea and Lisa Buckley pay a visit to the museum's permanent paleontology exhibit, which showcases full-size dinosaur models and fossils from the area that are over 70 million years old.

Six Peaks Dinosaur Track Site near Hudson’s Hope is also showcased in the episode, part of a series created to reveal the newest discoveries of dinosaurs and fossils in B.C. and Alberta.

"The dinosaur footprints exhibit is

fascinating and easy for all ages to understand and enjoy,” said series creator Brandy Yanchyk. “I love Prince George’s proximity to nature and the city’s warm people.”

Tourism Prince George assisted with scouting for the episode and connected Yanchyk with local contacts. As part of its travel media program, the organization also provided financial assistance for the crew’s lodging during their stay in Prince George.

The series can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video, TELUS Optik TV on Demand, Westjet in-flight entertainment and on YouTube.

Citizen Photo by James Doyle

student andrea nelson work on linda

Citizen staff

Spare a pair for thoSe in need

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

The reality of what some members of the Prince George community need came in the form of one woman's request for tampons during a volunteer's walkabout on the downtown streets during a cold winter's night.

"It's not actually food that's needed," Veronique Gauthier, a founder of the Spare A Pair initiative, said.

Established in 2017, the founders and volunteers of Spare A Pair have gone on 30 walks downtown, offering clothing items, safety and well-being gear and personal hygiene products to those in need. It all started with a nursing school assignment that saw second year student Danika Serafin and Gauthier, a first year student, partnering to do a needs assessment in a rural community. They picked Nunavut where food shortage was the issue they addressed. Realizing needs not met in every community, Spare a Pair turned into a local initiative.

"As time has gone on, we have operated on a voiced-needs list," Gauthier said. "So basically every item on our list has been specifically voiced by community members as we've done our community walks."

Over time, the list has grown to 30 items, including socks, mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and long johns, specifically needed for the winter months. In the safety and well-being category, items requested are flashlights, notebooks and pens, condoms, backpacks, lip balm and sunscreen. In the toiletries category, items requested include shampoo and conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, feminine hygiene products, facial tissue and wet wipes. It's not just the list that has grown but the movement now has about 80 registered volunteers while still others spontaneously volunteer as well. Anita Muchalla Yuelet, a nursing instructor at the College of New Caledonia, is now a third organizer of the group.

Reaching out to residents, service clubs and the business community for donations has been something the group has always done. Gauthier said because they are in the nursing community they've been successful in their initiative to help those in need because those around them are like-minded. Gauthier said the volunteer group is now taking steps to become a registered non-profit with a board of directors in the hope that year-round fundraising can take place, year-round volunteer opportunities are available and they can continue to speak at public functions to help raise awareness for their cause.

"We would like to continue to break down the barriers that exist for certain people in our community and we do that by establishing some of these connections with our peers and with our business members and local community members and we've found that has been positive and that's what this year is about - really solidifying that and moving into

not-for-profit status is just going to be icing on the cake," Gauthier said. "It's going to be the thing that allows us to be able to service that community better."

A fundraising effort called Gift of Warmth recently partnered with Spare A Pair. Adam Prytula of Adamant Prints has designed a rays of hope logo put on each of 100 hoodies that will be handed out by the Spare A Pair. So far, 25 have been distributed and more will be created as more money is raised.

"We handed out 25 on Jan. 19 and we are really humbled by the community because most of the time we find that people won't take more than what they need," she said. "If they're already layered up they just tell us to move on to the next person and that's really humbling."

For more information visit the Spare A Pair Facebook page or their website at www.spareapair.ca. To drop off donated items for Spare A Pair, visit Kup at a Time at 834 Central St. East, between 10th Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

lumber tariff drop welcomed

Arthur WilliAms Citizen staff

News the U.S. government plans to reduce duties on Canadian softwood lumber is good for B.C. lumber producers, according to the president of a forest industry group, but it won't solve all of the sector's woes.

On Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the preliminary results of its first administrative review of the anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian lumber. If the proposed preliminary rates are adopted, B.C. lumber producers could see duties cut by more than in half in August.

"Obviously we're pleased with the

preliminary findings," B.C. Council of Forest Industries (COFI) president Susan Yurkovich said. "I should note... it doesn't change the deposits we're paying right now."

Canada's legal team and COFI's lawyers are reviewing the preliminary decision, in what has been an ongoing and complex trade dispute between Canada and the U.S., she said.

Canada and COFI's stance has always been that the duties are unfair and unjustified, that Canada doesn't unfairly subsidize its forest sector, Yurkovich said. It's a position which has been upheld repeatedly by the World Trade Organization and NAFTA panels.

Since Dec. 28, 2017, Canadian producers have been paying 20.23 per cent at the U.S. border, with three major B.C.-based producers – Canfor, Tolko and West Fraser – facing even higher duties.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's proposed cash deposit rate would drop to 8.21 per cent. Canfor would see its deposit rate drop from 20.52 per cent down to 4.63 per cent; West Fraser's deposit rate would drop from 23.56 per cent to 9.08 per cent; and Tolko's rate would drop from 22.07 per cent to 8.21 per cent.

The U.S. Department of Commerce launched a second review on Jan. 2 this year, which could make different recommendations and change the industry landscape again, Yurkovich said.

"Its taking a lot of resources from the Canadian industry – financial resources and human resources which would be better used growing the forest sector in Canada and the U.S," she said.

But even if the duties were eliminated tomorrow, it wouldn't solve all the issues facing B.C.'s forest sector, Yurkovich said.

"We're a high-cost jurisdiction," she said. "Secure access to (wood) fibre at a reasonable cost is the single most-important factor in keeping mills operating."

A spokesperson for Canfor declined to comment on the decision, however investors responded quickly to the news.

In early trading in Toronto on Tuesday, Canfor stock rose as much as 7.5 per cent, West Fraser Timber jumped by 6.2 per cent and Resolute Forest Products Inc. was up three per cent.

The report says it’s unlikely that Canadian companies will receive any refund or credit for overpayment until the trade dispute is resolved, something not expected for two to three years.

On Monday, CIBC analyst Hamir Patel quoted "trade contacts" in a report that suggested average U.S. duties would drop from about US$67 per thousand board feet to about US$30 based on current pricing levels of about US$400.

The report says it's unlikely that Canadian companies will receive any refund or credit for overpayment until the trade dispute is resolved, something not expected for two to three years.

"According to trade contacts, preliminary revised duty determinations from the U.S. government have been communicated to the Canadian industry," Patel said. "We expect Canadian lumber equities to respond positively to this news as these rate revisions were better than most Canadian industry participants were expecting."

This is the fifth time Canada and the U.S. have fought over the same issues.

In September, a joint Canada-U.S. trade panel gave the United States 90 days to rethink its tariffs, finding there was no evidence Canadian imports were causing injury to the U.S. industry.

— With files from The Canadian Press

DamageD roaD to be rebuilt

Citizen

staff

Up to $103.4 million has been earmarked to rebuild and realign West Fraser Road near Quesnel, heavily damaged by flooding in 2018, the provincial government said Wednesday.

It said the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is finalizing the detailed design for a new road that will bypass the active slide areas along the section washed out in 2018.

Work will include the construction of five kilometres of two-lane road on a new alignment, a new bridge crossing Narcosli Creek and rock stabilization work along the new route.

Upon completion of the final design, the ministry will hold a public informa-

tion session in the spring to share details and project timelines. Construction is scheduled to begin afterwards and completion is slated for late 2022.

In April 2018, high water from the spring freshet caused Narcosli Creek to erode five sections of West Fraser Road on the west side of the Fraser River, about 17 kilometres south of Quesnel. The damage was severe, resulting in the road being closed over a three-kilometre section.

Since the washout, a detour route has been in place via the Garner and Webster Lake Road system and nearly $2 million has been put into improving the route with a contractor enlisted to provide maintenance.

Man caught in stolen truck sentenced

Mark NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George man, who was among those arrested when a team specializing in combatting auto crime was in the city, was sentenced last week to six months in jail.

Collin Michaud Durrand, 29, was also sentenced to one year probation and must take counseling for drug addiction as part of the terms issued in provincial court. Less credit for time served prior to sentencing, he had one day left to serve in the jail term.

Durrand was arrested on July 30, 2019, when members of the B.C. Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team were in Prince George.

A member noticed a flat-deck Ford F-450 pickup truck matching the make and model of one stolen from a used auto dealership three weeks prior parked at the corner of Norwood Street and Porter Avenue with a licence plate from a different model of pickup.

A tracking device was attached to the truck and about two hours later, police saw Durrand hop into the vehicle and drive away. When Durrand stopped at a cash store on Victoria Street, he was arrested.

Police also found two water pumps, reported stolen from the Cluculz Lake

Volunteer Fire Department five days before the apprehension, along with a lock pick and a variety of keys used to break into vehicles. The truck's ignition and driver's side lock were doctored so the truck could be entered and started without a key, the court was told.

Durrand was sentenced to five months and one day for possessing stolen property over $5,000 in relation to the pickup truck and to concurrent terms of 91 days for possessing stolen property under $5,000 for the water pumps and 21 days for the break-in instruments.

He was also sentenced to 30 days in jail for being unlawfully at large for failing to show up at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre on a weekend in February 2019 to serve a portion of an intermittent sentence. That term was consecutive to those related to the stolen pickup truck.

And Durrand was sentenced to 31 days for obstructing a peace officer and 14 days for breaching probation for being out past his curfew in November 2019, both concurrent to the other sentences.

In January, David Arthur Juillette, who was apprehended by the team the day before Durrand was arrested, was sentenced to 324 days in jail and one year probation after he was found behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck.

Remembering the games

Five years ago this week, Prince George was welcoming the nation as the host of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Despite unseasonably warm weather that turned into early spring, the community put its best foot forward as host.

The nationally televised opening ceremonies in CN Centre were gorgeous and spectacularly choreographed. The events, not just the sports but also the music and arts events, were well attended. The Lheidli T'enneh pavilion was popular with locals and visitors alike, as Prince George became the site of the first-ever Canada Games to recognize its area's Indigenous people as a host First Nation.

It was amazing to see young area athletes excel, from biathlete Emily Dickson's four-medal performance (two of them gold) at Otway to Meryeta O'Dine

LETTERS transit stigma

After the recent snow, Prince George once again witnessed the limitless increase of white fluffy mounds on our driveways, roads and sidewalks. While extreme weather is a normal occurrence for those living in the north, it is not the norm for an East Coast born and raised, like myself. I recently moved to Prince George in September to begin graduate studies at UNBC. While, admittedly, it would have been a better idea, and much more convenient, to have rented an apartment in either College Heights or the Bowl, my partner and I were hustled into living in the faraway land of the Hart. While I do not harbour any regrets as to our decision, I have encountered a few difficulties in my commute to school.

As we all navigate the winter months, I will say that I cannot help but notice the immense amount of work that has gone into snow clearing and plowing as well as the resilience of P.G. transit to sustain bus schedules as accurately as possible. Were I back on the East Coast, school would have been cancelled and busses would not have been running at all, under the same conditions. However, it has also come to my attention that some residents do not hold as much value in the maintenance of alternative methods of transportation, other than driving, during winter conditions. I do not wish to make sweeping assumptions and generalities, however it has become a pattern that has continued time again and this behaviour is becoming hard to ignore.

and Evan Bichon taking gold in the women's and men's snowboard cross.

The two-week party was fantastic, leading right into the week after everyone went home, as Prince George celebrated its 100th birthday.

The organizers of major sporting events love talking about the huge legacy their events leave behind - the new and/ or upgraded facilities, residents coming together in common cause, the confidence boost, the "putting us on the map" awareness and so on. Yet five years later, not much has changed in Prince George. The games are remembered fondly by most and that's about it.

If anything, the games simply postponed internal conflicts brewing within the city. A month after the games, the professors at UNBC went on strike. Even during the games, downtown retailers, who had bought into the hype by staying open late, were saying they weren't getting nearly the business they had been told they would see. The increased police

Having opted for a more environmentally and economically friendly alternative to investing in a car, I have accepted the challenges that come with taking public transport. Although I am very lucky to be able-bodied and in good condition to make the 20-minute walk to the bus stop, I too have encountered difficulties including unwillingly resorting to walking on the road due to unmanageable sidewalks. What is more, while you think this would be dangerous enough, even with drivers allowing for adequate space while passing, there are drivers who have sped by me at an obnoxious proximity that is just not necessary. I can’t imagine what it would be like for an elderly person or child in my position. These experiences also include drivers rushing to stop signs to avoid my crossing in front of them. What is more, a resident on my street wrote to the government asking them to move the snow from their front lawn onto the sidewalk across the street from their house because “no one uses it anyway."

While it is understandable that snow clearing requires countless hours of work, many sidewalks remain icy and caked with snow making it extremely hard for both the elderly and disabled to navigate their way to bus stops. What is more, children are frequent users of the sidewalks (when there are sidewalks), of course given their ineligibility to drive, and therefore fall into the category of pedestrians who require the utilization of public and school transport. If these are the attitudes towards those who do not drive and require alternative means of transportation, how can we ever hope to garner enough public support to increase funding of public transport? I have spoken to residents

presence downtown with foot patrols and police dogs were welcome by some while others felt it was invasive and unnecessary. Local musicians either refused to perform during the games because of Northern Gateway's sponsorship involvement or worked their protest into the show, as Black Spruce Bog did not once but twice, singling out the Site C dam and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Artist Jennifer Pighin's work was featured on the medals and the Team B.C. clothing. Three months later, she took games organizers and the Wood Wheaton Auto Group to small claims court for copyright violation.

Local government spending, staff hires and the corresponding annual tax hikes from city council that ramped up before the games kept right on going. Temporary and one-time increases associated with the games became permanent with more added on each year since, including significant raises for the mayor, the city manager and the growing number of

who cannot imagine their life without access to a vehicle. They have told me that their entire day to day lives would be compromised without their car. But, what if public transit worked in a way that your life in PG could go on without it? What if transit became more desirable or acceptable for those needing to commute to work or school? This is really a debate of “chicken or the egg." Do we need public support to fund public transport and make it properly accessible or do we need to make it properly accessible to garner public support?

Abby Dooks, Prince George

Horgan ignores us

Recently, John Horgan travelled to northern B.C. to tour the region — his first tour of northern B.C. since assuming the role of premier two and a half years ago. His absence from the region had not gone unnoticed by residents, but many people expected that on this tour he would finally acknowledge the challenges we are facing and announce plans to provide meaningful support.

However, despite the ongoing forestry crisis, month-after-month of decreasing job numbers, the sham of a caribou consultation and the delays facing major pipeline projects, Premier Horgan came bearing no good news for the rural British Columbians dealing with these challenges. Not only did Horgan fail to bring new supports, but he also doubled down on his disconnection from the region through missed opportunities and tone-deaf comments.

At a Northern Mayors Roundtable, the premier remarked that “quite frankly we don’t hear from (opposition MLAs) about the positive initiatives that are happen-

senior bureaucrats.

Externally, it was the same old story. Vancouver sent its broadcast and print journalists to Prince George during the games, where they chuckled daily on-air and online about how such nice people would choose to live in such a stinkhole.

As for Harper, he couldn't even bother to visit during the games (the only Canada Games he didn't attend while prime minister) but hung out in Calgary for two days as a spectator at the national men's curling championship.

It's not all bad, of course.

The 2015 games were a great reminder that this community and its residents can meet any challenge, accomplish any task.

But the games were not a pivotal moment in the city's history, certainly not compared to more significant, unplanned events like the 2017 Cariboo wildfires and taking care of 10,000 evacuees. The games were a moment of pride five years ago, nothing more and nothing less.

- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

ing in the community.”

This insinuation that we don’t advocate for our communities is simply ridiculous. The entire B.C. Liberal caucus works every day for the best of our communities, calling for government action and support in times of struggle and celebrating the incredible work being done in our communities daily. Whether through statements or Question Period in the legislature, letters written to ministers on behalf of constituents, the estimates process or through the media, we share local issues and successes every chance we get. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the premier and rural B.C, even when he was here. During his trip, he didn’t meet with disenfranchised forestry workers, he didn’t talk about reinstating the Rural Dividend Fund and he did not mention a plan to create jobs in the region where they are so desperately needed. The premier also failed to instill any confidence in the resource sector, even after his remarks at the recent resource forum in Prince George.

Horgan’s actions — both in his avoidance of northern B.C. and his attitude during his tour — demonstrate the sad truth that this government does not care about rural B.C, and is only focused on the South Coast, where the majority of their votes come from.

It is time for this government to step up and show that they care about the whole province — that they care more about people than votes and will take the time to listen to those who need assistance. Contrary to what he may admit, Premier Horgan hears rural voices all the time but he just chooses to ignore them.

Shirley Bond, MLA Mike Morris, MLA Prince George

PRINCE GEORGE

gun ownerS firing back

Canada appears to have finally found its disruptive moment. Petition E-2341, which calls upon “the Government of Canada to put any new firearms laws, bans, buyback programs or changes to licensing before the House of Commons to be debated,” has reached 160,000 at the time of writing - more than any other petition in the history of our country. The results also show a clear contrast regionally, with the most signatures coming from BC, Alberta, and Ontario.

The irony is palpable, especially as the anti-gun petition, calling for the ban of AR style weapons as well as handguns has failed to break 30,000 signatures. Canada, long ruled by the PearsonTrudeau consensus of post-1967, appears not to be the unarmed, overly polite society we’ve been caricatured as. Apparently, people of this dominion will not stand for an out of touch government that seeks to confiscate their property when they have done nothing to deserve it.

As Canadians, we take pride in our identity as a peaceful nation that celebrates diversity. These are indeed wonderful ideals but to be authentic, they need to be lived.

In 1990, a community in Quebec wanted to expand its golf course and claimed the right to traditional Indigenous lands. The Mohawk people blocked this process and, when the provincial police used force to seize their territory, the Oka crisis began.

Living in Montreal at that time, I have to admit that I was shocked by what I saw because it shattered what I so deeply believed we were as a nation. What the Mohawk were asking for was perfectly reasonable from the start. How could anyone even think of taking their neighbour’s land to build a golf course?

The Mohawk people bravely and unflinchingly held their ground and the crisis ended several months later with no golf course being built. As a Canadian people, we looked at ourselves and realized we had to do better.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized in Parliament for the residential schools in 2008, the Truth and Reconcili-

Iwas disappointed to see Rona Ambrose decline running for the Federal Conservative Party leadership. She is well-spoken, smart, and showed she could handle the job as interim party leader. She also seems to have integrity, pushing forward on an important issue, even when the bill would be credited to her political opponents.

Just this past week, the federal Liberals introduced Bill C-5, the bill calling for mandatory sexual assault training for judges. This bill is the government’s version of Ambrose’s private member’s bill, which died while under review by the Senate when the last election was called.

The bill is rare in that it has all-party support. It is great to see all sides standing together to improve justice for rape victims.

Most everyone I know has a story of a friend who was raped but she either never reported it or never pressed

RIGHT OF CENTRE NATHAN GIEDE

It bears repeating not a shred of gun policy in this country has ever saved a life. Much of it has successfully destroyed small businesses that sell or service guns, or made criminals out of law-abiding owners who fall prey to laws against self-defence as well as paper crimes. But the gangs still run free with illegally obtained firearms. Whatever one thinks of this issue, I can promise you that Canadian gun owners are not giving up their weapons without a serious fight. Black rifles might look scary to some, but are no more dangerous than other weapons. The idea that they are highpowered is also patently ridiculous: AR10’s shoot .308 or 7.62mm NATO, a commonly used hunting and target round

that is by no means the most powerful; the AR-15 shoots .223 or 5.56mm NATO, a round originally based on the .22LR. Certainly, these are rifles that have been used in warfare by the military - but so were Grampa’s Lee-Enfields.

The term “assault style” is nonsense. Indeed, the AR stands for “Armalite,” the company that first produced these rifles. Why people buy these over those with traditional wooden stocks is the same reason you buy anything new: the convenience of customizability and ergonomics. Any anti-gun advocate, once sat down and shown how much can be done to make AR’s lighter, more accurate, easier to handle, could not honestly dismiss their superiority to older platforms.

There are deep political ramifications to this episode. First, as the Conservative Party of Canada seeks a new leader, those hoping to win the gun-vote must make their stance clear by word, deed, and policy. There is no doubt that gun policy has clear supporters in this coun-

try - anyone who wishes to take the helm in a single ballot will have to strongly declare their position.

Second, the Liberals vastly underestimated the resentment such flagrant disregard for private property would inspire. Guns cost incredible amounts of money because they are tools built and fitted together with precision. If there is not a clear about-face, with Justin Trudeau all but apologizing to lawful gun owners, there will be a change in the electoral map of this country. Most importantly though, while the world churns with populist movements of every stripe and counter-movements of consensus based market neoliberalism or neoconservative foreign interference, Canada appears to have found an entirely principled stance from which to fight back: we, the gun owners of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians, will not be made criminals by fiat. If our rights are to be amended, let them be put to debate in the people’s house: Parliament.

Standing with the wet’Suwet’en

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

ation Commission published their report in 2015, the British Columbia government recognized the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2019 and we seemed to be moving forward as a country.

Thirty years after Oka, however, history is repeating itself in northern B.C.

The Wet’suwet’en people are opposed to a natural gas pipeline being built by a company called Coastal GasLInk through their traditional territory. They have set up non-violent blockades thus preventing construction and Coastal GasLink has acquired court injunctions requiring them to leave. Footage from the American news program Democracy Now shows large numbers of heavily armed police forcing their way through blockades and arresting protesters.

Canadian media coverage has largely distorted Wet’suwet’en claims to their

territory by stating that Indigenous groups have already given their approval of the project and the B.C. and Canadian governments have given assurance that the Coastal Gaslink project will go through.

It is necessary, however, to take a broader look at the issue. First, “divide and conquer” techniques have been used by colonial powers for hundreds of years to get Indigenous groups to succumb to their wishes. Secondly, governments in Canada still use the Indian Act of 1867 as a basis for their dealings with Indigenous peoples. Though it has been revised, this piece of legislation was written with no regard for traditional Indigenous governance. This is not surprising since it was designed to facilitate the destruction of Indigenous culture and the assimilation of Indigenous people into Euro-centric Canadian society.

Thirdly, it is important to note that there were very few treaties ever signed in B.C. and much Indigenous territory is rightly described as “unceded," including the land where the Wet’suwet’en are protesting.

In an effort to resolve the issue, the

B.C. government recently appointed former federal MP Nathan Cullen as a liaison. Speaking from the area of the protest, Cullen stated, “The (BC) parliament just a few months ago stood and voted and passed the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If the current government thinks they can just do something in parliament but not actually enforce it on the land, then I don’t know what that vote means.”

Many people in northern B.C. will be angry if the Coastal GasLink pipeline does not go through. As a homeowner in the area, I can certainly see the financial benefits. At the same time, just like I knew it was wrong during the Oka Crisis to build a golf course on my neighbour’s land, I know it is wrong to use force to build a natural gas pipeline through the territory of a people who are so good to me, allowing me to call northern British Columbia my home, too.

I know that Canada is not perfect, but I do believe that we can become the people we say we are. For this reason, my conscience requires that I stand with the Wet’suwet’en people in opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Ambrose’s federal bill long overdue

THINKING ALOUD

TRUDY KLASSEN

charges. Some say that there is so little confidence in the system that only five per cent of sexual assaults are even ever reported. The brave sprinkling of women who have actually thought that justice would serve them and reported the crime have had their hopes betrayed by a system ill-equipped to deal with sexual assault cases.

The reporting and court process is so invasive and difficult that most women look at the odds of getting a conviction and decide to just get on with their life instead of subjecting themselves to a process that seems to cause more grief than it relieves.

Statistics Canada, reporting for the period 2009 to 2014, found: “Overall, one in five (21 per cent) sexual assaults reported by police led to a completed court case within the six year reference period. This is compared with nearly double the proportion (39 per cent) of physical assaults.” The conviction rate is only about 10 per cent. This is a dismal prognosis and something needs to be done to improve justice.

The efforts to implement mandatory sexual assault training for judges began after several judges made horrifyingly stupid and ill-informed statements, like: “Why didn’t you just keep your knees together?”

Can you imagine being robbed or physically assaulted, only to be berated for not being strong enough to protect yourself? The judge who said it, Robin Camp, did resign as judge. However, he has been able to resurrect his legal career

by being reinstated as a lawyer. One can only hope that the woman who was insulted by him has likewise been able to rebuild her life.

So with all the acrimony we frequently see in the House of Commons and during elections, the passage of this bill will prove, again, that our politicians can work together when they know that there is overwhelming support for change. One would hope that we could see that kind of cooperation happen more frequently, but perhaps the cooperation we saw was due to Ambrose’s skillful handling of the issue, and that makes me doubly sad that she is not running.

Her constituents, and all of Canada, are fortunate to have her. Ambrose shows us that you don’t need to be in power to have power. That we can, given what we have and are willing to do, do good, right where we are.

Teens speak ou T agains T vaping

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Owen MacDonald sees it way too often for his own liking.

He watches teens like himself walking to school or clustered in a field exhaling clouds of steam and it bothers him.

Compared to smoking, vaping is less harmful, but MacDonald knows it’s not harmless and that’s the focus of a presentation he and a group of other high school students are bringing to young students when they visit elementary schools.

“The message I want to get out to kids is it’s not cool to put anything other than oxygen into your lungs, and it’s actually harmful,” said MacDonald, a Grade 12 student at Duchess Park Secondary School.

He leads the anti-vaping initiative as part of the School District 57 District Student Advisory Council.

“Vaping is better than smoking but both are pretty bad. It’s right in your face at school and everyone knows that a lot of people vape. The main thing I’m doing is helping elementary students make informed decisions on what they’re actually putting into their bodies and having them see the harms of it so they’ll know it’s not as harmless as people will have them think.”

In those school assemblies, MacDonald shows a news clip of 19-year-old Jaycen Stephens of Armstrong, who has filed a

suit in BC Supreme Court against JUUL, the vaping cartridge manufacturer. JUUL makes small, easily-hidden devices for vaping that look like USB flash drives which contain concentrated doses of addictive nicotine and are often flavoured.

Stephens started vaping when he was 16 and says it’s the cause of his respiratory problems.

He says he has a constant feeling of fluid in his lungs and is unable to run. The suit claims Stephens was unaware of the risks of vaping before he got hooked on it.

MacDonald has visited Heritage, College Heights and Pinewood elementary schools and the list of schools that want the advisory group to present to their students is growing, with visits to Heather Park and Buckhorn schools in the works.

“I find when you’re talking to elementary kids about in-depth subjects such as the harms of vaping, you really need to be interactive,” said MacDonald. “If you’re just talking at them they’re not going to like it, but if you’re talking to them and having an interactive two-way conversation they really seem to grasp on to the subject a lot more.”

Each secondary school and five elementary schools in the city have at least two Student Advisory Council representatives and MacDonald will bring one or two with him when he makes his presentations.

FrancoFun in the sun

There was FrancoFun for everyone at the Le Cercle des Canadiens Français de Prince George’s 35th annual celebration that saw the Sugar Shack celebration take place Saturday at St. Mary’s Church on Gillett St.

More than 300 people were expected to join the day-long celebration that saw two seatings for the popular brunch, silent auction and live entertainment.

Several locals provided entertainment with Daniel Gervais and Roger Dallaire from Alberta being the guest entertainers from Alberta.

“The French Canadian Association is promoting the French language, heritage and culture,” said Renee Trepanier, executive director of the association.

The FrancoFun Festival took place over several days with events taking place throughout the city.

During the Sugar Shack brunch that featured the traditional meat pie called tourtiere and offered a maple tart for a sweet treat to end the meal, there were several outdoor activities held during the mild winter weekend weather including a game of pick up hockey, a sawing a log pairs event and hammering a nail into a stump that everyone was welcome to try.

The sweet outdoor treat was maple

iCeman on iCe

Cam McNamara makes his way around the Outdoor Ice Oval on Sunday while competing in the 33rd Annual Prince George Iceman. McNamara was the top solo man in the race, completing the ski, run, skate, run, swim course in one hour, 51 minutes and 50 seconds.

taffy on snow.

“We want to thank everyone in the community who supported us,” Trepanier said. “We are very grateful for the lovely weather. Last year it was so cold we couldn’t have the activities outside so this is very welcome. We had lots of volunteers that we appreciate very much and there’s a great response to our silent auction that helps offset the cost of the festival.”

Trailer Traps Trucker

A truck driver was seriously injured last week when his transport truck ran over him as he was attempting to get his disabled vehicle off Highway 97, according to Quesnel RCMP.

Police said they were called to a report of a jack-knifed truck by Marguerite Ferry Road at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and while on the way received a second report that the driver was accidentally run over by wheels of the trailer.

“The police determined that another truck driver assisted the man by moving the truck while the man directed him," RCMP said. "The man lost his footing and was run over by the trailer tires.” He was transported to Williams Lake by ground ambulance and was then airlifted to Vancouver with serious but non life threatening injuries.

WorkSafe BC has been notified of the incident and the investigation is ongoing. The name of the driver was not released.

GOOd tIMeS At dOwNtOwN wINterfeSt

There's nothing quite like a winter city embracing all of the snowy, icy, frostiness as Prince George did during the annual Downtown Winterfest on Sunday.

There were s'mores to taste test, slides to slip down, a mini train to ride, a snow wall to explore, an ice throne to regally sit on - because you know you must sit up straight if you're royalty.

There was a duo of mini horses to pet,

an indoor market to wander through and an outdoor DJ with an exciting beat to set the pace as the Spruce Kings and Cariboo Cougars played street hockey with those wishing to pick up a stick to make a big score. There was even a shoe toss, a mini curling bonspiel and a minigolf snow course.

There were food trucks to choose lunch from and artistic endeavours to explore at the Two Rivers Gallery.

Kara Biles came down to the event with

her four-year-old son Van and her mom Lynne, who didn't want to tell her age.

"We always go to all the events held in Prince George," Biles said. "This one is great because it gives us something to do during the winter."

The Biles family was taking their turn at creating paper cutout snowflakes at the Two Rivers Gallery - half the fun is seeing how it looks after cutting the folded paper.

Inside the market was vendor Linda

Hogh whose home-based business is called Chalk Couture.

"It's an awesome event and Winterfest is very family-oriented," Hogh said. "There's something here for everybody."

The indoor market is a great way for small businesses to showcase their wares to Prince George, she added.

"The community supports you and you support the community," Hogh said.

The event took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Citizen staff

Citizen staff

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

SPORTS

HeigHt no barrier for Holmes

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Throughout her career playing basketball for the UNBC Timberwolves, kids just flocked to Emily Holmes.

At five-foot-three, she's one of the most vertically-challenged players in the conference and hasn't let that get in the way of fulfilling her role directing traffic in the T-wolves backcourt as one as one of the league's top-five passers. Off the court, her small stature and friendly personality acted like an electromagnet that drew in younger fans. Holmes was reminded of that power after her game last Friday, when 1,500 elementary school students packed the Northern Sport Centre to watch the Twolves play the Grant MacEwan Griffins.

"Until you get all those kids out, you don't realize what an impact you do have on the community when you are a Timberwolf, when you have kids coming up to you after the game and you're signing their foreheads and you're their favourite player," said Holmes. "Through my five years of being involved, being that local kid for young ones to look up to, it truly makes you feel like local superstar and that's what's really special about our program, something you won't see at a big school."

Holmes has always had to adjust to her physical shortcomings playing against

opponents sometimes a foot taller and she was afforded plenty of court time to develop those skills.

"I always forget how small I am until I see a picture of me and who I'm checking or if I'm next to my teammates," she said.

SENior MEN Say farEwEll

Long before they set sail on a five-year mission with the UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball team, Saje Gosal and Anthony Hokanson were B.C. provincial under-14 teammates.

At that time, both were considered among the best of their age group peers. They had no idea their basketball futures would converge in Prince George, where they would became T-wolves teammates, roommates and soul brothers.

“Tony and I came here together and it was a really special time for us, we’ve known each other since we were 13 years old,” said Gosal. “We met each other when we were really young and we’ve been playing basketball together for a long time. We came to the same school together and we’ve lived together the

whole time since we’ve been here, so it’s been really special to us to kind of grow up here together.”

Hokanson, a forward, has been catching Gosal’s passes from the backcourt for five seasons and that all came to an end Saturday when the T-wolves wrapped up a non-playoff season with back-to-back wins over the Grant MacEwan Griffins at the Northern Sport Centre.

“I can honestly say that the five years here have been one of the best experiences in my life,” said Hokanson. “Me and Saje have been part of the biggest firsts in the program’s history. We were part of the team that won its first playoff game, we were on the first team to make the playoffs back to back and it’s really been one of the most incredible rides I’ve every had.”

That 71-68 win over the Winnipeg

Wesmen two years ago in the playoffs was the high-water mark for the both graduating seniors during their time as Twolves. Although they were swept in the next round in a two-game series against Alberta, the T-wolves proved with their playoff win that a small isolated school can produce a playoff contender.

This season was a rebuilding year, with just two starters and two fifth-year players. The T-wolves started out 4-4, then went on an 11-game losing streak that finally ended when they took out the Griffins Friday in the first game of a twogame sweep.

“It’s ups and downs whenever you have a young team - even when you feel you’ve had a breakthrough you take a step back,” said Gosal. “But it’s satisfying just seeing the growth from our young guys and seeing what they’re capable of.”

"I'm not ever really thinking about my height, for what my role is, height doesn't matter and it's just about how big you play, not how big you are."

Holmes grew up in a basketball family, coached by her parents, Dave and Louise, who are still coaching her at UNBC. As a kid, she was a regular part of the halftime show playing mini-games in her minor basketball jersey at the Northern Sport Centre and waving the flag with the T-wolves' logo. Fresh out of high school basketball at Duchess Park, she joined the T-wolves as a homegrown 17-year-old. The team finished that season with just three wins, but ever year since then they've been a playoff contender. This season, despite an injurydepleted lineup, they finished 11-9 and head into the playoffs Friday against Lethbridge on an eight-game winning streak.

Fellow fifth-year Maria Mongomo, 25, capped a brilliant five-year career at UNBC in her final home game Saturday with 29 points and 13 rebounds in an 80-62 win over the Grant MacEwan Griffins. The Spanish import and psychology major won the Canada West scoring crown, averaging 24.2 points, and ended up third in rebounds with a 9.8 average. Holmes, 22, will graduate with a degree in history and psychology and already has a job with a local insurance company that taps her business skills.

Hokanson attended Kitsilano Secondary School playing on a quad-A team in Vancouver. Gosal, a guard, came from a basketball family in Golden and played his high school career at the doubleA level. Their basketball paths never crossed Gosal went to the Lower Mainland to play on the provincial team. In their last game together as T-wolves, Hokanson and Gosal put up their biggest numbers of the season. Hokanson hit for 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists while Gosal had a 17-point game with two assists and three rebounds.

After five years as student athletes, Gosal is leaving UNBC with a political science degree and will study law next fall at UBC. Hokanson will have an accounting degree and is not sure what job that will lead to but they both plan on living in the Vancouver area.

Handout photo Emily Holmes is graduating from the UNBC Timberwolves women's basketball program with Maria Mongomo.

Citizen staff

Wilkinson Wraps university hockey career

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Of all the top-25 pointgetters in women’s hockey this season in Atlantic University Sports, only one did not score a goal.

As the second-year captain of the St. Mary’s Huskies, Kiana Wilkinson of Prince George was aiming to break that goose egg last weekend but did not score while the Huskies wrapped the regular season title with wins in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Known as a two-way defenceman, goals have never been Wilkinson’s forté. In 125 games over five seasons, she scored five goals and had 49 points. Her 23 assists this season left her tied for ninth in the league scoring race. No other U Sports women’s hockey player in the country finished with more assists.

“I’d rather have 23 assists and zero goals than the opposite,” said Wilkininson.

The Halifax-based Huskies finished atop the AUS standings with a 22-5-1

record, the same as St. Francis Xavier X-women. The two teams split the season series but the Huskies claimed first place because they earned more points in those head-to-head games with the X-women.

St. Mary's and St. FX each earned first-round playoff byes and will start the playoffs at home next week.

Leaving home for North Vancouver when she was 16 to pursue her hockey dreams in the Junior Women’s Hockey League with the Pacific Steelers was a tough decision for Wilkinson but her two seasons with the Steelers exposed her to quality opponents in the team’s travels all over Canada and the United States and she used that experience as a springboard to a scholarship at St. Mary’s.

She didn’t start playing hockey until she was 13, after nine years with the Prince George Figure Skating Club. She suffered a broken arm figure skating and while recovering pulled out some of her older brother Kyler’s hockey gear from the attic. She started playing hockey that year and spent her 15-year-old season in

the B.C. triple-A midget league for the Northern Cougars, coached by Stew Malgunas and Don Knoop, before heading to the JWHL.

Wilkinson joined the Huskies in 2015, the year the rebuilding project started by head coach Chris Larade blossomed. As a rookie, she helped the Huskies win the first of three consecutive AUS titles and they went on to capture bronze at the U Sports/CIS national championship in Calgary.

“Last year we had more of a building year and had eight rookies come in and no fifth-years and this year we have four rookies that came in and they’re killing it, it’s been an awesome year,” said the fivefoot-nine, 160-pound Wilkinson.

“Chris is the best coach I could have asked for, for these last five years. He won two coach-of-the-year awards and he’s an incredible person and coach. We’re hoping for not only an AUS championships but a national championship as well.”

This season, the Huskies moved back to the St. Mary’s campus for home games in the newly-opened 875-seat Dauphinee Centre, built with a $2 million donation.

While she’s sad to see her university career coming to an end, Wilkinson has made the most of her time as a varsity athlete, on and off the ice. The secondyear captain of the Huskies won the AUS student-athlete community service award last season. She’s co-lead of the Huskies’ athletic council, which organizes student events and community fundraisers.

“As a player I’ve grown a lot but, I think, as a person too,” she said. “The time change has kind of built my in-

Handout photo

Prince George’s Kiana Wilkinson, captain of the St. Mary’s Huskies women’s hockey team, is wrapping up her university career with eyes on a national championship.

dependence, I can’t really rely on my parents (Coralie Wilkinson and Shane Lapierre) as much for everything and I think my leadership skills have grown tremendously.”

Wilkinson, who turned 23 on Monday, is majoring in biology with a minor in psychology and hopes to get into forensics with the RCMP once her hockey career ends. That likely won’t be anytime soon. She’s exploring her options to play in one of the women’s leagues in Europe. “It’s kind of now or never,” she said. “I’m talking to a few teams now and I’m not quite sure where I’ll end up yet.”

Fairbrother shines in Isitwendam

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

Prince George residents can revisit a show that was originally offered during Theatre NorthWest's 2017 Presentation Series.

Isitwendam (An Understanding) is returning to the local stage until Feb. 22 after its recent world premiere in Toronto.

The show sees Meegwun Fairbrother, best known as CBC-TV's Burden of Truth star, taking on nine roles during the performance while digital and video elements are used to enhance the presentation.

The piece was created by Fairbrother and Jack Grinhaus, former artistic director of Theatre NorthWest, in direct response to Stephen Harper's 2008 apology to First Nations people for the atrocities experienced at residential schools. Grinhaus, who returned to Toronto with his family after he left his position with Theatre NorthWest about two years ago, is back to direct the play here.

Fairbrother and Grinhaus first met as students attending York University in Ontario and they were friends from the moment they met.

The story follows Brendan White, a half Ojibwe, half Caucasian man as he is hired by Aboriginal Affairs to discredit a residential school survivor's claim and how it affects White personally.

As the show begins its world tour, Grinhaus said it was the Prince George

audiences that informed how the story was developed because those first shows presented here in 2017 had Talk Back sessions immediately after the show allowing for audience input, as it still does today.

"Isitwendam means 'an understanding' and so the purpose of the show and bringing in a white director (him) we wanted a white audience to enjoy it without feeling guilted or implicated and that sometimes can be an unfortunate

byproduct of a play that talks truth," Grinhaus said.

"I know some people might not want to come to see it because they think somehow it will do something that makes them feel judged. But this show doesn't do that at all. In fact it's more of a mystery detective story than it is about residential schools. Reconciliation is the underscore but the through line is about a boy and his father."

Fairbrother gets to mix his favourite art

forms of live performance and film work, Grinhaus added.

"It's such an entertaining piece - it's funny, it's heartwarming, it engages people because you're constantly trying to figure out the mystery of the father and the reason it's relatable is because it really is just about a boy and his father," Grinhaus said.

The show is 75 minutes long with no intermission. For tickets visit www.theatrenorthwest.com

Is IT we N d AM br IN gs UN ders TAN d IN g

Theatre NorthWest has provided a wide array of excellent productions, events and activities that have delighted audiences and participants of all ages since 1994. It is recognized as having one of the highest subscriptions, annual performances and paid attendance rates in Canada. For me, one of the great pleasures of living in Prince George is the Theatre NorthWest experience. It has been a classroom of sorts, where I have laughed and cried as I’ve journeyed through stories that have taught me so much about history, humanity and about myself. Theatre has influenced how I see the world.

In the lightning fast digital age of YouTube, the face to face expression of ideas in live theatre is still surviving as a relevant and important platform in performing arts. While theatre may not have the prominence it once had over the centuries, still something important happens in a live performance that somehow provokes the mind and penetrates the

LATITUDE

LINDA REMPEL

heart like no other.

Such was the case when I saw Isitwendam (An Understanding) this past weekend by Meegwun Fairbrother, cocreated by Jack Grinhaus in association with Bound to Create Theatre. This play is about an Indigenous person’s journey to discover his own identity. Meegwun Fairbrother gave an amazing performance, bringing to life to nine roles in this one-actor play. In fact, Fairbrother was so entertaining and authentic to watch that I honestly believed there were different actors involved. He crafted the different characters expertly using movement, voice, accents, body and heart to communicate and to convince. He generously and lovingly shared this powerful

Isitwendam is a play that touched me and I am no longer the same. Something happened deep inside when I was confronted by this truth. We cannot escape our own history, it is there. No one can change the past.

story based on real life experiences that are difficult to grapple with, yet likely one of the most important conversations we could ever have as a nation, as a community and as humans. This story is truly in our shared DNA.

All of this was combined with a visually stunning stage set that enticed many of my senses. The simplicity and beauty of it was a focal point that quieted my mind and readied me for what was to come. I was transported to another world by

expert lighting, dancing shadows and illuminated hope. The sound effects elevated this production and made it real and riveting. I marvel at the creativity and cleverness of the sets at Theatre NorthWest. How do they do it? It never ceases to amaze me.

Isitwendam is a play that touched me and I am no longer the same. Something happened deep inside when I was confronted by this truth. We cannot escape our own history, it is there. No one can change the past. Why was the cruelty and horror of residential schools allowed to happen? What happened to many Indigenous people in our nation? How do we deal with the dark side of our own generational history? What if it is a genocidal history? How can we heal this injustice and reconcile?

Isitwendam has left me with many questions as well as some answers. Answers that can only be found in the truth and in time, quite possibly in generations.

Citizen photo by James Doyle Meegwun Fairbrother acts out a scene from Isitwendam: An Understanding at Theatre Northwest.

isitwendam

AROUND TOWN COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Until Saturday, Feb. 22 from 8 to 9:15 p.m. at Theatre Northwest. Originally started at Theatre NorthWest as part of the 2017 Presentation Series, this play comes to Prince George fresh off its world premiere in Toronto. An amazing performance by CBC TV’s Burden of Truth star Meegwun Fairbrother, taking on nine roles, is accompanied by digital and video elements. When Brendan White, a half-Ojibway, half-white man is hired by Aboriginal Affairs to discredit a residential school survivor’s claim his whole world is turned upside down. For tickets visit www.theatrenorthwest.com

the birds and the bees

Until Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at ArtSpace, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave., Miracle Theatre presents the comedy The Birds and the Bees, a full-

length professional theatre production. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Children of Prince George Endowment Fund under the trusteeship of the Prince George Community Foundation. This new endowment fund for local charities was established with $84,039 donated from Miracle Theatre’s last production. Tickets are $34 each at Books & Co. or call 250-563-6637. For more information visit www.miracletheatre.ca

old time Fiddler's dance

Saturday, Feb. 15 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the PG Elks Community Hall, the BC Old Time Fiddler's are holding a dance featuring their signature toetapping music to swing your partner. $10 to get in and that includes a light lunch and prizes. Cash bar. Tickets available at Books & Co. or at the door. Children get in free.

skijoring Pg

Sunday, Feb. 16 starting at 8 a.m. at the rodeo grounds behind the CN Centre, Skijoring PG 2020 is presented. It's the wildest winter sport you've never heard of! There will be many classes where

you'll see a mounted rider on horseback, towing a skier behind. These timed races can include ski jumps, relays and flat heats and will go all day at the rodeo grounds behind the CN Centre. Dress for outside and be prepared for a great day of sport. For more information visit the Skijoring PG 2020 Facebook page.

ramblers snowshoe

Sunday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. meet at City Hall to carpool with the Caledonia Ramblers on the easy snowshoe trip to Livingston Springs. Participants should consider bringing both snowshoes and ice cleats (ice grippers) with them, along with a day backpack, sufficient water or perhaps something hot to drink, lunch and snacks, extra warm clothing and possibly hiking poles. The carpool fee is $8. For more information go to caledoniaramblers.ca.

sPeaker series

Sunday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, 850 River Rd., Ray Olson author of Ghosts of the East Line and guest Clarence Boudreau will offer a presenta-

tion, stories and discussions with the audience. The speaker series continues on March 1 and 8. For more information visit www.pgrfm.bc.ca.

barkerville's Family day

Saturday, Feb. 15 to Monday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Barkerville Historic Town & Park, 14301 Hwy 26 E. Barkerville's Family Day weekend celebrations include winter exhibits, games, performances, bonfires, and more with favourite historic interpreters. Entry is $10 for adults, youth and seniors $5 and family is $25. For a full schedule of events and pricing visit call 250-9943332 | barkerville@barkerville.ca

cross country ski lessons

Every Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 8141 Otway Rd., Caledonia Nordic Ski Club offers free Classic Cross Country Ski Tours for seniors 55+ led by senior ski instructors. There will be tour groups to accommodate all levels of skiers from beginner to experienced. For non-members there are half-priced rentals and trail passes. Register at 250-564-3809 | office@caledonianordic.com

Birds and Bees settle into artspace

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

It's all about The Birds and the Bees as Miracle Theatre gathers together professionals from across the country to present a farcical rural comedy at ArtSpace, above Books & Co., from Feb. 12 to March 4.

Producer Anne Laughlin and director Ted Price have staged their annual fundraiser to not only bring some lighthearted entertainment to Prince George audiences but to grow the Children of Prince George Fund, which is under the trusteeship of the Prince George Community Foundation. The new endowment fund, that provides a sustainable revenue stream that is donated to local charities, was established last year with more than $84,000 in the coffers and that amount will continue to grow as The Birds and the Bees is supported by the community.

Frances Flanagan takes on the role of Gail, the beekeeper who had her heart broken about 20 years before. Things get a little complicated when her not-so-little bird returns to the nest. Sarah, Gail's almost-40-year-old daughter, comes home to figure things out after her marriage breaks down. In the meantime, Gail's interest in her neighbour changes from the farmer who rents her fields to something completely different.

As Gail's bees start to die, university student Ben comes along to try to discover the problem but finds Sarah might be a more interesting study.

When Flanagan heard proceeds of the production go to charity, she had an immediate reaction.

"Sign me up," she said. "It's my heart. This production makes me feel like I'm going home. It's why we're doing theatre. We're here to let people see the human condition and give back and so we are."

Flanagan, who lives in Vancouver, has been part of Canada's film, television and stage scene since she began her career in 1975 and made her 1982 film debut in A Piano for Mrs. Cimino, starring Bette Davis. Flanagan began her stage career at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, is the founder of Workshops in the Performing Arts, and is a longtime board member for Women in Film and TV.

from Feb. 12 to March 4.

Flanagan has a long list of film and television credits, including The Accused, Backfire and The Hidden Room as well as appearances on CBC, ABC, NBC, FOX, MGM, Alliance and Disney. Fans of the ever-growing cache of Hallmark movies will recognize Flanagan from her appearances including those in A Dash of Love, Love in Paradise and Bottled with Love.

The Birds and the Bees is Flanagan's first Prince George appearance.

"It's a beautiful play," she said. "It should make you laugh and it should make you cry. As Ted (Price) says it's a rural farce but it's also poignant. This play is gorgeous and it's a lovely role for a woman of my age - and I'm not afraid of winter and the sun shines here in Prince George all the time and the people are lovely."

To research her role, Flanagan, who admits she is a bit of a method actor,

visited beekeepers to gather some insight into the process and then it was time to take a look at the emotional side of the character.

"Gail has been devoid of love for the past 20 years - she's really cut herself off from allowing anybody to get too close to her because she got her heart broken so she's really protected herself," Flanagan said.

It's at that point where Gail sees her daughter Sarah return home.

"You have two very complicated women coming together after 20 years," Flanagan said. "And then you've got the boys. There's my neighbour, who's an old friend who rents my fields. We've both suffered heartbreak, we fight, we're fiery and then there's the virgin boy who comes to study my bees and hilarity ensues."

Flanagan said she feels fortunate to

have come to Prince George to be part of the production.

"Ted is a remarkable director," Flanagan said. "You are so lucky to have him. I've worked with a lot of people and he's so insightful. This is a farce so it's a fastpaced comedy but it's also tender and we deal with the theme of connection, the randomness of life and chaos, the fact that life is unexpected and you just have to let things happen."

The Birds and the Bees by playwright Mark Crawford has become the most produced Canadian play during the last two years.

The show is presented each night at ArtSpace at 8 p.m. except for Mondays. On Sundays there is a matinee at 2 p.m. and then an evening performance at 8 p.m.

Tickets are at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave. or by calling 250-563-6637.

CNC’s early history subjeCt of library talk

To gear up for Heritage Week, Fred Speckeen will give a talk about CNC during its first decade.

Speckeen was the founding principal at the college from 1970 to 1978. He'll talk about the challenges of opening and growing the college. The free event will be held Thursday on the second floor of the main branch of the Prince George

Public Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Speckeen came to the college after its first year of operation, which was 1969.

Getting a college in Prince George was a movement supported by the local school boards, as that was what the government wanted, Speckeen said.

"The support meant the boards would provide funding for the college," he said.

"So that was very controversial in terms of getting support to open the college."

It took cooperation from Prince George, Vanderhoof, McBride, Smithers, Burns Lake and Quesnel, Speckeen said. But when it came time to vote for approval, Quesnel initially voted no because they wanted the college in their city and then Quesnel gave approval when it came down to a referendum, Speckeen said. The boards provided operating costs, while the referendum took place for capital dollars, he added.

Two or three years later, the government did come through with capital funding. The next adventure was to amalgamate the government-run vocational school established in 1962 with the fledgling college.

"My challenge was to meld the twothat was the government's term - with no game plan," Speckeen said. "So faculty and staff at both institutions were wondering what was going to happen."

Citizen Photo by James Doyle Gail, played by Frances Flanagan, and earl, played by Wally MacKinnon, perform a scene from the Birds and the Bees during a rehearsal. this comedy production is presented by Miracle theatre at artspace

seniors

GivinG back key to life

Edith (Petersen) Kosheiff, of Danish descent, was born in 1932 in Fairview, Alta. She attended a one room school in nearby Bluesky. In fact, her school was nearly two miles away and she – and other students - rode horseback to and from school on a regular basis. There was a barn at the school site and the parents delivered hay to feed the horses.

After she completed Grade 9, she finished high school in Fairview and went to work at the Royal Bank.

Edith met Mitch Kosheiff through a friend and they married in 1954. They had a dream of becoming farmers and working the land.

It was a particularly bad year for farmers when Mitch saw an advertisement in the Free Press Prairie Farmer in regards to jobs in Prince George. He applied and was hired the next day by Northern Magneto.

Mitch left Alberta headed for Prince George and Edith was going to follow just as soon as she could get a job transfer with the Royal Bank.

It wasn’t long and Mitch phoned her and said just quit your job because I am coming to get you – I can’t stand this being apart any longer. With that, they completed their move to Prince George in 1956 with the intention of only staying here for one year.

Edith easily found work at the Bank of

SENIORS’ SCENE

KATHY NADALIN

Montreal; she worked there for two years until the children started to arrive and then she became a stay-at-home mom.

Mitch bought into the Rambler car dealership known as Belcourt Motors along with Ed Belshum and Doug Courtice.

Later, he operated the Patricia 66 service station and Budget Rent-a-Car which was, at the time, located by the city hall. Mitch always had a competent bookkeeper because Edith, with all of her banking experience, did the books. For the next 25 years they operated the Petro Canada bulk plant, which was known as Center City Petroleum’s 1974 Ltd.

Sadly, Mitch passed away in 1992 as the result of a brain tumour. Mitch and Edith had two sons – Ed, a retired superintendent of information systems at Teck Cominco in trail and his wife Colleen, who retired from FortisBC, and Brian, a pharmacist here in Prince George.

Edith said, “I now have four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

“All through our married life we did everything together. My friends and

volunteering or traveling all over Canada and abroad.

Mitch managed one of the little league teams at Freeman Park. He always made time for anything that their two boys were involved with.

He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and served as chairman elder, taught bible study, sang in the choir and served as their bookkeeper.

Edith learned to play the piano as she grew up on the farm. She gives thanks to her mother for that opportunity and has played ever since.

She recently retired from playing the piano at the Zion Lutheran Church and voluntarily kept their books in order for a period of 10 years.

She served as treasurer for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League for many years and volunteered for the Cancer Society for five years.

customers would ask me how we were able to work and play so well together. just explained that when I was at work, he was the boss.”

Edith and Mitch were always willing to give back to their community. Their philosophy was that you do what you can as long as you can. Other than raising their family, they were either working,

Edith ended by saying, “We both enjoyed baseball, curling, hockey and golf. We worked hard together, volunteered together and always managed to do lots of traveling. We had a good life and we always found that there were a lot of good people in this world that were willing to help when help was needed.

“Now that I am older and I don’t move so quick, there is always someone there to help me just when I need it. I have a great family and many good friends. Life is good.”

How to keep more of your capital gains

The Minister of Finance typically wears a new pair of shoes or work boots while delivering the annual federal budget, as a symbol of his plan to take our money, run it through a regulatory corn maze, and then give some of it back – and how all this will stimulate prosperity. Mostly we parse, analyze and cringe.

If you bought a cabin at the lake for $50,000 in 1995, and now it’s worth about $250,000, about 1/4 of the appreciation belongs to the government. But the government is contemplating a significant increase to this tax.

This would be short-sighted. Even barbershop chatter about it dampers enthusiasm. Starting a small business is as much about which way the wind is blowing as the ingenuity of its owner. If the regulatory bluster has shards of spite in it, we are far less inclined to take on

the uncertainty that comes with quitting our job, taking out a second mortgage and hammering out the details to open up a new coffee shop, tire shop, or cat speed-dating service. The entrepreneur has enough problems in this market without being treated like a Kulak.

Prior to 1972, when the Pierre Trudeau introduced this tax, Canadians were allowed to keep all of their capital gains. Since 1972, the capital gains inclusion rate has hovered between 50 per cent and 75 per cent, with a couple of stopovers at 66.7 per cent.

Investigate strategies to trigger gains before the budget is announced, either by selling assets or various ownership changes to trigger gains. We list some ideas here, but don’t be thrown you off your game. Investment strategies trump tax planning most days. And by all means, talk to a good tax specialist first.

If your portfolio has large unrealized capital gains, consider rebalancing before the federal budget date, selling gainers to trigger the presently-smaller tax on the improved values.

Consider transferring appreciated securities to your holding company (if you have one) in exchange for shares of the corporation before the federal budget is dropped. A tax election form (T2057) must be completed and filed to transfer the securities at cost or somewhere that and market value (FMV). This is a pretty complicated decision, not to be carried

through without a tax advisor.

If an unrealized capital gain has accrued in your name alone, you can transfer the assets to your spouse now, and decide later if you will use your cost base or market value depending on the tax impacts of the new federal budget. If the above strategies don’t work, consider the tax savings from charitable giving. The gains triggered by the donation may be eliminated.

It’s too clunky to spell out here, but all the tax advantages that make some insurance products take on the attributes of an enhanced Tax Free Savings Account are magnified when the tax rate is increased.

There are several caveats to each potential strategy we’ve listed, and others we haven’t listed at all, but all of them are worth considering in advance of the budget.

Citizen photo by James Doyle Edith Kosheiff at her Prince George home.

Scientists look to dampen wildfire effects

Postmedia

If the catastrophic fire seasons of 2017 and 2018 are the new normal, it won’t matter what B.C. electrifies in its battle for carbon neutrality.

In each of those years, wildfires in this province unleashed almost 200 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases, or three times the amount of carbon dioxide from all human activities, according to Werner Kurz, a senior scientist at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria.

To reverse that trend, B.C. forests will need a serious design overhaul.

A team of scientists from the United States and Canada is undertaking a fouryear partnership to find ways to achieve emission reductions from wildfires through landscape management, fuel load reduction and the creation of a bioeconomy that makes use of forest waste, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions announced this week.

The average annual direct emissions from wildfires in B.C. during the 1990s was 6 Mt CO2e - that’s six million tonnes of greenhouse gases stated as CO2 equivalents. In the 2000s, forest fires released 16 Mt CO2e annually. In each of 2017 and 2018, that figure was closer to 197 Mt CO2e, or 33 times more than the average year in the ’90s.

“Houston, we have a problem,” said Kurz, who was a lead author of several Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports on land use and forestry. Human-caused CO2 emissions in B.C. are currently about 64.5 Mt CO2e annually, with a target of 38 Mt CO2e by 2030, according to the provincial government, which has launched a massive program of electrification called CleanBC to help get us there.

But rather than helping achieve any sort of carbon neutrality, forests are now part of the problem, through a combination of pine beetle-killed forests and

super-intense fire seasons.

“In the ’90s our forests were a net carbon sink,” he said. “In the next decade, the 2000s, they were smaller sinks and in some cases sources. In the 2010s, forests have been a source of carbon nearly every year.”

Long-term trends toward higher temperatures, lower precipitation and the frequency of ignition events such as lightning strikes have us moving briskly in the wrong direction.

“We could wait and see if things get worse and maybe 2017 and 2018 will repeat themselves, or we could explore ways to do things differently to reduce the risk of wildfires, the area burned, and the severity of wildfires in terms of their emissions,” he said. “That’s what this collaboration is about.”

The wildfire and carbon project is a $1-million partnership between Canadian researchers and the USDA forest service to “de-escalate the devastating forest wildfires that are increasingly occurring due to climate change.”

Certain forest-management practices, from fire suppression to hurry-up reforestation, have contributed to the dire situation, said UBC forestry professor Lori Daniels, Kurz’s co-principal investigator.

“We are paying a huge cost in carbon today because we were so good at putting out fires in the past,” she said. Combined with a policy-driven aversion to prescribed burning, B.C. is grappling with forests that are loaded with fuelfallen needles and dead branches - that lead to intense, destructive fires.

Dense forests may not even be particu-

larly efficient at storing carbon.

“What happens if we thin out the forest and reduce the stress on those trees competing for a limiting resource like soil moisture?” asked Daniels. “Will the trees left behind grow faster and sequester more carbon? There is lots of evidence that under some circumstances, that is the case.”

Reducing fuel loads and thinning the forest is a time-consuming and expensive task, though communities like Kelowna are doing just that. But taking fuel out of the forest will require a biomass economy, some way to make useful products or energy rather than simply burning it in piles.

“If it is going to be burned, we should do that at high efficiency and displace fossil fuel with a form of sustainable energy,” she said. “Lots of small communities are still reliant on fossil fuels, so these are linkages that we can make.”

When it comes to regenerating forests, the approach needs to be more nuanced than clear-cutting and replanting trees that are prized by logging companies. Agricultural style monocultures may not be the way to healthy forests.

B.C. has been focused on growing back the same species of trees that were harvested as quickly as possible, she said.

Often that means that non-market broadleaf trees like alder or aspen are weeded out with herbicides to allow the conifers to thrive. That may be a mistake.

“We thought that we were accelerating through the natural stages of regeneration,” she said. “In truth, we are seeing research that shows those broadleaf trees play a really important role.”

Broadleaf species contribute to nutrient cycling by growing and shedding leaves.

They provide protection from growingseason frosts and shade in times of drought, both of which can improve the survival rate of conifer seedlings.

The Milky Way’s massive black heart

Pick up a pencil or a fork or a little kid. In doing so, you have just overcome the gravitational might of the entire planet Earth. You are stronger than gravity. Yet gravity pervades the entirety of space. It is the force which keeps the moon rotating about Earth, the duo orbiting the sun, and even the whole solar system dancing around the centre of the Milky Way. Heck, gravity is what will ensure the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies will collide some time in the distant future.

Gravity is a mighty force. And this is nowhere more apparent than when we look into a black hole. Simply put, a black hole is a gravitational mass large enough that even light cannot reach escape velocity. Everything gets sucked into a black hole.

Last year, astronomers were able to image the supermassive black hole at the centre of M87. Using radio telescopes spread across the planet, they were effectively able to generate a telescope with a huge receiving dish and consequently able to pick up minute details. The image – which was rendered into visible colours – showed us the gravitational distortion caused by the black hole.

But the image wasn’t as important as the science behind it as it provided confirmation of a conjecture which had been

floating around the astronomical community for a long time. At the heart of nearly every galaxy, including our own, is a massive black hole. Some of these monsters are millions or even billions of times more massive than our sun.

Some are thought to be the sources for quasars. These “quasi-stellar radio sources” are some of the most intense beacons of radio waves observable and maybe the most remote objects visible in the universe. Indeed, if they didn’t shine so bright, we wouldn’t be able to see them at all. Astronomers speculate there are massive black holes in the cores of very young galaxies voraciously consuming their gaseous halos. Their brightness arises from synchrotron radiation emitted by the charged particles swirling across the event horizon.

But in mature galaxies, such clouds of gases are no longer available to feed upon. The black hole at the centre of most galaxies has already swept clear its immediate surroundings. They have eaten everything nearby. These giant

monsters quietly lie in wait until an innocent star gets too close and then they rip it to shreds.

The result is a tidal disruption event (TDE) which, for a brief while, can shine as bright as a super nova. As the star is slowly consumed, it is shredded into strands like spaghetti. In the first bite, the black hole swallows half of the star’s mass while the rest arcs through the surrounding space in streamers. Of course, the materials are caught by the gravitational trap and rapidly fall back into an accretion disk surrounding the black hole.

Matter in the disk is heated as it swirls into the singularity resulting in intense X-ray bursts. Satellites mapping X-rays first spotted these TDEs in the 1990s but the events are rare and instrument time is difficult to come by. You also have to have the satellite pointing in the right direction. Over the past two and a half decades, a total of 22 TDEs were detected and analyzed.

Unfortunately, by the time the astronomers had determined a TDE was happening, it was too late to capture any additional data using different instruments. A “did-you-see-that?!?” moment in astronomical terms.

However, over the past 18 months, the Zwicky Transient Facility in California

has been able to capture 17 more events. Suvi Gezari of the University of Maryland College Park and her co-workers have also been able to alert other observatories, such as NASA’s Swift telescope, to make follow up observations at ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths.

Gezari and her colleagues have determined the spectra generated during a TDE can provide a picture of the star being swallowed. They fall into three broad categories – young stars made up almost entirely of hydrogen, old stellar cores where helium is the dominant element, and occasionally a mixture of gases indicating a mature star is being consumed. The relative proportions provide some indication of the stellar neighbourhood in a galactic core. Further, if the speed of consumption could be determined, it would tell us something about the size of the black hole.

But the really intriguing part of the picture is that if a black hole gets big enough then a TDE doesn’t occur. Instead, stars are swallowed whole with nary a whimper. So far, all of the data on TDE come from smaller galaxies which fits with this picture. Mature galactic cores, like the one at the heart of the Milky Way, swallow up whole solar systems in a single gulp. Just a thought to ponder.

CP photo

Firefighter Raymundo Rosales of Mexico, sits outside his tent at a camp of wildfire firefighters and staff at an outdoor sports field in Fraser Lake on Aug. 2018.

NaTive fasTball TourNey preparaTioNs uNderway

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Spruce City Stadium is getting a bit of a facelift in preparation for the 2020 Canadian Native Fastball Championships.

“People like the ambiance of Spruce City Stadium, it’s kind of acquired a reputation, like Fenway Park,” said Harley Desjarlais, chair of the Canadian Native Championships host committee. "It's an older structure and it's not steel and it's not new and I think people really like it. That's always going to be our main field for our bigger games."

The organizing committee at the Jan. 20 council meeting secured a $48,133 grant from city council to help pay the costs of hosting the four-day tournament, July 31-Aug. 3.

It will attract close to 80 teams and 1,200 athletes playing in six divisions. Prince George last hosted the Canadian native championship in 2016, and before that in 2006 and 1994.

The organizing committee presented an update to city council at the Jan. 20 public meeting, where council approved $26,300 to cover facility rental and services costs related to the tournament, including rental of port-a-potties and new shale for the infield. Council also approved the organizing committee’s $21,833 request to purchase a portable backstop and fencing to be used to temporarily convert baseball fields to fastball diamonds. The money will come for the city’s Major Events Reserve.

“The backstop and fencing will make a big difference,” said Randy Potskin, president of the Canadian Native Fastball Association. “We can use Citizen Field now because we can put the backstop there and the portable fencing there, which was not used last time.

“We’ll probably put the women’s final there. Before (in 2016) they were at Freeman Park and now we’re all in the same area. The women always get mad because they’re always in a different location but it’s tough because the dimensions are different. In women’s fastball, the pitcher’s mound is closer. The bases are the same (distance apart) but they usually want a smaller fence so they can hit home runs.”

The participating teams from out of town and their supporters will fill hotel rooms and restaurant seats and stimulate the retail sector. Colin Carson, manager of sport tourism for Tourism Prince George, estimates the tournament will pump $3.4 million into the local economy.

“The city is going to be very busy, there will be a lot of activity in the hotels and it’s going be a big boost for the local economy,” said Desjarlais. “We’re also going to have a very professionally-run event. Last time it kind of exceeded our expectations and there’s some things we learned and I think this one will be bigger and better.”

The tournament will take place during

the August long weekend. Monday, Aug. 4 will be set aside as a rain day if the schedule is delayed by inclement weather.

Operating with a tournament budget of $242,000, the organizing committee expects to raise $50,000 of that in sponsorships and $20,000 in grants.

Prince George will enter teams in the open, masters men's, junior and women's divisions and many of the smaller native communities in the north central Interior will field teams.

"A lot of the reserves in the area who weren't able to make it to Winnipeg last year will be in the tournament, I think the last time we had an event here we had 10 to 12 teams in men's division from

Ki NG s C ha NG i NG C o NF e R e NC e

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

The Prince George Spruce Kings are moving back to the Interior Conference.

With the addition of the Cranbrook Bucks, the B.C. Hockey League is expanding to 18 teams next season and league governors decided at their semiannual meeting Jan. 23 to create two nine-team conferences.

The Spruce Kings, who left the Interior to join the Mainland Division in 2012, will form the new Interior Conference with Cranbrook, Trail, Wenatchee, Penticton, West Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm and Merritt.

The Coastal Conference will include Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam,

Victoria, Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, Alberni Valley and Powell River.

“With Cranbrook coming into the league next year, the league and the board recognized the need to alter our current divisional alignment,” said BCHL executive director Steven Cocker, in a league release.

“The new format makes the most sense geographically and is a logical step for the future of the BCHL.”

Teams will play each divisional opponent six or seven times during the season and will have home-and-home encounters with each team from the other division.

The Spruce Kings and a couple other teams voted to keep Prince George part of the Coastal Conference.

“I knew the majority of the league was in favour of it and to be honest I know it’s probably what’s best for the league,” said Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

“Being in the Interior means we’re probably going to spend a little more time on the bus with trips to Trail and Wenatchee and now we’re going to add a trip to Cranbrook in there. But on the other hand we’re out of the Coastal Conference where we would have had to be using ferries a lot more and adding some expenses that way.”

All 18 teams will play a 54-game schedule in 2020-21, four games fewer than the current 58 games and the season will start in mid-September, two weeks later than in recent years, when teams held their training camps in late-August and

the immediate area," said Desjarlais. "The First Nations community is very supportive as far as helping us with financing and fundraising."

The success of hosting the 2016 Canadian Native tournament and the 50th anniversary Canada Day tournament has the group considering bids to bring even larger tournaments to the city, including the 2021 Canadian senior A championship.

"One thing we have our eye on is the North American Indigenous Games, which would be quite a challenge," said Desjarlais. "But we've seen that Regina, which is a similar-sized city, was able to pull it off (in 2014). We're very confident in our ability."

started the season the first weekend of September.

“The shorter schedule allows us to start our season later and training camps won’t be allowed to start until September 1st and the regular season will start September 18,” said Hawes, who serves on the BCHL’s competition committee.

“Those are good things for a lot of reasons. In the places where it’s still summer in September, they have trouble selling tickets then.

“It also eliminates some of those 3-in-3 weekends. We pride ourselves on being the safest junior league in Canada and part of that is making sure our players are well-rested and able to compete hard without risking injury, which a lot of times happens in those 3-in-3 games.”

Citizen photo by James Doyle Jared Potskin of the Prince George Rivers Kings eyes up a pitch thrown by Westbank Cardinals’ Caleb Keeshig during the 2016 Canadian Native Fastball Championships in Prince George.

Quesnel sawmill staying alive

Postmedia

On the industrial outskirts of Quesnel, C&C Wood Products kept running its operations through a cruel summer of layoffs, production curtailments and mill closures in British Columbia’s forest industry.

It wasn’t easy, said C&C plant manager Tim Potter. Staying in operation meant keeping a careful eye on staffing to make sure they ran as efficiently as possible.

“Yes, the purse strings were a bit tighter, but the giants, you know, they stumbled a bit,” Potter said, “and we just kept on running.”

And while rival forestry giant Tolko Industries permanently closed its Quest Mill in Quesnel, C&C embarked on an expansion with construction of a new value-added plant in Cranbrook.

“There aren’t many companies out there that are pursuing a close to $10 million project in starting up another wood processing facility in this province right now,” Potter said, “But we are. I think that says something for what we do and how we do it.”

C&C kept running, with a full crew of 150 doing what the company has done since 1975, taking the scraps of timber the primary sawmilling-sector doesn’t want - undersized tree tops, pine-beetle salvage logs, aspen hardwood, and turning it into specialty wall panelling, mouldings and trim. And C&C is an example of what Quesnel is looking for more of as the primary lumber manufacturing side of the industry keeps contracting in the face of shrinking timber supplies forcing communities across the province into a moment of reinvention.

Towns such as Fort St. James and Clearwater have been forced into a more sudden contemplation of their futures with the permanent loss of mills. Quesnel has had a bit more foresight and, in a way, is an example for other locations.

“(C&C) are extremely innovative,” said Erin Robinson, forestry initiatives manager in the Forestry Innovation Centre, taking undersized timber and aspen to make products out of “things we used to traditionally just put in a pile and waste.”

“So C&C is quite nimble, adaptive,” Robinson said, and an enthusiastic participant in the transition planning that Quesnel embarked on in 2015 after former Cariboo MLA Bob Simpson took over as Mayor of Quesnel.

Quesnel’s initiatives involved hiring Robinson and another coordinator, launching a community wildfire protection plan to map danger zones in forests surrounding the town, spark a discussion with the province and First Nations about how to rehabilitate the wider timber supply area and develop an analysis and business case for diversifying B.C.’s lumber-manufacturing sector.

Simpson said it became evident near the start of the mountain pine beetle infestation, which wound up chewing through an area of lodgepole pine forests almost four-and-a-half times the size of Switzerland, that the industry would run into a problem.

“It didn’t take a rocket scientist to do some, basic forecasting to see, OK, we’ve got an (allowable harvest), that is going

to just crash and burn and we have too many mills,” Simpson said.

Quesnel lost one sawmill in 2014 when Canfor Corp. closed its facility there in a swap of timber rights with its rival, the Quesnel-headquartered West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

“Most communities in that kind of a situation would choose an economic development strategy that would transition you away from the sector,” Simpson said, but “we think we still are really well positioned to reinvent the forest sector (that other communities) are walking away from.”

For C&C, Quesnel’s efforts are a welcome step as it contemplates some of its own potential problems that will affect its future survival.

“It’s a great opportunity to collaborate,” said Taiho Krahn, C&C’s manager for its fibre supply and relationships with stakeholders. “(It) forces us to come together to work together as a community.”

One of C&C’s concerns is that it depends on a license to log mountain-pine-

How leaders deal witH tears

I don’t know if I have an innate ability to make people cry but it seems in the last week, I was met with lots of tears.

I had clients crying, members of a company where I was working crying and members of the basketball team I coach bawling their eyes out. In 30 years of business ownership, I have experienced lots of crying. Staff crying because they were, happy, sad, angry or for being held accountable; shoplifters crying because they were caught; employees crying at the loss of a staff member, all that on top of the expected tears of kids and family. As leaders, we are bound to experience tears on a regular basis but how do we deal with tears? Nobody teaches you in business school how to handle crying. Crying 101 should be a mandatory course for business leaders, especially men like me.

When I was younger and in my early 20s, dealing with tears was difficult and awkward. As a young man, how was I to know why an older employee was crying or what to do about it?

My solution was to ask the person if they were OK and hand them a roll of toi-

let paper before I headed out the door to take care of some emergency. Why would anyone bring tears to work, I would always wonder?

As I have been educated by my wife who has a degree in counselling, tears are normal. In fact, she has encouraged me to show my emotions more and not bottle them up inside. A hard concept to grasp for men like me brought up in this society where men’s tears have been seen as a sign of weakness. I get it. Yet dealing with tears in the workplace can still be unnerving. It feels awkward when a coworker, client, or employee starts crying. So what should we do? I am not an expert but this is what I have learned over the years in business and as a business coach.

1. Crying is often not about you and might not even be related to the situa-

tion. Employees who are brought to tears in your presence might not be crying for anything you have done or said. The client who was crying in front of me last week was in tears as a result of the financial stresses she perceived she was under and the pressures that she was putting on herself.

2. Offer comfort and don’t expect the tears to quit immediately. As leaders, showing compassion and understanding to those who are upset can go a long way toward calming those emotions. This can be as simple as passing a box of Kleenex (yes, I have moved up from the roll of toilet paper) and offering to give them a few minutes to compose themselves. Sitting patiently if you are in a meeting with them or giving them a time to go for a short walk might be all you can do.

3. Don’t try to solve their problems. We don’t know what is going on in other people's lives anymore than they understand what is going on in ours. So how can we solve the problem that has brought them to tears in the few minutes we are spending with them? If a team member is crying and they don’t want to tell you

beetle-killed pine trees for much of its timber supply, that runs out in 2027. Where all other producers assumed such dead pine trees would be unusable five years ago, C&C is still making valueadded products out of it, but “Can we go another seven years, for the length of our license? We don’t know that,” Krahn said. However, Quesnel’s work on wildfire protection offers opportunities to access sources of timber, so does the prospect of a community forest license that has just been granted to Quesnel.

“We jumped at the opportunity to participate in the fire-fuel mitigation projects,” Krahn said, with C&C instrumental in securing a $1 million grant for land-treatment projects, which the company gifted to the city.

Krahn is also looking forward to efforts to better manage Quesnel’s timber supply area as a pilot project, which has companies, the Ministry of Forests and First Nations “willing to work together and engage together to survive and hopefully thrive.”

what is going on, you don’t need to push the issue. “They will tell us if they need to” has always been my belief. However, ensuring that they know we are available if they need us might be all that is necessary for them to feel that we are standing behind them.

Tears, as I have learned, are normal and they are going to flow if you are around people and especially if you are in leadership roles. If you are a leader who is a jerk, (tear-jerk leader) you might have more employees crying but you probably won’t even notice. Being compassionate and empathetic will make a difference for your employees and those around you. It might even help you feel better about yourself. Understanding how you feel about tears and having a plan to deal with them when they come will make crying feel less awkward and intimidating as you develop your leadership style and grow your organization. — Dave Fuller, MBA, is an Award Winning Business Coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Dave is crying to hear from you so send an email to dave@profityourselfhealthy.com

Handout photo

Feeding the production line, an equipment operator at C&C Wood Products checks over raw lumber flowing into the plant’s machinery on its way to becoming specialty wall paneling and trim for the North American home finishing market.

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CL ASSI FIEDS

Harry W Snijders passed away peacefully on December 20, 2019 at UHNBC in his 98th year. Harry was born in Holland on February 13, 1921 and immigrated to Canada in 1958 settling in Prince George with his wife Tonny and their young family.

Harry worked in the steam plant at Northwood Pulp for 25 years. In retirement Harry volunteered with Meals on Wheels and became active with the Knights of Columbus.

Harry is predeceased by his first wife of 55 years Tonny and son-in-law Terry. He leaves to mourn his second wife Marcelina; sons Harry M; Michael; daughters Rita; Joyce; Jenny (Darrell); Thea; Emilie; Betty; step daughter Julie (Jim) and extended family in Canada and Holland. Funeral to be held at 10 am,Saturday, February 15 at St Mary’s Church, 1088 Gillett St. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St Vincent De Paul Society or a charity of your choice.

Ron passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9th, 2020 at the age of 91 years at Bluewater Health Sarnia. He was born in Helensburgh, NS, Australia to Sidney and Elizabeth Weaver.

Beloved husband of the late Mona (McPherson). Father of Graeme (Sally) and David (Sue) Weaver. Grandfather of Bryan (Nikki), Billy (Kristal), Greg (Cassie), Graeme (Lindsay), Adam (Stephanie) and Jason (Denise) Weaver. Great grandfather to Tyler, Nolan, Danton, Dylan, Kristian, Rowan, Liam, Layla, Sydney, Adelaide, Oliver, Ryan, Sarah, Maxwell, and Jeremy.

Predeceased by son Bryan, sister Iris, brother Kenneth. Survived by his sister Nancy Woolridge and sister in law Ruth Weaver and many nieces and nephews. Ron and his family travelled and lived in many places in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand before settling in Prince George, British Columbia. Upon retirement he made Sarnia his home spending the winters in Florida. The remainder of his days he was pop or poppy to his many grand and great grandchildren.

Pops loves included his family, golf and travel with special memories of his snowbird days in Florida. Many thanks to Dr Dhar for his many years of care, and the doctors and staff of the fourth floor Bluewater Health for their care and compassion. Ron was loved by many and forever in our hearts he will be sadly missed. In keeping with Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A

be arranged at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca

REMEMBRANCES

Walter (Mac) George Mokrey

February 9th 1941December 4th 2019

We are sad to announce the passing of Walter on Dec 4th 2019. He went to be with his dear heart Gail, mother Mary, step father Art and father Nick. He is survived by his son Ron (Corrine), daughter’s, Cheryl (Rob), Denise (Erv) as well as grandchildren Lisa ( Justin), Joey (Sarah), Kyrie (Julia), Shea-Lynn, Mekayla, Alicia, Dave (Rachel) and Nick. He also was granted with three great-grand children Emily, Nick and Ella.

There will be a celebration of life held for Walter on February 23rd 2020 at the Hart Pioneer 6986 Hart Highway for 11am-3pm.

Walter will be remembered for his many stories, amazing cooking and his snarky sayings.

Til we see you again, stay Ducky Love and miss you Papa, Walter, Mac Love from your family

JOHANN

RUDOLF

RUCH

September 25, 1946February 1, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Hans Ruch, who passed away on Saturday, February 1st, surrounded by his family at his home on Lower Mud River Road. Hans was born on September 25, 1946 in Basel, Switzerland and is predeceased by his parents Karl and Klara Ruch. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Isabelle, and his two children Alain (wife Michelle) and Stephanie (husband Steve) along with 5 grandchildren (Andison, Emmett, Kayden, Luke, and Jake). We will miss him dearly but take comfort in knowing he is in a good place free of pain. Memorial Services/Celebration of Life will be held sometime in the spring of 2020 (date TBA). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prince George Parkinson’s Support Group. Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com

Rest in Peace Hans.

Johann (John) Weiskopf

John passed away peacefully on February 1, 2020 at the age of 97. He was born in Mals, Austria on December 29, 1922. He was a man of his word and would always engage in a lively discussion regarding politics, government or history. He was a passionate gardener, which he managed to enjoy until last summer and was especially proud of the variety of tomatoes he grew. He was happy to share his bounty and teach you about gardening techniques. He was a master red winemaker and always had a bottle to share over a visit at the kitchen table. John was an avid hunter, downhill skier and instructor into his eighties, as well a private pilot who flew his 150 over the northern skies.

He is survived by his loving wife Pauline, who currently resides at Simon Fraser Lodge and relatives in Austria. Pauline and John were lovingly married for 67 years. They worked hard and shared many outdoor activities together. We will miss his kind nature and happy smile. A good friend to all that knew him. John believed in a simple pure life where the best things in life were free.

No service by request.

ZAREK

Richard Norman July 4, 1941February 4, 2020

The heavenly gates opened on February 4, 2020 to welcome our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Affectionately known as “Papa” or “Uncle Duck”, Richard was reunited in death with his parents Hattie and Emerich Zarek and nephew Murray Pears.

Left to treasure a legacy of precious memories are his wife of 46 years, Sharon; 4 daughters Brenda, Kelly, Krystal and Lindsay; son, Rick; five in-law children Dan, Treena, Travis, Roland and Jeremy; twelve grandchildren; one grand-daughter-in-law; Papa’s sister Leona Pears; nephew Warren Pears and the many other family and friends, students and athletes who enriched and were enriched by his life.

A HOMEGOING Service will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 3:00 pm at College Heights Baptist Church in Prince George.

Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com

WEAVER, Ronald

Randolph (Randy) Rufus Wilson, 67, of Prince George, BC passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020.

Randy is survived by daughters Randie (Dan) Wright and Rickie (Todd) Mitchell, brothers Ben (Linda) Wilson, Travis Wilson, Arliss Wilson, sisters Terry Hubley, Melody (John) Kral, Shannon (Darcy) Waycheshen, his loving grandchildren Ronan and Cade Mitchell, his “adopted” children/grandchildren over the years and many loving nieces and nephews and extended family.

Randy loved to drive. He spent his free time reading, attending dinners and dances and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a loyal friend who always stopped to talk to a familiar face when he was out and about.

A special thank you to Ben and Linda Wilson, Richard Wilson, Travis Wilson, Maria Wilson, Earl Solmonson, Chance Solmonson, Rick Solmonson and ACME staff for their care and support on his passing. Also, family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards First Baptist Church, Fraserview Crematorium and Assman’s Funeral Chapel for being very accommodating and understanding.

A Celebration of Life for Randy will be held on Saturday, February 15th at First Baptist Church in Prince George on 483 Gillett Street from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Dale A. Harris

October 6, 1939January 31, 2020

Recently of Prince George, BC. Relocating to Saskatoon, SK in 2018 to be closer to extended family. A prairie boy who spent most of his working life in Alberta and B.C. Dale went on his final road trip, January 31, 2020, leaving no forwarding address for Melody (Strong) Harris, his wife of 46 years. Dale was a brother, uncle, husband, father, grandparent, great-grandparent and a loyal friend to many. He was also a friend of Bill W. A dedicated union tradesman. Initially a Journeyman Ironworker-Local 720; then a Journeyman Boilermaker, with a 44 year membership with Boilermakers’ Local 146, Edmonton, AB.

There will be no formal service. Dale’s ashes will be released where he requested: a gold bearing creek in BC, joining a river and eventually the Pacific Ocean. Dale was a decades long prospector and was happiest fishing from his boat during the years he and Melody lived on Vancouver Island.

Skate on, Dale, in that endless hockey game with no rules, no refs and no call to stop for supper.

“In the end we are all just walking each other home.” Ram Dass

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime Prince George resident, Jeannine Walker on January 29. Jeannine is predeceased by her grandson Jacob and six of her nine siblings as well as her good friend Jerry Waddell. She is survived by her children Sheree (Eric) Hunter, Suzanne (Dennis Ouellette) van Diepen, Michael Walker, Brian (Sheila) Walker and Charlene (Jhon) Waterman, her grandchildren Richard, Lindsay, Jehn, Devon, Maigan, Amanda, Joe and Tara and her great grandchildren Fox, Ella, Jade, Xander, Dakota, Jakob and Regan. She leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews as well as many friends, especially her dear friends, Edna Cutway and Nancy O’Malley, to mourn her passing, and also the new friends she made including the wonderful staff at Rotary Hospice House where she spent her final 4 months in comfort under their loving care.

Jeannine spent her childhood in Richmond B.C. where she met and married Bud Walker. They subsequently moved to Prince George in 1963 to raise their family. Over the years, Jeannine was involved as a long-time volunteer at PGARA racetrack. She worked for many years at Harvey Plumbing and Heating, before working in the office of her church, St Mary’s Catholic. She was an active member of the St Mary’s choir. She was loved by everyone who knew her and she will be greatly missed. A special heart-felt thank you goes to Dr. Grant Wooldridge.

A celebration of Jeannine’s life will be held at a later date at St Mary’s Catholic Church.

Donald Arthur Seury

December 12 1943January 21, 2020

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Donald Arthur Seury on Jan 21, 2020. Born December 12, 1943 in Cape Breton, NS, Don was the son of the late Fred and Alma (Standing) Seury. Left to mourn are his only child, Angela Seury (husband Peter Perry and grandsons Chris and Alex), ex-wife and friend Wendy Seury and his sister Judy McLean (husband Brian). Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Fred Seury;sister, Dolly Marshall and brother, Gordie Seury

Don served in the Armed Forces from 1962-1984 where he met some friends for life. Thank you to Don Maxfield for being like another brother to him. Another thank you to the whole Crystal Lake crew. He loved every moment he spent out there.

There will be no visitation or service as per request. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local branch of the Canadian Legion.

https://legion.ca/donations

May Don continue hiking into eternity.

Our beloved wife, mother and Oma, Helma Sander passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord on February 2, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

She and Horst, her devoted husband of 57 years came to Canada from Wuppertal, Germany and made Prince George their home in 1963. To Helma, family was everything. She devoted her life to her husband and three daughters, Dorothea (Patrick), Christine (Les) and Andrea and adored her grandchildren Jared (Hope), Kailey, Jenna and Eric and her cherished great granddaughter Skylar. Oma’s kitchen was the heart of their home and the grandchildren will miss the smell of her pancakes and Christmas baking.

Helma is also survived by relatives and friends in Germany and Israel.

Helma dedicated much of her time to her community during the years that Prince George was developing. She and Horst were partners in every way – 50:50.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to Doctors Turski and Shepherd for their continued, kind-hearted care. And to Dr. Butow and Dr. Marcotte, as well as her wonderful nurses Tanya and Alisa, for making her final days peaceful.

Please join us as we celebrate Helma’s life on Saturday, February 8th at 2:00 pm at Westside Family Fellowship, 3791 Highway 16 West, with a tea to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice or to the Sander Family Fund at the Prince George Community Foundation, 770 Brunswick St.

Schaf gut, träum süß, unsere Liebe

Debra Leah (Downie) DWYER

April 28, 1957February 2, 2020

Deb passed away February 2, 2020 in UNBC Hospital with her family by her side.

Debbie had struggled for the last two years with Lupus, Fibrosis, and more recently, heart issues.

She was known to be fiercely loyal to those close to her. Not only people, but also her pets.

Her baking at Christmas was unsurpassed by no one, using old traditional family favourite recipes, and the occasional new one. Those who received a sampling were delighted ! Debbie was predeceased by her Dad (Ed), Mom, (Mavis & Don Schneider), and her grandparents. She leaves behind her devoted, loving husband of 34 years, Dan, and two sons, Duane & Sean. Grandkids Skylar ( Kylea) , Sierra, and Kaitlyn. Great Grands, Kinley and Lyncoln. Brothers Sheldon (Cathie), Curtis (Michelle). Dan’s parents, John and Mary Dwyer, brothers in law Mike (Cindy) and Tim. Numerous Aunts and Uncles, nieces and nephews, and Great nieces. Debbie will be missed by all. She left us too soon.

Sleep well Deb.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Debbie’s name to the SPCA.

Remember: I’m the Boss of all of you!

Celebration of Life will be held at the Westwood Pub on February 22nd, from 12 - 3 PM.

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