(Editor’s note: After the interviews were complete and the photo was taken for this story, Debra Moulton called the Citizen to let us know that Northern Health informed her know she can now see her mother on Sundays. We thought we’d still publish the story to show the hardship suffered by families separated by COVID-19 and to show there is a review process in place.)
The kids promised mom they would visit her every day when she entered Gateway, the long-term care facility and that promise was upheld during the last four years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Between Shirley Neumeyer’s 10 children and other relatives and friends, the now 89-year old enjoyed those visits immensely, according to her daughter Debra Moulton. Since COVID hit and visitation was halted and then restricted, Neumeyer’s health has declined rapidly and it’s breaking Moulton’s heart.
“I’ve often wondered how many people have died without seeing their families,” Moulton said. “If something happens to mom, we will have to live with the fact that mom died thinking that we didn’t go up there - not that we couldn’t go up there - I think a lot of the people in long term care forget about the virus so they’re always wondering why.”
Moulton said on top of dealing with the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, her mother is now dealing with a form of dementia and is confused by the fact that there are no visits from family.
“I think she feels abandoned and she doesn’t know why her family stopped coming to see her,” Moulton said. “And it’s not only mom, it’s the same for all the people in there and something needs to be done about it.”
COVID-19 is not going away any time soon and Moulton believes there can be policies and procedures put in place for safe visits to occur for families in this situation.
“Even if we visited her outside to make it safer - we’d be willing to do that,” Moulton said. “We can physical distance. The last thing I want to do is go in there and risk giving anyone the coronavirus so why can’t we meet outside for now while the weather is still warm?”
Moulton said she’s heard of other facilities in the province that have been able to make visits safe for their patients by
putting up Plexiglass between the resident and visitors, for example.
“Why aren’t they doing something like that here?” Moulton asked.
“We just really need to see mom because she’s really upset. All the people in these places need to be able to see their families.”
Moulton said she does do Facetime visits with her mom once a week but they are at a designated time and if it happens to be during Neumeyer’s nap time, it’s a fruitless exercise.
Communication skills have diminished for Neumeyer, which makes it difficult for
Family frustrated by COVID-19 policies
Moulton to understand her, which is also a source of frustration for them both.
“There are really good people there taking care of mom, I know that, but it’s those higher up that just don’t seem to care,” Moulton said. “We need this to change for everyone.”
To try to get this issue resolved, Moulton has reached out to Gateway management, Northern Health through the patient quality care office, the seniors advocate, and anyone else who would listen, she said.
“And it just goes nowhere and then you start getting frustrated and they say to me ‘be nice’ but after so many months of this I don’t want to be nice anymore,” Moulton said.
“My mom hasn’t seen her family in months and she is not doing well and they keep saying to us be patient but mom is 89 and she’s in the last stages of Parkinson’show patient can we be?”
Gateway Lodge has been allowing visitors since July 6.
But only one designated person is allowed to visit each patient.
Neumeyer’s designated visitor is her 87-year-old husband and step-dad to Moulton, who is hard of hearing, so communication is further complicated by that challenge, Moulton said.
In a response to a request for comment about this situation, Northern Health said the restrictions are there to keep everyone safe, that virtual visits are in place and that the only exception beyond the one designated visitor is in the case of palliative care.
“Finally, there is a process for family and visitors not deemed essential to have those decisions reviewed, starting with administration at the facility in question, and if needed, a formal review by the health authority Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO),” the Northern Health response concluded.
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
Debra Moulton hasn’t been able to visit her mother, who resides in Gateway, since mid-March.
WHAT:
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
City Council consideration of applications regarding:
•Temporar yUse Permit Applications
•Proposed Cannabis Licensing Application
•Proposed “City of Prince George 2895 Gunn Road Road Closure BylawNo. 9129, 2020”
•Proposed amendment to “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007”
WHEN:
6:00 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2020
WHERE:
Council Chamber sofCity Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC
PROPOSALS:
1. Temporar yUse Permit No. TU000063
Applicant: Andrea Petersen for Spruceland Tire Supply Ltd., Inc. No. 92253
Subject Proper ty: 2274 Queensway
The pur pose of the application is to allow the operation of achiropractor clinic within a15.0 m² (square metre) unit of the existing building .The applicant has applied for aTemporar yUse Permit to allow for Health Ser vice, Minor as aper mitted use on the subject proper ty
The proper ty is cur rently zoned as M3: Business Industrial, which does not per mit Health Ser vices, Minor as aprincipal use. In accordance with the Local Government Act,temporar yuse per mits can allow ause not per mitted by azoning bylaw. These per mits mayonly be issued for amaximum of three (3) year sand mayberenewed once for an additional three (3) year s.
The proposed Temporar yUse Permit applies to the proper ty legally described as Lots 1and 2, Block 26, District Lot 417, Cariboo District, Plan 1409, as shown outlined in bold black on the below Location and Zoning Map #1. Location and Zoning Map #1 2274
2. Temporar yUse Permit No. TU000062
Applicant: Epik Products Inc. (Larissa Dawn Lebel) for Healx Medical Corporation Inc., Inc. No. BC1163648
Subject Proper ty: 356 George Street
The pur pose of the proposed per mit is to allow Retail, Cannabis use on the subject proper ty.The applicant has successfully completed the required financial integrity checks and security screenings for anon-medical cannabis retail store by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. In accordance with the Local Government Act, temporar yuse per mits can allow ause not per mitted by azoning bylaw. These per mits mayonly be issued for amaximum of three (3) year sand mayberenewedonce for an additional three (3) year s.
The proposed Temporar yUse Permit applies to the proper ty legally described as Lot 5, Block 135, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location and Zoning Map #2 below
2.1. Cannabis License Application No. CN000013
The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for aCannabis License for anon-medical retail cannabis store on the subject proper ty.The applicant has successfully completed the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch financial integrity check and security screening for anon-medical cannabis retail store.
The proposed hour sofoperation are: MondaytoSunday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The proposed Cannabis License Application applies to the proper ty legally described as Lot 5, Block 135, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location and Zoning Map #2 below
Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for their reviewand final deter mination on this application.
Location and Zoning Map #2 356 George Street
3. “City of Prince George 2895 Gunn Road Road Closure BylawNo. 9129, 2020”
Applicant: City of Prince George
Pur suant to section 40 of the Community Char ter,the City of Prince George intends to close an approximate 0.161 hectares (ha) por tion of road as shown on Reference Plan EPP103617 dedicated on Plan 902, adjacent to the proper ty legally described as Parcel C(P30015) of Block 61, District Lot 629, Cariboo District and Parcel A(P30012) of Block 61, District Lot 629, Cariboo District and remove the road dedication, as shown in the outlined in bold black on Location Map #3 below
The pur pose of the road closure is to enable the sale of the closed road area to the adjacent proper ty owner.The proposed closure and sale provides the proper ty owner the ability to consolidate the closed road area with their adjacent proper ty
Location Map #3 2895 Gunn Road
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
4. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9135, 2020”
Applicant: Devinder Parmar for Sarjiwan Parmar
Subject Proper ty: 530 Freeman Street
BylawNo. 9135, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ty from RS4: Urban Residential to RT2: Two-Unit Residential.
The pur pose of this application is to facilitate the development of atwo-unit house (duplex) on the subject proper ty,orother uses, pur suant to the proposed RT2: Two-Unit Residential zoning designation(s).
The proposed bylawapplies to the proper ty legally described as Lots 15 and 16, Block 33, District Lot 937, Cariboo District, Plan 752, as shown outlined in bold black on Location and Zoning Map #4 below
Location and Zoning Map #4 530 Freeman
Street
HOWCAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?
Residents are invited to provide comments to Council by writing
As aresult of the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council at their meeting held April 6, 2020 passed aresolution to discontinue infor mal hearings for bylaws and applications where such hearings are not legally required to be held. Accordingly,noPublic Hearings will be held for :
•City of Prince George 2895 Gunn Road Road Closure BylawNo. 9129, 2020; and •City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9135, 2020.
Pur suant to section 464(2) of the Local Government Act,City Council has also waived the requirements for aPublic Hearing to be held respecting proposed Zoning Amendment BylawNo. 9135, 2020 during the Regular Council Meeting held on Monday, August 17, 2020.
Written comments should be forwarded to the Cor porate Officer by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2020, to be included in Council’sagenda package. Submissions received after this time will be provided to Council on the dayofthe Council meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application or proposed Bylaw. Submissions maybesent by email to citycler k@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250) 561-0183, mailed or delivered to the address noted below
Please note that written submissions for all applications will for mpar tofthe Council agenda, become public record and are posted on the City’swebsite. By making a written submission you are consenting to the disclosure of anyper sonal infor mation that you provide.
Authority
Personal infor mation is collected under the authority of section 26(g) and disclosed under the authority of section 33.1(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act(FIPPA). Forinfor mation or questions, contact the City’sFIPPACoordinator at (250)561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Acopyofthe proposed Bylaws, applications and anyrelated documents will be available for reviewbythe public on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning September 2, 2020.These documents mayalso be reviewedatDevelopment Ser vices on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on September 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14, 2020, between the hour sof 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?
Formore infor mation, please contact Development Ser vices in per son, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to devser v@princegeorge.ca.
Formore infor mation regarding the Road Closure Application, please contact Real Estate Ser vices in per son, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to realestate@princegeorge.ca.
COVID-19 Resources
The City of Prince George has been in regular conver sation with Nor ther nHealth about the most reliable sources of infor mation on novel coronavir us (COVID-19), and any assistance the City can provide residents and visitor swith reliable infor mation about measures that can be taken to prevent the spread and stayhealthy.
People are advised to takeall necessar yprecautions to prevent exposure such as staying home when sick, disinfecting surfaces, washing their hands, and coughing and sneezing into the crook of their ar ms.
Formore infor mation:
•V isit the BC Centre for Disease Control website
•V isit the BC Transit COVID-19 website
•V isit the BC Ministr yofHealth webpage on Pandemic Preparedness
•V isit the Gover nment of Canada’swebsite on COVID-19
•V isit the HealthlinkBC website
•V isit the WorldHealth Organization website
•Download the BC Ministr yofHealth’sAdvice on Recreational Facilities -March 13, 2020 [PDF]
Nor ther nHealth COVID-19 Update
Nor ther nHealth has launched aCOVID-19 Online Clinic and Infor mation Line to help answer questions and concer ns from Nor ther nB.C. residents. The NH COVID-19 Online Clinic and Infor mation Line can be reached at 1-844-645-7811.
PRINCE
CITY SAW EIGHT OVERDOSE DEATHS IN JULY
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Prince George was part of the rising wave of drug-related overdose deaths across B.C. in July.
In all, eight such deaths were recorded in the city in July - the biggest monthly count so far this year - bringing the year-to-date total to 22, just three shy of the tally for all of 2019.
At 49, 2018 was the worst year on record for the city.
Seven of the deaths in July involved fentanyl.
“The tragic increase in overdose deaths is a reminder that we need to remain
aggressive in our commitment to provide harm reduction and other supports to this vulnerable population,” Northern Health Medical Health Officer Rakel Kling said in a statement.
“We are in a dual health care crisis, and while that makes the work we have to do more complex, we need to continue to work with our communities and partners to provide innovative services to this population where they are at.
“Overdose prevention services, harm reduction and medical supports, access to mental and substance abuse programs are some of the tools we have implemented and we will continue to grow in communi-
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ties across the North.
“We also know that we can’t ignore the basic determinants of health - housing, employment, etc., that are so important in preventing entry into the cycle.”
Province-wide, British Columbia’s chief coroner said 175 people fatally overdosed in July, matching the same total in June as access to harm-reduction services such as a safer supply of drugs remains a challenge.
Lisa Lapointe said a disruption in the typical supply of drugs due to border closures during the pandemic has led to the trafficking of substances with extreme concentrations of illicit fentanyl.
July’s death toll represents a 136 per cent increase over the 74 deaths during the same month last year.
B.C. set a monthly overdose record in May, when 171 people died.
Almost 6,000 people have fatally overdosed in the province since 2015 before a provincial health emergency that is still in effect was declared by the province in 2016.
Last week, Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam called for the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use to help address the recent increase in fatal overdoses, especially in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.
Pool bookings available
Residents can now book time slots to swim at the Prince George Aquatic Centre.
The pool is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 8. Booking is now available online at www. princegeorge.ca/aquatics or by calling 250561-7787 starting on Sept. 8.
On weekdays there will be an adult swim from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., seniors swim from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and everyone-welcome swims from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
A block of time for sports clubs has been set aside on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On weekends, there will be an adult swim from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and everyone-welcome swims from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The number of people allowed in each time slot will be limited to keep the total number of people in the building at no more than 50.
All admissions will have to be pre-paid at the time of registration and customers will be required to scan their admission confirmation at a self-scan station before going in.
For more information go online to www. princegeorge.ca/aquatics
Citizen staff
District unveils back-to-school plans
MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff
School districts across the province have issued their plans for bringing students back into their classrooms this September in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Here is a look at the basics as gleaned from the document posted on the School District 57 website, along with comments from school district officials and from a briefing Ministry of Education officials presented to provincial media: IN CLASS IS BEST
The main goal is to “maximize in-class learning within the public health guidelines,” officials said at the briefing.
School District 57 board chair Tim Bennett echoed the comment while addressing local media on Wednesday: “We know that nothing can take the place of face-to-face instruction - that the best learning happens when we have teachers in front of kids.”
To that end, students and teachers will be divided into cohorts or “learning groups” of 60 people at the elementary level and 60-70 at the secondary. Under a staggered schedule, they will have lunch and recess together but separate from other cohorts within the school.
High school students in Prince George and Mackenzie will see their school years divided into quarters in which they will take two courses at a time, down from the traditional load of four course spread over a half-year.
By doing that, their cohorts will number 60-70 people, well below the 120 allowed by the Provincial Health Office although that will still mean classes of as many as 30 students without physical distancing.
There will be physical distancing between cohorts and, when that can’t occur, masks will be mandatory. Each student will be given two reusable masks and a supply of disposable ones will be on hand. They can also expect one-way flows in high-traffic areas like stairwells, while visitors and non-site staff will be permitted in the building by appointment only. ON THE BUS
For secondary students, masks will be mandatory. Moreover, passengers will be loaded from the back seats to the front and emptied from the front to the back to prevent students passing each other in the aisle. And all routes will have a designated seating plan with daily rider attendance.
NO LOCKERS
Instead, students will bring “limited materials to school” - like books, paper and pens in a backpack, and they should not share any personal items including electronic devices.
The school district received funding for an additional 12,000 hours of janitorial service and all schools will have a custodian on site during the day and into the evening.
General cleaning and disinfecting will occur at least once a day and, for high-touch areas like door knobs and light switches, at least twice a day. And hand washing stations will be in place at spots like school entrances, hallways and classrooms.
IF SICK
Students who are feeling COVID-19-related symptoms but due to an existing condition, like seasonal allergies, can still go to class. Otherwise, they should stay home and follow the protocols for assessing whether they have contracted the virus.
If a student or teacher becomes ill, a school will issue a notification only if directed by a public health officer.
STAGES, STAGES, STAGES
While the Provincial Health Office has divided the pandemic into four phases with the first being the worst, the Ministry of Education has divided it into five with the first being the best.
Bennett acknowledged the confusion.
“Of course, government made it convenient for everyone,” he said, tongue firmly in cheek.
Either way, we’re currently in stage two as far as the Ministry of Education is concerned. Should things worsen, the school district’s plan also holds guidelines for a stage three hybrid plan which would see class time reduced in favour of self-directed and remote learning.
Learning group sizes would be cut to 30 for elementary and to 60 for secondary and a “density target” of 50 per cent of a school’s enrolment.
Parents of children with health troubles are asked to consult with their physicians to determine their child’s risk for returning to in-class instruction.
Those who want an alternative to in-class instruction but do not wish to register their child in home schooling or a distributed learning program will need a note from their physician. From there, the school should work with the family to develop options.
HYATT
The 104-room Hyatt Place hotel opened downtown Friday. Speaking over the sounds of the new downtown pool under construction next door, Ron Mundi, president of Mundi Hotel Enterprises, said he’s grateful for all of the city support he’s received and remains positive of the bright future, despite the challenging circumstances caused by COVID-19.
Notice of Special Resolution to be presented at the meeting: “Be it resolved that the Prince George SymphonyOrchestra Society adopt the Constitution and By-laws as revised.”View the Revised Constitution and By-Laws at www.pgso.com
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
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COPS FOR CANCER READY TO ROLL
Citizen staff
Cops for Cancer Tour de North will cover three routes when cyclists take to the road.
Cyclists will ride from Prince Rupert to Prince George, Fort St John to Prince George, and Williams Lake to Prince George in a relay-style that engages riders from communities throughout northern B.C.
Riders on the north and west route will start pedaling September 14 and those on
the south route will begin two days later with all three groups arriving in Prince George on September 18.
“This new model has team members riding from their home community to the following community, with a few riding multiple legs,” said Cops for Cancer supporter engagement manager Aimee Cassie.
In all, there will be 37 participants, all out to fundraise in the name of combatting childhood cancer. To donate, go to www. copsforcancer.ca.
Mausoleum expansion underway
Citizen staff
Construction started last week on the expansion of the mausoleum at Memorial Park Cemetery.
outdoor columbaria and an environmentally conscious green burial section with a scattering garden and ossuary.
Cost of the work will be covered by user fees.
Construction will require periodic disruption of access but the City will give prior notice.
Last year, council approved the addition of about 1,200 square feet onto the existing facility, adding room for 860 new glass and marble front niches. The facility’s current 500 niches are all occupied.
Some of the expansion’s additional features include:
- An attached building with a shared entrance way and raised timber-frame ceiling.
- Large windows offering abundant natural lighting.
- Enhanced safety features such as improved lighting and security systems.
- New burial options will include an
Getting newtires?
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO ROAD SAFETY,KEEPING ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE ROAD IS THE GOAL. BUT WHEN SEASONS CHANGE, IT’S SMART THINKING TO CHECK THE WEAR AND TEAR ON YOUR VEHICLE’S TIRES TO MAKE SURE THEY GRIP THE ROAD IN ALL WEATHER.
As tread wears down, your ability to respond to changing road conditions will diminish –and so will your odds of getting home safely.Autumn and winter aret seasons when heavy rains, high crosswinds, frost, ice and snow all make driving more dangerous, but upgrading to new tires can help.
If you’realready planning to get new tires, Tire Stewardship BC wants to remind you how important tirerecycling is. It’swhy tire retailers in B.C. will happily take back the old tires when you buy the new ones.
The project is expected to be completed by early next year and follows on approval of borrowing $1.4 million during an alternative approval process in April 2019. The costs will be recovered through user fees. The public is encouraged to subscribe to “facility updates and closures” on the City website to keep informed about the project and possible facility closures or changes of hours at www.princegeorge.ca/subscribe.
in advance for tiredisposal, thanks to the Advance Disposal Fee charged on every new tire, which some call an “eco fee.” These fees cover the cost of the program.
Recycling tires doesn’tjust make space in your garage, it reduces what goes into landfills, creates jobs, saves precious resources and makes new products. When you’re at the ice rink, the rubber skate-safe flooring is made of old tires, and so aremany running tracks and playgrounds. It’salso getting used for making landscaping mulch and door mats. Recycled tireproducts solve real needs in our communities and recreation centres while creating jobs.
But if you have old tires at home, don’tworry, thereare over 800 retailers across the province that will take those tires offyour hands. In fact, you’ve already paid
If you’ve got old tires around the home, check rcbc.ca for arecycling location. Better yet, download their smar tphone application, Recyclepedia, available free through their website and in app stores. It works for avariety of household products, showing the 10 closest recycling stations, which can take your tires or other materials offyour hands.
Tire-recycling drop-offfacilities are, like everywhereelse, operating under new protocols in the age of COVID-19, so check what’sgoing on locally for you.
Tire Stewardship BC continues to work towards its vision of an environment free of scrap tires, and this is achievable when people like you arepart of the solution. With the collection of the 100 millionth tirejust around the corner,clearly,you have been playing your part, and Tire Stewardship BC is thankful for this.
Be suretotalk to your retailer about recycling options and look around your home for tires you can drop offfor safe recycling.
Getthe best life you can out of your existing tires, and better gas mileage, visit BeTireSmart.ca to learn tips that can make aworld of difference.
Visit the Tire StewardshipBConlineat TSBC.ca to learn moreabout this successfulprogram.
Photos: Duchess Park Playground
Area MPs ready to work with O’Toole
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer and Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty both supported Erin O’Toole’s main opponent during the Conservative Party’s leadership race but both have plenty of positive things to say about their new boss.
“He’s very well spoken in the House, he’s a fighter,” Zimmer said. “We’ve seen that during the campaign. It was gloves off, he gave it his all and I think we need that in a leader - somebody who’s willing to drop the gloves and have a great debate and fight for our country and I see Erin has that fight in him and I can’t wait to see it during an election.”
Despite the pandemic, Zimmer said an election can be held, noting the United
States’ elections will be going ahead this November.
“If this is the new normal when would be the perfect time?” Zimmer said.
Whether one is called this fall will depend on whether the Liberals, who are governing from a minority position, can gain enough support for the Throne Speech and budget from Opposition MPs in the House of Commons.
Zimmer and Doherty favoured Peter MacKay to replace Andrew Scheer as party leader. O’Toole emerged the winner in the third round of ballot counting after McKay came out ahead in the second round but fell short of securing enough votes to win the contest.
Zimmer said the support O’Toole garnered in Quebec came as surprise and appeared to have made the difference.
“Credit to Erin’s team and mobilizing the
Cost hikes on the way for construction waste
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will be launching an education campaign next month, prior to increasing tipping fees on demolition, construction and land-clearing (DLC) waste in 2021.
In March, the district board approved a phased increase in tipping fees of some types of construction waste, including loads of mixed materials. The goal of the increased fees is to encourage builders to sort their material on site before bringing it to the landfill, and recycle material when possible, district manager of waste diversion programs Laura Zapotichny said.
In January 2021, tipping fees will increase 50 per cent for mixed loads of construction waste, concrete, asphalt, masonry and rubble. Then in 2022, tipping fees on those materials will double – from $90 per tonne to $180 per tonne, or from $107.20 to $214.40 for loads containing concrete. The fees on sorted loads of clean wood, scrap metal, stumps and treated wood will be cut in half to $45.
The charge for asphalt shingles, drywall and wood ash will remain the same at $90 per tonne, and tipping fees for asbestos and creosote will remain at $330.35 and $164.90 respectively.
Regional district staff will be notifying contractors about the coming changes,
and providing information about where materials can be recycled. In addition, the district is planning to develop a printed guide and instructional online video on how to separate demolition materials prior to hauling them away.
“In order to accept recycled material, it has to be clean,” Zapotichny said. “You get a load that is 90 per cent asphalt shingles, then you get a Tim Hortons cup and some plastic in there. The recyclers aren’t going to accept that.”
The amount of demolition and construction waste ending up in the landfill rose more than 37 per cent between 2015 and 2019 - from 14,735 tonnes per year to 20,252 tonnes per year. Mixed loads made up 71 per cent of that material, district solid waste and waste diversion coordinator Nathan Hartnett said.
Terri McConnachie, who is the executive officer for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Northern B.C. in addition to a regional district director and Prince George city councillor, said the change will pose some challenges for builders.
Contractors working on home renovation projects may have difficulty having room to separate materials, she said.
“It’s tough when you’re working on someone’s property,” McConnachie said.
“It’s not that it can’t be done. (But) any additional cost will be passed on to the homeowners in the end.”
membership drive there and they were successful,” he said. “I think they were 1,000 points ahead of us in Quebec and that is substantial.”
With a new leader in place, Doherty says the Conservatives are ready to take on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the governing Liberals.
“Erin’s a good friend of mine and a colleague, I’ve known him for the last five years and I’m excited to work with him as our leader,” Doherty said.
Asked what the party will be looking for in the Throne Speech when it’s delivered on Sept. 23, Doherty said that will be discussed by caucus. But he accused Trudeau of trying to force an election.
“I think Prime Minister Trudeau would love to have Canadians go to the polls in the midst of a global crisis in the effort to put a closure on the WE scandal which has
plagued him over the last couple months,” Doherty said.
Taylor Bachrach, the NDP’s MP in Skeena-Bulkley Valley said he is not sure O’Toole represents the fresh start the Tories needed, noting he brings the baggage of being the Veterans Affairs Minister in the Harper government at a time when veterans offices were being shut down across the country.
“One of the interesting aspects, and I know a lot of the pundits have been talking about this, is in the last leadership race he came across as an affable moderate and this time around, he put on a much more hard-line persona,” Bachrach said. “It’s going to be interesting to see which Erin O’Toole shows up in the House of Commons and in particular, how beholden he turns out to be to the social conservative faction within the party.”
User groups welcome Kin Centre reopening
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
The Kin Centre arenas reopened earlier this month and user groups say while they expect some challenges, they’re excited to return to the ice.
The three rinks will be the only indoor skating venues open this year and likely next year as well, unless city council decides to reopen additional rinks in the city.
“I anticipate that more rinks will need to be opened when demand returns, we can only operate for so long with 3 arenas,”
Prince George Minor Hockey Association president Glynis Vennberg said in an email. “(It) will be challenging when Prince George Minor Hockey starts in September, but will be especially challenging to get enough ice time to accommodate all of our registrants. However, it’s a good compromise and we are working closely with arena staff to make sure new (COVID-19) restrictions are being followed.”
Despite the challenges, Vennberg said she is glad city council decided to reopen the Kin Centre at all.
On July 27, city council voted to reopen the Kin Centre and Prince George Aquatic Centre, which had been closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
City staff had recommended keeping the facilities closed, because reopening them was expected to add approximately $900,000 to the $3 million budget shortfall the city was already facing this year.
In addition, it was expected to add
another $2 million to the $5.63 million shortfall projected for 2021.
CN Centre, Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and the Elksentre remain closed, and aren’t expected to reopen in 2021, unless the province enters Phase 4 of its Restart Plan.
Vennberg said she thinks city council made the right decision to reopen the Kin Centre, and the city’s minor hockey players are glad to be back on the ice.
“We ran our female camp last week which was successful and are running our Atoms Development camp this week,” Vennberg said. “It is great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as they return to the rink. Viasport and BC Hockey have released new guidelines now that we are in Phase 3, which is very exciting and may get us back to playing games quicker than we thought.”
In order to comply with the COVID-19 safety plans at the arena, kids are required to come pre-dressed, so they only have to put on their skates when they arrive.
“We expect this to be challenging for our younger groups, as most of them may need a parent to tie skates and assist with equipment. These are issues we will have to work out moving forward,” Vennberg said.
“The regulations put in place by city officials are for the public safety and we intend to abide by them and follow all rules that are set out to the best of our ability. I want the return to be as safe as possible
for staff and for our members, and this may mean more parent volunteers during the season.”
Until the association gets the go-ahead from provincial health authorities to return to playing games, teams will be focusing on skill development and the introduction of the Power Edge Pro training system, she said.
“It will have a different look, and a much more creative approach, but in the end I think will be a great season of hockey,” Vennberg said.
Prince George Speed Skating Club president Meredith Earl said the club isn’t sure what to expect yet, when the speed skating club starts later this year.
“We don’t know what our ice allocation is – we know it will be less. Obviously we’ll have to be creative with the ice we get,” Earl said. “(But) we appreciate the Kin Centres will be open, that’s great.”
The club isn’t expecting any competitions will be happening this year, unless the province changes its stance on public gatherings, she said.
“It’s likely to a recreational... and skills development year. We don’t really know how many kids we’ll get yet,” Earl said. “It’s hard, because it’s not a normal year.”
Northern BC Centre for Skating past-president Renée Hampole said the arena staff have “been incredible with helping us adjust to the new protocols now in place.”
“This is uncharted territory for all of us
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and we really appreciate their professionalism and support,” she said in an email.
However, the restrictions on ice time will have a significant impact on the figure skating and skating development programs the centre offers, she said.
“The reduction of ice surfaces in our city, coupled with the facility restrictions now in place, is greatly impacting our programming and skater development overall. We are not able to offer the full complement of programs or the normal capacity on each session as we have offered in previous years,” Hampole said. “Not only are we facing a reduction in ice time, but our off-ice training has also been severely impacted as a result of the restrictions on facility use at this time. We are doing our best to be creative and make the best of what we have right now to ensure a positive experience for our athletes and coaching team.”
Hampole said the centre is concerned about its ability to retain its coaching team without enough work to keep them fully employed.
“We worry for the athletes that have invested so much into their sport and how it will affect their development and personal goals,” she said. “These are (formative) years for the youth in our community and their ability to have access to programs that focus on keeping them active and engaged is extremely important. The long term effects of limited access to sports, recreation and culture for our youth is concerning.”
Why Canada still hires migrant workers
MARC FAWCETT-ATKINSON
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
National Observer
To Anelyse Weiler, crops rotting in the fields and alleged violations of migrant workers’ rights are just two sides of the same coin.
That relationship is essential to modern food production in Canada, explained the professor of sociology at the University of Victoria, and one that puts farmers and their foreign employees in difficult positions — but for different reasons.
“The food system has positioned producers, including farmers and farm workers, in a pinch point,” said Weiler.
“It’s one of the expected outcomes of a globalized, capitalist food system. That’s one of the directions that we could predict from the system that we’ve adopted to feed ourselves, and it’s one that we take for granted.”
COVID-19 laid bare cracks in that system.
Cracks that run deeper than disrupted supply chains and empty shelves.
Cracks that tie together sky-high farm debt, land speculation, and Canada’s reliance on migrant agricultural workers.
That’s because the prices farmers receive for their products often don’t cover their costs of production, a situation that’s largely been caused by consolidation at both ends of their production cycle.
Most mid- to large-scale farms sell to a few major grocery chains and food processors, the result of decades of consolidation
in the industry in both Canada and the United States.
This, in turn, allows those companies to set their preferred buying price — and these are often lower than the farmers’ costs of production.
Meanwhile, the cost to grow food has risen exponentially in the past 30 years.
That’s where the migrant workers come in.
In the 1970s, Canada started developing a suite of temporary work permits designed to help Canadian employers fill specific labour needs with foreign workers — without giving them a means to emigrate permanently.
Two of these permits — the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s agricultural stream — were designed specifically to supply Canadian farmers with workers.
Since they were established, these programs have become essential for Canadian farmers, Weiler explained.
In 2019, 58,800 people came to Canada through these two programs. About 10,950 went to B.C., most of them Mexicans arriving through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
That number decreased by about 17 per cent nationwide this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In B.C. this year, there were 39 per cent fewer workers in the province as of August, compared to the same period in 2019.
The program allows B.C. farmers to request specific workers by name — about 80 per cent of the Mexican workers in B.C. get their visa this way, he said — and many go back to the same farm year after year.
Workers’ visas are tied to their employer, meaning they can’t change farms once they get to Canada.
Despite this continuity, they’re still usually paid about minimum wage to spend hours performing back-breaking and often dangerous work on farms.
Still, whatever its value for Canadian farmers and the temporary migrants work-
ing for them, the program is symptomatic of deeper issues in B.C.’s food system, Weiler said.
It’s critical to rethink the idea that if Canadian can’t hire cheap foreign labour, the entire system will collapse, she said. If farms can’t break even by paying their workers a Canadian living wage, it points to a fundamental devaluation of food — and the labour and resources needed to produce it.
“I think it’s something we really need to look at as a society and to think about what we value. I think there’s appetite for change — and there’s a lot to consider.”
Workplace safety has never been more important.
Nurses continue working long hours delivering safe patient care when British Columbians need it most.
Please do your part by following public health guidelines to help keep us all safe.
New book showcases legendary packer
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
From a motel in Fraser Lake to a statue in New Hazelton to an elementary school in Williams Lake, it’s only a matter of time in northern B.C. before you come across the name Cataline.
It was the nickname of Jean Caux, a man of folkloric stature in B.C.’s history. From the 1850s to the early 1900s, pack trains were often the only viable mode of commercial transport across B.C.’s Interior and Catiline was perhaps the most noted provider of the service.
Tall, broad and forceful, with a penchant for starting every trip wearing a brand-new white shirt, a habit of rubbing whiskey into his hair and able to make himself understood despite speaking in a garbled mix of dialects, if you met him, you’d never forget him.
It was on the basis of this outsized personality that Quesnel-based author and history buff Susan Smith-Josephy has written the book Cataline: The Life of B.C.’s Legendary Packer (Caitlin Press, 184 pages, $22.95).
That nothing of the sort appears to have been produced in the nearly 100 years since his death comes a surprise to Smith-Josephy but she has been reaping the reward - her work has held a place
on the B.C. Book Publisher Association’s bestseller list for 15 weeks.
“It’s just a little local history book about a guy that I was interested in but I guess he struck a chord with people ever since he became known,” Smith-Josephy said in an interview. “Maybe that chord is still out there somewhere. People are still interested in him.”
What Smith-Josephy lacked in journals and other traditional types of record for research, she made up for in accounts gathered from newspapers and magazines, anecdotes gleaned from archived interviews and photos and receipts - tonnes of receipts - dug up in museums and historic sites around the province. (A photo dated 1913 of Cataline on a horse found at Exploration Place in Prince George takes a prominent place in the book).
Smith-Josephy also gave a shout out to Irene Bjerky. An apparent descendant of Cataline’s first wife, Bjerky was instrumental in gathering what she could on the man and is listed as a co-author.
“It was awesome to have someone so enthusiastic about Cataline... She loved Cataline too, so it spurred me on to finish it,” Smith-Josephy said.
As much as the book is about Cataline, it’s also about a particular time in the province’s economic history. Smith-Jose-
The cover of Cataline: The Life of B.C.’s Legendary Packer by Quesnel-based author and history buff Susan Smith-Josephy.
phy provides a fascinating account of how the business of packing worked, from the prices and tolls charged for goods carried and services rendered to the sweat and toil both man and animal endured.
from rich in money, Cataline remained rich in other ways.
“He had friends everywhere and everyone spoke well of him,” Smith-Josephy said.
It’s the second book Smith-Josephy has written. It follows on the 2011 publication of Lillian Alling: The Journey Home, about a woman determined to return to her home in Europe by making her way overland from New York to Alaska and across the Bering Sea.
Mules were preferred over horses because they could carry more - as much as 227 kilograms (500 pounds) - and would end up with anything on their backs from basic food stuffs to billiard tables to, in the case of a particularly tough and ornery mule, an electric light plant for a gold mining operation on Manson Creek.
Days would start at two in the morning, when the weather was cool, and the trains would cover as much as 50 kilometres (30 miles) in a day.
“It was hard work,” Smith-Josephy said. “It was brutal on the animals. It was also brutal on the people.”
A rarity in the trade, Cataline ran his trains for more than 50 years and developed a reputation for reliability and for a remarkable ability to keep track of accounts and agreements on memory alone.
He also relied on an unorthodox system to finance his trips. Each spring he would set up a line of credit and then leave it to his customers to pay his creditors or ask his creditors to pay his bills for him. “For the most part, they did so, although over the years his trusting nature did cost him a great deal of money,” Smith-Josephy writes in the book.
Cataline lived out most of his last days in Hazelton, living in a cabin built by a fellow packer who also bought his pack train. Far
Smith-Josephy said similarities between Cataline and Alling have been pointed out to her. Both were immigrants (Cataline was born in France) who crossed incredible distances over the courses of their lives and weren’t famous in the traditional sense.
“They were regular working class people and they made an impact on peoples’ memory,” Smith-Josephy said.
Alling’s story has become the stuff of legend and even an opera that premiered in Vancouver in 2010. Whether the same will be said of Cataline remains to be seen but in the meantime Smith-Josephy has completed the first draft of a book about a gang of bank robbers whose holdup of the Union Bank in New Hazelton in 1914 descended into a hail of bullets.
“Shootout at New Hazelton, there were so many articles about that, but I wanted to find out more about these robbers,” she said. “What were they doing, why were they doing it and what happened to them afterwards?”
THE O’TOOLE OPPORTUNITY
It will only take 100 days but we should all know by the end of November whether Erin O’Toole is ready to not only be the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada but the next prime minister of Canada.
The fork in the road for O’Toole is quite simple. He can continue down the narrow-minded goat trail the nowhere-near-readyfor-prime-time Andrew Scheer was leading the party down or he can channel Rona Ambrose’s firm but gentle approach with Stephen Harper’s tight control of caucus and party to victory.
Federal Liberals are already mocking O’Toole for his early appointments, putting his own team of loyalists dating back to Harper to manage the party apparatus and plot strategy. That should actually alarm Team Trudeau because putting experienced hands on the wheel signals O’Toole is far more organized and competent than his predecessor and is ready for a snap election if necessary.
The disappointment of losing twice to Justin Trudeau has made many Conserva-
tives even more bitter and angry, as Scheer made clear in his sweaty and petty farewell speech. His resentment, self-pity, entitlement and repulsive vitriol were on full display Sunday. That parting temper tantrum should be played to every Conservative candidate of how NOT to present yourself and your party to the electorate.
Unlike Scheer, O’Toole seems to realize that being introduced as the next prime minister of Canada at every party event doesn’t actually make it so. His acceptance speech Sunday night and his first media conference as leader on Tuesday made it clear he plans to present himself and his party in a new light.
On both occasions, he proudly declared his small-c conservative views, which means abortion is solely between a woman and her doctor while same-sex marriage and transgender rights are individual freedoms government is obligated to protect. He reminded reporters Tuesday that he was one of only 18 Conservative MPs who voted to pass a bill specifically enshrining transgender rights.
Of course, O’Toole took a tougher conservative stance during his leadership campaign, yapping about “cancel culture” and promising to “take Canada back.” (The quick answer when pressed on whom
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Anzac River tragedy
Articles featuring the director of bark beetle response (Aug. 20 and 23) paint a tidy picture of the forest industry’s approach to ‘managing’ insect outbreaks. Nothing has changed since the 1980s, when the forest ministry supported the pillaging of the Bowron.
One of the most pernicious lies of modern forestry is that you can log your way out of an insect outbreak. In reality, the only way to stop an outbreak is to somehow control the antecedent conditions. Without time travel and control of the climate at our disposal, this is impossible. What foresters won’t tell you is that wildlife habitat and ecological functions persist in beetle-attacked stands. Forests recover far sooner from beetle outbreaks if left alone, but are severely compromised by logging. Dead trees play an ecological role equal to or greater than their role as living trees; they are not wasted ‘fibre’. Insect outbreaks occur gradually; the forest canopy opens up to light as needles die and fall. Some trees remain unharmed, and the forest floor remains intact. Within
a year or two the forest responds to the availability of light and nutrients with accelerated growth. Fallen spruce trees open up the soil for establishment of a new generation.
Logging, on the other hand, is sudden, violent, and likely lethal if you’re a nesting bird, a crawling amphibian, a denning bear or fisher, a sensitive rare plant, or a surviving 30 year-old tree.
The Anzac valley is the poster child for the shortsighted management the director of bark beetle response glowingly describes. The area was identified by fish and wildlife biologists as intact wilderness only a few years ago. It was a stronghold for wildlife including moose, wolves, grizzlies, bull trout, and grayling.
Instead of protecting the Anzac, the director’s office allowed accelerated logging under the pretense of managing spruce beetle. A pipeline has been granted permission to drive machines through fish-bearing streams and dig open trenches across riverbeds to drop pipes into the ground.
According to biologists who have surveyed the Anzac river for decades, it has run clear no matter how high or low
he’s taking Canada back from is “Justin Trudeau, of course. What did you think I meant?”)
There’s a big difference, however, between a leadership race, when candidates are vying for support from party loyalists, and a general election, when the audition for prime minister is with the entire country.
That doesn’t mean O’Toole offered something he’s not in order to win the leadership. Rather, he appears to believe he and his party can both advocate for minority rights while also recognizing the rights of other Canadians to question the expression of those rights without being labelled intolerant agents of hate.
On the surface, that looks like a narrow path fraught with political peril, except that it lines up surprisingly well with what many Canadians have been telling focus groups and pollsters for years - the same tolerance that led Canada to recognize progressive views on minority rights also needs to be extended to those with more traditional views, so long as they aren’t being hateful bigots about it. Progress on social issues is long overdue but government still needs to focus on the basics –the economy, jobs and service delivery.
But that’s drilling down into party policy
and electoral manoeuvring, stuff the pundits and political junkies care far more about than many voters.
Under Scheer, Conservatives thought the goal was to beat Trudeau but that’s the result, not the goal. The military man in O’Toole should know the difference. Early indications point to the new Conservative leader eager to position himself strategically, as a credible alternative to Trudeau, with calm, thoughtful, decisive leadership during trying times.
Looking back, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives did not defeat Paul Martin’s Liberals in 2006. All Harper and the Tories did was offer a reasonable (read: not frothing at the mouth raging conservative) choice for Canadians fed up with Liberal mismanagement, ethical lapses and increasing detachment from the electorate.
That last part already sounds familiar.
O’Toole has the opportunity to deliver on the Harper recipe for Conservative electoral success –sunny ways but without the sanctimonious saccharine.
It will take cunning and discipline for O’Toole and the Conservatives to defeat their wounded but still formidable opponent. We’ll all know shortly which fork in the road he will take the party.
— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
the water level. On Saturday, it looked like chocolate milk. This unprecedented turbidity event coincides with the onslaught of industrial activity.
We have no expectations of corporations doing right by our forests. Our question is,
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A now cloudy Anzac River, east of McLeod Lake.
PRINCE
PRINCE GEORGE
PRINCE GEORGE
The responsibility of privilege
Ihave to admit that I am outraged as I write this column. Yet another African American, Jacob Blake, was shot in in front of his children, in broad daylight and in cold blood by a white police officer.
I am also very inspired by the myriad of professional athletes refusing to play and speaking out strongly, expressing the same outrage.
Some will argue that they are speaking from a place of privilege. Yes, they are. And so am I.
What we fail to realize is that what we call “privilege” in today’s world means having what every human being has an inherent right to embrace. In today’s world, “privilege” means having a voice, and with that comes the responsibility to be a voice for those who are kept silent.
Quite honestly, I never realized how privileged I am until I was 20 years old. I was attending the University of San Carlos in the beautiful Cebu City, in the Philippines. My residence was beside a poor, overcrowded
LESSONS IN LEARNING
GERRY CHIDIAC
and hazardous barrio. One day a fire swept through this neighbourhood and many people lost what little they had.
I was as outraged as I am now, and my anger drew me to question myself. What right did I have to my education and status? What right did I have to a wonderful, supportive family? Why did I never know hunger or worry where my next meal would come from? What right did I have to an almost limitless future?
As I reflected on my privilege, I realized that none of these things were bad, but that if I wanted to be true to myself, I needed to use them for the benefit of others. I needed to humbly share the good things I have with my neighbours.
Having privilege comes in many forms.
We may have privilege in one area in our lives and be potential victims of unjust discrimination in others.
LeBron James and other African American athletes recognize not only their place of privilege, but also the fact that they and their families risk the same demise as Jabob Blake every time they walk outside. Sometimes they are not even safe in their own homes, as in the case of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her own apartment.
We are all LeBron James, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake. Racism is arbitrary and pointless, and we don’t have to look very hard to realize that many of our own relatives have been victims of racism. If we live in comfort and freedom, it is only because we are lucky.
I am Middle Eastern-Canadian. What if my family hadn’t come to North America 100 years ago? What if I didn’t have a westernized name? What if I weren’t a Canadian citizen? What if I didn’t speak English without an accent?
O’Toole the man for the job
The count went late on Sunday. In typical Tory fashion, no one prepared for any technical difficulties, so we were forced to return to the old ways, counting each ballot by hand. Eventually, blue amoke arose from the convention centre in Ottawa, “habemus Papam” resounding off the tongues of both fake and honest news. Out of the haze stepped the man who was always most likely to win, the only man left standing from the last contest: Erin O’Toole, Member for Durham.
On behalf of all sane members of the party, it is my great honour to declare once and for all the political death of Peter Mackay, whose slippery ways were never needed or welcome in our beloved dominion, if only because they were so ineffectual they failed to produce a decent piece of infrastructure or an engrossing scandal. Please enjoy your retirement as a talking head - but not over at our sad state broadcaster that will soon be declared anathema and exorcised.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Ode to the USA 2020
Goodbye, USA
It’s been fun
But now you are
Too evil for for me.
We once were side by side
And helped each other out.
Now we’re a security risk
And don’t even want to visit you any more.
So many in your country
Now want to expunge my minority
And we will not let you do that
Nor praise the false gods you follow.
The claim used to be
That you were exceptional to grow the
I may get disparaging rebuttals to my columns when I speak out for Palestinian rights, but what would happen if I walked the streets of Palestine and an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldier thought that I looked threatening, or if I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? I am no different than Jacob Blake or Tarek Badwan, a Palestinian police officer recently killed by the IDF.
Our world has a racist, colonialist, genocidal history. As we try to walk from this darkness into the light of truth, there will be those who try to throw us back into the dungeon from which we are emerging.
The fact that we can read this column means that we have privilege. The fact that we have privilege means that we have responsibility.
Enough is enough. We are all in this together. We all bleed red and we are all children of a loving Creator.
The revolution has begun and it is being televised.
Amen.
RIGHT OF CENTRE NATHAN GIEDE
Guns and God had a good showing via Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan. Echoing Brian Lilley, let it be retweeted to the end of the age that a Black woman from Toronto carried Saskatchewan and had strong showings throughout the West. Accusations of racism at Tories as a catch all are officially slanderous slurs that ought to be prosecuted vehemently in court and public squares. If the socially conservative vote had not been split, we could have come out on top in this race.
But at least under the RCAF veteran’s leadership, it is likely the party will not split into its main or lesser factions. And with Trudeau reeling from mismanagement of the pandemic to his incestuous relationship with the WE foundation, Tories are eager for the leader to marshall the troops and start waging war on our most ancient enemy, the Liberals. With the right moves
good
But now we see how that claim
Only tried excused wars without end.
To win the west you killed those there
Ages and ages before
Then left your shores to kill even more
Cheering all the while.
The flag, the flag, those stars and stripes
Stood for something good but no more.
Demands, do things my way. Give me what I want.
(Gotta barrel or two of oil?).
Liberty’s torch has gone out
Other torches light your streets.
Police kill Blacks without cause
Militias and police make common cause.
You elected a madman
And enough still support him
inside and outside Parliament, it’s possible O’Toole could become PM in less than a year.
One of the wonderful things about being a Conservative in this country is that there are just so many things to improve, renovate, disband, or create thanks to the dim vision fostered by the Grits over these many decades. Apparently talking to dogs and having sympathies for fascism, plagiarizing peacekeeping, waving middle fingers at westerners, socking pie launchers, owning predecessors scandals and appearing in black face does not help make Canada great.
Our confederation is so broken we cannot construct a metal tube across this country to carry our own resources to our own fellow citizens. On the other side of the spectrum, everyone in healthcare or sympathetic to socialized medicine, is fully aware that our current system pales in comparison to other developed nations, has untold liabilities, and already functions in two tiers as some patients are more equal than others - and how about that pandemic preparedness, eh?
From a navy without ships to higher
To cause you former allies
To question you ability - and morality.
You lockup kids, and Blacks and Browns
Then let Boogaloos roam free
And let all have guns, guns, and more
You why wonder why danger surrounds you.
So you buy more guns.
False news, fake news, insults, and more
Fill your radios and TVs.
Urging the favoured to kill those not
And think the US is the Land of the Free.
Hatred has become your most common trait.
Presidents break your laws to no account.
You once were envied
But now you are pitied.
education without open dialogue, this Dominion is in need of serious work. Is O’Toole the man for the job? Well, unlike Mackay or Trudeau, he is not the establishment, which translates to more empathy with voters. Also, as previously noted, Durham bears a lot more resemblance to the rest of Canada than Papineau does. Lastly, I do believe it takes integrity to run for leader again and win when one could have claimed it as theirs de facto. Again, it cannot be overstressed how fragile Canada is at this moment, just as it cannot be overstated how much of that lies at the feet of a party in power far too many times for far too long. A politics of division has pervaded since the flag change, exacerbated by the Charter, and finally brought to parody by the costumed post-nationalist that rules us. There will not be a nation called Canada in another generation without the policies that create prosperity and patriotic unity.
Hopefully, the first step in that direction was taken by electing O’Toole. I for one am deeply happy that we Tories appear to be out of the doldrums and ready to march on Ottawa.
A favoured few have all the gold,
The rest must do without.
COVID kills without ceasing
And pseudo cures proclaimed.
QAnon decrees the system bad
To urge a worse one in its place.
Ministers, preachers, and prophets
Seek money more than salvation.
I used to love you, USA.
I thought you mostly good and fine.
Now I see the rot that spreads
Sweet land of liberty.
I fear what you have become and what you may be too soon.
The Cold War won, you lost the peace
Not from outside but within.
Willow
C. Arune
Prince George
Confusion likely when schools reopen
What to do?
There is no right answer for anxious parents wondering if or when they should send their kids to school next month.
Many of them really have no choice, even if they, their child and/or others in the household have a compromised immune system.
Same for the many single or dual-parent households where the parent(s) have to work away from home and have no child care option that isn’t cost prohibitive. Same for the kids requiring additional, hands-on support to work through the curriculum. All kids benefit from the broader socialization -- with their peers and with teachers -- that comes with the in-person learning experience.
Getting through the rest of the school year after the March break was one thing but starting a new academic year under the huge cloud of COVID-19 is another thing entirely. On Friday, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control released the number of total cases the Prince George area has seen so far for the first time. There have been 33 cases within the School District 57 region to date.
To be clear, the risk is relatively low in area schools, thanks to our sparse population scattered over a large area but a glance at Quebec, where students and
NIGHT SHIFT
NEIL GODBOUT
teachers went back to school this past week offers a possible sneak preview of what’s to come.
At one Montreal high school, an entire class was sent home after a parent of one of the kids called in to say he had tested positive. It took six hours for the school principal to get advice from the local public health officer on what to do.
The Quebec premier and the provincial public health officer said sending all the kids home was an over-reaction.
Every student in the class was back to school the next day, except for the child of the parent who tested positive, which is what officials said should have been done in the first place.
That’s not the only contradictory message Quebec school parents heard.
On Thursday, the education minister said sports and other extra-curricular activities were on hold for at least a few weeks and refused to set a date for a possible return. The next day, his boss – the premier – said sports would be back Sept. 14 if everything goes well.
Teachers and parents were rightfully frustrated by what looked like senior leaders making it up as they went along.
Local parents are already receiving the same kind of crossed signals from School District 57 administration and the B.C. Ministry of Education.
Months ago, provincial health officials identified four phases of the pandemic with Phase 1 being the worst (we’re currently in Phase 3).
The Ministry of Education ignored that and has identified five phases, with Phase 1 being the best.
You could practically hear the face palm slap from School District 57 board chair Tim Bennett when he was asked about it.
“Of course, government made it convenient for everyone,” was his exasperated response.
The school district’s 20-page restart plan released this week had its own mixed messages.
One example.
Page 13: “In person inter-school events (including competitions, tournaments and festivals) must NOT occur at this time.”
Page 14: “In-person inter-school events including competitions, tournaments and festivals, should not occur at this time.”
Should not?
Must not?
What to do?
To be fair, teachers, school administrators, health officials and political leaders are all in the same boat as parents.
Just like parents will make their own choices for their children and will constantly update those choices, each school will develop its own specific protocols, based on the overall district plan, and improve them as they go along. Parents should be prepared to hear about different ways of doing things when they start swapping notes with their friends who have kids at other schools. That doesn’t mean that one school will have it better or worse than another. It only means that the mix of students, teachers and administrators, the student population and even the geographical layout of the school will determine how and when things are done.
This is a good time to explore significant (and, in some cases, long overdue) changes to the education system, everything from class sizes and schedules to distance and home schooling, but implementation is down the road.
But what to do right now?
The goal is for students, parents, teachers and staff to work together in this new reality to keep each other safe and to be patient and kind with one another when problems arise.
That’s always a good thing to do.
Let’s start the lesson there.
Invisible forces shield us from harm
We live at the bottom of an ocean of air. And this ocean is a protective layer surrounding the planet.
It keeps us warm and provides us with the oxygen we need to breathe.
It carries rain which, after a wet summer in Prince George, might not seem like such a good thing but it is essential for life and provides our drinking water. Our atmosphere is fairly unique in making Earth a blue-green planet.
Of course, living at the bottom of an ocean can also lead to turbulent times. The lower atmosphere is where devastating hurricanes and tornadoes reside.
The monsoons of the tropics can pound vast regions into submission.
Winter storms can freeze cities into submission.
Summer heat waves can be just as deadly both directly through heat related deaths and in drying out the forests and scrub lands leaving them ready for fires.
It is the atmosphere which gives rise to the lightning strikes which start fires.
The 560 forest fires burning through California arise from over 12,000 strikes in a 72 hour period.
And without any rain, many of the fires will burn for a very long time before eventually being controlled.
Yes, we live blanketed in an atmosphere which envelopes us in safety and, at the same time, provides us with some of the more devastating catastrophes.
But the lower atmosphere is just one of
RELATIVITY
TODD WHITCOMBE
the envelopes we rely on for safety.
Extending between 15 and 30 kilometres above the Earth, in the heart of the stratosphere, is the ozone layer.
It is a region of our atmosphere where molecular or diatomic oxygen mixes with triatomic ozone.
The two molecules exist in a lopsided equilibrium (20.974 per cent oxygen compared to 0.0015 per cent ozone).
It is the reactions which convert one into the other which absorb ultraviolet light. Indeed, the ozone layer only lets 1 in every 10 to the power of 30 photons of UV pass through.
It is phenomenally efficient.
Even so, the rare photons of UV light which do make it through can cause severe damage.
Skin cancers are linked to UV levels as are cataracts and macular degeneration. Sun burns and heat rashes arise from over-exposure.
Other forms of life are also susceptible to UV radiation.
Plants can bleach and leaves can curl. Bacteria die which might seem like a good thing except not all bacteria are bad. Many of our important ecosystem services rely on bacteria.
Fortunately, the ozone layer is naturally balanced and robust but add in anthropogenic chemicals and ozone depletion can occur.
Chlorofluorocarbons were once common propellants for aerosol sprays and employed in refrigerators and air conditioning units.
These compounds persist in the atmosphere wending their way to the ozone layer where a single CFC molecule wipes out 100,000 molecules of ozone and with them, our safety blanket.
In 1987, a landmark agreement to phase out ozone depleting substances called the “Montreal Protocol” was ratified by all member countries of the UN.
The ozone layer – and the hole over the Antarctic – has been recovering slowly ever since.
But it will be decades before it is fully recovered.
The atmosphere isn’t the only protection we have from the dangers of outer space.
Earth’s magnetic field provides an additional safety coating.
The magnetic flux from the Earth’s core sweep the solar wind around the planet preventing harmful sub-atomic particles from raining down on us. In combination with the atmosphere, the magnetosphere protects us from cosmic rays – interstellar radiation streaming from beyond the solar system.
Except the magnetosphere is currently undergoing changes which have left scientists puzzled.
The North Magnetic Pole has picked up pace and is charging across the Arctic from Canada to Russia at 50 kilometres per year.
And the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) appears to be splitting in two. Currently, this not having any visible impact on our daily lives but as the SAA expands westward, it is beginning to encompass South America.
The anomaly lets in excessive amounts of cosmic radiation and this could potentially have a damaging impact for the people and the electrical systems of the continent.
In addition, due to a solar minimum, the magnetosphere of the sun is allowing more cosmic rays to enter the Solar System, period.
Measurements made by the students of Earth to Sky Calculus in California match those observed at the Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory and indicate a 20 per cent increase in cosmic rays in the atmosphere over the past four years.
A 20 per cent increase may not seem a lot but for frequent fliers it can be equivalent to an extra chest X-ray or two per year. This is particularly troubling for pilots and air stewards as they are already classified as occupational radiation workers. The good news?
This solar minimum should soon pass. The bad news?
We haven’t even talked about the asteroids heading our way but the atmosphere should protect us.
B.C. needs a municipal watchdog
The mission of cities is creeping, the cost to taxpayers is skyrocketing and they need watchdogs to guard their wallets.
Most people want city halls to spend money wisely and to take care of three main needs: keeping the streets clean, repaired, and safe. That means garbage collection, pothole repair and policing. They want to stick to the basics. To do that, British Columbians need a team of watchdogs to keep wandering local governments in check.
The good news is we already have the framework.
B.C. has an office of the Auditor General for Local Government. Former premier Christy Clark’s government created it in 2013 and Premier John Horgan’s government plans to shutter it in the next few years partly because of some “hurt feelings” at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Horgan shouldn’t let some bruised toes at the UBCM stand in the way of accountability.
The local government auditor general’s office is too small and it doesn’t have a strong enough mandate. It has just 11 peo-
GUEST EDITORIAL
KRIS SIMS
ple listed on staff and its role is to “help councils and boards do the best they can with the resources they have, delivering better services for their residents.”
That sounds small and fluffy. Like a Shih Tzu dog.
Taxpayers in B.C. need some Dobermans.
The provincial auditor general’s office, by comparison, has more than 100 employees who watch over the legislature in Victoria and crown corporations, not the accountability needs of cities.
With so much money flowing through cities, taxpayers need someone with real resources and a strong mandate like former federal auditor general Sheila Fraser, who shone the light on the sponsorship scandal.
Why? Because as we recover from the damage caused by the COVID-19 problem, taxpayers need to know local governments
aren’t blowing money on things outside of their core mandates or overpaying politicians and staff.
Let’s examine three examples of expenses getting out of hand.
Last year, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps flew more than 7,800 kilometres to New York City so she could watch Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg deliver a speech at the United Nations, even though the young activist was scheduled to visit Vancouver a few weeks later. According to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, that one trip cost Victoria taxpayers more than $3,500, including $1,905 for the hotel and a $134 cab ride to the airport on the way back home to Canada.
Across the strait, politicians on the Metro Vancouver regional district board get paid $397 per meeting. If the meeting runs more than four hours, the per-meeting payment jumps to $794. That’s a big payment on top of the mayor and councillor salaries already being collected.
Sav Dhaliwal, for example, gets paid $80,314 per year by Burnaby taxpayers to be a city councillor and he also gets paid $79,333 per year by Metro Vancouver taxpayers to be the board chair.
The Metro Vancouver board is the same gang of politicians that voted themselves a $15,000 retirement bonus in March 2018 for members who were not seeking re-election. They only backtracked when the media caught on.
Back on the Island, taxpayers in Nanaimo watched as first its chief financial officer and then city manager got into trouble for using taxpayer-funded credit cards for things such as personal vacations and cat veterinarian bills.
Beyond the waste of money, the main problem with these expenses is that taxpayers only found out about them when watchdogs such as the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and tenacious city hall reporters got chance tips from whistleblowers.
Just imagine the waste that isn’t being reported.
Now, more than ever, taxpayers need to keep track of every nickel of money being spent by politicians. The Horgan government shouldn’t wheel the scrawny municipal watchdogs to the blue room. It should feed them, make them stronger and set them loose at city halls.
- Kris Sims is the B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Corruption in Canada is getting worse
If I look back through the 40 years of my business career, the lowest points are those times when I betrayed my values. My biggest regret was something that happened 30 years ago.
I was told of a business opportunity that would be of great benefit to me if I could only prove that I had certain experience which I did not.
Encouraged by another, I stepped over the line and asked a business acquaintance if they would be willing to say that I worked for their company in order that I could qualify for this opportunity.
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, as I looked into the face of my acquaintance, I regretted them and realized I had sunk to an all-time low.
Thankfully my request was denied immediately, but the weight of my stupidity has remained with me for years.
As I think back on that time and imagine what would have happened had I qualified as a result of a lie.
Would I go on to justify that dishonesty and grow a business based on that foundation?
It’s quite possible that I could have gone on to make hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars by seizing that deceitful opportunity.
I know however the celebration of that success would never be the same as the taste of honesty.
I also know that lying begets more lying. So what does any of this have to do with
corruption in Canada?
Firstly, when people get inspired by greed and fail to see the errors of their ways because they have been able to get away with making money dishonestly and have built upon that opportunity, their moral compasses fail.
Not only is there an addiction that comes with making large amounts of money but there are lifestyles that become dependent on the cash flow.
Whether it’s a government or company official that is on the receiving end of gifts, a politician taking free trips, leaders enjoying benefits for their family members, or a company that is benefiting from contracts as a result of the liberating of cash at a high level to enjoy the inside edge, corruption is alive and well in Canada.
Yet the middle class is turning a blind eye to it.
Secondly, I know I can’t be the only one who thinks that something is wrong in this country of ours when I hear comments like, “That is how business is done now. We have to pay an insider fee.”
“The Prime Minister is a good guy and probably doesn’t know what is happening around him.”
“Dave, xyz company told me that it
would be good for me personally if I awarded them this contract.”
Maybe I am naïve, in thinking that this type of corruption and under the table transfers of cash and benefits have been going on since time eternal.
However, I can’t recall when the prime minister of our country has been openly found guilty of multiple transgressions by the ethics committees and commissioners and nothing has happened.
The recent scandals make one wonder how many other companies besides SNC Lavalin or charities such as WE are trading money for favors to the political parties or politicians and their families and haven’t been exposed.
Over a decade ago, travelling in Africa, it was the norm to pay an official a cash supplement to get to the front of a line, have paperwork completed in a timely manner or get the permit you needed.
I have no doubt that this level of corrup-
tion is only a few years away in Canada if we continue down the current path. When we forget as people that we value honesty, that the truth, as hard as it might be to swallow, is important, and that the rights of the poor and middle class surpass those of companies to make huge profits, we start sliding down the slippery slope toward daily corruption in our society.
Yes, we all have regrets and make mistakes; however, we need to admit our errors and turn back to our intrinsic nature of goodness.
We can do this as individuals, but collectively we need to stand up and tell our leaders that we demand an end to corruption at all levels and just punishment for the offenders, whomever they may be.
- Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Send an honest email to dave@pivotleader.com
Seventy years strong for the Parents
SENIORS’ SCENE
KATHY NADALIN
Romeo Parent of French descent was born in Vonda, Sask., in 1925.
At the age of 24, he met and later married Lillian Bernard. Lillian was born in Birch Hill, Sask., in 1929; she was working as a school teacher when she met Romeo. Romeo reflected back and said, “I met Lillian at a ball game. After the ball game, she was walking out with another fellow so I approached him and asked him where he was going with my girlfriend; this was my way of flirting with her. The fellow turned out to be her brother. That was over 70 years ago but I remember the day very well. It actually turned out to be the luckiest day of my life.”
The young couple got married in Zenon Park, Sask. on August 30, 1950.
In 1951, Romeo left his bride behind in the care of her parents while he headed west to Prince George to follow a job opportunity. He had the promise of a job working for his uncle who owned a sawmill at Fyfe Lake.
Romeo said, “The train arrived in Prince George in the middle of the night so I just slept at the train station. In the morning, I headed to the Prince George Hotel to meet up with my uncle. People could see my pack sack and by the time I got to the hotel I had three job offers which I had to turn down. I got settled in my job and then I sent for my wife.”
Time went by and Romeo found a better paying job working as a faller for McBride Timber just west of Prince George. Later, he worked for Clear Lake Sawmills on the Blackwater Road until he partnered with his two brothers Paul and Maurice and they started their own company and named it RPM Logging. At one point in time, RPM Logging had nearly 60 employees and kept Clear Lake Sawmills supplied with logs for many years.
Romeo invested in two D9 Caterpillars – a large and powerful track-type tractor usually sold as a bulldozer equipped with a detachable large blade and a rear ripper attachment - and formed the Skyway Construction Company.
His company cleared land all over the north and by the end of the first year he had four D9 Cats. He landed contracts to clear the land at Williston Lake for the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and for the Mica Dam project north of Revelstoke.
He is proud to say that his company cleared the land in a matter of a few days for the Immaculate Conception Church in the College Heights area. The church was consecrated in 1977 with the Parent family being one of the many founding families. The surrounding area began to develop and Parent Road – one of the many roads in the area – came into being.
Romeo explained, “When we arrived in Prince George Lillian worked as a substitute teacher specializing in French and all facets of mathematics. Once the children started to arrive, she became a stay at home mom.
“I was away for many years doing contract work and Lillian held the family together in my absence. She did the books for our company and they always balanced right up to the day that we sold the company. In fact, she is the reigning crib champion of the family. She has always had a knack for numbers and in her younger years she always scored 100 per cent on her algebra and matriculation exams.”
Romeo and Lillian had seven daughters: Diane (Darrell), Lucille (Ray), Margaret (John), Lorette (Harry), Janet (deceased) was married to Bob, Murielle (Tony) and Suzanne (Orlando) who in turn gave them 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Romeo’s father lived to be 106 years old and he is determined to beat that record and I believe that he will.
Romeo and Lillian go back 70 years in the history of Prince George and they should write a book about it. They were members of the original French-Canadian club and Romeo served on the board of directors for the Sacred Heart Credit Union. That credit union has since become Spruce Credit Union and continues to operate today.
When I asked Lillian what her biggest accomplishment had been in her 91 years on this earth she said, “My big accomplishment has been our seven girls. I originally wanted to be a nun and enter a convent until I met Romeo. He was a good Catholic and we both wanted a big family so it all worked out just fine.
“Romeo has been a good provider. In our earlier days, he did a lot of hunting and fishing and provided the food for our family as well as many other families.
“I always had a huge garden but now in my retirement I just enjoy the grandchildren and watch the family do all the work in the garden. We have had 70 years of a good marriage and ended up with a truly great family.”
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
A recent photo of Lillian and Romeo Parent, above, and as they were when they married 70 years ago in 1950, left.
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Since 2012, the Northern Clinical Simulation program has been apartnership between Northern Health, the Northern Medical Program, and the University of Northern BC ’s School of Nursing.Itwas developed to provide high- quality handson training to Northern communities.
The program uses life -sized, anatomically correct mannequins, known as “simulators” to provide realistic training for health care professionals. The simulators –which can breathe, speak , and bleed –provide practise in dealing with births, hemorrhages, broken limbs,
Clinical Simulation Program supports family practiceresidents
Healthy Living
attend simulation sessions to increase their hands -onexperience with various health emergencies and acute care scenarios.
“The program is very valuable,” says Dr Matthew Wahab. “Simulation, in general, has been used as ateaching tool in other industries for along time. The program creates asafe environment that helps identify learning gaps and teaches residents how to apply their knowledge in the heat of the moment”.
Three years ago, Dr.Wahab completed the UB CFamily Medicine residency program in Prince George and believes that the integration of simulation into the curriculum is crucial to the development of physicians who practise acute care medicine in both urban and rural settings. The simulation program has also been shown to improve patient safety and reduce health costs.
Asecond project, supervised by Dr.Floyd Besserer,involved the development of asimulation curriculum of acute care scenarios geared towards rural sites in the North. Physicians were happy to see this being put in place, as demand for more simulation in rural hospitals and health care centres has increased.
“I would liketocredit Michael Lundin, regional manager [of] Clinical Simulation Education; the simulation centre staff; and the affiliated partners on providing us with the opportunity to use the simulation labs,” says Dr.Wahab. “Without them, none of this would happen.”
In the future, Dr.Wahab hopes to see more integration between residents and medical students. He’d also liketosee simulation used as alongitudinal metric for competency-based medical education.
More information &donations
heart attacks, and more. This lets health care professionals get hands -onskills, practising as ateam and without risk to patients.
One particular group that this program has helped support is family practice residents in the North.
When students finish medical school, those choosing to specialize in family medicine must complete an extra two years of training.This includes in-hospital training,aswell as work in acommunity family medicine clinic. They can also
In recent years, through the support of the Northern Clinical Simulation program, family practice trainees have developed several successful simulation-based research projects focused on improving the quality of education for student residents and rural physicians.
The first project, supervised by Dr.Brydon Blacklaws, helped create arefresher course for incoming resident physicians geared towards on- call emergencies. This well-received project created asmoother transition to practice.
Visit the Northern Clinical Simulation page (northernhealth.ca/for-healthprofessionals/northern-clinical-simulation) for more information.
In recent years, significant support from the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and its donors has allowed the program to buy newborn and one -yearold simulators that resemble real infants. This has made it possible for health care professionals to safely practise providing care to this age group. However,more help is needed: donate today (spiritofthenorth.ca).
Daniel Ramcharran, Communications Advisor for Planning,Quality and Information Management, Northern Health.
Left to right: Dr.Matthew Wahab and Northern Clinical Simulation Program technician Jasneil Dhillon conduct simulation sessions for family practice residents in the Northern Clinical Simulation Lab in Prince George.
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CL ASSIF IEDS
Gladys McGillivray
Apr. 24, 1928Aug. 28, 2020
Gladys passed away at age 92. Survived by her children Ray (Pat), Sandy, Gayleen (Brent) all of Prince George, Darlene of Quesnel, Larry (Brenda) of Edmonton, sister Vi of Edmonton, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by husband Jim and son Rick. She retired from PGSS cafeteria in 1993. She enjoyed bowling, was a Habs and Canucks fan and held Spruce Kings season tickets for several years. There will be no service.
Delbert Tolsdorf
Delbert Tolsdorf of Kamloops BC past away suddenly on July 21, 2020. He is survived by his partner of many years
Pamela McLean, son Nelson, daughter A’lon, grandchildren Branden, Ashley, Grayson and Gunnar, sisters Jeanette, Maxine (Bill), brothers John, Tony (Lynda) and many friends. Del touched so many lives with his friendship and caring ways. He will be forever missed and loved.
Rest in Peace my love
No service is planned at this time. Memorial contribution can be made to the BC SPCA. Condolences may be sent to the family at DrakeCremation.com. (250) 377-8225
Joy Darlene Greenley
March 15, 1947 –August 23, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joy Darlene Greenley. Joy, with her caring and giving nature will be greatly missed by many. She was happiest while doing one of her many handicraft projects for others.
She is survived by her loving family Gerry (Sue) Greenley; Ryan , Kyle (Tracy), Chantelle (Tyler); Connie (Kerry) Jantz; Scott (Rebecca), Christie (Eric); Jim Gusek; Michelle, Amanda (Russ); and numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins as well as many friends. Joy was predeceased by parents Ruth and Norman Greenley; brother, Patrick; and sister, Roxanne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BC Cancer Agency. A memorial will be held at a later date.
REMEMBRANCES
Obituaries
CARSON, Ronald Roy passed away at Rotary Hospice House on August 20th 2020 at the age of 75 years. He will be remembered by his loving family and many friends. No service by request. For further information please call Scott @ 250-263-5095
Annabelle McLeod
In memory of Annabelle McLeod sadly passed on April 7, 2020 in Surrey BC following a heart attack.
Ann is survived by her brother John Freed (Doreen), son Stewart Trowsdale (Sepherine), daughters Connie Greening (Frane), Gail Trowsdale (Frank), granddaughter Adrianne Snaychuk, greatgrandson Laine and step-son Greg McLeod.
Ann joins for all eternity the love of her life Lynn George McLeod, interred together in the Prince George Mausoleum on August 31, 2020. She also greets her parents in heaven Mel and Beckie Freed and her brother Brian and sister in law Yvonne.
There was no service.
“Who loves ya, Babe”
JAN-MARIE PENNER
2x53.3
PGC002042
CHARTERS,Susan
October22,1952-August22,2020
MAH, Bud Chu Ming
June 14, 1932 - Doon Wo Lee, San Gark, KwangtungAugust 23, 2020 - Calgary, Alberta
Bud Mah of Calgary, AB, passed away on August 23, 2020 at the age of 88 years.
Bud and Esther operated Toppers Cleaners in Prince George B.C from 1966-1991.
Bud was well known for his happy, good natured demeanor and generous spirit. He loved fishing, good Dim Sum and a challenging game of Mah Jong.
He was predeceased by his wife Esther Shue Fong Mah (nee Chan) (2019), and their children, Colleen Sim (nee Mah) (2007), and their son David Mah (2016).
He will be missed by his extended family and friends in the communities where they lived.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bud’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.
In living memory of Bud Mah, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
Walter Funk is announcing his official retirement after 54 years in the floor covering industry. I wish to thank the owners of PG Floor Fashions, Bernie Henry, Tom Munro and Dave Lloyd for having me on their sales team for the last 20 years. It has been a pleasure working for you. All the Best to the staff at PG Floor Fashions.
45.5 ACRES Corner of Upper Fraser Rd & Beaver Forest Rd. with good driveway & building pad. $155,000. 250-614-6667
Lots & Acreages for Sale
7902 North Nechako Road (DL 2099) 6 acres of land, subdividable after removal of gravel (est 700,000 yards). Priced to sell. Interested parties reply to Box 441, Station A Prince George (250) 564-8791
Recreational Property
1000sq m building lot, #L72NCorintoPearleco-development Honduras. Contact Recap Investments, Toronto 1-888-212-8584 for more info and owner 250-5634999 $35,000 Canadian 11.26 acres manicured sub-lakeshore at Cluculz Lake, finest location by owner Only $399,000 end of Meier Rd. 604-908-0313
Apartments/Condos for Rent
1 & 2 bedroom, newly renovated near Pine Centre, inc heat & water, (604-540-8238 ext 303) hmrempel@gmail.com Riverbend, beautiful 2 bdrm on 4th floor. Senior 55+. Available now. $1950/mth 250-971-2211 or 250-565-7877
Cabins
Compost toilet for 2 - brand new never used $1200.00 obo (250-967-4215)
Whereas the following are indebted to Ace Auto Wrecking Ltd.,
Towing, for
and
of personal property, and ought to have been paid, and are still unpaid, notice is hereby given that the said properties will be sold to pay the outstanding debt, plus costs of seizure, advertising and sale, one week from the date of this notice on the 10th day of September, 2020, at 1360 Foley Cres, Prince George, BC
NLFD AUTO LTD OPA PRINCE GEORGE MOTORS
Notice of Sale of Vehicle Pursuant to the Repairer’s Lien Act
1x56.0 R0011831038
PERSONALS
Whereas CHACITY WAGNER is indebted to PRINCE GEORGE FORD in the sum of $9441.28 for repairs completed and payable upon a 2008 FORD FOCUS BEARING VIN 1FAHP334N08W129294, this vehicle will be offered for sale on SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 at 1331 CENTRAL STREET, PRINCE GEORGE, BC.
Please contact MIKE at 250-563-8111 in order
NLFD AUTO LTD OPA PRINCE GEORGE MOTORS
Notice of Sale of Vehicle Pursuant to the Repairer’s Lien Act
1x56.0 R0011831037
Whereas JESSICA TURNER is indebted to PRINCE GEORGE FORD in the sum of $9981.85 for repairs completed and payable upon a 2007 FORD FUSION BEARING VIN 3FAHP07Z67R236896, this vehicle will be offered for sale on SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 at 1331 CENTRAL STREET, PRINCE GEORGE, BC.
Please contact MIKE at 250-563-8111 in order to place bids or to arrange
Install Siding, Then Raise Shed Walls
It’s not always possible, but if you’reusing 4x8-ft. sheet siding and have enoughhelpersaround to liftthe wall when you’redone, you can save time by sidingthe walls beforeyou raise them. Makesuretostraighten the wall plates and square the wallbymeasuring diagonallyfromcorner to corner making surethese measurements match, beforeyou nail on the siding. This is easier to do on awood shed floor because youcan tack the plates to the floor to hold the wall straight and squarewhile you installthe siding. Always secure/brace the walls, especially at end of the work day.
Keep Shed Framing Straight
Marketed by
Agood carpenter is constantly working to keep all the framingstraight. And all it takes is a string. Startingatthe floor,you can stretch astring along the concrete formsorrim joist and makeadjustments to straightenany deviations. Then do the same thing at the top of the walls, and finally when you set the roof trusses or ridge. Thetrick for learning howtobuild a storage shed is to stretch the line across ascrap of wood at each end so there’saspace between the line and the partyou’restraightening. On awall, for example, tack small scraps of 1/2-in plywood at each end of the top plate and stretch aline very tightly over the plywood. Then use athirdscrap as agaugetocheck the distance between the lineand the lumber. Use braces or whatever is needed to adjust the top plate until the gauge just fits. Now your top plate will be perfectlystraight.
2020 TRENDS
Tips for planning a major renovation
Do you want to remodel your home so it better suits the needs of your growing family? Or maybe you hope that a major upgrade will appeal to potential buyers? Regardless of your goals, here are a few things you should do to ensure your largescale renovation is a success.
• Determine your needs and establish a list of
priorities such as creating an open-concept living space or adding a second floor
• Settle on a maximum budget and reserve a portion of the amount for unexpected expenses
• Do some research to find out whether you qualify for any home renovation rebate programs
• Obtain all the necessary permits from your municipality before you begin any work
• Consult with and hire all needed professionals such as an architect, interior designer, general contractor and electrician
• Set a realistic timeframe in which to complete the work
• If needed, make arrangements for your family to live elsewhere during the renovations
Remember, when properly planned and completed by experienced professionals, most major home renovations offer a great return on investment.
Why glass partitions deserve a look
If you want to create designated spaces in your home without sacrificing the airiness of open-concept living, glass partitions offer a beautiful compromise.
This type of room divider helps block out noise while continuing to let in plenty of natural light. If you want to create an office space or reading nook in your living area, for example, such partitions are ideal. Alternatively, glass walls can be used to keep strong smells in the kitchen without obstructing sight lines.
From intricately etched panels to industrial steel frames, glass partitions can be incorporated into any style of home and customized to fit any space. Plus, they’re typically made of tempered glass, which means they won’t shatter into sharp pieces if they accidentally break.
To help you make the most of this practical and striking feature, consult an interior designer.
Elaine Kienzle
250 96 0-8769
elaine@elainekienzle.com aine@elain
Arare find! This extremely well maintained, fully finished townhome has the perfect end unit location where you can enjoy evening sunsets &views of trees in Westgate Park. An added bonus to the double garage is the RV parking spot (max 30’allowed). Features: aspacious open floor plan; huge kitchen with ample cupboards &greenhouse window; SGDtothe deck; LR has agas FP -2018;laundry on main; master bdrm with bay window; 3pce ens; fabulous great room over the gar; fully finished daylight basement 2013;main floor carpet 2013;deck 2015; roof 2019 (per Seller). Incl: fridge, stove, DW,blinds, BI vac. Westgate Place has no age restriction, but is adult oriented; allows either 1smalldog or 1cat;&has an event hall. This could be the lifestyle choice for you! See MLSR2466060 to view the video.
7 essential steps for painting kitchen cabinets
An effective and affordable way to freshen up your kitchen is to paint the cabinets. For great results, follow these seven steps.
1. REMOVE DOORS AND DRAWERS
Start by taking apart the cabinets so you can work on a flat surface. You should also remove all handles, hinges and other hardware. Be sure to number the doors and drawers so you know where each item goes when you reassemble the cabinets.
2. CLEAN EVERY
SURFACE
5. APPLY A COAT OF PRIMER
To remove fingerprints, grease and other residue, wipe down all components of the cabinets with a solution of warm water and liquid dish soap. Rinse thoroughly and let each surface dry completely before you move on to the next step.
3. LIGHTLY SAND EACH SURFACE
Remove the finish on the doors and cabinets using a sanding block with fine-grit paper. This will create a rough surface for the paint to grip. If the existing paint is peeling, you may need to start with a medium- or coarse-grit sandpaper and then finish with one that has a finer grain.
4. REMOVE ALL THE DUST
Sanding the cabinets will create wood dust, which needs to be removed to ensure a smooth paint job. Start by vacuuming up the loose particles, then wipe down each surface with a damp cloth. Allow the cabinets to dry completely.
Hardwood floors: repair or replace?
Have your hardwood floors seen better days? If the planks are dull, stained, damaged or creaky, you may be wondering if you should refinish them or simply start over. Here are some factors to consider before you decide.
REPAIR
An undercoat of primer helps ensure the paint’s adhesion. Be sure to apply it evenly to all surfaces. For a more eco-friendly option, choose a water-based product.
6. ADD TWO COATS OF PAINT
Once the primer dries completely, apply a thin coat of paint to the interior and exterior of the cabinets, doors and drawers. Make sure the paint flows into the corners of any raised features. Wait at least three hours for the paint to dry before you apply the second coat.
7. LET THE PAINT CURE
To ensure your cabinets are resistant to scratches and dents, wait a week or two for the paint to harden before you reinstall the doors and drawers.
Once your cabinets have been remounted, consider getting stylish hardware and light fixtures to enhance your kitchen’s new look. These elements will help define the space’s style.
If you like the look of your hardwood floors, you may be able to revive them. Sanding and varnishing as well as staining the wood can extend the lifespan of your floors by a few years. If the planks are warped or worn thin, however, they’re likely beyond repair. Similarly, if numerous damaged planks need to be replaced, you’re probably better off starting over.
REPLACE
If you’re in the mood for a change, installing new flooring is an opportunity to completely transform the look of your home. Plus, it will last for many years to come. It should also be noted that renovating old floors can take several days, whereas replacing them is a fairly quick process albeit more expensive.
If you’re still uncertain about whether to repair or replace them, ask a professional to evaluate the condition of your hardwood floors. He or she will be able to recommend a solution.
3 things you need to pour a concrete slab
Concrete is a durable and affordable material that can be used to build a patio or walkway on your property. Here’s what you need to successfully pour a concrete slab.
1. A STABLE BASE
Excavate a hole that’s the right dimensions for your project, then add a layer of compacted gravel that’s at least 10 centimetres deep. This facilitates soil drainage and will help prevent the slab from shifting and cracking when the ground freezes and thaws.
2. A STRONG FORM
A form is a framework that holds the liquid concrete in place to ensure it hardens in the desired shape. For best results, use straight wood
planks to build the form and firmly brace the sides. You should also reinforce the concrete with rebar to strengthen the slab and prevent cracking.
3. A STEADY HAND
When you pour the concrete, make sure it seeps into every crevice. Once the form is filled, you’ll need to remove air bubbles and smooth out the surface of the slab with a bull float and trowel. Allow the con crete to harden overnight before you carefully remove the form.
Keep in mind that pouring concrete can be a challenge, particularly for large-scale projects like a garage floor. To ensure the job is done correctly, leave it to the professionals.
3 ways to display your wine bottles
If you want to display your wine collection, here are three simple ways to showcase it.
1. ON A BAR CART
Opt for a cart made of reclaimed wood or with an industrial metal frame. Lay out an assortment of bottles and glasses to create a look that’s as stylish as it is functional. Make sure your bar cart is on wheels so you can entertain in any room in your home.
2. IN A HUTCH
Traditionally used to display dishware, this classic piece of dining room furniture can also be used to exhibit your wine collection. Choose one with plenty of space and open shelving to highlight
bottles, decanters and glassware. You’ll also want your hutch to have drawers and cabinets as these are helpful for storing bar tools and accessories.
3. ON A MOUNTED RACK
From simple metal pegs to elaborate wood shelving, you can display your wine collection by hanging it from a wall-mounted rack. You can choose either a vertical or horizontal model and select a style that suits your decor.
Keep in mind that the ideal temperature for storing all wines, red or white, is around seven to 12 degrees Celsius (45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, it’s best to keep bottles out of direct sunlight.
If you have a baby on the way, you’ll probably want to think about creating a nursery. Here are five design elements to incorporate into the room.
1. A SOFT, NEUTRAL PALETTE
Create a soothing space with light tones and pastel colours. Options like seafoam green, lavender and cream are lovely alternatives to the traditional pale pink and baby blue. Be sure to use eco-friendly paint that doesn’t contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
2. A DURABLE FLOOR
Favour strong materials like bamboo, cork and vinyl that will provide a comfortable play surface for your infant. Avoid flooring with a glossy finish as it will highlight every scratch and imperfection. A soft rug makes a nice addition to the space, and there are colours and designs for every taste.
3. AN ERGONOMIC CHAIR
A comfortable place to feed, soothe and read to your baby is essential. Opt for a rocking chair, glider or
5 components of a cosy nursery
simply one with sufficient padding. For those 3 a.m. wake-up calls, treat yourself to a rocking ottoman as well so you’ll have a place to rest your feet.
4. A VERSATILE CHANGING TABLE
An increasing number of vendors now offer multi-purpose changing tables that double as a dresser or bookcase. In addition to being an attractive piece of furniture, you’ll have plenty of storage space for clothes and toys as your child gets older.
5. A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP
Before you purchase a new or second-hand crib, make sure it adheres to the latest government safety standards. This includes having a tight-fitting mattress and bars that are no more than six centimetres apart. You should also be aware that drop-side cribs are a hazard and their sale is prohibited.
For the finishing touches, install a roller shade or thick curtains to make nap time easier. You should also include a few lighting options such as a ceiling light, table lamp and nightlight.
How to hang a mirror
A mirror can add light, depth and elegance to a room. Here are a few tips for a quick and easy installation.
USE THE RIGHT HARDWARE
Drywall, wood and brick require different types of anchors to support a mirror. You’ll also need to consider the mirror’s size and weight when determining the kind and quantity of hooks to use. For a frameless mirror, you can mount clips or use a strong adhesive.
WATCH THE WEIGHT!
Keep in mind that some mirrors are too heavy for drywall, even with a large anchor. If your mirror weighs more than 50 kilograms, you’ll need to secure it to a stud.
FIND THE RIGHT SPOT
Use a measuring tape and level to determine the ideal location to hang your mirror. Opt for a height that’s at eye level for most adult members of your household. Avoid hanging a mirror opposite a window that gets direct sunlight as this can create a blinding reflection. Take your time to mark the spot for each nail or screw with a pencil.
Once you’ve chosen a location and installed the hardware, carefully hang your mirror. Make sure it’s secure before you let go, then step back and enjoy the view.
Choosing the right tile
Not all tiles are the same. In fact, each type has its own characteristics that make it well suited for some spaces and less than ideal for others. Here’s what you should know before you start your next tiling project.
CERAMIC
The durability of a ceramic tile depends on its PEI rating, which measures the surface enamel’s resistance to abrasion. Class 1 and 2 tiles are lightweight options perfect for shower walls and backsplashes. On floors, however, you’ll need at least a class 3 tile to avoid cracking the surface.
PORCELAIN
This material is available in a wide range of styles and can be made to look like just about any type of flooring. Porcelain is highly resistant to damage, stains and moisture, which makes it a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens and entryways.
NATURAL STONE
From marble and slate to granite and limestone, there’s no denying the elegance of stone tiles. However, the porous texture of certain types makes them harder to clean and more susceptible to scratching. To prevent water damage and stains, you’ll need to regularly apply a high-quality sealant.
GLASS
While not recommended for floors, glass tiles can be used to create a mosaic-styled backsplash in the kitchen or an accent piece around a bathtub. Using the material can brighten up a room as glass reflects light and pairs wonderfully with natural surfaces like wood and stone.
Once you’ve selected your tiles, leave installation to the professionals. Their experience allows them to work efficiently, waste fewer materials and create unique designs.
8223 St.John $465,000 MLS R2482805
wic, ensuitewith
Unwind on a daybed
This 4bedroom, 3bathroom home on a1/4 acrelot is avery desirable home Lots of updatesdone.2inch styrofoam wrapped around the whole home and then newsiding installed. All new windows and doors. Newfurnacein 2017,new hot watertank in 2019,roof done in 2005. The16’7x38’9 attached pull through garage is the man of the house’sdream space, even comes with radiant heatand 2electric doors. Perfect forRVortrailer parking. This home is suretoplease
This exceptional house in the desirable Woodlands subdivision is astunner.With 2 beds upstairs and awalk-in closet in masterand spa-likeensuite. 2entries through the garage, one intothe laundry and one intothe entryway makethis an ease to bring in groceries. The customkitchen boasts high glosscontemporary whitecabinets and quartz counters with agas stove and anicegreyisland. Thefully Finished 2bedroom basement with large
Nothing left to do but move in and enjoy!
If you want an elegant piece of furniture built for lounging, consider including a daybed in your home decor. This trendy item offers a number of advantages.
A cross between a couch, single bed and chaise longue, the daybed is a versatile piece of furniture. It’s equally great as a spot for sitting, sleeping or curling up with a book.
Plus, a daybed is just as stylish as it is functional. Available in a wide variety of materials and styles, it can tie in with nearly any design esthetic. Use yours to create a private retreat or an inviting area for guests.
This multipurpose piece of furniture can be used to optimize your living space without having to compromise on decor. To find the right daybed for your home, visit a furniture store in your area.
This well kept family home in an idyllic neighbourhood has only had twoowners. Alarge masterwith awalk-in closet and ensuitetomatch.The flex room in the basement could easily be made intoa4th bedroom and the bath has all of the hook up forashower.
3 reasons to consider an induction cooktop
Are you in the market for a new stove? If so, here are three benefits of opting for an induction cooktop or range.
1. RAPID COOKING
Powered by electricity, an electromagnetic field beneath the glass cooktop transfers a current to the pot or pan. This efficient process directly heats up the cookware rather than warming a burner which then transfers heat to the pot. Keep in mind that the cookware must contain a ferromagnetic metal like stainless steel or cast iron to work.
2. EASY CLEANING
Since the glass cooktop doesn’t have a hot burner, stray food and spills won’t get burned to the stove. This makes
cleanup a lot less strenuous. However, you should wait a few minutes before you wipe down the surface as the pot will have transferred heat onto the cooktop.
3. CONSISTENT HEATING
Induction ranges and cooktops provide consistent heat, even at their lowest setting, and allow you to make accurate temperature adjustments. Plus, since the cookware is heated directly, no energy is lost in the transfer from burner to pot.
One additional thing to keep in mind about induction stoves is that they draw a fair amount of power. For this reason, you’ll need to determine whether your circuit breaker has the adequate rating. If you’re unsure, consult a licensed electrician.
