PRINCE GEORGE
HOMELESS ADVOCATE SUGGESTS TINY HOMES COULD HELP – PAGE 15
City slapped with CN crossing bill
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
The taxpayers of Prince George are on the hook for more than $100,000 to upgrade the safety features at a railway crossing on Otway Road.
CN Rail is planning to install gates, bells, flashing lights and a constant warning time system at the crossing, located 4.2 kilometres northwest of Foothills Boulevard, acting director of civic operations Blake McIntosh told city council.
The roughly half-million-dollar project is expected to be finished this month, he said.
“A constant warning device is necessary to detect varying train speed for the new system to provide consistent warning time to motorists approaching the crossing. The addition of gates will further improve the overall safety at the crossing by reducing driver complacency and address existing roadway geometry and sightline concerns,” McIntosh wrote in his report to city council. “In 2019, the same system was installed at both the east Otway Road crossing and the Wilson Park access crossing as part on CN’s rail line twinning project.”
A CN Rail train approaches a railway crossing on Otway Road. The City
than $100,000 to upgrade the crossing. See THIS on page 3
SEX CRIME LEADS TO FOUR-YEAR SENTENCE
A man found guilty of confining and sexually interfering with a seven-year old-boy a decade ago was sentenced last Friday to four years in prison. His name cannot be published under a court-ordered publication ban against information that could identify the victim Crown prosecution had been seeking
up to five years, while defence counsel argued for three years in a federal prison or, alternately, two years less a day in a provincial jail followed by probation of up to three years, the maximum allowed for time served in a provincial institution.
According to a brief summary when submissions on sentencing were given earlier
this month, the man was in an extended stay with the boy’s mother and effectively acting as a stepfather
In August 2011, the man had been supervising the boy and his younger sister while their mother was at work. The court heard he had tied up both children and forced the boy to perform a sexual act on him.
The man, who was found guilty after a B.C. Supreme Court trial in Prince George, denies the acts and maintains his innocence. In a statement to the court, the boy’s father said his son continues to suffer nightmares and day terrors as a result. The allegations were first reported to police three years ago.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY ARTHUR WILLAMS
of Prince George is being hit with a bill for more
WHAT:
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
City Council consideration of applications:
•Proposed amendments to “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007”
•TemporaryUse Permit Application No. TU000067
WHEN:
6:00 p.m., Monday, March 22, 2021
WHERE:
Council ChambersofCity Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC
PROPOSALS:
1. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9172, 2020”
Applicant: Chad Harveyfor Teya Contracting Inc., Inc. No. BC1029637
Subject Property: 443 Melville Avenue
BylawNo. 9172, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject property from RT1: Two-Unit Residential to RS4: Urban Residential, as shown on Appendix “A”toBylawNo. 9172, 2020.
The purpose of this application is to facilitate the construction of asingle-detachedhouse on the subject property,orother uses, pursuant to the proposed RS4: Urban Residential zoning designation(s).
The proposed Bylawapplies to the property legally described as Lot 5, Block 61, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below
Location Map #1
2. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9167, 2020”
Applicant: Finger Prints Learning Centre Ltd. for Kathed Holdings Ltd., Inc. No. BC0552130
Subject Property: 7092 Domano Boulevard
BylawNo. 9167, 2020 proposes to amend Section 11.6.2 of the “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007” by adding “Community Care Facility,Major” as aprincipal use to C6: Highway Commercial zone on the subject property
The purpose of this application is for asite specific text amendment to facilitate the expansion of an existing child care program to allow adaycare for thirteen (13) or more persons on the subject property
The proposed Bylawapplies to the property legally described as Lot 3, District Lot 754, Cariboo District, Plan 23130, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #2 above.
Location Map #2 7092 Domano Boulevard
3. TemporaryUse Permit Application No. TU000067
Applicant: PG Pups Ltd. on behalf of 0759517 B.C. Ltd., Inc. No. BC0759517
Subject Property: 681 Ongman Road
The purpose of the proposed permit is to allow adog daycare and pet grooming services on the subject property.The proposed services will be located in an existing tenancy of an industrial building on the subject property
The subject property is currently zoned M2: General Industrial, which does not permit “service, pet grooming and daycare”. In accordance with the Local Government Act,TemporaryUse Permits can allow ause not permitted by azoning Bylaw. These permits mayonly be issued for amaximum of three (3) yearsand mayberenewedonce for an additional three (3) years.
The proposed TemporaryUse Permit applies to the property legally described as Lot 2, District Lot 1574, Cariboo District, Plan 23248, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #3 below
Location Map #3 681 Ongman Road
HOWCAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?
Residents are invited to provide comment in writing
As aresult of the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council at their meeting held April 6, 2020 passed aresolution to discontinue informal hearings for Bylaws, and all other applications where such hearings are not legally required to be held.
Pursuant to Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act,City Council has waived the requirements for aPublic Hearing to be held respecting proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 9172, 2020 and Zoning Amendment BylawNo. 9167, 2020 during the Regular Council Meeting held Monday, February22, 2021.
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
In accordance with ordersofthe Provincial Health Officer related to gatherings and events, membersofthe public are not permitted to attend City Council meetings and Public Hearings. These meetings are live streamed on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca and the recordings are archived for viewing at anytime.
Residents are encouraged to provide written comments to Council to be included in the Council meeting agenda package and available for public viewing on the City’swebsite.
Forsubmissions to be included on the agenda for Council’sreviewinadvance of the meeting date, theymust be received by the Corporate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m., Monday, March 22, 2021,will be provided to Council on the dayofthe meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.
Submissions maybesent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250) 561-0183, mailed or delivered to the address noted below
Please note that written submissions for all applications will formpartofthe Council agenda, become public record and are posted on the City’swebsite. By making awritten submission you are consenting to the disclosure of anypersonal information that you provide.
Authority
Personal information 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). Forinformation 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 March 10, 2021. These documents mayalso be reviewedatthe Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on March 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 22, 2021, between the hoursof 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?
Formore information, please contact Development Services in person, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to devserv@princegeorge.ca.
REQUEST FOR COMMENT
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAWNO. 8383, 2011 AMENDMENT BYLAWNO. 9156, 2020
Subject Property –4500 Ospika Boulevard
The City of Prince George is considering an amendment to the City of Prince George Official Community Plan (OCP) BylawNo. 8383, 2011 to amend Schedule B-6: Future Land Use to facilitate the development of a256-unit apartment complex on the subject property.This application to amend the OCP also includes arezoning application (BylawNo. 9157, 2020).
Please visit the City of Prince George website at www.princegeorge.ca/landuse for more detailed information.
The City requests written comment from anyperson, organization, or agencies that maybe affected by this amendment to the OCP.Please forward anywritten submissions by April 9, 2021 by 5:00 pm to the Development Services Division at 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George V2L 3V9, Fax: 561-7721, Email: devserv@princegeorge.ca
Tel. (250) 561-7600 •Fax (250) 612-5605 •1100 Patricia Boulevard,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L 3V9 311@princegeorge.ca
Visit princegeorge.cafor information about City services and operations. Youcan even subscribe to receiveinformation directly to your inbox. Visit news.princegeorge.ca/subscribe to select the categories thatmattertoyou.
JOHN TO STAND TRIAL FOR SEX CHARGES
Indigenous leader Ed John has been ordered to stand trial on sex charges dating back more than 45 years.
The order was issued last Thursday following a preliminary inquiry, held to determine if there is enough evidence to have a trial.
The inquiry was held in provincial court in Prince George and the trial will be held in B.C. Supreme Court, with the dates still to be determined.
John faces four counts of rape - the term then used for what is now known as sexual assault - alleged to have occurred between
March 1 and Sept. 15, 1974 in Prince George, Cluculz Lake and Fraser Lake, and involving one person, whose name is protected by a court-ordered publication ban.
John has pleaded not guilty and chose to have the case heard before a jury.
John is a former leader of the First Nations Summit and former B.C. cabinet minister. He is also a hereditary chief of Tl’azt’en Nation in northern B.C. and a lawyer who holds honorary doctor of laws degrees from the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Victoria.
Hart apartment complex proposed
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
A Prince George-based developer is looking to build a trio of rental apartment buildings in the Hart, near the intersection of Chief Lake Road and Sparwood Road.
The Sparwood Landing development would include three low-rise apartment buildings with 43 units per building, Kidd Real Estate Holdings president Bruce Kidd said.
The buildings will be fully accessible and feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites.
“There hasn’t been a new apartment in the Hart in a long time. There has been new apartments in College Heights and the Bowl, but not the Hart,” Kidd said. “We feel there are a lot of people who are looking for these kinds of suites, but want to stay
in the Hart.”
Kidd’s company will be going before city council in the coming weeks to seek a rezoning to allow the development on the roughly-triangular, 16-acre parcel of land located behind the existing homes on Chief Lake Road, Sparwood Road and Greenwood Street. Access to the apartments would be from a road connecting to Chief Lake and Sparwood roads.
In addition to the buildings, planned to be built out in three phases, the proposal includes two kilometres of trails, a public skating rink, pond, four-hole disc golf course, off-leash dog park, events area and community garden plots.
If city council approves the rezoning, construction on the project could begin within a year or two, Kidd said.
The site has already been cleared.
‘This really bothers me’
from page 1
CN Rail received a federal grant to cover half the cost of the upgrade, required under new Transport Canada regulations.
As the authority responsible for the roadway, the City of Prince George is required to pay for half of the remaining cost of the project – estimated to be $118,000 to $132,250, McIntosh said.
In addition, the city’s monthly maintenance cost for the crossing will rise from $296 a month, to $326 per month.
The city pays to maintain a total of 11 rail crossings, McIntosh said.
“In layman’s terms, the railway was there before the roadway, so they have jurisdictional control,” McIntosh said
Because the upgrade is not a city asset, the cost has to be a treated as an operational expense and need to be funded out of the city’s operational contingency budget, McIntosh explained in his report to council.
“I am concerned that an entity can demand we pay 50 per cent of a project,” Coun. Cori Ramsay said. “To be in
the month of March, and having to use $130,000 from our contingency it’s not fair, frankly.”
Coun. Brian Skakun said CN Rail has seen a significant growth in traffic to and from the Port of Prince Rupert, and the city could end up having to pay half of the cost for significant rail crossing upgrades.
“They apply for a federal grant and get it, and we have to pony up for the rest? It just seems strange to me,” Skakun said “From my perspective, we need to sit down with CN. There is going to be a huge amount of traffic going west. It’s going to gum up some of these intersections.”
Coun. Kyle Sampson said taxpayers shouldn’t be building infrastructure for highly-profitable private companies.
“I think it’s important railway safety, I do appreciate that part,” Sampson said “(But) I really have no interest in supporting their capital projects. It’s not acceptable. This really bothers me.”
City council voted to refer the matter to the city’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions, to raise the issue at the federal level.
Vanderhoof man guilty of manslaughter
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For a second time, a jury has found a Vanderhoof man guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of his fiancee
The verdict for Kayne Sabbe Penner was issued Saturday following a 10-day trial in B.C Supreme Court at the Prince George courthouse. A hearing on sentencing is
scheduled for May 30.
The outcome stems from the Dec 20, 2012 shooting death of April Johnson, 18. Penner was handling a .22-calibre semiautomatic rifle within the confines of his cousin’s trailer home in the community west of Prince George when it went off. The bullet struck Johnson in the stomach and she later died in hospital.
In March 2017, a jury found Penner guilty
of the same count and, in September 2017, he was sentenced to four years in prison. But in March 2019, the B.C. Court of Appeal ordered a new trial over concerns about the charge the trial judge issued to the jury prior to deliberations.
During the first trial, the court heard that the rifle had been leaning against the home’s kitchen counter with the safety off when Penner picked it up. Although told
it was unloaded, Penner later told police he was “checking it” and, in a video of the interview, he was seen motioning as if he was pulling back the rifle’s slide to check the chamber
Penner said he did not see a bullet in the chamber but, as he was holding it horizontally, it went off. Johnson, who was getting ready to go target shooting, was standing by the home’s door a short distance away
Invasive species showing up in aquariums
The B.C. environment ministry is asking aquarium owners to check for signs of an invasive species in their tanks.
A weekend inspection of more than 600 aquatic pet and plant stores by conservation officers uncovered zebra mussels in moss balls at locations in Terrace and the Lower Mainland, the ministry said in a bulletin.
The mussel is a highly invasive species and poses a major threat if released into a B.C. waterway, the ministry says.
“The tiny mussels can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems, salmon populations, hydro power stations and other facilities
because they multiply rapidly and are extremely difficult to eradicate,” the ministry said.
The moss balls, which are often sold as marimo moss balls, are species of green algae typically purchased for aquariums to improve water quality.
Moss balls can also be purchased through online outlets.
Reports of mussel-infested moss balls have cropped up across western Canada and several U.S. states.
“The COS is working with ministry science experts, Canadian and U.S. counterparts, industry retailers and distributors to help prevent any potential spread of
invasive zebra mussels. To date, there has been no reported introduction of live zebra mussels into B.C. lakes or waterways,” the bulletin said.
Anyone who finds zebra mussels can call the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1 877 952-7277 to report their discovery.
Moss balls can be safely disposed of by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and putting them in a freezer for at least 24 hours, or by placing them in boiling water for at least one full minute and then let cool.
After this, place the moss ball and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag and
dispose in the trash.
Do not flush moss balls down the toilet or put them in the compost.
Once the moss balls have been removed from the aquarium, do not dispose of untreated thank water by pouring it down the drain or any residential water system or waterway
Sterilize the remaining contaminated water by adding 25 millilitres of bleach per litre of water.
Let the water sit for at least 15 minutes before disposing it down a household drain.
Disinfect the tanks, as well as all accessories.
DOLLAR STORE STAFF THREATENED WITH KNIFE
A 51-year-old woman is facing charges after allegedly threatening staff at a local dollar store with a knife.
Theresa Joseph is facing charges of robbery, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, uttering threats and obstructing a police officer in relation to the incident last Wednesday
At 3:30 p.m., police were called to London Drugs where Joseph was allegedly committing a theft after having allegedly threatened staff at the Dollar Tree store next door.
“Members approached the female and identified her from previous interactions as 51-year-old Theresa Joseph,” Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cst. Jennifer Cooper said. “Police arrested Ms. Joseph for theft and transported her to the Prince George RCMP Detachment where she remained until her first court appearance.”
Police found a folding knife in Joseph’s possession, which matched the description of the weapon used to threaten staff at the dollar store. The investigation in the incident is ongoing.
Getreadytorentyourproperty:Freeonlinecourseforlandlords
Positive,honest, open communication is keyto anysuccessful relationship. It’s also paramountto maintaining that relationship over time be it with aspouse, friend,orevenatenant.
Yes, there is suchathingasalandlord-tenantrelationship.And fora landlord, it’sintheir best interest to keep thatrapport entirely amicable long after theinitial honeymoon phase.
“The best waytoestablish thatcommunication is rightatthe beginningoftherelationship,”saysHunterBoucher,directorof operationsfor theindustry association LandlordBC.
“Quiteoften, we find at the beginning of atenancy that things aregoing well,”Bouchersays. “Everyone is happy. You’ve got the placerented, and youknowtherewill be income coming in—often to help coverthatmortgage. That’s when alot of things can be missed, likecommunicating what your expectations arefor thattenancy.”
Often,this comes down to alack of education on what is required from both parties legally,beyond the primary rental transaction.The biggest mistakea landlordcan make is notbeing informed about their legal obligations and those of the tenant
Bouchersays that’sunderstandablebecause, on the surface, it all seems straightforward. Youhaveaplace to rent to someone, and youunderstand thebasicsofit.
“It’saboutunderstanding some ofthe nuances.Those nuances can be quitesignificant in termsofhow youoperate, and how successful youcan be and howsustainable,”Boucher stresses.
LandlordBChelps preparelandlords and propertymanagers fornavigating the provinciallegislative actsgoverning the rental marketthroughits education programs.
As Boucherexplainsit, therealhurdle tobecomingalandlord is purchasingtheproperty.With thatdone, it’seasytogetstarted with no experience.Andthat’swhenthings cangowrong
Even though the business—and it is abusiness,evenifyou’re rentingoutabasementsuite—is regulatedbythegovernment, thereisnorequired education to becomealandlord.That makes it challengingtoseek out trustworthy resources and understand allthe implications
“Itreallycomes downtohaving acoreknowledge of what we call Landlord101, which is meanttorootpeople in that understandingthatitisabusiness, and it is abusiness thatis legislated andregulated,”Boucherexplains.
“Thereare fewpiecesoflegislation thatapplyto it,such as the Residential Tenancy Act, the Personal Information Protection Act, and the HumanRights Code. Those arethe three primary pieces that we go over in 101.”
This spring, the association is offering the Landlord102 course, whichdelvesdeeperfromtheintroductorycourseandwillbepresentedthroughafree,daylong,onlineeducationeventonApril8.
“It’sgoing to startwith understanding those rights andresponsibilities thatpeople have and communicating them from the beginning. We’regoing to go through the full lifecycle of a tenancy frombeginning to edand look at some of the scenarios that canarise during them,”Bouchersays.
Most tenancies, Boucher emphasizes,will be positive if landlords put the work into it upfrontand maintain it so when it
does come to an end, it comes in away thatworks well for everyoneinvolved.Long-termtenanciesarebeneficialforboth the landlord and the renter,but the reality is thatpeopledo move on forvariousreasons.The endgameistoavoid ending atenancyacrimoniously,something thatisn’tgoodforanyone.
“It’sapotentiallycostlyandconfrontationalprocess. It’s stressful foreveryone involved,”Boucher says
Thecourse will address difficultsituations wherecommunication breaks down and maynot be restored andinform people what tools there aretoresolve those issues. Boucher says people often makemistakes or rasher decisions when they aren’taware of all the options. Theremight be easier ways, or theremight be mutually advantageous ways to resolve the situation, he advises.
To register forthe upcoming free April 8seminar or discover additional resourcesand educational opportunities for landlords and property managers, visit: www.landlordbc.ca
Northern Health denies lawsuit claims
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Northern Health is denying an Indigenous couple’s allegation that health care providers used racial stereotypes and failed to provide emergency care before the death of their baby.
Sarah Morrison and Ronald Luft are suing the authority, as well as several doctors and Kitimat General Hospital and Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, over the January 27 event
In part, the complainants and defendants differ over the health of the baby when they arrived at KGH that evening after Morrison began experiencing contraction pain.
In their notice of claim, the couple said a nurse advised them that a fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute was detected and was then recorded in the medical records provided to them.
But in a response filed March 5, Northern Health said the nurse spent several minutes trying to find a heart beat “At one point, there was a brief five-second pick-up for a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, but it was faint and the signal was not very
clear,” Northern Health said. It said the nurse then left to find the on-call doctor and to retrieve a test from the supply room to confirm a leakage of amniotic fluid.
The doctor and the nurse returned to the room the couple was in and the doctor told them he needed to assess Morrison to determine whether she could deliver at KGH or not. The hospital can support lowrisk deliveries only and patients in need of higher-level care are sent to Mills Memorial in Terrace, Northern Health said.
When the doctor told them he needed to assess Morrison, Luft “began to yell and alleged that the patients were being refused service.” The couple left before the nurse could administer the test, Northern Health said.
In their notice of claim, the couple said they called an ambulance to take them to MMH but balked when told they would have to pay for the trip themselves. Instead, they contacted Morrison’s father, who drove them to MMH, about a 45-minute trip.
In the response, Northern Health said
BUILDING PERMIT NUMBERS STRONG
the ambulance carrying the couple pulled up to the ambulance bay at KGH where an emergency nurse told Morrison she was welcome to be assessed at KGH. But they did not reenter the hospital and instead left in a private vehicle
Northern Health said Morrison was assessed upon arrival at MMH but a fetal heart rate could not be found and doctors eventually determined the baby was no longer alive. A few hours later, Morrison delivered a stillborn baby
The couple maintained “no meaningful attempts” were made to save their daughter despite Morrison’s concerns and pleas to medical staff. Morrison “begged” for a caesarean section to save her baby, but a staff member allegedly told her “he did not see the point and it was not in her best interest for future pregnancies.”
Coral-Lee Edith Cheryl Luft, weighing seven pounds eight ounces, was born Jan. 27, 2021.
“The baby was washed and wrapped in a blanket and given to Sarah. No attempts to resuscitate the baby were made,” the lawsuit alleges.
The value of building permits in the city continued strong, with a more than 300 per cent increase in the value of permits issued in February, compared to February 2020.
The city issued a total of 26 building permits in February, worth an estimated $6.36 million according to a report to city council on Monday In February last year, the city issued 17
Simply Breathe
While no information was collected from them, the couple’s statement of claim alleges that staff included racial stereotyping in Morrison’s medical records, such as that she was in an abusive relationship, her parents were alcoholics and that she was depressed.
The statement of claim alleges those inaccurate records influenced how medical staff treated her
In specific response, Northern Health said the information referenced came from an antenatal record, a questionnaire to detect mothers and babies at risk, and was not completed by staff at either hospital.
Northern Health said the questions posed and charted by its employees were appropriate and that they acted in accordance with standard practice and without racial stereotyping.
The couple is suing for general and special damages.
Both hospitals are named in Northern Health’s response. The physicians and nurse named in the couple’s lawsuit have not yet filed responses and the allegations have not been tested in court.
permits with a combined value of $1.83 million.
Over the first two months of the year, the city issued a total of 58 permits worth a combined $17.88 million. That compares to 56 permits worth an estimated $9.53 million in the same period in 2020 and 64 permits worth a combined $16.13 million in the first two months of 2019.
Pair faces charges for stolen SUV
Two people are facing charges after being arrested in the seat of an SUV stolen only hours before, according to a statement issued by the Prince George RCMP.
At 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, Prince George RCMP received a report of a Nissan Pathfinder having been stolen.
The owners reported that they had left the vehicle running with the keys in the ignition while they went back inside to get a jacket.
When they came back outside, the vehicle had been stolen.
Just after 9 p.m. an RCMP officer on patrol in the VLA area spotted a vehicle
matching the description of the stolen SUV pull out of a driveway.
The officer followed the vehicle until it stopped at a business in the 1700 block of Strathcona Avenue.
Once the vehicle stopped, the officer pulled up and arrested the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
Gordon Laliberte, 40, and Virginia Denning, 37, are both facing charges of possession of stolen property.
Laliberte is also facing charges for driving while prohibited.
The pair are back in the community on a release order until their next court appearance at the end of March.
AIRPORT HOPES TO GET PROVINCIAL FUNDS
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Prince George Airport Authority will be making a pitch for a share of $16.7 million the provincial government has committed to helping regional airports survive the coming year.
With 57 airports across B.C. vying for a portion, competition will be stiff but PGAA CEO Gordon Duke is welcoming a chance to secure some of the cash as he seeks ways to recover from the blow the COVID-19 pandemic has delivered Traffic through the airport and the revenue it generates has plummeted. Yearend figures show a 64 per cent drop in the number of passengers who passed through the terminal in 2020
Revenue from airport improvement fees took a proportionate drop and overall revenues fell 42 per cent.
“We’re thrilled that the government of B.C. has heard the voices of airports and the aviation sector and is stepping forward to help us out,” Duke said.
Duke said PGAA will play up its importance in delivering patients from across northern B.C. to University Hospital of Northern B.C.
“We have been pretty busy in that regard,” he said.
The airport will also note that it’s home to two RCMP aircraft and is an important hub during wildfire season.
Going forward, Duke said it will be some time yet - even a matter of years - before
the airport is truly back on its feet.
“Barring any dramatic recovery, we’re anticipating that 2021 will be worse as far as passenger numbers are concerned than 2020,” Duke said.
Duke said that airports across Canada need direct support from the federal government in order to stave off major increases to the fees they charge to passengers as they struggle to work off their debts
If they get too high, Duke predicted that many passengers will simply drive down to the United States and fly out of those airports as a cheaper alternative
“We need operational support now so that we’re not incurring more debt and that coming out of COVID, we’re able to
provide Canadians with connectivity and at a reasonable price so that we can be that economic driver that the airports are,” Duke said.
He said PGAA has remained committed to keeping as many employees as possible on its payroll.
“We haven’t filled any open positions, however... we’ve got a really solid welltrained team here,” Duke said. “If we started eliminating jobs and then in two years we’re looking to fill them, you’ve got an experience gap there that is hard to fill just because of the unique nature of airport operations.”
The money committed by the province is meant to support operations from next month until March 2022
Local company lands $37.7 million road contract
Prince George-based Enviro-Ex Contracting Ltd. has been awarded a $37.7-million contract to rebuild and realign a portion of West Fraser Road south of Quesnel that was washed out during flooding in the spring of 2018.
Work is to begin next month, the provincial government said, and will include a two-lane bridge over Narcosli Creek, while 5.6 kilometres of paved two-lane road will be constructed on a new alignment on the
east side of the creek.
Scheduled for completion by fall 2023, the section will bypass the active slide areas along the washed-out portions.
?Esdilagh First Nation has an agreement with the ministry to clear the site in preparation for major road construction. The logging work began in February.
As well, the banks of Narcosli Creek will be protected with riprap (large rocks) to prevent further damage from the coming
spring freshet, and that work is underway through hired local equipment.
In April 2018, high water from the spring freshet caused Narcosli Creek to erode five sections of West Fraser Road on the west side of the Fraser River, about 17 kilometres south of Quesnel.
The road had to be closed due to the severe damage.
Up to 150 vehicles a day normally use West Fraser Road to access the ?Esdilagh
First Nation community, ranches, logging activities, farming lands and local residences. Since the washout, people have used a detour route via the Garner and Webster Lake road system, which has added significant travel time.
Upon completion of the project, Emergency Management BC will submit a claim to the federal government for partial reimbursement through Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.
More jail time for firearms offences
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Prince George man with a “drug-induced fascination with firearms” has been sentenced to a further six months in jail followed by two-and-ahalf years probation in relation to the discovery of two rifles, one loaded with a prohibited magazine, following a traffic stop.
In all, David Michael O’Neill, 34, was sentenced to nearly two years and eight months in jail but received credit of two years two months for time served in custody prior to sentencing.
O’Neill was arrested on Aug. 15, 2019, when Prince George RCMP’s street crew unit pulled over a vehicle at First Avenue and Ospika Boulevard shortly after midnight. Police found break-in tools on O’Neill, a breach of his probation from a previous offence, and a further search uncovered the the rifles in the trunk of the vehicle as well as a loaded magazine in the passenger area.
O’Neill eventually pleaded guilty to seven counts from the arrest as well as a count of failing to appear in court while out on bail.
Defence counsel argued for two years less a day followed by probation while Crown had been seeking three-and-a-half years in jail
In issuing a decision on sentencing, Provincial Court Judge Michael Brecknell found O’Neill’s actions at the time of the offence made defence counsel’s position untenable while his behaviour since then warranted a tempering of what Crown had been proposing.
Brecknell noted O’Neill was high on methamphetamine at the time of his arrest and found a pattern of “drug induced fascination with firearms” in two past firearms-related offences for which he had served time
O’Neill had told the author of a pre-sentence report that whenever he is high on the drug, he becomes agitated and paranoid, causing him to turn to carrying
TEMPORARY MAILBOX
INSTALLED FOR RESIDENTS ON NORTH KELLY ROAD
The trip to collect the mail is now a lot shorter for about 30 North Kelly Road residents.
For nearly three months, they have had to travel to the post office downtown after door-to-door service was stopped over safety concerns.
But as of this week, a new community mailbox is now in place on Venter Road. It’s a compromise that Joyce Miller can live with.
“I’d like my mail to come to my door of course, but as an alternative, I guess the next best is what they’re doing,” said Miller, who received her keys and notice on Thursday.
Miller is housebound due to COVID
and relies on the mail to receive her bills. She had been relying on a neighbour to pick up her mail from the downtown post office.
Miller said she was told the Venter Road location is only temporary while Canada Post looks for a more permanent spot, likely somewhere along North Kelly Road, which Miller said is confusing given the safety concerns raised about the road.
In an email, Canada Post spokesperson Nicole Lecompte confirmed the Venter Road spot is temporary “I’m unable to confirm the permanent community mailbox location at this point in time,”
Lecompte said.
firearms to feel safe and protected.
That gained no traction with Brecknell who said the guns and ammunition represented “something far more sinister” than the safety O’Neill claimed he was seeking.
Even though the loaded rifle was in the trunk, Brecknell said O’Neill was “mere seconds” away from opening the trunk, grabbing the weapon and opening fire
But Brecknell also noted that O’Neill appears to have turned a corner in the time since then, although his behaviour has not been perfect.
While initially in custody, O’Neill had lived in the so-called “sober” unit at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre and participated in several programs and received a number of certificates.
In June 2020, he was released on bail with the stipulation he reside at a local recovery centre.
But by the next month he had left, saying he did so because other residents were overdosing on drugs. H
e then failed to notify his bail supervisor
UNBC
and failed to appear in court for sentencing on the matter at hand.
O’Neill was rounded up in late August 2020 and has remained in custody since then.
However, Brecknell also noted that once back in custody, O’Neill began receiving treatment and medication for a previously-undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues that include post traumatic stress disorder Brecknell also found he has supports in place for living a more stable life once out of custody
At a hearing on sentencing, O’Neill apologized and took responsibility for his actions. He also noted that his time in custody was the first time he has been able to address the issues he has been facing.
Conditions of his probation include a curfew for the first year and a requirement that he take counselling and programming as directed by his probation officer He must also complete 50 hours of community work at a pace of at least two hours per month.
to hold virtual convocation
For a second consecutive year, the University of Northern British Columbia will hold a “virtual convocation” for its graduating class due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
It is set for June 25 and the format will be similar to last year’s version.
Details will be released on the UNBC website at at www.unbc.ca/convocation.
“Even though vaccinations are happening throughout B.C., it’s still not safe for us to hold large gatherings on campus,” said UNBC interim president and chancellor Geoff Payne “
We must continue to be diligent in following public safety protocols to stop the spread of the disease. The health and safety of our students, graduates, staff and faculty are of utmost concern.
“It is also important that we celebrate
and recognize the achievements of our graduates. This virtual ceremony allows us to reduce health risks for our UNBC community.”
Graduates will be able to post messages, videos and photos as part of the virtual convocation
All graduates will have their name and degree called even if they do not upload personal content and they will receive their parchment.
“We understand this is a difficult and challenging time for all of our students, especially those in the Class of 2021 as they complete their final year and a half of their degrees in alternate delivery modes,” said Payne
“We appreciate their understanding and patience to adapt in this rapidly evolving situation.”
KENNEY DAM SQUABBLE HEATS UP
Glacier Media
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) is throwing its support behind the Stellat’en and Saik’uz First Nations, who are pushing Rio Tinto to tear down the Kenney Dam, or at least reduce the amount of water it uses in order to restore Nechako River levels.
Tearing the dam down would have dire consequences for Rio Tinto’s aluminum smelter in Kitimat, which employs more than 1,000 people.
The Stellat’en and Saik’uz - members of the greater Nechako First Nation - have been in court trying to exercise their aboriginal rights in a nuisance claim against Rio Tinto, the aim of which is restore river levels in the Nechako.
While he said it would be nice if the BC Supreme Court ordered the dam torn down, Stellat’en Chief Robert Michell conceded that is unlikely to happen.
At the very least, he hopes the BC Supreme Court will order a compromise, in which Rio Tinto would be forced to reduce the amount of water it uses, since about 20 per cent of the power generated is not used by the smelter, but is surplus sold to BC Hydro
“In a perfect world, and in our world, from an Indigenous perspective, it would be nice if the dam was never there,” Michell said. “Removal of the dam would be
great. But understanding how governments and commercial activity works, that’s probably a very long shot. So we’re trying to find ways to live within the dam still being there.”
Michell added that the two First Nations involved in the court challenge are not looking for compensation, which can often be the result of an aboriginal rights infringement case when the damage is already done.
Their sole aim is to restore the health of the Nechako River
“This is definitely not about money,” Michell said. “It’s about trying to make sure that river survives for generations to come.”
Their efforts to restore the health of the Nechako river now has the moral backing of the RDBN in the form of a resolution
“The district stands with the Nechako First Nations in opposition to the continued degradation of the Nechako watershed, and wants to establish a meaningful role in the management of a new, more natural flow regime,” the RDBN says in a news release.
“We’re supporting them to build a healthier eco-system and a healthier management system on the Nechako River for the water flow that’s there,” Gerry Thiessen, mayor of Vanderhoof and RDBN chairman, said.
The Kenney dam was built in the 1950s
IS THE BOX EMPTY?
to create the Nechako Reservoir, which powers the Kemano generating station 75 kilometres southeast of Kitimat.
The damming of the river had negative impacts on the Nechako River and First Nations, particularly the Cheslatta Carrier, who were forced to relocate when their lands were flooded.
Just last year, Rio Tinto signed the “New Day” agreement to transfer 11,000 acres of land to the Cheslatta. The deal also has provisions for employment, training and business opportunities.
But other First Nations along the Nechako say they too have been affected, mainly in the form of reduced water flows, which raises river temperatures and negatively impacts salmon and sturgeon.
It’s estimated that river flow in the upper Nechako River is 36 per cent of what it was before the dam was built.
“The problem we’re having is the temperature of the water, and that’s just a killer with sturgeon and salmon,” Michell said.
When the dam was built, water that would normally flow into the Nechako River was diverted to power turbines to generate power for the aluminum smelter in Kitimat.
The Kemano generating station has a generating capacity of 896 megawatts of power – almost as much as the new Site C dam will generate (1,100 MW)
The smelter consumes about 80 per cent of the power
The rest is sold to BC Hydro. If 20 per cent or more of the power that is being generated is not needed for the smelter, it is being suggested that some of the water now used to generate that surplus power could be used to augment flows in the Nechako.
“A lot of work has gone into modelling and taking a look at what other ways we can provide a level of flow in the river that would sustain the fish, the sturgeon, and also sustain everyone that lives off the river, and at the same time protect those downriver from any flooding,” Michell said.
“The trick is to have the people who own the dam to buy into it.”
The claim against Rio Tinto was heard by the BC Supreme Court last year Michell said he is hoping for a ruling sometime this spring.
Asked for comment, Rio Tinto released a statement:
“Rio Tinto recognises the importance of these issues and remains committed to maintaining an open dialogue with local First Nations and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to find solutions.
“Through the Water Engagement Initiative, we welcome a discussion to continue improving the health of the Nechako river and to address collaboratively the many interests represented in the watershed.”
UNBC to offer free menstrual products
Free menstrual products will be available in some washrooms at UNBC’s Prince George campus this fall.
The move was inspired by the United Way’s Period Promise campaign, a coalition of campus groups that came together to put free menstrual product dispensers in high-traffic washrooms on post-secondary school campuses. UNBC is funding the project at its P.G. campus.
The Northern British Columbia Graduate Students’ Society (NBCGSS), the Northern Undergraduate Student Society, the Prince
George Public Interest Research Group and the Northern Women’s Centre spearheaded the project in Prince George
“We provide toilet paper for free in public and private washrooms to address the basic human right of access to proper sanitation,” said Abby Dooks, director of external affairs for the NBCGSS. “Women and people who menstruate make up 51 per cent of Canada’s population. This program will provide free menstrual products to meet this basic need for half the population.”
Jobless rate below pre-pandemic level
Unemployment in Prince George dropped below pre-pandemic levels in February, according to data released by Statistics Canada.
The unemployment rate in the city dropped to 6.4 per cent in February, down from 6.8 per cent in January. In February, 2020, the city’s unemployment rate stood at 7.7 per cent.
“One year into this pandemic, British Columbia has returned to 99.4 (per cent) of pre-pandemic employment levels B.C.’s economy remains one of the strongest in Canada, having created jobs in each of the past 10 months,” B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon said in a press release. “In fact,
employment in some parts of the province is above pre-pandemic levels. For example, Prince George is at 106.7 (per cent) and Kamloops is at 103.3 (per cent).”
A larger percentage of the city’s population were taking part in the workforce in February this year than last year as well. The participation rate – the percentage of people employed or actively seeking employment – stood at 69.5 per cent in February, up from 66.9 per cent a year before. Statistics Canada estimated the city’s labour force at 56,100 people last month, with approximately 52,500 working and 3,600 seeking work.
The city’s unemployment rate was below the provincial average
“The Labour Force Survey for February shows B.C. added 26,600 jobs, with the majority of those jobs going to women. This dropped B.C.’s unemployment rate to 6.9 (per cent) from (eight per cent) in January, the month before,” Kahlon said. “While this does not mean all sectors are back to full strength, it does mean that even as our tourism and hospitality sectors continue to struggle, our economy is growing.”
However, B.C. Liberal jobs critic Todd Stone said there are still more then 15,000 fewer jobs in B.C. and the gains have been mostly made in part-time jobs and the public sector.
The province’s labour underutilization rate – a measure that includes people
involuntarily working part-time instead of full-time and people who have stopped job hunting – remains high at 11.2 per cent, Stone said in a press release. Women are overrepresented in those areas, he added.
“The devil is in the details as broad, sustainable economic recovery can only happen if it’s led by the private sector,” Stone said. “The first step in creating well-paid private sector full-time jobs and helping women regain footing in the labour market must be the immediate creation and implementation of a sector-by-sector jobs plan. John Horgan also needs to bring targeted help tailored to the needs of women, who make up the bulk of the workforce in hard-hit sectors such as tourism.”
Distracted driving tickets handed out
Tickets for using an electronic device while behind the wheel were far and away the most prevalent among those handed out when Prince George RCMP traffic services and locally-based Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement personnel took to the streets in early March.
Over an eight-hour period on March 3, they conducted mobile checks and set up checkpoints to ensure vehicles and drivers were maintaining safe driving habits.
And over that time, they issued 28 tickets for the offence. Next highest was eight for speeding.
“Drivers should be aware that even though they don’t see us while they are using their phones and driving, we see them. The 28 tickets we handed out for using an electronic device makes this very apparent,” said Sgt. Kyle Ushock.
The offence falls under the category of distracted driving, which also covers
personal grooming (applying makeup, brushing your teeth, shaving) eating and drinking, reading, playing with pets, being preoccupied with other passengers and programming a navigation device while on the move.
You should keep radio at a reasonable volume so you can hear sirens and detect other hazards and don’t use headphones while driving.
Fines for distracted driving start at $368
TRAINING
Supportto move
with an automatic four demerit points added to the driver’s record and increase for multiple infractions.
If you see a hazardous driver swerving or driving erratically, the RCMP recommends pulling over to the side of the road and activating hazard lights before making a 911 call. If you spot someone using a phone while driving who is not displaying dangerous driving behaviour, call the non-emergency police line at 250-561-3300.
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Ifso,thereareservicesforfinances, careerdevelopment,education, well-being,mentalhealthandPTSD tosupportyouandyourfamily.
Cougars settle into Kamloops bubble
TED CLARKE
As the play-by-play voice of the Prince George Cougars, Fraser Rodgers had more than usual to pack for his latest Western Hockey League road trip.
He arrived Saturday afternoon after about a six-hour drive and, for at least the next 60 days, he and the rest of the Cougars entourage will be living in the protected environment the league has created for them in Kamloops
The Cougars gathered in the same city for the first time in about a year last weekend at the Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel and, from his room, Rodgers can see across the parking lot to the Sandman Centre, where the Cougars will be playing their home games in a 24-game season that starts March 27.
“I’ve got my whole mini recording studio I’ve had to bring down here, monitor, microphones, and video equipment, it’s a lot,” said Rodgers. “You want to make this as comfortable as possible and make this a work environment so you have to do this I brought my home workout studio too, my yoga mat and everything, to try to make this as productive as possible.
“It’s not an NHL bubble, we don’t have the fancy golf simulator or anything like that but it’s going to be the best of a unique situation. I think the kids are excited to get back to doing what they know how to do. I think they’re even looking forward to a bag
skate after a year of purgatory.”
Rodgers will be broadcasting the games solo, as per WHL protocols, and he’s prepared with extra supplies to keep his vocal chords intact, stocking up on water, herbal tea and throat lozenges. His usual colour commentator, Hartley Miller, won’t be there to spell him off during breaks in the action on the ice but will be offering recorded interviews from his studio in Prince George for Rodgers to use during broadcasts. Even though the rinks will be full of NHL scouts, league protocols forbid live interviews between periods.
The 26 players and six team staff have been in quarantine since March 6 and will spend another five days sequestered in their hotel rooms. Assuming there are no positive tests, the Cougars can begin practicing on Thursday
“Once we’re in here, we’re in here, we can’t see any outside people,” said Rodgers. “I think the teams will have a liaison to get prescriptions and odds and ends for Chico (equipment manager Dhanjal) and athletic therapist Mike (trainer Matthies).”
Rodgers and his wife Marlie have a young daughter in Prince George, while Dhanjal and goaltending coach Taylor Dakers each have young families with two kids, and they’ll be depending on their phones and video linkups to see them while the team is away
“It’s going to be tough not being around
our kids but it’s also a lot on the spouses to kind of pick up the slack right now with not having a second parent available,” Rodgers said.
The Sandman has reserved an entire floor for the Cougars, with kitchenettes in some of the rooms for those who want to do their own cooking. There’s also a staff lounge they’ll use once the quarantine ends. A banquet room is set up for players who are in school. Rodgers said the players are already accustomed to online learning so it won’t be much of a change for them.
The Cougars have two 2000-born players on the roster - Jack Sander and Ilijah Colina – and nine 2001s, including world junior team goalie Taylor Gauthier. Also in the 2001 mix and forwards Connor Bowie, Ethan Browne, Brendan Boyle, Tyson Upper and Jonny Hooker, and defenceman Majid Kaddoura. The 2002-born players are defenceman Aiden Reeves and forwards Mitch Kohner, Davin Griffin and Craig Armstrong.
Ten rookies have been invited to Kamloops. The roster includes six 2003-born players – forwards Blake Eastman, Fischer O’Brien and Michael Svenson, defencemen Hudson Thornton and Ethan Samson and goalie Tyler Brennan – and six born in 2004 - goaltender Ty Young, defencemen Jaren Brinson and Keaton Dowhaniuk, and forwards Carter MacAdams, Kyren
Gronick and Koehn Ziemmer Dowhaniuk and Ziemmer were picked by the Cougars third and fourth overall respectively in the 2019 bantam draft. Riley Heidt, the former Saskatoon Contact forward drafted second-overall in 2020, will also make his WHL debut this season.
“It’s going to be exciting seeing those young guys get their reps in and sink their teeth into the WHL,” said Rodgers.
The Cougars, Kamloops Blazers and Vancouver Giants are all based in Kamloops, while the Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals are setting up shop two hours away in Kelowna Games in the B.C. Division start Thursday, March 26. The Cougars play the Blazers the following night in their first game. The Cats will play pretty much every second day, with only three two-day breaks in the schedule. They’ll use the Blazers bus to travel to and from Kelowna
“That’s the one silver lining is there’s no travel for us now and I’m kind of looking forward to seeing a fresh team, a fresh as they can be with the crazy schedule we have,” said Rodgers. “It always becomes a factor towards the end of the season when the travel factor kicks in and travel will not be a huge factor. Compared to what we usually have to do it’s going to be a laugh.”
Each B.C. Division team will play the other teams six times and no fans will be allowed in the stands Rodgers will be behind the mic for all 24 Cougar games.
BEAUDRY WRAPS UP WORLD CUP SEASON
TED CLARKE
World Cup biathlete Sarah Beaudry is heading home to Canada.
The 26-year-old Caledonia Nordic Ski Club alumni competed Sunday in her last race of the season,
Combining with Nadia Moser of Whitehorse, Adam Runnalls of Calgary and Scott Gow of Canmore, Beaudry and the Canadian team finished 12th out of 25 teams in the mixed relay in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
Beaudry skied second in the order and needed just two reloads to knock down her prone targets, then cleaned all five in rapid succession while standing.
Gow left one standing target and had to ski a penalty lap but it was the only penalty for the Canadians, who went through 12 spare rounds and finished 4:45.9 behind the gold medalists from Norway
“I had my best skiing of the season yesterday,” posted Beaudry on Instagram, referring to her 66th-place finish in Friday’s sprint
“Unfortunately it wasn’t good enough to get selected for the last weekend of World Cup.”
Norway, which brought a star-studded lineup to the mixed relay that included World Cup season champion Tiril Eckhoff,
Marte Olsbu Roeisland, Tarjei Boe and Johannes Thingnes Boe, won the mixed relay by 1:08.7 over second-place Italy.
Sweden was 1:22.7 off the pace while claiming bronze.
In final race of the day Sunday in Nove Mesto, the single mixed relay, Sweden (Linn Persson and Sebastien Samuelsson) won gold in 37:41.4, finishing just 1.5 seconds in front of Norway (Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold/Sturla Holm Laegreid) and 26.1 seconds ahead of the United States.
The U.S team included 35-year-old Susan Dunklee and Sean Doherty.
All the medalists went penalty-free on the range.
Canada (Emma Lunder of Vernon and Christian Gow of Canmore) ended up 14th, 1:52.3 behind the winners of the 26-team event.
The Canadians had two penalties and needed 13 reloads.
Only part of the senior Canadian team will remain in Europe and compete this week in the season-ending events in Oestersund, Sweden.
Beaudry flew back to Montreal on Monday and as a full-time athlete she is allowed to serve out her 14-day quarantine in her home in Canmore, Alta., rather than going to a government-designated hotel.
CHAD STALEY HONOURED
The new signage outside the Chad Staley Memorial Arena was unveiled last Tuesday morning, on the first anniversary of the death of the former Prince George Spruce Kings captain.
Kings eager to start season
TED CLARKE
If it’s true that practice makes perfect, the Prince George Spruce Kings should be practically flawless when they hit the ice for their first league game of the season April 2.
They’ve done nothing but practice while stuck in a holding pattern waiting for the B.C. Hockey League season to begin.
All that prep time on the rink at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena has allowed the Spruce Kings players to improve their skating and puckhandling skills, hone their shooting accuracy and maybe practice their behind-the-net wizardry scoring lacrosse-style with their hockey sticks
But there’s no substitute for game-time intensity and what that does to ramp up fitness levels and they can’t replicate unless they’re playing another team.
That will happen soon now that the province has approved the BCHL’s returnto-play plan. After much haggling back and forth between the league and the provincial health office, the 17 B C.-based teams in the league will begin playing an 18- or 20-game season with teams sequestered in groups of three or four in five hub locations.
“It’s a long time waiting and obviously this year we’ve had the ups and downs whether there’s going to be a season or not - I’m excited and the team’s excited to get out there on the ice and get after it,” said Kings forward Hunor Torzsok.
“I think the pace of this bubble is going to be way better than what the exhibition showed, but we’ve been practicing pretty hard and we’re ready to go. We’ve had more than enough practice and it’s just helped to work on the little things that I’m not so good at and my overall game. I think just got better over the last couple months.”
Torzsok knows college and university scouts will be watching the games, either
in the buildings or on their computer screens, and looks forward to showing those birddogs and the Kings’ coaches what he can do to make his team better
“We have a very fast, hard-working team and we’re pretty well-structured and we’ve got some good chemistry going,” he said “I think our depth is something we’ll use to our advantage.”
Aside from an extended Christmas break that lasted about a month and a two-week shutdown when several Kings’ players tested positive for COVID-19 in February, the team has been in practice mode since early-October
Winger Andrew Seaman, a native of Winnetka, Ill., who joined the Spruce Kings last season, has been in Prince George since the start of September waiting to get started. As the only American on the team he didn’t go home for Christmas like the rest of the players and stayed put due to the possibility he might not get back across the still-closed international border Anxious is not a strong enough word to describe how he feels about finally getting to play again.
“These 18 or 20 games will be kind of like a playoff atmosphere because all the teams have been waiting, just like us, and the intensity will be much higher than the preseason and we’re all looking forward to it,” said Seaman, who had three goals and seven points and was tied with Buono atop the team scoring lead after seven preseason games
“A certain points during the year it’s been difficult, with deadlines getting moved back every month and more restrictions being put in place, so to finally have a sign of hope feels really good and makes the wait worth it. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here. I made a commitment to stick with it and it paid off.”
Named an assistant captain, Seaman says he’s used his extended practice time
wisely to develop his offensive skills and feels more confident he will be able to produce points regularly Seaman, who turns 21 on May 4, is destined for Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., to begin his U.S. college career next season and he knows his time in Prince George is just about done.
“It means a little bit more to the older guys because we know we won’t be able to come back next year so we want to leave our mark on the Spruce Kings organization and hopefully bring some sort of championship home this year,” said Seaman.
“We have a pretty experienced group, only a handful of rookies, and I think that experience will come into play during a short season that will be to our benefit.”
Mason Waite, a Winnipeg native who led all Spruce Kings defencemen in 201920 with seven goals and 29 points in 51 games, will wear the ‘C’ as captain this season, his last at the junior level before he moves on to St Lawrence University next season in Canton, N.Y
Knowing what’s ahead of them next month after they serve a 14-day quarantine that started Sunday night, the Kings practice sessions the past few days have focused more on game strategies and systems and Waite can’t wait to see how it all shakes out in a real game.
“I haven’t had a game environment since last March - we played a couple exhibition games in November but it’s not the same,” said Waite. “Just that game environment and competing against guys for a full 60-minute game is probably the most exciting part.
“The league kept pushing to get approval and all that waiting was worth it. The guys have been waiting a really long time with patience. It wasn’t the easiest just continuing working hard even though you didn’t know if you were going to play or not.
“I think with all the time we’ve spent here waiting, I mean a lot of teams could
say this, but I think we have a really resilient group and I think we’re really close in the room, so we’ll have our backs when we get playing. Even if we’re down a goal or two guys I don’t think guys will give up.”
The Kings have five 20-year-oldsforwards Torzsok, Seaman, Buono and defencemen Waite and Tanner Main. Winger Corey Cunningham, the only Prince George-born-and-bred player on the roster, has committed to Merrimack College for next season and first-year left winger Simon Labelle, a 2002-born Colgate University recruit for 2021 could also be heading into the twilight of their junior careers.
Fans are still banned from the rink and that’s one of the down sides of the pandemic, especially for the 20-year-olds, who won’t ever get to hear those Rolling Mix crowds erupt again in cheers when they score or make a big hit or blocked shot.
“It’s unfortunate not being able to have fans, especially us, we’ve got great fan support,” said Waite. “Even though we didn’t have the most success last year the fans always showed up and brought the energy for us.”
Head coach Alex Evin has worked collaboratively with his assistants, Lukas Lomicky and Jason Garneau and skills development coach Nick Drazenovic to keep practices interesting, but there’s only so much they can do to keep the players from getting distracted That won’t be a problem in the hub they’re headed to, likely in Chilliwack, with games virtually every other day in a condensed five-week schedule which has yet to be released.
“I’m sure they’re all excited and looking forward to playing games, we don’t sign up to practice,” said Evin. “Practice is important but you need games for your team to show what they are and you need games to showcase yourself as an individual through the team game to move on to the next level ”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
Rustad raises stumpage concerns
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
B.C.’s forest sector will remain on shaky ground unless the provincial government makes some significant changes to make the industry more competitive, B.C. Liberals forestry critic John Rustad said.
“Under the NDP we have seen British Columbia become the highest-cost jurisdiction in North America,” the Nechako-Lakes MLA said. “This places us at a tremendous disadvantage, leads to underinvestment at a time when we need renewal, and leaves us vulnerable to any future decline in prices.”
Rustad wrote a letter to forests minister Katrine Conroy outlining some of the challenges he says the industry continues to face, namely excessive red tape and an outdated means of determining the cost of stumpage fees.
Buoyed by sky-high lumber prices, lumber producers have been reaping healthy profits. Canfor recorded nearly $575 million in adjusted net income for 2021 while West Fraser finished the year $843 million to the better in adjusted earnings.
The outcomes failed to quell Rustad’s concerns.
“Nobody ever complains about stumpage when we are on the upside of the
lumber price cycle, but the way B.C.’s stumpage is calculated today still leaves us vulnerable to price swings or price declines due to the delays in reflecting current market conditions,” Rustad added.
“This was one of the reasons why the forest sector faced so many challenges over the previous few years of John Horgan’s government with regular mill curtailments and permanent closures.”
Rustad concluded by saying there are several possible measures - in addition to modernizing the stumpage rates - that the NDP government could take to help protect the 100,000 people in our province who remain employed in forestry either directly or indirectly but he did not get into further detail.
In an emailed response, a ministry spokesperson said B.C. has a market-based stumpage system is in place with the rates based on prices for timber sold at auction through BC Timber Sales.
He said stumpage is updated annually and quarterly to reflect market conditions for lumber pricing in the Interior and lumber and veneer pricing on the coast and that the ministry consulted with industry representatives about moving to monthly adjustments and, “at this time, the general consensus was to stay with the current system of quarterly adjustments.”
MASS VACCINATION CLINIC NOW OPEN
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Northern Health’s mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre opened Tuesday.
Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins said the clinic will initially have the capacity to deliver 150 to 200 doses of vaccine per day, to those who have pre-arranged appointments. Collins said the plan is to expand capacity as vaccine availability allows.
“This is the launch. This is the first of our mass immunization events,” she said. “It’s a massive effort in a province with widely-varying circumstances.”
Currently Prince George area residents aged 80 and older – 65 and older for First Nations members – can call 1-844-255-7555 to book their appointment. The vaccine booking line is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
If a person misses booking an appointment when their age group first becomes eligible, they can still book one later, she said.
“Their eligibility never expires,” Collins said.
The civic centre clinic will initially run from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily Patients should only show up a short time before their scheduled appointment, and enter
the building through the main front doors, Collins said.
“Staff will guide people through the process,” she said.
People attending the clinic should wear masks and follow the social distance markers on the floor.
Anyone with COVID-like symptoms is asked to cancel their appointment and rebook once they are symptom free, Collins said.
Once each patient has checked in, they are to wait in the waiting area until their name is called. The clinic has 15 numbered immunization stations, where staff will administer the dose of vaccine
Patients will then be asked to wait in the waiting area for 15 minutes in case they have any adverse side effects. Medical staff will be on hand to assist anyone who suffers adverse effects from the vaccine.
The whole process should take under half an hour, Collins said.
Northern Health plans to operate more than 30 COVID-19 vaccination clinics across the region. They range in size from the civic centre mass clinic, to small clinics set up in churches, regional medical centres and other locations.
“Just call the booking centre, they’ll know where your nearest or two nearest (vaccination) sites are,” Collins said
Half of northern Indigenous communities vaccinated
Twenty-seven of the 54 First Nations reservations in the Northern Health region have completed their “whole of community” vaccination clinics – vaccinating everyone 18 years old and older who wanted to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, First Nations Health Authority vice president Katie Hughes said.
Some of the remaining communities in the north have had limited vaccination clinics for elders, she added, and work is underway to vaccinate the remaining unvaccinated populations by the end of the month.
“(Across B.C.) 143 of 203 First Nations communities have completed a whole of community clinic,” she said. “The balance of the 60 clinics are in progress.”
As of Thursday, the FNHA had vaccinated 23,700 Indigenous people living on reserve, including 6,700 people who had received two doses.
“There has been recognized, in particular communities, where clusters have grown at a rapid pace, or started slowly and just bubbled along,” FHNA acting chief medical officer Dr. Shannon McDonald said. “There have been, especially recently, a number of clusters in the northwest. We continue to supply vaccine to (Indigenous) communities around the community of Prince Rupert.”
Last Thursday marked exactly one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, McDonald said.
Since the start of the pandemic, more then 5,500 Indigenous people in the province have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 97 Indigenous people have died from the disease, she said. As of last Thursday, there were 349 Indigenous people with active cases of COVID-19, including 129 people who live on reserve.
Indigenous people accounted for nearly 6.5 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the province, and almost seven per cent of COVID-related deaths, despite representing less than six per cent of the total population.
However, the vaccination campaign –along with other COVID safety measures – are making a difference, McDonald said Based on 2019 census data, the FNHA
has vaccinated roughly 60 per cent of the approximately 55,000 eligible people living on reserve, she said.
“That missing 40 per cent are people who haven’t had their chance yet, people who declined to get vaccinated and those who weren’t in the community when they had their turn,” McDonald said. “We fully intend to circle back to those communities.”
In addition to the 55,000 Indigenous people 18-years-old and up living on reserve, there are roughly 100,000 eligible Indigenous people living away from their home community, she said.
“The limitation of (vaccinating) the people who live on the reserve was culturally very challenging,” McDonald said
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
A logging truck is unloaded in the Lakeland Mills log yard in Prince George in 2017.
Homeless advocate suggests tiny homes
TED CLARKE
If Mary MacDonald had it within her power, construction would have started yesterday.
She envisions a village of tiny houses close to downtown Prince George as a huge step forward to solving the homeless crisis
It might seem a daunting challenge to get a project like that off the ground, but not if you have determined people like MacDonald pushing to get it done.
As a community social worker for Northern Health, she’s always thinking outside the box to make good things happen for her clients, especially who lack a place to call home.
“We’re in a huge homelessness crisis right now, housing is so challenging and often social workers are asked to deal with those issues and at present it’s really tough,” said MacDonald. “I honestly think from my perspective, housing is the most critical health issue that needs to be addressed.”
She says it will take cooperation and funding from the provincial and federal governments but the time is now to get creative and come up with alternative multi-agency solutions - like the closet-sized tiny homes that provide people their own secured space - which have proven successful in other cities to address homelessness.
“If we have the availability of stable housing for people as a starting point, it can help us work with people a lot more to help stabilize the rest of their health care situation,” said MacDonald “I’ve looked at those tiny home concepts and I know they’ve been used in various places to address homelessness challenges and to me it’s an interesting concept.
“Then you can have a communal area, a community garden, because gardening and access to nature is extremely therapeutic to people. If they can get their hands in the dirt and start growing something there’s a huge amount of healing that happens in that.”
MacDonald’s exceptional efforts in providing home care for her clients have earned her recognition two weeks ago as the winner of a Canada Cares national award for excellence as a health care professional
She was among hundreds of people nominated for the award, handed out annually by Caregiver Solutions, a web-based information source to create awareness for family care givers operated by BCS Communications of Toronto.
MacDonald was the only social worker and only B.C resident among the nine cho-
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Mary MacDonald is a community social worker with Northern Health.
sen to receive the health care professional award.
As part of Northern Health’s primary care team, MacDonald meets clients dealing with a major health event or a chronic health condition. They are often disabled or suffering from extreme trauma or an addiction.
“It’s really holistic, what she does,” said Lauren Aldred, who nominated MacDonald for the award. “It might mean helping people get connected to services, it might mean providing some counseling support in their homes. Advocating for them to make sure they get the services their entitled for is part of it.
“We think of front-line health care workers only being at the hospital but she is one of the people who puts on the PPE and goes into people’s homes She might be the one person that somebody has contact with at all Her smiling eyes are pretty important these days.”
In addition to her 15 years of social work experience, MacDonald holds masters degrees in law and social work.
MacDonald’s knowledge of the legal system and her keen sense of social justice
are key in her role advocating for clients trying to piece back together their lives, despite being marginalized by such factors as poor health, poverty, trauma or racism.
Aldred says she does her job in a way that preserves the dignity and autonomy of her clients.
“She’s a brilliant woman,” said Aldred, manager of spiritual health at University Hospital of Northern B.C. “She could be making hundreds of thousands of dollars but her heart is in direct client service and making that one-to-one connection with people, which she does.
“I think that combination of heart and intelligence is quite unique. Long before anybody else in this pandemic was worried about anything but physical health, she was flagging the mental, emotional and spiritual health on her clients, very aware that was being seriously impacted by the pandemic, as well as physical health concerns.”
No doubt, the pandemic has made MacDonald’s job more difficult and she’s been the bridge that keeps the lines of communication intact during what’s been a full year of forced isolation for many of her
clients, especially those who are elderly or disabled and dealing with health issues.
“A lot of the programs that I would typically want to access for my clients, if they didn’t shut down, they have very significantly adjusted the way they provide services, so it’s been extremely challenging,” said MacDonald “I typically work very collaboratively with community agencies and try to formulate care plans to address social isolation, which is a known health risk factor.”
While other health care professionals have adjusted to the pandemic using Zoom and other teleconferencing options, many of MacDonald’s clients lack computer access or have cognitive/physical challenges and her work has to be done in person or over the phone if people want to avoid physical contact.
“A lot of people are really scared of the virus and have isolated themselves, including not wanting to go to the hospital,” said MacDonald. “I’ve seen definite impacts on a lot of people’s mental health, which is one of the issues I would address - higher levels of depression and anxiety for sure. People are depressed because they’re not seeing their loved ones, who are trying to protect them by not going to see them. It’s manifesting itself as depression and anxiety that I’m seeing.”
MacDonald might be the only visitor some people have had in their homes in months and those visits serve as a reminder of the importance of her work. She knows she’s making a positive difference in people’s lives and that makes her work that much more rewarding.
“Fundamentally, humans are social creatures and the problem is not all the people in society have a comfortable social bubble to meet all their social needs,” she said. “It’s challenging with churches being shut down because church communities often rally around vulnerable people to provide support to them. That may still be happening in some instances, but for people who are hard of hearing or don’t have a computer they can’t see Zoom church gatherings There are some people I’ve met who have completely lost that connection to that supportive church community
“I just hope it gets better for people. In my 15 years of health care I’ve met some very inspiring people who have very significant challenges in their lives but are so tough and resilient and have figured out the best way to live for themselves. My role has always been to support them to have the best quality of life they can have, given their context, but they’re the ones who take the lead in doing that for themselves.”
At 3:45 p.m.
The witness said they saw the suspects get into a taxi, waiting outside the building. RCMP arrived and located the taxi a short distance away from the apartment, according to a statement released by police. One of the suspects was inside the taxi,
while the second suspect was located down the street from the taxi. Police found mail and other items belonging to a number of victims on the suspects, as well as a large key ring with a variety of keys on it. The man and woman were arrested and taken to the RCMP detachment.
“Both suspects were released with future court dates, while police process the evidence and obtain surveillance of the theft,” RCMP spokesperson Cst. Jennifer Cooper said.
A pair of suspected mail thieves were arrested on March 10.
on March 10, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mail theft in progress at an apartment building on 15th Avenue.
PGSO names new executive director
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra has appointed a new executive director.
Ken Hall will take the helm at the symphony on May 1, replacing outgoing general manager Teresa Saunders.
“This is an important milestone in the life of the PGSO,” symphony board chairperson Roy Stewart said in a press release. Hall is a professional musician and has 20 years experience in arts administration For the last 16 years, he was worked with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company in Toronto, rising to the position of managing director. Hall, who was raised in Calgary, is looking forward to moving back to Western Canada to take on the position with the PGSO, a statement released by the symphony said.
Saunders departs from the role after five years, having overseen the 50th anniversary celebrations of the symphony
“One of the highlights of my work has been the partnership with our maestro, Michael Hall (no relation to Ken Hall) over the past four years,” Saunders said. “Our maestro is an extremely gifted and collaborative music director and It has been a pleasure working with him to advance his exciting musical vision for the PGSO. I am confident that ‘Hall and Hall’ will be an excellent senior management team and continue to provide strong leadership to the organization.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
Conductor Michael Hall leads the Prince George Symphony Orchestra as they perform Baroque Hits! for a livestream show Sunday afternoon.
AUTHOR’S NEW BOOK PROBES RURAL VETS
Postmedia
While other dads were doing projects like painting a fence or building a bird feeder, Prince George author Gillian Wigmore’s veterinarian father spent his time a little differently.
“My dad really liked this one cow we got because he got to build him a new rectum and he liked that kind of project,” Wigmore said over the phone from her home recently.
Growing up, Wigmore lived in Vanderhoof, where her dad, Walter, was the only vet from 1968 to 2009
She and her three siblings often had front-row seats, in this case bales of hay, in their dad’s operating theatre, which was usually a dark, drafty barn in the middle of nowhere.
“He did have some pretty strict rules. We weren’t allowed to ask questions during the call, but afterwards he would answer any questions we had,” Wigmore said “There was no mucking around.”
She remembers how, for four young kids all within five years of each other, that latter rule was tough. But there was always a carrot dangled in front of them to encourage good behaviour
“I remember all four of us sitting on one hay bale and the temptation to punch each other out was so big because we irritated each other so much,” Wigmore said “We had to be still and we had to be quiet, otherwise we wouldn’t get a treat on the way home or we wouldn’t get told a story, because my dad was a really big storyteller.”
That apple apparently didn’t fall far from the back seat of Walter Wigmore’s vehicle.
Gillian’s latest offering, Night Watch: The Vet Suite, collects three novellas centred on the lives of rural vets.
The stories are vivid, entertaining and, of course, a little bit heartbreaking - animals die and human hearts are broken.
Wigmore doesn’t sugarcoat her characters. There is no sappy saviour syndrome with these vets, just hard-working, long driving, sleep-deprived animal doctors who have to make tough decisions for themselves and their patients.
The manager of the Prince George Public Library’s Nechako branch, Wigmore says with this collection she wanted to look closer at the hows and whys of the rural vet existence.
“I wanted to understand it better I
saw it as a child and there were parts I understood, but what I couldn’t really understand is how he (her father) could keep going, because it was so tiring and so demanding,” Wigmore said. “There is passion there, but it seemed superhuman. I can’t do that. All I can do is write about it and look at it.”
While looking back, Wigmore saw over and over how her connection to her father’s life helped to shape hers. Being the child of a rural vet “was a great way to not be cool,” she said
While other kids were doing regular kid stuff, Wigmore was helping her dad do things like get rid of bodies.
“I always helped my dad,” she said. “Tuesday nights we’d take the frozen animals to the beehive burner down the highway because he had a deal with the mill there. He didn’t have a crematorium so this is what we would do. We would drive in our tiny Suzuki Samurai out there and put these frozen plastic bags onto a conveyor belt and that’s one of the things I did with my dad.”
Later, Wigmore, now 44, would write about that experience.
“I remember getting to university and
writing a poem about that and having people look at me in horror,” said Wigmore, who has an MFA from the University of B.C. and is currently working on a masters of library studies remotely through the University of Alberta. “I mean, I knew it, I knew my growing up was very different than theirs, and it had a pretty profound effect You know, with being so close to life and death all the time.”
With Night Watch, Wigmore says she was very focused on getting the tough part of the job right.
“One of the reasons I wanted to go into it in detail is because it would drive me crazy when little kids would tell me, when I was a little kid, that they wanted to grow up to be a vet. Because I thought, `You have no idea You have no idea how gross it is and how much time you are spending looking in a microscope, or driving, or with blood all over you or your hand covered in poop,’” Wigmore said. “Kids always think it is so warm and fuzzy You get to care for and cuddle bunnies. Sure, but you get to see bunny die too.”
That dark point aside, Night Watch is equal parts cold reality and warm sentiment.
MINE DISCHARGE IRRESPONSIBLE
In the midst of a climate crisis and increased pressures being put on our tu (water) and nen (land), there is growing awareness that modern society has failed to sustainably manage our resources.
We, as the People of the River, have sustainably managed our resources for thousands of years. We have watched as mismanagement by others, including the Province of British Columbia, is increasingly resulting in direct threats to our very survival - the collapse of salmon runs, the near-extinction of endangered white sturgeon and the pollution of our previously clean waters.
The most glaring example for us is irresponsible mining practices in our very backyard.
With B.C.’s permission, discharge from the Gibraltar Mine’s tailings pond is sent via pipe directly into the Fraser River without any form of sophisticated water treatment.
Considering that the Gibraltar Mine is Canada’s second largest copper mine, we are beyond frustrated that something as simple as cleaning up after yourself is deemed too expensive, and is in fact authorized by the Province.
The Fraser River (¿Elhdaqox or “Sturgeon River” in our language) is the longest river in the province, flowing into the
GUEST EDITORIAL
CHIEF TROY BAPTISTE AND CHIEF FRANCIS LACEESE
Salish Sea at the City of Vancouver and connecting numerous Indigenous communities through the life it supports and as a migration route for key salmon and other fish species.
Anything that pollutes or changes the temperature in this river can be catastrophic.
However, located within our territory north of Williams Lake and having never been subject to an environmental assessment, the Gibraltar Mine continues to use, under provincial authorization, the Fraser River as a dumping ground for discharge from its tailings pond.
This discharge, located just four kilometres downstream from the community of ¿Elhdaqox, directly impacts our downstream fishing sites and the health of our traditional hunting and gathering sites. In a time of great food insecurity and hardship amplified by a pandemic, the Province of BC and Gibraltar Mine are actively permitting and choosing to discharge pollutants into one of the greatest sources of life to Indigenous peoples and the province itself
In 2019, the BC Ministry of Environment authorized an increase in this discharge from Gibraltar Mine by 50 per cent, using the long-standing argument that the Fraser River dilutes the effluent.
On that basis, those parties have claimed the discharge is not a threat to this critical waterway
The corresponding provincial policy –which permits discharge as long as it gets diluted quickly – reflects a troubling example of unsustainable mining practices that continue to be authorized by the Province today.
In March 2021, as we seek to have the corresponding amended permit revoked (or at minimum amended), we will be arguing before BC’s Environmental Appeal Board that the provincial decision-maker failed to properly consider our Indigenous laws and principles in the consultation and accommodation process associated with its decision to issue the 2019 discharge permit, and has failed to ensure the protection of the environment by authorizing this permit.
Our deep concerns regarding this discharge is informed by our inherent Indigenous laws. In May 2020, our community of ¿Elhdaqox adopted the written version of our ¿Elhdaqox Dechen Ts’edilhtan (“Sturgeon River Law”), which codifies in writing our long held Ts’ilhqot’in
law that recognizes the sacred nature of water and mandates proper protection of the Fraser River At its core, our law states that anything that enters the Fraser River must be of equal or better quality than the waters in the Fraser River itself. We also know other First Nations hold Indigenous laws in relation to the Fraser River and we support the recognition and honouring of all of these responsibilities.
The time is long overdue for B.C. mining reform. We have long been ready to help the Province and industry operate on the basis of respect, which includes respect for our rights and our laws, and which respect lies at the core of the reconciliation embraced by the provincial government. We continue to be ready, and welcome the chance to explain to others (as we have done previously) how our laws for tu and nen are sacred and are the basis for our very survival.
These important laws are also our collective best chance for reversing the troubling trends that threaten our world. To continue to act as though a price can be put on these resources – as if any argument can be made for their degradation –is an injustice to all of humankind.
- Chief Troy Baptiste is the chief of ¿Esdilagh First Nation and Chief Francis Laceese is the chief of Tl’esqox (Toosey Indian Band)
Dear Health Minister Adrian Dix, Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry:
Thank you to all of the hard work you all have done over the past year to keep us safe during this pandemic. Here in Northern B.C., we are grateful and thankful for all the behind-the-scenes effort you have done to keep us safe. At this point, we are hopeful that vaccines are around the corner yet unfortunately we are not out of the woods
Recent dramatic increases of COVID-19 cases in our region at industrial work camps such as the BruceJack Mine site need your immediate attention According to the March 9 edition of the Terrace Standard: «There is now a single case in isolation and one person has died in association with the COVID-19 outbreak at Pretivm Resources’ Brucejack Mine,
according to a Northern Health information bulletin. In total, there have been 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in connection with the outbreak.”
The outbreak was first declared on Feb 11. Both the health authority and Pretivm Resources had been monitoring a cluster of cases since early February and implementing measures to control transmission at the mine, which hosts around 500 employees at a time and is located north of Stewart.”
Having an outbreak at a remote work camp in our region is an item of grave concern. Here in Northwest B.C., we have a very high incidence of COVID-19 that is pushing Northern Health in our Northwest region to the breaking point. The COVID-19 variant is not yet here in the Northwest,
but that is only a matter of time. Recently the Terrace area received additional ambulance workers to help manage the emergency call load. While we appreciate the assistance, we want to call attention to the high increase of out-of- province workers in the Northwest region. We live here, this is our home and we believe that our future and welfare is being placed at risk.
A unique decision was made to vaccinate the entire community of Prince Rupert and Port Edward We are gratefully for giving this attention to two of our sister communities. Yet we ask that common sense prevail and that B.C. stop allowing out-ofprovince workers into this health region. We do not need extra out-of-province workers bringing COVID-19 and accelerated COVID-19 variants into our region
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and further exacerbating a crisis situation. Show the necessary leadership and demonstrate that you care about the health and welfare of people living in Northwest B.C. and simply curtail all outof-province workers until the situation is under control.
We in Northern B.C. have limited hospital capacity, a general population that is the most medically vulnerable in the province, doctor and nurse shortages throughout the region plus the longest distances between larger more equipped hospitals in the entire province.
We ask your government to do the right and responsible thing and protect the health of Northern B.C. residents. Charles Claus Terrace
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Cancelled voices hurts everyone
The topic of censorship is a slippery slope, especially when there are no clear guidelines. The idea of “cancel culture,” where one is ostracised because of a stance on an issue determined as taboo by current cultural trends, is very dangerous. One is judged in the popular media and the conversation is over. It is important to note that while people on the left are often accused of embracing cancel culture, it is an issue on all sides of the political spectrum. Colin Kaepernick, for example, saw his football career come to an end because of his stance on the need for police reform.
The danger of cancel culture is that it results in people not feeling free to express their opinions. This is not healthy for a democracy, which thrives when there is diversity, respectful debate and productive resolution of conflicts
Ostracizing people is nothing new. When dominant views in a society are not balanced out by logic, reason, and a sense of fairness, we end up with the witch hunts of
LESSONS IN LEARNING
GERRY CHIDIAC
the seventeenth century and the Red Scare of the 1950s.
Cancel culture shuts people out. It doesn’t make their ideas go away, but it can make them fester in very unhealthy and destructive ways. Individuals will inevitably find others who share their views. In recent years, we have seen a rise in extremism as people have become more connected with others who share similar opinions on social media.
Perhaps the most insightful comment on this issue comes from Australian musician Nick Cave: “Cancel culture is mercy’s antithesis.”
Mercy allows us to see our neighbour with compassion.
To show mercy to our neighbour, we must first learn to show mercy toward ourselves There is a reason behind the Dalai
Lama’s belief that “If every eight-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”
Meditation is one way to feel centred and at peace with ourselves. When we are centred, we can observe what is happening around us and then respond in a mindful way that respects the dignity of others. A person who is centred finds it much easier to listen.
There are many different ways to listen effectively The talking circle, for example, has been used for millennia. It works because everyone is on the same level, everyone sees everyone else, and only one person can speak at a time Because we often do not know when our turn to speak will come, we are more prone to focus on what others are saying rather than how to “win” the argument.
Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, noticed that the strongest leaders are those who celebrate diversity and make everyone feel important. To achieve this, they listen without fear and then honestly share their own
Tough year has silver lining
This past week marked another milestone in COVID-19.
It was only a year ago that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. An unusual form of pneumonia, which started in Wuhan, China, had reached enough countries and was spreading rapidly enough to cause concern. A new severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS coronavirus was threatening lives.
The first case reported by Health Canada was on January 25, 2020, in a traveler from China. By February 20, we had our first confirmed case in a traveler from Iran and not related to travel in China. By February 26, Health Canada was reporting a total of 12 cases across the country.
On March 9, Canada had a total of 77 cases and its first fatality related to the disease. I was living in New Zealand at the time and didn’t see much Canadian news but the impression I got from what I did see wasn’t a sense of panic or a realization of what was to follow.
By March 11, WHO reported 126,000 cases worldwide and by March 15, Canada was experiencing 89 new cases per day But it took another nine days before Health Canada determined community transmission was occurring in Canada. Our case total was 2,792 that day
AS
I SEE IT TODD WHITCOMBE
Roughly one year later, on March 13, 2021, Worldometer recorded 119,921,722 cases and 2,655,841 deaths worldwide And in Canada, there were 905,476 cases with 22,424 deaths. A total of 22,424 Canadians have died from the disease in just over one year
To put that another way, 1 in every 41 people in the country have contracted the disease. Chances are if you have 40 friends, you know someone who has had COVID-19.
To say this past year has been a bad year or rough is an understatement.
But it hasn’t been all bad. There are some good things that have come out of the pandemic. For example, a whole lot of people have re-discovered the fine art of making bread!
That is a little facetious. But we are learning to do things ourselves again Whether it is a haircut, cooking classes, art projects, or just engaging with our families in a vicious game of Scrabble, we have had to change our habits.
How many of these activities will last be-
yond the pandemic? Not many. But some might. Family sing-alongs, game nights, walks with friends, and cooking together might be something we can hold onto after all of the restrictions are lifted Or maybe we will all just go back to staring at our smartphones.
We have also learned this year how to develop vaccines rapidly
For decades, vaccine research has been a backburner item. As one of my colleagues put it, “There’s no money in it.” It certainly wasn’t a priority for the pharmaceutical industry. The invested costs were not compensated by the revenue vaccines could generate.
All of that changed last January 13. The first genome of the coronavirus was made publicly available and three days later, Moderna announced its plans to develop and test a messenger RNA (mRNA) based vaccine for the disease.
It was a first-of-its-kind idea and treatment. A novel approach. The idea is to give some of our cells the instructions for making the spike proteins, which encase the virus and allow it to attack cells
The cells would dutifully follow the instructions to make the spike proteins, which would be expressed on their outer membrane. The body’s immune system would recognize the protein as foreign and
perspectives.
Those of us who work in public education, especially in the upper grades, are faced with students who have very diverse views. We are trained to minimize our personal biases as much as possible and create an atmosphere of informed and respectful dialogue. It seems that students are up for this challenge, but the groundwork is always laid by first communicating to them that they and their opinions are valued.
We do not benefit when a voice is cancelled. If a person has an opinion not based on truth, that will come clear as we allow them to speak. If they feel listened to, they are much more likely to hear what we have to say, and we will learn a few things from one another.
A small percentage of people cannot tolerate having their opinions challenged and will feel the need to ostracise others.
The vast majority, however, simply appreciate being listened to and then come to recognize that our diversity, tempered by mutual respect, is indeed our greatest strength.
I live in the Bowl and am sad to see
Foods leaving Parkwood, but what is the real reason they are leaving? Is it because of theft and panhandling? The problem will just follow them, it’s the new norm. We need a grocery store in the area. Maybe a Thrifty Foods or an IGA. There has to be some chain willing to move into the area.
The city needs to get on it and find one. The city needs to do something about the panhandlers and the street campers and the garbage they leave behind in our downtown It’s very sad.
attack the cells.
And having learned to attack cells with those particular spike proteins, the immune system would now be able to wipe out any viruses entering the body
By March 18, some 65 days later, Moderna was able to announce preliminary data from their Phase 1 trial showing the mRNA vaccine is both safe and effective And although it took until November 16 before the company could announce their Phase 3 trial showed a 94.5 per cent efficacy against COVOD-19, this was still an amazing and fast process. Science worked the way it is supposed to AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and other companies have developed their own vaccines and we are now well on our way to inoculating the planet.
One of the legacies of this pandemic will be an apparatus capable of rapid response to novel viruses and other forms of disease. While that knowledge does not compensate for all of the lives lost, it is at least a step in the right direction. We will be better equipped going forward which may be necessary if the “variants of concern” keep spreading rapidly
But on balance, as we move through the month of March and realize we have all been in isolation for a year, it has been a very bad year for just about everyone.
Prince George has become a magnet for no Income people from all over Canada. Because we have good hearts, we try to help but it has become overwhelming and too much to handle.
I don’t think our city knows what to do about it.
Helen Robertson
Prince George
Monarchy must adapt or die
In the TV series Downton Abbey, Countess Violet, when faced with change, didn’t react as expected. She did not dig in her heels to demand time, technology, and habits stand still. When change was unavoidable, for survival or to keep the family together, she said: “The aristocracy did not survive through its intransigence (unwillingness to change).”
Someone needs to forward this good advice to the British Royal Family and their courtiers. They have allowed a manageable issue, which could have been solved by modernizing, to spiral out of control.
Some will respond that hereditary monarchies are archaic and serve no purpose in the modern world.
How, then, do you explain the political success of the Kennedys, Bushes, and Trudeaus? The only thing that has kept the Kennedys from being America’s ruling family is their habit of dying at a young age. What else than the desire for a dynasty
THINKING ALOUD
TRUDY KLASSEN
can account for the election of George W. Bush? Hillary Clinton’s nomination? Even Biden could be considered a continuation of Obama’s presidency There are calls for Michelle Obama to run for President in 2024
Here in Canada, what else but the desire for a family dynasty gave us a prime minister whose resume is thinner than mine?
How? Very simply, a monarchy serves as a collective basket of the history of the people The good, the bad, the ugly But it must change with the times or it is not only ancient, but also becomes obsolete, and replaced with a similar, but new, institution. Can the British Monarchy avoid extinction?
The Queen has shown an ability to do things differently. Her coronation was the
first one televised. Colonies around the world, Canada among them, brought home their Constitutions, but kept the Crown as head of state. When Princess Diana died, and the Queen’s subjects demanded she be present to share their grief, she eventually showed up
Leaving aside the issues of mental health and racism (while acknowledging them as key to why they felt they needed to leave), when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex initially announced their desire to reflect on their role, they hoped to work as part-time royals. They wanted to stay A way could have, should have, been found to keep them in the fold. They would have learned to channel their political views into respectable advocacy Much pain would have been prevented and much good could have happened.
The Queen has given Prince Charles more duties and he is on record as wanting to modernize and slim down the monarchy He had an opportunity to begin with Harry and Meghan Harry had real-life experience of serving twice in Afghanistan, which gave
him a different, more activist, perspective. Meghan was an outsider who had built her own successful career and was a humanitarian in her own right. They could have been the “modern” aspect of a traditional organization.
Within the confines of a modernized institution, they could have been effective ambassadors rather than the destroyers of it. By not properly valuing and utilizing what was thrown in his lap, Prince Charles failed a major test
At the end of the day, we, and our friends in the Commonwealth, will have a ceremonial, representative leader of some kind. I would prefer an ancient, but modernized monarchy fill that role, rather than having those we elect to govern fill that role. Yes, there would be adjustments, problems, false steps, and snafus as they modernise. But, as the TV countess would say: “All life is a series of problems, which we must try to solve.”
I remain hopeful for a reconciliation. God bless the Duke and Duchess of Sussex God save the Queen.
My year of the plague NIGHT SHIFT
The last time I was in a room jammed with people was on the morning of March 11, 2020.
We were all cheek to jowl to hear B.C Hemp’s announcement of its plans to build a $350 million industrial hemp facility near the Prince George Airport
On one hand, everyone was excited and upbeat about this huge opportunity for the city but there was an uneasy feeling in the room.
The World Health Organization had just declared a global pandemic due to the novel coronavirus and that was the main topic of conversation During the milling about in the lobby before the announcement, I will never forget talking to Shirley Bond.
The Prince George-Valemount MLA and former provincial health minister was sombre To anyone who would listen, she rightfully predicted this would be the last mass gathering all of us would be attending for a while. Old friends greeted her with hugs. She returned the hugs but not with her usual enthusiasm.
It wasn’t just COVID-19 on her mind. Bill, her devoted husband and right-hand man, wasn’t at the B.C. Hemp announcement and people were gently asking how he was doing and sending their best wishes.
Three months later, Bill was gone and the entire city mourned but no one could rally around Bond and her family the way they wanted. The first pandemic lockdown
LETTER Council should fix grocery store issue
I am almost speechless with fury over Dean Soiland’s letter about moving the downtown Save-0n store to Pine Centre. When we first moved to Prince George,
NEIL GODBOUT
was still in effect and there was no way to grieve together and to celebrate a good man and his good life.
My two Grade 12 children graduated in a virtual ceremony while nervous parents gathering in small, socially distant groups in the parking lot. Afterwards, many parents and graduates headed to Lheidli T’enneh Park so pictures could be taken in larger groups, blatantly defying the public health orders. I nervously hung back from the bigger groups and carefully avoided the dads brazenly shaking hands with everyone.
I was so excited for the kids - my own and their friends - whom I had watched grow up, driven to volleyball tournaments, taken camping, picked up in the middle of the night after a party, eaten and laughed with. For just a moment, I wanted to push aside the uncertainty and fear to bask in my pride in these beautiful young people and the potential and optimism they represented.
I couldn’t.
Instead, that blissful afternoon was
there were plenty of grocery stores downtown. Royal Produce had several branches, the biggest one being on 3rd Avenue next to the Northern Hardware. Safeway once had a branch on 5th Ave opposite St Michael’s church. There was Woodwards, of course, a wonderful department store which was the main shop when Parkwood
tarnished by anxiety, exactly like the past 12 months have been. Almost every happy moment in the past year has been restrained, muted by who wasn’t there or cheering through FaceTime or Zoom instead of up close and in-person. Meanwhile, it seemed every sad and tragic moment was made worse by our inability to fully comfort one another, whether it was grieving the loss of a loved one, sitting by their side in the hospital or being there for them while they recovered at home from cancer treatment
And that’s from the privileged place of having a couple of close calls to direct COVID exposure but thankfully no personal or family experience with the virus other than two negative tests. For those who actually got sick, whether it was just feeling rotten for a couple of days or are still hurting months later, what a frightening time for themselves and their friends and families, especially if they learned they gave it to others before they were diagnosed.
Yet it wasn’t always bleak.
I did some things I never would have done otherwise if it hadn’t been for the pandemic, like Sunday morning socially-distanced coffees in lawn chairs in the CN Centre parking lot.
Along with Marillion fans around the world, I took part in the Couch Convention last summer and streamed three of their
mall was first built.
Then, as now, there was a large population living in downtown Prince George. Many of these people do not drive or they prefer to walk to get their groceries. I wonder how these people are going to manage with no groceries easily available to them.
One hopes city council will become
concerts from years past while sitting on a deck chair at Bednesti Lake I also took part in two Steven Wilson album listening parties over Twitter Simultaneously around the world, thousands of us were listening to the same album at the same time, tweeting excitedly while Wilson introduced each song.
When I did the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk last month (alone around the Hart on the morning of my birthday), I was bolstered by the fact that two old, dear friends who don’t know each other but both live in Montreal – my best high school chum Steve Robert and Carleton journalism classmate Janice Felsky – each generously donated $100 to sponsor my walk after seeing my request for support on social media.
I don’t know when I’ll next be in a packed room, whether it’s for a business announcement, a theatre performance, a concert or a hockey game, but in this pandemic year, the loneliness and isolation was broken by sweet, unexpected moments of personal connection.
In other words, I have never felt more human, in every sense of the word, as I have in the past year.
- Check out Everything Everything, my weekly podcast with Michael Kast, on Anchor and my accompanying playlist (everythingeverything6 – pandemic) on Apple Music.
directly involved in this dilemma
As for Dean Soiland, perhaps they will get over their paralyzing terror of running into people less fortunate than them.
Maybe they will even develop the habit of carrying loose change to hand out when asked.
Carolyn McGhee, Prince George
Helicopter deal needs to be revisited
Dear Mike Morris:
I am writing to you regarding the awarding of a $9 million contract from BCEHS to provide a full-time helicopter air ambulance service that will be based in Prince George.
While I am thrilled to see that we are, after decades of asking, finally getting this service, I am however quite disappointed that it was not put out to tender Instead, it appears that an operator, Summit Helicopters, based in Kamloops was the sole competitor.
I have been a Transport Canada licensed aircraft maintenance engineer for helicopters since I first moved to Prince George in 1994
As a result, I have witnessed Prince George go from being one of the preeminent centres for the helicopter industry with many operators having headquarters or a strong base presence here, to an area devoid of companies with a vested interest in our community
Over the past two decades, I have watched as companies have relocated bases and headquarters from Prince George to Kamloops and the Okanagan. This has resulted in the loss of many highly skilled engineers and pilots, along with very talented support staff, as they have been compelled to relocate with their employer.
As a result, we’ve stopped attracting new people to this profession and for them to consider making Prince George their home. These are educated people that bring six-figure salaries with them
Yellowhead Helicopters is one company that has bucked that trend and several years ago made a substantial commitment to our community by establishing their headquarters and main base of operations in our great community
While I have not previously worked for Yellowhead, I have worked alongside them on many occasions and I have attended training courses that they have sponsored in the past (courses that, I might add, have brought many out-of-town aviation professionals to our community for weeks at a time).
As a result, I can testify to their competency and commitment to aviation standards and safety I have witnessed the unsurpassed quality of their aircraft and equipment.
Their standards are some of the best and I know many of their managers and employees and they are held in high regard with in our tight-knit industry.
So, I hope you can understand that I am very dismayed that Yellowhead was not even considered for this very essential contract (at last count they operate over 30 helicopters with Prince George as their main base).
Summit, on the other hand, has never had a presence in Prince George or the north. I have never worked for Summit, but I have had substantial dealings with them in the past.
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In fact, I sold them one of the Bell 412EP helicopters that they now use. I did this while working for Tempest Aviation, which was started and flourished in Prince George until 2017, until they felt compelled to relocate their business to Kelowna to be closer to the same operators that abandoned Prince George for the Okanagan. This was a loss of over 20 well paid and skilled jobs for our community
By rewarding companies like Summit, we are sending a message to the few operators we have left, that we do not feel that they are capable or valued for that matter. This is very wrong.
The helicopter industry plays a key role in supporting forestry, mining, and oil and gas, all cornerstones of our northern economy. As a result, we should be focusing on companies that show support for our community and are willing to keep reinvesting the public’s dollars back into our community Yellowhead is such a company and I agree with Jacob Forman’s statement (one of the owners) to the Prince George Citizen that they could fulfill the role required by BCEHS with superior equipment and in a more cost-effective manner
I am unclear about what is required to reopen the awarding of this contract, to essentially an operator from Ontario (Ledcor is Summit’s parent company).
While unclear, I commit to you that I want to see this decision reversed and I make myself available to you as a servant to our community to work, with your guidance, to have this disparaging oversight to our region rectified.
I am reluctant to use bombastic language but, quite frankly, it feels insulting. We are strong and more than capable in the north, and while Victoria may not think so, my experience tells me otherwise.
As an aviation professional, with many contacts, I cannot express how strongly I feel about this.
Five years ago, I was involved in doing the research for the HEROS initiative as to what aircraft would best serve our northern region
If you agree that the strong people of Prince George are well up to the task of doing what we do best, namely coming to the aid of those in our own back yard, then please assist me in creating a campaign to reverse this summary awarding of a contract to an eastern corporation.
Jeffrey Wilson Prince George
Remember Mackenzie
Canfor shut its mill in Mackenzie and is driving our logs to other mills and the town suffers the consequences. This vengeful, scandalous action shows the true corporate ideals of this company. Originally citing high stumpage rates, now the price of lumber is through the roof. Complaints of the employees are entirely a management responsibility With the elimination of laws of the Forestry Act, they take our logs, dangerously congest the public highway and turn their back on the citizens of Mackenzie.
Chris Simpson, Mackenzie
Timedbidding begins Thursday, March25th at 9:00am
Timed biddingbegins to close Tuesday,March30th at 10:00am
&P
ACROSS 1. Passing mark 4. Baby’s father 8. Source of fiber 12. Young chap
Long poem
Daft 15. Humpty Dumpty, e.g. 16. ____-do-well 17. Deeply impressed 18. Quick-witted 20. Sound organ 22. Start acard game again 24. Transfer sticker 28. Bottles
31. Period in history
Sis’s sibs
Storage box
Stain
Fool
Accompany
Horrible
Restaurant employee 46. Go downhill
Hang loosely
Ballerina’s short skirt
Computer food
Quilting or spelling 56. On the briny
Impostor 58. Governed
Ring
Is mistaken
19th letter
Unclouded
American bird
Approached
Copy
23. Chemists’ research rooms 25. Beret or beanie
26. Gone by 27. Give the go-ahead to 29. Attack!
30. Recognize 32. constrictor (snake)
33. Uncooked 34. Not on 36. Fuss
PUZZLE NO. 809
Umps’ kin
Some are personal
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with adarker line. You already have afew numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box.
38. Antlered animal
39. Detecting devices
41. Customary
43. Furniture item
44. Fencing swords
45. Marsh plants
47. Dormant
49. Hit lightly
50. Apply
51. Social drink
53. Broadcast
54. Roofing material
CL ASSIF IEDS
Love All the family
“TAB”
Teuvo Tapio Jakonen
August 31, 1949 - March 9, 2021
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tab, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tab was strong willed and stubborn and he led with his heart. Tab was a healing balm and a strength for the people who were blessed to be loved by him, and to love him in return.
Tab was joyful and was always doing goofy things and smiling and enjoying life. Tab had an infectious personality that was enjoyed by everyone he knew.
Tab loved his motorcycle, and loved being In the Wind. Tab at his most joyful was Tab on his motorcycle!
Tab passed away peacefully at the Prince George Hospice House with his loving wife Angela by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Aulis and Elsa Jakonen, and wife Carolyn Kendall.
Tab is survived by, and will be greatly missed by, his brother Jussi Jakonen (Janie Moran), wife Angela Thomson, step-son Nathaniel Russell, grandchildren through his wife Carolyn, Vincent Giesinger, Darrin Giesinger, Julian DaSilva, and Jennifer DaSilva, and many others who looked upon Tab as a father or grandfather. Tab is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law - Fred and Donna Kendall.
A celebration of life will be held after COVID restrictions are lifted, hopefully this summer, at Francois Lake. Tab and Carolyn’s comingled ashes will be spread, and a gathering to share memories will occur. A memory booklet will be created for sharing. Please share stories or pictures of Tab you’d like included.
Tab … I’ve always known you were only on loan to me from Carolyn, and I pray you are happy now in her arms …. But don’t forget to hop on your heavenly Harley and feel the wind!
REMEMBRANCES
JEANNETTE WOODING
2x43.6 PGC002153
Woods,RosemaryM. June15,1932-March02,2021 ItiswithgreatsadnessthatthefamilyofRosemary MargaretWoodsannounceshersuddenpassingon March2,2021attheRotaryHospiceHouseinPrince Georgeafterabriefstrugglewithcancer.Sheissurvived byherhusbandof68yearsIsadoreWoods,daughter JeannetteWooding(Paul)ofNorthVancouver,son WarrenWoods(Bonnie)ofOliver,daughterLaurieGilgan (Max)ofPrinceGeorge,tengrandchildren,twelvegreat grandchildrenandherbrotherDavidKerridge(Lorraine) ofEdmonton. RosemarywasborninChilliwack,BCin1932.Shemet herfuturehusbandattheChilliwackFlyingClubwhere theyeachearnedtheirprivatepilot’slicence.Theywedin Vancouverin1952andafterresidinginChilliwackand NorthVancouversettledinPrinceGeorgein1966. Thefamilyisgratefulforthecompassionatecare Rosemaryreceivedinherhomefromtwopalliativecare nursesandlaterfromthestaffatRotaryHospiceHouse. Inlieuofflowers,pleaseconsiderdonatingtothePrince GeorgeHospiceSocietyRotaryHospiceHouseortheBC CancerFoundation.
August 8, 1960 – March 5, 2021
Passed away in Rotary Hospice House Prince George, B.C. Mark will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Survived by his wife Sylvie (Martin); 3 childrenTrina (Jesse), Michael, Travis; 2 step childrenDavid (Candice), Simone (James); 3 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren; 4 sisters –Brenda (Bob), Sherry (Ken), Penny (Brent), Angela (Richard); 1 brother – Tony. Numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Predeceased by his Parents – Edwin & Ivy Sandbach; 2 brothers - Earl & Herbert.
A celebration of life will be scheduled when COVID restrictions allow it. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Prince George Hospice Society or the BC Cancer Agency.
December 1931February 2021
Mary passed away peacefully February 26, 2021.
Mary was born in Judique, N.S and moved to Willow River, B.C in 1956.
Mary is survived by her children Rita (Lyall) McComber, John (Rose) MacDonald, Rose (Luis) Amaral.
Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Brett (Corrina) McComber, Trevor McComber and Troy McComber; her great grandchildren Seth, Aiden, Emmett, Marlie and Hanna; brothers and sisters in Eastern Canada. Mary was predeceased by her husband James and her sister Rose D-Eon.
JESSICA RUSSELL 2x48.0 PGC002155
Stauffer,KeithRoy February25,2021
KeithRoyStaufferpassedawayonFebruary25,2021at theageof72inPrinceGeorge,BC.Heissurvivedbyhis lovingwifeSusanandhisdaughtersJenniferandJessica (Brad)andhisbelovedgrandsonDylan.Keithissurvived byhisbrotherDale(Dorothy)andbyhissistersBetty (Ray)andDenise(Alan).Heisalsosurvivedby numerousniecesandnephewsandmanyextendedfamily members.HewaspredeceasedbyhismotherEdithand hisfatherEdwin.WelookforwardtocelebratingKeith’s lifewithhisfamily,friendsandthemanyliveshetouched atalaterdate.
Inlieuofflowers,donationstotheHeartandStroke wouldbeappreciated.
Obituaries
In Memoriam
Vivian Freeman ( Naef)
Oct 9, 1918 Mar 10, 2016
Mark Edwin Sandbach
Mary MacDonald (Nee: Beaton)
Harold Seeley
Aug 2, 1929 - Mar 12, 2021
On March 12, 2021 Harold Seeley passed away in Kamloops at the age of 91 years. He was born August 2, 1929 in Willow River, BC Lovingly remembered by his wife Gladys, his son Arthur, his daughter Sandy (Don) and two stepsons Ted (Korinne) and Grant; his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many other family members. No service by request.
Gordon Dale Scott
Feb 20, 1955Feb 23, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Gordon.
Gordon passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at his beautiful home on Mable Lake Road, Enderby, BC. He is survived by his loving wife Arlene, his children Jeremy, Lisa (Jib), stepchildren Collin (Tiffany), Darryl and Dustin (Amanda). His siblings Tony, Edward, Randy, Debra (David), and Colleen. His 14 grandchildren, numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. He is predeceased by his mother Angela Scott, father Brian Scott, brother Gary and sister Marjorie Scott.
Gordon was born in Quesnel, BC and lived throughout the province as he was an active longtime member of the large logging community. Gordon was known for working hard and playing harder.
There is so much good to say about Gordon, he was truly one of the good guys with a generosity that knew no boundaries, even with a stranger he gave from his heart and expected nothing in return. Gordon was gifted with an enthusiasm and passion for life that few possess. He was a beautiful dreamer and those that were fortunate enough to know him felt truly blessed. He enhanced the lives of everyone with his quick wit, positive attitude and ready smile. He stood strong in his belief in God. Gordon had a love of golfing, spending countless hours perfecting his swing, he also loved boating, enjoying many hours on the water pulling those smiling faces behind him. Children of all ages were drawn to Gordon like the Pied Piper, he loved imparting his wisdom and took the time to listen. Gordon also had a love for all animals and lately bird watching had become his personal pleasure. Gordons compassion and enthusiasm for life and helping others is what has and will impact those many lives he has touched forever.
HE WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR HEARTS
The family, with great appreciation, wishes to acknowledge all the love and support from friends and neighbors.
In respecting Gordons wishes, memorial contributions can be made to our community food bank or a charity of your choice.
A private family gathering was held in honor and celebration of Gordon’s life.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.MyAlternatives.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES®
Armstrong 250-546-7237 & Vernon 250-558-0866
George Edward Hall
Jan 26, 1930Feb 3, 2021
HALL, George Edward Born in Polworth Saskatchewan January 26th, 1930. Passed away on February 3rd, 2021 at the age of 91, of a cerebral hemorrhage. Survived by his wife Willa Marguerite (nee Shaw) of 69 years, his brother Tom Hall, and his sons and daughters, Rick, Betty, Len, Jerry, Tricia. Grandchildren: Lyn, Dave, Kevin, Bronwyn, Abbigael, Rachel, Grace and Sarah. Great-grandchildren: Audrey, Clair, Wesley, Rebecca and Nathaniel. George was very widely respected and known to be impeccably honest, hard working and a gentleman. He grew up in the Cariboo settling in Hixon with his wife and raised their 5 children. After working as a faller for a number of years he started GE Hall Logging Ltd. Which grew to be a sizeable company, operatinging mostly in BC, and after a couple of years, in Alberta. He was a great father and wonderful husband. Always taking the big picture perspective helped him be a strong and loving leader of the family, graciously helping his family wherever needed. They lived in Mackenzie and Prince George for many years, then later settled in Kelowna, and then Misson BC; but Prince George was always home. He and Willa travelled in their retirement years, especially enjoying Mesa, Arizona. He is greatly missed, he was a great example to all who knew him. Due to pandemic there will be no public memorial service.
Max Harry Unterhofer
Apr 6, 1956Mar 6, 2021
Max Harry Unterhofer, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Prince George, BC, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the age of 64 years.
Max was born April 6, 1956 and raised in Prince George, where he worked for many years at the CN Rail and Canfor Pulp and Paper. During this time, Max welcomed his two sons Adam and Brad into his life, and was an active father who often coached sports and took his sons camping. He was always willing to learn new things and had many hobbies, including sports, arts, reading, and writing.
Throughout his life Max was amazingly strong, independent, and resilient. He had a zest for life, a great sense of humour, and a curiosity about others’ stories. He spent many hours helping others in various ways in his community.
He was predeceased by his parents Mathilde and Max Unterhofer, and his sister Marianne Mintenko.
Max will be sadly missed by his two sons Adam Unterhofer and Brad Unterhofer; his former wife Debbora Unterhofer; and his grandson Nash Unterhofer. He will also be greatly missed by his friends from his close community who surrounded him in Grande Prairie.
Max Unterhofer will be fondly remembered by those who loved him.
Condolences
Sherry Ann Misiura
May 19, 1962Mar 5, 2021
It is with broken hearts that we say good-bye to our beloved daughter, sister, auntie, spouse and friend after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Sherry is survived by her parents Paul & Thelma Misiura, sister Cindy (Paul) Jeannotte, Partner, nephew Leonard Jeanotte, nieces Amanda (Craig) Hadley, Jessica (Shane) Adam, great nieces Lily & Claire Hadley and Taylor Adam, great nephew Wyatt Adam.
Special thanks to Dr. Marco, Dr. Sandhu, Dr. Zhang, as well as the staff at Hospice House for the wonderful care, the smiles, jokes, food and coffee. Sherry will be remembered for her boisterous personality and kind heart, her cooking, endless jokes and one of a kind laugh. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice House.
Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes
November 22, 1945 to March 11, 2021
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our dear Mom. She was a much beloved mother, Baba, aunt, sister, and friend. Mom passed away peacefully with her devoted daughter by her side, following months of severe health challenges. She was born and raised in Prince George, to Ukrainian and Czechoslovakian parents who had immigrated from Europe. Mom went to school where she excelled athletically and later met the romantic love of her life, Erwin Kruger. They ultimately wed in 1963 and went on to raise their three children. To Mom, there was no better home than hers in no better city than Prince George, arguably PG’s biggest fan. Mom worked periodically at different jobs throughout her life, but her priority was caring for her family. The pride and joy she felt raising her children was only outmatched by what she felt for her grandchildren. She was devoted to them and relished in being their cheerleader. Post secondary education was very important to Mom and years before the construction of UNBC, she believed Prince George would have a university. Nothing made her prouder than her children and grandchildren further advancing their education, she even got to see one of them attend UNBC. Mom was a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, celebrating her culture at home and at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic church. Her faith was a source of support and comfort. Mom and Dad travelled to Europe, RV’d across Canada, vacationed in Maui and made frequent trips to visit family and friends in Alberta and BC. She was an avid reader, always aware of the world’s current events; CNN was her television channel of choice. An excellent cook and gracious host; one never left Mom’s impeccably clean home hungry. She was the life of the party, enjoyed all get togethers spending time with family and friends. Her easy smile, pronounced laughter and relaxed manner will make fond memories for all who knew her. Mom’s is now at peace, forever missed by family and friends who loved her “heart and soul”. Angie is survived by daughter Corrina (Frank) Werbecky; sons Alan (Christine) Kruger; Barry (Tonya) Kruger; four grandchildren: Kaleena, Dallas, Jordan and Ethan; two step grandchildren Meghan and Ben; her brother Andrew (Toi) Borgula and their children Runnee (Nick) and Shaun; brother inlaw Willie (Ida) Kuhn, as well as other relatives in Alberta and Saskatchewan; many close friends including Ernie and Jean Recek and Tina Cousins and Darren Pringle. She is predeceased by husband Erwin, parents Nellie and Andrew, inlaws Lydia and Julius and sister-in-law Ilse Kuhn. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday March 18, 2021 at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church with Father Andrii Chornenkyi officiating and Helena Chornenkyi as cantor. Interment will follow at the Prince George Cemetery. Sadly, due to current Provincial attendance limits, Mom’s service is restricted to immediate family members only, but we know how much Mom loved and appreciated all of you and would have wanted you there. Many thanks to the dedicated staff at Prince George Hospice House, the medical staff who provided her with excellent care and Assman’s Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Prince George Hospice Society.
As you share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...
Kruger, Annie Angeline (nee Borgula)
Claudia Louise Kile (Goodman)
1941 - 2021
It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Claudia Louise Kile (Goodman) 1 day shy of her 80th birthday. Claudia brought so much joy to her surviving family, daughter Leane Dalgleish (Ray) son Brian Kile (Marie) 9 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by her 2 sisters Marsha Moffatt and Edith Kuehnau of her hometown of Vacaville, California along with 14 wonderful nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents Jim and Marae Goodman, nephews Jim Kuehnau and Alex Kuehnau. She knew in her heart she would reunite with them all again one day.
Claudia had many friends at Alward Place and lived independently overlooking the beautiful garden. She had a beautiful smile and a great laugh.
A very special Thank you to Dr. Chang, Dr. K.O’Malley and the awesome care and relationships she had with their staff.
To UHNBC: Nurses/staff the grace, dignity and support you showed our mother was exceptional. You are Angels.
As the song goes to our Mother’s favorite cowboy, Roy Rogers, “Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.”
Firewood
Art & Collectibles
Mills/Equipment
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Bedroom/Bedding
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Sheds/Outbuildings
NEW 30’ x 50’ All Steel Commercial shop, never assembled, c/w complete set of drawings and engineer cert. Has straight outside walls, 1 12’ x 14’ service door opening, 1 3’ man door opening, inside clearance 16’,
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Centre
CERTIFIED BENCHMAN
Dunk ley Lumber Ltd. operates a modern and efficient dimension Sawmill and Planermill facility at Strathnaver, 75 km south of Prince George, BC. Our quality lumber produc ts are sold across Nor th America and in overseas markets. To find out more about us, please visit our website at www.dunk leylumber.com.
We currently have an opening for a Certified Benchman.
Key responsibilities include benching quad band saws and thin ker f circular saws, as well as per forming sawing machine maintenance.
The successful candidate for this position will hold an Interprovincial ticket in Sawfiling with a Benchman endorsement, possess excellent troubleshooting and problem solving abilities, take pride in their work and be very safety conscious. Good communication and interpersonal sk ills are also an asset.
If you possess the noted qualifications and are interested in joining Dunk ley Lumber, please submit your resume in confidence to:
HR Coordinator, Dunkley Lumber Ltd.
Fax: 250-998-4513
Email: hr@dunkleylumber.com
We thank you for your interest; however, only candidates invited to inter view will be contacted.
JOB POSTING Burns Lake Band
FI NANCE MANAGE R
Position: Finance Clerk Term: Full time (up to 37.5 hours/week)
Star t Date: March 30, 2021 Remunerat ion: Negotiable based on eligibility
Position Summar y: The Finance Clerk will be responsible for managing the Burns Lake Bands (and subsidiaries) accounts payable, completing payroll with all requisite deductions, and maintaining appropriate financial documentation through an organized system of filing Other responsibilities will include making accurate monthly payroll remit tances, remit ting the pension payable amounts deducted, helping with month -end reconciliations - including posting deposits to accounts receivable, helping with the annual audit, helping to prepare annual budgets, aiding the Finance Manager where require d, and administrative duties related to finance and book keeping Other duties will be assigned, as necessar y.
Job Duties:
• Maintaining an organized filing system for all appropriate documents.
• Ensure accurate processing of monthly remit tances for receiver general and pension remit tances.
• Make bank ing deposits
• Post accounts receivable deposits
• Manage accounts payable, including matching purchase orders, entering invoices, verifying claim amounts, printing cheques.
• Invoice various entities for rent, reimbursements, and travel claims.
• Assist with Budget development.
• Store, up date and retrieve financial data. i.e.: scan documents and store as required
• Perform clerical duties, such as maintain filing and record systems.
• Answer customer/member inquiries
• Match invoices with purchase orders.
• Check all claims for accuracy
• Verify account codes and signatures for prop er assignment of budgetar y expenditures
• Ac t as first line contac t with vendors re garding billing problems.
• Perform bi -weekly payroll processing, reporting, and quality assurance func tions.
• Keep Finance Manager informed of potential accounting and billing problems.
• Serve as a back-up for various accounting and administrative func tions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Quali fications:
• Minimum 3 years of experience in accounts payable/accounts receivable, payroll, and general book keeping. Preferably in a First Nations environment.
• Strong work ing knowledge of accounts payable and accounts receivable func tions.
• Perform mathematical computations accurately and quickly.
• Experience with budget, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Advanced proficienc y with Adagio accounting soft ware, PayDir t Payroll Soft ware and Excel spreadsheet programs and applications an asset
• Effec tive at tention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
• High level of integrit y, confidentially, and accountabilit y.
• Strong work ethic and positive team at titude
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution sk ills
• Abilit y to resp ond appropriately in pressure situations with a calm and steady demeanor.
• A well -defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflic t resolution, and people management sk ills.
• Excellent teamwork and team building sk ills.
• Able to effec tively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with other depar tments, key business partners, and government agencies.
• Strong problem identification and problem resolution sk ills.
• High level of proficienc y with Microsoft O ffice produc tivity suite.
• Must have a valid driver’s licence and have access to a vehicle with suitable insurance.
• Be willing to travel by air and automobile.
Eligibilit y:
• Priority will be given to qualified BLB citizens
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and appropriate insurance.
• All references will be followed up on
• A criminal record check and credit check may be under taken.
• Interviews may be under taken in person, telephone conference or by online video
• Able to start work by March 30, 2021.
In accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code and Section 15 of the Canadian Char ter of Rights and Freedoms, preference will be given to qualified candidates with Aboriginal Ancestry.
To Apply: Email your cover letter, resume and list of at least three references to the at tention of : “Burns Lake Band Manager.” Email: cashe@burnslakeband.ca
Please ensure that you indicate in your cover letter how you meet all of the requirements for this position. Deadline to apply is: Until Filled
Skilled Help
LAND ACT: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CROWN LAND
Take notice that Wendy Fountain, from Bear Lake, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), Omineca Region, for a Crown Grant for Rural Residential purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located in the vicinity of Bear Lake, described as Lot 4, District Lot 2972, Cariboo District, Plan 28931.
The Lands File for this application is 7402314. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Susan Spears, Land Officer, Omineca Region, FLNRORD, at 5th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or Susan.Spears@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by FLNRORD up to April 26, 2021. FLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.
A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the land officer named above at 250-5613479.
Notices/Nominations
ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
4:30pm-6:30pm
This year the Annual Public Meeting will be held virtually to comply with Public Health Agency of Canada recommendations on physical distancing. The 2020 Annual Report and Operational Review will be presented via zoom. Questions from the public will be taken in advance via email. Please send them to info@pgairport.ca before May 5, 2021 Meeting log in details can be found on our website: www.pgairport.ca
Please be advised this meeting will be recorded and potentially used in part or in whole on our online channels like our web page and social media sites.
PGYSA/PG IMPACT AGM
NOTE: Takes place online via Zoom call (the link will be emailed out to our membership prior and will also be available on our website: pg ysa.bc.ca)
Date: Monday March 29, 2021
Location: Online Zoom Call
Time: 7:00pm
Table of Events:
Roll Call, President’s Report, Question Period, Financial Question Period and Board Member Vote.
Forest Stewardship Plan Amendment
AMENDMENT REQUIRING APPROVAL
2017 FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN (FSP 2)
Canadian Forest Produc ts Ltd. (Canfor), Carrier Lumber Ltd., Takla Track & Timber Ltd., Hampton Lumber (For t St. James Forest Produc ts General Partner Ltd.), Dunk ley Lumber Ltd. and Pacic Bioenergy have prepared an Amendment Requiring Approval (ARA) to their joint Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for operations in the Prince George and Stuar t Nechako Natural Resource Distric ts The Amendment is available for public review star ting on March 19, 2021.
Amendment ARA-012 is required to propose the following Result to address the establishment of Wildlife Habitat Area 7-001 for Grizzly Bear within the Stuart Nechako Forest Distric t, effec tive December 17, 2020. It also includes the addition of BWBS dk stock ing standards and minor administrative updates
District WHA Identier Local Name Proposed Result
Fort St. James 7-001 Tl’o Ba Do not harvest within portions of 7-001 contained within FDU A.
In accordance with the Forest Planning and Prac tices Regulation, Amendment ARA-012 is available for public review and comment from March 19th to May 18th, 2021 at any one of the following locations during regular ofce hours (8:00 am to 4:00 pm). Due to Covid-19 safety considerations we request all interested par ties arrange an appointment to view :
Canadian Forest Produc ts Ltd / Takla Track & Timber: 5162 Nor thwood Pulpmill Road, P.O. Box 9000, Prince George BC, V2L 4W2; Phone: (250) 962-3343
Carrier Lumber Ltd.: 4722 Continental Way, Prince George BC, V2N 5S5; Phone: (250) 563-9271
Hampton Lumber/For t St. James Forest Produc ts: 19479 Hw y 16 East, P.O. Box 4000, Burns Lake BC, V0J 1E0; Phone: (250) 692-7177
Dunk ley Lumber Ltd: 17000 Dunk ley Road, Hixon BC, V0K 1S1; PO Box 173, Prince George BC, V2L 4S1; Phone: (250) 998-4421
Pacic BioEnergy: 9988 Willow Cale Forest Road, Prince George BC, V2N 7A8; Phone: (778) 764-5987
Representatives will be available at the ofce locations above to discuss the proposed amendment and to receive comment(s).
If an interested par ty is unable to review the Amendment (ARA-012) during regular business hours, please contac t us by phone or in writing to arrange a suitable time
How to update wood panels
Does your home have wood panelling thatneedstobeupdated?Ifso,hereare some great ways to modernize it.
•Paint it. This is the quickest and easiest way to update your wood panelling. White or bright colours will look fresh and clean, while darker ones will feel moody and sombre. Or, consider whitewashing the wood using watered-down paint. This will lighten the panelswhilepreservingthegrain.
•Camouflage it. Use drywall compound to fill in the grooves between panels. Follow this with a coat of primer and your choice of paint. No one
will be able to tell that the walls are panelled.
•Refinish it. Solid wood panels can be sandedandstainedlikeanyotherwood surface. Choose a lighter tone for a Scandinavianfeeloroptforastainthat mimicsmahoganyforamoreluxurious look.
Ifyoulovewoodpanellingandwantitin your home, be sure to choose wide panels over thin ones and stay away from orangeytones,asthesetendtolookdated. Also, consider mounting your panels horizontallyordiagonallyinsteadofverticallyforamoremoderndesign
GO FOR GOLD.
What to consider when designing built-in shelving
Built-in shelving units provide extra storagethat’sperfectlysuitedtoyourhome’s layoutanddecor Herearesomethingsto considerwhendesigningyourown.
YOUR NEEDS
What you plan to put on your built-in shelving unit will impact its design. For example, if you’re displaying a collection, you may choose to build specializedshelves.
If you’re planning to store things you want to keep hidden, you can add some doorstoconcealthebottomshelves.
THE LOCATION
There are likely a number of places in your home that could accommodate built-in shelving. Your living room may be a great spot for a custom bookcase, your kitchen may need the extra storage space andyourfireplacemightlookbetter whenflankedwithshelving.
THE SHELVES
Most books will fit on a standard eight-inch shelf, but you may require more space. If this is the case, make the bottom few shelves deeper than thetopones.
Finally, keep your home’s estheticinmindwhendesigning yourshelvingunit.Iftheroom has mouldings or other decorative accents, mimicking theminyourdesignwillhelp tietheroomtogether.
How often should my air ducts be cleaned?
Regularly cleaning your air ducts can improveindoorairquality,reducetheamount of allergens in the air and lower your heatingandcoolingbills.
In general, homeowners should have their airductscleanedeverythreetofiveyears. However, it may need to be done more often if people smoke in the home, you havepetsthatshedorsomeoneinyourfamilysuffersfromallergiesorarespiratory illness.
The following signs could indicate that yourventilationsystemisdirty:
•Visibledustintheducts
•Dirtbuilduparound theregisters
•Worseningallergy symptoms
•Respiratorydistress
It’s also important to have your air ducts cleaned after any home renovation. Dust and debris from the project can clog your ventilation system and render it inefficient.You should alsocleanthemifwaterhasinfiltrated your ducts, as inhaling
mould spores can seriously impact your health.
In addition, many new homeowners choose to have their ventilation system inspected and cleaned prior to moving intoanew home.
Air duct cleaning isn’t something that the average homeowner can do on their own.
Aproper cleaning requires specialized vacuums with filters that can trap even the smallest particles of dust and dirt. For thisreason,it’sbesttohireapro.
3 ways to create an accent wall
An accent wall is a striking way to make aroommoredynamic.Herearethreeways you can add one to your home.
1.Paint. This is the easiest way to create an accent wall. For a subtle difference, optforvaryingtonesofthesameshade. If you prefer a dramatic look, choose a colourthatcontrastsnicelywiththerest oftheroom.
2.Wallpaper. If you prefer a patterned or texturedaccentwall,wallpaperisjustwhat you need. Choose a pattern with a colour scheme that matches the rest of the room foraneffectthat’spleasingtotheeye.
3.Bricks. Exposed brick walls look great in almost any type of room. If your home doesn’t already have this feature,youcancreateyourownusing regular bricks and mortar, or you could mimic the look with textured wallpaper or thin bricks intended as decoration.
Accentwallsaretheperfectwaytoplaywith colour,textureanddesigninyourhome.And because they only occupy one wall in a room, they won’t overpower the space they’rein.
How to make your stairs safer
Falling down a flight of stairs can lead to a serious injury In fact, it’s the second leading cause of unintentional injuriesworldwide,behindonlymotor vehicle accidents. To make sure the stairs in your home are safe, consider implementing the following strategies.
•Add some grip. Stairs made ofwood, polished concrete or tile can be slippery Add some tread using carpet, stair runners or rubber mats. If you prefer the look of bare stairs, there are non-slip coatings available that are simply brushed on likepaint.
•Keep the light on. Make sure the lighting in your stairway is at least as bright as that of the surrounding hallways. It’s alsoagoodidea toinstall nightlights so you don’t missastepatnight.
•Don’t forget handrails. If possible, install handrails on both sides of the stairs.Theseshouldextend slightly from the top and thebottom,bebetween34 to38inches(85to95cen-
timetres)highandstrongenoughtowithstandtheweightofanadult.
•Useagate.Ifthereareyoungchildren orpetsinyourhome,youmaywantto considerusinggatesaroundthestairs. The best ones are attached directlyto the wall and don’t have any bars that canbeusedtoclimbover
Mostfallsonresidentialstaircaseshappen because there’s something in the way Forthisreason,besuretokeepthesteps clear at all times.
MarcotteLaw Corporation has been ensuring smooth real estate transactions forovertwo decades.When youare buying or selling,we’re heretohelp save youtime, risk, and money.
Farmhouse style: five ways to embrace the look in your home
You don’t have to live on a farm, or even in the country, to embrace a farmhouse esthetic. Here are five ways to getthelookinyourhome.
1.Mix old and new. Farmhouse chic largely stems from mixing styles. In the kitchen, for example, don’t be afraidtocombinehand-me-downsand flea market treasures with the latest stainlesssteelappliances.
2.Use natural textures. Make your homefeellikeanextensionoftheoutdoors. Use organic materials like wood and stone for the floors and decorate with items made of wool, rat-
tanandreclaimedwood.
3.Incorporate light neutrals. Pale, neutral colours are hallmarks of farmhouse inspired homes. Grey, white and cream all work well with wood accents. Complement the look with accent colours that are also on the lighterside.
4.Include one-of-a-kind pieces. Search flea markets and estate sales for unique pieces of furniture and decor that you love and that say something about your interests orpersonality
5.Opt for weathered items. Though you don’t want your home to appear rundown, farmhouse style should look well loved, not shiny andnew
Keys to nautical home design
Both classic and contemporary, the nautical look is never dated. Here are a few keystoperfectingthisstyle.
•Nods to the sea and sailing. Lanterns, model ships, anchors, nautical maps and prints of sea creatures are among the many decorative elements that are well suited to nautically themedrooms.
•Wood elements. Decorate with weathered wood that recalls the docks and buildings of coastal areas Alternatively, choose furniture made of shiny teak that’s reminiscent of a well-maintained captain’s cabin.
•Knots and ropes. Ropes are omnipre-
There’s a fine line between farmhouse chic and country kitsch, so select items that are charmingly understated and add character toyour home.
Five tips for choosing a contractor for your next home renovation
Homerenovationonthehorizon?Herearefivetipsforchoosingaqualifiedcontractor
1.Get recommendations.Ask friends and family members who they’d recommend for the job word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a good contractor Checking online reviews is another method to search for possible contenders
2.Ask for credentials. Hire a contractor who holds the necessary licences and permits to work in your area.
3.Interview several candidates. Ask each contractorabouttheirqualifications,theirexperience, how their company works and if they have any suggestions for your project. Don’t forget to get referrals.
4.Check references. Call previous clients to ask if theyweresatisfiedwiththecontractor’swork,ifit was completed on time and whether or not there wereanyproblemsorissuesduringtherenovation.
5.Getitinwriting.Beforethecontractorstarts,make sure he or she provides a detailed contract that includes the work to be done, the start date, the projected end date, the payment schedule, the materials and products that’ll be used and any subcontractorsthatneedtobehired.
By following these steps, you’re sure to find a trustworthy and hardworking contractor to make your dreamrenovationareality
How to create a gallery wall in your home
sentonmostshipsandareconsidereda must-have item in nautically themed rooms. To incorporate them, use interesting wall hangings or other decorations made with natural fibres like hemporsisaltoshowoffyournautical style.
•Blue and white stripes. Blue and whitestripeshavelongrepresentedthe sea and sky, making the combination a key part of any nautically themed room.
While the nautical theme can work almost anywhere in your house, it really shinesinbathroomsandkitchens.
Awell-executed gallery wall can be a stunningfocalpointinalmostanyroom.Follow this guide to create your own collection of photosandprints.
•Choose a theme. Sticking to a theme will give your gallery wall cohesion. Select a colour scheme or a specific type of image todisplay
•Select the right wall. Choose a wall that has enough space to accommodate what you want to display without crowding the images
•Pick your frames. Opt for identical frames to make an impact, or go for a more eclecticlookwithframesofdifferentsizes and shapes just be sure they go to-
gether by choosing frames that are the samecolour.
•Tryitout.Beforeyoustarthammeringnails into the wall, lay out your frames on the floor to make sure you like the arrangementofyourchosenimages.
•Hangthepictures.Toensureyouplaceyour nailsintherightplaces,makepapercut-outs of each frame, mark where the nails should go, then tape the cut-outs to the wall.When it’sperfect,hammernailsrightthrougheach pieceofpaperdirectlyintothewall.
Inadditiontobeingastrikingfocalpointin the room it’s hung, your gallery wall is a great place to display your favourite picturesandpersonalmementos.
the hotel for sale as well. Great location on the highway an attractive investment opportunity with all the economic activity in the Peace. For further information on financials and contact listing realtors. $7,000,000 MLS 184582
1602/1642/1656
VICTORIA ST
Excellent opportunity for commercial land spanning several lots. C5/C6 zoning with city services. $2,390,000 MLS#C8036369
1,800 block of 1st Ave. Industrial zoned with RETAIL/OFFICE applications. Highway access. Various locations and sizes available.
new kitchen and tile and backsplash, all new paint, fully renovated bathroom and much more. The basementincludes another large familyroom, flex room for storage or home gym and sharedlaundry.The basement also includes aone bedroom studio style basement suite with new
This 19.9 fully fenced acreage with year round Aquaponic greenhouse is amust see to appreciate! The 4bedroom 2bath home is just the start to this amazing property!
Upgrades includeinsulated exteriorwalls, newer windows, newer roof, newer hotwater tank (2012)and well pump(2012). Many outbuildings include insulated chicken coop, 16x24shed, 24x24 shed, separate area fenced for goats,fencedareafor horses or cows...this could be the ultimate hobby farm. The aquaponic green houseis40x100 with attached buildingthat includes work station,biomass boiler and aspace upstairs that could be made into asuite. This is atrue hidden gem!
mcleod.cara@gmail.com
Welcome to 5174 Henrey Rd. This fully updated home sitting on a large lot backing onto greenbelt with many trails is breath taking. 3bedroomsupand 1bathroom. Newkitchen,floors, paint, and much more. The one bedroom basement suite boasts 9ft ceilings, new kitchen, new floor,new paint, separate laundry and separate entrance. This suite feels like amain floor.With the large yardwith new patio and RV parking this is amust see!
905 LA SALLE $324,999 MLS R2526348
This nicely updated, three-suite, multi-family homeona largelot is steps away from the river and PaddlewheelPark. These units have been updated in the past five years with newer hot water tank. This large lot with two sheds makes for agreat outsidespace
Innovative ways to use a daybed
Both a couch and a bed, a daybed is an incredibly versatile piece of furniture that can be used in almost any room. Wondering where to put yours? Here are some ideastoconsider.
•Home office. Placing a daybed in your home office enables you to make this room do double-duty as a guest room. When you don’t have visitors, use your daybed to read a book or take a mid-afternoonpowernap.
•Under a window. If you don’t already haveawindowseatinyourhome,adaybed placed under a window makes a wonderful substitute without requiring
any heavy-duty renovations.
•Teenager’sroom.Adaybedinyourteen’s roomallowshimorhertohaveaprivate lounge area without sacrificing floor space. A trundle bed stored underneath willprovideextraroomforfriendstoget someshut-eyeduringsleepovers.
•Balcony or deck. Daybeds aren’t reserved for indoor use only. Choose one made of weather-resistant material and placeitonyourpatioorinyourgarden.
Daybedscomeinmanydifferentstyles,so you’re almost certain to find one that works well in your home, regardless of whereyouputit.
HENREY
Kaycie
Janine
Donna Badowski***
Jasmine