Prince George Citizen April 15, 2021

PRINCE GEORGE

Hip surgery wait painful

CHRISTINE HINZMANN

Richard and Sharon Clements have written an open letter to Premier Horgan and health minister Adrian Dix, reaching out to address the issue of elective surgery being postponed with no schedule set for those currently in need.

Sharon, 74, needs a new hip and suffers with the damaged one every day.

She is a retired registered nurse who worked at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. for 25 years.

In November 2020, Sharon was placed on a waiting list and there’s still no date scheduled for the surgery.

A hip replacement is considered an elective surgery, which means that if left untreated your ailment won’t kill you, but there’s a lot to be said for quality of life

Sharon can only sleep for short periods of time because of the constant pain her deteriorated right hip causes.

Sharon can’t walk without the help of a walker, she can’t climb the stairs in her home, she can’t drive and she can’t do the things she has always loved doing, like quadding, skiing, snowshoeing and canoeing

See ‘IT’S JUST page 3

HOSPITALITY ‘ON A ROLL’ PRE-COVID

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

The hospitality sector in Prince George was “on a roll” prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic just over a year ago, according to Tourism Prince George chairperson Elke Hierl-Steinbauer.

Between 2015 and 2021, the city saw the inventory of hotel rooms grow from approximately 1,900 to roughly 2,200 – a nearly 16 per cent increase in hotel capacity, she said in an email. Hierl-Steinbauer, who also serves as secretary-treasurer for the Prince George Accommodations Association and has managed hotels for more than 20 years, said a strategy to expand hotel capacity developed ahead of the 2015 Canada Winter Games has paid off.

Tourism Prince George, the City of Prince George, the Downtown Business Improvement Association and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce worked together to develop the hosting strategy. Prince George is now able to better compete with other cities like Kelowna, Kamloops, Langley, Nanaimo and even Vancouver to host events, she said.

“(Last year) was originally expected to be a fantastic year with... the city hosting the Women’s World Curling Championships, several other big sports events on the books, as well as a number of city-wide conferences, tour groups, the Route 16 project being very successful, weddings, meetings, conferences,” Hierl-Steinbauer said

CITIZEN PHOTO

Sharon Clements needs a hip replacement and there’s no date set for her much-needed surgery Husband Richard finds the wait difficult to tolerate as he watches his beloved wife of 54 years suffer through the pain.

PAINT PROBLEMS DELAY POOL WORK

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

Installation of the structural steel beams for the city’s new swimming pool resumed last week, after paint problems resulted in a construction delay.

The steel beams for the city’s $36.25 million new downtown pool arrived on site earlier this year, as scheduled, a city spokesperson said in an email.

“As crews were erecting the beams, it was observed that the coating on the beams was not properly protecting the steel from corrosion,” the city spokesperson said “Installation was halted and components were sent to a local shop for recoating This work has now been completed and installation of the structural steel components resumed today.”

The total cost of recoating the beams, and the impact the delay will have on the overall project timeline, had not be determined, the spokesperson said. Once those details are known, they’ll be presented to

Workers move a section of structural steel last week on the construction site of the new pool downtown. Installation of the steel beams resumed after problems with the paint caused work delays.

city council during an open meeting.

In a report to city council on Feb. 22, city acting director of civic operations Blake

McIntosh said work on the pool was roughly 25 per cent complete, and was on time and on budget at that point. Installation of

the structural steel elements had already begun at that point.

Also on Feb. 22, city council voted in favour of adding a Ninja Cross obstacle course to the new pool. The cost of the obstacle course, which will hang from the ceiling and be retracted when not in use, added $500,000 to the projected budget.

In an Oct. 28, 2017, referendum, Prince George voters voted 62.48 in favour of allowing the city to borrow up to $35 million to build the new pool, to replace the nowclosed Four Seasons Leisure Pool.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George contributed an additional $750,000 to the project.

In February of this year, city council voted to use $9.5 million of $10 million in federal grant money received by the city towards the project to reduce the amount of money the city has to borrow to pay for the project The remaining $500,000 of grant money was used to cover the cost of the Ninja Cross course.

‘It’s just gotten worse since then’

from page 1

Richard, Sharon’s husband for 54 years, feels helpless because there’s nowhere to turn to get the surgery done and COVID is only one of the many barriers.

The Clements said they know their doctor is doing everything he can but the availability on the surgical schedule at University Hospital of Northern BC is the biggest issue and they know there are more people than just Sharon that are hurting because of it.

Sharon’s pain and bone deterioration is caused by osteoarthritis and she had to have her right knee replaced in 2019. Recovery from that surgery was relatively easy for Sharon and she was back on her feet in a month.

“By the end of the summer we were back quadding again and we put the canoe in the water,” Sharon said “We were back doing all that kind of stuff.”

Then about a year ago, she began experiencing pain in the muscles around the new

knee and the doctor soon discovered the source of her pain was her hip. The damage to the hip was extensive and quickly deteriorated so the need to replace it was determined in November.

“It’s just gotten worse since then,” Sharon said. “It’s the little things - it’s just seems to lock up and all of a sudden I can’t move. I would be clearing the jams off the table and I just couldn’t move. Then I’d have to ask Rick to help me and now I just wouldn’t do anything without him. I try to do as much as I can but I get tired. The pain is exhausting.”

Sharon has a nap every afternoon to try to cope, she added.

To accommodate Sharon’s love of gardening, Rick rearranged their dining room into a bedding plant nursery so that Sharon could care for her beloved plants without having to go down to the basement where she used to start her plants.

“Now we eat at a little bistro table for two that’s off to the side of my dining room garden,” Sharon said with a smile for her

‘Uncertain at this point’

from page 1

“The year looked great! And then pouf, here comes COVID. “

The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic, which directly impacts jobs in the city, she said Prior to 2020, hotels employed roughly 1,500 people in the city, with the broader hospitality sector employing roughly 2,700 others, Hierl-Steinbauer said.

City manager of economic development

Melissa Barcellos said the city’s strategic location and economic fundamentals have driven the growth in the accommodation sector An estimated $227 billion in major capital projects – both public and private –

are underway or planned in northern and central B.C., Barcellos said in an email. In an email to The Citizen, Tourism Prince George CEO Tracey McBride said she is working on a strategy to help the city’s hotel and tourism sector recover in a post-pandemic world.

“As for where things are heading for post-COVID in terms of hotel growth is uncertain at this point,” McBride said. “We are currently conducting a report on recommendations on all those sectors based on current research, stakeholder input, and expertise from a consultant we have hired to be completed this summer. We will share that with our stakeholders when complete in June.”

beloved husband.

When Rick wrote the letter to Horgan and Dix, he said he wanted to raise awareness about the slow-moving surgical schedule that sees his wife suffering needlessly.

“They’re basically telling us we have no plan to help you,” Rick said.

In a recent news release linked to the Northern Health Authority’s website it was reported that after a backlog of surgeries were put on hold for most of 2020 that as of Feb 4 health authorities had completed 95 per cent of those 15,373 surgeries.

“Through our surgical renewal commitment, we said we would get more patients their surgery faster, and we are doing exactly that,” Dix said in the March 19 release. “We said that within 15 to 22 months, we would catch up on both postponed surgeries and those that were not scheduled and, despite the second wave, we remain on target. When something as critical as surgical renewal is working so well, you don’t pause, you don’t let up, you go full steam ahead And that is exactly what we are doing.”

But that is small comfort to Rick who sees what the wait is doing to Sharon.

“One can endure things when there’s an end in sight - where there’s some relief but there really isn’t any,” Rick said. “I just want to see Sharon get the kind of care that she should get.”

Looking at options to get Sharon’s hip replaced, Rick did some research into private clinics and there are no local options and travel is not recommended during the pandemic at this time. The risk presented by COVID-19 is also a very real threat to the couple but they are scheduled to get their vaccines on April 16.

“This situation keeps me awake some nights because I feel I’m not doing enough - there must be something I can do to helpand I’m frustrated,” he said. “I don’t have a history of turning the other cheek and I’m not about to start now This is the person that means the most to me. There’s got to be something that can be done for her. I hate to see her suffer like this.”

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CITIZEN PHOTO

PELLET PLANT LOGS DRAW CRITICS

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The sight of pellet plants along Highway 16 awash in “whole trees” is raising alarm bells for groups concerned the mills are using more than just wood waste to produce their product.

Pellet plants are traditionally considered the go-to spot for material for which sawmills and pulp mills have no use.

But photos of piles of logs at plants in Smithers, Burns Lake and Houston were released this week along with a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives questioning whether the region’s timber supply is being put to its best use.

Report author Ben Parfitt, as well as a handful of environmental groups and a union representing forestry workers, are calling on the provincial government to halt approvals of any new pellet manufac-

turing facilities pending a review of what the industry is converting into pellets.

“We’re calling for a thorough independent analysis of how many logs are going to the pellet industry and what kind of logs those logs are,” Parfitt said in a interview

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, the B.C. Liberals’ forestry critic, said the piles have been a common sight along Highway 16 and that unless things have changed since the NDP took power, the plants are relying exclusively on logs too dry or too defective to be processed by sawmills. “I don’t have a concern with that,” he said Parfitt acknowledged that many of the logs shown in the photos are “incredibly small diameter logs that would not be suitable for a sawmill but there are also larger-diameter logs in there that could be run through a sawmill.”

Exactly what percentage are sawmill

worthy, Parfitt could not say

“That is a question I can’t answer but I’m just saying that I think that one just has to be cautious in accepting at face value that there is nothing else that could be done with the wood,” Parfitt said.

The three plants depicted in the photos are owned by Pinnacle Pellet, which also owns plants in Quesnel and Williams Lake.

British energy company Drax, owner of the the world’s largest pellet-fueled power station, located in the United Kingdom, is in the process of acquiring Pinnacle for $385 million.

Pinnacle spokesperson Karen Brandt said the company relies entirely on residuals left from sawmilling or harvesting or from fibre that has been rejected by the primary producers including pulp mills

“We should all be advocating for better forest policy to address the millions of

Movies earn suspension for teacher

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A teacher in School District 57 has served a one-day suspension for unprofessional behaviour.

Andrew Michael Dennis, who served the suspension on April 6, was also prohibited from teaching kindergarten and Grades 1-7 until he has completed a course on

“creating a positive learning environment” under the terms of a consent resolution agreement reached in March with the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. The outcome stems from a series of incidents beginning with two complaints in October 2018 of Dennis showing movies outside the curriculum for his Grade 6-7 class. One of the movies shown was “The

Lottery,” about the members of a small town who draw paper out of a box with the one who draws one with a dot on it being stoned to death. It is based on a short story included in the curriculum for Grades 11-12. The class followed up by re-enacting the story using dodgeballs.

Dennis also shared confidential information with the class regarding one of

cubic metres of slash left in the forest to burn every year; this will be a focus of our efforts going forward,” she added in an emailed reponse.

In answer to a request for comment on the report, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development did not directly address the call for a review and a halt on new permits. The spokesperson did say prices for lumber and pulp are on the rise and that competition for fibre will help direct the material to its best use.

“At the same time, the ministry monitors the quality of the logs that are delivered and consumed by all timber processing facilities in British Columbia,” the spokesperson said. “We try to make sure that the right log gets to the right facility, while low quality, lower-value logs and residuals are being used in pellet mills.”

Annual

the complaints. The actions led to Dennis becoming the subject of progressive discipline that culminated in a letter of discipline issued in November 2018.

In October 2019, he failed to break up a tussle between two students who were wrestling. A failure to properly supervise some kindergarten students in February 2019 was also noted in the agreement.

Highway 16 cell coverage to be completed in 2022

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The finishing touches on bringing complete cellular coverage on the Highway of Tears is about to begin.

With support from the federal and provincial governments, Rogers Communications said it will begin work this spring on building 12 new cellular towers along Highway 16 East this spring with the work scheduled for completion by October 2022.

The project will close 252 kilometres of the gaps remaining along the 720-kilometre stretch from Prince George to Prince Rupert as well as provide service at the Boulder Creek, Basalt Creek and Sanderson Point rest stops and will use 5G technology from Ericsson. Highway 16 is known as the Highway of Tears due to the number of women who have been murdered or gone missing along the stretch and adjacent routes over the decades.

Prince George Native Friendship Centre executive director Barb Ward-Burkitt welcomed the news that the project is going forward.

“We must continue to do everything in our power to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls to ensure they are safe to travel anywhere in our province, but especially between communities along Highway 16,” she said in a statement.

The work will be concentrated in the remaining areas of weak signal strength between Prince Rupert and Smithers. The federal and provincial governments are contributing $4.5 million towards the $11.6 million project.

“As someone who uses this highway regularly and has been stranded once myself, I know how important this project is for the people who travel Highway 16,” said North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice. “Not only will this project open up access to communities along this corridor, it will also make it much easier for emergency responders to react quickly when people need assistance.”

In a separate statement, Telus said it was responsible for connecting more 500 kilometres of Highway 16 West to wireless over the last decade.

LHEIDLI T’ENNEH ELECT NEW CHIEF

Lheidli T’enneh councillor Dolleen Logan was elected chief of the Lheidi T’enneh on Thursday.

Approximately 268 Lheidli T’enneh members cast their ballots in the election, according to information released by the First Nation. Ballots were cast through a mix of in-person voting, online, mail-in ballots and by phone.

Logan, who also worked as executive administrative assistant for the Lheidli

T’enneh government received 151 votes, beating incumbent chief Clayton Pountney and candidate Jason Gillis for the twoyear term Incumbent councillors Helen Buzas and Joshua Seymour were reelected, and will be joined at the council table by former chief Dominic Frederick, Marcel Gagnon and Crystal Gibbs.

Rena Zatorski, Elaine Gagnon and Wendy Jael were elected to serve on the Lheidli T’enneh Lands Authority Committee.

IIO investigating police incident

B.C’s civilian-based police watchdog says it is investigating an alleged incident from earlier this year.

The Independent Investigations Office said Tuesday that a man and a women both sustained injuries in an altercation on Jan. 18 when Prince George RCMP responded to a 911 call from a home in the 3700-block of Lansdowne Road.

It said it was advised of the incident on

April 1 and has started an investigation. It is also asking anyone with relevant information of the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc ca website.

The IIO investigates all police-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

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UNBC FACULTY RATIFY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The University of Northern British Columbia and its faculty association have ratified a new collective agreement that both sides say sets the stage for a better era of labour relations.

“This agreement is historic,” said UNBC Faculty Association president Paul Siakaluk in a joint statement. “It compensates our members fairly and establishes a baseline for productive future relations between UNBC and the UNBC-FA.”

The outcome brings to an end a long-running negotiation that included a three-week strike by UNBC faculty in November 2019.

The following month, the sides agreed to take their differences to “final offer selection arbitration” in which the arbitrator selects between the parties’ best and final offers and without the ability to “split the

difference” between the two.

However, a separate agreement was reached outside the arbitration process, the sides said in the statement.

“I commend the Faculty Association leadership team and appreciate their willingness to renew our conversation,” UNBC interim president Geoff Payne said in the statement “Over the past year we have developed a very strong foundation together upon which we can collectively build an improved labour relations environment leading into our University’s future.”

The agreement runs retroactively from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023 and covers nearly 500 faculty, including professors, instructors, lecturers, sessional lecturers, librarians and senior lab instructors, It includes general wage increases of two per cent per year, a redesigned compensation framework more in line with other post-secondary institutions, and

“other improvements meant to foster a productive labour relations environment.” The agreement also falls within the B.C. government’s 2019 sustainable services negotiating mandate.

Some additional committee work is still to be carried out, according to the statement

A major sticking point appeared to be treatment of faculty who receive a stipend in the form of a so-called “market differential” payment in addition to the salaries they received through the collective agreement.

UNBC-FA filed a complaint to the B.C. Labour Relations Board claiming UNBC was engaging in bad faith bargaining by including in the proposal it took to arbitration a proviso that would see those on the agreements have their stipends reduced by the amount of the salary increase.

UNBC-FA argued in part that the pay-

ments are determined by contract, such that reducing those payments would necessarily be a breach of the contract.

In July 2020, an LRB panel member ruled in favour of UNBC, finding that while the employer eventually wants to do away with a “two-tiered” wage system by not renewing the market differential agreements when they expire, at no time during the term of the collective agreement would their total salaries be reduced.

The decision was upheld on appeal by UNBC-FA in March.

In an interview, Siakaluk said the stipends remain in force and will be the topic of further discussion by a working group. He said the stipends are negotiated outside of the collective agreement.

According to the complaint UNBC-FA filed with the LRB, 51 of the 220 full-time faculty receive the stipends, which can be as much as $49,000.

Gagnon to receive UNBC honorary degree

T’enneh elder and artist Marcel Gagnon will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws during the virtual 2021 convocation at the University of Northern BC on June 25 at 9:30 a.m. during the College of Arts, Social & Health Sciences ceremony

Gagnon, a member of the Beaver Clan, is a tireless advocate for those who endure

the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum, as he does Gagnon has worked for almost 20 years as an addictions counselor with men in corrections

As an elder he shares his knowledge of his culture and was instrumental in bringing the Indigenous Court System to Prince George.

“It’s a great honour to be selected to receive this honorary doctorate, Gagnon said. “I accept and share this honour in the name of my dear mother Margaret Gagnon.”

Marcel has recorded four studio albums, two of which received Juno Award nominations.

He has also developed and performed an

autobiographical play called The Drum is Calling You Home.

Gagnon has been UNBC’s Elder in Residence since 2018, where he often shares his talent and experience with students, faculty and staff.

Gagnon, who lives off the grid north of Prince George, is currently writing his memoir.

Indigenous lawyer honoured

Val Napoleon, an Indigenous lawyer, academic and researcher who co-established the first-in-the-world Indigenous Law Degree program at the University of Victoria, is slated to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the 2021 virtual convocation at the University of Northern British Columbia on June 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Napoleon is Cree from Saulteau First Nation and an adopted member of the Gitanyow (Gitxsan) nation.

She co-developed and co-established the first-in-the-world Indigenous Law Degree Program (JID/JD) at UVic in 2018 Students

earn two law degrees over four years, an Indigenous law degree and a common law degree. The third cohort began in September 2020 and the fourth cohort joins UVic this September In 2012, Napoleon established the Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU), a dedicated academic research centre housed in the Faculty of Law at UVic. The ILRU partners with Indigenous communities across Canada to substantively articulate and rebuild Indigenous law and legal processes. Napoleon received her bachelor of laws degree from UVic in 2001 and followed that with her PhD in 2009, also at UVic.

Lheidli

Touch football league for kids in works

TED CLARKE

Football is a game in which kids of all sizes and varying degrees of athleticism can find their niche as individuals and excel as essential parts of a team.

There are jobs for strong beefy linemen who can hold off blockers, fleet-footed receivers who can use their speed to get open on the field to make catches or lean placekickers who can boot the ball through the uprights.

Craig Briere is convinced that the sooner kids start learning those skills, the better equipped they will be to advance to the high school levels and beyond into junior and university football, and that’s the motivation behind Prince George Kodiaks Football’s new spring 7 on 7 touch football league for kids in Grades 2-7.

“This is to get younger kids out and playing and it’s all focused on teaching fundamental skills, having a lot of fun and getting to play games on Friday nights at Masich under the

lights,” said Briere “The whole Kodiaks organization is all about player development and getting kids active in the sport and having fun teaching physical literacy.”

Practices are tentatively set to begin April 17 for the three-division league. The 10-week season which will run into late-June will include two evening practices (Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m.) and weekly jamboree-style games on Friday nights at Masich Place Stadium. Each team will play three 20-minute games. Two games will be played at one time using half the field at Masich with scrimmages starting on the 40-yard line. Practice sites will depend on where in the city you live. Kids who live in the Hart will practice there, and College Heights and Bowl-area kids will stick close to their neighbourhoods using school fields.

“No experience is necessary,” said Briere. “We actually like kids that have never played before, we can teach them all the skills. For equipment you

just need a pair of cleats and a COVID mask If you’re big, you’re small, you’re slow or you’re fast, there’s a spot for you, and that’s the cool thing about football is the inclusiveness.”

The Kodiaks are part of 7 on 7 Association of Canada, which is scheduled to host its first national championship in Calgary, June 26-27. If the pandemic diminishes enough to allow it, Briere says Prince George will enter one team in the three age divisions – Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12.

Registration fees are $125 for Football Fun, Grade 2 and 3 (available at teamsnap.com/forms/25982; $175 for Future Stars, Grade 4 and 5 (teamsnap.com/forms/259281), and $175 for Prospects, Grade 6 and 7 (teamsnap.com/forms/259279). There are already 100 kids registered and Briere expects double that number will be on the field once they start practicing later this month

For more information email pgkodiaksfootball@gmail.com.

Cats d-man has strong debut

Prince George Cougars fans might not be too familiar with defenceman Hudson Thornton right now, but give him time.

Inserted into the lineup for Saturday’s game in the Kamloops hub against the Vancouver Giants, the 17-year-old Thornton made a name for himself in his first career WHL game when he scored his first goal, scoring on a rush down the left wing he finished with a high wrist shot in over Trent Miner’s glove. That gave the Cougars a three-goal cushion to work with in what turned out a 6-3 victory.

Thornton has always shown his ability to produce points and direct traffic with his powerful skating stride and quick puck movement and the Cougars knew what they were getting when they chose him in the second round, 33rd overall in the 2018 WHL draft.

He was a standout in the Cougars’ training camp in the summer of 2018 and played that season for Rink Academy in his Winnipeg hometown. The following year he joined the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, where

his older brother Kolby was playing goal, and in September 2019 he signed a letter of intent to play U.S. college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He went on to score six goals and has 11 assists in 54 regular season games and also played seven playoff games for the Chiefs.

Thornton returned to the Chilliwack last fall but with the BCHL season on hold Thornton accepted an offer to play in the United States Hockey League for the Fargo Force. In 22 games with the Force, he collected two goals and two assists. The Cougars have remained in contact with Thornton and his parents ever since he was drafted and on Feb. 26 he signed a WHL standard player agreement to officially become a Cougar.

“The college route is a really good route for a lot of guys but for me personally it came with a lot of moving parts,” said Thornton “I was always talking to (Cougars head coach) Mark Lamb over the years and Bob (head scout Simmonds) and just kind of saw what was coming up with Prince George and how good the young core is going to be and what it’s going to

MASICH PLACE NOW OPEN

The track at Masich Place is now open to walkers and runners for the spring, summer and fall.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during April and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m starting in May, except when the facility is booked by a user group.

The Prince George Track and Field Club has the site booked Monday to Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the club’s website.

The 2021 BC Track and Field Championship Jamboree is tentatively

be like a couple years down the road and just to have the opportunity to be part of that was something that was really appealing to me. To learn from guys like Mark Lamb and (associate coach) Jason Smith was also appealing to me.”

It took more than a month for Thornton to obtain his release from the USHL and he spent a week in Kamloops waiting for the paperwork to be finalized before he could start practicing with the Cats.

Being from Winnipeg, Thornton already knew several Cougars when he arrived He played bantam and midget hockey with goalie Tyler Brennan He also knows forward Jonny Hooker, a Winnipeg native, and played spring hockey with winger Craig Armstrong, picked in the first round in 2018 along with Brennan Thornton and Cougar winger Michael Svenson were bantam teammates at Rink Academy Ethan Samson, Thornton’s new defence partner, and winger Blake Eastman were also drafted by the Cats in 2018 and they got to know each other 2 1/2 years ago at the Cougars’ training camp.

NOTICE OF WAIVER OF PUBLIC HEARING

Zoning Bylaw No. 2892, Amendment Bylaw No. 3211, 2021

NoticeisherebygiventhattheRegionalDistrictBoardhaswaived the holding of apublic hearing into Zoning Bylaw No. 2892, Amendment Bylaw No. 3211, 2021. The Regional District Board willconsiderthirdreadingofBylawNo.3211atitsregularmeeting scheduledfor1:30p.m.,Thursday,April22,2021intheRegional DistrictBoardroomlocatedat155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorge, BC.

ThepurposeofBylawNo.3211isto:

1.RezoneLot1DistrictLot2414CaribooDistrictPlanPGP39734 fromRuralResidential1(RR1)toPublicDevelopment1(P1)

2.RezoneLot12774CaribooDistrictfromRural3(Ru3)and PublicDevelopment(P1)toPublicDevelopment(P1)

The amendment is proposed to permit Firehall use or other permitted uses pursuant to the P1 zone. The subject properties arelocatedat9070SymsRoadand3985ShelleyRoad

Acopy of the proposed Bylaw and any relevant background materials areavailable for review by the public on the Regional District’swebsite at http://www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/ development/land-use-planning/current-applications/ (Electoral Areas Aand F) or at the Regional District office, by appointment only,Monday through Friday,8:00 am to 4:30 pm, between March 22 and April 22, 2021. The Regional District Office will be closed on April 2and 5, 2021. To make an appointment contact the Regional District at developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca or250-960-4400

scheduled for July.

Use of the infield is limited to user groups. Access to the site is off of Massey Drive, while the Griffiths lot remains closed to the public, per the City’s COVID-19 safety plan which requires limiting access points.

Arts council unveils digital studio

CHRISTINE HINZMANN

If there was ever a time to explore having a digital voice in the world, it’s during a pandemic.

Don’t know where to start?

That’s where the Prince George & District Community Arts Council Arts North Media Studio comes in.

They’ve got a full circle set up above the Studio 2880 Artisan Gift Shoppe that offers podcasting and livestreaming opportunities, graphic design, product photography studio, guidance on social media usage, e-commerce and a digital editing suite that looks like it could launch a rocket for NASA.

Michael Kast, a local self-taught artist specializing in graphic design, started the Arts North concept and then brought it to the arts council to collaborate with them.

“Putting it all together was an incredibly talented executive director, Sean Farrell,” Kast said. “He was the driving force behind it.”

When it comes to starting something new, Kast said don’t hesitate.

“I believe that anybody, no matter who they are, at any age, can be what they want to be and do what they want to do,” Kast said. “Figure out some way to explore it.”

That’s were Arts North comes in.

The Arts North Media Studio took shape for Kast because he wanted to be part of the Community Arts Council and wondered what that would look like, he said.

“It all grew out of my desire to give back to the community because Prince George has been very good to me,” Kast said.

This podcast studio is part of a new Prince George & District Community Arts Council Arts North program to help individuals and groups learn how to become more digitally visible post-pandemic

“This started pre-COVID and I just wanted to find a way I could support the council in their promoting and training artists - finding ways for them to reach bigger markets.”

There’s nothing better than being successful at something you love to do and that’s the whole premise behind the Arts North Studio.

Kast said he’ll create something he knows will be popular and sell well, which in turn creates the opportunity to indulge in his own individual preference of artwork.

Part of the programming at the Community Arts Council is a business initiative workshop, teaching artists about taxation, insurance and business plans and finances

and then Arts North will focus on promotion.

“It’s all about wanting to lift up whoever wants to be lifted up and how we can help,” Kast said

“This works for the broader community, especially non-profits, who want to get their message out there.”

The new Arts North Media Studio can be accessed by any individual, non-profit or business that is a member of the Prince George & District Community Arts Council.

In the podcast studio, there will also be a camera placed for livestreaming so not just audio but video will be part of what’s offered, too.

When restrictions surrounding the pandemic are lifted anyone interested in creating a podcast would have to share their ideas on their concept, who they want to reach, what’s the shared message as guidelines are followed to make sure content would be appropriate for listeners.

Guidance would be offered on how to work the equipment, how close to get to the mic, how to not pop your p’s or s your s’s, Kast said.

Information will also be provided about editing a podcast and promoting it to help grow an audience.

Within the walls of Arts North people can bring in their art, photograph it, send images out on as many social media platforms as they’d like, create graphics to help enhance the viewing experience and then do a podcast to talk about it.

Individual membership is $30 per year, groups are $60, and businesses are $75.

Virtual film festival celebrating Stephen King

Local film company Barker Street Cinema is offering Stephen King Rules, a virtual film festival, from April 23 to 25.

The film fest will feature 25 films, some never seen before, as an homage to the master of horror.

Since 1977, King has offered his unproduced short stories to be adapted into films by those who are looking to launch their careers. The effort is called Dollar

Baby Deal and the showcase will feature the independent movies, as well as interview and panel discussions with the filmmakers.

Barker Street Cinema made their own Dollar Baby adaptation of King’s mystery called The Doctor’s Case three years ago and will show their work during the festival.

“I can personally attest to the impact the Dollar Baby initiative has had on my career

as a filmmaker,” James Douglas of Barker Street Cinema said. “Being able to share these stories with the world in this manner is unbelievably profound.”

“As storytellers, we were looking for ways to do our part to help provide an escape for people that wouldn’t cost them anything,” Norm Coyne of Barker Street Cinema said.

“The fact that James got the approval for an entire festival of stories from Stephen

King himself is a total mind bender.”

During the three-day festival, co-hosts include Anthony Northrup who is author of Stephen King Dollar Baby: The Book; Leah Coghlan, media and design personality, and Bev Vincent, a King collaborator, who worked on Flight or Fright and The Dark Tower

For information about the film festival including the schedule, visit the website at barkerstreetcinema.com

SUBMITTED PHOTO

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE EXCEEDS $450,000

Single-family homes sold for $450,901 on average in Prince George during the first quarter of 2021, according to figures issued by the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board.

The amount represents a $67,258 jump over the average sale price for the same period last year As well, sales nearly doubled to 227 from 129.

The BCNREB recorded similar outcomes for most of the communities in its territory.

Looking at properties of all types in Prince George, 380 exchanged hands for a total of $156 million, compared to 221 sales for $73.3 million during the first quarter of 2020.

In the western part of the city, the median price of the 70 single-family homes that have sold was $410,000 compared to $346,000 last year East of Highway 97, the 38 single-family homes that sold had a median value of $325,000, up from $272,500.

In the Hart, 54 single-family homes sold with a median price of $420,000, compared to $401,250 last year.

In the southwest 64 homes have sold since January with a median price of $510,000, up from $453,500 in 2020.

At the end of March, there were 389 properties of all types available on the Mulitple Listing Service within the city limits, down from 509 at the same point last year

Building permit values booming

A building permit issued for a new apartment building, worth an estimated $6.5 million, headlined a banner month for building permits issued by the City of Prince George.

In March, the city issued a total of 35 permits worth a combined $14.59 million, according to a report to city council.

In addition to the permit for the apartment building on RecPlace Drive, behind Mr PG, the city issued permits for 10 new single-family homes with a combined value of nearly $5.6 million, and $2 million in permits for eight renovation projects for

commercial and multi-family buildings.

The $14.59 million in permits issued in March this year was higher than the $8.81 million issued in March 2020, and just over $11 million issued in March 2018 and March 2019.

For the first quarter of 2020, the city has issued a total of 93 building permits worth a combined $32.47 million.

By comparison, over the first quarter of 2020, the city issued a total of 97 permits with a combined value of $18.35 million, and 101 permits worth a combined $27.21 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Resident awaits double organ transplant

CHRISTINE HINZMANN

It’s been one thing after another for Devin Hartney recently.

He’s only 26 but needs a liver and kidney transplant after years of liver deterioration that was discovered when he was just eight years old.

Then just last week he had another health crisis that sent him to Vancouver for life-saving emergency treatment

When he passed out from the pain, Hartney was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered he was bleeding internally at an alarming rate.

As time was of the essence, the decision was made to fly Hartney to Vancouver General for emergency surgery.

His spouse, Samantha Childs, updated The Citizen with the latest news and said Hartney had many blood transfusions to keep him alive during transport and then during treatment.

“We almost lost him a couple times,” Childs said.

The experts couldn’t go the less invasive route to discover where Hartney was bleeding from and finally did major stomach surgery where they removed 18 litres of fluid, Childs said.

The doctors found the bleed, called a spinal arterial aneurism, fixed it and he’s slowly recovering now

“The whole incident happened Friday and he was woken up on Monday with no recollection obviously of what happened over the weekend because he was sedated the entire time and he was on a ventilator,” Childs explained. “He knew it was a bad

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Devin Hartney, 26, is waiting for a double organ transplant while recovering from another major health crisis.

situation but he had no idea the severity of it so I filled him in and he was a little shocked by it but then when he found out about the crazy amount of support from friends and family from back home and the go-fund-me - people are doing bottle drives and raffles online and he’s had donations of all sorts and it’s incredible the amount of support the community has shown and that definitely has raised his spirits.”

He’s doing really well right now and lots of friends are reaching out to him and it’s really nice to see, she added

“He’s skin and bones and very weak right now but he’s on the mend,” Childs said.

“He’s sitting up and walking a little bit and eating on his own now.”

Hartney was recently released from hospital and then the couple took two days to travel back to Prince George.

“Next there will be physio and follow up, we’re just taking things one step at a time,” Childs said. “He was put on the liver transplant list at the beginning of March and his kidney isn’t working as well as it should be and we’re just waiting to hear from the kidney transplant list team.”

Hartney was born with congenital hepatic fibrosis that affects the liver and then about three and a half years ago he was diagnosed with MPGN, a very rare auto immune disease that attacks the kidney. When it was discovered that Hartney’s liver and kidneys were declining to the point of needing a double transplant, a family member started a go-fund-me page because although the cost of transplants are not out out-of-pocket for Canadians, the medical equipment, medications and the stay in Vancouver for at least three

Helping others key for Pendergast

WFOCUS ON SENIORS

CATHERINE MILLS

hen Ken Pendergast moved to Prince George in 1965 from his home in the Kootenays, the pulp mills were just being built. Work was easy to find for a young man recently released from the Royal Canadian Air Force. He started out driving a logging truck and concrete hauling, then some construction work on the pulp mills and a few different jobs until he started working with the BC Forest Service in 1967.

The job with the BC Forest Service turned into a career, progressing through positions in Prince George, out at Summit Lake and west to Terrace to work as a deputy ranger for three and a half years. A promotion to operations manager took him to Fort St John in 1981 In 1983, he took on the position of district manager In 1991, he returned to Prince George to be their district manager His colleagues in Fort St. John warned him: ‘if you drink from the Peace River, you will always return.’ Ken is

adamant that Prince George is home now and he has no intention of returning. The people were great, but he remembers the bitterly cold winters.

“When I returned to Prince George, I was district manager until 1995. I switched to Forest Renewal BC as one of the six regional directors in the province. I worked with them until I retired in 2000.” Ken explained.

“Then I went consulting for six or seven years. I worked with the forest sector; value added sector, I held down a position as environmental manager for three years on an offshore pipeline project. We were working on a long pipeline, tying wells together on the eastern shore of Russia to Sakalin Island to transport the oil from the north end of the island to the new facility being built on the south end. The experience was nothing like anything I’d ever taken part in.”

Teaching Russians the realities of constructing a pipeline within the environmental rules and regulations was satisfying, if occasionally frustrating. Having translators all the time helped.

True retirement might have finally arrived but he is still busy Right after his partner Kelly, Ken loves Rotary He has been active with the club since 1984 when he was in Fort St John. He has served on the executive in both Fort St. John and Prince George. The Rotary motto is “ser-

months for follow up is not covered. The goal for the fundraising effort was $10,000. Right now they’ve got more than $16,000, which offers a cushion if recovery takes longer than anticipated. There are a lot of variables that go with a double transplant. Recipients of transplants must stay near their specialist as issues may arise and medications have to be adjusted. Having a double transplant would be best for Hartney because anti-rejection medications take a toll on the body’s other organs and with kidneys already compromised it’s best if both transplants are done at the same time. To have the go-fund-me money to help alleviate the financial burden is of great comfort to Hartney and Childs who are both not working right now Hartney is too sick and Childs is his full-time caregiver, which is also part of the requirements for post-transplant care

Luckily the couple is living with Childs’ mother so there’s no burden of household expenses or a mortgage to worry about.

The funds will not be used for this recent trip, Childs said. She knows when the time comes for the transplant, the stay in Vancouver will be expensive and could go longer so the funds raised will be used for all the incidentals of the transplant.

“It’s definitely raised Devin’s spirits to know that he has the support from family, friends and the community,” Childs said. “We just really want to say thank you. It’s quite amazing.”

To donate to the go fund me, visit https://ca.gofundme.com/f/devin-hartneytransplant-help.

vice above self” and community support is key It helps when that service is fun and exciting too!

“I participated regularly with the people of Sakalin Island in Rotary. I attended all their meetings. I assisted with the grant applications for projects they wanted to accomplish because of my experience and command of the English language” Ken recalls, proudly, with a smile. “I had three years of experience working with Rotary in

Russia and in South Korea, because they were strong advocates and supporters of the people of Sakalin Island.”

Locally, Ken’s Rotary passion is their sponsorship of Operation Red Nose. When it first came to Prince George in 1997, it was sponsored by the UNBC Timberwolves. In 2001 the Nechako Rotary Club took over the sponsorship.

Operation Red Nose uses 300 to 350 volunteers to drive, navigate and take calls. All the funds collected go towards supporting the youth and amateur sports associations that Rotary sponsors Many of them join the volunteers ensuring people get a safe ride home. Ken says they have a core of volunteers that have been with them since 1997, but new individuals and groups are always welcome. Bear that in mind if you are looking for something to do this year It did get cancelled in 2020, due to COVID, but this year, fingers crossed, it will go ahead.

Rotary may be Ken’s second love (after Kelly), but it does not fill every hour, so he is also a member of the ATV club, Gyro, ski patrol at Otway, an instructor in first aid for ski patrollers, president of the BC Government Retired Employees Association and a member of the Seniors Liaison Advisory Committee for the Prince George Council of Seniors He enjoys his busy life!

HOW ABOUT SOME COVID APPRECIATION?

It’s all a disaster.

The vaccine rollout, in B.C. and across Canada, has been as rough and traumatic as hitting a popular local mudding trail at full speed in your brand-new 4x4.

The “we’re opening up, now we’re closed again” decisions by various provincial governments has been confusing. The owners and staff of our local restaurants have been slammed multiple times with abrupt changes to public health orders.

B.C. teachers and staff have spent most of the pandemic fighting for tougher mask policies and better screening in schools

Variants of the original novel coronavirus that first reared its head early last year are much more contagious and are making people, particularly younger individuals, sicker faster

Most of the Vancouver Canucks now have COVID and several of those players – elite high-performance athletes in prime physical condition – have been laid low for days with illness (nothing requiring hospitalization at this point, thankfully).

All of these ongoing problems have been as frustrating as morning snow in April We’re all done with COVID winter and are

more than ready for post-pandemic spring and summer. Everyone is tired of the health orders and restrictions. Everyone just wants a couple of shots in the arm, so life can return to some semblance of normalcy

Yet we mustn’t lose sight of all we have to be thankful for

Let’s start with the vaccine itself. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed, tested and produced faster than any other vaccine in history. It took months, not the multiple years it has previously taken.

Imagine for a moment if we had gone through the entire winter without a vaccine Imagine if the current variants were slamming into us while a working vaccine was still months or even years away.

The speed in which the COVID-19 vaccines were made and the amazing efficacy they have shown in preventing illness and reducing the spread of the virus is a scientific and engineering miracle.

Then there’s the production and distribution.

The experts were telling us last summer that distribution was going to be challenging. The citizens of countries that have their own manufacturing facilities to make

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gun law a ‘mishmash’

The BC government recently rushed Bill 4 (the Firearm Violence Prevention Act) into law claiming it was an attempt to deal with drug and gang violence.

Unfortunately, this poorly designed bill misses its target. Instead of initiating programs to divert youth from being seduced into a gangster lifestyle, or taking serious steps to lock up violent thugs in prison, Bill 4 introduces a patchwork of measures that snare duck hunters, sport shooters, fancy cars, toys, and even physicians and social workers

By confusing duck hunters with gang bangers, Bill 4 will cause greater problems for honest citizens than for gun-toting thugs Two of the most egregious problems with Bill 4 leap out at anyone who goes beyond the government media releases and reads the bill itself

First, Bill 4 authorizes the impoundment and eventual confiscation of any vehicle that police claim has been used to transport illegal firearms or to flee police. Not convicted, just accused. This reverses the important legal principle of being considered innocent until proven guilty and

forces the owner to prove his innocence. And that’s not all. The police are allowed to designate the firm that will hold the impounded vehicle until trial. Since trials usually occur years after charges are laid, impoundment virtually guarantees confiscation. By allowing police to confiscate property in this way, Bill 4 invites police corruption, as similar legislation did in Ontario.

Second, Bill 4 shields health professionals (and social workers) from civil liability who tell police that they suspect a client would use a firearm or imitation firearm to “threaten or intimidate another person.” Currently, physicians are permitted to warn police when aware of that a patient poses a “serious, imminent danger posed by a patient …[if] the patient had made specific threats.” But Bill 4 lowers the bar to a shocking level: all that is needed to call police are just vague threats or “feelings” of intimidation if a firearm, or even an “imitation firearm,” is involved. Plus, Bill 4 expands the list of people exempt from civil liability charges to include other health professionals and social workers. The result is that, by removing civil liability, Bill

vaccine would always go first.

Canada is not one of those countries. Every Canadian that has been vaccinated so far and every Canadian that will be vaccinated is receiving a vaccine made in the United States, the U.K. or Europe.

That’s why half of the American population has already had at least one dose and many have already had their second shot. By comparison, just 20 per cent of adult British Columbians have had their first shot Every adult American that wants the vaccine will be able to get it by April 19 Canada will be about two to three months behind that.

Blame Justin Trudeau or John Horgan all you want but Americans and Europeans were always going to be vaccinated sooner and faster than Canadians.

The Canadian distribution hasn’t been smooth but it was never going to be easy. The federal government buys the vaccine but it’s up to individual provinces to deliver it, leading to different choices and different timetables.

Difficult decisions also had to be made about who (and where) would go first.

Here in B.C., it was clear that Indigenous people, particularly those living on

reserve, were more vulnerable than the general population.

All the racist grumblings that vaccinating First Nations sooner than the general population was simply political correctness run amok were ignoring the science. Rural, isolated areas far from hospitals with intensive care units seeing severe outbreaks or potential severe outbreaks were vaccinated first and most (but not all) of those areas were in First Nations.

This is basic medical triage at the public health level, not some hamfisted attempt at reconciliation.

Federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole is right to call for a public inquiry into the Canadian response to COVID-19, He’s wrong, however, if he wants to use the findings of such an inquiry as a political weapon. Such an inquiry needs to be done in conjunction with the provinces not to point blame but to learn from mistakes and draft policy and procedures to be better prepared for the next time

Because there will be a next time.

And that next time might come far sooner and be far worse than what we just experienced.

— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

4 invites false, even malicious, complaints, against innocent people.

Why did the government dream up such a mishmash of a bill?

That’s difficult to say The government has not provided any evidence that demonizing firearms in this way will reduce suicide rates or family violence.

Gary Mauser Burnaby

Smartphone problems

I, and a few people I know, live without owning computers or smartphones. It can be a little inconvenient at times but we manage

Anyone who listened to the Massey lectures, which aired on the Ideas program on CBC Radio during the week of March 2226, should be horrified at the devastation these devices are wreaking on the planet.

They are sources of massive pollution during the mining of the many metals from which they are made and the shipping of raw materials, as well as the attempt at recycling made in Third World countries. They cause the exploitation of child labour during the mining and recycling phases.

They have features deliberately built in that make them obsolescent after relatively brief usage and they consume vast amounts of energy while performing often unnecessary tasks and transmitting deliberate lies embedded amongst legitimate information.

If we believe the generations of our grandchildren and great grandchildren deserve a chance at a decent life on a still-liveable planet, we might all consider curtailing our use of this technology.

Ross Pearce

Prince George

Thanks to Vicki

Diane Nakamura, what a nice write-up about BIG (Brain Injury Group) you did and especially the accomplishments that Vicki Shepherd has had with BIG over her career

Vicki has educated so many survivors, helping them deal with an invisible injury that has the true potential to destroy one’s mental health.

Good health and happiness in your retirement, Vicki. Much deserved!

Miles Thomas

Prince George

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Corporations favoured over people

In my last column, I said our system of free market capitalism was flawed. It is not just an issue of income inequality that is structurally built into the system. It is that the system we have been operating under was constructed in a different time and under different circumstances.

The free market economy arose in the 1700s, which was a time when Canada didn’t even exist.

The world’s population was around 500 million and vast stretches of land were “unexplored.” This made for a very different view of the world economy.

Indeed, there really wasn’t such a thing as a “world economy.” Resources flowed to those with the capacity to take them and this was predominantly countries in Western Europe.

At the time, when a mine played out, you simply went and found another one If you needed more trees, you shifted to a different continent. More food? Obtain it from faraway lands.

Although resources have always been limited (we only have one Earth), the birth of free market capitalism operated on a premise of infinite supply, or at least the capacity to develop an unlimited supply The creation of the cotton fields in the southern United States was driven by Eu-

R

AS I SEE IT TODD WHITCOMBE

ropean demands for fabric, not domestic consumption.

But we don’t live in an unexplored and wild world any more. Countries occupy all of the land base, with the exception of Antarctica. And there are discussions about how to divide up that continent as climate change accelerates deglaciation.

You can’t simply take something from another country. Nor can you plant a flag and start growing your own crops. We now live in a world of trade.

Don’t get me wrong.

Trade is not a flaw in our business model. Indeed, taxes on the trade in goods were the principle source of income for the early federal government in Canada. The ability to trade goods with other nations is a major factor in the development of nation states.

But over the last 50 years, the cost of transportation of goods or trade between countries has declined dramatically The balance between transportation costs and labour costs has been fought on the unemployment line.

Corporations are doing exactly what

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

eject cancel culture

“Cancel culture” is here to stay. By cancel culture, I mean those people who have decided certain events, people, moments in history need to be rewritten to reflect a worldview that has erased God from human events. Instead they have replaced God with a worldview that places big government and self-interest at the centre. Any past culture that does not reflect their interpretation of events are condemned and therefore cancelled.

We can see this in some places in the world today The atheist communist countries have been erasing their heritage from the minds and hearts of their people for a long time. The events in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, have been erased from Chinese history It is simply not part of the Chinese Communist Party narrative. We must not allow this to happen to us. Sadly the cancel culture people have had the upper hand, but it is time to take back our history. One example will have to suffice for now.

Recently, the statue of Sir John A. was pulled down because he was prime minister of Canada during the era that residential schools were instituted. A social conservative looks at Sir John A. as a man that was completely human with foibles, but he still knit this country together, from sea to shining sea In my history classes, the supreme form of arrogance that I was taught was to measure another generation through the lens of our present situation. When we look back on Sir John A and

they are designed to do. They are intended to generate money for their owners. And when it costs less to build something in a different part of the world and transport it to your country than it costs to build it locally, then corporations do just that.

Ironically, many of the people who rail against government regulations which restrict business and trade also rail against the loss of jobs, the gutting of resource communities, and forced migration of workers, which are a result of removing restrictions on business and trade!

But the system is working the way it is supposed to, which has resulted in perpetuating economic structures that are archaic and, in some cases, punitive. As one of my friends put it, the poor are in the position they are in as a consequence of Ferdinand LaSalle and his Iron Law of Wages. Keep a surplus of workers around and wage levels will remain at the level of subsistence.

When corporations and companies can export their labour demands, then there is always an abundant supply of workers. The low cost of transportation means our manufacturing capacity has migrated. This is the basis of Thomas Friedman’s book The World is Flat and his subsequent book arguing the world is Hot, Flat, and Crowded Our economic models need to change.

But it is not in the best interests of cor-

porations to change the economic model. They have trillions of dollars invested in the present model. And perhaps more importantly, people employed by companies, large and small, are not interested in change if it puts their livelihood at risk. Yet change is happening. And income inequality is a reflection of these changing times.

The Conference Board of Canada released a report illustrating how the income gap is widening and arguing the gap is a detriment to innovation and growth In absolute terms, the bottom 20 per cent of wage earners are now better off than 40 years ago but not by much. For example, the average wage was $14,500 in 2009, compared to $12,400 in 1976 taking inflation into account. Over the same time period, the average income in Canada increased from $51,100 to $59,700. All of this comes back to asking the fundamental question which started this particular series of columns – how do we change our economy to one which will respect the environment, mitigate climate change, and recognize the limited carrying capacity of the planet? More on that next week.

But systems which fall out of equilibrium – and our economy is one of those – have a nasty habit of self-correcting in the most unfortunate way

condemn him for the things that he did, because of our enlightened minds we have committed that sin of arrogance.

Arrogance is always a symptom of insecurity. If the cancel culture crowd were honest with themselves, they know deep down that they have no standard. The standard they use to measure is relative and ever-changing. Because they have replaced God with big government and self, there is no security, there are no objective standards by which society can be measured.

Is cancel culture here to stay? I say yes

Unless Christians and all social conservatives begin to take a stand. Our country needs to return to a place where:

a. Responsibility for one’s sins, individually, corporately, and nationally are admitted without excuses;

b. Recognition of the futility, arrogance and degradation of Big Government taking care of our hearts, minds, and souls;

c. Reorganization of government so it is a servant of God for the good of the people. John Siebenga, Houston, BC

Alarmist letter

RE: Towards a full glass of water, March 22, The Citizen

As the former chief scientific officer for Imperial Metals from September 2014 to December 2018, I take issue with comments made by the authors about Mount Polley. Full disclosure: I also still do some consulting work for Imperial Metals occasionally, but I write this letter from my own perspective and experience. The statement

that “Imperial Metals was never fined or charged or penalized for the disaster” is false. The company was served immediately with a Pollution Abatement Order by the BC government, and required to pay for all clean-up, repair and remediation.

Imperial Metals behaved responsibly and has done extensive clean-up and remediation work on the areas impacted by the spill. To date, they have spent over $70 million, planting over 665,000 native trees and shrubs, cleaning up and installing new spawning gravels on the impacted shoreline of Quesnel Lake, rebuilding the impacted creeks and installing productive new trout and salmon habitat

BC’s Ministry of Environment does not issue permits that allow a company to discharge anything to the environment that causes pollution. Permit conditions at Mount Polley are very strict. There is extensive monitoring and reporting required by both provincial and federal governments. There is a water treatment plant to ensure that all mine contact water discharged meets permit requirements Making sure that excess water is not stored on site is an important part of safe management and follows the best practices advised by the site engineer of record.

It is unfortunate that the authors chose the words they do to describe Mount Polley’s controlled and closely monitored discharge of treated water, which is permitted by the BC Ministry of Environment under Environmental Management Act Permit number 11678. The mine is not “dumping” materials into Quesnel Lake. A word like

this is obviously chosen to elicit a negative emotional response. It is also worth noting that the mine has a longstanding public liaison committee, which meets every quarter.

At these meetings, information about mine operations, water treatment, and environmental monitoring is openly shared. This information includes the results of all the monitoring work that the mine has done. There is full disclosure

All the studies of fish health have shown no negative impacts from the mine’s discharge and the quality of fishing for anglers continues to be outstanding in Quesnel Lake, with no concerns reported from Interior Health Authority or the First Nations Health Authority

In fact, the salmon that were juveniles in the year of the spill, returned to spawn in 2018 “in droves,” to quote a local newspaper headline.

It is disappointing to see the repeated publishing of misleading and alarmist comments, often with tidbits of facts either taken, or presented, way out of context, just to continuously perpetuate misinformation about an industry that generates wealth and opportunity for British Columbia.

The province’s highly regulated and environmentally responsible mining industry, which generates a large number of well-paying and unionized jobs, and works increasingly more collaboratively with Indigenous peoples, provides a huge opportunity for the future.

C.D. (Lyn) Anglin Vancouver

Parkade questions unanswered

The slow trickle of emails being released to the public discussing the parkade cost overruns suggest there is much more that should be made public and properly investigated. The current statements from the mayor and staff do not explain the gap between what happened and who knew what, when, and most importantly, why.

The reason why this matters is it seems to be a concealing of facts from city council to avoid accountability as the costs kept piling up. So far, what we know reveals there is much we do not know

For instance, there is this strange exchange between then planning manager (and current interim deputy city manager) Ian Wells and former city manager Kathleen Soltis about parkade developer Frank Quinn’s concerns about their salaries. Why is Ian Wells talking to a developer about their salaries? Sure, their huge salaries were in the news at the time and so a conversation about it would be likely, but why would a casual conversation about this expand into a request from Quinn that the Mayor “show leadership?”

As far as we know, Quinn’s only relationship with the city was as a developer. He doesn’t live in Prince George Why would Wells promote his opinion on the issue?

In the April 6 Citizen story by Arthur Williams, we can read this email excerpt obtained through an FOI request: “July 9, 2018, Soltis sent an email to Wells, with the subject “Fw: Parkade Prince George Costing.”

“How did things go with A&T on Friday?” Soltis asked Wells at 11:05 a.m.

“It went very well,” Wells replied via email. “We indicated that they need to continue to get the best prices, and that City could not change the partnering agreement without Council Approval. Frank thought that Lyn needed to show some leadership regarding our salaries Frank sent him a text offering to help Call me if you need more info.”

At 7:42 p.m. on July 9, 2018, Soltis

When I think of what is taking place at city hall in regards to the parkade, Haggith Creek Bridge, Winnipeg and Carney Street sinkhole etc., I can’t help but think of what the Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock says about a fellow who “flung himself upon his horse, and rode madly off in all directions.”

Seems to me the city has any number of projects on the go in various stages at any given moment and the best they can do is run madly in all directions and hope something comes out OK.

What’s the chance of that happening?

The dust has not even settled on the projects noted above and we are off in another direction. Millions of dollars required for our storm water system, problems with the steel beams for the new swimming pool that will affect the cost, and perhaps delay the finish date.

I noted on Good Friday they were back working on the site, however working on a statutory holiday does not come cheap. Seems the beams have to be recoated.

Although the city mentioned the recoating, there was no mention (to my knowledge) about what went wrong, who was responsible, how much it will cost, and

LETTER

No faith in Trudeau

This is an open letter to Justin Trudeau. I read in one of your books about you having participated in the Christian course Alpha a number of years ago. I was really gratified in your quest for the truth of the Christian faith but it appears that in suc-

replied, “Thanks, Ian. I talked with Lyn last night and he generally mentioned Frank’s advice to me.”

time between July 6, 2018 and July 9, 2018.

At first glance, the sentence about “our salaries” and “advice” seem out of place as the subject of the email was the parkade and it is even in the same paragraph as the parkade. Why would Wells switch from writing about the condo/parkade project to mention that Frank Quinn recommends the mayor show leadership regarding the salaries of senior management, as well as offer advice?

Then Mayor Hall seems to have confirmed the discussion with Quinn about that advice. This advice is apparently important enough to reassure Wells. Is this simply a poor writing choice or are the two connected? If connected, that is interesting and needs clarity to avoid misunderstanding.

Just last week, Williams reports: “Last week, however, a spokesperson for the city confirmed that an email exchange between Soltis and then city general manager of planning and development Ian Wells on July 9, 2018 was referring to A & T partner Frank Quinn. The emails suggest Quinn reached out to Hall via text message some-

Madly off in all directions

WHAT’S THE POINT? ERIC ALLEN THINKING ALOUD TRUDY KLASSEN

who will pay or what the anticipated delay will be So once more we are getting the mushroom treatment. In addition we still have the problem with the west wall of the Playhouse.

Has anyone noticed that the city has a tendency to make a very negative picture of anything that they wish to get rid of and build new? Case in point, the old swimming pool was getting too old to repair, the chlorine system would have to be replaced at some point, the underground piping was getting old and leaking. It would make more sense to build new than repair.

The old police station no longer met the requirements of the police and, in addition, it was falling apart, there were instances of excrement flowing down the walls and it too needed to be replaced rather than repaired.

Then of course the downtown fire hall that served us well for fifty years more or less no longer met the needs of the fire department and we would have to build a new one. There were a litany of reasons

cessive years, you have relinquished your commitment to this faith.

I had a conversation with a Prince George Catholic bishop and he expressed his genuine sadness in how you misrepresent Catholicism. There are some Catholic priests that refuse to offer the sacrament of communion to those they consider to be dishonouring the true tenets of Christian-

“As you may recall, the subject of staff salaries was being reported and opined upon in the Prince George news media at the time of the meeting,” a city spokesperson said in an email. “Consequently, the topic came up as part of the course of a ‘side conversation’ during the meeting about the parkade project. This conversation is what is being referred to in the email chain.”

This doesn’t explain why the side conversation about salaries was considered important enough to include in an email. It doesn’t explain why it was important enough for the mayor to be texted and confirmed as an item of discussion and again referred to in another email.

These are just a few questions The people of Prince George have many more questions and deserve answers. The cost overruns could have paid for so many kilometres of roads to be improved, potholes to be filled, water and sewer updating, wheelchair accessibility improvements and trail improvement.

We need a complete and independent investigation.

why this old hall had to go.

So it seems that the denigrating of the facility is the first step in the process of getting rid of it. We now have the Playhouse, which has major problems in the west wall and there is some concern that there might be mold in the building. When will we hear that it would be cheaper to build new than repair?

When the city talked about our need for an upgraded storm water system, it was with a backdrop of the sinkhole on Winnipeg and Carney and water rushing down Victoria and other city streets. The message being that if we don’t solve this problem we run the risk of drowning. They even go so far as to suggest we are having wetter weather because of global warming and they have to make adjustments for the future. Seems like they will be looking for some more tax dollars fairly quickly

Council put out an update on the review of the parkade project on March 31 and stated that we should get the results of this review by the end of April. We will have to wait until then to see just how coherent the review actually is.

If it does not meet the smell test, then I strongly recommend that the mayor and council approach the Office of the Inspector of Municipalities to hold a full-scale inquiry into the conduct of Prince George

ity.

For you to promote the “rights” of abortion and euthanasia is profoundly against what Jesus Christ is all about. He died and was resurrected in order to defeat Satan, not to corroborate him.

Satan is the great deceiver (the father of lies) and he is not to be fooled with. Jesus Christ embodies all righteousness

municipal business over the past 10-15 years. This inquiry would go a long way to getting the city back on track and would also be very useful to other municipalities having similar problems.

It’s going to take the leadership of the mayor and this council to get this inquiry off the ground. The time of running off in all directions needs to come to an end. Having only one solution to all problems throwing money at it needs to come to an end.

Taxpayers in Prince George have been very patient over the years with the city and now have come to the end of the line. We need real, as opposed to imaginary, solutions to problems. We need actual work for money paid We need to put the concerns of the taxpayers in the number one position. We need to quit mollycoddling contractors and developers.

I am predicting today that the major issue in the next election in Prince George will be tax reductions, cost reductions, productivity, and responsible spending. Any politician who wishes to be elected to council or the mayor’s position should start their campaigning now. The eyes of the citizens of Prince George will be on the mayor, council and city administration until the next election.

Let’s see if they can rise to the occasion.

and goodness and we do ourselves a grave injustice in not heeding His call for us to obey Him and abide in Him.

In Jesus Christ alone is life and security Satan represents eternal death and perpetual abandonment

Mr Trudeau, may you be redirected in your future spiritual life.

Gerald Klassen, Prince George

How Britain really could be great

Ihave been teaching about Canada’s 2008 apology for residential schools for some time now. In discussing the topic, I point out that this is not only a Canadian issue. Australia has apologized to its Indigenous peoples and New Zealand continues to make progress in its reconciliation process.

Quite often, I hear these questions from my students: “What about England? Weren’t we under their rule when the residential schools began? Have they apologized as well?”

At first, this made me uncomfortable. I didn’t want to speak for another nation and say that they needed to do what Canada did. After all, our own progress in the entire reconciliation process has been painfully slow

The truth is, colonialism has left and continues to leave deep wounds all around the world and Great Britain is responsible for much of the pain.

Seattle Times columnist and author Dr Dale E. Turner hit the nail on the head when he said: “It is the highest form of

LESSONS IN LEARNING GERRY CHIDIAC

self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character.”

What is true for individuals is also true for nations. I couldn’t imagine a person in Canada saying that the treatment of our Indigenous peoples was something to be proud of or that we have done enough to rectify the situation. If one did so, their credibility would rightly be called into question.

Yet a recent poll found that 44 per cent of people in Great Britain are proud of their colonial empire and only 21 per cent are not.

The wealthy class and the British nobility lined their pockets with the riches of other nations for centuries and were

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No faith in your faith

Re: “No faith in Trudeau.”

I doubt you when you say you read a book by Justin Trudeau. You should be aware that the separation between church and state is fundamental, a principle that he adheres to.

I also don’t follow how you came to the conclusion that a short evangelism course reveals anything of significance about him

You only have freedom of religion because the government is a secular organization that guarantees that freedom. I will never vote for a representative that stands and claims that anyone should be governed by any book of religion To paraphrase, you claim that Trudeau “has relinquished his commitment to the faith.”

This is quite a bizarre and vile accusation to make, especially in light of his role as leader of a diverse nation. I think you should be ashamed of that utterance.

I take Trudeau at his word when he says” “For someone to start questioning my own faith and accusing me of being a bad Catholic, is something that I really take issue with. My own personal faith is an extremely important part of who I am and the values that I try to lead with.”

Then I read that you have formed an opinion because you heard from someone else with an opinion about Trudeau’s opinions. In my opinion, your opinion about that other fella’s opinion of Trudeau’s “misrepresentation” is without merit, especially when pronounced in a factless vacuum.

It left me wondering if the sad fellow’s opinion wasn’t quite what you made it out to be. The fact that I have an opinion about you having an opinion about another fella’s opinion is just as weird but in my opinion your opinion does not belong in a newspaper pretending to be a message to the

responsible, whether directly or indirectly, for so many deaths that the number is virtually incalculable

Great Britain not only exploited the Indigenous peoples of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, they were largely responsible for the slave trade. The average life expectancy on a Caribbean sugar plantation, where many slaves ended up, was roughly three years.

The English have been exploiting other countries for centuries and this includes the Highland Land Clearances in Scotland, as well as the colonization of Ireland. We often forget that during the Irish Potato Famine of the mid 1800s, they actually imported food grown by the Irish

They pillaged India and gunned down people who opposed them Though they like to shirk responsibility, the massacres that occurred along the border of India and Pakistan after independence were largely the result of decisions made by the English.

In South Africa, 48, 000 people died in concentration camps between 1899 and 1902, and this number includes both black Africans and Boers.

Few would argue that the current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians dates back to British mismanagement of their territory.

The British, of course, were not the only powerful country to violate the rights of other people. The exploits of the French, Dutch, Spanish, Belgians, Germans and Portuguese were similar.

Several of these European powers have begun reconciliation efforts in their former colonies, most notably Germany in Namibia, the Netherlands in Indonesia and Belgium in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The British government has also “expressed regret” for its actions during the Mau Mau rebellion in 1952, where 100,000 Kenyans were murdered. They even offered financial compensation to surviving victims. They made it clear, however, that these actions would not be “precedent setting.”

But, isn’t it time to release the myth of Britannia?

Wouldn’t Great Britain actually be great if they had the courage to set a precedent in creating a better world?

Prime Minister of Canada; it is disingenuous to say it is In fact, I think it is simply belligerent to castigate anyone publicly for not sharing your opinion about the other fella’s opinion. Rumour has it that the other fella is quite capable of publicly expressing his own opinions.

I respect your right to your belief system. I do not respect your belief that your religion has any right to determine or legislate matters of personal health and wellness.

The Catholic church has relinquished its pretended authority when it comes to speaking about ethics or morality In short, abortion and euthanasia are simply none of your business; they are personal matters. Only in knowledge, medicine, science, and human industry is life and security to be found.

I admire a government that strives to protect respect for individual human rights, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as other rights including reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Duane Grant, Prince George MP numbers wrong

An open letter to Taylor Bachrach, MP for Skeena- Bulkley Valley:

I’m confused. Why would you tell your constituents we’re getting huge amounts of infrastructure funding from the Liberal federal government when it’s not true?

Your faulty data analysis says that each person in the North Coast Regional District is receiving 65 times as much infrastructure funding per capita than people of the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District.

Anyone living here knows that’s not our reality

Almost all the funding in Northwest B.C that you’re celebrating went to a small number of industrial construction and commercial transportation mega-projects. These projects don’t directly improve the life of your average rural resident. They do generate tax revenue for all British Columbians that disproportionately goes to urban areas.

These projects should be excluded from your analysis When you consider the remaining funding, rural British Columbians get much less than people in urban areas for the infrastructure that impacts our daily lives.

Nearly 80 per cent of North Coast Regional District funding was directed to three Prince Rupert Container Port construction projects. Nearly half of Regional District of Kitimat Stikine funding went to two projects: a commercial truck weigh station in Terrace and the Stewart Port.

Almost all of the Central Coast and Stikine RD funding went to something nearly everyone else already has: high-speed internet Would you be pointing out what a great deal First Nations are getting for clean drinking water infrastructure?

Your analysis shows that the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako is underfunded, which was ignored in your press release.

In Vancouver, most funding goes towards projects that do improve the daily lives of Vancouverites. For example, they received nearly $1.7 billion in transit infrastructure funding. This alone accounts for more than the federal government’s investments in rural B.C.

Residents of Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding aren’t benefiting from privileged infrastructure funding levels from the federal

government. Please correct and retract your press release and start fighting for fair and equitable infrastructure funding that your constituents deserve, but currently aren’t getting.

Darcy Repen, Telkwa

RCMP probe needed

A $12.9 million parking garage costs $34 million. Mayor and council are all claiming they didn’t know. Don’t you think it’s time to get the RCMP involved to find out where the money went? It is probably the only way to find out.

I wonder if the meeting city council had to decide to plead innocence and no knowledge of where your $20 million went was based on political or legal reasons. I also wonder how many would swear under oath they had no knowledge of where the $20 million went There is obviously something that council does not want to tell you about the money But what they are telling the taxpayers is they are not to be trusted and no elected official in Prince George has knowledge or control over how the city spends taxpayer money and that the bills were paid without looking at them

Is that what’s happening in regards to the new pool, too? That is a very scary place for the taxpayers and will lead to reduced services and programs, increased user fees and most definitely higher taxes. Does anyone care? I’m a renter so I’m not too concerned with property taxes but if you pay them I would be because you are the ones responsible for paying off the loan. I wonder what the monthly fees are on a $20 million loan and I wonder if they had to borrow the money to bribe you into thinking they are good people with a 0 per cent tax increase You will also pay for that old political trick.

Rick Berry, Prince George

3WAYS TO REGISTERFORTHE COVID-19VACCINE

Check northernhealth.ca forthe mostup-to-dateinformation.

Wheretofind vaccine information

Register online

24 hours aday

To register online you must provide:

• First and lastname

• Date of birth

• Postal code

• Personal Health Number

• An activeemail address or atextmessage friendly phone number

Register by phone Registerata

Thecall centercan also help if you feelmore comfortable registering over the phone.

• Call: 1-833-838-2323

• Translators are available

• Call7days aweek, 7amto7pm(PDT)

Youcan register in-person at

•tion

• Check before you go

• Bringyour Personal Health Number with you

The bestresources forinformation continue to be the Northern Health website’s COVID-19Vaccination Plan page (northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid19-vaccine-plan) ,aswellaslocal Northern Health Community Facebook groups.

Northerners areencouraged to visit the Northern Health websitefor details on their local appointmenteligibility schedules- and to calltoregisterfor aCOVID-19vaccine appointmentbased on those datestohelp the booking system operatemoresmoothlyand ensurethosewho are eligible canbe booked quickly and efficiently.

SC OPES &P UZ

____-been

List of choices

Resist authority

Mom’s companion

Heavy metal

Stubborn animal

Make butter

Sends on a new path

Outrages

PUZZLE NO. 813

11. Foreshadow 17. Drove too fast 19. At the time 22. Wrestling pad 23. Umbrella part 24. Distinctive period

25. Refuses to buy 26. Pond barrier 28. Furniture wood 29. Paper-towel layer 31. Speck

32. Swerve

34. Frosh’s home

35. Located

37. Not tight

38. Pedro’s pal 39. Till

40. Hawaiian party

41. Night sight

42. Masking

43. Self-images

44. Rose and ruby 46. Play section

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.

CL ASSIF IEDS

ROLAND KRUEGER 2x102.3 PGC002170

Acott,Lee March23,2021

ItmaybethathavingpoliotwicewhileyoungcausedLee tolivetherestofherlifevigorouslyandatfullspeed.

BorninruralAlbertaandproudofherNorwegian heritage,afullblownVikingfuneralwouldhavebeen suitableforawarriorlikeLee.

LeeworkedasaRealtorinPrinceGeorgeandthe Bahamas,keptsororitysecrets,organizedridiculously largeweddingsandpoliticalfunctions,andhostedor attendedalmostdailyHappyHoursinPGandAjjic Mexico.

Shecookedupastorm,actuallyenjoyedeatingLutefisk, likedwearingfurcoatsandwigs,lovedwhitekitchens, sewedclothesforherkids,andtaughtoneofthemto drivewell.

Whensheearnedgoodmoneyshedemonstratedan amazingcapacitytogenerouslyspenditonthosearound her.Shenevermissedachancetotakecareofher grandchildren.

Shelovedfollowingpoliticsanddidsoinherfinal residenceinKelownaatthehighestpossiblevolume settingonherTV.Despitethepoliosheavoidedlifeina wheelchairuntilthefinalthreeofherninety-three gloriouslylivedyears.Hermemoryandmemorieswere strongtotheend.

HersonAlanandherhusbandBobpredeceasedherand missedsomeoftheaction.HerotherchildrenDale,Linda EllenchukandShellyKruegergottoenjoywhatBoband Alanmissed.

Shewillbemissedbylesspeoplethanyou’dthink becauseshestubbornlyoutliveddamnneareveryoneshe knew.

Inhermemory,pleasehostaboisterousHappyHourora dinnerparty.PerhapswithLutefiskorLefse.

ToreadmoreaboutLee’slifepleasevisit www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.

REMEMBRANCES

Edith Marion TURNER

July 27, 1931 –Mortlach, Saskatchewan

April 4, 2021 –Calgary, Alberta

Edith Turner, beloved wife of the late Lloyd Donald Turner of Prince George, BC, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the age of 89 years.

Edith was born in Mortlach, Saskatchewan on July 27, 1931. She graduated from the Prince George Senior Secondary School and then worked at the Prince George Post Office. Edith enjoyed life as an outdoor enthusiast and homemaker. She was very proud of her three girls, and her passions were sewing and organic gardening. Edith’s most memorable holiday was a trip to Hawaii, and all of her travels throughout Western Canada and Northern U.S.A. She will be most remembered for her love of the outdoors and adoration of animals.

Edith is survived by her three daughters, Connie (Paul), Marilyn and Wendy; six grandchildren, Amanda, Tannis, Ryan, Jocelin, Kali and Kirsty; ten great-grandchildren, Wade, Jack, Gabriel, Levi, Holt, Noelle, Jayson, Kacen, Kacey and Avianna.

Edith was predeceased by spouse, Lloyd Turner, two brothers, George and Lloyd; one sister Olive, two sons-in-law Ken and Colin.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Edith’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The family would like to thank the Fish Creek Manor for the care they provided throughout the two years Edith resided there.

Thank you for all the lessons and all the memories. We love you and will miss you today, tomorrow and forever.

In living memory of Edith Turner, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575 .

1955 - 2021

The family of Connie Fay Graham are profoundly sad to announce her passing on March 29, 2021, at the age of 65. Her last hours were spent at the Prince George Rotary Hospice House with her loving husband by her side.

Connie is survived by her husband, Brian Pearson, her son Tanner (Deanne), daughter Lindsey (Dave), stepson Sheldon (Kristi) 3 precious grandchildren (Ava, Jax and Oaklyn), her nephew Bryan Reed, numerous relatives and many, many friends. She is predeceased by her parents William and Mary Davidson, and sisters Debby Davidson and Cathy Davidson-Reed, and infant son, Tabor.

Connie was born on December 16, 1955, in Nipawin, Saskatchewan and her family moved to Quesnel in 1963. After graduation from Correlieu High School, Connie began a 35 year career at Super Value and Extra Foods in Quesnel and served for many years as the shop steward. Connie was constantly placing the needs of others ahead of her own. She created ‘Dreams for Kids’ in Quesnel with a group of like minded volunteers to raise funds for local children through the MakeA-Wish Foundation.

Connie retired in 2011 and, along with her obsession for helping others, moved to Prince George, where she volunteered at the Prince George Rotary Hospice House, St Vincent de Paul Society and numerous other committees and events.

The family would like to thank the family doctor (Dr. York) and all the staff, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and care-aides at UHNBC and the BC Cancer Agency, and the pharmacists and staff at Hart Drug Mart for their professional and compassionate care over the past 5 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to Covid. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Prince George Hospice Society, 1506 Ferry Avenue, Prince George, BC V2L 5H2 or to St Vincent de Paul Society, 1220 2nd Ave., Prince George, B.C. V2L 3B3

CONNIE FAY GRAHAM

Beverly Smith

February 2nd, 1945 to March 31st, 2021

JOHN MANUEL

2x35.8

PGC002166

Janice Lorraine Wingerak

1958-2021

Manuel,PhilipR. June28,1944-April2,2021

PassedawaypeacefullyinMankota,SKsurroundedby hislovingfamily.

HewasafaithfulmemberofthePrinceGeorgeLegion andtheCrusin’ClassicsCarClub.Hewillbemissedby hiscoworkersandhismanyfriendsinPrinceGeorge, wherehelivedformostofhislife.

Sharon Lawrence 1943 - 2021

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Sharon Lawrence. She was predeceased by her husband Bill (2015).

She leaves behind her daughters, Debbie, Charlene, and Lana, and their spouses, 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. She will be missed dearly by family and a large circle of friend’s, especially the ladies in her neighbourhood.

Due to Covid there will be no service at this time. Donations to Rotary Hospice House in Sharon’s name would be greatly appreciated.

SANDRA SCHUG

2x55.0

PGC002171

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Mama, Wife & Nama. Bev was an extraordinary woman with boundless love and warmth to share with those around her. She was born in Kamloops to Josephine and Jim Raymond. Her maternal grandparents had emigrated from San Stefano Del Sol, Italy to Nelson, BC. She spent many wonderful summers on the family farm in Nelson with Pops, her Mom, brother Al and cousins. In 1967 Bev graduated from nursing training at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver. She arrived in Prince George to work at the local hospital where she met her adoring husband, Darryl Smith, marrying into a large and energetic family. Together they had three daughters who she gifted with so many blessings. She was a patient, kind, gentle woman who loved boldly and opened her arms to her daughters friends wholeheartedly. Bev was one of the original Edgewood Moms and there are so many fond memories we will hold close to our hearts forever. Bev was dedicated to her nursing profession and provided her patients with the same care and kindness she gave so freely to those close to her. She worked at the Prince George hospital for many years and finished her career doing what she seemed to love most, homecare nursing. In her career she developed many special friendships that continue to this day. As we grapple with the loss of our sweet Mama we are struck by the many circles of friendships and connections Mom had developed over the years. Bev had a gentle nature and was dedicated to her family and friends. She remained close to her 45’ers group (friends she first met in elementary school), friends from her nursing career, close connections that first grew in Edgewood and the special friendships she developed through her children and their families. Struggling to make sense of her loss are her three daughters, Kristi, Shannon & Trinity, her heartbroken and beloved husband, of 52 years, Darryl and her 8 granddaughters, Ella, Josephine, Tilly, Sadie, Isla, Tessa, Kate & Jane along with her loving son -in- laws, Parker & Chris. Nama made every granddaughter feel special, loved, and appreciated. Bev had a close relationship with her brother, Al and we are so grateful for our family trips to Nelson with him joining in the chaos. Those many summers in Nelson will be some of the ones we cherish the most. We are so incredibly grateful for those angels among us that helped us to get Mom to Vancouver and back home again. Bev wanted a diagnosis, and she wanted more time. She was officially diagnosed with advanced ALS March 22nd. Sadly, the time was far too short, and we are grateful to have been able to bring Bev home and to take care of her in the way she wanted. We are so very thankful to the Parkinson’s Society of BC, especially Tricia Wallace, the medical teams at UBC, VGH and GF Strong, especially the nurses & social worker on the respiratory ward at VGH. We wish to extend our gratitude to Dr. Denise McLeod, our angel on earth and Father Gilbert whom walked beside Bev in these final days with such kindness, compassion and care along with the palliative nurses, homecare and rapid mobilization team. Also, her diabetic team in Prince George and her Outpatient Dietician, Lindsay Kraitberg. We are forever grateful. Special thanks to her niece, Leah also a gifted nurse. Bev was so happy to have a nurse by her side, helping her husband and daughters to care for her in these final days. Bev’s extraordinary love for family and friends, her grace and strength will continue to inspire us. She was the centre of our family and an amazing matriarch. Love never ends. A private service will be held April 10th at 11 am at St. Mary’s. We look forward to celebrating her life at a future date with more family and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the ALS (www.alsbc.ca) society in her name. We would be profoundly grateful. The private mass can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZoWF8s9hhxFNj7vCMUt47Q or follow the links that will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bevsmithmemorialpg to view the slideshow and service.

Findley,June

September4,1949-March27,2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Janice Lorraine Wingerak announces her sudden passing on Monday, March 15, 2021, at the age of 62 years. Janice was a truly loving person who made everyone feel welcomed whenever they first met her. After graduating from Mount Baker High School, Janice married and lived in various communities throughout BC, eventually moving to Prince George permanently where she had a 30+ year career with Service Canada.

Janice will be lovingly remembered by her children Bart (Jennifer), Chad (Sherry), Krystle (Ken), her brother Bruce, her grandson Keenen and granddaughters Kaitlyn and Jenaya as well as her cockatiel Bandit.

Janice was predeceased by her parents William (Bill) and Rita and her brother Brian.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the summer of 2021. If those so desire, donations in memory of Janice can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, BC Cancer Foundation or Diabetes Canada.

GEORGE HERBERT SIMMONDS

NOVEMBER 7, 1946APRIL 1, 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of George Simmonds on April 1, 2021. George passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Maria of 52 years beside him. George is survived by his wife Maria, sons Paul (Tanya), Phillip (Angela), Shaun (Deanna) and 8 grandchildren Taylin, Tristan, Karlea, Shauna, Leah, Ryan, Leonard and Joseph. Also his dear family in England; sister Patricia (Peter) and brothers Barry (Sharon), Derek (Pauline), Albert (Janet) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. George was a proud member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes for many years. George worked for Northern Steel as a steel fabricator for over 30 years. Though gardening was a hobby George enjoyed and he especially enjoyed giving fresh grown vegetables to family and friends, his favorite pastime was watching the Canucks. Whether it was the good years or bad years for the Canucks, George was always there every game in front of the TV either cheering or yelling for his team!!!

Itiswithgreatsadnessweannouncethepassingofour belovedmother.Junelivedthemajorityofherlifein Kitwanga,BC,whereshewasaparamedicfor25years. ShemovedtoPrinceGeorgein2006tobeclosertoher family.Junewasastrongindependentwomanwholived foranddeeplylovedherchildren,grandchildrenandgreat grandchildren.Junewasthesortofladytoofferhelp whenandwhereshecould.Shewasalwaysashoulderto cryon,ahugifneededandaneartolisten.Shespenther finaldayssurroundedbyallthatlovedher,asmuchas shelovedthem.Sheleavesbehindherdaughter,Sandra (Clay)Schug;sons,ShawnFindleyandJason(Julie) Katerenchuck;ninegrandchildren;eightgreatgrandchildren;brothers,Syd(Mona)Apps,andRon Apps;sisterAlice(Larry)Reiter;andnumerousnieces andnephews.Wewillholdyouclosetoourhearts forever,andloveyoueverydaylikenoother.

FOLWARK, Mike

March 24, 1937April 8, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved husband to Elizabeth (Liz), father to Trevor and Leanne (Trevor Bodenham) and grandfather (Gido) to Tatianna and Courtney Bodenham.

Mike was born on a farm by Endeavour, Saskatchewan and was the 14th of 15 children. In 1955 he moved to Prince George and started working in the forest industry as a faller. In 1978, after two significant workplace injuries, the last one being a lower leg amputation, he started working as a wood treater at Prince George Wood Preserving until he retired in 1999.

In 1971 he married Liz (nee Lenych) and they raised two children, Trevor and Leanne, who still reside in Prince George.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, four sisters, six brothers, six brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, two nephews, one niece and two great-nephews.

Mike is also survived by his sisters; Petrina German, Rose Flanagan, Lillian Falke, Sylvia (Lorne) Carpenter.

For the past few months, Mike has been dealing with health issues. We would like to thank all of the wonderful doctors who took great care of Mike. Doctors Ferreira, Abulla, Valev, Mansour, Yau, Ho, Sainchuk, Wilson and Nurse Practitioner Eunice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

MICHAEL MILLARD

2x72.5

PGC002168

Millard,Kathleen April07,1951-April02,2021

Well,thetimehascomeforourangeltogohomeand joinherfellowangelsinheaven.After69yearsof spreadingloveandcaringtoallthosearoundher, KathleenMillardleftforthenextpartofherjourney. Duringherlife,KathymetandmarriedMike,theloveof herlife,hadtwoamazingchildrenMatthew(Heather)and Tamara(Darren)andfourgrandchildren(Aida,Luke,Joel andCole)whowereherwholeworld.Noneedto chroniclethemanybattlesshefoughtbecausethat’snot whatsheeverfocusedon.Shealwayshadasunny dispositionandapositiveattitudenomatterwhatlife threwherway.Shelovedlife,herfamily,herlargegroup ofgirls,andmany,manyclosefriends.Shewasawife, mother,grandmother,auntie,sister,teacher,artist,lover, gardenerandmostofall,afriendtoeveryonewhoknew her.ShewillberememberedbyallthepeopleatSummit Lakewhereshespentthelast42summersandwasso involvedinthecommunityassociation.Shetouched manylivesandwillberememberedbythecountless Grade1’sand2’sthatshesolovedtoteachinher32 yearsinPrinceGeorgeclassrooms.

AcelebrationoflifewillbeheldatSummitLakethis summerandwewillpostasthetimeapproaches. ResteasyBabe,wewillmeetagainsoon.

Inlieuofflowers,contributionstotheBCCancer Foundation-KathleenMillardMemoryPagewouldbe appreciated.

Edward James Gibson

June 24 1951April 5 2021

It is with deep sadness we announce Eddie’s peaceful passing, with family by his side, at his home in Prince George, after a long battle with cancer.

Eddie was predeceased by his daughter Raylene, son Ryan and his father Wilbur Gibson. Eddie was looking forward to being with them again one day.

He is survived by his mother Gail Pelland, his step-children Joe and Kalvin Wasstrom, Shailynn Parker, beloved granddaughters Leah, Victoria, Bristol and Maya and his Dominican family, Jocelyn, Ashley and Gabriela.

Ed is also survived by his brothers, David (akaDigger), Don (Ida), Ray (Colleen), sisters, Reta Herrick (Dwaine), Shelly Bencher (Frank), Brenda Pederson (Dwayne), Michelle Pelland (Maarten), and Linda Carter (Chuck). He is also survived by Raylene and Ryan’s mother, Fay Dene, numerous nieces and nephews and many extended family members.

To the very end he did things his way. He took visits in person, through face time and text messages. He wanted everyone to know how much he loved and appreciated them. His utmost pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and familyin the Dominican. Eddie often said that he was so blessed to have the most faithful friends.

Eddie was so thankful to have family and friends by his side caring for him for the last weeks of his life. He left this world with thumbs up and a smile on his face.

The family would like to extend a thank you to Dr. Sidorov, Dr. Geddes and the Cancer Clinic for their support.

Lorraine Lassek (nee LeRoux)

May 5, 1946Apr 3, 2021

Lorraine Lassek (nee LeRoux), who loved to be called Grama, left us way too soon to even understand. Mom was born in Humbermouth, Newfoundland on May 5, 1946 and lived in Prince George for over 41 years with Dad.

She was sadly taken from us on April 3, 2021.

We, Susie and Todd, Cathy, Mike, and Zachary (Mom’s little man) and all her family and friends will miss her so much.

Mom worked during the early years, but with family always being number one, she stayed home raising us until we finished school and she then returned to work to keep herself busy.

She always made new friends and continued many relationships even after retirement.

Mom loved having feet under her table and was happy to visit anytime with hot coffee or a chilled glass of wine.

Mom also loved puttering in her beautiful yard. She always had something to do and we were always impressed with how hard she worked.

We are very fortunate to have such a loving family and all her friends standing by her and us through this. It’s beautiful to see how much she is loved.

We have had so many good times and memories that we will cherish, and we will sure miss her smile, laugh and sense of humour. Our newfie could sure make us laugh.

Every year, Mom donated to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation in memory of our Eli. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate as well.

We will have a celebration for mom when we are able to visit.

Love you lots.

Lois Lovina Padgett

May 8th 1930March 7th 2021

The Padgett, Bennell and Braet family sadly announce the quiet passing of Lois (Gram) in her 90th year into the arms of her soulmate and love of her life Milton and her daughter Debra. She was born in Wynyard, Saskatchewan to Ellmer and Kay (Helmena) Melsted.

Lois lived in the prairies in her younger years, then Kelowna and eventually Oliver. While on a holiday away from nursing school, at Royal Columbia Hospital, her younger brother Don introduced her to the future love of her life, Milt. They were married in 1952. They settled in Oliver where she worked as a nurse for 2 years. After the birth of their 3rd child, Milt, Lois and girls moved to Penticton where their 4th child was born. After brief stays in Okanagan Falls, Kamloops and then Prince George, they finally settled here in the city they loved.

Lois is predeceased by her husband (John) Milton, daughter Debra, parents Elmer Melsted and Kaye Johnson, mother-in-law Agnes Dorsey, father-inlaw Ed (Harry) Padgett and brother Don Melsted.

She is survived by Nancy Padgett (Braet) of Prince George, Susan Bennell (Danny) of Campbell River, and Ray Padgett of Pemberton; grandchildren Drew Padgett, Taylor (Lauren) Braet, Kaylee Braet (Bruce Planer), Brendan Bennell (Samantha Pearsall), Brett Bennell (Joe Ouimette), Lia Padgett (Alex Lavoie), and Meghan Barton; great grandchildren Aidan Padgett, Molly and Owen Barton and newest baby Grayson Bennell--who unfortunately, due to COVID, she never got to hold.

She could always be found on the go. In her garden, playing bridge, working on stained glass, finishing a sewing project, knitting, crocheting and trying recipes for dinner parties and get togethers. In their retirement years they lived 7 months out of the year at their cabin on Stuart Lake in Ft. St. James. Sadly, as Milt’s health began to deteriorate, they sold their much loved second home on the lake and moved back to Prince George full time.

Due to COVID, there will be no service at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

Condolences may be offered at www.LakewoodFH.com

Established Franchise Photography Business

Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work

Lots of opportunity to expand the business. Transition support available to the right buyer

Serious Enquiries Only

Office 250-596-9199

Cell 250-981-1472

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Tax Preparation Business Mackenzieservicing and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years.

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000 Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy.

Transition support available for the right buyer.

ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING

This year the Annual

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

Apartments / Condos-For Sale

Spacious,

Duplexes for Sale

2220

260 & 264 RUGGLES. 4BDRM, c/w appliances, fenced, $2650/mo revenue. $398,000. 250-5682338, 614-6667

Property For Sale

“DUNSTER PROPERTY FOR SALE” 115 acres with 1/2 mile Fraser River frontage. 10 acres Island. 15 acres cleared. Mixed forest. 100% reliable water source. Log cabin attached to mobile home. Water line and hydro. Easy access. Mountainscape views. Private. 250-479-5545

2294 Queensway St. Fully service, C6 zoning, will take partial trade of motorhome, trailer or pick-up.

$130,000.00 (250) 981-3583 2669 & 2679 Queensway

$750,000.00 will consider partial trade. (currently operating as car lots) (250-981-3583)

45.5 ACRES Corner of Upper Fraser Rd & Beaver Forest Rd. with good driveway & building pad. $155,000. 250-614-6667

Recreational Property

1000sq m building lot, #L72NCorintoPearleco-development Honduras. Contact Recap Investments, Toronto 1-888-212-8584 for more info and owner 250-5634999 $35,000 Canadian 11.26 acres manicured sub-lakeshore at Cluculz

tion by owner Only $399,000 end of Meier Rd. 604-908-0313

Houses for Sale

Apartments/Condos for Rent

2 bdrm apt, no stairs. Inc utilities-frpl, wsh/dry, yard, driveway, priv ent. 5 min to Spruceland, 3 doors to bus stop. Non-smokers, no pets. Avail May 15th. $1200/mo (250)563-5939

Basement Suites

160 Acres, 72 miles East Prince George, all weather road access year around, mixed timber, 250 feet from river frontage, creek flows through property. Electricity and phone.

250-564-4684

LONGWORTH

SUDOKU

NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE 647

Please be advised that Chander Sur is proposing to remove the private land (totalling 316ha) from Woodlot # 647. Included are parcels in the vicinity of Wright Cr Hwy 97N and West Lake

Inquiries or comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to Woods Management Inc, 4808 Shamrock Rd Prince George, B.C. V2K 1R3 by April 29th, 2021. Only written inquiries received by the above date will receive responses

More information can be obtained by contacting 250-9816430.

REPAIRER’S LIEN ACT

Whereas the following areindebted to Wood Wheaton Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC Ltd. for repairs and storage of personal property and ought to have been paid and arestill unpaid, notice is hereby given the said properties will be sold to pay the outstanding debt plus costs of advertising and sale, two weeks from the date of this notice on the 29th day of April 2021 at 2879 Highway 16 West, Prince George, B.C., V2N 0A3:

NAME YR/MAKE MODEL VIN DEBT

Kristofferson, Nicola 10/Chevrolet Equinox 2CNFLNEW8A6297728

Miller,Kristal 11/Chevrolet Cruze 1G1PC5SH3B7260076

Transportaction Leas Systems Inc. Maple Leaf Loading Ltd. 05/GMC C5500

Highest or any bid not necessarily accepted. Viewing and bids may be submitted to 2879 Highway 16 West, Prince George, B.C., V2N 0A3. Phone no. (250)564-4466

BAILIFF SALE

www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca

The Bailiff offers for sale by tender, pursuant to Section 12 of Act, interest in the following goods of RES Global Holdings LLC, in order to satisfy the outstanding repair costs of $50,094.14.

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

Howtowrite aclassifiedad thatworks. keyword. your ad with the item for

• Use akeyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, service offered or the job title.

• Be descriptive. Give customers areason to respond. Advertisers have found thatthe more information you provide, the better the response.

• Limit abbreviations Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• How to respond. Always include aphone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

2014 Peterbilt 579 VIN# 1XPBD49X7ED246577

Item(s) can be viewed at our 2706 Jasper St & Ottawa St and 3rdAve compound(s) in Prince George. Go to www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca to view photographs. Closing date 02 MAY 2021 Highest or any other bid not necessarily accepted. Bidders are solely responsible for determining the make, model, year of manufacture, condition, quantities, sets and or usefulness of all items for tender All items are sold on an “as is, where is” basis with no warranty given or implied.As vehicles have not been inspected, we are declaring that they may not be suitable for transportation and may not be compliant with the motor vehicle act. Sale is subject to cancellation or adjournment without notice. Terms of sale: Immediate payment in full by bank draft or cash only upon acceptance of successful bid. Call (250) 564-4900 for details.

North Central Bailiffs Ltd.

Prince George Branch Bailiff Division Brandon Jacobsen Court Bailiff / Bailiff

To advertise, call 250-562-6666 or email cls@pgcitizen.ca

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

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15.“Superman”actor 16.Britonictribe 17.Shorten 18.LADodgersmanager 20.Hoarded 22.Theatricallyportray 23.Noah’sgrandson 24.Dependent 28.Peyton’slittlebrother 29.Coolsthehouse

ACROSS DOWN

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46.Ticketseller__Hub 49.OfI

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60.Corporateexecutive(abbr.) 61.Unskilledactorwho overacts

62.Bravo!Bravo!Bravo! 63.Oforrelatingtoears

5806 TRENT DRIVE, PRINCE GEORGE

$384,900

Fantastic area, close to all schools, 4bdrms, 2 baths -backing onto greenbelt- fully finished up/ down

207 TRADER CRESCENT,PRINCE GEORGE

$429,900

Great investment opportunity,3bdrms, 1bath up. One bdrm &den down in separate suite. Separate laundry and entrances. Both upper and lower suites rented. Newer kitchens, windows and acarport.

652 MT.YORK DRIVE, COLDSTREAM

$1,190,000

Stunning rancher with over 4200 sq feet. 4bdrms, 3baths, views of Kalamalka Lake, theatreroom, games room, wine room, gym and so much more!

5201 27TH AVE. VERNON, BC

$549,900

Completely renovated top to bottom, 4 bdrms/ 3baths total .Seperate suite w laundry,&seperate deck spaces!

2600 PARENT ROAD PRINCE GEORGE

$639,900

Beautifual 5bedroom, 3bathroom home with adouble garage and detached garage on a large lot!

701 -HWY 97B, SALMON ARM, BC

$985,000

Ring in the spring with A NEW BISTRO SET

Usually destined for outdoor use, artificial grass is becoming an increasingly popular feature in interior design More and more homeowners are using this lush green carpeting to give their decor a more organic feel. Depending on how you lay it out and how muchofityouuse,artificial turf can turn virtually any room into a posh gathering space or a quirky-casualretreat.

Artificial grass isn’t just for the floor: it can be mounted on walls, shelving units, dressers, and anywhereelseyou’dlike to add a touch of greenery. And the best part: you’ll never have to mowit!

Take a table, add two chairs and voilà: you’ve got yourself a bistro set Specially designed for outdoor use, a bistro set allows you to soak up the sun and feel the fresh air from the comfort of your balcony or patio. Either on your own or with a friend, it’s finally time to savour the arrival of spring, fresh lemonade or soothing teainhand.

MATERIALS

Patio bistro sets need towithstandthefading, rust and mould that all outdoor furniture is subjected to. They’re usuallybuiltoutofone ofthefollowing:

• Steel

• Aluminum

• Wicker

• Ceramic

• Resin

• Polyester

• Rattan

• Glass

Designed to combine functionality, durability and elegance, bistro sets are available in a variety of styles (rustic, urban, minimalist,etc.)tofitevery homeowner’s needs. Before you head to the stores, however, make sure to properly measure the space where you intend to set up yourfurniture Itwould be a shame to find the perfect ensemble, only torealizethatitdoesn’t fitonyourbalcony!

Kaycie

Janine

Donna Badowski***

Jasmine

GO FOR GOLD.

Timeless decor tips for your child’s bedroom

A parent’s schedule is nothing short of hectic. Between work,daycare,groceriesandhomework,interiordecoration oftenfindsitselfquitelowonthelistofparental priorities. Haveyoubeenmeaningtoredesignyourchild’sbedroom?

To help get those creative juices flowing, here are design tipsforafunctionalandattractiveroomthat’llstandthetest oftime.

FURNITURE

There’s no denying it: low-end furniture wears and breaks faster than quality furniture —especially in a child’sbedroom,whereflyingtoysandstickyfingersare the norm. While savings are always on a parent’s mind, higher-end furniture can be seen as an investment rather than an expense. For an elegant design that will hold up

foryears,choosesturdy,multifunctionalpiecessuchas:

•Ahigh-risebedwithdeskspaceunderneath

•Abenchthatdoublesasastorageunit

•Abedwithbuilt-indrawers

•Adeskequippedwithshelving

THEMES

Kids grow up fast and their tastes change even faster Think twice before buying bedding or curtains covered with your child’s favourite cartoon character Whiletrainsandprincessesare fun and appealing, it’s best to opt for an age-appropriate design that you won’t have to completely overhaul every year. So, when your child pleads for a Dora the Explorer-themed bedroom, keep in mind that she’ll probably be beggingforsomethingentirelydifferentnextmonth

It’s all about compromise!While taking into account your little one’s strongest interests and preferences, suggestamoregeneral butnonethelessfun theme suchasnature,animals,sportsorspace.

COLOUR SCHEMES

Thinking long-term about your child’s bedroom means choosing a colour scheme that isn’t strongly associated with a specific age or gender In other words, avoid making cotton candy pink or baby boy bluetheroom’smainhue

Instead,chooseaneutralshadeforthewallsandspiceup the space with brightly coloured or uniquely patterned accessories. If your child’s preferences change every year, showcase their new favourite things with wall art, throwpillowsorlight fixtures.You’ll findit’salot more cost-effectivethanrepaintingthewholeroom!

Wooden cable reels:the next big trend in recycled design

Giving a new life to old wooden pallets has been a defining trend in home decor over the past few years. Now, keepingwiththethemeofupcycleddesign,fansofrustic and industrial styles are turning to electric cable reels yes, those gigantic wooden spools to create a variety of items for the home and garden. Indeed, reclaimedspoolscanbeconvertedintoallsortsofdecorative objects and furniture, such as:

• Dog houses

• Benches

• Bar stools

• Bookcases

• Desks

• Chairs

• Giant clocks

• Display units

• Bistro table sets

• Headboards

Letyourcreativityflow!Youcanpaintthespools,varnish themorleavethemintheirnatural,ruggedstate and use them to embellish any area of your home including thegarden!

What Material are used in Modern Roofing

Whenitcomestothelook,price,quality and environmental impact of your home or business’s new roofing, different materials yield different results. Here are a few of the more common choices in today’s market.

If you have a flat roof, your options include:

• Asphalt-gravel membranes, which are inexpensive and can last 15 to 20 years, butarealsoratherheavyandpolluting.

• Single-ply thermoplastic membranes, which are lightweight, fully recyclable, weather- and mildew-resistant, low-maintenanceandlonglasting(upto 50years)

• Elastomeric membranes, which are lightweight, highly waterproof, resistant to temperature variations and last 30 to 35years.

• Green roofing. This eco-friendly option, which involves covering a roof in full or in part with plants, can reduce the urban heat island (UHI) effect and cut down on pollution It also improves the building’s insulating properties.However,carryingoutthis type of project can be rather costly and often requires structural work on the building itself.

More options are available for a sloped roof, including:

• Asphalt shingles. These are inexpensive,easytoinstallandareavailableina widerangeofstylesandcolours.

• Fibreglass shingles. Easy to install and simple to fix, this type of shingle offers excellentprotectionagainstmoisture.

• Metal shingles. Recyclable andhighly durable, metal shingles can be made from stainless steel, aluminum, copper and many others. Prices vary according to the chosen material, but are generally higherthanasphaltandfibreglass.

• Organic shingles. Organic materials that can be made into shingles include various woods as well as slate and clay While somewhat expensive, they provideanunmatchedvisualappeal.

• Plastic shingles. These mimic the look of higher-end shingles, such as slate or cedar wood, but with a lower price tag. They’re easy to install, lightweight, and provideexcellentmildewresistance.

MarcieMatthews 250-565-1177

Wanda Maundrell 250-219-9993 Dawson Creek

JuliaNelson 250-788-6707

Rylee Schlamp 250-617-7731

Dalin

778-349-1409

Gaetano

George Weinand 250-960-9556

250-565-1170

Rick McDaniel 250-615-1158

DarcyPorsnuk

Brad Messum 250-552-9860

Mike

778-258-0064

Tammy VandeNobelen 250-566-1025 Valemount

Daryl Muchowski

JeffRushton

Rod Walker

Linda Warren

Nick VanRensburg

Weaver

Helena Samzadeh

Todoruk

Andy Wilhelmsen

Moseley

mcleod.cara@gmail.com

This 19.9 fully fencedacreage 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, newerroof, 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!

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 nicelyupdated,three-suite, multi-family homeon alarge lot is stepsaway from the river and Paddlewheel Park. Theseunits have been updatedinthe past five years with newer hot water tank. This large lot with two sheds makes for agreat outsidespace

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

CARIBOO ESTATES

Speak with Owner & Managing Broker,Rod McLeod,Associate Brokers, David Blackand Melanie LupulatRoyal LePage, the largest Real Estate Brokerage in NorthernBC. We have acomprehensive training program to kick-start your career.

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Helping you SUCCEED is what we do! Aspire Realty