Prince George Citizen May 12, 2022 by Prince George Citizen

THURSDAY, May 12, 2022 Since 1916

OVERCOMING ALL

while competing in the 80m hurdles at Masich Place Stadium on Saturday morning in the Prince George Track and Field Club’s Sub Zero Meet.

Cops make huge fentanyl bust

Prince George RCMP’s street crew unit appears to have put a major dent in the city’s supply of illicit drugs.

Two men “well known to police for their ties to the illicit drug trade” were temporarily taken into custody and enough suspected fentanyl to produce 8,700 doses of the opioid were seized, police said Tuesday. The seizures were made when search warrants were recently executed on a 2000-block Pine Street home and a 1700-block 17th Avenue apartment building and were the result of an investigation conducted over the last month.

Roughly 800 grams of the drug were seized, along

with a large number of Dilaudid pills, smaller amounts of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine as well as a firearm, RCMP said. The fentanyl carried a street value of $391,000.

“This is a very significant seizure of drugs, which likely accounted for a large portion of Prince George’s illicit drug supply. Police believe this was used to target those frequenting the downtown area,” Cst. Jennifer Cooper said.

Names of the two men were not provided and charges remain pending further investigation that includes testing to confirm whether the substances seized were indeed what police suspect.

WEIRD SCIENCE

Keep an eye out for this rare fungus PAGE 7 HEAT PUMPS Do they work in Northern B.C.? PAGE 10

‘It never stops’

Downtown business owner has had it with crime, vandalism

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

“What has happened to our downtown?” Larissa Lebel, co-owner of Epik Products, a cannabis dispensary, asked about the heart of Prince George, a place where she’s worked for about 20 years.

Recently, she posted a video on Facebook of a man walking unsteadily towards her employee’s car located at the back of the building at 356 George St. and squirting a syringe of his own blood on the door handle. This happened on Saturday at about 2:30 in the afternoon.

“He shot up first, then fills up the syringe with his own blood, looks right up at the camera and walks over to the car and squishes it all over the handle - he looked right at the camera – what’s he going to do next? Place the syringe - point up – in the handle so it stabs somebody?” Lebel asked in frustration.

Epik Products, who employs 11 people, has only been in business since August and Lebel said there’s been human feces spread halfway up one of two back doors and the business right beside their location, TerraWest Environmental, was set on fire a few months ago when a homeless person tried to keep warm by lighting a fire too close to the building.

“It’s been horrible, disgusting,” Lebel said of the onslaught of incidents.

Epik Products is made of brick and its interior is clad in marble so smoke damage was not a permanent part of the damage to their building but TerraWest was made of wood and it is just now getting renovations done.

‘I’M PUTTING OUT FEELERS, page 3

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

HURDLES From left, Quesnel Jr. Secondary School runners Tessa Rorke, Elyse Anderson, and Aubrey Williams race down the track

Council approves $2.9M increase for pool

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

City council approved increasing the budget for the new downtown pool, to be named the Canfor Leisure Pool, by $2.876 million on Monday night.

The move increases the project’s budget to $39.126 million – of which $28.376 million will by borrowed by the city, $10 million comes from a federal government grant and $750,000 was provided by the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

City voters approved borrowing up to $35 million for the project to replace the aging Four Seasons Leisure Pool in a 2017 referendum.

“We still will be borrowing $6.5 (million)

to $7 million less than we asked the public to borrow,” city director of finance Kris Dalio said.

Construction of the project was delayed, to allow the city to apply for and ultimately receive the $10 million federal grant, Dalio added.

Blake McIntosh, city director of civic operations, said $1.7 million of the cost overrun is linked directly or indirectly to the structural steel for the building delivered to the site with deficient primer.

The other $1.1 million was linked to inflation in construction costs and unforeseen conditions, such as unsuitable soil and existing piping in the ground.

Leland Hanson, city manager of project delivery, said there was existing piping

from the old arena located underground at the site, which all had to be removed. Hanson said the city did have test drilling done, but the tests didn’t reveal the issues until work began.

“You couldn’t find it by drilling,” Hanson said. “It’s a bit of a needle in a haystack.”

City manager Walter Babicz said the city is “consulting with our professional advisors” on how to recover the $1.7 million linked to the deficient primer. If some or all of that money is recovered, it would be used to reduce the amount of borrowing by the city.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said, given the initial cost estimates for the project were made in 2017 before the COVID-19 pandemic

Building permits, values soaring

Between Jan. 1 and April 30, the City of Prince George issued 135 building permits worth $73.04 million, according to a report to city council.

That’s more than the value of permits the city issued in the first four months of 2020 and 2021 combined. During the first four months of 2020 the city issued 118 permits worth a combined $21.1 million and during the same period in 2021 issued 150 permits worth $51.64 million.

“This has gotten so routine to see impressive building numbers, the question is ‘when is it going to end?’” Coun. Garth Frizzell said.

Deanna Wasnik, city director of planning and development, said there is no one factor driving the development in the city, but the indicators remain positive.

“We’re looking forward to another busy building season,” she said.

Between March and April this year, the

WORK THE 2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION

The City of Prince George is offering unique opportunities to participate in the local election process.The 2022 General Local Election is being held on October 15, 2022. If you are interested in working as an Election Ofﬁcial on GeneralVoting Day,orinone of the limited number of Election Ofﬁcial positions foradvance voting days(October 5, 6, 11,and 12), consider submittinganapplication

All voting locations areopenfrom8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Election Officialsare required to be available from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.onall scheduled voting days. In addition, attendance by Election Officials at one(1) training session is mandatory for all roles. Training sessions for all Election Official positions arescheduled for mid-September Please see the City’s website for details.

Anyone qualiﬁed and interested in working during theupcoming General Local Election should submit their applicationsonline or pickupanExpression of Interest for Contracted Serviceapplicationform at City Hall (Service Centreor5th Floor) Applications willbe accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday,August 31.

For information on how to apply online, visit princegeorge.ca/election

If you have questions or wish to have an application form mailed to you, contact Legislative Services:

Email: election@princegeorge.ca Phone: 250-561-7600

and surge in construction costs, the pool isn’t that far over budget.

“I know there is some negativity in the community about this project being over budget,” Ramsay said. “I do see us working hard. This budget overrun is really outside of things we can control.”

Statistics Canada estimated inflation in Canada at 6.7 per cent in March, Coun. Garth Frizzell said. The $1.1 million in costs not linked to the primer error, is less than one year’s inflation on $35 million, he said.

“With the unprecedented rise in construction costs… I think staff has done a really great job at keeping their eye on the bottom line,” Coun. Terri McConnachie said.

city issued permits for three new industrial buildings, estimated to be worth a collective $10.33 million. In addition, the city approved an industrial renovation worth $1.25 million.

The city also approved permits for two new commercial buildings worth an estimated $1.975 million in March, and approved permits for 11 commercial renovations in March and April worth approximately the same.

On the residential side, in March and April the city approved permits for 29 new single-family homes, worth a combined $15.48 million, and six multi-family residential developments worth an estimated $2 million.

“We’ve got the skilled trades in the community to do the work. And local suppliers have been stepping up as well,” Coun. Brian Skakun said. “It’s good news all the way around.”

2022 BC Timber Sales FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLANS

STUART NECHAKOFORESTDISTRICT

Noticeisherebygiven that BC TimberSales (BCTS)has prepared replacement Forest Stewardship Plans (FSPs) fortheir Vanderhoof and Fort St James Operating Areas.These plans, combined with provincial legislationand policy, provide the forest-management framework forBCTSforestryactivities

TheFSPsare available forpublic reviewand written comment at the BCTS oﬃce (MinistryofForests) in Vanderhoof,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Fridayuntil July 6th,2022.

To schedule an appointmenttodiscuss the plans,please contactBruceMiddleton by emailatBruce.Middleton@ gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250 567- 6363. To ensure your comments arefully considered,they must be received in writing at the BCTS oﬃce no laterthan 4:30 p.m. July 6th,2022.

‘I’m putting out feelers because I want to move’

Continued from page 1

Lebel said her employee reported the man squirting blood on the car door handle to the police so there’s a file open on it but when the employee followed up there was no further action taken.

“We don’t know if this guy’s a prolific offender, if that was his first time – who knows?” Lebel said. “We have no idea. It’s worrisome.”

A couple of days earlier, a homeless man put his foot right through the sandwich board Epik had out front.

Not only did he give it a good swift kick on the one side but he turned back and gave the other side an even harder kick and put his foot right through the sign.

“It’s just constant down here – it never stops,” Lebel said. “It’s only about $300 to replace the sandwich board but it’s still $300 I didn’t want to spend.”

There’s ashes at the back of the building on a regular basis, which is what’s left of fires lit back there, she added.

Lebel is a graphic artist and has spent the last 20 years happily working in the downtown core.

If ever she discovered a homeless person camped on the doorstep of whatever business she worked at in past years, she would just ask that person to leave and they would get up and clean up the area and peacefully move on, Lebel said.

Now there’s a different culture and attitude from some of those who are on the streets of Prince George, she added.

“Just the shit that’s happened here since we opened – the number of fires –I’ve lost count of, the number of people who have been burned out of their businesses – Pastry Chef’s gone now, EDI is gone, so yeah, I moved down here fully

intending that everything was going to be awesome, people will help out, I’ll be able to see what’s going on – and we’ve been under siege since we’ve moved in,” Lebel said. “It just never stops. We just get one thing cleaned up and the next thing happens.”

Not three days after the TerraWest fire, there was a fire at Epik’s back door and bylaw services was on it before Lebel even knew about it, she said.

“It just doesn’t stop,” Lebel said. “So now I’m putting feelers out because I want to move.”

And it’s for no other reason than the homeless population.

“I’m just tired of this,” Lebel said. “And I’ve only been here for a few months. I can’t imagine the people who have been dealing with this for so much longer.”

Lebel said she’s been around the

homeless for two decades.

“There’s a difference – I don’t know how to describe it – but there’s a difference between the homeless people who have come to this town in the last couple of years,” Lebel said. “They have no respect for their neighbours or their community and I think that’s why they keep getting split into separate camps because you’ve got the people who yeah, they’re homeless but they are still home, and you’ve got people like this guy – oh, I’m going to smear blood on the door handle. Like what the hell, man?”

As long as this keeps happening, Lebel said she’ll keep posting it on Facebook.

“We are under siege down here and there’s no other way to describe it,” Lebel said. “And I feel for the homeless I do but at the same time my staff members don’t feel safe going out to their cars at night.”

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NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION

What: TemporaryUsePermitNo.261,No.262andNo.263

When and Where: 1:30p.m.,Thursday,May19,2022 RegionalDistrictBoardRoom 155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorgeBC

Owner: ProvinceofBritishColumbia Applicant: CoastalGasLinkPipelineLtd.

Proposal: ThepurposeofTemporaryUsePermitNo.261 istopermittemporarylaydownyardancillarytopipeline constructionactivitiesuseonthesubjectlandforupto three-yearperiod.ThepurposeofTemporaryUsePermit No.262istopermittemporarystockpilesite(storage/ warehousefacilityuse)onthesubjectlandforuptothreeyearperiod.ThepurposeofTemporaryUsePermitNo.263 istopermittemporarylaydownyardancillarytopipeline constructionactivitiesuseandtemporarystockpilesite (storage/warehousefacilityuse)onthesubjectlandfor uptothree-yearperiod.Allsubjectlandsareunsurveyed CrownlandsintheMountBraceyareaalongtheAnzac River

Need moreinfo? AcopyoftheproposedPermitandany relevantbackgroundmaterialsareavailableforreviewby thepublicontheRegionalDistrict’swebsite: http://www. rdﬀg.bc.ca/services/development/land-use-planning/ current-applications/ orattheRegionalDistrictoﬃce, MondaythroughFriday,8:30a.m.to12:30p.m.and1:30 pm.to4:30p.m.,betweenApril27andMay19,2022. Appointmentsarepreferred.

Who can Ispeak to? DanielBurke,PlannerII,250-960-4400

NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Ofﬁcial Community PlanAmendment Bylaw No. 3254, 2022

What:PublicConsultationregardingTaborLake-StoneCreek OﬃcialCommunityPlanBylawNo.2157,AmendmentBylaw No.3254,2022

Owner:JohnnaSomervilleandShyldonSomerville

Proposal: Anapplicationhasbeenmadeforanamendment toHousingPolicySection3.3oftheTaborLake-StoneCreek OﬃcialCommunityPlan(OCP).Theminimumpropertysize requiredtosupportconsiderationofanadditionalresidence isproposedtobereducedfrom2.0hato1.4haonparcels designatedRuralResidential(RR).TheOCPamendmentwill aﬀectapproximately137propertiesdesignatedRRwhichare between1.4haand1.99hainsize.

ThisapplicationisbeingmadebytheownersofLot11 DistrictLot2184CaribooDistrictPlan13575,which islocatedat1015StewartRoad.Theownersarealso proposingtorezonetheir1.42hapropertytopermitthe constructionofasecondresidential-singlefamilydwelling withamaximumtotalﬂoorareaof125m2

How can Iprovide comment? Anyonewhobelievesthat theirinterestinlandisaﬀectedbytheproposedbylawshall beaﬀordedareasonableopportunitytosubmitwritten commentspriortotheRegionalDistrictBoardconsidering the matterscontainedinthebylaw

Submit written comments: Writtencommentswillbe acceptedbytheRegionalDistrictuntil 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022 by:

Email: developmentservices@rdﬀg.bc.ca

Hand/Mail:155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L1P8 Fax: 250-562-8676

Anymaterialreceivedwillbecomepublicinformation.

Need moreinfo? Acopyoftheproposedbylawandany relevantbackgroundmaterialsareavailableforreviewbythe publicontheRegionalDistrict’swebsite: http://www.rdffg. bc.ca/services/development/land-use-planning/currentapplications/ orattheRegionalDistrictoﬃce,Monday throughFriday,8:30a.m.to12:30p.m.and1:30p.m.to 4:30p.m.,betweenMay2andMay27,2022.Appointments arepreferred.

Who can Ispeak to?

RichardBuchan,PlannerII,250-960-4400

Big changes proposed for federal ridings

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. has proposed a redistricting that would see a new riding called “Vernon-Lake Country” added to the Thompson-Okanagan region to address population changes in the province.

The “cascade of changes” needed to make that happen would affect both the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Cariboo-Prince George ridings, the commission says.

“We are proposing reconfiguration of Cariboo-Prince George to incorporate a larger part of the Cariboo area from Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, and to relinquish an area of the City of Prince George to Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies,” the commission wrote in a release of its review.

At roughly 243,276 square kilometres, the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies riding spans from Valemount in the south to the Yukon in the north, and is one of largest in the country.

There are just under 111,000 residents in the riding, and 80,746 registered voters, according to Elections Canada.

The new maps were crafted by a B.C. Court of Appeal judge and two academics, and include a number of other reconfigurations to ridings across the province, though “Vernon-Lake Country” is the only new electoral district proposed to be created in the province.

“In fashioning this proposal for British Columbians, the commission has attempted to reduce disparities between electoral districts within the regions, influenced by the factors of historical pattern and community of interest and identity, and with voter fairness and effective representation in mind,” the commission said in a statement accompanying the maps. “The result has been a significant reduction in over- and under-representation.”

The proposed boundaries are just that at this point proposed.

Public hearings on the new ridings are expected to be held in this spring and fall, and MPs will be given the chance to comment in early 2023.

A hearing is scheduled for Prince George on June 22. New boundaries will not be formally established until April 2024 at the earliest. with files from Colin Dacre

MATT PREPOST Glacier Media

Unemployment rate holding steady

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Prince George’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 per cent in April, according to data released by Statistics Canada.

The unemployment rate was unchanged from March, but showed marked improvement from April 2021, when the city’s unemployment rate stood at 5.5 per cent.

The city’s labour force participation rate – the percentage of working-age people employed or actively seeking work – dropped by 0.8 percentage points from March, down to 66.9 per cent.

A total of 53,100 people were holding down jobs in the city in April, down by 600 from March. Prince George’s unemployment rate was below the provincial average of 5.4 per cent and the national average of 5.2 per cent.

“After reaching a record low of 5.3 (per cent) in March, the unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage points to 5.2 (per cent) in April,” Statistics Canada reported.

“A number of signs have pointed to an increasingly tight labour market in recent months. In addition to increases in

full-time work, one aspect of this tightening has been a decrease in the proportion of part-time workers reporting that they would prefer full-time employment. The involuntary part-time employment rate fell to 15.7 (per cent) in April 2022, the lowest level on record.”

The number of people working parttime who would rather be working full-time peaked in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when 26.5 per cent of part-time workers wanted to be employed full-time, Statistics Canada added.

In a statement issued on Friday, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon said B.C.’s economy saw a 0.1 per cent drop in employment in April, after eight straight months of creating more jobs.

However, he said, B.C.’s economy is still one of the strongest in the country.

“This marks 11 straight months when B.C. has led the country in post-pandemic job recovery with 92,500 more people working today than before the pandemic. There are also 49,600 more people working in the private sector now than before the pandemic,” Kahlon said. “This is one of the highest private-sector recovery rates in the country.”

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION

What: TemporaryUsePermitNo.259and No.260

When and Where: 1:30p.m.,Thursday,May19,2022 RegionalDistrictBoardRoom 155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorgeBC

Owner: ProvinceofBritishColumbia Applicant: CoastalGasLinkPipelineLtd.

Proposal: ThepurposeofTemporaryUse PermitNo.259andNo.260istopermit temporarylaydownyardancillarytopipeline constructionactivitiesuseonthesubject landsforuptothree-yearperiod.Thesubject landsareunsurveyedCrownlandslocated southandwestofKerryLake. Need moreinfo? Acopyoftheproposed Permitandanyrelevantbackgroundmaterials areavailableforreviewbythepubliconthe RegionalDistrict’swebsite: http://www. rdﬀg.bc.ca/services/development/landuse-planning/current-applications/ orat theRegionalDistrictoﬃce,Mondaythrough Friday,8:30a.m.to12:30p.m.and1:30pm. to4:30p.m.,betweenApril27andMay19, 2022.Appointmentsarepreferred.

Who can Ispeak to?

DanielBurke,PlannerII,250-960-4400

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION

What: TemporaryUsePermitNo.256,No.257 andNo.258

When and Where:

1:30p.m.,Thursday,May19,2022 RegionalDistrictBoardRoom 155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorgeBC

Owner: ProvinceofBritishColumbia Applicant: CoastalGasLinkPipelineLtd.

Proposal:ThepurposeofTemporaryUse PermitNo.256istopermittemporarylaydown yardancillarytopipelineconstructionactivities useonunsurveyedCrownlandforupto three-yearperiod.ThepurposeofTemporary UsePermitNo.257andNo.258istopermit temporarystockpilesite(storage/warehouse facilityuse)nearDistrictLot4332andon DistrictLot4319foruptothree-yearperiod. ThesubjectlandsarelocatedwestofSummit Lake

Need moreinfo? Acopyoftheproposed Permitandanyrelevantbackgroundmaterials areavailableforreviewbythepubliconthe RegionalDistrict’swebsite: http://www. rdﬀg.bc.ca/services/development/landuse-planning/current-applications/orat theRegionalDistrictoﬃce,Mondaythrough Friday,8:30a.m.to12:30p.m.and1:30pm. to4:30p.m.,betweenApril27andMay19, 2022.Appointmentsarepreferred. Who can Ispeak to?

Canfor, West Fraser post big quarter proﬁts

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

Trouble getting product from Western Canadian operations to market appeared to have little affect on the bottom lines of Canfor Corp. and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., during the first quarter of this year.

Canfor reported $534 million in net income or $4.29 per share on Tuesday, compared to $427.8 million over the same period last year.

Last week, West Fraser reported US$1.09 billion in earnings for the quarter, or US$10.25 per share, compared to US$334 million or US$3.13 per share for the first quarter of 2021.

Near record-high North American lumbers prices and strong earnings for the company’s European lumber operations were credited for the outcome at Canfor.

“We are very pleased to see the sustained strength in global lumber markets continuing into 2022 and while our pulp business continued to face challenges, we also saw improved results in the quarter,”

on our diversification strategy with the recent acquisition of Millar Western.

“Despite these factors, the global supply chain crisis continues to negatively impact our operations and has resulted in curtailed and reduced lumber and pulp operating schedules. We will continue to assess the effects of this crisis and will make adjustments to our operating schedules as conditions evolve.

“We greatly appreciate our employees’ ongoing resilience in managing through the supply chain challenges.”

On March 1, Canfor said it had completed purchase of Alberta-based Millar Western Assets, adding two sawmills in Whitecourt and Fox Creek and Spruceland Millworks in Acheson.

Conversely, production at its Western Canadian lumber and pulp operations was curtailed in the face of transporation issues brought on by a “global supply chain crisis.”

CEO Don Kayne said in a news release.

“A solid operating performance across all of our lumber operating regions allowed us to capitalize on these favourable market fundamentals and execute

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. lost $19.9 million on $219.7 million in sales due to ongoing transportation challenges and pulp supply disruptions. That compared with a net loss of $101.1 million on $249.3 million of revenues in the fourth quarter and profit of $8.4 million on $262.4 million of revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

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Keep an eye out for rare, unusual fungus

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

The public is once again needed to help document a rare and unique-looking fungus called sarcosoma globosum more commonly known as witches cauldron — that’s been seen around Prince George.

Michael Preston, an assistant professor with the ecosystem science and management program at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has been studying the fungus since it was spotted in the region last year.

He’s in the process of officially documenting its existence in the region as the fungus, which is normally found in northern Europe, is so rare and unique that it has not been formally identified in B.C.

Preston created a survey asking the public to send him photographs and GPS

coordinates if they spotted witches cauldron so he could document it and include it in his research.

He said he thought the survey would garner maybe three or four responses, but has received hundreds since it was launched last year.

“That is really encouraging that people are interested in mycology and it was the most heartwarming thing that I could ever imagine,” said Preston. “But everybody gets excited about it. You know, it’s a weird-looking mushroom, and we don’t know what it does, and it has a really cool name.”

Very little is known about this rare fungus and Preston is trying to answer some big questions regarding its presence in the region – does it appear in the same places every year and what exactly is its ecological role?

“It’s really encouraging they are coming

back when conditions are right,” said Preston, noting that he’s already started receiving new reports of witches cauldron popping up near Prince George. “What I am trying to do is get data again this year that we can add to our study

that we have already compiled, and then we will publish that in the scientific literature in the coming months.”

Preston said since he began his research, he’s received reports of witches cauldron as far north as Highland River Provincial Park near the Yukon border, as far west as Houston, as far south as Quesnel and as far east as Jasper National Park. Of all the responses he’s received only one sighting was found in a provincially protected area the rest were found on private land or designated cutblocks, which Preston says is notable because the number one cause of concern for witches cauldron is loss of habitat.

However, in two instances witches cauldron was spotted in forests logged in the 1950s, which is a significant finding because the small amount of research that exists indicated witches cauldron was only found in old growth forests.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

A witches cauldron spotted near Bellos Road in Prince George.

Downtown

‘under siege’

If all levels of government proved something two years ago at this time, it’s that they can act as swiftly and decisively as the private sector when faced with an emergency.

During the spring of 2020, political leaders and their bureaucracies moved with unprecedented urgency to respond to the threat of COVID-19

The quality and effectiveness of the response can be debated in hindsight but no one can deny that meaningful action was quickly taken.

That’s because the political and bureaucratic willpower to take action (and be seen taking action) was there.

For some reason, despite how bad downtown has become for everyone, the response has been slow, weak and inadequate.

We’re long past pointing at social housing projects under various stages of development and saying help is on the way.

Action is needed and action is needed now Everyone knows what needs to be done but it seems no one wants to lead.

The solution is the same as it has always been and it has been used in numerous cities, big and small, for decades. Supportive housing, social services and law enforcement used together to simultaneously address the needs of the street population while restoring peace and security to city streets.

If prolific offenders have to be rounded up five time or 50 times and brought before judges five times or 50 times, that’s what needs to be done.

Property crime, vandalism and other non-violent crime need to be seen as gateway crimes. If they are ignored, it just paves the way for more serious crime. Long-term camping must not allowed in any public space and must not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The devil is in the details, of course – mistakes will be made and lessons will be learned but the situation will be better than what it is today. If who’s going to pay for all of it and take legal responsibility is the holdup, somebody throw all of the lawyers and accountants into a room to argue amongst themselves while out in the real world, action is taken. How much longer will downtown be ‘under siege’? Ask your elected leaders and government bureaucracies because they are the ones with the solutions and the power to implement them.

Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

HORRIBLE GRAFFITI

I am hoping the right people read this letter to help me make a change, not only for the face of Prince George but for the community as well.

I passed by a baseball field that my son used to play at and noticed extremely offensive graffiti painted all on the back side of the dugout completely visible to all that go by. I was immediately in contact with the local baseball association and since been back and forth with the city on getting this painted over. It has now been nearly two weeks since conversation has been initiated and still no paint on the dugouts, even after offering to paint it myself! Where is the city pride, the responsibility to make everyone feel welcome and safe, especially the youth that want to play, be active and be outside? Shame on Prince George for being aware of this and allowing it. I am buying paint tomorrow.

Melissa Mjolsness, Prince George

DO HOMEOWNERS OWN?

Countless claims for use and ownership of land have paralyzed our courts. To make current and prospective buyers aware of the uncertainties associated with occupancy and ownership, municipalities across the country

have adopted disclaimers to remind them they may be buying or already living on unceded lands.

‘We acknowledge that we are occupying unceded lands’ is common language in those disclaimers. Exploring the concept of ceded land, we find that we cannot buy, own, or sell ceded land. As we continue to explore, we find we also cannot buy, own, or sell unceded land. They both represent a nasty conflict with our well and long established ‘fee simple’ title system that has provided every single property owner in Canada with the security of ownership of the land that supports their homes, businesses, and industries for literally centuries. City councillors in Victoria are considering collecting taxes from occupants as ‘rent’ on unceded lands, and giving it to Indigenous people who provide no infrastructure or services to the city.

B.C. Premier John Horgan has arbitrarily assigned veto powers to the UNDRIP protocol, failing to recognize it’s the tribal-colonial community title that will continue to deny the Indigenous people ‘fee simple’ title and ownership of the land their homes are built on, and equity to invest in a business. Veto powers will not change that. Land and homeowners need to know which title system will apply to all Canadian lands.

Andy Thomsen, Kelowna

LETTERS WELCOME: The Prince George Citizen welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Submission should be sent by e-mail to: letters@pgcitizen.ca. Maximum length is 700 words and writers are limited to one submission every three weeks. We will edit letters only to ensure clarity, good taste, for legal reasons, and occasionally for length. Although we will not include your address and telephone number in the paper, we need both for verification purposes. Unsigned letters will not be published.

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Life on Earth a game of Jenga

Afew weeks back, I used the game “Cook the Goose” as an analogy for tipping points. When talking about species and extinction, another analogy would be “Jenga.”

The game involves removing pieces from a tower and stacking them on top but one never knows when pulling out a critical piece will cause the whole tower to fall down. It is a precarious balancing act fraught with the danger at each step.

Why species go extinct is a similar exercise. For the most part, no one is sure what causes an extinction event. What piece got moved resulting in the collapse of a population? Which event or events brought the whole thing crashing down?

Life on Earth has gone through many extinctions but there have been five mass extinctions events which wiped out at least 75 per cent of the species on the planet and as many as 95 per cent of the

RELATIVITY

TODD WHITCOMBE

organisms. The end-Permian event, with 96 per cent of the species disappearing, is probably the closest we have come to the Earth becoming a lifeless mote in the darkness of space.

However, with the exception of the end-Cretaceous event which occurred over a relatively short period as the result of an asteroid strike, none of the previous mass extinctions are quick. Some have taken hundreds of thousands or millions of years in the geological record. Some have occurred because of life itself.

The last time life on this planet deliberately modified the atmosphere was likely the first major

extinction event although it remains a subject of debate Increasing levels of oxygen, produced through photosynthesis, changed the atmosphere and virtually destroyed a whole tree of life called the “Archaea”.

This past week, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released their red list for reptiles. It shows 1,829 species out of the known list of 10,196 species or 21.1 per cent are threatened with extinction. Previous red lists have documented amphibians (40.7 per cent), mammals (25.4 per cent), and birds (13.6 per cent) under threat.

We are changing the planet and while nothing we have done so far takes us into the category of mass extinction, we are playing a giant game of Jenga with life on Earth. And no one is truly certain what piece will cause the whole thing to come crashing down again

Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC.

Take note when opposites agree

Many people in the political mainstream will say, “Even a broken clock is right twice a day” when they discuss the viewpoints of left-leaning public intellectual Noam Chomsky. They will often say the same thing about Donald Trump, who is supported by the far right Chomsky and Trump agree on issues far less than twice a day, so it is certainly noteworthy when they achieve consensus When asked about the crisis in Ukraine and tensions between American allies and Russia, Chomsky recently stated that Trump is the only high-ranking American speaking sensibly about negotiating an agreement with Vladimir Putin and the Russians to end the fighting What Trump is proposing is not much different from what American president George Bush Sr. proposed to the Russians at the end of the

DEFUND THE CBC

Cold War.

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

Had Bush’s plan been followed, the well-being of our planet would not likely be in peril today.

Though many do not agree with the views of Chomsky, few would dispute that he is sincere and humble in his quest for truth. He is not afraid to challenge the popular narrative, and he will agree with a person on the other end of the political spectrum when he knows that they are right

Though Trump is unorthodox, Chomsky notes that he proved himself to be an effective negotiator when he was president, most notably with Kim Jung-un of North Korea,

The CBC continues to be actively complicit in the violence on the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Prior to the very serious violence of February 17th, the CBC had played an agitating role by endorsing the claims of the hereditary chiefs while providing scant coverage of the efforts of the elected chiefs. They minimized that all bands along the pipeline route have approved construction and saw the pipeline as one means to a brighter future.

The CBC developed a sympathetic narrative for the protesters who were arrested in November 2021 for being in breach of a Supreme Court injunction,

thus significantly reducing the threat of nuclear war.

It is extremely difficult to find truth in the media during a time of armed conflict in the world, regardless of who is reporting.

However, when we hear experts on two opposing sides of the political spectrum challenging the popular narrative and speaking the same message, we need to sit up and listen.

For those of us living in North America, areas of armed conflict, starvation, and human devastation may seem very far away The truth is, we are all neighbours on this beautiful planet, no matter where we live

Everyone deserves to live in peace, and we know what is necessary to bring this about

Now we just need to do it.

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer.

Participate in this week’s polls at

RESULTS from last week’s polls:

Should the B.C. government create a provincial police force to replace the RCMP?

● Yes, Victoria should be in charge, not Ottawa - 115 votes (16%)

● Yes, the RCMP has shown its unwillingness to change - 126 votes (17%)

● No, the RCMP should be the primary police provider in B.C. - 278 votes (38%)

● No, it would just create another level of police bureaucracy - 211 votes (29%)

Would you like to see a panel of public leaders working on the city’s social issues?

● Yes, anything is better than what’s happening now - 101 votes (16%)

● Yes, this is long overdue and has a better chance of providing solutions - 114 votes (18%)

● No, just another committee having meetings to talk about it - 167 votes (26%)

● No, the city needs to enforce its bylaws and the RCMP needs to do its job - 252 votes (40%)

How do you feel about highway blockades to protest old-growth logging?

● Everyone should be allowed to protest peacefully, no matter what their politics are - 78 votes (11%)

preventing obstruction of the work along the pipeline. The CBC also played coy in not recognizing the extensive assessment work which has been conducted. As well, the CBC has used every opportunity to sympathetically profile the radical leadership among the protesters. The CBC did not report the news; they made every effort to influence, agitate and shape the news.

The CBC has violated every canon of journalism. In future I intend to hold a one-man protest of the CBC’s duplicity. My protest will be in front of the CBC office at 9th and Victoria. Honk your horn, as you pass the CBC office if you think it is time to defund the CBC.

Rolf van Driesum, Prince George

● Highways are essential infrastructure that should be considered off-limits to protests - 418 votes (57%)

● I don’t agree but the government has to change its forest policy - 96 votes (13%)

● I agree with their right to protest but these protests are wrong and dangerous - 142 votes (19%)

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION

TEMPORARYUSE PERMIT No. 255

What: TemporaryUsePermitNo.255

When and Where:

1:30p.m.,Thursday,May19,2022

RegionalDistrictBoardRoom

155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorgeBC

Owner: AngelaCunninghamandKellyCunningham

Proposal: ThepurposeofTemporaryUsePermitNo.255 istoallowthegrowingofmushroomsasanIntensive Agricultureuseonthesubjectpropertyforuptoathree(3) yearperiod.ThesubjectpropertyislegallydescribedasLot 3DistrictLot7709CaribooDistrictPlan21248andislocated at4630MarlinDrive

Need moreinfo? AcopyoftheproposedPermitandany relevantbackgroundmaterialsareavailableforreviewbythe publicontheRegionalDistrict’swebsite: http://www.rdffg. bc.ca/services/development/land-use-planning/currentapplications/ orattheRegionalDistrictoﬃce,Monday throughFriday,8:30a.m.to12:30p.m.and1:30p.m.to4:30 p.m.,betweenMay2andMay19,2022.Appointmentsare preferred.TomakeanappointmentcontacttheRegional Districtatdevelopmentservices@rdﬀg.bc.caorat 250-960-4400.

Who can Ispeak to?

RichardBuchan,PlannerII,250-960-4400

Should you be pumped about heat pumps?

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

A heat pump in every home?

Whether that will happen will depend on how warmly households respond to the efforts of not only BC Hydro but the provincial and federal governments to adopt the technology.

By now you have probably seen Dave and Jacklyn, otherwise known as the faces of the BC Hydro’s campaign in support of all things energy efficient and more environmentally friendly.

But they are only part of the promotion.

As an incentive, the Crown corporation is offering up to $3,000 in rebates for switching from a fossil fuel based system, which can be combined with provincial and federal rebates for a total savings of up to $11,000 on cost and installation. Up to $2,000 in rebates are available for customers switching from electric baseboard heating.

In its most-recent budget, meanwhile, the B.C. government exempted heat pumps from the provincial sales tax while also increasing the PST on fossil fuel heating equipment to 12 per cent, effective April 1.

The intention, according to a Ministry of Finance backgrounder is to help “fund the cost of a new incentive to make heat pumps more affordable for rural and northern communities.”

In a statement emailed to The Citizen, the B.C. Ministry of Environment further says the PST exemption will translate into as much as a $500 reduction in the cost of the equipment, “making heat pumps a more affordable heating and cooling option.”

Moreover, the most-recent provincial budget includes $16 million over three years for additional incentives for northern and rural heat pump installations, the ministry says. Nonetheless, the move has sparked an outcry in some quarters that the provincial government has once again introduced a policy that may work well in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island but is impractical for anyone “living beyond Hope.”

After all, while heat pumps might be effective in the summer and Hydro is promoting them as a viable alternative to air conditioning, but what about in the winter, particularly when the temperature drops to -40 C, making a reliable home heating system essential?

In the opinion of Prince George-based energy advisor Rod Croome that concern is a bit overblown.

“That is kind of a valid statement, although I’ve been involved in several projects that use cold climate heat pumps,” said Croome, the owner-operator of Prince George-based Hometech Energy Solutions Inc. since

2007. “A cold climate heat pump will efficiently generate down to -30 so in those homes, they do need some electric backup for those short periods that it might be -40.”

Perhaps the bigger concern is finding someone qualified to retrofit an existing home with the system. Starting July 1, the work must be done by contractor who has met the standards set out by the Home Performance Stakeholder Council for a homeowner to qualify for the rebates.

At present, nothing for the Prince George and Fort St. John region pops up in the “find a contractor” feature of the HPSC website.

But there still is time yet and, according to HSPC spokesperson Tanya Ratzlaff, four companies who have indicated they service Prince George are in the registration process “and we have ongoing outreach efforts to increase this number.”

As it stands, it appears the biggest emphasis is being put on new homes. Heat pumps are already a common sight at the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George development off the corner of 17th Avenue and Winnipeg Street and will be a key feature in more projects going forward.

A key driver will be the so-called BC Energy step code, a graduated process that by the end of 2032 will see new homes be 80-per-cent more efficient than those that were built to the 2018 B.C. Building Code.

For more stories that you won’t find in this week’s paper, go to

Heat pumps are a common sight at the Urban Aboriginal Community off 17th Avenue and Winnipeg.

Disaster relief training camp springs into action

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

When an unprecedented heat dome scorched most of British Columbia last year in late June, turning the village of Lytton into a raging inferno that turned buildings to ash, Brett Simms and Team Rubicon Lower Mainland were among the first disaster relief teams there for the recovery.

Sifting through the wreckage of homes that had stood for decades, Simms and his team found cherished family possessions that survived the heat and flames among the bodies of animals that had perished.

“It was very sad,” said the 50-year-old Simms. “The town was razed, it was mind-boggling to see it, about 85 to 90 per cent of the homes were destroyed. There was almost nothing left.

“We helped people recover valuable, family heirlooms, old artifacts, arrowheads. There a lot of First Nations people in the area and finding pet remains was very important to the team as well as the people, helping to find those moments to create some closure.”

Simms works as a computer graphics designer in North Vancouver. He has a background in disaster relief that dates back seven years and for the past four years he’s been an administrator for Team Rubicon Lower Mainland. He’s seen enough disasters to know why Team Rubicon is needed as a buffer between government authorities/first responders and the residents whose lives have been

turned upside-down.

“A huge component is most of the emergency response is there for that first critical moment trying to do lifesaving work,” said Simms. “Having somebody that can step in and help with the huge problems that come after that, it’s a bit of a gap.

“You’re not going to get a lot of help from municipalities coming to muck out your basement (after a flood). That’s going to be on you as a homeowner and when you’re underinsured or not insured or if you’re a senior, it can be a hopeless situation. So having people who are willing to get in there and do the dirty work and the hard work nobody else wants to do but has to be done so people can get back to life, we try to be there to help them on their worst day in ways that

Drug deaths rise to 18

Illicit drugs have exacted a toll of 18 deaths in Prince George as of the end of March, according to figures released Tuesday by the B.C. Coroners Service.

The count is two higher than over the same period last year with two of the fatalities occurring in March.

B.C.’s chief coroner says illicit toxic drugs still present enormous risks for substance users. Lisa Lapointe says the latest overdose figures show 165 people died in March, down from 174 in February and 209 in January. Still, figures from the coroners service show 548 deaths in

the first quarter of the year, surpassing last year’s record, when 535 people died during that time.

Lapointe says five people are dying every day and those who survive an overdose are often left with long-term health challenges so expanded access to a safer supply of alternative drugs would lessen those harms. She says 94 per cent of drug samples tested positive for fentanyl in March, while benzodiazepines, which don’t respond to overdose-reversing medication, are increasingly being used in substances sold on the street.

EVENTSARE

other people don’t.”

Simms was in Prince George among 35 volunteers who signed up for Team Rubicon’s first-ever disaster training conference on Canadian soil. Using facilities at Ness Lake Bible Camp and the Prince George Airport, the camp will teach chainsaw proficiency, fire suppression, first aid, mental health, and disaster site assessment to learn how to allocate resources. The 35 participants come from as far away as Nova Scotia, Ontario, Texas and Alaska.

Jacob Nilz of Fort Worth, Texas is a full-time trainer for Team Rubicon who conducts training camps throughout the United States, while also attending to disasters in the country. He’s assisted in regional relief operations for tornadoes and hurricanes and has leaned on his

skills as a sawyer to assist in wildfire and mudslide missions on the west coast.

“This is my first time in Canada and I’m excited because this our first large-scale disaster training camp in Canada and our end goal is this will be a big capacity-builder,” said Nilz. “Our goal is to turn all these people into force multipliers. Our hope is that the people who go through these introductory and advanced courses here are going to go on to go through our instructor training and we’ll start to see the force multiply. It’s all about engaging the community and building relationships and training those advanced skills to how you respond to a disaster.”

Nilz was a tree specialist trained in the use of chainsaw when a tornado touched down 20 minutes from his home in Fort Worth. He showed up with his saw to help in the cleanup operation and that was the start of his six years as a Team Rubicon volunteer before it became his full-time occupation in 2020. He met his wife Maggie teaching a chainsaw course.

Civilians from all walks of life blend with ex-military troops and first responders as “gray shirts” on Team Rubicon. During the pandemic last year, Kathy Carlson temporarily left her job as executive director of the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George to become a Team Rubicon volunteer helping COVID patients in an Ontario hotel.

“One of the things I think is really important is giving back to the community and being part of Team Rubicon allows for that to happen on whatever scale you can imagine,” said Carlson.

Join us starting Saturday,May 21 when the Visitor Centreopensfor the season.We’re open sevendaysa week, 10 a.m.to5 p.m. Come enjoy our interactiveexhibits, watchour short ﬁlms, learn about the Indigenouscommunities in the area and take in an amazing viewof the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.

Take abus tour across the dam or an outdoor walking tour to learn about howB.C.ispowered by water! Visit bchydro.com/bennett formoreinformation, including details on ourtours and COVID-19 safety protocols.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Team Rubicon members from Canada and the U.S. gathered in Prince George on Saturday at the Central B.C Railway and Forestry Museum as part of a six-day disaster relief training camp.

NewEpidemicSpreading Across Canada!

Accordingtodoctors,symptoms includeexplosiveverbaloutbursts and occurmostlyamong elected ofﬁcials. Named ‘FuddleDuddle disease’after PierreTrudeau fell ill in 1971, therecent resurgence hashit hisson,Justin, and John Horgan. To avoidthisnew epidemic,try not to get elected,and stay six feetawayfrom allmedia thatmay containpolitics.

Ukrainian refugees get warm welcome

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

A family of refugees from Ukraine has arrived safely in Prince George, greeted by a crowd of supporters waving Ukrainian flags and holding welcome banners.

Olena Kramarenko landed at YXS Tuesday with her six-year-old daughter, one-year-old son, and her mother Lilia Huzenko. The Ukrainian family had been waiting in Poland until they were able to make the journey to Canada.

Moments after arrival and greeting the crowd, Olena, with some translation help from Father Andrii Chornenkyi of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, said she was pleased to be in Canada and impressed by the warm welcome her family has received.

“It’s very confusing to think about everything that is happening in Ukraine and to be here,” said Olena, adding that she is trying to focus on the future for her children and not what is happening back in Ukraine.

“You have to think about coming back and being prepared to come back and to focus on that and not on the negative events.”

Olena, who is a lawyer in Ukraine, said she is not certain what she will do in Prince George yet, but she is grateful to have a safe place to be for the time being.

Olena said she is happy to be in a safe place and is hopeful it will be a good start for her children, but it’s also a difficult situation for her because her husband is still in Ukraine.

The family will be staying with their host Michelle Gaudet, who is a member of Prince George for Ukraine.

“Right now, I have the privilege of having the space available and I have the time right now to help out and it is the least I could do,” said Gaudet.

“I have hosted for wildfire evacuees in the past and I helped at the College of New Caledonia when there were evacuees there so it was first nature that this was something I could do. I’m very excited we have been in contact for so long and we finally get to meet today so that is pretty exciting,” she added.

“We have started to bring families to Prince George,” said Eva Gillis, chair of the Share Hope Refugee Sponsorship Committee, which is currently focusing efforts on helping people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

“We want everyone in Prince George to know that it is just starting, and it has been for a little while but it’s really coming and to be ready and to open their doors and to open their wallets and help these people.”

Share Hope has been working with Prince George for Ukraine group who has been working with different levels of government and volunteers to coordinate efforts and bring families fleeing the war to Prince George.

“I am a lawyer in Ukraine and I have not planned for this,” said Olena. “I don’t know how long war will be in Ukraine. I just want a safe place for my children but if this will be a long time then I will go to study here and begin my life again.”

Chornenkyi added that his wife was also a lawyer in Ukraine and noted that “it is not easy because the law is different, so you have to start from scratch.”

“The people of Prince George are warmhearted and generous and we have seen that year after year,” said Gillis. “I can’t believe how many people have called and been willing to open their homes […] and to give a place to people who are escaping and fleeing.”

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

The Kramarenko family and supporters stand in front of the Prince George mural at the airport.

Healthy North y

Emergency Preparedness Week: Be prepared for extreme heat

Emergency Preparedness Week, anational event supported by Public Safety Canada, has run for over 25 years, traditionally during the firstweek of May. This year’sevent wasMay 1-7, and its theme was“Emergency Preparedness: It’sEveryone’sResponsibility.”

The importance of being prepared washighlightedduring last year’sunprecedented heat wave that impacted theNorth with recordhighs.Asa result, NorthernHealth, in partnership with Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC), is focusing this year’sEmergency Preparedness Week around being prepared for extreme heat.

What is extreme heat? Whyisitaconcern?

Extreme heat events, also known as heat waves, can be aconcerninthe summer months when temperatures are hotter than average, and humidity is higher.Because of our changing climate, heat events are happening more often, and they’re agrowing public healthrisk in Canada.

To stay safe and healthy, it’simportant to prepare in advance for heat waves. This is especially important for our more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly,because they’re at higher risk for developing heat-related illness.

Heat-relatedillnesses includeheatexhaustion and themore serious heat stroke;bothare considered medical emergencies. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are cold, pale, and clammyskin and afast, weak pulse. Heat exhaustion can sometimes lead to heat stroke, which is when your body temperature is over 103° F/39.4° C. It’scharacterized by hot,red, dry, or damp skin and afast, strong pulse. Formore, see this page from the Canadian Red Cross: redcross.ca/trainingand-certification/first-aid-tips-and-resources/first-aid-tips/heat-related-emergencies-staying-cooland-hydrated-in-canadian-summers

It’simportant to know what to do if you or someone you love is showing signs or symptoms of a heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Fortunately,heat-related illness anddeathare preventable –that’swhy it’simportant to be preparedfor extreme heat.

Forthe rest of Emergency Preparedness Week, we’llhighlight adifferent focus area each dayon our social media channels related to extreme heat and its impactson:

•Seniors •Ourhomes •Pets •Children

Share your experience –you could win aprize!

Tell us what you do to prepare for emergencies, and you could be awinner! Submit your photos and stories throughout the month of Maytobeentered into the grand prize drawtowin one of 4emergency preparedness survival kits. There arethree ways to enter:

1. Emailyour entries (photo and/or story) to healthpromotions@northernhealth.ca

2. Include entries in apersonal message through our Facebookpage: facebook.com/ NorthernHealth

3. Comment on our contest post on Facebook: facebook.com/NorthernHealth/ posts/367322202105250

Visit our NorthernHealth Stories site for full contest detailsand Emergency Preparedness resources: stories.northernhealth.ca/stories/emergency-preparedness-week-be-prepared-extreme-heat

Reminder:Rapid tests available at local pharmacies

Did you know that rapid antigen testing kits are free for residents of BC? Anyone can ask for akit –you don’teven have to show ID!

This means that the next time you runout of shampoo, toilet paper,ortoothpaste, you can also pick up your free kit at participating pharmacies across the province! Get your kit today! Find apharmacy near you. bcpharmacy.ca/rapid-tests/list

COVID-19 vaccine information for Prince George (including 5-11 year olds):

·Age 12+ vaccination can happen at your local pharmacy

·All ages (including5-11 year olds) vaccinationwill continue through NorthernHealth.

Formore information on 12+ COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies, visit: bcpharmacy.ca/patients

Formore information on all ages (including 5-11 year olds) COVID-19 vaccine clinics in NorthernHealth, visit: northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid-19-immunization-clinics

HOROSCOPES &PUZZLES

WEEK OF MAY15 TO MAY212022

ARIES

Someone will conﬁde in you, or you’ll discover abig secret. Youmay have to decipher amessage in another language or decode acomment from your signiﬁcant other

TAURUS

Your emotions will run high. Youmay experience tears of joy.One of your children may be doing something special, like taking their ﬁrst steps or receiving adegree.

GEMINI

If you want to reach afair agreement, you must put your feelings aside during a negotiation. Youmust also closely follow the laws and regulations to avoid future problems.

CANCER

You’ll have aheavy workload and won’thave time to take abreather at work. If you’renot at your best, take the time to rest and regain your energy to brave the storm.

LEO

You’ll feel extremely proud after accomplishing abrilliant feat and discovering ahidden talent. Your family life may be asource of stress.

VIRGO

Youmay have to spend part of the week at home. You’ll paint awall or work on ahome renovation project. Youmay spontaneously decide it’stime to move.

LIBRA

You’ll speak your mind. If you have asecret, you may ﬁnd it hardtokeep it to yourself. Youcould accidentally let it slip, leaving many people perplexed.

SCORPIO

Now is an excellent time to start thinking seriously about buying or selling aproperty You’ll surprise yourself by realizing you have the means to do so.

SAGITTARIUS

At times, you’ll feel as though you’rebeing pushed around. When you’reupagainst the wall, you’ll get alot of things settled and manage to make contact quickly.You’ll be surprised to ﬁnally get areturncall.

CAPRICORN

You’ll use your imagination to create a masterpiece. You’ll also attend ashow or exhibition that leaves alasting impression on you.

AQUARIUS

You’ll have avery active social life. All your friends will want to see you at the same time. You’ll attend afew high-proﬁle gatherings and will always have someone to talk to.

PISCES

Youmay start your own business. At the very least, you’ll move towards aposition of power at work. You’ll happily settle into this new role until you retire.

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through9 only 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 1through9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

SamuelC.WAuger

Sep3,1980-May7,2010

It has now been 12 lonely years since uwere taken from all your family.You now have 4 beautiful Grandsons which you will never be able tohold.

We all love and miss you forever from Dad, Mom, brothers, sisters, your 5children and sooo much family

REMEMBRANCES

InLovingMemoryof PatRobillard

TherewillbeaCelebrationoflife FridayMay20,2022 At 1:00pm AttheElk’sHallonDouglasSt. PrinceGeorgeB.C.

Webb,ArthurH. August04,1935-November27,2021

IreneJeanetteSitoski May20,1927-December30,2021

ACelebrationofLifewillbeheld Saturday,May21,2022 at10:00am attheFirstBaptistChurch-483GillettSt

In loving memory of Kendall Moore

11 January 199718 May

Eight

Youwill

I’ll love

Missing

ACelebrationofLifewillbeheldon Sunday,May22,2022 Time:2:00pm Location:CornerstoneLifeCentre 6912HartHighway

Inlovingmemoryof LisaMaryJames October28,1980-January23,2022

We would like to announce aCelebration of Lisa’slifewill be held on Saturday,May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am @the Salvation Army Hall-777OspikaBlvd,PrinceGeorge CelebrationofLife EllenHoard

Jul1930-Nov2021 Jul1947-Nov2019

ACelebration of Life for Ellen and Eric will be heldon Sunday,May22,2022 at ECRA -1692 10th Avenue, Prince George at 1:00pm Masksareappreciated.

LINDSAY NEVISON

Nevison, Shirley

2x12.1

September 15, 1955 -April 19, 2022

PGC002466

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shirley Nevison. Celebration of life will be held on May 14th at The Cove in Westbank, BC, from 1pm -4pm.

ViolaJoyce Jacobsen(Fry)

January29,1938December16,2021

Predeceased by her husband John Donald Jacobsen and her sister DoreenDion. She passed away at UHNBC with family by her side. Survived by her children Tammy Jacobsen, Karen Jacobsen, Kathy Bell (Scott) and Bruce Jacobsen (Laureen), as well as 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, sister Barbra O’Rielly (Pat) as well as many nieces and nephews. Please join us in a celebration of life on Saturday, May 14, 2022 Elks Hall 663 Douglas St. PrinceGeorgeB.C.2:00-5:00pm.

MinardHaney

Minard Haney passed away April 30, 2022 at the age of 86inPrinceGeorge,BC.

He will be missed by his daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Rex Akehurst; his grandchildren Dwayne and Jenean; his sister Verna Strong.

He is survived by and will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruth; parents Clarence and Dora; stepfather Aurin; sister Elaine andbrotherRon.

Rest in peace you will be missed.

WESLEYANDRES

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Andres, Roy L.

March 28, 1935 -April 27, 2022

Roy was born near Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, the second youngest of six children. For the first 37 years of his life, he was abrother, bachelor and uncle until he met the love of his life, Joan. He is survived by his wife Joan of 50 years. They have two sons, Wes (Bonnie) and Greg (Crystal). He has four grandchildren Brianna, Taylor, Marek and Mattison. Roy passed away peacefully during a sleepover with his family at the Rotary Hospice. The family is grateful for the kind and loving care they gave him in his final days. Special thanks go to Dr. Denise Mcleod for all of her care.

MICAYLATRUDEL

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VAN

HELVOIRT TRUDEL, Irma

November 10, 1963 -April 29, 2022

Irma’s family is heartbroken to announce the passing of a beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Irma passed away peacefully on Friday, April 29th, 2022, after acourageous battle with cancer. Irma loved fiercely, gave generously and spread kindness through her infectious smile and light-hearted humour. Family was the most important thing to her. She was loved by all that knew her, and her legacy lives on in her two children Matthew (Nicole) and Micayla (Jakob), grandchild Emilia (Matthew and Nicole), brother Bill, sister Marjo (Reg), and nieces and nephews Lance, Adam, and Kandace. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the BC Cancer Centre, as well as the nurses and caretakers at Prince George Hospice House, for their compassion during Irma’s last days on earth.

ACelebration of Life is planned in honour of Irma at the Northern Lights Estate Winery on May 27, 2022.

CHAD ZENTNER

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PGC002465

Victor, Boyko

September 1, 1938 -April 23, 2022

It is with great sadness that the family of Victor Boyko announce his passing on April 23, 2022.

Vic was born in Swan River, Manitoba, and left school to help work on the family farm. Dad then left the prairies and moved to Vancouver, BC, where he met his wife, Nellie.

Vic and his family lived and worked throughout Canada and the USA. Dad eventually settled in Claresholm in 2010, after the passing of his beloved wife, Nellie.

Vic is survived by his daughter Gina (Hermann) Ens; son Mike (Suzy) Boyko; and grandchildren Brett (Emma) Boyko, Madison (Dillon) Boyko, Steven Ens and Sarah Ens.

Acelebration of Vic’s life will be held in BC in 2023.

HollisThomasWood

March2,1929-Dec23,2021

There will be a Celebration of Life for Hollison: FridayMay20,2022 at3:30pm PrinceGeorgeGolf&CurlingClub

Mary Ens went to be with the Lord on April 30th 2022 at the age of 84. She is survived by her ﬁve children; Vicky, Sylvia, Gordon, Evelyn (John) and Shirley; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, as well she is survived by her three brothers; Henry (Susan), Bill & Ben plus many nephews, nieces and their families. Mary was predeceased by her parents, two brothers andonesister Services and an opportunity to share your memories will be held on Saturday, May 14th 2022 @ 10:00 am @ the Evangelical Free Church 4590 5th Avenue with luncheon to follow In lieu of ﬂowers, please make donationstoanyHumanitariancauseofyourchoice.

GladysKolybaba

1946-2022

It is with great sadness that the family of Gladys Kolybaba announce her passing from a stroke on April 14, 2022 in Prince George, BC. Gladys was born in Foam Lake Saskatchewan on July 21, 1946.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Gerald (Gerry) in March 2012 and eldest son Brent in August 2008. Gladys will be dearly missed by her family, son James and his wife Julie, Susana (Brent’s partner) and grandchildrenBianca,Liam,AnikaandLogan.

Gladys was a dedicated and compassionate RN for over 39 years. She especially enjoyed working in obstetrics, geriatrics and rehabilitation. She was a devoted volunteer for community events and the Special Olympics. Gladys enjoyed going to the gym and having coffee time with her friends. She made a special effort to stay in contact with her many friends andrelativesfromovertheyears.

At Gladys’ request, there will be no Memorial Service. In lieu of ﬂowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Kidney Foundation, the Diabetes Association or the Special Olympics through AimHi inPrinceGeorge,BC.

The family appreciates all the wonderful friends and family that called with condolences and offers of support. They are especially grateful to the nurses and doctors at the University Hospital of Northern BritishColumbia(UHNBC)andtheHospiceHouse.

Condolencesmaybeofferedat www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com

IvanJohnZubcic

March7,1938-May7,2022

It is with sadness we announce that Ivan John Zubcic passed away on May 7, 2022 withfamilybyhissideatPrinceGeorgeHospiceHouse.

Ivan Zubcic, was born March 7, 1938 to Franka and Jakova Zubcic in Trnovac Croatia, in the home, that for more than 300 years, was the birth place for all the familybeforehim.

Ivanwastheyoungestchildandhelpedhisfamilyinmanywaysaroundthefarm.

Ivanwas fullofdesiretogotoCanada.

In 1960, at the age of 22, and with the support of his sponsor,his uncle, Karlo Zubcic, he left Croatia for anew life. Ivan made it to Canada and lived with Uncle Karlo and Aunt Milka and their children, Paul, Mary and Katie ,who believed in and lovedIvanverymuch.

InCanadahewouldnowbeknownasJohn.

John quickly began to learn the ways of his new Country.His cousin Mary helped him with English and Katie and Paul helped him assimilate over the next 5years as theyalllivedtogether andenjoyedlifeinKapuskasing.

John worked in mills and camps and in construction. He took pride in what he did and enjoyed very much his life in Canada. Youcould ﬁnd him behind the wheel of one of thecoolcarsheowned.Johnwouldsayeachcarwashisfavorite.

His true love was his family.Even though John never married or had his own children ,his love for family never faltered. He looked forward to traveling to visit Katie and Jim or Mary and Joe or Paul and Ann and their children.Hedidthisoftenasheenjoyedcelebratinglife. HeneverforgothisbelovedCroatiaandwentbackoncetovisitin1980.

John lived avery minimalistic life in Prince George, enjoying friends in his community,especially his Croatian friends and countrymen.JohnlovedPrinceGeorgeforallitofferedinnaturalbeauty.Hetookearlyretirementfromunion1611whenhewas58.

John devoted his life to saving to give everything he had back home. He was always thinking of his sister,her children and her grandchildren.HealsoneverforgothisbrotherorhisbrotherssonalsonamedIvan.

John fondly recalls how beautiful the Coast of Croatia is and the best parts of his Motherland, the food and people. John was quiet, kindandrespectfulofothers.

He was thankful of his dear friend Brian who was there for him over the years that he was needing help recovering from his surgeries andcancertreatments.Brian’shelpallowedJohntostaylivingindependentlytilltheend.

John fought all his health battles over the years, with Cancer being the ﬁnal battle. As John’slife came to an end, he remained strong andnevercomplained.

Johnwasthankfulforhisdoctorsandnurseswhocaredsomuchforhim.

In his ﬁnal days and hours he reminisced fondly about his friends, family and great memories playing pool and Traveling with friends, especiallytoVictoria,BC.

JohnwillbelaidtorestinKelownaBritishColumbiawiththerestofhisextendedCroatianand Canadianfamily

Announcements

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SWF,young 65 would like to meet male with same interests.I am petite, active, love the outdoors,adventures, music &havingfun. If interested please reply to Box3001 -505 4th

Allan Williams who lived in Courtenaywould you please phone or text MargeryMcAlinden (250) 617-1360, talk soon.

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HealthServices

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Hours of week:

Office of the Wet’suwet’en Finance Controller

FTE -35Hours per week (8:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m.)

Common hours areduring the day with the exception of evenings and weekends as required.

Location of work:

Office of the Wet’suwet’en 3873 –1st Avenue, Smithers Phone: 250-847-3630

Reports to:

Executive Director –DebbiePierre

Organizational Context:

The Office of the Wet’suwet’en negotiates land, natural resources, economic development, human services and Wet’suwet’en Title and Rights on behalf of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. As the administrative body,itreceives its strategic leadership and direction from the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, as the governing body

Purpose:

As the Finance Controller is part of the Management Team and oversees the financial management of all programs and administrative operations of the Wet’suwet’en Nation’s administration office to ensureeffective program delivery in acost-effective manner.The Finance Controller will provide supervision to the Finance Department and Receptionist to ensureeffective, culturally appropriate services for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. The Finance Controller is accountable for all financial performance and exercises all authority transmitted into the organization by the Chiefs. Finance Controller performance will be considered to be synonymous with organization financial performance as a whole.

Major Focus:

The Executive Director provides leadership and direction in financial management and evaluation of service and program delivery in the broad areas of Human and Social Services, Economic Development and Lands and resources, and Fisheries and Wildlife. The Finance Controller will support the delivery of the programs in accordance with applicable contribution agreements, acts, regulations direction and standards. The Chiefs also provide effectiveness and efficiency of all financial areas. The Financial Controller is responsible for management of the Finance Department, contracted resources, financial and physical resources and the resolution of financial priorities and issues.

The Finance Controller has the responsibility for ongoing the financials and service delivery structure, for guiding the Office in meeting its goals, setting priorities, developing program procedures and ensuring evaluation and review financial activities areinplace

The results of the Finance Controller’sperformance will be considered in the following areas:

1. Accomplishment of the Chief’s direction/decision;

2. Operation within the guidelines and boundaries set out in the Chief’s policies on Executive Limitation;

3. Compliance with the Wet’suwet’en Charter of Governance/legislation and Chief’s priorities.

Relationships:

The Finance Controller will liaise and maintain effective relationships with:

•Band and Municipal Governments

•Provincial and Federal Government officials

•Other First Nations and other stakeholders

The Senior Management Team will attend Chief meetings and provide the chiefs with regular reports on program and services. The Finance Controller will also inform the Chiefs

of any problems or sensitive issues that arise with respect to finances.

Required Qualiﬁcations

Education:

•Excellent computer literacy (Microsoft Office) required

•CPA Designation or currently working towards CPA designation

•Experience and knowledge of Wet’suwet’en cultural and values

•Valid BC Driver’sLicense and reliable vehicle

Skills:

•Self-motivated

•Organizational

•Professionalism

•Problem Solving

•Communications

Roles and Responsibilities:

•Interacts with theManagement Team on aroutine basis and established good working relationships;

•Participates in all regular Chief meetings to report on financial and program status and to provide ongoing advice for strategic and tactical planning decisions;

•Provide interpretive documents in laymen’sterms;

•Manage the day to day Financial, Human Resources and Personnel Standards of all office staffare met;

•Work with Program Managers to ensureprogram accountability, financial stability,and ensureprogramsare adapting to changes/growth and areculturally competent;

•Provide fair and timely decisions when conflicts arise;

•Create ahealthy and supportive environment;

•Beproactive, fair/impartial and provide professional leadership to the Senior Management Team, including recruitment and selection, orientation and training, performance planning and review and interpretation of policies and procedures;

•Proving information in atimelymanner to Chief’s table for direction and ensuredirection is implemented.

Special Knowledge

•Strong knowledge of the Wet’suwet’enClan/House Group lineage and House Chief Traditions

•Strong knowledge of the Wet’suwet’enCultureand Traditional functions and able to participate when required.

When submitting your application for the above position, please clearly indicate how you meet the required qualifications and include the following:

1. Acoverletterclearly indicating the position for which you areapplying.

2. Aresume with three references.

3. Job description is available upon request Apre-skill evaluation is required following averbal interview

APPLICATION PACKAGES ARE TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING: Office of the Wet’suwet’en

Attn: Judy Walton #1 -205 Beaver Road, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0

OR *EMAIL: judy.walton@wetsuweten.com

*Subject line MUST CLEARLYSTATE “Finance Controller Application”

Close Date: May 20, 2022

Help wanted for local financial

Looking for acareer in the rail industry?

REMCAN offerscompetitive compensation, rewarding work, cuttingedge equipment,paid training and benefits Fordetails and to applyvisit: www.remcanprojects.com/careers

FORTWOOD HOMES LTD

2x64.0

CARPENTERS REQUIRED

R0011905584

Full time positions availableto start immediately

Currently buildinginthe newCreekside PropertiesSubdivision in Prince George,BC.

Job Duties:

Reading blue prints, building foundations, installing floor beams, walls and floor systems. Preparing layouts in conformance with building code. Laying subfloor,installing windows, doors, moulding and hardware when required. Repair and maintain residences as required. Measuring, cut and shape and assemble materials made of wood, etc.

Skill Requirements:

5years carpentry experience. Must have knowledge of how to operate tools and power equipment. Must have English as aﬁrst or second language.

Applicant must have their own hand tools, hard hat, safety goggles and steel-toed boots.

Work conditions are physically demanding. Atypical daymay require handling of heavy loads, bending, crouching, kneeling and acombination of sitting, standing and walking.

Wage will depend on experience $31

Traders 168 FrontSt, Quesnel,BC (250) 983-2294

purchase estate items; antler mounts,bear rugs,livemounts,antlers &hides.Willpay CASH

PAY Forall gold,Estate jewelry, scrap or unwanted,coins & currency, antiques,Rolex. Unbeatable pricing,privacy assured.(250) 612-1808 24/7

COIN COLLECTIONS! OLD COINS, ROYALCANADIAN MINT COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY,GOLD COINS,

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Motorcycles

SUZUKI Bandit 1200, great shape,recenttune-up and brakes.(250)613-5981 2006 HARLEYDAVIDSON Wide Glide.Low mileage.250-6170443

2002 BMW 1150 RT motorcycle, excellentcond.$5500. (250)5643152 (250)640-8267

Sports Utilities& 4X4s

2012 RAM1500 4X4 shortbox, loaded,maroon. Extended 7yr 160k warranty.21,000 kms, too much to list.Equity. $39,000 owing. Take over payments.250-

Lots of recent work,havereceipts.1.8 L5 Spd standard. Momo rims w/ summers & studded winters,power locks &windows w/ tint. Looks good,runs good 228,000 kms.

• 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

and email address.

Property ForSale

THIS WEEKEND! GARAGE SALES

May14& 15 •9am -4pm

Basement Suites

(Kamloops)

Will carry mortgage View Realtor.ca 250-573-3346 e-mail biffsbenson@yahoo.ca

BigSteelBox Corp at 5495 Hartway Drive, Prince George, BC.claims aPPSA Lien Against Kae Trucking Inc. of Prince George, BC for arrears of container rent amounting to $1,594.88 plus any additional costs of storage that accrue. If not paid in full, the contents of the storage container ﬁlled with: furniture, totes, abike, and other miscellaneous items, will be sold online auction via Ibid4Storage.com on May 16, 2022.

Notice(2) to Remove PrivateLand from Woodlot LicenceW0646

Pleasebeadvised that0823638 B.C. Ltd. Is proposing to remove 292.3hectares of privatelandfromWoodlot LicenceW0646 locatedinthe vicinity of 1) Isle Pierre and2) OldSummit Lake Road. Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to J. Lang,RPF,c/o Suite260-1990 South Ogilvie Street, PrinceGeorge, BC,V2N 1X1 by 2weeks from May12, 2022. Only written inquiries received by theabove date will be responded to Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting,Jo-Anne Lang,RPF at 250-563-6567.

2022-2032

WL 281

WoodlotLicence Plan

PiaLund-Munrohas prepared aWoodlot LicencePlan(WLP) covering the tenyear period from 2022 to 2032 forWL281. This WLPisinaccordance with the Woodlot LicencePlanning and Practices Regulation. Thewoodlot includes Schedule BLands in the Hospital Creek Area.

TheWLP is availablefor public review and commentfor 30 days.Written comments should be received by June13, 2022. The WLP including maps is availablefor public viewing at SBS ForestryInc

Submit written comments to:

RonParker,RPF SBS Forestry Inc. 1541 Ogilvie St PrinceGeorge,B.C V2N 1W7 Ph 250-561-1140

632

2022-2032 Woodlot LicencePlan

664813 BC Ltdhas prepared aWoodlot LicencePlan(WLP) covering the tenyear period from 2022 to 2032 forWL632. This WLPisinaccordancewith the Woodlot LicencePlanning and Practices Regulation. Thewoodlot includes Schedule BLands in the Hospital Creek Area.

TheWLP is available forpublic review and commentfor 30 days.Written comments should be received by June13, 2022. The WLP including maps is available forpublic viewing at

Submit written comments to:

Legal/Public Notices

WOODLOT 268

Woodlot Licence Plan

RedRock Timber Ltdhas prepared a Woodlot Licence Plan forthe ten-year period commencing in the spring of 2022. Theplanisin accordancewith the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation.

Thewoodlot consists of Schedule B lands in the vicinity of RedRock Creek and Schedule A lands on Bellos Rd In accordancewith legislation this plan is available forpublic review and comment. Theplanand detailed maps can be reviewed by appointmentbycalling 250-981-6430. Written comments should be received by June 30th, 2022.

Take notice that Sylvatica Forestry Services Ltd.-DBA DezaikoAlpineAdventures from Prince George,BC,has appliedtothe Ministry of Forest (MoF), Omineca Region,for a TemporaryLicence of Occupationfor CommercialRecreationGuidedNature Viewing situated on Provincial Crown land locatedat UNSURVEYED CROWNLAND IN THE VICINITYOFGLEASONCREEK, CARIBOO DISTRICT.

TheLands File for this applicationis 7410226.Written comments concerning this applicationshould be directed to Tricia Klein,LandOfficer,Omineca Region,MoF,at 5th Floor499 George Street, PrinceGeorge,BCV2L 1R5 or Tricia.Klein@gov.bc.caCommentswill be receivedbyMoF up to June 18, 2022. MoFmay notbeabletoconsider comments receivedafter this date.

Please visitthe website at: https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications#splash formoreinformation

Be advisedthatany response to this advertisementwill be considered part of thepublicrecord.For information,contact theFreedom of InformationAdvisor at theMinistry of ForestsOffice in Omineca Region

AhardcopyMAP showing thelocationand extentofthe applicationareamay be acquired by calling thelandofficer namedabove at 250-649-4303

Comments concerningthisapplicationshouldbedirectedtothe Land Officer at 5thFloor 499 George Street,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L 1R5 or Tricia.Klein@gov.bc.ca.Commentswillbereceivedbythe Ministry of Forestsuntil June 18, 2022. Ministry of Forestsmay notconsidercommentsreceived after this date.Pleasevisitthe Applications andReasons forDecisionDatabasewebsite at https:// comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications#splash formoreinformation.” Be advisedthatany response to this advertisementwill be considered part of thepublicrecord. Forinformation,contact theFOI Advisor at theMinistry of Forestsregionaloffice

Bold, versatile violet

ThePantoneoftheyear2022,VeryPeri.

Hues of plum, lilac, lavender, mauve, amethyst violet comes in a virtually inﬁnite spectrum of hues and shades. Softandspiritual,it’sthecolourofmysteryanddreams.It’salsoassociatedwith both royalty and melancholy.Ablend of blueandredthat’ssometimeswarm,sometimes cool, violet leaves lots of room forcreativitywhenitcomestoincluding itinyourdecor.

HOW TO USE IT

Pale, soothing shades of violet are ideal for painting large wall surfaces, while darker hues work best in small doses. Rich,deeppurple,forinstance,isfantastic for accent walls, bedding, or decorativeaccentslikethrowpillows.

WHERE TO USE IT

Violetinspirescreativityandtenderness, makingitanexcellentchoiceforahome oﬃceorbedroom.Gowithalightshade to create a relaxing ambiance; choose a darker one for a decidedly romantic touch.

HOW TO MATCH IT

Purple and grey for a refined lounge; plum and lilac for a young girl’s bedroom; purple and blue-grey for a romantic, feminine space; deep violet and reddish purple for a cozy living room; purpleandgoldforabaroqueeffect;seafoam green and plum for a soothing office thepossibilitiesareendless.

Sometimes warm, sometimes cool, purple is a bold colour choice that looks great from the living room to the home oﬃce

FREE ESTIMATES

Do water heaters require regular maintenance?

Just got a brand new water heater? To maximize its lifespan, follow these maintenancetips.

If your tap water is particularly hard, ferrous or calcareous, it’s important that you fullyemptyyourhotwatertankonceevery year. To ﬁnd out how to proceed, refer to the owner’s manual. However, if your waterheateriscombustion-powered,calla professional to do the work. Regular drainage will prevent sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, which can damage the appliance. Buildup in a sealed combustion heater is especially hard on your energy bill, as this particular type of appliance heats water from the bottom It doesn’t take much accumulated residue to hinder heat transfer and reduce the water heater’seﬃciency.

What to look for in your next front door

Plain, glass, bulletproof; made of wood, PVCorﬁbreglass;neutralorvivid;square, mosaic or half-moon windows when it comes to picking the right door for your main entrance, you have virtually endless possibilitiestochoosefrom Sowhatshould youlookfor?

Of course, the style of your front door shouldharmonizewellwiththearchitecture of your home. Whether classic or cutting-edge,yourdoorcanbeusedasitsown decor element to add personality to your façade.Whenyoushop,bringalongaphoto ofyourhouseandthemeasurementsofthe space your door has to fit into You may alsochoosetohaveadoorcustommadeto your specifications for a final product that matchesyourexactvisionandneeds.

Finally, periodically check on thestateofyourwaterheater’s sacriﬁcial anode (the component that protects the exterior from corrosion) and make sure that the safety gasket is still perfectly watertight to avoidunpleasantsurprises.

If you have an old water heater that’s never been maintained, refrain from draining it; this could damage the appliance

What to consider when choosing a railing

Both decorative and functional, handrails should be chosen with care. Here are a few considerations to help youmakeasmartpurchase.

From a practical standpoint, choose a door withgoodinsulationpropertiesandalowair leakrate.Agoodruleofthumbistoshopfor EnergyStarcertiﬁedmodels.Makesurethe weatherstrippingiseﬀectiveanddurable.

Youridealfrontdoorshouldbesufficiently soundproof,resistant to shocksandeasy to maintain.Italsoneedstobesecure:thelock and glass components should be strong enoughtostaveoffanintruder’sattemptsto enter your home. Finally, the best way to ensure that your door plays its part flawlessly is to leave its installation to the experts.

Ofcourse,toachievevisualharmony, you should choose a model that matchesthestyleofyourstaircaseand the surrounding area. But before thinking about aesthetics, it’s important to consider the role of the railingasasafetybarrier especially if you have young children or share your home with anyone with limited mobility

For example, as far as the handrail is

concerned, it’s a good idea to go with a rounded shape to make it easier to grip.Forthebanister,avoidhorizontal bars: children can easily climb them. Also, make sure that little ones aren’t able to ﬁt their heads or shoulders between the bars. There are various norms and regulations that govern thingslikeminimumrailingheight call in an expert to make sure everythingisuptocode.

Finally, when it comes to choosing a material for your railing metal, wood, plexiglass style is of course important, but also make sure to keep maintenanceinmind.

Kaycie

Janine

GO FOR GOLD.

Should moulding be the same colour as the walls?

When it comes time to paint a room, the moulding (or trim) presents an interesting conundrum:shoulditbethesamecolouras thewalls?

The answer: it all depends on the desired eﬀect and the look of the moulding. Plain doorframeswithoutanyparticularaesthetic features, for example, are usually best left to blend in with the surrounding wall. The same goes for a door that’s poorly framed drawingattentiontocrookedtrimissureto disruptthevisualﬂowoftheroom.

If your moulding is quite plain, you might still choose to make it subtly stand out by painting itthesame shadeasthewalls,but

inaglossier,light-catchingﬁnish.

Ifyourmouldingisornate,don’thesitateto makeitpop!Createcontrastbyusingwhite, grey or black. If you decide to go with white, make sure you choose a shade that matches the rest of the room’s colour palette in other words, don’t use a crisp, coolwhitetotrimawallthat’spaintedina rich,warmhue.

Finally, remember that if your moulding is of a diﬀerent colour than your walls, it’s a good idea to paint all the moulding in your home the same colour This is especially truewhenitcomestocreatingaharmonious overalllookinanopen-conceptspace

Blocked drain? Camera inspection to the rescue!

Experiencing some drain-related drama? Camera inspection is a safe and eﬀective way to assess the state ofyourfoundationdrain.

Here’s how it works: a camera is inserted inside the drain and records all visible details, allowing a professional to precisely determine the origin

of the problem. This makes it easy to proceed with targeted repairs while keeping damage to the rest of your propertytoaminimum.

Backed-upsewers,puncturedpipes, sluggish ﬂushing… to wash away all your drainage problems, call your localexpertswithoutdelay.

Whether it’s calls to family or essential services, areliablecell signal keeps us connected to whatmatters. That’s why Rogers is partnering with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia in our ongoing efforts to expand our wireless network across the province.

Reliable connectivity will soon be available for remote and rural communities from Prince Rupertto Prince George, closing keygaps and improving safety for those who need it most. Visit about.rogers.com/british-columbia to learn more.