ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH
Senior city managers spent weeks planning to clear out the Lower Patricia homeless encampment known as Moccasin Flats, in violation of an existing court order, internal emails show.
The emails, obtained by The Citizen from BC Housing and the City of Prince George through a Freedom of Information request, chronicle the lead up to Nov 17 2021 On that day, City of Prince George bylaw, parks and solid waste staff used heavy equipment to remove tents, structures and other belongings left by people relocated from the camp, despite a October 25, 2021 court order to leave the location intact until suitable housing and daytime facilities were in place.
On Nov 3, 2021, the City of Prince George issued a press release celebrating the successful relocation of 20 inhabitants of an encampment located on George Street and pledging to work with BC Housing and other partners to address the Lower Patricia encampment
On Nov. 4, Chris Bone, the city’s senior manager of strategic initiatives and partnerships, outlined a plan for the Lower Patricia encampment in an email to city manager Walter Babicz and city director of public safety Adam Davey
Malachy Tohill, northern B.C. regional director of operations for BC Housing, had told her that BC Housing had 19 units available at a shelter in the former Knights Inn downtown, Bone wrote, adding that a count done that day showed only 21 residents at the Lower Patricia encampment
“As you know, the Lower Patricia encampment has been mapped in zones BC Housing is proposing that they start with zone one and facilitate the immediate move of campers willing to relocate to the Knights Inn Those not willing to relocate would be moved to zone two,” Bone wrote
“If this approach is of interest to the City, his question is can we close off zones as they are cleared of campers so no further campers arrive His concern is that the Knights Inn can only take 19 more, and his staff are already aware that existing shelter accommodation is not of interest to those currently sleeping outside. If BCH clears some individuals and the area vacated is not closed off, there is a risk of more campers arriving expecting that they will be offered access to the Knights Inn which will be at capacity if the proposed approach proceeds ”
Tohill also told her that several tents in the encampment were abandoned, and
Emails reveal Moccasin Flats demolition efforts
hadn’t been used in some time, and that his staff would advise city bylaw services manager Charlotte Peters, “where those tents are so they can be removed, and the surrounding area cleaned up ”
On Nov. 5, Bone emailed Tohill to say Davey would be inviting him to a meeting to discuss a plan.
“We followed up with our legal counsel regarding BC Housing’s proposal to begin transitioning individuals from the Lower Patricia encampment to the Knights Inn, on a zone by zone basis It appears that we have some latitude to move forward with that approach,” Bone wrote
“Just for clarity, BC housing did not put forward a proposal, (I) was only asking a question, we are looking at as many ideas as possible for a safe and orderly transition from the encampment this is only one idea,” Tohill responded by email to Bone and Davey the following morning.
“Thanks Malachy,” Bone responded, 10 minutes later. “The ‘idea’ was a good one that was well received on our end! There is interest in moving forward.”
An undated meeting invitation indicates Davey set up a meeting involving senior city staff, RCMP Superintendent Shaun Wright and Tohill, to plan “a potential clean-up and consolidation of abandoned tents into fewer zones ” See ‘AN INITIAL PUBLIC SAFETY STEP’, page 3
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
‘An initial public safety step’
Continued from page 1
Davey included a map of the Lower Patricia encampment as of Nov 4 at 2 p m in the meeting invitation, which was provided to the city by BC Housing The map divided the encampment in four zones, and indicated the location of each tent, structure, vehicle and other facilities, and which were believed to be empty.
In an email to Babicz on the morning of Nov 16, 2021, a day before city staff moved in, Bone provided the city manager with an update regarding an earlier conversation.
Tohill had informed her that BC Housing would be relocating five people from the Patricia encampment that day, Bone wrote, with more the following day
However, in the days after Nov. 17, the tone of the emails circulating between City of Prince George staff changed about the actions taken at the encampment.
“Apparently the professional protesters are becoming worked up today about all the equipment and BC Housing is wondering if we should back off because the optics are bad,” city communications manager Julie Rogers wrote in an email to city bylaw services manager Charlotte Peters on the morning of Nov 18, 2021 “We are nearly done though aren’t we? I hope to get the news release out very shortly and will send it to you when it’s ready We are trying to change the conversation to address safety ”
‘THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT OUR ONGOING LEGAL APPEAL PROCESS’
On Nov. 17, 2021, just before 3 p.m., city director of public safety Adam Davey sent out an update to the mayor and city council, city staff, RCMP, BC Housing, the city’s legal counsel and others, about the city operation at the Lower Patricia encampment.
BC Housing had relocated 10 people voluntarily from the encampment to the former Knights Inn location and others, Davey wrote City bylaw and parks staff were “acting in a support role” to BC Housing and AWAC, which provided the transportation “As of now, the majority of occupants have moved and most of the encampment is empty There appears to be only two tent sites with remaining occupants (however, it appears some continue to loiter about),” Davey wrote “Some ‘Together We Stand’ supporters and the defendant’s legal counsel arrived on scene and appeared to be upset about this housing opportunity provided by BC Housing City staff moved offsite to minimize any potential friction ”
The city will continue to consult with BC Housing during the “large and ongoing” clean up of the site, he wrote.
“Our legal counsel have been consulted throughout BC Housing’s voluntary rehousing opportunity, and this does not appear to affect our ongoing legal Appeal Process,” Davey wrote. “Clean-up activities will resume when appropriate to do so ”
‘I
FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE DOING THE BEST FOR THE FOLKS IN THE CAMP’
Roughly 15 minutes after Davey’s update, Peters the bylaw services manager, sent her own email to city and BC Housing senior and frontline staff, thanking them for their work
“I know it was a bit awkward when the representatives from Together We Stand arrived but I wanted to assure all of you that we were well within our authority to do what we were doing,” Peters wrote “All of the property that was being removed was abandoned and was determined to be abandoned through consultation with the occupants of the various tents and structures In relation to the Order that came out of the Supreme
Court we were also in line with that as the people were being transitioned into housing and not just told to move elsewhere I firmly believe that we are doing the best for the folks in the camp as well as for the people in Prince George I appreciate all of your efforts ”
‘SOME FOLKS ARE CHOOSING TO STAY IN THE CAMP AND THE CITY HAS NOT DISTURBED THOSE SITES AT ALL’
The City of Prince George began receiving media inquires regarding the demolition starting on the morning of Nov. 17. Former mayor Lyn Hall was also getting questions from the city’s Select Committee on a Safe, Clean, and Inclusive Community, emails indicate.
First thing on the morning on Nov 18, Babicz wrote an email to Hall, saying he’d instructed Rogers and the city’s communications team to prepare a response to the committee for him. Senior city staff were included in the email chain and were asked to provide input
It was this discussion that prompted the comment from Rogers about “professional protesters” and the poor optics of using heavy machinery to clear out the structures, quoted earlier
“The only sites that were ‘bulldozed’ were sites that had been left behind by those who transitioned into housing,” Peters responded “The rationale was to get rid of fire hazards and try and get some of it clean before everything froze to the ground Also important to point out that some folks are choosing to stay in the camp and the city has not disturbed those sites at all ”
‘THOSE WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST WERE PROVIDED WITH GREEN TOTES’
On Nov. 19, 2021, two days after the demolition happened, Sarah Brown, city supervisor of strategic initiatives and partnerships, wrote an email to city outreach coordinator Peter Zsombor, saying that city manager Walter Babicz wanted all staff who took part in the operation on Nov 17 to write a report about what they did In his response, Zsombor said he met with two BC Housing representatives, identified as Roger Truvall and Chris H., and they went to the encampment to ask who wanted to move to the Knights Inn
“Those who expressed interest were provided with green totes to pack their belongs Two Outreach vans from AWAC containing two workers each arrived and began transporting the (residents) with their effects to the Knights Inn,” he wrote “Upon departing they were asked if there was anything left they wanted for in their new room and if they indicated ‘no’ the structure was marked on the site map BC Housing had made. When Bylaw officers arrived they marked the tent/structures that were abandoned with green ‘bylaw services’ tape. This processed was the same process from the night before and some structures were already marked for removal ”
Couples at three of the camps were given an extension until Nov 19 to remove their items, he added, and by the end of day only two people remained who didn’t want to leave
In June, The Fire Pit held an event for people who had lost belongings when the city cleared out the Lower Patricia encampment on Nov. 17, 2021, to help them file notices of claim to the City of Prince George for their lost belongings
On Feb 23, 2022, B C Supreme Court Justice Simon Coval ruled the city had violated the previous court order and had “inflicted serious harm on vulnerable people” in the process
In March, the City of Prince George ended its court appeals of the rulings and issued a formal apology for the actions taken on Nov. 17, 2021.
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING
What: Public Hearing regarding Zoning Bylaw No 2892, Amendment Bylaw No 3277, 2022
When and Where:
7:00 pm, Thursday, December 8, 2022
Via telephone conference call and in-person attendance at: Regional District Board Room 155 George Street, Prince George, BC
Applicant: Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
Proposal: Zoning Bylaw No 2892, Amendment Bylaw No 3277, 2022 is proposed to zone unzoned lands adjacent to 14 lakes and 2 watercourses within Electoral Areas ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’ and ‘H’ The lands are within a development permit area and partially zoned The unzoned lands will be brought into Zoning Bylaw No 2892 Additionally, the proposed bylaw will repeal Punchaw Lake Area Zoning Bylaw No 704 which regulates the use of land adjacent to Punchaw Lake The land will be included in Zoning Bylaw No 2892 with the creation of a new Seasonal Recreation 4 (SR4) zone
How can I participate and provide comment?
Anyone who believes that their interest in land is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard at the public hearing or to present written submissions prior to or at the public hearing regarding matters contained in the bylaw The public hearing will be chaired by a delegate of the Regional District Board
Written submissions will only be accepted in advance of the public hearing until 9:00 am on December 8, 2022 and must be sent by:
Email: developmentservices@rdffg bc ca
Hand/Mail: Attention Development Services,155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 Fax: 250-562-8676
Written submissions received before 9:00 am on December 8, 2022, will be posted to the Regional District’s website No written submissions will be accepted after 9:00 am unless they are submitted in-person at the public hearing meeting All written submissions must include the legible legal name of the author
Any written submissions received before or at the public hearing will become public record, be posted on the RDFFG website, and form part of the public Board agenda By submitting a comment, you are consenting to the disclosure of any personal information that you provide Personal information is collected and disclosed under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Attending by telephone conference call: Contact the Regional District at 250-960-4400 or developmentservices@ rdffg bc ca for the telephone conference number and instructions
Need more info? A copy of the proposed bylaw and any relevant background materials are available for review by the public on the Regional District’s website at http://www rdffg bc ca/services/development/land-use-planning/currentapplications/ or at the Regional District office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a m to 12:30 p m and 1:30 p m to 4:30 p m , between November 14 and December 8, 2022 Appointments are preferred For more information contact Daniel Burke,
Bridge opening delayed until fall 2023
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Traffic on the Simon Fraser Bridge connecting Prince George to Highway 97 South will continue to be reduced to two-lane traffic and a detour will remain in place keeping the two southbound lanes closed through the winter months.
A spokesperson from the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said the contractor, Ruskin Construction Ltd., plans to continue working on the project as long as weather permits and a work shutdown is anticipated from mid-December to March 2023
The project was originally slated to be complete by September but the contractor has encountered difficulty obtaining deck panel components due to supply-chain issues related to the pandemic. That added a year to the completion date,
which is now expected to be September 2023.
The $20 5 million upgrade project, which began in January, will include a full deck replacement and strengthening of the truss.
The bridge’s north abutment (the structure that supports the end of the bridge) will be replaced, which will increase the current underpass height restrictions and allow taller transport trucks to pass underneath as they travel along Queensway Street and Ferry Avenue
Other work will include widening shoulders and replacing the existing railings on both sides of the bridge with crash-tested bridge barriers
An estimated 18,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
The original bridge was built in 1963 as part of Highway 97, which is the main north-south highway route through
is undergoing a $20 5 million rehabilitation project
Prince George
The bridge was twinned in In 2009 with the completion of an adjacent two-lane
corridor that serves as the northbound crossing, which brought the bridge up to its current four-lane capacity
Judge dismisses anti-vaxxers’ court action
MARK NIELSEN
A B.C. Supreme Court Justice has dismissed a civil action brought against the City of Quesnel and the provincial government by a group of former municipal employees who lost their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a decision issued Nov 17, Justice Nathan Smith agreed with the defendants that a hearing before the Labour
Relations Board is the proper venue for dealing with the issue, noting that the employees were all members of either of two locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees
“I find that this dispute in its essential character arises from the plaintiffs’ loss of employment and raises issues that, as a matter of law, fall squarely within the exclusive jurisdiction of an arbitration board under the collective agreements and the (Labour Relations) Code,” Smith wrote
In June, counsel from a law office based in Cold Lake, Alta filed a notice of civil claim on behalf of nine employees who were fired in refusing to submit to an “unwanted medical procedure ” Each of them was seeking up to $2 million in damages, half for alleged violation of their rights and half for damages for alleged mental distress
In part, they argued that the issue falls outside the collective agreement with the municipality because it “involves the deprivations of rights unconnected to
employment” and that there are public policy reasons for taking the issue to court. They also worried the grievance process being pursued through their union would not treat them fairly given “the animosity that has been demonstrated to unvaccinated persons in Canada.”
But Smith found they failed to back up that position with material facts and that the arbitration process under the Labour Relations Code includes third-party adjudication and safeguards
Permits on record pace
By the end of October, the City of Prince George had issued 413 building permits for an estimated $230.5 million in construction, according to a report to city council.
The value of permits issued to date this year is roughly 22 5 per cent higher than those issued over the same 10-month period in 2021 - a year which saw a record value of building permits issued by the city.
From Jan 1 to Oct 31, 2021, the city issued a total of 411 permits for developments worth a combined $188 1 million
Over the same period in 2020, the city had issued 461 worth a combined $181.3 million
As of Oct 31 this year, the City of Prince George had issued a total of 85 permits for new houses (worth a combined $48 million), 15 new mobile homes (worth a combined $2 7 million), six duplexes (worth a combined $3.5 million) and 20 new multi-family developments (worth a combined $73.8 million, including a permit for a single new project issued in October worth an estimated $17.4 million)
The Simon Fraser Bridge
Citizen staff
Seniors housing project violates deal with city
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
A 128-unit, four-storey seniors housing complex proposed at 4500 Ospika Blvd., near the intersection of Ospika and Tyner Boulevards, appears to be in violation of a deal between the developer and the City of Prince George.
Vancouver-based developer The Hub Collection Ltd has proposed to build The Heights Prince George, a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units with ground-level parking and a central courtyard space on the property The developer had previously proposed a 256unit student housing complex on the 5 6 acre lot in 2021
On July 29, 2020, The Hub Collection bought the lot from the City of Prince George for $500,000, according to a copy
of the purchase agreement obtained by an area resident through a freedom of information request and provided to The Citizen in 2021. BC Assessment valued the land at $682,000 in its 2020 assessment That value grew to $758,000 in the 2021 assessment and $3 127 million in the 2022 assessment.
A covenant agreement attached to the purchase agreement says: “The Covenantor will commence construction of the proposed student housing project upon the Property and will have completed framing on or before 24 months following the completion of the purchase of the lands ”
In addition, the covenant says that The Hub Collection may not apply for any building permit that is not “in the City’s opinion, substantially in the form as indicated in the Plans and Specifications ”
Under the covenant agreement, if The Hub Collection is “in breach or default of any of the material covenants or agreements,” in the deal, the City of Prince George has the “exclusive and irrevocable option” to purchase the land, including all improvements, back for $485,000
“We confirm that a building permit has not been issued for the proposed seniors housing complex and we are determining what approvals are needed, including a modification related to the covenant, prior to advancing the application,” a statement issued by the city last week said
The previously-proposed student housing complex at the site drew some concerns and opposition from area residents, primarily regarding increased traffic
During the City of Prince George’s public consultation period on the student
housing project from March 12 to April 9, 2021, the city received 26 letters and a 21-name petition against the proposal and nine letters in support. The applicant also submitted a petition with over 40 signatures in favour of the project, however only 31 of the signatories were from Prince George.
Following a public hearing on May 31, 2021, city council approved a rezoning and official community plan amendment for the land Final approval was unanimously approved on Aug 16, 2021
The company’s website says the student housing facility is under construction and expected to open in summer of 2023
However, as of last week, there was no active construction happening at the site along Ospika Boulevard, which has been cleared and fenced
Union ‘appalled’ at sentence after officer injured
MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff
A National Police Federation director says a decision to sentence a man to two years probation for an assault that left a Prince George RCMP officer with a potentially career-ending head injury was a “particularly offensive example of the revolving door of B.C.’s judicial system.”
Rob Farrer, NPF director for the Pacific-Northern region, provided the comment in a statement issued Monday after Blake Cavan George was sentenced to the term during an appearance in provincial court in Fort St John on Friday
The NPF declined to provide the name of the person sentenced, however court records related to George match the charges, dates and locations provided by the NPF
The outcome stems from an incident in August 2021 in Prince George in which George, suspected of committing a retail theft, hid between two cars in a parking lot and then “ambushed” the pursuing officer and struck her repeatedly in the head
“Despite the ongoing and violent attack, our Member successfully arrested him,” Farrer said.
Farrer said the arresting officer is a woman in her mid-20s who has provided exceptional service to the community over the last two years as part of her first posting with the RCMP
“She has been unable to return to work since the assault, despite her commitment and repeated attempts to do so This might, tragically, be a career-ending injury for her despite her strong desire to return,” Farrer said.
Farrer said the sentence lacked a
curfew and any substantial conditions to abide by.
“It is particularly egregious that this court decision - a plea deal in which the subject was given credit for previous jail time on unrelated offenses - sends the message that it is okay for police officers to be attacked and injured while serving their communities with no significant legal repercussions.
“This decision is a particularly offensive example of the revolving door of B.C.’s judicial system, and makes a travesty of the protections provided through legislation for police officers who have taken an oath to protect the public, and do so every shift ”
During the same hearing on Friday, counts of resisting arrest, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breaching an undertaking from an alleged October 2021 incident that George had
also been facing were stayed George was in custody for 15 days following his arrest on that matter, court records show.
Farrer also said the incident and the “subsequent lax court decision” are why the NPF supports the provincial government’s recently-released plan to make it tougher for repeat violent offenders to be released on bail.
The NPF, which represents 20,000 RCMP officers and describes itself as the largest police labour relations organization in Canada, used the term “appalled” in the statement headline
George continues to face a count of assault from an alleged Oct 2 incident in Fort St John
George was also issued a 10-year-firearms prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample for the August 2021 attack on the RCMP officer
Prince George passport office on its way
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Prince George will finally be getting its own passport office.
Karina Gould, the federal Minister Families, Children and Social Development, confirmed that starting in April the Services Canada office in downtown Prince George will have the ability to process passport applications.
“We’ve been able to expand 10-day passport in-person services to 13 sites across the country and I do want to
reassure people in Prince George and in northern B.C., they are next on our list,” said Gould in a phone interview
“As soon as April of next year there will be in-person passport service in Prince George We’ve made these decisions based on where there’s a need, a high volume, but also based on distance from your passport office and I understand for folks in Prince George and northern B C that’s quite a trek to get to Vancouver or Kelowna and so we’re putting in the resources to make sure we’re up and running in the spring of 2023 ”
As of right now in B.C., Kelowna is the closest city to offer passport services
The province’s other passport offices are in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Victoria. For people who live in Prince Rupert and require express or urgent passport service, that’s a 17-hour drive to Vancouver in good weather conditions
In July, the federal government began adding 10-day service for passports at 13 Service Canada offices including three in Alberta - Fort McMurray, Lethbridge
and Red Deer, four in Ontario - Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Kingston and Barrie, two in Quebec - Rimouski and Trois-Rivères, as well as Moncton, N.B., Charlottetown, P E I and Whitehorse, Yukon
“We have worked at lightning speed to expand 10-day service across the country and have rolled it out at 13 sites, and we have a few more coming in the spring,” said Gould
Asked why Prince George was not on that list this year ahead of cities such as Lethbridge and Red Deer that are within two hours of driving time from Calgary, Gould said the government fast-tracked the smaller Alberta centres to take the pressure off the two major cities.
“We were seeing upwards of 500 people a day in each of those sites, so there was a real imperative to spread passport services out around Alberta,” said Gould.
“This is why Prince George is next on our list in the sense that we recognize the extraordinary distances people have to travel in northern B C to get a passport in person ”
MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff
Chuck Chin has taken his lumps.
The noted local photographer and a 2019 Prince George Community Foundation Citizen of the Year had a run-in with CN Rail Police this past May while trying to capture an image of the company’s iconic bridge across the Fraser River
He went a little too far in his quest and was issued a ticket for under the Rail Safety Act - specifically section 26 1 (Enter on land on which a line work is situated).
Last Tuesday, he appeared for a hearing at the Prince George courthouse and, according to a posting
on his Facebook page, was issued the “lowest fine possible.”
“I want to thank the community for all your support over the last months (yes, as a friend told me that it could take this long before the case comes to court),” Chin said.
Violating that section of the Railway Safety Act carries a $500 fine.
The penalty used to be a mere $100 but in June 2021 it was increased to the current amount while the fine for not giving way at railway crossings was increased from $150 to $750.
“Increased incidents of trespassing and interfering with the safe operation of the railway system provide sufficient evidence that the original amounts of the fines
were not significant enough to deter these dangerous actions. This is a major cause for concern, given the safety risks,” Transport Canada said in a statement issued at the time.
“Large moving trains confronted with unexpected obstacles on a rail line cannot stop instantly and this presents an extreme hazard to the life of those inside and outside a moving train.”
Chin concluded his post by saying he has learned his lesson.
“Lastly, sometimes it’s a mistake to do what your heart feels is right for the community but take a moment to think it out before you proceed Can you say ‘no trespassing’? Closing in on 72 and there’s still life lessons,” Chin said
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A photo Chuck Chin took earned him a $500 fine under the Railway Safety Act
City made Moccasin Flats fiasco worse
What was the City of Prince George’s true goal in its efforts last November to clear out the Lower Patricia homeless encampment? Was it to get the inhabitants of Moccasin Flats safely housed before winter fully set in or was it to score a political win and be seen taking action?
The emails obtained from the City of Prince George and BC Housing through a Freedom of Information request from the Citizen show more chatter about the latter than the former
The fact that the Citizen had to ask for the email trail just to find out who knew what and when and who set the direction and gave the order for the attempted demolition against an existing court order speaks volumes
about the continuing lack of transparency at city hall
If the City of Prince George’s only intentions were to have everyone safely housed while meeting the court order’s conditions, shouldn’t it have done so out in the open, with Together We Stand, the B C First Nations Justice Council and other advocates not only informed but even part of the process?
If they had, they likely would have spared themselves what looks like bad legal advice and what was surely a hefty legal bill to fight a losing case for actions they then had to apologize for
The actual legal advice is hidden from view under solicitor-client privilege, but the city could choose to waive that privilege and release it The legal costs could also be released to the public if city council ordered
administration to do so, instead of burying those expenses under billing for legal firms in the annual Statements of Financial Information
Considering the political and legal risk to the city, the surprising lack of hands-on involvement from a city manager with a legal background, as well as mayor and council, is astounding
Perhaps they were more active behind the scenes, but the email trail indicates they largely left this work in the hands of other city employees and only jumped in once everything went sideways
With how badly this all went down, perhaps new mayor Simon Yu and the new council might want to start their term in office by cleaning up their own house first Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
Housing policy relief requires regional approach
The announcement this week of soon-to-be provincial powers that boost housing development in B C are a positive sign, but regional nuances need to be baked into any policy and legislative changes or rural areas will struggle to meet targets
Northern B.C. has long suffered from a housing supply shortage, but it would be a mistake to think the cause of that problem, and the solutions to it, are the same as the Lower Mainland’s.
First, housing supply in Northern B C has two specific thematic challenges: the age of the stock and its adequacy
Most of the region’s housing is old, single-detached bungalows, and there is a dearth of multi-family housing, particularly rental and seniors’ supply.
Thanks to a 2017 study completed by UNBC’s Community Development Institute, there is a readily available source of regional housing data the province, local governments and other organizations can draw on to support policy and program development
The other bit of good news is that, thanks to recent provincial leadership and funding via UBCM and NDIT, most local governments in the region have completed housing needs assessments, which are critically important to understanding the nature and magnitude of localized housing gaps.
While I would agree local governments should always focus on improving approval timelines that drive investment – it’s just good economic development – I would caution against lowering a hammer on small towns that are chronically understaffed
Let’s be frank. It’s been a rough few years for many small communities in Northern B.C., thanks to floods, wildfires, a pandemic and industry consolidation
I’ve never seen a higher turnover rate for chief administrative officers and senior administration in local government, and this fall’s election results would suggest more to come
We should remember that aside from zoning and permitting, housing has not traditionally been a core function of local government in British Columbia
Outside of a well-staffed planning department, of which there are only a few in Northern B.C., if any, you won’t find many administrators who have a background in housing or real estate development
So, in addition to a lack of housing, we also have a significant capacity challenge
A solution would be to resurrect the Northwest Readiness land-use planning program and fund additional planning positions in local governments across the north
Encouraging collaboration between
the province, local governments, UNBC’s school of planning and the Planning Institute of B C to launch an apprenticeship program that counts toward professional accreditation and boosts capacity and youth education in the north could be a novel and ongoing solution to this challenge.
Shared services agreements between local governments should also be considered, allowing more than one local government to benefit from a neighbour government’s planning capacity or building inspectors.
The next challenge would be development costs – a local government could do everything in its power to support development, but we still need more developers, and those developers need materials and labour
It’s not cheap to build in the north and we typically only have a five-month window each year to build in.
We could increase the supply of developers through an incentive and liaison program, which on one hand would see financial incentives provided to encourage more developers to build up north (similar to NDIT’s Northern Housing Incentive Program or municipal tax abatements), while on the other the province could facilitate connections between out-of-region developers and economic development departments in the north.
Some thought should be put into ensuring that materials such as lumber milled in the north is sold directly to developers building in the north instead of being trained south, only to be shipped back up north and sold at a premium through our local Home Depot or building supply store, which is often the case.
At the same time, a boost to dual-credit trades training and apprenticeship programs through the north’s high schools and colleges, if supported, could begin to address labour shortages
The BC Energy Step Code and its associated timelines should also be revisited to ensure performance targets for new construction aren’t unnecessarily driving up development costs that would be passed onto the consumer in an inflationary environment or, worse, slow down development of needed housing.
The good news is there’s renewed leadership and focus on the housing front, which is sorely needed
My hope is that the politics of the challenge can be set aside to focus on practical, substantive actions that respect regional nuances
Let clearer heads prevail and let’s get to work.
Joel McKay is the CEO of the Northern Development Initiative Trust, an independent regional economic development organization that serves Northern B C
We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.
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What difference does one city council vote make?
On June 13 of this year, with four councillors absent, the mayor and the rest of council made the decision that, as of Nov 1, you no longer deserve to be informed of what’s happening in the city, unless you use Facebook or are willing to hunt through the city’s website Their unanimous vote has now ended the placing of notifications in our local newspaper
They have chosen to limit who in our city needs to be told that their favourite city park is up for sale or being rezoned for industrial use
Five people decided that some of our citizens aren’t worth informing if a new heavy industrial use wants to rezone land in our bowl
Their decision is one that will disproportionately exclude our seniors; those who still consume most of their information through the newspaper
My dad is an example of that.
STOLZ SENSE
CAMERON STOLZ
He has a flip phone but not a computer and reads the paper each week to know what’s going on
Or people like my best friend since elementary school, who still doesn’t own a cell phone.
He goes online to watch comedians and music videos, but never fails to read the paper
The mayor and four councilors were able to reduce the openness and transparency of the City of Prince George because the city pounced on a change the provincial government made late last year: adding Section 94 2 to the Community Charter.
The new section recognized many B.C. communities no longer have a local newspaper and allows “alternative means of publication” for them to notify their citizens: instead of publishing those notifications in their newspaper
Our members of council in attendance justified this exclusion of residents by pointing out it would save the city between $90,000 and $130,000 a year by not publishing the notices in the Prince George Citizen
The irony is not lost that this is the same publication that has held these same elected officials to account for not being aware of, or informed of, the overspending at city hall.
The bar should be set higher for the city when it comes to notifying our community, not lower
Haven’t we learned from the Moccasin Flats fiasco that each individual matters?
That every member of our community
should be informed so that they have the opportunity to come to council and be heard
There is still hope, though
Five of our recently elected members of Council (Mayor Simon Yu and Councillors Tim Bennett, Trudy Klassen, Kyle Sampson, and Brian Skakun) included increased transparency in their campaign platforms or speeches Perhaps, with your encouragement, they will choose to take a new direction in how the city shares information with its residents.
Please send an email to them at mayorandcouncil@princegeorge ca and ask that they follow through on their promise to be more transparent and inclusive.
The voice of one councillor could have persuaded their colleagues that the City of Prince George should do more than the legal minimum to be open, inclusive, and transparent Cameron Stolz is a Prince George writer.
Down come the trees for the developers
The warning signs to watch out for moose are still up on Tyner and University Way, but I’m not sure for how much longer we will need them
The plan is to raze hundreds of hectares of forest between UNBC and the Bon Voyage for high-end houses, and just last week some more habitat came down
Like the one further down the road from last winter, they probably won’t leave a single tree for a songbird, let alone a patch of them for a moose or a bear or two.
And no, those drab pine plantations they replant along the edges do not count; moose can’t survive on pine, or spruce.
Nor is it firesmart
But we need to provide housing. Premier David Eby is now promising to force housing targets on municipalities. This follows Ontario’s lead of opening up the protected “greenbelt” of farms
HE BACK TORY MES STEIDLE
and forests in Southern Ontario to urban development, part of a plan to build over a million new homes there
The argument is the same
We are experiencing a housing crisis, and with plans to increase immigration to 500,000 people a year, we will need to bulldoze a lot of forest to build the necessary carbon-spewing sprawl.
Anyone who questions this risks being labelled an opponent of immigration and a supporter of homelessness
It’s a handy argument for the developers who happened to buy cheap protected greenspace land in recent years, like the developers in Ontario, but it’s not like Prince George needs any help.
We have been happily mowing down our forests on our own, atop an unstable hillside no less, with no encouragement from Victoria
But it hasn’t solved the homelessness crisis
If anything, the upswing in the Prince George housing market has driven up speculation, increased housing costs, and jacked up rents
More people are on the streets then ever before.
And the continual outward growth is expensive.
We are already spending millions of dollars on stormwater management systems for these developments along Tyner and we will have many more kilometres of roads to pave, plow, and maintain as well
A fascinating study by Urban3, an American consulting firm specializing in urban economics, has shown that time and time again, it’s the downtown, lower-income, higher-density neighbourhoods that
generate more revenue per unit of service provided compared to low-density, higher income suburbs When it comes to municipal finance, the poor often subsidize the rich
In the coming years, we should double our efforts to build upwards, not outwards
We have lots of land in the downtown to work with
Doing so will create a more efficient city that burns less fuel and will probably be more affordable, friendly and fun as well
New developments should respect our northern forests a lot more
They should be better integrated with nature like our older developments attempted, and should maintain a native deciduous component, not just for firesmart, but so that Prince George remains a city close to nature where our moose, owls, foxes and bears can feel at home as well
James Steidle is a Prince George writer.
Mass murders on the increase in Canada
This past week saw another mass shooting in the United States And if you think about that sentence, it is ludicrous How can these incidents keep happening?
Yet mass shootings south of the border have become routine Five dead and 26 injured makes a splash in the news cycle but quickly fades from the public conscience After all, there have been 23 shootings this year What is one more?
Uvalde, Texas, saw 22 killed – 19 children – and 18 injured in a school shooting on May 24th. Highland Park saw seven killed and 48 injured during a Fourth of July parade. Over 90 mass shootings in the past five years
Each time, there are cries for reform And each time spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, children, loved ones are left to grieve with few answers and no one accountable.
We are fortunate in Canada We haven’t seen as many incidents. This is due to many factors, such as the fact we don’t have an inalienable right to carry firearms, stricter gun laws and we were not
born out of revolution against the British crown We also don’t have as many overcrowded cities And, generally, Canadians respect one another But that doesn’t mean we don’t see mass killings
Since 1900, there have been 16 incidences Not all were shootings but all were targeted mass murders What is troubling and alarming is that of those 16, five have occurred in the past five years
In a Quebec City mosque, six were killed and 19 injured on January 29, 2017 On April 23, 2018, a driver killed 11 and injured at least 15 more victims in Toronto Twenty-two victims were killed and three injured in Nova Scotia in 2020. In 2021, a driver ran down a family of four
and injured one other in London, Ontario. And this year, 10 victims were killed and 18 injured in Saskatchewan Dec 6, 1989, marked one of the worst shootings in Canadian history Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz should not have died and 11 others should not have been injured at Ecole Polytechnique simply because they were women Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC
What’s it like to live on Candy Cane Lane?
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
The most beloved neighbourhood in Prince George during the holidays is undoubtedly Candy Cane Lane.
The streets near Upland between Wilson Crescent, McKenzie Avenue and Aitken Crescent transform every year into a Christmas wonderland on Dec. 1.
The whimsical Christmas displays and the lights strung between the trees create a magical feeling that makes visiting Candy Cane Lane each year one of the city’s most beloved traditions
But what is it like to live in one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in the city and how does it come to be every year?
Penny Hacker, who is the volunteer coordinator for Candy Cane Lane, has lived in the neighbourhood for the past 13 years
“I didn’t know myself personally, the ins and outs, what was going on, until I started living here and got asked to become a part of the volunteer group that sets up the lights for the street and the sign,” explained Hacker
“That is part of the magic that people don’t know about There is a group of eight to 10 volunteers in the neighborhood ”
She’s since taken on the role of volunteer co-ordinator from what she calls the OG crew, or the original guys who started the tradition back in 1984
Almost 40 years ago, one of the neighbours strung lights across to the neighbouring tree and the rest of the neighbourhood thought it was a great idea and so it grew and grew every year
“Now they’re all in their late 70s and 80s and some have passed on and they just wanted to pass the torch on, so they chose my husband and me,” said Hacker
Wayne Cameron, who is one of the founding members, helped Hacker and her husband organize everything for the past two years, but this year she’s fully taken the lead.
Hacker said it used to take them eight to nine hours on a Saturday and Sunday to get everything done, but they’ve now got it down to seven hours on a Saturday.
There is a small community grants program through the City of Prince George
which provides roughly $1,000 and that is enough to cover a bucket truck rental, fuel, and lunch for the volunteers.
“My husband is the guy that goes up in the bucket and secures the lights and Wayne Cameron will often drive the truck,” said Hacker. “Then those of us on the ground go ahead and straighten out the string of lights and make sure there’s no bulbs loose and pass it up ”
Once the sign goes up and the lights are strung from the trees, then it’s up to the neighbours to decorate their houses in anticipation of the annual Candy Cane Lane light up on Dec 1 at 6 p m
“It’s just super exciting It’s the magic of Christmas seeing the passersby’s excitement, the little kids and parents that may have grown up in the area and bring their kids back to continue the tradition,” said Hacker. “It’s just really kind of exciting to be a member of the community here ”
The popularity of Candy Cane Lane means it draws thousands of visitors to the neighborhood from Dec. 1 until Jan. 5.
The constant traffic means that those who live on the block often have to give themselves an extra few minutes to leave their driveways.
“So many of us are shift workers in the neighbourhood and we will back into our driveway and just hope for the best that people will actually let you out,” laughed Hacker
“There’s people walking and kids and lots of seniors with walkers and slow-moving vehicles But you just have to be patient Every year we get thousands of vehicles and foot traffic through the neighbourhood.”
The neighbourhood is also fundraising for those in need.
On Dec 3 and Dec 10, Candy Cane Lane is partnering with the South Bowl Community Association and Telus to host a warm clothing, non-perishable food, and toy drive at Van Bien Elementary School from 6-8 p.m.
“We are hoping to have hot chocolate and goodies and there will be some draws for prizes so if you bring a donation, you can enter your name to win,” said Hacker.
The UHNBC drummers will also be on-site to entertain the crowd on Dec. 3 and the donations collected will be given to the Socieity of St Vincent de Paul
Gratton’s memoir looks back on volunteer life
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH
“I keep telling everybody I’m as old as the cutbanks, was born in Prince George and came home in a canoe,” Shirley Gratton, Prince George pioneer and iconic volunteer, said.
“My kids say I’m not really as old as the cutbanks,” Gratton said after a moment of reflection. “But I might be some day!”
Gratton is launching her memoir called Berries, Baseball and Baskets that she said was six years in the making but her children argue the point and they should know as they’ve admittedly been nagging her for way longer than that to finish it.
Gratton’s official book launch takes place at Books & Co , 1685 Third Avenue, Dec 3 from 11 a m to 3 p m
But she will be selling the book at the Festival of Trees, too, which is another Prince George event she helps out with every year
The book will be at the Seniors Brunch and the Tea at the Festival of Trees on Nov. 30 and will be available in the gift shop as well throughout the event that ends on Dec. 4.
Her writing method was a bit of a hodge podge when it comes to chronological order because she wrote it like she remembered it
“When you think of one thing that happened then you think of another thing that reminded you of the first thing,” Gratton explained “I had help putting it all back together.”
There are 22 chapters that include her love of berry picking from when she was a child to this day, her volunteerism with baseball that saw her 35 years of service recognized with a spot in the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame and her work in the Communities in Bloom
program for 20 years that saw the Highway 97 AdoptA-Basket project on the by-pass to help beautify the cityscape and that’s just a few.
She was also a big part of the Prince George Hydro Power Pioneers and the Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society to mention a few more of her volunteer efforts.
For her community efforts, Gratton received more than 45 awards including the city’s highest honour of the Freedom of the City award in July 2013
So the book covers everything from her early days, her volunteering time, being a city councilor, retirement and her fondest memories of Prince George.
“There’s even about 20 recipes in the book,” Gratton said.
She thinks readers will be most interested in the early days as she talks about how her father came to Prince George by scow because the train only went as far as McBride back in the early 1900s
“A Baptist minister had convinced my dad that Prince George would be a good place for him to go for his arthritis and to grow fruit trees and the following year it was 40 below and four feet of snow,” Gratton laughed
“Every family member has something they liked best in the book,” she added as her daughters piped in on the speaker-phone conversation we were having to make other suggestions
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A bucket truck is used to hang the Candy Cane Lane sign every year.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
A month after receiving the Freedom of the City award in 2013, Shirley Gratton returned to Prince George City Hall to let a cow graze on the lawn to promote the upcoming PGX (now the BCNE)
Christmas hamper programs gearing up
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
It’s that time of year again to start thinking about getting or donating to a Christmas hamper for those in need in Prince George.
Donating to the cause is a great way to make sure that all Prince George residents will see a little light at Christmas and know they are supported in their community Here are the local groups hosting hamper campaigns:
PRINCE GEORGE
COUNCIL OF SENIORS
The Prince George Council of Seniors’ Christmas Hamper applications were open until Nov 30
“Most of our seniors don’t have any socialization and Christmas time is a reminder of being alone as many gather as families for the holidays,” Nicole Currie, Meals on Wheels coordinator, said “The excitement and joy hamper deliveries bring is also a point of contact with our seniors The volunteers are able to bring some holiday cheer to those in need and the hamper campaign not only provides a beautiful food hamper for Christmas, but is also a reminder that they are thought of and cared for by those in their community This is often the only contact they get throughout the holidays ”
Those interested in applying can pick up and drop off their form at the PG Council of Seniors Resource Centre at 721 Victoria Street Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Last year, 250 hampers were provided to seniors in need and donations for this year’s donations will be collected in the form of cash or gift cards and the Council of Seniors is asking for those donations to come in no later than Dec. 5.
There’s a call out for volunteers who are available during the week of Dec. 12 who could help assemble the hampers and then on Dec. 15 and 16 drivers who can deliver the hampers to the seniors are needed. For those interested in volunteering contact ed@pgcos ca and for more information about applications call 250-564-5888 or drop by the office
PRINCE GEORGE
SALVATION ARMY
The Prince George Salvation Army is making Christmas happen with their annual Christmas hamper program that sees them partner with community-based
organizations, groups and churches to ensure individuals and families in Prince George are supplied with the food needed to prepare a festive Christmas meal and put some gifts under the tree
Last year, more than 420 applications for a Christmas hamper were received To check eligibility and fill out a form visit sapg ca/christmas-hampers-application Applications from residents of Prince George and Hixon are accepted until Dec. 5.
If you are a Prince George resident who wants to help, then consider signing up to the Adopt-a-Family program (www sapg.ca/adopt-a-family-registration). The deadline to register is Dec 10
PRINCE GEORGE NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
Gwen Cardinal, Prince George Native Friendship Centre director of health, said COVID-19 has affected most everyone and many people who were managing a tight budget in the past are finding themselves making tough decisions between paying the rent or buying groceries.
“We’ve seen a huge increases around our food security pieces,” Cardinal said.
The Native Friendship Centre offers food hampers all year long and provide about 250 every month and the request
for Christmas hampers is in addition to that.
There are about 250 Christmas hampers that go out to those in need every year and includes those who are single right up to big, extended families, she added
The Christmas hamper project’s focus includes fresh foods, too, not just non-perishables.
Here’s the list of what’s on offer and what can be donated to help with the effort: turkey breast, whole chicken or ham, bacon, eggs, margarine, sugar, flour, coffee, tea, rice, jam, peanut butter, tinned milk, corn, pasta and sauce, cranberry sauce, stuffing, apples, mandarin oranges, carrots, potatoes and onions.
The local Friendship Centre food security projects are funded in part by BC Gaming grants for that specific purpose, Cardinal added. The rest is through donations from community members and partners like College Heights Cobbs Bread, which donates to the food program regularly.
The Prince George Native Friendship Centre also has partnerships with Save-On Foods, Shoppers Wholesale and Chilako Meats, along with the Salvation Army Food Mesh program, a hub where
large amounts of food goes to smaller organizations that can make sure it gets into the hands of who needs it the most in the community.
Many employees of the Friendship Centre donate to the food bank every payday in an effort to sustain the program, Cardinal said.
Volunteers (who are mostly staff members) do much of the heavy lifting as well as a team of elders who are dedicated volunteers that provide hours of effort to the cause each and every week year round
“It’s the Kokums’ Connection where very active seniors form a volunteer brigade within the organization not only for the food bank but for other projects as well,” Cardinal said “In that way we have immense richness and wealth coming through their helping hands and that power of friendship with our elders and their ‘give back’ is just so priceless ” Applications are available at the Native Friendship Centre until Dec 9 and donations are welcome during business hours
“Anything that doesn’t make it into the Christmas hampers will be used in January and February in the regular hampers, as those are really lean times of the year as well,” Emma Faulkner, health department team leader for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, said ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF PRINCE GEORGE
“We’re always looking for volunteers, especially around Christmas time,” Bernie Goold of St. Vincent de Paul Society, said “We are in awe of our community because we have never missed a meal during our food services – even during the pandemic this community came through and always supports us in so many ways.”
Donations can be made at the Drop In Centre, 1220 Second Ave., between 8 a.m. and 4 p m Monday to Friday Christmas Hamper applications from St Vincent de Paul Society is for families with children and applications are done over the phone by calling 250-640-3291 or 250-640-3298 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov 28, 29 and 30 Hamper delivery is on Dec. 18.
“The needs are so much greater now,” Goold said. “During this time we’re all shaking our heads over the cost of groceries, especially for those on a fixed income. We couldn’t do it without the generous donations and kindness of the whole community Thank you all so much ”
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Gloria Hourie, left, and Diane Bacchus are extraordinary volunteer elders who help with the hampers given out weekly at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Students react to film about residential school survivor, war hero
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
The screening of Bones of Crows, a film about a residential school survivor who went on to become a code talker in the Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, at College Heights Secondary last week left a lasting impact on at least two students
After the film, Grade 11 student Temi Bankole shared a hug and a few words with Michelle Thrush, one of the film’s actors, who attended the screening
“When I was watching the movie I was just thinking of myself as one of the kids taken away from my family and put in a place worse than prison,” Bankole said “Not even animals would be treated the way the children were I was just thinking why would this happen? Why did they think that this would be right?
“This movie offers a perspective on this and we need to be kind to everyone That’s how we’re going to accomplish healing ”
Renee Moscrip, another Grade 11 student, also praised the film for its depiction of the lasting trauma caused by residential schools
“I think the movie was amazing,” Moscrip said “A lot of times we see documentaries on the subject but we’ve never seen the history told as a story in a way that you connect with the characters I think it was really great
“This is part of our history that we need to hear and most people still don’t even know I am constantly wanting to learn more about this part of our history
because I don’t want to repeat it – our generation doesn’t want to repeat it.”
The movie, directed by Marie Clements, is based on the life of Aline Spears, with Prince George’s Grace Dove portraying Spears.
“I have spent 35 years as an actor and this is probably the biggest honour I have ever had,” Thrush said
She and Clements have been friends for years so to work on this film with her was so special, she added
“I’m just so blessed to be able to work with her,” Thrush said
“I am hoping that every Canadian can see this movie because the first step in Truth & Reconciliation is hearing the truth and we all need to start sharing that truth because there’s still a need for more people to understand what happened in residential school and how it continues to impact Indigenous people today This is what we are healing from – this intense history ”
Bones of Crows will have its theatrical release early in 2023 and will be aired as a five part mini-series on CBC next fall.
The screening of the Canadian historical drama Bones of Crows at College Heights Secondary School last week had an emotional impact on Temi Bankole and Renee Moscrip, top right, two Grade 11 students who attend the school.
Right, Prince George’s Grace Dove stars in Bones of Crows, a movie about the life of residential school survivor and war hero Aline Spears.
BC Hydro project nearing completion
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
A BC Hydro excavation project that’s been ongoing the past two months near the intersection of Winnipeg and Carney streets is still a few weeks away from completion.
Prince George residents have been wondering what’s going on with that big red tank and the tent structure that was set up on the northeast corner of the intersection.
BC Hydro community relations manager Mike Kellett said the utility company needed to act promptly to replace a manhole and underground concrete utility box that encases an electrical box installed in the 1960s. The box had deteriorated to the point where the components inside were at risk of failure, which could have interrupted electrical power
in the area
“That big red tank is needed to dewater the excavation site – it’s pumping water out of there while the crews work,” said Kellett
“There’s an electrical box under the intersection there that had significantly eroded and needed to be replaced quite urgently Because of the nature of the slope, going down Carney Hill, there’s a lot of water flowing down into the excavation site which requires BC Hydro to dewater the area as we go, which obviously slows (the project) down ”
The tent was erected to keep rain and snow away from the excavation site and is part of BC Hydro’s cold-weather procedures for outdoor projects in winter months.
The excavation began Sept 27 and Kellett said BC Hydro expects to wrap up the project by mid-December
This large red holding tank is needed to collect water pumped from the adjacent excavation site of a BC Hydro electrical box and manhole access that needed to be replaced near the intersection of Carney and Winnipeg streets
Friendship centre milestone for Ward-Burkitt
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
Barb Ward-Burkitt has just celebrated her golden anniversary with over 50 years in the Friendship Centre movement.
She’s currently the executive director of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, but got her start with the Quesnel Friendship Centre (Tillicum Society)
“Fifty years with the Friendship Centre movement is an amazing accomplishment,” said Adam Vickers, president of the PGNFC’s board of directors “As a result, Barb’s influence will be felt for generations to come and she will be remembered as one of the great Indigenous leaders of reconciliation in Canada.”
She started in 1972, when she attended the Quesnel Friendship Centre as a volunteer to help out her mother Martha Ward and aunt Joyce Horning
They urged her to come as it would help her get closer in touch with her Indigenous roots
“My mom and auntie were preparing the Remembrance Day luncheon and my mom called me asking me to come help them, they needed potatoes peeled and vegetables chopped,” said Ward-Burkett
She explained she didn’t have a babysitter for Leah, her one-and-a-half year old daughter, however her mother and aunt said that since there was a whole room full of elders, it would be fine to just pack up her dolls and bring her on down.
“I remember setting her up with her toys and snacks and watched over her like a hawk, but pretty soon realized those elders were more than happy to take care of her That was the start of working in the Friendship Centre movement I really felt I’d found my place ”
It wasn’t long before her motivation to help her own people and uplift the organization led to a position on the board of directors of the Quesnel Friendship Center,
T’enneh First Nations Territory
In 1992, Ward-Burkett was hired to work for Project Refocus, an adult career preparation program at the PGNFC
She had applied for an advertised opening for a different position, but her application was spotted by the education and employment department’s manager, Donagh MacArtain, who snapped her up for his team instead, because she had a background in education in Quesnel
It became another perfect match between WardBurkitt and the Friendship Centre movement and she climbed steadily through positions at the PGNFC.
“Barb is now the torch bearer in leading the organization in service to the community and she has brought healing and increased the voice and power of women in the community,” said MacArtain. “She has brought gifts of healing and nurturing and at the same time has increased and improved the services for the community ”
In 2004, when Dan George moved on from the executive director position, Ward Burkitt was named as his replacement and she has held the position ever since.
but before long she had to step down when she was hired as an employee
She then decided to move to Prince George in the early 1990s for personal reasons, but said she was also drawn to the city because it also had a Friendship Centre. It is a demographic fact that 80 per cent of Canada’s Indigenous population lives in an urban setting, so Friendship Centres are a pivotal service point and a home away from home for Indigenous peoples
B C ’s northern capital is home to thousands of Indigenous people from nations across the region and the country It makes PGNFC a critical magnet for Indigenous peoples who find themselves living on the Lheidli
Ward-Burkitt is a member of the Fort McKay Cree First Nation and she carried the Indigenous name Wahiyow Cawapata Scoo
She holds a master’s degree in education and as a volunteer has been the president of the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association and the Prince George Metis Housing Society
Her long list of accomplishments also includes being a field mentor for Simon Fraser University faculty and sitting on the board of governors for UNBC and chairing the Minister’s Advisory council on Indigenous Women in B C
She was also named to the Order of British Columbia in 2010
Local entrepreneurs featured in podcast
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
With a $10,000 grant from STORYHIVE to help, UNBC grad Brandon Greenall is the content creator behind the Commerce, Coffee and Community Podcast.
Greenall’s podcast series was one of 82 that were created in communities in Alberta and BC covering topics like health and wellness, community profiles, local gems and others
In his podcast, Greenall tells the unique stories of six local entrepreneurs and how they forged their own path to the careers and businesses they currently manage
The list of entrepreneurs includes:
Katrina Wiebe who owns the Open Door Café; John Brink who is CEO of the Brink Group; Michelle Quellett, owner of The Current Hair Salon; Eric Raymundo, owner of Film My Ride; Amber-Dawn MacDonald, owner of The Crimson Dawn Collective Tattoo Studio; and Doug Bell, owner of Northern Lights Estate Winery
“With all the educational components to the STORYHIVE grant I was able to attend meetings and workshops and with all that I was not only able to upgrade the program but also could get into audio editing so I can do that sort of stuff
grant to develop his podcasting skills
a bit of a jump for people I really loved the storytelling opportunity of our local entrepreneurs and to tell their story in a way they might not have had before.”
Greenall does get to test out his new-found talents as he moves on with another STORYHIVE grant for season 2 of Commerce, Coffee and Community. This time he will focus on people’s side-hustle entrepreneurship, as he calls it.
“That’s where people are working a fulltime job because their financial commitments mean they can’t really take the big dice roll and dive into entrepreneurship 100 per cent,” Greenall explained
“So this is something they are doing in their spare time I really would like to give those people in season 2 the opportunity to tell their story about why they work so hard outside of their regular jobs ”
Since he’s graduated from university, he now has the time to take on the whole production of the podcast
myself,” Greenall said “So that was a really nice part of it.”
Then Greenall went to another local company to do the videography for the podcast
“So that way I could hyper focus on the audio and trying to be a better
interviewer,” Greenall said “I really wanted to figure out a way to make my guests comfortable because I often have people on the podcast and this is their first time with media in general so going from not having any experience to then having to talk in an hour-long podcast is
“That includes the videography and the editing to learn those other skills as well,” Greenall said “I love video content and grew up in that YouTube generation where we’ve all been watching other people create their own home-grown content ”
To check out Greenall’s podcast series visit Brandon Greenall on YouTube
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Katrina Wiebe, owner of Open Door Cafe, is featured in a podcast by Brandon Greenall, who received a $10,000 STORYHIVE
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Barb Ward-Burkitt is the executive director of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre
HOROSCOPES & PUZZLES
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
You won’t be at a loss for words this week. However, it’s important to have all the information before you speak. You may have to translate something to avoid confusion.
TAURUS
You’ll feel the need to buy something expensive to satisfy your luxurious side. You may overspend on Christmas presents. It’s important to expend your pentup energy
GEMINI
Give yourself time to think. You may feel a need to deepen your spirituality to solidify your convictions and values. You may be tempted to take a pilgrimage.
CANCER
WEEK OF DECEMBER 4 TO DECEMBER 10 2022
LIBRA
You’ll be around a lot of people this week. Remember to wash your hands to avoid catching their germs. Your immune system is fragile. Try to get some rest to replenish your strength.
LEO
You’ll be pressed for time. Your obligations will take precedence over your hobbies. You must try to find balance in all aspects of your life.
VIRGO
CAPRICORN
Prepare to be annoyed. You can’t keep putting things off. Once you’ve finished everything, you’ll celebrate or have free time to try some -thing new
SCORPIO
You’ll close a deal that will shake up your career You’ll work hard on a personal project to reach new heights. You’re feeling especially bold and competitive this week.
SAGITTARIUS
It’s time to take a getaway Even if your trip is still a few months away, you’ll start getting ready It’s a good idea to book a hotel or cottage for spring break.
You’ll have a lot of work to do, and it’ll take a long time to sort out the details. Try to let go and enjoy the present moment. You’ll change your views on life to align with your values.
You’ll be in the spotlight this week. You’ll be the only person who can accomplish a specific task and receive some form of recognition from upper management.
AQUARIUS
It’s time to switch up your routine in your personal and romantic life. Don’t hesitate to accept invitations to go out. Your friends will surprise you, especially if you’re single.
PISCES
If you want to get into real estate, now’s the time to go for it. You may also feel the need to redecorate your home just before Christmas to impress your family
PUZZLE NO. 162
cl assi fi eds
REMEMBRANCES
February 25, 1953 - November 28, 2021
A year today dear Mary was called to her eternal rest, Gone where the angels sing so sweet, And taken when God knew best. We miss her here so very much, Her presence oft seems nigh, But we all hope in Heaven to meet, Where no one says good-bye. With love from your family
March 10, 1955 – November 15, 2022.
It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our wife, mother, sister, and friend. After a courageous battle with cancer, Pam passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family at the age of 67. Pam is survived by her husband Owen ‘Butch’, daughters Billie (Sid), Bobbi (Cam), step-daughter Jennifer, grandchildren Jaia, Vinay and Sunil, two brothers, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her father Alvin Palmer Borthwick, mother Edith Grayce Fryklund, and her brother Mervin. Pam and Butch spent most of their married life in Pineview of Prince George where they raised their daughters, met many lifelong friends, and were proudly involved in their community. Pam was also very proud of the work she did as a care aide at Parkside Care Home and UHNBC prior to retiring to Cache Creek. Pam lived a very active life, enthusiastically being involved with many hobbies and events, always living life to its fullest. She had an infectious laugh that will be dearly missed.
A very special thank you†to Dr. Sarah Trudeau, as well as the amazing team at Ashcroft Community Care.
Please join us in remembering Pam as we host a celebration of life at Pineview Community Hall in Prince George on December 3 at 10:30. We welcome you to bring stories to share over coffee, tea and snacks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Stewart Laurin. Stewart passed in the evening of November 14th, 2022.†
He will be missed by wife Cori, sons Josh and Justin, daughter-inlaw Veronika, grand-daughter Anne, dogs Nickle and Bean and countless other friends and family.†
Stu was a boisterous man who inspired love, joy and friendship in those he met. A world traveler, and life-long learner, Stu always enjoyed adventure and new experiences.†
His passing is not the end but simply a case of this thirst for adventure and knowledge run amok.†
A dedicated hockey fan, some say he passed to avoid the continual decline of the Vancouver Canucks. The Lions losing in the Western Final also did not help.†
Stu’s sudden passing came at the end of a year-long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by friends, family, love and a deep appreciation for all that he did for us. He will be deeply missed.††
James (known as Kevin), passed away suddenly on October 13, 2022, aged 74, and was preceded in death by his parents, Harry & Marion Miller, his sister, Brenda Te Koeti, and his brother-in-law, Allan Daem. He is lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his son, Harlen, and his ‘other son’, Dayton, his older sisters, Valerie Daem and Mavis Miller, his brother-in-law, Brian Te Koeti, his nephews and nieces and other family, in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Lastly, but never least, he is fondly remembered by his close friends, Robin & Shirley Tutte and Tom & Katie Schwartz, his confidant Denise, and many other friends here in northern BC.
Kevin loved his friends and family, ranching life, and the wilderness with all its wonders. He had led ‘an interesting life’; his idea of adventure was to hike alone into the forest for nearly a month with little more than a small tent and a rifle. His dream was to make one more trip to New Zealand and to find a cabin by a remote lake in the forest where he could fish every day. He loved riding his motorbike and driving and frequently travelled from Ft. St. John to Prince George and beyond to visit family and friends. Kevin’s ashes will be released onto the land he first called home, in Upper Mud River, next summer.
Jason Dennis Townsend 1977-2022
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Jason Dennis Townsend (45).
Jason passed away surrounded by family & friends after a courageous week long battle to stay in this world. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 @ The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia.
Jason came into this world as a fighter, born on April 5, 1977, in Prince George, BC to his parents Dennis & Carol. A Hart Boy to the core, Jason went to Kelly Road Secondary School and while recently he was living in Kelowna, he was always back and forth to Prince George, never straying too far from his old stomping grounds.
Jason is survived by his dad Dennis Townsend, brother Robert (Arlana) Townsend, sister Corrie Townsend, brother Wesley Combs, sister Jillene Combs (Brian), grandma Elizabeth Townsend and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Pre-deceased by his mother Carol Pocha (Townsend), stepmother Maxine Prevost (Townsend), sister Leslie Pocha, grandpa William Townsend, grandma Helen Munro, uncle Dallas Townsend and uncle Henry Street.
Jason will be honored at a Celebration of Life on Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ The Hart Community Center - 4900 Austin Rd W. Readings will begin at 3:00 pm with light reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to the Go Fund Me for J.T’s Celebration of Life, as we are planning J.T Days and his Last Ride Memorial Event to take place Summer of 2023.
Robert Kevin James Miller
Kenneth William Russell
Feb 27, 1969 - Nov 20, 2022
Ken passed away suddenly surrounded by his immediate family. Ken will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his son Kole Russell, parents Ron and Sheila Russell, brother Kris Russell and wife Brianne, and nieces Evy & Wyn Russell. He will also be loved and remembered by his special lady Rhonda, many friends, and extended family. Ken was predeceased by his sister Kellie Russell, his grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Ken attended school in Prince George at St. Mary’s, Prince George College and College Heights Secondary. After graduation from high school he worked in the building trades, starting at the bottom of the ladder and worked his way up until he reached his ultimate goal as a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter. Ken’s wish was to be cremated and he did not want any funeral service. He didn’t want anyone to be traveling under dangerous road conditions and incurring extra costs in these hard economic times. A simple remembrance of his life and friendship will be held at a later date.
Erich Kamm
1947-2022
On Thursday, November 10th, 2022 beloved husband, father of 3 passed away suddenly, he was 75. Born May 05th, 1947 in a small town of Wald, Switzerland.
Erich Kamm was a very caring neighbor always helping others in need, as they did the same for him.†
We are having a celebration of life on December 3, 2022 @ 3 pm Hart Community Centre.
Erich is survived by his wife Roxanne, his 3 children Mathilde, Amos, Alex; 3 grandchildren Dominic, Isabelle, Adaline; 5 Siblings Hans, Fritz, Robert, Emil, Cecilia.
Charles Edward MacDonald
1930-2022
MacDonald, Charles Edward, born January 23 1930, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Rotary Hospice House Nov 18, 2022.
REMEMBRANCES
Charles was a proud railroader, having worked for CN for 44 years until his retirement in 1988. After retirement he became known as Cranbrook Hill Charlie as he explored on horseback all the trails on the Hill and Greenway. He was also a long standing member of the Rotary Pipe Band. Charles was predeceased by his wife Anne (2014) and son Neil (2018). Survived by children Allan (Susan), Mary (Ken) Berry, John (Sue); daughter in law Donna; grandchildren Lindsay, Lauren (Aaron), Alanna and Brooke, Ian (Emma) Andrea and Jillian, Malcolm and Owen and great granddaughter Elyse Haazen. He is also survived by his brothers Father Bill MacDonald and Alex (Phyllis) MacDonald. The family would like to sincerely thank Veronica for her care, compassion and humour over the last 3 years. We would also like to thank Prince George Hospice House for their excellent care over the past few weeks. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St Vincent de Paul Society. Prayers and visitation will be held Wednesday Dec 7th, 2022 at 7:00 pm at St Mary’s Catholic Church (1088 Gillett Street). The mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday Dec 8th, 2022 at 1:00 pm. at St Mary’s.
Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com
Todd Douglas French
August 19, 1966 –November 20, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Todd Douglas French on November 20th, 2022. Born August 19, 1966, in Prince George, BC, Todd was the oldest child of Dolores French (née Erickson) and Douglas French. Todd graduated from Prince George Secondary School in 1984 and then enrolled in undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria. It was there that Todd developed a passion for Limnology (the study of inland aquatic ecosystems) and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991 followed up by a Master of Science in 1995 at the University of Alberta.
Todd went on to work and do research at the University of Saskatchewan, Queen’s University, UNBC and most recently Environmental Dynamics Inc.; in roles where he published papers and articles, and influenced policies and decisions that have had a significant positive impact on Canadian ecology and the environment.
He is survived by his daughter Linnea, parents Doug and Dolores; sisters Teri (Wade) Hodgins and Tobi (Jay) Winkel; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and too many friends to count.
Todd was uniquely able to connect with the people around him, and he will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Todd will be at peace again with his grandma and grandpa Erickson, as well as his uncles Vern and Jim, aunt Audrey, and his cousin Kim who will all welcome him with open arms.
A celebration of Todd will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 on Sunday December 18, 2022, in room 7-212 in the Wintergarden at UNBC with a reception to follow from 3:00 to 5:00 in the Bentley Centre, room 7-172.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the UNBC Todd French Memorial Fund at https://www.unbcgiving.ca where a scholarship will be created to help students further their studies in the aquatic sciences and continue making a difference Todd has been passionate about.
As you share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...
We will cherish our memories of her and always remember her smile, sense of humour and kindness. She will be dearly missed.
Survived by her sons, Kevin Patterson (Kelly) and TJ Patterson, 3 grandchildren, Alicia, Emily, and Ben and siblings Denny (Linda), Sharon, Lorene, and Bonnie, cousin Edna, her lifelong best friend Lesleigh Dick, and her dog Buddy.
Predeceased by John Cadotte, her mother “Dolly” and brother Ed.
A Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, plant one for her, and smile and laugh in her memory.
Margaret “Lynne” Marcoll nee O’Donovan Lynne passed away peacefully on November 12, 2022 at age 75.
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Smithers Community Ser vices Association is seeking an Executive Direc tor
To view the full job description and to apply for the position please visit: https://scsa.bamboohr.com/careers/89
J O B O P P O RT U N I T I E S
Tr igon Pacific Ter minals Limited is cur rently seek ing the following positions for their mar ine bulk handling ter minal, located on the nor th coast of BC, approximately 16 k m from the Cit y of Pr ince Ruper t Committed to a safe and healthy wor k place, Tr igon provides an excellent wor k ing environment for individuals who have a high degree of initiative
Tr igon cur rently has an opening for a Full-Time Per manent Jour neyman Elec tr ician
The successful candidate must have an I nter-Provincial ticket ( Tradesman Q ualifications with I/P standards) with exper ience on an industr ial site as a jour neyman PLC exper ience (Allen Bradley ControlLogix prefer red) as well as solid state dr ive exper ience, elec tr ical troubleshooting, and Process I nstrumentation exper ience, is an asset
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The successful candidate must have an I nter-Provincial ticket ( Tradesman Q ualifications with I/P standards) M inimum 5 years exper ience on an industr ial site as a jour neyman would be considered an asset Troubleshooting exper ience in mechanical, hydraulics and pneumatics would be considered an asset Candidates should have good welding and cutting sk ills as well as troubleshooting exper ience These positions offer a ver y competitive salar y and benefits pack age. Tradesmen cur rently wor k ing a four day on, four day off schedule.
Tr igon provides an excellent wor k ing environment. The abilit y to wor k with a team to achieve results is essential. Applicants should also have an excellent health, safet y and environmental record.
For a complete job descr iption go to: w w w.trigonb c.com/ca re ers
Q ualified candidates are invited to mail their resumes by December 3, 2022 B y e -mail to: jobs@trigonbc.com
Trigon is an equal opp or tunit y employer. Individuals of Ab original descent are strongly encouraged to apply
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates to b e inter viewed will b e contac ted.
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DESIGN TRENDS • HOME IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS • OUTDOOR LIVING
Renovating your kitchen? Don’t forget the range hood!
Areyouplanningtorenovateyourkitchenor update your appliances? If so, you should upgrade your range hood while you’re at it Herearethemostcommontypes
• Under-cabinet range hood. This common type of hood gets installed under the cabinetsabovethecooktop.It’saninexpensive option that blends into a kitchen’s overall designwithoutmakinganimpact.
• Wall-mountedrangehood Installedabove astovewhenthereisn’tacabinet,thistype gets attached directly to the wall and is consideredamorestylishoption.
• Island or ceiling-mounted range hood. This type looks similar to a wall-mounted range hood but hangs from the ceiling instead. Used when a cooktop is set into an island, ceiling-mounted range hoods must be larger than the stove in order to effectivelyremovecookingfumesandsmoke
•Downdraft ventilation hood. This type of hood is hidden behind or beside your cooktop and comes out when you need it It’s compact but less efficient at removing odoursfromyourkitchen.
•Insert hood. Also called a ventilator power pack hood, this type has the functionality ofanormalrangehoodbutisdesignedtobe hiddenbehindacustom-madeenclosure
No matter what style you prefer, choose a powerful range hood that’s vented to the outdoors to keep the air in your kitchen clean andsmellingfresh.
How to choose a hanging light for your entranceway
Are you redecorating your entranceway? If so, here’showtofindtheperfecthanginglightforit.
DETERMINETHE RIGHT SIZE
Todeterminehowbigitshouldbe,measurethe length and width of the space in feet, add the numbers together and then convert the sum to inches Forexample,aroomthat’s10feetby12 feet needs a light fixture with a diameter of 22 inches
SELECTTHE RIGHT HEIGHT
Hanginglightsshouldneverbelessthanseven feet away from the floor Any lower and they maygivesomeoneabumponthehead
CHOOSE A STYLEYOU LOVE
Hanging light fixtures come in a multitude of types, colours and shapes Remember to keep the rest of your decor in mind when making yourselection.
If you’re installing a light fixture where there wasn’tonebefore,hireanelectrician Acertified professional will make sure that the wiring is donetocode
TYPES OF HANGING LIGHTS
• Abstract pendants are modern light fixturesformedintouniqueshapes
• Bowl pendants have bowl-shaped diffusersthat are turnedtowardeither the ceilingorfloor
• Cluster pendants comprise a group of mini-pendants that provide the same amount of light as a single larger pendant
• Crystalchandelierscanbemadeofcut glass or crystal and are perfect for formalspaces.
• Drum pendants are cylindrical and haveafabricorhardbackdiffuser
• Globe pendants are sphere-shaped and usually made of a transparentmaterial
• Mini chandeliers are smaller fixtures thatcanbeusedintightspaces
• Mini pendants are slender hanging lightstypicallyusedinmultiples
Wood design features: which ones to use for maximum impact
At once modern and traditional, wood adds warmthandlifetoanyroom Here’showtointegrateitintothedesignfeaturesinyourhome
TRIM
Crown moulding, chair rails and baseboards giveyourhomeapolished,upscalelook When stainedanaturalcolour,theyaddemphasisand elegance.
PANELLING
Wood panelling is back and it looks amazing Themoderntakeonthisvintagetrendinvolves placingtheplankshorizontallyinsteadofvertically and keeping the panels confined to one accentwall.Somedesignersareputtingatwist onthetrendbyplacingthepanellingontheceilinginstead
BEAMS
Ifyourhomehaswoodbeams,don’thide them behind drywall Instead, expose themandshowoffthisgreatarchitectural detail
The type of wood you choose will influence the look of your home Blonde woods tend to be more casual and are idealforcountry-stylespaces,whiledark woods are statelier and better suited to traditional designs If you prefer a rustic vibe,usereclaimedbarnwoodinstead
Space-saving sink accessories for small kitchens
If you have a small kitchen, chances are you’ve longed for more space to prepare meals or put clean dishes once they’re washed Why not use your sink? These ingeniousaccessoriescanhelp
CUTTING BOARD
There are many cutting boards available that are designed to fit over your kitchen sink Some even include a colander for rinsing veggies or straining a can of beans Or, you can go all out and custom build an integrated cutting boardthatwillfitperfectly over your sink. In either case,thecuttingboardcan alsoactasacoverthatyou can use when you want to hideamess
DISH RACK
If you only have a single sink, you may need to use yourlimitedcounterspace todryyourdishes Agreat alternative is a dish rack that sits over your sink Available in a variety of
stylesandsizes,thesearedesignedtostayout ofyourwayandoffyourcounter With space-saving products like these, your small kitchen will provide you with enough roomtomeetyourneeds
4 advantages of custom designing your walk-in closet
andjewelrystoragehelpkeepthingstidy.
3 Itprovidesaprivateplacetodress Ifyou live in a bustling household, turn your walk-in closet into a small sanctuary Include a vanity and mirror to transform the spaceintoaprivatedressingroom
heights to accommodate longer pieces and how many shelvesyou’llneedforyourshoesandaccessories
2.Everythinghasaplace.It’seasiertokeep aspaceorganizedwhenit’sdesignedtoaccommodate your specific belongings Furthermore, extras like laundry hampers
4.It eliminates clutter. A well-designed walk-inclosetcanreducetheneedforextra furnitureintheroomandprovideextrastorageforyourthings
Make the most of your walk-in closet, use the space wisely This can include placing shelves abovetherodstoholdaccessoriesanddrawers belowthemtostoreclothesthatcan’tbehung
GO FOR GOLD.
4 kinds of people who should have a walk-in shower
Are you renovating your bathroom and planningtoinstallanewshower?Ifso,awalkin showermayturnouttobeyourbestbet Here arefourtypesofpeoplewhoshouldhaveone
1.Design enthusiasts. Imagine a walkin shower with a mosaic tile floor and contrasting walls, or one with a sleek modern look perfectly suited to a contemporary esthetic Design enthusiasts will relish the ability to create a space that’s functional and stylish
2.Those with reduced mobility. Children and people with reduced mobility sometimes find it hard to climb in and out of a tub Additionally, those who rely on wheelchairs can’t easily cross a shower threshold Awalkin shower eliminatestheseissues
3.Neatfreaks.Becausethewallsand floors are simple expanses of tile, a walkin shower is a cinch to clean Including a handheld showerhead will make tidying up even easier, and designing niches into the wall for your shampoos and soaps will helpyoukeepthingsorganized.
4 Those with ample space Walkin showers feel more spacious than othertypesbecausetheylackanenclosedshowerbase Tomakeitfeel even bigger, opt for glass walls or
How
to
find the perfect TV stand
Shopping for a new TV stand? Here are four thingstokeepinmindwhenchoosingone
do away with them altogether Just make sure the floor slopes slightly towards the drain If you’re interested in installing a walkin shower,besuretohireaqualifiedplumber forthejob.
1.Viewing height. For the most comfortable television watching experience, the screen should be at eye level when you’re sitting down The recommended height is 42 inches, but this may vary depending on how tall you are and the size of your sofa and chairs
2.Width of the stand. For safety reasons, yourTVshouldn’tbewiderthanthestand Chooseonethat’slongerifyouwanttoput decorationsonitaswell.
3 Style Ideally, your TV stand should complementthestyleoftheroom Glassorme
talpieceswilllookgreatinasleekandmodern space, while wood works better for moretraditionalrooms
4 Storage Drawers and shelves help keep the floor and surface of your TV stand uncluttered Ifyouplantokeepvideogame consoles,moviesoranythingelsenearyour television, choose a stand with ample storage
Additionally,ifyouhavekidsorpetsrunning around, safety should be a priority Besides choosing a stand that’s wider than the TV, makesureitsmaximumweightbearingcapacity is greater than what your television weighs
