Northwood Pulp workers facing hundreds of job losses
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Like most forestry workers who have seen the decline of B.C.’s once-thriving pulp-producing industry, Jonathan Blacker was not surprised when he got the news Thursday afternoon that the company he works for, Canfor Pulp Products Inc., plans to curtail one of its two pulp lines at Northwood Pulp Mill.
The indefinite curtailment means as many 220 Northwood workers are about to lose their jobs and Blacker, president of Unifor Local 603 that represents the 361 active members who work at Northwood,
feels their pain.
The 51-year-old machinist has worked at Northwood for 12 years and he’s hoping he has enough seniority to keep his job, but he’s not sure. That cloud of uncertainty will hang over the mill for the next few months until the job cuts take effect this summer.
“It’s ugly, it’s a pretty big hit for Prince George,” said Blacker. “It’s pretty bad, I’m concerned about the workforce and all the employees who are going to lose their jobs.”
Blacker said Northwood absorbed some of the job losses when Canfor shut down its Prince George Pulp and Paper pulp line in April 2023 and several workers who were closer to
retirement age took buyouts to keep younger employees at the lower rung of the seniority ladder from losing their jobs. Now they face the reality once again they could be heading for the unemployment line.
“The average age is probably 25-40 now,” said Blacker. “Lots of the older people that started at the pulp mill are retired now, they took buyouts when PG (Pulp) was closing so I don’t know if the government is going to step in again to help these workers.”
Blacker says management jobs will also be lost, but he doesn’t know how many.
“They’re worried too, it’s going to affect everybody when you lose
half a mill,” said Blacker. “You’ve got couriers, foresters, loggers, truckers, the first-line guys. I’m sure Canfor is looking at saving jobs and where they can amalgamate people and absorb them, be it at a sawmill out of town or whatever, then Prince George loses again because all that money’s gone.”
Combined with Canfor’s other announcements on Thursday that it will permanently close the Polar Sawmill at Bear Lake and that it‘s suspending its reinvestment in its sawmill in Houston, hundreds of direct jobs will be lost as well as hundreds of indirect jobs from support industries.
Continued from Page A1
Blacker points the blame directly at the provincial government and its permitting process which he says creates too many barriers for harvesting companies which he says are shying away from investing in the province’s forest industry. Harvesting has declined sharply and in 2023 the actual cut was 43 per cent lower than the annual allowable cut set by the province.
“Just the state of the industry itself and how hard it is to get fibre now through caribou habitat and Indigenous rights, it’s a tough go,” said Blacker. “Stumpage fees are way up. We’re exporting raw lags. There’s companies chipping whole
logs (to support the wood pellet export industry), that’s not right.
“It’s hard to get cutting permits, it takes a year or two, whereas other places in the world it’s like a week or two and you can harvest wood. You have to go further out to get the wood. They cut too much wood too fast.”
He says forestry is looked upon as a dying industry by young workers and skilled trades people, which compounds the problems foresters are facing.
Blacker attended the BC Forest Workers Summit in Victoria in March and two weeks later he said Unifor executives met with the provincial government officials to try to get them to reshape their
forestry policies to save jobs. He says they’ve known the industry has been dying and have been too slow to react.
“They’ve seen this coming for years,” said Blacker.
“The bottom line is they’ve managed our plantation horribly. They let the harvesters manage the plantation and of course they’re going to cut. There’s wood, there’s lots of trees left, but it’s just harder to get now and more hoops to jump through to get it.
“Canfor’s getting ready to leave, it’s too hard to make money here now. They’ve harvested what they needed and got all the easy wood. They want out, these big harvesters
have made their cash and it will be the smaller guys left, I think.”
Blacker says union management will be coming to the mill next week to discuss the future of the affected workers and he hopes to have more answers for workers when he returns from his holidays on May 20.
“Everybody’s got truck payments, house payments, mortgage rates and interest rates through the roof, Blacker said. “Maybe we’ve got to leave British Columbia and go to Edmonton. You’ve got to chase work, you’ve got bills to pay. I’ve been there 12 years and I might just make the cut, but it’s hard to say and I don’t know.
“It’s no good, the government better step in and do something.”
Canfor Pulp Products Inc. to close one pulp line Government policies to blame for mill closures, say oppostion MLAs
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
John Rustad has already seen the one mill town in his Nechako Lakes riding lose its major employer this year when West Fraser Timber announced in January it will close Fraser Lake Sawmill.
Canfor’s announcement on Thursday that it will hold off on a stateof-the-art reinvestment in Houston Sawmill and that the company intends to permanently shutter Polar Sawmill at Bear Lake and indefinitely curtail one of its pulp lines at Northwood Pulp and Timber has sent shockwaves through the region.
“It’s a devastating day for the workers and their families and the communities,” said Rustad, the BC Conservative Party leader. “I was down talking to the people at (the Council of Forest Industries conference) in Vancouver and the general sentiment is the amount of uncertainty and the cost structure in this province and the policies this government have put forward makes it almost impossible to
try to operate in this province.
“Now we’re seeing that playing out with people losing their jobs and, quite frankly, it’s unconscionable how disastrous Eby and his NDP government have been towards the resource sector.”
The Northwood curtailment will result in an annual reduction of close to 300,000 tonnes of market kraft pulp.
Canfor intends to continue operating both its Northwood pulp lines for next few weeks and the closure will take effect by the third quarter of 2024. The company will also keep its pulp line open at Intercon in Prince George.
Canfor has not said how long it intends to operate the mill in Houston.
“While the region has a substantive supply of sustainably grown timber, harvest levels are well below the Allowable Annual Cut partly due to natural disturbances, but increasingly because of the impact of a range of policy choices and regulatory complexity,” said Kevin Edgson, Canfor Pulp president and CEO.
“The persistent shortage of economic fibre, particularly in the Prince George region, has led to the closure
or curtailment of a number of sawmills, which in turn has dramatically reduced the volume of chips available to meet the needs of our pulp operations. Despite exhaustive efforts, including expanding well beyond our traditional operating region, there is simply not enough residual fibre to supply the current production capacity of all our operations.”
The future of the three mills, combined with the closure of the mill in Fraser Lake and Canfor shutting down its Prince George Pulp and Paper pulp line last year, will have a profound effect on the local economy and has the potential to shatter the dreams of the affected families to remain rooted in the community, said BC United Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond.
“All I can do is think of the families who suddenly discovered they don’t have an income and they have no job and when you look at the cumulative total across northern B.C. the number is staggering, it’s over 700 jobs lost,” said Bond. “The calculation of the impact of the announcement also has to take into account all the other jobs
that support the forest industry.
“Canfor made it clear in its announcement that one of the factors was the cumulative impact of policy decisions and regulatory complexity and that is devastating for workers in the forest industry and other resource sectors in our province. Clearly, the sector has been telling government that they need to deal with the issue of competitiveness, they need to find ways to look at the regulatory issues that are causing companies such distress.”
Bond says it’s clear to her the government, in formulating its forest policies, doesn’t consider the people most connected to the province’s resource-based economy live in rural areas, away from population centres in the Vancouver and Victoria which have the majority of provincial votes.
“It’s time for the government to recognize this is a big province and the very parts of the province that drive the economy in British Columbia are ignored,” Bond said. “Look what’s happening now, companies choosing to leave and workers paying the price for that.”
Council Briefs and Updates
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
Patrol to clamp down on fire starters downtown
City council endorsed the creation of a dedicated patrol to curb the number of burning complaints and item fires in the downtown core.
It will see a team made up of a bylaw officer, an RCMP member and a firefighter take to the streets three times per week between 10 p.m. and 3-4 a.m. for four to six weeks, adding up to 12-18 patrols. Their role would be to conduct an “escalating strategy of enforcement, as required, to stop offenders who are not deterred by the presence of these patrols or through education,” according to a staff report.
“If an individual is found setting or maintaining a fire in a deliberately destructive manner, i.e. the side of a building, the RCMP have indicated that they may recommend a criminal charge of mischief in the first
instance,” staff says in the report.
“By starting with bylaw tickets, where appropriate, these tickets can form part of the body of evidence that would nourish the RCMP Report to Crown Counsel. This may be further accompanied by Fire Rescue’s opinion evidence on the danger as well as evidence that there is a distinction between an appropriately constructed and managed fire used for warmth or cooking and one that is destructive in nature.”
The patrols would incur overtime costs. As example, within Prince George Fire Rescue, 12-18 patrols would cost $20,000-$27,500 with exact staffing depending on operational needs. However, each of bylaws, RCMP and PGFR is prepared to absorb these costs within their existing budgets.
Council balks at fruit-tree incentive program
City council stopped short Monday of going ahead with a program to
encourage homeowners to remove fruit trees as a way to lessen the number of problem bears.
Instead, the matter was referred to a newly-created committee to tackle the problem of in general.
As proposed, the program would have provided up to $500 to defray the cost of removing a tree.
However, Coun. Garth Frizzell noted that $10,000 would be budgeted for the program and questioned how effective it would be if residents can still purchase fruit-bearing trees from garden centres and continue to plant them in their yards.
“If we have a program in place where we’re paying to have them removed and some residents are still purchasing them and some businesses are still earning profits from them, then we’ve got ourselves into a potential pickle of a situation,” Frizzell said.
Earlier in the evening, council directed staff to draft a terms of reference for a bear aware advisory committee made up of representatives from the Northern Bear Awareness Society, B.C. Conservation Officer Service, University of Northern B.C., Fraser-Fort George Regional District solid waste division, City of Prince George solid waste and bylaw divisions and three community members at large.
The committee would report back to council with recommendations for the 2025 budget.
Council endorses bylaw to allow fourplexes on residential lots
City council took the first steps to bring the city’s zoning bylaw into alignment with provincial legislation meant to encourage triplexes and fourplexes on property zoned for single-family residential.
Municipalities have until June 30 to amend their bylaws into compliance and on Monday, Prince George council passed the city’s version through first and second reading. A public hearing won’t be held on the matter, however there will be a chance to
provide written comment prior to third and final reading, once a public notice has been posted.
Passed in early December 2023, the NDP government’s Bill 44 aims to increase housing supply and, in turn, make homes more affordable by making it easier and quicker to build so-called “small-scale multi-unit housing” on lots traditionally reserved for single-detached and duplex homes.
On lots no greater than 280 square metres, three units will be allowed and on lots over that size, four units will be allowed without going through the rezoning process.
Exemptions include property not connected to a water or sewer system provided by the city; parcels larger than 0.4 hectares and land protected by the Heritage Conservation Act or under a municipality’s heritage designation.
The city is already partially in compliance with the legislation. Since 2018, secondary dwelling on single-detached family residential have been permitted.
Asked by Mayor Simon Yu about the possible impact on servicing the lots, city planning and development directors Deanna Wasnik said staff is predicting the the biggest effect will be on new subdivisions.
“We’ve noticed that developers are already wanting to upsize just the infrastructure, the pipe size of their development in the subdivision in anticipation for this legislation change,” Wasnik said.
“The challenging areas would be areas that are already established but those are areas that would require a house to be demolished and rebuilt or a house being renoed to accommodate the number of units that this legislation is allowing to happen.”
Asked by Coun. Garth Frizzell whether the legislation will achieve what it has set out to do and increase the housing supply, land use planning supervisor Kali Holahan said that a consultant working with the city on revamping the official community plan found that a five per cent increase in the city’s population would translate into 5,000 more units. See COUNCIL, Page A11
City’s image to get update following branding project
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
An ongoing branding project will deliver incremental changes to the city’s visual identity.
The three-line “confluence” deployed as the corporate logo will stay with some modifications and the Mr. PG image will be put to greater and more formal use, city council was told during an update provided on Monday.
Nick Richards, the chief creative officer at Vancouver-based Will Creative, described the results as an “expansion of the look and feel.”
“It’s not about revolution, we’re not changing our name or dramatically coming out with something completely different to what we are today. But it’s about sharpening, elevating and expanding upon what we have today,” Richards said.
A 70-page brand guide has been produced to set out the “do’s and don’ts” surrounding use of the images.
The typography and the colour palette for the corporate logo has been refreshed and a suite has been produced for the various applications. The navy blue will remain the primary colour “but we’re looking to inject a few more accent colours to bring in some of the energy that is P.G...a bit more spirited in our colour palette,” Richards said.
Some vibrancy and intensity was added to the Mr. P.G. image.
The work was part of a broader effort to develop an “identifiable brand” for the city.
The aim is to build “community pride, foster recognition and loyalty by developing a brand that represents the community’s lifestyle and the people,” city communications manager Julie Rogers told council. “It will help shape and promote growth and revitalization.
“The brand will be evident in visual elements such as buildings, art, park benches, even bike racks, the city website and reports.”
Saying she knows “some people are going to be critical of the project,” Coun. Cori Ramsay defended the work.
“Having a brand standards guide really articulates use of that intellectual property and how it’s presented out in the world,” Ramsay said.
“We are a huge city and our logo and Mr. P.G., they’re used in so much graphic elements that having a guide that tells how you use him, here’s the colours that you’re supposed to use, here’s how you identify logo placement - those things are really important because if they are altered it really kind of detracts from that brand and what we’re trying to represent.”
Asked by Coun. Ron Polillo if any thought had been given to a tagline and whether one is needed, Rogers said that during the public consultation on the effort, “it became clear that was more about our personality, and who we are and how we present ourselves, rather than coming up with a thing that you just slap on every sign and it almost becomes kind of meaningless.”
However, Rogers said that if one is used, “we might use ‘A Gathering Place’ as bit of a tagline, but not necessarily something that we place everywhere.”
Coun. Kyle Sampson said he now sees an opportunity to partner with a business on a profit-sharing basis to create Mr. P.G. swag according to the standards set out in the guide.
In response, Rogers said the image is currently limited to use by Tourism Prince George, Exploration Place and the University of Northern British Columbia bookstore.
“Certainly at the City, we are hoping that now that we have a bit of a personality for Mr. P.G.he is a bit fatherly, very friendly, very welcoming - we are going to be using him a little bit more at the City in our communications and hopefully as we need thingsstickers, tattoos, mugs, thing that we can hand out at community
events - we’re more likely to put Mr. P.G. on it than the corporate logo,” Rogers said.
The project included a community survey that drew 822 responses plus a dozen workshops with key parties.
Asked by Coun. Brian Skakun about the cost of the work, Rogers did not have exact figures but said the amounts were taken from her office’s annual budget. Similarly, costs of rolling out the revamped corporate logo on the City’s vehicles, website and so forth have been built into the various departmental budgets, council was told.
Skakun also asked for an update on moving the Mr. P.G. mascot from its current location at the corner of Highways 16 and 97 and was told staff is working on it.
A variety of examples of the new branding for the City of Prince George.
Court docket: April 22-May 10, 2024
MARK NIELSEN Special to the Citizen
- Brandon Dylon Scott Johnson (born 1993) was sentenced to time served and one year probation for theft $5,000 or under. Johnson was in custody for 52 days prior to sentencing.
- Troy Eugene Danial McCafferty (born 1972) was sentenced to time served for breaching a release order. McCafferty was in custody for seven days on the count prior to sentencing and remains in custody on another alleged count.
- Shane Alan McNelly (born 1972) was prohibited from driving for one year and fined $500 plus a $75 victim surcharge for driving while prohibited or licence suspended under the Motor Vehicle Act and sentence to time serve for breaching a release order. McNelly was in custody for four days following his arrest.
- Douglas Spencer Alec-Lolly (born 2000) was sentenced to time served and assessed a $100 victim service charge for committing an indecent act in a public place. Alec-Lolly was in custody for 35 days prior to sentencing.
- Joseph Thommas St. Coeur (1968) was sentenced to one year probation and issued a one-year firearms prohibition and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for improper storage of a firearm.
- Hayden Lee Alwood (born 1994)
Prince George court house.
was prohibited from driving for two years and ordered to provide a DNA sample for dangerous driving and to time served and two years probation on the count as well as for resisting arrest and for two counts of breaching a release order. Alwood was in custody for 308 days in total prior to sentencing.
- David Paul Deschene (born 1979) was sentenced to 18 months probation and issued a three-year firearms prohibition for assault. The probation term also applied to two counts of breaching a release order and was assessed $400 in victim surcharges on the counts.
- Phillip Charlie Gunanoot (born 1986) was sentenced to one year probation for assault, break and enter with intent to commit offence, uttering threats and
mischief $5,000 or under. Gunanoot was also issued a five-year firearms prohibition and order to provide a DNA order on the uttering threats count. Gunanoot was in custody for 73 days prior to sentencing.
- Shenoa Rose Thomas (born 2002) was sentenced to 150 days in jail for assaulting a peace officer, to time served for a second count of assaulting a peace officer and for robbery. Thomas was also sentenced to two years probation on the counts and issued a lifetime firearms prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample for the robbery. Thomas was in custody for 48 days prior to sentencing.
- William Barry Peter Prince (born 1995) was sentenced to time served for break and enter and committing an indictable offence and mischief $5,000 or under. Prince was in custody for 170 days prior to sentencing.
- Blayne Aaron Char (born 1998) was sentenced to 30 days in jail for breaching probation and to time served for mischief. Char was in custody for 72 days prior to sentencing.
- Russell Dale McDermid (born 1980) was sentenced to time served and 18 months probation for mischief $5,000 or under, breaching a release order, assaulting a peace officer and uttering threats to cause death or bodily
harm. McDermid was in custody for 184 days prior to sentencing.
- Candace Selina Williams (born 1984) was sentenced to time served and 18 months probation for assault with a weapon, assault and mischief $5,000 or under. Williams was in custody for 21 days prior to sentencing.
- Renee Destiny Dawn Jackson (born 1992) was sentenced to time served and one year probation for theft $5,000 or under and to time served for breaching probation. Jackson was in custody for 70 days prior to sentencing.
- Dalton Enock Franklin William (born 1997) was sentenced to time served for breaching probation. William was in custody for one day.
- Glenda Zena Alexander (1994) was prohibited from driving for one year and fined $2,000 for driving while impaired, committed in Prince George, and refusing to provide a sample, committed in Quesnel. Alexander was also fined $100 and assessed a $15 victim surcharge for driving without a driver’s licence under the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Daniel David Gagnon (born 1992) was sentenced to time served, ordered to provide a DNA sample and issued a lifetime firearms prohibition for possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possessing a firearm,etc. contrary to order. Gagnon was in custody for 136 days prior to sentencing.
- Jeremiah Joseph Tom (born 1997) was sentenced to one year probation for uttering threats. Tom was in custody for one day following his arrest.
- Vincent Albert Martin (born 1978) was sentenced to 243 days in jail for breaking and entering and committing an indictable offence, to 90 days for a second count of breaking and entering and committing an indictable offence and to 15 days for theft $5,000 or under and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Martin was in custody for 321 days prior to sentencing.
Tourism Prince George moving ahead with Canada Games Plaza
Tourism Prince George (TPG) is moving ahead with plans to activate the Canada Games Plaza with an open-air container market, yearround skating rink and seating.
The project will be constructed alongside the renovation of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) at the rotunda beside the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.
The container market will provide the opportunity for local vendors, artisans, producers and entrepreneurs to rent out the space to sell their goods or services during multi-day conferences, events and festivals.
“We look forward to the growth that this new venture will bring for small businesses to connect directly with tourists, visitors and residents,” said Colin Carson, TPG CEO. In addition, the plans to implement a year-round, faux-ice skating rink, seating and lights will bring vibrancy and a place to share community culture with visitors.
“We see this activation of the Canada Games Plaza as an enhancement to the downtown and a way to drive interest and traffic to the area,
which will also benefit neighbouring local businesses,” Carson added. This project will be made possible through grants and TPG reserves.
On May 8 Northern Development Initiative Trust released that TPG has been approved for a $300,000 grant towards the VIC relocation and Container Market. “The grant funding is a great outcome and we are so pleased to hear this news,” said Andy Beesley, City of Prince George’s Director, Civic Facilities and Events. “The City is pleased to continue working closely with Tourism Prince George on enhancing visitor information services in our community.”
“This funding from NDIT is extremely welcome,” said Carson. “We’re thankful to have received this grant.” Earlier this year, TPG also received $20,000 funding from Prince George Community Foundation and Spruce Credit Union’s Legacy Grant. “We are excited to share about more grant funding as they become realized,” added Carson.
The Container Market will start with one unit where visitor services will operate out of, while renovations are underway. To stay updated please visit tourismpg.com.
OPINION
The danger in kicking the can down the road
Prince George city council met earlier in May to discuss and debate the merits of spending over $37 million to do repairs and upgrades to the Aquatic Centre. Of the estimated $37 million budget, $22.15 million would be borrowed Built in 1998, the Aquatic Centre requires extensive renovations, including mechanical upgrades, roof and building envelope repairs. Citizens of Prince George have three options on how to address these repairs and failures: do nothing, while the building continues to degrade; spend $37 million and make the necessary repairs; or build a new Aquatic Centre from scratch – with an estimated cost of $100 million.
City council voted in favour of the option to do the repairs. Despite the City of Prince George’s preferred borrowing rate of 4.56 percent through the Municipal Finance Authority, financed over 20 years, debt servicing will be $1.68 million annually. Requiring an increase of 1.38 percent to the property tax levy.
Looking back through our coverage over the past few years, this isn’t the first time that council and the city have addressed the Aquatic Centre. In September of 2020, the city announced that it had received funding for this project from the provincial and federal governments, totaling $6.3 million. At the time, the plan was to use this funding to make a total of $14 million in repairs to the mechanical systems, roof and wall – the same
repairs being brought forward again now - and the city announced that construction was to begin in 2021. Clearly, that work never happened, and we’re looking down the barrel of $37 million in costs if the alternative approval process passes. What’s even more clear is that a dollar in 2024 goes roughly 1/3 of the way it did in 2020, when applied to publicly funded capital projects. That projected number doesn’t take into account any budget overruns, something city council has struggled with for the past two terms.
$37 million is not an insignificant amount, especially in a city hovering around a population of 80,000 residents. And that figure only represents one of our many city-owned facilities that are getting long in the tooth. What surprises await when staff reports are submitted for other public
assets, such as the downtown library, Studio 2880, the Coliseum, Prince George Playhouse, Prince George Gymnastics, Hart Elksentre, and the Exhibition Grounds and horse barns?
If repairs and renovations are required at these facilities, does the city have a capital plan that takes a long, hard look at each of the above to determine whether to repair or replace each of these? Should we even be looking at each of these in isolation, or instead look at which ones could be incorporated into a comprehensive plan, such as the civic plaza?
One thing is clear, successive councils have chosen not to spend the necessary money to maintain city facilities. This in spite city staff bringing it to council’s attention yearly for over a decade. In the rush to be seen to be fiscally responsible, they refused to
allocate the necessary funds to ensure repairs were done. As every homeowner knows, the longer you put off a repair, the bigger and more expensive that needed repair becomes.
Those pennies saved by councilors over the years when repair costs were lower and the city was doing better, have become serious dollars that now must be spent. This on the heels of last week’s devastating news of hundreds of jobs being lost due to mill closures and curtailments.
What is clear is the absolute need for a pragmatic plan, looking at all of our assets and how they fit - five, ten and twenty years down the road. Does dedicating $37 million to a pool with defects in its walls, roof and mechanical systems make long-term sense? Will our current council continue following in the footsteps of their predecessors and ignore the state of our city facilities infrastructure? Will Prince George city council bring forth a comprehensive plan with dedicated funding? Or will they kick the proverbial can down the road, like they did with the Aquatic Centre four years ago?
We can’t undo the lack of maintenance and upkeep in the past, but we must have a plan and the funding set aside to deal with what is coming down the pipeline with respect to our city assets.
Curtis Armstrong is the publisher of the Prince George Citizen.
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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
OPINION
The online version of the Prince George Citizen sees a million plus page views each month. Here are a few of the posted comments from our readers in reaction to our local stories.
Voters have 30 days to dive into Prince George Aquatic Centre renovations
The reason why the cost is so high is that the city does not do even the most basic maintenance on city infrastructure.
Pools are inherently warm and moist environments. Documents provided to council show the bottom 6” of steel columns completely missing due to rust. Properly maintained when the paint BEGAN to peel a work order should have been issued to wire brush column to bare metal and repaint. Cost? A fraction the cost to install new post.
The city has a looooong history of allowing building degrade until cost of repair or building new becomes a toss up. Prime examples are the police station, the downtown fire hall and the 4 seasons pool.
Oh and the whole side of the Playhouse falling off that cost the taxpayers a half a million dollar band aid.
You can’t hold a ribbon cutting after everyday maintenance is done like you can at a shiny new pool but doing the former is a much better deal for those picking up the tab.
– Bobs your uncle
Josh Davies scores serieswinner in OT, Portand beats PG 2-1
To lose in that fashion is to lose with dignity.
What a fantastic year for the entire team, their support team, and ownership.
Expectations were high but you never know which way things will go in playoffs.
– BGeez
Patrol to clamp down on fire starters downtown
So one guy with a clipboard, one guy with a gun, and one guy with a fire extinguinsher....
Ive seen a three stooges movie about that.
Go get ‘em Larry, Moe and Curly !
– BGeez
Voters have 30 days to dive into Prince George Aquatic Centre renovations
These contractors need to provide a detailed list of every cost . I think we need to have at least 5 different companies provide insight and guidance why these costs are high . We can’t take these contractors at their word . It must come in on time . No huge cost overruns .
– Cathy McDonald
Josh Davies scores serieswinner in OT, Portand beats PG 2-1
So proud of our Cats! Well done, we’ll be back next season.
– Cory Antrim
Council balks at fruit-tree incentive program
From Northern Lights Wildlife Society: With the shift in last year’s capture policies, we came front and center in most rescues. This also showed us the huge issue of unprotected and unmanaged Fruit bearing trees. A substantial number of cubs were rescued in such trees, showing us firsthand that their mom’s had been lured into town by the available fruit and paid with their lives. We feel strongly that this is avoidable and needs to be changed. This is all of our problems, not one organization, business, industry, municipality or person, but all of us together.
We call on municipalities and private landowners to remove unfenced fruit trees to avoid luring bears into town. Canmore Alberta has a comprehensive program that has proven very successful, and we urge BC communities to adopt a similar approach.
–
C. Koftinoff
City’s image to get update following branding project
Didn’t we pay for a re-branding of our “huge” city a number of years ago? I believe tee shirts were sold bearing the image of trees, cutbanks and rivers? I don’t know who paid the artist or what amount they were paid but it did not go anywhere in any noticeable way.
Instead of paying presumable good money to brand our city, I suggest putting the money, time and effort into cleaning up our streets. Actually housing the current unhoused population, creating meaningful facilities for those who cannot care for themselves and giving the fire patrol proposal a chance to either work as is or improving the plan.
Sorry Ms. Ramsay, much as I admire your rose-coloured glasses view, you might spend more time and thought on some of the schemes you consider before cheerleading them to the public. Mr. Simpson, I am sorry you tried to take the ball and run with it to promote our City but Ms. Rogers deflated the ball immediately.
Why is a Vancouver company once again winning the contact for this?
– Skeeto
Trial for three Prince George RCMP officers got underway Monday
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
A trial began Monday for three Prince George RCMP officers accused of obstructing justice in relation to a nearly seven-yearold arrest turned fatal, but it will be at least another week before any witnesses are called.
Each of Cst. Arthur Dalman, Cst. Clarence (Alex) Alexander MacDonald, and Sgt. Bayani (Jon) Eusebio Cruz face the count in relation to the July 18, 2017 apprehension of Dale Culver.
In part, it has been alleged that as a result of an interaction with one of the officers, a video of arrest taken by a witness was erased. Questions surrounding the notes taken by RCMP at the scene have also been raised by Crown.
Crown and defence counsels spent the morning at the Prince George courthouse making submissions on procedural matters.
The first witness won’t be called to the stand until Tues., May 21 at
the earliest, Crown prosecution confirmed following a roughly hour-long hearing before a provincial court judge.
One of the larger courtrooms in the building has been booked for the trial.
About 20 RCMP were in the gallery with about a dozen in green emergency response team fatigues occupying the back end of the gallery. About 10 friends and family of Culver were in attendance.
Culver died while in RCMP custody and two other officers had stood accused of manslaughter until it was determined that Culver was under the influence methamphetamine that led to heart failure following a struggle with police.
Prior to the finding, the manslaughter case had relied heavily on another pathologist’s conclusion that Culver died from blunt force trauma. The case against the two - Cst. Paul Ste-Marie and Cst. Jean Francois Monette - was dropped April 5.
TIME Tyson William, 4, gets a
air
the edge of a bowl at Rotary Skatepark Saturday, while out with his mom and his sister to enjoy the warm weather.
Subject Lands: Within Regional District Electoral Areas A, C, D, F, G and H
Purpose: To implement provincial legislation regarding Small Scale MultiHousing by allowing a secondary suite use within a Residential-Single Family dwelling in the Regional District
Next Steps: The Regional District Board will consider the bylaws on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 1:30 pm at 155 George Street, Prince George BC Information Notice
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
HANG
little
leaping his scooter over
Zoning Bylaw No. 2892, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 3356, 2024
Valemount Glacier Zoning Bylaw No. 2998, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 3355, 2024
Council welcomes Miracle Theatre donation
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
The efforts of Prince George theatre goers could save a few homes this summer.
City council confirmed Monday acceptance of $180,000, raised this past March and April through Miracle Theatre’s production of A Comedy of Tenors to purchase a “structural protection unit” - a 22-foot trailer outfitted with apparatus for defending buildings against wildfire. They can create a “humidity bubble” to prevent firebrands or sparks from landing on a structure, or by establishing a “wet line” around a property to slow or stop an advancing wildfire.
City emergency programs manager Tanya Spooner said the purchasing process will take 10-16 weeks, “so
hopefully it will be here during the fire season but it may not be here at the beginning of the fire season.”
Spooner said staff will be going through the grant process this fall to purchase a second unit.
A difficult summer is in store, council was told.
“I think it’s no secret that we are still in drought conditions, we are expecting weather temperatures to be similar to last year, so we are expecting a warm, dry season, and it is every likelihood that we will see a warm, dry wildfire season in both Prince George and in our region,” Spooner said.
Council members roundly agreed that something should be done to acknowledge Ted Price and Anne Laughlin, the driving forces behind Miracle Theatre. Exactly how much was raised will be announced next week, Spooner said.
Council Updates
“I think there is some optimism that we will see an increase. What that per cent is in what period of time, I don’t know,” Holahan said. “We will just have to wait and monitor and see.”
Provincial legislation in the form of Bill 46 also gives municipalities the power to expand the use of development cost charges to pay for police and fire protection facilities as well as those dedicated to handling solid waste and recycling. DCCs are currently limited to covering the initial cost of water, sewer and roads. Municipalities would also be able to impose newly-created amenity cost charges in the name of community and recreation centres, daycare and libraries.
However, council would have to go through the added step of updating the city’s related bylaw to put the
measure into effect.
A separate Bill 47 requires the city to allow complexes of up to 10 storeys within 200 metres and six storeys within 200-400 metres of so-called transit oriented areas.
However only the bus exchange at University of Northern British Columbia meets the criteria, defined as 15-minute service frequency, two or more unique routes, service seven days per week and one route operating at least 12 hours per day.
The fact caught Coun. Tim Bennett by surprise and received assurance from Wasnik that as part of the OCP review higher density corridors near transit stops in College Heights, PIne Centre and Parkwood are being looked at.
The exchange prompted Yu to say there is a “perfectly good case to build high density housing at Pine Centre. I mean, why not?”
SPRING INTO SAVINGS EVENT
Transitional housing project in downtown Prince George raises ire of adjacent business owner
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Steve Taylor is not happy with what’s happening in his neighbourhood.
While city construction crews lay down the infrastructure for a complex of trailers that will become a 44-unit transitional housing facility to provide safe shelter for as many as 88 unhoused people, the owner of Summit Power Tools, on the opposite side of Third Avenue, is worried about what that means for the future of his business.
The construction site borders London Street/Lower Patricia Boulevard and Third and Fourth Avenues and is adjacent to the Moccasin Flats encampment, which the city plans to close once the BC Housing shelter become operational and the services it provides are in place. That project is expected to be completed by August or September.
Taylor attended the city council meeting on Apr. 29 and was surprised that just one councilor, Tim Bennett, asked city staff how the transitional housing complex being built on Third Avenue will be different from any of the other nine supportive housing facilities in the city that are either completed or under construction. He said the answer given to Bennett offered no explanation.
The city has budgeted $468,126 to provide the ground preparation and water/sewer and utilities hookups that will serve the housing project. BC Housing will apply for a threeyear temporary use permit and will also enter into a lease agreement with the city for the property.
“They keep throwing these bandaids at the problem, there’s no way the city should agree to have to pay half a million dollars to another failed idea,” Taylor said. “People don’t want to go into (shelters) because you can’t bring your stuff
with you, there’s some rules to follow, the whole thing seems headed in the wrong direction.”
Taylor has two young children and he stopped bringing him to his store a couple years ago when his daughter discovered a used syringe on the property.
“My family doesn’t come down here anymore, I’m losing business,” said Taylor.
“As a society, we are doing these people much harm; for one, they’re being enabled by giving them drugs and they’re not in their right mind to be enabled, not being given the proper opportunity to go through rehab.
“It sounds like they’re getting legal drugs and reselling them, and that’s a huge flaw of our system. Right out of the gate, get rid of the opioids, go to something else.”
Taylor agrees more mental health and addictions treatment programs are needed to treat people hooked on illicit drugs, who often resort to property crime to feed their habits. But he says when they get caught stealing, there has to be repercussions.
“By creating all these rehab programs but not forcing people into it you’ll never get them there, that’s
been proven,” Taylor said. “The socialistic government direction that we’re going in has failed every single time. You have to give them a chance to go to rehab and if that doesn’t work out then you have to do some jail time, and after jail time you have them another chance for rehab. We have to do something different than this.”
Summit Power Tools has been at 320 Third Ave., since 2019, and prior to that Taylor leased a site on Fifth Avenue, not far from the encampment. He says the failure of the court system to prosecute repeat offenders and give them jail sentences is why crime has gotten so out of hand in the downtown core.
“It started when I was over there (at the Fifth Avenue location) but it was different then, you’d call the cops and guys would get arrested and it wasn’t too bad,” said Taylor. “Now, it’s common knowledge for them, they can steal. Theft over $5,000 means nothing at all to them and they know that, and they just finger the cops, they don’t care.
“People have to go to jail for stealing, that’s just ludicrous. I just can’t believe this whole ‘catch-andrelease,’ mentality or where that
even came from. The cops can’t do anything, they straight up will let you know you kind of have to deal with it yourself because they don’t want to. They do a bunch of paperwork and they know that buddy will soon be back on the streets. It’s tough enough to get him in front of judge and for what? It’s insane.”
Taylor has had numerous issues in his 12 years of operating his business with people climbing over the fence to steal items. One enterprising thief stole a picker truck from the nearby scrapyard and used it to grab two lawn tractors and a side-by-side quad from Taylor’s yard. Since then he’s invested in high-tech security cameras and software system which depends on algorithms to detect intruders. He says the system has been activated hundreds of times and the RCMP usually respond within three to five minutes.
“It’s damn-near once a week,” he said. “The wintertime is bad. I have a metal bin and they try to get that. They’ll try to get push mowers, trimmers, I keep the more expensive stuff farther away from them.
“It seems like an actual big theft gets tried quarterly.”
The supplier of the Husqvarna products Taylor sells has asked him to take on more inventory and he has the space in his yard but won’t do that because he’s worried about theft. He says his repair business has also suffered because he doesn’t have the indoor space in his shop to store machines in need of repair dropped off by clients.
Taylor’s Third Avenue store is bordered by DART Lawn and Yard Care and BST Performance Automotive. He says since the plan to build transitional housing right next to those businesses was approved, none of the elected council members have consulted with them about the city’s plan.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
A City of Prince George utilities department crew work to clear the water lines for a new fire hydrant installed on the Third Avenue to service the transition housing being constructed, across the street from Summit Powertools, BST Performance Automotive and DART Tuesday afternoon.
Impact from housing project still unknown
Continued from Page A12
“Mayor Simon Yu twice, on email, said he was coming down to talk to me and he’s never come down to talk to me,” said Taylor. “At that (Apr. 29) meeting every single one of the councilors were patting themselves on the back about how they’ve walked and they’ve talked to residents and all the businesses and how they’ve been working hard on this.
“I was upset we didn’t get a chance to talk. None of them has worked as hard as me. I’m picking up garbage every single day, my yard gets broken into at least one a month. Luckily I’ve got a killer (security) system, but I’m still fixing fences. It’s just a lack of communication, no one is talking to me.”
Taylor said it was the city’s decision to dismantle the camp in November 2021, a month after a court decision allowed the camp to remain open until suitable housing and daytime facilities were available. That led to two other court challenges, both of which the city lost.
“The councilors were talking about all the legal stuff they’ve done on this but they got themselves into that predicament when they tried to clean up Moccasin Flats,” said Taylor. “That was their screw-up.”
Taylor empathizes with people from the surrounding residential areas in the Miller Addition and Connaught neighbourhoods, many of whom were dead-set against council giving its final approval to construct the camp at that April city hall meeting.
“Everybody will tell you, they’ve all had somebody passed out in their yard or they’ve had things stolen or attempts, it’s scary,” said Taylor. “What sucks is the majority of them are between 60 and 90 years old. They’ve got big houses, they want to downsize and get out and their property isn’t worth near what it should be and from what I hear, they’re not getting help from anybody. That’s super sad.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Gianfranco Stancati (elft) and Brandy Greenfied, City of Prince George utilities workers, clear the water lines for a new fire hydrant installed on Third Avenue to service the transition housing being constructed, across the street from Summit Powertools, BST Performance Automotive and DART Tuesday afternoon.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Steve Taylor, owner of Summit Powertools, looks over his inventory as a customer takes delivery of a lawn tractor in front of the construction taking place for the 3rd Avenue transition Housing Tuesday afternoon.
Wait till next season - Cougars set sights on winning WHL title
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
The sun did indeed rise on Tuesday and life goes on for the Prince George Cougars.
Their season ended at the hands of the Portland Winterhawks, who beat the Cougars 2-1 five minutes into the second overtime period when ‘Hawks winger Josh Davies finished it with one shot in Game 6 of the WHL Western Conference final.
It’s called sudden-death for a reason. For the Cougars it’s like losing a cherished loved one.
There’s no replacing the family bond they’ve formed, on and off the ice, knowing that some of them will never be back to play hockey again. The three overagers - Hudson Thornton, Zac Funk and Chase Pauls – know with certainty they won’t be back and will have to say goodbye this week to their band of brothers.
“I owe everything to Prince George, this town, this community, this organization as a whole, they’ve treated me top-notch from the moment I came here and it’s sad that I can’t call myself a Prince George Cougar next year, it’s going to be a tough adjustment,” said Cougar captain Thornton, a first-team BC Division all-star and nominee for the WHL top defenceman award won Tuesday by Moose Jaw Warrior Denton Mateychuk.
“At the end of the day it’s obviously disappointing the way we finished, I’ve loved every second of being a Cougar and if I could play junior hockey for the rest of my life I would.”
Pauls, a big stay-at-home type of defenceman, joined the team at the trade deadline in January from the Lethbridge Hurricanes and knew then he was coming to a team capable of a deep playoff run that lived up to the hype and nearly got to the league final.
“I think we battled hard, we left it all out there and unfortunately we didn’t get the bounce on double-overtime and unfortunately our season
The Cougars shake hands with the Portland Winterhawks after the “Hawks beat the Cats 2-1 in double-overtime Monday at CN Centre to win the Western Conference final series 4-2.
is over for that,” said Pauls. “But I’m proud of these guys and honoured to be a teammate.”
For three rounds of intense playoff hockey the Cougars lived up to the hype as one of the top major junior hockey teams anywhere on this planet and gave local fans an unforgettable thrill ride that only leaves them hungry for more.
“It was a crazy environment here and if you had asked me at the start of the year if I’d be happy taking my career to the conference finals this year I would have taken it 10 times out of 10,” said Pauls. “Unfortunately we kind of laid a goose (egg) in a couple games in Portland and it sucks losing. Hopefully these guys come back next year with a bitter taste in their mouths and they go all the way and win it.”
The Cougars packed the stands with sellout crowds 6,000-strong at CN Centre for the eight home games they played in the playoffs. That’s 48,000 people through the turnstiles in a postseason that lasted six weeks. The quality of the team on display in 34 regular season games pushed the average attendance to 3,519, nearly 800 fans
Prince George Cougars goalie Josh Ravensbergen blocks a shot from Portland Winterhawks forward Josh Davies during first-period action of Game 6 in their WHL Western Conference final series at CN Centre May 7 at CN Centre. Portland won the game 2-1 in second overtime taking the series 4-2.
more per game ahead of last year.
That’s got to be reassuring for an ownership group that took the reins of the team 10 years ago and have taken their financial lumps over the years when on typical game nights at CN Centre the empty green seats outnumbered the occupied ones by a three-to-one one margin.
Mark Lamb, in his five years at the helm as head coach and general manager, has done his due diligence filling double-duty. Backed by a revamped scouting staff that made the right
player choices, he pulled off trades that brought the likes of Funk, Pauls, Borya Valis, Oren Shtrom, Matteo Danis and the year before that, Chase Wheatcroft, all of whom blossomed into impact players without having to mortgage the team’s draft future. No other GM in the league acquired players who developed into 100-pointplus performers like forwards Funk and Wheatcroft, who had never come close to the century mark in previous seasons with their former teams.
CLARKE
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Looking ahead to next season
The ownership allowed Lamb to hire a former NHL head coach, Jim Playfair, as his right-hand man in the bench and together with assistant coach Carter Rugby and goalie coach Taylor Dakers the Cougars set team records for most goals in a season and fewest goals allowed, while their special teams - power play and penalty killing were second-best overall in the WHL.
Almost lost in the shuffle was work athletic therapist Mitch Karapita put into keeping the Cougars healthy. Despite one of the most arduous travel schedules as the WHL’s most northerly outpost, the Cougars went through most of the season basically injury-free, with the exception of Koehn Ziemmer’ broken ankle in late -November that knocked him out of the lineup for almost four months. Let’s hope their avoidance of sickbay develops into a trend next season.
good young guys, we’ve got draft picks, so the organization is heathy right now. I’m very proud of the guys, just very disappointed for them, more than anything. I’m disappointed for myself, not as much as for them, because I can move on from this, but there’s some players that will be leaving that dressing room and that’s the hard thing.”
It’s hard not to get emotional, these guys played their hearts out.
“You’ve got to get the right people around and build it the right way and it takes a lot of hard work and that’s where we’re at right now, that’s the foundation and how we’re going to do business,” said Lamb.
“We’ve got a good core, we’ve got
The winningest Cougar team in 30 years was so talented, so competitive and so entertaining, they made it hard to believe most of them are still only teenagers. What is believable is that a handful of them are destined for professional hockey careers. Some of them, namely Thornton, Funk, Riley Heidt, Koehn Zimmer, Ty Young - are already drafted and/or signed by pro teams for next season while others, like highly-touted, draft-eligible forwards Terik Parascak, Hunter Laing and Ondrej Becher - will learn their NHL futures at the draft in June.
Funk, who led the league with 67 goals and was second in the scoring race with 123 points, went undrafted but signed with the Washington Capitals in March, much like Wheatcroft did last year when he signed late in
the season with the Dallas Stars.
“It’s going to be great,” said Funk. “I’m going to be happy where I am, that’s kind of the dream, to make the NHL and obviously play pro hockey and when I get there it will be a nice thing for my hockey career and I’m really happy the Cougs (made that trade).” said Funk.
Goalie Josh Ravensbergen, despite showing the calm and cool mannerisms of seasoned pro night after night in the crease, doesn’t turn 18 until November and is still a year away from being available for the NHL draft.
“He’s had one heckuva a season, he’s proved he can start and lead that way,” said Funk “It’s going to be awesome to watch what he can do, he’s going to be a great goalie and he’s going to make a lot of people happy in his career.
“It’s hard not to get emotional, these guys played their hearts out.”
Next season the Cougars’ prospects
that practiced with the team and shadowed them during the playoff run will get their chance to shine as WHL rookies. With Thornton and Pauls gone, icetime will be available for the likes of defenceman Carson Carels, who did not look at all out of place as 15-year-old in his five-game audition with the Cats this season. There will be a spot for 2022 first-rounder Lee Shurgot, who played 20 regular season and one playoff game after he put up 20 goals and 50 points this season to help Saskatoon Blazers U-18s repeat as provincial champions.
“Prince George is in good hands for many years with the talent that’s coming in,” said Thornton
“The young core of this group, the guys returning next year, this is a huge experience for them and they kind of learned what it takes to get to this level and, ultimately, it would be nice for them to finish it off and go all the way.”
Out & About in Prince George
LOCAL TALENT Kris Nellis browses through handmade cards while visit the Prince George Artists’ Co-op Open House Saturday at the old Crown Market on the Hart Highway. The open house featured works of the 45 artists in the co-op as well as information on art classes and a chance to meet the artists.
CRUSHING GOOD TIME
KPsychoPAT and Roughneck launch through the air as they race across derelict cars during an ear shattering Monster Madness at CN Centre Saturday afternoon. The monster trucks were back to entertain the horsepower hungry fans in an evening show also.
SOUND OF SPRING
The Novo Voce Choral Society perfomed a selection during their Full Bloom show at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Saturday night. The choral group showcased a selection of arrangements celebrating the burgeoning life that is brought on by spring.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Touch Down!
Prince George Kodiaks junior football team are back on the field for the Kodiaks’ spring evaluation camp.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS NISBETT
What’s happening in PG
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Legends, Live! Presents Hello
Norma Jeane! The Mariliyn Munroe and Elton John Tribute Show goes Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Award winning impersonators will pay tribute to favourite icons in fabulous costumes. Kat Fullerton as Almost Marilyn and Cory Hicks as Elton Enough. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door.
***
The Patchwork of Talent Group’s Spring Production goes Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. The event features a collection of skits, jokes, songs and fun. Tickets are on sale for $10 each at the centre.
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Crossroads Summer Street Festival is ready to bring you its fourth year of live music, craft beer, delicious food, & fun. We have an exciting lineup mixed of talented local bands and killer headlining
acts spread out across three events this summer. The festivals are held on the crossroads between historic Fifth Avenue and George Street in downtown Prince George, and are always a guaranteed good time in the heart of our community. Tickets are on sale now, available online only.
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Strawberry Tea & Plant Sale goes Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. Come for strawberry shortcake and coffee or tea and all the plants you could want. The tea costs $6 per person and plant prices will be marked. Cash or cheque only please.
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Community Market Junk in the Trunk goes Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pineview Hall, 6470 Bendixon Rd., featuring new merchandise, services, produce and garage sale items.
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Open Mic Nights are presented at Cait’s Sweet Bites & Beanery, 3831 Austin Road West in the Hart
Shopping Centre, from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month. People are invited to share their songs and music, poetry, comedy in a casual setting to try something new. Everyone is welcome to attend as a participant or a supportive audience member. For more information email devon.w.flynn@ gmail.com.
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Coffee and Cars is a weekly event held every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. until Sept. 29 at Tim Horton’s, 612 East Central St., where people can meet up during this family friendly event that brings Prince George’s diverse car culture together. Time to bring out those projects.
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Craft & Chat at the Prince George Public Library is presented by Great Northwest Fibre Fest organizers who are hosting this fibre crafting group every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. on the second floor in the magazine corner. This is a free drop-in group and everyone – all ages, all experience levels
SCOTTISH JIG
Dancers Isacella Anderson-Hatfield (left) and Kiersten Mikkelsen perfrom From Now On whilst competing in the Duo Choreography class during Central Interior Highland Dance Association Spring 2024 Open Competition held at the Civic Centre Saturday.
- are welcome to attend.
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Omineca’s Coffee House Open Stage every Sunday 369 Victoria Street from 3 to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to step up and share their talents, stories and art forms of all kinds including but not limited to musical, literary, comedic and performative expressions of our diverse community. Refreshments and snacks by donation. Sign up is on site. There are some house instruments provided but feel free to bring your own creative tools for expression. First timers and emerging artists are encouraged to experiment and collaborate with others. Please share and invite friends and family to build audience, engage and cheer on local artists in a fun, relaxed and safe environment.
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If you’ve got an event, email us at news@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. (LOCF)
SPRING SOUNDS
Novo Voce Choral Society director Robin Norman addresses the audience as she introduces the next piece the group will perfom during their Full Bloom show at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Saturday night. The choral group performed a selection of arrangements celebrating the burgeoning life that is brought on by spring.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
In the Citizen’s May 17, 1954 edition, J. Clones offered “A square deal or no deal” for beaver or muskrat furs, as they had “orders and are prepared to pay top market prices” Interested parties were encouraged to “write, phone or wire collect” to J. Clones, c/o the Columbus Hotel, then on 3rd Ave. In 2008, the Columbus Hotel was destroyed by a fire.
The May 15, 1994 edition of the Citizen’s front page features daredevil Lee Oman hanging from the bottom of a 1940 WACO Mysteryship, piloted by Jimmy Franklin, above the skies of Prince George during the annual airshow, which had 22,000 attendees over a three day stretch.
Also in the archive for May 16, 1974 is an advertisement from Pacific 66’s four Prince George locations, pledging their support of one penny per gallon of fuel sold for two weeks. At least one of the four locations listed on the ad is still a gas station, as 1180 20th Avenue is currently a Petro Canada.
22. Middle Eastern bread 24. Space under a roof 25. Hive dweller
Prohibit
Wow
Hotel rental
Do data entry
Speak falsely
Rustic hotel
Tossed
“Roses ____ Red”
40. Having handles
Soft belt 43. Measly 44. Potent particle 46. Untidy condition
48. By what method?
45. Congregation response
47. Station wagon, e.g. 48. Rabbit’s relative
50. Frosty 53. Flurry material
Has a mortgage 55. Bring legal action
56. Sacred song
Fowl
Part of mpg
3. Roofing material: 2 wds.
4. Excursion
5. More inexperienced 6. Stone or Bronze
7. Absolutely!
8. Pleasing to the eye
9. Vehicle for hire
10. Single thing 11. Gambles 19. ____ day at a time
21. Took a dip
49. Respectful wonder 51. Guiding suggestion 52. Itch 1. Possesses
Word of woe
Mama’s fellow
Punching
Unpaid
Comedians
Look!
Respiratory organ
Disregard
HOW TO PLAY:
Woolly females
Noah’s ship
Husband’s partner
Yearning
Diver’s necessity
Pierced
Pale hue
Car part
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Not any
Connecting link
Excite
Pays attention
Vroom the engine 38. Mare
Edible fruit
Certain vipers
Vast timespan
Fido’s rope
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
Omelet item
DOWN
ACROSS 1. Scandal 5. Unruly crowd
Angel’s headdress
Took a taxi
Rage
To be paid
Yoke animals
Family member
NO. 974
Extra
Nickel or dime
Raw
Serape
Personality
Sweltering
Pair
“If I Only Had
____”
Cry
Praises
Paired up
Leered
HOW TO PLAY:
Patch
Smile
Annoying people
Nobleman
Large antelope
By any possibility
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Distribute
Cloudy
Theme
Cauliflower
Intimidates
Take off, as clothes
100 percent
Agitate
Questions
See you!
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
Shrunk
Child
Duplicated
____-service
Life Events
REMEMBRANCES
Memorial Service for Ardel Alexander will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Assman’s Funeral Chapel, 1908 Queensway Street, Prince George Kendall, If I only knew it would be the last time I see you walk out the door, I would have called you back.
I’ll never forget that smile.
Love you forever Your
Celebration of Life for
Joseph Robin (Rob) Pasowicz will be held on Saturday May 18th 2:00pm - 5:00pm Prince George Golf and Curling Club Prince George, BC
Imant “Willie” passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Margaret; children Daniel (Brenda), Joanne (Arthur) and Angela; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Just days prior, Imant was doing what he loved; sitting on the tractor, working in the field.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday May 30th at 1:00 pm at Fort George Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.assmansfuneralchapel.com Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes
Every day, in some small way, Memories of you come our way. Though absent, you are ever near, Still missed, still loved, and ever dear.
From loving wife Ines, son, Frank & grandson Anthony
Kenneth Fern THIBAULT
November 5, 1939 - April 29, 2024 Ken was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and was an employee of Canada Post for 35 years until his retirement. Ken enjoyed the nature surrounding Prince George and was an avid outdoorsman doing hunting, trapping and fishing.
When he passed, his loving wife, Heather, was at his side.
As we honor Ken’s wishes, a service will not be held. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Prince George Funeral Service website. www.pgfs.ca In Lieu of flowers please send donations to either the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada or Canadian Cancer Society.
Obituaries
DARCIE NELSON
2x85.8
PGC000022
MacAdams,CecilE.
December15,1949-March24,2024
CecilMacAdams,74,ofPrinceGeorge,passedaway peacefullyatPrinceRupertRegionalHospitalonMarch 24,2024,afterashortbattlewithLewyBodyDementia.A specialthankyoutoCecil’ssister,EulaGeddes(Gary), andherdaughter,LynnProkschandgrandchildren,Kyle andHanne-youallprovidedthemuscleagainstthe system,butmoreimportantly,gaveloveandattention withallyourcountlessvisits.Itiscomfortingtoknowhe wasnotaloneintheend.
CecilwasbornonDecember15,1949,toBettyand CharlesMacAdamsinLiverpool,NovaScotia.Helivedin PrinceGeorgeformostofhisadultlifeandworkedat NechakoBowlingLanesformanydecadesbeforeretiring in2021.Healsohadapassionforgolfandspentmostof hissummerdaysgolfingatPrinceGeorgeGolfand CurlingClubasalongtimemember.
CecilMacAdamshastwochildren,MikeMacAdams (Paula)andDarcieNelson(Doug),butalsotwo stepchildren,CherylPiddocke(Tyler)andPaulWilson.He hastengrandchildren.
Cecilwaspredeceasedbyhisparents,lifepartnerHanne Wilson,andyoungestbrotherJamesMacAdams.Heis survivedbyhischildren,oldestbrotherRonMacAdams andsisterEula(Gary)Geddes.Mostimportantly,hewas survivedbyhismanyfriends.EVERYONEiswelcometo cometotheinformalburialandcelebrationoflife afterward.
Cecilwillbelaidtorestwiththeloveofhislife, HanneWilson,atPrinceGeorgeCemetery,3300
REMEMBRANCES
Edward Alexis Parent
November 30, 1934 to May 1, 2024.
Edward Parent, 89 years old, has sadly passed away at 8:30, the morning of May 1, at home, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Carol, his four children, Carolyn, Wendy, Edward Jr and Paul, their families, incl. 7 grands (and several greats and greatgreats). Of Ed’s many careers, his final one as Fire Chief, amounted to some 36 years of devoted service to the city of Prince George. Please come join us in celebrating the life of a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather and hero to many. We will all miss his easy way, his infectious smile, and his happy whistle… always the whistle….
Celebration of life will be held on May 29th, Elder Citizens Recreation Association, 1692 - 10th Ave, Prince George. Doors open 12:30, service at 1:00 with reception to follow. Donations to Kidney Foundation can be made in lieu of flowers, in memory of Ed.
We are sad to announce the passing of Krista Mae Sarson. She is survived by her daughter Jordana Sarson, Karin Empey (mother) Bill Empey (father), Kalli Ure (sister), Christine Bilodeau (sister), Russell Empey (brother).
Celebration of life will be held May 18th at 1pm at Pineview Hall 6470 Bendixon Rd Donations: support.alsevents.ca/kristamaesarson
Krista Mae Sarson
Obituaries
REMEMBRANCES
Obituaries
Margaret Gordon Hufty (nee Nicol)
Margaret was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. After her father’s death, when she was only 7, she was raised by her mother Elizabeth Nicol. She completed her schooling in Aberdeen and received a teaching certificate from Aberdeen Teacher’s College. She taught in Aberdeen for 5 years.
In 1965, Margaret and two friends embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, making their way to Canada for teaching positions in Prince George, BC. What was to be a three year adventure changed when she met and fell in love with Harry Hufty. They were married in 1966 in Vernon, BC. They had two children, Susan and Kirsten, and settled into family life in Prince George.
Margaret was a very proud grandmother to Kirsten’s children, Olivia and Charlie, and was very involved in their young lives. They formed a very special bond with their beloved grandmother and her loss is deeply felt.
Margaret was a loving wife and mother who took great care of her family and home. Always putting others first, she was the most unselfish, thoughtful and considerate person imaginable. She had a wonderful sense of humor with an infectious giggle and we all shared many great laughs together. She was an excellent cook, hosted many dinner parties, had a great eye for art and décor and enjoyed water colour painting. In later years she was an avid Sudoku solver and a voracious reader. Margaret and Harry enjoyed their daily scrabble games with an afternoon cup of tea.
She took such good care of us all and we are deeply saddened by her sudden passing. She was the most selfless and giving person in the world. She was the heart and soul of our family and we are adrift without her. She leaves behind her husband of 58 years Harry Hufty, her daughters Susan and Kirsten (Mark Dunsford), and her beloved grandchildren Olivia and Charlie.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Memorial Lakewood Chapel, 1055 Ospika Boulevard South.
It is with immense sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of our much loved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Anne is predeceased by her husband David , son Jack , grandchildren Kelsey and Colby , her parents and her brother Bill.
She is survived by her daughters Laurie (Dennis) , Judy , her sons Todd (Sarah) and Cory (Janine). Her ten grandchildren Jim (Tomo) , Kim, Jeramy , Ainsley , Bailey (Derek) , Ryan (Kleo) , Brady (Trish) , Bryan , Keagan (Dakota) and Nigel (Ashley ) She treasured her eight great grandchildren Tavian , Trayton , Kai, Decklyn , Aya , Addison, Emi and Annabelle
Anne and David moved to Prince George in 1959 and initially settled at Wansa Lake. They then purchased an acreage on Buckhorn Road where they raised their 5 children until 1977. Anne worked hard during this time, clearing land with her chainsaw, tending to her large garden and caring for her family. She enjoyed having coffee time with her many friends who lived out there.
Anne and David moved to Springhill Road and Anne was very active with her mom who lived across the road.
She started working at the Red Rock Nusery and enjoyed this. She was never one to shy away from hard work. She took joy in becoming a grandmother and great grandmother.
They had a brief move to Woking ,Alberta and moved back to Prince George in 2007 , making their home in Sintich trailer court. Anne was active with the Sintich Ladies, playing cards doing puzzles and having coffee. She could be found Friday nights listening to music with the rest of the Sintich community.
Anne was an animal lover. She always had a dog (or two) by her side and we are so grateful that she had that companionship.
Anne had so many skills right from a young age, She trapped with her grandparents and her and her brother Bill had to relocate the family log home , piece by piece. Anne was proficient using a chainsaw and participated in logger sports. She was an exceptional quilter and so many of us were blessed with one of the hundreds of beautiful quilts she made.
She was a “tried and true” cook and could rattle off most of her recipes by memory.
Her love of bingo or as she liked to call it “that stupid game” allowed her many hours of fun. Anne loved to fish , spend time around the campfire and travel the backroads with her husband David.
Anne was never one to judge. Her positive attitude , incredible strength , deep love for her family ,her pets and many friends are her legacy. You are never far from us as you remain within our hearts.
Till we meet again.
Teresa Piercey-Gates the more you
The more you give, The more you get, The more you laugh, The less you fret. The more you do unselfishly. The more you live abundantly. The more of everything you share, The more you’ll always have to spare. The more you love, the more you’ll find, That life is good and friends are kind. For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day.
Margaret “Anne” Thompson
SERVICETECHNICIAN
CulliganislookingforaServiceTechnicianatourPrince Georgelocation.Superior customerserviceskills& plumbingexperiencepreferred.
Sendresumeto: recruiting@culliganwater.ca www.culligan.com
TERRITORYSALES REPRESENTATIVE
CulliganislookingforaTerritorySalesRepresentative topromoteourwaterfiltrationandsofteningsystems inthePrinceGeorgeRegion.
Sendresumeto: recruiting@culliganwater.ca www.culligan.com/
EXPERIENCEDTICKETED WELDER
PeaceValleyIndustriesis seekingExperienced Weldersforshopandfield workinChetwynd,BC. Mustbeaticketedwelder andhaveaminimum5years experience. MustbeaCanadianCitizen. Notwillingtotrain.
JobTypes:Full-time,Permanent.
Pay:$35.00-$45.00/hr
Accommodationsprovided Emailresumeto peacevalley@uniserve.com Nophonecallsplease
614-8915
diverse, rewarding careers in great Alberta and British Columbia communities, with excellent advancement opportunities and a healthy work-life balance.
Career Opportunities
Visit MillarWestern.com a resourceful company Millar Western is a progressive forest
Maintenance Superintendent Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000
Mechanical Maintenance Planner Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000
Reliability Coordinator Salary Range: $90,000 - $125,000
Journeyperson Pipefitter Salary: $48.57/hour
Journeyperson Electrician Salary: $48.57/hour
Stores Clerk Salary: $35.61/hour
Why work for us?
Millar Western is a privately-owned company active in the forest products business for more than a century. Operating high-tech pulp mills, supplied with sustainably sourced fibre, the company provides stable, full-time employment in lively, friendly, communities offering an excellent quality of life.
We offer:
• a competitive wage and benefits program that includes a pension plan and comprehensive dental and health insurance benefits
• a commitment to the highest safety standards, with a safety program recognized under the BC Forest Safety Council and Work Safe BC (COR).
Your career starts here. Application deadline: May 24, 2024
Please apply online at: www.millarwestern.com/current-openings
Millar Western is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
• a collaborative and respectful work environment that values the skills of our people and encourages them to take on new challenges and advance within the organization
These positions are located in Quesnel, BC, a vibrant community of 25,000 people, located in central BC, offering excellent housing, medical, educational and recreation opportunities.
COURT BAILIFF SALE
NORTH CENTRAL BAILIFFS LTD.
www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca
The Court Bailiff offers FOR SALE BY TENDER, the interest of The Provincial Sales Tax Act, the Judgment Creditor, and John Wilson, the Judgement Debtor in the following goods and chattels:
A large variety of customs First Nation designed hoodies, pants, shirts, ties, hats, carvings, paintings, and jewelry. Please see North Central Bailiffs Website for a better description.
To View contact North Central Bailiffs Ltd. 250-491-1033. Sales are subject to cancellation or adjournment without notice. Sealed bids will be accepted on the unit until May 30th /2024. Goods to be sold as is where is. Bidders take responsibility to ensure they are satisfied with the description of unit/goods being sold. North Central Bailiffs Ltd. is not responsible for determining the correct description. Terms of sale: Immediate full payment upon successful bid, plus sales tax. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca
North Central Bailiffs Ltd.
Court Bailiff
Cassandra Ettinger
WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT
Andrew Wright/Christine Good 2013 Dodge Dart 1C3CDFBA5DD342105 1,313.17
Robyn Rice 1995 Honda Odyssey JHMRA1861SC802317 1,221.72
Brandt Johnson 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 1C6RD7FP3CS180972 1,343.64 Katheryn Cadieux
NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE W0624
Please be advised that Jumbo Resources Ltd. is proposing to remove 260 hectares of private land from Woodlot Licence W0624 located in the vicinity of the McBride Timber Road, west of Prince George. Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Julie Hogness, RPF at 1579 9th Ave, Prince George BC, V2L 3R8, by June 9th, 2024. Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to. Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting DWB Consulting Services at 250-562-5541.
SUDOKU
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to section 17 of the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, that a woodlot licence plan (WLP) has been prepared for Woodlot Licence #1502 held by Livingston Timber Ltd. Woodlot Licence #1502 is split into 2 units located in the One Island Lake Area. If approved by the District Manager of the Ministry of Forests, this plan may apply for a term of 10 years from the date of approval.
The woodlot licence plan is available for public review and comment virtually or in person by appointment until June 17th, 2024. Any written comments on the plan can be emailed to melissa@dragongflymanagement.ca.
To arrange a meeting or discuss contact Melissa Steidle, RPF at (778) 675-6616 to book an appointment to view or discuss the plan.
THIS WEEKEND! GARAGE SALES
SATURDAY - MONDAY
HUGE Multi-Family
Partial Estate Yard/ Garage Sale
May 18-20 7am-7pm 5015 Patterson Rd 20km South
List of items available
This space $30
List of items available SATURDAY This space $30
List of items available This space $60 DATE
List of items available SATURDAY This space $30 DATE TIME LOCATION
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
You must put your feelings aside during negotiations to guarantee a positive outcome. It will also be essential to respect laws and regulations closely to avoid potential problems.
TAURUS
You’ll have a heavy workload at the office this week, leaving you little time to breathe. If your health isn’t at its best, you’ll need to rest to regain energy and face the challenges life throws you head-on.
GEMINI
Completing a challenging task could reveal hidden talents and fill you with pride. However, your family might create stressful situations, making coping harder.
CANCER
You may spend part of the week at home,
renovating your space or moving spon -taneously. Household chores could take up all your time. A family member will need your help.
LEO
Your discretion will be put to the test. If you know certain secrets, you could find it challenging to keep them to yourself, risking unwittingly revealing sensitive information. Position yourself to receive information rather than give it out.
VIRGO
This is the ideal time to consider buying or selling a property. You’ll be surprised to discover that you have the means to reach your ambitions. Affection is necessary in a happy relationship.
LIBRA
You may feel unstable at times this week, but
you’ll know how to make decisions and solve problems when faced with challenges. You may be surprised to find that people respond positively to your call.
SCORPIO
Your creativity will peak, and you could create an artistic masterpiece. An exhibition or show could impress you and give you an unforgettable moment. You’ll be generous.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll have an active social life this week. Many of your friends will want to meet up at the same time. You’ll take part in important events and engage in enriching and sometimes very revealing conversations.
CAPRICORN
The opportunity to start your own business could present itself. You could also take a big step forward in your career by getting
promoted to a leadership position. You’ll take on this new role until retirement.
AQUARIUS
You could be told something confidential or discover a secret. You may have to decipher a message in a foreign language at work or receive a particular comment from your partner.
PISCES
You may feel nervous or excited, possibly caused by tears of happiness. It could be due to a significant achievement of one of your children, such as taking their first steps or graduating, which will make you incredibly proud.
How to store your belongings when renovating
Are you planning significant home renovations that will take several weeks or are particularly messy? In that case, putting some of your belongings, like large furniture, into storage is a good idea. This will help free up working space and prevent accidental damage. Additionally, it’s much easier to clean an empty room than a cluttered one after renovations are complete.
You have various storage options, including:
• Hiring a moving company or contractor that offers storage services
• Renting a self-storage unit, such as a locker or a mini-warehouse
• Storing your belongings at home by renting one or more storage containers
If you choose the first or second option, select a location near your home to provide easy access to your belongings. You should also inquire about the storage conditions, such as heating and security measures like surveillance cameras or security guards.
If you rent a storage container, check your local regulations, as some restrictions may apply. Regardless of your chosen storage solution, verify with your insurer that your stored items are adequately covered.
ESTIMATES
Dark basement: 6 bright ideas to
Is your basement dark and gloomy? Here are a few clever tips to shine some light on the situation:
1. Use thin, full-length curtains. Sheer, lightweight curtain fabrics allow light to pass through while adding texture to your space. Long curtains can help create the illusion of bigger windows. Use wide curtain rods mounted close to the ceiling to help accentuate this sense of grandeur.
2. Multiply your light sources. In addition to overhead lights, invest in floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces to brighten up your space. Recessed ceiling or floor lights are also worth considering.
3. Opt for reflective materials. Consider a glossy stretch ceiling, polished concrete floors or metallic accessories, such as gold frames, to help maximize light reflection.
4. Choose light colours. Light shades are a great option whether on the walls, ceilings, floors or furniture. In addition to reflecting light, they help visually enlarge the space. Choose a contrasting colour for the walls to make the ceiling appear higher.
5. Install mirrors. Whether practical or decorative, mirrors are unparalleled when it comes to reflecting light.
6. Use glass partitions. Glass doors and partitions are ideal for dividing your space without compromising brightness. Use textured or frosted glass to add a bit of privacy.
Visit your local stores for inspiration and to find everything you need to transform your basement into a bright and inviting space.
Decor: how to blend brown brilliantly
Brown is a versatile shade that can add warmth and comfort to any room. However, this chocolatey shade can feel heavy and dull on its own. Therefore, it’s best paired with other colours. Here are some combinations that work well with brown:
• Love beach-side relaxation? Pair brown with white, blue and green to plunge headfirst into vacation mode.
• Want an exotic ambience? Opt for yellow and orange to spice up the dominating brown.
• Prefer a feminine softness? Lavender, blush pink and eggshell white are for you.
• Looking to focus? Brown and blue are complementary colours that are an ideal duo for a home office.
• Have a bohemian edge? Mix brown with yellow, pink or light blue to fully express your edgy side.
• Find Irish pubs cozy? Add touches of orange and green to your brownbased decor.
• Like luxury and contemporary refinement? Black goes great with brown.
• Hungry for that Scandinavian flair? Add brown, beige, taupe and cream to the mix.
• Going for an industrial look? Brown and grey make a great pairing, especially with metallic furniture.
Depending on how much brown you want in your home, you could use it on the walls, floors and furniture, such as sofas, or accessories, like cushions. Visit home decor stores near you for inspiration.
While brown is suitable for most rooms in your home, it can make narrow or dimly lit spaces appear smaller and darker. Avoid using it in these areas.
