SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH
Saturday Evening Bingo at 6pm
$12,000 Jackpot
($7,500 cash plus $4,500 Slot Free Play)
He’s closing in on $1 million raised
Terrion, who has raised $961,686 for cancer research since 1991, updates his total onstage at the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park bandshell prior to the start of this year’s Terry Fox Run last Sunday, with MLA Shirley Bond leading the applause from the crowd. Terrion is hoping he’ll be able to complete his
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
The Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District board unanimously approved a capital expenditure bylaw committing $318.7 million to construct the acute care patient tower at the University Hospital of Northern BC.
The vote was held Thursday, Sept. 12.
In total, the district will contribute $365 million to the project. This sum includes $5 million already allocated for the business plan and $41.288 million designated for the early works agreement.
The regional district is expected to repay its 21.63 percent share of the $1.579 billion building cost over 20 to 30 years. Typically, regional hospital districts cover 40 percent of capital expenditures; however, a lower percentage was negotiated between the hospital board and the provincial government due to increased cost projections.
“It is expensive, and I don’t want to discount that, but we were able to negotiate an unprecedented deal with the province, a reduction of nearly 50 per of the amount or the legislatively required amount,” said Prince George Coun. Kyle Sampson, vice-chair of the hospital board.
“(Paying 40 per cent) is not only unaffordable but unfair to our local taxpayers and we were able to negotiate down to nearly 50 per cent of that and it’s locked in. We know that provincial projects often go over budget and our price, we’re locked in where we’re at.”
The regional district estimates the tower project will result in a minimum annual tax requisition increase of 2.60 per cent until 2049.
According to a presentation to directors, payment for a household living in an average-priced home is projected to rise to $451.84 as of 2039, up $151.13 from the $300.71 currently levied in the name of the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District.
More specifically, the rate charged per $100,000 assessed value is projected to strike $111.12, up $37.17 from the current $73.95.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announces the province has approved the business plan for construction of a $1.579 billion patient care tower at UHNBC on Aug. 8, 2024.
The hospital district debt financing is scheduled to start in 2029.
“We won’t contribute any money until (the province) spends at least $1 billion because we don’t want to borrow money up front for a project that’s golng to take probably at least five years to be completed,” said Prince George city councilor Brian Skakun, part of the 16-member hospital board.
Over the past decade, the hospital district has been preparing for the expansion by accumulating surplus funds.
The hospital board approval came after about a two-hour debate in the Sept. 12 meeting at the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board room.
The funding was approved after the hospital board received written confirmation for the Ministry of Health that would not have to start paying until the province has already spent $1 billion on the tower project. That confirmation arrived just before Thursday’s meeting.
“What that meant for us was tens millions of dollars of savings,” said Sampson.
Overall, the addition will increase hospital capacity for cardiac, mental health, and surgical services by 109 beds, from 102 to 211.
Sampson was critical of the time it has taken the BC government to address upgrading the long-outdated patient facilities at UHNBC, the referring hospital for the entire northern half of the province.
“This is extremely disappointing that it has taken the provincial government this long to respond to the needs of the North and to have equitable access to healthcare for northern residents,” said Sampson.
“When this project was originally announced (in 2020) the contribution amount the regional district was expected to pay at 40 per cent was $125 million less than the amount we’re paying today,” he said.
“The inaction of the provincial government has led to a higher price tag for northern British Columbians.”
“We have a longer period of time to leave our deposits and investments and returns. We can service our debt over shorter periods of time with lower rates and we can hold off on paying that debt which means we aren’t paying on it as early. I was not going to vote yes unless we got that assurance from the ministry, which we finally did in the 11th hour.”
Formally announced last month by BC Health Minister Adrian Dix, the patient tower project will feature a surgical suite with five operating rooms and 47 new beds. It will also include a six-bed cardiac unit to centralize the hospital’s cardiac services and a 20-bed cardiac step-down unit for northern BC patients, who currently must travel to Vancouver, Victoria, or Kelowna for intensive cardiac care.
The 11-storey tower, to be built on the current site of the Northern Health Unit adjacent to the existing hospital, will add 36 treatment beds for UHNBC’s mental health and substance use services, increasing the total capacity to 83.
While trade agreements governing the procurement process prevent preferential treatment for local businesses on provincial projects, Skakun expressed optimism that local suppliers could benefit from the construction.
“We might be able to navigate around some of these trade agreements by getting contractors to commit to using local and regional businesses and labour,” Skakun said.
“When we did the Canfor Leisure Pool, Chandos Construction committed to using local tradespeople or businesses,” he noted.
“I’ve spoken with a few businesses and organizations to ensure that once we know the bid process and winning bidders, we can approach companies doing the work. Many local businesses could contribute to the project — electricians, millwrights, and other trades. If we are organized and prepared, it’s a huge opportunity for our community and region.”
Construction of the tower is slated to begin in early 2026, with the tender procurement process through BC Bid expected to open sometime next year.
John Brink is tired of hearing about mill closures, diminished timber supplies and how forestry in British Columbia is a dying industry and he intends to do something about that to give his employees some blue sky in an otherwise cloudy future.
The 84-year-old owner of the Brink Group of Companies has made a proposal to Canadian Forest Products to buy its mill operations and timber harvesting rights in Bear Lake, Vanderhoof and Fort St. John and also acquire Canfor’s forest tenure in Houston.
Brink was already pursuing a bid to acquire Polar Sawmill at Bear Lake north of Prince George when Canfor announced last Wednesday it intends to permanently close the Plateau Sawmill in Vanderhoof and Fort St. John Sawmill.
Brink has been trying to secure a timber supply to keep his finger-joint lumber plant on River Road operating and says he has to act soon to protect the jobs of his current workforce of 300 employees at Brink Forest Products, Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products and Pleasant Valley Remanufacturing in Houston.
A deal with Canfor would bring Brink’s mills up to full 600-worker capacity and he says there would likely be enough work for 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Without access to more timber, Brink says the company’s current mill operations are in jeopardy due to the latest round of Canfor closures.
“We are now in a position where we believe we are at risk,” said Brink. “I cannot sit by and wait for what will happen next. I think there will be further closures, so we have to take the initiative, I have no choice.”
Brink approached Canfor soon after the Polar closure was announced in May, when the company also decided to shut down a production line at Northwood Pulp in Prince George and suspend its plan to reinvest in the
shuttered Houston sawmill.
He was all set to make a formal proposal to acquire the Polar mill and its tenure when Canfor indicated it was leaving Vanderhoof and Fort St. John.
That prompted Brink to send a letter of intent to Canfor CEO Don Kayne on Sunday to make his pitch to buy the company’s assets in Fort St. John, Vanderhoof and Houston.
Brink said he’s not interested in the outdated Houston mill but wants the timber rights for the area. If the deal comes to fruition, within five years he intends to build a new sawmill in Houston.
Having more timber would allow Brink to reopen his remanufacturing plant in Prince George and add a cross-laminated timber plant to Brink Forest Products, which would then need a workforce of 600-650.
He hopes to have a deal with Canfor in place by April 1, 2025.
“I’m committed to this,” he said. “I’m getting things done, but I can’t do it alone. I need the communities behind me. We’re dead serious about it.”
He wants to discuss his plan with Forest Minister Bruce Ralston and Premier David Eby and is still awaiting their responses.
The industry has been besieged by poor market conditions that are forcing forestry giants to pull back on their timber operations in BC. The province’s annual allowable cut has dropped from an average 50-60 million cubic-metres to 25-30 million cubic-metres, and harvesting permits approvals are taking far too long to obtain.
Softwood export duties to the United States nearly doubled in August from 8.05 per cent to 14.5 per cent. Larger companies like Canfor, West Fraser and Telko, which pay additional anti-dumping fees because they sell their products for less than the cost of production, are paying closer to 17 per cent and those tariffs are expected to spike to 30-35 per cent by Jan. 1.
Brink said the provincial and federal government have been too weak in pushing the U.S. to drop the tariffs, which in Brink’s case have cost his company $70-80 million since 2017. Tariffs were increased in 2016 for secondary manufacturers when the softwood deal was adjusted to base the tax on the value of finished products rather than the wood obtained at the input stage.
“The larger companies are getting to the point where looking forward the markets are still going to be difficult and obviously forest policy under the NDP government is such they don’t seem to understand or care what’s going on,” said Brink.
To stimulate investment and get more people working in the resource sectors in BC, Brink says there has to be a long-term plan to streamline the process of working with First Nations so companies do not have to spend so much time in negotiations with each Indigenous government before they can start harvesting.
“First Nations are becoming much more part of the industry and obviously we’re still on the territorial lands of First Nations and they have to give consent to anything that happens on the land, and that basically means that cutting permits have become much more difficult to get,” he said.
“People in the Ministry of Forests are virtually scared to make decisions because everything is now in flex. With the 206 First Nations and the Province of British Columbia, that is 207 governments in the province more or less mandating what will happen. People will not invest hundreds of millions of dollars unless they have a reasonable expectation and certainty that they can access fibre or minerals or whatever it may be.
“The larger companies in particular, for a number of years, have decided that BC is not the right place to further invest and they’re getting to the point where they’re throwing in the towel and are going to exit, and that’s where we are.”
Brink said market surveys will determine how much he would have to pay to make a deal with Canfor for its mills and tenure.
Earlier this month Canfor announced it has sold its timber rights in the Mackenzie Timber Supply to the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation for an undisclosed amount.
“As indicated in its Sept. 4 announcement of the closure of the Plateau and Fort St. John operations, Canfor is committed to exploring opportunities to divest some of its northern BC tenure to support other BC manufacturers who are facing similar challenges accessing economic fibre to support their operations,” said Canfor spokeperson Mina Laudan, in an email to the Citizen.
“The company has received indications of interest from several parties and will be considering options and engaging in discussions as appropriate. As per normal business practice, further public disclosure will follow only if and when there is a material event to disclose.”
Some forest industry observers have suggested the province should force companies to give up timber rights on Crown land if they are no longer invested in development in those regions they are leaving.
Jeremy Ledbetter Trio to Launch Second Annual Performing Arts Series in Prince George on Saturday, September 28.
Prince George is set to host a night of world-class music as the acclaimed Jeremy Ledbetter Trio kicks off the second annual Performing Arts Series at the Knox Performance Centre on Saturday, September 28. The trio is known for blending jazz with global influences, creating a sound that is as dynamic as it is innovative, making this performance a must-see for music lovers in Northern BC.
Led by Jeremy Ledbetter, a pianist and composer celebrated for his intricate, adventurous style, the trio pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
Ledbetter’s music draws inspiration from his experiences collaborating with artists across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, infusing his compositions with a rich, global perspective. His passion for exploring new musical landscapes is evident in the trio’s high-energy performances. Joining Ledbetter are two world-class musicians: Larnell Lewis, one of the most in-demand drummers today, and Rich Brown, a bassist known for his groove-heavy, melodic playing. Larnell Lewis, a Grammy Award winner and renowned member of the fusion band Snarky Puppy, brings his explosive and versatile drumming skills to the trio. His ability to move effortlessly between genres and rhythms is a key element of the group’s signature sound. Rich Brown rounds out the
ensemble with his deep, soulful bass lines, grounding the trio’s complex arrangements while adding a layer of rich harmonies.
The Jeremy Ledbetter Trio is not just a jazz group—they are sonic explorers, creating music that bridges genres and challenges traditional boundaries. Their live performances are packed with improvisation, rhythm shifts, and surprising moments that captivate audiences from start to finish.
This performance marks the beginning of the second annual Performing Arts Series, a collaboration between the Community Arts Council of Prince George and Trinity United Church, aimed at enriching the cultural life of Northern BC by bringing internationally acclaimed acts to local stages. For Prince George, hosting a group of this caliber is a significant step in growing the region’s reputation as a vibrant hub for the performing arts.
Sept 28, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
There has been an outpouring of messages of grief after a Lheidli T’enneh elder died in a collision on the weekend.
Edie Frederick was the passenger in a taxi that collided with a pickup truck on Massey Drive Sunday afternoon. It happened soon after the death of her mother, Elder Josie Paul.
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation closed its offices Monday.
“We understand the importance of coming together as a community during times of loss,” reads a statement at www.lheidli.ca. “We encourage all those who knew this individual to offer their condolences and support to the grieving family during this difficult time.”
Friends took to social media as the news spread.
“Our community has lost two elders within less than a week,” wrote musician Kym Gouchie on Facebook. “A mother and daughter who were our dear friends. They were language keepers and knowledge holders. They were matriarchs in our nation and the backbones of their families.”
Frederick’s passion was for preserving and sharing her people’s Dakehl language.
“I had the pleasure of working with Edie for several years during my tenure at Lheidli T’enneh First Nation,” posted Jason Morgan of Carrier Sekai Family Services. “Her passion for language revitalization was remarkable. I greatly admired Edie’s dedication to her community’s language and her expertise as a fluent speaker. Her impact on education will be profoundly missed.”
Frederick and her husband Robert were the University of Northern British Columbia’s first elders in residence.
“I get to teach about Lheidli and the history and the language and the land. I get to teach everything about Lheidli; and that’s not written in books,” she told The Citizen in 2015. “There’s nothing on Lheidli that’s in textbooks so I get to teach this groundbreaking lesson and it’s a great honour for me to do that.”
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation held a Community Grief Support Night on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the House of Ancestors. Council meetings scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20 were cancelled.
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) save lives, and the province has chosen Prince George to pilot a $3.5-million program to place more AEDs in public spaces across B.C.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the program Friday at Masich Place Stadium, where an AED was installed by Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond after the heart-related death of her husband, Bill, in 2020.
“As Minister Dix said, thousands of people experience sudden cardiac arrest every year, and the dramatic outcomes that can occur with an AED and CPR are nothing short of remarkable – it makes a difference,” said Bond. “It’s literally the difference between life and death for many people.”
Bond has long advocated for AEDs, leading to the passing of the Defibrillator Public Access Act. This legislation establishes requirements for signage, maintenance, and registration of AEDs, and clarifies civil liability. Each AED is registered with B.C. Emergency Health Services and integrated into the ambulance dispatch system, allowing dispatchers to direct callers to the nearest AED.
“AEDs are safe, effective, and easy-touse devices that anyone can operate without medical training,” Dix said.
“Anyone can step up to be a hero, saving the life of a loved one, friend, colleague, or stranger, and we’re proud to launch this pilot program.”
Dix noted that Prince George has one of the highest rates of cardiac arrest among B.C. cities, averaging 165 incidents per year. The first AEDs are expected to be installed by the end of next year and will be registered on the PulsePoint app.
In B.C., 8,300 people suffered a cardiac arrest in 2021. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, more than 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in Canada – one every nine minutes – with only one in 10 patients surviving. However, when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is combined
MLA Shirley
Jones-Murrell of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and cardiac arrest survivor Ken Carrusca announce a $3.5 million province-wide initiative to place automatic external defibrilators (AEDs) in public places like this one at Masich Place Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13.
with an AED, survival chances double.
“Even if you’ve never taken a course, 9-1-1 operators will guide you through it while first responders are en route,” said Robyn Jones-Murrell, the foundation’s senior vice-president for Western Canada.
“We’ve heard amazing stories of children saving loved ones using CPR with 9-1-1 support, and we look forward to seeing CPR education included in school curricula.”
Ken Carruska demonstrated to the crowd how AEDs work. Six years ago, while playing hockey at Burnaby 8 Rinks, Carruska’s heart stopped, and he collapsed on the ice. Fortunately, an AED was available, and a teammate, a former paramedic, used it along with chest compressions to restart his heart.
“I’m alive today only because of CPR and the use of an AED,” said the 57-yearold Carruska. “My teammates started CPR, grabbed the AED, placed the pads on my chest, and pushed the button. It’s a simple process and it restarted my heart.”
Carruska showed a tattoo of a heart monitor graph on his forearm, illustrating a flat line that spikes into a heartbeat. He serves on the advisory board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Vancouver.
“My cardiac arrest was Jan. 14, 2018,” Carruska said. “Six years and eight months tomorrow, to the day. Google tells me it’s 2,434 days.”
quadruple bypass surgery, Carruska returned to playing hockey with his Can’t Skate Backwards team.
The City of Prince George will collaborate with Heart & Stroke to determine where the new AEDs will be placed. As of September 2023, the city has 30 AEDs in public areas.
Bond encourages people to download the PulsePoint app, which maps the locations of AEDs.
Dix said the province will later announce the two other B.C. cities where the program will be introduced, prioritizing communities with limited public access to AEDs and higher rates of cardiac arrest.
During that time, he and his wife celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, attended their sons’ university graduations, and made their first family trip to Portugal – all thanks to the intervention of an AED.
A few months after undergoing
The AEDs will be installed in airports, community centres, post-secondary schools, government buildings, and other public places.
The Bill Bond Memorial Fund has provided AEDs for Prince George, McBride, Valemount, Dunster, and Mount Robson.
Volunteer to be on the Library Board
• There are 5 vacancies for a 2-year term
• Term: Dec 1, 2024 to Nov 30, 2026
For information about what the board does visit www.pgpl.ca/board
For information about how to apply visit www.princegeorge.ca/committees
Deadline to Apply:
5:00 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2024
Questions?
Contact Legislative Services
250.561.7792
5th Floor, City Hall, 1100 Patricia Blvd. legislativeservices@princegeorge.ca
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
For the first election in decades, you won’t be seeing Shirley Bond signs around town.
The closure of Canfor sawmills in Vanderhoof and Fort St. John and the loss of 500 jobs in those communities is terrible news, but not surprising news.
We’ve known for years that BC’s forest industry is in serious trouble. The most recently announced U.S. tariffs aren’t helping.
There are two supportive housing buildings on Queensway between Patricia Boulevard and 17th Avenue. They’re home to dozens of people with different needs, and operated by agencies that work to help people live on their own in safety and health. You’ve probably never realized that these places are anything other than typical Prince George apartment buildings.
The veteran MLA announced last week that she was done with provincial politics after she, and the rest of us, were blindsided by her party leader’s decision to shut down the BC United campaign and endorse the fast-rising BC Conservatives.
This paper went to press just before Bond’s formal press conference Tuesday afternoon, so we can’t tell you what happened there. But she did send out a statement last week in which she outlined her decision.
That’s how supportive housing works in Prince George. As we’ve talked about before, there are many such homes throughout the city, including in College Heights, operated by people involved with the many social service agencies and non-profit organizations doing good work here.
“The decision made by BC United party leader Kevin Falcon to suspend our party’s election campaign came as a complete surprise to me and I have spent the past 24 hours with my family thinking about what my next steps should be,” she said in a statement. “Together, we have decided that I will be withdrawing my name as a candidate in the upcoming provincial election.”
didn’t agree with every one of her positions, but she was a good representative for PG. She worked hard and got stuff done.”
In his case, it’s Mayor Simon Yu. Convincing a city council to change its mind – particularly with the NIMBY factor at play – isn’t easy. But there are ways to make it work, and it’s good to see that Edwards has the support of the mayor. Imagine what it must take to welcome strangers into your home, strangers who are dealing with rock-bottom addiction, for no reason other than to help them. No pay. No recognition.
Just compassion.
For years, under first the BC Liberals and then the NDP, the approach has been to kick the can down the road when it comes to addressing the ground-level challenges facing the forestry industry. Companies keep harvesting, milling and shipping until the ledger turns red (or looks like it might), and then the saws are unplugged, the mills close and people lose their jobs. It didn’t have to be this way. Warning signs have been clear since the pine beetle attacked BC forests 20 years ago. While it was a crisis, it led to a major logging boom as salvage operations began. Crews started harvesting the trees the beetles had killed, an operation that saw huge growth in the industry and money being made across the board. Things looked OK.
One of those people is Rick Edwards, who founded Integrity Recovery to help addicts get their lives back on track. Integrity operates on a full sobriety model, meaning that unlike other residential facilities for people with addictions, the clients living in Integrity homes cannot use substances at all. They pay rent, and many of them work, some through the DART groundskeeping service.
While many of these homes operate under the radar, once in a while one of them is noticed, and the NIMBY kicks in. That’s what happened here. Neighbours found out what the home was and complained.
Whether you ever voted for her or not, you were fortunate to have Bond as your MLA for so long.
And he’s doing what we recommend everyone does when trying to get something through city hall.
board concepts, the industry is run by big logging corporations, and they have a bottom line to meet. That’s the way business works. NDP governments, however, hesitate to support large corporations on ideological grounds. We’ve seen struggling sectors come back to life after being bailed out by government. The Ontario automotive industry comes immediately to mind. Controversial? At the time, yes. Successful? Also yes. People are working steady, high-paying jobs again.
These people are referring to the circumstances of Bond’s departure from the race. She was as surprised by BC United Leader Kevin Falcon’s backroom deal with the Conservatives as voters were, and she made it clear right away that she had no plan to jump aboard the John Rustad ship.
She could have stayed in the race. It’s likely that Bond would have been easily re-elected as a Conservative, and even as an independent. But she made the call she did, and we can respect that.
We continue to wonder why Edwards’s neighbours are so upset that he has people in recovery living in a College Heights home when there are real dangers in our community. They’ve called police and used social media to complain about his plan to formalize the arrangement.
But once those dead trees had been turned into cash, experts warned at the time, the province needed a long-term plan to deal with the eventual collapse of the industry. That plan never came, and here we are in that collapse. The industry has about half the jobs it did 25 years ago. It’s failing.
There tend to be two types of provincial and federal elected officials. Some focus on the Legislature, advocating for their communities and working to shape provincial or federal policy. Others take a more constituent-based focus, spending more time at local events and helping people closer to street level.
These are people who want to show the community that they’re serious about recovery and want to contribute. Programs like the one Integrity offers work, and we need more people like Edwards willing to go out of pocket to help others.
We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.
This is odd, considering we’ve had an NDP government in power since 2017. Left and centre-left political ideology usually embraces the opposite of kicking the can down the road. Climate change mandates, carbon taxes and the move to renewable energy is usually sold on the idea that we’re taking on tough challenges (and higher expenses) now in order to protect the planet for future generations.
The public outcry was discussed at council’s Sept. 9 meeting, but it wasn’t why Edwards was denied an application for a permit to operate his residential program at the most recent city council meeting. At least, we don’t think so. The decision of council was based on procedural errors Edwards made.
Bond managed to combine both of those approaches and make it work. First elected in Prince George-Valemount in 2001, she served as an MLA, a cabinet minister (justice, transportation and infrastructure; advanced education; health services; jobs, tourism and skills training; labour). She was attorney general, a vicechair of the treasury board and, for two years, interim party leader and leader of the official opposition – all while maintaining a high profile here in Prince George.
electorate as being not about today, but about the future.
and recovery.
We should also remember that she served on the school board before that. So we’re talking about decades of public service here.
First, understand the process. This isn’t easy. Governments like to employ a particularly complicated and verbose jungle of bureaucratese that, for laypeople, can be intimidating and tough to penetrate. So take the time to figure out what’s required and how to make it happen.
But here’s a situation where the future was clear and little was done to stop a crisis from happening.
That translated into several neveronce-close election wins for her, some of which can be ascribed to party leanings but also to her obvious dedication to Prince George and area.
The province does contribute to the forestry industry, but it’s focused more on the new approaches mentioned earlier. One example from the government: “Through the $180-million BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, the province has committed as much as $70.3 million to forest-sector transition and diversification across 50 projects, which will create and sustain more than 2,500 jobs. Investments are focused on boosting high-quality, made-in-B.C. wood-product lines that create more sustainable jobs for every tree harvested.”
That’s misguided. There are people out there who aren’t living in supportive housing that may pose a much more realistic problem.
That doesn’t do much good if fewer trees are being harvested. Had it been started 20 years ago, we might be having a different conversation today. But it wasn’t.
An example is the NDP’s reasoning for its energy and climate policies. The move away from natural gas, the shift from gas-powered to electric vehicles and the end of single-use plastics like grocery bags has been marketed to the
Now he’s back, set to make a presentation to council on Oct. 7. He plans to make council understand that a crucial part of his original application was misinterpreted.
With the NDP in power, she is the shadow minister for health, seniors services and long-term care and shadow minister for mental health, addiction
Cameron Stolz Owner
Terresa Randall-Stolz Owner
What could have been done? The province took several steps, like pushing made-in-BC wood products. And there’s this, from the province, which doesn’t really say much: “We are tapping into the knowledge and expertise of forest and ecosystem experts, First Nations, forest communities and others to collaboratively protect forests health across the province and preserve the value that only forests can provide.”
Consider this online comment posted to Reddit along with our story announcing her decision to step away: “Wasn’t a fan of her politics but she did serve PG well, she was an advocate for the North. She deserved better.” Or another: “I
Second, make a friend on council. Our councillors are elected to represent us at city hall, so hold them to that. Make personal connections so you have an advocate sitting around the council table. Be ready to be successful. You may, as Edwards did, find someone willing to stand up for you as an advocate.
Unfortunately, for all these vision
Kennedy
Gordon Managing Editor
With Moccasin Flats set for closure this fall, we know many of its residents will reject the structure required in the new trailer housing set up nearby and will return to the urban woods, with no supports, no rules and no barriers. That’s who you don’t want in your backyard.
It’s interesting to consider where BC United would be today had Bond decided to pursue the leadership rather than agree to serve as interim leader of what was then the BC Liberal Party. Would the name change have happened? Would the Conservatives have risen as quickly as they did? Would we be watching an unprecedented political collapse unfold in real time like this? We can’t know. All we can know is that she made this major decision knowing it was right for her and her family, and we can trust that she carefully considered the impact on her constitutuents and her community before she did.
People on the road to recovery need to start their journeys in safe, stable, substance-free surroundings. Edwards provides that.
He deserves council’s full attention and consideration.
We’re not calling for an immediate bailout, but it is something that should be studied. The next government must take a closer look at what can be done to revive and grow the forestry sector. BC depends on it.
Few elected officials in this country can claim a legacy like hers. If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ll likely agree, no matter your politics.
Kennedy Gordon is The Citizen’s managing editor.
Kennedy Gordon is The Citizen’s managing editor.
Kennedy Gordon is The Citizen’s managing editor.
OFFICE (8:30a - 4:30p)
OFFICE (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
OFFICE (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
505 4th Avenue
505 4th Avenue
505 Fourth Avenue
Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2
Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2
Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2
FRONT DESK frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca 250-562-2441
FRONT DESK frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca 250-562-2441
FRONT DESK AND CLASSIFIED frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca 250-562-2441
NEWS AND SPORTS news@pgcitizen.ca
NEWS AND SPORTS news@pgcitizen.ca
NEWS AND SPORTS news@pgcitizen.ca
PUBLISHER publisher@pgcitizen.ca 250-960-2757
PUBLISHER publisher@pgcitizen.ca 250-960-2757
PUBLISHER publisher@pgcitizen.ca 250-960-2757
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@pgcitizen.ca
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@pgcitizen.ca
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@pgcitizen.ca
Letters to the editor are welcome. The maximum length is 300 words. Letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity, grammar, spelling wand legalities prior to publication. Please include your daytime contact information.
Letters to the editor are welcome. The maximum length is 300 words. Letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity, grammar, spelling and legalities prior to publication. Please include your daytime contact information.
Damn.
I thought when it came to energy, I would be at odds with the leader of the Conservative Party but I agree with John Rustad on the question of nuclear energy. We need to start talking about it. I would actually argue we need to invest in building nuclear power plants right now.
I would also suggest we invest in geothermal energy. We have a tremendous potential source along the Rocky Mountain trench.
Indeed, there was work being done on this geothermal in and around Valemount. But the entire trench could
serve as an energy source which can be used for load leveling as it does not require sunshine nor wind. New Zealand generates a fair amount of its energy from geothermal.
We are going to need energy to keep the economy running. Ideally, it should be electrical and the most effective way to achieve this is through nuclear and geothermal power plants. Both are reliable and proven technologies.
Canada has had nuclear power plants generating electricity for decades in Ontario. At one point, Canada was exporting safe nuclear power plants around the world.
Of course, as soon as someone suggests using nuclear power, people talk about Three-Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima.
There are a number of reasons why these three incidences couldn’t happen
with Canadian built reactors. Nor are the accidents they encountered likely to happen again. Realistically, a tidal wave is not going to hit some place like Prince George.
But more importantly, we need the energy. If all the developments proposed for the north come online, the demand would be somewhere around 20 gigawatts. That would be 20 Site C dams.
We don’t have the capacity to build such dams nor do we have the rivers which would be required without destroying much of the province.
The only choice we have is alternative energy sources. Or not powering our economy which is not tenable.
As we move to an economic structure not based on the burning of fossil fuels, we need to find ways to tap into the potential in the province for generating electricity.
Run-of-the-river type projects might
work for small loads but the big energy demands of industry are going to require larger sources.
Solar and wind are great but require massive storage capacity – either in the form of batteries (and there are companies working on such technology) or by having sources such as hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear power generation which can provide power when they can’t.
We have the capacity to have a much cleaner, greener energy mix.
So, let’s start discussing nuclear power as an option to hold us over until the scientists and engineers working on fusion power plants have a working system. Then maybe we can have a truly clean source of energy.
Todd Whitcombe is a professor of chemistry at the University of Northern British Columbia.
PG city council denies permit for Integrity Recovery Society
What has happened to common sense in this city, this province, this country? Is not a facility whose clients are substance abstinent what we want?
This particular site has operated for the last four years. How many of you have never heard of it before this council meeting?
I have no problem with a quiet, clean, discreet facility that is drug and alcohol free operating in my neighborhood. Would probably be preferable to some of the neighbors I currently have.
Lyn Grandma
Elected officials sign on to tackle Prince George mental health, addictions together
Funny how these geniuses are going to solve the addiction crisis, with a memorandum of understanding. How nice!
Meanwhile, it’s government policy that has caused this crisis in the first place. Turns out giving people free drugs, doesn’t help, who knew?
Zangief
Share your views on our stories at pgcitizen.ca
55 plusers can Choose to Move in Prince George
Very cool, free too. Within Walknroll distance from 3rd ave too, or even Pine Center a few blocks closer from that bus transfer stop.
Coming from there, a stop across Winnipeg St, simple access.
The Y, lots of support, diverse programs for all ages and many afflictions.
Active lifestyles lead to healtier community. Ty YMCA Northern BC.
BCBud
Prince George council to revisit decision on residential recovery program
This sounds like a great program and should be encouraged, not looked at negatively.
A person committed to abstinence is of no harm to anyone and they are good workers trying to integrate back into society.
I think this is commendable rather than using substitute drugs. You can see how well that’s working down at the coast.
Rosco P.
Prince George council to revisit decision on residential recovery program
Best of luck to you, Rick. I really hope you get this resolved favourably and you get to continue with your great work at the current location. Thanks for all you do!!
HeatherMM
Prince George council to revisit decision on residential recovery program
I hope he is able to finally get this project moving forward. Sounds like council were making assumptions and missing some facts, hopefully going forward this can be cleared up so the facility can proceed.
I support the goal of a total abstinence model that he wants to operate.
Unfortunately, I understand the province doesn’t necessarily agree with this model preferring a harm reduction model, where drugs are given to participants, limiting the possibility of grant monies towards the program.
However, peer counselling is available through Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous which are selfsupporting, a win-win for participants and society.
I’ve been using the DART agency for a number of years now for yard care and snow removal and they have provided great service, and deserve support, providing a valuable service to those turning their life around.
B1
Editorial: Canfor closures are a ‘shock’ that we all saw coming
Looking back a bit further the origin of the pine beetle devastating BC’s forests began in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. At that time many of the leading registered professional foresters recommended that controlled burns and targeted logging take place to try to nip the infestation in the bud.
The NDP government of the day caved to those who insisted that nature should be allowed to take its course as this is park land and (clutching pearls) said logging and controlled burns can’t happen there. It is impossible to know if active measures could have stopped the march of the beetles across western Canada or simply delayed the inevitable but we are now, without a doubt, suffering the consequences of inaction and thumb twiddling.
Bobs your uncle
Editorial: Canfor closures are a ‘shock’ that we all saw coming
Great article. The main point really is that our logging practises have always been unsustainable, and now we are learning just what that word means. We no longer have the forest to sustain the harvesting we have done in the last, so a contraction was inevitable. The only thing that could have prevented this would have been lower allowable cuts in the past, but, as you said, the market is shortsighted and only wanted to maximize profits in the short term.
Grammys
Clay Pountney, former chief of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, has been announced as the BC NDP candidate in Prince George-Valemount.
Pountney, a 30-year resident of Prince George, has worked in the trades and in roles in the forestry, mining, oil and gas sectors.
His experience with resource workers and his tenure as chief of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, where he worked with other levels of government to develop homes and infrastructure, have prepared him for the challenges of serving as an MLA, the party states in the announcement.
“My neighbours in Prince George-Valemount are facing significant challenges, and the BC NDP is addressing them head-on by building homes, curbing speculators who drive up prices, strengthening healthcare by hiring and training more doctors, nurses, and health practitioners, and finding new ways to ease financial burdens,” Pountney said.
“(Conservative Leader) John Rustad has proposed cutting $4.1 billion from our healthcare budget. His past and future
decisions will cost you more. We can’t afford that risk.”
The only other candidate in the riding announced so far is Rosalyn Byrd for the BC Conservatives.
Incumbent Shirley Bond decided against another run when BC United Leader Kevin Falcon ended the party’s campaign last month.
“Clay understands that resource workers need a government that supports them. With his background as a roofer, oil and gas machinist, and mining technician, he has faced their challenges firsthand. As an elected official, he has worked to improve life for people. He’s prepared to address major issues so people can thrive in their communities,” Premier David Eby said.
“Residents of Prince George-Valemount can rely on him to advocate for affordable housing, dependable healthcare, and a more affordable cost of living.”
Murphy Abraham, the former chief of Lake Babine Nation, will be running for the BC NDP in Nechako Lakes.
“People in my community know we’re facing significant challenges,” he said in a statement released to media Wednesday, Sept. 11.
“The BC NDP is prepared to tackle those challenges head-on.”
He’ll be running against BC Conservatives Leader John Rustad, the current MLA for Nechako Lakes.
During his time in office, Abraham secured $50 million to build a community cultural centre and oversaw a 20,000-hectare land transfer to return territory to the Lake Babine Nation.
He now aims to address housing, healthcare, and affordability issues for people living in the communities of Nechako Lakes.
“David Eby’s BC NDP team is focused
on building homes, hiring doctors and nurses, and putting money back into your pockets,” Abraham said.
“In contrast, John Rustad’s record is marked by cost-cutting and risks we can’t afford.”
• Abraham said the NDP has, since
forming government in July 2017, addressed key issues important to the people of Nechako Lakes, including:
• New restrictions on short-term rentals, a speculation tax, and streamlined approvals to
expedite the construction of 300,000 new homes.
• Better access to healthcare with the hiring 800 additional family doctors and a new medical school at SFU Surrey to train more doctors.
• Eliminating MSP premiums, lowering ICBC rates by $500 annually, increasing the BC Family Benefit by $445, halving childcare fees, and making birth control free.
• Creating 75,000 well-paying jobs in the past year, positioning B.C. as a leader in the Canadian economy with the highest wages in the country.
“Murphy has a long history of improving the lives of his constituents, whether through building community cultural centres or running sports and cultural programs for youth,” said Eby in the press release.
“The people of Nechako Lakes can rely on him to advocate for their needs.”
CITIZEN STAFF
Prince George-Cariboo MLA Coralee Oakes will seek re-election as an independent.
Oakes was one of the BC United incumbents left stranded when Kevin Falcon, the party’s leader, abruptly called off the campaign after meeting with BC Conservatives Leader John Rustad.
While a handful of former BC United candidates shifted over to run for the Conservatives, Oakes was not one of them.
The Conservatives have Sheldon Clare running in that riding, which after redistribution is called Prince GeorgeNorth Cariboo.
“Following the suspension of the BC United campaign, I’ve been listening closely to the concerns of my constituents, and the message is clear — many feel abandoned, with fewer options to represent their values,” Oakes said in a
press release.
“That’s why I’ve made the decision to remain on the ballot as an Independent candidate. My loyalty has always been to the people of this region, and that will never change.”
Site C reservoir filling between Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope has begun. For up to four months, water levels will rise by up to three metres per day. The Peace River will widen by two to three times on average.
For safety, BC Hydro strongly urges the public to stay off the reservoir and its tributaries, specifically the Halfway River, and use extreme caution near the shoreline. All public boat launches on the reservoir are closed. New boat launches will be inaccessible until at least spring 2026. New hazards include:
○ Floating vegetation debris
○Unstable shoreline and erosion
○ Submerged hazards
BC Hydro is monitoring for slope stability and will advise when the reservoir is deemed safe.
If you see a large animal in distress in the reservoir area, please contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service through the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1 877 952 RAPP (7277).
For more information visit SiteCproject.com/reservoir, or call 1 877 217 0777
She said her status as an independent, if re-elected, won’t slow her down.
“As an independent MLA, I’ll be in a strong position to push for the priorities that matter to our region. Whether it’s ensuring better roads and
infrastructure, supporting our natural resource sector, or advocating for better healthcare and mental health services, I’ll continue to fight for the people of Prince George-North Cariboo,” she said in the release.
Oakes was first elected as a BC Liberal in 2013 after serving two terms on Quesnel city council.
She served, at different times, as minister of community, sport and cultural development, minister of small business and red tape reduction and minister responsible for the liquor distribution branch in the Christy Clark government.
After the NDP took power, she became the Official Opposition critic for small business, for advanced education, skills training and sport, and for post-secondary education.
In addition to Oakes and Clare, Randy Thompson will be on the ballot for the BC Green Party.
Election Day is Oct. 19.
CITIZEN STAFF
A coroner’s inquest has been scheduled in the case of a local woman who died while in RCMP custody.
Lindsey Izony, 35, died on July 20, 2019.
The Fort Ware resident, who was visiting Prince George, was arrested by police responding to a disturbance call.
The inquest will be held in Prince George beginning Monday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the courthouse. Under Section 18 (2) of the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for any deaths that occur while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.
Larry Marzinzik, presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath:
To determine the facts related to a death including the identity of the deceased and how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their
death, as well as a classification for the death;
To make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and
To ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.
Jurors will then have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances.
This is not a criminal proceeding. The jury can’t determine legal responsibility or recommend criminal charges or any other legal recourse.
The inquest can be viewed online.
“Livestreaming allows the public and media to virtually attend an inquest,” states a notice from the BC Coroners Service.
The Barkerville Heritage Trust announced Wednesday that Kate Cox is leaving her role as CEO of Barkerville Historic Town and Park.
In the role since 2020, Cox led the historic site through the pandemic. Recognizing the need for a new financial sustainability plan, she implemented changes to the historic site’s governance, business, and operating frameworks, achieving financial sustainability.
“We acknowledge Kate’s dedication as a change agent for Barkerville and appreciate her establishment of crucial operational benchmarks and commitment to best practices in business and governance,” said Al Richmond, chair of the Barkerville Trust. Cox and her team established meaningful consultations with local Indigenous Peoples, including the Dakelh and Secwepemc nations.
These efforts ensured that Barkerville’s exhibits, programming, and general engagements reflect Indigenous presence during the gold rush era and
address the impacts of colonialism, the Barkerville Heritage Trust noted in a press release announcing the news, adding the collaboration positioned Barkerville as a leader in advancing Indigenous and cultural reconciliations, including with Chinese-Canadians.
She also led Barkerville through spring flooding, wildfires, excessive heat, and poor air quality from wildfire smoke.
“Under Kate’s leadership, Barkerville has enhanced its programming within its financial means,” said Craig Smith, vice-chair of the trust. “We now have the tools to make informed decisions, ensuring ongoing financial sustainability and effective governance.”
Cox received the 2023 BC Tourism and Hospitality Award for Businesswoman of the Year.
“Kate’s leadership has safeguarded Barkerville’s heritage values while ensuring its long-term sustainability,” said Jennifer Goad, executive director of Mountain Resorts and Heritage at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
The search will begin for a new CEO, with the trust aiming to have someone in the role by late spring 2025.
In the interim, Barkerville will continue under the direction of its management team.
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Rick Edwards is not giving up his quest to continue helping recovering drug addicts and alcoholics find the path to complete abstinence.
He intends to fight Prince George city council’s decision on Monday to force him to stop using his suburban College Heights home as a treatment centre to keep those addictions in check.
And he has backing from Mayor Simon Yu and former RCMP officer Gary Godwin, CEO of DART (Drug Awareness Recovery Team), an organization that puts recovering addicts to work as fulltime gardeners and labourers.
Edwards, the executive director of Integrity Recovery Society, said city council was misled by city staff when it voted 7-2 to deny his application for a three-year temporary use permit (TUP) to provide substance use recovery services to men living with him and his family at 7973 Rochester Crescent.
Contrary to what was reported to council by Deanna Wasnik, the city’s director of planning and development, Edwards claims that, without a TUP,
he has not been formally operating a treatment centre from his residence for the past four years.
He argues that council should have considered this before making its decision.
“I haven’t been in operation. I have possession of the residence and two individuals living here, but there have been no treatment counsellors or programs because I don’t have a TUP,” said Edwards.
“I have been helping and supporting clients and achieving success, but it’s been on my own time and at my own expense. The purpose of getting the TUP is to establish a formal program, bring on counsellors and facilitators, and secure funding so I no longer have to bear the cost myself and maybe even receive a paycheque.”
Edwards applied for a business licence in August 2023 to operate Integrity Recovery Society and said he was following the advice of city planner Keone Gourlay, who suggested he apply for a TUP before seeking rezoning of the property.
“The city’s planning department didn’t know how to rezone it or what to rezone it to. My only advice was to contact Vancouver because they do it all the time,” said Edwards. “They didn’t know how to licence or rezone the place, and their recommendation was to get a TUP.”
Integrity Recovery Society is registered as a not-for-profit under the Societies Act, and Edwards intends to list his organization with the province’s Assisted Living Registry (ALR). However, he needs an operating permit and licence to do so.
In his letter to the mayor and council, Edwards stated that Integrity’s future depends on receiving the permit and that he would be forced to dissolve the organization without it. He submitted his application to the city 13 months ago alongside his business licence application.
Edwards said the ALR has provided guidance to city staff on how to help him establish his treatment centre, but no assistance was provided.
On Wednesday, less than a day after city staff told him in the council meeting that he had six months to find a solution, Edwards received a letter from the city stating he has until Sept. 25 to inform Gourlay when he will comply with the order to cease offering supportive housing.
“To be honest, I feel railroaded,” Edwards said. “I feel lost and unsupported. I’m back to square one with my vision of opening services in Prince George.”
Yu said he and council would be open to revisiting the Integrity decision if new information shows that Edwards has not been formally operating as a treatment centre for the past four years, which affected his chance to obtain the permit on Monday. Yu said Edwards could apply to make a public presentation at the next council meeting to speak directly to council.
“I want to help him out,” Yu said. “All he needs to do is come to city hall, and if Gary Godwin is presenting on his behalf, I will personally guarantee we can reverse the decision.”
Councillors Tim Bennett and Trudy Klassen were the two who voted in favour of Edwards’ application.
“Right now, the information we had led to that decision,” Yu said. “There is a way to reverse it. Gary Godwin is a key figure because he is a respected former RCMP spokesperson, and if he supports it, I don’t think anyone will oppose him.”
Yu added that Edwards should have approached him and the councillors before the meeting to ensure they had all the details of his application before the vote.
“If the information is incorrect, Edwards should start with a quick memo to us, and we’re open to anything,” Yu said. “If new information comes in, we will address it.”
Edwards has supplied DART with clean and sober workers for the past
two years, and Godwin knows Integrity’s treatment methods are effective.
Godwin said he will definitely sit with Edwards in front of council to communicate the details of what Edwards plans to offer through his residential program whenever a public hearing can be scheduled. The next regular council meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 7.
“These workers are clean and in full abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and we need those kinds of workers,” Godwin said. “We only hire individuals who are in recovery.”
“It was Bob Scott’s vision that abstinence is the only effective approach for addicts and alcoholics, and Rick’s recovery society aligns perfectly with that. We’ve been hiring his people for the last two years, and they are excellent workers. People in recovery want to re-enter society and contribute positively.”
Godwin added that the workers from Integrity are not relapsing.
Integrity requires clients to maintain complete abstinence, which makes it unique.
No other substance treatment centre in northern B.C. has this requirement. Integrity is not eligible for provincial funding because it does not allow its clients to use any drugs on site, including prescribed harm reduction drugs.
Zoned as RS2, Edwards could legally operate Integrity at his Rochester Crescent address without rezoning if it became a community care facility under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, which permits residential care for up to six unrelated people.
“To pursue that route, I would need to partner with Northern Health and become a harm reduction facility,” Edwards said. “I will not support a program where clients are encouraged to take drugs. It’s unreasonable. Supporting a harm reduction individual involves continuous medication and monitoring, with no clear end point.”
“It’s costly to support someone in harm reduction indefinitely. In contrast, supporting someone in complete abstinence costs nothing after they complete the program and join Narcotics
These workers are clean and in full abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and we need those kinds of workers.’
Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, which is self-supporting. It provides a quality of life worth living.”
Edwards, a former heroin addict who spent time in prison, also has six Integrity clients in the third stage of recovery living at a downtown residence provided by Royal LePage.
In the four years he has lived in Prince George, he has hosted dozens of recovering addicts, many recently released from jail. He charges $875 per month in rent for each client and estimates he has spent $100,000 of his own money keeping them housed.
Each client has house duties, and through his connection with DART, he finds them full-time jobs.
The city received 38 letters from residents, 34 of which requested that the city deny Integrity’s application to operate as a treatment centre, citing complaints of RCMP visits to Clarity House on Rochester Crescent and another College Heights residence on Lemoyne Avenue where Edwards housed six other men recovering from addictions. He closed the Lemoyne Avenue residence in April due to financial constraints.
Edwards disputes any claims of police complaints involving disturbances at Integrity’s houses. He said police officers often visit his residence to discuss public safety issues or clients’ court appearances.
“The success of these individuals is due to my direction and support. I live with them and guide them, and it’s working,” he said.
The City of Prince George hosted an event to honour the community’s volunteers on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Canada Games Plaza. The event featured musical performances by local favourites YXS and the Chris Goodwin Band. There was also food, treats and exclusive wMr. PG swag.
BY CHUCK NISBETT
BELOW LEFT: Volunteers were able to connect with many local organizations, groups and societies.
Members of Team Stinson, Laurisa (left), mother Iris, Mitch, father Don, Mitch’s partner Wendy Busse and dog Tippy gather before starting the five kilometre Multiple Myeloma March Saturday at the Caledonia Nordic Centre. The family raised more than $20,000 in memory of Malcolm Stinson. Malcolm, who succumbed to the disease after a 14-year fight on Oct. 18, 2023 at 63, famously completed 30 half-Ironman-distance races in July 2017 at the age of 57 while undergoing chemotherapy. The march raised more than $27,000.
CITIZEN STAFF
The Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC) will be the focus of Pattison Media’s seventh annual Miracle on Third on Friday, Dec. 6.
It happens at the Pattison office, home of CKPG, 99.3 REWIND Radio and 101.3 The River, at 1810 3rd Ave.
The public is invited to drive through during the 12-hour marathon to donate cash or goods, or support the cause by making donations online.
Receipts will be issued for cash donations.
“AWAC is honoured to be chosen as this year’s partner in Pattison Media’s 7th Annual Miracle on Third event,” stated Connie Abe, AWAC’s executive director.
Funds raised will benefit AWAC’s work to support women in the community.
Prince George city council supported an administration recommendation to spend $430,000 from the capital expenditure fund to permanently install a one-lane bridge on Ferguson Lake Road that was temporarily put in place when a drainage cross-culvert under the road failed on May 10, causing a section of the road to wash out.
The vote was made at council’s meeting on Monday, Sept. 9.
The washout was triggered by a sudden surge of water on a seasonal creek when a natural dam on the creek upstream from the road suddenly burst. Because it is a fish-bearing creek, immediate re-installation of a culvert was not feasible due to regulatory requirements and a prefabricated one-lane bridge was installed on May 11.
City staff determined the bridge is functioning well to serve recreational users to the Ferguson Lake recreation
area and the single-lane option is about half the $870,000 cost of replacing the two-lane culvert.
Native Health Society asks city council for help with opioid crisis
Central Interior Native Health Society (CINHS) executive director Shobha Sharma and Emily Christensen-Sweeney, co-ordinator of the organization’s community action team, led off Monday’s city council meeting by asking for council’s representation as a public liaison to help the organization in its efforts to raise public awareness of the opioid crisis and the continuing deaths from unregulated drug overdoses which claim the lives of an average six British Columbians every day, most of which occur in private residences.
Coun. Cori Ramsay and Coun. Brian Skakun and Mayor Simon Yu indicated their interest in attending the CINHS’s next meeting.
Ramsay told council that her own mother died of a drug overdose and that it remains a difficult topic for her family to talk about.
For 28 years, AWAC has offered assistance to women dealing with homelessness and addiction.
Services include an emergency shelter, a supported recovery program, supported housing and a modified college program.
The organization’s goal is to help women find stability and self-sufficiency.
“We are pleased to partner with AWAC as the organization is vital to our community,” stated Kevin Gemmell, general manager for Pattison Media.
“Their team is committed to a great event and the 2024 benefactors of the fundraising are one of our communities’ greatest needs right now.”
Since its launch in 2018, Miracle on Third has generated more than $75,000 in donations of cash and needed items for local community organizations.
Salus Floradix Formula duo pack
• Clinically proven to quickly raise iron levels in the body, thereby restoring energy and well-being
• Formulated for those with low iron or anemia
• Easily absorbed, non-constipating formula Also available in a gluten and yeast free formula
Big Friends liquid Echinacea!
$Save 1650
During cold and flu season we need all the help we can get! Introducing your new secret weapon in the fight against germs, Big Friends Echinacea fresh herb tincture! Featuring the ECHINAMIDE standardized extract you know and love given to your kids at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms.
OFF
The City of Prince George will auction off properties with overdue tax bills on Oct. 7 at city hall, in the council chambers. The annual tax sale will begin at 10 a.m.
In all, the city is owed over $1 million in unpaid property taxes.
“Unless full payment of the outstanding delinquent taxes, plus the necessary interest to date of payment is received prior to the annual tax sale, the properties ... shall be offered for sale by public auction,” the city states.
There’s also a notice to potential buyers: “In the case of all properties, the City of Prince George makes no representation express or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. It is the buyer’s responsibility to satisfy themselves regarding the condition/potential of the property. The purchase of a tax sale property is subject to tax under the
Property Transfer Tax Act on the fair market value of the property.”
Among the upset prices for the highest overdue tax bills on the list are amounts such as $138,774.23, $122,969.45, $121,678.53, $118,567.09 and $138,774.23. The lowest amount owing is $1,775.35.
In BC, the upset price is the lowest price that a property may be sold for at tax sale. It includes the total amount of current year taxes receivable, plus the previous year’s taxes in arrears, plus two years prior to the delinquent taxes, plus any penalties and interest on each of those three years taxes unpaid.
Another five per cent and any applicable fees are added under the Land Title Act. The list includes residential and commercial properties, as well as vacant lots.
The auction is carried out under the terms of Section 254 of the Community Charter and Section 645 and 647 of the Local Government Act.
Some households may even qualify for a new fridge, electric heat pump, and insulation!
The Salvation Army Prince George is teaming up with FortisBC and BC Hydro to offer the Energy Conservation Assistance program to income qualified households. If qualified, you will receive energy-saving upgrades and advice to make it easier to save energy, lower gas and electric bills and improve the comfort of your home ALL AT NO COST TO YOU.
Haiyan Liu talks with Carli “Ripley” Staub of the Rated PG Thrashers while daughter Sophia Shi, 5, finds some skates and other objects on the Rated PG Roller Derby table to capture her attention during the Active Living Market Saturday, Sept. 14 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Sophia is a little young to try roller derby, but a Try It Night is scheduled for Oct. 3 for skaters 8-17 from 5-6 p.m. and 18 up from 6-7:30 p.m. Contact Rated PG Roller Derby through their website for more information.
After receiving multiple reports of early-morning burglaries and thefts from vehicles in downtown Prince George between Monday, Sept. 2 and Wednesday, Sept. 4, RCMP turned to surveillance video.
Allan Douglas Nigh, 43, of Prince George was arrested.
“All of the incidents occurred in the very early hours of the morning, when there are no witnesses around,” stated Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the local detachment’s media relations officer.
“When businesses and residents can have video surveillance to our investigators within hours of an event occurring, it greatly increases the chances of us identifying and locating a suspect.”
Charges against Nigh have been approved: Three counts of breaking and entering with the intent to commit an indictable offence and three counts of mischief under $5,000.
Nigh, who the RCMP notes is wellknown to police, will remain in custody until his next court appearance. The case is still under investigation.
The Prince George RCMP is looking for 42-year-old Jeffrey Theodore Julseth. Julseth is sought on two unendorsed warrants for assault and breach of undertaking. He is described as a white male, 5’10” (178 cm) tall, 161 pounds (73 kg), with brown hair and blue eyes.
Julseth is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
Anyone who sees him is advised to contact local police immediately.
To report information on Julseth’s whereabouts, call the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The company is building Madill 3000 log loaders, aiming to complete 12 in its first year
CITIZEN STAFF
DC Equipment is reviving the production of its Madill logging equipment with a new manufacturing facility in Prince George.
The facility is expected to create 20 direct and indirect jobs.
“Restarting production here in British Columbia allows us to support the local logging community and serve customers across North America with high-quality equipment,” said Dale Ewers, managing director of DC Equipment.
DC Equipment acquired the Madill brand in July 2023 and opened the manufacturing centre on Otway Road over the summer. It was formally introduced to the community Friday.
The first model rolling off the line will be the Madill 3000 log loader. The company will produce 12 machines in its first year, aiming to double output in the following year.
The company, with operations in North America, South America and Oceania, notes there’s demand for the log loader internatinally.
“This facility positions us to serve our global markets more effectively,” Ewers said. “Local manufacturing ensures quicker delivery times and upholds the high standards of quality and
innovation associated with Madill and DC Equipment.”
The new Madill 3000C model, an upgrade to the existing 3000 log loader, incorporates technological improvements
based on customer feedback. Additionally, DC Equipment recently unveiled a prototype of the Madill 1100 RFM (Remote Felling Machine), with plans to expand their product range to enhance
safety and productivity in steep-slope logging operations.
In BC, the company works with Great West Equipment for the distribution and support of Madill and Falcon equipment.
CITIZEN STAFF
The Recycle BC program launched at the Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station, Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot and Valemount Regional Transfer Station on Monday.
“We are excited to start offering residential recycling services with Recycle BC at these three principal depot locations,” says Laura Zapotichny, general manager of environmental services, in a press release. “These depots can accept more categories of materials for
recycling than before and will also take advantage of Recycle BC’s stewardship network.”
The categories of materials that will be accepted at these sites includes:
• Printed paper, paper packaging, corrugated cardboard, cartons and paper cups
• Plastic containers, metal containers
• White and colour foam packaging
• Plastic bags and overwrap, other flexible plastic packaging
• Glass bottles and jars
The sites will now operate seven days
a week year-round.
The Recycle BC website at www.recyclebc.ca has more information about the different catgories on the What Can I Recycle? page.
There are also detailed descriptions of accepted materials and a “Waste Wizard” look up tool to find out if a specific item can be recycled.
Questions can also be directed to the Regional District’s Recycling Information Line at 250-960-4433. Handout information sheets are also available for the at each site.
The Quinn Street Recycling Depot will
look different as a result of this program launch. The site layout has changed so residents should follow the new signage and directions from staff when visiting the location. The Regional District expects high volumes at the site as residents are eager to utilize the site’s expanded services.
As these three principal depots become fully operational, the Regional District will continue its work with Recycle BC to establish more principal depots across the region in 2025 and identify where satellite depots could be located, states the press release.
The city has begun work on the John Hart Forcemain Replacement Project, which will involve upgrades to the essential infrastructure servicing the north side of the Nechako River.
This will mean possible traffic delays, as a single lane for southbound traffic on the John Hart Bridge will be closed for one week starting Oct. 1.
Both southbound lanes will then be closed, with detours in place, for two weeks starting Oct. 9.
Residents are encouraged to watch for signs and use caution when driving through the area.
A 2019 inspection of the sanitary forcemain crossing the Nechako on the John Hart Bridge indicated some areas of reduced pipe thickness and deterioriating hanger components, the city reports.
The project will involve installing a permanent bypass line to run under the bridge, which is a complex process. The
City crews lower a pipe into place as work continues on the watermain on Ontario Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenue Thursday. The road will be closed 24 hours a day until Friday, Sept. 27 for the installation of the new watermain. Similar work is taking place along Ontario Street up to Second Avenue with more work planned in the area for next spring.
new pipeline will run about 1,300 metres from lift station PW117 on Richard Road to the intersection of Highway 97 and 5th Avenue where it will tie into the existing line.
The project is expected to be fully completed by late February 2025, with awarded contracts totalling $6,791,978.
Every day, three million litres of
wastewater pass through the forcemain, which services the entire north side of the river, including North Nechako and the Hart. Once the new line is installed, the existing line can be isolated and replaced, creating a redundant system in the event of a breakage.
The “twinning” of the lines will also increase capacity, allowing for future growth and development.
The city notified residents to avoid a section of the Nechako River beneath the John Hart Bridge due to a sanitary sewer leak in June.
A temporary containment unit was installed as city staff worked with the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and Environment Canada to mitigate health risks and environmental impacts.
The leak was caused by aging infrastructure as the pipes were installed in 1977.
This underscores the need to act, the city states.
Two of five puppies flown to Prince George from Fort Ware as part of an animal rescue effort by the Prince George Humane Society seek contact from within their crate at the society offices on First Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The puppies are the first of a planned rescue of many more dogs that is in the planning stage. Organizers at the Humane Society have rented large vans and plan to visit Fort Ware to bring dogs back for treatment and adoption. While preparations continue for the trip, they are searching for donations and people interested in fostering and adopting animals brought back to Prince George. The Prince George Humane Society can be contacted at 250-6407415 or through its website at www.pghumanesociety.ca.
The City of Prince George is set to start making improvements at Connaught Hill Park in the weeks ahead. In a press release, the city notes that the project aims to improve the visitor experience by upgrading key areas, particularly the prominent flower bed site at the top of the hill, before accessing the loop.
A section of the upgraded space will offer a newly built pergola in a picturesque setting, ideal for weddings and special events.
The park, located south of downtown, is one of the highest points in the bowl and is popular for its views. It currently features green spaces, picnic tables and treed areas.
“Connaught Hill Park is a cherished space for our community, and these
upgrades will enhance accessibility and enjoyment for all visitors,” said Mayor Simon Yu.
“This new area will provide a beautiful and functional venue for weddings, celebrations, and other special events.
It’s a reflection of our commitment to
maintaining and improving our heritage green spaces.”
• Planned improvements include:
• New stairs and retaining walls
• A concrete path for easier access
• A dedicated drop-off zone
• Installation of safety railings
• New electrical outlets
• A concrete pad with a pergola structure and planters, designed to serve as a scenic backdrop for gatherings and ceremonies
During construction, Connaught Hill Park will remain partially open, though some areas will be temporarily closed for safety reasons. The park is open to the public, weather permitting, from May 1 to Oct. 31 annually, with gate hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (April to August) and 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (September to October).
The structural work is expected to be completed in 10 weeks, with landscaping to follow in the spring of 2025.
The total budget for the Connaught Hill Park Enhancement project is $385,000, primarily funded through the federal government’s Community Works Fund.
Rocky Mountain High celebrating the music of John Denver goes Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performing Arts Centre. The show celebrates the music of John Denver as arranged by his long time arranger/conductor Mr. Lee Holdridge. It’s not a dress-uplike John tribute but rather the show focuses on the music as it was first played and heard at the height of John’s career. Tickets are $50 at www.knoxcentre.ca/event-details-registration/ rocky-mountain-high
The Chevys at the PG Legion 43 goes Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. at 1116 Sixth Ave. Playing all things Rockabilly from Buddy Holly to the StrayCats. Lots of originals too. Tickets at the door are $15, members $13.
Take Back the Night March and Rally goes Friday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Canada Games Plaza and the march starts at 7 p.m. Take Back the Night is open to and welcomes all allies however the march itself is exclusively for persons who identify as women and it’s also for children.
Grace Anglican Church 40th Anniversary goes Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2640 Goheen St. Organizers of the event are inviting all present and past parishioners to join in celebrating the history and ongoing journey of Grace Anglican Church. It’s a small church with a big history. The church was originally established in McBride and moved to Goheen Street 40 years ago. For more information call 250-5625611 or email at graceparishpg@gmail. com.
Legion 43 Mega Garage and Book
Sale goes Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at 1362 Jarvis St. All proceeds go to the operating costs of the Legion in Prince George. There will be a concession stand. Donations welcome and can be dropped off in the carport at 1362
Jarvis St. anytime.
Old Time Fiddlers’ Dance goes Sept. 21 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Prince George Elks Community Hall, 663
Douglas St. Live music by members of BC Old Time Fiddlers. Tickets $10 available at the door, includes ice cream treat. Families welcome; children under 18 free with parent. Some called group dances. Coffee, pop, chips available by donation.
Junk in Trunk fundraiser for Luvs Animal Rescue goes Sunday, Sept. 22 at Eastline Market in Willow River from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Second-hand and vintage items, canning, baking, jewelry and more. With Baller Food Truck and Afro Caribbean Food Truck. Live music from Scott Lapointe.
Tea Blending & Botanical Lantern Workshop goes Sunday, Sept. 22 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Wildflower Farm, 9295 Pooley Rd. First learn about flowers and greenery, then create a lantern decorated with pressed florals and greenery in a small glass jar with a flameless tealight. Then find out abut how to blend hers florals and spices to make tea. Class is $55 per person or a table of 4 for $50 per person. To register please reach out to Lisa with Wildflower Farm at 250-961-3519 or email wildflowerfarmpg@hotmail.com. For all the details visit www.facebook.com/events/ teablendingandlaternworkshop.
Thrift Store High Tea Sept. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Prince George Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. For some fun and a giggle wear your very best High Tea thrift store apparel. Tickets are $5 each and must be purchased prior to 3 p.m. on Sept. 25.
Singles Night at Cait’s goes Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at Cait’s Sweet Bites & Beanery, 3831 Austin Road W. This is a fun evening of mingling and meeting new people. There will be some casual games, including Jack Box Games, Lego building competitions, and other lowkey activities. Pregistration is required with a minimum of 10 pre-registrations for the event to take place. Tickets are available for $20, which will include select drinks from Cait’s bakery, as well as a baked good. Alcoholic drinks will also be available for purchase, as well as additional foods. Tickets at singlesnightatcaits.eventbrite.com.
Prince George Cangems Gem & Mineral Show goes Friday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. If you love everything rock, gem, mineral, and handmade join CanGems. Mineral specimens, crystals, natural gemstone jewelry, home decor, fossils and an array of artists and makers will be on site. Day pass is $6 each, $15 per family and five and under are free. Weekend pass for all three days is $10 each, $25 per family. Visit www.cangems.ca.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
AiMHi Walkathon goes Friday, Sept. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AiMHi Gymnasium, 950 Kerry St., and is to unite supported individuals and their families in a fun, accessible, and outdoor community event. This event is about more than just physical activity; it’s about making connections, celebrating life, and kicking off Community Living Month with heartfelt enthusiasm. There is no registration required, just come enjoy the event. While participation in the walk is voluntary, organizers encourage everyone to join in, including those with accessibility requests, ensuring that individuals of all ages and fitness levels can participate.
Northern B.C. Crime Stoppers Fall Community Shred It Event goes Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prince George Secondary school parking lot. Shred personal and important documents and help the crime fighting program by donating a minimum $10 per bag and box. Documents will be safely and securely shredded. For another $5 donation enjoy a tasty Mr. Mike’s burger.
GRAMMAS 2 GRAMMAS Parking Lot Sale goes Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3590 Dufferin Ave. Lots of useful, gently used, household items and homemade baking.
10th annual Small Business Fall Fair goes Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roll-A-Dome where more than 100 vendors will have their wares on display. There are so many new vendors attending including bakers, makers, small businesses, and direct sales.
Fall Fun in the Forest goes Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Fluid Affairs and Events is teaming up with Northern Lights Wildlife Society to bring the first annual event to build awareness around bear safety and what to can do as a community and as individual households to improve the situations for the bears. Partial proceeds will go directly
specials at their take-out window and the Little Prince steam engine will be running from noon to 8 p.m.
Prince George Farmers’ Market goes every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 26 where visitors will find around 100 vendors offering everything from local vegetables, ethically-raised grass-fed meats, baking, fruits, hot foods, coffee, honey, jams and jellies, preserves, and a wide variety of artisan products including jewellery and crafts.
Fall Fun in the Forest on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is aimed at building awareness around bear safety and what to can do as a community and as individual households.
to NLWS as they care for orphaned bears and other wildlife. There will be local vendors, food trucks, community groups, music, crafts and more.
Hart Spooktacular Market goes Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hart Shopping Centre parking lot. Come shop local and check out all things fall and Halloween.
Little Shop of Horrors presented by Theatre NorthWest goes until Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 7 to 10 p.m. and some 2 p.m. matinees at #36 – 556 North Nechako Rd. Step into a world where the quirky meets the carnivorous during this production of the play by Howard Ashman with music by Alan Menken. Packed with toe-tapping tunes, dark humour, and a dash of campy horror, this cult-classic musical promises an unforgettable night of laughter and suspense. Content warning: be advised this production contains harmful stereotypes, portrayals of domestic abuse, mentions of poverty, death, and outdated language that may be offensive to some viewers. For tickets visit https://tickets.theatrenorthwest.com/ littleshopofhorrors
Farmhouse Country Hoedown goes Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Roll-ADome. Join in for an evening filled with
live country music, line dancing and a lively atmosphere of two-stepping fun. This 19+ event is the perfect way to celebrate the fall season with friends and fellow country music lovers. There is a 50/50 raffle that will support the Prince George 4-H Clubs. Tickets for the dance are at www.farmhousecatering. ca/countrydance.
Hunniford Gardens Fright Night Market goes Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at 8845 Aquarius Road. Bringing together local produce, food, arts and crafts vendors and there will be food trucks on site. Everyone is welcome into the store fall flower bulbs, houseplants and all gardening needs. If getting creeped out and terrified is your thing, our Fright Night Pumpkin Patch is also open from 6-10 pm. This part is a ticketed event at hunniford-gardens. friday-october-11th-fright-night and Saturday tickets are at hunniford-gardens.saturday-october-12th-fright-night. Tickets are not needed to attend the Night Market.
Thursdays at the Park goes every week at The Exploration Place, 333 Becott Place, until Oct. 3, and will see the Cruisin Classic Car Club parked outside so people can check out the classic cars. Origins Kitchen will feature
Wilson Square Community Farmers’ Market goes every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 14 where local food producers fill the street as musicians play their instruments and visitors start their weekends with a round of breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee. Traditional farm fresh meat and produce is available alongside wild-foraged seasonal fiddleheads and morels, rounded out by a selection of local arts and baked treats.
Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.
Parkinson Support Group meetings are the third Saturday of each month. Next meeting is Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Meetings are informal and are for sharing information about slowing down the progression of PD. There are guest speakers, special events and biweekly exercise sessions and positive social interaction. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.
If you’ve got an event coming up 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
Runners, walkers, cyclists and rollers start the three-kilometre loop of the 44th Annual Terry Fox Run at
ABOVE: Sunday’s cool morning temperatures did nothing to deter the over 300 registered participants, three times as many as last year, for the Terry Fox Run at
About 300 people turned out Sunday for the 44th annual Terry Fox Run in Prince George. It brought in more than $8,000 for cancer research. The three-kilometre route started at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and included people running, walking, cycling and rolling.
Prince George has a connection to Terry Fox, who raised funds for cancer by attempting to run
across the country after losing a leg to cancer. He ran his first post-amputation race here, the Prince George to Boston Marathon, in 1979. That 27.3-kilometre race from Salmon Valley to the city was what convinced Fox he could handle the Marathon of Hope.
A statue outside the Canfor Leisure Pool commemorates Fox’s time here.
Sunday morning.
Local man’s goal is to raise $1M, and he’s getting close
To donate Jim Terrion, who has raised $961,686 for cancer research since 1991, is aiming to reach $1M by the end of the year. Donate via this QR code.
A study of Fraser Lake, west of Prince George, has found that its natural shorelines are receding.
The re-survey of Fraser Lake’s foreshore was undertaken in 2023 by Living Lakes Canada in response to concerns about shoreline development affecting critical fish and wildlife habitats.
This survey used a federally developed protocol known as Foreshore Integrated Management Planning (FIMP), employing boats, GPS, and drone technology to gather comprehensive data on the foreshore. This re-survey aimed to update the 2011 Foreshore Inventory and Mapping data and assess changes over the past 12 years.
The lake, located in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, is celebrated for its rich fishing and recreational activities, as well as its biodiversity. It supports endangered Nechako white sturgeon, spawning sockeye and Chinook salmon, migrating waterfowl, and is a crucial wintering ground for trumpeter swans.
FIMP issued a press release Friday calling attention to the issue and sharing the study’s findings.
“Protecting foreshore habitat in Fraser Lake will help conserve the lake’s ecological and cultural values, as well as endangered and at-risk species,” said Georgia Peck, FIMP manager with Living Lakes Canada, emphasizing that the re-survey provided valuable insights into habitat loss, development pressures, climate change impacts, and shoreline alterations.
The foreshore, which stretches between the low and high water marks along the lake, is crucial economically, culturally, and ecologically. It supports around 90% of the lake’s biodiversity at various life stages and contains Indigenous archaeological and culturally significant sites.
The survey revealed that 35 per cent of the 70.9 kilometres of shoreline is currently disturbed, a 2.6 per cent increase (about 1,859 meters) since the 2011 survey. This indicates an average annual increase of 155 meters, or 0.2 per
A Fraser Lake FIMP field team carries out reconnaissance in June 2023. The lake, located west of Prince George, is home to a diverse range of natural life but is showing signs of changes to its shoreline.
cent of the shoreline. Peck pointed out that while this rate of change may seem small, it represents a significant loss given the total shoreline length.
Recent shoreline development, including activities beyond the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako’s setbacks and below the high water mark, is harming sensitive ecosystems and reducing habitat value, particularly in residential and rural areas. Development pressures such as retaining walls, beach clearing, docks, buildings, and boat launches, along with impacts from the CN railway line, have contributed to these disturbances. Currently, 65 per cent of the shoreline remains in a natural state.
The FIMP report includes 16
lake-specific, evidence-based recommendations for protecting sensitive habitats around Fraser Lake. With climate change exacerbating extreme weather events and natural hazards — such as heavy rainfall, storms, flooding, and wildfires — these findings are crucial for local climate adaptation efforts. The recommendations also focus on identifying vulnerable foreshore environments and strategies to mitigate these impacts.
The FIMP process also recognized the importance of integrating cultural knowledge and engaging with Indigenous Peoples.
Peck expressed gratitude to the Stellat’en First Nation and Nadleh Whut’en First Nation for their contributions to
the survey and report, saying their input was integral to the field survey and the review of the report and maps.
The results of the 2023 Fraser Lake FIMP survey, including reports and maps, can be found on the Water Hub. The Fraser Lake Foreshore Development Guidelines offer valuable, evidence-based insights on habitat quality and development for government, First Nations, stewardship groups, and property owners.
This project was funded in part by CN Rail, the Province of BC, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the CookRees Memorial Fund and the Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society (NEWSS).
Communities are facing tough times, and the rising cost of living is hitting families hard
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
The demand for local support services has never been greater in BC.
Communities are facing tough times, and the rising cost of living is hitting families hard.
The United Way offers safe spaces for people to find support, resources, and connection.
However, rising costs mean there is more work to be done in 2024.
United Way BC helps local children thrive through after-school and summer programs. Isolated seniors in communities need companionship and care.
People require assistance and connection to community resources to address life’s challenges. And for many, groceries are becoming increasingly expensive.
Although these needs are growing, the United Way is stepping up and has requested a boost as they launched their fall fundraising campaign, United for People in Need, at a breakfast on Thursday morning at the Coast Hotel.
Coun. Tim Bennett was the master of ceremonies. Mayor Simon Yu welcomed everyone to the event after Elder Lenora White from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation offered the land acknowledgment.
The Thundering Eagles performed three songs to lift the crowd. After breakfast, Patricia Prince, Indigenous relations lead for the United Way BC, spoke about how the United Way is looking for ways to better serve northern communities.
“New to the United Way is our Elder advisory group,” Prince said. Elders representing the province will be working with the board of directors to assess the needs of the people and find meaningful ways to serve the communities.
Alexandria West, executive director at Positive Living North Society, then addressed the audience.
“Positive Living North is an Indigenous AIDS service organization that has
been in Prince George since 1992. Our services offer direct support to clients with HIV/AIDS/HCV and include prevention education, harm reduction, and the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre, which is low-barrier.”
The Fire Pit has been in operation in downtown Prince George for the past 20 years.
“We are a small not-for-profit, so we rely heavily on funders,” West said.
The United Way and Northern Health are two contributors West mentioned, along with individual supporters.
“Last year, we served over 15,000 meals and snacks from our little drop-in center,” West said.
“But the need continues to grow in our community. Over the past 20 years, we have seen grandchildren come in with their grandparents, and we have watched those children grow
up. Patrons come from all over the north and even from around the world. We currently have patrons from Peru. Despite how the world has changed over the years, we have remained a consistent presence in the Prince George community. The funding we have received from the United Way has significantly impacted the lives of our community’s most vulnerable. We believe people have the right to healthy, nutritious, and, when possible, cultural food. We provide fresh fruit and vegetables every day, as well as salmon about once a week.”
One current need for Positive Living North is updating the Fire Pit’s aging kitchen equipment.
“As a not-for-profit organization, we try to make our equipment last as long as possible because we usually don’t have the funds to replace it on a whim.
Most of our equipment has been in use since around 2007 and is well-loved by the people who prepare our food every day.”
The demand for Positive Living North’s services continues to grow, and West expressed appreciation for all the support provided by the United Way and the Prince George community.
“It’s all about finding the gaps,” said Lorna Bihori, United for People in Need campaign manager for United Way BC.
“There are always gaps in community systems, and while everyone has good intentions, someone needs to be pulling it all together. It’s really about uniting — coming together and working with our workplaces where they are. Although we have more than 1,500 campaigns ready to launch and work with over 500 different companies and their branches, each campaign is unique. It’s all about partnering and helping them support the community positively.
“When you give as an individual, the impact may seem smaller, but when you are part of a workplace and contribute through payroll, uniting with your staff, you are making a significant impact on the community. That’s where the difference lies — teamwork brings camaraderie and pride. People are proud to work in places that support the community. Giving is always close to the heart; it’s an emotional time, and we want it to be engaging and fun. That’s very important to us.”
Giving is challenging, and it’s becoming more difficult, said Kris Gibson, provincial director of corporate relations for the United Way.
“Philanthropy is very difficult,” Gibson said. “We understand that it’s harder than ever. It’s tough for everyone to reach a little deeper and give, but the power of the collective is crucial. When individuals contribute what they can from their paychecks, it’s the collective effort that makes an impact, and every little bit makes a huge difference.”
For more information about the United Way BC and how to make an impact, visit https://uwbc.ca/.
Two researchers from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) have secured more than $300,000 in federal funding for their studies.
The funding, awarded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), supports research into 15th-century Jewish women who converted to Christianity in Spain and climate change education in northern B.C.
History Prof. Dana Wessell Lightfoot and School of Education assistant Prof. Hartley Banack received grants from SSHRC’s Insight Grant and Insight Development Grant programs.
“With support from SSHRC, UNBC researchers are advancing knowledge on critical societal issues and informing public policy,” said UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne.
“These grants enable UNBC to address both local and global challenges, advancing our mission to foster thriving communities.”
The Insight Grant program supports researchers and teams advancing knowledge about individuals, groups, and societies. It also provides research and funding opportunities for graduate students.
“SSHRC-funded research enhances our understanding of the past and present, fostering a more informed public,” said UNBC vice-president of research and innovation Paula Wood-Adams. “By involving students, we are preparing the next generation to tackle complex challenges.”
Wessell Lightfoot is partnering with University of Toronto associate Prof. Alexandra Guerson to explore the lives of 15th-century Spanish Jewish women, known as conversas, who converted to Christianity.
Their research, funded by a $240,994 Insight Grant over five years, examines how these women’s choices, work, marriages, and religious identities were influenced by their local contexts in Barcelona, Girona, and Valencia.
“We are eager to continue our study of Jewish women and conversas in late
medieval Spain,” Wessell Lightfoot said.
“Our project highlights the deep historical roots of current societal questions, demonstrating the value of understanding the past to address present and future issues.”
Banack received a $60,489 Insight Development Grant over two years for his Climate Education in Teacher Education project.
Using participatory action research, Banack and his team will investigate northern BC K-12 teachers’ beliefs about climate change and their approach to climate change education. The project also includes workshops for teachers on climate change action.
“Climate change is already affecting northern BC,” Banack said. “Teachers
play a crucial role in preparing students to adapt. Our project explores how teachers understand and teach about climate change, developing tailored supports to enhance their ability to deliver the B.C. curriculum.”
Five other UNBC School of Education faculty members, including Joanie Crandall, Christine Ho Younghusband, Alex Lautensach, David Litz, and Glen Thielmann, are co-applicants on Banack’s project.
SSHRC is one of three major federal research funding agencies in Canada, alongside the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
“The SSHRC Insight Research
Climate change is already affecting northern
Teachers play a crucial role in preparing students to adapt.’
program funds projects aimed at advancing knowledge in the social sciences and humanities,” explained research project officer Sharleen Balogh.
“Insight Grants support long-term research of two to five years, while Insight Development Grants back shortterm projects of up to two years.”
A new research initiative at the Mount Milligan Mine is using genomics to advance land reclamation efforts, thanks to funding from Genome British Columbia (Genome BC), Centerra Gold Inc., and Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
The project aims to assess ecological recovery at the mine site, located north of Prince George.
Reclaiming mining-affected lands is a long-term process that can take decades to gauge success. The Mount Milligan project, supported by Genome BC and the Mount Milligan Mine, is exploring innovative ways to evaluate how well reclamation activities are working.
Researchers from TRU and Chu Cho Environmental, a Tsay Keh Dene Nationowned firm, are using genomics to monitor signs of biodiversity recovery in reclaimed soils.
“This project investigates whether these advanced monitoring methods can provide quicker indications of reclamation success,” said Suzanne
Gill, President and CEO of Genome BC.
“By using genomics to detect invertebrates like insects and spiders, as well as soil microbes and fungi, we aim to identify early indicators of ecological recovery.”
Jonathan Van Hamme, a researcher at TRU, explained that microbial communities and invertebrates play crucial roles
in soil development and are sensitive to environmental changes.
The study will compare soil samples from the reclamation site with those from various reference areas, including regenerating commercial forestry sites, wildfire-affected areas, and bare ground controls.
“If successful, this method could
quickly highlight areas where reclamation is falling short, enabling timely improvements,” said Van Hamme.
The research also explores the use of native plant species in reclamation, moving away from traditional commercial seed mixes to locally sourced plants.
The Mount Milligan Mine is collaborating with the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Nak’azdli Whut’en to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into reclamation planning.
Kristen Marini, an ecologist at Chu Cho Environmental, emphasized the importance of Indigenous involvement.
“Engaging with Indigenous communities ensures that reclaimed areas will support native flora, fauna, and traditional practices.”
The project represents a significant step in evolving land reclamation practices, aiming to enhance both ecological recovery and community engagement.
Genome BC is a non-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for nearly 25 years.
gas transmission and midstream, in a media release.
Enbridge, the Calgary-based pipeline and energy giant, has officially announced that it has named a key component of its proposed Aspen Point Program natural gas pipeline system in honour of the Doig River First Nation people, whose territory the pipeline will cross.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Enbridge’s Compressor Station 1B, located five kilometres south of Taylor, a crowd of about 75 gathered to hear that the company will now refer to the station as Wuchiigii, the Danezaa Záágéu Beaver language name that translates to Peace River in English.
“We are proud to carry the first Danezaa name along our natural gas pipeline system in B.C.,” said Steve Elliott, Enbridge’s vice-president of Canadian
“This name not only honours the traditional land and cultural heritage of Indigenous people but also represents our ongoing effort to build stronger relationships with Doig River First Nation and other Indigenous groups across the province.
“While we’ve had a longstanding history of working with Doig River First Nation, we firmly believe that meaningful engagement goes beyond just naming— it involves ongoing open dialogue and collaboration. That’s what this name means for us: it’s a demonstration and commitment to continued partnership.”
The name Wuchiigii was chosen by the Doig River First Nation as a result of discussions with Enbridge about the proposed natural gas expansion project in northern B.C.
“The Dane-zaa people have lived along the Peace River for more than
12,000 years, which they referred to as Wuchiigii (Peace River),” said Doig River First Nation Chief Trevor Makadahay. “Among the rivers and valleys, the Beaver people were able to find harmony in nature, establish good governance, and maintain peaceful coexistence with neighbours and newcomers alike.”
Members of the Doig River First Nation council and administration, community members, Enbridge representatives, and leaders of nearby municipalities attended the ceremony.
According to Enbridge, the name “reflects a broader shift in how industry and government are approaching reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Across B.C., there is increasing recognition of the importance of Indigenous collaboration and partnership. Enbridge, guided by its Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, is committed to taking action on ways to build stronger
relationships with Indigenous communities and exploring opportunities to maximize economic inclusion and benefits.”
“For the past two years, we have worked with Indigenous nations and local communities in northern B.C. in the planning and development of this project,” said Dave Challoner, Enbridge manager of projects and Aspen Point Program project lead. “We look forward to continuing that work throughout its construction and ongoing operation.”
The project is currently under regulatory review. If approved, construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025, with a target completion date in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Natural gas produced in B.C. is needed to heat homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools, and to generate hydroelectric power. It is also the primary energy source for manufacturingplants across the province.
EMILIA MOULECHKOVA
Northern Health
Bright packaging, celebrity endorsers, and viral marketing – these are some of the reasons energy drinks create quite a buzz!
According to the 2023 BC Adolescent Health Survey, the number of teens using energy drinks has doubled in the past five years.
Not only are teens often the targets of marketing, but they are one of the groups most impacted by the negative health effects of caffeinated energy drinks.
In my role as a dietitian, I’ve spoken with many parents and teachers who are concerned about the growing popularity, ease of access, and health impacts of these drinks.
But advice like “don’t drink it because it’s bad for you” can backfire.
There are many reasons teens may
choose these products, including social norms, advertising, and the perception that they boost energy or physical performance.
So, what are parents and schools to do?
While I can’t offer any “silver bullet” solutions, here are a few thoughts:
Approach talking to teens about energy drinks with curiosity
Aim to understand where teens are coming from; this can open the door to meaningful dialogue.
Consider open-ended questions like:
• What do you know about energy drinks and how they affect your health?
• Why do you think teens go for energy drinks?
• What do you like about them? Based on the responses, you might share facts or brainstorm alternative solutions.
they’re being taken advantage of.
Supplemented foods are prepackaged foods with added ingredients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids or other ingredients (for example, caffeine).
Teach label reading to support informed choices
Reading food labels helps us know how much caffeine is in a product. Health Canada recommends that teens (14-18 years old) consume no more than 180 mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to about one cup of coffee). Have teens think about all the food and drinks they consume each day – they might be getting more caffeine than they realize! Did you know? One energy drink can contain up to 200 mg of caffeine, which is more than the daily limit for teens. Teaching young people how to read food labels can help them make informed choices.
As of January 2026, Health Canada will be requiring new labels on all supplemented foods, including caffeinated energy drinks. To learn more, check out the Health Canada poster in this article, or watch this video.
For example, if a teen’s using energy drinks because they feel tired, explore changes they could make to their daily routine that could help them feel more energized.
Encourage being critical about how energy drinks are marketed
Energy drinks are a multi-billion-dollar industry that uses aggressive marketing strategies. Support critical thinking with questions like:
• What tactics do companies use to make you want to buy their energy drinks?
• Do they use celebrities, cool packaging, special deals, or try to play with your emotions?
• Do you think what they’re saying is true?
• Who’s making money from these drinks? Who might be hurt by them?
Most teens hate feeling as though
Have water and other healthy drinks readily available
To help teens choose water more often, make it readily available at home and at school. Encourage packing a leakproof water bottle for school, activities, and trips. Milk and fortified soy beverages are also hydrating and nutritious options. Try to role-model these healthy drink habits for teens when you can.
Don’t sell or promote energy drinks in your school, or during special events
Consider a school-district-wide policy that does not allow energy drink sales, promotional posters, or sponsorship. Some schools may choose to ban energy drinks entirely. If a student brings these products to class, let them know about the school policy without judging or shaming their choices.
How have you approached talking about energy drinks with teens? Let us know what has worked well (and not so well)!
Canadian National Institute for the Blind Smartlife coach Kathleen Jordan demonstrates one of a number of electronic magnifiers that are available to assist partially sighted or vision impaired people at the CNIB Prince George Mobile Hub held at the Q3 Creative Hub at Third Avenue and Quebec Street Thursday, Sept. 12. The event showcased the new program delivery model that brings in-person programming at no cost to attendees.
People who are blind, deafblind or have low vision met local CNIB staff while attending free programs and accessing resources for themselves and those who support them. With recreational and social activities, technology workshops and demonstrations of accessibility items attendees experienced the latest breakthroughs in assistive tech from CNIB SmartLife and learned how to integrate it into their daily lives. Those in need of support, assistance and access to assistive technology programs and resources can contact Amit Ram at amit.ram@cnib.ca.
The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is now accepting new adult patients at its dental clinic for the fall semester, from September to December.
The clinic offers preventative care by dental hygiene students, supervised by licensed dental practitioners, for a flat fee of $50.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience while serving the community,” said Diane Horita, senior clinic lead. “Our clinic not only helps students develop their skills but also ensures accessible and quality dental care for our patients.”
Services at the CNC dental clinic include comprehensive dental hygiene care, fissure sealants, full mouth x-rays, panorex imaging and sports guards. However, the clinic does not offer
restorative services such as fillings or dentures, nor does it provide emergency dental treatment.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to help improve patients’ oral health while learning and applying new skills,” said
a second-year dental hygiene student.
Patients should anticipate appointment times of approximately two to three hours, depending on their individual needs and how long they have been without professional dental care.
Multiple visits may be required for complete treatment.
The CNC dental clinic operates from September through early May and is closed on statutory holidays and during the Christmas break.
Clinic hours vary each semester based on course schedules.
To schedule an appointment, email patient_services_coordinator@cnc. bc.ca or call 250-561-5810 (voicemail is available for callbacks).
For information on enrolling in the program, look up the program at www. cnc.bc.ca or speak to a Future Student Advisor at the college.
Culture is an entree, not a side dish
When you think about your health and well-being, do you consider the importance of cultural foods?
Culture is part of who we are and has deep connections to how we eat. “Cultural foods” can include what and how we eat to celebrate our identities and food traditions. They are an important part of healthy eating and support our overall health and wellness.
Cultural food is healthy food
Foods can meet our cultural, emotional, and spiritual needs. Worldwide, there are many ways of eating, so this will can look different from person to person, and group to group.
My experience as a student dietitian included seeing clients who seek dietary advice after receiving a new diagnosis, such as for diabetes. However, I’ve noticed that guidance about “healthy eating” can be incomplete. Often the focus is on the nutrients within foods, while other parts of healthy eating are forgotten.
We also tend to primarily see Western examples of healthy meals. While those foods are nutritious and can be culturally significant for some people, they may be unfamiliar and out of reach for others.
The reality is that all cultures have foods which are nutritious and good for our bodies and souls. For example, in my Vietnamese culture, dishes with bean thread noodles, winter melon, wild rice, water crescents, and mung bean desserts are all a part of healthy living.
How we connect to culture through food
Culture and identity are deeply tied to how we eat. Jared Qwustenuxun Williams, an Indigenous Chef and Salish cultural educator, shows us in this diagram how the foods we eat are tied to traditional ways of teaching, tool -making, harvesting, preserving, and
cooking. All of this together is culture; culture is who we are. To preserve culture, it’s important that we continue to seek, prepare, eat, and share our cultural foods.
When we focus on our cultural foods, it supports healthy living by helping us to:
• Choose foods that we enjoy
• Connect socially over food
• Build food skills
• Strengthen our cultural connections
Cultural foods help us express who we are
My first time making a familiar dish of
egg fried tofu with stir-fried broccoli and rice after calling my mom for instructions (it was edible!)
While I was in Terrace for part of my practical training, I was a bit homesick. I missed my family and the foods we shared.
When it came to making a familiar dish, I didn’t always have the right ingredients and, further, I really didn’t have the skills.
However, when I called my mom to ask her how to cook simple things like white rice on the stove, or when I looked up familiar recipes online, I felt closer to home.
Recreating my family’s cultural
foods is not always an easy process for me. But when I find small ways to recreate these dishes with the ingredients around me, it feels like I’m bridging my culture into my new environment.
In turn, I’m am learning new ways to express who I am through the foods that I make.
What about you?
How do you include cultural and food traditions into your life?
Do you celebrate special events with specific foods or dishes?
Do you use recipes that have been handed down in your family?
Sept. 19, 1978: Spider-Man is alive and well in Prince George. When not fighting dastardly villains, he spends his time caulking the brick sections at Project 400. The $7 million office and retail building between 4th and 5th Avenues on George Street was expected to be complete that year. Today, it’s home to Service BC. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY TIM SWANKY
Nathanial Pawluk of the Duchess Park Condors blasts a shot toward Jordan Foot of the D.P. Todd Trojans in the Kodiak Classic high school boys’ gold medal volleyball game at the College of New Caledonia. The Condors beat the Trojans 25-14, 2515 for the gold. In the girls’ final, the College Heights Cougars beat Duchess Park 25-19, 25-23. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVID MAH
Sept. 21, 1992: Runners, walkers and cyclists take part in the mass start of the 12th annual Terry Fox Run at Ron Brent Elementary School. More than $18,000 was collected with more donations still expected, with officials saying the total could top $30,000. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE
$6,000 JACKPOT
$4,000 cash plus $2,000 Slot Free Play $300 Regular Games $600 Double Win Regular games $2,000 $200 Slot Free Plays X 10 Draws
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH 6:00 PM Evening Bingo
The team aims to climb out of the cellar after last season’s disappointing performance
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
After a five-month hiatus, the Prince George Spruce Kings will return to action next weekend on the road in Surrey. They will kick off their 28th B.C. Hockey League regular season against the defending BCHL champion Surrey Eagles.
Facing one of the top teams in the league in their own arena early in the season will help gauge how much the Spruce Kings have progressed.
After last year’s challenging season, there’s only one way to go: up.
The 2023-24 season was one to forget. The Kings struggled from the start, finishing at the bottom of the Interior Conference standings with a 16-35-30-0 record, which ranked 16th in the 17-team league. They had the BCHL’s worst defence and were among the lowest in goals-for.
General manager Mike Hawes and head coach Alex Evin had a tough task recruiting a team that could improve their record, further complicated by the addition of five Alberta teams leaving the Alberta Junior Hockey League to join the BCHL last December.
However, the Spruce Kings seem to have addressed their roster deficiencies with a new group of players alongside 12 returning members from last season. After allowing an average of 4.37 goals per game during the 54-game regular season, the Kings are relying on 19-yearold goaltender Carter Wishart, a Colgate University recruit from Minnesota, to be their primary netminder.
Wishart posted solid numbers in two junior seasons with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel and has the size (six-foot-two, 182 pounds) scouts like. Ryder Green, a 17-year-old from Prince George, also showed promise during his brief stint in BCHL action last season, almost leading the team to a playoff
Spruce Kings forward Mason Loewen backhands a shot across the goal crease in front of Langley Rivermen goalie Bodee Weiss but ultimately gets it to cross the goal line during preseason action at Kopar Memorial Arena Friday, Sept. 13.
upset against Penticton in a memorable double-overtime loss.
“Carter has been a great addition,” said Hawes.
“He played extremely well in Surrey. We’re very pleased with what we saw. It’s important to have a good goaltender at our level to have any success, and last year we really struggled in that department. With Carter and Ryder, we’re confident we’ve solidified that position.”
The Kings have strengthened their defence, with Maks Percic, a Slovenian who split last season between the Vernon Vipers and Merritt Centennials, being a key addition. Percic, who has BCHL playoff experience, previously played in Finland.
“Maks has been a great addition so far,” said Hawes. “He excelled in fitness testing at camp. He’s a very talented and fit player who leads by example and is tough to play against. We’re thrilled to have him.”
Another defenceman to watch is 17-year-old Jayden Connors, a New Hampshire recruit from Scarborough, Ont., who had strong numbers (2-21-23) as a rookie with St. Michael’s (OJHL).
Aiden Souligny returns for one more season in Prince George before heading to Boston University, joining Evan Bellamy and 20-year-old Trent Ballentyne as returning blueliners.
Zachery Hachey and Prince George native Brody Martin are also part of the defensive group.
“It’s definitely a work in progress, and we’re going to need a lot from the returning players. The onus is on them to perform, both as a group and individually,” said Hawes. “There are high expectations for our team, and it will start with the D corps.”
Hawes is optimistic about the depth of his forward group, which was a primary focus over the summer.
Japanese import Kazumo Sasaki, who collected 47 points in his BCHL debut season and represented Japan in the world junior IA tournament, is expected to be a major point producer again as he prepares for a college hockey future at Lake Superior State. CONTINUED
Spruce Kings defenseman Skogen Schrott races Langley Rivermen forward Noah Macdonald for the puck Friday during their preseason game at Kopar Memorial Arena Friday, Sept. 13. The team opens the regular season Friday in Surrey.
Six other Kings forwards are committed to NCAA schools, including returnees Owen Goodbrand (Bentley), Lucas Veilleux (Colgate), and Skogan Schrott (Michigan Tech). Three new additions include Princeton-bound right winger Ryan Wachtel, a New Jersey native who scored regularly (17-22-39) in high school hockey at Brunswick School. The Kings also acquired 18-year-old Brock Cummings, a six-foot-two, 194pound centre, in the Luca Primerano trade with Cowichan Valley. Cummings is coming off a 34-point rookie season with the Caps.
Another player to watch is left winger Cooper Williams, a Michigan native who secured a scholarship at Lake Superior State after a standout season with Compuware 16U (43 goals, 69 points). Vanderhoof native Linden Makow, 20,
will wear the ‘C’ for Prince George and aims to improve on his 16-goal, 34-point season. Vital Dinis, Carter Hesselgrave, and Brogan McNeil are also returning forwards.
“I don’t think anyone was really happy with the season last year,” said Hawes. “Linden has a lot to prove this year. He knows it’s his last shot as a 20-year-old player. He’s going to be a leader for us, and we’re looking for big things from him.”
RIT recruit Will Moore, a 20-year-old from Indiana, had 40 points in 45 games with the Johnstown Tomahawks. Moore had off-season shoulder surgery but is expected to be available soon.
Mason Loewen, a native of Charlie Lake, was second in scoring with the Cariboo Cougars (55 points), and the Kings also have Rylan Bissett, who ranked third on the Cariboo U18s with 54 points. Aidan Carolan, 19, from
Oshawa, Ont., is also contending for a forward spot as a BCHL rookie coming off a 30-point season in the CCHL with the Brockville Braves.
“I think to win at our level, you need nine top-six forwards, and I think we’ve achieved that,” said Hawes. “We have a mix of grit, strong checkers, and players who can contribute offensively.”
Goodbrand will start the season on the injured reserve list, but Hawes is hopeful he will return soon.
Kings fans won’t get to see all the Alberta teams at Kopar Arena. Games against the Brooks Bandits and Okotoks Oilers are scheduled on the road (Oct. 11-12). The Blackfalds Bulldogs will play Prince George for the BHCL Showcase game in Abbotsford - designated a Spruce Kings home game - on Oct. 15, followed by the Spruce Grove Saints (Nov. 23) and Sherwood Park Crusaders (March 16).
The BCHL has raised its level of play since becoming independent from Hockey Canada a year ago, adding European players to the mix.
The 17 incumbent teams will need to up their game to keep pace with the Alberta teams, led by the Bandits, who won three consecutive junior A national championships starting with their victory over the Spruce Kings in the 2019 national final.
“The recruiting for everyone has increased, so the talent in the league is better and higher than I’ve ever seen it,” said Hawes. “The addition of these five high-end teams elevates our league even more, and teams will have to step up their game to earn points.”
The Spruce Kings return to the Mainland Division for the first time since 2021, making travel a bit easier for Prince George, the northernmost team in the 21-team BCHL.
The start of another school year brings with it the return of secondary school athletics. Local student athletes are back in action, hitting the field for football practice or battling it out in a competitive annual volleyball tournament. See more photos at www.princegeorgecitizen.
of our Son & Brother
Shayne Edward George Ryll
Dec. 2/64 - Sept. 28/87
Forever in our hearts
Dad, Carolyn, and Gina
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Shirley St. John after a long battle with MS.
She is survived by her husband Joel and children Brandle, Gloria, and Jennifer, along with 6 grandchildren.
She will be remembered by many family and friends for her gentle, compassionate spirit and will be held in our hearts forever.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Gateway Lodge for the many years of care they provided for Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the MS Society of Prince George.
A service will be held at the Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery Friday, September 20th at 2:00pm.
Mary Elizabeth Dyc
Mary Elizabeth Dyc, aged 75, of Prince George, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024 with her family beside her.
She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.
Mary lived a life full of love, grace, and kindness. Her strength and devotion to her family were an inspiration to all who knew her.
Mary is pre-deceased by her husband Andy Dyc and son Darcy Prevost.
She is survived by her sisters Maureen & Doreen, brother Eddy, daughter Michelle, Grandchildren; Jessica (Shain), Zach (Claire), Eric (Kayla), James, Vanessa (Colton), Cory (Christine), Chaniel along with great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Her presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love willlive on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
A funeral service will be held to honor her memory on September 28, at 10am at the First Baptist Church.
Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The First Baptist Church in her memory.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and kindness during this difficult time.
Douglas William Forrest
March 17, 1931 - August 18, 2024
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Dad was a gentle soul and the light of our family.
Survived by his only child, Rick(Janet) his two grandchildren, Dennis and Karlynn and two precious great-grandchildren and friend Lil.
Predeceased by his cherished wife Astrid, his parents and siblings.
Dad was born in Turtleford, SK. And at a young age he and his family settled in Squamish, BC., where he would eventually begin his life long career as a locomotive engineer at the age of 21 with BCRail, spanning over 49 years.
Dad was an avid fisherman and spent many summers at the cabin that we built at Stuart Lake. He was a Spruce Kings and Cougars fan and a season ticket holder for many years.
May you rest in peace. We will love you forever, until we meet again.
No service by request. If desired, donations may be made to the PG Hospice House in his memory.
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Wayne Quiring, age 73 of Vernon, BC after a lengthy struggle with cancer, on his own terms, surrounded by loved ones. Don was born in Tisdale, Sask. Jan 20, 1951, to Pete and Aggie Quiring. Don later moved to Prince George, BC where he started his family with Donna, the mother of his three children. Eventually moving to Vernon, BC with his family where he continued his lifelong career as a professional driver for Dairyland and later Vedder – Agri Foods. He was proud to say that he was never unemployed, rarely had a sick day and was never involved in a serious accident despite being born blind in one eye. Don loved to celebrate his birthdays in warmer climates with good friends and family, especially with toes in the sand, a cerveza in one hand and a shooter in the other. He was very proud of how well his boys played hockey and enjoyed watching his grandson Steel and granddaughter Talia play hockey and his granddaughters Hailey and Hillary play ringette. He also was a fan of UFC and boxing.
Don was pre-deceased by his spouse Helen Lorenson, his parents Peter and Agnes, his older brother Raymond and his sweet baby daughter Stacy at the age of 2 and ½ years.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially by his partner Maureen Primrose (Greg), his oldest son Darcy and Lisa, (Hailey and Hillary) son Tyler and Jen (Steel and Talia), stepdaughter LeeAnne and Richard (Jordan, Brendan, and Cole).
A huge heartfelt Thank You to friends who were always available for help and support. We are very grateful to, and for, the exceptionally kind and caring individuals of OKIB first responders, ambulance crews, community care nurses, all emergency staff at VJH and to Drs Trayer, Martin and Spencer.
Celebration of Life to be held October 26th, 11:30 am – 3 pm Lakers Clubhouse 7000 Cummins Rd, Vernon, BC
In Liew of flowers please donate to either the VJH Foundation, Heart and Stroke, Kidney Foundation or the Cancer Society BC
It is with much sadness that the family of Horst Sander announces his passing into the arms of the Lord on September 9, 2024.
Horst was born on May 29, 1933 in Wuppertal, Germany and after growing up during WW II, he left Germany as a young man to experience more of the world first-hand. He eventually found himself in northern B.C., and he and his new bride Helma made Prince George their home in 1963.
Horst embarked on an exciting and rewarding career in the fast-developing forest industry of that time, eventually serving as President & CEO of Northwood Inc. from 1979 until his retirement in 1990. But his commitment and passion for the development of northern B.C. went far beyond his working career, as he was deeply involved in community service. He will be remembered mostly for the vital roles he played in establishing UNBC and the Child Development Centre. He also served on the boards of UNBC, the PG Community Foundation, the PG Regional Hospital, and the BC Premier’s Advisory Council, to mention only a few. He was recognized as Prince George’s Citizen of the Year in 1999, was awarded an honourary degree from UNBC in 2000, and received Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
But for all of his service and accomplishments, Horst, if asked, would say that it was his family that brought him his greatest sense of joy and satisfaction.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Helma in 2020, and is lovingly remembered by his daughters Dorothea (Patrick), Christine (Les), and Andrea (Scott), his grandchildren Jared (Megan), Kailey (Brian), Jenna and Eric, and his great-granddaughter Skylar.
Horst took a genuine interest in everyone he met and was gifted in making people feel respected and at ease.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Devan Reddy and Dr. Tom Carter, and all of Horst’s medical team, for their excellent care and attention.
A Celebration of Life and reception will be held on Sunday, October 13th at the Coast Inn of the North Ballroom, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm. Live streaming will be available for those unable to attend in person.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice, or to the Sander Family Fund at the Prince George Community Foundation.
Esther Creuzot 1921-2024
Creuzot
was born in Bottineau North Dakota in 1921. At the young age of four Esther her parents and siblings arrived in Canada and homesteaded at Leroy Saskatchewan. She took all her schooling in Leroy with the exception of grade 12 in Bottineau.
Returning to Leroy she met the love of her life Henry Creuzot and they were married in 1943. Esther and Henry lived in Vancouver, Mission, and a brief time in Kelowna before arriving in Prince George in 1951. Together they went into the hospitality business building Grama’s Inn and Esther’s Inn along with raising their family.
She is the last of her siblings and is predeceased by Sisters; Evelyn, Marion, Lucille, Ethel and Brothers Virgil and Orville. As well, her loving husband Henry and grandson Curtis. Left with fond and loving memories are sons: Gary (Alice) and Roger (Peggy); grandchildren Allen (Tracy), Duaine (Becky), Brian (Shawn), Grant (Kristie), Jason, Todd, Thelma (Lorne) and Donalda (Marty). Several great and great great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank her friends, family, and workers that looked after her over the last years of her life. Memorial celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
North Meadows Annual Garage Sale September 28th 9am - 3pm
3600 Fairburn Rd. to 4600 North Nechako Rd. Multi-family garage sale September 21st and 22nd Saturday 9-4 pm
Contact Rick at (250) 961-1506
13005 Louis Dr. Prince George
Something for everyone! You don't want to miss these deals!
New and used mens work clothing and gloves, housewares, construction materials and tools, air tools & compressor, saddles, horse blankets, fishing gear, boat and motor, vehicles, large equipment, tires, and much, much more.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm
New members and volunteers welcome! For information please email princegeorgepartyprogram@gmail.com
We would like to thank the following sponsors who have made the 2024-2025
P.A.R.T.Y. Program year possible: Dr. Turner, Dr. Appleby, Dr. Sidorov, & Dr. Reddy ICBC, Operation Red Nose, Northern Health & BC Gaming
Prince George Safe Attitudes & Actions Society acknowledge that we live, work and play on the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, and we thank them for their stewardship over this beautiful land.
IN-HOUSE • VERNON
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST
SESSION 1 - HUGE MULTI ESTATE
8 AM (Lots Start Closing)
SESSION 2 - BAILIFF SEIZURE - SMOKANAGAN NOON (Lots Start Closing)
ONLINE TIMED AUCTION / **REGISTER/BID NOW**
Partial List Includes: JD 3720 4x4 Tractor, JD Farm Implements, High-End Jewellery, Silver Rounds/Bars, Ford Model T Cars (1917 & 1927), Huge Selection of Antiques & Collectables, Quonset Building, Unique High Quality Dining Furniture, Mid Century Modern Teak Furniture, Pictures/Prints, TVs, Stereos, Kitchen-Smallwares, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Large Selection of High-End Exercise Equipment, Pinball Machines, Pool Table, Portable Sauna, Welders, Compressors, Generator, Chain Saws, Folding Bikes, Fishing & Camping Gear, Downriggers, Go-Cart, Mini Quad, Snowmobile, Commercial Sewing Machines, Large Safe, Commercial Ice Blasting Unit, Vehicles, Plus Much More!!
BAILIFF SEIZURE - SMOKANAGAN - KELOWNA Viewing - Dodds Showroom - Ver non (Both Sessions) Thu/Fri (Sept 19/20) - 8:30 am - 5 pm & Sat (Sept 21) - 8:30 am - Noon
C
Steel stud framer for Prince George job on Bear Road, approximately 4 to 5 months Max Flynn 949 Joan Cres Victoria BC 250-818-2217 maxflynn949@gmail.com
The Citizen is seeking an Advertising Manager. This position would include the following responsibilities:
• Co-ordinating the efforts of our existing sales team, including setting budgets, goals and plans to reach and exceed targets
• Developing marketing plans for new and existing clients, utilizing our first-party and third-party audiences
• Analyzing existing features and projects and introducing new products and solutions
• Networking within the community and acting as an ambassador and champion of The Citizen and our marketing solutions
Qualifications:
• A proven track record in sales and sales management
What we offer:
A base wage plus commission, with full benefits
How to apply: Please email owner@pgcitizen.ca
Who we are:
The Citizen is Locally Owned, Community Focused. We are the region’s leading source of news and information, and have been for more than 100 years. We love our community and strive to make it even better.
(778)890-0162 or
(604)750-0210
Bachelor and One Bedroom Cabins. Fully furnished. Weekly rates. Apply in person. 867 17th Avenue.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
After much traveling this year, you’re due for some relaxed time with family and friends. Use this period to check out situations that will soon require a lot of serious decision-making.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Keep that keen Bovine mind focused on your financial situation as it begins to undergo some changes. Consider your money moves carefully. Avoid impulsive investments.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’ll need to adjust some of your financial plans now that things are changing more quickly than you expected. All the facts you need haven’t yet emerged, so move cautiously.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Personal and professional relationships dominate this period. Try to keep things uncomplicated in order to avoid misunderstandings that can cause problems down the line.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) That elusive goal you’d been hoping to claim is still just out of reach. But something else has come along that could prove to be just as desirable, if only you would take the time to check it out.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
This is a good time to get away for some much-needed rest and relaxation. You’ll return refreshed and ready to take on a workplace challenge that awaits you.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Confidence grows as you work your way through some knotty situations. Watch out for distractions from well-meaning supporters who could slow things down.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Consider spending more time contemplating the possibilities of an offer before opting to accept or reject it. But once you make a decision, act on it.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You’re in a very strong position this week to tie up loose ends in as many areas as possible. Someone close to you has advice you might want to heed.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Congratulations! This is the week you’ve been waiting for. After a
period of sudden stops and fitful starts, your plans can now move ahead without significant disruptions.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’re in an exceptionally strong position this week to make decisions on many still-unresolved matters, especially those involving close personal relationships.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
The week starts off with some positive movement in several areas. A special person becomes a partner in at least one of the major plans you’ll be working on.
The ceiling fan is a simple and economical solution for cooling a room in the summertime, circulating the air in winter, and possibly even providing lighting. Here are a few tips to help you choose the most suitable model for your space.
BLADES The greater the angle of incline, the more powerful the device’s motor will be. The diameter of the fan blades also impacts its efficiency. Consequently, the length of fan blades must correspond to the size of the room. It’s less important how many blades there are on the fan; it’s more important that their size be compatible with the space in your room.
DOWNROD Ensure the distance between the fan and the floor is about seven or eight feet. If your ceiling is more than nine-feet high, you must choose a fan with a longer downrod so you can set the blades to an appropriate height from the floor.
ACTIVATION You can choose from several control options to adjust the fan’s speed. For example, if you choose a wall switch, you must install an electrical connection. However, you can also find models that come with a remote control or manual chain that hangs from the device.
STYLE This decision depends entirely on your taste. However, make sure the fan you choose matches other elements and materials in the room, like the metal on the door handles and light fixtures. Keep in mind that lacquered blades are easy to clean, which you’ll appreciate if you’re installing the fan in the kitchen.
LIGHTING You can also integrate your lighting directly into your fan and replace the bulbs as needed. If you choose this option, make your selection according to the types of bulbs you prefer.
Installing a ceiling fan or light fixture is subject to regional regulations and may require a permit. Therefore, it’s best to trust a licensed electrician to safely install your fan in compliance with building standards.
Have some of your friends or family members bought an air fryer and swear by this versatile appliance? If their enthusiasm has convinced you to get one for yourself or you want to get on board with the trend, keep these points in mind.
SPACE Before you start shopping, ensure you have enough space in your kitchen to accommodate an air fryer. These appliances can be bulky, so ensure you have enough counter or cupboard space. If necessary, declutter by getting rid of items you no longer need.
CAPACITY Next, consider the capacity of the air fryer. If you cook large quantities of food or have a big family, it’s best to opt for a model with a capacity of at least five litres. A smaller model will require you to cook in batches,
which can be time-consuming.
MAINTENANCE Some air fryers are easier to clean than others because of a nonstick coating. If you hate hand washing and prefer to put items like the basket or grate in the dishwasher, ensure the air fryer you choose has dish washer safe parts.
Happy shopping!
Cleaning the outside of your windows before the cold sets in is a smart way to keep your home looking bright and welcoming through the winter months. Dirt, grime, and water stains can accumulate throughout the warmer seasons, obstructing light and diminishing the overall appearance of your home. By tackling this task in the fall, you can ensure clean windows before freezing temperatures make the job more difficult.
To start, gather necessary supplies: a squeegee, a bucket of warm soapy water, a soft sponge, and a microfiber cloth. Choose a mild day for the task, as cleaning in direct sunlight or freezing conditions can cause streaking or rapid drying. Begin by rinsing the windows with water to loosen dirt
MANY ADVANTAGES Air fryers use less electricity and produce less heat than conventional ovens. This makes them perfect for summer! They can cook all kinds of food quickly, including meat, French fries and desserts. Depending on the model, you also use little to no oil.
and debris. Then, using the soapy solution, scrub the glass with the sponge in a circular motion, focusing on tough spots. Use the squeegee to wipe away excess water, moving from top to bottom in one smooth motion.
For stubborn stains like hard water deposits, a solution of vinegar and water can be very effective. After washing, use the microfiber cloth to dry the edges and any leftover water spots, ensuring a streak-free finish.
Regular fall cleaning will help maintain your windows in good condition, improve visibility, and enhance your home’s energy efficiency as more sunlight can pass through during the shorter winter days.
Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Are you building a new home and designing your kitchen from scratch? Here’s a look at some of this year’s latest trends to inspire you.
1. Create a spa-like atmosphere. Melt away the stresses of everyday life by creating a relaxing, warm and uncluttered space. This means doing away with bright, clinical lighting (think low lighting!). Fill the space with soft, organic colours like sandy brown and warm grey. Ideally, the cupboards should have no handles and focus on natural mate rials.
2. Curate a space for social interaction. Modern kitchens are designed to be a space for cooking together or breaking bread with loved ones. Spacious islands with rounded corners, along with stools or benches and other types of dining
areas, are all the rage. The focus is on creating a convivial atmosphere where family and friends can gather and enjoy each other’s company.
3. Make eco-responsible choices a priority. Incorporate sustainable practices into every aspect of the space. This includes using recycled materials, VOC free paint and wood from sustainably managed forests. You can also choose intelligent or ENERGY STAR certified electrical appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher, to re duce your carbon footprint further.
Creating the kitchen of your dreams re quires careful planning. Otherwise, you could exceed your budget or run into other unpleasant surprises. Call on the services of a kitchen design specialist in your area to ensure your project goes off without a hitch.
“Should I replace my old mattress now or wait another year?”
Are you wondering whether you should replace your mattress or whether you can get a few more years out of it? Here are five signs that it’s time to put your old mattress to rest:
1. It’s noisy. Do you have an old spring mattress that squeaks or creaks at the slightest movement? It’s time for an upgrade!
2. It’s lumpy. Is your mattress uneven? Does it have bumps or dips in the middle? If so, it’s time to find a new model that provides even support for your body and your partner.
3. It exacerbates your allergies. Over the years, your mattress can accumulate allergens, even if you take good care of it. You may help relieve your symptoms by getting a new mattress.
4. It’s uncomfortable. Does it take you a long time to fall asleep? Do you spend hours tossing and turning or feel achy when you wake up? Your mattress is no longer offering you the support you need.
5. It’s several years old. As a rule of thumb, experts recommend replacing your mattress every seven to 10 years. However, how quickly a mattress wears depends on various factors, including the material, your body type and the humidity level in your home. If your mattress is well over a decade old, it’s time to invest in a new one.
Visit your local mattress retailers and talk to a specialist to find the perfect mattress.
Fall is an ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs, preparing them for the dormant winter period. Pruning in the fall helps maintain plant health by removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, allowing for better air circulation and light penetration. This can prevent potential disease and pest infestations. When done correctly, pruning encourages vigorous growth and blooms in the next growing season.
For deciduous trees, pruning after they lose their leaves offers a clearer view of the structure, making it easier to identify areas that need thinning or reshaping. However, it’s crucial to avoid pruning springblooming plants in the fall, as this can reduce next year’s flowers. It’s better to wait until after they’ve bloomed in the spring to prune these varieties.
For perennials and shrubs, remove any spent flowers and trim back growth to tidy up the appearance before winter. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and avoid tearing plant tissues, which can expose them to infections. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can stress plants. Fall pruning should be minimal for some species, like oaks, to prevent disease spread.
Fall pruning is an essential task to keep gardens healthy and prepared for the next growing season.
