Gateway to the North by Prince George Citizen

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Your community voice for the north! WEDNESDAY September 20, 2017

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

Jake’s Gift opens TNW season

Jake’s Gift by Julia Mackey

September 14th - October 1st Tickets Available at Books & Company 250-614-0039 or online www.theatrenorthwest.com

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

When anniversaries happen, there are presents. Gifts. Theatre NorthWest has wrapped a special one for Prince George, to kick off their 2017-18 season. For playwright-performer Julia Mackey and director-stage manager Dirk Van Stralen, this year represents the 10th birthday for their successful brainchild. Jake’s Gift was conceived in their Cariboo home, raised by the village of fellow writers and actors all around them in the Wells-Barkerville creative klatch. Jake’s Gift turned out to be a wunderkind, walking and talking well ahead of its age. In only a few short years, this play’s scope went from local to national and it is now international and multilingual. But it has only made brief appearances in Prince George - rare, singular presentations - even though it was born in the backyard. TNW gives it the full-length platform it has earned in its decade of almost constant achievement. From now through Oct. 1, Mackey will march onto the Theatre NorthWest boards and start a proper, sustained campaign. Jake’s Gift is the first play in TNW’s mainstage series. “I’m so jazzed about that,” said Mackey, well aware that TNW typically produces all its plays

in-house. “We’ve been thinking about doing something like this with TNW for years, and we have talked about it with their artistic directors from time to time. The last one we spoke with was Samantha MacDonald (TNW’s artistic director from 2011-14), but it just didn’t work out. We were so thrilled to get word from Jack (Grinhaus, artistic director since 2014) that he knew of Jake’s Gift and this was something he wanted to program into his season. Dirk and I were so thrilled that it was finally going to happen - a full run in Prince George, and in our 10th anniversary year.” To indicate how highly regarded Jake’s Gift is as a theatre event, the acclaimed Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon has also tapped Mackey and Van Stralen to mount the production for them as well, later this season. It has been performed in more than 225 communities across Canada, as well as in the United States, the United Kingdom, and highly emotional performances in France, which forms a major part of the play’s setting. Mackey describes the play as being about a Second World War veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy for the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. While revisiting the shores of Juno beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious 10-year-old from the local village. — see VIBRANT CHARACTERS, page 3

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Vibrant characters, script and acting deliver impact to audiences — from page 1 Isabelle’s inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts – most notably the wartime death of his eldest brother, Chester, a once promising young musician. At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and makes personal the story behind one soldier’s grave, she said. There are aspects of this play not so easy to describe, such as the mystical transformations Mackey accomplishes as she plays the parts of both the aged war veteran and the inquisitive French child. Also hard to reconcile, other than chalking it up to the universal power of the dramatic arts, is the powerful emotions audiences feel through the telling of this story. Most have never been in battle, most have never been to the coast of France where so much devastating tragedy was a way of life. Yet, regardless of nationality, audiences everywhere report being bowled over by the creative impact. None more so than at Juno Beach itself where Mackey has performed Jake’s Gift twice, including during the 70th anniversary of that

through script and acting power, whether that’s epic battle involving so many Canadians. As in a backyard or a church or a gymnasium or a French/English bilingual, Mackey delivered black-box theatre or even at the War Museum and received in both those languages there. of Canada in Ottawa where the performance “I think I kind of had to push out where I room was named for a real D-Day soldier was, it was so emotional,” she said of those (Barney Danson) in the same company written performances. “The first time, in 2014, we of in the play. were in a venue right across from the house of This will be slightly the Queens Own Rifles, different, because Jake’s Canada House is the offiIf you have a strong Gift will be presented cial name, but it has been enough story, you don’t in a fully appointed adopted by that regiment need the actual house because it was one of on a beach. That’s what soft-seat theatre over the first homes liberated theatre is. You hope to transform multiple performances over a length of time. on D-Day and definitely the room through imagination. A few more production the first liberated by Canadians.” — Julia Mackey elements than usual can be applied. Mackey is Mackey said she and Van Stralen have been struck by an unexpected excited by these extra touches, but promises that touches is all they will be. Fans of Jake’s implication of the play, unintended, but it Gift have made it clear they greatly appreciate makes the upcoming TNW run all the more of the magic of the sparse staging. a curiosity for them. Thus far, Jake’s Gift has “If you have a strong enough story, you don’t required almost no staging effects. The props need the actual house on a beach. That’s what are minimal, the costumes are necessarily theatre is. You hope to transform the room efficient and so it has delivered all its punch

through imagination. It’s so important to us to keep the audiences’ imaginations involved in the storytelling,” she explained. She also confesses that there will never be a sequel or prequel. Jake’s Gift has been a labour of love and it has succeeded beyond Mackey’s and Van Stralen’s initial hopes. Those vibrant characters should, she said, be left to the world in that condition, framed forever by this one script. However, she added, with a mischievous tone, that doesn’t mean Jake’s Gift can’t move about the world in other creative forms. She doesn’t elaborate but leaves it to us to consider the possibilities. A movie? A scripted photo book? A graphic novel? Like the play itself, it is delicious to think about and imagine. Jake’s Gift opens on Sept. 16 and runs until Oct. 1 at Theatre NorthWest. Tickets are on sale now via the TNW website or at Books & Company. Francophone renditions are being planned, as are public discussions related to the themes and topics of the play. Those will be announced as they are finalized.

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BC SPCA ‘overwhelmed’ with abandoned cats Barbara GEERNAERT Citizen staff geernaert@pgcitizen.ca

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Four-month-old Ducky only has three legs and is only one of the many cats the Prince George branch of the BCSPCA has up for adoption.

many cats.” Added space pressure has also been placed on SPCA shelters because of 97 neglected cats Ducky, a four month old kitten, arrived at the taken into care in Vancouver and Victoria from SPCA with a broken leg. two recent animal hoarding cases. Breaking off her splint, the kitten’s leg was In Prince George, the Cariboo wild fires unable to recover resulting in an amputation. resulted in many cats coming and going, acDespite her injury, Ducky is still as energetic cording to Prince George SPCA manager Jaimie as ever and looking for a new home. Walsh. And for those thinking about introducing “And the weather has also played a part. We a friendly furry feline into their family, there didn’t have a cold weather snap last winter so couldn’t be a better time. with the warmer weather, we didn’t see the The BC SPCA is over capacity with cats and increased numbers we kittens in Prince George usually do in the spring,” and across the province. The weather has Walsh said. Although at “We have been also played a part. full capacity, many cats overwhelmed with the are also in foster care, number of cats and kitWe didn’t have according to Walsh. tens being surrendered a cold weather snap last “We would love people or abandoned this sumto come in and have a mer and our shelters are winter so with the warmer struggling to find space weather, we didn’t see the look. “We have many kittens for them all,” said Lorie increased numbers we usufrom just a few months Chortyk, general manold to seniors and some ager of community rela- ally do in the spring. who are in need of meditions for the BC SPCA. — Jaimie Walsh cal care.” “Our northern shelters The BC SPCA is a not-for-profit organization in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John Prince Rupert, which relies primarily on community donations Quesnel and Prince George have been parto help animals in need. ticularly affected by the influx of felines. We For anyone interested in seeing Ducky and have a Drive for Lives transfer program which her other furry feline friends, visit the BC SPCA, brings cats from northern shelters to the Lower North Cariboo District Branch located at 4011 Mainland and Vancouver Island for adoption Landsdowne Rd. between 12-6 p.m. from Tuesbut those routes have been impacted by the day to Saturday. wildfires so we haven’t been able to transfer as

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Citizen photo by James Doyle

Nine-week-old Maverick playfully climbs a cat-tree. Maverick is only one of the many cats the Prince George branch of the BCSPCA has up for adoption.

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Stellat’en Wellness Centre opens in Fraser Lake Barbara GEERNAERT Citizen staff geernaert@pgcitizen.ca Being together, healing, feeling connected, and embracing the future. Ideas became a reality at the grand opening of the Stellat’en Wellness Centre . Pictures of band members, past and present wearing traditional regalia, engaging in cultural practices, filled the hallways. People wandered and stopped to look at a rich history, including a homage to war veterans and pictures of students who attended Lejac Residential School. Stellat’en First Nation, a member of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council in Fraser Lake, celebrated the event with a ribbon cutting and open house to coincide with their popular Salmon Fest event. “It is a celebration. This unique, one of a kind building is here because of the great effort of so many people and the outcome is spectacular,” said Stellat’en Band member Peter Luggi. Luggi was behind the scenes from beginning to

end and says that this is a clear representation of the people and for the people of Stellat’en as each clan is represented inside and out of the building. From one idea grew many more as a dedicated bunch began the process over a year ago,including: Luggi, health representative Cynthia Munger, the First Nations Health Authority, Carrier and Sekani Family Services and Stellat’en First Nation. Architect Richard Evans says that the eagerness of the community is what made the process such a huge success. And for Luggi, it truly was a team effort as he looks at the many pictures of his band, past and present. “Everyone came together and a lot of the pictures here are of our elders and chiefs. There is salmon fishing, you see moose meat and berry picking. It’s all very cultural,” Luggi said. Kevin Wallace, from Wallace Studios in Vanderhoof, was eager to assist in reproducing and displaying the photos. “It’s very emotional to finally see these people

on the walls. This will help everyone feel a special connection,” Wallace said. “The concept was to represent everyone, to make history happen, as it happens. And this is something that can continue for years to come.” And the connection doesn’t stop inside. A path from the wellness centre leads to a lush community garden as children pick strawberries and apples. A smoke house, complete with a ceiling full of salmon, was ready to welcome visitors to take a quick peek inside. “This is a special place,” said Betty Ann Heron, who spends much time preparing delectable salmon dishes in the house. Her nephew, David Louis, a firefighter, passed away suddenly last December and in memory of him, the grounds will be named “The Willow Gathering Place.” “This was a very special place for him. He spent much time here,” Heron said. For Stellat’en, the centre will focus on healing. “This is all about better living and better quality of health,” said Munger. “This place is about health and so is the community garden. We need to go back to the land.” There are 500 members from Stellat’en First Nation and about 250 live on reserve land. Dr. John Pawlovich has worked with the Stellat’en community for over 20 years and as medical director for Carrier Sekani Services, he has witnessed the community eagerly change with the times. “In 2011, we developed a new model of care, and a primary care team was also developed to incorporate community visits with virtual care including tele-health,” Pawlovich said.

“These communities have really embraced technology and their access to care.” There are four family physicians and a host of specialists, consultants, counselors and care workers available to assist the community. “The centre is a reflection of the people even from the negotiation and the design of it. This is their wellness home,” Pawlovich said. “It encompasses culture, community and wellness that is progressive.” Visitors from near and far came to partake in the day’s festivities. Tamara Mose, a trauma nurse from Winnipeg, was thrilled to come back home. “I’m originally from here. I brought my son here to learn his roots,” Mose said. “I heard about the wellness centre opening and to see it with all clans represented, it’s amazing. I always wanted to come back.” Here sister, Rhonda Mose, also a nurse working in Fort Francis, Ont., joined her sister on the visit home. “I am learning so much and seeing the opening was something very special,” Rhonda said. Food was at the centre of the celebration as hundreds gathered to share in the many cultural favorites, including salmon head soup. “We have all come together. We need this for our own mental and physical health.,” Stellat’en Chief Archie Patrick said. “We have a new freshly scrubbed building with new freshly scrubbed ideas. Historically, we’ve been taken from and because of this we became dependent on government. And from it came much prejudice and hatred. This is not healthy and we are pulling ourselves out of it. Today’s opening is a symbol of that.”

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YMCA of Northern British Columbia to assist with Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre Barbara GEERNAERT Citizen staff geernaert@pgcitizen.ca

The District of Vanderhoof has hired the YMCA of Northern British Columbia to assist with a development of an operating strategy in connection with the new Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre. “The YMCA is already in the community and currently offers recreational programs. We already contract our programs through them,” said Zoe Dhillon, special projects coordinator with the District of Vanderhoof. “And the YMCA has experience in running pools and these types of facilities.” The operating strategy will determine items such as: hours of operation, number of employees required, cost structure, programs to be offered, pool equipment and all safety protocols, according to the District of Vanderhoof.

The $12 million project is due for completion The local YMCA will be working with the in the fall, 2018. DOV to ensure local needs and concerns are It all began with a local referendum in met for the new facility. March, 2013. And local residents are eager to take a sneak “Community fundraising began in June, peak of the new facility with concrete already 2014 and we reached poured for the new lap We are also looking our community goal in pool. “It’s pretty awesome. at this as a regional March, 2016,” Dhillon said. Residents are very pool and we have The community came excited as they drive by,” communicated with together with extenDhillon said. sive fundraising efforts “But we are also look- other communities are through the district, the ing at this as a regional they are very excited. Vanderhoof Pool Society pool and we have communicated with other — Zoe Dhillon and rural electoral areas. The District of Vandercommunities are they are hoof also applied for grants and in July, 2016, very excited.” it received the final $6 million infrastructure Other nearby communities such as Fort St. grant from UBCM. James will no longer have to travel to Prince The facility will have no shortage of features George for swimming lessons or competitions.

including a leisure pool, a lazy river, a six lane lap pool, a 26 seat jacuzzi and a sauna. “Its such a great use of space and there is a lot of water space,” Dhillon said. According to the Vanderhoof Pool Society, there are various benefits associated with having a local aquatic centre including increased local pride, being able to offer healthy and positive opportunities for youth and adults, enhancing water safety, hosting swimming events and attracting business into the community. “We are thrilled to be moving the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre into its next phase,” said Vanderhoof Mayor, Gerry Thiessen. “Now that construction is well underway, the district is pleased to be working with the YMCA of Northern BC with their extensive experience on developing an operations strategy.” For more information regarding the aquatic centre, visit: www.vanderhoof.ca

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Metro Creative Services photo

Adult basic education numbers expected to rebound with free tuition Barbara GEERNAERT Citizen staff geernaert@pgcitizen.ca Adult basic education enrolment is set to rebound with high school upgrading and English language classes now being offered tuition free again as of Sept. 1. It’s been almost three years and the College of New Caledonia is set for a renewed surge of interest since the new provincial government announced that the fees would be eliminated. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer adult basic education and English language learning programs tuition-free,” said Jay Notay, executive vice president academic, applied research and students. Notay says that about three quarters of CNC students go on to further their education after completing the courses and CNC is ready to support their continued learning. “The more educated you are, the more opportunities you have,” said George Davison, president of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of B.C. “These entry level programs offer a start

and students can then go anywhere.” In 2014, the B.C. Liberals cut $6.9 million from adult basic education programming at post-secondary institutions in B.C. and removed the tuition fee-free mandate. A further $9 million was cut from the adult basic education programming in the K-12 system. Since being tuition free, adult students will no longer have to pay $1,600 per semester. The provincial government’s initial estimate to go tuition free will cost approximately $7 million per year. Davison says the socio-economic impact is significant in offering doors to educational growth and retraining and job opportunities are being opened so anyone can pursue post-secondary education. Approximately 60 per cent of employers in B.C. require some kind of post-secondary training. “’This is such great news for students who are wanting to get in the door,” Davison says. “I congratulate the government. We now have to get the word out to colleges and universities in the province and see what they have to offer.”

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Author presents stories about her life Neil GODBOUT Citizen staff ngodbout@pgcitizen.ca I Should Have Married a Cowboy is a hot-offthe-press, self-published book from a Prince George author. Barbara Robin, oldest of nine siblings, talks about her life in a series of short stories recounting her adventures in north central B.C. “I was very interested in the country life, I guess you could say, and there are some horse and rodeo stories in the book,” Robin said, explaining the reason for the title. “On the back of the book it says I’m a back-tothe-land romantic and I really was.” Robin spent a lot of years in northwest B.C., settling in Fort St. James for a number of years before moving to Prince George in 2009 where she is enjoying being a recently retired real estate agent and living a stone’s throw away from three of her sisters. “I wouldn’t know how to manage without them,” Robin said with a smile. Most of the stories in her new book are authored by Robin but there are two exceptions. There is a story told by Robin’s uncle, Paul Sargent, about the Red Rose mine located west of Hazelton, which is part of their family history. Her mother, Orrice (Sis) Robin, is best known for her work to get designation for the Fort St. James National Historic Site, and her story about that is included in Robin’s book as well. “Other than those two, the rest of the stories are mine,” she added. Robin isn’t the only book writer in the family. Her brother, Peter Robin, has his own called Tales from the Grub ‘n’ Rub about some of his life’s adventures. The large family has many stories to tell. Robin was a realtor in Fort St. James until 2009 when she sold her business and moved to Prince George, going to work in a local realty office and retiring in May 2016. She got serious about writing the book last fall and turned her full attention to the task, after having compiled the stories prior to that time. “The stories in the book speak a lot to the history of the area and what was going on at the time,” Robin said. “The truth is in the details.”

we would pick it apart,” Robin self-published I would really enshe said. the book and the most courage others to do “That was the only way daunting task was editwe could do it uninterrupting it for readers’ eyes. it – just think ‘if she ed, so that’s what we did.” Robin and one of can do it, so can I. You Robin wanted to impart her three sisters, Pat, would take on the task have to be patient and persis- one message to others who tent and do not get frustrated. wish to record their own of reading Robin’s history. work with an objective — Barbara Robin “Get it down on paper,” tilt. she said. “In January and FebRobin’s got nieces and nephews that are askruary I would go to her house every morning ing about the family’s history and so it’s nice to at seven and I would read a story out loud and

be able to present the book to them, which will provide a lot of answers. “I would really encourage others to do it – just think ‘if she can do it, so can I,’” Robin said. She offered these words of encouragement. “You have to be patient and persistent and do not get frustrated.” There’s already another book in the works for Robin. She’s co-authoring a book about historical buildings in Fort St. James, which should be out next year.

Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

Barbara Robin holds up her book that she self published ‘I Should Have Married a Cowboy’. Barbara held a book launch on Sept. 9 and Books & Company.

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Celebrating her 100th great-grandchild on her 89th birthday Christine HINZMANN Citizen staff chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca She’s celebrated the recent birth of her 100th great-grandchild on her 89th birthday. Grace Ziemer, matriarch of her family, had 13 children with husband Ernest, and they had 54 grandchildren who have so far created 100 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Daphne Connolly, 100th great-grandchild, was born May 31, 2017. “I told my husband before I was married that I wanted 12 children and he agreed,” Grace said with a smile. “I won’t tell you what he said.” The couple, married for 65 years before Ernest passed away almost five years ago, managed to produce a baker’s dozen. Those children are Judy, 69, Lucy 67, Muriel, who passed away 10 years ago at 55, Darlene, 64, John 63, Jim, 62, Valerie, 60, and 11-and-a-half months later along came Peter, 59, Matt, 58, Albert, 56, Tim, 55, Bernie, 53, and Coralie, 52. There were 13 children born in 16 years. “The first four were girls so I had a lot of help with the rest of them,” Grace said. The inspiration behind the large brood is as simple as it gets. “I love babies and I haven’t stopped loving them yet,” Grace said.

Coming into this family as an in-law, there’s just not very many places in the world that give a sense of belonging in an automatic way and this family has been so fabulous at that. — Stacie Ziemer

Out of the 100 great-grandchildren three have died, so the picture boards that will be on display during Grace’s birthday celebration will see 97 shiny little happy faces. Today they range in age from three months to 25 years old. The Ziemer family moved from Regina, Sask., to Vancouver Island when Grace was expecting baby number 10 and settled in Prince George in 1971. They bought acreage just outside of town and subdivided the property. At one time the whole family built their houses and lived in the area, middle child Valerie said. “It was Ziemerville,” she laughed. “We had populated the little Shady Valley school and we kept them in business. One of the neighbour ladies down the road said ‘those darn Ziemers read in the Bible where God said go forth and multiply and fill the Earth and they thought they had to do it all by themselves.’ We really like that joke.” During the birthday celebration there’s a game that will challenge even the most knowledgeable of the family’s history. It’s called “who the heck is this kid, anyway?” The family is filled with singers and story tellers so the party will be based around those activities and, of course, they will share a meal together. Grace’s birthday wish could come as a surprise to some. “I wish my health will hold together until the party is over,” she laughed. It’s very important for Grace to keep up with the times and she keeps in close contact with her extensive family using Facebook. “Whenever we post something on Facebook mom makes comments that are so wise and so sweet it makes you want to cry,” Valerie said. “But she blocks you if you swear too much, so be careful.” The family has always been close knit and makes sure to keep it that way. — continued on page 11

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— from page 10 “It’s fabulous,” Valerie said. “I love being in the middle of a big family. We are very close and I think big families can either be good or bad and ours just happens to be good and we do love each other.” “And we all love the Lord,” Grace said, believing that brings a closer bond to the family. “And we are blessed with beautiful in-laws.” One of those many in-laws is Stacie Ziemer, who is married to Bernie. “Coming into this family as an in-law, there’s just not very many places in the world that give a sense of belonging in an automatic way and this family has been so fabulous at that,” Stacie said. “The parents had that sense of belonging and they taught that to their children and they all taught that to their children. Whenever you meet one of the Ziemer clan you feel like you are part of the gang and life doesn’t get better than that. It’s not about things being easy, it’s about having a soft place to land.” “It’s called love,” Grace said.

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Grace Ziemer sits with 3-month old Daphne Connolly, her great grandchild and the youngest of her 100 grandchildren.

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Doherty remains in shadow cabinet Citizen staff

Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

MP Todd Doherty, Leader of the Opostion Andrew Scheer and MP Bob Zimmer speak to the Citizen in the lobby of the Northern Sport Centre in this file photo.

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty will remain in the Opposition Conservatives shadow cabinet as the critic for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. He will also return to his role as critic for AsiaPacific Gateway which he held in 2015-16. In a statement, Doherty said he’s honoured to take on the responsibilities. “Justin Trudeau claims the best of intentions, but his policies hurt the very people they are supposed to help,” he continued. “As we prepare for a busy fall session, I am confident that our team will share our positive Conservative vision while standing up to Liberal overspending and higher costs passed onto businesses, families and individuals.” Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer was not named to the shadow cabinet.

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UNBC makes Times list Citizen staff

UNBC is ranked among other elite global universities, making its debut in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings by placing among the top four per cent of higher-education institutions worldwide. “Being included in this exclusive list is a testament to UNBC’s outstanding research culture and superb scholarship as well as the commitment to excellence that our faculty, students and staff demonstrate each and every day,” said UNBC president Daniel Weeks. “In addition to being being Canada’s best small, researchintensive university, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings recognizes UNBC as being among elite universities globally.” This ranking is furUNBC is feather evidence that tured in the group UNBC is succeeding of universities in creating local soranked 601st to lutions with global impact. 800th. It placed 24th — Tracey Wolsey of 26 Canadian universities included in the 2018 rankings and is the only university of its size to make the grade. “Through excellence in research and teaching, UNBC is inspiring next-generation leaders to discover the knowledge they will need to make a difference in British Columbia, across Canada and around the world,” said UNBC board of governors chair Tracey Wolsey. “This ranking is further evidence that UNBC is succeeding in creating local solutions with global impact.” The Times Higher Education World University Rankings considers 1,000 universities from 77 countries around the world which are globally focused and active in research. The rankings are based on five categories including: teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income. UNBC placed 627th in international outlook which analyzes research and how universities attract students and faculty word wide. In industry income, UNBC ranked 631st. This measures university research dollars received from industry with the number of academic staff demonstrating how knowledge is transferred while in partnership with industry. UNBC also ranked 679th in citations which measures how each university contributes to global knowledge sharing. “We are very pleased. This is the first time UNBC has participated,” said vice president academic and provost Dan Ryan. For a list of full rankings visit pgc.cc/2eDOqrY.

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BCUC holding Site C sessions across region Matt PREPOST Alaska Highway News The B.C. Utilities Commission will hold three meetings in the North Peace and one in Prince George this month for residents to give their input on the commission’s review of the Site C dam. The commission will hold 11 community input sessions across the province starting Sept. 23 in Vancouver. The purpose of the meetings, the commission says, is to gather feedback on its preliminary report set for release Sept. 20. The commission will be in Prince George on Sept. 29 at the Ramada Hotel before heading to the North Peace starting Sept. 30 in Hudson’s Hope at the Pearkes Centre. There will be two sessions in Fort St. John Oct. 1 and 2 at the Pomeroy Hotel. All sessions will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. The commission will also be making stops in Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Prince George,

Victoria, and Nanaimo. The commission is being tasked to study the economic viability of continuing construction on the $8.8-billion project, now two years into construction, based on current electricity supply and demand and its cost to ratepayers. A final report is due Nov. 1, with the new NDP cabinet expected to make a decision by the end of the fall legislative session on Nov. 30. The commission received 69 submissions from the public and experts that the commission says will inform its preliminary report. Chief among them is a submission from Dr. Harry Swain, who chaired the federal-provincial review panel that studied and held public hearings on the dam in 2013 and 2014. Swain, who has become an outspoken critic of the dam since it was approved by the previous Liberal government in 2014, says construction should be stopped unless the cost to complete is less than $2 billion. He also calls for the flood reserve on the Peace River to be lifted and expropriated properties returned.

“BC Hydro’s load forecasting is not remotely investment grade,” Swain writes. “It consistently, and by large margins, overestimates demand, and the overestimates get larger the farther out they go. They are utterly inadequate as the basis for multi-billion dollar decisions, and cannot be relied on for business planning purposes.” Conservation measures remain the cheapest source of electricity, Swain concludes, and that BC Hydro should “buy conservation up to the cost of new supply.” “Demand will not materialize at even the low limit of BC Hydro’s demand forecast,” he writes. “It will be many years before new supply for domestic purposes is necessary; when it is, there are numerous sources that are less expensive than Site C.” In its 866-page filing, BC Hydro says it has received more than 200 provincial and federal authorizations to build various aspects of the dam since it was approved and began construction in 2015. BC Hydro says $1.8 billion has been spent on the dam as of June 30, 2017, with expenditures due to reach $2.1 billion by the end of the year. Much of that has been spent on field and technical studies, land acquisitions, permit approvals, and entering into major construction contracts, Hydro says. BC Hydro says it has entered into $4 billion in contracts. However, none of the construction contracts require termination payments or penalties, it says. “BC Hydro would still be accountable for costs associated with payments for contractor work to date and demobilization costs,” Hydro

writes. Hydro estimates the cost of terminating work and remediating the dam site at $1 billion. “This value represents BC Hydro’s best estimate based on the available information in the time permitted, and is subject to material uncertainty,” it writes. “The scope of remediation would be determined in consultation with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.” Some $3 billion in total sunk, termination, and remediation costs would need to be recovered from ratepayers if the dam were cancelled, Hydro says, something that would require government or utilities commission approval. Hydro further estimates a suspension of the project would cost $1.2 billion with two years of ramp-up time needed before construction could restart. “Suspension introduces significant risk for restarting the project,” it says. “If the project restarts, it would cost more and could take longer to complete.” Hydro maintains the project is on time and on budget, with a contingency budget of more than $800 million, and a year of “schedule contingency” to manage cost overruns and delays. “Though there remain risks to project execution in the future, BC Hydro expects to complete Site C within the existing budget and on the current schedule,” it writes. It also maintains that new energy and capacity resources are needed within the next decade, with or without LNG. “Our need for new capacity is particularly pressing. It arises within 10 years, regardless of whether any of the proposed LNG projects in British Columbia proceed,” it writes.

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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

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Bioenergy conference changes name, look Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

to focus attention on the emerging bioenergy industry in northern B.C. and on creating a venue for Canadian wood pellet producers to When one of the world’s biggest gatherings of connect and network with their customers and bioenergy minds happens in Prince George this colleagues in other parts of the world,” said Jim spring, it will have a new name. Martin, chair of conference’s board of directors. The organizing committee announced a He said the new name was a reflection of change in the look and branding of the confermaturation of the industry and that growth is ence, but the conversation will remain largely centred in this nation, specifically this region. the same: delving into the latest science and “The bioenergy industry in Canada has grown foundational history of a core Omineca-Cariboo and matured since we founded the conference industry. in 2004,” Martin said. “We felt it was imporIt was, for the past seven incarnations (it is tant that, as the leading held every two years), conference of its kind in known as the InternationThe original name Canada, we should reflect al Bioenergy Conference and mandate were diversification in the and Exhibition. It will chosen to focus atten- the use of woody biomass switch to the Canadian tion on the emerging across the full value chain Bioeconomy Conference of bioproducts.” and Exhibition when it is bioenergy industry in northThe list of things held June 6-8. ern B.C. being done with the “The original name and mandate were chosen — Jim Martin bioproducts of trees

is now moving quickly used to centre on wood The bioenergy intoward new technologies pellets and electricity co-generation. It now dustry in Canada has and new innovations in wood-based products also includes biofuels, grown and matured that are fuelling the new biogas, biochemicals, since we founded the bioeconomy.” biopharmaceuticals and conference in 2004. Mayor Lyn Hall said other bioproducts. The this was well suited to work being done within — Jim Martin this global conversation, the molecular structures so the rebranding was of timber has pushed sciwelcome news. ence far beyond mere lumber. “Prince George is one of the most diversified The conference’s organizers asserted that this and important forestry communities in Canada region “continues to be the largest producing and continued innovation and leadership in this region in Canada of wood pellets, and one of sector is critical to our economic development,” the largest in the world. It is home to Pinnacle said Hall. “We’re delighted to be hosting the CaRenewable Energy, Pacific Bioenergy and Prenadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition mium Pellets, as well as to some of the longestnext June.” operating pulp mill cogeneration facilities in For more information or to register for the reNorth America and a number of district energy vamped Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and systems. Exhibition, visit the website at www.bioeconoBut with projects such as the groundbreaking myconference.com. Canfor-Licella biofuels project... the industry

www.pgcitizen.ca | Wednesday, September 20, 2017

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Dressage goes west Barbara GEERNAERT Citizen staff bgeernaert@pgcitizen.ca When looking into the eyes of her nine-yearold quarter horse, Mister, it’s more than just another training session for Lennise Mann. “I’ve really learned to communicate with him and I’m always learning something new. We learn from each other,” Mann said. Mann began competing in western dressage four years ago and since then has flourished as a competitor but in Prince George, the sport continues to experience its ups and downs. “Western dressage seems to be in a bit of a slump in Prince George right now. We want to get the word out so more people can learn about it,” Mann said. Her instructor, Rochelle Van Geloven, agrees, saying that there have been surges. “This year it’s been particularly low,” Van

Geloven said. “We have about three shows a year, but without enough competitors, we are just unable to compete.” Van Geloven has been training in dressage for about 23 years. “I’ve always enjoyed dressage. And I love that I can train at higher levels. And western dressage is new. I like that I can compete with myself. You can always improve and that’s what you aim for,” she said. Western dressage emerged from the original “equestrian dressage” which is the highest expression of classical horse training where horse and rider are expected to perform, from memory, a series of predetermined movements. Western dressage combines the principles of dressage riding with the use of western tack. Riders typically wear western attire complete with cowboy boots and jeans. All horse breeds are allowed to compete. — continued on page 19

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Rochelle Vangeloven and her horse Kara, trot around the arena showing off a little of what makes up the sport of Western Dressage.

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— from page 18 “Western dressage was developed for horses like stock or quarter horses, for horses that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to compete in dressage,” Mann said. And for Van Geloven, the opportunity to add some “bling” is always there for those looking to brighten things up. “More and more people are into the western look and you can add as much bling as you like. But it’s also about safety. Some people just feel safer in a western saddle,” she said. For Van Geloven, western dressage always offers an opportunity for improvement. “It’s about your horse and how it moves overall. There’s always room to grow.” For Mann, the opportunity to work with Van Geloven has taught her skills which will stay with her for life. “I didn’t grow up with horses but I’ve always loved them. I volunteered at a horse rescue and that’s how I found out about Rochelle about eight years ago. And I’ve been taking lessons with her ever since,” Mann said. “She knows when to push you and when to back off. And she knows how to read your horse. She is your cheerleader, always helping you reach your goals and is always encouraging you to do your best.” According to Van Geloven, anyone can become involved especially those who train with horses regularly. “It’s not something strange or bizarre and anyone from children to adults can try it. There are always beginner levels offered,” she said. “And there is a lot of flexibility. Beginners don’t need to memorize your tests. Someone is always available to read for you if needed so you can follow ahead of time.” During shows, competitors always have a set planned time scheduled.

“This is so convenient during shows because it’s planned. Everyone has such busy lives today and with these shows, there’s no waiting around. Your time is your time and friends and family can come out and watch you too.” The Western Style Dressage Association of Canada is a registered not-for-profit corporation in Canada. Its mission is to honour the horse and the diversity of all breeds while valuing all levels of riders and the partnership they share with their horse. “There is also some flexibility when competing,” Van Geloven said. “Every movement is scored and if you do happen to mess up, you can always make it up. No one wants to see anyone fail in western dressage. Everyone is so supportive.” Western dressage is also designed to improve the connection between horses and their experienced riders. “It’s as though you and your horse are intertwined. Your movements become one with your horse, each and every one is connected,” Van Geloven said. And as for the rider, the sport offers discipline and focus as well as physical flexibility. “It gives riders focus and challenges them because they take full control of their horse,” she said. “And for kids, well they just love horses. My daughter rides and to see the relationship between her and her horse, it’s so beautiful. That bond, you can’t ask for more.” The Autumn Show: Cadora Dressage Competition, a B.C. 2018 Summer Games qualifier will take place on Sept. 16-17 at the Prince George Agriplex for those interested in seeing what western dressage is all about.

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Rochelle Vangeloven and her horse Kara (right) and Lennise Mann and her horse Mister (left).

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Mystery woman from P.G. saves Okanagan boaters Joe FRIES Penticton Herald Three people have a mystery woman from Prince George to thank for rescuing them following a late-night boating accident Monday on Okanagan Lake near Summerland. What remained of the boat – a small bowrider with a 150-horsepower outboard and heavy damage to its hull – was resting Tuesday morning on the bottom of the canal behind Bob Wises’s home near Trout Creek. He was inside around 10:30 p.m. Monday when he heard the boat strike a rocky outcrop about 10 metres off shore. “It sounded like a crash – actually it was more like a big explosion,” said Wise.

Moments later, a woman who had been walking her dog nearby and saw the accident started frantically pounding on his door and asking him to call 911. The young woman returned to the water to find a female in the lake yelling for help and two men, both of whom were incapacitated by their injuries, still inside the crippled vessel, which was taking on water. Acting on instructions from the injured men, the rescuer swam to the boat and was able to restart its motor and limp the vessel up the canal to Wise’s yard. She told Wise it was her first time driving a boat. “She said, ‘It’s no different than a goddamn car. It’s got a steering wheel, so it’s got to go,’” he

recalled. Wise didn’t catch the name of the rescuer, who looked to be in her 20s and told him she had to return to Prince George on Tuesday for work. Members of both the Penticton and Naramata fire departments were called to assist with the rescue, which ended with all three victims being taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Penticton deputy chief Chris Forster said an investigation determined the boat, which has markings indicating it’s registered in Washington State, hit the rocks at a high rate of speed, bringing the vessel to a dead stop and tossing the female passenger into the water. “She ended up with the least (serious injuries)

because she obviously hit water and rocks instead of being thrown right into a hard solid object” inside the boat, said Forster, noting one of the men suffered severe chest injuries when he was tossed into the vessel’s steering wheel. All three boaters owe their lives to the mystery woman, according to Forster. “It was a very significant incident, and it’s lucky she was there,” he said. “If the boat had sank, we could have had a very dire outcome.” Forster reminded boaters to stay off the water at night unless absolutely necessary and to exercise extreme caution if they do have to go out after dark.

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Few immigrants settle outside cities Douglas TODD Vancouver Sun “Canada is a big country,” the websites of immigration consultants say. True, Canada covers almost ten million square kilometres. It’s second in geographic size only to Russia. Its forests, grasslands, mountains, rock and tundra stretch as far as the eye can see. But when it comes to human choices, Canada is not big at all: The vast majority of the country’s residents live in congestion on a tiny sliver of the country’s land mass, typically near the U.S. border. Broad swaths of Canada’s hinterland, the small towns and rural areas beyond urban centres, are losing people, despite Canada having the fastest growth and immigration rates among the Group of Eight industrialized countries. Almost all immigrants, foreign students and temporary foreign workers in Canada avoid the hinterlands. Only one in 40 immigrants live in small town or rural Canada, compared to one in five who are born in the country. Canada has more than seven million foreignborn residents out of a total population of 35 million. They account for two-thirds of the country’s growth. But almost three in four newcomers move to just three cities: Toronto, Montreal and Metro Vancouver. Nine of 10 immigrants who come to B.C. choose to live in its southwest coast metropolis. The 2016 census shows the city of Vancouver is the most densely populated municipality in the country.

While big cities grow because of migration, the opposite is happening to small cities, such as Quesnel, B.C., Saint John, New Brunswick and Timmins, Ontario.

The vast majority of the country’s residents live in congestion on a tiny sliver of the country’s land mass, typically near the U.S. border. Canadian statisticians call the country’s large and medium cities are “sinkholes,” since almost everyone drains into them. The sink-hole effect exerts intense pressure on housing and rental costs, transit, higher education, traffic congestion, noise and social services in large cities. While big cities grow because of migration, the opposite is happening to small cities, such as Quesnel, B.C., Saint John, New Brunswick and Timmins, Ontario. The migration “sink-hole effect” exerts pressure on housing and rental costs, transit, higher education, traffic congestion and social services in large cities. The city of Vancouver is the most densely populated in Canada. Can anything be done to revive Canada’s hinterland, while relieving the squeeze on Canada’s urban centres and their suburbs, including those of fast-growing Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa? Apparently oblivious to Canadian studies that show immigrants do better financially if they stay away from the country’s big cities, most observers claim there is no way to change the “inevitable” flow to urban centres. Such commentators not only bow to laissezfaire economics to make their case, they justifiably point to how Section 6 of Canada’s 1982 Charter of Rights provides “mobility rights” to all citizens. Even permanent residents, those who have applied for citizenship, get almost the same freedom of mobility in Canada (except for the right to exit and enter when they please, since they have to physically reside for two years out of five in the country.) — see ‘MIGRANTS’ page 22

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

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Migrants who live in small towns treated favourably making a life in Quesnel, Timmins or St. John’s could do a lot for those cities. The small cities’ schools would fill and their housing and retail While freedom of movement in Canada is to markets would strengthen. be celebrated, it can also lead to cynical poliRather than Metro Vancouver and Tocies, like Quebec’s immigrant investor program, ronto experiencing unaffordable property which each year welcomes several thousands and rent costs – in large part because of high wealthy newcomers, mostly from China, in in-migration and offshore real-estate speculareturn for their modest financial “investment” tion – smaller cities and rural areas could enjoy in Quebec. modest boosts from the foreign-born. The trouble is, with mobility rights, Quebec Pressure would also ease on Metro Vancan’t require those multimillionaire immigrants to stay in the province. And they don’t. A strong couver’s and Toronto’s over-stretched transit systems, as suggested by a StatsCan study that majority immediately buy property in Metro shows immigrants and foreign students rely on Vancouver, inflating the already absurd houstaxpayer subsidized transit at double the rate of ing prices. Canadian-born residents. It would be hard to require anyone in A little-known Statistics Canada study found Canada, including permanent residents and most immigrants who settle in Canada’s small immigrants, to move to rural regions, or even towns do better financially than the majority smaller cities. who choose Canada’s 13 largest cities. The proverbial “stick” – of coercion – would A hinterland-related not be allowed, let alone immigration points system appreciated. A little-known Statistics Canada is not far-fetched, even in But what about offerCanada. ing “carrots” of encourstudy found most immigrants Kurland says it’s already agement? who settle in Canada’s small virtually in place, in It’s been done before. towns do better financially than various ways, in B.C.’s proFrom the 1870s to 1930s vincial nominee program, Ottawa offered free the majority who choose Canada’s which oversees a portion land to immigrants and 13 largest cities. of the province’s skilled refugees, much of it on and educated immigrants. the Prairies or in B.C. Citizenship court judges dealing with people The raw land was given to newcomers after they proved over several years they were devel- who are applying to be accepted as immigrants on compassionate grounds, Kurland adds, have oping it for homesteading, farming or logging. also been known to treat favourably migrants A carrot approach is being tried in parts of who live in small towns. Scandinavia. Sweden, for instance, has experiThe carrot approach would not only breathe mented with offering more generous social new life into the hinterlands, it would give a leg housing and welfare rates to immigrants and up to immigrants themselves. refugees who move to its smaller towns. A little-known Statistics Canada study by It wouldn’t be complicated to offer some Andre Bernard found that most immigrants carrots in Canada, especially to the one million who settle in Canada’s small towns do betpeople living here as permanent residents. ter financially than the majority who choose What about fine-tuning Canada’s immigrant Canada’s 13 largest cities. point system – which favours those with high His report, “Immigrants in the Hinterland,” educational and skill levels – to grant extra found newcomers who move to small towns points to newcomers who settle in Canada’s and rural areas not only more quickly learn an hinterlands? That’s a suggestion from Vancouver immigra- official language, they soon earn more than other immigrants and those born in Canada. tion lawyer Richard Kurland, who frequently That not only benefits the immigrants and advises the federal government. their children, it does the same for our increasA points system that favours permanent resiingly struggling small towns. dents who have shown (in part through their income-tax statements) they are committed to — story from page 21

CP photo

Syrian refugees Hanan Alawwad, second left, and her husband Samer Aldhmad stand with their children Nour Aldhmad, 4, from left to right, Omar Aldhmad, 1, Ayman Aldhmad, 7, and Nawwar Aldhmad, 3, attend an event in Vancouver in Sept. 10, 2015.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017