Prince George Citizen April 3, 2025

THURSDAY, April 3, 2025

The carbon tax is scrapped

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The BC Legislature has passed legislation eliminating the province’s consumer carbon tax.

The legislation passed around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1. About seven hours later, The Citizen observed that some Prince George gas stations had already reflected the situation, dropping their listed price around 17.5 cents per litre, while others remained the same.

As the legislation passed so late, there was little time for public reaction by The Citizen’s press time.

Gasoline will drop 17.61 cents per litre, acc

Natural gas costs will go down by 15.25 cents per cubic metre

The cost of propane will go down 12.38 cents per litre.

Savings will also be realized omn aviation fuel, jet fuel, methanol, butane, methane, peat and more.

Reached by email, a spokesperson for

the City of Prince George said it had yet to calculate the expected savings from the end of the consumer carbon tax.

During last year’s provincial election campaign, Premier David Eby said he’d

remove the carbon tax if the federal requirement for provinces to have one was removed.

New Liberal leader Mark Carney signed an order-in-council ending

enforcement of the consumer carbon tax after becoming leader of the Liberal Party and before calling the federal election, which is set for April 28.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Eby said he was following through with the removal of the consumer-facing carbon tax by trying to rush a bill amending the Carbon Tax Act in just one day before the province’s next fiscal year started.

The industrial carbon tax remains in place.

With the removal of the carbon tax also comes the end of the quarterly BC climate action tax credit after one last payment on April 4.

To those worried about gas retailers keeping their prices the same after the elimination of the carbon tax, Eby said the BC Utilities Commission has powers in place to “shine a light on any gouging that takes place of British Columbians.”

“Now is not a time to be playing games with essentials for British Columbians or Canadians as a whole,” Eby said.

DARIUS/PEXELS PHOTO

Prince George drivers can expect to pay about 17 cents less per litre at the pumps now that the province has removed its carbon tax.

Council preparing to take another run at a new OCP

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council will reconvene its public hearing on revisions to the Official Community Plan on Wednesday, April 9.

With a room full of speakers and a lot to mull over, council decided to recess and reconvene the public hearing when it was first held on March 19 rather than end it and proceed to third reading of the bylaw adopting the OCP changes.

The province is requiring that local governments — regional districts and municipalities — update their OCPs by Dec. 31, 2025.

Ahead of the reconvened hearing, The Citizen connected with the city’s manager of legislative services, Ethan Anderson and its director of planning and development, Deanna Wasnik to ask some questions about council’s options moving forward.

Wasnik clarified that the province doesn’t require local governments to introduce a new OCP, but to add certain pieces of information.

“Under Bill 44 the province requires OCPs to be updated by Dec. 31, 2025 to include policies specific to housing (i.e. plan for housing with a timeframe of 20 years; and, address a broader range of housing types),” Wasnik said in an email.

“The OCP Review Project was already underway when Bill 44 was enacted; therefore, the changes required by the province by the end of 2025 are included in proposed OCP Bylaw No. 9525, 2025 as OCP Bylaw No. 9525, 2025 was projected to be complete in advance of the Dec. 31, 2025 Provincial deadline.

“Should proposed OCP Bylaw No. 9525, 2025 need further time for review and consideration. Administration can prepare an amendment to the existing OCP No. 8383, 2011 to meet the provincial deadline.”

However, when asked what the consequence of not meeting that deadline would be, the city staff did not provide a response.

The most popular topic amongst

members of the public at the first night of the public hearing was Ginter’s Green.

While the advocacy group Ginter’s Green Forever was pleased to see future road extension plans for the escarpment along the bottom of Cranbrook Hill removed from the updated OCP, its members called for more protections for the green space and for nearby portions to be removed from the Urban Containment Boundary.

Under the OCP, the city discourages development outside of the boundary. Under provincial housing legislation, public hearings are not needed for developments outside the boundary but are required outside of it.

Some residents had similar desires for Moore’s Meadow, asking that portions of that area also be removed from the boundary.

A few landowners and developers also took issue with changes to the boundary, stating that their properties were now outside of it and that would complicate their development plans. They complained that they had not been consulted about the changes that would affect their property.

persons, organizations and authorities it considers will be affected.”

A local government must also consider whether this consultation should be early and ongoing and whether the local regional district, an adjacent regional district, any bordering municipality First Nations, boards of education, the provincial government and its agencies or the federal governments and its agencies should be consulted as part of this process.

This consultation is supposed to take place on top of the legally required public hearing.

“The City of Prince George went over and beyond the minimum requirement as the OCP is a high-level policy document to guide decisions on planning and land use management within the city for future decades,” Wasnik said.

Should council want to amend the plan in any way, including modifying the boundaries of the Urban Containment Boundary, administration would need to introduce those changes before third reading of the bylaw establishing the updated OCP.

Anderson said that if any amendments are made to the bylaw establishing the OCP, council will have to hold another public hearing before voting on third reading. If council wants to make amendments after third reading is passed, Anderson said third reading can be rescinded and another public hearing held.

During the first night of the public hearing, multiple members of the public expressed disappointment with the consultation carried out by the city and the consultant it hired to help develop the OCP.

Wasnik said the city was required to follow section 475 of the Local Government Act when carrying out public consultation for the OCP.

That section states that “the proposing local government must provide one or more opportunities it considers appropriate for consultation with

“It is imperative that the residents of the community are involved in the process in creating the vision for the community they call home. The OCP Review Project commenced in 2023 and included numerous opportunities for the community to provide feedback in various forms to shape the OCP.”

She added that the findings from the consultation are available on the city’s website.

Some members of Prince George city council have advocated for further public consultation to take place before the new OCP is adopted.

Anderson said council would need to direct staff to carry out consultation as well as set a budget for that work. No money has been set aside in the 2025 budget for that person.

As for council itself, Anderson told councillors at the end of the public hearing’s first night that they could consider new information between then and the second meeting, but they would have to share it with all their colleagues. Anderson also warned them that they should refrain from making comments indicating how they would vote between the hearings.

The reconvened public hearing kicks off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 in council chambers on the second floor of Prince George City Hall.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

It was standing room only for the first two hours of a public hearing on the new Official Community Plan on March 19 at city hall.

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Doherty out knocking on doors as race begins

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Todd Doherty was up bright and early for Day 1 of his fourth federal election campaign, and he hit the ground running.

The Conservative MP had already logged five kilometres, touching base with his Cariboo-Prince George constituents, before heading to the rink Sunday morning at Kin 1 to catch the action at the BC provincial U18 hockey playoffs.

Cariboo-Prince George has elected only right-wing candidates since 1993, and if past results are any indication, the riding is as safe a seat as there is in Canada for the Conservative Party. In the most recent election, in 2021, Doherty received 50.8 per cent of the vote, defeating NDP candidate Audrey McKinnon (20.4 per cent) and Liberal Garth Frizzell (16.6 per cent).

But Doherty says he’s not taking anything for granted, and he’s hoping Canadians will want a change in government after nearly a decade of Liberal rule.

“I think we’ve seen how devastating the last 10 years have been for Canadians far and wide. We have more Canadians accessing food banks, and more Canadians at the end of the month who are $200 away from insolvency,” said Doherty.

“We also have interesting times south of the border as well, and I think it’s time we see a righting of the ship. We’re

ready to go. We’ll be the hardest-working candidate out there. You have to work to earn people’s vote and respect.”

Doherty knows he can’t control what happens in the rest of the country, and it remains to be seen whether Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has what it takes to defeat Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney on election day, April 28, and form the next government.

But if he is re-elected, the 56-year-old Doherty vows he will continue to fight for the issues that matter most to the people who live in his riding, no matter who they decide to vote for.

“I just really focus on what we do here,” Doherty said. “Am I hopeful?

Absolutely. I know our leader is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met in my life, and he’s spoken to tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of Canadians over the course of the leadership campaign and the last year. He’s heard far and wide the stories of Canadians who are hurting, and we have an incredible plan to put Canadians first, always.”

Carney has tried to distance himself from Justin Trudeau, whose popularity sank to the point where he announced on Jan. 6 he would resign as Liberal leader.

Doherty said the leadership change within the Liberal government is not enough to reshape the country and fix its economic, housing, and healthcare issues.

“It’s the same ministers who were literally the architects of our failed policies right now,” he said. “Our region has been crippled with job losses. We still don’t have a softwood lumber agreement after 10 years with this Liberal government. How many mills have we seen go down the drain?

“Addictions, homelessness, the mental health crisis, crime rates, and catch-and-release — those are all things that are top of mind for us. How about major projects that bring about economic prosperity in our neck of the woods? We need to make sure that we are finding a way to get to ‘yes’ on major projects.”

Unofcial Liberal candidate launches campaign early

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Former Burns Lake mayor Chris Beach formally introduced himself as the acclaimed Liberal candidate for Cariboo-Prince George on Friday, March 28 during a noon-hour event at downtown restaurant Betulla Burning. However, the Liberal Party of Canada does not currently recognize Beach as its candidate in the riding.

When asked about the situation Friday, Beach looked into it and later said he had been in contact with the BC arm of the campaign who told him he hadn’t been 100 per cent greenlit as a candidate yet as they are trying to clear a backlog of 43 pending nominations. He said he has not been told that he is not the candidate in the riding.

The federal Liberals’ BC campaign manager confirmed Beach’s status.

“Chris Beach submitted a nomination package for Cariboo-Prince George,” Haley Hodgson wrote in a message via LinkedIn. “He is currently in the greenlight process and has not been confirmed as a candidate.”

Beach said that as far as he knows, there’s no one else running for the Cariboo-Prince George nomination, though he has not been in contact with the Ottawa campaign office and has submitted no paperwork to Elections Canada.

“I think it’s a miscommunication,” Beach said. “I’ve done all my papers. They’re just dotting the I’s. I think it’s just a bureaucratic kind of mix-up.”

The nomination deadline for candidates is 2 p.m. on April 7 — three weeks before election day on April 28. Candidates have until 5 p.m. on that same day to withdraw from the ballot. As of The Citizen’s press time, Beach was not listed on the Liberals’ candidates site.

During his introductory speech, the CNC political science instructor described himself to the crowd of three dozen or so visitors as a centrist who had been a member of the Liberals since the 1980s, but felt the party had left people like him behind under the leadership of Justin Trudeau.

“But I came back when Mark Carney became leaders because it has become so very obvious that he is the right leader at the right time.”

He praised Carney’s decision to stop enforcement of the carbon tax and the carbon backstop, to seek closer ties with the European Union amidst the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade dispute, pursue the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers, improve Arctic security and fast-track infrastructure projects.

“For far too long, this riding has been left out in the cold, sending opposition MPs to Ottawa that have no say when our region’s concerns are overlooked,” Beach said.

“We’ve seen that time and time again. It’s time to choose a new path, one that gets Cariboo-Prince George a seat at the table in government with a voice in caucus right alongside the prime minister, shaping policies that affect our families, our communities and our future here in the north.”

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty is running for re-election.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY THE COLIN SLARK

Chris Beach introduces himself as the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidate for Cariboo-Prince George at Betulla Burning on Friday, March 28.

Green Party candidates enter April 28 federal race

CITIZEN STAFF

Northern British Columbia will see two Green Party candidates vying for seats in the upcoming federal election on April 28.

Mary Forbes is challenging Conservative incumbent Bob Zimmer in the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies riding, while Jodie Capling is running in the traditionally conservative Cariboo-Prince George against Tory incumbent Todd Doherty.

Forbes, a former oil field archeologist and current vice-chair of School District 27 in Williams Lake, sees her Green Party candidacy as a reflection of the complexity of Northern BC residents.

Though she no longer works in the oil industry, Forbes believes her background in the sector is not at odds with her environmental stance.

“I think it’s an example of how people in the north are mislabelled or expected to be a very certain kind of person,” Forbes

said in a March 21 phone interview.

“People who work in the oil patch, their jobs are the front line of preventing pollution. Our hearts are in the forest. We love the land that surrounds us.”

Forbes now works as an independent nature interpreter and has been involved in environmental initiatives.

Mental health is another key issue for Forbes. Having grown up in a lower socio-economic environment, she has personal experience with mental health challenges and believes the Green Party’s policies on mental health resonate with her. Forbes also advocates for electoral reform and, though she acknowledges the challenges posed by the carbon tax, argues it should remain for the ultra-wealthy and large polluters.

She is concerned about the rise of nationalism under the second Trump administration, particularly its impact on immigrants and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Capling, who previously ran unsuccessfully for city council in Williams Lake in 2018, is eager to provide Cariboo-Prince George residents with an alternative to the Conservative status quo. The riding has been held by the Tories since its formation in 2004, and incumbent Todd Doherty has represented it since 2015.

Capling, a yoga instructor with a master’s degree in resource management, grew up near Alexis Creek and is passionate about climate action and building a sustainable, green economy. She views climate change as deeply

intertwined with other social issues, including affordability and natural disasters that disrupt supply chains.

“The consequences of not taking climate action make other parts of what we’re facing worse,” Capling said. “Affordability is not going to improve if we don’t also take care of the climate crisis.”

Though Capling was disappointed by Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s decision to end the consumer-facing carbon tax, she believes the tax was mishandled. She argues that the funds should have been used to support green initiatives and that public trust was eroded as a result.

Capling advocates for diversifying trade partners, suggesting that Canada should focus on building relationships with more stable nations. Additionally, Capling highlights affordable housing as a priority, emphasizing the federal government’s role in ensuring housing policies benefit Canadians, not corporations.

With files from Colin Slark

Peoples Party of Canada candidates outline platorms

CITIZEN STAFF

The People’s Party of Canada (PPC) is vying for seats in the upcoming federal election on April 28.

David Watson, the PPC candidate for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, is a long-time postmaster from Bear Lake. He has held his party’s nomination since October 2023 and is challenging Conservative incumbent Bob Zimmer.

Watson, who describes himself as a small-c conservative, said his campaign is driven by the belief that Canada needs a “burn the ships” mentality to fix the country’s broken systems.

“There are so many things in this country that are broken and they need to be fixed. But fixing them often makes them worse, so sometimes the best way to fix something is to tear it down and start from scratch,” Watson said in a March 27 interview.

He advocates for electing judges instead of appointing them, calling for greater accountability in the judicial

system. He also criticizes current policies on freedom of expression, firearms, military and financial policies, as well as climate change, arguing that government interference and globalist agendas have hindered Canada’s prosperity. Watson is particularly vocal about what he sees as an overreach in defining hate speech and believes that media outlets funded by the government have become mouthpieces for the state.

On social issues, Watson is critical of what he calls “radical gender ideology,” and believes gender surgeries should not be funded by the public.

He also features a video on his campaign website that discusses global conspiracies involving Satanic plots.

“I know things like that have been happening,” Watson said when asked

if he believes the allegations made by the video. “All you have to do is watch the video and you see.”

Watson, however, insists that the PPC is the only party offering a real alternative to

the Liberals and Conservatives, urging voters to focus on candidates, not party leaders, in this election.

Meanwhile, Rudy Sans is running for the PPC in Cariboo-Prince George against Conservative incumbent Todd Doherty.

Sans, a deputy sheriff who has lived in Prince George for the past nine years, is campaigning on the premise that Canada is facing serious social, economic, and sovereignty issues. His campaign focuses on what he describes as a globalist agenda being pushed by organizations like the United Nations

and World Economic Forum, which he argues influence Canadian policies without being elected by the public.

“The sovereignty issues we’re facing stem from unelected, powerful, influential bodies that want to run this country under a different globalist agenda,” Sans said in a March 26 interview.

“The World Economic Forum, obviously, has bragged about infiltrating our Members of Parliament directly,” Sans said. “They’re setting up agendas that don’t reflect what Canadians want, and they weren’t elected, so they shouldn’t have any say. Our current politicians shouldn’t follow suit.”

This, he said, is not his belief but a fact. Sans also criticizes Canada’s monetary policy, including what he calls the “iron fist” of a central banking system that contributes to inflation and interest rate fluctuations.

He believes the carbon tax disproportionately affects Canadians while countries like China and India have no such restrictions.

Forbes

Capling

Watson

Sans

Rosalyn Bird named Conservatves’ military liaison

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The Conservative MLA for Prince George-Valemount has added another portfolio to her list of responsibilities.

Rosalyn Bird was named to Opposition Leader John Rustad’s shadow cabinet as citizens’ services critic last year, but in an interview with The Citizen on March 21, the former Royal Canadian Navy officer said she has been appointed the party’s military liaison.

“I’m actually quite excited by that,” Bird said. “I’ve had concerns for a number of years in regards to representation for veterans only going through the federal government and Veterans Affairs. I would say for sure that in the last five years, the number of organizations that have popped up across the province that are offering services that Veterans (Affairs) should be offering tells me that there are gaps and there are things that are not being addressed.”

Members of the Rocky Mountain Rangers. Mayor Simon Yu, councillors Susan Scott and Trudy Klassen and Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird mark the start of Rocky Mountain Rangers Week on Monday, March 24 outside Prince George City Hall.

There are physical, mental and lifestyle challenges posed to veterans when they leave military life, Bird said. She said she hopes to work with the government’s military liaison, NDP Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford, to create a better dialogue with the federal government on these issues.

“Darlene and I agreed right from the get-go that veterans issues were very

had recently spoken to someone from Falkland about the issue.

While there are currently concerns about Starlink’s owner Elon Musk given his proximity to U.S. President Donald Trump amidst the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war, Bird said the company offers a product that would help communications in rural and remote areas.

much non-partisan,” she said. “She is actually married to a military member who is currently serving in the navy.”

Rotchford recently made headlines when she connected to the Legislature remotely to vote from a hospital just hours after giving birth to a baby girl, earning standing ovations from both sides of the floor.

Bird called it a special moment, one that helped show how dedicated Rotchford is to both her family and her job.

Despite Bird’s praise for her colleague, she still had some criticisms for the government.

While she was happy to see the funding for the new acute care tower at UHNBC finally put on paper, she said she was disappointed that there wasn’t funding for an air ambulance helipad.

“I did raise that when I gave my budget speech,” Bird said.

“This is the north. We deal with extreme weather. The fact that we actually have to transport people from our hospital to the airport or from the airport to the hospital, that 20 to 25 minutes, maybe longer depending on extreme weather, could make a huge difference if it’s life-saving medical care that is needed.”

Also regarding the budget, she said she was disappointed that there wasn’t any funding for improved connectivity along Highway 5 going from Valemount to Kamloops.

Connectivity is an issue she said she’s been looking into not just in her neck of the woods, but across the province as part of her critic portfolio. She said she

“I would actually like to see if there are Canadian companies that are working on those types of communications, which I know there are,” Bird said. “This actually might be a point in time where the federal and provincial government starts to look at that much more seriously.”

Another citizens’ services issue Bird is looking into regards the pickup, removal and transportation of corpses by the BC Coroners Service.

She said people have expressed some concerns to her about how that process is regulated when it comes to respecting the dignity of bodies, managing religious concerns and protecting workers in the coroners service.

At some point, she said, she is hoping to bring forward a private member’s bill or motion on the subject.

Though Premier David Eby has announced plans to eliminate BC’s consumer-facing carbon tax to coincide with new Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s promises at the federal level, Bird said she’d like to see the industrial carbon tax removed as well as she feels those costs will just be passed down to consumers.

Late last year, the province announced several wind power projects co-owned by First Nations, including one by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation near Hixon, that are being allowed to skip the environmental assessment process.

“I think it’s a contrary message that we want to protect our environment but we’re not going to do environmental assessments,” Bird said.

“Whether that energy project is green or not, depending on your view of it, you still need to have those checks and balances in place and you don’t get to arbitrarily decide which projects require assessment and which projects don’t.”

New Citzen Recogniton Commitee begins its work

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Coun. Susan Scott was unanimously elected as the new Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program while Coun. Kyle Sampson was unanimously appointed as vice-chair at its first meeting at city hall on Thursday, March 27.

The creation of the citizen recognition medal program was approved last November.

The idea came from councillors who suggested in a letter that while council can bestow the Freedom of the City Award, it is rarely awarded.

Councillors Scott, Sampson, Brian Skakun and Garth Frizzell were chosen as the council representatives for the citizen recognition committee at the Jan. 13 council meeting.

At that time, city administration said it would look for members of the public to join the committee as well. Heading into the first meeting,

Chantelle Grafton, Pamela McInroy and Judy Mitchell were tapped to fill those roles. Grafton was unable to attend the meeting.

Before proceeding into discussions, information and records co-ordinator

Elisha Leclair gave the new committee members a quick rundown on policies and procedures before running the elections for chair and vice-chair.

Director of civic facilities and events

Andy Beesley told the committee that administration works at council’s direction, adding that there’s a wide range of directions the committee could choose to take in developing their awards program.

Manager of event services Debbie Haywood, who will serve as the committee’s staff liaison, gave a history of citizen recognition programs in Prince George.

She recommended that the committee set the objectives of the program, the number of annual award recipients, the

Downtown Prince George appoints executve director

CITIZEN STAFF

Downtown Prince George has announced the appointment of Chrisie Berry as its new executive director, effective April 7.

She will succeed Colleen Van Mook, who has held the position since 2016 and will retire in early May.

Berry brings over a decade of leadership experience in communications, community relations, and stakeholder engagement.

For the past seven years, Berry has worked with the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA), most recently as the communications and community relations co-ordinator.

“We were thoroughly impressed by Chrisie’s passion for building connections and her proven ability to strengthen relationships with a wide range of groups, including Indigenous

communities, non-profits, and the business sector,” said Eoin Foley, president of the board of directors. “We are excited to see her bring this energy and expertise to Downtown Prince George.”

Berry expressed enthusiasm about her new role: “I am excited to use my education and experience to foster deeper engagement, support business leadership, enhance communications, and elevate customer experiences in our downtown. This is a fantastic opportunity to advocate for community-driven initiatives and contribute to the ongoing vibrancy of Prince George’s downtown core.”

manner in which nominations are made, whether nominations can be made posthumously, the criteria and scoring matrix for the award, the physical attributes of the award, options for the long-term recognition of the award, how the award will be presented and the budget and resources implications of the program.

Frizzell said a rigorous system is needed for handing out the awards because if people feel like someone is putting their thumb on the scale when deciding the recipients, they won’t be valued.

He added that it could be a good idea to have a youth category for the award, saying that it could change the trajectory for a young person’s life to have them be recognized.

Skakun said the committee should be careful as there’s a municipal election next year and the awards shouldn’t be seen as political considerations.

Coun. Cori Ramsay connected to the meeting remotely via Zoom as an

ex-officio, non-voting member. She said she’s been reading a book discussing the impact that gratitude can have on a community and said this program could help reduce local polarization.

Sampson said he didn’t want the program to be too narrowed, instead advocating for a broad definition of celebrating excellence in everything from arts and sports to heroism and philanthropy.

Scott said there’s been a desire for something like this program to be reinvigorated.

She said she felt that this effort would be a “game changer.”

Mitchell warned that a too-limiting definition of excellence might eliminate some worthy recipients like those working with kids or administering doses of naloxone to people going through overdoses.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 10 a.m.

Berry

Next government must ensure Northern BC is heard

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

The federal Liberals seemed to stumble as the federal election campaign got going last week.

It took several days after the formal election call for the Liberals to name a candidate in Cariboo-Prince George, an announcement that took an odd turn when the federal Liberal campaign notified The Citizen that Chris Beach was not, in fact, an official candidate.

This despite Beach holding a formal campaign launch surrounded by Liberal signs and announcing that he had been acclaimed.

Beach called it a bureaucratic mixup. We’ll see how that plays out.

Meanwhile, there’s no word on a Liberal candidate in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.

Both ridings have been Conservative strongholds for years. Cariboo-Prince George has been represented by Todd Doherty since 2015 and Prince GeorgePeace River-Northern Rockies has been in the hands of Bob Zimmer since 2011.

This less-then-ambitious approach to campaigning could mean the Liberal party is worried about the tough challenge these ridings present.

Or maybe the leadership had time finding someone willing to run against the longtime Conservative incumbents. It’s hard to know, as the party doesn’t have a local riding association so there’s nobody to ask.

No matter the reason, the Liberals’

Conservative incumbents Bob Zimmer and Todd Doherty are running for re-election in the two Prince George-area ridings, with no official Liberal candidates running against them as of The Citizen’s press time.

disinterest in Prince George is an issue.

If the Conservatives win, it’ll be important for leader Pierre Poilievre to make sure Prince George and Northern BC get some attention in Ottawa.

This region has always felt ignored by the federal government and a Conservative victory could be a chance to finally change that. Northern BC has unique challenges — mostly around its resource-based economy and vast, rural areas —and it’s been overlooked for too long.

One way Poilievre could show us some support would be to name at least one of our MPs, if re-elected, to cabinet.

On the flip side, if the Liberals pull off a win, it’s a real opportunity for Mark Carney to show that he can unite the country, as he promised when he took

over as party leader.

But for Carney to make good on that, he’ll need to listen to the people of Northern BC. He can’t just focus on big urban centres; he needs to make sure our voices in the north are heard and our needs are addressed. If he can make that happen, he’ll prove his leadership is about more than just winning an election. It’ll show he’s committed to all Canadians, not just those in the biggest cities.

As for the incumbents, Doherty and Zimmer have strong track records. In the 2021 election, Doherty won with 50.8 per cent of the vote, and Zimmer got 60.7 per cent.

The Liberals, however, have had a harder time making headway in these ridings.

In 2021, Prince George Coun. Garth Frizzell’s Cariboo-Prince George Liberal campaign managed only16.6 per cent of the vote. T

hat was a decline from the previous election, showing that the Liberals are struggling to break through here — something made clear by their apparent lack of interest in these ridings this time around.

The NDP has its candidates, with Angie Bonazzo running in Cariboo-Prince George and Cory “Grizz” Longley in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.

The Green Party and People’s Party of Canada are also in the mix, with Jodie Capling and Mary Forbes running for the Greens and David Watson and Rudy Sans representing the PPC.

While these parties are unlikely to win in these traditionally Conservative areas, they’re still important as they help shape the conversation.

Post-election, Northern BC needs to be at the table when decisions are being made in Ottawa.

Our region has significant potential. However, the only way that potential can turn into employment opportunities and tax revenue to pay for services such as healthcare, seniors support, and public safety, is if the newly elected government makes it a priority.

The stakes are high, and the people of this region deserve a federal government that will truly represent us, no matter who forms it.

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OPINION

LETTERS EDITOR to

the

Doctor’s ‘lottery’ is a new low for health care in the north Northern health care has reached a new low in the form of lotteries that terminate patient access to the medical system we all rely on. I, along with others in Prince George — and possibly elsewhere — have fallen victim to these unconscionable schemes.

A letter from my primary care physician stated that I will be dropped as part of an effort to downsize his workload. His justification was that “we are in a healthcare crisis.” He chose to respond to this crisis by mitigating his own circumstances at enormous detriment to the patients entrusted to his care.

The letter stated that a “random draw” (i.e., a lottery) was used to select patients for removal. Finding it incredulous that patients would be removed with no regard for their circumstances, I requested clarification. His office explained that, rather than a completely random draw, the physician had selected who would remain and who would be removed.

I found it doubly disturbing that, in addition to falsely representing the process to patients, the physician used an approach that is rife with potential for discrimination.

No reason was given for my removal. At 76 years old, I know that access to diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and referrals will be critical in the years ahead to maintain my health and independent living.

That access is now blocked for the foreseeable future, as my exhaustive efforts to find another physician have proven futile.

There are acceptable and ethical ways to manage workload stresses, such as withholding appointments during periods of staff shortages. Given that primary care physicians are British Columbians’ gateway to essential services and referrals, terminating that access is unethical and will inevitably cause harm.

The process used was callous,

RF MEDIA/PEXELS

A reader was recently told by her family doctor that he was reducing his patient load, and she was being removed as a patient.

arbitrary, and deeply disturbing to those affected. Without our consent or input, we were subjected to a highstakes lottery with catastrophic consequences for the “losers.” The effects include an acute sense of betrayal, elevated worry and stress, and the fear of knowing that medical care will only become available after symptoms escalate into true emergencies.

Canadians support the national health care system through their taxes. I, along with others, am now blocked from the services we pay for and rely on.

I cannot imagine that these deplorable schemes would be tolerated by the Northern Health Authority or the Ministry of Health. Just how broken is a healthcare system in which doctors would run lotteries to improve their workloads and feel justified in kicking patients — including the elderly — to the curb?

I have written to Northern Health’s Patient Care Quality Office and eagerly await their response.

Winnifred Kessler

Prince George

Clinic no longer lets senior renew prescriptions by phone

I was getting my prescriptions refilled over the phone, but the clinic has stopped doing that. I’m not sure why, but for a senior with mobility issues, it was really convenient. Now they won’t do it?

I guess if I want my meds, I’ll have to go to the clinic, but I’m not looking forward to that. Some really bad people hang around there, and they just ignore seniors now.

It’s bad enough that I don’t have a doctor, but now they won’t even do this? It’s just awful.

Steven Orosz

Prince George

A letter from a former British Columbia sawmill worker

I worked at the Netherlands Sawmill for 27 years. At first, I worked for a Dutch family, but they were bought out by Balfour Forest Products, which at the time wanted to buy the Slocan Sawmills. However, the BC government said no,

as they were concerned it would create a monopoly.

In the end, we were bought by Canfor in the late ’80s, I think. The Liberals in charge at the time let Canfor buy Northwood’s mill and the pulp mills. Funny how there was no monopoly then.

I knew we were in trouble right away. First, they shut down our big side for a lack of big wood, yet we could watch the big wood come into our yard and be sent south.

The Liberals of the day sold out to Canfor, gave them one tree farm permit to cover the whole province, and then the closures started.

Now, pretty much all the mills are gone, which I predicted back when we shut down in 1999. Yet truck after truckload of logs goes south every day.

So, in closing, I will just say that the blame falls squarely on the government’s lap.

Les Colebank

Prince George

Politicians promise tax cuts, but what’s their real impact?

Interesting, but meaningless, is the announcement of tax cuts by all the leaders of the parties running for election to the federal government.

Where does the money come from to run a government or country, except from the middle-class working stiff who’s trying to support his family in today’s economy? If you cut taxes, you have to replace them with another source of funds, don’t you?

Let’s all start asking the hard questions and demand honest, truthful answers instead of meaningless babble that has little substance!

Tim Nelin

Quesnel

Trump, the snake,

says he prefers Liberals to Conservatives

Trump, the snake, says he prefers liberals to conservatives. This is reverse psychology, hoping people will vote for the conservatives. Don’t fall for this gimmick like Americans did.

Senaka Malleappah

Prince George

OPINION

BC cabinet minister talks downtown safety on Prince George visit

To keep things fair, what are they supposed to be doing?

Not sure if you’ve been following along, but people are being released immediately after being arrested — even for serious offences — and there’s zero repercussion for theft under $5,000.

Dangerous career criminals have been released on bail after committing serious crimes, only to go on and kill or maim officers and civilians. Who’s not doing their job?

You can arrest people all you want, but if there’s no prosecution or penalty for crimes committed, what good is it? I imagine if I worked in law enforcement, I’d feel pretty discouraged these days. People literally steal from stores with impunity.

Zangief

Letter to the editor: ‘Unbelievable’ that council would turn down funding

If Jasper was better prepared than most, then others are in a heap of trouble.

Jasper did not want to cut down dead pine trees on its municipal golf course.

Prince George cleared its golf course of dead pine trees years ago.

From what I have seen and heard about Jasper, there was an unwillingness to deal with dead pine trees both within its boundaries and in the surrounding parkland.

A lot of logging has occurred around Prince George. Just wondering how many more millions or billions of dead pine trees are still standing around BC communities?

When the beetle crisis hit, I heard government estimates that two to four billion pine trees would die, and the loggers might be able to harvest half of them.

Many more have already burned in massive fires.

How many are left? Maybe a billion?

waymar10@telus.net

United Way puts out call for help to combat food insecurity in Prince GeorgeI would love to see the United Way support community garden plots to supply fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables for people to either consume themselves or donate to food banks.

Barbara Donalday

Prince George Cougars vs. Portland Winterhawks: This WHL rivalry is real

Hard to believe it has been almost 30 years since their magical playoff run in 1997. That’s when you had to stand in line at Studio 2880 or at the Multiplex (as it was known) to hopefully get a ticket. No smartphones or online ticket sales back then.

Those were the days when the parking lots were packed, and the RCMP and volunteers maintained order after the games ended and the lots emptied. Every game was filled to capacity, and white towel power ruled the stands. PG had the loudest and proudest fans, and the WHL knew it. It was awesome.

After 1997, the Cougars and their hometown crowd went through a long decline, but in recent years, thanks to good ownership, team-building, and forward thinking, they’re back!

Let’s go, Cougars! BGeez

Letter to the editor: An unelected prime minister is a sign of eroding freedoms

People will make excuses, but he is essentially an unelected official — that’s the bottom line.

Anyone who thinks Mark Carney will be any different from Justin Trudeau is fooling themselves.

They were in bed together all along, and aside from Trudeau’s absence, it’s still the same party.

I voted Liberal 10 years ago, but I find it inexplicable how anyone can claim Canada is doing better now compared to 10 years ago.

I would love to hear someone’s take on what the Liberals have actually done well in this country over the past 10 years.

Because all I can see is people’s personal freedoms being eroded and millions sliding further into poverty. But, of course, the government isn’t responsible.

How do you explain the exploding homeless population and drug deaths in this town and everywhere else?

Maybe you don’t, maybe you just don’t care, or simply accept what’s happening, or lie to yourself and say it’s always been this way.

Zangief

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Recycling set to return to Vanway, McBride depots

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Recycling services will be returning to the Vanway transfer station in Prince George and the McBride transfer station after the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s board of directors voted at its March 20 meeting to expand its partnership with Recycle BC.

On May 31, 2024, the regional district’s contract for recycling services with Cascades Recovery ended.

While curbside recycling in Prince George was not affected, those in the district without the service were recommended to take their products to Return-It Centres.

Then on Sept. 16, 2024, the regional district and Recycle BC partnered to bring recycling services to the Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot and transfer stations in Mackenzie and Valemount.

Following that, the district applied to Recycle BC last November for additional depots at the Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station, the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, the Vanway Regional Transfer Station and the McBride Regional Transfer Station.

Recycle BC came back willing to put a principal depot at the Vanway station and a satellite depot in McBride.

At principal depots, Recycle BC is responsible for putting out collection

bins, transporting the recyclables collected and processing those materials while at satellite depots, the regional district must provide the bins and bring the recyclables to a principal depot to be dealt with by Recycle BC.

Directors voted at the March 20 meeting to authorize the district’s general manager of legislative and corporate services Maureen Connelly and Chair Lara Beckett to sign a new five-year services agreement with Recycle BC including the new depots.

Once the agreement is officially signed, the district has a 90-day window to set up the new depots.

As the director representing Electoral Area C (Chilako River-Nechako), which includes rural areas to the west and south of Prince George, Beckett’s constituents will be able to take advantage of the new Vanway depot that will open.

“The new contract with Recycle BC will bring bins back to Vanway for recycling and that will include packaging, printed paper products, hard plastic, film plastic like wrap that goes around your toilet paper rolls, styrofoam and glass,” Beckett told The Citizen after the meeting.

Since the old multi-material bins were removed from Vanway, Beckett said her constituents had to go to either the Vance Road Return-It Centre or the Quinn Street depot once it opened. She said they’ve been asking for the return of recycling services since they left.

The return of services to Vanway, she said, would make it more convenient for people to drop their recyclables off on their way in and out of the city.

“Everybody’s very pleased that it’s coming back and comparatively to the system they had in place previously, the agreement with Recycle BC is a fairly significant decrease in costs to run these systems even with the new ones coming on,” Beckett said.

Director Dannielle Alan (Robson Valley-Canoe), who represents rural areas around McBride, and McBride Mayor Gene Runtz both expressed excitement for the return of recycling services to the area.

While their constituents in and around McBride have been able to use the Valemount depot since it opened last September, it’s almost an hour’s drive between the two communities.

Since the end of the previous services, Alan said residents passionate about the environment and recycling in the western side of the Robson Valley have written letters asking for them to be restored.

“If you live in the rural areas around Prince George, you go into town, you buy your groceries, you drop off your recycling and boom, you’re done,” Alan said.

“People in these (other) rural areas just want the same thing. Now they’ll be able to go to McBride or Valemount for shopping, which is excellent for them. It

costs the regional district less, it costs our taxpayers less, which is important since they’re already being charged for the service through the products that they buy.”

On top of that, she said residents would be able to recycle more types of products than they could before.

While there is an agricultural recycling program for things like the plastic wrapping that goes around hay bales, Alan said she’d still like to see tire recycling return to the Robson Valley since the closest current drop-off is in Prince George.

In a March 24 phone interview, Runtz said there’s a Return-It Express location in McBride where folks can take drink containers to, but there’s nowhere locally to take paper, non-drink metal cans and plastic.

“I know a lot of people just put them in their garbage right now,” Runtz said. “They don’t take the time to go take it to the Return-It.”

Once the new depot is open, just about the only thing Runtz said he wasn’t sure the McBride transfer station would accept is electronics for recycling like old televisions.

He said that it is “a big deal” that with the Recycle BC arrangement, recyclables won’t just be picked up but that the company finds places for them to be processed as well. Runtz also praised district staff for finding a practical solution to the recycling issue.

Recycling bins will soon return to transfer stations in Vanway and McBride after the board of directors for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George agreed to sign a new five-year contract with Recycle BC at its Thursday, March 20 meeting.

Major forestry conference under way in Prince George

CITIZEN STAFF

The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is holding its annual convention at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre from Wednesday through Friday.

More than 600 delegates are expected, including industry executives, policymakers, and First Nations leaders. The theme of the conference is Where Do We Stand? Strategies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.

The convention is a major gathering for the forest sector in Western Canada, addressing key challenges and innovations shaping the future of the industry.

Discussions will focus on global trade, product diversification, wildfire resilience, and fibre supply, with opportunities for delegates to engage with decision-makers across the supply chain.

BC Council of Forest Industries president Kim Haakstad will deliver the closing address Friday as COFI holds its annual conference in Prince George.

Keynotes and panel discussions will cover topics such as global trade, sustainability, and wildfire resilience.

The conference will also feature a trade show and networking opportunities.

The convention kicked off on Wednesday, with early registration and an icebreaker reception at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

On Thursday, the convention opens with an official welcome from COFI president Kim Haakstad, Mayor Simon Yu, and Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan.

The day was to feature keynotes by Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BC Assembly of First Nations and COFI’s

BC BUDGET

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will be visiting the following communities in June 2025:

Victoria

Surrey

Vancouver

Courtenay

Terrace

Fort

Quesnel

Vernon

Cranbrook

Nelson

Penticton

Virtual participation opportunities are also available. Indicate your interest by 2 p.m. (Paci c) on April 11, 2025 For full details on how to participate, visit our website.

Kurt Niquidet, who will share insights into the BC forest sector’s economic outlook.

Sessions were to include a panel discussion on global markets, a spotlight on sustainable building practices, and a session on new technologies. A pre-luncheon panel will focus on Canada-U.S. relations and the future of forest products trade.

On Friday, discussions were scheduled to continue with a keynote from former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber on integrated solutions to wildfire resilience and community safety.

A session on fibre availability will to feature insights from former BC cabinet minister George Abbott, while BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar will provide an address on the future of forestry in the province.

The convention will conclude with remarks from COFI president Kim Haakstad at 1:50 p.m. Friday, followed by a closing reception.

For more information visit cofi.org.

City sends out surveys on parking

The public is invited to participate in two new surveys aimed at improving and modernizing parking in Prince George.

The surveys include questions about parking availability, costs, accessibility needs, EV parking and active transportation options such as cycling.

One is for all residents of Prince George, while the other will go directly to business owners, city staff state in a press release.

These surveys are part of the new Parking Modernization Study, which launched in February.

The project aims to assess and enhance parking in the Downtown and Hospital Parking Zones.

The city has engaged transportation planning and engineering firm LEA Consulting Ltd. (“LEA”) to assist with the study.

Recommendations will be based on observed parking demand, public and partner feedback, and best practices adopted by communities similar to Prince George.

The study will consider improvements to the city’s parking system in the following areas:

• Parking supply and design

• Public safety

• Accessibility

• Payment and enforcement

• Supporting infrastructure and maintenance

The survey results will be a key component of the study.

In addition to the surveys, direct engagement with downtown businesses and organizations, such as the Downtown Business Association, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Prince George, is planned.

City staff intend to present the findings of the surveys and the study to city council in July.

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

CMHA will use $75K in funding to tackle homelessness

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC (CMHA) recently announced that it has secured $75,000 in new research funding.

Of the total amount, $50,000 comes from SPARC BC’s Homelessness Community Action Grants program, and the remaining $25,000 is provided by the New Horizons for Seniors Program through Employment and Social Development Canada.

The $50,000 will go towards highlighting systemic barriers contributing to homelessness in the city, as well as supporting research on the intersection of mental illness and homelessness. CMHA hopes the research, when completed, will help inform policy in the city and drive meaningful change for the homeless population.

The $25,000 will contribute to exploring the mental health needs of older adults in Prince George, particularly addressing the effects of social isolation, stigma, and difficulty accessing appropriate care. This research will support the development of services tailored to seniors’ mental health.

Dr. Elaine Laberge, executive director of the CMHA Northern BC, said one reason this research is important is the difference in mental health treatment between Northern communities and urban areas.

“We’re the hub of Northern BC,” said Laberge. “People get dislocated and displaced, and that is very discombobulating. I really want to stress that homelessness, housing precarity, and food insecurity are difficult for mental health. For instance, our food bank in Quesnel was serving something like 700 households a month. It’s really, really serious. I want to position CMHA of Northern BC as a leader, getting out into the community and focusing on mental health and mental illness and how that intersects with housing discrimination. For example, how mental illness develops and the experiences of seniors with mental illness. Too often, research focuses on urban areas. That’s not the case for us.

We need to focus on what those experiences are in these northern geographies.”

So far, Laberge has assembled a team of researchers and assistants and has begun identifying the key factors that drive mental illness in the North.

Laberge told The Citizen that one of the social barriers she has encountered in her early research is housing, which can heavily impact an individual’s recovery. She also added that the trauma associated with living with the realities of homelessness is often not fully explored when treatment is considered.

“There’s so much misunderstanding about mental illness and housing precarity,” said Laberge. “I will say it’s traumatic. You can’t be in recovery and be mentally healthy when you’re either unhoused or don’t know if you’re going to have a roof over your head tomorrow… It leaves you living in fear of becoming homeless again. Because we’re facing such a horrible housing crisis on top of housing discrimination, it really has a negative impact on mental health if you’re someone without a big bank account, which many of my clients don’t have. It becomes increasingly difficult to secure safe and affordable housing. If you’re in recovery, you can’t be housed in community housing where people are actively in addiction, for instance. It’s like quitting drinking and then going to hang out at a bar.”

Laberge said that often, the stigma attached to mental health and homelessness are some of the biggest barriers to treatment and recovery. One notable example is the number of people she’s spoken with who are unwilling to rent property to people with mental illness.

“A really big driving force behind this research is the destigmatization of mental illness,” said Laberge. “BC has some of the highest rates of stigma regarding mental illness, so we’ve got a lot of work to do in this area. I did a presentation last week to a group of executives, and it was really shocking how many said they wouldn’t rent to anybody who’s mentally ill because they thought they were just going to come in and ruin the place. Well, I know people who come

from gated communities and go in and ruin places.”

While the research will focus on homelessness in the North, another equally important aspect of the research is the mental health care of seniors.

“One of the things we’re looking to do is make visible seniors’ experiences with mental illness,” said Laberge. “We know that certain generations do not discuss mental health. So this, for a lot of folks, is going to be the first time they’ve ever talked about mental health and mental illness and how it shapes their lives. We know that some folks may be experiencing isolation because of mobility issues, our fractured healthcare system, and the impacts these have on physical, spiritual, and mental health. We may learn, for instance, the profound need to expand community-based programming so that people can become part of communities and have that sense of belonging. In my research, the community

piece and the sense of belonging were a common theme. It didn’t matter what race, gender, or identity; you have to have community.”

Once the research is completed, CMHA plans to share the results with the community and academics alike. The findings will be shared through a series of videos, a micro-documentary, and conventional presentations.

“We’re going to submit to associations and universities,” said Laberge. “We hope to get it published so it can inform policies, procedures, programming, and services for other areas across this country. We’ll also be sending it out on an international scale.”

CMHA is also looking for help with the project. The organization is seeking businesses or individuals who can assist with filming and editing, in addition to monetary donations.

For more information or to offer support, email elainelaberge@cmhanorthernbc.ca.

BC safety minister hears concerns about downtown

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

British Columbia’s minister of state for community safety and integrated services visited Prince George on Thursday, March 27 to meet with community leaders and business representatives on public safety.

Speaking with reporters in the afternoon, Vancouver-Yaletown NDP MLA Terry Yung said he was speaking with locals about policies that could be used to address Prince George-specific challenges.

Yung retired from the Vancouver Police Service, rising from patrol to inspector. He said there are some similarities between issues facing Prince George and those he saw on his beat in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside — addictions, mental health, homelessness and repeat offenders.

“I heard that secure care is going to be welcoming news because, obviously, a small percentage of people are endangering themselves and others while they’re on the streets and suffering from mental illness,” Yung said.

“We also heard about prolific offenders. Some businesses like Save-On (Foods), they were saying they have the same person victimize them day after day and sometimes it tends to get more violent and their employees are afraid for their safety. Everybody deserves to feel safe when you go to work.”

Asked about municipalities’ frequent concerns that higher levels of government are downloading responsibilities

Community Safety and Integrated Services Terry Yung speaks with reporters after meeting with local leaders and business representatives at 177 Victoria St. on Thursday, March 27.

onto their shoulders, Yung said that shouldn’t be happening.

The minister said he has known Mayor Simon Yu since before he entered politics and has a very clear line of communication with him. He said his government is working on things like housing, secure care and other resources to treat people with concurrent mental health and drug addiction issues.

Something else he said his government is working on is a restorative justice program that balances being sensitive to certain areas while still establishing consequences for criminal behaviour.

Though BC Housing recently opened a temporary housing facility at 397 Third Ave. that has housed many of the

people who once lived in nearby Moccasin Flats, some residents remain in the encampment.

The City of Prince George has filed a claim with the BC Supreme Court asking for permission to close out what remains in the flats.

Yung said he didn’t know the specifics, but it is his understanding that BC Housing has announcements coming up that will expand housing supply in Prince George.

“And then we’re going to continue to look at other ways we can support the local government, the mayor is looking at revitalizing the downtown core,” Yung said.

At the Tuesday, March 18 meeting of Prince George’s Standing Committee on Public Safety, members discussed

overnight security patrol options for the downtown core.

The option of hiring private security to keep an eye on the area from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. paid for by downtown businesses through a local area service tax was advocated for by Downtown Prince George president Eoin Foley, who said it was the “fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to provide overnight peace of mind for business owners and property owners.”

The minister said that many places augment policing with private security, but that there needs to be a balance and a business improvement area shouldn’t have to spend the majority of its funding on security.

“They should spend the money and effort on attracting tourism instead of making the place safe, so I think it’s a partnership,” Yung said.

“We’ll have to lay out expectations. I’m going to bring that up again today with the RCMP and say ‘what can the RCMP do better to address these issues so it won’t end up on the costing side on local businesses to actually have to step in and take over whatever perceived gap it is.’”

He said some communities, like Vancouver and Kelowna have business liaison police officers that have been paying dividends in the proper deployment of resources through evidence-based intelligence.

After the media conference, Yung toured the Third Avenue housing facility and met with local RCMP officer-incharge Supt. Darin Rappel.

Difcult to calculate cost of fre response to medical calls: City staf

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The effort to accurately measure the actual costs of Prince George Fire Rescue responding to medical calls would be a “significant undertaking,” according to a report attached to the agenda for the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs meeting on Tuesday, April 1.

The report said that in 2023, Prince

George city council lobbied the provincial government to introduce a funding model that would reimburse local governments whose fire and rescue services attend to emergency medical calls.

In response, the report said, the Ministry of Health said that municipalities can voluntarily enter agreements with BC Emergency Health Services determining the extent of their participation, thereby managing the costs related to

pre-hospital care.

Another report issued last year by city staff said that cost estimates for PG Fire Rescue attending to calls are difficult to make as one call might require few resources by BC Ambulance Service and another may require extensive resources.

One attempt to help manage these costs, the 2025 report said, is the addition of another officer on each shift this year to allow PG Fire Rescue to send a

small, retrofitted vehicle in response to medical incidents instead of “a fully staffed apparatus.”

While it might be possible to get a rough idea of the costs through collaboration between the city’s finance department and fire services department, establishing actual costs including labour and supplies is believed to be a significant undertaking involving changes to software, record management and procedure.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Minister of State for

RCMP investgate afer cremated remains found in park

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Cremation ashes of a deceased person have been found near the Nechako River in Cottonwood Island Park.

The remains, which date back to 2016, were discovered in an airtight bag used by a local cremation service by Duncan Desharnais, who posted a photo of the bag containing them in Facebook’s “What’s Up Prince George” group, hoping for the safe return of the ashes. The post was later deleted.

“On my way back from our walk, I noticed this black can with a white bag inside it,” said Desharnais.“I thought somebody was making square sandbags and when I walked up and saw a name on it, I thought that’s not supposed to be there. I heard on Facebook a couple of months ago about somebody getting a B&E and that a loved one’s ashes were taken. So I phoned the RCMP on my way home and they came and picked them up and took them, simple.”

Desharnais said he was happy to return the ashes to the RCMP but was upset at the thought they might have been stolen.

“It was startling to my friend, and I thought it was kind of upsetting,” said Desharnais. “You know damn well nobody put them there like how you spread ashes. The only saving grace, I thought, is that at least they left it somewhere someone could find it and get it

back to the rightful owner.”

The Prince George RCMP confirmed they have collected the ashes and are working to return them to the deceased’s family.

The deceased person’s name was clearly written on the bag. The Citizen is not sharing this information.

A comment on the Facebook post alleged the remains may have been stolen from a car several years ago, suggesting criminal charges could apply if the suspect dumped the ashes. That comment disappeared along with the post.

It’s unknown if there is any connection between the two incidents.

In British Columbia, cremated remains are legally considered human remains, and their disposition is regulated by the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act.

Under Section 182 of the Criminal Code, indecent interference with human remains is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Prince George RCMP Sgt. Craig Douglass told The Citizen that anyone who finds ashes or the containers they are stored in should contact RCMP.

“It has come up a couple of times where we’ve found urns full of ashes,” said Douglass. “So, yes, call us. We will do our best to return them to the family and determine why they ended up where they did — whether that’s due to criminal action, such as theft, or if someone left them there on purpose.”

Civil Resoluton Tribunal makes decision in dog dispute

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Who owns Ronnie the corgi? Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) member Deanna Rivers decided Monday, March 24 that, on a balance of probabilities, Kiara Lynn Wall owned the dog, not her former roommate.

Angeline Rose Lewington claimed Wall took Ronnie and applied to the CRT for the dog’s return or payment of $850. Wall responded by saying she bought the dog and is the sole owner.

The March 24 decision by Rivers said the law recognizes pets as personal property, but the test of ownership depends on multiple factors.

Rivers said both parties agreed Wall contacted the breeder to see the puppy on April 27, 2023 and they both went to see the puppy two days later. But they disagreed on the other factors.

Rivers decided it was more likely than not that Wall paid for Ronnie, based on a May 1, 2023 $200 e-transfer deposit to the breeder and a further $600 payment on May 13, 2023.

Lewington submitted evidence of e-transfers around the same time to Wall totalling $905, of which $55 was for money owed to Wall.

Rivers determined Lewington brought Ronnie to veterinary appointments until Wall moved out.

Wall was his primary caregiver, but

there was no persuasive evidence of who paid for the care while they lived together.

Additionally, Ronnie has lived with Wall since November 2023 and Wall has been fully responsible since then.

“Based on the above factors, I find that (Lewington]) has not proved it is more likely than not that she is Ronnie’s owner,” Rivers wrote.

Rivers decided that, based on the evidence, Wall transferred money to the breeder to acquire Ronnie. Lewington, rather than Wall, took Ronnie to veterinary appointments at Prince George Veterinary Hospital, but there was no persuasive evidence of who paid for those appointments.

“However, I find it is equally likely that the applicant brought Ronnie to his veterinary appointments because she was the owner, or that she did so to enable the respondent to obtain the employee discount,” Rivers wrote.

Lewington is identified as a veterinary assistant on the website for Fear Free Pets, which offers online courses for animal wellbeing.

While both parties cared for and spent time with Ronnie, the kennel was in Wall’s room, so Rivers found it more likely than not that Wall was the primary caregiver while she lived with Lewington.

Rivers did not award reimbursement or costs to either party.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

A bag containing cremated human remains was recently found in Prince George. The Citizen has blacked out all identifying information.

Woman fned for driving without licence

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A woman charged with driving while prohibited or licence suspended pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on March 21 in Prince George provincial court.

Judge David Simpkin fined 53-year-old Elisa Diane Ginter $500 for driving without a licence under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Court heard that a Prince George RCMP officer pulled over a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Ginter on Nov. 10, 2024. Ginter immediately advised the officer she did not have a driver’s licence or any other identification with her at the time. Ginter otherwise co-operated and provided her name, date of birth, address and a BC driver’s licence keyword.

Drugs, cash seized afer RCMP trafc stop

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Prince George RCMP’s Problem-Oriented Policing Unit have arrested two people after a traffic stop on Massey Drive at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19.

Police arrested two adult occupants of an SUV.

A search of the vehicle turned up the following items:

• 28 grams of cocaine

• 97 grams of fentanyl

• 3 grams of heroin

• 86 grams of methamphetamine

• Less than 1 gram of carfentanil

• More than $14,000 in cash

“This is a great example of how regular traffic enforcement often leads to arrests and drug seizures,” said Sgt. Craig Douglass of the Prince George RCMP.

“Excellent work by these officers in removing drugs from the street,

which, in turn, reduces harm to the community.”

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in the Prince George area is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Toxic drug alert issued for PG area

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Northern Health has issued a drug advisory following the discovery that a round white pill being sold in the area as “Oxycocet” has tested positive for isotonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid.

The advisory, issued Thursday, March 27, warns that isotonitazene, also known as “Nitazene,” is as dangerous or even more toxic than fentanyl, and it is not detectable using fentanyl test strips.

For public safety, health officials are urging the following precautions:

• Naloxone can reverse isotonitazene overdose: Ensure you are trained to recognize and respond to overdoses and always carry naloxone

• Don’t use drugs alone: Share your plan with a trusted person who can call for help if needed

• Use apps for safety: If using alone,

utilize the Lifeguard or BeSafe apps, available for free, or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-6677 for support

• Know your limits: If you are feeling unwell or have had a period of abstinence or reduced use, use significantly smaller amounts

• Avoid mixing substances: Combining drugs or using alcohol with drugs increases overdose risk

• Test your drugs: Always start with a small amount and go slow

• Use overdose prevention sites (OPS): If possible, use substances in a supervised environment where help is available

Local overdose prevention sites (OPS) provide essential services, and residents are encouraged to visit the Northern Health OPS website for more information on site hours.

This advisory is set to expire on April 10.

RCMP PHOTO

RCMP released a photo of what was seized during a March 19 traffic stop.

Court restricts unruly patent from UHNBC

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A woman sentenced to time served March 26 in Prince George provincial court must not return to the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) unless she needs emergency medical care or is sent there by a doctor or probation officer.

Danielle Laura Jewett, 40, pleaded guilty to mischief under $5,000 and breach of an undertaking. Judge Michael Brecknell sentenced her to 14 days on each count. She had spent 26 days in custody and was eligible for 39 days credit.

Court heard that Jewett stopped a bystander March 1 and claimed she had been assaulted by hospital staff. A security worker told Prince George RCMP that Jewett started to yell as she was being escorted out of the hospital following her discharge, made racial comments toward workers and attacked cars with her cane once outside the hospital.

On March 10, police were called to UHNBC shortly after midnight when Jewett refused to leave the emergency department after being discharged, contrary to conditions from a previous case.

The sentencing hearing was delayed several times due to Jewett’s verbal outbursts in the video hearing room at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre. A relative from Kamloops joined the web conference to suggest she could get needed services there.

Brecknell unsuccessfully asked if she would consent to remain in custody until April 1 so she could be transported to Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre for her release.

Brecknell described Jewett as a regular attendee of UHNBC due to complex health needs, including vision loss, physical difficulties and mental illness that she denies. He agreed with the joint Crown and defence proposal for the 14-day sentences on each charge and ordered her to be on probation for the next year.

Man caught with rife, ammo pleads guilty

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A man will return to court June 25 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two firearms charges in Prince George provincial court.

Garnet Alexander Izony, born in 1991, pleaded guilty March 26 before Judge Michael Brecknell to possessing a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm and possessing a firearm while prohibited from doing so.

Court heard that Izony was arrested Aug. 10, 2024 in downtown Prince George.

Two RCMP officers on patrol observed a male riding a BMX bike who failed to stop at a stop sign at Sixth Avenue and George Street.

The man gave them a name and date of birth which did not match the police database.

The officers did not believe he was telling them his real name, due to hesitation and evasiveness while he was answering. They arrested him for obstruction, searched his backpack and located a hatchet and a sawed-off

semiautomatic rifle modified to resemble a shotgun. They also found two banana clip magazines taped to each other for quick reloading.

Court also heard that Izony was sentenced in September 2018 for multiple offences and given a 10-year ban on

possessing firearms. In February 2022, a judge gave him a conditional sentence order that would have expired at the end of last August.

That order included conditions banning him from possessing weapons and knives.

Bail granted for man awaitng two trials

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George provincial court judge released a man on bail Monday, March 31 while he awaits trials for multiple charges of possession of firearms and other weapons and breach of a court order.

Michael John Fulton, born in 1980, is scheduled to face trial on April 14 for six counts related to a March 8, 2024 incident. He is also scheduled for trial on May 6 related to four counts from an incident on Aug. 7, 2024.

Court heard that Fulton was released four days after his March 2024 arrest on conditions that he report to a bail supervisor and not possess weapons. A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 11, 2024, alleging he failed to report. He was arrested again May 27,

2024 and released on the same conditions four days later.

On Aug. 7, 2024, an RCMP officer noticed Fulton driving an electric kick scooter on 10th Avenue at 9:23 p.m. Fulton was not wearing a helmet and the scooter, which had no lights for night driving, was not approved for road use in Prince George.

Judge Cassandra Malfair noted that Fulton had been in custody since then and is an Indigenous male with no prior criminal record. The offences for which he was charged did not involve violence and the standard presumption of innocence applies.

Malfair said Fulton’s lawyer proposed a “strong bail plan” of round-the-clock house arrest, electronic monitory and a surety. Malfair said Fulton has no conviction for breaching court orders and the risk he poses to the public can be

reduced. “But, just barely,” she said. Malfair said the bail plan contemplates Fulton staying away from “negative peer associations and away from the drug underworld.”

“In releasing Mr. Fulton, I am strongly motivated by the representation that his eight months in custody has provided a sufficient break from his circumstances in 2024, such that the court can now have some confidence that he would not come into contact with police,” Malfair said.

Malfair released Fulton on a promise to pay $1,000, one named surety, report to a bail officer and to live under house arrest with electronic monitoring. Other conditions include no possession of alcohol, drugs or weapons, no contact with two co-accused and to stay away from the Canadian Tire in Prince George.

Prince George RCMP found a rifle, spare magazines and bullets after stopping a man on a bicycle last August.

New interpretve centre being built in Ancient Forest

ABIGAIL POPPLE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Plans for the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s interpretive centre at the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park are finally becoming a reality.

On March 7, the First Nation released a request for proposals (RFP) inviting small businesses and local contractors to help build the centre.

The over 4,000-square-foot facility will be powered by solar energy and will include staff accommodations, as well as rentable units for tourists.

The First Nation also plans to include a local gift shop, according to project co-ordinator Sultanur Ashikin.

“The idea is that we will hire or encourage local small businesses and community members to participate in a program where we’ll run an Indigenous gift shop,” Ashikin said.

The interpretive centre will also serve the community by providing a space where elders can sit by a fire and give talks to younger generations, Ashikin added.

In addition to constructing the interpretive centre, the First Nation will replace the park’s boardwalk with a wider version that will include guardrails, stair handrails, and timber framing.

Ashikin said construction of the building and the new boardwalk is expected to begin by mid-May, with the project slated for completion by the end of 2027. He anticipates most construction will be completed this summer, with any remaining work finishing in the summer of 2026.

Construction will not interfere with park visitors, Ashikin said.

“For the boardwalk construction, we’ve identified five different segments. As we work on one segment, we’ll ensure the rest remains accessible,” he said. “We will try to minimize the impact of construction as much as possible.”

The project received funding from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada in 2020, but delays due to

COVID-19 and the deaths of the project coordinator and manager significantly stalled progress, Ashikin said.

When Ashikin was hired in early 2024, he engaged a contractor to conduct a market analysis and found that funds for the project were insufficient. While the funding was adequate in 2020, inflation had increased material costs over the past four years. With the help of a provincial government contact, he revised the project design by eliminating a proposed trail and campground, bringing it back within budget.

meeting community needs, Ashikin said.

The First Nation established a working group consisting of Lheidli T’enneh members, representatives from the Prince George-based Caledonia Ramblers (who helped build the original boardwalk), and representatives from the Village of McBride.

“Working group members are always guiding us. Whatever decisions we make, we reach out to them, discuss it, and make the decision,” Ashikin said.

In line with the project’s focus on community involvement, project leaders are making an effort to hire as many local contractors as possible, Ashikin said.

“Usually, a general contractor takes on the project and hires subcontractors,” he said. “We’ve divided the project into several smaller scopes so that local businesses or contractors who may not have the capacity to bid for the entire project — like a painter, for instance — can still participate in the RFP process.”

Russ Purvis, a member of the McBride Chamber of Commerce, said he is pleased to see the project’s emphasis on supporting local businesses. Purvis, who serves as the Chamber’s liaison with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, has seen the project take shape firsthand.

“There are businesses, particularly in the cedar industry, that were involved in offering consultation when the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation put together the bid for the project,” Purvis said. “That’s real, firm support from McBride.”

Now that the project is back on track, Ashikin looks forward to seeing it completed.

“It’s a culturally significant place for the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation community,” Ashikin said. “We’ve always wanted to have activities or programs at the Ancient Forest. This was our vision when the site was identified as a provincial park back in 2016.”

Community Involvement

Since its inception, the Ancient Forest Enhancement Project has focused on

Although the project managers may not hire exclusively from McBride— some parts of the project may require outside expertise—Purvis is cautiously optimistic that the community will benefit from the project.

“It’s going to be a big change for the Ancient Forest Park and everyone involved,” Purvis said. “From having a Lheidli T’enneh presence in the park to hosting events, it’s a positive shift. I think we’re all looking forward to it.”

This story originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

A new 4,000-square-foot interpretive centre is planned for the Ancient Forest. The solar-powered building will also include staff accommodations and a local gift shop, says project co-ordinator Sultanur Ashikin.

Seabridge Gold wins exploraton tax credit appeal

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The company behind one of the world’s largest undeveloped gold projects has successfully appealed the province’s denial of mining exploration tax credits.

A March 26 ruling from BC Supreme Court Justice Miriam Maisonville found in favour of Seabridge Gold Inc., which acquired the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell (KSM) property near Stewart in 2001.

Seabridge reported incurring $8.589 million in expenses in 2010 and $7.167 million in 2011 to determine the existence, location, extent or quality of a mineral resource.

Seabridge argued the expenses met the definition of qualified mining exploration expenses (QMEE).

However, the expenses were reassessed in 2016, reducing Seabridge’s BC mining exploration tax credits by $1.7 million for the 2010 taxation year

and $1.42 million for the 2011 taxation year. Seabridge filed a formal objection in 2017.

Maisonville presided over a seven-day trial in Vancouver last September. The province argued that incurring expenses did not necessarily mean they should attract favourable tax treatment, nor did Seabridge show it was entitled to additional BC mining exploration tax credits.

Maisonville described the KSM mineral deposits as “numerous, large, located in challenging terrain, present multiple metals of economic interest, and could require large-scale mining

and mineral processing methods.”

Exploration activities at KSM began in the 1930s and are ongoing.

The size of the geological deposits and the different styles of mineralization made the estimation process lengthy.

Seabridge has conducted numerous tests, evaluations, and studies to revise estimates of resources and reserves.

Seabridge, which is listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, said the proven and probable resources at KSM total 47.3 million ounces of gold, 7.3 billion pounds of copper, and 160 million ounces of silver.

Seabridge argued that an analysis of

the QMEE provision supports incentives for exploration of commercially viable ore bodies while acknowledging substantial risks and costs. Maisonville concluded that a broad range of factors determine the economic viability of extraction.

“Thus, expenses that assist in the determination of the economic viability of a mineral resource are captured under the ‘quality’ term of the purpose test, subject to the limitation that the expenses must be specific to a mineral resource in British Columbia being explored,” the judge ruled.

Maisonville allowed the appeal, except for expenses associated with a pre-feasibility study by Wardrop Engineering Inc., which billed $705,612 in 2010 and $510,927 in 2011, according to the ruling.

KSM is one of four Seabridge projects in Canada.

The company’s fifth project is Snowstorm in Nevada.

SEABRIDGE GOLD PHOTO

Crews work at the KSM Seabridge Gold mine site near Stewart.

What’s happening in PG

Miracle Theatre Presents Lunenburg and Here on the Flight Path by Norm Foster from March 27 to April 27 at ArtSpace, above Books and Co. All proceeds from the shows will be donated to the Prince George Seniors Emergency Endowment Fund at the Prince George Community Foundation to help seniors in need meet essential expenses through the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre. Tickets are at Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue or by calling 250-563-6637.

Spring Fling Alice in Wonderland Variety Show presented by the Queer Connection Society goes Saturday, April 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Ignite Nightclub, 1232 Third Ave. Step through the looking glass and into a world of wonder, whimsy, and fantastical entertainment. Ignite transforms into a Mad Hatter’s dream, where reality bends and time races into a curiouser and curiouser landscape of play. Mesmerizing performances include belly dancers, drag artists, Legends Live tribute acts, gravity-defying pole dancers, burlesque performers. Dress up if you would like to embrace the Wonderland theme. There is a themed photo booth and interactive surprises. Tickets: Member Pre-Sale: $20 (Members, check your email for your promo code.) Regular Pre-Sale: $25, at the door: $30 (if not sold out) Tickets at www.eventbrite.ca/e/2025-spring-flingvariety-show-tickets.

No Big D album release show with Scribbens goes Saturday, April 5 at 9 p.m. at Legion 43 PG, 1110 Sixth Ave. Brand new album from Quesnel-based all-femme post punk garage rockers. With multiple songwriters sharing vocal duties and a collaborative approach, they wasted no time crafting a set list of all original tunes. Their individual styles are eclectic, adding a dynamic edge. On stage there is no doubt that these four friends are in their happy place, so come see what all the fuss is about. Scribbens is a local favourite, bringing their own approach to the post-punk genre. For $15 tickets visit www.madloon.ca/tickets.

Ranunculus Workshop goes

Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Studio 2800, 2880-15th Ave. Join Lisa from Wildflower Farm to learn how to grow ranunculus and receive six corms to take home. The workshop is $20 per person and pre-registration is now open. Contact Lisa at 250 961 3519 or wildflowerfarmpg@hotmail.com.

Rang de 2025 – Holi Celebration goes Saturday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carrie Jane Gray Park. Get ready for an explosive celebration of colour, music, and joy as Holi is celebrated like never before. There will be a Bollywood DJ, feel the beat and hit the open dance floor, flash mob dancers – surprise performances that will get you grooving. Organic Holi colours provided – safe, vibrant, and fun for all. Delicious food & refreshing drinks. Come in white and leave covered in colour. Join the biggest Holi bash in town, dance, throw colours, and make unforgettable memories. Tickets are $10 each and children 10 and under are free. For tickets visit www. zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/rang-de-2025holi-celebration-in-prince-george.

Hello Spring Market goes Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roll-A-Dome. Unique local vendors, trendy, handcrafted, and

must-have spring finds, tasty treats and eats to fuel your shopping spree will be on hand. A fun, feel-good atmosphere perfect for the whole family. Come celebrate the season, discover hidden gems, and support the small businesses.

Hoop-A-Thon Fundraiser goes Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Duchess Park Secondary School, 747 Winnipeg St. Last year the Prince George Rotary HOOP-A-THON raised $12,000 for local scholarships, bursaries, community projects, youth sports, youth leadership, youth at risk and exchange student programs. People can donate or participate For more information visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/ rotary-hoop-a-thon.

Spohr Nonet presented by the Prince George Symphony Orchestra goes Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. In the final chamber concert of the season, members of the PGSO come together to perform Louis Spohr’s monumental Nonet in F major for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass. Listen to the music by candlelight with two different seating options: table seating with appetizers, or balcony seating for a more traditional

concert experience. For tickets visit https://pgso.com/spohrnonet.

International Fly Fishing Film Festival goes Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at UNBC’s Canfor Theatre. The friendly anglers at the Polar Coachman Fly Fishing Club presents a collection of stunning films celebrating the art of fly fishing and the beauty of the great outdoors. There’s a raffle for a Ross Cimarron reel, a Hardy reel with spare spool and three Airflo fly lines. Ticket are $25 each for general admission, $15 for students, $20 per person for groups of eight or more. Get your tickets at the door or online at www.flyfilmfest.com/ princegeorgebc/.

Hop into Spring Décor Display Class goes Sunday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Ave. Create a design featuring two wooden bunnies and a 5×7 double sided box frame sign. The set also comes with a beaded tag and a riser. If you bring children, two per adult, they get assorted fake eggs to decorate, while you create your masterpiece. $50 per adult, $10 per child. Pre-registration required by etransfer to cindy@repurposewithcindy.ca

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KTW FILE PHOTO

Rang de 2025 – Holi Celebration goes Saturday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carrie Jane Gray Park.

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Annual Pruning Clinic goes Sunday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Art Knapp Plantland Home & Garden, 4411 Kimball Road. Sharpen your gardening skills with expert gardeners Jos and Harry. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to master the art of pruning to ensure their plants are healthy, wellshaped, and productive. Workshop is free - donations welcome for Special Olympics Prince George. For more information and to register visit www. artknappspg.com/events.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive Back in Overdrive goes Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at CN Centre. Join Randy Bachman, Tal Bachman, and the rest of the band for this rockin’ show, along with special guests April Wine and Headpins. The band will also play hits from The Guess Who, the iconic rock group which Bachman co-founded with Burton Cummings. Tickets are at https://www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ back-in-overdrive-2025/

Chris Goodwin Band goes April 10 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Nelly’s Pub & Pizza, 2280 John Hart Hwy. Solo and acoustic singer songwriter Goodwin will perform everyone’s favourites.

YEG Exotic Plant Crowd, Rare Plant Show goes Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5375 Woodoak Crescent. Green Goddess is hosting this event in their showroom for everyone who enjoys rare plants. For more information visit www.yegexoticplantcrowd. ca.

Easter Event goes Saturday, April 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This event is hosted by Buckhorn Rec and Buckhorn Elementary school at PG Snowmobile Club, 12000 Scott Road. There is a full day of fun-filled activities planned for the whole family including an Easter egg hunt, colouring contest and a full concession stand, cash only. There is a silent auction with proceeds going to the school’s year end trip. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance.

Growing Your Own Cut Flowers Workshop goes Saturday, April 12

from 3 to 4 p.m. at Wildflower Farm, 9295 Pooley Road. Wildflower Farm has grown flowers for more than 20 years in this northern climate and Lisa will show participants how to do the same. Cost is $15 per person. Complimentary tea and cookies provided. To register text Lisa at 250-961-3519 or email wildflowerfarmpg@hotmail.com.

Joyful Manifestation presented by Honeybee Inspirations goes Saturday, April 12 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1272 Fifth Ave. Spring is the season of creation, play and new beginnings. Join us for a fun and inspiring workshop where you will learn to manifest with joy, set soul-aligned intentions and create a vision board for your most joyful year yet. For more information and tickets visit https://honeybeeinspirations.com/ joyfulmanifestation.

The Dead Wrongs with Big Fancy at the Legion goes Friday, April 18 at 9 p.m. at 101-1116 Sixth Ave. The Dead Wrongs are resurrecting the spirit of honkytonk through country standards, outlaw ballads, and all-original Northern cowboy tunes. Joined by fellow Northern BC country phenom, Big Fancy. Tickets are $20 at the door or in advance for $15 at www.madloon.ca/tickets/p/deadfancy.

coldsnapfestival.tickit.ca/events/wesli. Epik’s Second Annual 420 Block Party goes Sunday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 356 George St. The whole family is invited to attend and support some amazing local vendors and food trucks. We’ll have a separate consumption zone for folks 19+.

Loki’s Birthday goes Sunday, April 20 at 9 a.m. at The Exploration Place, 333 Becott Place. Loki is turning 10 this year. It will be a day of feathered fun and special activities to celebrate your favourite magpie.

Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Come on down and join in a game of backgammon, checkers, crib or better yet try out the pool table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to everyone for a $5 drop in fee.

Hunniford Gardens Carrot Patch for Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 8845 Aquarius Road. Face painting by MP Make-up artistry, a vist from the Easter garden themed kids craft, decorate photo ops, petting zoo and Baller Food Truck on site. For all the details and tickets visit https://hunniford-gardens. carrot-patch.

Messiah Sing Along goes Saturday, April 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. PG Cantata Singers invites you to join in the sing along of Handel’s timeless masterpiece, Messiah. This event is by donation. Come early to ensure a seat. To practice ahead of time visit www. mediafire.com/Messiah.

Coldsnap presents Wesli on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. A special performance by Juno Award-winning artist Wesli, Wesley Louissaint, and a full band, will bring a captivating blend of Haitian roots music to the stage. This will be an unforgettable evening as Wesli shares stories and songs from his remarkable career. Wesli’s music is a testament to resilience, reconciliation, and the transformative power of art. Tickets are $35 at https://

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.

Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. There’s something for everyone. The winning team gets a custom Nancy O’s Trivia trophy and a round of drinks, their photo on the wall that goes into the winners’ book after two weeks. Those caught cheating will be publicly shamed and labelled as cheaters – good wholesome fun. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066.

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

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

With gardening season just around the corner, there are a variety of garden-related events happening in Prince George in April.

Special Olympics BC puts out the call for volunteers

About 1,000 people are needed to help out as the provincial Games come to Prince George in July

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Organizers of the BC Special Olympics are in need of volunteers to help prepare the city for the games, which run from July 10 to 13 in Prince George.

This marks the third time the games have been hosted here.

More than 1,000 athletes from BC and the Yukon will be visiting Prince George for the event.

Currently, 50 volunteers have signed up. Donna Flood, director of volunteer services for the BC Special Olympics, outlined how many more volunteers will be needed to help the city host these games effectively.

“We’re looking for 1,000 volunteers,” said Flood. “I think the reason these organizations have such trust and confidence in Prince George is because Prince George always comes through. When we’ve held these events in the

past, people really do step up and want to participate.”

Flood told The Citizen that a considerable amount of work needs to be done ahead of the games, and they are currently looking for volunteer leads in almost all areas, including a lead volunteer for kitchen and food services and a lead volunteer for transportation.

“The big one is food, which requires people all day to help provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the athletes,” said Flood.

“There are 1,000 athletes, so you can imagine the amount of food we need to prepare. We also need volunteers at each of the venues to help support the sports. We need volunteers for transportation, accommodation, security, and volunteer photographers. Pretty much anything you can think of — if you have a skill, let us know, and we’ll shamelessly use you to make sure we provide the best Special Olympic

If you are interested in volunteering, visit the BC Special Olympics website to register by scanning this QR code.

Summer Games ever.”

Flood said the volunteers will be well looked after, with meals provided and an online volunteer platform to match them with schedules based on the greatest needs for the event. Volunteers will also receive a BC Special Olympics T-shirt. Flood is excited to see the event

flourish with the help of locals from Prince George. She also wants the community to recognize how important this event is to the city as a whole.

“It’s really important to show our pride in Prince George and how we are a community that gives back,” said Flood. “

It’s also important to support these athletes. The Special Olympians work so hard at their sports, and to get out there and cheer them on, right across the province, we really need to take pride in these individuals who work so hard.”

The city hosted a 100-day countdown for the BC Special Olympics at the Kin Centre atrium on Tuesday, April 1 from 10 to 11 a.m.

The public was invited to attend and celebrate with athletes and organizers. The celebration also included inspirational speakers and a rhythmic gymnastics performance.

ICBC set to mail out $110 rebates

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

ICBC has announced it has started delivering $110 rebates to more than 3.7 million customers.

In total, the insurance company is offering British Columbians $410 million.

This applies to all personal and commercial customers with an active, eligible basic insurance policy as of January 2025.

“As a result of prudent fiscal management and the strong financial position of ICBC, we have another opportunity to put money back into the pockets of ratepayers,” said Garry Begg, minister of public safety.

“This rebate is just one small way for ICBC to give back to its customers as we all navigate global economic uncertainty and increased costs in the face of unjustified tariffs.”

ICBC stated in a press release that, after reviewing its business practices, it is working exclusively with Canadian

vendors to deliver these rebates, in light of U.S. trade actions against the country.

Eligible customers will receive a letter from ICBC detailing their rebate amount and payment method.

Policy types that are not eligible include:

• Storage policies

• Temporary operation permits

• Policies for golf carts, off-road vehicles, limited-speed motorcycles, trailers, and collector vehicles

Most mailed rebates will be processed between mid-March and May 2025.

ICBC only sends rebates via mail. The insurer urges customers who receive a text message or email claiming to contain their ICBC rebate to delete it or mark it as spam.

Do not click on any links in the message.

For more information, visit the www. icbc.com.

Shows are funny and sexy: Miracle Theatre actor

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

This year Miracle Theatre is offering two comedies in repertory from Canadian playwright Norm Foster, Lunenburg and Here on the Flight Path, until April 27 at ArtSpace.

To accommodate demand, additional performances for Here on the Flight Path have been scheduled for April 25, and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on April 27. Lunenburg will have extra performances on April 24 and 26.

Missy Christensen, who will be appearing in the two plays presented by Miracle Theatre’s Ted Price and Anne Laughlin, grew up in Mackenzie and has kept close ties here.

She keeps coming back to Prince George again and again, Christensen said, who is an award winning actor who graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada.

Under Price and Laughlin’s tenure at Theatre NorthWest in the 2003/2004 season Christensen appeared in Vinci and in the 2000/2001 season appeared in Round and Round the Garden and Table Manners.

Most recently Christensen played Racon during last year’s Miracle Theatre production of Comedy of Tenors.

She said she’s happy to be back with the theatre company that does good works in addition to producing good work.

Each Miracle Theatre production sees proceeds go towards a great need in Prince George.

Recently Laughlin and Price heard about the struggles some seniors are experiencing across the country and more importantly right here in Prince George. Local seniors may have trouble paying their ever-increasing rent or find themselves making the impossible choice between life-saving medication and groceries because their fixed income just isn’t cutting it.

To help ease the financial burden by raising funds through Miracle Theatre’s professional productions Price and Laughlin created the Prince George Council of Seniors Emergency Fund, held in trust by the Prince George

Community Foundation, with proceeds going to those who are most vulnerable in the community that will be accessed through the Prince George Council of Seniors.

“I seem to go full circle which means I always end up back here, which is also back home because I grew up in Mackenzie and Prince George was the big city when I was growing up,” Christensen said.

“So it feels like I keep coming back to my touchstone.”

Christensen calls Campbell River home now and also spends a lot of time in Vancouver, she added.

Christensen said preparation for her roles in the plays started early.

“Ted and Anne are really great about getting us the scripts early,” Christensen said.

“So we get lots of time to look at our characters and Ted and Anne are very keen when they hire you that you know what you’re getting into, you know

around that. Natalie is kind of artsy but doesn’t believe in herself enough to live in her art. So that’s part of the journey this character goes on and she wants to be a really good best friend but is also very much living in the moment and that makes for so many hilarious moments.”

Natalie has a lot of heart, Christensen added.

“Between the two women there is a really lovely adult female friendship but it’s not just cookie cutter — they let each other down but they still love each other, which is really cool — and there’s this idea that when you get to a certain age you gotta seize life and so they allow each other to do that. So there’s this beautiful journey that people are on and even though it’s really funny there’s also these really heartwarming moments for all the characters.”

For the character of Gwen in Here on the Flight Path, Christensen said she’s the storyteller in the play.

“It’s funny and sexy and also a story of finding yourself after loss and finding out what matters to you,” Christensen said.

where you’re coming to, you know what you’re doing it for and that you actually like the character, which is enormously important. That you’re not just working to work, that you care about the theatre company, you care about the cause and you share some affinity with the characters.”

That’s the beginning of it and Christensen goes from there.

“Once I am in the space it helps me know why am I saying that line, where am I going with it and what the other characters are giving me so there is a certain amount you do beforehand and I don’t do a ton of that so I come in rigid — I like to come in and go ok, what is the world we are creating together and work really collaboratively.”

In Lunenburg Christensen plays Natalie.

“And I love her,” Christensen laughed.

“She’s the best friend of the woman who has come to Lunenburg to look at this cottage and everything revolves

It’s always a pleasure to be part of the cast at Miracle Theatre, she added.

“Ted is an incredibly generous director and the cast are all lovely people,” Christensen said.

“Doing a show that is lovely for a good cause with people who care about doing good work – what more could you ask for?”

Christensen said she’s worked all over the country.

“And here there’s a sense of trying to do something that moves people to laughter but also that moves people in a way that makes them go away feeling good about life and maybe get a bigger idea about themselves,” Christensen said.

Tickets are available at Books & Company, 1685 Third Avenue or by calling 250-563-6637.

To check the schedule for dates and times of each play visit Miracle Theatre’s website at https://www. miracletheatre.ca/productions/ upcoming-production.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Actor Missy Christensen rehearses for the opening of this years Miracle Theatre productions Monday, March 24 at ArtSpace. The two plays, Lunenburg and Here on the Flight Path, are currently running.

Police academy: Students learn about being part of the

TOP: Cadets from across the north stand ready to begin their next exercise at College Heights Secondary School on Thursday, March 20.

LEFT: The 2025 PG RCMP Youth Academy class goes through a drill practice before graduation in the CHSS gym Saturday, March 22.

BELOW LEFT: Cadet Yamadou Diallo of Fort St. John handcuffs a ‘suspect’ in a mock scenario as his partner Marshall Dennis, of Prince George, makes sure everything is handled correctly.

RIGHT: Supt. Darin Rappel talks with a member of the 2025 PG RCMP Youth Academy troop during inspection in the CHSS gym.

BELOW: Cadets Amelia Whiting and Polina Zubenko and Gwenelen Hanson look over their notes as they attend a class on statements in the CHSS library.

Cadets from across the north come to Prince George to spend spring break learning about policing at the RCMP Youth Academy, held at College Heights Secondary School

RCMP

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

Cadet Chrissy Cramer, from Smithers, tries her hand behind a sniper rifle under the watchful eye of an Emergency Response Team member.

RCMP Sgt. Darren Blom demonstrates a polygraph test session with cadet Chelsea Joiner on Friday, March 21.

Wizard of Oz actors are doubling up on lead roles

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Duchess Park Secondary School’s Theatre Company is set to present The Wizard of Oz from April 8 to 12.

“We knew it would be a challenge with its many sets and costumes, but it was important for us to give kids the chance to shine,” said Jackie Friesen, drama teacher at Duchess Park. Around 50 students are involved, including cast and crew.

Friesen and Shelby Meaney, the artistic director, are leading the larger-thanlife production.

In keeping with the tradition of twinning in the Theatre Company, two students are sharing the lead roles of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and even Glinda.

However, while the production is mostly student-led, one of the key roles is filled by a teacher.

Duchess Park vice-principal Dennie Hicks will play Glinda, the Good Witch, for two of the performances, while Grade 11 student Sophia Deni will portray the character in the remaining shows.

Friesen said adding an unexpected element to the show was important, highlighting the value of the vice principal getting involved and connecting with the students in a new way.

“They get to see Dennie light up the room when she’s excited to play Glinda, and that’s when they realize she’s a theatre kid, too, even though she’s not a kid,” Friesen explained. “And if you ask anyone, Dennie is Glinda incarnate. Sophia and Dennie are like two peas in a pod. They’re both wonderful human

beings, and it’s a special arrangement.”

Hicks said the experience has been a rewarding one.

“As vice-principal, I’m often seen as a disciplinarian, and some kids are intimidated by what I represent. This has been a great opportunity to work with them in a different way, and they’ve been so supportive,” Hicks said. “Jackie approached me with a proposal to play Glinda, and I couldn’t resist.”

Friesen laughed. “You tell anyone that Dennie Hicks is playing one of our Glindas, and it’s not a ‘really?’ but an ‘oh, yeah, that makes sense.’ These two Glindas work really well together.”

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Hicks said with a smile. “It took me until my 60s, but I finally got to do it — thank you, Jackie! And thanks to Sophia for giving up a couple of nights.”

“Sophia is our veteran—she’s been in the last two shows—and this is one

of the most iconic roles of all time,” Friesen said. “With Sophia’s lovely, bubbly personality and her voice, it’s perfect casting.”

Sophia, who has also performed in The Addams Family, explained her commitment to the District 57 choir for students in Grades 4 to 12, which led her to give up her year with the Tapestry Singers.

“I haven’t really done much theatre beyond this — it’s all about the ‘Freaney,’” Sophia said, mixing up Friesen and Meaney’s names. The duo uses their talent to present the theatre company’s elaborate productions.

Sophia finds playing Glinda challenging and is conscious of the character’s ethereal goodness.

“Glinda is so iconic, I don’t want to do anything that doesn’t feel right. I don’t want to mess it up,” Sophia said.

“She’s very demure,” Friesen added.

NANABOOZHOO AND THE ANTS

Storyteller James Corbiere - Music by Jose Delgado-Guevera - Art by Jennifer Pighin

Recommended ages 5-10

“And there are kids backstage with bubble machines, so when Glinda walks on stage, she’s surrounded by bubbles,” Friesen said. “It’s very cool.”

Sophia’s favourite part? “I have a built-in best friend,” she said, referring to Hicks.

Also twinned is Andrik Pratico, a Grade 9 student, who shares the role of the Scarecrow with Grade 12 student Kelem Bird-Sloat.

“I’ve always liked productions like this,” Andrik said. “I used to really want to be an actor—like, I was obsessed with it. It was the only thing I could think about. That was mainly because of the Surf’s Up production in Grade 6. I loved memorizing my lines and performing on stage. You become a family with the people you work with.”

Since then, Andrik has gained perspective on pursuing an acting career.

“I still want to be an actor, but I’m lucky because I want to be a carpenter, too,” Andrik said. “I like having options if acting doesn’t work out. I also draw. But being part of the theatre company has always been a great experience. This whole production has been a blast.” Again, it’s all about the people.

“I couldn’t imagine spending all this time with anyone else,” Andrik said, referring to the cast and crew.

Kelem Bird-Sloat, a Grade 12 student who shares the Scarecrow role with Andrik, first joined the Duchess Park Theatre Company as a Grade 8 student when Friesen directed Game of Tiaras.

“I had a lot of fun with that, and then I did it again last year,” Kelem said. “And now, three times is the charm.”

Duchess Park vice-principal Dennie Hicks, left, and Grade 11 student Sophia Deni will share the role of Glinda during the Theatre Company’s production of The Wizard of Oz. The show goes from April 8-12.

Teen Art Showcase and awards ceremony Saturday

MATTHEW HILLIER Ctizen Staff

The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District in partnership with the Prince George Public Library present the Teen Art Showcase again this year culminating with a reception and awards ceremony on Saturday at 1 p.m.

There are 35 youth participating in the Teen Art exhibit, who had the chance to display their work, build their portfolio and earn prizes.

All mediums were accepted during the event.

The artwork is showcased in the main stairwell at the Bob Harkins branch of the library until April 5.

During the Teen Art Reception & Awards five awards will be presented including best overall, most original, best use of materials, social commentary, people’s choice.

“This is a whole new generation

of artists coming into the Teen Art program,” Lisa Redpath, visual arts program manager at the community arts council, said.

“Over the past five years we’ve seen these young talents grow from Grade 8 to Grade 12. From my perspective I get the submissions from the teens and I get familiar with their names and their work, I meet them every year during

Classic musical runs April 8-12

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Kelem admitted he’s not as musically inclined as some of his fellow actors, which comes with a few challenges.

“I’m not as co-ordinated either, so I put a lot of practice into the role,” Kelem said. “I’ve definitely come a long way since the first production.”

Friesen explained, “It’s interesting because Andrik is more musically inclined but not as physically engaged in the role of the Scarecrow, while Kelem has the opposite strengths. Together, they help each other improve in all areas. This is a perfect example of teamwork in action.”

For Kelem, the best part of the experience is the people.

“The relationships everyone has—it feels like another home for me,” Kelem said.

The entire production has been a huge labour of love, Friesen added.

“And hopefully, it will be a big success,” she said.

Hicks said she hopes the Prince George community will come out to support the show.

“I’m extremely proud of the work my teaching team has done. They’ve gone above and beyond. The hours they’ve put in have been insane—remember, they have their own lives, too,” Hicks said. “And the kids have really stepped up. The teamwork, with so many people involved in this production, has been incredible. We just want people to come out and see this high-quality show. It’s definitely a step up from what you’d normally see from a high school because they’ve gone the extra mile. That’s why I’m so proud of everyone.”

The Wizard of Oz runs from Tuesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a half-price matinee on Saturday at 1 p.m., with doors opening at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, available at the office every day. The school is closed during Spring Break and will reopen on April 1.

the awards ceremony and reception and I get to meet their parents who are a huge support for them and then they age out of the program. I get the benefit of seeing them develop every year and so I see this amazing skill that I first see when they submit at age 13 and then I see them grow until Grade 12. I am in awe of how much commitment they have put in and the improvement in

their art and the creativity that has been pushed forward is just wonderful and that’s the privilege of my job in my role here.”

Redpath said when she sets up the exhibition in the Prince Georg Public Library’s main branch stairwell she gets a lot of feedback as she works.

“People just stop and tell me that they are so happy to see such amazing creativity and the comments are always so complimentary,” Redpath said.

And, of course, those patrons of the arts and the library can have their say by voting for the People’s Choice award winner until Thursday.

“Of the five awards we give out that’s probably my favourite because it’s a buy-in from the community because they care enough to have taken the time to vote,” Redpath said.

Everyone is invited to the reception and awards ceremony on Saturday on the main floor of the library from 1 to 2 p.m.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

This is the exhibit at the Prince George Public Library in 2022. This year’s exhibit is on right now at the library and the awards ceremony and reception take place on Saturday.

Dave Harding Viola Jamie Parker Piano Joe Phillips Bass, Guitar

Tom Allen Storyteller/Host

Suzie Leblanc Soprano

Pushing a hospital bed for the March of Dimes in 1963

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Ian Wallin and three of his coworkers finished a busy shift at an area sawmill one Friday in 1963, then pushed a hospital bed from Vanderhoof to Prince George.

It took 17 hours.

Wallin said he and Bowron Park Sawmill owner Jim Smith were joined by Karl Weisbrod and Bud Prockiw for the journey, which came together as they were listening to music at work.

The CKPG radio show was hosted by Smith’s daughter Helen, known as CKPG’s “Rockin’ Redhead,” when the March of Dimes came up and she mentioned that the Prince George campaign was still working to meet its quota.

Before long they had lined up a wheeled hospital bed and set out, aimed east on Highway 16. They left at about 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 1963.

“We’d just gotten going when it was wet snow,” Wallin recalled. “It was a hell of a night.”

They took turns in 45-minute shifts, switching off as they went. And, Wallin noted, the task grew tougher as the trek continued, as the basket they were

using to collect donations grew heavier with coins as they went.

“It was pretty heavy by the end,” he said.

They rolled the bed into downtown Prince George around noon the next day.

Wallin was reminded of the adventure while going through old photos recently. He brought two of them down to The Citizen to share the story.

One picture shows Smith pushing the bed down the highway, while the other shows the four of them after they arrived at the CKPG studio on Third Avenue, big smiles on their exhausted faces, surrounded by a happy crowd.

While they were making their way east in the dark, CKPG announcer Mike Thornthwaite was fast asleep in the window of the Sweet 16 shop on Third Avenue in Prince Georgen for another part of the March of Dimes fundraiser. He later ate his breakfast in full view of the public as part of the stunt.

Thornthwaite had a full night’s sleep, but the sawmill guys were beat.

“We’d already worked all day Friday,” said Wallin, “and we had to get back to work Monday, so Sunday was time to rest.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Karl Weisbrod, Jim Smith, Ian Wallin and Bud Prockiw — the four men at centre — celebrate their arrival at CKPG’s Third Avenue studio after pushing a hospital bed from Vanderhoof to Prince George for the March of Dimes on Saturday, March 30, 1963. Their basket of donations can be seen atop the bed.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Ian Wallin holds two of the photos taken on March 30, 1963 when he and three co-workers pushed a hospital bed from Vanderhoof to Prince George for the March of Dimes. Wallin brought the photos to The Citizen on Tuesday, March 25.

Pine Centre pop-up aims to get you emergency-ready

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Be Ready Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up ran last weekend at Pine Centre Mall.

Tanya Spooner, the city’s manager of emergency programs, spoke to The Citizen Thursday, March 27 about how the event came to be.

“Our three local governments — the City of Prince George, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and Lheidli T’enneh — work together regularly, both during the season and off-season, on how we can best prepare the community,” said Spooner. “One of the things we discussed for this season was how to get more personal preparedness information to the general public. We came up with the idea of hosting an event that would allow people to meet with all of us and learn about what we do. Then we thought of taking the event to the mall, instead of asking people to come to us.”

The pop-up was located next to Sephora at Pine Centre and featured emergency and safety representatives from across Prince George.

Representatives hosting the pop-up included the United Way BC, Firesmart BC, Health Emergency Management BC and Climate Ready BC.

Visitors were able to learn how to fireproof their homes, prepare emergency evacuation kits and understand which organizations are responsible for coordinating emergency evacuations, as well as how evacuations impact locals and the city as a whole.

One of the booths at the pop-up featured a mock emergency reception centre, educating people on what to expect and where to go in the event of an emergency. The booth provided information on how emergencies are managed and how emergency representatives work to ensure evacuees are safe and comfortable.

Kyle McGee, co-ordinator of the City of Prince George’s Emergency Programs Division, has first-hand experience with evacuations.

“It’s not as chaotic as people might

think,” he said. “Ideally, it’s an orderly process. I’ve been involved in evacuations in different areas where I’ve assisted, and it’s about grabbing your things and ensuring you have everything you need in a short amount of time. Firesmart has a last-minute wildfire checklist, which includes getting in your vehicle, ensuring you have fuel and following the instructions. When an evacuation order is issued, information is provided on where to go to register for support if needed.”

Wildfire safety is a major focus of the pop-up, and with wildfire season approaching, Spooner is cautiously optimistic.

“This year is a bit tricky because we’ve had two years of drought,” said Spooner. “There’s more snowpack this year than last. We expected last year to be a much worse season, but it wasn’t as bad as we anticipated. We’re cautiously optimistic that we might scrape by again. We’re not expecting as warm of a summer, but we know the reality is always present. We will never have a season where we don’t expect and plan for wildfires. That mindset has helped us move away from the complacency of thinking, ‘It will never happen here.’ At some point, something will happen close to home, and it might not be in Prince George, but in the regional district, and we will be there, helping

in Prince George is private residences,” said Spooner. “We want to remind people that, as much as we can work in green spaces and green belts, making your own property fire-smart is even more important because it has the greatest potential impact on your home in a wildfire. The second component is being ready to go. Have your graband-go bag packed, with medications, cash, spare glasses, and anything else you may need. Being able to grab your bag and leave quickly will speed up evacuations, keep you safer, and get you to safety faster.”

and responding together.”

Spooner told The Citizen that there are two key components to wildfire safety this season.

“No. 1: The largest geographic area

Spooner also added that there are approximately 20,000 hectares of private property in Prince George. If the city were to work toward making those 20,000 hectares fire-safe ahead of wildfire season, it would cost approximately $18 million.

To learn more about how to make your home fire resistant, visit firesmartbc.ca.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Andrew Steele (left), Mary Charters and Owen Brokenshire of Health Emergency Management BC greet visitors to the Emergency Reception Centre booth at Pine Centre on Thursday, March 27.

How one local farm has adapted for sustainability

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

With the resurgence of buying local and the importance of local farming more prevalent than ever, it was time to revisit Hope Farm Organics to discuss what it’s taken to survive extreme events like drought and fire over the years, and what’s been learned about achieving sustainability well into the future.

Andrew Adams and his partner Jane bought a 150-acre farm located east of Eaglet Lake, about 40 km from Prince George, in 2012 and began growing vegetables.

“We used to do farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and we would grow about seven acres of vegetables. Then, when the pandemic hit, we had to shift our sales model quickly,” Adams said. He has a BSc in agriculture and conservation.

“So, we increased our CSA model, which is something we had done in the past, essentially offering vegetable boxes, and that worked out OK. The farm shifted to more wholesale.”

They moved away from the vegetable boxes because they were so challenging to manage, said Adams, a BC agricultural land commissioner.

“We were growing 50 different types of vegetables, which is what’s needed for a CSA or a farmers’ market.”

“Then we focused on tomatoes,” Adams said.

“So, we invested in a large greenhouse and got rid of many of our smaller ones. Our big greenhouse allowed us to produce the same output as we could with all those acres of vegetables, but in just the greenhouse.”

This allowed them to reduce their labour force, which included nine parttime workers, Adams explained. They only needed one full-time and one part-time person to run the greenhouse.

“So, that was extremely efficient, still certified organic, and production increased significantly,” Adams said. “We did that for a few years, and then we had a fire on the property that

burned down our walk-in cooler building, my office, and melted the tractor.”

That occurred in September 2022.

Insurance covered the tractor, he added. However, due to an error in their insurance paperwork, the burned building was classified as personal instead of business, and they ended up losing about $60,000.

“So, that set us back a little,” Adams said. “We had to slow down production because we couldn’t store anything, so we had to sell things right off the plant.”

This meant selling wholesale on a smaller scale, mostly in case lot sales, he added.

“In this whole big change, as a result of the fire, I started thinking about how I could make the farm more resilient — for myself, for the climate, and for income, because we got knocked off our feet,” Adams said.

One of the limiting factors for the farm is water, due to a few years of drought in the region.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

HOPE FARM ORGANICS

Hope Farm Organics, east of Prince George, has turned to fruit production as part of its sustainability plan.

HOPE FARMS ORGANICS

Sustainability is the key to future at Hope Farm Organics near Prince George so an irrigation pond was developed to carry them into the future no matter if there’s drought or fire.

A fre sparked a change in the way Hope Farm operates

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“A giant pond was engineered to provide the farm with water for all of its needs for the next 70 years,” Adams said.

“We were trying to address problems we saw coming in the future before we ramped up production again. So, we built this pond, and all the fields we had previously in vegetable production have been switched over to orchards and fruit.”

While making the change, Adams said they put copious amounts of sawdust and compost into the soil to build organic matter, making the fields even more resilient to drought and improving drainage and fertility.

“We’re going to be the first farm to produce sweet cherries in the area, and it looks like we can do it this year,” Adams said.

Adams is always looking at what other farmers are doing globally and has noticed a trend developing most recently.

“We’ve seen a lot of people turning to protected culture or greenhouse production of tree fruits because you can increase the quality, you can increase the volume, and you have protection from weather events, like rain, extreme cold, or any other challenges that we might see,” Adams said.

“So, we started planting trees in the greenhouses, and as far as we know, we’re the first ones to have done it here. By doing so, we’ve essentially removed the fossil fuel aspect from our big greenhouse through heat curtains we’ve built and the greenhouse structure itself. The yields we expect to generate will equal the same income we were getting from our tomatoes. We are reducing fuel, reducing labour, and that makes us more resilient.”

When growing tomatoes, the soil has to be prepared each year, and then hundreds are planted.

“The work is never-ending, but once you plant trees, there’s a lot less work,” Adams explained.

On Hope Farm Organics’ grow list are cherries, blueberries, specialty apples

These are the heat curtains used as an extra layer of protection in the greenhouse at Hope Farm Organics

fuel use.

(since BC has a lot of apples), plums, haskaps, and strawberries.

“In the past, we’ve grown strawberries and outproduced most growers. The strawberry field has been rotated out of production but will now be put back into production — more fruit!” Adams exclaimed.

Years ago, Adams took on the challenge of growing a noir melon because he loves cantaloupe. Since 2015, he conditioned the seed to grow outside in Prince George and had a lot of success with it. During that time, the farm provided food boxes to the local community, including the cantaloupe, and he encouraged people to plant the seeds and report back to him about their results.

Fast forward to when, unfortunately, Adams’ original non-hybrid, non-GMO seed was lost in the fire.

“But we had given so many people the seed that we’ve gotten it back, and there are growers throughout the province now producing it and selling it through seed companies, so our genetics live on,” Adams laughed.

“That seed we got back, we will grow this year because it’s been a while since we did that. We’re excited to bring it back and get it out to the public.”

The cantaloupe, however, does not have a long shelf life, he warned.

“When those cantaloupes are ready, they’ve got to go,” Adams said.

“They’ve got to be cut and eaten. When it’s ripe, it needs to be eaten in two days — taste that sunshine while it’s there.”

Adams and his wife Jane have two sons, aged six and three, and he said the focus on sustainability has become even more important in recent years.

“When you have kids, it makes you think about the future,” Adams said.

“Life has to change significantly when you have children — I’m not allowed to work 18-hour days anymore — it just doesn’t work. I don’t have the energy to do that anymore. Now it’s work smarter, not harder. So, we’ve made these decisions, and we’re looking into the future long-term.”

This year is all about experimentation for Hope Farm Organics, so the

irrigation pond will be stocked with trout.

“We’ve got all the permitting in place, and we’ve got stock coming from a hatchery. We’re going to be doing a ‘you-fish’ kind of thing,” Adams said.

“If somebody wants to pay to catch a couple of fish, that’s fine. If they don’t want to pay, that’s fine too. If somebody wants to bring their kid, who’s never experienced fishing, to a stocked pond, they’re going to have success. They’re probably going to be happy, and hey, look — there’s berries all around the farm. Go eat some.”

Because that’s how Adams grew up.

“And I remember how much I enjoyed that. Having a wife who’s a teacher, and who sees people who’ve never had the opportunity to do something like that but would like to, why not give them the opportunity?” Adams said.

“It’s going to be fun for us too. I’m a fisherman, and we’re looking forward to all of it.”

For more information about Hope Farm Organics, visit hopefarmorganics. com.

Prince George hive inspector is helping bees fourish

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Apiculture can be a complicated and stressful hobby or occupation, even at the best of times. However, one local is making the task easier for everyone caring for nature’s best pollinators.

Barry Clark is Prince George’s local bee inspector and a member of the Prince George branch of the BC Honey Producers’ Association (BCHPA). He has held the position for the past eight years.

The BCHPA has been around for almost 100 years, and Clark’s job has existed in some form since 1910.

“In 2020, we celebrated our 100th year of existence,” said Clark. “The BCHPA and the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Inspection Services both came about around the same time. In 1910, BC appointed its first bee inspector in the interior of the province. That position was primarily to combat American Foulbrood and to try to save the bee industry from that disease. Around 1920, beekeepers in BC began organizing locally, and by the end of the decade, they had come together as an organization.”

The primary goals of the BCHPA are education, research and partnerships in beekeeping. They maintain about 700 partnerships with beekeepers across the province, with approximately 70 maintaining hives in Prince George.

In 2018, there were approximately 52,000 bee colonies in the province, and Clark estimates that number is closer to 85,000 today.

Clark told The Citizen that his role as a bee inspector often involves identifying and combating disease and illness in bees in Prince George.

“It’s all about animal health,” said Clark. “It’s about trying to keep honeybees healthy and preventing the spread of diseases. There are some nasty ones, like American Foulbrood, that have been around for over 100 years, so we keep on top of that. There have been some massive losses down south in the United States, especially this spring as people were preparing to pollinate

and ship bees to California for almond pollination.”

Clark usually inspects bees for disease and health issues when they are being moved to milder climates for winter or transported for sale. He also inspects used beekeeping equipment that might be sold, ensuring it is free of disease.

“It’s all fairly routine for me,” said Clark. “Let’s say someone is selling bees and shipping them to Alberta, for example. I have to inspect a minimum of 25 hives or 10 per cent of the total number of bees. So, if a beekeeper has 1,000 hives, that’s a lot of work. Essentially, I inspect a random sample. I perform a mite wash or mite test on those colonies. That involves collecting 300 bees from a frame, ensuring the queen isn’t included, doing an alcohol wash, and counting the mites. To get a permit, the mite infestation must be under one per cent.”

Clark may say his job is routine, but he has had more than a few run-ins with bears, including one with a grizzly that destroyed his personal hives.

“I had bees out at the Barquet Ranch,” said Clark. “Their farm manager called me and said, ‘I think you might have a bear in your bee yard.’ The manager said it looked like one or two hives were knocked over. So, I came back the next evening, and I found one hive still standing, with all the rest completely

out colonies if not managed properly. The Varroa mite is currently the number one killer of bees.

Clark is a longtime member of the BCHPA and has seen the benefits it provides to both local beekeepers and those looking to start their own hives.

smashed. The bear had dug under the fence and ripped everything apart. It was a mess. I spent the day cleaning up, and in the evening, I was restringing the bear fence around the debris when the grizzly came back and scared the pants off me. It charged and came within six or seven feet, then started throwing mud at me. I thought I was a goner!

“It scared me senseless. It’s funny — when I got home, my wife asked, ‘Did you fall? You’re covered in mud.’ I told her it was from the grizzly bear. She didn’t believe me, but she came back with me the next morning. Sure enough, there was the grizzly, a big one, sleeping right on top of the pile of debris it had left behind.”

Incidents like this have made Clark somewhat bear-savvy. He told The Citizen that all beekeepers should ensure their fences are up and running and leave them turned on, as bears are beginning to wake up in the province.

Clark’s job has become even more important over the years as reports indicate that honeybee losses across Canada averaged 32 per cent in 2023, with the United States facing a 48 per cent loss in 2022-2023.

Another frequent and costly disease affecting hives across North America is Varroa mites. Clark told The Citizen that honeybees from both North America and Europe have failed to adapt to this new threat, meaning it can easily wipe

“We provide a venue for new and experienced beekeepers to get together,” said Clark. “We meet once a month… We try to incorporate relevant educational material for the time of year, management tips, and advice. Then we open it up to a discussion where people can share what they’re seeing in their hives and get answers from others with more experience, or even those who are dealing with the same issues. There’s an old saying: ‘If you ask three beekeepers a question, you’ll get six or eight answers.’ That speaks to the complexity and nuances of beekeeping.”

Beekeeping is both an art and a science. Honeybees are among the most studied insects in the world. Once the study is done, the art comes in, like how climate change is affecting bees today. Here in the Prince George area, we have a number of different microclimates. What I experience here might be quite different from what someone living along the Fraser River experiences.”

The Prince George branch of the BCHPA attends many local events, such as farmers’ markets and the BC Northern Exhibition. They also have preliminary plans to participate in the Live Well Prince George & Multicultural Heritage Society’s Children’s Festival at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.

The organization also provides tools and resources for its members, such as organic oxalic acid, which is a safe and environmentally friendly way to treat mites, one of the most common killers of bees.

They also provide tools for aspiring beekeepers for a small fee, such as honey extractors, which would normally cost $700 to $1,000.

If you are looking to join the BCHPA or have any general questions about beekeeping in Prince George, visit pgbeekeepers.ca.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The primary goals of the BCHPA are education, research and partnerships in beekeeping.

Throwback Thursday: Week of April 3

April 3, 1959: The Prince George Skating Club presented Stars on Ice, featuring 125 acrobatic and speed skaters from Vancouver, Penticton, and Dawson Creek at the Coliseum. A special act included ve Prince George skaters: from left, Jo Carling, Connie Williams, Randa McKague, and Glenny Acres, with Carol Rustad in front. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY HAL VANDERVOORT

April 3, 2014: Meet the Candy Kid, Sunjai Sherma, who made the front page after helping to raise $3,700 for B.C. Children’s Hospital by selling chocolate bars outside the Save-On-Foods where his father, Rajinder, worked. It was a cause that mattered to the family, as Sunjai had undergone surgery at B.C. Children’s Hospital as a baby. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

April 5, 1994: Looking out over the main courtyard from the agora to the barrel-shaped library beyond shows steady progress at the Cranbrook Hill main campus of the University of Northern B.C. The nished campus would be of cially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Aug. 17 of that year. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

April 2, 1976: Darcy Gabriel (left) umpires while Rick Knowles catches and Ron Thiel demonstrates how not to swing a bat in this staged photo of the Joe Martin and Sons Loggers and the Prince George Labatts preparing for the Prince George-Quesnel Baseball League’s opening tournament in Quesnel.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Diettans share favourite no-fuss weeknight meals

AMELIA COOPER Northern Health

“What’s for dinner?”

On some busy weeknights, that question can really make me cringe!

Maybe my meal-prepping plans didn’t quite work out, or I didn’t make it to the store, or we forgot to defrost something. Life happens, and even with a well-thought-out, flexible menu plan, we can still find ourselves scrambling to feed our families and ourselves on busy days.

Meals don’t have to be complicated to be nourishing, satisfying, and meaningful.

Eating together with friends or family, even for just a few nights a week, can support healthy eating and encourage us to enjoy a variety of foods. It also helps develop stronger relationships and build confidence.

That’s why I reached out to my dietitian colleagues to ask, “What are your go-to meals that come together quickly, use basic ingredients, and help families eat together, no matter how busy the day gets?”

You won’t find exact recipes here— flexibility is key. Instead, we hope these ideas inspire you to use what you have on hand, what you can easily access, and what suits your dietary needs and preferences to create delicious, no-fuss meals.

Enjoying a variety

“When pulling together a quick meal, aim to incorporate balance! Even in a rush, you can add a no-cook side dish like raw vegetables with dip or a fruit salad. You’re adding vitamins, minerals, and fibre to your plate.”

“I love discovering new favourite dishes that are quick to make when I’m in a pinch or too tired to cook. Recently, I found a recipe for a peanut noodle bowl, using frozen edamame and bagged coleslaw mix, that I absolutely loved! To make it even easier, I used store-bought sauce instead of making my own.”

“Convenience foods, like frozen pizzas, are no stranger to my table!

When I can, I spruce them up with fresh ingredients, like sliced peppers, onions, pineapple, and leftover meat. My family’s favourite side dish with pizza is a Greek salad—extra olives.”

Leftovers reduce waste

“We like ‘meaty’ salad on Thursday nights. It’s a challenge to creatively combine the remaining vegetables and fruit in the fridge with a protein-rich food (sometimes meat and sometimes chickpeas, boiled eggs, or cheese), a grain (could be leftover pasta or rice or a slice of garlic toast on the side), and a

Comfort foods

“Homemade poutine! Using air-fried or baked potato slices and topped with green peas and green onions.”

“Nachos topped with tomatoes, peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lots of cheese. Served with salsa, sour cream, and refried beans.”

“Loaded baked potatoes—the topping options are endless and delicious! Baked beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, leftover meat, chili, broccoli, and… more cheese. We pop potatoes or sweet potatoes in the microwave to get this one on the table even faster.”

“Grilled cheese sandwich with a soup — be it homemade or from a can. I like to ‘bulk up’ my soups with lots of veggies or beans from my freezer or pantry.”

“I love a classic Caesar salad wrap. In my college days, I would buy a rotisserie chicken, a large bag of Caesar salad mix, and some whole wheat wraps, and that would make up my lunches for the week!”

Customizable meals add fun

“I like to make DIY burrito bowls. You can make a big batch of the filling (I cook ground beef and/or beans with some salsa) and serve over rice or any other grain. Then, you can add any toppings you like (lettuce, chopped tomatoes, veggies, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, etc.).”

tasty dressing.”

“I like to take some leftover potatoes, rice, or pasta, add in frozen vegetables, fry them in a pan with some oil, and pour whisked eggs over it. Topped with shredded cheese, it’s like a quick version of a baked veggie frittata.”

“For a really quick meal, I love snack plates. The options are endless, but I like crackers, cheese, leftover meat, and whatever ‘rescued’ veggies or fruit I find in my fridge. Extras like pickles, chutneys, and dried fruit make it even better. You can’t go wrong!”

“Breakfast for supper! Scrambled eggs, toast, and a fruit parfait (fresh or from frozen) — fruit topped with yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for crunch. Comes together quickly, and little hands can create their own parfait creation. It’s fun!”

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful, and there are many ways to enjoy a fast yet satisfying meal with your loved ones. Whether it’s something homemade, something using frozen or packaged items, or something picked up on the way home, those small moments at the table, however they happen, are worth making time for.

Amelia Cooper is a registered dietitian with NH’s regional Population Health Nutrition team.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful, say area dietitians.

Spring COVID-19, measles vaccines soon available

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The province will offer free additional COVID-19 vaccines to BC residents starting Tuesday, April 8, with a focus on individuals at higher risk of illness.

“While the peak of respiratory illnesses has passed, influenza, COVID19 and RSV are still circulating, and we must continue to practise healthy habits to prevent illness from spreading,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for British Columbia, in an announcement from the province.

“This is particularly important as spring break ends, a period when many people have been travelling. This is a reminder to stay home if you are sick, and if you need medical care, call ahead so you can be seen safely.”

The vaccine will be available at approximately 400 pharmacies throughout the province. It will also be offered at regional health authority clinics, primary-care offices, community health centres, long-term care homes and First Nations communities.

Public health units will also have vaccines available for children under the age of 12.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the following groups receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this spring:

• Adults 65 years and older, with a particular focus on those over 80 years

• Indigenous adults 55 years and older

• Adult residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities

• Individuals six months and older who are clinically extremely vulnerable

In addition, five recent measles outbreaks in the province and a worldwide resurgence have prompted a response from the BC government.

“Increasingly, we’re seeing cases of measles in parts of Canada, with outbreaks in Ontario and cases here in BC as well as around the world,” said Henry.

“Measles can cause serious illness, particularly for young people who are not vaccinated. Tragically, we had one death in Canada last year.”

People at the highest risk for measles are those who are completely

unvaccinated and have no immunity from past exposures. The province is urging people in BC to check their immunization records to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines.

This can be done by visiting Health Gateway or contacting a health-care provider.

Health officials are asking BC residents to monitor their symptoms if they have recently travelled, as cases in the Lower Mainland have stemmed from travel to areas with recent measles outbreaks.

Adults born in 1970 or later should ensure they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, as one dose is not enough to ensure adequate protection against the disease.

Adults born before 1970 are generally assumed to have been exposed to the disease and acquired immunity before immunizations were widely available. You can get free measles vaccines at your local health unit or health centre. Children aged 4 years and older, as well as adults, can be vaccinated at any pharmacy. In First Nations communities, people can also be immunized by a health nurse at their community health centre or nursing station.

Award celebrates commitment to nurse health and safety

SANJA KNEZEVIC

Northern Health

Northern Health employees Sherman Lau and Christine Lewis were recognized by the Health Employers Association of BC for their work on the GoHealth BC travel nurse program. Lau, who leads occupational health and safety for GoHealth BC, and Lewis, an OHS co-ordinator, accepted the Leading Workplace Health and Safety Practices Health Authority award in Vancouver on Oct. 29.

Lau and Lewis were honored for consistently demonstrating excellence, innovation, provincial-level leadership, best practices, and measurable results in developing an occupational health

and safety program tailored to the unique characteristics of GoHealth BC nurses, who are a mobile workforce supporting rural and remote areas across Northern Health and partner health authorities.

Lau and Lewis have been instrumental in the early successes of GoHealth

BC by ensuring the program is attractive to nurses through a strong focus on both physical and psychological health and safety. In turn, these contribute to job satisfaction and support successful recruitment and retention.

Since March 2023, Lau and Lewis have developed and supported GoHealth

BC’s occupational health and safety program, providing a high level of direct support and coordination to GoHealth BC staff and leadership alike. Ensuring that health and safety is integrated into the GoHealth BC program and processes so that nurses know and feel that their health and safety is a priority allows nurses to focus on the work they do best: patient care.

Presented by the Health Employers Association of BC, the Healthcare Employee Relations Awards of British Columbia (HEABCs) recognize human resource and labour relations professionals who work with employers and health care professionals to create workplaces that support the delivery of high-quality health care.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that some groups receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this spring.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Sherman Lau (left) and Christine Lewis accept their award for Leading Workplace Health & Safety Practices HEABCs on Oct. 29 in Vancouver.

Local Sports

Cougars head to Oregon as playof batle contnues

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The Prince George Cougars are hoping their trip to Portland won’t result in the pain of history repeating itself.

Just like last year in the WHL Western Conference final, the Cougars won the first game, but Portland came back to win the next, splitting the series before heading south to Oregon for the next three games.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, they lost Games 3 and 4, which put them under pressure to win the next three games to advance to the WHL final. They won one of those games, but their season ended in double overtime in Game 6 at Prince George’s CN Centre with a 2-1 loss to Portland.

That was a year ago, and much has changed for both teams.

Just nine Cougars and seven Winterhawks who played in that heartbreaker at CN Centre remain with their respective teams.

Mark Lamb, the Cougars’ head coach and general manager, doesn’t put much stock in what happened a year ago or in 2022, when Portland swept the Cougars in the first round.

“If you want to do those comparables, they’ll drive you crazy,” said Lamb.

The Cougars won a thrilling Game 1 on Friday, scoring four goals in the third period to overcome a three-goal deficit. Terik Parascak scored the OT winner 6:40 into the extra period.

Game 2 swung in the Winterhawks’ favour thanks to their special teams play. They scored on two of their three power plays while the Cougars went 0-for-3.

Although Portland won 5-2, the game was still a one-goal contest with three minutes left.

Up to that point, the Cougars had few free passes into the offensive zone, and when they did manage to take a shot, it usually came from the perimeter, where

Cougars defenceman Corbin Vaughan prevents Winterhawks forward Ryan Miller from turning to the net Saturday, March 29 at CN Centre. The action moved to Portland for three games this week.

goalie Ondrej Sebetak could see the puck.

“They played a very smart third period, obviously aware of what happened (Friday) night, and did a good job of keeping everything to the outside,” said Lamb.

“But we need more from our top guys. You look at their team, and it was all the big guys who did the damage (Saturday). We just need more. We didn’t score on the power play, and they scored a couple on theirs, and there’s the difference. Their power play’s clicking, and ours isn’t. We need to score on them.”

They also need to find a way to neutralize Diego Buttazzoni.

The 19-year-old UMass-Lowell recruit entered the playoffs on an 11-game point streak and has three goals and three assists in the series, along with 13 shots on goal in the two games.

The Langley native scored a spectacular goal in Game 2 to put the game out of reach for the Cougars when he stole the puck from Bauer Dumanski and eluded Vilam Kmec with a deke before lifting a backhander past Ravensbergen. It was the WHL’s highlight of the night on Saturday.

Seattle Kraken draft pick Tyson Jugnauth has also been a thorn in the Cougars’ side.

The 20-year-old from Kelowna is among the top-five playoff point getters in the WHL with a goal and four assists, four of those points coming in Game 2.

“I’m trying to contribute any way I can, trying to be good offensively and be hard to play against, and hopefully, I can keep that going now,” said Jugnauth, who capped the scoring with an empty-netter.

The Winterhawks took the sellout crowd of 6,016 out of the game for much

of it. The fans were still loud, but the Cougars didn’t give them much to cheer about.

“That was our goal coming in here, getting the split. With the crowd, you could see how exciting and electric it is in there. Every time you step over the boards, it’s kind of an eye-opener the first time, but now that we’ve played the series last year, you kind of get a feel for what that is,” said Jugnauth.

“(On Friday), when they got going, it helped them a lot, and it also helps us when we can quiet them right away.”

The Winterhawks are known as an offensively strong team, but the Cougars need to find a way to reduce the goals against.

Allowing 12 goals in just two games isn’t going to cut it. They must plug those leaks if they hope to move on to the next round.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

WHL expansion good for Cougars’ travel schedule

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Now that it’s official that the Penticton Vees will join the Western Hockey League as an expansion team next season, the Prince George Cougars know where they stand as they prepare to welcome a sixth team into the BC Division.

The addition of the Vees gives the Cougars another provincial opponent, located an eight-hour drive away. Currently, the closest WHL team to Prince George is six hours away in Kamloops, with the Kelowna Rockets a seven-hour drive from PG. The Cougars’ other BC Division opponents are in Langley and Victoria.

“It will change our travel schedule a bit, but not very much,” said Cougars president John Pateman. “They still want to do a more balanced schedule, so we’ll still be going to the U.S. as many times as we normally do.

“It’s always nice to have teams close together. Most people want to play Fridays and Saturdays, and now Vancouver (which plays in Langley) has a preference to play on Sundays, so that makes it easier to do a Kelowna-Penticton-Vancouver kind of thing. That’s not a bad trip, actually.”

The current draft WHL schedule for 2025-26 has the Cougars staying in the United States for 17 nights and spending 48 nights in BC hotel rooms. Pateman says it costs the team an average of $6,000 for each overnight stay on the road.

“We’re up to 65 nights, while some teams are as low as 15. That’s the major disadvantage we have,” said Pateman. “Certainly, this year the U.S. dollar was a real killer.”

The league will hold an expansion draft on Wednesday, May 7, and none of the existing 22 teams will lose more than one player in the draft.

All drafted players must be 17 or older. Each team will submit a list of 16

Series could return to CN Centre Sunday and Monday

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Josh Ravensbergen had an off night in Game 1 and was replaced early in the second period.

However, on Saturday, he lived up to his NHL Central Scouting billing as the top-ranked North American goaltender. The 18-year-old couldn’t be blamed for Saturday’s loss.

While the loss dampened the mood in the Cougars’ dressing room, Saturday’s game was memorable for left winger Evan Groening.

Playing on a line with signed NHL prospects Riley Heidt and Koehn Ziemmer, Groening was in the right place at the right time when Leath Hunter’s point shot was blocked by Portland defenceman Carter Sotheran.

The puck landed on Groening’s stick, and the 19-year-old third-year veteran from Niverville, Man., buried it to tie the game 1-1 in the first period.

players from their 50-player protected list who will be off-limits to the Vees in the draft.

“If you look at our roster this year, we’ll lose the three 20-year-olds and probably two of the 19-year-olds, so most of this year’s roster will be protected,” said Pateman. “It will be one player.”

The Vees will also participate in the WHL Prospects Draft on May 7, as well as the US Priority Draft and CHL Import Draft. For the Prospects Draft, Pateman said the Vees will be slotted close to the middle of the draft order. For the other 22 teams, the draft order is based on the regular-season finish. The Cougars finished seventh overall and will likely pick 16th.

The Vees have already started recruit

teams. In addition, the Vees must pay the Kelowna Rockets between $2-2.5 million in compensation because they are within the Rockets’ territorial rights.

The WHL team in Penticton will play in the city-owned 5,000-seat South Okanagan Events Centre, built in 200708 by Western Industrial Contracting, the Prince George-based company co-owned by Pateman and Ray Fortier, both part of the Cougars ownership group.

The Penticton group is headed by Graham Fraser, who has been the majority owner of the BCHL Vees since June 2008. Also involved is former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter and Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele, who was billeted by Fraser when he played junior hockey in the OHL for the

“(Groening) is doing fine out there. He’s aggressive, can really skate, and can score, just like he did,” said Lamb.

The teams play Tuesday and Wednes day in Portland and will be there for Game 5 on Friday.

If the series is extended beyond that, Games 6 and 7 would be played at CN Centre on Sunday and Monday (April 5 and 6).

“It doesn’t matter where you’re play ing, it’s playoff hockey, and you’ve got to win,” said Lamb.

All WHL playoff games are available free of charge for ad-supported stream ing on Victory+.

Go to the www.victoryplus.com to download the app.

Editor’s Note: The Cougars played Port land on Tuesday and Wednesday, after this edition of The Citizen went to press. Visit www.princegeorgecitizen.com for game results.

PLAYOFFS

Spruce Kings clinch playof spot in last game of season

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Get that playoff bus ready — the Prince George Spruce Kings are climbing aboard.

The team did what it had to Sunday afternoon, beating the Powell River Kings 5-0 in front of 1,689 fans at Kopar Memorial Arena.

After a two-month chase, the Spruce Kings finally leapfrogged the Langley Rivermen into eighth place in the Coastal Conference standings, eliminating any doubt about their playoff hopes.

The Spruce Kings (23-25-4-2) finished tied with Langley (21-23-9-1) at 52 points, but earned the higher seed by winning two more games than the Rivermen.

As improbable as it seemed in January, when the Spruce Kings were struggling to catch up to Nanaimo and Langley for the final playoff spot, the team achieved its primary goal and will head to Chilliwack later this week to begin a best-of-seven Coastal Conference quarterfinal series Friday against the first-place Chiefs.

“I’m super proud of this group. We could have easily packed it in at a certain point and just played out the season, but they made it their mission in the second half to make a statement,” said Spruce Kings head coach Brad Tesink.

“The goals we set out in January have all been accomplished. Now we’ve got to set our standards just a little bit higher going into the playoffs.”

The turnaround in the Spruce Kings’ season began after a coaching change on Nov. 25, when Tesink stepped up from his associate role to replace the fired Alex Evin. But the real change came with the addition of 20-year-old goalie Charles-Edward Gravel, a seasoned veteran of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

Gravel posted a 10-3 record, a 1.98 goals-against average, and a .930 save percentage. The Spruce Kings finished the last two months on a 10-5-2-1 tear, just enough to secure a playoff spot.

“When you bring in a goaltender

like Charles, and a character kid like Charles, who fits well into the group, it just gave our guys a boost of confidence,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

“He’s a solid goalie, the guys know it, and they’ve just felt a lot more confident since he’s been here. Our record shows it.”

Five Spruce Kings — Nicolas Papineau, Aidan Carolan, Owen Goodbrand, Brock Cummings, and Will Moore — found the scoresheet Sunday. The team scored three times in the third period, all on the power play, to blow a close game wide open.

Gravel and Ryder Green combined for a 24-save shutout. For Gravel, it was his first BCHL shutout, and he picked the perfect game to do it, knowing that there was no margin for error and nothing less than two points would suffice.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The Spruce Kings salute their fans after defeating the Powell River Kings 5-0 Sunday at Kopar Memorial Arena.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Spruce Kings goalie Charles-Edward Gravel was named third star of the game after shutting out the Powell River Kings 5-0 Sunday at Kopar Memorial Arena.

Up next: First-place Chilliwack Chiefs in opening round

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“The first thing I wanted to do when I got here (Feb. 2) was make the playoffs,” said the 20-year-old Gravel, a Mercyhurst recruit for 2025-26. “I knew we were far away, but this group is amazing — it’s like a family. Everybody works hard, and at the end of the day, I think we deserve it. I’m just so happy we managed to make the playoffs.”

The Spruce Kings didn’t waste any time asserting their offensive power. Papineau got things started when he led a rush into the Powell River zone and rifled a low wrist shot from the slot into the net to give the Spruce Kings the lead at 7:14.

Papineau, who was playing in front of his parents, Julie and Marc, from Gatineau, Que., during the Spruce Kings’ parents’ weekend, also set up Moore’s power-play goal in the third period. He also scored in Friday’s 5-4 win over Powell River with his parents watching.

“It’s fun to score in front of them. They flew across the country just to see me play two games, so it’s a special moment,” said Papineau. “I’m 2-for-2 because I scored last night too.”

Papineau joined the Spruce Kings for his final junior season from the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League. On Friday, he’ll achieve something he’s never done before.

“I told the boys in the room I’ve never played a playoff game in juniors, and I’m 20, so this means a lot to me. I know I’m going to go all out, and I really believe in this team,” said Papineau. “I know Chilliwack’s a good opponent, but we’re the perfect match for them. We’ll see on Friday.”

Powell River came close a few times to robbing Gravel of his first career BCHL shutout. Late in the first period, a shot from left winger Niccolo Mansueto nearly got through after a Powell River power play. Gravel made the save, but the puck was left lying in the crease until a Spruce King cleared it.

Fists flew four seconds before the first period ended. Powell River defenceman Calvin Beard picked a fight with Spruce Kings defenceman Trent Ballentyne,

likely in retribution for a clean hit Ballentyne laid on winger Rhett Hamilton in Friday’s game that left Hamilton with a separated shoulder. Powell River forward Jace Harder tried to take over for Beard, but when Spruce Kings defenceman Isaac Holt saw what was happening, he grabbed Harder and laid a beating on him. The six-foot-five, 220pound Holt, a native of Pembroke, Ont., has earned his reputation as one of the toughest players in the BCHL.

Beard ended up with two minor penalties for instigating and roughing, giving the Spruce Kings a nearly four-minute power play to start the second period. However, they struggled to get quality shots past Powell River’s penalty killers, with Kazumo Sasaki’s post-clanger being the only good scoring chance.

Carolan picked the perfect time to score his first BCHL goal. Acquired in the off-season from the Brockville Braves, the 20-year-old Oshawa native

buried a pass from Corson Maguire on a 2-on-1 chance to increase the lead to 2-0. Injuries limited Carolan to just 25 games this season.

On Friday, defenceman Zachary Hachey notched his first BCHL goal. Special teams played a huge role in the win. The Spruce Kings went 3-for-8 on the power play, while Powell River went 0-for-4.

Goodbrand started the power-play attack three minutes into the third period, and Cummings and Moore converted on a 5-on-3 advantage with back-to-back goals to cap the scoring. Green replaced Gravel late with the Spruce Kings ahead by five and made the final four saves.

For Ballentyne, a 20-year-old bound for Tennessee State next season, the chance for one last BCHL playoff run is beyond exciting, especially considering the turmoil of the coaching change four months ago and the loss of five top players to QMJHL teams in December and January.

“It’s been a crazy battle with all the rule changes, guys leaving, and guys coming in, but it feels amazing to do it with the boys,” said Ballentyne. “Charles has been unreal for us. He’s really kept us alive, and we owe him a playoff push for sure. He’s a great guy off the ice too, and everyone sees how good he is on the ice. We’re lucky to have him.”

The Spruce Kings begin their best-ofseven Interior Conference series Friday in Chilliwack against the first-place Chiefs. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Prince George on Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9. The Chiefs (37-12-5-0) finished 27 points ahead of Prince George.

“Obviously, Chilliwack’s a great team; they were first in our division, so we can’t take them lightly,” said Gravel. “The only thing we can do is get ready, show up, and try to make an upset. Nobody really thinks we can beat them and get past the first round, but no one thought we’d make the playoffs this year. We’ll try to do the same thing. Everyone works so hard. I think we’re a team that nobody wants to face in the playoffs.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The Powell River Kings’ Eli Friedman gets ready to take a shot as Prince George Spruce King player Brendan Gillmore stretches to knock it off his stick Sunday,

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

White Alumni goalie Damien Ketlo secures a puck at the side of the net as Keenan Hopson skates in to cover Blue Alumni’s Dave “Tiger” Williams Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena. The alumni played before the Spruce Kings took on the Powell River Kings

Relentless in the ring: Boxer goes for gold in Calgary

INNER CITY BOXING CLUB

As a boxer, Josh Greenwood brings valuable skills into the ring — fast hands, surprising power, excellent stamina, and a high level of intelligence.

In addition to these qualities, the 18-year-old member of Inner City Boxing PG has an insatiable desire to keep learning and improving. Recently, in Calgary, he brought all these elements together to earn a championship title and national recognition.

Greenwood was part of an Inner City Wardogs team that competed at Canada Cup 2025, a Boxing Canada-sanctioned event. In the 65-kilogram novice division, he won both his bouts, including one for gold on Saturday, March 22 against Ontario’s Cash Littler.

Greenwood’s victory not only earned him a shiny new souvenir for his collection, but also made him Boxing Canada’s top-ranked novice fighter in his weight class.

Greenwood had his first-ever fight about a year ago. It ended in a loss. He also lost his second match but started to mix in some wins with more setbacks.

To be where he is today is rewarding indeed. “The process was very hard,” he said. “I definitely had to keep pushing through at times. I kept losing and losing, but you just keep coming back to the gym and focus on the next fight. Don’t look at the past in a bad way –just learn from your mistakes and keep improving.”

When the referee raised Greenwood’s hand on Saturday night, the young fighter savoured the moment.

“It was awesome, and I had my whole team there for it,” he said. “They’re all happy for me, I’m happy. It was a very good experience.”

Against Littler, Greenwood narrowly dropped the first round and trailed early in the second. But then he took control. During a slight break in the action, he glanced to his corner and saw coaches Kenny Lally and Jag Seehra telling him to try to catch Littler with a straight right hand. Greenwood threw a

right that just missed, but a split second later, he rocked his opponent with an upward-angled jab to the head. The referee stepped in and gave Littler an eight-count. When the fight resumed, Greenwood stayed on the attack, and his aggressiveness earned another eight-count.

“It was something else, man,” Greenwood said. “I was so happy. I gave him the eight-counts, tied up the match, and it was great. I was just pumped after that.”

In the third round, Greenwood relied on his superior fitness, kept up the pressure, and was announced as the winner.

At the Inner City gym, Lally and Seehra have been with Greenwood every step of the way, and they couldn’t be prouder of his latest accomplishment.

“I shed a tear when his hand was raised, for sure,” Lally said.

“He’s definitely come a long way in a very short period of time. Eleven months ago, we began our competition season with Josh. He lost his first two fights, then went to the B.C. Bronze Gloves and lost in the final. Then he got a win, but went on another two-fight

started training at Inner City around the same time.

“I’m really proud of him,” Innis said. “I’ve been to every single one of his fights. I’ve seen him lose and come back. I’ve seen him lose again and again, lose the B.C. Bronze Gloves title, and I’ve seen him keep coming back and trying. Each time, he comes back, and I really respect him for that. Now he’s the No. 1 novice fighter in Canada.”

At Canada Cup 2025, Inner City was also represented by Melissa O’Flynn in the 54kg female category. O’Flynn – who fights out of 2 Rivers Boxing in Quesnel but was training at Inner City in preparation for Canada Cup – faced current Canadian champion Scarlett Delgado in two separate bouts. The 29-year-old O’Flynn lost both times but left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

losing streak. He never quit. That showed us so much character in this kid. Through all the losses, it never fazed him. He just worked harder.”

For Greenwood and his coaches, a turning point came after a loss at the Alberta Silver Gloves in January in Medicine Hat.

“After Medicine Hat, after that loss, Jag and I believed it was up to us as coaches to identify what was going on and correct it,” Lally said.

After some analysis, Lally and Seehra decided that they needed to help Greenwood improve his balance. They had him start working with medicine balls to increase his strength and agility. This was in addition to his regular training, and Greenwood embraced it. The work paid off, making him more stable on his feet and more confident in his boxing stance.

“Everything came to fruition at Canada Cup,” Lally said. “It’s like a Cinderella story for the kid.”

Lally and Seehra aren’t the only ones tipping their hats to Greenwood. His Inner City teammates are also thrilled for him, including Thunder Innis, who

“Melissa did great,” Lally said of O’Flynn’s performance. “She did amazing in the first fight. Scarlett won an international tournament this year, and Melissa looked like she belonged in there with her. Then she got a walkover (default) win, made it back to the finals, and did her best. Scarlett, being an international champion, adapted very well. They probably did some video analysis, found some holes, and capitalized. Unfortunately, we got stopped in the last round, but it was a great experience for her.”

Three other Inner City boxers — Innis, Ben Ruttan, and Audrey Edmunds — were hoping to get onto the fight card at Canada Cup but only participated in sparring matches. Innis and Ruttan faced each other, while Edmunds stepped into the ring three times and showed the form that earned her the Alberta Silver Gloves championship earlier this year.

With Greenwood’s title at Canada Cup, all four members of Inner City’s current fight team now have championships on their résumés in their first year of action.

“It’s a great feeling,” Lally said. “This is what we wanted to do. We wanted to bring champions back to Prince George, and I think we’re doing a pretty good job so far.”

INNER CITY BOXING PHOTO

Josh Greenwood of Inner City Boxing PG displays the gold medal, and a champion’s cowboy hat, presented to him at Canada Cup 2025 this past Saturday in Calgary.

Rotary brings Hoop-A-Thon shooters back to PG

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The second annual Rotary Hoop-AThon is set to take place on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Duchess Park Secondary School.

This event is held in partnership with the UNBC Timberwolves and Rotary clubs across Prince George.

The Hoop-A-Thon has a proven track record of raising funds for the community. The inaugural event last year raised $12,000 for local scholarships, bursaries, community projects, youth sports, and at-risk youth, to name a few.

The event will feature 70 or more freethrow shooters, each having one minute to make as many baskets as possible. Sponsors can make either a fixed or non-fixed pledge, with the amount of money raised increasing based on the number of baskets shooters make.

Rotarian Lorne Calder told The Citizen about the inspiration behind this unique Rotary Club event.

“I was a district governor with Rotary,” said Calder.

“I saw it in the Lower Mainland, and I just liked what it was doing for the community as a whole. In the Lower Mainland, they partnered with Global TV and Chris Gailes, but they’ve been running this for over 20 years. I liked the fact that it includes Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary clubs as a whole. It’s the only fundraiser we have that can do that. So, you have to think about what’s

important for the younger generation and even for some of us older people. For example, I’m going to shoot hoops,

and I’m 68. I’m going to do my best to raise money.”

So far, Calder has secured a

sponsorship of $120 per basket, a price he attributes to the community’s playful pressure on him to succeed.

Calder is hoping to exceed the $11,000 in donations raised last year. With six corporate sponsors, he believes they can surpass the previous total. He also shared with The Citizen the various projects and organizations the event hopes to support.

“We’re raising money for different categories,” said Calder.

“We’re trying to raise funds for at-risk youth. We have five or six organizations in mind. Depending on how much we raise, we might spread it around a bit, like helping families living in poverty or seniors who are isolated and in poverty. For Rotary projects, 50 per cent of the proceeds will go toward those. We’re trying to start a few newer projects, but we need to raise significant funds to get them off the ground.”

Calder is urging the community to get involved.

“We’re encouraging people to come out and just shoot hoops,” said Calder. “We hope they’ll raise a bit of money or make a donation to the Prince George Community Foundation. Right now, we’re more interested in increasing the number of shooters to raise the profile of the event and make it more successful in the years to come.”

For more information on how to donate or participate, visit the pgrotary. ca.

Some city sports facilites and parks are now open

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

As the snow melts and temperatures continue to rise, the City of Prince George Parks division has been preparing to open sports facilities, parks, washrooms, and outhouses for spring.

Many opened Tuesday.

Below is the list of parks and their facilities with their anticipated opening dates:

• Jumpstart Multisport Court:

Opened Tuesday

• Masich Place Stadium: Opened Tuesday for public walking, bookings, and user groups

• Beach Volleyball Facility: Opened Tuesday, washroom availability expected by mid-April (weather dependent, dependent on frost levels).

• Nechako Riverside Park: Opened Tuesday (gates and outhouse)

• Rainbow Park outhouses: Opened Tuesday

• Carrie Jane Gray Park: Gates opened Tuesday

• Connaught Hill Park: Mid-April, weather dependent

• Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park (LTMP) public washroomd: Mid-April (weather dependent, dependent on frost levels)

• Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Spray Park: May 16, 2025 (weather dependent)

• Duchess Park washroom: Mid-April (weather dependent,

dependent on frost levels)

• Sports fields: Sports fields will remain closed until early May, depending on weather and field conditions

Stay hydrated: The following drinking fountains will be opened in mid-April (weather dependent):

• Masich Place Stadium

• Jumpstart/Rotary Skate Park

• Duchess Park Playground

• Duchess Park Dog Park

• Ingledew Dog Park

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Sonia Stavely hit 8 baskets in one minute during last year’s Rotary Hoop-A-Thon in Prince George.

Life Events

In Loving Memory

Elizabeth Dahne Gorst

October 23, 1990 - March 28, 2023

I miss you “Bibbits” always. Love, Mom

Carl William Anthony (Smelle) Purcer

June 4, 1985 - April 5, 2020

Remembering you is easy, we do it every day. Missing you is a heartache that will never go away. Our loving Son, Brother, Partner, Nephew, Cousin and giving friend to many, you will always be in our hearts.

William A Magnusson

May 5, 1953 - March 8, 2025

William A Magnusson, born on May 5, 1953 in Comox BC, passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2025 in Prince George, BC at UHNBC with family by his side.

Predeceased by his father Kristjan and mother Lorraine, survived by his wife Jan, son Stephen (Marilyn), granddaughter Courtney, grandson Brandon (Carlyn), his brothers Kris, Ray, Mike, Pat (Diane). He will missed by his sister inlaws, brother inlaws, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

He loved family gatherings, the outdoors, huntng, fshing, camping, sitng by a fre and watching the stars. May your spirit live on in all the lives you touched. No service by request. Celebraton of life to be held April 26, 2025.

Willie, you will be “Forever in Our Hearts”. Love Jan, Stephen, Marilyn, Courtney, Brandon and Carlyn.

Ivan Dale Romanuik

June 19, 1951 - March 8, 2025

Ivan Romanuik passed away peacefully March 8, 2025. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 45 years, Lynda Romanuik.

He is survived by his only child Natasha (Jesse) Neudorf, and his siblings Adeline, Alfred (Leola), Gerald (Ida), Lawrence, Sylvia and Lorna along with many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday April 5, 2025 at 2pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 4336 15th Avenue. He was very loved and will be deeply missed.

Russell Schellenberg

March 25, 1972 - September 8, 2024

Born in Kelowna BC on March 25, 1972 to Carol and Elmer Schellenberg. It’s with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Paul on September 8, 2024 in Prince George.

He is survived by Maureen, brother Russ(Amy), nephew Reese, niece Katherine, and extended family and friends. celebraton of life will be unday pril , at 11:00am at Fort Langley Golf Course. n lieu of owers consider a donaton to his name to

Carol June Parent pril , March ,

We sadly announce that on March 17th Carol (Mom) le our earthly garden to wal another path in a new garden. he was years old.

Mom was predeceased by her husband d ad last May, her soul mate for years. he missed him dearly.

Mom s life was blessed with four children, Carolynn, endy, d r. and aul. Her family abounded with multple grand children, great, great great grand children. ll of whom made her life rich, and were the blossoms she tended to in her life s garden.

Mom was born and raised in rince eorge, and also spent many years living at Norman a e where she tended to beautful gardens, her fo friends, and chic adees. Mom loved gardening, enhancing the already beautful nature that surrounded her. he loved being with family friends at the la e with ad and their dog Missy.

oved by us all, she will be dearly missed. ut we can ta e solace in nowing that she is now sitng on that heavenly swing with dad. e will cherish our memories of her forever.

service to show our love for this remar able person will be held on pril , at the lder Cit ens ecreaton ssociaton th ve, rince eorge, C at pm

*On April 14, 1932, Loretta Lynn (née Webb) entered the world in Butcher Hollow, KY. A bride at 15 and grandmother by 29, she went on to become one of country music’s most beloved and successful artists, thanks in part to the encouragement and business savvy of husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, and

earned the Country Music Association’s first award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1967.

* On April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his first Major League Baseball game, the league retired Jackie Robinson’s number, 42. He is the only player in MLB history to have his number retired across all teams.

• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19)

Professional relatonships grow stronger, but you stll might need to ease some problems with someone in your personal life. One way could be to try to be less rigid in your views.

* On April 16, 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally consumed LSD-25, a synthetic drug he’d created in 1938 while researching the medicinal value of lysergic acid compounds. After taking the drug deliberately once more to confirm it had caused his two-hour bout of

strange but “not unpleasant” hallucinations and sensations, he published a report describing his discovery.

* On April 17, 1942, French general Henri Giraud, who’d been captured by the Nazis two years before, escaped from a castle prison at Konigstein by lowering himself down its wall and leaping aboard a moving train that carried him to the French border, then made it to safety in North Africa via a British submarine.

* On April 18, 2014, 16 Nepali mountaineering guides, most of whom were ethnic Sherpas, died in an avalanche on Mt. Everest in one of the worst accidents in the Himalayan peak’s history.

* On April 19, 1989, 28-year-old investment banker Trisha Meili was beaten and sexually assaulted while jogging in New York City’s Central Park. Five teenage boys from Harlem were wrongly convicted of the crime but released in 2002 when the real attacker, who was already imprisoned, confessed.

* On April 20, 1979, while fishing in a Georgia pond, President Jimmy Carter used his johnboat paddle to deflect an aggressive swamp rabbit swimming toward him, earning him considerable teasing from the press after the story was made public by A.P. White House correspondent Brooks Jackson.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A change of mind about a workplace decision might be called for, once you hear more arguments -- pro and con. A personal event suddenly takes an unexpected (but pleasant!) turn.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Someone close to you might ask for your support as they face a demanding personal challenge. Ofer it, by all means, but be careful that you don’t neglect your own needs at this tme.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your keen business sense helps you get to the truth about a suspicious business deal. Expect to have many colleagues rally to support your eforts in this important mater.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might be too close to a perplexing personal situaton to even atempt to make a ratonal decision about it right now. Stepping back could help you gain a wider perspectve.

• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Being asked to choose between the positons of two friends is an unfair impositon on you. It’s best to reject the demand and insist that they try harder to work things out on their own.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Romance once again looms large for single Leos and Leonas, with Cupid favoring Taurus and Libra to inspire those warm and fuzzy Leonine feelings. Meanwhile, expect another workplace change.

• On Nov. 13, 1979, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaped over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine for a memorable slam dunk that shattered the fiberglass backboard. His equally memorable comment on the move, which was not his last and the sound of which spectators likened to a bomb going off: “It wasn’t really a safe thing to do, but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do.”

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A surprise gif with no strings atached could happily come just when you need it to avoid a delay in getng your project done. Expect educaton to dominate the week.

• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.

• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.

• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An unexpected development could put your relatonship with a partner or spouse to an emotonally demanding test. But your determinaton to get to the truth should save the day!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A recent agreement appears to be coming apart over the surfacing of unexpected complicatons. You might need to get expert advice on how to resolve the situaton.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Someone who once moved in and out of your life through the years might now want to come back in on a more permanent basis. Give yourself a lot of tme to weigh your decision.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Showing frustraton over a delayed workplace decision might get someone’s atenton -- but not necessarily make them move any sooner. The best advice would be to be patent and wait it out.

Homes & Living

Pruning Ornamental Fruit Trees in Northern BC: A Seasonal Guide

Ornamental fruit trees add beauty to gardens and landscapes throughout northern British Columbia. While they may not always produce edible fruit, their blossoms and foliage make them a stunning focal point. Proper pruning is essential to maintain their health, encourage vibrant blooms, and prevent disease. In northern BC’s cold climate, knowing when and how to prune can make a significant difference in the tree’s longevity and appearance.

Pruning serves multiple purposes:

Health Maintenance: Removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches prevents the spread of infections and improves air circulation.

Shape and Structure: Well-pruned trees have a balanced shape that enhances their aesthetic appeal.

Encouraging Growth: Proper pruning stimulates new growth and encourages flowering.

Reducing Risk: Weak or overgrown

branches can break under heavy snow or strong winds, posing a hazard to people and property.

When to Prune in Northern BC

Timing is crucial, especially in a region with harsh winters like northern BC.

The best time to prune ornamental fruit trees depends on their growth cycle:

Late Winter to Early Spring (February–April): The ideal time for most ornamental fruit trees, as they are still dormant. Pruning at this time promotes vigorous spring growth.

Summer (June–August): Light pruning can be done after flowering to shape the tree, but avoid heavy cuts during hot weather.

Fall (September–November): Pruning in fall is discouraged because it can lead to new growth that won’t harden before winter, making the tree more vulnerable to cold damage.

How to Prune Effectively Proper technique ensures that pruning

benefits rather than harms the tree. Follow these guidelines:

Use the Right Tools: Sharp, clean pruning shears or loppers prevent unnecessary damage to the branches.

Remove Dead or Diseased Wood: Cut out any branches that show signs of decay or disease.

Thin Out Crowded Areas: Remove small, weak, or crossing branches to improve airflow.

Maintain a Natural Shape: Avoid excessive pruning that alters the tree’s natural form.

Make Clean Cuts: Cut just above a bud or lateral branch to encourage healthy regrowth.

Common Ornamental Fruit Trees in Northern BC

Flowering Crabapple (Malus spp.) –Known for its pink or white blossoms. Ornamental Cherry (Prunus spp.) –Beautiful spring flowers with delicate branching.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) –

Attractive flowers and berries, with good cold resistance.

Always prune on dry days to reduce disease risk. Avoid removing more than 25% of the tree’s canopy in one season.Disinfect tools between cuts if dealing with diseased branches. With proper pruning, ornamental fruit trees in northern BC will thrive, providing beauty and structure to your landscape for years to come.