Prince George Citizen December 12, 2024

SUPER BINGO

This is how much 2025 could cost you

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city administration’s current proposed operating budget for 2025 would mean a 6.55 per cent property tax increase, according to a report tabled at a Wednesday, Dec. 4 meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit.

That would mean residents owning a representative household would pay around $178.49 more in property taxes next year. By comparison, council approved a 6.78 per cent increase in 2024. The BC government defines the representative household in Prince George for 2024 as owning a home valued at $453,777. Each one per cent worth of tax increase was said to represent an approximate tax increase of $27.25 for a representative household.

This would mean a $9,096,428 increase in tax revenues from what was collected in 2024. Collected taxes represents about 80 per cent of Prince George’s annual revenues, with fees and charges for services making up about another 10 per cent.

Snow control will require a $700,000 budget increase in 2025 for a total of $11 million, the city’s draft budget suggests.

Administration’s report also projects a $1.3 million increase in revenues from non-market changes – in other words, changes in the assessed value of properties.

However, director of finance Kris Dalio told the committee that he expects that figure to be closer to $1 million by the time BC Assessment provides the city with its final report.

The proposed operating budget includes approximately $6.7 million more in general operating expenses, approximately $1.4 million more for the general infrastructure reinvestment fund, $700,000 more for snow control funding and $300,000 more in road rehabilitation funding.

In the 2025 budget, staff propose the addition of the equivalent of 4.9 fulltime positions to the city’s workforce to hire a new information and records co-ordinator in the legislative services department, more electricians to work on street lighting, dedicated IT staff at the RCMP building, people to maintain the Downtown District Energy System and the realignment of some staff in the sewer department.

The city is obligated to provide IT services to the RCMP building under its contract for policing services.

If the city doesn’t provide those services, staff said at the meeting that the RCMP would hire their own at a much higher cost, an expense that would be passed on to the city.

Dan McLaren

More public input needed on future budgets: City staff

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

There’s a lot to enjoy at a Prince George Cougars game — on-ice action, the steam train-themed zambonis, beer and fresh popcorn.

What’s not usually on the checklist is financial talk, but that could change in 2025 if an idea from the city’s Standing Committee on Finance and Audit comes to fruition.

Discussing this year’s budget engagement process at the committee’s Wednesday, Dec. 5 meeting, city staff noted that while more than 900 people filled out both the citizen budget survey and citizen satisfaction survey, attendance at an Oct. 30 open house at the Civic Centre was quite a bit lower.

Around 46 people went to that open house, with 168 participating online, said Julie Rogers, the city’s communications director.

With low attendance, high costs for preparing things like posters and the amount of staffing needed to host the open house, Rogers said administration is looking at how to improve participation for in-person budget events in 2025.

One idea is to meet people where they already are, like a shopping mall or seniors’ centre, rather than inviting residents to a specific venue.

Committee member Coun. Tim Bennett asked if a less fun task like assessing municipal funding and services could be combined into something more fun like Winterfest, volunteer sign-up day or something like the Cougars’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Rogers said that was exactly the kind of thing staff were thinking about,

adding that she’s also heard of other communities that have held pub trivia nights on municipal services.

The challenge with scheduling these events, she said, is that they need to be held when the information is still timely and when venues are available to book.

By the time council approved the engagement plan this year, there was only one available date for the open house.

At this year’s open house, Rogers said staff tried to break things down into components so that people just interested in, say, city parks, can come for that presentation and leave.

“The thought was that it would give our residents more choices, but it turns out that the people who attended (were there) through the whole thing anyway,” Rogers said.

Addressing the feedback from residents itself, Rogers said that the platform the city hosted its online surveys

on, SocialPoint, has said the engagement rate from residents was 31.2 per cent. Their typical engagement rate, she said, is between two and 12 per cent.

As previously reported by The Citizen, residents voiced a desire for status quo spending by all but two city departments.

Those exceptions were corporate services, where residents wanted a five per cent funding decrease, and infrastructure management, where they wanted a five per cent increase.

That desire for more infrastructure spending, Rogers said, shows “a level of sophistication and pragmatism by our residents” as most people wouldn’t know what that is.

Coun. Trudy Klassen said one of her concerns was that while residents’ responses might have shown sophistication, those respondents may have largely been from the city’s upper

middle class and feedback might not have been received from people in other socioeconomic groups.

“I think the responses we received indicate a level of interest primarily of understanding of municipal services, but I don’t think that necessarily means they’re coming from a socioeconomic status,” Rogers responded.

Roughly, all zones of the city had a similar level of response to the surveys.

Committee chair Coun. Cori Ramsay was surprised by the 277 paper surveys that were submitted by residents at two branches of the Prince George Public Library, two seniors’ centres and the open house.

She said she was glad that paper surveys were made available, as they could reach people who might have otherwise been underrepresented in the results.

Ramsay also said it’s important to keep the questions asked of residents similar from year to year so that the city can track the trends shown in the answers.

Some of the budget engagement efforts were made possible by a onetime allocation of $50,000 to the communications department approved at a Jan. 23 budget meeting.

The committee discussed whether it would be prudent to double that funding for 2025, though Rogers cautioned that due to staffing constraints there was no guarantee that all that extra money could be spent.

A motion proposing that staff prepare a report on how that $50,000 was spent so that council could consider that information for the 2025 was tied and therefore defeated.

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One challenge with staffing for those positions is that the individuals are required to receive security clearance through a process that takes up to 18 months to complete.

Some one-time expenses proposed

for the 2025 budget include the creation of a dedicated stormwater utility and the demolition of the training tower at Fire Hall No. 2.

In 2021, the proposed tax increase brought to the Finance and Audit committee was

3.16 per cent, but the final approved increase was zero per cent. 2022 saw an initial proposed increase of 7.58 per cent, which was eventually trimmed to 6.37 per cent. The initial 7.22 per cent increase

proposed in 2023 went up to 7.58 per cent when council approved the budget.

Last year, there was an increase from 6.24 per cent in the initial proposal to 6.78 in the final approved budget. Overall, the city approved 18.32 per cent in property tax increases between 2021 and 2024.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Imagine filling out a budget survey during the intermissions at a Cougars game ... that’s an idea city staff is considering.

City eyes hiring more police officers, firefighters

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The 2025 draft budget includes a proposal to hire more staff related to policing, fire protection and bylaw enforcement.

A document presented by city administration at the Wednesday, Dec. 4 meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit, shows an increase of $1.24 million to the cost of Prince George’s contract with the RCMP in 2025.

One of the reasons for the increase in policing costs, director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio told the committee, is higher wages since RCMP members negotiated their first collective agreement under the umbrella of the National Police Federation in 2021.

The increase in expected firefighting costs isn’t shown by itself, but the document does request a $175,000 funding increase for the 911 dispatch communication centre.

However, the city’s collective agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1372 expires in 2024 and the contingency portion of the budget accounts for both that and pay increases from step progression under the contract.

In November, Prince George RCMP announced it would be the first detachment in Northern BC to have its officers carry body-worn cameras. Frontline officers will start wearing the cameras effective Sunday, Dec. 8.

The Citizen previously reported that the purchase of about 100 cameras would cost Prince George taxpayers around $300,000.

Though the cost of the cameras isn’t referenced specifically in the operating budget, Dalio told the committee that it is reflected in the per-member cost charged to the city by the RCMP for policing services.

The city’s contract increases the number of RCMP officers from 149 to 156 for 2025.

The draft also proposes extra hires for police, fires and parks beyond what is incorporated into the initial tax increase request of 6.55 per cent.

On top of that staff proposes adding three additional RCMP officers to the city’s contract, bringing the total number to 156. Each new officer will cost the city an estimated $226,516 each for a total cost of $906,064.

Also proposed is the addition of three police support services staff employed by the city. One would be an assistant manager of operations at a cost of $140,093, a victim services worker at a cost of $92,116 and the last is a community policing co-ordinator at a cost of $96,785.

For fire protection, staff are proposing to have Prince George hire five new firefighters at a cost of $132,354 each. Around 20 per cent of that cost accounts for providing them with clothing and training.

As well, four senior firefighters would be promoted to lieutenants at a cost of $17,588 each. The entire staffing cost increase for fire services would be $732,122.

In bylaw services, the budget requests the hiring of four new bylaw officers at a cost of $92,668 each, plus $25,000 for uniforms, equipment and training. That totals $395,672.

If council agrees to these additions, it will increase the required property tax increase for 2025 by 1.7 per cent to a total proposed increase of 8.25 per cent. With files from Ted Clarke

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The city is considering adding to its firefighting ranks.

City offers first look at new $56M draft capital budget

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George’s draft capital budget for 2025 includes about $56.33 million in spending, the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit heard at its Dec. 4 meeting.

That’s up from the just over $40 million in capital spending in the approved 2024 budget.

The draft capital budget presented at the committee meeting contains a list of projects that have funding sources and those that do not.

Before presenting a draft capital budget, staff work hard to make sure that the resources capacity is in place for the projects and they’re all critical, must-do items, said Tiina Schaeffer, the city’s manager of sustainable community development.

“It looks at not only the proposed new capital plans and programs that are made in the plan, it also looks at what’s on the team’s plates underway now ... it also considers industry availability and timing and even economies of scale that can be realized when we go out for different contracts, tenders, things like that,” Schaeffer said.

“We’re also considering supply chain delays.”

Schaeffer said the draft 2025 capital plan is about 71 per cent renewal, 18 per cent is upgrades and 11 per cent is new programs or projects.

Major projects in 2025 include:

• $7 million for road rehabilitation projects

• $3.5 million for upgrades to the Hart sewage lift station

• $2.74 million for Two Rivers Gallery HVAC upgrades

• $2.5 million for water distribution system renewal

• $1.9 million for Carrie Jane Gray Park upgrades

• $1.8 million for wastewater treatment plant renewal

• $1.575 for sidewalk and walkway renewal

• $1.2 million for sanitary sewer system renewal

• $1 million for sanitary lagoon

re-routing,

• $1 million for sanitary forcemain and lift station renewal,

• $1 million for new water distribution system components

Following up on Schaeffer’s remarks, director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio said that the spending on the capital project is based on the operating budget including a one per cent hike in the tax levy charged to property owners for the General Infrastructure Reinvestment Levy.

That one per cent component of the operating budget’s overall proposed 6.55 per cent tax hike would work out to $1,388,391 more for the infrastructure levy than in 2023.

“If council were to come along and say ‘we want to cut the budget, so we want to cut that levy,’ you automatically impact this capital plan, we’ll automatically have to start unfunding items from it.

Funding sources for Prince George’s capital projects in 2025 include:

• An overall General Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund Levy of $5,360,873

• Canada Community Building Fund payment (formerly the Gas Tax Fund) of $3,500,000

• Provincial gaming funds worth $2,700,000

Staff warned that the last figure is dependent on gaming revenues. If casinos close, like they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, that amount could be reduced.

Dalio added that the city gets about $3 million in gaming funds, but $300,000 is taken off the top for the major events reserve.

While staff’s report said that a year’s capital funding can be bolstered by unspent funds for a cancelled project from a previous year, there have been no cancellations so far in 2024.

The proposed 2025 capital budget proposes two debt-funded projects.

The first is a new building automation system and chiller for the Civic Centre at an estimated cost of $3,260,000. A building automation system will control the facility’s heating, ventilation and parts relating to the air conditioning.

The second is renewal of the city’s stormwater system, which includes work on ponds, flood pumps, manholes, catch basins, culverts, storm mains and more. The cost of that work is estimated at $2,620,000.

Counteracting some of that new debt, $869,000 worth of annual debt servicing costs are set to expire in 2025 for money initially borrowed in 2005.

That includes:

• $103,000 in annual costs for borrowing related to snow disposal downtown and in the central bowl

• $135,000 for several road rehabilitation projects

• $31,000 for phase two of the city yard project

• $91,000 for improvements to the Exhibition Grounds

• $509,000 for improvements to the Hart/Nechako water supply

Under provincial regulation, the city cannot take on an annual debt servicing load greater than 25 per cent of its annual controllable revenues like property taxes, payments in lieu, user fees and unconditional grants.

As of 2023, the city had room to

borrow almost $425.9 million. A 2024 figure was not available in time for the committee meeting.

While sometimes people think of debt as a bad thing, Dalio said it’s not necessarily the case.

“We have access to great (interest) rates through the municipal finance authority,” Dalio said. “We can counter and maybe even beat inflation by using their services.”

The draft document also showed projected capital spending for both funded and unfunded projects for 2026 through 2029.

It projects approximately $49.92 million in funded capital projects for 2026, $39.82 million in 2027, $43.87 million in 2028 and $39.4 million in 2029.

Unfunded capital project costs for 2026 are projected at about $37.32 million, $18.81 million in 2027, $22.47 million in 2028 and $22 million in 2029. Combined, that would be about $87.24 million in capital spending in 2026, $58.64 million in 2027, $66.34 million in 2028 and $61.4 million in 2029.

Going forward, Dalio suggested that the committee flag currently unfunded capital projects early in the year.

There’s usually a finance committee meeting in the summer that doesn’t have anything on the agenda — Dalio said staff could investigate the cost and feasibility of adding those projects to a future year’s agenda and present their findings at that meeting.

One of the city’s plans for 2025 is to create a dedicated stormwater utility for managing water drainage. Dalio said recommendations on how to implement that will come before council sometime next year and will incorporate incentives for people who redirect water away from infrastructure, like with rain barrels.

Last year, upgrades to Memorial Park Cemetery were removed from the capital budget and are included once again in this year’s budget. Staff said that project has been downsized, eliminating much of the security component and aesthetic inprovements.

Council’s two budget meetings are currently scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on both Jan. 20 and 22, 2025.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Chris Axelson (front) discusses the future of Carrie Jane Gray Park with Arlene Langevin, Carrie Jane Gray’s daughter, at an open house earlier this year. The park is up for $1.9 million in upgrades in 2025.

Breaking down the city’s 2025 draft operating budget

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The City of Prince George’s draft operating budget for 2025 projects an $11,959,141 increase in expenses and a $2,862,713 increase in revenue compared to 2024.

The draft budget and a high-level overview were presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit’s Wednesday, Dec. 4 meeting.

Director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio said the city’s tax increases between 2021 and 2024 total a cumulative 18.32 per cent.

It’s roughly on pace with the Consumer Price Index changes over that time, which was a cumulative 17.70 per cent. The CPI measures inflation through monitoring the price of several household staples.

Dalio noted that municipalities have some similar purchases as households, like clothing and alcohol, but have other needs that households do not like policing, fire services and road maintenance.

That means that the CPI doesn’t necessarily capture what inflation is like for a city government.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest changes from 2024 to 2025.

Expense and revenue increases: City staff’s report shows a projected increase in expenses for certain categories in 2025 compared to 2024.

The approximate totals for those expenses are:

• $7.98 million more for increases to salaries and benefits for city staff

• $248,377 more for the Prince George Public Library

• $1.2 million more for the city’s RCMP contract

• $60,681 more in electricity costs

• $83,170 more for natural gas costs

• $23,638 more for water and sewer

• $10,896 more for district energy

• $616,064 more in debt servicing

• $90,251 more in fleet expenses

• $8,000 in one-time expenses

• $1.5 million more for “other adjustments”

The draft budget proposes hiring of two additional arborists for city parks as well as a new bucket truck and chipper 2025.

• $700,000 more for snow control

• $1.4 million for general infrastructure reinvestment and

• $300,000 more for road rehabilitation

Combined with a drop of almost $3 million in projected contingency funds, the total increased expenses for 2025 are projected to be $11,959,141 higher than 2024.

Expected increases in revenue are also shown. Those approximate figures include:

• $1,300,000 in projected tax base growth (city staff expect the final figure to be lower)

• $591,969 increase in grants-in-lieu (money paid by other levels of government instead of property taxes)

• $175,000 in additional revenue from the 911 dispatch centre

• $446,324 more from fees and charges,

• $217,000 more from investment revenue

• $132,420 more from increased revenue

Combined, that would mean a increase in revenue. To meet the $9,096,428 gap between the projected increase to expenses and the expected increase in revenues, the city would need to hike property taxes by 6.55 per cent.

Other projected spending and revenue increases: Some of those expense and revenue changes are broken down in the draft operating budget document. They include:

• $436,640 increase in road spending. This includes higher line painting, traffic control and road material cost increases

• $331,576 increase in myPG grants and increases to the city’s “big

four” arts service providers

• $419,287 in increased software licensing contracts

• $250,000 increase to the FortisBC operating fee provided to the city. Prince George receives three per cent of gross revenue from natural gas sales within municipal boundaries. This figure is projected based on 2024 totals.

• $109,750 increase in real estate lease revenue. This is partially driven by the city expecting 12 months of rental revenue from the Knight’s Inn housing project.

• Road rehabilitation: The draft 2025 budget proposes an increase in the road rehabilitation levy be increased from $6.7 million to $7 million.

Dalio told the committee during the meeting that his team tries to provide a figure that would allow for 50 lane kilometres of road to be maintained each year.

Currently, he said the city is seeing a year increase of five per cent per kilometre in its costs for asphalt, labour and fleet expenses to maintain current service levels.

Snow control: In 2025, city staff are requesting a $700,000 increase in the snow control budget from the $10.3 million put aside in 2024 to a total of $11 million. The 2024 draft budget proposed a snow control budget of $10.8 million before council removed a half-million during deliberations.

The most recent projection for 2024 snow removal costs is $9,820,962. However, Dalio said that projection was made before the snowfall during the last week of November.

“We’ll give you updated figures when the actual budget comes in January,” Dalio said.

However, if that figure stands, the $479,038 under budget would be added to the existing snow control reserve, leading to a year-end total of $2,715,966. That would mean that Prince George has snow control reserve funds worth 25 per cent of its annual net expenses.

City staff said that this will help mitigate risk in years where snowfall is greater than expected.

“Council may have the latitude to take a gamble again and reduce the snow levy and see how it works out,” Dalio said. “Again, you can bring in those updated numbers once we see a little bit more of December and how it plays out.”

Parks service enhancements: For the parks department, the draft budget says staff will propose the hiring of two additional arborists as well as purchasing a new bucket truck and chipper for them during budget talks in January 2025. The equipment purchases worth a projected $701,500 are proposed for the 2025 budget while the $198,574 for the arborists would be accounted for in the 2026 budget.

Also to be proposed next month are the additions of these positions:

• $106,797 to hire a communications specialist

• $108,278 to hire a recreation event co-ordinator for the parks department

• $100,000 to manage staffing costs for Canada Day and other events in community parks

• $112,424 to hire a parks planner

Because these additions aren’t currently reflected in the draft budget, should council accept them during deliberations, it would increase the needed tax property increase in 2025 by 0.45 per cent.

A report from city staff said that each percentage point of increased tax levies is worth around $1,388,391 in spending. Future years: On top of this year’s proposal budget, the document also showed early projections for the required property tax increases in the 2026 and 2027 budgets. Dalio said that for those years, the estimates are at a very high level at this point.

Cheapest house in Prince George listed at $234,900

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The cheapest detached single-family dwelling that’s not a mobile home or a recommended tear-down currently available in Prince George costs $234,900 and is located at 1839 Tamarack St.

Built in 1961, the rancher is 890 square feet and features three bedrooms and one bathroom and there’s even a laundry room.

The house has a concrete foundation and crawlspace.

It has city utilities and a forced-air natural gas furnace. The roof is conventional asphalt shingle.

The big bonus is there’s a garage in the back of the 6,120-square-foot piece of land.

City property taxes are $2,165.68.

The last time it was bought was Jan. 31, 2022 for $260,000 and it’s been on the market for about 60 days.

This is the lowest-priced house in Prince George right now. It’s located at 1839 Tamarack St.

The cheapest residence listed is a mobile home on North Nechako Road for $54,900 and the most expensive is

still the Bench Drive luxury home listed for $2.8 million. It’s been on the market for more than 200 days.

Right now there are 539 listings in Prince George, according to www. realtor.ca.

NEWS NOTES

Freeman Street fire causes $200K damage, no injuries

Nobody was hurt but damage is estimated at $200,000 after a fire Saturday, Dec. 7 in Prince George.

Fire crews headed to the 300 block of Freeman Street at about 11 p.m., where they found heavy brown smoke coming from the roofline and flames coming from a rear bedroom window of the single-family home.

The fire was quickly put out. The cause is under investigation.

Some transit routes taking a break over the holidays

BC Transit and the City of Prince George are advising customers that some local routes will not be operating as of Dec. 22, with service resuming Jan. 5.

The following routes will be out of service: Route 12 Parkridge, Route 96 Shas Ti Kelly Rd via N. Nechako, Route 97 Shas Ti Kelly Rd via John Hart Highway and any route denoted by a U or F in the

Rider’s Guide.

Service will be reduced on Route 15 UNBC/Downtown and Route 55 5th/Victoria during the same period.

Northern Health issues toxic ‘down’ drug warning

Northern Health is warning of a new dangerous drug in Prince George.

The drug, linked to overdoses, is being sold in a red chunk and is being called “down,” the health authority stated on Monday, Dec. 9.

“Down” has tested positive for fentanyl, carfentanil and high levels of bromazolam. Health officials are urging drug users to carry naloxone and not to use these drugs alone in case of overdose.

In addition, Northern Health recommends using drugs at the overdose prevention site, OPS, which is open by appointment Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with open clinic hours from 1:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. OPS by request/door service is available Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Public can weigh in on new city commercial projects

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The City of Prince George has put out notices for residents to comment on commercial project-related public hearings set for the Monday, Dec. 16 regular city council meeting.

The first relates to a former gravel pit at 880 Guay Road along Highway 16, near the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre.

On behalf of Eastway Sand & Gravel, L&M Engineering is asking for 22.7-hectare portion of a 48-hectare property to be rezoned from AG: Greenbelt and P6: Special Institutional to M2: General Industrial.

They’re also asking for a 3.3-hectare part of the property to be rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestry and P6: Special Institutional to Ag: Greenbelt. This will allow for a buffer zone of trees to remain in place to screen noise from activities at the property.

Then, the applicant also wants the 22.7-hectare part of the property’s future land use in the Official Community Plan to be amended from Rural Resource to Light Industrial.

A letter from L&M to a city planner dated Sept. 26 said that these changes will allow for Tyrod Industries to relocate to the property so it can expand its operation.

The letters said the company started in 2006 as an owner-operator welding rig and has expanded over the years to include industrial construction services fabricating and installing pressure piping systems, pressure vessels and structural steel.

Currently, the company is based in the Nechako Industrial Subdivision but has outgrown the space.

There will be a public hearing for this item starting at 7 p.m. To phone in to the public hearing, residents can call 1-877-708-3350 and enter the access code 1269574#.

Or, residents can attend the public hearing to deliver their thoughts in person.

1191 First Avenue: The second item is consideration of a temporary use permit

for the property at 1191 First Ave.

S&S Doors and More is applying for the permit on behalf of National Ski Experts, so that the property can operate as building and garden supply. If approved, that use would be allowed for up to three years.

4919 Chief Lake Road: The third and final item is a request for a development variance permit for 4919 Chief Lake Road, less than a kilometre west of where the road intersects with Highway 97.

A numbered company, 1168315

B.C. Ltd. is applying for permission to increase the size of signage on the property beyond what is allowed under the city’s sign bylaw.

It would allow for two signs instead of one, increase the maximum sign size from five square meters to 12 and increase the maximum sign height from 1.5 metres to 2.4.

A mock-up design for the signs the applicants want to install shows that they would be for a development called Legacy Park.

The development’s website says that phase one of Legacy Park is a 39-lot subdivision made up of craftsman-style houses.

More information for all these projects is available in the agenda for the Dec. 16 meeting, which was released on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

To comment on these proposals or the public hearing, residents can email the city clerk’s office at cityclerk@princegeorge.ca or send a fax to 250-561-0183.

Comments can be mailed or delivered to the corporate officer on the fifth floor of Prince George City Hall. With the Canada Post strike still ongoing at the time this article was written, it may be a good idea to drop off written letters in person.

These comments must be received by noon on Monday, Dec. 16 in order to receive consideration during the meeting.

Residents with questions can reach out to the development services department by emailing devserv@ princegeorge.ca, calling 250-561-7611 or visiting the office on the second floor of city hall.

OPINION Budget engagement: More voices need to be heard

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

As the City of Prince George moves forward with its proposed 2025 operating budget, which includes a 6.55 per cent property tax increase, we have to talk about how the city engages its residents in the budget planning process.

While city administration has made efforts to involve the public, the current engagement model attracts only a tiny fraction of the population, and those who do participate are often either focused on specific interests or are highly knowledgeable about city finances. This leaves a significant portion of the population, particularly the average ratepayer, underrepresented in a process that affects everyone.

The proposed rate hike, as discussed at the Dec. 4 meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit, would mean an additional $178.49 in property taxes for the average homeowner in 2025.

This increase, following a 6.78 per cent hike in 2024, is part of a broader trend of rising taxes over the last few years. Property taxes went up by 18.32 per cent between 2021 and 2024. This hefty a financial impact on residents makes it crucial that the city take more meaningful steps to involve the public in budget decisions.

The issue with the current public engagement process is that it does not reach enough people or represent the full range of views of Prince George’s

residents. According to city staff, more than 900 people participated in these most recent citizen budget and satisfaction surveys, but only 46 attended the in-person open house, with 168 engaging online. These numbers are a stark reminder of how many residents are excluded from the conversation –by their choice, of course, but excluded nonetheless.

One of the main reasons for the lack of engagement is that the current model tends to attract a very specific group of people. The individuals who typically participate in these surveys or attend open houses are often those with a niche interest in certain aspects of city spending or policy wonks who enjoy diving deep into the numbers. While their input is valuable, they do not represent the average Prince George ratepayer, who is more likely to be concerned with how budget decisions will impact their daily lives, whether it’s how much they’ll be paying in taxes, the quality of city services like snow removal or whether the infrastructure in their neighborhoods is being properly maintained.

City staff seem to recognize that

the current approach needs improvement, acknowledging that attendance at the budget open house was low and discussed potential changes to increase public participation in 2025. Ideas included holding events in more accessible locations instead of relying on a single venue.

There was also talk of combining budget discussions with more enjoyable community events, such as Winterfest or a Cougars game, which could help attract more people who might not typically engage with municipal budget discussions.

Public engagement in the budget process cannot be left to chance or occur only during the most convenient times. The city must actively seek out feedback from all corners of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups, such as those in lower socioeconomic brackets or those who might not have easy access to online platforms or public meetings. The goal should be to create an inclusive, ongoing conversation about the city’s financial priorities, not just a one-time consultation with a small and unrepresentative group.

It’s also important that city staff

rethink the kinds of questions they’re asking people. The citizen satisfaction survey in 2024 showed that residents generally favored maintaining the status quo on spending for most city departments, with a notable desire for more funding for infrastructure. While this feedback shows a level of sophistication and awareness from residents, it is important to recognize that the people who filled out the surveys might not represent the diversity of the city.

The city’s 2025 budget is already taking shape, with several key proposals on the table, including increased spending for snow control, road rehabilitation and the hiring of new staff to support critical city services.

The budget also includes one-time expenses for projects like the demolition of the training tower at Fire Hall No. 2 and the creation of a stormwater utility. These are important decisions that will affect the lives of all residents, but we cannot expect to make the best choices without broad public input.

Ultimately, the budget planning process is not just about numbers. It’s about the future of our city and the well-being of its residents.

If the City of Prince George wants to create a budget that balances the needs and desires of its citizens with the priorities of the local government, it must do more to engage the public. By making the budget process more inclusive and accessible, the city can ensure that more people have a voice in shaping our future.

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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

One item on the draft 2025 city budget is $100,000 to manage staffing costs for Canada Day and other events in community parks.

Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

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We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Gordon Managing Editor

OPINION

It’s a shame to see 300-year-old logs treated like this

Whenever there’s a shortage of low-quality ‘pulp logs,’ we simply use top-grade sawlogs

The Back Story

I’m sure the denials will be numerous and certain but it’s an open secret there are mountains of top quality sawlogs decked at the PG Saw chip plant for chipping.

One source, who I can’t name, sent me a photo of one log, 50 inches in diameter, solid, and pushing 300 years old, being hauled out of the McGregors to the chip plant.

It’s one of those things nobody likes to talk about. Whenever there is a shortage of low quality “pulp logs” to make pulp and paper, we simply use top-grade sawlogs, much of it irreplaceable old growth, to make our disposable paper products.

It’s totally legal and as long as the price of pulp sustains it, it will happen.

The problem has grown worse with the shutdown of local mills like Polar in Bear Lake.

Polar had a giant band saw headrig that used to chew through oversize logs up to 60 inches in diameter. With that mill shut down, not only has the chip supply been reduced, but oversize logs have nowhere to go other than the button-top splitter and chipper. And if we want the pulp mills to keep running, chips have to come from somewhere.

It’s almost like Canfor foresaw the problem. A few years ago they did a major upgrade to their log-chipping facility at PG Saw to chip small-diameter logs.

But instead of running those small-diameter logs, it is now busy hogging down big logs just in time to alleviate the chip supply constraints imposed by the shutdown of regional sawmills from Houston through to Isle Pierre.

In a way the industry has come full

circle. In its dying days we are back to where the pulp mills started: Chipping grade A sawlogs and old growth.

It’s nevertheless a pretty harsh insult to the public after we gave the pulp mills 10s of millions of public dollars to help them get actual pulp logs last year. I guess we need to spend another $50 million to get them more.

There’s a better option. We start thinning the plantations. Instead of feeding the pulp mills

old-growth gold, we feed them plantation pine.

For some reason the government is preventing this.

For some reason, going into the 30-year-old plantations and thinning out the dense pine for pulp and sawlog to improve wildlife, wildfire resilience and log quality, something the Scandinavians and Germans have been doing for centuries, is not something the government wants to encourage.

It’s nevertheless a pretty harsh insult to the public after we gave the pulp mills 10s of millions of public dollars to help them get actual pulp logs last year.’

From what I understand the government thinks thinning young conifer plantations will delay how quickly a plantation can achieve its maximum rate of growth, or the mean annual increment (MAI) measurement.

In layman’s terms, the government’s faulty Vegetative Resource Inventory (VRI), which is consistently underestimating plantation growth, says thinning stands will cause a slight reduction in the annual allowable cut.

There is reason to be skeptical of this.

The ministry may think yield projection models are gospel. But they are only as good as the VRI data that feeds it. And chipping up sawlogs instead of spindly pines is a big price to pay for out-of-date data and bureaucratic bull-headedness.

Thinning out the plantations can save our old-growth from the chipper, can save our pulp mills from the dustbin, and a big one for me is it can open up dense, lifeless plantations, many of them previously sprayed with glyphosate, to get some fire-resistant aspen and birch growing and much-needed habitat and biodiversity for our wildlife and moose.

Let’s hope new Forest Minister Ravi Parmar gets on this topic early and hard.

The only thing preventing this win-win scenario is bureaucratic commitment to the broken status quo.

James Steidle is a Prince George writer.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A source provided James Steidle with this photograph showing a 50-inch log being hauled out of the McGregors.

JAMES STEIDLE

OPINION

From stage to sports, Prince George’s community spirit shines

Couldn’t agree more. We have much to be proud of. Even where we may disagree vehemently with each other, Prince George people do not shy away, and when the going gets tough, they work together, regardless of differing perspectives.

I, for one, will continue to remind myself to count my blessings.

OldFatGuy

From stage to sports, Prince George’s community spirit shines

So very true.

As much as some of us deride PG (myself included at times) its greatest asset is its community spirit and friendliness.

It’s a place where you actually know your neighbors and where they help each other and actually talk to one another.

Try living in Kelowna or at the worst Vancouver to experience how cliquey, withdrawn, and stuck up people are.

The people of PG are real and genuine and grounded and that’s what makes PG special.

BGeez

City of Prince George to consider hiring more police, firefighters

I question the purposes of more RCMP. I think there should be less. Most criminals are released before the paperwork is done. Might as well save the money and maybe give it to the victims of the crime.

Drew Kerr

City of Prince George to consider hiring more police, firefighters

Having two cars strictly on traffic speeding offences in and around PG would pay for themselves. Double the speed limit seems to be the norm on most streets. Talk about a cash cow for the cops.

hankbuck

Prince George’s Civic Light Up proved there’s life in the plaza yet

I am so impressed with the work done to make the Canada Games Plaza such a fun place to meet up with friends and family. Way to go Tourism PG for having the vision! I look forward to all the other activations/events that will happen there.

S Goods

City of Prince George looks to boost budget engagement

This is a good idea, but in the end meaningless if all they do is ignore what the majority of residents want.

Residents continually tell them to cut pet-projects and globalist nonsense from the budget, yet they continue to serve their masters instead of the people they’re supposed to represent.

DD22

City of Prince George looks to boost budget engagement

Good ideas and now how about finding out exactly how much these services cost?

We need to be pragmatic about this as the never ending increases in taxes is leading everyone to live outside the city yet they still have access to all PG has to offer including the roads to get to work.

How much to add a new sidewalk, do we need a sidewalk, do those residents that have no sidewalks have to pay for them? Not fair and it has to be dealt with. Don’t have a park or trail in your catchment, then why are we paying for parks and trails on our taxes?

Time for a change in how we look at things and can pay for things.

CC Mail

Share your views on our stories at pgcitizen.ca

BC SPCA rescues 59 dogs and several birds from Quesnel breeder

These people need harsh punishment.

Theses are vulnerable animals that can’t fend for themselves.

I’m sick of people trying to make money from breeding animals and not caring for them.

There are many strays and neglected animals.

Heartbreaking.

I can only hope punishments are severe to serve as a deterrent to others.

Jennifer Lussier

End of an era: Nechako Medical Clinic has its last day on Saturday

A sign of the times and our health care system.

I saw Dr.Higgins at the clinic in Spruceland many years ago.

I tried to become one oh his patients, but he wasn’t taking on new patients.

I felt he was a very caring person.

Dakelh tseke

Breaking down Prince George’s proposed 2025 operating budget

On snow removal, the city could be making a lot of money by ticketing the people that do not move their cars.

Seven in our block alone and many more on other streets and all the people that park on the wrong side of the road.

skidderbugs

End of an era at Urgent and Primary Care Clinic

Northern Health makes changes after doctors end their contract

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

As one of the founding members of the Nechako Medical Clinic group of doctors, family physician Liam Higgins has been seeing patients since the Prince George clinic opened in 1992.

On Saturday, he worked one last shift as part of the doctor group that is at the end of its contract with Northern Health to operate the Parkwood Mall clinic, now known as the Urgent & Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

The UPPC provides a vital lifeline for patients who do not have a primary care provider (either a doctor of nurse practitioner) but due to changes in the way doctors are paid and the fee-forservice model, collectively the clinic is not seeing enough patients to pay the overhead costs of operating the clinic.

A clinic that used to have 40 or 50 doctors in the Nechako group is now down to about 20 and that’s not enough to cover the costs of paying clerical/ reception/cleaning staff as well as the cost of leasing the building.

“There’s less and less doctors working in it, so they couldn’t cover all the shifts and no matter how good you are you can only see so many per shift,” said Higgins. “So suddenly, instead of seeing 150 or 170 a day they might be seeing 60 or 70 a day.

“The group accumulated quite a bit of money for a rainy day, but that money, over the last two years, was being eroded and it was getting to the point that if they didn’t close it we wouldn’t be able to keep it going.”

Higgins said the seven staff members at the clinic will be paid severance but that had to be paid while there was still money in the group’s savings account.

On Sunday, Northern Health took over as the operator of the clinicknown for its long lineups of patientsand will introduce a new service model.

Doctors at the UPPC will no longer be paid based on the number of patients they see and instead will receive

salaries based on a fixed hourly rate.

Higgins said the change might discourage some doctors from signing up for the clinic.

“Some of them would have made more on the old system, so they might not want to come, but on the other hand, some of them who might be newer (to the city) might have made less in the old system because it would take them longer to see them,” said Higgins.

“So far it hasn’t been taken up that well with signing up for it.”

The new clinic hours for urgent care walk-in appointments will be Monday-Friday 4-8 p.m., and for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays it will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The clinic will also operate in daytime hours for pre-scheduled appointments from 8 a.m-4 p.m.

Each doctor will be working two- or 2 ½-hour shifts.

The Nechako Group has been operating the clinic Monday-Wednesday 4-9 p.m. and Thursday and Friday 1-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

The new service model not only means reduced hours, but patients will no longer have immediate access to a

practitioners, nurses, mental health clinicians, a social worker and a physiotherapist. Patients can call the virtual clinic at 1-844-645-7811.

The province also has a nurse available by phoning 811 for patients to access medical advice before leaving home.

You can also book the services of a pharmacist online or visit a pharmacy to receive treatment for 21 minor ailments including: acne, allergies/hay fever, canker sores (oral ulcers), cold sores, fungal infections, headaches, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hives and itching (including from bug bites), impetigo, menstrual pain, nicotine dependence, pink eye, pinworms/threadworms, shingles, skin rash (dermatitis), sprains and strains, thrush, upset stomach, urinary tract infection and yeast infection.

doctor at the clinic. Instead, they will be triaged by a nurse upon arrival and will be seen in order of urgency, rather than the time they arrive.

Depending on the patient’s condition, that might mean they will be seen that day by a doctor, nurse practitioner, social worker, physiotherapist or other health professional or be sent to the emergency department at University Hospital of Northern BC.

Some patients will be booked for an appointment the following day or will be referred to their family doctor, pharmacist or other community resource. Others will receive appointments that will be handled remotely by teleconference and/or video.

In the case of an emergency, Northern Health recommends patients either go directly to the emergency department at UHNBC or call 911. The emergency room tends to patients experiencing sudden and/or unusual changes in their health, including but not limited to breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or pain, broken bones, chest pain, suspected overdoses or eye injuries.

Northern Health also operates a virtual clinic (open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m.) that is staffed by doctors, nurse

A pharmacist will also provide contraceptives (for birth control), a renewal or change of some prescriptions, immunizations and drugs by injection, and will make recommendations to see another health care professional.

With nearly one-quarter of British Columbians unattached to a family physician, Higgins says it’s critical for each patient to be their own best advocate.

“Patients have to look out for themselves,” said Higgins. “Patients at the walk-in clinic get about a quarter of the level of care that patients of full-time (general practitioners) get.”

Where patients in a doctor’s office usually take more of that doctor’s time to assess multiple health concerns, usually a clinical visit is limited to a shorter timeframe in which only one ailment is addressed and that can lead to more complicated medical conditions.

“It’s a much better service (in a doctor’s office) and they have longitudinal care, so if you order something you’ll probably get called back about it, and you won’t fall through the cracks,” said Higgins.

“You could easily fall through he cracks in the walk-in clinic. I could order some tests there and not have seen the result of it and unless the patient follows up themselves, it might never surface until something serious happens.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

After 33 years working at the Nechako Medical Clinic, family doctor Liam Higgins worked his last shift Saturday as part of the doctor group that has been operating the Urgent and Primary Care Centre at Parkwood Place. Northern Health took over as the operator starting Sunday.

Tabor Mountain owner denies province’s allegations

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tabor Mountain Ski Resort Ltd.

(TMSR) and its owner denied the provincial government’s allegations that they misspent the proceeds of an insurance payout from the January 2018 fire that destroyed the ski lodge.

In a Nov. 15-filed reply to the province’s June 3 B.C. Supreme Court notice of claim, TMSR and Fernand Wilfred Thibault “specifically deny that they knowingly and falsely represented to the plaintiff the total value of the insurance proceeds received by them, and say, and the fact is, that the insurance proceeds received by Tabor Mountain were recorded and displayed in the financial information provided to the plaintiff on an annual basis.”

The court filing said the ski lodge was valued at $1,188,953 but the insurer provided $809,633, representing the

depreciated value. The province’s filing claimed that TMSR and Thibault received about $928,829 in 2018 and they falsely claimed last April that the insurer paid only $591,800.

“Due to the unprofitable operations

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER AMENDING

Regional Board Procedure Bylaw No. 3267, 2022

In accordance with the Local Government Act, notice is hereby given that the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Board intends to consider amending Regional Board Procedure Bylaw No. 3267, 2022 on December 19, 2024 at 1:30 pm at 155 George Street, Prince George.

Proposed Amendment Bylaw No. 3368, 2024 requires votes in opposition to motions be recorded in meeting minutes except when Directors request their vote not be recorded. On December 12, 2024 the proposed bylaw and report will be on rdffg.ca in the December 19, 2024 Regional Board Meeting Agenda.

For more info, contact M. Connelly, Corporate Officer at 250-960-4400 or corporateservices@rdffg.bc.ca

of Tabor Mountain, and its general financial position, no other funds were available to reconstruct the ski lodge other than the insurance proceeds,” said the TMSR reply. “The insurance proceeds alone were insufficient for Tabor Mountain to reconstruct the ski lodge.”

With the “consent and active encouragement” of the province, TMSR claimed it sought help from non-profit sports organizations to rebuild the ski lodge. Thibault said he met in September 2018 at TMSR with representatives of the province to discuss its future operations. For four and a half-years, he claimed to work on a master plan, with assistance of the province, and sought approval from local Indigenous groups to expand the resort.

The TMSR reply also said that the province did not inform the company or Thibault until September 2023 that the proof of insurance was deficient and did not meet the requirements of the operating agreement or lease. The reply said that TMSR also learned from the province in September 2023 “for the first time” that the improvements on the land, including the ski lodge, were owned by the province.

TMSR and Thibault said that the province knew or ought to have known that TMSR’s books showed the land, including the ski lodge, as the company’s depreciable assets or leasehold improvements. It also said the province

knew the insurance coverage met its requirements.

TMSR’s reply said the resort, which is 20 kilometres east of Prince George, operated from at least 1980. In 2015, Tabor Mountain was a ski and snowboard venue during the Canada Winter Games. The 20-year operating agreement on 135 hectares of Crown land expired in 2020, but was renewed, most recently through July 2024.

Thibault acquired shares in the company in 2004 from Clarence Fillion Jr. and became the sole shareholder, director and officer when he bought out Tim Fillion on Dec. 10, 2007.

The province’s lawsuit claimed TMSR and Thibault “unlawfully distributed” the insurance money in the form of repayments for taxes owed, as well as repayments for loans owed to shareholders, “including payments to Thibault.”

It also alleged the money went to buy goods and equipment and three properties in the Ferndale area.

The notice of claim was filed on June 3 in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria. On July 24, a notice of application was filed on Thibault’s behalf. The application asserted that arbitration, not litigation, was the appropriate venue to deal with the matter.

On Nov. 12, by consent of both parties, the court dismissed the TMSR application to stay the lawsuit.

With files from Mark Nielsen

The lodge at the Tabor Mountain ski hill was destroyed in a fire on Jan. 31, 2018.

Defence offers no testimony in machete attack trial

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A B.C. Supreme Court judge finished hearing evidence Thursday, Dec. 5 in the trial of two men charged with with aggravated assault and break and enter after a 2022 machete attack in a Prince George hotel.

A Crown prosecutor and lawyers for Kerridge Andrew Lowley, 49, and Dakota Rayn Keewatin, 31, will reconvene for up to three days — Jan. 28, 30 and 31 — for closing submissions.

Defence lawyers Jason LeBlond for Keewatin and Terry La Liberté for Lowley told Justice John Gibb-Carsley that they would not call any evidence. After hearing the closing submissions, Gibb-Carsley will decide the accused’s fates based on Crown prosecutor Andrea Norlund’s case, which concluded with testimony from a Prince George RCMP drug investigation specialist.

Const. Daniel Farwell began his testimony in the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 4 and finished mid-morning Thursday, Dec. 5.

He told the court that the first name of the victim of the Aug. 11, 2022 machete attack appeared on a drug dealing “scoresheet.”

Farwell was introduced as an expert in the methods of use, sale, distribution, packaging, pricing, trafficking and concealment of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and methamphetamine. He said his expertise, since 2017, includes investigations of street-level dealers selling a tenth of a gram all the way to “kilo-level drug traffickers.”

Farwell said drug scoresheets are commonly found in the course of an investigation. They are “essentially like a business ledger,” with a tally of money owed and money paid, quantities of drugs, and a record of profit and loss. Scoresheets are as unique as each drug trafficking operation. They may be on

Drug dealer’s SUV, cash called ‘proceeds of crime’ in court

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Director of Civil Forfeiture is claiming that a sport utility vehicle and cash the RCMP seized from a Prince George man are the proceeds of crime and should be surrendered to the province.

In a B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit filed Tuesday, Dec. 3 in Victoria, the director seeks the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited registered to Scott William Loutit and $8,490 in cash found in Loutit’s clothes and sport utility vehicle on Aug. 9. Loutit was convicted five months earlier in B.C. Supreme Court of drug and gun offences.

RCMP saw the vehicle parked in an area known to be used for drug trafficking, and later pulled it over for traffic violations. Loutit was driving.

Police searched the vehicle and found 211.89 grams of methamphetamine in a

paper — even as rudimentary as the back of a napkin — or in more-sophisticated form on a digital device. Whatever the format, they are subject to analysis and the information recorded is not always obvious to the reader.

“In order to know exactly what was written and how it was written and why it was written, we would have to speak to the author,” Farwell said.

In the case of the scoresheet with the victim’s first name, Farwell said his analysis concluded that the “person would have incurred more debt, paid some of that debt off, and then it looks like actually paid a little bit more of that off, with that last payment probably being around $40 and then the amount owing still would be $1,800.”

The trial earlier heard that police

the University Hospital of Northern B.C. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Ali Bakkai testified Tuesday, Dec. 3 that the man was an “advanced trauma, life support” patient who required emergency surgery for multiple deep lacerations, nerve, muscle, tendon and bone injuries.

Under cross-examination, Farwell was asked about drug paraphernalia that appears in crime scene photographs. He was shown one of a bathroom counter in room 255 of the Econo Lodge. He identified a glass object with a blackened end as a pipe used to smoke either methamphetamine or fentanyl. Other photographs of a small desk showed torch-style lighters and digital scales.

“That’s further supportive of the idea that there’s likely trafficking occurring

large plastic bag in the middle console, another $5,425 in Canadian cash and drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale with suspected drug residue.

The Director of Civil Forfeiture’s notice said Loutit filed a claim on Nov. 6 for the return of the money and vehicle by way of a Notice of Dispute to Administrative Forfeiture Proceedings.

The director alleges Loutit engaged in possession and trafficking of controlled substances, possession and laundering of the proceeds of crime and failure to declare taxable income.

None of the allegations has been proven in court and Loutit has yet to file a response.

In another case, Justice Sandra Wilkinson found Loutit guilty March 11 of three counts: storing firearms carelessly, possession of a loaded restricted firearm and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it. The charges stem from a search of a home in March 2019.

Teacher convicted of sexual assault seeks to toss verdict

Brendan Boylan, found guilty of sexual assault last month, cites court delays

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A lawyer for a Prince George teacher convicted last month of sexual assault told a B.C. Supreme Court judge on Monday, Dec. 9 that his client wants to delay sentencing and apply to stay the charge because of court delays.

On Nov. 20, Justice Simon Coval convicted Brendan Tomas Boylan, 38, of sexually assaulting a woman he lived with in 2018 in Prince George. The woman testified in court that they had a consensual sexual encounter, but Boylan refused to stop when she asked. As a result, Boylan caused her to suffer injuries.

Defence lawyer Jon Duncan said he is seeking three court days in March to

make the application under the section of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that states anyone charged with an offence has the right to be tried within a reasonable time.

Boylan was charged in November 2020 and his trial began in April 2023. Coval heard evidence intermittently until Sept. 27 of this year.

In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada set time limits. Lawyers for a B.C. man charged with drug trafficking, Barrett

Site C reservoir safety

The Site C reservoir between Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope has been filled. There are new hazards as the surrounding land continues to stabilize.

The public is strongly urged to stay away from the shoreline and off the slopes along the new reservoir for at least a year.

BC Hydro is monitoring for erosion and slope instability and will advise when the reservoir is deemed safe for public use.

○ If you see someone in danger, please call 9-1-1.

○ If you see an animal in distress in the reservoir area, please contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service through the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at: 1 877 952 RAPP (7277).

For more information visit SiteCproject.com or call 1 877 217 0777.

Richard Jordan, successfully argued trial delays breached his Charter rights to a timely trial.

“The presumptive ceiling is 18 months for cases tried in the provincial court, and 30 months for cases in the superior court (or cases tried in the provincial court after a preliminary inquiry),” said the high court ruling. “Delay attributable to or waived by the defence does not count towards the presumptive ceiling.” Duncan said he has not heard back

from the trial scheduler about available dates in March. He told the court that he provided April and May dates, if necessary.

He also indicated that his office started ordering trial transcripts for use in the Charter application, but he is having difficulty obtaining them in a timely fashion.

“Some other files that I’m involved with, there’s months-long delays,” Duncan said. “So we’re very concerned about that, given that it could delay the Jordan application. That’s one of the reasons we want to go before Justice Coval as quickly as possible.”

Justice Ronald Tindale adjourned the matter to Monday, Dec. 16 for a case management conference.

The B.C. government’s online registry of teachers shows Boylan signed an undertaking on Nov. 22 to not practise, “pending resolution of a matter before the commissioner or a hearing panel under Part 6 of the Teachers Act.”

WestJet passenger awarded a third of her delayed luggage claim

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A WestJet passenger whose luggage was temporarily lost between Prince George and Ottawa two years ago was awarded just over a third of what she demanded.

According to a May 16 small claims ruling from B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), which was amended and republished on Dec. 5, Corrine Allbee checked two bags on an Aug. 28, 2022 flight to the capital that did not arrive with her the next day. She reported the bags missing and the airline created a delayed bag report.

In the meantime, Allbee bought $945.85 of essentials from a Walmart store in-person and online via the Lululemon website.

Her bags were found and delivered Aug. 31.

WestJet called Allbee’s claim

unreasonable and said that Allbee had earlier declined a $302.25 compensation offer from the airline.

Tribunal member Megan Stewart found Allbee was not entitled to compensation for the Lululemon purchase.

While she ordered the clothes online before her baggage was delivered, the shipment arrived Sept. 1 and Stewart said it would have been reasonable for Allbee to return the items as per the company’s refund policy.

Stewart also deemed the $588.20 spent at Walmart “excessive.”

“On a judgment basis, I allow $215.27 for the two hoodies, two tops, two tanks, two bras, one pair of joggers, one item of footwear, and socks she bought. I also allow $100 for toiletries, for a total of $315.27,” Stewart wrote.

Stewart ordered WestJet to pay that sum, plus $22.33 in pre-judgment interest, within 14 days.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Brendan Tomas Boylan’s lawyer told court Monday that the delay in getting his case to trial violated his Charter rights.

Moccasin Flats warming centre closes permanently

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

To residents of the Moccasin Flats it’s known as the warming centre, and especially when it’s cold and wet outside, it is their lifeline.

Located on the other side of the fence next to the encampment, it’s a place people can go to be inside, get fed, have a shower and spend the night out of the elements.

Opened in early January by the Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC), the not-for-profit group that operates it, the warming centre, otherwise known as the safety site, will be closed permanently Monday morning.

AWAC executive director Connie Abe says that has long been the plan, with the new BC Housing temporary supportive housing complex a couple of blocks east of the warming centre scheduled to open in the next couple of weeks. As soon as the city issues an occupancy permit, that will give the remaining Moccasin Flats residents will have an alternative to their makeshift tents and shelters, and the warming centre at its current location will be redundant.

“We were given notice in September or October that those trailers were going to be open so they no longer needed the use of the safety site at Moccasin Flats,” said Abe.

With the Third Avenue housing complex opening date still uncertain, AWAC has already found an alternate warming centre site more centrally located in the downtown core.

Starting on Monday night, AWAC will begin using the St. Vincent de Paul Drop-In Centre at 1220 Second Ave., as its overnight safety site. It will be open every day from 9 p.m.-7 a.m., which will give time for staff to clean up the drop-in centre as St. Vincent de Paul needs the space to prepare and distribute its bagged breakfasts and lunches to clients.

The cost of operating the new warming centre will be shared by the Reaching Home federal program and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal

Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA). Abe said the province funds warming centres only when weather warnings are declared and that creates difficulty finding staff.

“We knew a warming centre is desperately needed still, so I started working on securing another site and (on Thursday) I was given confirmation - I applied for Reaching Home funds through PGNAETA to open up a different warming centre,” Abe said.

“St. Vincent de Paul has graciously allowed us to utilize their space at night so we can operate a warming centre there seven days a week (until the end of March). Nothing is changing to St. Vincent’s operation, we’re just utilizing their space at night.”

The Moccasin Flats warming centre at 497 Fourth Ave. was open all hours of the day until September, when it was reduced to 12 hours (8 p.m.-8 a.m.).

“On a really cold night we’d have upwards of 45 to 50 people in there and

some nights we’d have 60 people there,” said Abe.

“One of the things that we find remarkable is the individuals who access that site, they actually monitor that site too. So when they see somebody that’s getting out of hand, out of control, a lot of the clients deal with it themselves and they’ll ask that person that’s being a problem to leave. They know any kind of challenges they give our staff, it could jeopardize the ability to keep the place running.”

The new warming centre will offer food and drinks and a place to sleep.

The AWAC outreach team with its crew of two will continue to operate at night trying to convince people who are outdoors at night to come inside.

Even when they refuse, Abe says they continually check up on that person through the night to make sure they are OK.

Having the warming centre right next to Moccasin Flats over the past year has

allowed AWAC staff and other social workers to connect with clients in safe place where they can have conversations with them.

“It is a gateway for us because we got to know a lot of individuals that we would nit have had the opportunity to get to know and just through that we were able to transition people straight from the streets to a recovery house,” said Abe.

“We support individuals at whatever stage of life they’re at to let them know whenever they’re ready and want to make a change in their lives we can help them.”

AWAC operates a 40-bed shelter that’s reserved just for women, but the services the organization provides are for everybody. Clients of the shelter, at 144 George St., no longer have to register daily and can reserve their beds on a more permanent basis while also being allowed to store in bins under their bed some of their personal belongings.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

The AAWAC warming centre at 497 Fourth Ave., opened Jan. 2 and offered 24/7 service to its clients in downtown Prince George until September, when it became a nighttime-only operation. It closed Monday.

Third Avenue temporary housing nears opening date

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The first occupants of a temporary shelter built adjacent to the homeless encampment on Lower Patricia Boulevard will be moving into the facility at 397 Third Ave. at some point in the coming weeks, BC housing reports.

After more than seven months of construction, the 42-room Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) transitional shelter facility for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness is finished. BC Housing is now waiting on a permit to begin moving residents in.

Connective, the facility operator, will complete its staff training and kitchen setup over the next 10 days before the first occupants arrive.

The shelter is equipped with a commercial kitchen, amenity space (dining room and offices) and a shared laundry room. Each of the 42 units is equipped with basic furniture, bed sheets, towels and blankets. Some units have washrooms accessible for people with mobility challenges.

There is also some room for storage at the discretion of the operator, Connective.

Pets might be allowed, on a case-bycase basis, and those decisions will be left to the people who operate the facility.

A third-party security company has been hired and the modular camp is equipped with cameras. Staff are trained in how to utilize the cameras and security system to mitigate risks. The entire site is fenced and a gatehouse will be installed after occupancy begins.

Residents who smoke or vape will be required to do so outdoors in a smoking area that is within sight of the office and cameras. The shelter will also have a supervised safe consumption area for drug users.

The trailers are all equipped with a sprinkler system and residents will have the protection of fire alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The low-barrier housing will be made available to people who have a varying

degree of needs and the transitional facility meets the government’s Housing First mandate which emphasizes housing as a basic need that provides the stability and safety needed for individuals to rebuild their lives.

According to BC Housing, the criteria for choosing residents will be based on the following:

“Residents will be people who are living in the community in shelters and from the Lower Patricia encampment who are ready for independent housing with embedded supports. Tenant selec tion is a collaboration between Connec tive (the building operator), BC Housing and several other agencies.”

Preference will be given to Prince George residents, especially those cur rently living in encampments.

The Third Avenue camp is not designed to allow couples to room together nor is there support for fami lies with children.

“For families who are experiencing homelessness, BC Housing prioritizes providing subsidized housing, as it’s available and when it matches the needs of the individual, said BC Housing spokesperson Cait Wills, in an email to The Citizen.

“All shelter staff in Prince George have access to resources through the Ministry of Children and Family Development should anyone request supports for minors, and the Youth Connects youth shelter is also available as a service. Additionally, there are two women’s transition housing shelters in Prince George available for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

“In Prince George, for couples seeking shelter, the Second Avenue Temporary Housing Drop-In Centre may be able to accommodate them. In supportive housing, couples are typically given their own units, and they can visit each other as they wish.”

Third Avenue residents will receive daily meals and will have 24/7 on-site staff support, where they will have access to healthcare referrals/wellness checks and connections or referrals to community services and support groups.

Residents will pay rent and be required to sign an agreement that outlines their responsibilities but that will not be considered a rental agreement because the units are considered transitional housing.

operator currently manages four other sites in Prince George. The province selected Connective as the Third Avenue operator based on its history of providing innovative, person-centered services that help individuals meet

What’s happening in PG

Christmas Memories presented by The Forever Young Chorus goes Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens Recreation Association, 1692 Tenth Ave. Tickets are on sale at the Rec Centre for $12 each.

Hart of Christmas Market goes Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Hart Centre Mall, 6565 Hart Hwy. There will be local vendors selling their wares and Santa photos provided by a local photographer.

Langley Rivermen at Prince George Spruce Kings goes Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at Kopar Memorial Arena, 888 Dominion St. For Spruce Kings tickets visit https:// www.sprucekings.bc.ca/tickets

Christmas Brunch goes Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at Spruce Capital Senior Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. This breakfast brunch features eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, pancakes, French toast and fresh fruit with a chocolate fondue and a variety of beverages. $25 for adults, $12.50 for children. Tickets are at the Centre.

Indigenous Holiday Market goes Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. at Harwin Elementary School, 1193 Harper St. Local artists, kids craft station and a concession are featured during this first-ever event. Please bring a perishable or non-perishable food item for the food collection provded to local families in need.

A Merry Morning at the Museum goes Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 to 11 am at The Exploration Place, 333 Becott Place. In a whimsical wonderland enjoy the magic and nostalgia of the holiday

Offering a joyful, welcoming space for everyone, especially people who identify as queer, trans, non-binary, genderfluid, or drag performers, to explore, experiment, and express their style, judgment-free. Here, you can discover how to alter, customize, upcycle, and adapt clothing to celebrate every body type and unique sense of style. For all the details visit https://www.facebook. com/events/2354066518279854

season with delicious food, retro toys and Santa Claus. There is a breakfast buffet that includes a variety of food suitable for all dietary requirements and little ones can create a unique ornament and decorate cookies. Adults are $49.95, children five to 12 are $24.95 children up to four years old are free with a paid adult. For more information and tickets visit https://theexplorationplace.com/ event/merrymorning/

Christmas Dinner Party goes Saturday, Dec. 14, doors at 5 and dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Prince George Senior Activity Centre, 145 Brunswick St. Dinner, prizes, surprises, fun and entertainment. Pre-purchase tickets prior to Dec. 12. No tickets at the door. Tickets are

$26 each.

The Culling of Krampus 2 goes Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Prince George Legion 43, 101-1116 Sixth Ave. Dress in your best spooky/festive attire and save $5 of the $25 at the door and save another $5 by bringing non perishable food donation.

P&R Fourth annual Christmas Market goes Sunday Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 12800 Salmon Valley Road. There will be hayrides and bonfires, food and drink and a visit from Santa.

Queer Clothing Swap and Sewing Workshop goes Sunday, Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St., in partnership with the Northern BC Queer Connection Society.

Kim’s Convenience goes until Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Theatre NorthWest, 556 North Nechako Rd. Embark on a touching and comical journey with the critically acclaimed play that celebrates family, culture, and humour. Follow the misadventures of the lovable Kim family as they navigate the challenges of running a convenience store in Toronto’s vibrant Regent Park neighbourhood. Filled with laughter, poignant moments, and cultural insights, this play is a delightful exploration of the universal themes that connect us all. For more information and tickets visit www.tickets.theatrenorthwest.com/ kimsconvenience.

Celebration of Lights goes Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 23 and again from Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, 850 River Road. Delight in the biggest light show in Northern BC with over 150,000 lights, light displays, rail cars and buildings in the museum park. For more information about scheduled entertainment and advance tickets visit www. pgrfm.bc.ca.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Celebration of Lights goes Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 23 and again from Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum.

By Ins Choi

Kim’s Convenience is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Yet Another Winter’s Eve - More Songs and Stories Celebrating Christmas goes Saturday, Dec. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave., in downtown Prince George. Join Jody Newham, storyteller; Shoshanna Godber, harp; Raghu Lokanathan, accordion; Dave Godber, guitar; for an evening of stories and songs of the season. Family friendly. Admission is pay-what-you-can.

Nanaimo Clippers at Prince George Spruce Kings goes Saturday, Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. at Kopar Memorial Arena, 888 Dominion St. For Spruce Kings tickets visit https:// www.sprucekings.bc.ca/tickets

Light Up the Orchard goes until Dec. 31 at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road. Walk through enchanting light installations around the property, capture holiday memories at various themed photo stations. Fireside Mingling: Warm up by the fire pit on the patio (weather permitting). There is a concession offering treats, warm and cold beverages. Tickets for adults (16+) are $9.75, for children (3-15) are $7 (includes a treat), family pass is $32 for 2 adults and up to 4 children, and a group of four adults is $35. Free for kids under 2. Tickets are only available online at www.northernlightswinery.ca/light-up-the-orchard.

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

Light Up the Orchard goes until Dec. 31 at Northern Lights Estate Winery, with a variety of light installations to visit.

table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to everyone for a $5 drop in fee.

Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.

Parkinson Support Group meetings are the third Saturday of each month at

CHRISTMAS WITH THE PGSO

15

1 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Meetings are informal and are for sharing information about slowing down the progression of PD. There are guest speakers, special events and biweekly exercise sessions and positive social interaction. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.

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

CNC student earns $10K tech scholarship award

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Michelle Lindemann is a passionate, dedicated, and committed civil engineering technology student at Prince George’s College of New Caledonia campus.

Her hard work and dedication was recently recognized when she was awarded a $10,000 Scholarship for Indigenous Women in Technology from the BC Scholarship Society.

“I was blown away. I was pretty shocked and happy, to say the least,” said Lindemann. “This scholarship means a lot to me. It gives me the confidence to complete the program because I struggle with imposter syndrome. It also helped me give some freedom financially to fully focus on my studies. And it can also provide a potential pathway for role models for other women considering a career in STEM.”

Imposter syndrome causes people to think they aren’t as good at something as they really are.

As well as providing her with confidence, Lindemann also hopes that news of her achievements will go on to inspire others hoping to enter the field of civil engineering.

“Women are vastly underrepresented in this field.” Lindemann elaborated. “Which might persuade them to not go into engineering. If they see more women succeeding, then they might be more likely to join themselves and think that they have the capabilities to do so.”

Already sporting a degree in kinesiology and working as a personal trainer and rehab assistant, she decided to take a risk and follow her dreams to

become an engineer. Lindemann has always admired engineers and finds the mixture of creativity, math, and science to construct public spaces a huge draw for her.

“My whole life, I always thought engineers were pretty cool. The way they can use science and math and creativity to construct things. It wasn’t a particular person that inspired me or anything, but just hearing people say they were

engineers, I always thought that was really cool,” she said. “Civil engineering encompasses so many sub-disciplines in it that I thought it would be a great road to take.”

She is still looking into her options when it comes to post-grad and a career, but she hopes that she gets a job that allows her to travel and spread her ideas.

This recent award has not affected her humility, however. She wants to emphasize the effect that her friends and family have had on her education journey.

“My biggest support system is my family, my spouse, and my friends. They’ve been away throughout this whole educational journey,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without their support. My instructors, classmates, and tutors have been great at the college.”

Lindemann also wants to let other women hoping to pursue a STEM career that the struggles they may face will help them in the long run.

“Accept the challenges and use the learning curve as an opportunity, she said.

“These are the foundations for your future achievements and innovations.”

Local company helping seniors with snow removal

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A local construction and landscaping company will match every dollar spent by customers on their services and use those funds to help seniors in the Prince George area.

Swamp Creek Ventures will provide snow clearing service for seniors until Jan. 31.

The company is working with the Society of Seniors to determine where they are needed the most.

This is the first year this program is up and running but the company plans to do it annually with the help from the community.

“There was a lot of conversation in

the community about what seniors needed, and often they do not have the funds to be able to do maintenance

and snow removal since as they get older, they also slow down,” said owner Shane Bunce. “I think this is an excellent

program to visit every December, when the snow is starting to hit and people are starting to feel the weather, especially with age.”

Bunce said he has spent the last few years working towards making everything from trails and picnic tables to entire houses accessible for everyone, regardless of their needs or age.

“I’m 45 but I’m in a wheelchair so I know all about slowing down,” he said.

Swamp Creek Ventures is still planning to help out when the snow has melted, with plans to continue to match the cost of services to help provide light maintenance and repair services for seniors from Jan. 31 until March 31.

College of New Caledonia student Michelle Lindemann has won a $10,000 Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarship for her academic achievements.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Seniors who can’t clear their own snow can receive help through the Society of Seniors and Swamp Creek Ventures.

A Yukon trucker is warming souls at Moccasin Flats

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

As a professional truck driver from the Yukon, George Lowe routinely hauls heavy equipment on winter roads, but lately he’s been focusing his driving skills on delivering firewood to some less-fortunate Prince George people who really need it.

He was out bright and early Thursday, Dec. 5 in his Toyota pickup with the Yukon plate, bringing wood pallets to few remaining residents of the Moccasin Flats encampment.

Lowe has been doing that for weeks now and he’ll keep doing it as long as the need is there.

“In Whitehorse, if you abandon people and it’s 40 below you’ll be charged by the law – you don’t abandon people that are out in the cold,” said Lowe. Lowe, 73, moved to Prince George two months ago. He has no family ties in the city but has found a welcoming

substitute and they continually strengthen his spiritual Christian beliefs.

“My family are those who are down and out, the people that need help are my family,” he said. “Led by the spirit

of God are the children of God. I’m a Christian. I’m a helper.”

Lowe found a couple of birch trees that had been cut down at a house near Queensway and came by with

his chainsaw to turn them into the firepit-sized logs he dropped off at the dozen or so campsites still occupied at Moccasin Flats.

“The woman that wanted the wood changed her mind because she had no place to put it, said Lowe.

“So I backed up my truck, it’s fourwheel drive, drove into the yard and loaded it up.”

For his latest load he went to a local business that didn’t need the pallets and was going to toss them away.

He plans to keep making those wood deliveries as long as he can.

“It’s in my heart,” Lowe said. “I wouldn’t want to be out in the cold freezing to death and have people kick me when I’m down. You can’t kick people when they’re down and out because you know what happens, it’ll come back on you.

“People treat dogs better than these people are treated. As long as God puts it in my heart, I’ll keep doing it.”

George Lowe, right, helps a Moccasin Flats resident carry a load of pallets to his campfire Thursday morning. Lowe has been taking firewood to the camp for nearly two months.

Winner claims top Hospice Dream Home prize

There’s one more draw happening

Jan. 31, a 50-50 that could hit $500K

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Jessie Calliou is the winner of this year’s Hospice Dream Home draw.

This year’s home is located at 7327 Foxridge Dr.

The annual fundraiser offers $940,000 in prizes in total, including several Early Bird draws.

Proceeds go to support the Prince George Palliative Care Society’s hospice programs, making up about 40 per cent of the society’s annual funding.

With 15,000 tickets sold at $125 each, the dream home has been a massive boost to the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society’s funding.

Calliou is a supporter of Hospice season,” said Alicia Fitzpatrick, who works in fund development at the Hospice Centre. “It’s always a wonderful

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for funding for the Rotary House annually and one of the biggest reasons that the society can keep support for local families consistent.

If you are looking to support the program further or are looking for another chance to win, don’t worry, the Hospice Society isn’t done yet.

“Our lottery is not quite over,” said Fitzpatrick.

“We are still running our second 50-50, and the draw will take place in the new year on Jan. 31. This 50-50 is in support of our home hospice program. It is the first of its kind in Canada. It’s not funded by any government, it only operates because of our community support and donations. So that second 50-50 is hoping to get up to a $500,000 jackpot when they’re taking half, meaning that somebody could walk away with a quarter of a million dollars on Jan. 31.”

day when we are able to pull a winner from one of our supporters.”

The dream lottery is the biggest draw

In addition to the dream home lottery, Hospice also operates two local thrift stores in Prince George.

Gilmore Girls, Star Trek actors booked for Northern Fancon

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Northern FanCon has just announced the addition of two stars to their guest lineup next year.

Gilmore Girls actor Scott Patterson and Battlestar Galactica actress Rekha Sharma will be at the CN Centre for the popular annual convention.

“That’s right — the man behind the gruff yet lovable Luke Danes will be joining us,” states a post on FanCon’s Facebook page. “Whether pouring coffee at the diner or delivering some of the wittiest comebacks in Stars Hollow, Scott brought Luke to life in a way that’s kept us coming back for rewatch after rewatch.”

You may also know Patterson from the Saw film series or his more recent project, Sullivan’s Crossing. Sharma is also no stranger to the world of television, as she is also known for her role as Jessica Roberts in

Yellowjackets and Commander Ellen Landry in Star Trek: Discovery

“You’ve also seen her shine in Supernatural, Transplant, Roswell and more,” the Facebook post states.

Fancon, which runs May 2, 3 and 4, is focused on movies, TV, science fiction, collectibles and more. It also boasts an artist’s alley, a cosplay contest/red carpet, and vendors and exhibitors from across BC. Tickets are at northernfancon.ca.

HOSPICE PHOTO

Prince George Hospice held a draw to win this house at 7327 Foxridge Ave. All 15,000 tickets sold out, with the proceeds going to Hospice programs.

Patterson

Sharma

Tete Jaune Community Cemetery sees first interment

It took years of talks before the project could begin

ABIGAIL POPPLE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Tete Jaune Community Cemetery saw its first interment this fall, after nearly two decades of residents advocating for a local cemetery.

Located off Carr Road, residents can pay $120 for a full-body plot or $40 to have their cremated remains preserved there. Non-residents can pay $240 for full-body interment or $80 for cremated remains.

The work began around 2006 when local Frank Kiyooka, a longtime member of the Tete Jaune Community Association, first asked the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George for information on starting a cemetery, according to fellow Association member Ainslie Jackman. What followed was years of consultation with other residents and staff at the Regional District.

“The Regional District said, ‘There’s a process. If you want the taxpayers to pay for it, you have to come up with the area of taxpayers that are in Tete Jaune,’” Jackman told The Rocky Mountain Goat.

“So they decided on an area and then we had to do surveys door-to-door,

The Tete Jaune Community Cemetery is fully operational after years of advocacy from residents.Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

asking people if they were willing to pay taxes to support a cemetery.”

In the first round of surveys, those in favour of a cemetery won by a razorthin margin – about 51 per cent to 49 per cent, Jackman said.

According to her, the Regional District said that was not a solid enough majority, so the group decided to do another round of surveys.

The second time around, the win was

more decisive: about 60-40, Jackman said. But the work didn’t end there. The Association had to find the money and manpower to clear a plot of land, plant grass, and build a fence.

Cindy Paton, manager of community services for the Regional District, said plans for the cemetery began to be set in stone in 2018.

While Kiyooka passed away in 2017, just before his vision for a community

cemetery came into fruition, Jackman credits him with rallying locals to get the work started.

“We embarked on this project thanks to Frank,” Jackman said, adding that Kiyooka thought Tete Jaune locals should have the option of being buried close to home, rather than in the Valemount Cemetery.

After some delays due to the COVID19 pandemic, the cemetery was licensed in 2021, according to Paton. She added that other steps in the process to establish a cemetery included finding suitable land, then applying to use land from the Agricultural Land Reserve, and performing an archaeological assessment on the property.

While some people may find cemeteries eerie, Jackman hopes residents will recognize the importance of being able to visit loved ones after they pass.

“When my mother died, we had a cottage (in Vancouver) and we buried her under a tree. Of course, eventually the cottage got sold,” Jackman said. “I always felt the loss of the ability to go and physically visit her.”

For those who had their remains scattered or were buried elsewhere before the cemetery opened, a plaque can be placed on a memorial wall that will be added to the cemetery, Jackman added.

“Memorial walls and cemeteries are places to visit our loved ones,” Jackman said. “I think that’s important.”

Coralee Oakes joines Barkerville board of directors

CITIZEN STAFF

Former MLA Coralee Oakes is the newest member of the Barkerville Heritage Trust board of directors.

“I’m thrilled to join the Barkerville Heritage Trust,” said Oakes. “I’ve long been an advocate for Barkerville, which is a national and provincial treasure. As a living museum, Barkerville plays an essential role in regional economic diversification while fostering educational programs and advancing Indigenous reconciliation.”

Oakes was elected as the MLA for

Cariboo North in 2013, and served as a cabinet minister until 2017 and remained the area’s MLA until 2024. She also served as a Quesnel city councillor for two years.

Before entering politics, she spent 14 years as an executive director in the tourism and small business sectors. Her leadership extended to several boards, including the Minister’s Council on Tourism, the Small Business Roundtable, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Executives and the BC Chamber of Commerce.

“Coralee brings invaluable expertise

that will be crucial as we continue our mission to preserve and promote the rich history of Barkerville and Cottonwood House,” said board chair Al Richmond.

“Her insights will help guide our work in serving the community and safeguarding our shared heritage.”

Barkerville, owned by the province, is

both a national historic site and a provincial heritage property. Recognized as the largest living-history museum in Western North America, it holds significant historical importance, designated by the Canadian government in 1924 and the provincial government in 1958. The Barkerville Heritage Trust has managed the site since 2005.

It’s located about 2 1/2 hours southeast of Prince George.

For more information about Barkerville and upcoming events like the Olde-Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 14 and 15, visit www.barkerville.ca.

Name

ABIGAIL POPPLE, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Music and more at the Golden Age Social

Nearly 300 local seniors came together for food, entertainment and camaraderie for the Golden Age Social on Dec. 4 at the Civic Centre. The free event, the third of five held from October to March, is put on by the Prince George Council of Seniors in conjunction with the City of

a volunteer with the

serves tea and

The next Golden Age Social is Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 2-4 p.m. with the final one of the winter taking place Monday, March 10, 2-4 p.m.

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

The White Spruce City Chorus sings Christmas songs at the Golden Age Social at the Civic Centre Wednesday, Dec. 4. Nearly 300 local seniors came together for food, entertainment and camaraderie at the event hosted by the Prince George Council of Seniors in conjunction with the City of Prince George and the Civic Centre.

Bob Schaeffer,

Prince George Council of Seniors,.

coffee.

Former City Councillor Murry Krause serves tea and coffee as a volunteer with the Prince George Council of Seniors to Hazel Erickson and Lauraine Potskin.

Alexis Maikapar, aka ‘Alexis the Troubadour,’ entertains with a selection of Christmas tunes and popular old time rock ‘n’ roll.

Prince George

New documentary features Battlestar Galactica actor

Norm Coyne is working on a film about Michael Hogan, who is rebuilding his world and career after a stroke left him in a wheelchair

in Kelowna.

“I’m going to walk away from this project and I’ll be like, I did something that really helped people here.”

Best known for his role in the Battlestar Galactica TV series for his role as the eyepatch-wearing colonel, Saul Tigh, Hogan visited Prince George in 2015 when he shared the bill with William Shatner as a featured guest for the inaugural Northern FanCon. Hogan’s gregarious personality made him a hit with FanCon attendees, who found him extremely friendly and genuinely curious.

“He’s a really different guy, very engaged with fans, and he would end up asking people more questions than they were asking him,” said Coyne. “He’s just very interested in people.”

“We did an online poll to bring one of our past guests back to FanCon and he ended up getting more votes than William Shatner.”

Battlestar Galactica actor Michael Hogan might never walk again, but a new documentary project produced by local filmmaker Norm Coyne will help him step back in the limelight.

Coyne, the founder of Northern FanCon, built a relationship with Hogan and his wife Susan to produce the film Good To Be Seen, currently in development and shooting into 2025.

The film is one of five projects selected to be part of the Whistler Film Festival’s documentary lab program.

The now disabled actor, who had prominent roles in dozens of wellknown movies and TV series in the 80s, 90s and 2000s, stands to reap a renewed recognition when the documentary gets picked up on the festival circuit. With support from some big-name Hollywood stars, Coyne’s film is creating a buzz that’s already created a groundswell of interest.

“The star power that’s behind this thing, it’s mental,” said Coyne, who grew up in Prince George and now lives

Coyne stayed in contact with Hogan and developed a character in a screenplay for a western short, Drawn, with Hogan in mind. They were set to meet at FAN EXPO in Vancouver in February 2020 to discuss that role when Hogan had a life-changing accident when he fell that evening and hit his head.

He went to bed that night not realizing that his fall had caused a massive brain bleed. He could not be roused from his sleep the next morning and was taken to Vancouver General Hospital and emergency surgery was performed. It took 57 staples to close the part of his skull that was removed to reach the damage.

“He had to learn how to swallow again, how to talk again, and he wasn’t allowed visitors when COVID hit,” said Coyne.

A crowd-funding campaign raised $450,000 for Hogan and his wife Susan, who had to pause her career as an actor to become a more full-time caregiver, but the money soon dwindled during the time he was living in a care facility in Vancouver and the couple were forced to sell their home.

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Michael Hogan played Col. Saul Tigh for all four seasons of the rebooted Battlestar Galactica series.

Film selected for Whistler Film Festival’s Lab Program

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Coyne did his part as well. He obtained a helicopter frame donated to him from Brent Marshall of Tempest Aviation and arranged to have Lost In Space prop builder Aaron Harrison come to Prince George to turn the chopper shell into a replica Galactica Raptor gunship, to be auctioned online with all proceeds going to Hogan. Unfortunately, the online auction during the 2022 Northern FanCon was never launched due to an internal miscommunication on the team.

Marshall asked Coyne how much he had hoped to raise in the campaign and when Coyne told him the amount he said he would buy the gunship himself and paid Coyne the money, which was then donated to the family.

That’s when the idea to produce a documentary on Hogan was born.

The first phase of the film focuses on Hogan’s acting career before his accident and that sets the stage for the radical changes that came with being wheelchair-bound with a visual impairment.

“Since the accident he’s permanently in a wheelchair, he’s partially blind in one eye, which is weirdly prophetic because that happens to his character in Battlestar Galactica,” said Coyne.

The film then focuses on the next phase of Hogan’s acting career as he pursues his dream of performing a oneman show on a live stage.

“It’s the perfect third act,” said Coyne. “Because this story becomes not just who he is and who he was, but where he’s going next. He wants to return to an audience. He’s an actor, it’s in his bones.”

Hogan, 75, was born in Kirkland Lake, Ont., and made his film debut on the Peter Fonda movie High Ballin’ and Hogan and wife Susan were part of the popular Canadian TV series Vanderberg He also starred in The Peanut Butter Solution, had a recurring role in the TV series Teen Wolf as Gerard Argent, the werewolf-hunting grandfather, and played Otto Gerhardt in Fargo His 69-episode run with Battlestar

Galactica lasted from 2004-09.

Hogan’s brain injury affected his memory so he can’t recall lines as an actor would, but he’s still a great storyteller and his friend in Vancouver, John Cooper, made the arrangements to set up Hogan’s “parlour show,” which Coyne describes as a classic solo stage performance.

“He is still working on his one man show, putting stories together from his theatre work, his film work, and his “life’s” work, and there are many,” said Susan Hogan, in a March 24 post on the online GoFundMe page, which has raised $520,000 of a $600,000 goal.

“It’s going to be brilliant. It’s his frame of mind, his attitude, that always astounds me …. the glass is always half full! He talks about his “lucky stroke” because it has given him all this time to put together his show. He refers to himself as ‘the luckiest man in Canada.’

Coyne has teamed up on the project with acclaimed filmmaker Kate Kroll and he contacted Emmy/Golden Globe award-winning Battlestar actor Edward James Olmos, a guest of the 2019 Northern FanCon, who offered to help with the production.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Mary McDonnell, best known for her leading role in the Kevin Costner movie Dances With Wolves, attended

this year’s Northern FanCon in Prince George in May. McDonnell also starred in Battlestar Galactica and told Coyne about plans for a 20th anniversary reunion of the cast in Chicago in October and suggested Coyne should attend to conduct interviews.

The Hogans heard about the reunion through Michael’s convention agent who told them the cast wanted him to be there, if it was possible for him to travel in his condition.

“Susan phoned me and asked if she thought this could happen and I said it could, but it would be very complex and difficult,” said Coyne.

“But I think it would be something that would lift him up and be very good for his soul. He’d also have a chance to get back to work and earn some money.”

“At this point, Hogan had never been out of his care facility for more than four hours since the accident, and we accompanied him to Chicago for five days and at the reunion he was the crown jewel. The entire cast was there except for one person and he was the belle of the ball. It was a lovefest.”

All the cast and crew who attended brought Galactica memorabilia and they auctioned it to raise $46,000 for Hogan and his wife.

The title of the film stems from the

time Coyne and Hogan saw each other for the first time since his accident when Coyne met with him and Susan while on a side trip from the Whistler Film Festival in 2022.

“He was in and out a bit but he knew exactly who I was, and at the end of our meeting I said, “Hogan, it’s so good to see you, my friend,” and he got really rigid and his voice got gravelly and he said, “It’s good to be seen.” Then he started laughing and I started laughing.”

Coyne returned to the film festival and relayed that story to his film partner Kroll and a photographer overheard their conversation and told Coyne that Battlestar Galactica was his all-time favourite TV series and that his favourite scene was when Hogan’s character, Col. Saul Tigh, returned for duty wearing an eyepatch after he’d been tortured when captured by Cylon military robots while leading an army of insurgents.

“They pulled out his eye while he was being tortured and from then on, in the series, he had an eyepatch,” said Coyne. “Hogan’s character, Saul Tigh, as soon as he’s released (from detention) he goes to the insurgents’ secret headquarters and he walks in and Chief (played by Aaron Douglas), says to him, ‘Colonel, it’s good to see you.

“And he turns and gets all grisly and says, ‘It’s good to be seen.’ That’s why it’s called Good To Be Seen.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Prince George film producer Norm Coyne’s latest project is a documentary about the life of Canadian actor Michael Hogan.

Less than two weeks ’til Christmas ...

Luke Palmer, 3, puts the letter to Santa he wrote, with a little help from dad Giles, into the special mailbox at the Live Well Prince George Society booth as sister Annelise, 2, and mom Heidi work on her special letter Sunday at the Jingle Bell Christmas Craft Fair. Christmas was in the arena air for Jingle Bell Christmas Craft Fair at CN Centre Sunday. The fair, organized by the Live Well Prince George Society, is one of the smaller fairs of the holiday season but brought a wide variety of arts and crafts together. Live Well PG also used the event to let people know of their reboot of the Northern BC Children’s Festival which has been absent since 2011. The event will take place May 3031 with more information to be released closer to the date.

New indoor playground helping families beat winter

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

With winter creeping in and more and more outdoor activities being put on the shelf until spring, parents are looking for alternatives.

Amos and Hattie Deyo are more than happy to provide one. It’s a vibrant and exciting indoor playground for kids and their parents.

Complete with lots of inflatables and tons of activities and located in the RollA-Dome, Jack’s Indoor Adventure Playground and its partner Party Kings Co. are offering a variety of family-friendly events this holiday season.

The playground held a Grinch-related event last weekend, said co-owner Hattie Deyo. “We also have a Polar Express party coming up on Saturday, then a classic Christmas party with Santa coming up on the 21st, and a Kids’ New Year’s Eve party, so this month is just jam-packed every Saturday.”

Originally from Williams Lake, the Deyos are a passionate family looking to provide a unique service to the community of Prince George.

“We have four daughters…. and as our kids have gotten older they’ve gotten involved and so this is not just a business idea for us,” said Deyo. “This has been an evolution of our family business, and our kids have been involved in helping us get this place set up ... This is more of a family vision that we’ve created together for other families so it’s not just a business to us, it’s much closer to home.”

The playground is planning on running year-long as well. The owners plan to transition to a woodland atmosphere to reflect a northern atmosphere.

Located on Recplace Drive, Jack’s is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $14.95 per child (1-12 years old). More details are available on the business’s Facebook page.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Shania Stump (left), Hattie Deyo, Amos Deyos, and Babatunde Biobaku welcome visitors to Jack’s Indoor Adventure Playground, now open at the Roll-A-Dome.

Throwback Thursday: Week of December 12

Dec. 12, 1980: Kim Dyer, 9, and Cristy Ryde, 9, take advantage of high temperatures by spending recess in the sunshine at Ron Brent Elementary School. The previous day’s high of 9 C was a record for that date.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BROCK GABLE

Dec. 12, 1995: Elizabeth Fry Society workers Holly Murray, left, and Jasbir Dhillon pose with some of the 135 preschoolers who collected food from their parents for the society and the Pathfinders teen parenting program. The kids were from Hartland Preschool in the Lions Community Centre. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE

Dec. 12, 2015: Ayden Baldo of the Kitimat Winterhawks dives to get to the puck before Zachary Fillion of the Premium Truck and Trailer Cougars during a Friday game at the Up the Creek Garment Company Peewee Tier 2 tournament. The Cougars went on to am 8-2 win. Brendan Gaboury scored twice, Nic Braaten had a goal and three assists and Fillion, Jacob Ross, Logan Jones, Jerome Erickson and Gavin Vaillancourt also scored for the Cougars. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Dec. 12, 1960: Airmen 2nd Class Glen Crocker (left) and Eugene Klender stagger to a waiting truck with huge burdens of toys and other gifts. Men from Baldy Hughes AFB took part in Operation Reindeer, heading to downtown Prince George with $500 to buy Christmas presents for the 200 children of the Lower Post Indian School. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY HAL VANDERVOORT

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Indigenous care co-ordinator stories: Gloria Lattie

TERESA BENNETT Northern Health

Northern Health’s Indigenous Patient Liaisons Worker (IPLW) program provides a bridge between Indigenous communities, their culture and health care providers.

The role of the IPLW is to help bridge the gap between western and traditional medicine to ensure a health system that honours diversity and provides services in a culturally relevant manner.

The Indigenous Patient Liaison Program staff work in collaboration with key partners such as on-site staff, managers, and the Patient Care Quality Office to develop, implement, and evaluate processes to address the concerns and experiences of Indigenous people within the health-care system.

In this article, we highlight and hear from IPLW Gloria Lattie.

“I love being an indigenous care co-ordinator as it gives me an opportunity to help and assist our First Nations,

Metis, and Inuit people of Canada. It is a great opportunity to be a part of the Truth and Reconciliation movement towards creating culturally safe environments within institutions,” says

Lattie, indigenous care co-ordinator at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) in Prince George.

Gloria started working with Northern Health several years ago as an Indigenous health services assistant at the Fort St. John Hospital before moving to UHNBC in the emergency unit on the Quick Response Team, and now to her current position.

Gloria loves that Prince George has a large Indigenous population and that she gets to see a lot of people from the Northwest, where her home community of Gitanmaax is located.

Prince George is home for many of Gloria’s family, so it feels like home for her.

Working within Northern Health has been a positive learning experience for Gloria, and she looks forward to seeing the Indigenous Care Team grow.

Aarya’s journey: From volunteer to mentor at UHNBC

NANCY SHELFORD

Northern Health

In celebration of International Volunteer Day on December 5, we’re highlighting the inspiring journey of Aarya, who became the first volunteer with Food Services at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC), joining a brand-new program and helping build it from scratch.

UHNBC has an app called CBORD, which allows patients to order their meals for the next day.

However, not everyone feels comfortable with new technology and that’s where Aarya and other volunteers can lend a hand.

Right away, he felt a connection to the patients. “The satisfaction you get!” he says.

“The patients are always happy I’m there and they’re so nice. I’m only spending a few minutes to help them order, but they’re grateful to have a nice meal selected for the next day and we have good conversations.”

Aarya was so dedicated to the program that it wasn’t long before staff

asked if he would help train other new volunteers.

In August, he began teaching others how to interact with patients and do the role well.

Aarya also volunteers at the UHNBC Information Desk, helping people find

their way in the hospital.

“I love guiding people and problem solving,” he says. “I’ve had a few cases where families were in a real hurry to find their loved one and I was able to help. They’re so grateful, and on their way out, they often stop to thank me.

I can see on their faces how much it meant to them.”

Hospital staff agree that UHNBC volunteers are making a difference for people in the hospital.

“I truly believe having volunteers at the info desk on the main entrance has not only brought comfort to our patients but also played a crucial role in maintaining a safe and secure environment,” says Palvinder Bindra, protection services co-ordinator.

“The public and patients are extremely comfortable seeking help because they feel a connection to volunteers.”

As a future doctor, Aarya is grateful to see health care on the ground. “I’m getting a lot of experience and seeing how the hospital works – that will really help me in becoming a doctor,” he says. “I can also see what to improve in myself. You can always learn to be better, and volunteering is that perfect opportunity.”

Thank you to Aarya and our other dedicated volunteers for their commitment and invaluable contributions to our communities!

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Gloria Lattie is a Northern Health indigenous patient liaison worker.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Aarya at the UHNBC Information Desk, ready to assist patients and visitors with a warm smile and helpful guidance.

Another successful operation

UHNBC critical care providers join donor recipients and a donor family to celebrate the milestone of 11,000 organ transplants in BC with BC Transplant’s Operation Popcorn campaign at UHNBC Tuesday, Dec. 3. The organization delivered 150 boxes of popcorn and chocolate to health-care teams in intensive care units, emergency departments, operating rooms, transplant units, transplant clinics and transplant pharmacies across 28 sites in BC.

Prince George could become a hub for life sciences

UNBC,

Lheldli T’enneh and the city are pursuing a grant that could lead to up to $500,000 in funding

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council unanimously approved a grant application at its Monday, Dec. 2 meeting that could eventually lead to the community becoming a hub for life sciences. City administration proposed that council approve an application to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program for up to $500,000.

That grant program is an initiative from the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation that first launched in the 2022-23 fiscal year aimed at promoting projects that contribute to economic diversification, resilience, clean growth opportunities.

According to a report from city administration, the University of Northern British Columbia, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Northern Health were working together to create a “sustainable innovation ecosystem” for health in Prince George.

“The greater initiative would establish a life sciences sector based in Prince George that would serve northern BC

If the grant application is successful, it could lead to a new facility built on the UNBC campus.

residents with a focus on rural and Indigenous communities and other demographics in the region that face significant health disparities,” the report says.

“If successful, it could result in a new facility built at the UNBC campus, upgrades to Northern Health facilities, and life sciences private sector investment within the city’s key clusters such as pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing and scientific research and development services, further diversifying the local economy towards

sectors less reliant on cycles of natural resource extraction and commodity prices.”

In order to start securing investments and funding that will make this possible, an economic analysis is needed first. If secured, the REDIP funding would pay for that analysis.

“Speaking with provincial staff, the project is well-aligned with the program goals and has been well thought through,” administration’s report says.

“Work done by the city’s economic development division to support this

initiative would fall within operational capacity and no financial contribution is required, and the lead role the university and other partners would take would ensure the project’s viability.”

City staff say the university is ineligible to apply to the program, which is why they proposed Prince George get involved as a partner.

Prince George did something similar for the 2023-24 edition REDIP program when it helped apply for funding for the SupportPG initiative with the Chamber of Commerce. For that project, the city received $396,600.

According to the REDIP website, applications for this year’s intake closed as of Oct. 31 with funding decisions being announced next spring.

It was not stated whether the city had met that deadline during the council meeting, but a city spokesperson told The Citizen later in the week that Prince George applied before the close of applications, and council’s endorsement would strengthen the application.

In the 2022-23 fiscal year, Prince George received $165,000 from REDIP to help develop the Pidherny Recreation Area Master Plan.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Local Sports Rookie comes through for Teddy Bear and Toque Toss

Crowd roars as Cougars shoot their way to a 6-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The goal that launched a thousand bears came with 4:32 left in the first period.

The happy triggerman was none other than Carson Carels.

The Prince George Cougars’ 16-yearold rookie defenceman is just starting out in the Western Hockey League and will no doubt score a lot more meaningful goals in his hockey career. But that Saturday snipe he scored that triggered the stuffy avalanche from a sellout CN Centre crowd on Teddy Bear and Toque Toss Night will no doubt become a memory that lasts long well beyond his junior hockey days.

That goal lifted off a grand piano the Cougars have been carrying the past couple of weeks and they used it build their way to a 6-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers.

The teddy bear goal was especially timely because it came with the Cougars trailing the Blazers 2-0, when they were facing the real possibility they’d have to go into the dressing room for the intermission still feeling that pressure to score.

“Obviously it was a slow start to this game but we got it going with that teddy-bear goal,” said Carels.

“It wasn’t just off my shoulders, it was off the whole team, for sure, because obviously we were all wanting it and it was good to get it out of the way.”

At the time the Cats were on a twoman power play with Blazers’ John Szabo off for interference and Ryan Michael was fingered for a double-minor for high-sticking Terik Parascak, a call that was missed by the referees, but not the linesmen.

Carels replaced Viliam Kmec and took over the left point position for the 5-on-3 and he hadn’t gone long into his shift when Koehn Ziemmer fed him the

A Prince George Minor Hockey Association player helps clean up the ice at CN Centre following the teddy bear toss triggered by Carson Carels’ goal 15:28 into the first period against the Kamloops Blazers Saturday.

puck. He leaned into a hard slapshot and it sailed into the net, setting off the expected Beanie Baby bedlam.

“He wanted a lefty there so he could run (one-timers),” said Carels. “Koehn gave me a great pass and I just picked the corner. It was a surreal feeling for sure.”

Flames draft Hunter Laing led the Cougar cause with two goals and an assist, while Koehn Ziemmer also had a three-point night with a goal and two assists.

Jordan Keller scored twice for the Blazers. Emmitt Finnie finished with three assists.

After trailing for more than half the

game, the Cougars took their first lead of the night two minutes into the third period, just as Matteo Lanig was stepping out of the Kamloops penalty box.

In his 100th WHL game, Laing scored his second of the night and ninth this season, going down on one knee to put his full might into a rocket one-timer set up by Jett Lajoie.

That got the crowd chanting “We want pizza” knowing everybody in attendance - all 6,016 of them, would receive a coupon for a free pizza if and when the Cougars scored a fifth goal. Ziemmer provided that assurance, waiting for a sliding Blazers goalie Logan Edmonstone to go down before lifting

a high wrister in. Heidt added the sixth goal late in the game on a goalmouth pass while on the power play.

The win improved the Cougars’ overall record to 15-8-3-1 and coupled with Friday’s win over Regina they moved them back on top of the BC Division. They’re now 10-1-3-2 on home ice. Saturday’s game was their last at CN Centre in 2024 and it was critical for them to regain some of their swagger.

“When you look at what we’ve been going through the last two weeks it hasn’t been easy for us, but again we stuck to it and found a way to get two points,” said Cougars captain Riley Heidt, who will travel to Ottawa Monday to try to make Canada’s roster for the world junior tournament.

“We didn’t get the start we needed, down two, it was a good thing we got that goal at the end of the first. When you’re in the mud it’s hard to get out of it and it gets negative and excuses come and we just had to get out of that mentality and get more shots in traffic and they finally started to go in.”

The Blazers scored on their first shot. Just 24 seconds into the game, Finnie collected his team-leading 18th goal, fooling Josh Ravensbergen with a shot along the ice that found the far side of the net.

Keller’s deflection in front on a Kamloops power play made it 2-0 before the eight-minute mark and that set the stage for a bit more nervous tension the Cougars were hoping to avoid, especially knowing they haven’t been playing their best hockey lately.

All that was soon forgotten when Carels cashed in for his third of the season. The teams left the ice right after to get all that fur picked up and the rest of the first period was tacked on to the second period after the flood.

PLEASE SEE ‘COUGARS’ ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Pin it to win it at PGSS Icebreaker

Nechako Valley Secondary School wrestler Vera Himmelright uses Shas Ti Kelly Roads’ Tessa Marvici’s head to lever her onto her shoulders during a 63-65 kilogram match at the PGSS Icebreaker and Pin to Win tournament at PGSS Saturday, Dec. 7. Marvici managed to break the hold and take the match with a pin. and Pin to Win Tournament.

With wrestlers travelling from as far as Bella Coola’s Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School and Smithers Secondary School, the tournament gathered together athletes that don’t get to compete together often.

Cougars out on three-game U.S. road swing this week

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Not long after play resumed, Heidt’s brilliant piece of board work to avoid the check of Layton Feist on a left wing rush started by Ravensbergen allowed him to get free with the puck in the corner to set up Aiden Foster for a high deflection into the net that tied it 2-2.

But less than a minute later, after Foster was denied on a shorthanded chance, the Blazers put together a pretty three-way pass play that restored their lead.

Former Cougar Oren Shtrom drew the primary assist on that one, feeding Keller parked just off the post next to Ravensbergen.

But the Cougars scored four unanswered goals to nail down the win.

“It was good to get the win, especially on this night with the big crowd and all the supporters, it was awesome,” said Heidt.

“Our group is at the point now where we shouldn’t be slumping, we’re 25, 30 games into the season and we have to figure it out for sure before Christmas happens.

“It’s been a long stretch for us and we have a big road trip here coming ahead and it’s massive to get this

two-win streak in here to build some confidence for this States trip to finish it

off and get good break.”

LOOSE PUCKS: The Blazers came up on the bus with just one goalie – Edmonstone – because usual starter Dylan Ernst was home with the flu. Kamloops called up 17-year-old Prince George product Andrik Lygas from the Cariboo Cougars U-18s to fill in as the backup … The Cougars played the Tri-City Americans Wednesday in Kennewick, Wash. The Cats also visit Portland on Friday and Spokane on Saturday before returning to Canada to take on the Rockets in Kelowna on Tuesday, Dec. 17 … The Rockets got some bad news this week when C Tij Iginla had season-ending hip surgery. Iginla, drafted by Utah sixth overall in 2024, was the Rockets’ second-leading scorer this season with 14 goals and 32 points in 21 games.

Kamloops Blazers player Andrew Thomson follows his shot in on Cougars goalie 31 Josh Ravensbergen Saturday at the CN Centre.

Legacy Night raises a record-breaking $230,000

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

It took months of planning but in one day, the 10th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night event raised a record-breaking $230,000.

The hot stove question-and-answer session with NHL executive Brian Burke Nov. 20 packed 508 people into the Civic Centre auditorium and they opened their wallets in an overwhelming show of generosity.

“This year’s Timberwolves Legacy Night was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together to champion student-athletes,” said UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne. “This milestone, the largest Legacy event yet, underscores the lasting impact of supporting students as they grow into leaders who inspire and strengthen northern communities and beyond.”

The Nov. 21 event marked the inauguration of the Selen and Anita Alpay Leadership Award, which will provide $1,000 to each of the four TWolves’ varsity teams’ chosen annual recipients. What started with a $25,000 donation turned into a live audience auction during the event, which built a $58,000 pot that UNBC will match.

The money collected two weeks ago far eclipsed last year’s $144,000 Legacy Night fundraising total.

“I’m blown away with the support,” said UNBC athletics director Loralyn Murdoch.

“One hundred per cent of that ($230,000) goes to student-athlete awards. Nothing goes into operating, nothing goes into salaries, it’s solely for

student-athlete awards which allows them to recruit on an annual basis.

“There’s parameters in U SPORTS and you can only offer so much money but we have to raise the money to go out and recruit with. In order to recruit the best students and the best athletes and be competitive with all the other schools in Canada West, it’s important that we have a budget for U SPORTS limits the number of Athletic Financial Awards (which cover the full cost of tuition and student fees) and that varies

according to sport. For UNBC soccer, each team is limited to a maximum of 12.6 AFA units, while the most the two basketball teams can hand out is 8.4 AFA units.

“We’re not even close to the maximum, so it’s still an uphill battle (competing with bigger schools) but we’re closing the gap.” said Murdoch.

No student-athlete is allowed to receive more than the cost of tuition and fees and not all students on each of the teams receives financial awards.

This year, U SPORTS dropped its firstyear grade requirements for participation and student awards.

Previously, students had to have an 80 per cent average in their final year of high school to be eligible for an athletic scholarship and needed a 60 per cent average or better to be allowed to play varsity sports in their first year.

Legacy Night funds all of UNBC’s student-athlete scholarships and bursaries. It can’t be used for travel or to pay hotel/meal costs on team road trips.

The cost of coaches’ salaries and running the sports programs comes from the UNBC’s annual budget.

“We do other fundraisers, so our (game)ticket sales, sideboards, our summer camps, all that goes into operating which helps subsidize our travel,” said Murdoch.

UNBC switched the Legacy event from a breakfast fundraiser to an evening event in 2022, and that allowed for silent and live auctions which bring in more money.

“This year, that brought in approximately $30,000,” said Murdoch.

“We didn’t have that ability with the breakfast.

“The Selen and Anita award, that was about $58,000, and we had a great speaker and that brought 150 additional people into the room from the previous years and that adds up.

“Selen and Anita have given back the community the entire time they’ve lived here as (Canadian Tire) business owners, and I’m so happy the community stepped up for something in their name. It’s endowed and those awards will be there forever.”

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Brian Burke tells stories of his NHL career at the 10th Annual Timberwolves Legacy Dinner at the Civic Centre Thursday, Nov. 21.

Riley Heidt heads off to world junior camp in Ottawa

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Riley Heidt left on a plane to Ottawa Monday morning and if all goes according to plan he won’t be rejoining his Prince George Cougar teammates for the next month.

The 19-year-old centre is off to Canada’s world junior team training camp. If he makes the team for the IIHF world junior tournament, Dec. 26-Jan.5, it’s quite conceivable he won’t be available to the Cougars for their next 10 games.

And everybody connected with the Cougars organization and fans of the team are OK with that, knowing Heidt has a shot at representing Prince George in the biggest hockey tournament of the year. Watching world juniors is a Christmas tradition and millions of Canadians will be glued to their TVs.

“I’m super-fortunate and blessed that I get this chance to go play on the biggest stage in the world for my age group and I’m just super excited,” said Heidt. “I’m going to go out in the world there for the next week in this camp and just try to do it.

“It’s a quick turnaround and I just have to give it my all for those two or three days and show I deserve to be there and that they made the right decision. I’ll just take it day-by-day and not overthink stuff. I’ll just go there and try to do what I do best, I’ve been trying to shoot a lot more in games and just open up a lot more stuff as well.”

Cougars centre Riley Heidt is in the running for a spot on Canada’s team at the World Juniors.

The fact that it will be played in Canada, in front of NHL-sized crowds in the nation’s capital, makes it even sweeter for Heidt, a player many pundits picked to make the world junior team last year.

“To do it in your home territory as a country is something you’re so proud of, it’s nice when the fans are rooting for you,” Heidt said.

“It gives you that extra bit of momentum and it’s pressure as well, it’s good. It’s a beautiful city and hopefully we can get ‘er done.”

Heidt, one of the most prolific playmakers in the Cougars’ 31-season Prince George history, is having another great season in his second year as the team captain. With 13 goals and 24 assists

in just 22 games he ranks third in team scoring with 37 points.

The Saskatoon native is just getting back to speed after suffering a broken jaw three weeks ago when he took a stick in the face in a game against Vancouver. Despite successive surgeries and having his jaw wired shut, he missed only two games.

Listed at five-foot-11, 177 pounds, Heidt lost 15 pounds while his jaw was immobilized to allow the bone to heal. Everything he ate had to be liquified and ingested with a straw.

“For sure, it’s been hard the last three weeks, I’ve been in and out of surgery two or three times and that’s hard,” said Heidt. “I’m trying my best to stick with

my team here and keep pushing every day and getting better and it’s starting to come around.

“I’ve put a little weight back on but it keeps shedding off when you’re playing games. The energy levels are hard but I’ve been trying everything I can to get it back. I’ve only had the wires off for a week now so I’m finally eating some food. I drank out of a straw for 2 ½ weeks and that was pretty hard.”

This is Heidt’s third stint with the national team. In 2022 he helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky U18 tournament and he also wore the maple leaf in the 2023 U18 world championship.

“It’s a great opportunity and it’s an honour for him to go there and get a tryout and make the team,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “I totally expect him to make the team and I expect other guys to pick it up while he’s gone.

“He’s earned it, he deserves it. It’s been a tough go for him. He broke his jaw there and he’s dropped 15 pounds. Try to grab your energy after that, that’s a real tough go.”

The Team Canada camp opens on Tuesday and they will take on the U SPORTS all-stars in exhibition games Friday and Saturday.

Canada plays pre-tournament games Dec. 19 against Switzerland, Dec. 21 against Sweden and Dec. 23 against Czechia.

The Canadians will face Finland in their tournament opener on Boxing Day.

Spruce Kings hire Manitoba’s Harnett as associate coach

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The Prince George Spruce Kings have added longtime Manitoba Junior Hockey League coaching veteran Taylor Harnett to their staff as an associate coach.

Harnett has three decades of coaching experience and spent seven seasons as head coach and general manager with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines from 2017-24. He led the team to a

winning record in five of those seasons.

The 49-year-old native of Edmonton was hired this past summer as head of the Amarillo (Texas) Wranglers of the North American Hockey League. He was relieved of his duties 20 games into the season on Nov.

20, after guiding the team to a 10-10 record.

“Taylor has a wealth of coaching experience,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

“Adding him to our staff gives us another resource which assists our players and our team to be better. We’re fortunate and thrilled to add Taylor to our organization.”

Harnett joins a Spruce Kings staff that includes interim head coach Brad Tesink, who took over the team from

Alex Evin two weeks ago, skills and development coach Brandon Manning and goaltending coach Kris Joyce.

The Spruce Kings are back on home ice at Kopar Memorial Arena this weekend for a BC Hockey League doubleheader against the Langley Rivermen.

Fans coming to the rink Saturday are being asked to bring wrapped winter clothing donations on Drop The Gloves and Sock It To ‘Em night. They can toss those items over the glass when the Spruce Kings score their first goal.

Harnett

College Heights takes the tournament title

College Heights beats D.P. Todd 66-62 in girls’ high school basketball showdown

UPPER PHOTO: Shas Ti Kelly Road’s Taiya Schwartz drives toward the key as D.P. Todd’s Zahra Ngabo tries to defend Friday night.

LOWER PHOTO: College Heights Cougars player Lorenn Caceres drives into the key as Cedars Eagles player Mila Johnson tries to block her out Friday.

Eagles player Destiny Brown blocks a shot from Cougars player Keirat Sindhi Friday night. College Heights went on to win the tournament Saturday.

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

Dickson finishes 37th in biathlon pursuit in Norway

The Burns Lake athlete was one of two from BC competing in Geilo

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Benita Peiffer of Whistler had her passing gear well-greased Saturday, Dec. 7 in the IBU Cup biathlon pursuit in Geilo, Norway.

Peiffer started the race in 30th, caught 14 other skiers on the course and finished 16th in the pursuit.

Peiffer excelled on the range, shooting 17-for-20 in four shooting bouts.

She ended up 3:46.5 off the winning pace set by gold medalist Marlene Fitchner of Germany.

Fitchner cleaned her targets and posted a winning time was 30:22.2.

Chloe Chevalier (+24.5) and Paula Boutet (+35.2), both of France, joined Fitchner on the medal podium.

Former Caledonia Nordic Ski Club racer Emily Dickson of Burns Lake finished 37th (7:00.6)

Dickson’s eight misses on the range meant she had to ski eight penalty loops, which dropped her down the list in a race that had 59 starters.

Peiffer started the week in Norway with a 10th-place finish in the women’s 15 km individual event on Wednesday, Dec. 5, while Dickson was 12th - a career best for her at the IBU Cup level, considered the second-highest level of biathlon racing in the world.

The IBU Cup circuit resumes Dec. 19-21 in Obertilliach, Austria.

Dickson qualified for the IBU Cup Friday, Dec. 6, along with Benita Peiffer of Whistler.

Peiffer, who finished 10th in the individual race earlier this week, placed 30th in Friday’s women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint, while Dickson ended up 34th out of a field of 108 competitors.

Peiffer shot 7-for-10 and was 2:40.1 behind race winner Paula Botet of France, who stopped the clock in 22:14.9. Dickson also had three misses

in her two shooting bouts and ended up 2:59.6 off the gold-medal pace.

Marlene Fitchner of Germany (+31.4) and Johanna Skottheim of Sweden (+36.9) took silver and bronze in the sprint.

In the men’s 10 km sprint, Jasper Flemming of Calgary was 76th and

behind. They did not qualify for the pursuit.

Meanwhile, at the BMW World Cup biathlon in Kontiolahti, Finland, Emelien Jacquelin of France won his first career World Cup sprint race on Friday. Logan Pletz placed 70th (+2:47.9) and Adam Runnalls of Calgary was 86th (+3:17.1) in a field of 106.

Growing up in Burns Lake as she did, Dickson never let a little cold weather hinder her progress.

That thick Canadian blood came in handy Wednesday, Dec. 4 for the 27-year-old biathlete at the IBU Cup women’s 15-kilometre individual race in Geilo, Norway.

Despite the -16 C cold, Dickson was flawless on the shooting range, going 20-for-20 in four shooting bouts on her way to a personal-best 12th-place finish in a race that drew 103 competitors. She clocked 47:00.2, 2:18.9 off the gold-medal pace (44:41.3) set by Camille Bened of France.

“It’s safe to say it’s winter here in Norway,” said Dickson, on her Facebook page.

“The -16° air temp made for a really challenging 15km individual race. Fortunately, things went my way in the range and I was able to hit 20/20!

Overall, Wednesday, Dec. 4 was a great day for Canada.

Peiffer finished 10th (46:12.4, 19-for20), who ended up 1:31.1 behind the winner.

Marit Oeygard of Norway ((+42.2) and Fany Betrand of France (+55.9) won silver and bronze respectively.

Dickson and Peiffer, the only Canadian women on the IBU Cup circuit, will be back in action Friday for the sprint race, with pursuits to follow on Saturday.

Daniel Gilfillan of Comox Valley finished 88th.

Martin Uldal of Norway won it in 25:21.8, followed by Johan Olav Botn of Norway (+13.9) and Sverre Dahlen Aspenes of Norway (+14.8).

Flemming finished 4:02.8 behind Uldal, while Gilfillan was 4:47.7

Daniel Gilfillan of Comox Valley was the top Canadian in the men’s 20-km individual race, finishing 74th in 58:52.4 with four misses on the range. He was 10:46.1 behind gold medalist Isak Frey of Norway, who completed the race in 48:06.3. Johan Olav Botn of Norway (+7.5) won silver and Simon Kaiser of Germany (+59.8) claimed bronze.

BIATHLON CANADA PHOTO

Emily Dickson of Burns Lake placed 37th in Saturday’s IBU Cup 10 km women’s pursuit.

Life Events

Lorraine Florence Dorosh (Krusel)

October 17, 1939 - November 22, 2024

Lorraine Florence Dorosh (Krusel), passed peacefully on November 22, 2024 with her family by her side. She was 85 years of age.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Deanne and Donna; her cherished son-in-law, Michael; and her beloved granddaughter, Julianna (Owen).

Lorraine was predeceased by her eldest child, Darryle (1963); and her devoted husband of 59 years, Ken (2017).

Lorraine married her soulmate, Ken in 1958 and together they built a life rich in love, laughter and adventure. Prince George is where she called home for over 50 years while she created a home filled with warmth and joy.

Lorraine’s creativity and love for beauty shone through in everything she did. As a florist, she brought beauty to others through her exquisite arrangements. Her love for entertaining was evident in the countless gatherings of friends and family and she had a deep love for Christmas which was a magical time in her home.

An adventurous spirit, Lorraine loved to travel. She spent many years as a Kinette where she devoted her time to charitable work and built lasting friendships. Lorraine had a strong interest in politics and proudly contributed to Elections BC and Canada for several years.

Lorraine’s laughter was infectious, she had impeccable style and loved all animals. Her love of rock music showcased her vibrant personality.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Dunroven Lodge and Redwood Residences for their kindness and compassionate care during Lorraine’s final years.

Rest in peace, Lorraine. You will be deeply missed and your memory forever cherished.

“Gone but not forgotten. Forever remembered, forever missed.”

In loving memory of Brent Edward Langan Febuary 21,1983 - Nov 23, 2024

Son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. Brent was born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia where he spent his time playing hockey, football, baseball and boxing. Brent was a proud member of Gamblers First Nation in Manitoba. Brent graduated from Kelly Road Secondary in 2002. Brent had a successful career as a tradesman, where he specialized in welding. He worked the shutdowns at the local mills in PG, BC, the Oil Rigs, the Husky Oil Refinery and spent over a decade at Hurricane High Pressure.

He is survived by his father Edward Langan and mother Darlene Lipus. Brothers Vince, Alfie (Shawna), Eddie (Sandra). Sisters Maggie Rose, Loretta (John), Patricia (Shawn), Brenda (Kevin), several aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Brent is also predeceased by his grandparents William Charles Langan and Rosalie Tanner, Charles and Anne Lipus.

Brent had a deep love for his family and friends. His passion for sports was more than a pastime, it was a celebration of community, dedication and joy. Whether cheering from the stands, playing alongside friends, Brent’s enthusiasm was infectious. Brent’s proudest moment was when he played hockey for Team Canada across Europe and in Czechoslovakia they won the silver medal. Brent enjoyed outdoor activities and spent his spare time hunting and fishing. Depending on the season you can always find him on either a snowmobile, quad or riding his motorcycle.

Though he may no longer be with us, Brent’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. His love for life, his unwavering loyalty and his joyful spirit will be forever in our hearts.

“If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.”

Rest in peace, Brent. You will always be in our hearts.

Ernest (Ernie) Ronald Morgan

August 28, 1950 – November 27th, 2024

Ernest Ronald Morgan, or Ernie as everyone knew him, lived life on his own terms, marked by unwavering strength and a deep devotion to those he loved, especially his cherished wife, Linda, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage.

We will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and wisdom our father imparted upon us. He was our rock, our source of inspiration, and our greatest teacher. His love for us, and for Mom, shaped us into who we are today.

As we say goodbye to our father, we raise a glass in his honour, celebrating the love story that defined his life. Dad, may you now be at peace. Thank you for fighting one hell of a fight, and for showing us what true strength and love look like. We love you beyond what words can convey, and we will carry your memory in our hearts forever.

To read Ernie’s full obituary, learn about his celebration of life, leave messages for the family, or share stories about Ernie, please visit the Bowers Funeral Service website: https://www.bowersfuneralservice.com/obituary/ ErnestErnie-Morgan

Brian Austin Prieston

December 11, 1970 - March 28, 2002

Another birthday has arrived and you would be 54 Happy Birthday Brian Loving and missing you always, Your loving family

Megan Jennifer Hill

November 18, 1984 - November 5, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our daughter Megan Jennifer Hill, at the age of 39.

Megan was born on November 18, 1984, in Prince George, British Columbia. Megan fought a courageous battle against Cancer and passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 5, 2024, at her home in Vancouver, British Columbia.

After her high school graduation in Prince George, Megan moved to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory where she lived and worked for almost a decade. Megan loved all the people that she met and made many lasting friendships. Megan then relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia where her kindness and generosity made her a natural at working with those who were less fortunate. Her co-workers were like her extended family. As always, her infectious smile lit up a room.

Megan is survived by her parents Mark Douglas Hill and Anne Hill and her sister, Brittany Fay Hill. She is and will be sadly missed by her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Friends and all who knew her.

Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the Doctors, Nurses, Technicians and staff at the British Columbia Cancer Clinic for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation be made in her memory to the BC Cancer Foundation.

Joseph Austin McCarville

October 27, 1948 - November 23, 2024

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Joseph Austin McCarville on November 23, 2024 at the age of 76. No service by Request

Kenneth Dale Dyble

May 12, 1955 - October 5, 2024

It is with saddened hearts we announce the passing of our father. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of October 5th, 2024, at the age of 69.

Ken was pre-deceased by his wife Shirley and brothers Jim and Terry.

He is survived by his daughter Natasha (Patrick), his son Richard (Denaka), and grandchildren Léa, Lane, Lawson, and Colten. He is also survived by his mother, Nell, father, Allen, brother Ray and all his nieces and nephews.

He spent the better part of 50 years raising his family and enjoying his passions in the community of Mackenzie, BC. He spent the last few years in Port Alberni to be closer to family, but, he never lost his love for the north and those who made Mackenzie home. Grampa Ken, never short of pockets full of candy to sweeten up his grandkids, will be truly missed.

He lived his life his way, and we will be forever grateful for the love and memories that live on within us.

In Memory Of

RITAMcKINNON(Mamma)

September 15, 1947 -December 4, 2015

It has been nine long years since you left us to remember all of the wonderful things you did for everybody. Love you, Miss you, your Boys and their families.

Edna DuBois

The DuBois Family mourns the loss of Edna DuBois. Edna was born in Prince George, BC on October 18, 1942, to Raymond and Alice Mann. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on November 19, 2024.

Edna loved to garden, travel and spend time with her loving family.

Edna is survived by her loving and devoted husband, James and son, Kevin DuBois.

Her larger than life presence will be greatly missed.

David John Humpheys

September 14, 1954 - November 29, 2024

David John Humphreys passed away November 29,2024 at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George.

Born in Prince George September 15th,1954, Eldest of three boys.

David worked throughout Northern BC and the Yukon in both the logging and mining industries.

David is survived by his two children, Rhett, and Bethany; his brothers Jim (Shauneen),and Al (Barb); his nieces and nephews David, Randi, Scott, Laura, Matt; and many cousins.

Predeceased by his parent John Humphreys and Margaret Boudreau Humphreys.

Celebration of life to follow in January 2025.

* On Dec. 23, 1982, Chaminade University of Honolulu, a school with only 900 students, beat the top-ranked University of Virginia by a mere five points in one of the most stunning upsets in American basketball history. As ESPN’s Chris Berman remarked, “We can’t tell you what happened, but the No. 1 team in college basketball has lost to -- we don’t even know who they are.”

• 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.

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20241021 FOR RELEASE OCT. 21, 2024

* On Dec. 24, 1851, a fire at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroyed approximately two-thirds of its 55,000 volumes, including most of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library.

By JoAnn Derson

* To stretch your laundry budget, cut fabric softener sheets in half. They work just as well. Also, save them after they come out of the dryer. They make excellent dusters in the home.

• Medication labels can fade, so when you get yours, put a piece of clear tape over the instructions. This way, you’ll always be able to read the instructions.

• “During the holidays (the height of baking season for me), I keep a large plastic saltshaker filled with flour and a bit of dry rice. The rice helps the flour to shake out without getting clumped up, and I use it to dust cake pans, rolling pins, kneading boards, etc.” — W.F. in Canada

* If the vegetables you are cooking give off an unpleasant smell, grab a small saucepan and simmer a bit of plain vinegar while cooking. It will negate the smell, and leave your house smelling pleasantly like mealtime afterward.

• 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.’”

* On Dec. 25, 1962, the film adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” opened in Los Angeles. It was nominated for eight Oscars and won three, and the American Film Institute rated lead character Atticus Finch as the greatest movie hero of the 20th century.

* On Dec. 26, 1820, Moses Austin, a merchant turned mine owner, met with Spanish authorities in San Antonio to ask permission for 300 AngloAmerican families to settle in Texas, in the hope of recovering from bankruptcy via the establishment of a new colony. His request was approved, but he died before he could carry it out, so the task was completed by his son, with more than 20,000 arrivals eventually succeeding in making Texas an independent state.

* Love Sudoku? M.K. of Montana suggests that you might love it even more if you color code your grid. Each number 1-9 is assigned a color, and you solve the puzzle as normal, except you color in the box to denote your answer. When it’s all finished, she says, “It looks like a colorful quilt.”

• “One of the household cleaners I prefer comes in a spray bottle, and it’s on the expensive side. I make sure to get all of the liquid out by adding some regular glass marbles to the bottle. It displaces the liquid up, ensuring it finds the bottom of the sprayer’s suction tube.” — T.H. in Mississippi

• “Stack pucks in the holes of a cardboard soda six-pack carrier. Tell your coach. And to keep them bouncy, store them in your freezer (as long as your mom says it’s OK).” — via e-mail

* “Cornstarch is great for itchy, rashy skin. This is true for babies’ bottoms and for doggy bellies, which is what I use it for. My pup is allergic to grass but loves to romp. Sometimes his belly gets red, and I clean it with a mild soap and water, then give him a cornstarch rub. It sure helps.” -- T.W. in Ohio

• Keep the fog off your glasses by cleaning them with shaving cream. It will prevent mist-ups when you come in from the cold.

• Save your citrus peels and dry them. You can use them for kindling in your fire. They contain flammable oils, and they smell pretty good, too. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

* On Dec. 27, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered his secretary of war to seize properties belonging to the Montgomery Ward company after it refused to comply with a labor agreement, announcing that the government would “not tolerate any interference with war production in this critical hour.”

• 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.”

• 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.

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I recently adopted a year-old puppy. “Max” is a friendly, well-socialized dog, and during the trial stay a month ago, my 10-year-old cat, “Nora,” seemed to tolerate him. Well, on the second day that Max was home, he started barking excitedly. Nora sprang up and attacked him, cornering Max on the sofa. She batted him around the snout several times. Now, Max slinks out of the room anytime that Nora appears. How can I make peace between them? -- Gerry G., Manchester, New Hampshire

DEAR GERRY: I’m sorry to hear that! Introducing a new pet into an established household can be stressful for both pets and sometimes unpredictable. And any negative interactions that occur -- from hissing and barking to an all-out boxing match -- can make future harmony nearly impossible to achieve. One or both pets may begin to exhibit behavioral issues like aggression, soiling in the house, chewing and scratching, and more. For the foreseeable future, you’ll need to manage and monitor all interactions between Max and Nora. As soon as they begin to react negatively, they need to be separated.

Reintroduce the two gradually. I recommend taking Max for a nice, long walk before each meeting so that some of his puppy energy is worked off beforehand. Work intensively with Max on basic commands like sit, stay, lie down and come here. When Max is in the room with Nora, have him sit or lie down close to you -- they don’t have to meet face to face. Limit interaction time to five minutes or less at first, then gradually increase the time.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Don’t be sheepish about asking more questions before making a major decision at your workplace. Meanwhile, your personal relationships continue to improve.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might be rushed into renewing an old, cold relationship. But do you really want a reheated romance when there’s a chance to warm up with someone new?

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Someone tells you something that could lead you to rethink your plans for the holidays. Get the full story before you make a decision.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A financial matter that had you in a dither is finally being sorted out as more facts become available. A perplexing personal matter also clears up.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You face a slew of new tasks at home and work. So, as much as you love being a social Lion, be careful not to overdo it at those preholiday parties.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Unexpected news could cause some minor adjustments in your holiday planning. Defer a decision about a financial matter until you have more facts.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

A project might not be bringing you the results you’d hoped it would by now. But stay with it -- things will soon begin to turn around.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)

A budding personal relationship continues to develop. Things also improve in your career, although some problems still need close attention.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Mercury is finally stationing direct in your sign after a few weeks in retrograde. This will give you motivation to take care of any outstanding tasks before the holidays.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Allowing a misunderstanding to go unchallenged could jeopardize the plans you’ve made for the upcoming holidays. Clear the air now.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)

While you should be open to suggestions on how to plan for the holidays, you should also be firm in saying “no” to anything you disagree with.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20)

Get out from under all those holiday preparations and immerse yourself in a world of music. You’ll soon feel refreshed, revived -- maybe even reborn!

Homes & Living

Creative christmas wrapping ideas to make your gifts stand out

Creative Christmas Wrapping Ideas to Make Your Gifts Stand Out

The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and creativity. One of the most delightful aspects of Christmas is wrapping gifts in a way that adds to the excitement and anticipation. If you’re looking to make your presents truly memorable this year, consider these unique Christmas wrapping ideas that will impress your loved ones and add a personal touch to your holiday celebrations.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping

Incorporating eco-friendly materials into your gift wrapping is not only stylish but also environmentally conscious. Use brown kraft paper as a base, which can be easily decorated with natural elements like sprigs of pine, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks. This rustic look is both elegant and sustainable. You can also repurpose old maps, newspapers, or fabric scraps to wrap your gifts, giving them a unique and personalized touch.

Furoshiki Fabric Wrapping

Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that can be used to wrap gifts in a beautiful and reusable way. Choose festive fabrics with Christmas patterns or colors, and

use different folding techniques to create stunning presentations. Not only is this method eco-friendly, but the recipient can also reuse the fabric for other purposes, making it a gift in itself.

Personalized Photo Wrapping Paper

Create custom wrapping paper by printing photos of memorable moments shared with the recipient. This idea adds a sentimental touch to your gifts and makes the wrapping paper a keepsake. You can design a collage of photos or choose a single image that holds special meaning. This personalized approach shows thoughtfulness and effort, making your gift even more special.

Chalkboard Wrapping Paper

Chalkboard wrapping paper is a fun and interactive way to wrap gifts. Use black kraft paper and white chalk or chalk markers to draw festive designs, write messages, or even create a mini chalkboard for the recipient to use. This creative wrapping idea allows you to customize each gift uniquely and adds a playful element to your holiday celebrations.

Nature-Inspired Wrapping

Bring the beauty of the outdoors into your gift wrapping by incorporating natural elements. Use plain white or brown paper as a base and adorn it with pinecones, holly branches, or eucalyptus leaves. You can also tie the gifts with twine or raffia for a rustic look. This nature-inspired wrapping not only looks beautiful but also adds a lovely fragrance to your presents.

Hand-Painted Wrapping Paper

Unleash your inner artist by creating hand-painted wrapping paper. Use plain white or kraft paper as your canvas and paint festive designs, patterns, or even abstract art. This personalized touch makes each gift unique and shows the recipient that you put time and effort into their present. You can use watercolors, acrylics, or even metallic paints to add a touch of sparkle.

Upcycled Materials

Get creative with upcycled materials to wrap your gifts. Use old book pages, sheet music, or comic strips to create a one-of-a-kind wrapping paper. This not only gives new life to

old items but also adds a unique and vintage charm to your presents. You can further embellish the wrapping with ribbons, buttons, or lace for an extra touch of elegance.

Minimalist Wrapping

Sometimes, less is more. Embrace a minimalist approach by using simple, monochromatic wrapping paper and adding a single, striking element as decoration. This could be a beautifully tied ribbon, a wax seal, or a handmade gift tag. The simplicity of this style exudes sophistication and allows the gift itself to take center stage.

Interactive Wrapping

Make your gift wrapping interactive by incorporating elements that the recipient can engage with. For example, you can attach small ornaments, puzzles, or even a mini scavenger hunt to the wrapping. This adds an element of fun and surprise,

making the unwrapping experience even more enjoyable.

Vintage-Inspired Wrapping

Give your gifts a nostalgic touch with vintage-inspired wrapping. Use lace, doilies, and antique brooches to adorn your presents. You can also find vintage-style wrapping paper or create your own by distressing plain paper with tea stains. This elegant and timeless look is perfect for adding a touch of old-world charm to your holiday gifts.

By incorporating these unique Christmas wrapping ideas, you can elevate your gift-giving experience and make your presents stand out under the tree. Whether you choose eco-friendly materials, personalized touches, or creative designs, your thoughtful wrapping will surely be appreciated and remembered by your loved ones. Happy wrapping!

SNOW REMOVAL:

Furnishing a small living room: expert tips

Does your living room feel cramped? Try these expert decorating tips to make your small space both functional and esthetically pleasing: Choose light colours. Light shades help create a sense of space by reflecting light. Colours like off-white, beige and pearl grey are perfect for creating a light atmosphere. Pick your furniture wisely. Look for small or multi-functional pieces of furniture, such as nesting tables and storage ottomans. Avoid bulky items that take up too much space. Decorate sparingly. Leave as much free space as possible to avoid overcrowding the space. Instead, stick to a few carefully selected pictures or accessories to add character. Provide multiple light sources. Use subtle, indirect lighting and accent lamps to compensate for a lack of natural light, which can make the living room feel even smaller. Wallmounted fixtures are particularly effective because they free up floor space for a more streamlined appearance. Play with mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion

of depth. Place a mirror opposite a window to maximize natural light and create a feeling of openness. Visit your local shops to find everything you need to create a living room you love.

Ensuring Pet Safety During Christmas Holiday Celebrations

The Christmas holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, it can also pose various hazards for our beloved pets. From festive decorations to holiday foods, there are many potential dangers that pet owners need to be aware of to keep their furry friends safe. Here are some essential tips to ensure your pets have a safe and happy holiday season.

Holiday Decorations

Christmas decorations can be a significant source of danger for pets. Tinsel, for example, is particularly hazardous for cats, who may be tempted to play with and ingest it. If swallowed, tinsel can cause severe intestinal blockages that may require surgery. Opt for safer alternatives like paper or fabric garlands. Christmas trees themselves can also pose risks. Ensure your tree is securely anchored to prevent it from toppling over if your pet decides to climb or play around it. Additionally, avoid using glass ornaments, which can shatter and cause injuries. Instead, choose shatterproof ornaments and place delicate decorations higher up on the tree, out of your pet’s reach. Electrical cords for lights and other decorations can be tempting for

pets to chew on, leading to electrical shocks or burns. Use cord protectors or tape cords to the wall to keep them out of reach. Always unplug lights when you’re not home to supervise.

Holiday Plants

Many popular holiday plants are toxic to pets. Poinsettias, while not as dangerous as once believed, can still cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Mistletoe and holly, on the other hand, are highly toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, cardiovascular problems, and even death. If you choose to decorate with these plants, keep them well out of reach of your pets or opt for artificial versions. Pine needles, if ingested, can cause gastrointestinal irritation or blockages. Additionally, the water used to keep real trees fresh may contain fertilizers, bacteria, or mold, which can be harmful if your pet drinks it. Use a tree skirt or cover to prevent your pet from accessing the water.

Holiday Foods

The holiday season is often filled with delicious foods, but many of these can be dangerous for pets. Chocolate, a common holiday treat, is toxic to both dogs and cats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly hazardous due to their higher concentrations of these substances. Other common holiday foods that are toxic to pets include grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and certain nuts like macadamias. Alcohol is also extremely dangerous and can cause severe intoxication, respiratory failure, and even death. Ensure that all alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol are kept out of your pet’s reach. Fatty foods, such as turkey skin, gravy, and buttery dishes, can cause pancreatitis in pets, a painful and potentially lifethreatening condition. Instead of sharing table scraps, offer your pet a special treat made specifically for them, or provide a small portion of plain, cooked meat without seasoning or bones.

Holiday Guests

The hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings can be stressful for pets, especially those who are shy or anxious. Create a quiet, safe space for your pet to retreat to if they

become overwhelmed. This could be a separate room with their bed, toys, and water, where they can relax away from the noise and activity. Inform your guests about your pet’s needs and ask them to respect your pet’s space. Ensure that doors and gates are securely closed to prevent your pet from escaping during the comings and goings of visitors. If your pet is particularly anxious around strangers, consider using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, anxiety wraps, or consulting your veterinarian for additional options.

Fire Safety

Candles and fireplaces add a cozy ambiance to holiday celebrations, but they can also pose a fire hazard to curious pets. Never leave candles unattended, and place them on high surfaces where your pet cannot reach them. Consider using flameless candles as a safer alternative. If you have a fireplace, use a sturdy screen to prevent your pet from getting too close to the flames or hot embers. Keep fire-starting materials, such as matches and lighters, out of your pet’s reach.

Gifts and Wrapping Materials

Gift wrapping materials, such as ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper, can be enticing for pets to play with but can also pose choking hazards or cause intestinal blockages if ingested. After opening gifts, promptly clean up any wrapping materials and dispose of them safely. When choosing gifts for your pet, ensure they are safe and appropriate for their size and chewing habits. Avoid toys with small parts that can be easily swallowed or broken off. Supervise your pet while they play with new toys to ensure they are safe.

By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your pets stay safe and healthy during the Christmas holiday season. Being mindful of potential hazards and making thoughtful choices about decorations, food, and activities will allow you and your furry friends to enjoy a joyful and stress-free holiday celebration. Remember, a little extra care and attention can go a long way in keeping your pets safe and happy during this festive time of year. Happy holidays!