Prince George Citizen January 9, 2025

A not-so-fond PG farewell to Trudeau

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

BC’s Opposition Leader says the impending resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marks a turning point not just for federal politics, but this province as well.

Trudeau announced Monday that he had asked the president of the Liberal Party to start the process of looking for his successor and will resign once a new leader is chosen.

Trudeau said Gov.-Gen Mary Simon had agreed to prorogue Parliament until March 24 to facilitate the race. That will mean there will be no interim leader or interim prime minister.

That move puts opposition plans to introduce a non-confidence motion to bring down the minority government in limbo for the time being.

Gary Wilson, chair of the political science department at the University of Northern BC, told The Citizen the Liberals are going through a similar process that the Conservatives did in 1993,

when Brian Mulroney stepped down with plunging approval ratings and an impending election.

“Political leaders have a shelf life. They can’t stay in office forever,” Wilson said. “They have to know when the time is to go and I think Trudeau sort of saw the writing on the wall there and made

the decision to leave, giving his party a chance to get new leadership and hopefully, (a chance) for them to at least fight the next election and not be decimated like the Conservatives were in 1993.”

In a media release issued after Trudeau’s announcement, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad said Trudeau’s

resignation means that BC Premier David Eby is losing “his closest ally in Ottawa.”

“He can no longer point fingers at the federal government to justify radical policies like the carbon tax, emissions caps, safe supply, decriminalization, and extreme identity politics, which British Columbians simply do not support,” Rustad said in the statement.

When Eby’s government wanted to launch experiments with the decriminalization of illicit drugs in BC, Health Canada allowed an exemption from some federal laws to allow it to happen.

This past September, in the lead-up to the provincial election, Eby issued a statement saying that his government would remove the carbon tax on individuals but not industrial polluters if the federal carbon backstop was repealed.

Under leader Pierre Poilievre, the opposition federal Conservatives have been vocal opponents of both the decriminalization experiment and the carbon tax. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves after a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 20. Trudeau announced Monday he’s stepping down.

‘Good riddance,’ MP Doherty says in online comment

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Speaking to The Citizen on Monday, Jan. 6, Rustad said that under the federal Liberals, British Columbia has been on a decline towards being a “have-not province” and the country has become a “have-not country.”

He said the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has projected Canada to have the worst GDP growth of any of its member nations until 2060.

A 2023 OECD reported projected member nations’ potential gross domestic product per capita between 2020-30 and 2030-60. Canada is tied for the lowest projected rate in 2020-30 with Italy at 0.7 per cent and South Korea in 2030-60 with 0.8 per cent.

Rustad laid the blame for the province and the country’s economic conditions at environmental policies enacted by the federal and provincial government.

“If you cannot compete with your trading partners, you’re going to lose market share and this is something we saw in spades in our forestry industry,” Rustad said. “It’s something we’re seeing in all of our natural resources. But it’s not just that, it’s also in technology, it’s in any kind of investment and manufacturing.”

Calling Eby a liar, he said he doesn’t believe anything he says, including the promise to repeal the individual carbon tax. If Eby were to do so, Rustad said, the premier would then double the carbon tax on industry.

Asked if a federal Conservative government would bring in opportunities that the Liberals have not, Rustad said “anything is better than what we currently have in Canada … especially if we can get rid of things like these carbon cap emissions targets.”

As for the prorogation, Rustad said he was disappointed as it means an election will be farther into the future.

From November 2020 to February 2022, former Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond served as the interim leader for what was then called the BC Liberal Party, now BC United.

Reached by phone on Monday, Jan.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre arrives to a press conference in Regina in 2022. With polling showing his Conservatives likely to form the next Canadian government, he’ll face a new Liberal leader going into the 2025 election.

6, Bond said Trudeau’s announcement was “fairly inevitable when you think about the intense internal pressure” that he faced as well as “plummeting poll numbers.”

“There comes a point where if you want your party to have any chance at all in an election in the future, you know you have to do the right thing,” Bond said. “I think many, many Canadians will see this today as the right thing.”

The challenge for the federal Liberals will be to quickly find a leader to shift the momentum and choose that leader in a legitimate process that gives them credibility, she said.

Bond also said there will be a big internal debate over whether to choose someone connected to Trudeau’s legacy — like former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, Transport Minister Anita Anand or Finance

to Poilievre. Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer didn’t respond to a text message requesting comment.

However, both men commented on the situation on X, formerly Twitter.

“Nothing has changed (with) the Liberals,” Zimmer wrote. “The same Liberal MPs abandoned the Arctic. The same Liberal MPs support the attack on law-abiding firearms owners. The same Liberal MPs have decimated our natural resource sector in Canada. A ‘new’ Liberal leader will not change a thing. Canadians need a carbon tax election now.”

“He’s been missing in action for four weeks,” Doherty wrote. “Now he steps outside & takes a few softball questions, he uses them to blame everyone else but himself & then runs away. Media is lauding him as a martyr. He’s nothing more than a cowardly scandal plagued ideologue. Good riddance.”

While the local Conservative MPs joining the government caucus could lead to opportunities they didn’t have in opposition, Bond said the first priority for an elected official is to represent those that elected them.

Despite the circumstances of Trudeau’s resignation, Bond said he needs to be given credit for his public service.

Minister Dominic LeBlanc — or go with an outsider.

As interim leader, Bond said she was in the position of having to leave space for her eventual replacement to implement their policies while still trying to lead an effective opposition to the government.

By comparison, she said the new federal Liberal leader will need to have a “bold platform that rejuvenates the party.”

When it comes to the local impact, Bond said the recent provincial election shows that there’s a lot of Conservative strength in BC, especially in the north. Both Prince George-area MPs are Conservatives.

A spokesperson for A spokesperson for Cariboo-Prince Conservative MP Todd Doherty Conservative MP Todd Doherty said the party was leaving comments on Trudeau’s announcement

“He managed two consecutive minority governments,” she said. “I think there is a place for simply recognizing that that’s an important contribution to the country. Whether you agree with what he did or didn’t do or the circumstances that he faced, ultimately public service matters.”

A statement issued by Poilievre was titled “this changes nothing.”

“Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving,” Poilievre said.

“But what has really changed? Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years.”

MICHAEL BELL/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Tory majority? Prof says polls have been wrong before

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The federal Opposition Leader said all Liberal MPs supported the federal carbon tax, Trudeau’s government spending, immigration policies and handling of crime.

The final straw, Poilievre alleged, is that they no longer believe Trudeau is the leader to keep them in power.

“The Liberals know how wrong this all is, that’s exactly why they shut down Parliament and paralyzed government, all to save their own skins,” he said about the prorogation of Parliament.

A Dec. 30 Angus Reid poll showed the Liberals with just 16 per cent support — not only lower than the 45 per cent support for the Conservatives but also below the 21 per cent support the NDP have.

While UNBC’s Wilson said the polls would indicate a Conservative majority in the next election, he cautioned that polls have been wrong before and the results will depend on both who the new Liberal leader is and how well Poilievre campaigns in his first election as party leader.

However, the professor said he doesn’t see Prince George’s status as a federal Conservative bastion changing, calling the city’s two ridings “some

of the safest Conservative seats in Canada.”

“Speaking (about) Todd Doherty, I think he’s done a very good job of representing the constituency in Ottawa and putting together private member’s bills that are important,” Wilson said. “I don’t really see this (election) as being significant on a local stage but certainly we could see change happening elsewhere in the country.”

Wilson’s colleague, UNBC political science senior instructor Jason Morris, said there hasn’t been much of a murmur from the federal Liberals, NDP or even the Green Party about recruiting candidates for the next election in this neck of the woods.

He said Trudeau will lack the “moral authority” to speak for the country while his successor is being chosen, especially when it comes to issues like incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canadian goods.

Should we get a Conservative government in the next election, Morris said there will be a lot of MPs who haven’t had the chance to wield power in quite some time and could represent a steep learning curve.

Unless opposition parties bring down the government in a non-confidence motion, the next federal election must take place on or before Oct. 20.

SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden share a laugh after Biden’s address to Parliament on March 24, 2023. The next prime minister will be dealing with the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

Hospital visiting hours won’t be changing after all

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Visitors to the hospital may have recently noticed a new sign by the main entrance announcing changes to visitation hours.

The University Hospital of Northern BC’s sign indicated its visiting hours would change to 10 a.m.-noon and 5-8 p.m. as part of a pilot project.

However, when contacted Friday by The Citizen for details, a Northern Health spokesperson stated that these new changes will not be taking place on Monday after all.

The hospital was unable to confirm whether the changes are delayed or permanently abandoned. The page announcing the change was removed from the UHNBC website Friday. Another page was updated to state this: “Please check in with the unit before visiting to determine the best time for your visit and what you should do when you arrive.”

In a later email, Northern Health stated: “UHNBC is continuing to work to balance the need for optimal patient care planning and provision of care and improved after hours safety for patients and staff, with the ongoing

need for - and benefit to patients fromthe support of their family and friends. Should this result in any changes to public access to the facility outside of current visiting guidance, we will keep

the community informed.” So why were these new changes being considered? According to a press release from Northern Health, these changes would have been made for staff to plan patient care needs around visitation, limit interruptions to patient care, decrease traffic on the floors, allow patients more opportunities to rest and heal and improve safety within the UHNBC facility after hours for staff and patients.

Families exempt from these changes would be ones that identified as essential to the patient’s care needs, family staying with their loved ones who are palliative, family visiting loved ones who are critically ill and are not stable, and family required to be on-site for a family meeting during non-visiting hours.

Increased safety also seems to be affecting another halted change in the hospital as it was planned to limit its after-hours access to specific public bathrooms due to concerns over people partaking in illicit drug use.

Drivers are key to Uber’s Prince George expansion

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

After success in Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria over the past five years, Uber is expanding across BC, and that could include Prince George.

The ride-sharing service connects people needing rides and drivers to connect via smartphone apps. Payment is handled through the app, with no cash changing hands.

“We’re looking into launching in the next few months,” said Keerthana Rang, a spokesperson for Uber. “What we really need to make sure is that the app is going to be available across the entire province, but rides will only be available where drivers have signed up and are online to do trips. So our priority right now is making sure that we have drivers from Nanaimo to Fort St. John and everywhere in between, including Prince George.”

One of the essential components of Uber launching in PG is local support as the company needs enough drivers to support the launch. Without the right number of local drivers, the expansion into PG may be delayed, Rang said. To this effect, Uber is offering incentives to anyone looking for work with the company.

“We are offering a $500 incentive for drivers who complete their profile,” Rang said. “Then, take 10 trips within the first four weeks of when we launch. This is just a way to incentivize people to sign up to drive.”

Prince George locals eligible to drive with Uber need to have a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 4 licence, pass a criminal background check and own a vehicle that is nine years old or newer that can pass a provincial inspection every year.

Rang said she has seen data showing that locals and visitors in Prince George

have often been opening the app looking for rides, indicating an interest in using the service here.

Uride, another ride-sharing company, operates in Prince George along with two locally owned cab companies, Prince George Taxi and Emerald Taxi.

Rang said other ride-sharing apps and businesses in Prince George will benefit from Uber’s expansion.

“What we’ve seen is that when we do have multiple players, it expands the market for everybody because all people are really looking for is choice. The worst thing is when there’s just one company or one option and you go somewhere and then that option is not available or it’s not reliable because demand’s gone high or they only operate for a certain number of hours. Options are key for people. So what we’ve seen is the market goes up for everybody, and this has been

proven in many reports across the country.”

Uber has partnered with several organizations during its BC expansion, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Hope Air and the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Services Association.

“We partnered with MADD and Hope Air in BC and this would translate to Prince George and across the province as we expand,” said Rang.

“On the MADD side, despite it being easier than ever to get a ride home, unfortunately, hundreds of Canadians are still killed and thousands were injured in crashes involving alcohol and drugs.

“We’ve been working with MADD across the province to bring this number down to zero, and there’s been research that shows that anytime a rideshare is launched in a city, impaired driving does go down.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

A sign on a door at the University Hospital of Northern BC outlines the facilities proposed new visiting hours. The change was reversed later Friday after this photo was taken.

BC has rules for owners, buyers, sellers and renters

There’s a new home flipping tax, and an increase in the tax credit

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

With a new year comes a host of new financial rules in British Columbia.

Here’s what you need to know about BC’s renter’s tax credit, home flipping tax and more changes that came into effect on New Year’s Day.

Home flipping tax

If you’ve owned a property for fewer than 730 days (two years) and are selling or disposing of it, you might have to pay a tax worth 20 per cent of the net taxable income you receive from the sale.

This applies to a seller of a BC residential property whether they are a BC resident or a resident of any other jurisdiction around the world.

Eligible properties include those with a housing unit on them, those zoned for residential use and the right to acquire the aforementioned property types.

This does not apply to a deemed disposition (change of ownership due to death), a mortgage, charge or lien, a lease, a gift or “any other transaction or event resulting in a change in legal title but not a change in beneficial ownership.”

The provincial government says this measure is “intended to discourage short-term holding of property for profit.”

Properties in First Nations communities or reserves are exempt from this tax. Also exempt are registered charities, the government and its agents, other government and public bodies, corporations owned by municipalities, regional district or Indigenous nations, some housing corporations and more.

Renter’s tax credit

In 2025, the thresholds to qualify for the BC renter’s tax credit have been adjusted.

Residents with an annual adjusted income of $63,000 can get up to $400 a year off their taxes through a new renter’s tax credit. The previous threshold

was $60,000.

Those with adjusted incomes higher than $63,000 will receive a partial tax credit until they reach an income of $83,000, when it is reduced to zero.

To qualify for the tax credit, a resident must be 19 years old or older, occupy an eligible rental unit in BC like a single-family home, apartment, condo, townhouse, basement suite, detached suite, carriage house and certain types of housing co-ops or life leases for at least six full months.

Multiple tenants who rent the same unit can claim the tax credit as long as they are not married or in a common-law relationship with the other tenants. Employees of foreign governments are not eligible, neither are people who die before the end of a calendar year.

Homes that qualify for the new homeowner’s grant do not qualify for the renter’s credit.

Homeowner grant

For 2025, the residential property value threshold to qualify for the homeowner grant has been increased by $25,000 to $2.175 million. The province’s website says that this change will make it so that 92 per cent of residential properties will qualify for the grant.

Owners of residential properties worth $2.175 million or less can get a grant of $570 towards their property taxes if they live in the Capital Regional District, the Metro Vancouver Regional District or the Fraser Valley Regional District and $770 in the rest of the province.

Properties worth more than $2.175 million are still eligible for the grant, but the amount is reduced by $5 for each $1,000 of assessed value beyond the threshold.

Seniors, veterans and people with disabilities can apply for supplemental grants in addition to the basic grant. Applicants can be made at any time during the tax year, but the province recommends that property owners submit them after they receive their property tax notice and before their

taxes are due. Some retroactive applications can be made.

Only one owner of a given property can apply for the credit.

Though property owners pay taxes to their municipality, applications must be made through the provincial government.

Property tax deferment

The rules haven’t changed, but people aged 55 or older, those with disabilities, those who have lost a spouse and

for tenants

parents can apply to defer their current year’s property taxes.

This is considered a loan and those taking advantage of the program must pay a non compounding interest rate of 4.95 per cent for the regular program and 6.95 per cent for the program for parents.

There’s also a $60 administrative fee to first apply for the deferment and a $10 renewal each year that you continue to defer your taxes.

Those deferring their property taxes must repay the loan when they sell the property, add another person to the title of a property other than a spouse, removing a registered owner from a property’s title except in the case of a death, refinancing a property or subdividing your property.

Deferment applications can be made between May 1 and Dec. 31 each year.

Home values up 1.9%, business properties up 12.6%

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The overall assessed value of residential buildings in the City of Prince George increased by 1.9 per cent in the latest figures from BC Assessment while business properties increased by 7.4 per cent and light industry by 12.6 per cent.

BC Assessment released its latest property assessments for the province on Jan. 2, with the figures based on the market values of properties as of July 1, 2024.

Those figures also include statistics for the rural areas around Prince George, which say that residential families there increased in overall value by 1.4 per cent, business properties by 2.6 per cent and light industrial properties by 13.8 per cent.

Rural Prince George is shown as going as far north as the southern end of Williston Lake and as far southeast as Mount Robson.

While the agency lists the top 500 assessed residential properties in the province, none of them are in Prince George.

However, the 100 top assessed residential properties list for the North Central region has a strong Prince George presence. Of that list, 33 are located within the City of Prince George and a further 13 are said to be in rural Prince George.

The highest-assessed residential property in the North Central region is a $4.8 million property near Moberly Lake, about 20 kilometres north of Chetwynd.

The highest-assessed residential property in Prince George is ranked second in the region is worth just over $4 million.

The typical assessed value of a single-family home in Prince George increased from $438,000 to $451,000, a rise of three per cent.

Property assessment values are made up of two components, the assessed value of the land and the assessed value of the buildings on the land.

“When establishing the market value for a particular property, BC Assessment considers each property’s unique

characteristics,” BC Assessment’s website says.

“These are the same characteristics that a home purchaser would consider, including size, layout, shape, age, finish, quality, number of carports, garages, sundecks and condition of buildings. Services in the area, location, views and neighbourhood may also influence a property’s market value.”

The entire value of a property can be determined in one of four ways, which is chosen by BC Assessment based on the availability of data and the type of a property.

• Sales comparison: determining market value based on the sale price of comparable properties,

• Income approach: determining market value based on capitalized value of current rents and leases,

• Cost approach: basing market value on the replacement cost of a property and

it was worth $896,000 in 2024 and $895,000 in 2025. The data shows that the value of the land dropped from $223,000 to $199,000 while the value of the buildings went from $673,000 to $696,000, leading to a net decrease in value of $1,000.

Looking at an interactive map provided by BC Assessment, we can also see the change in average assessed house value broken down by neighbourhood in the city.

The changes are:

• Northwest Prince George: 7.5 per cent increase

• Peden Hill: 4.9 per cent increase

• Southwest Prince George: 3.5 per cent increase

• Millar Addition: 3.2 per cent increase

• Quinson/Spruceland: 2.7 per cent increase

• Westwood/Pinewood: 2.6 per cent increase

• Highglen/Heritage/Lakewood: 2.6 per cent increase

• Upland-Landsdowne: 2.4 per cent increase

• Cranbrook Hill: 2.4 per cent increase

• Prescribed approach: market value is determined on prescribed costs outlined by regulation or policy.

“Land is valued based on its highest and best use, meaning the reasonable and optimal legal use of property which is both physically possible and financially feasible,” the provincial government said. “For example, vacant downtown land may be valued at its development potential rather than existing use.”

Looking at a random single-family home on Rainbow Drive, the total assessed value increased in 2024 was $422,000. Of that figure, the land was assessed at a value of $196,000 and the buildings at $226,000.

In 2025, the land is now valued at $219,000 and the buildings at $218,000 for a total value of $437,000.

If we randomly select one of the homes near the westernmost end of St. Lawrence Avenue, we can see that

• Hart Highway: 2.1 per cent increase

• Southeast Prince George: 1.9 per cent increase

• Downtown Commercial: 0.8 per cent increase

• South Fort George: 0.6 per cent increase

• Central/Crescents: 0.4 per cent increase

• College Heights: 0.4 per cent decrease

• Strip Commercial: 0.7 per cent decrease

• Charella/Starlane/Tyner: 1.1 per cent decrease

• Northeast Prince George: 1.3 per cent decrease

Around Moccasin Flats, some properties have greatly increased in value from 2024 to 2025 while others have only seen small increases. CONTINUED

The City of Prince George’s average residential property value change as shown by BC Assessment in 2025.

Assessment is a key factor in property tax amounts

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

As an example, the portion of the property on which The Citizen’s offices sit at 505 Fourth Ave. had a significant jump in value. The assessed value is now just over $2.7 million, up from around $2.2 million in 2024. That’s a 24 per cent increase.

BC Assessment’s website says that the value of the land increased from $1,085,000 in 2024 to $1,106,000 and the buildings value went from $1,092,000 to $1,602,000.

The other portion of 505 Fourth Ave. to the west had a similar increase in value of 25 per cent from $1,048,000 in 2024 to $1,313,000 in 2025.

At 693 Fourth Ave., the property value went up from $1,037,000 to $1,206,000.

On the property at 397 Third Ave., where the City of Prince George has built transitional housing for residents of Moccasin Flats, the assessed value

has increased by two per cent from $631,000 to $643,000.

Further to the south, at 377 Lower Patricia Blvd., the value has gone up seven per cent from $130,200.

BC Assessment’s data doesn’t list the sale of any properties directly beside Moccasin Flats, but it does for some in the same commercial area.

For example, the property at 674 Second Ave. sold for $900,000 in October 2024. That’s both higher than the $609,000 it was worth in 2024 and more than double its 2025 assessed value of $445,000.

Down the road at 466 Second Ave., that property sold for $1.2 million. That’s slightly higher than the $1.192 million it was assessed at in 2024 and lower than its 2025 assessment of $1.38 million.

When 495 Second Ave. sold in May 2024 for $465,000, it was a lot more than its assessed value of $376,700. However, it was only slightly more than its 2025

Looking to appeal your assessment?

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Property owners looking to appeal their latest assessments, there isn’t much time to do so. Notices of complaint with BC Assessment and the Property Assessment Review Panel must be filed by Jan. 31. Appellants are given a 30-minute hearing before a panel in which to plead their case.

More information about filing a complaint with the PARP can be found online at gov.bc.ca/gov/content/ housing-tenancy/owning-a-home/ property-assessment-review-panels2.

Those wanting to appeal a decision by the PARP to the Property Assessment Appeal Board must then do so by April 30.

Appeals to the PARP are free but appeals to the PAAB come with a non-refundable $30 filing fee for residential, recreational, non-profit and farm property owners and a nonrefundable $300 filing fee for industrial and

assessed value of $463,900.

Another area property at 275 First Avenue sold for $400,000 in October 2024. That’s both higher than the 2024 assessment of $367,700 and the 2025 assessment of $383,100.

Likely Prince George’s most valuable property are the lands on which the University of Northern BC sit. In 2025, they are valued at $459,755,000 — nearly half a billion dollars.

BC has nine classes of properties: residential, utility, supportive housing, major industry, light industry, business, managed forest land, recreational and farm. The City of Prince George has tax rates set for properties in each of those categories.

The money the city collects in taxes shared between different funds it controls and with other entities, like the Fraser Fort-George Regional District and the Fraser Fort-George Regional Hospital District.

An assessment’s effect on the tax

an owner pays on an individual property value changes relative to the average change of the value of the same type of property in the same community.

Those with an assessed value staying around the average could see their taxes stay the same while those higher or lower than the average may see those corresponding changes.

Something else that will have an impact on property taxes in Prince George is the city’s annual budget and the tax change approved by city council.

In 2024, city council approved a budget resulting in a 6.78 per cent property tax increase. Council has yet to deliberate the 2025 budget, but city staff have presented a proposed operating budget with a proposed tax increase of 6.55 per cent.

Overall, the number of assessed properties in BC increased by one per cent year-over-year to a total of 2,207,009.

commercial property owners.

To help property owners assess whether they have a strong enough case to launch an appeal, the PAAB has an interactive online tool where you can outline your concern with your assessment and find out what evidence you need to be successful.

For instance, the tool says that arguing that your assessment is higher than other properties is not usually successful and that the board cannot help in the case where an appellant is merely concerned with their taxes being too high.

BC Assessment recommends that property owners review their assessment and the assessments of similar properties before filing an appeal. It also encourages property owners to reach out to their staff to see if the issue can be resolved before filing an appeal.

Assessment rules are different for lands within Indigenous communities or leased from Indigenous communities.

OPINION

Nothing confusing about asking the experts first

User groups say they weren’t consulted on the Civic Core Plan recommendations brought to council

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Apparently there’s a fair bit of confusion out there about the Civic Core Plan.

The City of Prince George issued a statement on the “fact check” section of its website regarding the recent developments in its handling of the plan, saying people may have read or watched “differing things” about the plans for a major redevelopment of Canada Games Plaza.

The document offers taxpayers a partial timeline of the Civic Core Plan process. While most of the information shared with the public in the statement is a short summary of The Citizen’s detailed reporting and editorial commentary, it does include some new information, specifically three next steps.

Here they are, quoted verbatim:

• Technical studies and site planning: Administration will now proceed with technical studies (including parking!) and site planning to ensure the city is well-positioned for future development opportunities.

• Future public engagement: The city acknowledges the

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

importance of inclusive consultation and is committed to engaging with all interested parties to address their feedback as much as possible --- opportunities for engagement will be considered in the next steps.

• Detailed plan presentation: Staff will return to council in 2025 with more details on the plan, including specifics of each facility, economic analysis, timelines, and financial information.

These steps are out of sequence, and once again fail to deal with an issue we’ve shared in these pages: Some of the key players affected, including the Spruce Kings and the Community Arts Council, are not happy with the current plan as it does not meet their needs.

While the city’s “fact check” indicates that round-table conversations were had with some affected groups, the process didn’t go far enough. The user groups were not consulted on the final recommendations and were surprised by city staff’s report. For instance, the Spruce Kings find the proposed 4,500seat replacement arena far too big for its needs.

These organizations deserve more input. That should be the first thing the city does, before any technical studies or site planning and before returning to the public users for feedback. These groups will call the new facilities home for decades and deserve a greater role in shaping that future.

Council did get some user advice during the Dec. 16 conversation.

An unnamed worker puts a coat of white paint on the new quarter-inch ice surface at the newly built Prince George Coliseum on Oct. 24, 1958 in preparation for its first use before what’s now the Kopar Memorial Arena opened.

Unfortunately, it came from one of their own, presenting a potential conflict of interest. Coun. Kyle Sampson, who owns an entertainment promotion company, amended staff recommendations

regarding the future performing arts centre. “Putting my professional hat on and understanding the industry,” he said to open his motion to increase the size of the performance centre and add flexible space options which would allow the venue to offer a range of seating options depending on the event. This is an increase in size that neither the staff, nor any user group, identified or requested.

It’s one thing for a councillor to draw from their professional experience in decision-making but to put forward a motion (which was passed) where his or her business could benefit from the proposed changes creates a potential conflict. Sampson should have refrained from making that amendment.

There are plenty of other experts on performance space out there who aren’t members of council. Those experts are found in the user groups who need to be engaged with moving forward. A clear engagement process with the user groups would ensure the facilities meet their needs years from now.

“Community input remains a cornerstone of this project, and the city encourages residents to stay engaged as we move forward,” the city’s statement reads.

The city can show that commitment by bringing in the user groups first, before technical studies and site planning, to make sure these new facilities meet everyone’s needs.

There’s nothing confusing about that. Have your say with a letter to the editor: editor@pgcitizen.ca. CITIZEN

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Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

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Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

Civic Core Plan: Let’s consider more reasonable options

The Back Story

I might be one of the biggest proponents of public investment and ownership to bring us together in common purpose whether that is creating a fair economy or celebrating our teams or our arts.

But that doesn’t mean this Civic Core Plan is the way to go about doing that. Yes, I know we have been spending a lot of money to get it off the ground. This included a large unspecified sum to come up with the two uninspiring options presented to council last Dec. 16.

There is some confusion as to who actually came up with the report or what we spent. In September of 2022 Stantec was first hired but disengaged from the process and it appears whoever they replaced them with may have also disengaged, as there is no mention of who wrote the report presented to council that night.

In any case, why bother? Our mayor drew up his own version while his opponents on council tried to one-up

Being a modern Canadian means being about ‘one or the other’

If someone supports LGBTQ rights, public health care, gender equality, right to marriage, right to abortions, union rights, Truth and Reconciliation, environmentalism AND banning firearms ... then they may find they are voting themselves out of history. Bye-bye. Because firearms, gun ownership and training are exactly what minority groups and progressives need in the world right now; especially Canadians, wedged between the U.S. AND Russia. Finland is building 300 new gun ranges for civilians, Poland is making shooting lessons mandatory in schools, Latvia and Sweden have conscription; when will Canadians learn this is not a

him with their own back-of-envelope concept plans.

And naturally, chaos ensued.

Combined with the fact big civic redevelopment projects like this have a history of failure, as well as the fact user groups like the Spruce Kings were not consulted, we should be alarmed.

First of all, let’s touch ground. We need a realistic discussion about what we can afford first.

We already spend almost $13.5 million a year in our budget to service our debt, both principal and interest payments, the breakdown of which I can’t readily locate. In any case, it’s around 10 per cent of our annual budget. This will increase when we borrow another $22 million to fix the aquatic centre and probably half that to fix our new pool, along with over $100 million in unfunded capital costs and various other infrastructure maintenance costs in the pipeline.

Our taxes, already high, have gone up 20 per cent in the past four years and will go up at least another 6 per cent next year. And don’t forget the $365 million in hospital district taxes for that new surgical tower, most of which will fall on city taxpayers, or the fact one or two of the big pulp mills will likely

political issue?

And the very people wanting to ban firearms are the same people who need the most protection. We call that “Shooting yourself in the foot.” Let’s get with the program.

Canadian gun owners are here to welcome you to ranges to practice and have fun shooting regardless of your race, religion, sex, gender, sexual preference or political views.

Take a learning adventure, step out of your comfort zone, challenge your biases and prejudices and allow your neighbours and loved ones to show you a culture that responsibly understands and uses modern technology for food, sport, survival and defence.

It’s fun! Gain life skills, connect with

Remember when a canal, pond and park were proposed for the civic core in 2009? It’s one of the many concepts that have come and gone over the decades.

close down, a tax hit residents will be expected to shoulder.

People are struggling to pay their bills as it is. Is it the right time to be locking us into more debt and more taxes for things that are ultimately civic wants, not needs?

At the Dec. 16 meeting I heard the expression “growth pays for growth,” a mantra Coun. Cori Ramsay repeated that everyone seemed to nod their heads in unison to.

But most of the growth we are seeing in this city is expensive sprawl outside

LETTERS EDITOR to the

nature, and most importantly connect with your neighbours and community.

How can one stand for justice and equality, if their goals are to eliminate a people’s culture, traditions and their heritage?

How can one defend the defenceless and protect the rights of all, by becoming weaker or less skilled?

How can one speak for the voiceless, if they don’t listen or hear them?

I miss the Canada where you could support gun ownership and environmentalism at the same time.

I miss the Canada where you could support public health care or LGBTQ

of the existing urban area that costs cities money. We are mowing down forests that mitigate stormwater and having the rest of the taxpayers on the hook to expand infrastructure to service those areas and maintain it when it gets silted up. And who will have to pay for the new highways to service all the new traffic coming out of University Heights and College Heights?

Certain types of growth pays for growth, I would argue, but the irresponsible growth we are seeing in our city will not be the tax windfall to support new facilities we think it is. It’s another liability.

In any case, what’s all of this for?

As recently as 20 years ago Prince George had a bustling, lively downtown and that had nothing to do with government-funded monuments to civic ego.

In my view, a lot of the publicly funded bulldozing we’ve done these past 15 years has made things worse.

This is not to say we don’t invest in arts, small business, and sports.

But this whole thing needs to be put on ice for a while and realistic alternatives need to be considered, the details of which I’m willing to get pilloried for in a future piece.

James Steidle is a Prince George writer.

rights at the same time as a strong military and police force.

Now if I wanted dental care, I’d also have to accept loose laws, high crime and police force defunding; now if I wanted better union protections and day-care for my kids, I’d have to accept losing my property, hobbies, culture and ability to provide for my family.

Apparently, now, nobody can enjoy Hunting, shooting, owning, buying or collecting firearms AND be a centrist or left-leaning; it’s out of the options.

This is senseless polarization. Are Canadians even thinking of the future? Honestly, it’s hard to tell.

Matthew Peterson Prince George

JAMES STEIDLE

OPINION

Cameron Stolz: How we saved The Prince George Citizen from certain death

I am humbled and honored to receive the 2024 “Too much time on your hands“ award for submitting biting, incisive, satiral, cynical, whimsical comments to your stories that have helped increased viewership. Thank you very much and looking forward to a prosperous 2025 !

BGeez

Rustad says BC Conservatives will release an election report in January -

Whether you agree or disagree with Rustad’s decision to release a election report on the findings of the election is here nor there. What he is doing is what he was elected to do “work for the people” and give the people answers as to why it took as long as it did to determine the winner and the fact that elections BC had missed counting ballots in a very tight race.

Given that Election BC made a big news release how they have a much better and accurate way of talling up votes along with quicker. As we all know this did not happen and to be honest paper ballots still seem to be more accurate & quicker.

His report is not going to change the outcome but it certainly answers a few questions & Elections BC needs to do better. It’s not a crime to make our officials tow the line as the people are tired of always having to second guess what they say or in this case elections being done in a timely fashion.

Leslie Ann Tomei

Prince George Community Arts Council’s Eli Klasner calls out Civic Core Plan

There’s a lot of truth in what Eli Klasner has to say.

Can the city hire a librarian/ archivist to go through and list all the reports and researches done through the years.

However much money has been wasted duplicating previous efforts, it will probably more than pay for the bloated salary and benefits required to hire a qualified person. Put the current projects on hold and start fresh with a base of facts and requirements before spending any more money on pie-in-the-sky wish lists.

Skeeto

What owners, buyers, sellers and renters need to know about new property rules

Hopefully the flip tax helps people who want to get a home as it takes some of the demand out of the system. The renter tax credits etc, are adjusting for inflation, good to see.

MFW68

PGSO director supports Civic Core Plan, with some suggestions

Build it in stages, first a new Coliseum, keeps Spruce Kings and public skating and any concerts, phase 2, arena stadium like Vanier Hall, nice cushy seats with a common food court catering to those who use the facility. Best of both worlds.

Princegeorgegirl

Prince George Community Arts Council’s Eli Klasner calls out Civic Core Plan

Sad but true. How many studies and reports have already been done. Why do city council and the mayor think they and administration have all the answers?

The people who actually provide the services that happen in these facilities are the ones who know what is needed. All the rest of us are end users.

Rethink this entire plan once all the specific occupants of these new buildings have had their input.

Not just arts and performing but the hockey teams etc. as well.

Karen McKenzie

Prince

George woman: Surviving and thriving after addiction

This story made my morning. I am so happy for all the hard work she has done to help her self and her children.

This can’t be easy and each step of the way she had support.

I have no doubt she will one day support another mom. Keep growing and learning and taking care of yourself.

Rooting for you.

Degart

Chosen Civic Core Plan lacks vision, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu says

I couldn’t disagree any more strongly with our mayor. He sounds like an ideological teenager. He sounds like he’s visiting. He sounds like he doesn’t get it.

Is his objective to list accomplishments on his resume?

We are a modest, affordable city. People come & stay here for affordability, not the weather, and definately not for a modern downtown.

I sell this town to people by emphasizing PG is not about the town, it’s about the activities we get to do in the surrounding areas.

We bike, ski, hike, camp, fish, paddle, hunt, atv, snowmobile & jetboat, and without the crowds.

We can afford to play because we’re not house-poor. Change that, and you lose the motivation for people to live here.

If we can’t grow our industry today, wait for the right pitch then swing the bat.

Want an accomplishment? Try doing The Iceman solo.

Just don’t raise our taxes for your registration fee.

AGSofPG Share your views on our stories at

MP Doherty wants more progress on suicide strategy

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The national mental health hotline that Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty helped create has been operating for more than a year, but he thinks the country could still be doing more on mental health.

Speaking to The Citizen for a year-inreview interview after his Dec. 18 open house at his shared office with Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer, Doherty said more than 30,000 Canadians are either calling or texting 988 every month.

Doherty is the Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced a National Suicide Prevention Action Plan aimed at building onto previous work done through the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention.

However, Doherty said no funding for it has been announced, including in the fall fiscal update presented on Dec. 16.

“We need to treat mental health in parity with physical health,” Doherty said.

“I always say that if you have a broken arm, I can see that you’re injured but if you’re struggling with a mental health injury or mental illness, I can’t see that you’re struggling yet that pain is probably just the same.”

Doherty said a $4.6 billion mental health transfer from the federal government to the provinces promised in 2021 never materialized.

A report from the Canadian Mental Health Association on the state of mental health care issued on Nov. 19 said that this funding was rolled out through bilateral health agreements with the provinces and territories.

However, in the 2024-25 fiscal year, CMHA reports that just $903 million of the $52.1 billion in total health transfers was earmarked for mental health, addictions and substance use health. That figure, the report said, is half the recommended amount.

After COVID, Doherty said Canadians

are struggling more with mental health, but the funding being delivered is pennies on the dollar compared to what’s needed.

Heading into 2025, Doherty said he’d like to promote more jobs coming to his riding.

Since the Liberals took power, Doherty said they’ve failed to deliver a softwood lumber trade agreement with the United States. That, he said, is resulting in mill closures and job losses.

“When communities don’t have those projects, don’t have those mills or those high value jobs, those families are going to go elsewhere,” he said. “We’ll become ghost towns in our region.”

In less than a month, Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States, four years after he lost his first re-election bid to Joe Biden. He has threatened to put blanket 25 per cent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico entering the U.S., unless those countries improve border security and crack down on drug trafficking.

Doherty said Canada needs to do everything in its power to negotiate from a position of strengfh.

“What we have seen over the last nine year is we’ve got a government that have limped into negotiations and hope

that they would charm their way into these agreements,” he said. “They made promise after promise after promise and yet they’ve done nothing.”

Closer to home, Doherty said he wants to see a change to what he referred to as “hug a thug” crime policies.

He said he has a constituent in Mud River who came home earlier this year to find his home being ransacked and got run over as the perpetrators fled. After that, Doherty said, those arrested were released on bail within 24 hours.

The MP also raised the situation with the RCMP station in Vanderhoof.

In November 2021, a man fired at the station and police vehicles. Doherty said the bullet holes are still there, despite former Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino discussing potential safety improvements to the building like bulletproof glass.

Crime isn’t just costing individuals, but also businesses that Doherty said would rather relocate than go through more break and enters.

To accomplish this, he said communities not only need to have a full complement of police officers but that those officers need to be provided with the resources to do their jobs properly.

When it comes to the issues raised by

his constituents, Doherty said affordability is top of mind. He said people are struggling with the costs of food, housing and fuel.

Doherty connected a lot of that unaffordability to the carbon tax. While residents of jurisdictions like BC get a rebate from the carbon tax implemented by their province or territory or a rebate from the federal government in jurisdictions without a price on carbon, Doherty said the idea that Canadians get back more than they pay is “Liberal spin.”

In October, the Parliamentary Budget Officer reported that when it comes just to the fiscal impact of the carbon tax on fuel, the average household will receive more from the federal backstop than they pay directly by the 2030-31 fiscal year.

However, the PBO also reported that when you account for both fiscal and economic impacts, the average household would see more costs than they receive in payments from the Canada Carbon Rebate.

For those unhappy with the current direction of the country, Doherty said Canada wasn’t the same before Justin Trudeau became prime minister and it won’t be like that when a Conservative government is elected in 2025.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer (left) and Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty (right) address an open house at their shared downtown Prince George constituency office on Dec. 18.

MP Zimmer says Trudeau Liberals failing Northern BC

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer’s sat down with The Citizen before Christmas to reflect on 2024 and discuss his plans heading into an election year in 2025.

Zimmer said the instability in Parliament caused by ongoing Liberal leadership crisis – which ended with Justin Trudeau’s resignation Monday, Jan. 6, after Zimmer’s interview - doesn’t change his strategy heading into 2025. Under federal law, the next election has to take place on or before Oct. 25, 2025.

In other words, they know Canadians are heading to the polls sometime within the next 10 months and are planning accordingly.

Zimmer said people are seeing the country stray so far to the left wing they don’t recognize it anymore.

Asked to elaborate on that point, the MP said when a lot of people grew up, the natural resource sector was valued whether it came to forestry, oil, gas, agriculture or anything else.

“That’s really shifted because a lot of those same opportunities have been slowly declining or closing,” he said. “Places like Mackenzie, places like even Fort St. John, there’s not one mill left that’s open.”

As a result, he said people are wondering how they’re going to pay their own bills as well as the country’s debt.

“Ten, maybe 15 years ago, it wasn’t even a question whether you could buy your own house,” Zimmer said. “Canadians just want to get back to that normalcy.”

Both in his role as MP and as the federal critic for northern affairs and Arctic sovereignty, Zimmer said he’s been pressuring International Trade Minister Mary Ng over what he sees as a lack of urgency on lumber trade with the United States and restrictive regulations for mining companies.

“I think we’re in a new era,” he said. “The environment is the top concern, I think, for mining companies and I’d say also for communities. They know that they have to do better, but it doesn’t

mean that we shut down mining. We can’t. We have critical minerals that the world needs. We have them in BC. Going forward, I think we need a good plan on how we get our natural resources to market but also doing it in a very environmentally sound and safe way.”

On Dec. 3, Reuters reported China was banning exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to America as well as implementing stricter reviews on graphite exports in retaliation for the United States introducing a new slate of export restrictions aimed at China’s semiconductor industry.

Both gallium and germanium are used for creating semiconductors, while graphite is used to make electric vehicle batteries.

That could introduce opportunities for Canada. Zimmer said Canada and the United states already have agreements around the procurement of critical minerals.

“When China is going to limit the flow of critical minerals outwards to countries within North America and our

allies, then Canada and British Columbia need to step up.”

Zimmer pointed out that a critical minerals company that Justin Trudeau visited in 2023 and provided $5 million in funding to, Saskatoon-based Vital Minerals, has declared bankruptcy since.

A state-owned Chinese company tried to buy the company’s rare earth minerals stockpile, but the federal government blocked the purchase. Zimmer said that situation shows the important of expediting mineral development and breaking down silos between different levels of government.

While affordability is a concern across the country, Zimmer said prices for things like groceries are especially high in the territories. In the Arctic, Zimmer also outlined sovereignty concerns with China and Russia being more aggressive militarily.

Speaking about his riding, Zimmer said he was impressed by stories of people working together during wildfire season to help save each other’s farms and businesses.

He said he’s been working to bring

attention to the plight of the forestry industry, especially in those communities where mills have closed.

“For me, it’s really prioritizing around jobs because I think that’s where for people rubber meets the road,” Zimmer said. “When you come home, can you put a meal on the table and keep your furnace on?”

Trudeau’s future came up in the pre-Christmas interview. Zimmer predicted at the time that the Prime Minister would stick it out.

“I think he’s going to stick around,” Zimmer said at the time.. “I’ve gotten to kind of know who he is over the last 13 years and I don’t see him leaving after doing all this work to day. I think he’s going to take it right to the end. I think he wants to run against Pierre Poilievre. I think he’s still in that ‘emperor with no clothes’ situation.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this interview was published online before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. This print version has been edited to reflect that.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Kiel Giddens (left) speaks at an open house held at the shared constituency office of Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer and Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty on Dec. 18 as Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird listens.

’Tis

the end of the season

Rob Virkutis of Bednesti Tree Services pushes a tree into the wood chipper Saturday during the annual Christmas tree recycling weekend underway in the CN Centre parking lot. People could drop off their trees - free of all decorations and lights - on Saturday and Sunday for environmentally friendly disposal by the city’s parks division, which turns them into mulch. The event organizers, Job’s Daughters, were accepting donations.

CITIZEN STAFF

A public hearing for a property near the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre has been rescheduled for the Jan. 13 city council meeting after previously being cancelled.

The hearing for 880 Guay Rd. was originally supposed to take place at the Dec. 16, 2024 meeting but staff said they were cancelling it because with the then-ongoing postal strike, they couldn’t be sure that notice went out to all the relevant parties. As previously reported by The Citizen, L&M Engineering is applying on behalf of owners Eastway Sand & Gravel to have a 22.7-hectare portion of the property rezoned from AG: Greenbelt and P6: Special Institutional to M2: General Industrial.

The firm also wants 3.3 hectares of the land rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestry and P6: Special Institution to AG: Greenbelt to create a buffer zone of trees

to reduce noise made on site.

That would allow for Tyrod Industrial to relocate its operations to the property and then expand them.

The company provides industrial construction services, fabricating and installing pressure piping system, pressure vessels and structural steel.

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

Public hearings at city council meetings start at 7 p.m. in chambers on the second floor of city hall.

To phone into the public hearing, residents can call 1-877-708-3350 and enter the access code 1269574#.

Residents can also attend the public hearing in person or send written comments by email to cityclerk@princegeorge. ca, by fax at 250-561-0183 or in person to the corporate officer on the fifth floor of city hall.

Gun call to PG home leads to guilty plea from accused

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George man agreed Friday, Dec. 27 to plead guilty to a charge of careless use or storage of a firearm after an incident last March.

Andrew William Soles, 43, had also been charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm.

Provincial Court Judge Martin Nadon agreed to a defence request for a pre-sentence report with a psychiatric component and set Feb. 5, 2025 as the deadline for that report and the next court date for Soles.

Court heard that, last March 2, a scared individual called the Prince George RCMP to report a male standing outside his house with a firearm.

RCMP officers arrived and patrolled in the area.

They followed snow tracks to a

residence where a male exited with a firearm in his hand.

Officers asked him to lay it on the ground. He left it near a tree and ran away, afraid and agitated.

Officers eventually found and arrested Soles.

They later entered Soles’s house with a search warrant and found bullet holes in the walls, but the bullets did not exit the house.

In a statement to police, Soles said he had been using drugs and suffering mental health issues.

He had recently switched medications and believed people were trying to break into his home, which caused him to barricade himself inside the residence.

Soles admitted to firing the gun inside the house, but no one else was present. Police seized multiple firearms from the scene.

Man pleads guilty to possessing stolen truck and trailer

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 37-year-old man pleaded guilty in Prince George Provincial Court on Jan. 2 to two counts of possession of stolen property in excess of $5,000.

Christopher Ross Dunk was charged after RCMP arrested him for driving a stolen black 2014 Dodge Ram pickup

truck towing a stolen 2022 Continental box trailer.

Court heard that, at approximately 3 a.m. on July 23, 2023, an RCMP officer observed the truck and trailer travelling eastbound on Highway 16 at a high speed.

The trailer’s taillights were not working when the police spotted the vehicle, court heard.

The officer tried to pull the driver

over, but the pickup truck failed to stop and continued to be driven southbound on Highway 97.

The vehicle and trailer were later found abandoned on Bowron Road, police reported.

A search by officers with the assistance of police dogs eventually located Dunk, who was arrested.

Judge Martin Nadon set Jan. 16 as Dunk’s next court date.

Broken old lawnmower at centre of small-claims case between friends

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a small claims ruling, the vicechair of the Civil Resolution Tribunal noted that the defendant clarified that he was given a lawnmower as a gift to avoid a meaningless 120-kilometre drive out of Prince George.

In a Dec. 19 verdict, Eric Regehr wrote that it was more likely that Glenden Laird gave Robert Gilligan the 10-yearold, non-functioning ride-on lawnmower

as a gift.

Regehr dismissed Laird’s claim for the ride-on lawnmower, which Laird valued at $2,400, but ordered Gilligan to pay $1,300 the owes Laird. Laird claimed he loaned Gilligan both the lawnmower and $2,400.

“The parties were old friends,” Regehr wrote.

“The applicant (Laird) does not deny that he owned and used a newer lawnmower, meaning he had no use for the one he gave the respondent.”

Regehr wrote that Gilligan made

sure to clarify that the lawnmower was a gift, “because they did not want to drive from Prince George to Quesnel just to borrow an old, broken lawnmower. When they arrived, the respondent says they asked the applicant whether he wanted anything for the lawnmower and the applicant said no.”

Regehr said the parties agreed that Gilligan paid some money back, but also “reborrowed” some of those payments. Based on text messages between the two, Regehr found Gilligan owed Laird

$1,300.

“The text messages at the time suggest that he wanted the lawnmower back not because he still believed he owned it, but as collateral for the debts,” Regehr wrote. “In particular, the applicant offered to cancel the debts if the applicant gave the lawnmower back.”

Regehr ordered payment of $1,300 plus $1.94 in pre-judgment interest within 30 days of the decision.

Laird is also entitled to post-judgment interest, the court ruled.

A Prince George man has pled guilty after RCMP took a report from a local resident who saw him outside his home with a firearm.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

RCMP arrested a driver after spotting a stolen truck on Highway 16.

Man with knife guilty of violating peace bond

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A man pleaded guilty in Prince George Provincial Court on Jan. 2 to breaching a peace bond by possessing and brandishing a knife.

David Micheal Douglas Twyman, 49, had also been charged with assault with a weapon, but the Crown stayed that charge.

Judge Martin Nadon sentenced Twyman to a 12-month conditional discharge and probation for the May 9, 2024 offence.

On that date, Twyman was at the residence of his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had a “somewhat toxic” relationship, Nadon said. Another man attended and became embroiled in a dispute with Twyman. He placed Twyman, who was intoxicated, in a chokehold. Twyman responded by removing a knife from a sheath in his belt.

Nadon said Twyman did not use it to assault the other man, “but it was

brandished.” Nadon also noted that Twyman’s lawyer had referred to the three as being in a love triangle.

While Twyman has a criminal record, Nadon said his most-recent conviction was in 2010 for assault. He has also been of good behaviour since the day after last May’s offence.

“Obviously it is almost invariably in the person’s best interest to have a conditional discharge,” Nadon said.

“Always the question that has to be answered is whether it’s in society’s best interest.”

Nadon said Twyman was the youngest of 14 children in an abusive household, spent ages 7 to 14 in government care and turned to alcohol due to childhood trauma. The class 1 truck driver has been in counselling.

Twyman’s sentencing conditions include no contact with his ex-girlfriend and the other man, he must not possess weapons and must not possess or consume any alcohol or drugs, except for cannabis and medical prescriptions.

Graffiti, pickup trucks called clues in Red Rock fire

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Investigators are looking for leads after a fire destroyed the Red Rock weigh scales on Christmas Eve.

The fire at the Highway 97 South spot was reported around 6:20 a.m. Dec. 24.

The Prince George RCMP is looking for any help in identifying possible suspects or information that may lead to an arrest.

First responders arriving at the location noted two pickup trucks leaving

the vicinity of the fire. However, they were not able to obtain any license plate information.

Police also say graffiti reading “Good job McCreadie” found after the fire was not there the day before. Police believe it may be related to several recent impaired driving investigations and that the graffiti and the arson are connected. Investigators are hoping that dash cam footage may show suspects leaving the scene and ask anyone who can help to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3321.

Judge refuses call to switch house arrest to curfew

“My friend and I have had discussions,” Baines said.

A Provincial Court judge in Prince George refused Dec. 30 to hear an application to convert a man’s house arrest sentence to curfew.

Defence lawyer Liam Cooper and Crown prosecutor Anne Baines went before Judge Cassandra Malfair, seeking to vary 33-year-old Tyler Ian Curtis’s conditional sentence.

In September 2023, Judge Peter McDermick ordered Curtis to serve two years of home confinement and then three years probation for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

Baines said Curtis’s lawyer originally sought both a change to a nightly curfew and an end the required electronic monitoring.

“We’re not removing the electronic monitoring part, but we are proposing that condition four, which is the house arrest condition, be changed to be a curfew condition that he has to be in his residence from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.”

Malfair, however, said that was too much to ask her and told Cooper and Baines to make the application to McDermick, the sentencing judge. Malfair said the conditional sentence of house arrest is a form of jail within the community meant to express deterrence and denunciation.

It is different from a probation order, she said.

“I can’t go back and retroactively re-evaluate Judge McDermick’s principles of sentencing, what went into

his thought in terms of restricting Mr. Curtis’s liberty in order to give him a jail sentence,” Malfair said.

“If he was in jail, we couldn’t come back now and say we want to shorten his jail sentence.”

Curtis was the driver in a Foothills Boulevard rollover crash on Jan. 14, 2021 that killed his passenger and longtime friend, James Lindsay, 29. Curtis was supposed to be serving a 90-day driving ban for impaired driving, but was driving with a blood alcohol level of .179.

Curtis’s sentence variation application will now be heard Feb. 21, 2025.

Crown originally asked McDermick to sentence Curtis to two years in jail plus two years probation and a five-year driving ban.

McDermick, however, opted for the defence request of the two-year

conditional sentence order, with an electronic monitoring device, three years probation and five-year driving ban.

At the July 2023 sentencing hearing, Lindsay’s mother, Donna Pike, urged McDermick to be lenient.

“I don’t think James would want him in jail,” Pike told the court. “I don’t think it would serve him any good to tear his family apart.”

Curtis had no prior record and had pleaded guilty.

Curtis’s house arrest conditions allow him to leave his residence twice a week for two hours, as well as for work and for a medical emergency.

McDermick also ordered him to complete 100 hours of community service work within the first six months.

With

files from Mark Nielsen

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

RCMP PHOTO

Graffiti was found near the scene of a fire on Christmas Eve at the Red Rock weigh station.

Historic drug bust shows city is an organized crime hub

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The biggest drug bust in Prince George history happened last year on Aug. 21 and the large amounts of cash and drugs in that seizure confirmed to police that organized crime and gang activity is not confined to the Lower Mainland.

It’s a provincial problem that has spread to Prince George, says RCMP Spt. Darin Rappel, who in October took over the reins from retired superintendent Shaun Wright as the city’s commanding RCMP officer.

While investigating a break-and-enter report at a residence in the 4400 block of Fifth Ave., RCMP noticed a large quantity of illegal cigarettes and a subsequent search warrant resulted in the seizure of 40 kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, 11 kg of cannabis and 11 kg of a cutting agent, 120,000 counterfeit cigarettes and more than $500,000 in cash.

“It demonstrated specifically to us the scope of the issue here,” said Rappel. “Prince George is a hub area. Forty kilograms of hard drugs is a significant amount and it just demonstrates that there’s a capacity to have that kind of drug quantity up here.”

In April, the province recriminalized hard drug use in public places. Until then, adult drug users could use substances in front of stores, businesses, public buildings, parks and even schoolyards - protections provided by a pilot program introduced in January 2023 which allows users in B.C. to carry up to 2.5 grams of hard drugs for personal use without facing criminal charges.

As a result of the rollback in decriminalization, the number of drug investigations jumped from 153 in 2023 to 212 as of Dec. 18 (up 39 per cent).

Rappel said that’s also a reflection of the work police officers, especially those in specialized sections, to enforce the new law, which gives police the right to arrest people using hard drugs in stores, hospitals, restaurants or any other public place.

“We recognized some of the difficulties it was causing for us from an enforcement perspective and that maybe some of the hoped-for benefits (reduced opioid overdoses) were not being realized,” said Rappel. “Those were discussions that were happening in the province and certainly BC Association of Chiefs of Police recently came out not endorsing that decriminalization any more.

“Right now if you are at a safe injection site or if you’re in your own residence or in a tent encampment you’re still permitted to use it, but what it does do is give us the tools back as officers to deal with some of the public disorder issues that were concurrent with drug use.”

Prince George police continue to make seizures of safer supply drugs prescribed to drug users as an alternate to fentanyl and other opioids. Rappel said that is a regular occurrence.

“We do still see the diversion of safe supply,” he said. “You would see drug trafficking of fentanyl or methamphetamines (and) the transaction of safe supply drugs is part and parcel with those criminal acts, also with the selling and reselling of illegal cigarettes and stolen property.

“People will certainly be approached to go in take their prescriptions and obtain safe supply in trade for drugs. Our arrests are still in regard to trafficking, it is not a possession thing we’re looking at and hasn’t been for a very long time. These are individuals that prey upon the marginalized people that are in a health crisis.

“They have addictions and are making efforts in some cases to obtain safe supply to perhaps make a better choice in that regard. But when you have an individual who’s there waiting to trade you fentanyl for your safe supply … that’s the choice they’re going to make.”

Rappel is looking forward to the end of the Lower Patricia Boulevard encampment after 2 ½ years as a trouble spot for local police, firefighters and paramedics.

RCMP PHOTO

Prince George RCMP displayed more than 40 kilograms of hard drugs and boxes holding more than $500,000 in cash seized from a home during a search in August. The quantity was called ‘historic’ for Prince George by the police service.

Looking back at 2024 crime and ahead to 2025 solutions

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Pending a future court date to show the city, working with provincial government and social agencies, has done its part to provide the remaining encampment residents temporary housing in the new Third Avenue facility adjacent to the camp or at one of the other BC Housing projects already in operation in the city, that court ruling is all that stands in the way of the city permanently closing Moccasin Flats campsite.

Property crime is down in Prince George particularly in auto theft (down about 20 per cent, 219 reports as of Dec. 18) and theft from vehicle incidents (down 30 per cent, 661 incidents as of Dec. 18).

The RCMP continues to operate the Downtown Safety Unit with one shift daily tasked with targeting drug trafficking, property crime and prolific offenders to make the community safer. Members focus on the downtown area with regular foot patrols looking for people involved in the drug trade and for individuals wanted for offences.

They continue to make arrests, but Rappel admits it is difficult to keep repeat offenders locked up due to the difficulty of obtaining criminal charges from Crown prosecutors.

It can take months to obtain forensic results on firearms and drugs seized by police and until they have those test results in police hands the perpetrators are free on bail to commit more crimes, which they often do.

“Frankly, it’s not working well in regard to individuals that repeatedly commit crimes in regard to theft and violence and drug use – it is frustrating for members to go out week-in and week-out to deal with these individuals again and again,” said Rappel.

“It’s hard to get charges, hard to get suitable sentences and the addiction crisis continues, so individuals still have a desperate need for drugs and they need to fuel that habit, which includes theft and other crime.

“On top of that these people suffering these health concerns and the concurrent mental health issues results in all

manner of social disorder, which can be anything from defecation in streets to broken windows to jaywalking in such dangerous fashions to nearly getting hurt or run over.”

Expect to see more RCMP officers in 2025 conducting downtown patrols on bicycles. This year the Prince George detachment has four electric bikes and more officers will have that tool to catch criminals.

“It’s a great way to approach people involved in crime, they don’t expect you to show up on a bicycle, it’s very stealthy,” said Rappel.

The RCMP had success catching shoplifters in “boost and bust” operations, working with loss-prevention officers in large retail stores and supermarkets. Using video surveillance and plainclothes observation, store detectives would identify the culprits to police, who were there to make arrests once they leave the store.

“One of the things we’ve noticed is we can continue to do it week-in and weekout and still hit those big numbers, the deterrence is probably not there,” said Rappel. “We arrest the same individuals from one boost and bust to the next, so they know we’re there, but they don’t seem to have any issue with taking their chances and committing it again.”

City council at its Dec. 16 meeting approved spending $40,000 on security cameras to be set up in strategic sites downtown to try to reduce incidents of vandalism, theft and harassment of downtown visitors in public places and Rappel predicts it will help lead to prosecutions. He’s spoken to his counterparts in Penticton who have used footage from video surveillance of downtown streets to identify perpetrators.

“Any time there is quality video surveillance that captures a criminal offence it will provide additional good evidence to prosecution,” he said.

On Dec. 8, Prince George became one of the first BC cities whose police service members use body-worn cameras. The intent of the program is to show how officers interact with the public and demonstrate to the court their conduct when arrests are made.

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RCMP PHOTO

Prince George RCMP will start using four electric bikes on patrols in 2024, giving officers the opportunity for a quiet approach.

847 new rural housing units needed by 2026: Report

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The Regional District of Fraser FortGeorge needs 847 new homes by 2026 and 1,864 by 2024 to meet anticipated demand, according to a housing needs report presented at the board of directors’ Dec. 19 meeting.

Under BC’s Local Government Act, local governments must receive an interim housing needs report by Jan. 1, 2025.

The figures in the report, which was prepared with the help of Victoria-based M’akola Development Services and Halifax-based Turner Drake and Partners, was developed using figures from the 2021 census.

Prince George city council received its interim report at its Dec. 2 meeting. The regional district’s interim report covers the seven rural electoral areas within its jurisdiction.

Like with the city’s report, the district’s breaks down the total number of

housing units needed into six categories based on methodology handed down by the provincial government.

Seven of the needed units by 2026 and 26 of those needed by 2041 are for what’s called the extreme core housing need — those paying more than 50 per cent of their income towards shelter costs.

For people in the regional district experiencing homelessness, 99 are needed by 2026 and 198 by 2041.

To provide housing for those who have been unable to form a separate household due to market and economic

conditions, known as suppressed households, 98 units are needed by 2026 and 391 units are needed by 2041.

In order to meet the expected growth in the number of households in the regional district, 641 units are needed by 2026 and 1,239 are needed by 2041.

The housing needs report calculates how many additional homes are needed to maintain a rental vacancy rate of three per cent.

For the regional district, two units are needed for this purpose by 2026 and 10 are needed by 2041.

The final category of housing in the report is a buffer of units needed to meet additional demand. Unlike the City of Prince George, the regional district projects that it will not need any units for this purpose by either 2026 or 2041.

The district’s report also breaks down how many bedrooms will be needed for these units, as well as how many are needed at market rates, below market or affordable rates and deeply affordable rates.

For market housing, the district estimates it needs 105 zero- to one-bedroom units, 168 two-bedroom units, 141 three-bedroom units and 108 four- or more-bedroom units at market rates by 2026.

By 2041, the district estimates it needs 232 zero- to one-bedroom units, 376 two-bedroom units, 307 three-bedroom units and 248 four- or more-bedroom units at market rates by 2026.

For affordable housing, the district estimates it needs 139 zero- to one-bedroom units, 29 two-bedroom units, 18 three-bedroom and 12 four- or more-bedroom units by 2026.

By 2041, the district estimates it needs 300 zero- to one-bedroom affordable units, 64 two-bedroom units, 43 three-bedroom units and 27 four- or more-bedroom units at market rates by 2026.

NOTICE OF MEETING

2025 Budget Deliberations

The Board of Directors start 2025 budget deliberations on Friday January 24, 2025 at 9 am. The Committee of the Whole agenda with budget details will be on rdffg.ca by January 16. Individuals and organizations can comment on this budget by:

• addressing the Board of Directors at the January 24 meeting (register in advance at 250-960-4444 or 1-800-667-1959)

• emailing budget@rdffg.bc.ca

Registrations or emailed comments must be received by January 23 at 12 pm.

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The number of units needed in the seven electoral areas are broken down as follows:

• Electoral Area A (Salmon River-Lakes): 250 by 2026 and 441 by 2041,

• Electoral Area C (Chilako River-Nechako): 80 by 2026 and 227 by 2041,

• Electoral Area D (Tabor LakeStone Creek): 280 by 2026 and 508 by 2041,

• Electoral Area E (Woodpecker-Hixon): 48 by 2026 and 88 by 2041,

• Electoral Area F (Willow River-Upper Fraser Valley): 56 by 2026 and 108 by 2041,

• Electoral Area G (Crooked River-Parsnip): 73 by 2026 and 95 by 2041,

• Electoral Area H (Robson Valley-Canoe): 124 by 2026 and 207 by 2041.

For deeply affordable housing, the district estimates it needs 90 zero- to one-bedroom units, 19 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units and 8 four- or more-bedroom units by 2026. By 2041, the district estimates it needs 186 zero- to one-bedroom deeply affordable units, 40 two-bedroom units, 27 three-bedroom units and 17 four- or more-bedroom units at rates by 2026.

Market housing is the largest category of needed housing in the report.

“If the estimated demand for market rental or ownership housing has been met, the region should not prohibit further development,” the report said. “The historical shortage of available housing across the housing continuum has been a major factor in escalating ownership and rental prices within the region.”

Director Owen Torgerson, the mayor of Valemount, said during the meeting he was glad to see that the report highlights the limitations of funding models for public transportation in rural areas compared to urban ones.

KTW FILE PHOTO

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George needs more than 1,800 new housing units by 2041, according to a new interim housing report.

Regional district to consult residents on zoning changes

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The Regional District of Fraser Fort-George is preparing to engage residents in Electoral Area G about zoning currently unzoned land around five lakes.

At the board of directors’ Dec. 19 meeting, a report was given by district administration about the work it has done regarding around Summit Lake, Tacheeda Lakes, Kerry Lake, McLeod Lake and Tudyah Lake.

The district is interested in zoning the first 100 meters of land around each of those lakes’ natural boundaries affecting 942.7 hectares — around 9.5 square kilometres. Most of that land is Crown Land, with a few exceptions around Summit Lake and Tacheeda Lakes.

“Zoning the land will, if the land is ever opened for development by the Province, regulate land use and density,” the report said. “As the land is

currently unzoned, there are no restrictions to the use or density of development on the subject lands.”

Before carrying out that process, district administration wants to speak with residents about whether they support the idea and are proposing to take three or four months in 2025 to do so.

This will include the opportunity to submit written comments as well as hosting a public meeting. Notice of the meeting will be sent out to approximately 244 properties which are within 200 meters of the lakes involved.

Staff acknowledge that there may not be an existing zoning designation within the district’s bylaws that meet the desires of residents near the lakes and a new one may need to be created.

“However, to begin the engagement process Administration will recommend the Residential/Seasonal 2 (R/S2) zone as a starting point for discussions,” the report said.

“This zone was selected due to the limited number of permitted uses and the remote location of the land proposed to be zoned. R/S2 zone permits

Recreation Cabin and Residential-Single Family uses.”

Though the staff report said that the areas involved do not include any First Nation reserve land, they will reach out to McLeod Lake Indian Band, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, West Moberly First Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Doig River First Nation for input and to navigate any of their potential claims on the land.

Director Jerrilyn Kirk (Electoral Area G) noted that when the zoning expansion was last raised at the board, Summit Lake residents reached out with concerns about the proposal.

“We held a meeting with Summit Lake recently and we discussed what had happened and why this was important and it seemed like people had a better understanding,” Kirk said. “Now there will be consultation with First Nations, then there will be consultation with the public, then there will be consultation with the homeowners that will be impacted.”

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is considering zoning changes around Summit Lake, Tacheeda Lakes, Kerry Lake, McLeod Lake and Tudyah Lake.

What’s happening in PG

Snowed in Comedy Tour goes Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Vanier Hall, 2901 Griffiths Ave. Celebrating its 16th year Snowed In is the biggest comedy tour in Canada. Four internationally-renown comedians will take to the stage including founder Dan Quinn, Erica Sigurdson, Pete Zedlacher and Paul Myrehaug. Tickets are $50 at https://www.jumpcomedy.com/e/ clone-of-clone-of-kamloops-saturday-2.

Wats, Wadis and Waterfalls book signing goes Friday, Jan. 10 at 11:30 am. At Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave. Monica Murphy showcases her book about her 20 years of teaching and traveling overseas visiting seven different countries in Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Artist in Residence Reception for Linda Abbott goes Friday, Jan. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. There is a free workshop called Colour & Tonal Values - learn how to mix colours, balance lights and darks in a painting, and blend acrylic paints on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Studio hours for Linda where visitors are welcome to connect are Wednesday, Jan. 8, Tuesday, Jan. 15, Wednesday Jan. 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Prince George Spruce Kings goes Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. at Kopar Memorial Arena, 888 Dominion St. For tickets visit https://www.sprucekings. bc.ca/tickets

BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Winter Dance goes Saturday, Jan. 11, Feb. 22 and March 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Prince George Seniors Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This is a chance to do some old-time dancing to live fiddle music. Tickets are $10 at the door, children are free with parent. Includes an ice cream bar treat. There is also coffee, chips, pop and bottled water offered by donation. There is free parking available evenings at the bank parking lot off Fourth Avenue. For more information email pgfiddlers@ gmail.com or call 250-565-1025. Winter Pub Night Fundraiser

presented by the Prince George Ski Club goes Saturday, Jan. 11 at Trench Brewing, 399 Second Ave. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. Dinner includes smoked prime rib, mashed potatoes, salad and vegetables, prepared by Trench Brewing. Live music is provided by Folky Strum Strum. Tickets are $65 each for this 19+ event and can be purchased from any member of the PGSC executive or by emailing pgscfundraiser@gmail.com. For more information visit https://www. facebook.com/PrinceGeorgeSkiClub and for information on the club visit www. pgskiclub.ca.

Kate Pike and The Loose Boots goes Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at Deadfall Brewing, 11733 Nicholson St. S. Show is free but donations are appreciated. Shimmering Swing Social Dance goes Saturday, Jan. 11 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at UNBC in the NUSC event space beside the Thirsty Moose Pub. The event presented by the UNBC Dance

hooks, and genre-bending beats, fusing, introspective storytelling, and sonic experimentation. For tickets visit www. eventbrite.ca/e/petty-boy-osley-tear-meapart-tour-prince-george.

30+ Welcome to the 90s Night! goes Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Underground Show and Bar, 1177 Third Ave. Dust off your flannel shirts and combat boots because the event is throwing it back to the best decade ever. Get ready to groove to favourite 90s hits, from grunge to hip-hop to pop. Don’t forget to rock your scrunchies and fanny packs - the 90’s fashion is making a comeback! Tickets are $30 at www.eventbrite.ca/e/30-club-night-welcome-to-the-90s-tickets

Stand Up Comedy goes Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at Trench Brewing, 399 Second Ave. OK, DOPE is proud to presents Brittany Lyseng (Just for Laughs, Roast Battle Canada) and Faris Hytiaa (Just for Laughs, CBC). Hosted by Nash Park (JFL Vancouver). Come hang for an evening of laughs with some of Canada’s best comedians. Tickets at tickets.ok-dope.com/e/ brittany-lyseng-and-faris-hytiaa.

Connection starts off with a Lindy Hop lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. No experience needed. For the rest of the evening the focus will be the social dance. Put on your best silver and gold sparkles and dance the night away. Please bring clean, comfy shoes, and it is recommend to bring a water bottle. Cost is $5 for students and $7 for non-students. For groups of five, the fifth entry is free. Cash at the door is recommended. Colour & Shades in Acrylic workshop goes Saturday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This free workshop offers a chance to learn how to mix colours, balance light and dark in painting and blend acrylic paints with selftaught artist Linda Abbott. To register send an email to info@ominecaartscentre.com

Petty Boy Osley – Tear Me Apart Tour goes Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kinsmen Community Complex. Petty blends lyrical depth, melodic

Kiwanis Alefest 2025 goes Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 with afternoon and evening tasting sessions on both days at Two Rivers Gallery. Kiwanis AleFest will host craft breweries, cideries, and several local restaurants during the event which features more than 50 different craft beverages to sample, complementary local food, a silent auction, 50/50 draws, music, and more. For more information and tickets visit www.kiwanisalefest.ca/tickets. Live Pro Wrestling presented by Primetime Entertainment goes Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 with VIP doors at 5:45 p.m., general admission doors at 6:30 and bell dings at 7 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Scrapbook Zone on 18th Ave, J&A Stereo +. General tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. VIP tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

PETTY BOY OSLEY/FACEBOOK

Petty Boy Osley brings the Tear Me Apart Tour to the Kinsmen Community Complex on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

2025 Vintage Snow Machine Show and Shine goes Sunday, Jan. 26 at the PG Snowmobile Club, 12000 Scott Road. Registration is at 10 a.m. for racers is $2. Race starts at 11 a.m. Vintage ride is Schlitt trail that takes about 45 minutes. Noon is the show and shine, 4 p.m. awards and prizes. Prizes for best vintage sled, best vintage mountain mod, best vintage mountain attire. There is a concession and 50/50 draw. There is a firepit and social from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pottery Mug Painting Class goes Thursday Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road hosted by Three Mad Potters. During this event people can choose a bare pottery mug to customize. All painting supplies, glazes and expert instruction is included along with a glass on Northern Lights wine. The completed

mug will be kiln-fired. Tickets are $110 at www.buynorthernlightswines.com/ madd-potter-class

Beaded Feathers goes Jan. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery. Learn basic peyote stitch to create a beaded stem on a naturally harvested feather using different coloured seed beads. Join Indigenous programmer Crystal Behn to create a customized accessory. Everyone is welcome. $31.50 for one session. Register at tworiversgallery.ca/programs/beaded-feathers.

Susie Roth Show goes Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Deadfall Brewing Company, 1733 Nicholson St. S. This is a free show but donations are appreciated.

BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Jams and Lessons go every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St. Everyone is welcome to attend. Drop-in fee is $5 at the door.

Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre,

3701 Rainbow Drive. Come on down and join in a game of backgammon, checkers, crib or better yet try out the pool table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to all, $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 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

New ‘landscapes of opportunity’ at PG Public Library

Larissa Clotildes is the new community and engagement manager

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Prince George Public Library has been without a manager of communications and engagement for nine months.

Larissa Clotildes has stepped up to fill the role temporarily until June 16.

With 14 years of experience at the library and a position as the previous program director, she is very well-suited for the task. As well she has also served as the community engagement librarian for both youth and adults.

“I’m coming from a background in programming, which is where I’ve had most of my greatest experiences so far,” said Clotildes. “Community engagement includes running our in-library program,

bringing people into the library, doing celebrations, and our regular programs like story time and technology help. They also make sure that we are getting out into the community as often as we can. We usually see a lot of that happening in the summer months with all of the wonderful festivities going on around town.”

Clotildes is looking forward to addressing some of the unique “landscapes of opportunity” that come from directing community engagement. She stated that she wants to let more people know that the library is a space for everyone, regardless of background.

As well, one of her goals is to help engage people who may not be using the library services in the first place and help them feel welcome.

Services offered by the library include but aren’t limited to

• Printing

• Faxing

• Scanning

• Public wi-fi

• Access to E-books

• Access to online databases

• Access to free online courses Regarding community engagement, Clotildes and the library have many plans and events for the near future. “We’ve got some fabulous ones coming up in January and February,” said Clotildes.“On Feb. 1, we have the Lunar New Year celebration. This is a partnership with the Speak Write Academy. We will be having celebrations at our downtown location on the afternoon of Feb. 1. Then the following Saturday the 8th, we have a wonderful partnership with Coldsnap Music Festival. They will be bringing in Ginalina, on the morning of the 8th at 10:30 to perform. It’s a free children’s performance and anyone can come. Then the next Saturday, after that, the 15th, is our Celebrate Black History Month event as well. So, February has a very chock-full lineup of big events on

those Saturdays. So, it would be great for people to drop by on a Saturday and just see what’s going on because there will be plenty.”

In addition to over a decade of experience, Clotildes also has a passion for PG and the local community which she wants to share with everyone that steps through the doors.

“I lived in Prince George my whole life.” Clotildes said. “I’m a UNBC graduate. I got my MLIS from the University of Alberta in 2021 and I’m excited to be in Prince George. I love this community so much. I can never imagine myself being anywhere else. This is my home and so I just really love that I can continue to grow and serve this community in new ways.”

Clotildes

The main branch of the Prince George Public Library is located downtown at Canada Games Plaza. The Nechako branch is located at the Hart Shopping Centre.

Train ride can be a family history lesson for passengers

This is the 3rd and final part of a special 3-part weekly series

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The Train Lady, Linda Campbell, organizes trips by rail that sees passengers embark on the train at the Prince George station and most often travels the East Line that spans about 160 km to McBride.

These day trips take participants to small communities that once were mostly accessible only by railway or ice bridge across the Fraser River.

Organizing these trips takes a bit of finagling because landing in a community that is used to having only its 40+ residents present takes some advance planning. The Train Lady and her bunch of rapscallions visited Dome Creek a few weeks ago and the town opened its Community Hall doors, little coffee shop and the Recreation Centre, formerly the school, to about 27 people.

We left Prince George just after 8 a.m. and most of us enjoyed the journey in the Dome Car, watching the world go by, swaying along to the rhythm of the train.

Historian Ray Olson was on board with head set and microphone ready to share some of his vast knowledge about the East Line, drawing attention to points of interest along the way like old churches, still existing hamlets and ghost towns long abandoned.

If we’re lucky, there are times in our lives where we just don’t want the good parts to end. That was the feeling expressed by many as the trained stopped to drop us off at Dome Creek.

“The trips are really historical as Ray will often come along and talk along the trip and then he will speak at the community hall in the places we visit and because he lived out there for so many years he’s always got a story to tell,” Campbell said.

“So it works out really well and the views people see along the way are not what most people see because the tracks usually go right along the rivers

and lakes where the roads don’t.”

Campbell arranged for the shuttle operator, Cory Atrim and another driver with a second shuttle to accommodate the big group, meet the train at the tracks at the Dome Creek stop to drive the bunch of us into the heart of Dome Creek.

After everyone enjoyed a bit of a break with coffee and cookies at the coffee shop, we all made our way to the Community Hall with the roaring heater providing warmth to hear Olson share a few snippets of the history of the area including this personal account from when he spent his early years on the East Line.

“Primarily the ice bridges were put in to facilitate logging so that the logging trucks could cross the river to deliver the logs to the mills and the community would use the ice to drive on with their vehicles and that happened in all the communities along the Fraser River,” Olson said.

When Northwood Pulp & Timber Ltd. came to this part of the country in 1961 all their management was from Vancouver and Toronto, he added.

“And they didn’t really understand what it’s like in the North. My father, Art, operated a road grader for Northwood and they wanted him to grade the surface of the Fraser River’s ice with the road grader – and no, no, you don’t do that,” Olson said with a smile and a disbelieving shake of his head.

“They kept after him about it and he finally relented, provided they had people upstream and downstream to

check the ice to make sure it was safe but as he went across the grader broke through the ice and the front wheel was hung up on the ice and the back of the grader was bobbing in the current like a cork.”

That was in the mid-60s when Olson still lived at home at Sinclair Mills. They decided they needed to get the brand-new Caterpillar to pull the grader off the ice, Olson continued.

“And then that Cat went through the ice and they had to use dynamite to break up the ice and pull the Cat that was in the river with another one on the shore,” Olson said, shaking his head.

To a captive audience, John Broderick then shared some of his recollections about his family settling on the East Line.

Once the talks were concluded the group enjoyed an ordered-in-advance homemade chili and buns lunch. Then we all hopped, skipped and jumped on over to the rec centre where we took full advantage of the residents’ talents who were selling a variety of baked goods, crusty sour-dough bread included, artisan crafts, like the Domegnome’s felted faeries and other fantastical creatures and many other products of interest.

The warm welcome and friendly atmosphere were all so appreciated by the visitors from Prince George.

“I find the whole experience very fulfilling and it always makes me happy to meet new people,” organizer Campbell said.

“I feel when we go on these trips and

visit these communities that we are part of something very meaningful. With Ray’s strong interest in sharing the history of the area and as long as he continues to be available I think we can keep doing these trips. It’s just so wonderful to have him here.”

At the end of the visit the shuttles picked up the visitors at the rec centre and carried us all back home to Prince George.

Campbell said as a senior she likes to keep busy and that’s what inspired her organizing trips like this one.

“Finding my journey in seniorhood it’s good to provide things for other seniors to do and to meet new people and so this is nice for me as well,” Campbell said.

“I find being retired is a process and the more I do the more I want to do and now more people are finding out about the trips so there’s more interest.”

Campbell grew up around trains as her father was the telegraph officer in Prince George.

“We lived right by the tracks, so that was our neighbourhood, our life - the clickety clack, the toots and honks - so I’ve always been interested in trains,” Campbell said.

As a child she went across Canada with her mom because they had free passes and that is a memory Campbell has carried with her during her life.

“And then my interest in trains kind of drifted away but when I had grandchildren I thought wouldn’t it be fun to do a train trip and our first trip was to Sinclair Mills and my husband picked us up out there to drive us back to Prince George.”

When Campbell mentioned the trip to others they said they’d like to do something like that and that inspired her to take action.

“Being raised in Prince George this was an area I didn’t know much about and once you head out this way, it takes over a bit because it’s so quiet, then meeting Ray and hearing more about the area’s history and catching the train that goes out to these areas, it all just comes together in a really nice way.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Ray Olson keeps a running commentary on the hamlets, villages and homesteads the train ride into history passes along the way.

Polar bears!

The 24th annual Ness Lake Polar Bear Dip surpassed all expectations on New Year’s Day with 178 participants taking the plunge

ABOVE: A dipper reacts to the ice-cold water.

LEFT: A couple of divers dressed as a hot dog and a bottle of mustard hit the water in the -11C temperature.

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

Some go right for it, others test the waters. Several groups of jumpers demonstrate their varied techniques as they enter the hold cut in the frozen surface of Ness Lake.

Proceeds raised give kids a fun summer

With more than $35,151 raised this time out, the total in the 24 years of the event is more than $253,860 to send kids to the popular camp

Ness Lake Bible Camp executive director Dave Horton takes the final dip of the day.

ABOVE: Members of the Rocky Mountain Rangers wear their fatigues for the jump.

BELOW: One group shows some holiday spirit.

Families boogie down for New Year’s Eve

Violet Kaknevichus (left), 6, and sister Elsa, 9, dance with glow sticks at the New Year’s Boogie Monday at the Prince George Public Library main branch. The dance party featured Itty Bitty Boogie for kids 5 and under, along with a New Year’s Eve ball drop at 11:30 a.m., and Big Boogie for all ages with the ball drop at 2:45 p.m.

Ski club set to host Winter Pub Night fundraiser

CITIZEN STAFF

The Prince George Ski Club (PGSC) is hosting the second annual Winter Pub Night Fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Trench Brewing in downtown Prince George.

In addition to live music by Folky Strum Strum, a Peace River based folk funk group, the evening will feature a fulsome dinner featuring smoked prime rib, mashed potatoes, and plenty of sides.

The Prince George Ski Club (PGCS) is a non-profit amateur sports organization that provides high-quality alpine ski training to Prince George youth. Fundraising allows the club to offer affordable ski racing development programs for Northern BC athletes between the ages of six and 18.

“Through a variety of fundraising initiatives and the work of a great number of volunteers, the PGSC is able to maintain our program registration costs as some of the lowest in the province,”

said Kristi Francis, PGSC vice-president.

“These fundraising efforts make a big difference in making the sport of ski racing more accessible to Prince George families.”

Last season, weather challenges impacted training at Purden Ski Village, but PGSC was able to make other plans.

The uncertainty of Purden’s opening this year has again forced the club to explore other training venues.

Francis said the club is grateful to the Hart Ski Hill for accommodating them this year and the ski club is also accessing other northern resorts, including Troll Ski Resort, Powder King, and

Murray Ridge.

“While their support has been invaluable, it’s come at an additional cost for both our club and the families that participate in our programs,” Francis said.

Everyone is welcome to the 19+ fundraiser that features a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

All proceeds of the fundraiser will support PGSC programming, helping cover the costs of training, equipment, travel, and making sure athletes have the resources they need during the season.

The PGSC Winter Pub Night fundraiser sees doors opening at Trench at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $65 each and can be purchased from any member of the PGSC executive or by emailing pgscfundraiser@gmail.com.

For more information about the fundraiser visit https://www.facebook.com/ PrinceGeorgeSkiClub and for general inquiries visit www.pgskiclub.ca.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Prince George Ski Club athletes and coach are seen here. These are just a few of the alpine skiers who will benefit from the proceeds of the Winter Pub Night fundraiser at Trench Brewing on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Coldsnap 2025 gets set to crank up the musical heat

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Coldsnap 2025 is a five-day winter music festival in Prince George set for Feb. 5 to 9.

The music festival will celebrate its 18th year by showcasing a diverse lineup of high-calibre musicians from Canada and beyond.

Spanning five days and nights, the festival takes place at a variety of venues across the city, offering something for everyone.

Each year Coldsnap sees between 3,000 and 4,000 people enjoy its musical events.

The festival features ticketed mainstage concerts, including two special shows for kids, three late night performances, and a series of free daytime community outreach events.

Each night offers a unique musical experience, with genres ranging from roots, blues, alt-rock, and hip-hop to Celtic, jazz, and world music. Performances are hosted in both lively, dancefriendly venues like the Prince George Legion and soft-seat concert settings like Knox Performance Centre.

Breaking the Ice with Mama’s Broke, John Wort Hannam and Reckless Burning, set for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave.

Coldsnap opens with an unforgettable evening of authentic folk and roots music, where soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics resonate. Rich storytelling and emotive performances take centre stage, captivating audiences with songs that touch on life’s raw truths.

Cutbank Ceilidh with Beòlach and Jocelyn Pettit is next up on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre.

This will be an electrifying night of Celtic music, where lively fiddle tunes and dynamic footwork light up the stage. Cutbank Ceilidh brings a blend of traditional and modern sounds, weaving together melodies that celebrate rich cultural roots.

Pickin’ & Grinnin’ with The Slocan Ramblers and Under the Rocks goes

Music

takes place on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox

Thursday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. at the Prince George Royal Canadian Legion. This is a night of bluegrass filled with fast-paced picking and tight harmonies to keep the crowd dancing. With toe-tapping rhythms and expert musicianship, this performance brightens the streets with its take on some favourites.

Harmonic Journeys features Cat Clyde, The Hearts, and Checkdown Charlie on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre.

Enjoy the soulful sounds of folk-inspired melodies and harmonies. Expect an ear-pleasing mix of sonorous vocals, soulful storytelling, and lively rhythms that are sure to coax the audience into a connection with each song.

Sonic-Subterranean with Miesha & The Spanks, Wax Mannequin, and Joe Daniels is set for Friday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 p.m. at the Prince George Royal Canadian Legion, 1116 Sixth Ave. Friday night at the legion brings an exciting night of performances with raw energy and stunning artistry. Expect a highly potent synthesis of gritty rock, anthemic punk spirit, and soulful storytelling, punctuated with driving guitar riffs, throbbing beats, and unexpressed emotion.

Coldsnap for Kids – 1! with Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers is set for

Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre.

Get ready for a lively, interactive concert full of fun rhythms and playful melodies designed just for children. With upbeat tunes and exciting percussion, this show invites young listeners to dance and clap along.

Global Grooves with Kobo Town, Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers, and Aquiles Tarumba is set for Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre.

This will be a bright night of world rhythm and sounds inspired by the Caribbean, as colourful percussion and catchy melodies set up the atmosphere. complete celebration of dance.

Dream Waves with St. Arnaud, The Garrys and Kate Pike & the Loose Boots goes Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion.

The final night at the Legion, with support from friends at the Northern BC Queer Connection Society, expect an evening of dreamy melodies interspersed with tinted shades of nostalgia, where Indie rock hears surf tones ringing somewhat like a rhythmic lull. The show sees enticing choruses firmly united with the perspectives of lyricism which immerse listeners back to the hazy summer days.

Coldsnap for Kids - 2! with Ginalina goes Sunday, Feb. 9 at 1:10 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre.

Step into a delightful musical experience tailored for children, where joyful melodies and heartfelt lyrics inspire imagination and play. This concert invites young listeners to sing, dance, and explore themes of friendship, nature, and kindness through engaging songs and stories.

Roots & Reverie with Kaia Kater, Sechile Sedare and Amanda Wood goes Sunday Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre.

This will be an inspiring evening of soulful performances, where powerful vocals and stirring melodies come together to create an unforgettable experience. Each artist brings their unique blend of folk, roots, and blues, weaving stories of resilience, love, and identity. Expect an event rich in emotion, with raw, heartfelt lyrics and intricate rhythms that celebrate life’s complexities.

Coldsnap event passes are already sold out but tickets to each show are still available and range from $8 for the children’s shows to $35 for the mainstage performances.

For more information and tickets visit https://coldsnapfestival.tickit.ca/

COLDSNAP PHOTO

During Coldsnap

Festival 2025 the event called Cutbank Ceilidh features Beòlach, pictured here, along with Jocelyn Pettit that

Performance Centre.

Art for Wellness series explores healthy self-expression

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Art can be a powerful tool for emotional health and well being, just ask facilitator Andrea Hawco, who is hosting the Art for Wellness series at the Two Rivers Gallery every Wednesday from Jan. 22 to March 12.

During the program participants 18+ will learn therapeutic art skills to practice personal wellness through creative expression.

Art for Wellness is geared to connect participants to themselves and to build on healthy perspectives. The program introduces various art mediums but is not intended to be an art class.

In February Hawco will complete her Arts Therapy and Expressive Arts studies at the Winnipeg Holistic Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, the WHEAT Institute.

“I came to the program because art helps me express my feelings,” Hawco said.

“I love poetry, I love solution-based arts and I was learning all kinds of cool things and there was a need for programming in Two Rivers Gallery so I approached them about running the program to pair art and wellness and I wanted the title to be clear, Art for Wellness, so there would be no confusion.”

This is not an art class. No artistic talent is required and anyone can join the program.

“As I was going through my program I kinda had to create my own practicum,” Hawco said. “So I was at the Prince George Hospice facilitating their family-centred program and a kids’ drop

in program so I was doing art therapy to help children express their grief.”

The Two Rivers Gallery Art for Wellness program is geared for adults.

“The art gallery is quite supportive and they’ve been awesome,” Hawco said.

“Fundamentally when I am creative my brain is solution-based and it reminds me of possibilities. Art for Wellness can be for expression – like processing loss – but there’s also space for dealing with a life crisis or advocacy where you want to put your voice to something. I think there are so many pieces to it. I also think we are the best versions of ourselves when we can express what’s going on for us. I love to provide the Art for Wellness option – the more resources we have in our wellness the more chances to discover what works for us.”

This is the fourth time this program has been offered and the fifth will offer the program to youth.

“Each time the content is different so if people want to do the program again, they can,” Hawco said.

“I want to give people different exposures to expression. Within the expressive arts umbrella I wanted to give people choices within the program so that maybe there’s a week that resonates with them so they can take that away as part of their wellness.”

And if something does not work for the participant, that’s always good information too, Hawco added.

Art has always been a resource for Hawco.

“I was the kid you could always find sketching or writing a poem,” she said. “So without even knowing it I recognized it as a resource for myself.”

Knowing what an impact art had on her wellness, Hawco said she wanted to offer the same opportunity to the residents of Prince George.

“I wanted to make a difference,” Hawco said. “I recognize too that there are so many different resources within the program.”

Each session offers a different method of expressing oneself through art including self-reflection with an introduction to journaling, eco art, the art of doodling, spontaneous collage, mindfulness in movement, the inner dialogue, body mapping and sand tray play.

“Wellness is important – we often think of our physical health – but do we think of being well emotionally?

The first piece of that is what we have as resources, and what are the things we can access to help us. The piece of giving someone another resource or giving them something that they might not have thought about as a resource I think is pretty amazing.”

Lots of the feedback Hawco gets during and after the sessions are about how people used to do something when they were younger but left it behind as time went by.

“It’s really rewarding to see people reconnect with something they once loved,” Hawco said.

“I’m just guiding them along the way and people are recognizing they can reconnect with art and are now realizing art is a wellness resource for them.”

For more information about the Art for Wellness workshop series, including a series geared toward youth, visit tworiversgallery.ca/programs/ art-for-wellness-3/.

Operating grant applications open for local non-profits

Local non-profits and community initiatives can now apply for two-year operating grants from the City of Prince George.

With the arrival of the new year, applications have opened for the new program, which offers non-profits

grants worth up to 30 per cent of their operating budget up to a maximum of $30,000. A total of $131,576 is available through this program.

To qualify, applicants must have previously received grant funding from the city in the last five years and have submitted all the relevant reporting, be a registered non-profit, have been in

operation for at least two years, must operate within city limits, demonstrate a need for the funding, must show proof of other funding sources.

They should also show that they support Prince George’s strategic goals and focus on improving residents’ health.

The city says the grant will not fund non-profits’ property taxes, debt

repayments or major capital purchases. Applications are due on Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. The city will reach out to tell applicants whether they have been successful by email within six to eight weeks.

Once received, the applications will be reviewed by both city council sitting as a Committee of the Whole as well as one or two members of city staff.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Andrea Hawco is the facilitator for the Art for Wellness workshop series held at Two Rivers Gallery over eight weeks starting Jan. 22.

CITIZEN STAFF

Jan. 9, 1981: ‘I saw this big lump on my front porch and I didn’t know what it was,’ Shiolo Brown says. The lump was a neglected and starving female St. Bernard who later gave birth to 11 puppies. Six died because their mother’s condition and the SPCA is currently finding homes for the dog and one seven-week-old puppy that has not already been promised. CITIZEN FILE

PHOTO BY

BROCK GABLE

Jan. 10, 1995: Students line up in front of the student services offices to register for the second semester of classes at the University of Northern BC. The university was under pressure to deal with the issue of staffing within the student services office and create new positions within the department. CITIZEN FILE

Jan. 9, 1967: The eighth class of practical nurses graduated from the BC Vocational School. The group spent four months at the Vocational School before going on to eight months of intensive training on the wards of associated hospitals. The graduates are, from left in the back, Estelle Brown, Ruby Thomas, Annake Groeneveld and Barbara Mackenzie; From left seated, Daisy Floate, Nita Nelson, Marion Lindstrom and Virginia Loring. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Jan. 8. 2008: Firefighters Larry Obst, Brad Johnson and Steve Fennell make the trip through icy waters to the Cutbanks Road home of Quin Skuggedal, where they rescued her cats but let her know there was water in her basement from flooding caused by the ongoing Nechako River ice jam.

PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE

Small steps to start a nursing career in Northern BC

MARK STEVE TULLAO Northern Health

Nursing is one of the noblest professions, but in many countries across the globe, it’s also considered an underrated job.

The Philippines is well known for having many efficient nurses and for exporting them worldwide.

However, nurses can encounter many challenges abroad, such as mental health issues, language barriers, unfamiliarity with a hospital’s equipment and nursing procedures, and cultural assimilation.

In spite of these challenges, the number of nurses who choose to work internationally has skyrocketed because the benefits often outweigh the downsides.

These benefits can include competitive salaries, safer nurse-patient ratios, and intensive, comprehensive training.

I am one of these nurses. I am Mark Steve Marcella Tullao, registered nurse (RN) at Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH).

Although this statement sounds like a piece of cake, the letters “RN” after my name have come with a lot of failures, sacrifices, and dedication. My humble beginning and story are perhaps similar to those of other nurses who opted to pursue nursing careers outside their home countries.

My fantasy of living in Canada became reality in December 2020 when I decided to end my nursing career in the Philippines and come to this multicultural and inclusive country as an international student. During my health administration degree at Northern Lights College (NLC), I met Joanne Cozac, NH co-ordinator, internationally educated nurses, and we discussed the licensing process for internationally educated nurses (IENs) in British Columbia through the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

With the support of the government and Health Match BC (now BC Health Careers), I was motivated to gather all necessary nursing documents from my home country and begin the licensing

application. However, the application process was paused while I was still working on my two-year post-degree program at NLC and reducing expenses to remain in the country.

Chasing my dreams in international education pushed me to better myself and to be patient. Making mistakes along the way and learning to navigate these errors led me to brighter chances and opportunities.

During my academic journey, I worked with the fantastic people at NLC as one of the student representatives on the board of governors and education council. Additionally, I tutored and volunteered to help foster quality education and collaboration at NLC. When I graduated, I was listed as one of the honour students and nominated as valedictorian due to my perseverance and fervor in learning.

In spring 2023, I got a job as a human resources (HR) assistant for NH Northeast, specifically for DCDH and Rotary Manor. At the same time, I accepted a

full-time supervisory position at Tim Hortons. Eventually, I stopped working at the restaurant and continued working in the hospital to focus on my RN application after becoming a permanent resident in Canada.

In November 2023, I was granted eligibility to write the National Council Licensure Examination through the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and I successfully passed the exam in March 2024.

After passing the exam, I asked the CRNA to verify registration to BCCNM and followed the rest of the BC’s IEN-RN licensing route. BCCNM issued me a current practicing RN registration, and I started working as an RN at DCDH in May 2024. It’s also worth mentioning that Northern Health supports IENs with their licensing journey, specifically by covering the total cost of the BCCNM registration fee.

My heart overflows with gratitude for my experience working with the HR team, the health service administrator,

the director of care, nursing managers, the union, and several administrative leaders across Northern Health; their support allowed me to grow professionally and personally.

My new Canadian RN journey is helping me develop my nursing skills through in-depth education and training to deliver quality patient care. I want to thank the supportive leaders, educators, and staff at DCDH for allowing me to explore and improve my clinical and medical expertise.

Giving back to the community through exceptional nursing service here in Dawson Creek is one of my reasons to keep going and will be my bridge to any future challenges. By sharing my story, I hope to encourage all IENs to conquer their fears and take up space. Start with small steps to overcome the challenges in pursuing your permit to practice as a nurse in Canada, and together we will combat the nursing staff shortages in our communities.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Steve Tullao is an internationally educated registered nurse working in Dawson Creek.

Northern Health Indigenous care stories: Valerie Setah

TERESA BENNETT Northern Health

Northern Health’s Indigenous Patient Liaison (IPL) program provides a bridge between Indigenous communities, their culture, and health care providers

The role of the IPL program 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.

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 Indigenous health service assistant

Valerie Setah, who works at GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel “What I love about being an

Indigenous health service assistant is that I’m related to a lot of our patients we serve, and therefore I have built-in

instant relationships with them,” says Valerie. “I’m passionate about this, and so doing this work fills me with great joy.” Valerie has worked in this position since January 2024.

Valerie has found that because many of the patients she serves are also her relatives, she’s able to learn more about herself through meeting her extended family.

Many of Valerie’s extended family are related to her though her great-grandmother Agnes Sam (nee Chantyman) who lived in Nazko before her marriage to Valerie’s grandfather Johnny Sam. They moved to Tletinq’ox after getting married.

Valerie remembers that on her first day at Northern Health, she was swept into the action even before she could take her coat off.

Valerie is passionate about her work and loves being able to provide support and connection to patients and families.

Northern Health Indigenous Care Stories: Rachel Weller

TERESA BENNETT Northern Health

The Indigenous Patient Experience (IPE) team walks alongside Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) patients and families with the goal of enabling culturally safe experiences by restoring respectful and equitable relationships within the health care system. The IPE team works in collaboration with key internal and external partners in health care and in the broader community to develop, implement, and evaluate processes that address Indigenous peoples’ experiences while accessing Northern Health’s services.

In this article, we highlight and hear from IPE advisor Rachel Weller. Rachel’s role as an advisor is to cultivate culturally safe care and experiences.

She listens and supports Indigenous patients when they experience unsafe practices at Northern Health sites

across Northern BC. She also provides support in developing and building relationships with Indigenous communities so that they have a clear understanding

of the complaint process and feel supported and comfortable to submit complaints.

“I love seeing the consistent small

movements that are moving the needle towards culturally safe care and quality improvement in Northern Health. It creates confidence when listening to patients’ concerns that there’s action being taken to improve their experiences,” says Rachel.

Rachel, who comes from a multidisciplinary background including administration in banking, corrections, and Social Development and Family Justice Services, has been in her role for just over a year.

While she’s a relatively new resident of Prince George, she calls the intersection in front of Mr. PG the “compass intersection” because “no matter which way you choose you’ll end up somewhere very different, but it will always be an adventure. You can head for the mountains or the ocean; nothing is very far away.”

Rachel welcomes patients to reach out to the Indigenous Patient Experience team at IndigenousPatientExperience@northernhealth.ca

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Valerie Setah is an Indigenous patient liaison with Northern Health.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Rachel Weller is an advisor in the Indigenous Patient Experience Team.

Local Sports Otway Nordic called one of Canada’s best

Prince George became the temporary biathlon capital of the country over the past week

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Paul Collard remembers the early days of biathlon in Prince George when it was a backwoods activity happening on a makeshift range deep in the forest of Otway Nordic Centre.

Training sessions and races were an ordeal for coaches, athletes and the volunteers tasked with using snowmobiles to haul lights and shooting range equipment stored more than a kilometre away at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club lodge.

Collard assisted with that setup/ takedown duty many times with his daughter Tuppy, a biathlete who went on to compete for Canada in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, whenever they left their home in Vanderhoof to come to a race or training camp in Prince George.

How times have changed.

Otway’s biathlon shooting range and technical facility built for the 2015 Canada Winter Games and subsequent improvements to infrastructure have created a world-class facility that can host national and international events, backed by one of the largest Nordic ski clubs in Canada.

This week, 100 athletes from across the country converged at Otway for the 2025 Biathlon Canada Junior/Youth World Championship trials.

“I think this puts Caledonia Nordic and Prince George on the map when it comes to biathlon,” said Collard, president of Biathlon Canada for eight years in the mid-1990s and early 2000s.

“We’ve only got a few venues in

Canada that can offer this size of this range – 30 targets – and Prince George has advantages over nearly all the others, like Whistler and Valcartier (Que.). The airport is really close with good air connections. We’ve got reasonably priced hotels that are really close. Plus, this is five minutes from town, and you’ve got great snow conditions and snowmaking. So it’s very unlikely an event here will have to be moved because of lack of snow, and you’ve got a very experienced crew that runs these events, which helps a lot.”

Now boasting 2,154 members, Caledonia ranks as one of the largest Nordic skiing clubs in Canada. Its board of directors has gained a reputation for its forward-thinking organizational leadership and large base of volunteers that make those big races happen.

This week’s world trials are sanctioned by the International Biathlon Union and Collard said the Caledonia club will receive close to $8,000 for hosting the six-day event.

“This club has had outstanding management and they’ve looked ahead

years and have done things in the right order for the development of the club, and it’s going to pay off in the long run for generations to come and to the city of Prince George,” said Collard.

Collard says there is no reason why Prince George couldn’t host a World Cup or IBU Cup race or perhaps the world junior championships. But he said something that big would require investment from the City of Prince George and Tourism BC to help absorb the substantial cost of staging such an event. The payoff would be the biathlon fans it would attract as tourists and the exposure of national TV coverage throughout much of Europe in countries where biathlon is as popular as the NHL is to a Canadian sporting audience.

“German TV would run this live,” he said. “Hopefully we will see more European participation in North America. They don’t like to come here because it’s eight hours on a plane and eight hours time difference and it’s very difficult to bring them here.”

Hosting the Canada Games 10 years ago created the legacy that led to international biathlon and cross-country skiing events coming to Prince George. Last year the Caledonia club hosted the World Para Biathlon Championships and Para Nordic World Cup Finals on successive weeks, March 5-17.

Otway was also the site of the 2022 biathlon national championships, and in January 2023, the city hosted the Nordiq Canada national (cross-country) team trials.

Collard says if Vancouver hadn’t hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Sea-To-Sky highway would likely still be a two-lane road and there would be no passenger Sky Train access to Vancouver Airport – all built for the 2010 Games.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Flora Csonka of the Foothills Nordic Ski Club in Calgary prepares to shoot in the prone position on the way to winning the youth women’s pursuit race Sunday.

Collard

State-of-the art club just hosted six days of competition

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“The business of having multisport games like Canada Games and B.C. Games can’t be overemphasized, because if we don’t have a goal, like to build this range for Canada Games, it doesn’t happen,” said Collard.

“This is now THE best club in Canada for all-round, all-year facilities. The roller ski trail in Whistler is a joke compared to this, it’s too narrow and it’s not properly engineered, so this is the best roller ski track in Canada. (Olympic trail designer) John Aalberg did it and he did it right. It’s going to give you year-round development and we’ll hopefully see teams from other clubs coming here in the summer to train and maybe we’ll get national training squads here too.”

Dr. David Snadden remembers when he first came to Prince George in the winter of 2003 to decide on whether to accept an offer to help start the Northern Medical Program. A general practitioner from Scotland, he and his wife Moira had a young family and he was asked if they would like to give skiing a try at Otway. For Snadden, it was a deal-clincher.

“We came here to be interviewed and we were shown around the town and one of our colleagues said, ‘Come for a ski,’ and brought us out here and we thought, ‘what a fantastic facility to have,’ and this was a real attractant for us coming here,” said Snadden.

“It’s a recruitment incentive for professionals coming here, and not just professionals. We need technicians and tradesmen and it gives them something not just for them but for their families. When you came here on a weekend there’s so many children. You can use the bike trails in the summer and (a season pass) is cheaper than a one-day ticket to downhill at Whistler.”

Snadden and his wife both volunteered for the race and he was part of the course setup crew, which was out every morning starting at 6 a.m. to make sure the course was ready for each race.

They had two granddaughters – Iona

and Isla Cadell – racing in the trials and their daughter Ali is the Caledonia club’s biathlon co-coach.

“We’re hosting athletes from one of the other clubs and they all tell me these are such nice facilities to ski,” said Snadden. “”They’ve skied all over BC and some of them have skied all the

world and they say this is as good as anywhere. This is becoming one of the top venues in Canada.”

The Biathlon Canada Youth/Junior World Championship trials ran from Friday, Jan. 3 to Tuesday, Jan. 7, hosted by the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. Five current Caledonia club members

and four alumni members represented Prince George in competition which will determine Canada’s youth and junior teams for the IBU world youth/junior championships in Oestersund, Sweden, Feb. 26-March 5.

The first day was for training, with Saturday seeing the sprint races, followed by the pursuits on Sunday.

Monday was another training day with the mass start races on Tuesday.

Athletes qualify in the youth age category provided they turn 17, 18 or 19 during the season from November to October. Junior racers must turn either 20, 21 or 22 during the season.

Athletes from across Canada will converge on the Otway course for the trials, competing for eight junior spots (four male, four female) and eight youth spots (four male, four female) on the team Canada will be sending to Oestersund.

Editor’s Note: Final results were not available by The Citizen’s press time. Visit pgcitizen.ca or pick up a copy of next week’s paper for results from the competitions, and turn the page for more coverage.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Luke Hulshof shoots in a standing round in Sunday’s youth pursuit race at Otway Nordic Centre. The biathlete nicknamed ‘Machine Gun’ for his precision shooting breezed to the finish all alone in front in that last lap, winning in 29:21.7.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Burns Lake’s Emily Dickson takes a moment while shooting prone Sunday at Otway Nordic Centre.

Up to the challenge

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and precision shooting, with highly skilled athletes racing from target to target

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

ABOVE:

BELOW

BELOW

LEFT: Ewan Hawes of Caledonia Nordic Ski Club starts Sunday’s youth pursuit race.

Moira Green of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club shoots in the standing position.

LEFT: Isla Cadell helps her sister Iona remove her skis after completing the youth women’s pursuit race Sunday.

RIGHT: Ryan Elden of the Cariboo Ski Touring Club passes Dawson Shigol on the way to a second-place finish in the men’s pursuit race Sunday.

Biathlete heads to World University Games in Turin

Aliah Turner shoots for spot in youth

world championship

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Aliah Turner sure picked the right time to qualify for her first Team Canada biathlon duty.

The 18-year-old Caledonia Nordic Ski Club member from Prince George made the cut for the Canadian biathlon team heading to FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy, Jan. 13-23, and because it’s being staged in Italy, Turner will have her fan club waiting for her.

“It means a lot, World University Games are every two years and to get to represent Canada on any stage is special to me, but particularly as a student-athlete, which I’ve been pretty much my whole life,” said Turner.

“It means a lot to me to get to compete in biathlon at such a high level but also get a post-secondary education at the same time, which I don’t take for granted. It’s something really cool and people might get to experience it maybe once or twice if they’re lucky and I’m just grateful to be part of the team.”

It just so happens that region of northern Italy is where her grandfather, Zefferino Caron, was born and raised before he came to Canada. For Turner, that means a welcoming committee with her extended family will be there at the races to cheer her on.

“Obviously with an Italian family, there’s plenty of them, and I’ll get to see them,” said Turner, who last visited her Italian roots when she was four. “My grandfather was the only one who left Italy so there’s an exponential number, for sure. Hopefully we’ll get them rooting for me and the whole team.”

Turner last raced in Prince George nearly three years ago when the city hosted the Biathlon Canada national championships in March 2022. This time around there’s more at stake. If she emerges from a field of 52 youth women as one of the top four after Tuesday’s final race she will qualify to go to Idre

Fjall, Sweden, Jan. 26-Feb. 5, for the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships.

This is her last year racing in the youth age category.

“Being from PG we have such amazing venues and I’m really happy I get to

best facilities in Canada. I get to stay at home and stay even longer post-Christmas and over the holidays, which I love.

“I think it will be very fun racing, difficult and competitive and I’ll need to perform at my highest. I’m definitely hitting it hard in January when it comes to high-level racing.”

Turner’s father is Pat Turner, a University Hospital of Northern BC emergency doctor, and her mom is Prince George surgeon Nadine Caron. Aliah, a first-year kinesiology student at the University of Calgary, has the brain power to follow their paths to medical school, if that’s what she decides. She also has Olympic genes. Her dad was a gold medalist in men’s rowing eights at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Aliah knows where he keeps that medal and doesn’t mind getting it out to show to her friends if they ever ask to see it. She’s obviously benefited from having an in-house world-class athlete and a mom who was a varsity basketball player at Simon Fraser University from 1988-92. Nadine graduated top of her class in medical school and SFU named its academic athletic award after her.

Now on the verge of racing in her first international competition, the dream of making it to the Olympics and realizing her biggest athletic ambition is getting closer for Aliah.

“Definitely within the past year or so, having made the jump from my home club, and I’ve moved, in part to be in school, but mainly my main decision for Canmore/Calgary area was for biathlon,” she said. “I have some fun and exciting goals lined up for myself in the next season but down the road, definitely the Olympics.

share it with my team and the rest of the biathlon community, these are obviously heavy-hitting races for everyone pretty much,” she said. “This is kind of the peak of the season and PG is the perfect place, we have some of the

“Next year I’ve definitely got my sights on doing some tours in pre-Christmas.” Turner commutes from Canmore, where she trains with the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre team, at least three times a week to the U of C campus for lectures and labs. She purposely kept her race schedule on the lighter side so she wouldn’t have to miss too many classes in her first year of postsecondary studies.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Aliah Turner of Prince George competes in the national team trials in Canmore in November.

Turtle power fuels Cougars to a 3-0 shutout win

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

That was far from a bodacious Michaelangelo masterpiece the Prince George Cougars painted Saturday at CN Centre but cowabunga, dude, a win’s a win.

For Cougars puckstopper Cooper Michaluk, it was a cartoon fantasy brought to life, one that will no doubt go down as one of the highlights of his hockey career.

Playing in front of a crowd of 5,042 spectators and decked out in neonbright lime green and orange jerseys on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Night, Michaluk buried the Seattle Thunderbirds into the sand.

The 19-year-old goalie from Edmonton earned his first shutout, stopping 24 shots to cinch a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds. After 82 regular season games and six in the playoffs he’s finally got his first donut.

“It’s amazing, it was a long time coming, I was always wanting to get one and I’m just happy I got one,” said Michaluk.

The T-birds didn’t get a lot of shots but they gave Michakuk plenty of work on the pucks that did get through, putting him to the test several times on odd-man rushes or turnovers, but he wasn’t fooled on any of them.

“A game like that, 1-0 (until the third period), I didn’t get peppered at the start either and it slowly got me into the game, so I had to be focused and that’s part of the job,” said Michaluk.

So was there was any one save that stood out?

“All 24 of them I guess because I didn’t make a mistake,” said Michaluk. “I’ll think about this forever. It’ll be one of those games I’ll look back in my career and just always think about how nice the feeling was, so I’ll never forget it.”

The game-worn Ninja Turtles jerseys are being auctioned for charity and Michaluk said he’ll save a prominent place on his mantlepiece if he can find a way to keep that sweater in his possession.

“I know my mom was bidding for it online, we’ll see if she got it or not, that

would be pretty cool,” he said. Check the Cougars’ website if you’d like to bid on one of those Ninja Turtle jerseys. Play-by-play announcer Cole Waldie said during the broadcast the online traffic generated by the bidding process is unprecedented.

Money raised by RE/MAX Children’s Miracle Network fund drive will go to the BC Children’s Hospital. Five of the jerseys have already been sold, including those worn by Heidt ($1,500), Carels ($1,250), Parascak ($1,200),Valis ($1,000) and Josh Ravensbergen ($1,500).

For Michaluk, Saturday’s game was only his second start in almost a month. He improved his record to 4-5-0-1, while the Cougars jumped to 22-10-3-2 atop the BC Division. They’ve won nine of their last 11 games.

a lot of shots but he had some chances he had to be there for us. You know he’s in the game because he plays hard.”

Goals were hard to come by all weekend for the Cougars, as evidenced Friday in their 3-1 loss to Seattle that ended a five-game win streak for Prince George.

It took half a period but they drew first blood in the rematch. Carson Carels gained the puck on the half-wall in the Seattle end and fed Lee Shurgot in the slot for a one-timer he ripped into the net below the glove of Scott Ratzlaff.

The 19-year-old Ratzlaff, who earned an invitation to Canada’s world junior team tryouts, had to be sharp to keep the Cougars from adding to their lead, especially in the first period while his team was outshot 14-6. By the end of the game the shot count was 43-24 in the Cougars’ favour.

Borya Valis, shifted to the top line Saturday in place of Shurgot, combined with linemates Riley Heidt and Terik Parascak on the second goal of the game 4:56 into the third period.

“It’s a tight-knit group and that’s what you need to go deep in the playoffs, and we’ve got the group for it,” said Michaluk.

Traded to the Cougars two games into the season from the Spokane Chiefs, Michaluk came close to blanking his first WHL opponent Dec. 14 in Spokane. The Cougars had a 3-0 lead until Brayden Crampton broke up the shutout with just 29 seconds left.

“(His shutout) is well deserved, it doesn’t surprise me, he practices like he plays and he’s always ready to go in,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “It’s hard to believe it was his first shutout. It was close in Spokane but we didn’t close it down for him, but a great job by him tonight.

“He played a great game. He didn’t get

Off the rush, Heidt gained the zone and fed the puck to Parascak whose shot from the circle was blocked by Ratzlaff. The puck landed at the feet of Valis standing in the blue paint and he chipped it in for his 19th of the season, giving the Cougars and their crowd of 5,042 some breathing room.

The Cougars had their chances to add to the total in late stages and had a 5-on-3 power play for nearly a minute and a half but despite having two more bodies out there they could not muster anything that counted on the scoreboard. The power play is one element they’ll need to work on.

The rough stuff that was a common theme in the Cougars’ 6-4 road win over the T-birds on New Year’s Eve flared up again early in the first period and that led to couple of fights – one that involved former Cougars forward Arjun Bawa duking it out with Cougar d-man Fraser Leonard. After all that pushing and shoving the dust finally settled and the teams stuck to hockey the rest of the game.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The Seattle Thunderbirds’ Matthew Gallant tries to duck under the check of the Prince George Cougars’ Hunter Laing Saturday night at CN Centre. The Cougars wore Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle uniforms for the game.

Police and firefighters facing off

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper (left), firefighter Regan Lokken, RCMP Cpl. Aaron Penner, firefighter Ryan Waddington, RCMP Cpl. Christian Hamlyn and firefighter Chris Rowland announce additional fundraising incentives for the 2025 Sirens Cup hockey game to be held at Kopar Memorial Arena Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. The game will give fans a chance to win a 50/50 draw with a maximum prize of $20,000, with tickets available from now to the day of the game at the Spruce Kings website, sprucekings.bc.ca. The game, which will also feature chuck-a-puck and the fill-the-boot campaign as part of the friendly rivalry, raises funds Cops for Cancer Tour de North and the Prince George Firefighters Charitable Society. Game tickets are $5 at the Spruce Kings website.

Cougars acquire Chichkin from Regina

CITIZEN STAFF

for 4th-round 2027 pick

The Prince George Cougars have added some size to their blue line.

General manager and head coach Mark Lamb announced Tuesday that the team has acquired defenceman Aleksey Chichkin from the Regina Pats in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

Chichkin, 19, played 32 games with the Pats this season, compiling seven points (3-4-7), 55 penalty minutes, and 54 shots on goal.

Before his time with the Pats, Chichkin played with the Calgary Hitmen in 2023-24, where he accumulated 10 points (1-9-10) over 61 games played.

“Aleksey is a big and rangy player that plays physical and makes simple plays,” said Lamb in a press release. “He will really complement our d-core.”

Over Chichkin’s 93-game WHL career, the Vancouver product owns 17 points

Aleksey Chichkin will join the Prince George Cougars through a deal with the Regina Pats.

(4-13-17), 147 penalty minutes, and 117 shots on goal.

Chichkin was born in July 2005 in New Westminster.

Russian guard Filatova leads UNBC into playoff race

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Now in her second season of Canadian university basketball, 18-yearold Russian import guard Viktoriia Filatova has been a perfect fit for the UNBC Timberwolves.

Averaging 15.8 points per game, she leads the TWolves in scoring and ranks sixth in the Canada West Conference.

Not bad considering she’s started only four of UNBC’s eight games.

In the TWolves’ most recent game action, Nov. 22-23 at the Northern Sport Centre, Filatova came off bench in fine style, posting back-to-back 18-point efforts to spur comeback wins over the UBC-Okanagan Heat.

In the second game of that doubleheader, the TWolves and Heat were tied 66-66 when UNBC head coach Sergey Shchepotkin called a timeout with 14 seconds left on the clock. He elected Filatova to take the ball and she did the rest, driving the ball into the key with a slick inside-out move to lose her check and sink the layup for the winning points.

Money in the bank.

That 68-67 squeaker brought the TWolves (3-5, fifth in Pacific) back into the Canada West playoff race.

Shchepotkin has looked to his home country’s Russian recruits to raise the TWolves’ talent base considerably in recent years.

Five years ago he brought in forward Sveta Boykova, now the fourth-ranked rebounder in the conference, and also attracted shooting guard Alina Shakirova, now an assistant coach after five productive seasons with the TWolves. Schchepotkin also paved the way for Evgeny Baukin, the current UNBC men’s team scoring leader, who like Shakirova was a high school star at Duchess Park before he joined the TWolves.

“(Filatova) played at a pretty good level in Russia, she was at one of the best basketball schools so she had very good coaches in the game,” said Shchepotkin.

“She wanted to play in a high level and she heard from Evgeny’s father that

there’s an opportunity in Canada so they contacted me and started working on coming here. They sent me a video and I could see she definitely has some potential. She’s a hard worker and all coaches told good things about her.

“She understands her position, that she needs to be a leader of the team and everybody’s watching her and she works really hard, spending a lot of time in the gym. She’s averaging 15 points and I think that’s pretty good for 18 years old. We can rely on her at the end of the game.”

Boykova is 10 years older at 28 and Shchepotkin says she’s more like a coach to Filatova and can be quite demanding of what she expects her to do to finish and get desired results. But they’ve worked out their roles and that’s improved the chemistry between the two talented Russians.

Her first season, Filatova played all 20 games, including one as a starter. She averaged eight points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists as one of the top rookies

but everyone supports us and it really helps everywhere, so my coaches helped us when I just got here and my teammates, they’re supporting me every step with what I’m doing,” she said.

“The studying was hard at first when I first got here and I had the language barrier. I’m living out of campus, I have some good friends and they are so kind to me and I really like the people here. I really love the mentality of everyone and my sponsors here.”

Baukin and Filatova are both from Moscow and have known each other for years through basketball. The house where Filatova was raised is a seven-minute drive from the place where Boykova grew up and they attended the same sports school.

“I know it can be tough, because it’s a new country, new city, you don’t know people here, especially if you’re coming from the opposite side of the world, you don’t know the language here” said Baukin.

in the conference and was the obvious choice for UNBC’s rookie award. Schchepotkin said she played well enough to be on the Canada West allrookie team but she was not chosen.

“It was one of my dreams to play and study abroad and my coach talked to coach Sergey and he told them we need to recruit new players,” said Filatova, a business/marketing major. “I came here to work hard and I was ready. I wasn’t my dream just to get here and relax, no. I just remember that every day I have to work hard and keep growing and my future will be really good.”

Filatova started playing basketball when she was eight. She likes the campus life at UNBC and it did not take her long to adjust to level of play in Canada West. The move to Prince George, a city of about 80,000, was a culture shock for Filatova, who was born and raised in Moscow, home to more than 13 million people, but she loves the community feel of a small city.

“I like Prince George, it’s a small town

“You have to make new friends when you have your whole life back home and you have to restart everything, but I feel she has a lot of support from her teammates, her friends and her family here. UNBC is one family, it helped me a lot. Even if you’re like local if you’re international or other side of the country or from Vancouver, you’re running as one.”

Baukin said Filatova never fails to impress him with her basketball instincts.

‘I’ve known her since she 14 or 15 back when I was in Russia and it’s really impressive how she’s getting better every day, every single game,” he said. “You can see her aggression on the offensive end and the defensive end, it’s really impressive. She’s young, but she’s always getting into the fight, into the fire with her teammates.”

After a six-week semester break the TWolves are back on the court this weekend when they visit Fraser Valley on Friday and UBC on Saturday. UNBC returns to Brownridge Court in a rare Thursday evening game on Jan. 16 when they host Victoria.

HARSH BANGA PHOTO

UNBC Timberwoves guard Viktoriia Filatova has averaged 15.8 points through eight games this season, sixth-best in the U SPORTS Canada West Conference.

Ski crosser Tiana Gairns recovering from injuries

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Barring a miracle, Tiana Gairns will not race this season on the World Cup ski cross tour.

A wipeout in training left her with a broken tibia, the weight-bearing bone just below the knee, and the 26-year-old from Prince George has been grounded ever since while her Canadian teammates have been shredding a path to the medal podium.

Injuries have been a common theme for Gairns through much of her World Cup career.

She’s had concussions and a shoulder injury that forced her to miss the entire 2018-19 season and despite that was coming on strong the past two seasons, having achieved her first World Cup medal with a third-place result in March 2023.

She was just getting back into form recovering from a tendon injury that happened almost two years ago when she took a bad fall that broke her leg Nov. 27 in the Canadian team training camp in Idre Fjall, Sweden.

“I had a ski pop off because it was very rutty and really icy and trying to stop myself I hyper-extended my leg in the crash and the shock through it was hard enough that it blew up the top of my tibia,” said Gairns.

“It, being a break, is the best result I could have hoped for because it typically heals very well and I don’t have any ligament damage, which takes longer to come back from. My break didn’t require surgery, which means my timeline is probably half as long as it would be if I had surgery.”

Gairns is just started bearing weight on her injured leg and is doing what she can to keep her conditioning up. She thinks she’ll be back on skis in March but figures she won’t race again until next season - a critical one for ski crossers with the Olympics coming up in Italy in February 2026.

The Canadian ski cross team had a camp in September in Chile but Gairns had to go easy on her leg, still recovering from the injury to her hamstring

SUBMITTED PHOTO

“We’re just so strong,” said Gairns, who raced her first World Cup event in January 2018. “Even in training you never know who’s going to beat each other and that shows how strong and deep our team is. When you have people who are consistently getting to the top of the podium or are consistently on the podium, and those are the people you’re training with, it doesn’t surprise me that everybody is skiing as well as we are.

tendon that limited her to just two races in 2023-24.

“After I stopped skiing last year it was pretty problematic for awhile and I had an injection this summer which seemed to help a bit, but there’s only a few things you can do for a tendon that will help and a lot of it is just slowly increasing the load,” she said.

“It finally had gotten to the point where I could handle a typical training load by Sweden and I was looking forward to the winter. The tendon injury has been tough, it hasn’t just been an uphill progression, it’s been a lot of getting a little better and then getting worse, so I’ve had a lot of frustration.”

In ski cross, four skiers race each other on a steep twisty course packed with banked corners and high-speed jumps, and there’s no way to do that when one of your two shock absorbers is damaged. Gairns just needs time to heal her leg.

“I have the trust of the experience of getting back to a place where I was able to ski with my tendon and I knew it took six more months of progression to get there, and I haven’t lost all that progression, so I know a bit better now if I can trust the process I will get there,” she said. “Even though it feels slow and there’s bumps on the road I have that

experience to rely on.”

O Canada has been getting plenty of airplay in the post-race awards ceremonies since the start of the season in early December. Canadians have won five of the first 10 World Cup races (men and women) and have 10 of the 21 podium finishes.

Reece Howden won the most recent World Cup race Dec. 21 in Innichen, Italy. The native of Cultus Lake, BC is second in the FIS points race with 296, just 14 back of leader Florian Wilmsmann of Germany. Kevin Drury of Toronto, the 2020 points champion, is also in the hunt, ranked sixth overall (109).

India Sherett of Cranbrook is second in the FIS World Cup points standings with 325, 44 behind leader Daniela Maier of Germany, while defending Crystal Globe champion Marielle Thompson of Whistler is not far off the pace in third place with 320 points, still within striking range for her fifth Crystal Globe. Hannah Schmidt of Ottawa ranks seventh and Abby McEwen of Edmonton is 10th in the world.

Since 2009, Canada has been a ski cross powerhouse in World Cup and X Games events and the current strength of the team bodes well for next season with the Olympics looming.

“Having a team where you’re pushing each other in all the training environments is huge because there’s no day you can slack off. Because if you slack off someone will beat you. It’s just a culture that drives each other. It comes from the athletes but also from the coaches and the support staff - everyone’s looking for that advantage we can have over the other teams. The passion you find there and the motivation from everybody working toward the same goal and putting in the max effort into every day, that’s what shows in the end.”

Gairns and fellow World Cup team member Gavin Rowell of Prince George compete in a sport that operates in relative obscurity and doesn’t grab the public’s eye until the Olympics are on, when all of a sudden, people can’t get enough of a highly entertaining event often referred to as roller derby on skis. Gairns says she likes the fact they are under the radar most of the time, in sharp contrast to the intense glare Canada’s world junior hockey team was under last week in Ottawa.

“I appreciate that we have less pressure than some other sports, because if you think about someone who’s good at hockey, the amount of pressure they must feel from the amount of people cheering them on,” she said.

“Funding wise it’s a little bit harder, there’s not as much money in the sport because it’s a little bit more obscure. But for me personally it’s easier to perform because I don’t have as much pressure as a sport that would have the whole nation watching it.”

The World Cup tour resumes Jan. 15-16 in Reiteralm, Austria.

Tiana Gairns of Prince George (foreground) leads teammates India Sherrett (centre) and Hannah Schmidt into a turn while training for the World Cup season in Pitztal, Austria.

Life Events

Remembering Jessica

January 3, 1995 - March 13, 2023

Maytheangelssingyou abirthdayserenadeinHeaven

Irene Mary Ferrante

September 20, 1951

November 23, 2024

Allen Derek Wheatley

July 15, 1951 - December 22, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Allen Derek Wheatley at the age of 73, on December 22, 2024.

Allen was born on July 15,1951 in Dryden, Ontario. He is survived by the love of his life for 54 years Nancy. His 2 daughters Rhonda (Joe) Kerkhof and Lori Slater. His grandchildren Clinton, Parker (Samantha), Rylan Kerkhof, Logan, Dylan, and Jaxon Slater were His pride and joy. Also survived by his sisters and brother Dianne (Murray) Mcfayden, Val (Rick) Bradshaw and Ron (Marni) Wheatley. His Sisters in law Ann Hallman, Helen Belanger, Vicki Sawka, and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Don & Muriel Wheatley and MIL Mary Sawka. The passion in his life was Norman Lake where he loved boating, quading, snowmobiling and sitting by the campfire at happy hour with friends and a zorch in hand. He was always ready to lend a hand to family and friends

Thank-you to UNHBC and Hospice house for their compassion and excellent care. No service by request. In lieu of flowers, a donation to PG Rotary Hospice House in Allen’s name if you wish.

With great sadness we announce the passing of Irene Ferrante on November 23, 2024. She is greatly missed by her husband Joe, son Steve & Denise, sister Connie, & grandchildren Hunter, Braiden & Nolan. She will always be remembered for her kindness & devotion to her family. A celebration of life will be held in May 2025.

(Deanna) May Chow

February 6, 1942 – December 12, 2024

It is with great sadness I said my final good-bye to my beloved sister (Deanna) May Chow on December 12, 2024.

May was born and raised in Trail, BC where she worked as a receptionist at City Hall after high school. She later moved to the Vancouver area working for UBC, the church and finally BCAA until her retirement. May was a very proud and independent person but she was also an extremely loyal and true friend. She was a very kind person who always put other people’s needs before her own. Her great sense of humor made fast and lasting friendships. She loved dragon boat racing, tai chi, reading, and animals – especially cats. She was an avid Canucks fan.

Five years ago, May moved to Prince George after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There are so many people to thank for looking after May’s needs: the Northern Health social workers, care workers and nurses, the staff of Two Rivers Lodge, and the caregivers and nurses of Simon Fraser Lodge. A huge thank you goes to Doctor David Shepherd for his compassion and care. I was very fortunate to be with and for her in her final years.

May was predeceased by our mother Mabel and father John and brother Dick. She is survived by her sister Jeanie, sister-in-law Ying, nieces Cindy and Jennifer (Fraser), great nephew Logan, and nephews Gerry (Lily) and Bryan.

May played the hand she was dealt with courage and acceptance and without any complaints. May she rest in peace. She is so missed.

No service by request.

March 1939-November 2024

Milton was born March 10, 1939, in New Westminster, BC to Esther (Newcomb) Gill and Melford Rutherford Sr.

He is predeceased by his parents, his half siblings George and Beverly, and the love of his life Judith Rutherford.

He is survived by his children Carol, Sharon, Dennis (Frances), Stephen (Rebecca); stepchildren Leanne (Harley), John Paul (Marnie); his grandchildren Joshua (Courtney), Daniel, Jessie (Tia), Jordan (Megan), Brette (Nick), Ayden (Liam), Sophie; great grandchildren Luka, Levi, Arie, Micah, Blake and brother Melford (Shirley) and half sister Marie.

After Judy passed, Milton spent the last three years enjoying the fellowship of family and friends. He was enormously proud of each of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed frequent FaceTime conversations, daily phone calls, and family pictures. His face lit up when he shared updates on family, and it was clear that each one’s wellbeing was his utmost priority and topic of his daily prayer life.

Milton passed away peacefully in the early hours of November 29th. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, unconditional love, and devotion. He managed to always see the rainbows hidden within every storm. He ran the race, with his eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith and has now entered into the rest that was prepared for this good and faithful servant.

Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Milton Homer Rutherford

D’Arcey James Zatorski

J September 15, 1953 – December 31, 2024

On December 31, 2024, 6:30am, D’Arcey passed away peacefully with his daughter Ashley by his side in Hospice.

D’Arcey lived a good life, who was loved by many. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone, if you needed help, call him and he would be there. One thing he did famously was always sticking his foot in his mouth and say something that he wished he could take back, lol....

He loved his dog Blue, loved cars, and most of all his children and grandchildren and his extended family. He loved to tease, he was so much like his dad Peter.

D’Arcey worked in the bush doing many different jobs. How do you describe what a person is about, without writing a book. His life’s journey was incredible as is everyone’s story.

This quote from Maya Angelou – “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”, and that’s what D’Arcey was all about. D’Arcey will be remembered as a kind, loving person and what more can you ask...

D’Arcey is survived by his loving children, Jezelle, (Justin), Ashley (Mario, sons Parker and Mason), son Jamison (Kaiya, daughter Madison).

His sister, Darlene (Neil McIntosh), sons Blake (Laurie, sons Jacob, Konnor) & Kyle (Neysa, son Kade).

His brother Garrette (Brenda), son Patrick (Desiree, daughters Isabelle, Khloe).

Sister Felicia, (Karey Keller), daughters Rena (Terry Teegee, children Rylie and Rowan), Elizabeth (Robert Derksen, children Gideon, McKinley, Ellis), Jennifer (daughter Emma), son Kalan (Veronica, children Kyler, Kaysen, Psalm, and Krew).

Sister Janice Shannon (Wayne, children Warren/ Roxanne, Clayton Pountney).

D’Arcey is predeceased by his parents, Peter Zatorski, Mary Zatorski (nee Quaw), sister Glynice and brother Blaine.

Inger Margrethe Elisabeth Riber Christensen (nee Repstock) June 9, 1930 - December 20, 2024

Inger Margrethe Elisabeth Riber Christensen (nee Repstock) passed December 20th, surrounded by love.

Born in 1930 in Hillerod, Denmark to Hella and Johan Gotthard Repstock, Inger emigrated to Canada after the war, looking for big open spaces. She followed her brother Bjorn to northern BC and found comradery in the Danish-Canadian community of Prince George. She also found her husband there.

Henry predeceased Inger following a four decade adventure.

Her first home was in Summit Lake, where she welcomed nephew ThorBjorn into the family, swiftly followed by children Kim and Annelise. Kathrine, Thomas and Grant were born after the move to ‘the little red house on 7th Ave’. The family toyed with the idea of country life, moving back and forth between town and a log cabin on the Old Summit Lake Road South before solidifying Inger’s dream of a ranch. They found that paradise in Salmon Valley. Jeff, the youngest, was born on the farm.

In addition to co-managing their beef farm, she worked outside the home as an accounting clerk at PG City Hall, Jack’s TV, and BC Buildings Corporation. An entrepreneur, she started and operated her own cleaning business.

Inger created a wonderful life for her children, and also the most beautiful gardens. Gardening was her passion. She created her garden on the farm from a cow pasture. Every property she owned after retirement was transformed into a lush oasis of fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. The biggest raspberries, the crispest apples, the most exotic fruit grew in her creations. The gardens of her coastal homes in Sechelt and Powell River were particularly spectacular.

Inger also enjoyed bridge, knitting, her cats, and concrete (cement mixers are for sissies). She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren: Kim and Cynthia (Christian, Beau), Annelise and Charlie (Julia, Alex), Kathrine and Mike (Gavin, Hannah), Thomas and Brenda (Lindsay, Jaime, Rebecca), Grant and Debbie (John, Aksel), Jeff (Daniel). And by her nephew ThorBjorn and Janet. As well as her adored great grandchildren Mei and Leif, Milo and Everett, Micah and Colton, Victoria and Charlotte, and coming soon, Owen.

David Riemer

April 3, 1932 - December 16, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a wonderful, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Dad passed away December 16 with his youngest son, Ken, holding his hand. His passing came as a shock to us all. Our father always defied his age, was always doing things unexpected of someone in their nineties. One of his favorite sayings, when one of us would complain about aches and pains or an illness, was “I feel sorry for you old people”. In the past year he was able to fish, hunt and collect firewood with his sons, pastimes he couldn’t get enough of and cherished deeply. Although we grieve his passing we know he left on his own terms and that he has joined our mom in heaven.

Dad was born near Gronlid, Saskatchewan, the youngest of 4 boys, to Agnes and Cornelius Reimer. In Saskatchewan he farmed, built roads, was a welder, pipefitter and built a refinery. In 1954 he followed his brothers to BC. He did mechanical work and skidding in Vanderhoof and worked at a lumber mill and in construction in Prince George. He bought his own backhoe in 1959 and ran it until he retired in 1999.

A close friend introduced dad to our mom, Evelyn Vance and it was love at first sight. They were married in 1957, settled in Peden Hill next to his in-laws and raised a family of 5. Our humble father would always say that mom raised us and did all the real work. We know otherwise, they were great partners. When dad wasn’t at work building, deactivating, repairing roads, bridges and culverts, he was busy with us kids: camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and trading stories around a campfire.

Dad was incredibly knowledgeable in so many areas of life and had skills and abilities that would surprise everyone. He was a mechanic, pipefitter, plumber, electrician, machinist, fabricator, blacksmith, road builder, did his own appliance repair and operated light and heavy equipment. Dad could dream up solutions for rigging this or fixing that, solve any problem or rebuild equipment that he felt was poorly built. There wasn’t much that he couldn’t repair or improve upon. Our dad was a kind, humble and generous person with lifelong friendships that he treasured.

Predeceased by our mom Evelyn, his parents, his brothers and his daughter-in-law Louise.

A private memorial was held at her passing. “The deaths of kings will be forgotten sooner.” Paul St Pierre, Chilcotin Holiday

Left to cherish his memory: His children, Len (Darlene), Mike, Don, Sue (Fausto) and Ken (Noelia). Grandchildren, Jeremy (Shawna), Jessica, Lindsey (Brian), Ashley (Arlo) and Brettany (Dane). Great-Grandchildren, Charlie, Johnny, Jack, Walker, Rose and Brooks

No service by request

Classifieds

IN THE MATTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF WALTER GEORGE WHEELER

NOTICE is hereby given that Walter George Wheeler filed an Assignment in Bankruptcy on December 30, 2024, and that John S. Beverley & Associates Inc. was appointed as Trustee. The first meeting of creditors will be held on the 13 day of January, 2025 at the hour of 11:00 o’clock in the morning, at the office of the Trustee, 1240 5th Avenue, in the city of Prince George, in the Province of British Columbia.

Dated at Prince George, BC this 31st day of December, 2024.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) It’s a good time to take a much-needed break from your recent hectic schedule and spend some time in quieter surroundings. Important news could arrive early next week.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)

The Taurean traits of reliability and thoroughness could be well-tested when decision-makers consider your proposals and/or requests. Be prepared to answer some probing questions.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A sudden attack of boredom leaves you with some tasks undone. It’s OK to take a short respite, but get back to work by week’s end so that you have time for other projects.

Booking deadline: Friday noon

Approval deadline: Monday at noon

frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca

250.562.2441

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CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Avoid prejudging a situation just because it looks bad. Facts could emerge that can make your position uncomfortable, to say the least. Meanwhile, a relative has interesting news to share with you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is a good time to begin reassessing some of your recent decisions about your long-range goals to see if they still have merit. In addition, spend more time with loved ones this weekend.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An unsettled situation at home or on the job early in the week could drain your energy levels, making it difficult to get your work done on schedule. But things improve by midweek.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A temporary setback could give you time to go over your plans to find weaknesses that you might have overlooked before. Also, a romantic getaway with a special person is favored this weekend.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Professional and personal situations benefit you once you set a positive tone in getting things off to a good start. Honest dialogue smooths over any occasional display of balkiness.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A problem with workplace colleagues or family members seems to defy even your sage counsel. But be patient. Your words will eventually lead to a resolution.

Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $1100. or bucked to

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Don’t just wait out an unexpected and unexplained delay in your career move. You could gain added respect if you ask why it happened and what you can do to move things along.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Although your workplace strategies are usually accepted, you could be challenged by someone who isn’t so favorably impressed. Be prepared to defend your positions.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your friendship circle expands with new people coming into your life at this time. Welcome them warmly, but don’t neglect cherished longtime personal relationships.

Homes & Living

How to have fresh herbs throughout the winter

Winter can be a challenging time for gardeners who love fresh herbs. However, with a bit of planning and care, you can enjoy the flavors of summer all year round. Here are some tips to help you keep your herb garden thriving even during the cold months.

Indoor Herb Garden

One of the best ways to ensure a steady supply of fresh herbs during winter is to grow them indoors. Choose a sunny spot in your home, such as a south-facing window, where your herbs can get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If natural light is limited, consider using grow lights to supplement.

Choosing the Right Herbs

Not all herbs are suited for indoor growing, but many thrive in a controlled environment. Some of the best herbs to grow indoors include basil, chives, mint, parsley,

dream door starts here

thyme, and oregano. These herbs are relatively easy to care for and can adapt well to indoor conditions.

Proper Potting and Soil

Use pots with good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. A high-quality potting mix designed for herbs or indoor plants is ideal. Ensure the soil remains moist but not soggy. Overwatering is a common mistake, so it’s better to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

Regular Pruning

Pruning your herbs regularly encourages healthy growth and prevents them from becoming leggy. Pinch off the tips of the plants to promote bushier growth. This also provides you with a constant supply of fresh leaves for cooking.

Temperature and Humidity

Most herbs prefer a temperature range of 65-75°F (18-24°C). Keep your

herbs away from drafts, radiators, and cold windows. If the air in your home is dry, especially during winter, consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near your plants to maintain humidity levels.

Fertilizing

Herbs grown indoors need occasional feeding to stay healthy. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive growth and reduced flavor.

Harvesting

Harvest your herbs regularly to encourage new growth. Use sharp scissors to cut the stems, and avoid taking more than one-third of the plant at a time. This ensures the plant remains healthy and continues to produce fresh leaves. By following these tips, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs

throughout the winter, adding a touch of summer to your meals even on the coldest days.

GO FOR GOLD.

The pros and cons of installing skylights in a home

Skylights are a popular home improvement feature that can transform the ambiance of a room by bringing in natural light. However, like any renovation project, they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article explores the pros and cons of in-stalling skylights in your home to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of Skylights

Natural Light and Health Benefits

One of the most significant advantages of skylights is the abundance of natural light they provide. Natural light has been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved mood, increased productivity, and better sleep patterns. By installing skylights, you can re-duce your reliance on artificial lighting during the day, which can also lead to energy sav-ings.

Aesthetic Appeal

Skylights can dramatically enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room. They create a unique lighting effect that can make spaces feel more open and inviting. Whether you want to watch the stars at night or enjoy the sunlight during the day, skylights offer a beautiful view of the sky that

traditional windows cannot match.

Energy Efficiency

When strategically placed, skylights can contribute to your home’s energy efficiency. For instance, skylights on the northern side of your house can provide cool, indirect sunlight, while those on the southern side can offer passive solar heating during the winter months. This can help reduce heating and cooling costs.

Ventilation

Some skylights are designed to open, providing an additional source of ventilation. This can be particularly beneficial in rooms that tend to get stuffy, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Ventilated skylights can help improve air circulation and maintain a comfortable in-door environment.

Drawbacks of Skylights

Cost

One of the primary drawbacks of installing skylights is the cost. Skylights can be expensive to purchase and install. Additionally, they may increase your energy bills if not properly in-sulated, as they can let in unwanted heat during the summer and lose heat during the winter.

Potential for Leaks Skylights are prone to leaks if not

installed correctly. Over time, the seals around the sky-light can deteriorate, leading to water damage and costly repairs. High-quality installation and regular maintenance are essential to prevent leaks and ensure the longevity of your skylight.

Heat Gain and Loss

While skylights can contribute to energy efficiency, they can also cause unwanted heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter if not properly insulated. This can lead to in-creased energy consumption and higher utility bills. It’s crucial to choose skylights with good insulation properties and consider additional shading options to mitigate these issues.

Maintenance

Skylights require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. This includes clean-ing the glass, checking for leaks, and ensuring that the seals are intact. Neglecting maintenance can lead to problems such as condensation buildup and reduced efficiency.

Installing skylights in your home can offer numerous benefits, from increased natural light and aesthetic appeal to improved energy efficiency

and ventilation. However, it’s essential to weigh these advantages against the potential drawbacks, such as cost, maintenance, and the risk of leaks. By carefully considering these factors, you can determine whether skylights are the right choice for your home.

Pankaj

Sarah Pineau