Man wanted in VLA shooting arrested
Citizen staff
The last of three suspects from a shooting in the VLA this spring is in custody.
Prince George RCMP apprehended Eric Vern West, 38, on Monday morning after police noticed a number of people passing through an 1100-block Chilako Avenue home that has been associated with the drug trade.
West was among nine suspects spread over three vehicles who were arrested. RCMP then executed a search warrant on the home with the help of an emergency response team.
West has been wanted in connection with an April 15 report of multiple gun shots in the 2200 block of Quince Street.
On that day, RCMP came across a man in an SUV parked in an adjacent alley suffering from a gunshot wound. Kyle Devro Teegee, 31, was arrested near the scene and Joseph Karl Larsen, 26, was found two days later. Both remain in custody.
Drugs and a firearm were found in the vehicle West was in on Monday and the subsequent search of the home uncovered ammunition and drug trafficking paraphernalia, RCMP said.
The home is familiar to the RCMP. In May 2018, Harjinder John Singh Berar, 51, was arrested on drug and firearms related counts after a similar operation was carried out on the home, but those counts were stayed this past March.
In February 2016, he was sentenced to a further 15 months in jail after he was twice caught dealing cocaine and methamphetamine from the home over a three-and-ahalf month span.
Poll finds support for Trans Mountain in B.C.
Nelson BENNETT
Business in Vancouver
Sixty per cent of British Columbians support the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, according to a new Ipsos poll commissioned by Resource Works.
The poll was released Monday, one day ahead of today’s anticipated announcement by the federal cabinet on the $7.4 billion to $9.3 billion twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Cabinet is expected to green-light the expansion again Tuesday, about a year after it was halted by the courts.
“We wanted to – prior to the decision – do what probably the federal government and provincial government and oil companies are doing, but for their own reference, which is public opinion polling,” said Stewart Muir, executive director for Resource Works.
“For every one person who is against the Trans Mountain expansion, there are two British Columbian residents in favour of it.”
The poll was based on a survey of 800 British Columbians, province-wide.
Support for the project was higher in the north and interior of B.C., at 63 per cent. Support in Vancouver was 59 per cent and 60 per cent on Vancouver Island.
More than a year ago, an Angus Reid poll put the support for the expansion in B.C. at 54 per cent.
More recently, in January, another Angus Reid poll found 53 per cent of British Columbians considered lack of pipeline capacity a “crisis.” Canada-wide, it was 58 per cent.
Mario Canseco, president of ResearchCo polling firm, said support for the Trans Mountain pipeline among British Columbians and Canadians in general began ticking up after the Canadian government bought the pipeline from
Kinder Morgan Canada, which suggests some Canadians may have changed their stance once they, as taxpayers, had skin in the game.
A little over a year ago, when Kinder Morgan announced it was abandoning plans to expand the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, the Trudeau government tried to save the project by buying the existing pipeline for $4.5 billion, about $1 billion of which was for work that had already been done on the expansion, before it was halted by the BC Court of Appeal last year.
“Suddenly, when you’re an owner, you look at it differently,” Canseco said. He also thinks an advertising cam-
paign by the Jason Kenney government in Alberta tying high gasoline prices in B.C. to pipeline constraints may have had some impact.
Since the beginning of June, the Alberta government has blanketed B.C. with billboards, social media ads and advertising in mainstream media linking high gas prices in B.C. to Premier John Horgan’s “obstructing” the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
“Once you get those reminders consistently, there’s a chance that that could move anywhere from five per cent to 10 per cent of residents to say, ‘yes, this is the problem,’” Canseco said. — see related story, page 5
Memorial scholarship benefits pair of CNC nursing students
Citizen staff
Tuition for two semesters will not be a worry for two CNC nursing students named the recipients of the Dillon Adey Memorial 10th Anniversary Scholarship. This special award, valued at $7,000 each, was created to commemorate the positive influence and support that the Dillon Adey Memorial Endowment and annual golf tournament has brought to CNC, its students and the community in the decade since Dillon’s passing.
Wanting to do something special for the 10year anniversary, Perry and Cindy Adey proposed a $10,000 scholarship in memory of their son that would substantially impact the life of one student.
When reviewing the applicants, however, the Adey family came to a deadlock between CNC nursing students Shaudee Lavoie and Lisa Blackley.
“Both students had stories that touched our family,” Perry said.
“We really couldn’t choose. Since Dillon’s favourite number was 14, we decided to increase the amount to $14,000 and give two scholarships worth $7,000 each.”
Blackley, who is in the first year of CNC’s practical nursing program, said she was in shock when she learned she was chosen to receive the award. A mother of two, she said the money will ease the financial stress of living on her husband’s income alone while she attends school full time.
“I’m very honoured to receive this generous award,” Blackley said.
“Words cannot express my gratitude. It’s life changing, really.”
Lavoie, like Blackley, is a mother who had her household drop to single income when she went back to school fulltime.
— see ‘I’M BEYOND, page 3
The Prince George RCMP, with the assistance of the North District RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, searched a residence on Chilako Avenue at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged drug trafficking at the residence.
A sign warning of an underground petroleum pipeline is seen on a fence at Kinder Morgan’s facility in Burnby, the terminal of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Trimming the trees
Devon Chambers and Ian Hoag from
Prince George provincial court docket
From Prince George provincial court, June 10-14, 2019:
• Patrick Ryan Baker (born 1987) was sentenced to 21 days in jail for breaching his conditional sentence order.
Baker was in custody for six days prior to sentencing.
• Christopher Joseph Garro (born 1985) was sentenced to two years probation and issued a lifetime firearms prohibition for carrying a weapon or prohibited device, possessing a firearm contrary to an order, knowingly possessing an unauthorized weapon and possessing a controlled substance.
Garro was in custody for 82 days prior to sentencing.
• Richard David Horth (born 1959) was fined $500 for theft $5,000 or under.
• Cory Allen Ernest Sargent (born 1989) was sentenced to 486 days in jail and issued a lifetime firearms prohibition for possession for the purpose of trafficking and to 70 days in jail and one year probation and ordered to provide a DNA sample for two counts of assault with a weapon. Sargent was in custody for 75 days prior to sentencing.
• Gina Fawn Leona Thomas (born 1972) was sentenced to 32 days in jail for assault and to no time for three counts of breaching probation.
Thomas had spent a total of 89
days in custody on the counts prior to sentencing.
• David Joseph Elson (born 1993) was prohibited from driving for one year, issued a one-year $500 recognizance after allegation and fined $240 plus a $36 victim surcharge for driving without a driver’s licence under the Motor Vehicle Act.
• Anthony Joe Giroux (born 1994) was sentenced to 18 months probation with a suspended sentence for forcible entry and assault.
• Dawyne Michael Kueber (born 1979) was sentenced to one year probation for possessing stolen property under $5,000, prohibited from driving for two years for dangerous driving under the Criminal Code, and sentenced to no time in jail for fleeing police, breaching an undertaking or recognizance and a separate count of possessing stolen property under $5,000.
• William Thomas MacFarlane (born 1987) was fined $1,000 plus a $150 victim surcharge for driving without a driver’s licence under the Motor Vehicle Act.
• Crystal Leah Arndt (born 1974) was sentenced to no time in jail for breaching probation, committed in Chilliwack.
• Judith Marie Howard (born 1962) was prohibited from driving for one year and fined $2,000 for driving while impaired.
• Pamela Joy Laycock (born 1972)
was sentenced to a 180-day conditional sentence order and ordered to pay $20,376.44 restitution for two counts of fraud $5,000 or under.
• Lloyd Munro Muir (born 1992) was prohibited from driving for one year and fined $500 plus a $75 victim surcharge for driving while prohibited or licence suspended under the Motor Vehicle Act.
• Chase Joseph Riley Cardinal (born 1992) was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay $25.88 restitution for fraudulently obtaining food, beverage or accommodation and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. Cardinal was in custody for 23 days prior to sentencing.
• William Ernest George Parent (born 1968) was sentenced to 11 days in jail for breaching probation.
• Dean Reginald Anderson (born 1977) was sentenced to no time in jail for breaching probation. Anderson was in custody for one day following his arrest.
• Kevin Kelvin John Beauchamp (born 1987) was sentenced to 108 days in jail and one year probation, issued a lifetime firearms prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample. Beauchamp was in custody for seven days prior to sentencing.
• Cameron Bierke Joseph Christen
(born 1977) was sentenced to one year probation with a suspended sentence for theft $5,000 or under, issued a one-year $500 recognizance after allegation of causing fear of injury or damage, and to no jail time for two counts of breaching an undertaking, all committed in Mackenzie. Christen was in custody for four days prior to sentencing.
• David Charles Bernard Cox (born 1980) was sentenced to 48 days in jail and one year probation for uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. Cox was in custody for 25 days prior to sentencing.
• David Conrad Fjellner (born 1983) was sentenced to one year probation for assault and to no jail time for mischief $5,000 or under and breaching an undertaking. Fjellner was in custody for 69 days prior to sentencing.
• Daniel James Johnny (born 1996) was sentenced no jail time for breaching probation.
• Cali Ronald Harold Peal-Barton (born 1994) was sentenced to nine days in jail and one year probation for possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose. Peal-Barton was in custody for 23 days prior to sentencing.
• Murray Daniel Varley (born 1959) was sentenced to 120 days in jail and prohibited from driving for 10 years for driving while
disqualified and fined $1,500 for wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
• Justin David Clements (born 1985) was sentenced to 19 days in jail for willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer and to seven days in jail for breaching probation. Clements was in custody for one day prior to sentencing.
• Phillip Thompson Cooper (born 1966) was sentenced to 67 days in jail and prohibited from driving for three years for driving while disqualified under the Criminal Code and sentenced to no jail time for breaching probation. Cooper was also sentenced to one year probation on the driving count as well as for possessing stolen property under $5,000. Cooper was in custody for 112 days prior to sentencing.
• Dakoda Nash Wilson (born 1990) was sentenced to no time in jail for breaching probation, committed in Terrace.
From B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George:
• Ronald Jack Peebles (born 1993) was sentenced to six months in jail and one year probation and ordered to provide a DNA sample for possessing stolen property over $5,000 and breaking and entering and committing an indictable offence, committed in Willow River.
the City of Prince George clean up a cottonwood branches that dropped out of a tree over the weekend in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
‘I’m beyond grateful to be selected’
— from page 1
As a student, she said Dillon’s memory has contributed greatly to her education through the donated equipment that fills the nursing lab.
“I’m beyond grateful to be selected for this award,” she said. “What they’ve done for us in the coming year is amaz-
ing. We can focus on our studies while having more time for the family.”
On Saturday, the 10th annual Dillon Adey Memorial Cup Golf Tournament at the Aberdeen Glen Golf Course raised more than $21,000. The Adeys are one of the college’s longest and most gracious donors, giving more than
$214,000 to CNC.
“For a decade, the community has come together to celebrate the legacy of an amazing young man,” said CNC President Henry Reiser. “Dillon’s legacy continues to help make brighter future for students as they pursue their educational goals.”
The game is afoot at Huble this weekend
Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca
The clues are elementary. They clearly lead to one place and one conclusion. Huble! The historic homestead is exactly the spot this complex mystery has its comeuppance. Historic Huble Homestead has become a leading suspect in this weekend’s summer fun as it hosts Sherlock Saturday, a brain teaser of an event for the whole family.
“If you enjoy finding clues and solving puzzles, you’ll enjoy this self-led excursion,” said Krystal Leason, executive director of the Huble Homestead/
Giscome Portage Heritage Society. “This inexpensive, fun-filled activity can be done as a family, a group of friends, or on your own.”
To get caught up in this mystery, arrive at the living museum site prior to 11 a.m. on Saturday and make your way into the Seebach & Huble General Merchandise store.
The first tasks in this investigation are kept there.
“Get your first clue and spend some time trying to crack the case by following clues, finding evidence and cracking codes throughout the site,” said Leason.
“Don’t worry, the staff will be on hand to help with hints and pointers.”
Huble Homestead is located a 30 minute drive north of Prince George. Make your way up Highway 97 past Salmon Valley, then turn off on Mitchell Road (you can’t miss the large highway sign) to continue another six kilometres down a well-maintained dirt road to the site of this turn-of-the-20th-century farming settlement and ages-old First Nations fish camp and portage trail.
Huble Homestead is dog friendly and open daily for guided tours, shopping in the general store and special events. Enjoy a picnic or purchase lunch from the barbecue as you relax in the fresh air. Admission is by donation with a recommended amount of $10 per family.
Law Enforcement Torch Run raises cash for Special Olympics
Citizen staff
Special Olympics B.C. is $5,100 richer thanks to the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
That’s how much money was raised during this year’s event, which was centred on a 3.5 kilometre walk or run on June 6. In all, it drew 130 participants, made up mostly of officers, staff and family of various public safety agencies including the B.C Sheriffs Service and the Prince George RCMP. About 40 Special Olympic athletes along with coaches, friends and family also participated. Following the run, RCMP hosted a public barbecue, social gathering, and 50/50 raffle on Fifth Avenue next to the detachment. The winner of the 50/50 raffle took home more than $1,500.
Pizza parlour robbery charges stayed
Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff
A Prince George man no longer stands accused of committing a violent armed robbery of a local pizza outlet.
Charges against Jesse Luke Juillette from the Jan. 23 incident were stayed on Friday in provincial court.
Stays of proceedings are issued whenever it’s determined there is not enough evidence to achieve a conviction. Although most matters that have been stayed are not reopened, Crown counsel can, within certain limits, restart the proceedings.
The time limit is six months for summary matters and a year for indictable matters.
According to submissions to the court, on the night of Jan. 23, two masked men burst into the pizza outlet, both with what appeared to be handguns.
There were two employees in the store and, in the process, one was punched in the face, leaving him dazed and with a cut over his eye – although he may also have been hit with a pistol – while the other was kicked in the head as he lay on the floor.
Juillette was arrested a week later when he was found in a car with tire tracks that matched those found in the snow near the scene of the crime.
Community Counselling Centre holding block party fundraiser
Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca
A block party in support of the Community Counselling Centre will be held today at the Connaught Youth Centre.
It will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and it will feature a barbecue, live music courtesy of Mike Vigano, a performance by the Pacific Spirit Dancers, a 50-50 draw and a chance to make your own mindfulness jar. Organizers hope to raise at least $1,600 for the centre, which provides low-cost, low-barrier counselling while also giving graduate students a chance to practice their skills under direct supervision.
“We have one paid position through Northern Health, which is our director, and then we get some supplies through UNBC, but other than that, we pay everything ourselves,” said the centre’s fundraising team leader, Deanna West.
Located in the Gateway Centre building at 1811 Victoria St., the centre offers counselling to teens and adults going interpersonal, emotional, social, and life transition difficulties. Clients are charged $20 per hour but can be charged less depending on their ability to pay.
“Nobody’s going to refuse service if they can’t pay,” West said. “If it’s zero, then it’s zero, not a problem at all.”
And in case you’re wondering, a mindfulness jar is a jar filled with water and sparkles, much like a snow globe.
“You can watch the sparkles fall and it helps you to stay calm, be mindful and reset your brain,” West said. “It’s especially helpful for children, just watching the sparkles to give you a minute to pause and breathe.”
Those interested in helping out the centre can call 250-562-6696 or email counsellingccc@gmail. com.
Gov’t loosens social assistance rules
VICTORIA (CP) — The B.C. government is implementing a series of changes to its social assistance policies that it says will help break the cycle of poverty.
The new rules start July 1 and will allow welfare recipients to keep their vehicles valued at over $10,000 and increase the asset limit to $5,000 for a single person and up to $10,000 for a couple or family. The changes include expanding access to social assistance for people with long-term barriers to employment.
There were two employees in the store and, in the process, one was punched in the face, leaving him dazed and with a cut over his eye – although he may also have been hit with a pistol –while the other was kicked in the head as he lay on the floor.
In March, Jake Travis Wilson was sentenced to a further 17 months in jail, followed by two years probation, after admitting to police he was one of the masked men in both the robbery of the pizza outlet and a gas station the week before.
Juillette continues to face charges from a September 2018 armed robbery and remains in custody pending a trial early in the new year. In May, co-accused Brian Bradley Owen Adams-Allen was sentenced to 315 days in jail and two years probation for his role in the crime.
Including the car wash event at Canadian Tire earlier this month led by Prince George Fire Rescue, more than $5,100 was raised.
“This is such a rewarding event to be involved with” said Prince George Insp. Shaun Wright.
“The enthusiasm of these athletes is contagious and makes us all want to help them to achieve their goals in their respective sports.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN
Perry and Cindy Adey, right, along with College of New Caledonia president Henry Reiser, left, presented the Dillon Adey Memorial 10th Anniversary Scholarship to CNC practical nursing students Shaudee Lavoie and Lisa Blackley on Monday. The scholarships, worth $7,000 each, were funded by 10th annual Dillon Adey Memorial Cup Golf Tournament at the Aberdeen Glen Golf Course, which raised more than $21,000.
The net the kids prefer
Much has been made about the fact that the Toronto Raptors won the first major league championship for a Canadian team since the Toronto Blue Jays won their second World Series in 1993 and the Montreal Canadiens won the last Stanley Cup for a Canadian team earlier that same year.
The suggestion is that somehow NBA basketball will somehow become more popular in Canada than NHL hockey or major league baseball.
The Raptors, however, are simply the icing on the cake when it comes to the surging popularity of basketball in Canada and around the world, compared to hockey.
Visit any residential neighbourhood in Prince George and across the country.
For previous generations, there were hockey nets to be seen in most driveways and a road-hockey game could be found at all times of the day and night.
Those nets are increasingly rare and are now completely outnumbered by basketball hoops.
When today’s young people step away from their gaming consoles and put down
their smartphones long enough to play an actual sport, they are playing basketball, either in somone’s driveway, out in the street, down in the school yard or in the gym.
Unlike any other sport, including hockey, basketball is an all-year sport.
Even hockey takes a bit of time off in Prince George in the summer months but not so with basketball. There is no month on the calendar in Prince George where organized leagues and youth development camps aren’t going for basketball.
Where basketball is cleaning up, in Canada and around the world, is among the youth. Just compare the broadcasts of the Stanley Cup finals and the NBA Finals.
Based on the TV commercials, people who watch hockey drink beer, go to Tim Hortons and drive trucks.
People who watch basketball eat and drink trendy stuff, order food through Skip The Dishes, shop entirely online and hang out there with their friends, too.
Hockey is white, male and older. The viewers of Hockey Night In Canada look at Ron Maclean and see themselves talking back at them.
Basketball’s fanbase is diverse across both race and gender, while also being significantly younger. The pre-game, half-time
and post-game show during the NBA Finals was hosted by a white woman, along with three men of colour.
Hockey is traditional Canada and sells itself to smaller communities through events like Hometown Hockey.
Basketball is new Canada, stylish and big city.
Hockey is the Tragically Hip.
Basketball is Drake.
Hockey is Huawei.
Basketball is iPhone.
Professional hockey players come from almost exclusively North America or Western Europe and are overwhelmingly white.
Professional basketball players are predominately black Americans but with a significant international presence. The Raptors had players from six different countries and three different continents on its championship roster.
Players from Spain, Greece, Russia and Ukraine wore UNBC Timberwolves jersey this past season.
In Canada, older, white men sit at Tim Hortons in June arguing about the upcoming NHL draft and whether the San Jose Sharks made the right move signing defenceman Erik Karlsson to an eight-year contract.
YOUR LETTERS
Inaction on fire hazard worrisome
With all the talk about fire mitigation, it seems the city is unwilling to follow the plan.
I live in South Fort George and have for 29 years.
There has been a vacant lot across the road from my house, for at least that long. The underbrush has become very thick and ripe for a fire.
When I phone the city, they say they have no authority over property owned by the Crown and to phone the province and leave a message. We all know how that works.
I then phone the fire department and ask if they can do anything about clearing the underbrush and again hear that they have no ability to clean this mess up. Over the years, there has been a few small fires put out by the fire department.
I was told the province has been asked to clean it up, but alas, as usual, nothing.
The city states on private property they can order a clean up and bill the owner but are remiss to do so to the province. So it appears there is no remedy for me.
So I say to myself as a 74-yearold pensioner that I must just live with the fear, especially in this day and age, where there is so much talk about fire hazards and
conditions, that nothing will be done.
I wish to thank the city for their inaction, I wish to thank the province for their inaction, and can only hope that my biggest investment, at my age, does not burn to the ground one day because of the inaction by all the people that should be responsible.
Folks, this happens to be my tax dollars and yours, paying for inaction.
By the way, I do have some knowledge of fire activity, as I was contracted as a fire cause investigator for the province.
Bill Manders, Prince George
Stand up, Canada
I would urge all of us to adopt that habit of our southern neighbours of the art of bragging.
Go figure – the Raptors are the NBA champions, three out of the five starters for the NHL champion St. Louis Blues are Canadian, golfer Brooke Henderson won a tournament in the states, an eighteen-year-old tennis player reached the finals in a German tournament whose name I can’t pronounce or spell and our women’s soccer team is 2-0 at the FIFA World Cup.
We have lots to brag about.
Now let’s do it.
We the north.
Oh Canada, go Canada.
Doug Strachan, Prince George
Failed the sniff test
I’m very concerned when capitalists like Norm Streau are allowed to print falsehoods such as his article in the June 15 Citizen. He blames the B.C. New Democrats for the downturn in housing prices. I believe that when a person submits an article, that article must be beyond approach. This article doesn’t pass the sniff test. Both Canada Mortgage and Housing and the Bank of Canada tightened up qualification and lending rates last year. Streau sadly doesn’t mention this in his article. His hate for the NDP is quite evident. Streu misses take home wages for the average worker are part of the problem. Too many people live below the poverty line. All one needs to think about is the number of food banks and how many there was 40 years ago and how many now. Prior to Brian Mulroney’s free trade, B.C. had five oil refineries. Canada doesn’t have enough oil refinery capacity now to meet its needs. Even if we all went to hybrids, we still would have to import fuels. Yet many Vancouver residents oppose a pipeline. Today sadly we have two oil refineries and one is for sale. If we haven’t lost one thousand sawmills, that number would be very close, yet we continue to ship raw logs off shore.
Stan New, Prince George
LETTERS WELCOME: The Prince George Citizen welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Submissions should be sent by email to: letters@pgcitizen.ca. No attachments, please. They can also be faxed to 250-960-2766, or mailed to 201-1777 Third Ave., Prince George, B.C. V2L 3G7. Maximum length is 750 words and writers are limited to one submission every week. We will edit letters only to ensure clarity, good taste, for legal reasons, and occasionally for length. Although we will not include your address and telephone number in the paper, we need both for verification purposes. Unsigned or handwritten letters will not be published. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact Neil Godbout (ngodbout@pgcitizen.ca or 250-960-2759).
SHAWN CORNELL DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING
Meanwhile, Canada’s younger generation is on social media debating whether the Raptors should sign Kawhi Leonard and if the Raptors could have beat a healthy Golden State Warriors.
Hockey will not be displaced as Canada’s sport anytime soon but as the country becomes increasingly urban, diverse and young, basketball will only continue to increase in popularity.
Two and three decades from now, it will be this current generation of young Canadians, who grew up idolizing LeBron James and Steph Curry far more than Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, who will in their thirties and forties.
In the Tragically Hip song Fireworks, it’s a first girlfriend who “loosens my grip on Bobby Orr.”
After the Raptors won, Drake dropped two new tracks for fans to stream.
Most of today’s young Canadians, both male and female, don’t know Fireworks or Bobby Orr or, to incorrectly quote the song, “give a fart about hockey.”
When those kids grow up, don’t be surprised if We The North resonates far wider and deeper in Canadian society than We Are All Canucks.
— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
People, not plastics, are the problem
Are polymeric substances in our oceans an issue? Yes. Is the pollution on land arising from the so-called plastics a problem? No question. Should we ban them?
Ummmmm….
Over the years I have written these columns, I frequently find science and government policy intersecting. Climate change, fluoridation of drinking water, smart phones and any number of other issues government wants to address have a scientific component. The issue of plastics is certainly one of them.
Last week, our prime minister proposed a ban on “single use plastics.” It certainly sounds like a great idea. Do we really need things wrapped in plastic or utilizing a material which we are then going to throw out?
This is particularly the case where the polymers or plastics are finding their way into the environment and impacting wildlife. Video of a sea turtle having a drinking straw removed from its nasal passage or bird carcasses containing whiteboard markers make for very disturbing images. The Great Pacific Gyre, with its islands of plastics floating on the surface, or the prospects of micro-plastics infused into the food chain would seem to indicate we have gone too far.
Except simply banning single use plastics leads to all sorts of other problems and issues. Yes, I can do without a straw and drinking directly from a glass. Or use a paper straw. Or even a re-useable metal cylinder. But at what cost?
One of the reasons plastic straws, bags and containers are so plentiful is because they are so cheap to make. And perhaps more importantly, they use fewer chemicals while generating fewer emissions.
If we consider the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from making, say, a paper straw, they are considerably higher than making a comparable straw from polyethylene. Stainless steel straws consume way more than either paper or plastic in their production.
Many years ago, one of my professors at UVic analyzed the energy costs and chemical consumption required to make various forms of drinking vessels – Styrofoam coffee cups, paper cups, glass and ceramic mugs, metal containers. It turns out a single ceramic mug generates 1,500 times the carbon dioxide as a Styrofoam cup.
Put another way, you could use 1,499 Styrofoam cups and still be more carbon friendly than using a ceramic mug. And that is assuming you never wash the ceramic mug. But others might say Styro-
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foam cups add to our landfills and we now know they are getting into our waterways and eventually into our oceans. From a pure mass point of view, the 1,500 Styrofoam cups are a problem. The question is – which problem are we trying to solve? Carbon dioxide in our atmosphere? Polymers in our landscape and wildlife?
Paper is often touted as the more reasonable alternative but it takes a long time to grow trees and consumption of paper results in large scale deforestation. We live in a town for which pulp production is a critical component of our economy but there are many people worried about the long term viability of our fibre supply. What do we do then?
At the core of the issue is something called life-cycle analysis. Proper analyses take a long time to complete and sometime miss important variables or components – mostly because the data hasn’t been researched yet.
As an example, if we do want to trap carbon and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, then burying plastics in landfills is a good way to deal with this. The material will act as a sink for the carbon for well over 1,000 years. No carbon dioxide. No methane. Does it make sense to ban plastics if they will remove carbon from the environment?
But the data on just how long it takes each of the different types of polymers to breakdown and under what conditions is not yet available. Indeed, because every landfill is unique, accurate data may never be available. We will just need to go with averages and suppositions.
Banning single-use plastics does appear to make sense but a better approach would be to ensure all plastic materials are used and disposed of in appropriate fashion. I was travelling recently and while sitting in an airport waiting area I watched a man finish up a chocolate bar. He then dropped the wrapper to the ground. There were garbage cans five metres in front of him but he couldn’t be bothered to carry his waste that far. The issue isn’t really single-use plastics. It is living in a society where we do not feel responsible for our waste. If we were all much more conscious about what we buy and how we dispose of things, many of our problems might disappear.
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Five things to know about Trans Mountain project
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — The federal cabinet’s long-awaited decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is due Tuesday. Here are five things to know about the project.
1. What is it?
There is an existing, 1,150km pipeline carrying crude and refined oil products from Alberta’s oilsands to a terminal in Burnaby, B.C. It transports about 300,000 barrels of oil a day, with refined products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel making up about 15 per cent of its flows and crude oil the remainder. The refined products are used mainly in B.C.
About half the crude is sent to Washington state refineries on a different pipeline, and the rest mostly goes to Burnaby. Less than 10 per cent is loaded onto oil tankers. In 2018, 53 oil tankers used the Westridge Marine Terminal, where the pipeline ends.
The expansion, first proposed in 2012, would build another pipeline roughly parallel to the existing one, and be able to carry another 590,000 barrels a day, all of it diluted bitumen. It will require about 980 kilometres of new pipeline and reactivating 193 kilometres of existing pipeline that has not been used for many years. There will also be 12 new pumping stations along the route and 19 new storage tanks at terminals in both Alberta and B.C.
The expansion will use the existing right of way for 73 per cent of the route, and 16 per cent will use right-of-ways granted for other infrastructure including telecommunications, hydro lines and highways. Eleven per cent of the route requires a new right of way.
2. Why do proponents want it expanded?
One of the most common reasons given is that Canada’s existing pipeline infrastructure is at capacity, and for Canadian oil producers to expand production, they need either more pipelines or more rail capacity. The lack of ability to get products out is
having some impact on the price Canadian producers can get for the oil, though it is only one of the factors. The hope is also that getting more oil to the west coast will open up the option of Asian markets. Right now 99 per cent of Canadian oil exports go to the United States, which also has an impact on prices. However, there are no refineries in Asia that can currently handle Canadian bitumen, which needs to be processed first into synthetic crude. Project proponents believe that if there was more product available, the refineries in Asia would develop to use it because demand for oil in places like China and India is growing. Critics call that expectation a myth and say any extra oil coming from Trans Mountain for export would still end up going to the United States for refining.
3. What is diluted bitumen?
The main product coming out of Alberta’s oilsands, bitumen is a thick product close to the consistency of cold molasses. To flow through pipelines, it must be mixed with chemicals to make it less viscous. The resulting product is diluted bitumen, or dilbit for short. It is more expensive to produce, is mined rather than pumped out of oil wells, and the
science on how it behaves when spilled is still somewhat scarce.
A major dilbit spill occurred in Michigan in 2010, when an Enbridge pipe leaked more than 3.7 million litres of dilbit into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. Cleanup efforts took more than five years and a section of the river was closed to recreational use for nearly two years. Natural Resources Canada has concluded that spilled dilbit doesn’t sink and may in fact be easier to clean up.
Three years after the Kalamazoo spill, however, Enbridge was ordered to return to the river to remove submerged oil and contaminated sediment. As of 2014, the estimated clean-up cost was more than $1 billion.
4. What is Bill C-69?
Bill C-69 is the federal government’s proposed overhaul of the environmental assessment process for major national projects, including interprovincial pipelines and highways, new refineries, electricity grids, airports and offshore wind farms. The Liberals say it is needed because the process created in 2012 by the former Conservative government was considered to be too weak on Indigenous consultation and environmental protection; under that process the Federal Court of Appeal overturned cabinet approval of the Northern Gateway
pipeline and the Trans Mountain expansion. C-69 has yet to become law and does not apply to Trans Mountain, but it would kick in for any future projects if the Senate passes it this week. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has vowed to repeal the bill if he becomes prime minister in the fall. The oil and gas industry says the legislation will prevent another pipeline from ever being approved in Canada, while environment groups argue it brings back some semblance of balance between approving major resource projects and ensuring Canada meets its climate change commitments.
The Senate introduced more than 180 amendments to the bill, many of which would have reduced the requirements for taking into account impacts on Indigenous communities and climate change, and the government rejected more than half the Senate’s proposals. The Senate this week will debate the government’s response and decide whether it can live with the bill without those amendments.
5. What are the political ramifications?
The voices for and against the project are strong. Oil-industry advocates and conservative politicians say the pipeline is a must to keep the oilsands industry going; environmentalists and more leftleaning politicians are adamant that a new pipeline will make it impossible to meet Canada’s international climate change obligation to cut emissions almost 30 per cent over the next 11 years.
For the Liberals, who have been trying to balance the economic needs of the oil industry and Alberta, with the concerns about climate change and the environment, the pipeline has proven troublesome. It is part of their “grand bargain” to prove their constant refrain that the “economy and the environment go hand in hand.”
Their efforts to appease the oil industry by approving the pipeline and pulling out as many stops as they can to back up that approval.
Walk to End ALS this Sunday
Citizen staff
The Prince George version of the Walk to End ALS is set for this Sunday at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
Registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk starts at 11 a.m.
It’s among 15 walks taking place across B.C. to raise funds to combat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a rapidly progressive, neuromuscular disease that can affect anyone at any time, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic origin.
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, it attacks the motor neurons that transmit electrical impulses from the brain to the voluntary muscles in the body.
When they fail to receive messages, the muscles lose strength, atrophy and die.
Proceeds from the Walk to End ALS go to the ALS Society of BC to provide patient services programs for people living with ALS in B.C., and to the ALS Canada Research Program to strive toward a world without ALS.
“This event unites the country and rallies people affected by ALS,” said ALS Society of B.C. executive director Wendy Toyer.
“Participants walk to show support for people living with and/or to honour the memory of a loved one lost. The Walk to End ALS inspires hope. Please join us.” Register or donate at walktoendals.ca
CP FILE PHOTO
A security guard stands near construction workers at the Kinder Morgan Burnaby Terminal tank farm, the terminus point of the Trans Mountain pipeline in Burnaby.
Show ‘n’ Shine
ABOVE: Four-year-old Kai Martin poses for a photo on Dennis Smith’s 2015 Bobber motorcycle on Sunday morning at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park during the 45th annual Cruisin’ Classics Father’s Day Show ’n’ Shine.
LEFT: A rare, 1941 Cadillac 3 Carved Panel Hearse was on display on Sunday morning.
BELOW: A decorative hood ornament adorns the 1939 Packard 120 Sedan owned by Gordon and Joan Botten.
SECOND FROM BOTTOM: Gord Jarabek brought his 1956 Studebaker Hawk to display at the Father’s Day Show ’n’ Shine.
BOTTOM: Thousands of people came to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to check out the vehicles on display during the Cruisin’ Classics Father’s Day Show ’n’ Shine.
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY JAMES DOYLE
RACHEL STAPLES HANDOUT PHOTO VIA
‘I don’t think anyone can understand the desperation’
Dirk MEISSNER The Canadian Press
VICTORIA — Rachel Staples let out the dog, started brewing coffee and then immediately felt panic as she walked up to her son’s room on April 20 last year, she told a coroner’s inquest Monday.
“He clearly was gone, but I didn’t know for how long,” Staples told the inquest into the death of 16-year-old Elliot Eurchuk. “I pumped the naloxone into his thigh, but I know he was gone. He’d been long gone. Of course I screamed, ‘Help.’ ”
The British Columbia Coroners Service called an inquest in March, saying the public has an interest in hearing the circumstances of the death of the Victoriaarea teen, and that a jury would have the opportunity to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
Staples is the first witness to testify at the inquest, which is scheduled for eight days and expected to hear from more than 40 witnesses.
She told the five-person jury about her family’s efforts to help their son recover from serious sports injuries that resulted in him becoming addicted to pain medications and eventually street drugs.
Staples is a dentist and also a mother to two sons younger than Eurchuk. During her son’s ordeal she was receiving chemotherapy to treat breast cancer, she said.
She said she was shocked in 2016 to discover her son had sedation drugs from her dental office stashed in his bedroom.
Back then, she suspected her son was perhaps smoking marijuana, but had no idea about other drugs.
The mother said she watched him slide over three years from engaged student and talented athlete to drug-sick teen who couldn’t take a family bike ride without stopping to vomit due to his withdrawal symptoms.
“I don’t think anyone can understand the desperation,” said Staples, wiping tears from her face. “I wanted to help my son. I
The Canadian Press
wanted my family to be on the same page so we had a chance of saving our boy. I was desperate.”
Eurchuk was admitted to hospital for a blood infection, which a doctor suggested was a condition suffered by intravenous drug users, but health officials also told the family many details of their son’s medical information were confidential, she said.
Staples said she told a medical official the family was considering tricking Eurchuk into entering a treatment facility in the United States, but she was informed that would be breaking the law.
In the months before his death, she said the family called police to have Eurchuk apprehended under B.C.’s Mental Health Act, which allows such detentions if there is concern the person could harm themselves or others.
Staples said that move was a failure.
“It was not a place I would take my dog,” said Staples. “He was locked up for a week.”
She said the family was not provided with any information about his condition or the treatment he received, and when he was discharged he accused his parents of betrayal.
“We were lost,” Staples said.
Coroner’s counsel John Orr told jurors the inquest wouldn’t be a fault-finding exercise, but that they may have to determine if Eurchuk’s death was accidental or intentional.
Staples said her son had mentioned death in the past, but only once to her.
“Elliot, in his state of mind, said he wished he could die,” she said. “He looked at me when he said that. There was no other time when he said that.”
No final note was found in Eurchuk’s bedroom or at the home. Staples said she also checked his recent school work and there were no signs his life was coming to an end.
“The last two weeks of Elliot’s life, he was positive. I saw a boy who was really trying. But I also saw a boy who needed opioids in his system. He would vomit in the bathroom.”
VANCOUVER – Surrey RCMP is set to become the first detachment to test a new online crime reporting tool on Monday, followed by proposed tests in three other B.C. communities later this summer. The RCMP says the pilot project will allow people to report some non-emergency crimes online, freeing up time for frontline personnel to respond to higher priority calls and emergencies.
According to a statement, the B.C. RCMP receives more than a million calls for service every year, amounting to nearly half the total received by the RCMP across Canada.
Residents of the four pilot communities will be able to use the online tool to report crimes such as theft or vandalism amounting to less than $5,000, provided there are no items involving personal identity, firearms, or license plates.
Chief Superintendent Dave Attfield said if the system is successful in Surrey, then Ridge Meadows, Kelowna and Richmond, the tool will be used in other B.C. communities.
Former Vancouver officer facing lawsuits alleging sexual exploitation
The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER — A former Vancouver police detective has been accused of kissing and groping two victims in a sex trafficking case while acting as their support worker.
Separate civil claims filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday allege James Fisher used his position of trust, power and authority over the women to sexually and psychologically exploit them.
The lawsuits allege Fisher kissed, groped and imposed “unwanted touching of a sexual nature” on both women, including groping the genital area of one woman in a vehicle.
The allegations have not been proven in court, no statements of defence have been filed and Fisher could not be reached for comment.
Fisher was sentenced last year to 20 months jail after pleading guilty to breach of trust and sexual exploitation related to a teenage girl and a woman.
Before his arrest on those charges, Fisher was a 29-year decorated veteran of the force and member of its counter-exploitation unit, which investigates prostitution, criminal exploitation and child sex abuse.
Fisher led the investigation of pimp Reza Moazami, who was sentenced in 2015 to 23 years in prison for the sex trafficking of underage girls. Fisher also worked as a witness co-ordinator at some of Moazami’s trials, the lawsuits say.
Jason Gratl, a lawyer for the two claimants whose identities are protected by a publication ban, said the women were both alleged child victims of Moazami who assisted police and testified at Moazami’s trial.
The claimants met Fisher when they were underage and the alleged offences happened when they were young adults, Gratl said.
“Fisher threatened (the claimant) that if she told anyone about his abuse of trust then the prosecution of Moazami might be undermined and Moazami would go free. Fisher knew that (the claimant) was afraid that if Moazami was free, Moazami would find her and harm her,” both claims allege. Fisher violated policies and standards by spending time alone with the young women, obtaining financial and material benefits for them, contacting them with unusual frequency and cultivating an “inappropriate intimate relationship,” the claims say.
CP
Elliot Eurchuk is seen in this undated family handout photo. Eurchuk’s mother, Rachel Staples, testified about the boy’s opioid addiction and overdose death during a coroner’s inquest on Monday.
B.C. RCMP testing online reporting tool
Two people shot during Raptors’ parade
Paola LORIGGIO, Alanna RIZZA
The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Hours of anticipation gave way to unbridled euphoria as a sea of Raptors fans greeted the newly crowned NBA champions with cheers, whistles and chants on Monday, but elation quickly turned to fear when gunshots interrupted the celebration in downtown Toronto.
Moments after the team emerged on stage during a rally at the end of a victory parade, the sound of gunfire sent dozens of panicked supporters running from the one end of Nathan Phillips Square, grabbing friends and children as they fled.
The festivities were briefly suspended as one of the hosts alerted the masses, most of whom had been there since the morning, that there was an emergency. Organizers urged the public to stay calm and the event resumed shortly afterwards.
Police say two people were shot and suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. Police later said a total of four people had suffered injuries related to the shooting. Three people were arrested and two firearms were recovered, they said.
Some fans said they feared for their lives and remained shaken even after the situation returned to normal. Others said the shooting, though frightening, should not mar the festivities.
“It’s so horrible that that happened but we are united as a city and that shouldn’t define who we are or what today was about,” said Ahilan Sivakumar, 19.
Several had huddled near pillars in Nathan Phillips Square even as the team and several dignitaries – including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford – remained on stage during the rally. Others dashed into a nearby hotel or leapt into bushes to get out of the way. The ceremony wrapped up a short time later.
Andrew Singh said he heard what appeared to be gunshots before people started scrambling.
“We just saw the girl drop to the floor and the guy running off,” the 29-year-old said. “ All I heard was bop bop bop.”
The rally – and the shooting that interrupted it – capped off a day that saw fans dressed in red and black – the Raptors’ colours – take over swaths of the city’s downtown. City officials said more than a million people were gathered in and around the area.
Supporters had spent several hours at Nathan Phillips Square waiting for the team. The site was quickly overflowing with fans of all ages and police worked to stop more people from entering the area.
The victory parade, which included five open top double-decker buses carrying the players, slowed to a crawl and at times halted completely due to the crush of people along the route.
Members of the Raptors smiled from the buses, some splashing the crowds with champagne. At one point, Kyle Lowry, the longest-serving member of team, was
seen hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy while some of his teammates smoked cigars.
“This is unbelievable,” said Lowry, who later carried the trophy on stage.
Kawhi Leonard, one of the team’s star players, also marvelled at the fan response.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “Thank you Toronto, thank you Canada for the support, we did it.”
Canadian rapper Drake, one the team’s most famous supporters, was alongside players during the parade, smiling broadly. He later took to the stage at the rally, urging fans to take in the moment.
Construction workers watched the festivities from scaffolding along the route, and as traffic ground to a standstill on a nearby thoroughfare, some motorists left their vehicles to peer at the activity.
Many fans said they decided not to go
to school or work so they could attend the celebration.
Cypher Sabanal, 15, said his mom let him skip school to attend the parade.
“I actually have exams this week but being here is worth it,” he said, adding that he’s been a Raptors fan his whole life.
For several people, the parade marked a historic moment.
“I haven’t seen anything like this happen in the city before so it’s great to be a part of it,” said 28-year-old RJ Salvador.
Fans held up signs and enlarged heads of their basketball idols like Leonard and Fred VanVleet. Several hoisted signs urging Leonard, who will become a free agent in the off-season, to stick with the team he helped rise to the top.
Mayor John Tory declared Monday “We The North Day” in Toronto, after the NBA champions’ slogan. The mayor, dressed in his now-famous black-and-gold Raptors blazer, urged all fans to celebrate the team’s historic win. Many who couldn’t make it downtown watched the festivities from afar. Several schools in the city showed the parade in classrooms and some held their own victory marches for students.
“Today’s history lesson in room 137! Watching the @Raptors first victory parade! I told them that one day their children will ask about where they were during the parade and to tell them that the awesome Miss Latchford put the parade on for them in class!,” one educational assistant tweeted.
The Raptors’ championship win last week came in Game 6 of a rollercoaster series that captured national attention. On Monday, the Golden State Warriors took out a fullpage advertisement in the Toronto Star newspaper, congratulating their rivals for taking the title.
The last time the city held a sports celebration of this magnitude was after the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993. That parade saw fans climbing trees and statues on city streets to catch a glimpse of a team that included Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.
— with files from Lori Ewing, Gregory Strong and Colin Perkel.
CP PHOTO
A man in an inflatable Raptor costume walks by as police stand in a cordoned off area of Queen and Bay streets in Toronto on Monday, after two people were shot and injured during the Toronto Raptors victory parade.
Cricketers put their skills to test at new field
Ted CLARKE Citizen staff tclarke@pgcitizen.ca
Harkirat Jhajj was having himself a field day batting for the Dawson Creek Cricket Club.
Elected the first batsman to start the second inning against the Prince George Chargers in their opening match at the Prince George tournament at Vanier Park Saturday afternoon, the 23-yearold Jhajj was pounding the ball into oblivion.
He’d already driven out a dozen or so hits when he connected on his second six-run boundary, a straight drive that rolled well past the 100-metre mark.
Needing 112 runs to overcome the Chargers, Jhajj scored 39 runs himself and had his team within 10 runs when bowler Jarman Gill, pitching the final over, jammed Jhajj with a pitch and fielded the batted ball off the turf into his hands just a short jog away from the Dawson Creek wicket.
Gill knocked the wicket over, then went back to work on trying to dismiss the rest of his opponents.
Down by 11 runs with just nine bowls (pitches) left, Dawson Creek made it close. Vishal Rajput hit a four-run boundary that whittled the Chargers’ lead down to seven and they continued to make contact, needing three runs to win on Gill’s last pitch. They got two when Rajput hit a short chopper but Gill was there to field the ball and he ended the game by hitting the wicket to clinch a onerun victory.
Coming on the heels of their 158-99 loss to Surrey in the previous match, the win over Dawson Creek kept the Chargers alive. Had they lost, they would have been eliminated from playoff contention.
“That was pretty close, we were almost on the verge but we make it by one run,” said Gill.
“(Jhajj) is one of the good batsmen they have and he was making scores right from the start and that was the biggest danger to us. I finally bowled him out and that was a big achievement for our team. It was a very close game.”
The hot sun raised the temperature to 27 C in the shade and there was none of that available to the players on the field.
“That’s a 20-over game and it’s sunny and pretty hot for us,” said Gill one of five bowlers the Chargers used in the game.
“It was our second continuous game after Surrey and we were standing there for 40 overs and six hours, but our hard work (paid) off and we’re happy.”
The P.G Cricket Club just put the finishing touches on its new field in time for the six-team tournament, which started Friday. The Dawson Creek club makes its home on a grass pitch and playing
on concrete took some getting used to.
“The ball is skidding very quickly and that makes it harder to hit,” said Jhajj.
“We’re not used to that kind of pitch, but when we spend the time we’ll get to know how its behaving and automatically we’ll get confidence.”
Players were impressed with the predictable bounces of the bowled balls off the turf-covered concrete, which should help reduce the risk of injuries. Helmets and face shields are recommended but are not mandatory.
“When we used to play on grass it was really hard to judge where the ball was coming but now it’s much better,” said Banny Mann, the 34-year-old captain of Prince George Kings XI.
“I got three stitches last year (on the chin) when I got hit by the ball, even though I was wearing a helmet.”
The field also has a paved practice pitch, which will be enclosed
with nets to make it safe. That will allow small groups of players to practice their bowling and batting skills.
The $15,000 project was paid for by the private donations and contributions from local businesses after the five-member committee (Navi Ghuman, Ravi Padda, Preet Ratoul, Lakhvir Bhatal and Kanwal Bains) won the approval of the city to build the pitch in the field adjacent to Westwood Church.
“When we first started we all played and then we started raising families and cricket went into the background,” said Ghuman.
“There were so many kids coming from India who were playing and we had enough players to make more than one team so we started to do the tournament (two years ago).
Most of the players on the six teams are originally from India and the Prince George club has about 50 committed players.
The club hopes ex-patriots from
cricket-playing nations will discover there is interest in the game in Prince George. Potential players from England and Australia came out to watch the tournament Saturday and some asked club officials for registration forms.
“A few people were asking and now, having a good ground, we’ll catch them playing,” said Mann.
“Last year we tried to get teams from Edmonton and Grande Prairie to come to our tournament but they didn’t come and they said it was because we didn’t have a pitch to play and they didn’t want to play on grass because it was dangerous.”
While there were were no female players in the tournament, the club says players of both genders are welcome.
Now that it has a permanent home, the local club hopes to have a city league of at least four teams in place for next year. A 16-player select team from the club will travel to tournaments this summer in Red Deer and Kelowna.
“We really appreciate our cricket management team, they paved the way for us,” said Vishvas Paul, 26, captain of Royals United of Prince George, which went 0-2 and was the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.
“We came here as international students and we couldn’t do this if we just did this by ourselves, we don’t have the connections they have.”
In the semifinals Sunday, the eventual champions from Surrey defeated Kings XI by 89 runs, while the Chargers beat Yadwindrian of Prince George by six wickets.
In the final, Surrey built a healthy lead in the first inning and won the title by 65 runs over the Chargers. Surrey batsman Ravjot Mann was the man of the match, scoring 93 runs off 42 balls.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
A Kings XI (black/red trim) striking batsman takes a swing at the ball hurled by a Surrey Cricket Club (blue/red trim) bowler on Sunday afternoon at Vanier Park. The two teams met in the one of the semi-final matches of the Prince George Cricket Club’s third annual cricket tournament.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
A Kings XI (black/red trim) striking batsman takes a swing at the ball hurled by a Surrey Cricket Club (blue/red trim) bowler on Sunday afternoon at Vanier Park. The two teams met in the one of the semi-final matches of the Prince George Cricket Club’s third annual cricket tournament.
Henderson breaks Canadian pro golf record
John CHIDLEY-HILL
The Canadian Press
Brooke Henderson is now the undisputed monarch of Canadian golf. Her predecessors can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.
The 21-year old from Smiths Falls, Ont., won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday to break the Canadian record for professional golf titles. The victory elevated her over Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson, who have eight wins apiece on their respective tours.
“I knew it was coming,” said Post on Monday. The Canadian Golf Hall of Famer noted that normally Henderson wins by a wide margin, rather than the one-stroke victory she earned over Lexi Thompson, Nasa Hataoka, Su Oh and Brittany Altomare.
“I think I was looking at it as more a tournament rather than the ninth win because in my mind that was a given.
“I hope she goes to double figures with the wins and runs it up as high as she can for the next Canadian.”
Weir also wasn’t concerned about his record. Instead, he was excited to see an elite golfer at the top of her game.
“I don’t really pay that much attention to records and things like that, that’s more for other people’s water-cooler talk,” said Weir, also a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
“I just appreciate watching good golf and I appreciate excellence in all sports. When you see a player really excelling themselves and
improving their own game and seeing them round into form, as Brooke has, it’s great to see.”
Although Henderson’s nine career wins is impressive, she is a ways off from reaching the alltime mark on the LPGA Tour.
Kathy Whitworth holds the all-time professional record with 88 wins on the LPGA Tour. Sam Snead has the most among men with 82.
That record may fall, however, with Tiger Woods picking up his
81st PGA Tour win at this year’s Masters.
Golfing great Annika Sorenstam, third in LPGA Tour history with 72 wins, tweeted her support of Henderson on Monday afternoon.
“Congratulations to @Brooke-
Henderson on winning the #meijerlpga,” said Sorenstam, adding an emoji of a champagne bottle popping and a trophy.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also voiced his support on Twitter.
“Congratulations on making history, @BrookeHenderson! We can’t wait to see what’s next for you,” said Trudeau, repeating the tweet in French.
Henderson also won the Lotte Championship in April in Hawaii.
Just six months into the year, she is an early contender to win the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s athlete of the year and the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the Canadian female athlete of the year.
Henderson has won the Rosenfeld three of the past four years, including in 2017 and 2018.
Post, who won the Marsh in 1979 and back-to-back Rosenfelds in 1979 and 1980, didn’t want to make any bold predictions just yet though.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in sport this year, do we? It’s not an Olympic year, that’s a good thing,” said Post.
“All I’m saying is that she’s got a good shot at it. But I think it’s great that we can have that conversation.”
Weir, who was awarded the Marsh in 2003 after winning the Masters, also likes Henderson’s chances.
“Her odds are great, she’s playing great,” said Weir.
“There’s still a lot of the year left in other sports but clearly in the golf world Brooke’s setting herself apart from any other player, man or woman, in this country. She’d be a real deserving recipient.”
Analysis: Woodland gets his game-winning shot at U.S. Open
Doug FERGUSON The Associated Press
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The stage was among the best in the land. Thousands were watching him. Victory was in his grasp.
Gary Woodland didn’t just dream of such a moment, he genuinely expected it would happen.
Just not like this.
Woodland always imagined being at Allen Fieldhouse, not Pebble Beach.
He had a basketball in his hands, not a putter.
“I always believed I would be successful. I believed I would play professional sports. I always believed I would be in this moment,” Woodland said Sunday night, the silver U.S. Open trophy at his side.
“The question about if I ever dreamed of making the putt on the last hole of a U.S. Open when I was a kid? No, I didn’t. But I hit a lot of game-winning shots on the basketball court when I was a kid. And that’s what I did.”
His winning shot at Pebble Beach was more like a breakaway dunk in the final seconds with the outcome already secure. Woodland took care of that with two shots that will stay with him forever.
One was a 3-wood from 263 yards that his caddie, Brennan Little, gave him confidence to hit when so much could have gone wrong if he had hit it any other direction except where he was aiming.
That set up birdie for a two-shot lead, and that shot gave him belief to execute another that looked equally dangerous. From far right side of the hourglass green on the par-3 17th to a pin 90 feet away on the left – with a hump in the middle –Woodland clipped a 64-degree wedge so perfectly that it nearly went in and left a tap-in for par.
That was the game-winning shot.
That was Kansas winning the NCAA title, and beating a dynasty in the process. Woodland’s clutch play – he tied a U.S. Open record by making only four bogeys
all week – was enough to turn back Brooks Koepka and his bid to rally from four shots behind and win a third straight U.S. Open to tie the record Willie Anderson set in 1905.
That it was Koepka who provided the last challenge was only fitting.
Koepka has emerged as the greatest threat in majors, and even a runner-up finish did not change that. He won the PGA Championship (for the second straight year) and was runner-up in the Masters and the U.S. Open. Since returning from an ankle injury in 2016, he has eight top 10s in 11 majors, four of them victories.
Koepka also faced an athletic figure just as unflappable in Woodland.
Woodland rarely showed any emotion during a week that afforded plenty of opportunities. He was fired up about a
par save on No. 8 in the second round. He slammed his fist when he chipped in for par on the 13th hole in the third round. And he let it all hang out – and only then – after his 30-foot birdie putt to close out the U.S. Open. More than a 69, it gave him a 13-under 271, the lowest score in six U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach.
That was by design. He learned from the reactive sports he played – basketball and baseball – that emotion can help.
Golf?
Not so much.
“Out here, when I get a little excited, I need to find a way to calm myself down,” he said.
The basketball references will stay with Woodland, and that’s OK with him.
They were real.
He was all-state as a senior, but when he
didn’t get any Division I offers, he signed with Washburn. His first game was in Allen Fieldhouse.
“They were ranked No. 1 in Division I, and we were ranked No. 2 in Division II,” Woodland said.
“I was guarding Kirk Hinrich, and was like, ‘OK, I need to find something else because this ain’t gonna work.’ And that was my first game in college.”
He transferred to Kansas, the first time he focused solely on golf.
Woodland is 35, but it’s fair to call him a late bloomer. He could always hit the ball a long way – that came from his baseball days – but the polish came later. His first year on the PGA Tour was interrupted by a shoulder injury.
“I don’t think my game is where it needs to be, but it’s getting there,” he said.
“I’m becoming a more complete player. I have more shots. I can rely more on my putting, rely on my short game, things I couldn’t do even last year.”
He doesn’t use that as an excuse.
Woodland felt he should have won more than the three PGA Tour titles he had until winning the U.S. Open, including an opposite-field event because he wasn’t eligible for a World Golf Championship. He didn’t have the pedigree of some players groomed for golf since they were barely out of diapers. But he knew how to compete.
“I competed all my life at every sport and every level,” Woodland said.
“It was just learning how to play golf. It was learning to complete my game, to get that short game, to get that putting, to drive the golf ball straighter. And that was the big deal. From a golf standpoint, I was probably a little behind, and that gets frustrating at some point because my whole life I’ve been able to compete and win at everything. And I haven’t been able to do that as much as I’d like to in golf.
“It’s taken awhile, but I think we’re trending in the right direction.”
Brooke Henderson, of Canada, hits a tee shoot on the tenth hole during the final round of the Meijer LPA Classic golf tournament on Sunday in Grand Rapids, Mich.
AP PHOTO BY MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ
Gary Woodland watches his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament on Sunday in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Rocking the Centre
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
Judas Priest performs on stage at CN Centre on Friday night.
The Associated Press NEW YORK — Taylor Swift’s new music video features a number of famous faces, including Ellen DeGeneres, Laverne Cox, RuPaul and the cast of Queer Eye. The clip for her song You Need to Calm Down, in which Swift calls out homophobes and her own haters, was released Monday. Ryan Reynolds, Billy Porter, Todrick Hall, Hayley Kiyoko, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Adam Rippon also make appearances in the colourful video.
The clip closes with Swift and Katy Perry – dressed as french fries and a hamburger – hugging. The two mended their friendship last year after publicly feuding. The video finishes with the words: “Let’s show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally.”
this month Swift announced that she supported the Equality Act.
AP FILE PHOTO
Taylor Swift performs at Wango Tango at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on June 1. Swift’s new music video features a number of famous faces.
Taylor Swift’s new video features Ellen and other stars
OTTAWA (CP) —
in
The markets today
TORONTO (CP) — North American markets moved slightly higher to start the week on gains by the energy and materials sectors as investors await signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve on expected rate cuts. Overall it was a quiet day, says Craig Fehr, a Canadian markets strategist with Edward Jones.
“I think that we’re probably going to see a little bit of hesitation until we get to the Fed meeting to the mid-part of this week, which is really the headliner in terms of news and likely the key driver for market response this week,” he said. Expectations are for the Fed to cut interest rates at least twice this year, but not likely at Wednesday’s meeting.
“But I do think that we’re going to start to see some commentary and some groundwork be laid from the Federal Reserve in terms of their expectations for future rate moves.”
While the U.S. central bank never fully telegraphs its future moves because it responds to recent data, Fehr said he believes it’s important for it to articulate what it’s looking at and the measures that would prompt it to respond.
The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 51.54 points to 16,353.45 as all but one of the 11 major sectors were positive. Energy led, gaining 1.45 per cent, as shares of Encana Corp. and Cenovus Energy Inc. climbed 3.4 and three per cent respectively.
The sector rose despite a decrease in oil prices as energy stocks haven’t moved in lockstep with prices this year. The energy sector is up 11 per cent so far in 2019 but prices are down more than 20 per cent from the April highs.
The July crude contract was down 58 cents at US$51.93 per barrel and the July natural gas contract was down one tenth of a cent at US$2.39 per mmBTU.
Fehr said the weakness in oil prices isn’t surprising given the slower outlook for the global economy and trade wars potentially heating up between the U.S. and China.
The August gold contract was down US$1.60 at US$1,342.90 an ounce while the July copper contract was up 1.7 cents at US$2.65 a pound. The Canadian dollar traded for an average of 74.59 cents US compared with an average of 74.71 cents US on Friday. Telecommunications fell slightly on the day as both Telus Corp and BCE Inc. were down.
Environmental assessment bill goes to senate
Mia RABSON The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government is teetering on a tightrope this week as it attempts to prove it can balance economic development with environmental protection during the final sitting of Parliament before the fall election.
Bill C-69, legislation overhauling national assessments for major resource and transportation projects, began its final ride Monday in the Senate.
The upper chamber has to decide if it can accept the bill despite the government rejecting more than half the proposed amendments made by senators last week.
The Senate will also be asked this week to reconsider the government’s oil tanker moratorium off the coast of northern British Columbia, after the government accepted a Senate amendment requiring a mandatory five-yearreview, but rejected another amendment that would have required an assessment after just 180 days.
On Tuesday, cabinet will meet to decide whether to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion for the second time, after the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the 2016 approval citing improper consultations with Indigenous communities and a lack of consideration for the impacts of additional oil tankers on marine life.
And all of this comes as the government Monday imposed a time limit on debate to push through its motion declaring climate change a national emergency requiring more cuts to carbon emissions than Canada has already committed to making.
The government came under attack from both left and right Monday, with Conservatives demanding the government reject C-69 and explain when construction will begin on Trans Mountain, at the same time as New Democrats were demanding the government reject the pipeline.
Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi appeared happy to be seen as coming up the middle by both trying to move Trans Mountain forward following the orders of the Federal Court of Appeal, while putting in place better protections for the environment and Indigenous rights under C-69.
“On the one hand we have Conservatives who do not get the environment,” he said.
“On the other hand we have the New Democrats who do not get the economy. We are moving forward, building a strong economy, creating jobs for the middle class, and at the same time taking action on climate, ensuring that we are putting a price on pollution, ensuring that we are taking action by phasing out coal, and making sure that we meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities.”
Conservatives argue Bill C-69 will make Trans Mountain the last pipeline anyone proposes in Canada as it will scare away investors afraid to bother trying to build projects in the face of assessments they say are unfairly tipped against economic benefits and job creation.
The Liberals however argue C-69 is needed because the existing process created by the Conservatives in 2012, gutted environmental protections and is the reason the courts tore up the expansions approval in the first place.
A coalition of oil and gas industry groups, chambers of commerce and manufacturers associations are urging the Senate to kill the bill.
Initially the Save Canadian Jobs coalition slogan was “Fix Bill C-69” but after the government rejected most of the fixes the Senate offered up, the coalition now says the Senate needs to “Stop Bill C-69.”
The Senate made more than 200 changes to the bill, and the government accepted 62 of them entirely, and 37 others in part.
The rest were rejected, with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna saying many of them overstepped judicial discretion, limited public participation in the process and made it optional to take into account the impact on
Indigenous rights or climate change.
Dennis Darby, the president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, agreed Monday that the existing system “is broken.”
However Darby, and the other members of the coalition, said the new legislation will scare off investors from proposing any new projects in Canada and is even worse than what is there now. In particular, the coalition is worried the Impact Assessment Act will make for extremely lengthy reviews and assessments that don’t count job creation heavily enough.
“It’s too easy for the benefits (of projects) to be lost in the sea of negativity,” said Darby.
“Local voices can be drowned out by professional activists from abroad.”
But Alberta Sen. Grant Mitchell, who is sponsoring C-69 in the upper chamber, is urging senators to see the bill as a major improvement to the existing system. Mitchell, the government’s liaison in the Senate, said 99 amendments is the highest number of changes the government has accepted from the upper house to a single piece of legislation since those records began being kept in the 1940s.
“It’s not going to be lost on senators that this is significant and that this bill has been enhanced because of the work of the Senate,” said Mitchell.
“It’s historic.”
He said the rhetoric that the legislation is going to mean no new major oil projects will ever be approved in Canada is hogwash because under the legislation every single timeline is shorter than what exists now. He said economic impacts are mentioned 179 times in C-69, where they aren’t mentioned at all in the existing bill.
“This is one heck of a bill and I’m voting for it,” he said, in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“I think this is the way we will get projects built.”
The Senate debate on C-69 began Monday and the vote is expected later this week.
Plan to help first-time homebuyers starts Labour Day
Jordan PRESS
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — A new federal program aiming to give homebuyers some help covering their mortgage costs will kick in on Labour Day – weeks before a federal election – with the first payments flowing in early November, just days after voters across Canada go to the polls.
The Liberals unveiled details Monday of the $1.25-billion plan, which will see the government take an equity stake in thousands of homes to ease mortgage costs for qualified buyers.
The rules of the program would allow previous homeowners to qualify under certain conditions, permit the purchase of a building with up to four units, and help with a maximum purchase price of $565,000, based on government calculations.
The program will begin tak-
ing applications on Sept. 2, days before what is expected to be the official start of a federal election campaign where the cost of living – including housing affordability –is shaping up as a central issue. The first payments would flow on Nov. 1, two weeks after election day on Oct. 21. Government officials said Sept. 2 was the earliest possible start date, while the minister in charge brushed off the suggestion that the governing Liberals hope to use the launch date for partisan gains.
“If we look at what we’ve done since Day 1, housing investments have been key in all four federal budgets since 2016,” Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in an interview.
“Every one of the federal budgets in those four years has included significant measures around housing affordability and, look, we’ll continue to do so.
“We’re not going to be stopped because there is an election coming.” The first-come, first-served program will see federal funds pick up five per cent of a mortgage on existing homes for households that earn under $120,000 a year, on a mortgage of no more than $480,000. The value increases to up to 10 per cent for new homes to spur construction and expand supply to avoid heating housing prices. There isn’t any interest on the money, but a buyer would have to repay it in full when they sell their house or after 25 years of living in the home. An early repayment carries no penalties. If the value of the home goes up, so too does the amount of money owed to federal coffers. The opposite will be the case if the value of a home goes down. Federal officials said there isn’t
a specific policy on what to do with any profits – some organizations that already provide these “shared-equity mortgages” use windfalls to expand their offerings – so the extra cash will for now flow back into the government’s general revenue pool.
The officials provided the information during a briefing for reporters on the condition that they not be identified by name. The government estimates that some 100,000 new buyers could be helped by the program. Depending on the interest for it, the next government could be forced into a decision: increase spending at risk of boosting demand and heating prices, or stand pat and exclude buyers.
Liberal efforts to make housing more affordable will be back in the spotlight on Tuesday when the parliamentary budget officer releases a report scrutinizing federal spending in the area.
Pipes are seen at the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain facility in Edmonton. Bill C-69, legislation which would make major changes to the national environmental assessment process for major resource projects, is going before the senate this week.
Prevention is focus of federal dementia strategy
Kristy KIRKUP
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — The cornerstone philosophy behind the federal government’s long-awaited strategy for confronting dementia is a simple one: prevent Canadians from developing the condition in the first place.
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, who unveiled the strategy Monday at an event in Toronto, said she has an intimate understanding of the difficulty that comes with dealing with a family member who’s in cognitive decline.
“Being the daughter of a mother who lives with dementia, it is certainly near and dear to my heart,” Petitpas Taylor said in an interview.
“When I see many family members that have had to deal with the challenges, I know, because I’ve been there and we certainly want to make sure that we do all that we can to alleviate the stress that’s involved.”
The government’s dementia plan, which focuses primarily on prevention, advancing therapies and helping patients and caregivers, includes $50 million over five years to support the strategy, money that was announced in the federal budget earlier this year. It defines dementia as a collec-
tion of symptoms affecting the brain that include a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, language, basic math skills, judgment and planning.
Mood and behaviour can also change as a result, the document notes.
The report says more than 419,000 Canadian seniors have
been diagnosed with some form of dementia, and they rely on an average of 26 hours a week of help from relatives and friends. Some 78,600 new cases of dementia are diagnosed every year among those aged 65 years and older, with 63 per cent of those being women.
At its current rate, the condition
will cost caregivers and the health care system a staggering $16.6 billion a year by 2031.
“As this number does not include those under age 65 who may have a young onset diagnosis, nor those that have not been diagnosed, the true picture of dementia in Canada may be somewhat larger,” it says.
“While dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, age is the most important risk factor.
As a result, with a growing and aging population, the number of Canadians living with dementia is expected to increase in future decades.”
Canadians can stave off the danger as they get older by getting more exercise, adopting healthier eating habits and avoiding tobacco, all of which can decrease the risk of stroke, a common cause of dementia.
“There is growing persuasive scientific evidence that healthy living from an early age may prevent or delay the onset of dementia.”
Petitpas Taylor also announced $46 million over five years for the second phase of Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, a hub for research on dementia created in 2014.
The federal government plans to contribute $31.6 million through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with an additional $14.4 million being provided by partners, including the Alzheimer Society.
Alzheimer Society of Canada CEO Pauline Tardif sent out an email Monday urging supporters to keep up the pressure on the government through this fall’s election campaign, in order to ensure dementia remains “top of mind for our politicians.”
Manslaughter trial hears recordings of Calgary grandfather
Lauren KRUGEL
The Canadian Press
CALGARY — A trial for a man charged in the death of his grandson has heard recordings of what appear to be the accused praying for forgiveness.
Allan Perdomo Lopez is charged with manslaughter in the July 2015 death of five-year-old Emilio Perdomo.
The Crown played 11 police recordings in court Monday, including a phone tap and other probes from inside the family minivan and inside their home.
Sgt. Tony Acosta testified that he and his colleagues listened to 200 hours of audio and focused on any references to Emilio in an investigation dubbed Operation Hope.
Acosta said he was able to identify the voices of Perdomo Lopez, the accused’s wife and their three daughters.
In one recording from Sept. 5, 2015, a man Acosta identified as Perdomo Lopez is apparently heard praying in Spanish in his Toyota Sienna.
“Forgive me, Lord. I know that I can’t do anything now,” he said, according to an English transcript
of the recording submitted as an exhibit to the court.
The transcript said the grandfather then made references to going to Mexico, blackmail, “snakes and whores” and a “satanic demon.”
“I wanted to help that child with all my soul, Lord... I didn’t want to kill that child.”
Acosta, whose first language is Spanish, confirmed that the child Perdomo Lopez was referring to was a boy, not a girl.
In another recording from the master bedroom of the Perdomo home, a male voice can be heard weeping and praying in Spanish. Acosta testified that, too, was Perdomo Lopez’s voice.
“I clamour to you Holy Father for mercy... Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me,” he said.
“I ask this... forgiveness for what happened to this child. But if it was your will to take him, Holy Father, I cannot do anything.”
The trial has previously heard Emilio died of blunt force brain trauma about a week after he was rushed unconscious to hospital.
Five-year-old Emilio Perdomo is seen in this undated handout photo entered as a court exhibit by the Alberta Courts. A Calgary manslaughter trial has heard a recording of the accused praying for forgiveness.
A forensic pathologist who conducted the boy’s autopsy testified there was not enough evidence to classify his death as either an accident or a homicide. Other expert testimony for the Crown suggested Emilio’s injuries were inflicted by someone. The trial also heard earlier that Emilio was a happy and healthy boy in Mexico, where he lived with his mother and grandmother, before he was brought to Canada. He died five months after his arrival.
The accused’s wife, Carolina Perdomo, was originally charged in the death but the Crown stayed a manslaughter charge against her in February. The Crown has closed its case. The defence is to begin submissions Wednesday.
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on April 23 recently made the announcement that prevention is the key to combatting dementia.
BLACK,LorelieC.
December20,1965-June9,2019
ItiswithgreatsadnessthatthefamilyofLorelie BlackannouncesherpassingonJune9,2019,at PrinceGeorgeHospiceHouse,withAlisaunwavering byherside.
LoreliewasbornDecember20,1965,toCliveandJo Black.Sheissurvivedbyherpartner,Alisa;her brother,Shane(Colleen),andtheirchildren,Corbin (Kurumi),Joel(Olivia),andtheirsweetEllie;brother, Shawn(Leslie),andtheirchildren,Madeleineand Ian;sister,Tanya(Mark),andtheirchildren,Clayton, SebastianandElla.Sheisalsosurvivedbymany relativesandfriends,aswellasherbelovedRufus.
Loreliewasanincredibleteacherwhosededication andleadershipoftheJusticeLeaguewillmarkher legacyatKellyRoadSecondaryandPrinceGeorge Secondaryschools,nottomentiontheimpacther teachinghadonherstudents.Loreliewaspassionate aboutteaching,sheenjoyedhavingapoliticaldebate andenjoyedparticipationinbookclubwithfriends.
Loreliereceivedamazingmedicalsupportthroughout herfightfromDr.Nowlan,Dr.Murray,Dr.Ho,and thewonderfulstaffatboththeCancerClinicand HospiceHouse.Loreliewassupportedbytheloveof herfamilyandreceivedfrequentvisitsfromfriends, coworkers,andstudents.
TherewillbeacelebrationofLorelie’slifeonFriday, June21stattheInnoftheNorthfrom3pmto5pm.
Inlieuofflowers,adonationtothePrinceGeorge HospiceSocietywouldbegreatlyappreciated:3089 ClappertonStreet,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L5N4.
Blaine L. Hunter
May 24, 1946 - June 15, 2019
With sadness we announce the passing of Blaine Hunter, born May 24, 1946, devoted husband, father, uncle, papa, brother and friend. He passed away peacefully, June 15, 2019, with his family at his side. Blaine is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Sandra (Wilkinson); children: Chris (Amber) Brian (Isa), and Laura Harrop (Brendan); siblings: Douglas (Beverly), Karen; and his treasured grandchildren: Breanna, Tristan, Cole, Taya, Ashlin, Garrett, and Callie. Blaine was predeceased by his parents Victor and Winnie (Davis). Blaine was born, raised, and started his career in Springhill, Nova Scotia. After his transfer to Toronto, he became Eastern Canada’s financial division controller for Foundation Company of Canada. The highlight was overseeing the building of the CN Tower. With his family, he moved to Prince George in 1980 to be a project controller for the Northwood expansion. The mid 1980’s marked a change in careers when he became a computer information Instructor, teaching for two decades at the College of New Caledonia. At the college, he enjoyed teaching and interacting with his students. Blaine was very involved in his community. His church, the Prince George Symphony and other charitable groups drew upon his skills and vision.
In his final years, Blaine spent his time focused on his family, especially his grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life at our home, 983 Heritage Cres, from 1-3 pm on Saturday, June 22. Blaine’s charity of choice is worldaccord.org/donate (1-800-525-3545).
ERDMAN (Ed) Jacob Toews, also known as “Pops” to his dearest friends passed away on June 7th 2019 at the age of 77 years. He is survived by his daughter, Christine (Arlen) sons; Paul (Joline) and Gene (Xan), seven grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, Brother Jack, and Sisters Ruth (Cornie), and Edie. Ed was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Agatha (Wiebe) Toews and brother Victor Toews. A Memorial Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday July 13th 2019 at 11:00am at Assman’s Funeral Chapel. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prince George Cancer Clinic.
Fred Doig 1928-2019
it is will great sadness we announce the passing of beloved family member and friend, Fred Doig. Fred is survived by the love of his life, wife Marion. There is be a Celebration of Life June 22/19 at the Hart Community Center, from 1-5pm. In lieu of flowers donations to the PG Hospice House would be greatly appreciated. Hospice House, 1506 Ferry Ave, Prince George, V2L 5H2
Wetaskiwin, AB, passed June 12, 2019 in Prince George, BC. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Shantz, 80. He will be forever in our hearts and greatly missed by his wife, Joyce, of 54 years, his daughters, sonsin-law, grandchildren, brother, sister, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Larry lived most of his adult life in Vanderhoof working hard and playing hard. He had a special love of hockey and golf (it was also hard to beat him at crib). Larry’s wishes were that there be no service or celebration of life. A private family gathering as per his request will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the PG Hospice House, 1506 Ferry Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 5H2.
Georgearea. RateofPay:$17.83 www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/employment/otheropp/interview/ prov-terr/position/19ssovan701778 STATISTIQUECANADAEMBAUCHE Nousrecrutonspourcomblerunposted’intervieweur surleterrainatempspartieldanslaregiondePrince George. Tauxderemuneration:17,83$ www.statcan.gc.ca/fra/emploi/autresopp/interview/provterr/poste/19stcssovan701778
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