Prince George Citizen November 14, 2018

Firefighters douse early-morning house fires

Man gets more jail time for shooting

Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff

mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

A Prince George man was sentenced Tuesday to a further 23 months in jail for pulling the trigger on a woman in a targeted shooting in a local park.

In all, Jeff John Lapier, 36, was sentenced to six years but received credit adding up to four years and one month for time served in custody prior to sentencing. He must also serve three years probation upon his release for the Feb. 15, 2016 incident in Moore’s Meadow.

Lapier had targeted the woman, whose identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban, because she was a key witness at a trial, the court was told.

She had been at Lapier’s apartment the night before and he pulled her aside to talk about the case. After about an hour, she went home but during the early morning hours on the day in question, Lapier and his girlfriend, Ashlynn Noel Ruth Forrest, picked her up at her home, ostensibly to go back to his home to do drugs. Instead, they took a circuitous route around the city and ended up at Moore’s Meadow. The child locks had been activated, so the woman had to be let out of the car.

Lapier checked to see if either Forrest or the woman had cellphones, which they did not, and then told them he was looking for something he had stashed.

The woman suspected he was actually looking to make sure the coast was clear and became fearful she was going to be shot. She pointedly walked in front of Lapier and Forrest, hoping she wasn’t going to get shot in the head, the court was told.

Lapier fired off four .32-calibre rounds and three of them hit her. One hit her upper back and went through her lung, and the other two pierced her lower back on either side of her spine.

The woman fell to the ground and Lapier and Forrest fled the scene. As they ran away, the woman held her breath because she could hear gurgling noises when she breathed.

She managed to drag herself a short distance to the side of Foothills Boulevard and flagged a passing driver. Police and ambulance were called and she was taken to the emergency ward at University Hospital of Northern B.C.

Her life was saved, but she suffered extreme injuries with lifelong consequences. Physicians removed about a foot of intestine from her but were unable to ex-

tract one of the bullets.

However, she did not provide a victim impact statement and instead has concentrated on getting her life in order. She’s completed one year of sobriety and is doing well, the court was told.

As for Lapier, the court was told he is also a changed man. In the time he has been in custody, he has taken significant strides to rehabilitate himself and deal with his drug addiction.

“I’m trying to do whatever I can to be better in life and never be in this court again,” he said when given a chance to speak.

While he has an extensive criminal record, the last offence prior to the shooting was committed in 2010, it was also noted.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ron Tindale agreed with a joint submission from Crown and defence counsels on sentencing. He called the incident “disturbing and serious” but also noted the progress Lapier has made. Lapier had originally been charged with attempted murder. But in late-October, he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of discharging a firearm with attempt to wound as well as aggravated assault. As for Forrest, the court was told she was a bystander who had no idea of Lapier’s intentions.

Sawmill workers call off rotating strikes

Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff

The union representing northern B.C.’s sawmill workers has called off its campaign of rotating strikes for the time being while also keeping an eye on negotiations to the south.

In a statement posted Thursday on its website, United Steelworkers Local 1-2017 said it and USW locals based in Kamloops, Kelowna and Cranbrook have agreed with the Interior Forest Labour Relations Association to mediation through the B.C. Labour Relations Board.

The IFLRA represents employers in the southern Interior.

Mediated talks were scheduled for four days this week, the USW said, following an inability to reach a new agreement after the groups’ fourth bargaining session, which ended Nov. 1.

“No job action will take place while the mediation process is engaged,” the local said.

The local went on to say Canfor’s recent announcement to curtail production by 10 per cent, “looks more like a bargaining tactic than a reflection of

markets.”

It said Canfor reported “record profits” in the third quarter. Canfor reported third-quarter earnings of $125.3 million, doubled from the year before despite lower lumber prices, raising the year-to-date total to $407.3 million.

However, the figure was down from the second quarter when Canfor took in $169.8 million.

“Forestry employers across the province have expressed concerns regarding high stumpage costs. Based on last quarter’s lower lumber prices, that rate is expected to decrease accordingly beginning January of 2019,” the local said.

It said the IFLRA has yet to match the last proposal put forward by the Council on Northern Interior Forest Employment Relations, the bargaining agent for 13 northern B.C. sawmills employing roughly 1,600 workers.

“Meanwhile, CONIFER continues to demand the concession of working 40 hours at straight time if a statutory holiday falls on a rest day, among others,” the local said.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at a vacant house on Fifth Avenue early Tuesday morning.

Guided caribou viewing tour this weekend

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff

fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

Caribou are some of the most difficult local wildlife to see. They are not typically found anywhere near people, or even the slightest signs of people. There is one exception, it happens to be near here, and that is where the Prince George Naturalist Club will go on a guided field trip this Saturday.

“Local experts Dale Seip and Doug Heard will be our guides to explain the province’s caribou recovery program for this region,” said club liaison David Breault. They will go as a group to the wilderness neighbourhood known as Kennedy Siding about 190 km north of Prince George.

Seip said this trip comes in the immediate wake of a major protection step for this particular collection of caribou. It was announced last week that privately held land located in the heart of this herd’s winter range had been purchased by the Nature Trust of British Columbia.

There was always the worry, said Seip, that some industrial activity or private development might occur on that spot, but the purchase of this 245-hectare property puts those fears to rest.

“The herd there is actually up to about 65 animals,” said Seip, who works for the B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy. Caribou recovery is one of his main files. There are a number of herds in the northern and central B.C. region, and all of them have been critically threatened with extinction.

“All caribou in Canada are at risk,” he said. “The Kennedy Siding are considered endangered. They are involved in the Central Mountain Caribou group which dropped from about 800 animals to 200 animals in the past decade, and the Kennedy Siding herd specifically dropped from 120 down to 50. They were facing imminent extinction at that rate, but the numbers are starting to climb back up.”

The reason is harsh but unmistakable, Seip said. The provincial wolf cull initia-

tive is saving the lives of these critically threatened ungulates.

“Virtually every herd is declining except where wolf control is happening,” he said.

To supplement the survival of the Kennedy Siding herd, a nutrition program is also involved. The pellet rations are not saving any caribou lives directly, they can still eat enough lichen (their primary food source) to survive naturally, but it gives them a health boost at this critical juncture in their existence.

“This is maybe the only area you can reliably go and see caribou in the wild in all of B.C.,” said Seip.

Each year, school children from the nearby town of Mackenzie get to trek to the Kennedy Siding site to see these rare creatures, and an annual field trip for UNBC students also occurs. The PG Naturalist Club goes every second year. This field trip is open to any paid up members of the club. Anyone interested can email Breault at davidnobreault@ gmail.com to find out details.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Homicide under investigation

The RCMP’s North District major crime unit is investigating a homicide in Quesnel. A man suffering life-threatening injuries was taken to G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital on Nov. 8. He has since died in from his injuries. Police believe the man, whose name has not been released, was killed in “a targeted incident” and the public is not at risk. No one has been arrested but police did execute a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Willis Street of Quesnel. Anyone with information can the RCMP tip line at 778 290-5291 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. — Vancouver Sun

Canfor to buy U.S. sawmill

Canfor Corp. has entered into an agreement to purchase a sawmill located in South Carolina. Subject to due diligence, the deal to buy Elliott Sawmilling Co., Inc. for US$110 million will be closed in the first half of 2019, Canfor said Friday. “The purchase of Elliott will further expand our production capacity to meet the growing demand of our customers,” Canfor CEO Don Kayne said in a news release.

Located in Estill, S.C., the sawmill can produce 210 million board feet.

— Citizen staff

Special O fundraiser tonight

Patrons will get some extra special service at Boston Pizza this evening. Local police, sheriffs and corrections officers will team up with Special Olympics athletes to wait on tables at the restaurant and raise money for the B.C. Law Enforcement Torch Run. They’ll be there from 5 to 9 p.m. in what will be the first year for the Cops, Pops, and Pizza event. More than 25 Boston Pizza locations across the province are participating.

“We are proud to help these athletes pursue their dreams, gain self-confidence, and lead healthy lives,” said Boston Pizza regional marketing manager Scott Jarvis. — Citizen staff

Making it right

A story about Monday’s PGSO show at Vanier Hall accidentally appeared in Tuesday’s print edition of The Citizen instead of Saturday. We’re sorry to our symphony friends for the mistake and to our readers for not letting them know in advance about the show.

OF ENVIRONMENT HANDOUT PHOTO

A caribou bull from the Kennedy Siding herd grazes in this undated handout photo.

Thieves steal ATM from local business

Citizen staff

Police are on the lookout for two suspects who made off with an automatic teller machine after smashing through the glass door of a local dry cleaning business on Sunday night.

The heist occurred at about 8:45 p.m. near the corner of 15th Avenue and Johnson Street.

They fled in a pickup truck before police were called but images of the two, who were wearing masks, and their getaway vehicle were retrieved from the business’s security camera.

The vehicle is described as a late-model grey four-door Dodge RAM 1500 with running boards, factory rims, split dual exhaust, trailer hitch and a large scrape on the passenger-side front door.

Both suspects are male and one was wear-

ing brown work overalls and red gloves and the other grey work overalls and white and black gloves.

“This incident occurred along 15th Avenue, a major thoroughfare in our community,” RCMP said.

“Many vehicles drove by while the suspects backed the vehicle up to the door, smashed the glass door and loaded the ATM into the truck after business hours.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only).

You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

Low-cost childcare coming

Citizen staff

The YMCA Highland Development Centre is among 53 across the province where families are paying no more than $200 a month per child under a “universal child care prototype project.”

It was selected after a call for applications in June and is receiving government funding to cover operational and administration costs in exchange for the cap on the monthly fee for 84 spaces, the federal and provincial governments said Friday. Participating providers will also give feedback on the success of the program, which will continue until March 31, 2020.

The provincial government initially planned to convert 1,800 spaces strictly for infants and toddlers. But when more than 300 operators applied to participate, the federal government agreed to chip in enough money to raise the total to 2,500 spaces representing all age groups and licensed child care types. The project will cost $60 million and was launched at 43 sites across B.C. on Nov. 1. A further 10 are to start Dec. 1.

Parents unable to get their children into participating centres are still eligible for the affordable child care benefit, which provides up to $1,250 per child a month for families with an annual income of $111,000 or less.

Dead inmate’s family

Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff

mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

The family of a Fort St. James inmate who died in the back of a B.C. Corrections van last month is demanding answers.

In a statement released on their behalf, the family of Charles Alexander Joseph, 36, said they were notified of his death the day after it happened but learned the details through the media.

They called the officers’ actions “unforgivable” and are pushing to have charges of criminal negligence causing death laid against the two.

“If they are not going to be charged in the death then can they at least be relieved of their jobs because of the callous disregard for a person’s life they have shown for the world to see,” the statement said.

Joseph was found unresponsive on Oct. 4, some time after fellow inmates tried to tell officers he was dying of a drug overdose while they were being transported from Prince George to Maple Ridge.

The officers stopped for coffee in Williams Lake but did not heed their calls for help. When the van finally pulled over, north of 100 Mile House, Joseph was unresponsive. A passerby stopped and performed CPR to no avail.

The family also wants the officers names made public “so that the prisoners have the option of refusing to be transported by

them in case they go into medical crisis. It is a life or death issue. Alex could be alive today if they would have stopped and helped him.”

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth was out of province Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. But in a Vancouver Sun story published last week, he called Joseph’s death “very disturbing.”

He said B.C. Corrections, the RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service are all investigating. And in a statement, B.C. Corrections official Cindy Rose has said her agency is conducting “a formal review of the circumstances to make recommendations that may reduce the likelihood of a similar incident in the future.”

JOSEPH

A little off the top

NEWS IN BRIEF

West Fraser curtails production

VANCOUVER (CP) — West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it will permanently curtail about 300 million board feet of lumber production at two mills next year, affecting 135 employees.

The Vancouver-based producer says the curtailments at its Fraser Lake and Quesnel sawmills will be achieved through the elimination of a third shift at each mill. The reduction is expected to impact about 60 employees in Fraser Lake and 75 at Quesnel over the first and second quarters of 2019.

The company says it expects to mitigate the impact on employees by offering them work at other West Fraser operations.

West Fraser says the decision better aligns production with timber supply in light of shortages resulting from the mountain pine beetle infestations.

Two charged with attempted murder

DAWSON CREEK (CP) — Two men in their 20s have been charged with attempted murder and forcible confinement related to a recent shooting in Dawson Creek. North District RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says the attack happened Nov. 2. She says charges have now been laid against 22-year-old Ghislain Cormier and 20-year-old Chase Schwab. Both men remain in custody awaiting further court proceedings. Saunderson says the investigation began after a 30-year-old man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Art class looks to inspire women to express themselves

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

Some of the city’s leading female artists will be at the head of the class on Saturday for an interactive afternoon of creativity and inspiration.

As part of the Inspiring Women Among Us initiative hosted by UNBC, the Two Rivers Gallery will put four pivotal artists in the spotlight to talk about their artistic process, a little bit about their personal paths, and show how they do it.

“The gallery was approached and asked if we would be interested in holding one of the events, and we enthusiastically replied ‘of course.’ I wanted to gather a group of leading female artists, but not leaders just because of their art, but because of all the other elements of their community works and their lives,” said Twyla Exner, the director of public programs at the Two Rivers Gallery.

She selected Cat Sivertsen, Mo Hamilton, Kathleen Angeleski and Audrey McKinnon for this motivational panel. Each one will get some time to introduce themselves, some time to talk about the kind of art they prefer adn the techniques they use, and then everyone gets to make some art of their own with the four panelists helping them along.

“I said yes, without a second thought, to this particular event because as an advocate for the arts it strikes all the right chords – I get to do show ‘n’ tell, I get to support my friends at the gallery and UNBC, I get to make stuff and inspire others to do the same around my own methods and materials practice,” said Sivertsen, a longtime participant in Inspiring Women events over the years.

“I was really flattered to be asked to participate... this year and I love how much Prince George embraces the whole thing,” said McKinnon, who will be live-painting while the Khast’an Drummers make music on Sunday at the Omineca Arts Centre.

“I really want to take advantage of this opportunity by making sure I’m contributing in a meaningful way on both days. I think we’re in a really interesting place right now where it’s okay to question how we’re contributing as individuals

to systems of oppression in order to correct course and do better. And I feel like that’s very much where I’m at as an artist right now as well. I want to know how I can do better, serve better and be more honest, more skilled and more purposeful as an artist. So I’m excited to explore and share that next Saturday and Sunday.”

Hamilton confessed that she was confused by the invitation. She said she was so immersed in her artistic process, a daily endeavour, that she hardly considered herself inspiring.

“I am very intimate with my own shortcomings, insecurities and daily struggles in believing in my artistic voice and yet regardless of this, I tenaciously carry on. I suppose this could be considered inspiring,” she said.

“I do find inspiration in creative women’s stories and who, despite the odds, keep going in a genuine and committed way. Women’s stories have guided me when I have had challenges so if I can be of service to other women and help them to believe in the importance of their creative voices then I am happy to help out in any way I can.”

Sivertsen added, “The best bit is the women artists I’m presenting with are all at varying stages in their careers, we all work in different media and come from different perspectives. For instance I am going to focus on a project I did in the U.K. and Australia a number of years ago about laundry. The imagery is an obvious symbol of women’s work and, in this

instance, it is a metaphor for my studio practice.”

McKinnon said her presentation would focus “on the value and responsibility of artists to contribute to the conversations we’re all having through our art, my own experiences with adversity and how that shapes the art I make now, and how colour, form and skill are wonderful vessels of communication. And then I’m teaching a short workshop on how to find contours in the face.”

Hamilton said her presentation would come from her current personal arts challenge she called The 100 House Project which, when finished, “will be a compilation of 100 block-prints depicting houses in different scenarios that relate the full realm of human experience. This project records the uncertainty of our times with climate change, political instability, emotional upheaval and psychological disruptions. Some of the prints are based on very personal experiences such as moving from one community to another and general life uncertainties. While some block-prints are based on actual current events such as wildfires, evacuations, refugees, floods, war and homelessness other prints depict the importance of joy, family and community.” This ranging debate-and-create event is free of charge to attend. It is open to all genders, ages and walks of life. It starts at 1 p.m. and is expected to run until 4 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery located downtown by the Civic Centre.

Local cookbook author wins Taste of Canada Award

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff

The nation is feasting on Lindsay Anderson’s book. The local meal maestro co-authored the book Feast: Recipes & Stories From A Canadian Road Trip with close friend Dana VanVeller as a love letter to the food of Canada.

Canada has now reciprocated.

The book has been tapped as the winner of the Taste Canada Award in the Regional/Cultural (English language) category for 2018.

Anderson told The Citizen that it was hardly a slam-dunk victory but she and VanVeller took the chance on attending the gastronomic gala in Toronto, if only for the spectacle and networking opportunity of the nation’s most prestigious awards event for foodlit.

As the event unfolded, she said, her usual calm-cool-collected demeanor started to falter.

“I was a lot less chill than I expected I’d be,” she said. “I’m not afraid of public speaking, it wasn’t that, but as our category came along my heart was pounding in my chest.”

The two authors had earned a following and many friendships in their travels. When their name was declared the winner, a loud cheer erupted across the Fairmont Royal York event centre.

“I looked and sounded much more calm than I felt inside. I felt like a shaky disaster,” Anderson said, after later viewing video of their acceptance. She admitted there was also a

tinge of melancholy to winning the award.

The trophy was an enormous national affirmation for the Appetite (Penguin Random House)-published bestseller, but it was also like the closing of their personal story with the book. It will go on as a living monument to this vast country’s local foods and regional preparation techniques, but their part as authors is now complete. Like chefs watching from the kitchen as the guests dine, or like a theatre director watching from the wings as the actors perform, their work between these pages is finished.

Anderson said it would be viable to simply do the book all over again, travelling instead to all the parts of Canada she and VanVeller weren’t able to reach in their first Feast journeys. They could even go back to their original notes, subtract the food elements they’ve already covered, and write a book about Canada’s culture.

“I’d say this project is not something Dana and I are ready to completely say goodbye to, but what happens for it in the future is definitely something we will carefully consider,” she said. “It takes a lot of time, resources, tears, energy to write a book. We are not leaping at doing it again, but we are still very close friends, we still believe in all the adventures and efforts that made Feast, so we will look ahead at what might come next.”

Anderson did hint that some-

thing was already in the works. Book projects are, by the mechanics of their nature, already done for the writers by the time they arrive on bookstore shelves, so in the space of time between them finishing Feast and the nation celebrating with big sales numbers and trophies, the two gastronauts had already done another project together.

It, too, is finished but not yet through the design process for mass marketing. The two are excited and proud of what is about to come.

“We were not the authors of this book, per se, we were more like consultants in putting it all together,” Anderson said. “This book is specifically focused on Nunavut. We were brought in by the territorial government to produce this in-depth look at very traditional food from the land.”

It is both a look back at Indigenous nutrition that dates from time immemorial yet also a modern view of Artcic cuisine for today’s Nunavut culture.

“It’s just a dream project. We were so lucky to get to get to work on this,” she said.

“This is something all of Canada can learn from. I know I learned a bit about the creation of the Nunavut territory in school, but I didn’t learn much about the overall history, the true ways of life in the far north, the effects of colonization. There is so much this part of Canada can teach us. It was very eye-opening and very humbling for me.”

That project will be translated into a number of Canadian languages, and provided free of charge to residents of Nunavut. Anderson hopes it might also be made available for purchase in the rest of Canada.

She will now take a bit of a break from foodie digests. She has hopes of returning from her current base in the Lower Mainland back to her Prince George hometown in the leadup to Christmas. She can’t stomach being gone from this area for long.

SIVERTSEN HAMILTON

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Alex Magalhaes from Bednesti Tree Service removes some branches on a tree on Spruce Street Tuesday morning.

Calgary residents say no to Olympics

Donna SPENCER Citizen news service

CALGARY — The results are in, and a majority of Calgarians are saying “no thanks” to a potential bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The city conducted a non-binding plebiscite Tuesday to gauge public opinion on whether or not there is sufficient interest to submit a bid. Out of 767,734 eligible voters in Calgary, 56 per cent (171,750 of 304,774 total votes) said they don’t want the city to throw in its hat for the Games.

“We really wanted this dream for Calgary to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mary Moran, CEO of Calgary 2026.

“We learned so much about our community. We learned so much about each other.”

the city.

The Alberta government made its funding of a bid conditional on a plebiscite and provided $2 million to pay for it.

“We fought many, many obstacles along the way,” said Scott Hutcheson, board chair of Calgary 2026. “We had three government partners that stepped up with billions of dollars to invest in this dream.”

Elections Calgary told voters to not wear Olympic-themed clothing to polling stations as that would be considered campaigning.

Out of 767,734 eligible voters in Calgary, 56 per cent (171,750 of 304,774 total votes) said they don’t want the city to throw in its hat for the Games.

The plebiscite’s result is non-binding on city council, which has the final say on whether Calgary will proceed with a bid.

The results won’t be declared official until Friday. Council is expected to address the results Monday.

By comparison, 387,306 voted in the 2017 civic election for a 58.1 per cent turnout.

Calgary was the host city of the 1988 Winter Olympics. The venues from those games formed the foundation of a 2026 bid, for which Calgarians were asked to state their appetite.

The plebiscite’s result is non-binding on city council, which has the final say on whether Calgary will proceed with a bid.

While a firm ‘no’ vote Tuesday was definitive in terms of what action a nervous council will take, a ‘yes’ vote was still subject to the decision of a group of people divided on 2026.

A bid was nearly scuttled before the plebiscite.

Ten votes out of 15 on council were required Oct. 31 for a motion to pass on abandoning the plebiscite. Eight voted in favour of that motion which would have generated a cascade of other motions shutting down the bid.

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi voted for continuing with a bid, saying the proposed host draft plan and budget is a good deal for

Returning officer Laura Kennedy said some people were asked to adjust their attire before voting.

The bid corporation

Calgary 2026, led Moran and Hutcheson – a commercial real estate entrepreneur and former national-team skier – was mandated to “promote a responsible bid.”

Calgary 2026 was hampered by the tardiness of what the cost-sharing agreement would be between the federal and provincial governments and the city.

An agreement that was supposed to be ready for public consumption mid-August wasn’t clear until Oct. 30.

In the estimated $5.1 billion price tag to host the games, the public investment ask was $2.875 billion and down from an initial $3 billion.

The province committed $700 million, while the Canadian government said it would provide $1.45 billion.

The city of Calgary was asked for $390 million, and was credited with the $150 million already committed to improving an area that would be a Games hub.

Games revenues – tickets, merchandising, television rights, corporate sponsorships –would cover the remaining costs.

While no order of government offered to be a guarantor against debut, Calgary 2026 built $1.1 billion in contingency funds into its budget to mitigate financial risk.

The International Olympic Committee invited Calgary, Stockholm and a joint Italian bid from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo to candidate cities for 2026.

The IOC will accept bids in early January. The election of the host city is in Lausanne, Switzerland, in June.

Canadians missing in fire-ravaged California town of Paradise

Citizen news service

LEWISPORTE, N.L. — A Newfoundland woman is pleading for help finding missing family members nearly 7,000 kilometres away in the California town of Paradise, a fire-ravaged community at the epicentre of the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

Randy and Paula Dodge are among hundreds of people reported missing after a massive blaze, called the Camp Fire, levelled the Northern California town of 27,000. At least 42 people have been confirmed dead in the area.

Megan Janes, the Dodges’ niece, said she’s been in contact with the sheriff of Butte County and that a search party has visited her aunt and uncle’s home twice.

Searchers found the charred remains of their house and the burned-out shells of their vehicles – but no bodies, she said.

“We just don’t know what happened,” she said in an interview from her home in Lewisporte in central Newfoundland, adding that calls to local shelters and hospitals have also yielded no information about the fate of the couple in their late 60s.

“The hope is because there were no bodies on the scene, someone picked them up and helped them. But so far there is no word. We have no clue.”

The family has tried to remain hopeful that the couple managed to evacuate before the inferno swept through the town, Janes said. But after several days with no information on their whereabouts, she said the family is starting to prepare

for the worst. “In the beginning there was hope,” Janes said through tears. “We’re still praying and we’re still hoping but honestly at this point I think we’re preparing.”

Janes said her mother, a Canada-U.S. dual citizen who lives on the Avalon Peninsula, is praying for her brother.

“I think God is giving her peace,” she said.

Janes said she’s used social media to try to locate her aunt and uncle, noting that, “You could be miles and miles away but you can still help.”

Meanwhile, authorities in California have moved to set up a rapid DNA-analysis system and bring in cadaver dogs, mobile morgues and more search teams to the Paradise area.

“I want to recover as many remains as we possibly can, as soon as we can,” Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Monday night as he announced the discovery of 13 more dead.

“I know the toll it takes on loved ones.”

More than a dozen coroner search-andrecovery teams looked for bodies across the apocalyptic landscape that was once Paradise, while anxious relatives visited shelters and called police and hospitals in hopes of finding loved ones.

The record-breaking Camp Fire is one of three wildfires wreaking havoc and devastation across California.

The Woolsey Fire in Southern California has killed two people and destroyed many homes – including those of celebrities in the Malibu area such as Canadian singersongwriter Neil Young.

California living our nightmare

During the 2017 and 2018 wildfire season in the Central Interior, tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, many of them coming to Prince George for extended periods of time. Dozens of homes were lost and significant areas of forest and ranchland were burned but fortunately, no one died as a direct cause of the fires.

A rapid response, timely communication, government and community coordination, neighbourly assistance and some good fortune prevented these tragedies from turning deadly. Luck was also on the side of the people of Fort McMurray in 2016, with the only person killed dying in a car

accident while the entire city of 80,000 was being evacuated. Sadly, the same fortune Fort McMurray and the Central Interior enjoyed has not translated to the current California wildfires. So far, more than 6,400 homes have been destroyed and 42 people are dead with the death toll expected to climb as investigators go through Paradise, a town of 27,000 people all but wiped off the map. So far, they have found charred bone fragments of people trapped there by a fire so hot that it melted aluminum.

Anyone in this region who thinks that such a disaster could never happen here is hopelessly naive. The California wildfires have been fuelled by severe drought, ongoing hot weather

and high winds, conditions that have certainly been seen in this region and across much of Western Canada with increasing regularity.

As Darby Allen, the retired Fort McMurray fire chief, told the Prince George audience at the Bob Ewert Dinner and Lecture earlier this year, the original plan to evacuate the city was to send everyone south. A staff member spoke up, telling Allen the fire was moving too fast and the 30,000 residents north and west of the Athabasca River had to go north, even though there was nothing there but the oil sands camps and the village of Fort McKay.

In hindsight, Allen was convinced that hundreds or more people would have died on the highway south or in the city if the

YOUR LETTERS

PR pondering

If you haven’t filled in and mailed your ballot on voting reform here are a couple of thoughts for you.

One of the Trumped up (pun intended) reasons given to stick with the antiquated first past the post voting system is that we have always counted ballots this way so why change?

We certainly have always done it that way. The earliest I could find where first past the post was used was 1265 when Henry VIII gave the vote to wealthy landowners and knights.

Keep in mind this was prior to the English deciding that taking the occasional bath was a good idea so I am guessing not much time was spent in a closed room deciding how this vote thing should work.

Or perhaps it was just a simpler time so they settled on the simplistic first past the post concept and dashed outside for a welcome breath of fresh air.

FPTP survived as the picture was muddied by more and more of the population being given the vote, the parliamentary system evolved, political parties came to be and the country was broken up into ridings.

When Canada became a nation adopting the good old British parliamentary system, and its already ancient voting concept, was inevitable.

Pretty much everything has changed since the 1200s, but, by golly, we still count votes the same. While most of the democratic world has successfully made the transition to a system that gives their voters a government that reflects the will of the majority of voters we are hanging in there with FPTP. At least 14 commissions, assemblies and reports have recommended we change to a proportional system but we haven’t.

Most of the countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development use proportional representation and nine of the ten best places to live in the world, according to

the United Nations, are PR, but not us.

Those arguing against change aren’t disputing the fact that what we have produced distorted numbers in our legislature.

We are staying with FPTP because that is how we have always done it.

Then there is the argument that PR is too complicated, too difficult to understand. Somehow we are being portrayed as too incompetent to understand something that the majority of democracies handle quite successfully. We have moved beyond the days of the Model T Ford and now most of us buy cars that somehow run very well without us knowing what is happening under the hood.

Nor do we understand how computers or cell phones work. But buying into a voting system that works well in almost every country that uses it is not good enough. People want it explained in minute detail.

Car manufacturers don’t ask us how to get better fuel economy or longer life out of our car. That is left to the experts.

We should give the go ahead to what has been proven to be a better voting system and then let the experts in that field develop a made-in-B.C. PR system that will fit the unique political and geographical landscape that is BC. Just like we let the car manufacturers build a model of vehicle that meets our needs.

That is why there is flexibility in the vote on how PRwill work if adopted. The experts and the all party committee shouldn’t have their hands tied too tightly when deciding how our system will work.

All of the trumped up arguments against change distract from the basic question which is should we stay with a voting system that almost always gives us a government that only has the support of 30 some odd or 40 some odd percent of those who voted or should we move to a system that insists that the government we have has the support of at least 50 per cent of those who voted? What is a democracy?

Get your ballots in the mail so they will be in Victoria by Nov. 30.

John Warner, Prince George

Making the PR pivot

The rules guiding democracy in Canada and British Columbia have not always been as fair and inclusive as they are today.

In the era of 1657, only a limited segment of the population (primarily affluent men who had sufficient ownership of property, assets, rent or paid taxes of specified amount) were permitted to vote in what we now call Canada. Changes since that time have allowed more and more citizens to vote.

We began by allowing Catholics to vote in 1829, allowing woman to vote in 1917/1918 and permitted Aboriginal peoples to vote without having to give away treaty rights in 1960. It is no longer acceptable to deny individuals the right to cast a vote because of their wealth status, religion, sex or ancestry.

While most citizens of Canada and B.C. are now permitted to vote, most votes are ignored in deciding which party will govern. This is because our current voting system usually grants absolute power to political parties that receive less than 50 per cent of the vote. The number of votes used in deciding the government will increase significantly under all three of the proportional representation options. A vote in favour of proportional representation is a vote to making our voting system more fair and inclusive.

In addition to being more fair and inclusive, PR will provide you with more than one local MLA (usually from different political parties) to discuss your concerns. Please vote for a system that is more inclusive and fair; that respects more of the votes that are cast; and increases the willingness of your MLAs to listen to you. Please vote in favour of PR.

Doug Beckett Prince George

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Prince George, B.C. V2L 3G7

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original evacuation plan had been followed. That’s how narrowly a catastrophe was averted.

Our response to the devastation and deaths in California should be more than “those poor people.” For those who can, donations to the Red Cross to help the victims of the fire are most appreciated.

Looking ahead, however, this region’s response must be “next time, it could be us.” Municipalities, regional districts and the provincial government need to plan for nightmare scenarios, like what’s happened in California.

We’ve been lucky so far. Better to be ready for the worst than to tempt fate once more.

— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

Trump still better than alternative

In the wake of the 2018 U.S. midterm elections that took place last week, I’ve been given reason to review my decision to continue supporting President Donald Trump.

I remain certain that my choice has been justified by his policies which have seen a reinvigoration of America’s economy and the restoration of deterrence abroad against the worst enemies of the free world.

Of course, due to his bombastic conduct, those of us who support the Donald remain unpopular in polite company.

Trying to defend President Trump is nigh impossible; his own tweets add to the arsenal of his enemies every day.

But the simplest counter argument is that for all the inanities and insanities that escape the Commander in Chief’s phone, the responses from his opponents are just as bizarre and discourteous.

In fact, it is well documented at this point Trump’s critics have a great proclivity to incite incivility and even violence against him and his base of deplorables.

The high road might well be past both major parties and their apparatchiks, but if we are to award “51 per cent oral and political legitimacy” to either side, I remain convinced it belongs to the president over his critics who populate both the Republican and Democratic establishments, the mainstream media, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and every major academic institution in the U.S.

If President Trump is the tyrant claimed by critics, how can he survive the onslaught of every talking head in America?

Furthermore, if accusations held any water, how was he not been impeached by his own party that still despises him?

Finally, why is there a booming industry on free social media platforms as well as private subscription sites entirely dedicated to putting Trump’s and his opposition’s claims in full context, with egg always falling on the latter’s faces?

These are not slurs nor gross generalizations.

One need only view independent news organizations of vastly different political and social backgrounds, from the Rubin Report, hosted by a gay and married Californian, to the confrontational

Louder with Crowder, hosted by a former Canadian, to merely skim the surface of the cognitive dissonance Trump’s critics are creating; there are also dozens of respected academics weighing into this same issue online.

From these discussions as well as from candid interviews with those formerly of Trump’s inner circle, such as Steve Bannon, it’s clear the resistance Democrats and their allies have become their own worst enemies.

In short, they have become the monster they’ve sought to destroy: while Trump may bluster and fire, it is they who systematically attack persons instead of policies, silence dissent, and regularly organize violent demonstrations on a massive scale.

The consensus is there are three core issues: first, the political elite on all sides still cannot accept it was their own tone deaf actions that made Trump president; second, in the time since the Cold War, the loss of jobs, national pride, and world order has largely been thanks to the “isms” of a political class wholly detached from average American life; and finally, whatever the way forward, intelligent policy discussions must be had, but that requires utterly free speech.

Nearly all of Trump’s critics have failed to take that crucial first step – admitting there is a problem and they are part of it.

Without that simple confession, they’ll never get out of their funk.

To be clear, I honestly hope that the small change in the House, like minority Parliaments in Canada, will force both sides to find better solutions to issues facing the American people.

But the likelihood of the president’s re-election is clear.

America had fallen into decline, with her elite fighting over who would direct the funeral; only Trump proposed to “Make America Great Again.” Against all odds, Trump’s agenda is working. I cannot defend Trump’s vocabulary and style properly, but his legacy will speak volumes long after his critics verbiage is forgotten.

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. The Prince George Citizen is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact Neil Godbout (ngodbout@pgcitizen.ca or 250-960-2759). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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NATHAN GIEDE

Right of Centre

Amazon goes east

Online giant picks New York, Virginia for expansion

Citizen news service

The two communities that learned Tuesday they are about to become homes to a pair of big, new East Coast bases for Amazon are both riverfront stretches of major metropolitan areas with ample transportation and space for workers.

But there are plenty of differences between New York’s Long Island City and Crystal City in northern Virginia.

Set within eyeshot of the nation’s capital, Crystal City is a thicket of 1980s-era office towers trying to plug into new economic energy after thousands of federal jobs moved elsewhere.

Rapidly growing Long Island City is an old manufacturing area already being reinvented as a hub for 21st-century industry, creativity and urbane living.

Seattle-based Amazon, which set out last year to situate one additional headquarters, announced Tuesday that it was splitting its project into two.

Long Island City

It’s already the fastest-developing neighbourhood in the nation’s most populous city, and Amazon could pump up the volume in this buzzy part of Queens.

The addition of Amazon to the neighbourhood stands to burnish New York City’s reputation as a tech capital. Landing Amazon also cements Long Island City’s transformation from a faded manufacturing zone to a vibrant, of-the-moment enclave of waterfront skyscrapers, modernized warehouses and artsy-tech ambience across the East River from midtown Manhattan.

But Long Island City also has been straining to handle its growth.

Days before Tuesday’s announcement , the city unveiled a $180 million plan to address Long Island City’s packed schools, street design and a sewage system that groans in heavy rain. Once a bustling factory and freightmoving area, Long Island City saw many of its plants and warehouses closed as manufacturing shriveled in New York City.

The neighbourhood’s rebirth began in the 1980s, when officials broached redeveloping a swath of the waterfront, while artists were drawn by warehouse spaces, affordable rents and a building that

is now the MoMA PS1 museum. Silvercup Studios – where such TV shows as Sex and the City, 30 Rock and The Sopranos have been filmed – opened in 1983.

Long Island City gained a new commercial stature, and the start of a high-rise skyline, when the banking giant now called Citi opened an office tower there in 1989. But the area’s growth lately has been driven by residential building.

Some 9,150 new apartments and homes have been built since 2010, more than in any other New York City neighbourhood, according to the city planning department. Thousands more units are in the works.

The location identified by the state as the spot for Amazon’s new campus is currently a collection of low-rise industrial buildings and parking lots wrapped around a boat basin.

New York has striven for nearly a decade to position itself as a tech hotspot.

Venture capitalists poured $5.8 billion into New York-area startups last quarter, more than any other region except the San Francisco area, according to the

consulting and accounting firm PwC . Established tech giants, including Google and Facebook, have been expanding their New York footprints.

Crystal City

If any place in America can absorb 25,000 Amazon jobs without disruption, it may well be Crystal City, Virginia, where nearly that many jobs have vanished over the last 15 years.

The neighbourhood in Arlington County is bounded by the Potomac River and the nation’s capital on one side, by the Pentagon on another and Reagan National Airport on a third.

Despite its prime location and abundant transportation options, the neighbourhood has been hit by a massive outflow of jobs. The Patent and Trademark Office began moving more than 7,000 jobs out of Crystal City in 2003.

In 2005, the Defence Department announced plans to move roughly 17,000 jobs elsewhere as part of a base realignment. Arlington County has worked hard to bring in new employers, and had some success. The Public

Broadcasting Service moved its headquarters to Crystal City in 2006.

Still, large swaths of the neighbourhood remain vacant. Among other challenges, the area has fought to overcome a reputation for outdated architecture.

Crystal City is populated by ‘70s and ‘80s-era office buildings. The buildings are connected by a network of tunnels populated with food-court style dining options, hair salons and newsstands. The tunnels leave the ground-level outdoor streetscape sometimes looking empty.

Perhaps no place better illustrates the vibe of Crystal City than the region’s only revolving restaurant, the Skydome atop the Doubletree Crystal City. Diners enjoy a panoramic view of the D.C. skyline, completing a full rotation every 47 minutes.

When Amazon announced its plans Tuesday, it said its footprint will extend beyond Crystal City into the adjacent neighbourhoods of Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, which have collectively been dubbed “National Landing” by the region’s economic development officials.

Supply issues plague cannabis market

Citizen news service

B.C.-based cannabis producer Tilray Inc. says product has been selling out in the first few weeks of legalization and while it has explored buying wholesale to bridge the supply gap, there is “far less” pot available than expected.

Despite companies touting large production capacities over the past year, upon inspection there was less pot available and a lack of high quality product up for grabs, said the Nanaimo-based president and chief executive officer Brendan Kennedy.

“People tended to exaggerate their capacity and tended to exaggerate the metric tonnes that they were going to be producing... Both of those things have been very surprising,” he said.

Tilray’s comments come after Canada legalized cannabis for adult use on Oct. 17 – becoming the second country to do so after Uruguay – and product shortages continue to loom at bricks-and-mortar stores and online. Some government entities responsible for the sales and distribution of adult-use cannabis in various provinces

have said they are receiving less product than expected and have warned that these shortages could last for months. Tilray has signed agreements to supply recreational pot to eight provinces and territories.

“With the imbalance we have today, with more demand than supply, everything is selling out,” Mark Castaneda, Tilray’s chief financial officer, said.

Another factor complicating the product shortages at government and territorial distributors was the timing of licences, the company said. At the end of the quarter, Crown corporations didn’t have licences to receive packaged products, he said.

Still, the cannabis producer reported an 85-per-cent jump in revenue year-overyear to US$10 million, driven by increased patient demand, bulk sales to other licensed producers, and accelerated wholesale distribution in export markets.

However, Tilray posted a wider net loss of US$18.7 million during the quarter, compared with US$1.8 million during the same period a year ago, as it ramped up for legalization and expanded its global operations.

“There’s been this violent repricing of crude oil so today is the 12th down session in a row which is some kind of record,” said Patrick Bernes, a portfolio manager for CIBC Asset Management.

The price of West Texas Intermediate lost US$4.73 or 7.9 per cent to US$55.20.

The December crude contract was down US$4.24 to US$55.69 per barrel.

That’s the lowest level since Nov. 16, 2017.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed off 24.62 points to 15,131.78, led by a 2.8 per cent drop in the energy sector. Health care lost 2.1 per cent on further weakness in cannabis stocks as government distribution channels signalled they were struggling to meet demand and reports that U.S. companies are going to start to compete.

The scaling advantages enjoyed by U.S. cannabis firms have made the future look a little less bright for some of the Canadian producers, Bernes said.

Saudi Arabia initially said it would cut oil production, but backtracked after the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the country’s consulate in Turkey. He said the fundamentals of oil suggest there isn’t a demand slowdown that would warrant such a big decline in the price of oil.

“Now where we find our footing, could it be a bit lower? Perhaps, but I don’t necessarily see the case for a repeat of 2014,” Bernes said, referring to the 46 per cent drop in oil prices that year.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 100.69 points to 25,286.49.

The S&P 500 index was down 4.04 points at 2,722.18, while the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat at 7,200.88.

“I don’t see a lot of stories outside of energy today that are newsworthy,” he said.

However, some hopes of a deal between the U.S. and China were stoked after Larry Kudlow, head of the president’s National Economic Council, said that China’s vice-premier would meet with American officials in New York.

The Canadian dollar traded at an average of 75.52 cents US.

The December natural gas contract was up 31.3 cents at US$4.10 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was down US$2.10 to US$1,201.40 an ounce and the December copper contract was up 1.05 cents at US$2.69 a pound.

CITIZEN NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

Amazon will move part of its second headquarters to Long Island City in Queens.

Managing editor Neil Godbout puts the news in perspective every day, only in The Citizen

Room to shoot

Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders prepares to take a shot against Vancouver

defeated the Canucks 5-2. See story on page 10

Taking it outside

Cariboo Cougars to be part of first-ever outdoor game in B.C. Hockey Major Midget League

Jason PETERS Citizen Sports Editor jpeters@pgcitizen.ca

The Cariboo Cougars will play in a historymaking outdoor hockey game early in the new year.

The Cougars will face the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs on Jan. 20 at the Ernie Sam Memorial Arena, located on Nak’azdli Whut’en territory in Fort St. James. The regular-season contest – dubbed the Northern Winter Classic – will be the first-ever outdoor game for the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League, which has been in operation since 2004.

“First and foremost, it’s a pretty historic moment for the team and for the league, I guess,” said Cougars head coach Tyler Brough. “(General manager) Trevor (Sprague) has put a lot of hard work into it, trying to organize it for it to come into fruition. It’s pretty historic and something we’re looking forward to.”

In the current BCHMML standings, the fourth-place Cougars have a 9-3-2-0 record and the second-place Chiefs sit at 9-42-1. Based on those numbers, the game figures to be a highly competitive one.

For 17-year-old Cariboo forward Lane Goodwin, the game will have special meaning. Goodwin was born and raised in Fort St. James and will be skating in front of aunts and uncles, as well as tons of friends.

“It’s going to be great,” Goodwin said. “Obviously I know a lot of people there and it’s going to be nice to have them come out and watch me, for all the people that can’t come to P.G. for the games. It will be good for the town too, to have some good hockey that they can come and watch.”

Goodwin said he has never before played on the outdoor rink, which features a covered ice surface, as well as regulation boards and glass.

“It didn’t used to have that

great of ice,” he said. “I’ve never really gone on it. I’ve mostly skated at the Fort Forum and out on the lake.

“(Playing outdoors) is going to be awesome. It’s going to be different, that’s for sure, because I’ve never really played a real game outside. It’s going to be good to try something new out – first time in B.C. major midget hockey.”

The outdoor idea was hatched last January when the Cougars traveled to Fort St. James for a pair of league games, also against the Chiefs. On the way into town, the Cariboo team bus passed by the Ernie Sam Memorial Arena and that put the wheels in motion inside Sprague’s head.

“We were driving through Nak’azdli and saw that they had the rink that had the roof over it,” he said. “I was like, ‘I think it would be pretty cool to have an outdoor game there.’ So that’s kind of how it came about.

“Dealing with the District of Fort St. James, the minor hockey association in Fort St. James, we had those two games and there’s a lot of passion for hockey there, a lot of great hockey people. We actually have a lot of sponsors from there as well, that support our hockey club, so those things all came into play.”

Sprague later met with the Nak’azdli council, including Chief Alec McKinnon, and they were unanimously in favour of the idea. Discussions with the Fort St. James Minor Hockey Association were also held. Approval from B.C.

Hockey and Hockey Canada was also necessary.

“All our players are insured through them,” Sprague said of the two organizations. “They look after the best interests of our players and our staff. It was just making sure that the engineering plans were in place – so when the rink was built – and there were a couple questions. They were like, ‘If everybody’s happy, we’d like to move ahead with the game.’ They had all the information they needed to approve it and that was our biggest hurdle.”

McKinnon said it’s “very exciting” to have the game between the Cougars and Chiefs coming to the Nak’azdli Whut’en’s outdoor surface.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “It took about a year to work on this, from when Trevor Sprague of the Cariboo Cougars first approached me about it. The Cougars and the east Vancouver team were excited to see our outside rink and were wondering if they could skate on it.

“I can’t wait until the day (of the game) comes and I hope everybody has a great time – that it’s fun and I hope it continues on for years to come. And I hope the

I’m sure we’ll be bundled up. It has the potential to be minus 30 so we’ll prepare for that, for sure.

— Cariboo Cougars head coach Tyler Brough

weather cooperates,” he added with a laugh.

As for the potential challenge of the elements, Goodwin and the rest of the players and coaches will have to be ready for anything.

“Hopefully it’s a nice sunny day out, where we don’t have to be freezing cold out there,” Goodwin said. “I don’t know – hopefully we’ll have some good weather. I think it’s just hockey when we get out there. It might be a little bit different but I think we’ve just got to prepare the same way and just keep playing.”

Added Brough: “I’m sure we’ll be bundled up,” he said in reference to himself and the Cariboo staff. “It has the potential to be minus 30 so we’ll prepare for

that, for sure.”

The Cougars and Chiefs will also square off on Jan. 19 inside the Fort Forum.

Also on the Jan. 19-20 weekend, B.C. Hockey will host development camps for players from three local Indigenous bands, the Fort St. James Minor Hockey Association and the Burns Lake Minor Hockey Association.

McKinnon said he thinks the two games and the development camps will have a positive impact on the Nak’azdli youth.

“I think it’s going to inspire them – give them hope and dreams,” he said. “Really big dreams is one thing we try to encourage in our youth – the sky is the limit and beyond. So I’m hoping it will inspire them and get them back into physical activity, not just hockey but all activities.”

In other Cariboo Cougars news, the team found out Monday night it has been invited to the prestigious Mac’s Midget Tournament for the 14th year in a row. The Mac’s runs from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day in Calgary. The Prince George-based Cougars are formed by the top 15- to 17-year-old players in the northern region of the province.

HANDOUT PHOTO

The Ernie Sam Memorial Arena on Nak’azdli Whut’en territory in Fort St. James will be the site of an outdoor game between the Cariboo Cougars and Vancouver Northeast Chiefs on Jan. 20.

Sports Islanders

‘dig in’ to beat Canucks

Citizen news service

NEW YORK — Coming off three straight losses, the New York Islanders fell behind early. They took the lead with two quick goals and then pulled away in the third period for a confidence-building win.

Tom Kuhnhackl scored two unusual goals to lead the Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

“We definitely didn’t have the start we wanted,” Kuhnhackl said. “After they scored that first goal we had a great response throughout that first period. We knew they were going to have a push in the second period. We just had to weather the storm.” Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist, and Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck also scored for the Islanders, who had won five straight before their losing streak. Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had two assists and Thomas Greiss stopped 22 shots.

“Just because it’s not April doesn’t mean it’s not a mustwin,” Clutterbuck said. “You don’t want to give a five-game winning streak back. We knew today we had to dig in and win it.”

New York improved to 5-0-2 in the last seven meetings with Vancouver.

Brendan Leipsic had a goal and an assist, and Jake Virtanen also scored for the Canucks, who have lost two straight after a 4-0-2 stretch. Jacob Markstrom, starting for the ninth consecutive game with Anders Nilsson injured, finished with 29 saves.

Vancouver, coming off a 2-1 loss across town against the Rangers on Monday night, fell to 1-2-2 on a six-game trip.

“This was deflating,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “It was one of those nights. I like how we battled back. But down two on the road, you can be a little tired. It was a disappointing loss.”

Kuhnhackl got his second of the game at 3:26 of the third period as Eberle’s pass from the right corner deflected off Kuhnhackl’s stick, a Vancouver defenceman’s stick, and then Kuhnhackl’s skate and in to push the Islanders’ lead to 4-2. The goal stood after a video review, giving Kuhnhackl his first career multi-goal game.

Clutterbuck scored a powerplay goal with 2:54 left, the Islanders’ first in four games with the man-advantage. It was also Clutterbuck’s first goal since Jan. 13 against the Rangers.

Hervey has plan for busy off-season

Citizen news service

VANCOUVER — Tears welled in Wally Buono’s eyes as he contemplated what it’s meant to be part of the CFL for nearly half a century. The 68-year-old, who’s seldom at a loss for words, took time to compose himself before answering.

“Why me?” the B.C. Lions’ longtime coach and vice-president of football operations said simply, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

“I’ve been blessed guys. God has been good to me. I keep asking him ‘Why me?’ And I still don’t know why.”

It was an emotional farewell for Buono on Thursday as he took questions in his last press conference as a CFL head coach. But he says he leaves the Lions in good hands under general manager Ed Hervey.

“I thought I was driven, I thought I was focused. But I think in a lot of ways, he surpasses even myself,” Buono said. “He’s is going to work tirelessly to make this organization into a championship organization.”

The Lions’ season ended Sunday with a crushing 48-8 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division semifinal. The defeat marked the end of an era for the organization, as Buono is retiring from football after 46 years in the CFL as a player, coach, general manager and vice-president.

Scouring the league for Buono’s replacement as head coach will be just one task on Hervey’s to-do list this off season.

The general manager said he’s looking for someone who’s committed to winning and creating a championship environment. He’d also like the next coach to come from the CFL.

“I believe that we cut our teeth in this league for these opportunities,” Hervey said. “There are guys in this league that are committed to this league and deserve the opportunity to grow in this league.”

Despite Sunday’s loss, Hervey said the Lions

beat expectations this year, coming back from a 3-6 start to clinch the crossover spot and secure a playoff position.

The ups and downs of the season will help the players who stay on to grow and develop an expectation to win, he added.

Hervey doesn’t expect a “massive overhaul” of the Lions roster, but said there are areas where the team needs to improve.

“Speaking candidly, we need to be more dynamic in some areas, we need more speed in some areas, and I’d like to be longer and more athletic in other areas,” he said.

Some empty spots will be filled during free agency, during which the club will be “extremely aggressive.”

“I’d like the B.C. Lions to be the first choice for ever free agent,” Hervey said.

The Lions will also keep a “core group” of players and build a foundation around them.

“At the end of the day, it’s the players that we feel can help us build a championship culture, which will eventually turn into championship-level play, and hopefully by the end of all of it, there will be championships won,” he said.

The general manager declined to say which players he’s looking at hold on to and whether that group could include current Lions quarterbacks Travis Lulay or Jonathon Jennings.

The pair will be free agents and both say they have not yet discussed their futures with the Lions’ front office.

Lulay, who battled injuries this season, said on Tuesday that he needs to sit down and think about whether he still wants to play football.

“It does take a toll, putting in all that extra time and energy and effort into just being on the field,” said the 35-year-old. “Right now, the energy levels are depleted. I mean, I really left it all out there and a lot of guys feel that way.”

Lulay threw for 2,494 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games this season. Jennings put up 1,628 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games.

The potential to upgrade at quarterback

could be made in free agency, especially if stars Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly hit the market. Hervey has a connection to Reilly from the GM’s time in Edmonton.

The core of the roster knows what it takes to win, said wide receiver Bryan Burnham who led the Lions in receiving this season, with 67 catches for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns. The 28-year-old is headed to free agency and said he’s looking for an opportunity to win a championship.

“That’s why we all play the game,” he said. “I have faith that Ed (Hervey) is going to put together a championship team and it’s something I would love to be a part of, but things don’t always work out the way you want it to. So we’re going to see how this goes.”

Linebacker Solomon Elimimian still has a year left on his contract with the Lions, but noted that unexpected things can happen in the CFL off season.

“Regardless of who you are, it’s always a one year deal,” said Elimimian, who spent much of the season on the sidelines with a wrist injury.

“I don’t think anyone’s secure, regardless of what they may think.”

• REGINA (CP) — Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Chris Jones isn’t saying whether he’s interested in bringing back either of his quarterbacks next season.

Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge will become free agents in an off-season that could potentially see star quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly hit the market.

Jones says he would discuss free agency at another time and wouldn’t comment on what his biggest off-season target is.

Saskatchewan’s season ended on Sunday with a 23-18 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Division semifinal. Collaros didn’t suit up against Winnipeg after taking a high hit in the Riders’ regular-season finale against B.C. Bridge started in place of Collaros and passed for 100 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

CP PHOTO

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is upended by B.C. Lions defensive back T.J. Lee, right, and linebacker Jordan Herdman on Sunday in Hamilton.

Rowling, Law construct new Dumbledore

Citizen news service

When Jude Law met with J.K. Rowling about portraying the younger version of Albus Dumbledore, the two discussed how to rebuild the fan-favourite character from the Harry Potter films.

Law spent an afternoon jotting down notes from Rowling who talked to him about Dumbledore’s life before becoming the world’s most powerful wizard. The British actor walked away with a vote of confidence from the famed author, alleviating some pressure on him.

“When the boss says ‘I like you,’ it gives you a little bit of comfort,” Law said of Rowling, screenwriter of the Harry Potter prequel series that is based on her 2001 book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. “You can’t help but step into something like this, playing a part like this without feeling a sense of responsibility, a fear of letting someone down. But when the creator gives you the thumbs up, it’s a blessing.”

Dumbledore was a Hogwarts headmaster in the Potter franchise commonly known for his silver hair and long beard, sporting a loose robe. He was played by Michael Gambon after inheriting the role from the Richard Harris, who died in 2002.

Law’s youthful version enters in his mid-40s wearing a threepiece suit with short auburn hair in the sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which will be released Friday. It’s the second part of a five-film franchise that started with 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which grossed $813 million worldwide.

In Grindelwald, Law’s character works with his former student Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander to thwart the divisive wizard leader Gellert Grindelwald, played

by Johnny Depp. The film also stars Katherine Waterston, Zoe Kravitz and Ezra Miller.

For research, Law read several

Harry Potter books that referenced Dumbledore, rather than solely watching the previous films featuring the elder character. With the help of Rowling and director David Yates, they wanted to build from the “ground up.”

“I was then given the opportunity to create him without feeling the pressure to mimic or impersonate or indeed hang the character too much on past representations by the other actors,” Law said. “There were certain traits I wanted to include. I loved his humour, the twinkle he had. He sees the good in almost everyone. He

has a good heart. But I was able to layer him up a little more.”

Redmayne said the studio perfectly cast Law as Dumbledore, who doesn’t necessarily show his true powers and appears only in about six scenes – most of which are interactions with Scamander.

“Being a formidable, formidable actor with great gravitas and weight and yet at the same time, he has this kind of playful quality,” Redmayne said of Law. “And I’ll never forget our first scene, which was the first time we see each other in the film. I just saw his back, basically. And the way he turned around, it was instant. It was like in one look, he had managed to inhabit that. I hadn’t had any expectations about Dumbledore.

But somehow it was solidified in one look.”

The sequel picks up after Grindelwald was captured by the Magical Congress of the United States of America with the aid of Newt at the end of the first film.

But the villainous wizard finds a way to escape custody and assembles a group of pureblood wizards who support him to rule over all humans in 1920s Paris.

Law says the film opens the door to many dramatic paths and explores a more troubled time in Dumbledore’s life along with his once-close relationship with Grindelwald. Rowling announced in 2007 that Dumbledore is gay after the release of Harry Potter and the

Plummer to star in Global TV airplane mystery

Citizen news service

TORONTO — Oscar-winning Canadian actor Christopher Plummer is set to star in a new homegrown drama series for Global TV. The Canadian network says he’ll star in Departure alongside Emmy-winning British

actress Archie Panjabi of The Good Wife. It’s billed as a “high-octane conspiracy series” about the mysterious disappearance of a passenger plane over the Atlantic Ocean. Panjabi will play a recently widowed aviation investigator and Plummer will play her former boss.

Actress files sexual assault lawsuit against Weinstein

Citizen news service

LOS ANGELES — Actress Paz de la Huerta filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in 2010 and then embarking on a campaign of harassment that harmed her career.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges Weinstein sexually assaulted de la Huerta twice in New York in December 2010, taunting her with phone calls between the two assaults. New York police said a year ago that they were investigating de la Huerta’s allegations. No charges have been filed in the case, but Weinstein is charged there with the same offence involving another woman.

In a new allegation, the suit states that the following month Weinstein exposed himself to de la Huerta in a Beverly Hills hotel when she went to confront him. She alleges Weinstein tried to get her to have a sexual encounter with him and another woman.

About a year after the incidents, de la Huerta was fired from the HBO show Boardwalk Empire, and the lawsuit states she has reason to believe Weinstein was involved. It cites a photo that appeared in The New York Times of Weinstein talking to Martin Scorsese, a director and executive producer on the show, a few weeks before her firing.

Weinstein’s attorney Ben

Brafman in response to the suit pointed out the lack of charges in New York, and said in an emailed statement that de la Huerta’s “newly minted version of events including her new California claims are equally preposterous and unfortunately, the product of an unstable personality with a vivid imagination.” Representatives for Scorsese, who is not a defendant in the case, had no immediate comment.

De la Huerta, 34, alleges Weinstein damaged her career by at least $60 million.

The lawsuit alleges Weinstein first pressured her for sex in her apartment after the two had been at a party celebrating the premiere of the film Blue Valentine in 2010, and threatened to harm her career if she didn’t submit, then sexually assaulted her when she refused.

The lawsuit states Weinstein

Vincent Shiao created the six-part series with T.J. Scott as director and Malcolm MacRury as showrunner. The producers are Canada’s Shaftesbury and the U.K.’s Greenpoint Productions Ltd., in association with Corus Entertainment. Principal photography is underway in

taunted her with phone calls for two weeks, and on Dec. 23 she agreed to see him at her apartment with the intention of demanding that he stop the calls. She drank large amounts of alcohol in her anxiety, making her vulnerable, and Weinstein sexually assaulted her again, according to the suit.

Three weeks later in January 2011, the two were both in Los Angeles for series of awardsseason events when de la Huerta again tried to confront Weinstein. Her lawsuit states the mogul opened the door of his room at the Four Seasons Hotel and exposed himself to her and invited her to have a sexual encounter with him and another woman who was in the room and undressed, the suit states.

De la Huerta left feeling “embarrassed, scared, shocked and humiliated,” according to the lawsuit.

She then drank excessively and was denied entry to a GQ party at the Chateau Marmont. Photographers captured video of the drunken actress, further damaging her reputation and career, the lawsuit states.

More than 75 women have accused Weinstein, who was one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, of wrongdoing. He has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex, with his attorney challenging the credibility of his accusers.

Cohen exhibit to embark on tour

(CP) — A Montreal exhibit celebrating the work and life of Leonard Cohen is heading on an international tour next spring. Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything starts the first phase of its global run in New York, say organizers at Montreal’s contemporary art museum. The exhibit will open at the Jewish Museum in New York City from April 12 until Sept. 8 before heading overseas. It’ll then make a stop in

Denmark where the collection of Cohen’s music, poetry and artwork will be split between Copenhagen’s Kunstforeningen GL Strand and the nearby Nikolaj Contemporary Art Center from Oct. 23 to Feb. 16, 2020.

The exhibit will later visit San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum from Sept. 17, 2020 to Jan. 3, 2021.

Organizers say additional cities could be added to the schedule. The Cohen exhibit was com-

Deathly Hollows, the final book in the series. Some on social media criticized the author’s decision to unveil and tinker with the beloved character’s sexuality, but she has defended her actions.

Law assures the story is more focused on his character’s complicated relationship with Grindelwald from decades ago, rather than Dumbledore’s sexuality.

“His sexuality doesn’t define him, but the relationship with Grindelwald does,” Law said. “I believe, and (Rowling) would agree, that Albus had many intimate relationships. And the one he has is the love of his life, which is damaged. It becomes even poisonous and sends the two of them in opposite directions. He’s now in his middle age, around my age 45, and he’s still recovering from a relationship that he’s trying to work out from when he was 20. That’s a long time. I could barely remember what life was like when I was 20.”

The actor applauded Rowling for being fearless in creating “layered” and “diverse” characters such as Dumbledore in a fantasy world with “escapism and magic.”

“Isn’t it wonderful that we’re in a world where finally, finally a franchise like this has a great character and it doesn’t matter. But (Rowling) is brave enough to put it out there and say ‘Let’s do this.’ People should be able to handle this. They can. It’s as we should be.” Law called his introduction as Dumbledore a good “warmup” as the franchise progresses. The actor has a few big films ahead on his plate including Captain Marvel and Vox Lux, but is looking forward to filming the third installment of Fantastic Beasts next summer.

It’ll give Law time to grow his beard.

“Finding all those pieces of him were fun” he said. “I eased into the part, but the line was drawn at the end of this one. It’s only going to get deeper.”

Toronto and the series is set to air next year as part of Global’s primetime schedule. The Canada/U.K. co-production will also shoot in London, England. The ensemble cast includes Kris

Ried, Claire

Kristian

piled with the late singer-songwriter’s blessing shortly before his death on Nov. 7, 2016. The collection focuses on telling his life story through installations that combine visual art, music, writing and virtual reality by artists from 10 countries.

Among the dozens lending their talents to the exhibit are renowned U.S. visual artist Jenny Holzer, South African artist Candice Breitz and Montreal filmmaker Kara Blake.

Rebecca

and Allan Hawco.

AP PHOTO

From left, actors Johnny Depp, Claudia Kim, Jude Law, Zoe Kravitz, Callum Turner and Ezra Miller pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in London on Tuesday.

Holden-

Forlani,

Liddiard,

Bruun,

DE LA HUERTA

It is with great sadness that the family of Erna Schien announces her passing on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 at the age of 89. From Bohemia, Sudetenland, she was born in 1929 in Hennersdorf, Czechoslovakia. Erna moved to Wells, BC in 1956. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Walter, and by her children, Christina (Richard), Norman (Lynn) and Evelyn (David) and 11 grandchildren. Erna is predeceased by her parents Emil & Marie Hofmann, and sister Rosel. Erna was an avid gardener and cook. Her kindness & wonderful smile would light up a room. She loved socializing with anyone that crossed her path, and adored her grandchildren. Her many favorite sayings will be fondly remembered, “shoot you to the moon” and yes, we all promise to go “langsam um die Ecken rum”. Celebration of life to be held at 11am, Saturday November 17th, 2018 at the Croatian Hall, 8790 Old Cariboo Highway, Prince George, BC.

-4PMforclosefamilyandfriends.Inlieuofflowers,

TheDistrictofMackenzieiscurrentlyaccepting applicationsforqualifiedFull-timeLifeguard Instructorstojoinouraquaticsteam.Thesepositions areresponsibleforensuringthesafetyand enjoymentofouraquaticcustomers.

LocatedinthescenicNorthernRockyMountains Trench185kmnorthofPrinceGeorge,Mackenzie offerssuperbfourseasonoutdoorrecreation opportunitiesandanexceptionalqualityoflife. Housingcostsareamongthemostaffordableinthe province.Residentsareinvolvedincommunitylife withnumerousserviceorganizations,community clubsandgroupscateringtoavarietyofinterest.The localRecreationCentrewitharena,swimmingpool, fitnesscentre,communityhallandlibraryisviewed asthehubofthecommunity.Alltheseamenities withthesafetyaffordedbysmalltownlivingmakes Mackenzieidealforyoungworkingfamilies.

SuccessfulcandidatesmustholdacurrentNational LifeguardService(NLS)(PoolOption)certificate,be acertifiedRedCrossWaterSafetyInstructor,and haveStandardFirstAid/CPR-C-AED.

Thesuccessfulcandidatesmustbeabletointeract withthepublicinaprofessional,tactfulandpositive manner.Thispositionwillappealtoindividualswho areavailabletoworkeveningsandweekends.The successfulapplicantswillbesubjecttoaPolice InformationCheck.

ThisisaunionizedpositionwithintheCUPE3706 BargainingUnit,offeringanhourlywageof$24.49to $27.27dependingonlevelsofcertification.

Ifyoufeelyouarequalifiedforthispositionyouare invitedtosubmityourresumewithacoverletter indicatingFull-timeLifeguardInstructorCompetition. Pleaseprovidedetailsconcerningworkexperience, education,qualificationsandemploymentreferences to: DistrictofMackenzie Bag340-1MackenzieBlvd. Mackenzie,BC,V0J2C0

Attn:DianeSmith,DirectorofCorporateServices Email:diane@districtofmackenzie.ca

TheDistrictthanksallinterestedapplicantsin advance,howeveronlythoseshort-listedwillbe contacted.

Rest well, dear Mom - sweet dreamsdear gentle heart - I miss you. Remembered with love, Daughter Joan (Larry) Dana, Andy, Koewen and Brendyn DISTRICTOFMACKENZIE LIFEGUARDINSTRUCTOR (FULL-TIME)

still loved in every way...