Prince George June 20, 2019

Local lacrosse pioneer Fred Doig

Ribfest ‘ribbers’ ready to serve up fine BBQ

Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff

mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

“The rub, the love and the God above.”

That, says Chad Cannon, is why Boss Hog’s makes the best ribs going.

Of course, everyone who goes to Ribfest this weekend will be the judges and they will have four “ribbers” to choose from as they converge on Pacific Western Brewing for the event, put on by the Nechako Rotary Club.

But there is no doubt Cannon, who also goes by the nickname Red Dragon, will score high on showmanship – the kind of showmanship that comes with a passion for the pastime.

Cannon’s tractor-trailer was the first of the four to roll into the city Wednesday. He hails from London, Ont., where a restaurant of the same name is found, and is on the road for four months of the year. From Kelowna to Vancouver to Windsor to Edmonton, he’s bounced around the country to the tune of 15,000 kilometres so far this season, and will remain on the road until mid-September.

“I get to experience the nature of Canada and the beauty of it,” Cannon said.

“It’s not a normal job. Who gets to go to a new city every week and meet new people? And all the concerts that we hear, all the different types of music. It’s an experience you can’t beat.”

For Prince George, he will have nine staff on hand cooking up St. Louis-style side ribs – a full rack weighs in at as much as 40 ounces – as well as baby back ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and chicken plus sides like corn bread, beans and coleslaw. Boss Hog’s has been known to cook as much as 20,000 pounds of meat over a weekend. Cannon, who has been at it for 23 years, credits trial and error for coming up with Boss Hog’s award-winning taste.

“It’s the rub, how much wood you use, how much sauce you use, how you grill it, it’s the whole combination,” Cannon said.

“We have basically messed everything up and now we’ve perfected it. We’ve made the mistakes for you to enjoy the best barbecue

in Canada.”

Boss Hog’s has a shelf full of trophies as a result. But so do the others which include Gator BBQ from Port Dover, Ont., Prairie Smoke and Spice, out of Pilot Butte, Sask., and Misty Mountain, based in Hinton, Alta.

“We were lucky to get the premier group,” said Nechako Rotary Club past-president Robert Quibell.

“We’ve tried this a few times over the last three years and this year we got it all to work... there’s nobody better.”

Regardless of which vendor you choose, you’ll come out ahead, said Cannon.

“We do all of the traveling,” Cannon said.

City installing traffic signals at Ospika and 22nd Avenue

Citizen staff

Work on installing traffic signals at Ospika Boulevard and 22nd Avenue began Wednesday.

The work, being carried out by McElhanney Engineering, IDL Projects and Westcana Electric, is scheduled to be completed by mid-August.

The new signals will be similar to those installed in 2017 at the Ospika and Ferry Avenue intersection.

They will have vehicle detection technology and pedestrian-activated crosswalks.

Left turn lanes will be added to 22nd Avenue in both directions and are already

present at the intersection on Ospika. Nearby streetlights will also be updated.

Mayor Lyn Hall said the work is part of the city’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety around the city.

At various times throughout the operation, Ospika Boulevard will be reduced to single lane traffic in each direction while 22nd Avenue may also experience singlelane alternating traffic and full closures.

“The City of Prince George wishes to thank residents in advance for their patience while this operation is being conducted, and for driving cautiously around road and construction crews at all times,” officials said.

“All you do is bring cash and here you go. We do all the clean up – we’re better than Skip the Dishes.”

Admission is free with dinners ranging in price from $10 to about $40, depending on the choice.

There will also be plenty of Pacific Western Brewing beer on hand, as well as volunteers to drive patrons home if they’ve gone above the legal limit.

Proceeds from the event, which includes a 50-50 raffle, will go towards projects to ease the homelessness situation in the city.

“We try to do something that’s long lasting,” Quibell said. “All of our proceeds over

the next few years will go in the same direction because we recognize that this is a big problem, it’s not something that’s going to be solved overnight.”

Ribfest gets going at noon on Friday with all ages ending at 5 p.m. and adults only starting at 5:30 p.m. and running until 11 p.m. Hours on Saturday are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all ages and adults only from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Sunday, it’s all ages from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, go to www. pgribfest.ca or check out the two-page ad in today’s 97/16.

Horgan says B.C. will continue pipeline fight

VICTORIA — B.C.’s premier is vowing to continue legal challenges against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, in what may now be mostly symbolic opposition to a project Ottawa has again approved.

John Horgan said he’s disappointed the federal government gave another green light Tuesday to a plan to twin the existing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby, which will triple capacity to 890,000 barrels a day.

B.C. has maintained an oil spill on the ocean from increased tanker traffic would be catastrophic, though it has also acknowledged it lacks the power to regulate or ban tankers.

While B.C. will continue two court challenges, Horgan said the province will grant any lawfully requested permits to start construction on the twinned pipeline this summer.

“Although I regret the federal government’s decision, it is within their authority to make that decision,” he said.

The premier did not rule out throwing the B.C. government’s support behind future First Nations or environmental challenges, but said he’d consider it on a case-by-case basis.

Ottawa’s approval did not come as a surprise, given the federal government purchased the pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion in 2018, saying its expansion was in the national interest to get more oil from Alberta to overseas markets.

Horgan’s entrenched opposition is equally unsurprising, given the B.C. NDP campaigned in 2017 “to use every tool in

our tool box to stop the project from going ahead” and its minority government holds power through an agreement with the B.C. Green party that says the province must do everything it can to block Trans Mountain. But it appears Horgan is mostly out of options, said Richard Johnston, Canada Research Chair in public opinion, elections and representation at the University of B.C. “We’re into a kind of symbolic phase now as far as the B.C. government is concerned,” he said.

“What else can he do? It’s clear he can’t engage in permitting actions whose obvious intent is to destroy the pipeline, the courts have made that clear.”

B.C. has issued 310 permits so far for the Trans Mountain project. — see ‘MR. TRUDEAU, page 3

Chad ‘Red Dragon” Cannon with the Boss Hog’s team stands beside

Rotary Ribfest at Pacific Western Brewing.

Rob SHAW Vancouver Sun

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

The City of Prince George is installing traffic signals at the intersection of Ospika Boulevard and 22nd Avenue. Construction started today and is expected to be completed by mid-August.

HORGAN

Two UNBC international students share scholarship

Citizen staff

The international Philanthropic Education Organization has awarded two UNBC students with scholarships worth a combined total of $23,500.

Christiana Onabola, a first year health sciences doctoral student from Nigeria, was awarded $12,500 and Hooi Xian Lee from Malaysia, a second-year doctoral student in the same department, received $11,000 during an event on Wednesday.

They were awarded by the Prince George chapter of the Philanthropic Education Organization, which supports women’s pursuit of educational goals. And the awards came in the form of International Peace Scholarships, launched after the Second World War to support women from other countries to come to North America to study, with an intention to return to and help their home

country. Onabala’s research is focused on using a geographic information system to map sustainable development goals and promote watersheds as units of analysis to track implementation and monitoring metrics for the goals.

“This will ensure the sustainable development efforts start from local people and reach communities that need them the most,” Onabala said.

Her research is under the supervision of Prof. Margot Parkes, a UNBC Canada Research Chair in health, ecosystems and society. Lee’s research is focused on searching for small molecule inhibitors of cancer cells, under the supervision of biochemistry and molecular biology professor Chow Lee. She is also a teaching assistant for a few chemistry lab courses at UNBC, which also helps cover some of her living expenses.

UNBC HANDOUT PHOTO

Prince George Philanthropic Education Organization president Beth Quesnel, centre, presented a scholarship to UNBC PhD students Christiana Onabola and Hooi Xian Lee on Wednesday.

Theatre Northwest, Mad Loon Entertainment partnering

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

The Theatre Northwest stage has no more drama on it for the summer but there will still be performances.

On Oct. 12, for example, novelist/musician Geoff Berner will be in the spotlight at TNW for a solo performance, and that’s just the first name announced by Mad Loon Entertainment as they and the city’s professional theatre company unveil a new partnership to share the theatre’s space.

“Theatre Northwest is unique because it has over 200-person capacity but because of the theatre seating (built on a raked angle) you feel close to the stage wherever you are in the room,” said Danny Bell, proprietor of Mad Loon.

He is a veteran multi-instrumentalist and also one of the city’s most active concert promoters, placing musicians and audiences together in special event and series settings all over the city.

“The power of the space, the intimacy, is what’s really special here. For the audience, the musician is right in front of you, and for the artist, the audience is right in your personal space. That exchange of energy is exactly what some music is all about.”

Bell first caught the zeitgeist of TNW when he saw his friend Amy Blanding play her mandolin on stage at the theatre when Blanding was showcasing a play she and actor/playwright Lauren Brotman were workshopping for the public.

Bell knew Blanding’s mandolin was a

‘Mr.

Theatre Northwest’s general manager Marnie Hamagami and Danny Bell, from Mad Loon Entertainment, announced a concert series at Theatre Northwest.

softspoken one, yet he could hear the notes clearly from the back of the room.

When Bell was cast in the on-stage band for last year’s smash hit play The Million Dollar Quartet, he once again got a dose of the room’s musicality.

He also got talking with TNW’s general manager Marnie Hamagami who shares Bell’s passion for live music. She came to a natural yes when Bell mentioned how great

Trudeau fails on the climate file’

— from page 1

Horgan said B.C. is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to review proposed legislation – which the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled unconstitutional – to restrict the flow of oilsands bitumen into B.C. on environmental grounds.

And B.C. will also continue to challenge Alberta legislation that threatens to curtail the flow of oil to B.C. through the existing pipeline if B.C. continues to oppose the expansion.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney praised the federal approval, and called for immediate construction.

“This second approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline isn’t a victory to celebrate, it’s just another step in a process that has, frankly, taken too long,” said Kenney.

“That’s why we’ll measure success not by today’s decision, but by the beginning of actual construction and, more importantly, by completion of the pipeline.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada must twin the pipeline to improve the economy, but that he is also confident of the environmental protections put in place.

“To British Columbians who worry about a spill, for example, know that we take your concerns very seriously,” said Trudeau.

“Our top priority is making sure there’s no spill in the first place. But we know we need to be prepared for anything.”

B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman said there are gaps in Ottawa’s proposed marine response plan – mainly around spill preparedness and response capacity for local governments and First Nations.

First Nations and environmental groups lined up Tuesday to denounce the decision and promise protests and court action.

Trudeau said he’s confident his government has addressed concerns about a lack of meaningful First Nations consultation, and impact on endangered killer whales, raised by the Federal Court of Appeal when it quashed approval for the pipeline in 2018.

Trudeau also said he’d welcome Aboriginal investment in the pipeline, which several Indigenous-backed groups have shown interest in pursuing.

“It could be an equity stake, revenue sharing, or something else altogether. We’re coming to the table with an open mind.”

Green Leader Andrew Weaver said he’ll work to find additional ways to oppose Trans Mountain.

“Mr. Trudeau fails on the climate file, he fails on this file and frankly I think Canadians deserve better,” said Weaver.

“It’s a sad day for all, that this has moved forward purely for political reasons and not for economic of environmental reasons.”

Protests and legal challenges are likely to ramp up as construction begins in the coming weeks.

“There is still a number of immediate steps to do in terms of permitting,” said Trudeau.

“But the plan is to have shovels in the ground this summer.”

Trudeau’s approval of the pipeline sends a message that “this is a government prepared to stay the course on the courses of action

that it adopts,” said Johnston.

But it could also come with serious ramifications for the Trudeau government’s chances in B.C. during this fall’s federal election, said Johnston.

“I think the Liberals were already in serious trouble in parts of the country with the parts of the electorate that would be most concerned with this decision, environmentalists in B.C. and residents of the coast generally,” said Johnston.

“The Liberals have lost ground in the polls. I think they are in serious trouble.

“In Alberta, this isn’t going to salvage their position. No change there, they are just going to lose those seats I think.

“And then for the rest of the country the election will turn on other questions.”

— see related stories, page 7

it would be to have concerts in this unique performance space.

“It’s a fantastic fit,” said Hamagami.

“There isn’t always a play on, here, so it makes excellent use of a place built for performance. We want this building to be alive and full of people coming and going for performance art of all kinds. We want audiences and artists to feel comfortable here.”

That expansion of audience has already

started. Last week, multi-genre artist Isaak Andal led a performance art exhibition event at TNW. They are once again hosting a sewing camp based out of their costume department. There have also been partnerships between TNW and the UNBC Musical Club and Fraser Lyric Opera that stand to be expanded.

“It could be a lot of things that happen here, that is up to the creative spirit of the community. We hope we get calls inquiring about how our theatre can be useful for any kind of performances people might be thinking of,” said Hamagami.

“This really does have a world of possibilities for the right kind of show,” said Bell. It plays best for acoustic or more contemplative music like jazz, bluegrass, country, classical, folk, legendary acts, spoken word, fringe theatre, etc.

“I’m still active with The Legion, putting on shows there, but those are party shows, rockin’ shows, and that’s a great space for those acts. Theatre Northwest would be for another kind of act, and having that diversity is important. It adds more variety to the performance culture of Prince George.”

Bell said there was no shortage of local acts, regional acts and interested touring acts who could use a space like this. Having a venue suitable to their performance style would allow more musicians and other performance artists to develop their craft.

Tickets to events at TNW, including the already confirmed Geoff Berner show, could be purchased online via Theatre Northwest’s website ticket service.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Trudeau to meet Pelosi, McConnell, Trump in U.S.

Mike BLANCHFIELD The Canadian Press

WASHINGTON — Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday is set to be a deal-making session that could turn on an exchange of favours on North American trade and the plight of two imprisoned Canadians in China.

The transactional diplomacy could provide the prime minister with the elusive common ground he has constantly sought with the volatile American president.

Trudeau’s one-day whirlwind visit to the U.S. capital might also repair the two leaders’ personal relationship, which fractured when Trump insulted Trudeau on Twitter a little more than year ago after departing a G7 summit in Quebec.

Trudeau’s Oval Office meeting on Thursday is ostensibly about providing momentum to efforts in both countries to ratify the new North American trade deal.

But Trump’s success hinges on persuading his Democratic opponents in the House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress, to allow the actual start of the ratification of the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA). That’s where Trudeau could prove handy to Trump.

Trudeau is also to meet House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Trump’s most powerful Democratic opponent, during his Thursday visit to Washington, says the Prime Minister’s Office. In addition to Pelosi, he will meet the Republican leader in the upper chamber of Congress, Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Trudeau is waiting for the trade deal to move through the U.S. Congress before

putting Canada’s ratification to a vote in the House of Commons. “We are going to make sure we are keeping in step with them, we have an ability to recall Parliament if we need to,” he said Wednesday in Ottawa before leaving for Washington.

Analysts say the sight of an enthusiastic Trudeau expressing support for the new deal alongside Trump in the Oval Office could serve as a persuasive example especially to House Democrats. As much as Pelosi would like to deny Trump a trade victory, she and her party have concerns about the deal’s substance as well. They want stronger provisions to enforce new labour standards in Mexico that would raise wages and give unions more power.

In return, Trudeau will be counting on something from Trump – vocal support for the plights of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the two Canadians detained in China for the past six months after Canada arrested a Chinese high-tech executive on an American extradition warrant.

Their cases are widely viewed as retaliation for the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, who the U.S. wants to stand trial for fraud for allegedly using U.S. banks to circumvent sanctions on Iran.

The support Trudeau seeks likely includes Trump’s going to bat for the Canadians in his face-to-face meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at next week’s G20 leaders’ summit in Japan. Vice-President Mike Pence pledged that Trump would do just that on his visit to Ottawa last month, but Trudeau will find out Thursday whether the mercurial president currently plans to follow through.

“Trudeau has to remind the White House, remind President Trump, how Canada has been a solid supporter and player on USMCA... Canada is supporting the president’s initiative and in exchange Canada could really use some support on the China issue,” said Laura Dawson, the director of the Canada Institute of Washington’s Wilson Centre.

Canada can’t do anything on its own with China, said Dawson, and now needs U.S. help. That could include withdrawing the extradition request for Meng, speaking to Xi on Canada’s behalf, or preferably both.

“It wouldn’t be completely out of character with what we know about the president. The president is a very transactional guy.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Snow falling in Okanagan

Personal relationships, doing a favour for somebody, helping a buddy out is exactly in line with his modus operandi,” said Dawson. Eric Miller, president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group in Washington, said Trudeau needs to use the visit to gauge how much he can count on Trump.

“Where is the U.S. as an ally to Canada when it comes to China? Is it: ‘Dude, you’re on your own’?”

On the trade front, Canada has been building strong support for the new NAFTA and open borders within the U.S. and it has many American business allies who remain active.

Similar to Canada’s full-court press of cabinet ministers, provincial premiers and business groups, the Canadian American Business Council is leading its own charm offensive targeting U.S. lawmakers.

“We’re trying to cause enough conversations so they don’t come out against it prematurely and are open to hearing the economic arguments,” said Scotty Greenwood, the chief executive of the Washington-based group and a U.S. diplomat in Ottawa when Bill Clinton was president.

“You see the Democrats keeping their powder dry, which is what we want.”

Trump’s trade czar Robert Lighthizer told the House of Representatives’ powerful ways and means committee on Wednesday that he’s willing to co-operate with Democrats to move forward on the new trade bill.

“The bill has been public and we have been in negotiations for nine months,” he said his second appearance on Capitol Hill in as many days.

Two days before the official start of summer, snow has been falling on an Okanagan highway while wildfires were being fought nearby.

According to Environment Canada, snow blanketed the Okanagan Connector on Wednesday morning, with flakes continuing to fall between Aspen Grove and Brenda Mines. The low freezing levels combined with an unstable air mass pave the way for “thundersnow” on Highway 97C, said the weather agency.

Meanwhile, six homes on the Penticton Indian Band were evacuated after an early Wednesday forest fire was spotted nearby. Crews have since knocked down the blaze and residents have been allowed to return home, according to a message posted to the band’s Facebook page at around 6 a.m.

Those residents, however, remain on evacuation alert should the fire flare-up again. — Postmedia

Man sentenced for sexual assault

A man has been sentenced to two years less a day followed by 18 months probation for a brutal sexual assault of a young woman. Tyler Jordan Roth, 25, was issued the term Tuesday during a B.C. Supreme Court hearing at the Prince George courthouse. Crown prosecution had been seeking as much as three years in jail for Roth, noting the serious injuries and longlasting psychological trauma the victim has suffered.

Defence counsel argued for 18 months in jail followed by a

term of probation, noting Roth’s career as an engineer is now in grave doubt as a result of his actions. Sentences less than two years are served in provincial institutions.

The court heard that a grossly intoxicated Roth talked his way into the woman’s home and then used his size and strength to subdue the woman and force himself on her. The attack occurred in January 2017. — Citizen staff

Commercial fishers now required to wear life-jackets

RICHMOND (CP) — The organization that oversees worker safety in British Columbia is taking steps to reduce risks faced by commercial fishing crews.

WorkSafeBC says all crew members on the deck of a fishing vessel must now wear a life-jacket or personal flotation device. Until the amendment took effect June 3, workers on commercial fishing boats were only required to wear a life-jacket when working under conditions that involved a risk of drowning.

WorkSafeBC reports 24 work-related deaths in the commercial fishing industry between 2007 and 2018 and 15 of those were linked to drowning.

The updated regulation stems from Transportation Safety Board recommendations made after the fatal capsizing of the fishing vessel Caledonian near Tofino in September 2015.

Three of the four crewmen died and the lone survivor was the only one wearing a life-jacket.

“Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in British Columbia and drowning is the leading cause of death among B.C. fishermen,” says Patrick Olsen, manager of prevention field services for WorkSafeBC.

TRUDEAU

Tax credits, penalizing big polluters, key to Tory climate plan

The Canadian Press

Mia RABSON

OTTAWA — Conservative

Leader Andrew Scheer says his climate plan will be “Canada’s best chance” to hit its targets under the Paris climate-change agreement and that it can happen without a carbon tax.

Scheer outlined his climate policy in the backyard of a private home in rural Chelsea, Que., Wednesday evening, not far from where flooding linked to climate change hit for the second time in three years this spring. Flies and mosquitoes swarmed and a handful of protesters gathered on the gravel road in front of the property.

“Conservatives fundamentally believe that you cannot tax your way to a cleaner environment,” Scheer said. “Instead, the answer lies in technology.”

The environment, and climate change in particular, are garnering the most attention ever heading into a federal campaign as Canadians in all parts of the country are dealing with more frequent forest fires, droughts, floods and storms.

The plan does not specify how much any of its 55 elements would cut emissions and suggests Canada’s path to meeting the targets would include using Canadian products to reduce emissions in other countries.

“Greenhouse-gas emissions do

not recognize borders,” Scheer said. “Nor are the impacts of climate change proportional to any one country’s emissions. Whether emissions are reduced in Canada or in China, the scientific impact on global climate change is the exact same.”

His platform, dubbed A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment, looks at introducing a capital cost allowance for industries that show they are reducing emissions in other countries. He specifically mentions using Canadian liquefied natural gas to replace coal as a source of electricity and exporting more Canadian aluminum, which he says is made with fewer emissions than aluminum in other countries.

Canada’s commitment under the Paris climate-change agreement is to cut emissions to 70 per cent of what they were in 2005 before 2030. Canada needs to get to 513 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year to hit that target. In 2017, the most recent year for which statistics have been compiled, Canada’s emissions were 716 million tonnes.

There is an allowance in the Paris accord for “co-operative mechanisms,” which allow for reductions in one country to be counted towards the targets of another country as long as both countries agree. The rules for that allowance have not yet been set

and the intention was for it to be used for countries to strengthen their targets beyond the original Paris commitments.

The targets in the Paris accord are not legally binding, however, so there is no monetary penalty if Canada misses them. In a question-and-answer session after the speech, Scheer refused to be drawn on how much his plan could be expected to reduce Canada’s emissions.

Canada’s existing climate plan under the Liberal government leaves the country about 80 million tonnes shy of its Paris targets in 2030. The national price on carbon, set at $20 a tonne this year, rising to $50 a tonne by 2022, will

reduce emissions between 50 million and 60 million tonnes a year, an Environment Canada analysis says.

Scheer’s plan is to make scrapping that carbon tax one of his first actions as prime minister.

He also intends to replace the Liberals’ system for applying the carbon tax to major industrial emitters with one that requires them to invest in clean technology for their own companies.

Scheer promises to give companies a tax break on income earned from developing and patenting green technology in Canada.

Homeowners will get a tax credit worth as much as $2,850 for making energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes, such as installing solar panels or putting in betterinsulated windows.

He also intends to create a green-technology fund with $250 million in federal money to draw private investments in green technology that could repay the federal contributions when the technology is sold.

Liberal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna took to a microphone on Parliament Hill to scorn the Tory plan shortly after Scheer finished talking.

“I guess we now know why Andrew Scheer waited until the dying hours of this Parliament to shovel out his ideas to tackle climate change,” she said. “It’s be-

cause he has a fake plan. No numbers, no serious measures and no commitment to move the needle on climate action. He says we can save the planet but we don’t have to make any changes. Pollution can be free, we can burn coal, develop oil forever, build as many pipelines as oil lobbyists want. Just invent some technologies and sell them to other countries – that’ll do it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. The Paris agreement requires every country to do their part. You can’t export your way out of this problem.”

The New Democrats’ Peter Julian called the Tory plan “a collection of boutique tax credits and a rebranding exercise... But I would say to the Conservatives, ‘Nice pictures, though.’ Because that’s the only benefit I see from the plan they presented today.”

Environment groups likewise panned the Scheer plan, saying it is similar to requests from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, which released a climate plan a few weeks ago.

“This is a plan only an oil lobbyist could love,” said Keith Stewart, a senior energy strategist at Greenpeace Canada.

Catherine Abreu, executive director of the Climate Action Network Canada, said the Scheer strategy is a research-and-development plan, not a climate-action policy.

SCHEER

Trouble in the forest

Battered and bleeding, the B.C. lumber industry has seen better days. Today, it is grappling with tough market conditions, a diminished domestic timber supply (along with rising fibre costs), U.S. softwood import tariffs and a lack of provincial government interest in doing much to improve the competitive environment.

That is worrisome. Forestry – of which lumber production is the largest component – is a high-wage industry that remains the mainstay of regional economies across the province, particularly outside of the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria.

The activities across all segments of forestry combined account for billions of dollars of B.C.’s economic output (GDP), provide direct employment for more than 50,000 British Columbians, and pay $4 billion a year in taxes, royalties and fees to various levels of government. Tens of thousands of additional B.C. jobs also depend on forestry because of the industry’s extensive linkages with other sectors of the economy. Then there is forestry’s outsized role in B.C.’s exports.

British Columbia is a small jurisdiction that must trade to ensure its economic well-being. Exports of goods and services amount to about one-third of the province’s GDP. These exports furnish the economic

means that enable households and businesses to pay for imports of a wide array of goods and services – everything from vehicles, medical devices, pharmaceutical products and IT equipment to consumer electronics, clothing and many foodstuffs.

As a small economy, B.C. needs to pay close attention to the health of its “traded industry clusters,” the industries that produce goods and services for sale outside of the province.

Today, despite its manifold challenges, forestry ranks as B.C.’s biggest traded industry, and by a significant margin.

While B.C. boasts an increasingly diversified economy, forestry continues to generate 30 per cent to 35 per cent of the earnings that B.C. garners from selling goods abroad.

The softwood lumber business alone cranks out exports of $6 billion every year – at least 10 times the value of exports from the “clean tech” industry that fascinates so many of our politicians.

Forestry’s contribution to B.C.’s exports hasn’t fallen, even though other industries –e.g., energy, agriculture and high technology – have gained a higher profile over time. Indeed, if anything, forestry’s place in B.C.’s merchandise export mix expanded slightly over the 2009-17 period.

How is public policy influencing the competitive landscape for forestry? As the

owner of most of the land in the province,

the government must juggle many balls. And it has little control over global or North American lumber demand, trade policy, the exchange rate or other key exogenous variables. But in recent years, B.C. policymakers have done precious little to make this province an attractive place to deploy capital in forest-related businesses.

Beginning with tax policy, the return of the provincial sales tax in 2013, the new employer health tax and B.C.’s escalating carbon tax together have added hundreds of millions of dollars of extra, profit-insensitive tax costs for forest companies. And the move to a higher corporate tax rate has made B.C. even less competitive for firms that earn profits.

Turning to other areas of legislation and regulation, the new “professional reliance” regime for natural resource industries has created a greater compliance burden for forest companies. B.C.’s still-under-development caribou habitat protection plans, once in place, will further restrict access to timber in some northern regions.

New provincial environmental assessment legislation, along with ongoing work to develop a provincial “species at risk” law, could have far-reaching effects on all landbased industries. Forthcoming changes to WorkSafeBC policies are likely to boost payroll costs for most B.C. businesses, including

Volunteering in the pit

Because I felt like I needed to put in my time and I was feeling cheap and did not want to buy myself a ticket, I volunteering to help backstage at both of my kids’ dance recitals. There is no money in the world that I would not spend to avoid this in the future.

I like to kill fun as much as the next mom, but overseeing 30plus children in ages from four to 12, plus an alarming number of intimidatingly flexible and charming teenagers, is enough to uncheck the volunteer box for next year.

It was me and a couple of other dance moms in the pit of the P.G. Playhouse, surrounded by tulle, glitter, false eyelashes, spandex and squeals. The bulk of the kids were in the age range of hormones and giggles which made for a challenge even for my fun policing.

When I first got downstairs, I surveyed the room that was getting increasingly warm and at the back of the room was the youngest of the dancers all dressed in beautiful swan outfits. The teacher’s assistant was a young dancer that was staying with

HOME AGAIN MEGAN KUKLIS

them to ensure that they were all safe and to get them ready when it was their turn to go on. Three of the kids were jumping on the couch and two others were running around in a circle.

I thought that perhaps this was a job for a more experienced fun police officer so I walked over to the group and pointed to the jumping kids and said, firmly: “No jumping on the couch. Bums on seats.”

The TA looked at me in gratitude and relief when the little monkeys stopping jumping and sat down on the couch. The TA and I got them sorted out in a colouring competition and she said, “They just wouldn’t listen to me. I tried to get them to stop.”

I reassured her that we know she was doing her best and sometimes a mom just needs to step in and shut down all of the fun. That’s our job. The littles were so excited and so very sweet and when they got back downstairs

after their show, they were all smiles and ran over to give me a high five. It was a little fun to be downstairs with all of the kids getting ready and shaking off their nerves. They talked to me about their favourite dances and dance styles and how much they loved the fluffy costumes. I have seen most of the girls around the studio and in some of the highland competitions and dance outs around town.

My daughter is in highland and ballet and the older highland girls have been really kind and sweet to a little five year old who doesn’t know what she is doing yet but loves every second of it. My son loves to dance and at the recital, he knew all of the choreography and his smile lights up the stage. My daughter smiled and danced as hard as she could and I could not have been prouder when I was watching from the wings.

Whether or not I volunteer next year, we will have to wait to see how much I forget about the hormone pit and the giggling. But it wasn’t so bad in the end. Drowning in glitter isn’t such a bad way to spend an evening.

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).

in the forest industry.

Under Bill 22, the B.C. NDP government intends to control transfers of tenure within the forest sector to protect the “public interest,” a term not defined in the legislation. As the industry adjusts to a declining fibre supply caused in part by the pine beetle infestation, this legislation may be used to impede necessary rationalization and undermine the value and security of the Crown-issued tenures to harvest timber that forest companies have long relied on. Government restrictions on log exports from private land also mean timber resources are undervalued, creating complications with key trading partners and adding to the coastal industry’s pain.

Finally, B.C.’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, absent any clear idea of how its implementation will affect government laws and regulatory processes that pertain to the land base, promises to make it even harder for forestry and other resource industries to do business in the province. Add it all up, and it is no mystery why so many B.C. forest companies are curtailing production and investing in other provinces and U.S. states, rather than at home. — Jock Finlayson is the Business Council of British Columbia’s executive vice-president and chief policy officer; Ken Peacock is the council’s chief economist.

Trump bad for Canada, poll finds

Whether we enjoy it or not, Canada has already been subjected to the early stages of the 2020 United States presidential campaign. If a different person were occupying the Oval Office, the attention paid to this political process would probably be minor.

But with just over 500 days before Americans figure out whether to keep Donald Trump, there is little escape from press conferences, statements and tweets.

More than 20 Democratic party hopefuls are already exploring their chances and media coverage on both sides of the 49th parallel has continued to focus on Trump. In a time of increased connectivity, more Canadians are paying attention to American politics than ever before.

In spite of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being parodied recently in episodes of Family Guy (very positively) and The Simpsons (not too positively), Americans are not as exposed to Canadian news and information. In contrast, American events that would have merited scant attention from Canadians in years past – such as the nomination of a Supreme Court justice – were the top stories on nightly newscasts and radio shows.

With this intense coverage in mind, Research Co. asked Canadians about their perceptions on what the current dweller of the White House has accomplished, whether his election has been beneficial to Canada and who – if anyone – is better equipped to handle him in the name of our country after the federal election that will take place later this year.

Just under half of Canadians (46 per cent) say that Trump has performed “about the same” as they expected, while two in five (40 per cent) say he has been “worse” than they originally envisioned. Fewer than one in 10 Canadians (eight per cent) think the 45th president has exceeded expectations – including 18 per cent of Albertans and 20 per cent of adults who voted for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2015 federal election.

Only 10 per cent of Canadians think Trump has “accomplished much” since he became president, while more than a third (37 per cent) say he has done “little” and 39 per cent give him the benefit of the doubt, saying it is too early to judge what he has achieved.

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Once again, Trump fares better in Alberta (21 per cent) and among the Tory faithful (27 per cent).

When asked if having Trump as president of the United States has been good or bad for Canada, most residents are downtrodden. Almost two-thirds of Canadians (65 per cent) think a Trump White House has been “very bad” or “bad” for Canada, a proportion that reaches 73 per cent in British Columbia, 71 per cent in Quebec, 69 per cent among those aged 55 and over and 68 per cent among women.

For two groups – once again –views on Trump’s effect on Canada are not as negative. Almost a third of Albertans (32 pert cent) and Conservative voters (30 per cent) believe that Trump has been “very good” or “good” for Canada.

Trump’s victory in 2016 may have caught the Canadian federal government by surprise. This time around, they have dealt with him in negotiations and discussions. It seems this experience is making the current prime minister a more attractive choice when Canadians ponder the future of bilateral relations.

When Canadians are asked which one of the two main federal party leaders would fare better trying to deal with Trump, Trudeau leads Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer by a two-to-one margin (35 per cent to 17 per cent).

With a few months to go before the federal ballot, almost half of Canadians say neither man is suited to manage Trump (29 per cent) or are undecided (19 per cent).

Trudeau holds a sizable advantage on this question among all demographics except, predictably, Albertans and Conservative voters. However, it is the size of his lead in three provinces that could play a crucial role in reconnecting with voters: 40 per cent of Quebecers, 35 per cent of British Columbians and 33 per cent of Ontarians would prefer to have Trudeau handling Trump. Given these numbers, it would not be out of the ordinary to see a Liberal Party of Canada ad campaign on who should take a phone call from Trump at 24 Sussex. After all, the effort to tie Scheer with Ontario Premier Doug Ford has already begun.

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BY THE NUMBERS

MARIO CANSECO

Construction could begin on Trans Mountain pipeline expansion by September, CEO says

Dan HEALING The Canadian Press

CALGARY — The CEO of the Crown corporation building the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion says shovels could be in the ground by September following cabinet approval Tuesday of the long-delayed project.

Oil could be flowing in new segments of the pipeline between Edmonton and the West Coast by mid-2022, Ian Anderson said, about one year later than the timeline envisioned last August when the Federal Court of Appeal quashed its regulatory approval and halted all fieldwork.

“We’re excited, our shippers are excited and the communities we touch are excited along the pipeline corridor,” said the CEO of Trans Mountain Corp. during a conference call Wednesday.

“We’re confident now that our project will meet every standard, every regulation, every test and reflect the values and priorities and principles that we all care for as Canadians.”

The National Energy Board is being asked to reinstate the record from the previous regulatory proceeding in 2016 so that the project can be brought back to the same state of construction readi-

ness as last summer, Anderson said, a process expected to take some weeks.

He said the fact the federal government owns the pipeline won’t change or hurry the process.

Two re-routing requests are still to be decided, he said, including one involving B.C.’s Coldwater reserve, although those processes aren’t expected to affect the timeline.

He said contractors are being mobilized, pipe is being stockpiled in yards in Alberta and B.C. and the Burnaby Terminal on the West Coast is being made ready so that construction work can begin there as soon as permitted.

Anderson said there is no update on the last estimated project cost of $7.4 billion, while conceding that “time is money.”

Earlier Wednesday, Finance Minister Bill Morneau told a Calgary business audience the best way to convince a skeptical oilpatch that the expansion will actually be built is to go ahead and build it.

“What we said yesterday was that we renewed that (pipeline) approval,” Morneau told reporters.

“What’s happening today is we’re back at work. The re-permitting is hap-

pening starting today. We are going to get work going this construction season. I want people in Alberta and people across the country to know that intent is real.”

He repeated commitments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday that profits from the operation and sale of the pipeline will be used to support clean energy initiatives.

In his speech to the Economic Club of Canada, Morneau acknowledged the “huge amount of anxiety” in Calgary over the future of the oil and gas sector despite approval. He insisted Canada can approve pipelines and still battle climate change, drawing a link between the issue of global warming and Western Canada’s wildfire problem this spring.

But much of the speech was devoted to an election-style listing of his government’s economic accomplishments over the past three years. A federal election is expected in October.

Last August, the Federal Court of Appeal ripped up the original federal approval of the 590,000-barrel-per-day expansion, citing incomplete Indigenous consultations and a faulty environmental review.

Protests, legal challenges planned against pipeline

Laura KANE The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Opponents of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are preparing for a long summer of legal challenges and protests aimed at blocking construction of the project.

Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation said it will file a legal challenge in the Federal Court of Appeal and he is certain it will be successful after Ottawa approved the project on Tuesday.

“I’m not even worried,” he said. “I’ve never felt more confident in what we have to bring victory to us. We will win again.”

The First Nation in North Vancouver was among the Indigenous groups, environmental organizations and cities that won a legal challenge in the Federal Court of Appeal last August. The court struck down the project’s approval, citing the National Energy Board’s inadequate Indigenous consultation and failure to consider marine impacts.

After a second energy board review, the federal cabinet approved the project again.

Khelsilem, an elected Squamish Nation councillor, said his band will also file a legal challenge. It will argue the consultation was “shallow” because it was rushed to meet an arbitrary deadline, he said.

“Constantly, we were being told, ‘We have to get your response by this date, and we have to get this report in by this date, because cabinet’s making a decision in June,’” he said.

“The actual substance that we were able to get into was completely undermined by the government’s own self-imposed deadline.”

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said Tuesday the city will join any legal challenges that are filed. British Columbia Premier John Horgan said he’d first have to look at the applications, but if it was in B.C.’s best interest to join, it would.

Chief Leah George-Wilson of the Tsleil-Waututh said the nation will also argue in court that the consultation was not meaningful.

The government has not addressed any of the nation’s concerns about the way diluted bitumen responds in water or how much noise southern resident killer whales can tolerate, she said.

The government tasked former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci with overseeing the latest round of consultations. It said Tuesday it had made several accommodations to address Indigenous concerns, including a long-term investment strategy to help First Nations monitor southern residents. It also said it had amended six conditions imposed upon the project, including to increase Indigenous participation in marine response plans and monitoring activities during construction.

George-Wilson said the Tsleil-Waututh has always participated in spill response and the accommodations don’t address its concerns about the shortcomings of the federal government’s response capacity.

Eugene Kung, a lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, said there are a number of legal arguments opponents could advance, including that the Trudeau government’s $4.5-billion purchase of the project put it in a conflict of interest.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that when they bought the pipeline, it made it a lot harder to make an unbiased, open-minded decision,” he said.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau addresses an Economic Club of Canada breakfast in Calgary on Wednesday. Morneau pledged to get construction started on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion “this construction season.”

B.C. ‘struggling’ to meet needs of vulnerable youth in care: auditor

The Canadian Press

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s auditor general says some of the province’s most vulnerable youth in care are not receiving the support they need because of a lack of government oversight.

Carol Bellringer’s office identified five major gaps in how the province manages about 100 contracted residential service providers, including a failure to set quality standards and monitor their work.

“This led to a higher risk that children and youth weren’t receiving the quality or type of services they needed because the ministry didn’t know the quality of the placements it was using,” Bellringer said during a teleconference Wednesday.

Contracted service providers offer group and family-type homes, food and services to about 1,150 children and youth who have high or complex needs that can’t be met in the foster care system.

They are typically the most intensive and expensive of all care options and about 17 per cent of B.C. youth in care spent time in them last year.

Among the gaps identified, the report says the ministry has failed to understand the supply and demand in the system and plan accordingly, limiting the ability of social workers to match youth with placements based on their needs.

As a result, children and youth were often placed in a “reactive or emergency fashion” because of a lack of available beds in both foster care and contracted residential services.

“For example, we heard of a youth living in an emergency homeless shelter because of a lack of other available residential resources,” the report says.

The ministry also needs to co-ordinate better with delegated Aboriginal agencies

to ensure Indigenous children and youth are placed in homes with an Indigenous cultural component, which Bellringer said was often not the case.

“In the spirit of reconciliation, Indigenous groups should be involved in decision making that impacts their children and youth,” Bellringer said.

Ministry staff responsible for managing contracts also didn’t have the right training or support to do so, the report concludes.

The audit was prompted by a request from the Representative of Children and Youth, whose office has released multiple reports on gaps in care, Bellringer said.

The report makes four recommendations: developing a provincewide plan

for contracted residential care providers, clarifying roles and responsibilities for policy development, communication and monitoring of service, establishing a quality assurance framework and improving management and oversight of the service providers.

The ministry is already working to fix some of the problems but more work needs to be done and some of the timelines for change need to be faster, Bellringer said.

“While we’re very supportive of the fact that they’ve been taking action, there are some actions that will need a slight redirection,” she said.

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and

“In the spirit of reconciliation, Indigenous groups should be involved in decision making that impacts their children and youth.”

— Carol Bellringer, B.C. auditor general

Family Development, says the government accepts the recommendations and will work closely with the office to address them.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of children and youth in care,” Conroy said following the report’s release.

“I said last summer that we needed to overhaul this system, and we welcome this report as part of that process.”

The ministry has begun working to improve care services and imposed a moratorium on the creation of new contracted residential agencies last June, she said. Social workers have also confirmed they have met with each child and youth in a contracted residential agency over the past three months to review their circumstances, the ministry says in a release.

It has also completed background and criminal record checks on more than 5,800 agency caregivers and new applicants, it says.

The ministry says it hired a private firm to review its contracting and payment process in December.

“We’ve made considerable improvements since last year when we acknowledged the problems and that was acknowledged in the auditor general’s report.”

‘Public interest’ prompts B.C. coroner to release details in death of Ben Kilmer

The Canadian Press

VICTORIA — The British Columbia Coroners Service has released details surrounding the suicide death of a Victoria-area man who disappeared last year and was not found for five months.

Ben Kilmer, a 41-year-old father of two, vanished last May after leaving his

work van running on a residential road west of Duncan.

An extensive search found no sign of him, but a hiker in the Cowichan Valley discovered his body in October.

The coroner has ruled Kilmer died of asphyxiation. Andy Watson with the B.C. Coroners Service says the details in the public report were carefully considered and the

chief coroner determined the public interest in disclosing the information outweighed Kilmer’s personal privacy.

A statement issued by the coroner’s service says “the brief summary in the coroner’s report establishes the facts, addresses speculation and quiets the public imagination.”

The report says Kilmer had been under the care of a physician for treatment of “per-

sonal stressors” related to anxiety issues, but had not expressed any suicidal thoughts.

An encampment near where his body was found indicates he had been in the area for some time before his death.

Blood spatter in the van was determined to be Kilmer’s, but the coroner says it was linked to an injury unrelated to his death.

B.C. home support for seniors is unaffordable, advocate says

Dirk MEISSNER The Canadian Press

VICTORIA — Most seniors in British Columbia can’t afford the public home support system to keep them in their own homes for as long as possible, says a report from the province’s advocate for seniors.

Isobel Mackenzie said Wednesday data compiled by her office concludes home support service is too expensive for thousands of seniors and many end up in long-term care facilities where it is cheaper for them but more costly for taxpayers.

“We’ve set up a perverse incentive system where we’re charging seniors more for something that costs the taxpayer less to provide,” she said at a news conference.

“As a consequence, what we’re seeing is seniors moving into long-term care prematurely.”

Home support, which can include dressing, bathing, meal preparation and respite care, is intended to allow seniors to live independently longer and delay or prevent admission to long-term care facilities, said Mackenzie.

Each year in B.C., more than 40,000 people receive up to 8.8 million hours of home support by about 10,000 community health workers, but it’s not enough and too expensive, she said.

“What we see here is a system that is woefully, woefully under-servicing clients and distressed family caregivers,” Mackenzie said.

The Ministry of Health did not immediately comment on the report.

The 57-page report makes seven recommendations and Mackenzie said it is the first in-depth examination of the home support system, which has an annual budget of $500 million.

She said the report found seniors with an income of $28,000 would pay $8,800 for about two hours of daily home care, which amounts to about 33 per cent of annual earnings. A senior with the same income would save $9,780 living in long-term care, but taxpayers would pay $36,875 more, said Mackenzie.

The report also found that 15 per cent of long-term care residents, which amounts to 4,200 beds, could be living in the community.

Mackenzie said the home-support program is a lifeline for seniors who want to keep their independence, but the system needs to change.

“When we look at the data, it’s pretty clear, we are not providing near the amount of service we think we are,” she said.

Mackenzie said the former Liberal government and the NDP have introduced care improvements for seniors, but more resources are needed to allow seniors to live in their homes.

MACKENZIE

BELLRINGER

Sports

Doig pioneered lacrosse in city

Ted CLARKE Citizen staff tclarke@pgcitizen.ca

Nobody in lacrosse possessed a submarine shot as devastating as Fred Doig’s torpedoes.

Those down-low rubber-ball dandies were heavy and hard enough to leave welts on the arms and body of any goalie foolish enough to stand in the way and that was Ray Masson’s job in the years he faced Doig while playing for the Labatt’s Blues.

“The image is burned in my brain, I had nightmares about it for years,” said Masson.

“Fred would play the top of the odd-man (formation) and they’d work the ball around looking for an opening and if one didn’t come up they’d just throw the ball back to Fred. He would wind up for the submarine and it would be like the Red Sea; everybody would just part.

“He would let loose and it was a vertical drop on the stick and a release about ankle height and if you got hit it was by pure luck, and it would hurt for the rest of the game. It’s an image I’ll never get out of my head. When that stick came up, it was just, oh my God. He’d release the ball and it would disappear and you’d see it rolling between your feet after it came out of the net. It was like the ball weighed 10 times as much as it did with anybody else’s shot. Nobody had a shot like he did.”

Doig died June 11 at Rotary Hospice House. He was 91.

A celebration of Doig’s life is planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Hart Community Centre.

As a player, coach and referee and in his later years as a fan, he was one of the greatest ambassadors for lacrosse the game has ever known. He played at least one game in eight decades and took it to the highest level in 12 seasons with the Victoria Shamrocks, helping them win Mann Cup senior A national titles in 1955 and 1956.

He wasn’t dirty, didn’t go looking for fights, and he never moved those skinny white legs beyond a steady jog. But he was smart and used his size and skill to rise above the rest as a pinpoint passer and perennial scoring champion of the Prince George Lacrosse Association.

As a defender, Doig was an intimidating force who used his six-foot-four, 230-pound bulk to punish opponents who dared venture into his territory. The followthrough motion of his stick as Doig unleashed the ball was vicious and players and their unprotected faces paid a painful price if they stood too close.

“I can remember trying to chase him down on the old lacrosse floor, especially at the Coliseum, and once he got that ball you just about couldn’t get it away from him, you had to double-team him,” said Glen ‘Moose” Scott, who used to play for the Labatt’s Blues.

“He could bob and weave and stop and start and do the stickwork so you got so frustrated you ended up taking another penalty. He was the most frustrating player to play against because he was that good.

“Even after he left the game, he had such a love for Canada’s national summer sport he continued coaching and mentoring younger kids and helping where he could. His vast knowledge and dedication to the sport was just unreal. Lacrosse has lost a good friend.” Scott, the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association commission-

er, convinced the B.C. Lacrosse Association to name the provincial senior C championship trophy after Doig. That trophy, now called the Fred Doig Memorial Cup, will be presented to the B.C. champions when Prince George hosts the tournament July 28-30 at Kin 1.

Doig started the game from scratch as the city’s sole lacrosse pioneer not long after he moved up from Victoria in 1966. He convinced local teens to take up the sport and drew players from out of town on his recruiting trips. He was considered the old man of the game but provided the leadership needed to turn that group of teens into provincial senior champions.

“Fred used that expression that he felt guys would run through brick walls for him and that was true,” said Ken McIntosh, who joined Doig on the expansion

Macs in 1969, along with his twin brother Neil.

“We were playing Vernon and maybe we didn’t like the Stylers but I can assure you we didn’t like Vernon. Their star player, David Ogasawara, was a very talented player and a big guy and either the newspaper or radio station phoned up Fred and he said: ‘Oh I’m sure he does well, but Ken McIntosh is checking him and I don’t think he’s going to want to play after this weekend.’”

Doig was a master at using the media to stir the pot and fuel rivalries to create fan interest in the game. Lacrosse playoff crowds at the Coliseum were bigger than hockey crowds for the senior Mohawks. The P.T. Barnum of lacrosse once hinted in a Citizen story that Jack Bionda, the biggest name in lacrosse and former

teammate of Doig’s in Victoria, was coming to play for the Macs.

The game was nearly sold out but Bionda never showed up.

“That was Freddie, he knew how to promote the game,” said Tony Ciolfitto.

His first three years in Prince George, Doig was player/coach of the Molson’s Old Stylers. He switched to the expansion Columbus Hotel Macs as their 39-year-old player/coach in 1969. The following year, after winning their league, a few days before the Macs were to host the Armstrong Shamrocks that weekend in a best-of-three provincial semifinal, Doig came out with a bold statement.

“It’s in the bag,” he told Citizen sports editor Doug Martin. “I don’t figure people will have to buy any tickets for Sunday. We’ll take these

guys two straight.”

The year before that, the Macs lost the first game of the best-ofthree league final to the Inn of the North and Doig was unfazed.

“There’s no way those guys can beat us,” he said. “It’s as good as over. We’ll beat them in the second game and then win the third game. It’s already decided.”

That’s exactly how it turned out. Nowadays, no coach would dare give an opposing team any incentive to make them feel they aren’t a threat. For Doig, it was a recurring theme.

No matter what the score at the end of period, his intermission speech would always include this nugget: “It’s a can of corn.” It was Doig’s way of saying, “we’ve got this,” and his teammates believed him.

— see DEDICATED, page 10

HANDOUT PHOTO

Fred Doig dominated the Prince George Senior Lacrosse scene for years after the former Victoria Shamrock arrived in the city in 1965. The Prince George Sports Hall of Fame member died last week at age 91.

Otway runners beat the bugs

Citizen staff

Michael Van Vilisteren, Jacqui Pettersen, Zach Matyas and Shar Balogh didn’t let a few pesky flying insects bother them.

They Beat the Bugs as category winners in the Prince George Road Runners’ off-road running race Saturday at Otway Nordic Centre.

Van Vilisteren took on a 20-runner men’s field on the five kilometre course and was first across the line in 20 minutes 37 seconds. Paul Green (22:10) and Tyson Green (24:09) were second and third respectively.

In the women’s 5K, Jacqui Pettersen put her marathon-trained legs to work on the hilly course and won it in 24:19 . Mora Green (27:24) and Natalie Vogt (29:04) joined Pettersen on the medal podium. Thirty-two women entered the race.

In the men’s 10 km event, Zach Matyas showed his heels to the rest of a 40-runner field, winning in 49:17.

Jim Van Bakel (51:56) and Rob Vogt (52:46) were second and third.

Nelless, right,

Shar Balogh finished at the head of the 37-women 10 km field. Balogh covered the course in 54:45, ahead of second-place Lindsay Vandermeer (1:02:01) and third-place Mart Charters (1:03:39). The next Road Runners event is the Blue Spruce race on Sunday, July 9, starting at 9 a.m. at the

Dedicated to the game of lacrosse

—from page 9

“He was the one who taught us the most about teamwork,” said Ken Goss, a former Mac forward.

“You knew that you played for the crest on the front, not the name on the back. We might be up four or five, but Fred would always say, ‘Hey guys, two goals down.’”

Born in Trail, Doig joined his first youth lacrosse team in Rossland in 1939 and also played football. After graduating high school, Doig moved to Victoria to join the Canadian Navy, later becoming a Victoria firefighter. While on the job, he helped deliver two babies. In 1966 he and his wife Marion moved to Prince George, where he could pursue his love for moose hunting and fishing, and he worked as a car salesman at Kodiak Motors and at B.C. Tel before getting hired at Northwood Pulp and Timber.

The Macs won the 1970 B.C. championship in two games over Nanaimo Native Sons and went on to claim the national title by default when the Eastern champions from Quebec declined making the trip to Prince George. Doig then announced his retirement from the game and the four-team Prince George Lacrosse Association held a dispersal draft to create parity.

But he returned the following season playing defence for the Inn of the North and repeated his retirement speech at the end of the season.

That became a running joke, year after year.

His playing days pretty much ended in 1977, after 42 years in the game, when he lost three fingers on his left hand in a mill accident. He played just one game that season in the North Central Lacrosse Association for the Canada Hotel, dressing as the Masked Marauder in a game he hyped earlier in a Citizen article to try to boost attendance.

Dave Jenkins was a hockey goalie who backstopped the Alberta Golden Bears to the CIS national championship in 1964. Five years later, he was just beginning his law practice in Prince George when the Old Stylers found themselves without a goalie. PGLA commissioner John Steeves, a lawyer, knew Jenkins’ background in hockey

and convinced him to join the team and Jenkins became Doig’s project, utilizing an unfinished vacant floor at the old B.C. Tel building on Sixth Avenue to turn Jenkins into the goalie who would eventually backstop the Stylers to the 1974 President’s Cup senior B national championship.

“I was terrible at first and Freddie took it upon himself to spend about a year with me,” said Jenkins.

“He took me up there every night in the winter, about five nights a week, and continually shot at me. If you were interested in the game and had any kind of keenness for it, he would do whatever he could to help you succeed. Fred brought kids out of the woodwork to play the game and try to create in them the same sort of love for the game that he had and he did a wonderful job of it. He was the driving force behind the game in this town.

“He knew everybody in the game and went to all lengths to interest athletes who hadn’t played the game and made them into pretty good lacrosse players.”

Long after he quit playing, Doig stayed involved as a referee and coached his son Brett and grandson Drew in minor lacrosse.

His Fred Doig Lacrosse School was a month-long venture in the summer, which taught hundreds of young players the game. At age 70, in 1998, Doig retired from his job as production supervisor at Northwood Pulp and Timber and he returned to senior lacrosse that year as coach of the Yellowhead Inn Red Dogs, just so he could coach Brett. He played a game that year against the Steamers Pub Devils and scored a power-play goal.

Doig, who would have turned 92 today, lived his life as a well-respected gentleman who never publicly uttered an unkind word, even for those he didn’t like. He and Marion, his wife of 58 years, had five children and also raised two grandchildren. They danced through their lives as best friends and did everything together, sharing their love for each other with those close to them.

Fred had been in a coma for several days before he died but just before he passed away, with Marion by his side, he puckered up for one last kiss.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

In this file photo from July 5, 1996, it shows Brett Doig, left, son Drew and father Fred representing three generations of the Doig family who played lacrosse.

Forests for the World parking lot at the south end of Kueng Road.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

Kristina

and Sara Cotter near the finish line at Otway Nordic Centre on Saturday morning while competing in the 5km division of the Prince George Road Runners Club’s annual Beat the Bugs trail running race.

Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov wins Hart, Lindsay at NHL awards

Greg BEACHAM

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday night, receiving the NHL’s highest honours for his 128-point regular season for the Lightning.

The Russian right wing also formally picked up the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top scorer at the hockey world’s annual Vegas ceremony, held this year at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, Kucherov’s Russian teammate in Tampa Bay, won his first Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in another bittersweet recognition of the Lightning, who won 62 regular-season games before getting swept by Columbus in the first round of the playoffs.

Calgary’s Mark Giordano won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman, earning the award for the first time at 35 years old. Vancouver forward Elias Pettersson won the Calder Trophy given to the league’s top rookie, and Ryan O’Reilly added his first Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward to the Blues’ Stanley Cup victory.

Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders won his second Jack Adams Award as the best coach while Boston’s Don Sweeney was named the league’s top general manager.

Kucherov, who turned 26 on Monday, received 164 of 171 firstplace votes in a runaway victory over two-time MVP Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh, who finished second in the voting, and 2017 Hart winner Connor McDavid of Edmonton. Kucherov, who posted the NHL’s highest-scoring individual season since 1996, also won the Lindsay Award as his fellow players’ choice for the league’s most outstanding player.

A year after scoring 100 points, Kucherov emerged as perhaps the NHL’s most impressive scorer, putting up a career-best 41 goals and 87 assists for his powerhouse Lightning.

Kucherov tied Jaromir Jagr’s NHL record for assists by a wing, and he surpassed Alexander

Mogilny’s single-season record for points by a Russian-born player.

Tampa Bay also posted 128 standings points, the most by any team since 1996 – but Kucherov regrets that he had little impact during the Lightning’s stunning first-round playoff sweep by the Blue Jackets. Kucherov served a one-game suspension for a dangerous hit during the series, and he scored his only two playoff points in the Game 4 defeat.

Trotz beat out Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper and St. Louis’ Craig Berube for the Adams trophy, which is based on regular-season performance. Trotz also won the award with Washington three years ago.

After winning the Stanley Cup and subsequently leaving the Capitals last summer, Trotz engineered an impressive one-season turnaround for the Islanders. New York went 48-27-7 for a 23-point increase from 2018 and its best single-season total since 1983-84, even after losing John Tavares to Toronto.

Trotz took a moment after accepting the award to honour his goalie, Robin Lehner, who won the Masterton Trophy as the player exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Lehner had an outstanding season after revealing during training camp

that he has struggled with addiction and bipolar disorder. He is the third player in Islanders history to win the award.

“I’m not ashamed to say I’m mentally ill, but that doesn’t mean mentally weak,” Lehner said after accepting his award.

Wild forward Jason Zucker won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions to hockey. Zucker, who is from Las Vegas, has done extensive fundraising for children’s causes in Minnesota. Florida centre Aleksander Barkov won his first Lady Byng Trophy as the player best combining sportsmanship, gentlemanly

conduct and ability. Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds won the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. Vasilevskiy beat out Dallas’ Ben Bishop and Lehner for the Vezina. The Russian goalie led the NHL with 39 victories for the powerhouse Lightning while posting a 2.40 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in 53 games. He is the first Tampa Bay goalie to win the award.

O’Reilly bested Boston’s Patrice Bergeron, a four-time Selke winner and a finalist for the eighth consecutive year, and Vegas’ Mark Stone.

O’Reilly was the Blues’ top scorer with 77 points, including 28 goals in his first season in St. Louis. He also compiled a plus-22 rating and finished fourth in the NHL with 94 takeaways.

The 20-year-old Pettersson beat out St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington and Buffalo defenceman Rasmus Dahlin for the award. Pettersson joins Pavel Bure (1992) as the only Calder winners in Canucks history.

Pettersson provided an offensive jolt to the Canucks in his first North American season, scoring a goal on his first NHL shot and seamlessly adapting to the world’s best league. One year after Vancouver drafted him with the fifth overall pick in 2017, Pettersson posted a rookie-best 28 goals and 38 assists.

Giordano got an appropriate reward for his remarkable performance 13 years into an NHL career spent entirely with the Flames. Giordano beat out two vaunted finalists: San Jose’s Brent Burns, who won it in 2017, and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman, who won it last year.

The Calgary captain was instrumental in the Flames’ breakthrough season, leading the NHL with a plus-39 rating while regularly playing against opponents’ best lines. Giordano also scored a career-best 74 points and played more than 24 minutes per game. Giordano is the fourth defenceman to win the Norris at 35 or older, joining Nicklas Lidstrom, Doug Harvey and Al MacInnis.

Acts of kindness emerge at chaotic Raptors rally derailed by

Alanna RIZZA and Paola LORIGGIO

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — When gunshots sparked panic and chaos at a massive outdoor celebration for Toronto’s NBA champions this week, some fans caught in the stampede worked to keep others out of danger, at times putting their own safety at risk.

As authorities now look to learn lessons from the event marred by overcrowding and violence on Monday, accounts of acts of kindness by complete strangers have emerged.

The shooting – which took place shortly after the Raptors went on stage during a victory rally at Nathan Phillips Square – injured four people, police said. Three people were arrested and two firearms were recovered, with investigators still looking for another suspect and firearm.

As hordes of fans scattered in fear, Mo Hussein said a group of young adults he had

just met helped shield his three-year-old daughter from the crowd.

Hussein had gone to the rally with family members, including his niece and nephew, and ran into some of his niece’s friends, whom he did not previously know. His daughter had just fallen asleep in her stroller when shots set off a wave of panic in the packed square, he said.

“All of a sudden the crowd started running towards us,” he said.

“Fortunately I didn’t panic, my first thoughts were to protect my daughter who was asleep in the stroller. I just told people around me to come help me protect the stroller.”

Hussein said his niece’s friends formed a semi-circle around the stroller, protecting his daughter, who remained blissfully unaware of the commotion around her. When the crowd dispersed, “there were strollers around, there were shoes strewn all over the place, peoples’ hats and personal possessions all over the place,” he said.

That selfless act from the group prevented what could have been a terrible outcome, said Hussein, noting many children were put at risk at a purportedly family-friendly event.

“It basically means that even at the most evil point, humanity prevails,” he said.

“(My niece’s friends) were afraid themselves and they were shivering after the fact, a lot of them had tears in their eyes and the fact that they were brave enough to actually help protect my daughter is something I really appreciate.”

Some who received a helping hand also witnessed other acts of kindness.

Kimi Marfa, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, said they were separated from friends moments after the shooting, which occurred steps away from their group.

“It was so scary not knowing if my friends were hurt or if they were safe,” Marfa said.

The 16-year-old said they ran into the nearby Old City Hall courthouse and saw children who had lost track of their parents.

shooting

The kids were crying and looked scared, particularly when security announced the building was under lockdown, Marfa said. Other parents who were still with their children stepped in to console those who were alone, Marfa said.

“There were mothers acting as mothers to these others kids, hugging them and singing to them,” Marfa said. Marfa was also helped through a panic attack by a woman in the courthouse, they said.

Suzanne Bernier said she ran into a nearby Canadian Tire where employees told distraught Raptors fans to come inside and stay calm.

Store employees acted professionally and with compassion despite not being prepared to deal with dozens of terrified people seeking shelter, she said.

“It was so nice to see people stepping up to help each other,” she said.

“It was just everyday citizens coming together to help each other out.”

AP PHOTO BY JOHN LOCHER

Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson looks at the Calder Memorial Trophy after winning the honour at the NHL Awards on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

One small step for a man, one giant effort by NASA

Joel ACHENBACH The Washington Post

“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.”

– Remarks prepared for President Richard Nixon, in a memo from White House speechwriter William Safire, July 18, 1969, under the heading “IN EVENT OF MOON DISASTER.”

Spoiler alert: They lived! They walked on the moon, gathered rocks, planted a flag, rocketed home to Earth and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean. After three weeks in quarantine (to prevent a purely hypothetical moon-germ contagion), the three Apollo 11 astronauts got their ticker-tape parade and eternal glory.

Why it worked – and why the U.S. beat the Soviet Union to the moon after having been humiliated, repeatedly, during the early years of the space race – remains a compelling story of managerial vision, technological genius and astronautical dash. But it was never as breezy as NASA made it look. The first landing on the moon could easily have been the first crashing.

NASA’s strategy during the 1960s was built around incremental achievements, with each mission wringing out some of the risk.

Still, potential disaster lurked everywhere. Just two years before Apollo 11, three astronauts died in a freakish fire during a capsule test at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

To put astronauts on the surface of the moon and bring them home safely, NASA had to do many things right, in succession, with margins of error ranging from small to nonexistent.

“I consider a trip to the moon and back to be a long and very fragile daisy chain of events,” Michael Collins, the third member of the Apollo 11 crew, told The Washington Post recently.

“There were 23 critical things that had to occur perfectly,” recalls engineer JoAnn Morgan, who handled communications in Launch Control at the Kennedy Space Center.

One of those things was the landing on the moon, which obviously couldn’t be practiced under realistic conditions.

No one knew the nature of the moon’s surface. Hard? Soft? Powdery? Gooey?

The mission planners feared that the lunar module could become instantly mired,

or just sink out of sight.

Equally nerve-racking was the planned departure from the moon. The top half of the lunar lander, the ascent module, relied on a single engine to blast the astronauts back to lunar orbit. It had to work. If it didn’t, Nixon would have to pull out that memo.

Collins, who orbited the moon in the mother ship while his crewmates were on the surface, was keenly aware that failure was an option. In his memoir, titled Carrying the Fire, he wrote: “My secret terror for the last six months has been leaving them on the moon and returning to Earth alone. ... If they fail to rise from the surface, or crash back into it, I am not going to commit suicide; I am coming home, forthwith, but I will be a marked man for life and I know it.”

NASA has an institutional instinct to project supernatural competence; it downplays, or hides beneath jargon, the uh-oh moments in human spaceflight. If on July 20, 1969, a giant man-eating moon lizard had emerged from a lava tube and chased Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin back into the lunar lander, NASA would have described this as an off-nominal event requiring a contingency procedure.

There’s a full-scale lunar lander on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. It is officially known as LM-2 – Lunar Module 2. Originally called a Lunar Excursion Module, the spidery spacecraft was generally called “the Lem” and nick-

named “the bug.”

The display vehicle at the museum never went to space but was used in ground tests, including drop tests to see how it could handle a hard landing. The exterior has been modified to make it look like the Apollo 11 lander – the Eagle.

It doesn’t look like a flying machine. Or maybe it looks like one that has been taken apart and then, after a few cocktails, put back together incorrectly. It has no curves and minimal symmetry. It features oddly protruding elements that seem to be tacked on randomly, including a fuel tank that the writer Oliver Morton has described as protruding like a goiter.

Directly overhead, suspended by wires from the ceiling, is the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh’s primitive plane, not much more than a metal box with propellers. But at least it’s immediately recognizable as a plane. The lunar module is bewildering. Where, exactly, do the astronauts sit? (Nowhere: There are no seats. They stand.)

“This is the first true spaceship,” says Paul Fjeld, an amateur historian who seems to know everything about LM-2. Fjeld explains that it didn’t have to fly in an atmosphere and thus didn’t have to be aerodynamic. Or even look good.

The designers at Grumman Aircraft had to figure out the most basic concepts, like how to get astronauts out of the crew cabin and down to the moon’s surface, roughly 10 feet

below, notes Charles Fishman in his book “One Giant Leap.” The designers initially decided that the astronauts, who would be in bulky moon suits, should go down to the surface by climbing hand over hand on a knotted rope. They’d return the same way, lugging moon rocks and getting an amazing workout. Wisely, the designers decided to go with a ladder. Though everything about the moonshot was fraught with uncertainty, it benefited from a clearly defined goal. In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy asked NASA to put a man on the moon and bring him safely back to Earth before the decade was out. The next year, in September 1962, Kennedy gave his famous “We choose to go to the moon” speech at Rice University in Houston. He said the United States chooses to do these things in space “not because they are easy, but because they are hard...” He noted that the moon is 240,000 miles away and that the mission would require “a giant rocket more than 300 feet tall,” and that this rocket would be “made of new metal alloys, some of which have not yet been invented.”

He would not live to see this happen. But his murder made the moon program untouchable, something that simply had to be achieved, not only for geopolitical reasons but also to honor the martyred president. The United States poured $20 billion and 400,000 workers into the moonshot.

Contrary to popular belief, NASA did not invent Teflon, Velcro or Tang. But it did invent flying to the moon. Navigating to and around the moon was a computing challenge – one that required the most advanced computers at MIT as well as human computers such as Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician celebrated in the book and movie Hidden Figures. NASA chose a mission architecture for Apollo that saved payload weight and reduced the size of the main rocket but required astronauts to take a separate craft, the lunar lander, to the moon’s surface and then rendezvous with the mother ship in lunar orbit. That was a splendid idea on paper but added risk and complexity. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union had its own moon program, but struggled to build a giant rocket that could launch without blowing up. The Russians had internal disputes among their engineers.

A huge setback came when the chief rocket designer, Sergei Korolev – a survivor of the Gulag during the Stalin era – died during surgery in 1966.

— see ‘TRANQUILITY BASE, page 16

Understanding hydrocarbons helpful in pipeline debate

Editors note: The following is a significantly-revised version of a Relativity column that first appeared in 2014.

Every now and then, I think an understanding of hydrocarbon chemistry might help with some of the debate around pipelines, oil, diluted bitumen and the environment. So here is my attempt at Hydrocarbons 101.

The name hydrocarbon comes from the presence of both hydrogen and carbon in the molecular structure.

Carbon sits in the middle of the main group of the periodic table, balanced between anionic non-metals and metallic cations. It would have to gain four electrons to act as anionic species, which is hard to do as electrons repel each other. It would have to lose four electrons to become a cation, which is equally hard to do as it creates an overwhelming positive charge. Instead, carbon shares electrons by forming covalent bonds with other atoms.

Maybe that should be written “co-valent” to emphasize the bond is formed by the sharing of the valence electrons. That is, two carbon atoms will share a pair of electrons between them. The same is true for a carbon and a hydrogen atom –they share an electron pair.

Covalent bonding is very strong. For example, diamonds are a form of covalently bonding carbon resulting in the hardest

natural substance.

For hydrocarbons, the simplest of all compounds is methane. This is a carbon, which has four valence electrons, surrounded by four hydrogen atoms, each with a single valence electron. The result is four covalent bonds. Everything is very stable and the bonds are very strong.

Methane, by itself, is not explosive. It doesn’t really interact with other methane molecules. As a consequence and because it is such a small molecule, methane is usually found in gaseous form. It is a large component of natural gas.

Ethane consists of two carbons bonded together and surrounded by six hydrogen atoms. If you think of a single carbon having four available sites for attachment, then this arrangement makes sense as each carbon is using up one of its sites to bind to the other carbon atom while the remaining six sites covalently bond to hydrogen atoms.

Ethane is slightly larger than methane and a slightly heavier gas. It is a component of natural gas but it boils at a higher

temperature than methane (-89 C versus -164 C), which means the gases can be separated using distillation. It also does not yield as much energy per carbon dioxide produced as methane.

Propane consists of three carbons and eight hydrogens with the middle carbon holding on to the carbons at the end resulting in a linear arrangement. Propane is used in stoves, barbecues and even cars. Propane can be isolated and sold separately but it is also a constituent of natural gas and generated as a by-product during petroleum refining.

With one more carbon, we have butane. It is much heavier gas with four carbons and ten hydrogen atoms and a boiling point around 0 C. This makes it useful in butane lighters.

These are the gaseous hydrocarbons.

They represent the light fraction of petroleum and all are byproducts of petroleum production and refining. They also occur independently.

Pentane, with five carbons and twelve hydrogen atoms, is too heavy to be a gas at typical room temperatures as it has a boiling point of 36 C. It evaporates on human skin. This is the first of the hydrocarbon liquids and is the lightest hydrocarbon typically found in gasoline.

Hexane, heptane, and octane have six, seven, and eight carbon atoms, respectively. They are liquids under most normal

circumstances. They are too heavy to boil easily but still light enough to move freely at ambient temperatures. Indeed, the same can be said for all of the straight chain hydrocarbons until around hexadecane which has sixteen carbons in a row. Beyond sixteen carbons, the molecules are too long and too heavy to move around much so they form solid or semi-solid waxes and tars.

However, this is only strictly true if the hydrocarbon is pure. Mix in a few other compounds or create a blend of, say, octane, decane and hexadecane and the combination results in free flowing mixture. Gasoline is a blend of both simple hydrocarbons and more complex branched hydrocarbons. Diesel uses heavier hydrocarbons than gasoline. It is the mixture of hydrocarbons which allows them to flow.

In the case of bitumen, it is a mixture of really long chain hydrocarbons with a few other organic constituents thrown in. Even though it is a mixture in its natural state, the size of the hydrocarbons means it is essentially a solid or a viscous tar. Only by blending bitumen with some of the lighter hydrocarbons do we get a free flowing form. The resulting diluted bitumen is what is called dilbit – a mixture of heavy and light hydrocarbons from which we can make gasoline and other petroleum products. More next week.

NASA HANDOUT PHOTO

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stands on the surface of the moon, in a photograph taken by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969.

How a bombastic Canadian stuntman got into Toy Story 4

Cassandra SZKLARSKI

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The moment Pixar animator Benjamin Su learned the newest Toy Story saga would debut a Canadian character, he jumped aboard.

Who better to infuse a Canuck toy with Maple Leaf nuance than an actual Canadian?, he thought. It turned out he would have some competition – “there’s a lot of Canadians here,” Su wryly notes.

“I think all the Canadians that were on the movie immediately requested to animate him,” Su says of the outrageously patriotic daredevil Duke Caboom, voiced by Toronto-bred Keanu Reeves.

In the end, no fewer than eight Canadian animators had a hand in giving life to the diminutive motorcycle daredevil – an Evel Knievel-type stuntman full of national pride and bravado, as well as crippling insecurity that lingers just below the surface.

There’s no mistaking Duke’s country of origin when he first appears in his ’70s-inspired redand-white moto gear. His bellbottomed suit is adorned with a maple leaf belt buckle, another leaf is on the back of his cape, and several more decorate his motorcycle.

Greg Mason, vice president of marketing at Walt Disney Studios in Canada, says his office has been lobbying Pixar to increase its Canadian content for years.

That includes a push for northern references such as the imaginary Canadian boyfriend in 2015’s Inside Out, and casting homegrown stars such as Eugene Levy as Dory’s dad in 2016’s Finding Dory.

Mason also credits his CanCon campaign with helping snag a very Canuck cameo in 2016’s Oscar-winning Zootopia for CBC broadcaster Peter Mansbridge, who lent his distinctive timbre to a character called Peter Moosebridge, a moose newscaster.

“That was something we worked on with our Disney Animation folks,” says Mason.

Toy Story 4 producer Jonas Rivera had seen what the Canadian team had done for Zootopia, Mason says, and he had also previously approached him when making Inside Out.

“He called me and said, ‘Oh Greg, for Inside Out, they’re

going to love it because (lead character) Riley plays hockey, there’s a Canadian boyfriend and the map of Canada is in the background.”’

Rivera didn’t forget Canada when it came time for Toy Story 4, which picks up soon after the last film’s tear-jerker ending that sees (spoiler alert) Woody, Buzz and the gang say goodbye to collegebound Andy and get sent to live with preschooler Bonnie.

“I got this magical call one day and he said: ‘OK, we’re going to do it. We’re going to give you a 100 per cent Canadian character in Toy Story 4,” Mason recalls.

From there, Mason says Pixar regularly returned to the Canadian office for more input, big and small.

“We sent notes on the character, we sent notes on the character design, we sent recommendations for casting, which ultimately landed to the wonderful Keanu Reeves,” says Mason, whose re-

quests included more maple leafs on Duke’s costume, resulting in a total of five.

“I didn’t know we’d have that kind of influence (but) Pixar and the Disney company is very much a global company and they listen and they look around at the different markets and say, ‘What feels right?”’

Mason says it helped that he had a history with Rivera from their days promoting Up and Inside Out.

“He knew what we’d been after for a while and I think they liked this daredevil character and why not make him Canadian? I think an overtly American one, I don’t think it would nearly have had that same impact and effect.”

But Mason didn’t have to suggest that Canadian animators be chosen to handle the actual animation – he says that decision came spontaneously from Pixar, which Su concurs. Su recalls that Pixar also farmed

Paul Simon honoured by Poetry Society

ITALIE The Associated Press

Hillel

NEW YORK — Paul Simon doesn’t care much for requests, but he might ask you to sing along.

The singer-songwriter’s latest honour came from the Poetry Society of America, which celebrated him Tuesday during a dinner benefit at the New York Botanical Garden.

Simon and longtime poetry editor Alice Quinn were the guests of honour, their careers both lasting for decades and making them revered names among lovers of words.

Quinn has championed Sharon Olds, Edward Hirsch and countless other poets as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, the poetry editor at The New Yorker (from 1987 to 2007) and an editor at Alfred A. Knopf. She is stepping down as executive editor of the poetry society, where she has served since 2001. She was introduced by Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. poet laureate Tracy K. Smith, who praised her contribu-

tions to “the inner life across this country and beyond.”

Quinn noted that Simon had been a supporter of the poetry society and remembered seeing him in the offices of Knopf, which published a book of his lyrics. Simon was then introduced by former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins, who noted that Simon was among the first rock songwriters to use the word “poetry” in a song (I Am a Rock) and to name poets, reading lines about Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson from Simon’s A Dangling Conversation.

Simon, meanwhile, was alternately playful and contrarian. He chastised Collins for misremembering a discussion they had about writing and wondered about the meaning of awards when the planet was “disintegrating.” He joked about making room for his poetry society award among his “shelves and shelves” of prizes, right next to a special trophy for being the “best-dressed dad.” His acceptance came in three parts: He read work by two poets

who died this year, Les Murray and W.S. Merwin; chatted briefly on stage with Collins about writing; and, to everyone’s obvious pleasure, performed a few songs. Simon, 77, has retired from touring and his voice sounded strained at first. But he grew stronger, and even danced a little, as he ran through such favourites as Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard and The Boxer, asking the audience to join in on the chorus of LieLa-Lie as a small backing group added touches of jazz and Cajun music.

Be careful, though, about requests. Simon explained that during one show he saw a woman come close to the stage, sobbing, begging him to perform a certain song. But Simon couldn’t understand what she was asking for. What song, he wondered, had made such a “deep connection” that she couldn’t stop crying? Perhaps he had reminded her of a “loved one or a parent.” Please, the woman finally asked, would you play The Lion King?

out all the skating shots from Inside Out to Canadian staff.

“Even Canadians that didn’t know how to skate got a skating shot,” chuckles Su, who moved to Regina from Taiwan at age 10, and then Ottawa six years later.

“They’re like ‘Oh, you guys know hockey! Here’s some hockey/Canadian skating shots for you.”’

Duke is the most obvious Canuck reference in Toy Story 4, but Su says there are also hidden Canadian origins to the new characters Ducky and Bunny, a pair of carnival prizes voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Su says they were partly inspired by his daughter’s stuffed bear from Canada, who wears a Raptors jersey.

When it came to Duke, Su handled the stuntman’s first scene, in which he is introduced to Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, by the cowboy’s long-lost friend Bo Peep, voiced by Annie Potts.

Duke erupts into a series of grandstanding poses on his bike that Su says were based on actual yoga positions.

“I literally started Googling ‘impossible yoga poses,’ just trying to get some inspiration,” says Su, who graduated from the animation school at Oakville, Ont.’s Sheridan College in 2003 and joined Pixar in 2009.

“I would also look at a lot of Keanu Reeves’ video recording sessions (and) I was able to reference some of his sort of quirky head moves and incorporate them into Duke.”

Actually tapping into what motivates the bombastic Duke wasn’t hard, adds Su. But maybe that’s just because he’s a fellow countryman.

“He just seems like a very sensitive, nice guy and I think that sort of represents what Canadians are, mostly.”

Toy Story 4 hits theatres Thursday.

CP PHOTO PROVIDED BY DISNEY-PIXAR

Canadian animator Benjamin Su is seen in this undated handout photo.

AP FILE PHOTO

In this 2018 file photo shows singer-songwriter Paul Simon performing in Flushing Meadows Corona Park during the final stop of his Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour in New York.

MONEY IN BRIEF

OTTAWA

The markets today

TORONTO (CP) — Canada’s main stock index closed slightly higher Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged but indicated it’s prepared to cut it if economic stimulus is needed. The decision to hold the rate steady took some market watchers by surprise, said Michael Currie, vice-president and investment adviser at TD Wealth.

“The big story is that they obviously held the line on interest rates. They indicated that there was likely no interest rate cuts in 2019, that surprised a few people.”

Despite some indications of no imminent rate cut, the market is betting there’s an 82 per cent chance of a rate cut in July and a 60 per cent chance in December, said Currie.

“The Fed’s saying one thing, the market’s definitely saying the other thing.”

There has, however, certainly been a change in tone from the Fed, he said.

“They’re definitely at least thinking, or considering cutting rates, whereas in the past they hadn’t really said that.”

The mixed news saw the S&P/ TSX composite index inch up 8.44 points to close at 16,511.79, after having one of its biggest one-day gains of 2019 on Tuesday.

Information technology saw the biggest index gains on the TSX at 1.92 per cent, pushed up in part by Shopify’s 6.8 per cent gain after it announced it had launched a fulfilment network. The energy index was down 0.89 per cent after oil slipped 14 cents at US$53.97 per barrel and the July natural gas contract closed down 5.2 cents at US$2.28 per mmBTU. Oil dropped on OPEC uncertainty, despite news from the U.S. of higher than expected crude inventories and gasoline demand, said Currie.

“The news seems to be all about OPEC, whether they can get their act together. They announced they were having a meeting in July, but they’ve still got Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Emirates on one side, everybody else is on the other side.”

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 38.46 points at 26,504.00. The S&P 500 index ended up 8.71 points at 2,926.46, while the Nasdaq composite was up 33.44 points at 7,987.32.

The Canadian dollar traded at an average of 74.95 cents US, up from 74.66 cents US on Tuesday.

Amid urgent climate warnings, EPA gives coal a reprieve

Ellen KNICKMEYER The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Amid scientists’ increasingly urgent warnings, the Trump administration ordered a sweeping about-face Wednesday on Obama-era efforts to fight climate change, easing restrictions on coal-fired power plants in a move it predicted would revitalize America’s sagging coal industry.

As miners in hard hats and coal-country lawmakers applauded, Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler signed a measure that scraps one of President Barack Obama’s key initiatives to rein in fossil fuel emissions. The replacement rule gives states more leeway in deciding whether to require plants to make limited efficiency upgrades.

Wheeler said he expects more coal plants to open as a result. But one state, New York, immediately said it would go to court to challenge the action, and more lawsuits are likely.

The EPA move follows pledges by candidate and then President Donald Trump to rescue the U.S. coal industry, which saw near-record numbers of plant closings last year in the face of competition from cheaper natural gas and renewables. It’s the latest and one of the biggest of dozens of environmental regulatory rollbacks by his administration.

It came despite scientists’ cautions that the world must cut fossil fuel emissions to stave off the worst of global warming and the EPA’s own analysis that the new rule would result in the deaths of an extra 300 to 1,500 people each year by 2030, owing to additional air pollution from the power grid.

“Americans want reliable energy that they can afford,” Wheeler declared at the signing ceremony, with White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney alongside to underscore Trump’s approval.

There’s no denying “fossil fuels will continue to be an important part of the mix,” Wheeler said.

Lawmakers and industry representatives from coal states blamed federal regulation,

not the market, for the decadeslong trend of declining U.S. coal use and said Wednesday’s act would stave off more coal plant closings.

“We’re not ready for renewable energy... so we need coal,” declared Rep. David McKinley, a West Virginia Republican.

But rather than a sensible economic move, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the change as a “dirty power scam” and “a stunning giveaway to big polluters.” She called climate change “the existential threat of our time” and said the administration was ignoring scientific studies and yielding to special interests.

Obama’s 2015 Clean Power Plan is currently stayed by the Supreme Court while challenges play out from more than two dozen states that contend it exceeded authority under the federal Clean Air Act.

Environmental advocates and Obama-era EPA officials involved in drafting the nowrepealed plan said Trump’s replacement rule will do little to cut climate-damaging emissions from coal-fired power plants, at a time when polls show Americans are increasingly paying attention to global warming.

“I can’t think of a single rule that would do more to set back the effort to do what we need to do to address the critical threat of climate change,” said Joe Goffman, who helped draft the repealed Clean Power Plan.

The Obama plan aimed at encouraging what already had been market-driven changes in the nation’s electrical grid, pushing coal-fired power plants out and prodding utilities to rely more on natural gas, solar, wind and other lower- or no-carbon fuels.

Obama EPA head Gina McCarthy said Trump officials had “made painfully clear that they are incapable of rising to the challenge and tackling this crisis. They have shown a callous disregard for EPA’s mission, a pattern of climate science denial and an inexcusable indifference to the consequences of climate change.”

Burning of fossil fuels for electricity, transportation and heat is the main human source

of heat-trapping carbon emissions.

Trump has rejected scientific warnings on climate change, including a dire report this year from scientists at more than a dozen federal agencies noting that global warming from fossil fuels “presents growing challenges to human health and quality of life.” Administration officials argue climate science is imperfect, and that it’s not clear climate change would have as great an impact as forecast.

Democrats pledge to make combatting climate change a major issue in the presidential race. They condemned Wednesday’s act. Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren called for broad action to reduce emissions, saying “the climate crisis is endangering our country, our health, our economy and our national security.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James quickly tweeted a pledge that her state would sue, an early signal of what environmental groups said would be more court challenges. Wheeler told reporters after the signing that he expected new coal plants to open as a result. “We’re levelling the playing field” in terms of regulations on various energy sources “to allow that investment to occur,” he said. “We are trying to address climate change, but we’re doing it with the authorities we have.”

The Trump administration also is proposing to roll back an Obama-era mileage rule requiring tougher mileage standards for cars and light trucks. Environmental groups promise court challenges there, too.

An Associated Press analysis Tuesday of federal air data showed U.S. progress on cleaning the air may be stagnating after decades of improvement. Despite Trump’s repeated false claims that America’s air is the cleanest it’s ever been, there were 15 per cent more days with unhealthful air both last year and the year before than on average from 2013 through 2016, the four years when America had its fewest number of those days since at least 1980.

AP science writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.

Matching U.S. business tax cuts would cost billions

The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Parliament’s spending watchdog is putting new numbers to the cost of matching recent U.S. business-tax changes, pegging the price to the federal treasury at more than double government estimates.

The parliamentary budget officer says in a report Wednesday that it would cost $36.7 billion over five years to let businesses write off 100 per cent of the cost of equipment and machinery from their taxes.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tax changes in late 2017 allowed businesses to expense the full cost of depreciable assets, such as buildings.

A year later, Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s fall economic update allowed Canadian businesses to immediately write off the full cost of some types of machinery

and equipment used for manufacturing or processing goods, and expense a larger share of newly acquired assets. The hit to federal revenues was estimated to be about $14 billion over five fiscal years, which the government argued was needed to help businesses in Canada stay competitive. In 2015, Canadian businesses spent more than $200 billion on new depreciable property, including buildings, intellectual-property

rights, machinery and other equipment. The PBO report says if Canada matched the U.S. move exactly, there would be a decline of $8.8 billion in tax revenue this year – much more than the almost-$5billion for the measures in the 2018 fiscal update – with annual foregone revenue falling to $5 billion after five years and then “decreas(ing) significantly” thereafter as the measure is phased out. The report also says businesses

could also expense an estimated $164 billion in unused writeoffs over the next two decades if Canada matched the United States, and reduce the amounts of tax they owe. However, the PBO suggests the government could recoup some of the money: companies will have higher after-tax incomes that can be used for dividends to shareholders, which in turn would increase revenues from personal income taxes. Call 250-5623301 to advertise in

A shovel prepares to dump a load of coal into a 320-ton truck at the Arch Coal Inc.-owned Black Thunder mine in Wright, Wyo.

‘Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed’

— from page 12

The United States, meanwhile, had Wernher von Braun, the exNazi who led the program that devised the V-2 rockets that terrorized Britain during the Second World War. Von Braun and other German scientists and engineers had been brought to the United States after the war. Von Braun envisioned human spaceflight that included space stations, space shuttles and interplanetary arks carrying humans to Mars. The moon landing, for von Braun, was just one milestone in a much more ambitious invasion of space.

“In a simplistic way, we had von Braun, and he built a rocket capable of a lunar landing mission. The Soviet Union could not build an equally capable rocket,” said John Logsdon, author of multiple books on the space race.

The Soviets did build a moon rocket, the N1. It had 30 engines. Four times the Soviets tried to launch it, and every time something went wrong.

The second failure was particularly spectacular. It happened on July 3, 1969 – just 13 days before the scheduled launch of Apollo 11. The N1 rose above the launch tower, fell back to the pad and blew up in one of the biggest nonmilitary explosions in history.

One giant leap

In December 1968 came the first giant leap, when the three Apollo 8 astronauts flew all the way to the moon, orbited it and flew home, a journey that most human beings appropriately found amazing.

Apollo 9 was a shakedown cruise in Earth orbit, with the command module and the lunar lander practicing the orbital rendezvous that would be necessary for the moon mission.

Apollo 10 was like a combination of the two previous missions: a flight to the moon and separation of the lunar module and the command module. The Lem descended to within 50,000 feet of the moon’s surface before igniting the ascent engine to blast back to lunar orbit. So that left one more giant leap. Not long before his death in 2012, Neil Armstrong said in one of his rare interviews that he had wished, back in July 1969, that they’d had another month to get ready for the moon-landing mission. He calculated only a 50 per cent chance of a successful landing. He figured that there was a 90 per cent chance the crew would make it back to Earth alive.

On July 16, 1969, the Saturn V rocket with three Apollo 11 astronauts riding on top blasted off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

“I could feel the shock wave vibrate through my bones,” says engineer Morgan, who was at a console in Launch Control.

The trip to the moon took three days. Most of that time, the astronauts couldn’t see the Earth or the moon. The spacecraft rolled

like a chicken on a spit so that the sun would not heat only one side of the vehicle. Finally the spacecraft pivoted, and the moon came into view. It filled the window. It was not a flat, silver disk, Collins recalled, but a three-dimensional object, bulging and a rough-looking place.

“It was just a totally different moon than I had grown up with,” Collins said. “It was awesome. It was certainly not inviting.”

On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin slipped into the Eagle and began their descent to the lunar surface.

They hadn’t gone far before the lander’s computer flashed an alarm.

“Program alarm. It’s a twelveoh-two,” Armstrong told Mission Control.

In Houston, astronaut Charlie Duke served as the CapCom, the person in direct communication with the Apollo crew. Duke had no idea what a 1202 alarm meant.

After 16 seconds of silence, Armstrong spoke again, this time with the kind of urgency you’d expect from someone who doesn’t know if he’s going to land on the moon or be forced to abort the mission: “Give us a reading on the 1202 program alarm.”

In Mission Control, engineer

Steve Bales had a direct line to a 24-year-old colleague named Jack Garman who sat in a backroom. Garman kept the computer codes (such as “1202”) on a cheat sheet on his console.

“It’s executive overflow. If it does not occur again, we’re fine,” Garman told Bales.

The Apollo Guidance Computer was a triumph of engineering –compact, hard-wired to do lots of things at once – but it was overloaded with radar data.

As a result, it was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, which is dump lower-priority programs. But it was continuing to guide the Eagle toward the surface.

Bales relayed that message: We’re still go for landing.

The Eagle, however, had overshot the intended landing area by several miles. The computer was guiding it toward a crater with steep sides and flanked by car-size boulders.

Armstrong took manual control, slowed the descent, and began flying the Eagle like a helicopter, almost parallel to the surface.

He had trained tirelessly on the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, an ungainly contraption designed to simulate how the Eagle would fly in the moon’s gentle gravity. Armstrong was an extraordinary pilot. He’d gotten a student pilot’s license on his 16th birthday before he knew how to drive a car, according to James Donovan’s book Shoot For the Moon.

Not only could he fly anything, he could crash anything and emerge unscathed. Armstrong had flown combat missions in Korea, and once had to eject from his plane just before it crashed into the sea.

He’d piloted the experimental, rocket-powered X-15 aircraft, at one point bouncing off the atmosphere accidentally (as dramatized in the opening scene of the movie First Man). During the Gemini 8 mission in 1966, a malfunctioning thruster put the spacecraft into a terrifying spin, but Armstrong, on the verge of passing out, managed to get it under control before making an emergency splashdown in the Pacific. And in 1968, he’d lost control of the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle and had to eject just seconds before it crashed.

As Armstrong searched for a level spot to land, fuel became an issue. The Eagle was supposed to be on the surface already, and the fuel supply had been carefully calculated. If they ran out of fuel,

they’d have to abort the landing by firing the ascent engine. The only other option was falling the rest of the way to the surface in what they could only hope would be a kind of soft crashing.

“Sixty seconds,” Charlie Duke said. Aldrin called out the rate of descent and the lateral motion.

Armstrong searched for a flat spot.

“Kicking up some dust,” Aldrin said.

“Thirty seconds,” Duke said.

For nine seconds, no one said anything.

Armstrong’s heart rate hit 156.

“Contact light,” Aldrin said. A rod extending from the bottom of one of the Eagle’s legs touched the surface. Armstrong killed the engine.

“Houston, uh...” He paused.

“Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

“Roger, Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We’re breathing again.”

‘When in doubt, land long’

That’s the famous moon landing. It’s in all the books. It’s in the First Man movie. You can hear the radio transmissions with an easy search online. But even with all this documentation, and even after half a century, it’s a strangely thrilling, terrifying moment in human history.

One quirky fact of the landing is that no one knew where the Eagle was, exactly, according to author Fishman. Collins, orbiting the moon on its far side, missed the landing drama. When he came back around to the near side of the moon he used a telescope to search for his comrades on the surface, but couldn’t spot them.

Nor could anyone else at NASA figure out precisely where this “Tranquility Base” was.

Collins told Armstrong that, from orbit, the landing area “looked rough as a cob.”

Armstrong: “It really was rough, Mike. Over the targeted landing area, it was extremely rough, cratered, and large numbers of rocks that were probably some, many larger than five or 10 feet in size.”

Collins: “When in doubt, land long.”

Armstrong: “So we did.”

Test pilot talk. When in doubt, land long (as if you’re in a jet aircraft in the Mojave Desert and not flying an experimental spaceship and trying to avoid craters and boulders on the moon).

Armstrong and Aldrin were supposed to get some sleep but instead decided to get on with the moonwalk, which turned out to be in prime time for the U.S. television audience.

Armstrong stepped onto the “porch” and pulled a handle that deployed a television camera. His backward journey on the ladder was as incremental as the entire Apollo program. When he hit the footpad he jumped back up to the

bottom rung of the ladder, just to make sure he could do it.

Then he stepped onto the moon proper.

“That’s one small step for man..” He paused. Armstrong would later claim that he said “a man,” and not just “man.”

He said the missing article must have gotten dropped from the radio transmission.

“ ...one giant leap for mankind.”

No one perceived it as a flubbed line. Everyone got the point.

Aldrin followed just 20 minutes later, and as he looked around, he offered a perfect description: “Magnificent desolation.”

Stars aligned

Why did it all work so splendidly? The stars aligned.

In his new book American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race, historian Douglas Brinkley writes, “(It) takes a rare combination of leadership, luck, timing and public will to pull off something as sensational as Kennedy’s Apollo moonshot.” Leadership. Luck. Timing. Public will. Those are not line items in a federal budget. They can’t be commanded to materialize.

The backers of Apollo may have made a fundamental strategic error: they framed the enterprise as a race. They won it – and then didn’t know what to do next.

They never had a plan for an extended moon presence, such as a moon base. Most of the Apollo technology proved of limited use in future space projects.

Everything was moon-specific, goal-specific. As a result, much of the Apollo infrastructure was disassembled.

It was like breaking down the set at the end of a film shoot.

“It was a Faustian bargain. The space cadets got the moon, but the price they paid for it was there wouldn’t be anything after the moon,” says space historian Howard McCurdy of American University. “It’s not advantageous to tie your future to a moonshot program.”

Spaceflight is now in a profound transition, no longer the exclusive enterprise of huge government bureaucracies. The commercial space industry is booming. The economies of advanced nations depend on satellites. Military officials fear that their satellites are vulnerable, and they say we must prepare for a new era of space warfighting.

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to create a Space Force as a sixth branch of the military. Meanwhile, the moon is prominent again. China recently landed a probe on its far side. India has a lander and rover planned for the near future.

In March, the Trump administration ordered NASA to land astronauts at the moon’s south pole no later than 2024.

Reality check: Going to the moon isn’t as easy as plugging an address into Google Maps. But with enough pluck and gumption, plus money and genius, it can be done.

That was the point of Apollo 11.

NASA HANDOUT PHOTO

In this July 20, 1969 file photo, Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong trudges across the surface of the moon leaving behind footprints.

In Loving Memory of Neil Quiring Jan 18, 1941 - Jun 12, 2019

Neil Quiring of Kamloops, British Columbia passed away after a lengthy illness on June 12, 2019, at the age of 78. He was born in Orley, Saskatchewan on January 18, 1941. Neil is survived by his loving wife Lorrie, daughter Sonya (Norm), daughter in law Hattie, sisters Mary and Helena (Arnold). He will be missed by grandchildren Emily, Tomas, Parker, Jack, Hunter. Neil was predeceased by his son Brian, brothers Pete, Johnny, Abe, Julius, Bill, George and sister Ann. In his career Neil was a heavy - duty mechanic. He was a member of Summit Drive Baptist Church. He was an amazing grandpa, loving husband and father.

ELLEN SMITH (Anker) (1947 - 2019)

It is with great sadness the family announce the passing of Ellen after a very hard fought battle with leukemia in Chilliwack. She is survived by her loving partner Ted; her children Shea and Sean (Shelby); grandchildren Kelsey, Eli and Jacob. She also leaves behind 8 siblings, many nieces and nephews, relatives, friends and acquaintances. There will be no service by request, however, family and friends will celebrate her life at a later date.

“Wildflowers don’t care where they grow”

Patrick (Pat) Ablett

Passed away suddenly on June 12, 2019. He was only 24 years old, and with Danielle the love of his life; had such a wonderful future ahead of him. Pat will be deeply missed by so many people, including friends and staff from Immaculate Conception, Duchess Park and UNBC - not to mention staff and friends at Earls, Canfor and his basketball & softball teams. Pat was predeceased by his brother Josh in 2004 and his mom Joyce in 2012. His dad Rick, brother Jesse, along with cousins Carly, Tanya and Shayla will always miss them so very much. A get together to celebrate a wonderful but far too short of a life will be held at College Height Baptist Church — 5401 Moriarty Cres, Saturday June 22, 2019 @ 2pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be good.

John Dahl

It is with sad hearts that John’s family announces his passing on June 10th at Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops. John was born in Yarrow on May 23, 1932 and raised on the family dairy farm in Sumas Prairie. He was predeceased by his first wife Barbara, parents Anna and John, and brothers Alfred, Ervin and Dennis. He is survived by his children Glen, Mark, and Kerrin, his wife Jean, her daughters Caroline and Carmen, 17 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his sibling Ann, Dave and Les, their families and many friends. He started his career in the coastal logging industry at an early age remaining with the same employer, Cattermole Timber, for many years. He arrived in the area which became MacKenzie in 1963 and logged the flood zones before the water came up behind the WAC Bennett Dam. John served on the District Council for five years and played an important role in planning MacKenzie. He was honoured when the regional government named a park in Mackenzie after him. He was an avid athlete competing in fastball, skiing, gymnastic, hockey and golf. Most mornings he would meet his golf buddies in The Dunes clubhouse for coffee and witty banter. The family would like to thank the staff in the cardiac care unit and on 7North for the care John received over the last six weeks. A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 29th, 2019 at St. Andrews on the Square, 159 Seymour Street, Kamloops. In Lieu of flowers a donation to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (cardiology fund) would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324 Condolences may be expressed to the family from www.myalternatives.ca

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

Vicki Collison

Feb 15, 1954 to June 15, 2019

It is in profound sadness that the family of Vickie announce her sudden passing. She leaves her loving husband, friend & partner of 41 years Brent, as well as her children, Terra, Brandon (Mandy), Kayla (Steve) & Gaylene. The loves of her life grandchildren Tyler (Jordon), Brooke, Gracee, Jack, Arilynne, great grand daughter Maia-Mae, mother Hilda, sisters Sandy & Cindy, brother Gary. Also many friends & relatives. Predeceased by son Jody & son in law Trevor Turner. Celebration of Life Saturday June 22, 2pm at 4260 Muerman Rd. Please wear cheerful colors. Love you to the moon and back.

Adult & Youth Newspaper Carriers Needed in the Following areas: • Hart Area

Driftwood Rd, Dawson Rd, Seton Cres,

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The Bassermann family knows about volunteerism and community involvement. From city council to the education system, sports and arts, cultural development and charity aid, Don and Barb Bassermann have touched more worthy causes than can ever be counted.

A new endeavour has them combining things close to their heart into one endowment fund.

“We have someone with autism in our crowd,” said Don, referring to one of the grandchildren in their local clan. “I was a board member with the Prince George Community Foundation so I was familiar with that operation, and we wanted to help out some families who have some needs and challenges in regard to autism. We know how fortunate we are, but there are a lot of others out there who have struggles, and autism presents some special things to overcome sometimes. If we could work together a little bit, we knew we could raise some money to make that a bit easier for folks.”

The Bassermann penchant for fresh food is locally legendary. They have an epic backyard garden, are avid fishers and hunters, and Don does instructional speaking on the topic of so-called scavenging nutritious edibles from the forests and grasslands of the area.

One of his contacts is the REAPS organization and they contacted him one day about an overabundance of plastic wine-making carboys someone was trying to get rid of to a responsible home. Bassermann was in no need of carboys but looking at them in the spirit of finding a use for this windfall gave him an idea.

“I was looking at them, and it suddenly occurred to me that it resembled a pig, with the spout looking like the snout,” Bassermann said.

So he painted and decorated one to look like a comical porker. Once that was complete, he took it step further and made one into an elephant. The creative momentum took him next to do a panda. With a hole cut out of the carboy, these cartoon containers were easily converted into a friendly, watersafe planter.

PLANTERS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

He started giving them away as door prizes at his seminars. Participants were delighted and started making requests for their favourite animal characters.

That’s when the Bassermanns knew they were onto something more than constructive curiosity. It quickly followed that this could be a fundraiser and there was no better cause within their own family than autism.

A quick call to the Community Foundation, and another affirmative one to the Child Development Centre to handle the application process for those in need of help, and they had an endowment fund up and running.

They just had to fill it.

“We saw how many carboys there were, we set a price of $100 for the garden planters, and that led us to set a goal of $10,000 for the fund, but who says that’s where it

They have already raised $6,000 towards

that goal and the campaign has only been underway a few weeks. A lot of that came from sales of the planters, but some came from substantial donations from people who saw this fund as one they wanted to financially support.

“If we can get to $10,000, that means it will pay out about $400 a year to families who need a little bit of support, and that will grow if we can go beyond the $10,000,” he said.

Some of the little things that come up for families supporting an autistic child, said Bassermann, are supportive games and other resources to aid in socialization or education, camps and outings, electronic equipment and other assistive tools, specialized blankets and clothing, and other hidden costs borne by people with an autism diagnosis in their household.

“We’re just so pleased to see the positive response,” he said. “It’s all recycled materials. We’ve had a ton of fun playing with the

bits and pieces as we make these little critters. And a real extra highlight for Barbara and I is, it’s a chance for us to see Rob and Nikki (parents of the autistic grandchild) get engaged as well in doing this important community work. It’s something we love that we can do together. From a family perspective, we are excited about that.”

Other friends and contacts have gotten involved as well, like when the Bassermanns hosted a painting party last week where a collection of people gathered in their backyard for some wine around the campfire, and together mass-produced about 30 of the blank carboys into charming planters now up for sale for the endowment fund.

Anyone wishing to buy into this initiative can contact the Prince George Community Foundation and for each $100 donation to the account, an “adorable up-cycled planter” will be delivered to you.

You can also email bassermann@shaw.ca for any information.

HARD WORK PAID OFF FOR BURKITTS

Charlie Burkitt, one of seven children, was born in 1937 in Quesnel. His parents moved their family to Reid Lake shortly after Charlie was born. His father worked in the bush while his mother managed the home, did all the gardening and raised the children. Charlie went to school in Reid Lake and finished Grade 9 by correspondence.

His father gave him a choice to continue going to school or to work with him in a sawmill. He chose to work so his father bought a two-man sawmill operation and at the age of 14 Charlie and his father used a cross cut saw in the bush and horse logged the logs to the sawmill for the next two years.

Charlie met Joyce Brown, the new Reid Lake school teacher, in 1957.

Joyce, one of four children, was born in 1937 on a farm near Vanderhoof. She was raised in Hixon and after Grade 8 the family moved to Castlegar where she took Grades 9 and 10. Their interdenominational church put out a church prayer letter looking for a donor to sponsor students who wanted to attend Grades 11 and 12 at the Prairie Bible Institute but could not afford the tuition. A man answered the prayer letter saying that he would make the donation and pay the entire two-year tuition. Joyce was selected and has been grateful for that gift of education ever since.

After graduation, Joyce and her mother moved to Vancouver. She worked odd jobs, saved her money, learned to ride the city bus and eventually started her teacher training. Generally, students took their teacher training at Normal School but Joyce was in the very first class of teachers that took their training at the University of B.C. She finished her training and applied for a position in Prince George.

Joyce and Charlie Burkitt have worked hard at their jobs and in the community during their 61 years together. SENIORS’ SCENE

Joyce said, “I admit that I knew nothing about Prince George. I only knew that I wanted to go north and I knew that I was going to love teaching children. The telegram arrived saying the school at Reid Lake was mine if I wanted it. I was thrilled.

“When I arrived in Reid Lake, it didn’t take long and I knew it was not going to be an easy school. There were 29 children from Grades 1 to 9 and I was the only teacher. Right off the bat, many of the boys were unruly, naughty and they challenged my authority. They figured it out that I was young and inexperienced. It was very difficult until I got the situation under control and soon it all worked out and I started to enjoyed my class. Whether they enjoyed me or not is another story.

“My only source of paper duplication was a jelly pad duplicator. The hectograph, gelatin duplicator or jellygraph is a printing process that involves the transfer of an original document, prepared with special inks, to a pan of gelatin. The gelatin absorbs the image which is then transferred to a clean sheet of paper.

“It wasn’t long until I met Charlie Burkitt.

97/16photobyBrentBraaten

He had just turned 20, he was underweight but he was a good worker.We got married in 1958 and I invited all my students. The children seemed to have more respect for me after I got married and they had to start calling me Mrs. Burkitt.

“I transferred to the two-room school on the airport hill and I taught Grades 1 to 3.

“Throughout my career, I taught school at Edgewood, Island Cache, Highland, Van Bien, Miller Addition and at the Catholic school. I substitute taught for many years and retired in 1998 after 41 years of teaching.”

Charlie worked in the logging industry for a total of 13 years and then the young family moved to Edgewood where he got his scalers license.

They moved back to Prince George in 1964. He first worked as a scaler for McDermid and Lofting and then found work at Liquid Carbonic for the next eight years.

He got a job at the jail and worked as a guard for 25 years. He applied for a transfer as an instructor at the Hudta Lake Forestry Corrections Camp and taught the youth in the detention centre for nearly 15 years. Charlie retired in 1998 at the age of 61.

In his retirement, he first took up small

engine repairs and two years later Charlie and Joyce went into the South Fort Heritage House Bed and Breakfast business. Being that their house was built in 1912 they thought this was a perfect name for their business. They have lived there since 1966 and they enjoyed hosting people in their home for 16 years.

Charlie and Joyce have three children: Tom (Susan), Bev (Glen) Misch and Roy (Benita) who in turn gave them six grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Joyce has always been willing to give back to her community. Over the years, she has volunteered with their church, a Christian senior’s group, Pioneer Girls, the Child Evangelism Fellowship Kids Club and the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre.

Joyce said, “I enjoyed my many years as a teacher. I was always an old-fashioned teacher. My goal was that the students would succeed to the best of their ability and then show improvement. That was all I expected of them and they learned to be proud. I am always happy when a former student recognizes me and says hello.

FESTIVITIES

“We will soon be married for 61 years. We must have done something right because one of our sons followed in his father’s footsteps and works at the jail as a guard and our daughter is a school teacher.

“We live in the best country in the world, the best province in the country and in the best part of the province. We are grateful for our family, our friends, our freedom and for one another; after a lifetime together, we have become one and we are happy to be growing older together.”

BARKERVILLEHOSTINGONE-MANSHOW

Perhaps W. Champness concluded that Barkerville contained only unattainable treasure, but J.P. Winslow discovered that another kind of gold glittered in the gravel and knotholes of that storied town.

Winslow has mined shiny tales from there in the past. On stage and screen, he has portrayed a number of characters connected in some way to the rich history of the Cariboo.

He has been Lester Pinch, the gritty rock ‘n’ roller.

He has been Sherlock Holmes, in what some call the best Holmes portrayal ever on film.

He has been Mr. Teach, the waterwheel operator at Barkerville Historic Town during the thick tourist season.

Now J.P. Winslow portrays Champness, an adventure-seeking rusher of gold. Like Pinch – the title character of his one-man play Lester performed last year at the Sunset Theatre in nearby Wells – this character is all of his own devising but this time with a bit of real life to colour the background.

“It is fiction, it is not Champness’s story directly, but I have borrowed his anecdotes from the book he wrote about the journey he made from England to the Cariboo, it was a series of letters or journal entries, and I applied that to the character.”

There are few copies of the Champness book called Unattainable Treasure: A Grim Journey to the Cariboo Goldfields, but when you’ve lived and worked in Wells-Barkerville as long as Winslow, you

find out about these real-life characters who scrabbled out of the muck and desperation of that slip of history. Winslow got ahold of the book and started drawing inspiration for the script.

“A lot of people think of Barkerville as this big city, or what would be thought of as a large town in that day, but the reality was it was very difficult living conditions and very wild. Very few people were striking it rich, or even making enough to survive on, so it was quite a story for anyone to come all the way from England into this strange land.”

Winslow has made a long career out of telling stories. He turns 50 years old this year and takes emotional note that he is still performing music and portraying characters at this benchmark of life, and for that he is grateful and motivated.

“It seems I’m always in creation mode,” he said. There are seven songs woven into the script for this new play, so he is exercising both those muscles. “It’s a hard go, it isn’t a 9-5 kind of job, and not everyone sticks with it, but for me it doesn’t feel like work, and I feel really lucky that I’ve been able to live a creative life.”

Barkerville is steeped in people of that mind and experience. He calls his new play To Cariboo In ‘62: A Musical Journey and it was directed by James Douglas who is not only the longtime visitor experience manager at the historic site, but also the one who directed The Doctor’s Case, the award-winning feature-length movie depicting Sherlock Holmes (played by Winslow) and Dr. Watson (played by Michael Coleman) as written by Stephen King.

The film was partially shot in Barkerville, due to its perfect period appearance and utilized many of the actors who work daily to bring Barkerville’s scripted characters to life for the throngs of visitors each year during tourist season.

“James and I have such an easy rapport, we know where we’re coming from, the familiarity is so dialed in, so it just clicks when we work together,” Winslow said.

He also tapped two other Barkerville veterans on the shoulder to help him with To Cariboo In ‘62. Amy Newman and Richard Wright are the busy proprietors of the Theatre Royal (among other theatrical ventures) where they stage a regular slate of performances almost every day.

One day that was typically dark each week was Thursday, and because Winslow’s play was so extracted from the

same Gold Rush period, it was a natural fit for that available Thursday time slot. From June 20 onward to autumn, To Cariboo In ‘62 is the resident show at this picturesque theatre.

It makes the play even more frescoed into Barkerville’s personality. The building was rooted in almost the same time as Champness’s quick visit to the town.

The Cariboo Amateur Dramatic Association had its beginning in about 1865 and worked out of a saloon, but it fell victim to the great Barkerville fire of 1868.

The first dedicated building for their performances after that was the Theatre Royal, built when the town was reconstructed after the blaze.

That structure was condemned and razed in 1937 and a new one built immediately to carry on the theatre tradition. It still thrives today with daily shows in tourist season, plus other performances as well.

“I love the building,” said Winslow, who did a mainstage show there for Newman and Wright in 2004. “There are three or four theatres I can think of, and the Royal in Barkerville is one of them, where just walking in and looking at it gives me a chill. I think it’s worth the price of admission just to be in the room.”

To be there when Winslow performs his new original one-man musical sluiced from the actual history of our own golden region, schedule a trip to Barkerville that includes a Thursday at 1 p.m. The education and entertainment are very attainable treasures.

Winslow

PAY TEACHERS WHAT THEY DESERVE

Canadian schools are among the best in the world and B.C. schools are arguably the best in Canada. This is so much the case that the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) is studying our educational system to see how we are achieving such exceptional results.

It is no surprise then that Canadian teachers are among the best paid in the world. There simply is no such thing as a free lunch, you get what you pay for.

And that is the problem. Governments, taxpayers and lobbyists are trying to get a free lunch. The real wages of teachers have dropped significantly in British

LESSONS IN LEARNING GERRYCHIDIAC

Columbia. Our schools are doing well because the teachers who once received a fair wage are still in the system and they care more about the well-being of their students than the amount of money in their bank accounts. I know this because I see it every day. The professional collaboration that takes place among teachers who want to see their students achieve their greatest potential is nothing short of exceptional.

Teaching continues to become more complex as our world changes. There is a lot more going on in schools today than in the past. Teachers want to deal compassionately with increasing anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns within the student population. There are constant demands for schools to do more with fewer resources. Yet teachers somehow find a way to make it work, often at their own expense.

We also need to look at wages in relation to the cost of living in British Columbia. Housing prices have risen significantly across the province, especially in the Lower Mainland. Is it realistic

to expect a person with two university degrees and student loans to accept a teaching position in Vancouver, where a condominium costs over $600,000 while earning a gross income of just $50,000 a year?

The bottom line is that teacher wages and working conditions in British Columbia are unsustainable. We can expect to see a significant drop in student performance if the situation does not improve soon. This will translate to a decrease in the quality of our workforce and a weakening of our economy. If we value the

for every dollar men earn.

It is very interesting to note that high school teachers tend to be male and that their wages in most countries are higher than those of elementary school teachers. Would it be fair to speculate that this too could be a symptom of gender inequality?

In B.C., all public school teachers are paid based only on their training and years of experience, regardless of what grade they teach. This is as it should be. I have taught both elementary school and high school and the workload and the level of expertise are the same.

Many seem to think, however, that because the majority of B.C. Teachers’ Federation members are women, they deserve to be paid less. This is simply unacceptable.

quality of life in B.C., we have to invest in education. If we continue to tighten educational budgets in real dollars, we will eventually get what we pay for. There is another issue at play with regard to teacher salaries, however. The majority of teachers in B.C .are women and women in Canada are paid 75 cents

Despite the challenges it has faced in recent years, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation has done what a union is supposed to do, it has made life better for everyone. It has lobbied for better learning conditions and has played a very large role in the fact that B.C. students and teachers are among the best in the world.

It’s finally time to give B.C. teachers the respect and wages that they deserve.

Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com.

CIRCUSRETURNS NEXTMONTH

The American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio is coming back to Prince George. This marks the third summer in a row that the Las Vegas-based entertainment company has brought their clowns and acrobats to this city.

This year, the Osorio family (a circus clan that dates back 90 years in the performance business, tracing their roots back to Mexico) promises “an international showcase of talent from Mexico, Belarus, Russia, Argentina, Romania and the U.S.”

Their 10-week tour of British Columbia is also in partnership with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, benefiting sick and injured children no matter where the tour goes in the province.

“Canada has welcomed our circus with open arms and now we have a chance to give back to the communities that support our show,” said president and fourth-generation circus owner Francisco Osorio. “Also, a very special offer makes it possible for two kids 10 years of age and under to see this Big Top spectacular for free when accompanied by a paying adult.”

Osorio said this year’s tour would fea-

ture the catapulting strength and artistry of the Dragmir Troupe; an out-of-thisworld laser experience that combines the lights and high energy music of Eduardo the Lazerman; the Belarus Triple Eagles defying the laws of gravity from high above the arena floor; zany circus clowns and much more.

“All of your senses are triggered once you enter the tent,” said fourth-generation co-owner and Master Ringmaster Rober Osorio. “Children and adults enter the magical tent, smell the popcorn and cotton candy, hear the music and see the audiences cheering as they become a part of the show…it’s quite the sensational experience.”

General admission is $25 (includes one adult plus two kids aged 10 and under). Additional child tickets are $10 each. Tickets available at the door.

The American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio show comes to Prince George from July 18-21 at CN Centre. Showtimes are 5:50 and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (an extra 3:30 show on Saturday), 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday.

PORTUGALMODELWORTHCONSIDERING

People ask if I think decriminalization of illicit drugs is the way to go. I say absolutely yes. Just look at how far prohibition of alcohol did not get us. We live in the dark ages about addictive disease and hold misguided beliefs about drugs and their use. All our thoughts regarding drugs are either formed by society or marketing boards – just look at reefer madness. During that era, society (meaning us) once believed smoking marijuana drove teenagers into chaotic murderous rampages. This was cleverly marketed to society (again us); it was a lie about how crazy THC could make us, and as such, it became a strictly held belief. Big pharma marketed valium to doctors as “mother’s little helper,” making claims it was the best new medication to allow stressed women to cope. Not deemed addictive they said, so back then, as a whole (again, meaning us in society) we believed this horrible lie and many women became addicted to drugs.

Cigarettes is another example of how blind sighted we were. Tobacco companies with great advertising and political power made us believe that smoking was good for our health. It calms your nerves is what we were told. I even remember being allowed to smoke in my high school class, it was “guidance” class, one which was deemed to be socially progressive. Remember airlines had smoking sections in the back. We as a society think we’re so darned smart now. Remember this when we talk about the criminalization of drugs.

Oxycontin was touted by big pharma as having less abuse potential than other heavy narcotic drugs out there. We (by our doctors) were fooled into that. Now

millions of people turn to street drugs and die of fentanyl overdoses everyday because government cracked down. I ask myself who allowed this in the first place – big pharma had to get approval somewhere to get this drug into us.

But before you blame big pharma, government, doctors and tobacco companies, remember this – weare the ones who believed such things as refer madness, we are the ones who willingly smoked (just look at the vaping craze which people engage in right now). We bought into societal lies, even the ones which are currently being told about the need to criminalize drugs. Aactually drugs are not criminalized, it is the addicts, the ones who are using, they are the ones who are suffering with this. If you believe addicts should be thrown into jail, remember again the prohibition of alcohol. Had you been living back then, you would then be deemed as a law-breaking, misguided soul. Based on your knowledge today, do you think you and millions of others who imbibe in a glass of wine or jug of beer should be placed into shackles and thrown into jail?

Prohibition of alcohol did not stop alcohol use. It added only more legal costs. Imagine how much money could be spent on treatment, prevention and help if policing costs/jails/courts weren’t required with all this.

97/16 file

The Portugal model of decriminalization is a stellar example. People often fear drug use will escalate with decriminalization. What studies and research have shown is that illicit drug use actually decreased in that country. Even with the legalization of marijuana, initial reports show that THC consumption has actually gone down. So the next time we get on the bandwagon about how harmful legalization can be, please remember how misguided we all

were when we (as a society) believed such lies and propaganda as we did back then. Despite how different we think we are from the eras of reefer madness and alcohol prohibition, I contend we have absolutely not changed because if we had, decriminalization would not be a thing. – Questions for Ann? Send your submissions (anonymously, if you choose) to columns@pgcitizen.ca and we’ll pass them along.

PGSO BACKING BEAUTY & THE BEAST

FRANK

PEEBLES

97/16 staff

Collaborations between Judy Russell Presents and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra are a tale as old as time.

Russell now says the PGSO’s artistic director will be her guest at the orchestra podium when the curtain rises this summer on Beauty & The Beast, and the entire ensemble will be comprised of the city’s venerable symphony.

“I am proud to announce that the Prince George Symphony Orchestra lead by maestro Michael Hall will be joining us this summer for our run of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” said producer-director Russell. “We are so lucky to have such incredibly talented people in our community. A cast of over 60, a production crew too large to count, and now the addition of the folks in the PGSO – Prince George is in for a real treat when it comes to the performance they will see this summer. And it’s really important to recognize that we wouldn’t be able to have such incredible community theatre here in Prince George without the support of a number of amazing organizations.”

Hall is relatively new to Prince George, taking the performance helm of the PGSO in fall of 2017. It is the first time he and Russell will be working together on one of her musical theatre blockbusters.

Hall said he was excited to bring a live

and professional musical experience to something he has seen done in less vital ways in other places.

We will have at least double that number of performers, professional core symphonic musicians playing live what other productions do digitally

“The Vancouver show has six people in the orchestra, half of them playing keyboards,” he said. “We will have at least double that number of performers, professional core symphonic musicians playing live what other productions do digitally. That is part of my commitment to the live performing arts community of Prince George. We have the talent here. I want them to be involved with us.”

Having people perform the music instead of machines adds financial cost to the production. Russell and Hall applauded Treasure Cove Casino for joining the partnership as the sponsor that connected the musicians with the singing and dancing. Treasure Cove’s Amanda Chandler said they were more than just neighbours (the casino and the playhouse share the Highway 97-16

ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS YET?

Do you use a laptop, Ipad, cell phone? Do you drive a vehicle – across bridges, do you fly in aircraft or take commuter trains or ferries? If you do, then you are one of the many beneficiaries of our diversified resource sector in British Columbia.

When you get up in the morning and turn on the lights, are you aware that the power travels through thousands of kilometers of metal wire supported by thousands of metal towers?

When you turn up your thermostat, do you know that the natural gas has traveled thousands of kilometers through metal pipelines?

As you prepare to leave for work and put on your jewelry, your gold, your silver, adjust your gold wedding band, do you recognize these are precious metals found right here in British Columbia?

Single use plastics aside, are you aware the polymers used in our modern world from aircraft, vehicles, water supply pipes, housewares and more, are derived from our oil and gas sector? British Columbia has some of the richest liquid natural gas deposits in the world and could play a major role in petrochemicals and the polymer industry.

intersection), they were also kindred spirits in live performance, so the fit was natural.

“All of us at Treasure Cove Casino believe that a well rounded community has strong current of arts flowing through it,” said Chandler. “We are in the midst of building an all new show lounge at the casino which will also add to the arts and entertainment in our community. This is almost like a double whammy when it comes to arts in P.G.

– Judy Russell Presents partnering with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra in this production. We will have the best of the best on stage when it comes to local northern talent, and we are proud to support this endeavour of bringing the symphony, led by maestro Michal Hall, to the Prince George Playhouse, along with the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast.”

Another intrinsically important

sponsor for this production is the local Canadian Tire location. With all the construction involved in shaping any theatre production, that would be reason enough to establish that relationship, but Russell said the commitments made to local arts and culture by Canadian Tire owner Selen Alpay makes for a stronger Prince George.

“His support this time around has been something that is celebrated among the cast and crew,” said Russell. She also applauded the show’s media sponsors: the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group and the Prince George Citizen. The curtain will open on Beauty & The Beast on July 11 with the run ongoing to July 27.

Tickets are on sale now at all Central Interior Tickets platforms, including online purchasing for instant seat bookings 24 hours a day.

ABOUT US

• Colleen Sparrow, publisher and GM

• Neil Godbout, editor-in-chief

• Shawn Cornell, director of advertising

• Call us at: 250-562-2441 or 250-562-3301

• Find us at: 201-1777 Third Ave. Prince George, B.C. V2L 3G7

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• Visit https://bit.ly/2S9W4zW to nd the location nearest you to pick up extra copies of 97/16.

The products that we use every day in our lives demonstrates our dependence on mining and mineral exploration, and oil and gas development.

Mining and oil and gas are important components in BC’s diverse economy, providing thousands of jobs, many of which play an important role in maintaining our rural populations.

As our forest sector adjusts to less available fibre and we allow our forests to re-establish themselves from the devastation of pine, spruce, fir beetles and other pestilence, we will become even more dependent upon other natural resources in our province to help sustain our economy and rural communities. Having a diversified economy has never been so important for our province.

Office: 102-1023 Central St. West, Prince George, B.C.

Phone: (250) 612-4194 Toll Free: 1(866) 612-4194

Mike.Morris.MLA@leg.bc.ca • www.MikeMorrisMLA.bc.ca /MikeMorrisForBC • @MikeMorrisForBC

Mike Morris MLA

Prince George-Mackenzie

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AROUND TOWN

WordPlay Changeup

Erin Bauman, known affectionately as the Panoptical Poet, has been the stalwart host of the semi-regular WordPlay spoken word series held at Books & Company. Her next will be her last. New host Marc Sinclair will be on hand for introductions. Bauman said Sinclair “will carry on the WordPlay tradition while adding his own wonderful literary flare. Join me, the Panoptical Poet, one more time on Thursday June 20th to help me celebrate the ups, downs, and inbetweens of my time at WordPlay.” The poetry and prose takes voice at 7:30 p.m.

Wild Library

Kids can mix with the great outdoors, and the Prince George Public Library can provide some helpful knowledge to improve the fun. Come to the Bob Harkins Branch at 6:30 p.m. today for a one-hour workshop called Wilderness Kids. Get ready for summer and make safety a priority. Bring your kids or just yourself to talk about safe practices for play and travel. Join Gillian, veteran parent and wilderness tripper, to talk about strategies for safety in the wilderness.

Park anniversary

Goodsir Nature Park, the one-of-akind outdoor botanical attraction on Old Summit Lake Road is hosting its 30th anniversary. This private forest has natural gardens, a plant museum, a vinyl

music museum, a network of easygoing walking trails, a beaver pond, and many other enjoyable features, not the least of which is a collection of trees and shrubs thriving in one Prince George place collected from all across Canada. Join park founder Jim Good and his supporters at 7:30 p.m. Friday for a casual ceremony celebrating this natural dream come to life. No appointment necessary to come walk the trails any day of the week. Guided tours can be arranged by calling 250-971-2337. Overnight camping also available. Free refreshments throughout the anniversary weekend.

Feel the Heatwave

The Heatwave-Celebrate Cultures festival happens outside at Canada Games Plaza and Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Friday through Sunday. Free activities, live music, cultural performances, food vendors, and more make this a premier summer event for the city, brought to you by the organizers of the Coldsnap Music Festival (Prince George Folkfest Society), the organizers of National Indigenous Peoples Day (Lheidli T’enneh First Nation), the organizers of St. Jean Baptiste Day (Le Cercle Des Canadiens Francais), and the Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society. It is a “heatwave” of music and culture.

Aboriginal Callout

The Indigenous focus of Heatwave has its own event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday at the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. If you are an Indigenous artist, musician or vendor please email artsandculture@lheidli.ca for information. There are also opportunities to set up or perform at the Canada Games Plaza for the other aspects of the three-day Heatwave-Celebrate Cultures festival. For more information on the larger event email jrubadeau@princegeorge.ca

Ribfest

Pacific Western Brewery is hosting Ribfest 2019, a three-day barbecue party Friday through Sunday with world-class rib cooks from across Canada to tempt the city’s taste buds. They will be joined by complementary local food vendors, talented music acts performing live on-site, and the full power of PWB beer. It’s all free to attend the all-ages daytime portion (pay for the vendor wares you desire), with $5 cover charge for the +19 nighttime portions. All money raised goes to the many charitable causes of the Nechako Rotary Club.

Summer Wine

Pour some vino and raise a glass to the Summer Solstice at Northern Lights Estate Winery from 4-10:30 p.m. Friday. Food trucks, live music, family friendly.

Rainbow Pride

June 22 – The annual Pride Picnic happens Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Rainbow

Eric Tomkins from Zavan Trio performs for Canada 150 Heatwave in Canada Games Plaza. Heatwave returns for three days this weekend.

Park. All welcome to kick off Pride 2019 with this evening lark in the park. Pack a basket, wear your rainbow colours, and come support diversity, equality, safety, and community. Games, water balloons, face painting, and more.

AROUND TOWN

97/16 file photo Participants take part in the 2016 edition of Ride Don’t Hide. The event returns this Sunday at CN Centre.

Willow River Days

The First Annual Paddlers Ball has surf and play demonstrations, a ball race, and lots of social interaction for the city’s kayak community, organized by the Northwest Brigade Paddling Club. First events start at 1 p.m. Saturday. Access the event by going to the Willow River via Highway 16 East, then off of English Creek Road.

Ride Don’t Hide

June 23 – From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the CN Centre parking lot, the community is urged to Ride, Don’t Hide. Join the Canadian Mental Health Association and Canadians from coast to coast as we ride to connect – to our own mental health, to each other and to our communities. We’re bringing mental health into the open and raising critical funds for mental health programs in Prince George. This year, CMHAPG is fundraising to rebuild their clubhouse which burned last summer.

There are 6 km, 15 km, 30 km, and 50 km routes. It’s a fun family-friendly event open to everyone. Ride, attend our health fair with a wide range of vendors, and help break the stigma by talking about mental health openly.

Dance Freely

June 25 – The Omineca Arts Centre opens their floor up to Just DanceConscious Movement Medi Cine Tation, a freeform stretch/dance event where everyone is safe to move like no one is watching. Water bottle and warm socks are recommended. Admission by donation.

Take part in an Acrylic Paint Pour With Yvonne Sawkins at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Two Rivers Gallery hosts this opportunity to try out a new art medium. Cost is $45 to watch the colours flow across your canvas, creating intriguing swirls and designs, under the helpful supervision of artist Yvonne Sawkins. Learn a variety of acrylic pour techniques as each participant complete three projects. Register online at the Two Rivers Gallery website.

Bannock, Beads

Learn beading the community circle way. Enjoy a night of Tea, Bannock & Beads from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday at Omineca Arts Centre where participants can learn the Aboriginal art of beading in a casual setting. “Learn by watching, asking and doing,” said organizers. “This is not a class, but a place to bring beading projects and sit together to inspire, connect and learn from one another. Anyone with an interest is welcome.”

Rock Hat-trick

Three bands are revving up the Omineca Arts Centre on June 28. Chiliocosm is the headliner, Cvstles is the support show, and local band The Handlebars is the opener.

Chiliocosm from Grande Prairie is described as “combining soothing alternative grooves with energetic melodic punk rock creating a unique blend of emotional fueled fire.”

Sherwood Park’s Cvstles is called “pop punk as interpreted by four metalheads and one sadboi.”

The Handlebars will bring the “PG mayhem” based on “their own brand of rock/punk. The Handlebars bring you high energy, juicy riffage.”

Tickets are $10 at the door. Showtime is 8 p.m. for this licensed all-ages show.

Canada Day

Canada Day In The Park is the city’s beloved annual birthday bash for Canada on July 1. Live music, dancing, ethnic costume, a cultural food festival, community booths, kids’ activities and much more come to vivid life at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and it finishes with a fireworks display at 11 p.m. – all for families, all for free.

Dominion Day

Take a trip to the past and celebrate Canada’s birthday July 1 the old-fashioned way at Huble Homestead, the city’s living museum with pioneer farmhouse, barns, general store, post office blacksmith shop, fish drying camp, and much more. Enjoy heritage demonstrations and music throughout the day, and take part in the Dominion Day festivities by joining in pioneer games and races, eating contests, a special Canadian treasure hunt, and crafts! Join the parade across the site and afterwards enjoy a free piece of birthday cake, then kick back and relax with a hot meal from the BBQ. Admission by donation (recommended $10 for this event).

Homemade Funny

Prince George’s Funniest Person With A Day-Job comes back to the Sonar Comedy & Nightclub stage July 5. If you have the material, come out for the big reveal. Limited number of spots available. Contact Sonar to sign up.

KidzArt Dayz

A big happy mess gets made downtown each summer. It’s time again for BMO KidzArt Dayz on inside and out front of the Two Rivers Gallery on July 5 and 6. This

June 20 | 7:30pm | Free

creative blast brings art, music, movement and family fellowship into Canada Games Plaza where everything is hands on and high fun, all for free. It runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, and gallery memberships will be for sale for half-price to get families connected to year-round creativity at the region’s top visual arts facility.

Monster Trucks

The PGARA Speedway is truly the playground of power. The Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour comes to Prince George for a pair of shows July 6 and 7 (6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday) with a wild herd of mega-machines, unique vehicle entertainment, and a pit party. Get tickets at all TicketsNorth platforms.

Beastly Beauty

Judy Russell Presents brings incredibly popular musical theatre show Beauty & The Beast to the Prince George Playhouse stage for 15 shows from July 11 to 27. See the best of the city’s homegrown stage talent and the storytelling power of Disney in a live summer blockbuster. Get tickets at all Central Interior Tickets platforms.

Summerfest

Downtown Prince George’s signature event in the summertime is a celebration of food, entertainment and activities for the whole family July 14. Live music, merchant booths, arts and culture displays and much more make this a day to circle on the calendar, headlined by the popular food pavilion. The extravaganza runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza.

Red Green

He’s colourful in name and deed. Red Green is the bumbling but pleasantly practical TV fix-it man, the clown prince of duct tape, the sage of the man-shed. This Canadian comedy icon is coming to Vanier Hall Sept. 26 on his Red GreenThis Could Be It Tour. His PG shows are always a sell-out. Get tickets at the TicketsNorth website/box office.

Burton, Live

Canada’s piano man, the Guess Who’s epic vocalist, the only artist inducted into the nation’s music Hall of Fame for both his band and his solo career, the incomparable Burton Cummings is coming to P.G. on Oct. 18. He was the power voice propelling American Woman, These Eyes, No Time, Clap For The Wolfman and many other hits of the groundbreaking band The Guess Who, but then when he went solo he continued the multi-platinum success with I Will Sing A Rhapsody, Stand Tall, My Own Way To Rock, Fine State Of Affairs, You Saved My Soul, Break It To Them Gently, and more besides.

Cummings will be solo at the piano at Vanier Hall. Tickets are on sale now through all TicketsNorth platforms.

Stellar Shapes Stellar Shapes

he ancient Greeks contributed more than the Olympic Games to the world. It was in Athens that people first invented democracy, a government by the people, for the people. Ancient Greeks also contributed greatly to modern astronomy.

For thousands of years, people have looked at the stars in the sky and imagined shapes and patterns. The ancient Greeks saw that some stars formed groups that reminded them of people or animals or things like arrows and crowns. Today, we call groups of stars that make up pictures constellations

Look at the pictures of the constellations on this page. Find them in the star map you see here. Then, on the next cloudless night, look for them in the sky.

The Little Dipper or The Little

Like civilizations that came before them, ancient Greeks gave constellations names. This one is a magical animal called Pegasus. Connect the dots to see what he looks like.

Use the Kid Scoop Secret Decoder Ring to discover the name of this book by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer, which is available at the library. To fill in the blanks, find the letter on the outer ring, then replace it with the letter below it on the inner ring.

Star Chart for the Northern Sky

The North Star

My Stars!

Big

is part of the

Star Power Star Power

The North Star or Polaris is not the biggest or the brightest star, but it is the most important. It stays in the same spot and can be used to find other stars. Travelers use it to find their directions when they don’t have a compass. The two stars at the tip of The Big Dipper’s bowl help you to find the North Star.

Bear Tails Bear Tails

An ancient Greek legend tells the story of a beautiful woman named Callisto who loved her son Arcas. One day the goddess queen, Hera, became angry with Callisto and turned her into a bear.

When Arcas went hunting he came upon a bear in the woods. It was his mother, but she couldn’t tell him.

Arcas was about to kill the bear when the king of the gods, Zeus, changed him into a bear too. Zeus lifted the bears by their tails and swung them into the sky. This caused their tails to stretch and that is the reason the Great and Little Bears have long tails.

Seeing Stars, Dots, Speckles, Stripes and Spots

Look through the newspaper and find and cut out pictures of dots, spots, speckles, stripes and STARS! Use these to create a new design.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

How many telescopes can you nd on this page?

Find the words in the puzzle. How many of them can you find on this page?

A picture-book biography on science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist whose work has inspired a generation of young scientists and astronomers to reach for the stars! Find out what inspired his interest in space.

Kids Reading to Dogs

A recent study revealed that a “Reading to Dogs” program could provide a comfortable environment for a child to practice reading rather than read aloud to classmates and family. Sometimes the factor of making a mistake, especially in front of their peers, presents a reason to avoid reading.

Look for a “Reading to Dogs” program at your local library. Volunteers bring therapy- certified dogs who will sit quietly while being read to. Some programs even provide cats or rabbits.

The results of these programs have been very positive in improving literacy skills.

Write a poem or descriptive paragraph telling what you like or don’t like about gravity.

Courtesy of Northern Stars Planetarium, Fair eld, Maine.

Hercules

Swan (Cygnus)

Dragon (Draco)

Crown (Corona Borealis)

Lyra

Cassiopeia

Bear (Ursa Minor)

The Great Bear (Ursa Major)

The

Dipper

constellation The Great Bear (Ursa Major).

icki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 28

Vicki Je

MEDIA BAILOUT A TRAVESTY

Iwould be against the federal government’s $660 news media bailout even if Mother Theresa, Ghandi, the Dahli Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Anne Frank, were on the panel that decides which media outlets get our tax dollars. When we are talking about a select few people choosing which news media outlets get federal money, character doesn’t matter. This “select few” idea is contrary to every principle of a free press.

This panel of people selected by the government, will pick and choose which media outlets will get a portion of $660 million in order to support a “solid, independent news media which is necessary for a functioning democracy.”

THINKING ALOUD TRUDYKLASSEN

memory is so short? How can it be that we skewer and bash the American president for his outrageous speech and lack of respect for the media, yet are silent when, albeit in a more polite “Canadian” way, our own duly elected prime minister brings out a draconian program in an attempt to correct the problem of declining media profits?

Independent like the 30-year-old living in mom’s basement? Or independent like the student in university who writes an essay tailored for the teacher in order to get a good grade, in this case, government funds?

Freedom of the press must exist to have a free society. When governments pick and choose which media get funds, we lose the independence of the press which means we lose freedom of speech. Most journalists and media owners will have the integrity to not let their work be swayed by these funds. But having a benefactor has an immediate subtle effect and a dangerous long-term effect, like the man in the basement or the student writing to the teacher’s preference. Do we really want to go there? Do we want our press to be “owned” by our government?

We just honoured Second World War soldiers who lost their lives on D-Day, fighting a regime that controlled the freedom of the press. My ancestral family left their homes and livelihoods for the freedom to think and speak freely. Many newcomers to Canada have similar stories. The Indigenous peoples of Canada have their own experience of a too-powerful government and restricted speech. How can it be that our collective

The problem of how to support struggling media is complex. We have Youtube stars becoming millionaires, which means there is still money to be made in media. Is it just a matter of producing content people are willing to pay for? I do know the solution is not a panel to pick and choose which ones survive. That this government is unable to think of a better solution means they lack the imagination to govern. Governing requires the ability to think, the ability to come up with creative solutions that uphold our democracy, that encourage an increase of media rather than this ham-fisted attempt to pick the winners. Previous governments have provided funding for all media, maybe they could explore that. There are other options than this handout to media outlets chosen by a panel. This bailout and panel can only be thought legit by those convinced of their own superiority. They have forgotten that they govern for all, not just the ones they agree with. If this was just about providing funding to selected construction companies to build projects, we would just have another sponsorship scandal.

No, this panel, this bailout, puts the sponsorship scandal to shame. It brings a massive axe to the very base of our democracy.

SOLUTION TO: KICK IT UP A NOTCH

NEW BLAZER EVOLVES WITH TIMES

General Motors revives an old nameplate and reimagines the new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer as a two-row crossover.

Manufacturers these days are increasingly looking for any reason to introduce a new SUV. Chevrolet has resurrected its Blazer name to capitalize on any goodwill that name has with consumers.

Those with a long memory can probably remember the original Blazer, which started off as a full-size two-door SUV based on the C/K pickup chassis in the late 1960s. It transitioned into a midsize in the ’80s, again based on a truck – this time the smaller S-10.

t’s now back as a five-passenger midsized crossover, slotted between the Equinox and the Traverse in Chevrolet’s lineup. There is currently no equivalent vehicle in the GMC line.

There are four trim levels, starting with the Blazer 2.5L at $35,100. I drove the 3.6L, with a list price of $37,300.

It is logical to deduce that the numbers reflect the engine displacement between the two trims. The base engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 193 horsepower. My tester had the more powerful (and popular) 3.6-litre V-6 producing 308 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic.

You can save a few dollars by ordering the Blazer with just front-wheel drive. My tester had the optional all-wheel drive added, which bumped up the price to $40,300.

The double-overhead-cam engine is very smooth, with acceleration that impresses, especially on the highway. While I did not have the opportunity to test the Blazer’s towing abilities, it has a claimed maximum 2,041-kilogram (4,500 lbs.) capacity with the towing package.

If you do a lot of highway travel, you will appreciate the Active Fuel Management system, with a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down two cylinders when driving under light loads.

In the city, the engine’s stop/start technology is handy in stop-and-go traffic. The Blazer is rated at 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.5 on the highway. Also helpful is a dial that allows the driver to choose the traction mode based on road conditions. You can choose twowheel drive, four-wheel, sport off-road or towing.

Chevrolet took the time to nail down the finer details of design. Case in point is the climate control embedded in the bezels of a pair of interior vents, soft-touch materials where they matter most and the use of complementary colours to get away from a monochromatic interior.

The front seats were supportive, but I found the bolsters on the seat bottom were soft — I have my doubts about them holding up for the long term.

Chevrolet manages to get the 8.0-inch touchscreen at an optimum height without having it jut up on the dash, as many other manufacturers do. The operating system’s interface seems simple and easy to navigate.

My tester was lightly optioned, but the Blazer can be ordered with cutting-edge technology, including a 4G LTE mobile hotspot and wireless charging.

If you have children, I guarantee they will beg you to get the mobile hotspot.

The back seats were designed for adults in mind, with ample head and legroom. If you have lanky teenagers with limbs everywhere, being cramped isn’t a complaint you

will likely hear.

The seatbacks fold 60/40 and, when deployed, you get a flat surface to carry up to 1,818 litres of cargo.

My complaint is that the most advanced driver assistance features, such as front pedestrian braking, automatic braking, collision alert and lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, are only available in the RS and Premier trim levels.

My tester had a Plus Package, which included lane change, side blind zone and rear cross-traffic alerts. It also adds a rear park assist to the back-up camera.

One emerging safety feature – a rear seat reminder – is thankfully standard on all trim levels. It is activated when the rear doors are open or closed up to 10 minutes before, or anytime the vehicle is switched on.

If you have a young driver in the family, you will appreciate the Teen Driver suite. The suite includes Buckle to Drive, which means the vehicle will not start until the seat belt is fastened. Parents can also set an over-speed warning alert, with both a warning sound and logging the infraction. The vehicle will also let parents know if the forward collision alert has been set off (on vehicles equipped with the option).

The Blazer has undergone several revi-

sions over its life. Its latest puts it in the sweet spot for buyers who have outgrown compact offerings but don’t need an extra two seats. In a battle between overall comfort and the ability to carry two more occupants, the Blazer prevails.

SPEC SHEET

Type: Mid-sized crossover/SUV, front engine, all-wheel-drive

Engine: 3.6-litre V-6, 308 hp at 6,600 rpm, 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm

Transmission: Nine speed automatic

Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,862; width, (without mirrors) 1,948; height, 1,702; wheelbase, 2,863

Curb weight (kg): 1,910

Price (base/as tested): $40,300/ $43,890 (includes $1,895 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)

Options: Plus Package $1,595 Tires: 235/55 R20 on alloy wheels

Fuel type:

Warranty: Three

GlacierMediaphotos

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer has returned with a bang, eager to reconnect with drivers.

PEDRO ARRIAS Victoria Times Colonist

SOMUCHLEFTBEHINDFORNEWLIFE

For a large group of people experiencing new things, meeting strangers in a party, trying new food, going somewhere they have never been to, is stressful. And I am one of those people. If I go to a restaurant, I prefer to order something I have tried before or I know how it would taste. If I am going to a party, I rather talk to someone whom I know. Otherwise I just silently stay around and avoid any potential eye contact.

If I am traveling, I would gather information, as much as I could, about that particular city or place. Now you probably can imagine how I was feeling when everything has been finalized about the huge change in my life and that was moving to Canada as an international student. I was super excited and super nervous at the same time. Excited, since that was my own decision and I wanted that change, I wanted that new and different experience. Nervous, because it was a new experience. Everything was new: the place, the people, the culture. For me even requesting a passport was

a new thing to do. I had never had one before. At the time, I didn’t know how tough this move could be. My husband and I were two energetic people who wanted to just move forward, to explore and experience new things and to find a way to live a good life. Sometimes I think if I hadn’t studied math, would I be logical enough to approve that move? If I had stayed in my dreamland in which I was living with my endless stories, would I be able to handle the emotional part of the immigration? I don’t know the answer. I was leaving behind my parents, my hometown, my childhood, and after all these years, still sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and think of my mom’s face, think of her crying and

smiling at the same time when we were saying goodbye.

We could only pack four suitcases and I was telling myself this is my whole life that I am packing here. I wanted to bring everything – books, clothes, photo albums, but that was kind of impossible. Day after day, we packed and unpacked over and over. And every time we had to put away a few items.

I wanted to bring memories with me: my “Harry Potter” book collection which I received as a birthday gift, my blanket which my grandmother knitted herself, the painting that my friend gave to me. But I knew I would need a sleeping bag and my warm jackets more. All the way to the airport, I was thinking about all the things that I had to give up, from a small jewelry box that I couldn’t pack to all my friends and family members and I was sympathizing with myself.

Our trip to Canada was the longest one in my whole life. Including all the waiting times in multiple airports, it took us almost thirty

hours to finally reach Vancouver. We were so tired and we had to wait in a very long line to receive our (study) permits.

As soon as the officer called us, I realized I was not tired anymore but I was scared and nervous. That was the very first experience of speaking a different language with a native speaker who happened to be a stranger. The whole situation was new and I did not know how to deal with it. To be honest, sometimes I try to remember what questions were asked and what I said in response. But the only thing I can recall is my sweaty hands.

Here we are, I told my husband. We hugged each other for a few moments and although we never talk about it, I am sure we were thinking about the same thing. It was us with no friends, almost no money, and no experience of living a Canadian-style life. We didn’t have any idea how we can make friends, find jobs, learn the culture and build a life. The only thing we had, other than each other, was four suitcases.

Try your hand at the traditions of local First Nation cultures.

The Aboriginal Housing Society is hosting an all-ages and all-backgrounds event on Saturday to let everyone try out some of the core artisan and lifestyle skills that have existed in this region for centuries.

Indigenous Culture Camp starts at 9 a.m. with a welcome from the Lheidi T’enneh then the start of a set of workshops demonstrating traditional practices you can watch or try yourself.

Learn different forms of beading with Cheryl Scheizer and Debbie Prince, moccasins with Rose Thomas, weaving Metis design by Cheryl George, creating carving tools with

Tom Reece, smoking moose hide with Phyllis Gauthier, and more.

You can stick with one or two all day, or you can switch it up every hour.

“It is for anyone, including kids,” said Dawn Agno, Community Programs Coordinator with the Aboriginal Housing Society. “The workshops are to educate and break down racial divisions and for people to develop a cultural competency, and understanding about the First Nations people that are living among us. Everyone is welcome to attend. You can be brown, blue, purple, white, yellow and green. Workshops are open to everyone. It is a way to show people that First Nations people have a very distinct way and culture; that all people are welcome, no matter what colour or creed.”

All workshops will take place indoors except

for the carving and moose hide tanning sessions which will happen outdoors.

There are prizes for those who participate, and also prizes for a do-it-yourself competition built into this event. Agno said the Indigenous Culture Camp was hungry for everyone’s best bannock.

“The bannock contest is a bit tricky,” said Agno. “They can bring no less than 30 bannocks for people to try as we are going to have a vote the people will pick who made the best kind. They will have to cook it at home and bring it.”

Also invited to take part in the event is any vendor who wishes to share their wares and add to the festival atmosphere.

“We are looking for any kind of vendor as it is an all inclusive day,” said Agno. “Vendor

tables/spaces are free, and we have a huge lot in the back of our building and all around, as well as inside if they need power. It can be cultural items, it can be natural items, food vendors of any kind as long as they have their food license.”

Agno is attempting to add another cultural demonstration to the event, if the players (two teams, each of about six people) come forward. The ancient gambling game of Lahal was once a favourite recreation among First Nations of this region. It is enjoying a modern comeback in popularity. Anyone wishing to demonstrate Lahal and enjoy it with other players is encouraged to contact Agno to set up a showcase at this Indigenous Culture Camp. Call 250-640-9674 for more information.