Caledonia Courier, May 08, 2013

Inside

u Editorial P. 4 u All Candidates Forum P. 3, 5

u Classifieds P. 10, 11 u 4-H Club P. 12

Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2013

PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com

VOL. 36 NO. 10 $1.30 inc. GST

NEWS BRIEFS Cottonwood Marina damaged The District of Fort St. James will not be opening Cottonwood Marina this season. The wharf sustained significantdamage as the lake ice blew in to shore on April 25. In order to properly repair the facility, new pilings will likely need to be driven into the lake bed, which is very costly and will require environmental permits.

District staff is investigating solutions to the problem and hope to be able to prepare a project budget for consideration for 2014. It is unlikely that the marina will be available for moorage this season. The boat launch at the marina will be available for public use without charge.

The District will be notifying all of the people who have reserved spots for their boats, and refunding their payments.

Council is aware that the marina is a significant asset to the community.

They regret any inconvenience that this will cause for boaters on Stuart Lake.

For more information please contact the District of Fort St. James at: Phone: 250-996-8233 Fax: 250-996-2249 Email: district@fortstjames.ca

All Candidates forum was held on Wednesday, May 1st a the NVSS Small Auditorium in Vanderhoof. (Left to Right) Candidates Dan Brooks - B.C. Conservatives, MLA John Rustad - B.C. Liberals, Colin Hamm - B.C. Green Party and Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett - B.C. NDP.

B.C. Mining growing Far-flung mines and local impact

By Walter Strong Black Press Although gas and oil pipelines debates dominate the news with headline grabbing radical rhetoric, they are a fraction of the total resource development planned for Northern B.C. More than 29,000 people in B.C. find their employment in mining, with most of those numbers being

located in rural communities. The 2011 average income for a mining employee was $115,700, up by seven per cent of the previous year.

Despite high salaries, it is a workforce facing labour shortages. In B.C., the mining sector alone expects to require an additional 16,770 workers within the next 10 years. Those workers will have competition with the oil and gas sec-

tors competing in the same labour pool and facing the same labour shortages.

According to the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), in the past 10 years 40 mining projects, representing almost $12.5 billion in investment, have come under environmental assessment for possible approval.

Most of those projects remain in preapplication stage, but 10 have already

received the environmental green light.

Witin the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, two major projects are expected to be underway soon: the Blackwater Gold project southwest of Vanderhoof and the Mount Milligan mine near Fort St. James.

Energy projects, which include not only natural gas and oil exploration, but hydro-electric and wind power projects, account for 63 addi-

tional projects submitted for review to the EAO in the past 10 years. Those projects amount to more than $49.5 billion in investment dollars.

This isn’t to say that all these projects will necessarily go into the ground - or even that each one will be approved - but they do demonstrate the place that mining and energy extraction projects will play in B.C. and in the Northwest in

particular.

Unlike mining projects which require a significant large workforce, oil and gas projects have massive start-up labour requirements but taper-off over the longer term.

For example, the 63 energy projects represent 43,000 person years of construction jobs, but only 3,800 longer-term operating jobs.

Continued on page 2

A2 www.caledoniacourier.com

Courier

NEWS

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Caledonia Courier

Jackson Davies speaks to the small audience in the Fort St. James Bicentennial Library about the book he helped author: Bruno and the Beach: The Beachcombers at 40. The book is shortlisted for the Roderick HaighBrown Regional Prize and Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award.

Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier

Lakeshore Realty Hi, my name is Mandi Bessette, I have lived in Fort St. James for the last 25 years. Robert and I live on 150 acres south of town with our two young children and three dogs. Many of you may remember me for my dog training.

Over the last several years I have been involved in the community through volunteer work with community groups including youth soccer, speed skating, the dog sled races and a few others.

I look forward to working with you to fulfill your real estate needs, whether it is purchasing your first home, finding a rental property, upgrading or downsizing to meet your changing needs.

You’ll find us at 169 STUART DRIVE, FSJ lkshore@telus.net 250-996-8618

Blackwater Project

B.C. Mining growing....

Continued from front The 40 mining projects represent less than half the person-years of construction work, but they would provide over 93,000 operating jobs.

With mineral mines often producing for more than 20 years, mining can bring long-term job stability to a region.

Despite the monetary and employment benefits of mining, new projects face significant expenses and hurdles before they reach construction phase. Mining is not a sure thing in B.C. The provinces’ environmental assessment process considers potential short and long-term impacts on the environment and First Nations, among other qualifications.

Recently, Pacific Booker Mineral’s Morrison Copper and Gold mine project proposed for a location just north of Granisle, B.C., was denied an environmental assessment certificate after 10 years of preparatory work and an investment of $30 million.

Stock holders lost $140 million in share value.

The company is currently suing to have the decision overturned and to be awarded damages.

British Columbia isn’t the only province where mining is playing a significant role in local and provincial economies. Those projects, even a province away can impact local quality of life issues.

The Coalspur Mines Ltd. Vista coal mine project near Hinton Alberta, will be Canada’s largest-ever coal mine. Twelve million tonnes of cleaned-coal will be transported to terminals on B.C.’s west coast.

It is anticipated that Burns Lake will eventually see an additional six, 100-car trains per day as coal makes it’s way to the Ridley coal terminal in Prince Rupert.

With files from the Interior News.

What does it mean to you?

Advocational Party candidate

New Gold has proposed a mine project located about 160kms southwest of Prince George and 110 kms southwest of Vanderhoof.

Expected to open in 2017, the project expects to hire 500 people during operations and up to 1500 people during construction.

What does the Blackwater Project mean to your family, your business, your community and your region?

Learn more and take part in the discussion, at an open house near you.

May 6: Vanderhoof Friendship Centre, 219 Victoria Street East May 7: Fraser Lake CH Foote Memorial Arena, 30 Carrier Crescent

Further information: 250.567.3276 office.blackwater@newgold.com

May 8: Burns Lake Burns Lake Legion, 158 Francois Lake Drive May 9: Quesnel Shiraoi House, 690 Gray Avenue May 13: Fort St. James Music Makers Hall, 255 West 2nd Avenue May 14: Prince George Ramada Hotel, 444 George Street

All open house times: 5 – 7:30pm

Beverly Bird is a candidate in the upcoming provincial election for the Advocational Party. She is one of two candidates the party is running in the province.

Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier

All open houses are drop in format with refreshments.

Growing Together

www.newgold.com/blackwater

Quality of Life

* Keep resource revenue, created in the North, for the North.

Business Environment

* A positive business environment that attracts investment to the North.

Community Spirit

* Reinvigorate community spirit by rebranding B.C.’s North.

Brooks Dan

Elect

nechako lakes

bc conservatives 2013

www.danbrooks2013.ca Authorized by G. Caron, Financial Agent , (250) 567-3285

NEWS

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Courier

www.caledoniacourier.com A3

All Candidates Forum - Vanderhoof The Nechako Lakes All Candidates Forum was held on Wed. May 1st at the NVSS Small Auditorium in Vanderhoof. Tom Bulmer was the moderator.

The candidates were asked to state how the forum went for them and some of their opinions. Below are their answers: Dan Brooks - B.C. Conservatives “It was an incredible debate - the room was packed with conservative voters looking for change.

Over the course of the evening, John Rustad’s weak excuses for the past eight years were no match for my strong voice for Nechako Lakes as I stood up for local residents and northern communities.

It has become evident that Nechako Lakes will be voting for change on May 14, and that clearly means the contest now is between myself and the NDP’s Sussanne Skidmore-

Hewlett.”

John Rustad - B.C. Liberals “The choice is clear.

This is a critical time for B.C. One where we have an opportunity to Continued on page 5 (Left) Tom Bulmer was the Moderator.

(Below) Candidates Dan Brooks - B.C. Conservatives and MLA John Rustad B.C. Liberals.

• •

•

Editorial Page

A4 www.caledoniacourier.com

AUDIT

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Caledonia Courier

The Caledonia Courier is a member of the British

Distributed every Wednesday in Fort St. James

Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body

Publisher: Pam Berger pam@ominecaexpress.com

governing the province’s newspaper industry. The

Editor Ruth Lloyd newsroom@ caledoniacourier.com

council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member

Office: Betty Johnson office@ ominecaexpress.com

newspapers. Directors oversee

Production: Julia Beal Wendy Haslam wendy@ ominecaexpress.com

newspaper and the complaint

Address: Box 1298 Fort St. James, BC VOJ 1P0

coverage or story treatment,

Member: B.C. Press Council Subscriptions (per year) Local: $43.50 Seniors: $37.30 Outside Local area: $60.15

Press Council.

the mediation of complaints, with input from both the holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about you may contact the B.C. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.

(All rates include GST):

Reproduction of contents either in part or in whole are not permitted without prior consent of the publisher.

Copyright Canada No. 22 Serial No. 132934

For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

• Guest column

Why BC’s lower-wage workers are struggling: the case for stronger employment standards

By David Fairey and Marjorie Griffin Cohen BC has acquired the “distinction” of being home to Canada’s largest income gap, highest poverty rate, and second highest child poverty rate. It also has greater employment insecurity and lower wages than the national average, even though BC is the province with the highest cost of living in Canada.

How has this occurred in such a rich province?

The answer is at least partially due to the low-wage policies the BC government has implemented in the twenty-first century through changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA).

These changes, beginning in 2001, represented a dramatic rollback of worker rights.

Employment standards deal with crucial labour protections that provide rules for how employers can treat workers. Standards on the minimum wage, hours of work, when overtime pay begins, parental leave, and provisions for vacations and statutory holidays with pay are just some of the protections ensured.

These provisions are important for everyone in the paid labour force, but they are especially necessary for vulnerable workers, who are disproportionally women, recent immigrants, temporary foreign workers, racial minorities and young people.

Looking at the minimum wage alone indicates the importance of employment standards. Statistics Canada estimates 136,000 British Columbians (7.2% of the workforce) are working for minimum wages (and sometimes even less), and that nearly half of these low-waged workers (46%) are employed by firms of 500 or more employees. A growing proportion (31%) are 35 years old and over. Thousands more have wages only

marginally above the minimum wage.

A key piece of the government’s low-wage strategy, starting in 2001, was to freeze the general minimum wage at $8 for 10 years, resulting in BC having the lowest minimum wage in the country. At the same time a $6 minimum wage was established for those in their first 500 hours of work, something that was aimed at teenagers, but also affected vulnerable workers such as recent immigrants. The $6 minimum wage remained unchanged for 10 years until it was finally abolished in 2011.

Starting in 2002, approximately 42 changes were made to the ESA. Most of these changes involve reductions to employee rights and protections, and a substantial erosion of enforcement of the law. Here are some of the most significant: Farm workers’ wages were effectively cut by excluding them from key protections such as hours of work, overtime and statutory holiday pay, and the definition of farm work was substantially expanded to include other food processing jobs.

Government oversight of employed children between 12 and 14 was eliminated, and children were permitted to work up to 7 hours per day and 20 hours per week, making BC stand out as having the youngest working age for children in the industrialized world.

Unionized employees were excluded from the core provisions of the ESA, which means they have no access to the complaints, investigations, and enforcement and appeals provisions of the Act. The minimum daily shift was reduced from four to two hours, something particularly hard for those organizing child care or other part-time work.

The 24-hour notice of a shift change was eliminated.

Look for us online at : caledoniacourier.com

Employees with a complaint no longer have quick access to an Employment Standards Officer for help. Instead, they are required to fill out a 16-page “self-help kit” and pursue their complaint with their employer themselves before proceeding further with the Employment Standards branch. This totally discourages workers from filing complaints of violations.

Other significant changes affecting employees’ ability to get help was a 33% reduction in Employment Standards Branch staff, a 47% reduction in enforcement officer staff, and the closure of 50% of the Employment Standards Branch offices.

These are just a sampling of the many changes that have undermined the earnings of lower-wage workers.

When these changes were introduced, the government stressed that they were necessary to increase “flexibility” in the labour force and would benefit both employers and employees.

We now know with certainty that these policies have been an abject failure from the perspective of employees. They have simply made BC a low-wage province and have lowered the ability of working people to provide for their own needs. The next government will need to restore enforcement of the ESA, and strengthen the law itself to ensure workers are properly protected.

Marjorie Griffin Cohen is a professor of Political Science and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University. David Fairey is a labour economist and Co-Chair of the BC Employment Standards Coalition. Both are research associates with the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. More information on this topic can be obtained from the BC Employment Standards Coalition: www.bcemploymentstandardscoalition.com.

E-mail us at : newsroom@caledoniacourier.com

NEWS Forum continued...

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Continued from page 3

ment is protecting our jobs.

become debt free and move forward with balanced budgets. I worked hard to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in projects for Nechako Lakes. I ask for your support to continue the work of securing our future and building a strong economy."

Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett - B.C. NDP “I think the turnout tonight speaks volumes about about the interest in this upcoming election.

The questions were thoughtful and clearly the people of Vanderhoof believe in a hands on approach to governance."

Colin Hamm - B.C. Green Party “I want to protect the health, happiness and prosperity of our community and for generations to come.

Protecting the environ-

www.caledoniacourier.com A5

Courier

This evening’s meeting was well or-

ganized and featured civil discussion among

the candidates featured.

We like that. The Green message is finally getting out."

NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS for May & June 2013 The dates and locations of the Regular Board Meetings of the Board of Education of School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) for the months of May & June 2013 are as follows:

The Dressler Family would like to thank all our friends and family for their warmth and support during this difficult time.

(Above) Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett - B.C. NDP and Colin Hamm B.C. Green Party. (Below) Crowd comes out to ask questions and hear from the candidates.

Sincerely Hank Dressler And Family

May 13, 2013

School Board Office, Vanderhoof, BC

June 17, 2013

School Board Office, Vanderhoof, BC

These meetings will commence at 6:00 p.m.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

Darlene Turner Secretary-Treasurer

2013 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Nominate a Deserving Individual or Organization!

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS 4:00 PM Pacific Time July 31, 2013 These awards encourage excellence by honouring people and organizations whose work makes the lives of children and youth better, and exemplifies innovation and respect.

Awards of Excellence Categories: • Advocacy • Cultural Heritage and Diversity • Innovative Services • Service Provider • Youth Leadership • Lifetime Achievement Award • Mentoring

Winners will be recognized and honoured at an awards ceremony in September.

To make a nomination or for more information on the Representative’s Awards, including previous awards, visit www.rcybc.ca

An Historic Opportunity for

Northern B.C.

Who will stand up for Nechako Lakes?

The voice of Nechako Lakes has been silent in Victoria for eight long years.

The incumbent MLA, John Rustad... * has never been appointed to cabinet, * has never been named to a position of trust or responsibility, * has authored just one private members’ bill since being elected in 2005,

Dan Brooks will be a strong voice for B.C.’s North. He has a clear vision for, and a commitment to, the people of Nechako Lakes.

t c e l E

Dan will... * put constituents first, * bring outspoken leadership to the legislature, * stand up for northern interests,

* has voted with the BC Liberals on legislation that hurt the North, and

* put Nechako Lakes on the map, and

* has remained silent in the vain hope of obtaining a cabinet position.

* fight for the North to ensure we no longer are neglected by Victoria.

John Rustad is ‘WHIPPED’ by the BC Liberals!

Dan Brooks will not be ‘WHIPPED’!

For more information please visit:

For more information please visit:

www.therustadrecord.com

www.danbrooks2013.ca

bc conservatives 2013

Dan

Brooks nechako lakes

Authorized by G. Caron, Financial Agent , (250) 567-3285

A6 www.caledoniacourier.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Caledonia Courier

MAY 2013

GENERAL ELECTION Get ready to vote.

Identification Rules for Voting Voters must prove their identity and current residential address to get a ballot or register to vote at the time of voting. Any one of the following pieces of identification is acceptable:

In the 40 th Provincial General Election, British Columbia’s voters will vote for their Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

BC Has More Ways to Vote All voters can:

• • • •

Vote in any district electoral office from now until 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Vote by Mail You can ask for a Vote by Mail package from your district electoral office or through the Elections BC website at elections.bc.ca

OTEBC

Get our App for iPhones and iPads to find the closest voting place and for information you need to vote.

BC drivers licence BC identification card BC Services Card Certificate of Indian Status

Any Questions?

For further information visit Elections BC’s website at elections.bc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-661-8683.

If you don’t have any of the above, bring two documents that together prove your identity and current residential address. A complete list of acceptable identification is available from Elections BC.

Vote at advance voting Voters can attend any advance voting location in the province from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time), Wednesday, May 8 through Saturday, May 11. All advance voting locations are wheelchair accessible.

Voters without identification can be vouched for by a voter in their electoral district who has identification, or by a direct family member, or by someone who has legal authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.

Vote on General Voting Day Voters can attend any general voting location in the province from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time), Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Or, contact your district electoral office.

Hours of operation Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following persons have been nominated as candidates for Nechako Lakes for the 40th Provincial General Election.

Nechako Lakes Electoral District Candidate’s Name:

Financial Agent:

Official Agent:

Beverly Bird Advocational Party

Anne Filippone 3944 Cascade Dr, Vernon, BC, V1T 9E7

Dan Brooks BC Conservative Party

Gerald Caron PO Box 2401, Vanderhoof, BC, V0J 3A0

Colin Hamm Green Party of BC

Colin Hamm PO Box 1653, Fort St. James, BC, V0J 1P0

John Rustad BC Liberal Party

Alan Fitzpatrick PO Box 2282, Vanderhoof, BC, V0J 3A0

Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett BC NDP

Terry Archibald 3795 Sunny Slope Rd, Vanderhoof, BC, V0J 3A3

General Voting Places:

Amy Keddie 370 Carrier St, Fraser Lake, BC, V0J 1S0

Advance Voting Places:

District Electoral Offices: 192 Stewart St W Vanderhoof, BC (250) 567-6834

Cluculz Lake Comm Hall 3385 Lund Rd, Mapes, BC

Grassy Plains Hall 37267 Keefes Landing Rd, Grassy Plains, BC

Royal Canadian Legion 274 165 Chowsunket St, Fraser Lake, BC

Houston Sr Activity Centre 3250 W 14th St, Houston, BC

David Hoy Elem School 772 Birch St W, Fort St. James, BC

Hindmarch Residence 19618 Sturgeon Point Rd, Vanderhoof, BC

Saik’uz First Nation 135 Joseph St, Vanderhoof, BC

Immaculate Catholic Church 248 3rd Ave, Burns Lake, BC

Decker Lake Elem School 6710 16 Hwy W, Burns Lake, BC

Houston Comm Hall 2302 Butler Ave, Houston, BC

Sinkutview Elem School 3348 Sinkut View Rd, Vanderhoof, BC

Music Makers Hall 241 2nd Ave W, Fort St. James, BC

Endako Comm Hall 3689 Main St, Endako, BC

Kwah Hall 285 Kwah Rd E, Fort St. James, BC

Southbank Fire Hall Southbank, Southbank, BC

Royal Canadian Legion 274 165 Chowsunket St, Fraser Lake, BC

Eugene Joseph Elem School Tachie Rd, Tachie, BC

Lakes District Sec School 653 16 Hwy, Burns Lake, BC

Takla Landing Band Office 18 Hudson Bay Cres, Takla Landing, BC

Vanderhoof Fire Hall 2230 Nechako Ave, Vanderhoof, BC

Fort Babine Health Clinic Fort Babine Rd, Fort Babine, BC

Mapes Elem School 14907 Mapes Rd, Mapes, BC

Topley Comm Hall 11591 Chester St, Topley, BC

Fort Fraser Comm Hall 470 Corporation St, Fort Fraser, BC

Nadleh Whut’en Health Centre Nautley Rd, Fraser Lake, BC

Trout Creek Comm Hall Colleymount Rd, Houston, BC

Francois Lake Comm Hall Francois Lake Rd E, Francois Lake, BC

Nechako Senior Citizen Hall 219 Victoria St E, Vanderhoof, BC

Wistaria Hall 36674 Ootsa-Nadina Rd, Ootsa Lake, BC

Germansen Landing Store Omineca Mining Rd, Germansen Landing, BC

Nithi Resort 103 Nithi Lodge Rd, Fraser Lake, BC

Wolf Ridge Store/Post Office Manson Creek, Manson Creek, BC

Granisle Sr Comm Centre 19 Chapman St, Granisle, BC

Rose Lake Hall 16 Hwy, Topley, BC

elections.bc.ca / 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 6 1 - 8 6 8 3 Creation Date:

Ad No (File name):

TTY 1-888-456-5448

Ad Title:

Electoral Districts:

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Player of the week

Courier

SPORTS

Cassandra Thomas is Ditnikwun's player of the week. Cassandra has played on Team BC Aboriginal for the NAIG (North American Indigenous Games) in Cowichan back in 2008.

Cassandra is

very excited about this opportunity to participate in the Ditnikwun experience. Cassandra wants everyone to know that Ditnikwun is holding a Fundraiser poker tourney upstairs in the Kwah Hall on May 4 starting at

www.caledoniacourier.com A7

12 p.m.. "If you cannot support the tournament, still come out and purchase something from our cafeteria. Mussi to all who support us," she said.

Photo by Leon Erickson

MAY 2013

GENERAL ELECTION Remember to Vote. Tuesday, May 14 is General Voting Day. Bring Identification Under the Election Act, voters must prove their identity and residential address in order to receive a ballot or register to vote in conjunction with voting in a provincial general election or by-election. Voters may present identification, or use a process known as vouching. Some acceptable types of identification and information on the vouching process are found below.

Do You Have This Card?

This card tells you where you can vote in the 2013 Provincial General Election. Take it with you when you go vote. If you do not have this card, visit the Elections BC website at elections.bc.ca, or call 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free).

OTEBC

App for iPhones and Download our iPads to find a voting location near you.

BC Has More Ways to Vote All voters can: Vote in any district electoral office from now until 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Vote by Mail You can ask for a Vote by Mail package from your district electoral office or through the Elections BC website at elections.bc.ca.

Vote at advance voting Voters can attend any advance voting location in the province from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time), Wednesday, May 8 through Saturday, May 11. All advance voting locations are wheelchair accessible.

Vote on General Voting Day Voters can attend any general voting location in the province from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time), Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

How to Vote • Choose only one candidate.

• Mark your ballot with an or

.

Who Can Vote?

You can vote if you are: • 18 years of age or older, or will be 18 on General Voting Day (May 14, 2013) • a Canadian citizen, and • a resident of British Columbia for the past six months You can Register When You Vote If you aren’t already registered, you can register when you vote. You will need identification that proves both your identity and current residential address.

Option 1 A single document issued by the Government of BC or Canada that contains the voter’s name, photograph and residential address, such as a BC driver’s licence, BC Identification Card (BCID), or BC Services Card.

Option 2 A Certificate of Indian Status as issued by the Government of Canada.

Option 3 Two documents that together show the voter’s name and residential address. Both documents must show the voter’s name. At least one of the documents must also contain the voter’s residential address.

Please note: Digital or electronic documents (e.g. e-bills) are acceptable. Hand-written information on a document, photocopies or electronic scans/photos of a paper document are not acceptable.

The following are examples of the document types authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer for the purposes of voter identification (the list of documents is illustrative, not exhaustive). Other specific documents (not listed below) may be authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer. For questions about the acceptability of a specific document, please contact Elections BC. Government-issue identity document Examples: healthcare card, birth certificate, Social Insurance Card, passport, citizenship document/certificate, Old Age Security Identification Card, Canadian Forces identification, Firearm Acquisition Certificate, firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence, Veterans Affairs Canada Health Care Identification Card, Correctional Service Canada Offender Identification Card.

Other documents examples • • • • • • • • • • •

Provincial Where to Vote card Bank/credit card or statement Residential lease/mortgage statement Insurance statement Public transportation pass Utility bill Membership card Hospital bracelet/document Prescription medication container Attestation of residence Personal cheque (printed by bank)

Option 4 Voters without identification can be vouched for by a voter in their electoral district who has identification, or a direct family member or someone who has legal authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.

Future Voters Elections BC encourages you to bring your children with you when you vote. Show tomorrow’s voters how our electoral process works.

Any Questions?

For more information visit Elections BC’s website at elections.bc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-661-8683.

OTEBC

Get our App for iPhones and iPads to find the closest voting place and for information you need to vote.

Or, contact your district electoral office.

Nechako Lakes 192 Stewart St W Vanderhoof, BC (250) 567-6834 Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 8 - 11 and May 14 - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Other government-issue document Examples: property tax assessment, income tax assessment notice, government cheque, government cheque stub, statement of employment insurance benefits paid, Canada Child Tax Benefit Statement, statement of Canada Pension Plan benefits, statement of Old Age Security.

School/college/university-issue document Examples: admissions letter, report card, transcript, residence acceptance/confirmation, tuition/fees statement, student card.

elections.bc.ca 1-800-661-8683 TTY 1-888-456-5448

A8 www.caledoniacourier.com

NEWS

Courier

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Caledonia Courier

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FORT ST. JAMES SENIOR CITIZENS HOME SOCIETY

(Governing Pioneer Place & Pioneer Lodge) Date: Thursday, June 13.2013 At: Pioneer Place – Common Room Time: 7:00 p.m.

Month-long Events Alcohol Awareness Month National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. 212-269-7797 www.ncadd.org

The meeting is open to the public.

Everyone is welcome.

Contact: Ann McCormick 996-8099 Sherry Nielsen 996-1550

Child Abuse Prevention Month Prevent Child Abuse America 312-663-3520 www.preventchildabuse.org Jazz Appreciation Month Smithsonian National Museum of American History 202-633-3129 www.smithsonianjazz.org

“A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR REGION”

BeaverOnGolfCourseC0804.EPS

37, 3RDDaffodilsHC0804.EPS Avenue, PH: 250-692-3195 PO Box 820, TF: 800-320-3339 Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 FX: 250-692-3305 www.rdbn.bc.ca E-MAIL:inquiries@rdbn.bc.ca

Hot Retail Co-op Categories Bicycles, Accessories and Supplies Lawn and Garden Motorcycles and Snowmobiles Outdoor Furnishings Recreational Vehicles

National Car Care Month Car Care Council 240-333-1088 www.carcare.org National Donate Life Month U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 202-619-0257 www.organdonor.gov

MEETING SCHEDULE 2013 May 9, 2013............... RDBN Committee Meetings May 23, 2013 ............ RDBN Board Meeting June 6, 2013 ............. RDBN Committee Meetings June 20, 2013 ........... RDBN Board Meeting

Hot Manufacturer Co-op Benjamin Moore Paints Camp Healthcare Grasshopper Mowers Rolex Watch Whirlpool Corporation

Special Events NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship National Stress Awareness Day National Volunteer Week Week of the Young Child Boston Marathon National Jelly Bean Day Take Our Daughters/Sons to Work Day

Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month ASPCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 212-876-7700 www.aspca.org

MomGirlHuggingTreeC0804.EPS

AdBuilder® Special Section Builder Themes • Financial National Parkinson Awareness Month • Planning a Garden National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Day Author Victoria 800-327-4545 Miles, shortlisted for the Sheila Egoff Children’s• Earth Literature Prize, spoke at • Easter Library on Aprilwww.parkinson.org 25. Her book is titled Mimi Power and the I-Don’t-Know-What.

The Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 will be presented for Board review and approval at the May 23, 2013 Board meeting. The Audited Financial Statements are available for inspection at the Regional District office at 37 3rd Avenue, Burns Lake, B.C. during regular business hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

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National Lawn Care Month PLANET, Professional Landcare Network 800-395-2522 www.landcarenetwork.org

the Fort St. James Bicentennial

Meetings tentatively commence at 10:30 a.m. please call (250) 692-3195/1-800-320-3339 for further information

PUBLIC IS WELCOME

Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier 4&6 5&7 16 19–25 19–25 20 22 23

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District of Fort St. James Calendar May, 2013

SUNDAY

MONDAY

5March 2009

TUESDAY

6 May 2009

7

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY 10 3 9am Seniors Delivery 11am Career Fair @ FSJSS 6:30pm Archery

15 13 16 7 8 9 First Day of Passover 6 9am Snrs Delivery 14 9am Snrs Delivery UBC Community Mother’s Day Brkfst 5-7:30pm New Gold @ Legion Blackwater Project Forum on FSJ Youth 3-6pm Food Skills Open House @ 10am 34th Annual Wrkshp Mental Health 7pm Music Makers Mother’s Day Relay 5pm Archery @ FSJSS 6:30pm Archery fr Vndf-FSJ 7:30pm Boot Camp 7:30pm Boot Camp

Municipal Website: www.fortstjames.ca

12 5 Palm 8:30-11am Sunday

VICTORIA Easter MondayDAY 20 13

19Easter 12

(Australia & Canada)

21 14

22 15 Tax Day

23 16

28

29 22 Earth Day

30 23

9am Snrs Delivery 2-5pm Public Works Day @ District 3-6pm Food Skills 7:30pm Boot Camp 7pm Council Mtg

9am Snrs Delivery 6:30 pm Archery

7:30pm Boot Camp

26

19

6:30pm Newcomers Potluck @ NHS

26

27

21

20 Taurus 9am Snrs Delivery 6:30pm Archery 7:30pm Boot Camp

9am Snrs Delivery Administrative Professionals Day Skills 3-6pm Food Wrkshop 5pm Archery 7:30pm Boot Camp

28 (Canada) 27 KINDERGARDEN REGISTRATION!

Workers Mourning Day

29

Wednesday May 15th, 1pm at David Hoy & 4:30pm at Sowchea

11 4

17 10 Good Friday

8am Boot Camp

18 11

9am Snrs Delivery 6:30pm Archery

8am Boot Camp

24 25 17 18 9am Snrs Delivery 12-1pm BTWW Tune- 8am Boot Camp Up & Swap @ Spirit Square 6:30pm Archery 31

24 Arbor Day

25 Anzac Day (Australia)

9am Snrs Delivery

June, 2013 30

1

Please submit all events by Wednesday for the next Wednesday paper distribution. office@fortstjames.ca

8 1April Fool’s Day 92 9am Seniors Delivery 5pm Archery 7pm Council Mtg 7:30pm Boot Camp 3-6pm Food Skills Wrkshp and more!

7pm Ski Hill AGM

Nak’azdli Career & Education Fair!

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9am Seniors Delivery 1 2 8 9 10 11 Friday 12 13 14May 36:30pm 4 511:00am 6 7 8 - 93:00pm at 10th Archery 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Fort St. James Secondary School CAC 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7pm 17 18 19 Craft 20 21Night 22 23 Keynote Interacti 29 30 31 Speaker, Door 24 Prizes, 25 26Boot 27 28 29 30ve Games 7:30pm Camp 31

SATURDAY

National Historic Park OPENING DAY!

May 19-25 is Public Works Week!

Igniting Your Ad Sales

• AdBuilder Retail Please join us May 22 from 2-5pm at the District Office for a Public Works Day Open House!

• AdBuilder Classified Meet & greet with• Co-op Mayor MacDougall, Councillors and our Public Works Team.

Sales Ideas ®

AdBuilder.com

®

May 27 - June 2 - Bike to Work Week!

Office: 477 Stuart Drive West

Telephone: 250-996-8233

Follow us on Twitter: @DFSJames

Like us at Facebook: District of Fort St. James

Email: office@fortstjames.ca

Caledonia Courier Wednesday , May 8, 2013

www.caledoniacourier.com A9

Moving the youth Leon Erickson is living the dream.

Passionate about sports his entire life, Erickson has coached and volunteered with local sports for years.

Then one day last year he received a phone call from someone who asked him a lot of questions about his coaching and sports background and some of his other work.

It was a strange conversation, and it stuck with him. Later on, Erickson mentioned the call to his wife, and she mentioned she had actually applied for a position on his behalf.

The conversation must have gone well, because not long after, he was offered the job to coordinate youth camps for the B.C. Aboriginal Sport Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council and B.C. Aboriginal Association of Friendship Centres.

The timing of the offer was fairly ideal, as Parks Canada cut backs meant after about 10 years at the Fort St. James National Historic Site as an interpreter, he had been given a buyout option or the option of returning for a reduced season.

“So I guess it was meant to be,” said Erickson.

The role has had him travelling all over his region, which goes from Valemount in the east, as

Leon Erickson is a local coach and sports enthusiast who had made a profession out of inspiring others.

Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier

far west as Burns Lake, down south to Quesnel and as far north as Fort Nelson.

The driving has been the downside of the new position, as it has kept him away from his wife and home more than he would like.

“It’s been hard on my dog,” he jokes.

But other than this, Erickson is enthusiastic about the position and what he has been able to do so far.

“It’s kind of my niche,” he said.

Since starting the position on Labour Day of last year, he has arranged camps or clinics in communities across his region in everything from softball to basketball, skiing and snowboarding to hockey, swimming, golf and many other sports.

So far, in his region alone, the organization has provided camps to over 2,000 youth.

“It’s been amazing,” said Erickson.

Yet he said he still has yet to work with over half the communities in

the region. The programs are offered for free by the organization, which is funded by a combination of provincial funding and First Nations government funding.

The organization he works for is only three years old, and with such a long name, the hard part is getting the word out to the communities the organization exists and they can offer communities these opportunities.

The idea is to build capacity in the communities, so get people interested and participating who can then receive some training or their coaching certification and keep programs running in the communities.

Ideally, Erickson said he wants to be an equipment loan officer who makes the resources available for communities in the region to offer their own self-sustaining recreation programs.

Another part of his role is also to act as somewhat of a scout for the upcoming North American Indigenous Games which will be held in Saskatchewan in 2014.

So at the various camps he puts on, he also selects out youth with potential for Team BC for the games.

Along with the gruelling travel schedule to put on camps, Erickson also has gotten the opportu-

nity to travel for his own training, and recently attended the annual N7 Summit in Oregon at the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The N7 Summit is a conference bringing together Native American and Aboriginal Youth Recreation Leaders and this year’s summit had over 300 participants from across North America.

There were seminars for the leaders on anything related to health and wellness through sport and recreation.

Erickson said he gained a lot from the trip, with information on measuring the success of the programs you orga-

nize and how to engage coaches for sports and how to write grant applications.

He also gained an invitation for the local volleyball and cultural group he plays and volunteers with, Ditnikwun’s Volleyball team.

After a presentation at the N7 Summit of a video message from Michelle Obama, Erickson had a chance to meet and talk to Charlie Galbraith, a White House representative and told Galbraith about the Ditnikwun’s Volleyball team, which helps to engage young people with sport and local First Nations culture as well as offer opportunities to travel. The group

is planning on travelling to Los Angeles, California this fall to participate in a tournament with other First Nations teams as well as present some Carrier culture.

Galbraith was so impressed by the team’s goals, he told Erickson the team has an open invitation to come to the White House in Washington, D.C. for a tour and a meet and greet.

While Erickson said he is focussed on the team’s first trip to Los Angeles in which 25 people will hopefully be attending the tournament and presenting Carrier songs and drumming, he will keep the invitation in mind for future trip plans.

A portion of Ditnikwun’s mens team travelling to Los Angeles. The team (L-R) Cody Thomas, Leon Erickson, Brandon Pius, Henry Erickson and Kenneth Joseph. (Missing are: Coach Elliot Tremblay, Chuck Prince, Darren Thomas, Logan Erickson and Dillon Antoine.

Photo by Leah Erickson

Community Minded Human Interest

Courageous Battles

Atheletes

Pioneers

Featuring the spirit of the local people

A12 www.caledoniacourier.com

Courier

COMMUNITY

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Caledonia Courier

Community Futures Stuart Nechako Annual General Meeting Date: May 22, 2013 Time: 6:00 pm Place: Community Futures offices 2750 Burrard Ave., Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 Contact: 1-250-567-5219

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Councillor Joan Burniuk gave an informative talk and demonstration on vermicomposting at the Fort St. James Bicentennial Library on April 23. Vermicomposting is an efficient way of composting which uses containers of worms to turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil. Burndeniuk demonstrated how to make your own vermicomposting system and how to maintain it. There are commercial composters available, but the demonstration included how to make your own out of a storage bin. The most expensive part is the red wiggler worms. There were a dozen people out for the talk, and one of the lucky attendees even got to take home the composter for themselves, complete with worms, after a name was drawn after the talk was over. The talk was part of the Pitch In Week activities being organized and promoted by the District of Fort St. James.

(Across from the Petrocan Station)

SUNDAY LITURGY: Saturday 7:30 pm & Sunday 10:30 am DAILY MASS: Monday - Friday 9:00 am PASTORAL TEAM: FATHER FRANK SALMON 250-996-8343 SR. PAT MACAULAY, SR. DIVINA PEDRO

250-996-2275

Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier

THE CHURCHES OF FORT ST. JAMES

4-H Club

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The Fort St. James 4-H Club had our Communications Event on the April 8. Brielle gave a speech on bullying, Paige spoke on Stranger Danger, and Willa talked about Project FeederWatch. After a break, Colby gave a speech on “Giving A Speech”! Sydnee and Ethan finished up with a demonstration on dirt bike safety. It was really fun, and a little bit scary giving a speech in front of a crowd. Great job everyone, and good luck to Colby and Paige, who are go-

ing to the District Communication Event in Vanderhoof on April 20. Our club will be cleaning up trash on the dump road and the highway on Saturday, May 4. Anyone is welcome to come out and help.

We are meeting at the dump at 7:30 a.m., and finishing at noon. Watch out for us, and please drive slowly!

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