Publications Mail Registration #0040028607
Proudly serving Houston and District - Home of Canada’s Largest Fly Rod
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015
www.houston-today.com
NO. 13 $1.30 Inc. GST
District files F.O.I. request By Jackie Lieuwen Houston Today
PILES to Give
Jackie Lieuwen/Houston Today
Fifteen employees from Getumdone Contracting in Houston cut and delivered firewood to people in need between Houston and Hazelton. The employees just finished a three-day chainsaw safety and fire suppression course March 21. The course and provided safety gear was donated by TransCanada and Coastal GasLink. Canfor donated wood and Groot Bros did logging and trucking at a discount price. Getumdone co-owner Layne Boucher says they had extra wood, and were giving it people asking for donations for the Houston Hospice Society, Houston GEMS and Cadets programs, Bulkley Valley Loggers Sports and Rebecca Ells’ trip to Wrestling Nationals. Boucher says they delivered over 65 cords of wood in Houston, Telkwa, Smithers, Evelyn, Moricetown and Hazelton, and got over $2,000 in donations to the local groups.
The District of Houston wants more information from the Competition Bureau on the recent ruling about the Canfor and West Fraser timber swap. The District sent a Freedom of Information Request to the Province in early-March. Canfor traded West Fraser their timber rights in Quesnel for West Fraser’s timber in Houston. Announced October 2013, the deal included shutting down Houston Forest Products (HFP) and a Canfor sawmill in Quesnel. The Federal Competition Bureau and the Province reviewed the trade of timber licences to see if it restricted the competitive market. The B.C. Minister of
Forests can cancel forest licences if something unduly restricts the competition in the market for timber, logs or chips. The Competition Bureau ruled March 3 that the timber exchange did not unduly restrict competition. The Federal Bureau refused to comment on the ruling. Ministry of Forests Public Affairs Officer Greig Bethel said the provincial assessment found that “while the mill closures did reduce the number of processors, the tenure exchange itself did not in an of itself unduly restrict competition.” He said “the regions declining timber supply will lead to fibre supply challenges so the tenure exchange (in addition to the mill closures) will provide for a more efficient supply of timber... See F.O.I. on Page 2
Houston up for second wave of international doctors By Jackie Lieuwen Houston Today
Northern Health is recruiting to hire international doctors, but getting one for Houston will take at least one year. Doctor Geoff Appleton, Northwest Medical Director for Northern Health, says Houston is not on the list for the first 15 incoming international
doctors. “Houston was not designated as one of those sites initially, because at the time when we did that, we weren’t aware of doctors leaving Houston,” said Dr. Appleton. But Houston “certainly will be on for the next time around,” he said. Licensed doctors from United States,
Britain, Northern Ireland, or Australia can work in B.C., but those from anywhere else have to go through practice readiness assessment. These international doctors apply to work in B.C. and take an exam to test their medical knowledge. Then they go through a 12-week assessment process with a doctor trained
www.glaciertoyota.ca
2013 Grand Caravan G8886
to assess their abilities. If they are qualified, they work in a designated community in B.C. for three years. The first 15 doctors will start this process within the month and a second group will start this fall. A doctor cannot be assessed in a community where they might stay and practice, said Dr. Appleton.
2007 Tundra TRD Double Cab
G8890
He says there are a lot of international applicants, and resources limit the amount coming in and being assessed. Last weekend a group of B.C. doctors, including 11 from Northern Health, trained in Vancouver as assessors. Northern Health continues to recruit doctors in other ways. Dr. Appleton says
2011 Rav4
Moon Roof
G8903
Houston is designated an area of highest need for doctors, and has been since Ninth Street Medical announced an August 1, 2015 closure. Houston is not the only community desperate for doctors. Dr. Appleton says there is a real shortage in doctors across B.C. and Burns Lake, Hazelton, Terrace, Fort St. John and
2012 Yaris
50+ mpg
G8885
Quesnel are also highest need. Northern Health gives incentives for doctors to come to areas in high need, and Dr. Appleton says they are much the same community to community. Some Communities have offered additional incentives such as provided or temporary housing or salary positions.
2005 Copperiver Trailer 25’ G4612A1
TODAY TOMORROW TOYOTA
Smithers, BC 1.866.844.6723
*please add $345 Documentation
fee and applicable taxes DL#8879
NOW ONLY
*$19,998
NOW * ONLY
$17,998
NOW * ONLY
$16,998
NOW * ONLY
$15,998
NOW * ONLY
$14,998