Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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Volume 95 - No. 36
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www.ldnews.net
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$1.30 GST inc.
BURNS LAKE
LAKES DISTRICT NEWS
Today, September 9 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day
Forest products industry trying to rebrand
It is estimated that 60,000 new workers will be needed by 2020 FLAVIO NIENOW
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) estimates that the forest products industry will be hiring 60,000 new workers across Canada in the next five years. “One of the reasons we need workers is because many of the baby boomers in the current workforce are retiring,” explained Susan Murray, Vice-President of Public Relations for FPAC. “But there are other important reasons as well – unlike the energy, mining and many other industries, the forest products industry is growing in size.” According to the federal government, in 2014, the value of Canada’s forest product exports increased by 9.8 per cent over 2013, rising to $30.8 billion from $28.4 billion. Furthermore the industry has been shaping up to a dynamic new face. The industry’s traditional products - pulp, paper and lumber - are being used to create new products such as renewable bio-fuels, green bio-plastics, bio-pharmaceuticals, bulletproof vests, car parts and airplane wings. Since the industry has become more innovative, diverse and technically advanced, there is a growing need for new types of skilled workers. The long list of workers that the industry requires include biologists, ...see FORESTRY ▼ P7
Grizzly bear It isn’t too often when you walk out into your yard and there is a grizzly bear there to greet you. This happened to Tony and Gina Strimbold last week. They called a conservation officer immediately and the officer came out and tranquilized the grizzly. The Strimbolds were told the bear would be relocated out in the Ootsa Lake area. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Province could ask for to help stop protestors To date, Wet’suwet’en has not received any request, says Chief
FLAVIO NIENOW Under the pipeline benefits agreement between the province and Wet’suwet’en First Nation (WFN) regarding TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink Pipeline project, the province could ask WFN to help stop Unist’ot’en camp protestors. The Unist’ot’en clan of the Wet’suwet’en
has set up a protective camp south of Houston and has been physically impeding pipeline proponents from entering their territory. Under the pipeline benefits agreement, WFN has agreed not to support or participate in any acts that “frustrate, delay, stop or otherwise physically impede” the right of the province or Coastal GasLink to carry out any activities associated with the development and operations of the proposed pipeline project. More specifically, the agreement states that “WFN will assist the province in seeking to resolve any action that may be taken by any member that is inconsistent with the agreement.” Otherwise, WFN could be in breach of their contract and potentially lose their fund-
ing. Wet’suwet’en First Nation Chief Karen Ogen said there is no obligation under the pipeline benefits agreement for WFN to stop Unist’ot’en camp protestors or shut down their camp. However, she says the province could ask WFN for “assistance to help resolve actions by WFN members that are contrary to the intent of the agreement.” “To date, WFN has not received any request from the province to assist [in stopping protestors],” said Ogen. “If requested by the province, WFN would be prepared to set up a dialogue with WFN members who are participating in the protest to help hear and resolve ...see PROTEST ▼ P3
September 9th is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption or safe time to consume alcohol during pregnancy. Phone: 250.692.1700 • Fax: 250.692.1750 • Toll Free: 1.866.692.1943 545 Highway 16 West • PO Box 5000, Burns Lake, BC • V0J 1E0 Email: lksdist@cnc.bc.ca • Website: www.cnc.bc.ca/lakesdistrict