S TANDARD TERRACE
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VOL. 27 NO. 22
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Gold mine to boost region TERRACE AND the Nass Valley are expecting benefits from construction and then operations at a (US) $747 million gold mine near Stewart announced last week. As many as 900 workers will be needed to construct the Brucejack gold mine owned by Pretium Resources. With production in 2017, 400 workers will be needed over the planned 18-year life of the underground mine. Speaking last week, Pretium of-
ficial Troy Shultz said the Northwest Regional Airport will be used to fly in/fly out outside workers, with vans then used for transport to the location. But there will also be an emphasis on local and regional hire, he said. “During the construction process hiring is primarily contractor driven, as we transition into operation then we will focus on direct hires,” said Shultz.
“The contractors are familiar with our mandate to hire from local northern communities whenever possible. As well, when selecting contractors those with connections to the local northern communities are given priority.” “We do have plans to conduct a series of workshops on the types of employment available for local candidates as well as consult with community education facilities to identify and address training gaps,”
said Shultz. There is also to be a strong Nass Valley connection to the project stemming from a benefits agreement signed with the Nisga’a Nation this year. It lays out the foundation for jobs, contracting and business opportunities. It is based on the Brucejack property being within Nisga’a territory as outlined in the 2000 Nisga’a land claims treaty signed
with the federal and provincial governments. The exact number of jobs for Nisga’a citizens and specific business opportunities are confidential, said Shultz. The benefits deal signed by the Nisga’a is one of several the Nisga’a Lisims Government has negotiated with resource companies planning large-scale projects within its area of influence.
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City to focus efforts on homelessness By JOSH MASSEY
JACKIE LIEUWEN PHOTO
■■ Successful collection THE ANNUAL door to door food collection from the Church of Latter Day Saints last week, collected over 3,850 pounds for the Terrace Churches Food Bank. Church members collected and delivered the food in a big Bandstra truck. Above are church members Carl Ekman, Ian Goslin, food bank volunteer Dylan Mantel, and Marty Wright.
THE CITY is forming a group to deal with what one councillor calls a growing homelessness problem. “We see the homeless trends from surveys, and the jump by the amount this past spring was a surprise,” said councillor Brian Downie at council’s Sept. 14 meeting, adding he suspects “the number could jump again.” The city’s second annual count this spring noted 74 homeless, which was up from the first year of the survey, and Downie says he thinks it is probably even higher now based on what he has seen around town. “The observation would be the number of people on the street or in tent camps has increased,” he said. “We have had come to a head on various issues about homelessness in Terrace. Whether it’s health and safety issues.” He says the math paints a grim picture of what the winter will be like for the homeless noted in the survey when only 20-25 spots are available in a regular shelter run by the Ksan Society. The provincial government makes money available for the society to increase spaces during the winter months but Downie wonders if that’s sufficient. “There’s a discussion that needs to be had there. Is there enough capacity?” he asked. “Winter’s coming up, and these folks are going to have to go some place. With that comes concerns for health and safety, and I know CN Rail are concerned about people on the track, people are concerned downtown, even facilities, like the lack of [washroom] facilities downtown.”
He points to late August fires, suspected to be caused by arson, that destroyed two abandoned buildings frequented by people as a blow to those seeking shelter. “Those two examples, where they had the fires, people were living there. It’s not desirable housing, but at least it was a roof over their head.” The members of the task group have not been chosen by the city, but when they are, they will be given a specific deadline to complete their meetings and come back with strategies and a plan, council decided. Councillors Michael Prevost and Stacey Tyers recommended that the task group model itself after one in the Tri Cities area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody on the Lower Mainland. There, working groups are composed of housing committee members and also homeless experts and they managed to work effectively, Prevost said. “Staff will come back to council with recommendations regarding the membership of the group and you’ll see this at the council table at a later date,” said corporate administrator Alisa Thompson. There was also some question about setting a deadline for the group with mayor Carol Leclerc saying council should hold the task group’s “feet to the fire” to make sure they get the job done. The Ksan Society’s winter shelter last year was located in the All Nations centre on Sparks which is operated by a Seventh Day Adventist Church society. It provides a meal on Sundays while the Terrace and District Community Services Society has an outreach service there weekdays.
Growing
Terrace refuge
Dragons roar
In three years, Heritage Garden is transformed from sparse to thriving \COMMUNITY A10
Terrace residents open arms to sponsor Syrian refugees \NEWS A26
Dragon Boat Regatta stirs up interest from new local paddlers \SPORTS A24