Nanaimo Daily News, December 16, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

TOP STORY

Liberals clarify position on GST, say no increase

Council to look at pot store rules Nanaimo city council passed a motion this week asking city staff to investigate steps that other cities have taken to regulate pot storefronts. » News, 7

ANDY BLATCHFORD THE CANADIAN PRESS

Winners of $50M lotto are named Friedrich Mayrhofer stepped forward to make the claim on Tuesday on behalf of himself, his wife, Annand, and their son, Eric after the claim nearly expired. » B.C., 12

Local news ............ 3-10 Editorials/letters ........ 6 B.C. news ..................... 12 Nation & World ........ 14 Sports ............................ 19 Scoreboard ................ 24 Crossword .................. 25

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LOTTERIES

OTTAWA — The federal finance minister is seeking to clarify the new Liberal government’s position on the GST. Bill Morneau was asked directly Tuesday whether he has considered raising the goods and services tax as a way to generate more government revenue.

“You know, one of the things that I’m absolutely sure of is that we should go through our budget process in order to figure out where we’re going to get to,” Morneau said in Ottawa in response to the question.

“In my estimation, we’re going to hear a lot of things from not only my colleagues around the table, but from Canadians about what we should be doing from a budget standpoint. And at the end of that, we’ll present to Canadians a plan for the next year and give them a sense of what’s going to happen over the next five years.

“I’m not at this stage considering any tax issues that haven’t

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau at a Toronto Region Board of Trade Luncheon in Toronto on Monday. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

been already put in our campaign platform.”

After his remarks were published, Morneau later tweeted: “Contrary to misleading headlines, we are not considering changes to the GST.” In the coming weeks, the government will hold consultations to help it prepare for the federal budget. Morneau has also said the government plans to create an advisory council made up of experts from Canada and abroad

that will help Ottawa brainstorm on how best to kick-start economic growth.

The previous Conservative government lowered the GST by two percentage points during its decade in office — a move that eliminated about $14 billion in annual revenues.

The Harper Tories chopped a percentage point in 2006 to drop the GST to six per cent. They trimmed off another point two years later.

Most economists opposed the Conservative move to slash the GST, which was widely viewed as more of a popular political decision rather than a solid economic one.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised in the past not to increase the GST. His Liberals, however, are currently staring at considerable fiscal hurdles, as they look to follow through on pricey election pledges.

Economists say that by focusing on debt-to-GDP, the Liberals could still lower the ratio even if they run annual deficits of up to $25 billion in the coming years — as long as the economy records decent growth.

Earlier this month, parliamentary budget office projections suggested the government could be on track to run annual deficits up to $15 billion once the Liberals’ costed, big-ticket election vows are included in calculations.

On top of that, the party has also made several uncosted promises.

*All Numbers unofficial

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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Fans ready for ‘Star Wars’ Islanders excited to see ‘Episode VII: The Force Awakens’ in local theatres

T

he big screen frenzy that will be Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens hits cinemas across North America tomorrow in what some believe will be the biggest film of the year.

Fans and cinemas across Vancouver Island are readying for the return of the franchise, which last made the big screen with 2005’s Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Cineplex Entertainment’s Galaxy Spencer Theatre is the only Anderson place in Nanaimo to watch the MillenReporting nium Falcon once again soar into the sky, and two shows had already sold out as of Tuesday afternoon.

A handful of other cinemas across the north and mid-Island are showing the film, but theatre owners are expecting a huge turnout.

Sarah Van Lange, director of communications for the Cineplex chain,

‘The Force Awakens’ Showtimes: Nanaimo - Galaxy Cinemas Thursday: 3D: 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., 10:40 p.m; 2D: 8 p.m.

Friday: 3D: 11:50 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m.; 2D: 12:20 p.m., 3:35 p.m., 6:50 p.m.

(Sold-out shows not included) Duncan - Caprice Duncan Thursday: 7 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Friday: 4 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

Courtenay - Rialto Thursday: 7 p.m., 10:15 p.m.

Friday - 6:45 p.m., 10 p.m.

Campbell River - Showcase 5 Thursday: 7 p.m., 10:15 p.m.

Friday - 6:45 p.m., 10 p.m.

said advance ticket sales for the film have broken previous records for the company, although she declined to provide specific figures.

Van Lange said Cineplex has added 160 additional showtimes across 115 cinemas to accommodate advance ticket sales.

Across Canada and including Nanaimo, there’s been “unprecedented demand for advance tickets,” she said.

Moby Amarsi, owner of the Caprice Duncan in Duncan, said there has been “a lot of interest” in the new film.

“We’ll probably be doubling up our staff and increasing ticket sales (staff),” he said.

Amarsi said he expects the new Star Wars film to be “the biggest show” of the year, adding the film has benefited from a steadily grown fan base.

“I think it’s got a wider demographic than it did earlier,” he said.

“You’ve got all age groups now.”

Despite the large number of advance tickets that have been sold, expect to see a long lineup for choice seats if you go to see the film this week.

“I suspect that there will be lineups, because I think part of the lineups experience is just that,” she said.

“There is an element of camaraderie and community in lining up,” she said.

The film series, acquired by Disney as part of a $4-billion deal to buy Lucasfilm in 2012, also benefits from a large and committed fan base.

People Magazine reported that one couple actually got married while waiting in line for the new film.

Mike Drummond, a fan of the films and Curious Comics hobby shop clerk, said “there’s definitely hype” for Force Awakens. He plans to see it Monday, and has had to endure the taunting of a friend in Calgary who is seeing the film before the weekend.

“Our biggest fear is people spoiling it for us, people come in and they want to talk to us all about it,” he said.

Drummond said a hot point of speculation among fans is what role Jedi knight Luke Skywalker (reprised by Mark Hamill) will play in the film.

James Watson, who owns the Nanaimo Curious Comics store and two others, said Star Wars fever has simmered steadily since before the first film was released.

‘I know it is definitely bigger than it has been,” said Watson of the latest Star Wars buzz.

He said part of the excitement may be attributed to the limited number of details about the film’s plot.

“They didn’t let out a lot of stuff until just now,” said Watson.

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4 NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

NANAIMO AIRPORT

Travellers love direct flights to Edmonton DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS

Direct Edmonton to Nanaimo flights couldn’t have started at a better time for Carolyn Friesz.

Confined to a wheelchair by multiple sclerosis, Friesz can’t change planes unaccompanied.

A year ago, she would have flown direct from Calgary, but she’s since moved to Lacombe, near Edmonton.

She was on the first ever WestJet Encore flight from Edmonton when it touched down in Nanaimo Tuesday, just before 2 p.m.

It means she can spend Christmas with her sister, Evonne Sauve.

“I was so happy when I heard they have direct flights,” Friesz said. “I can’t travel alone if I have to change planes, so it’s wonderful.”

“There is so much less worry,” said Sauve.

John Craig, chairman of the Nanaimo Airport board of directors, called Tuesday a “big day.”

“We continually hear from people who want this non-stop Edmonton service,” Craig said. “Now we’ve got to use it.”

“I was so happy when I heard they have direct flights. I can’t travel alone if I have to change planes, so it’s wonderful.

Carolyn Friesz, air traveller

The chances of success appear good, despite a decline in travel to Alberta since the price of crude oil dropped.

“We’re seeing some capacity drop into Edmonton, but we do expect this route to be very viable,” said David Moore, vice-president of flight operations with Encore.

The route is served by turbo-prop Q-400 series of aircraft made by Bombardier in Quebec, which fly a slightly slower speed than jets but are considerably more economical to operate.

Given the wild success of Encore’s first-ever route, Calgary to Nanaimo, the Edmonton route would have

started sooner, if more Q-400 planes were available.

“It’s been a matter of trying to scale up and actually create a coastto-coast regional network,” Moore said.

“This route, they saw a business model able to do point-to-point service, which would normally not be able to make a 737 viable.”

Island travellers gain a third hub to connect to international flights, and “that’s a lot more choice and better price competition,” said Mike Hooper, Nanaimo Airport manager.

Families will use it too, he said.

“It’s a flight our family will use a lot,” said Mary Ellen Konyer, meeting her son at the airport after retiring to Nanaimo two years ago.

Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235 » We want to hear from you.

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Becoming a newspaper carrier is an excellent opportunity to teach children the life skills for success.

Arriving travellers on the tarmac at the Nanaimo airport. Direct daily flights from Edmonton started on Tuesday. [DARRELL BELLAART/DAILY NEWS]

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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NEWS 5

TRANSPORTATION

Ferry group officials feel ‘betrayed’ by city “We’re trying to build a $70-million project from private money to build what is considered the highest priority project in the area.”

ROBERT BARRON DAILY NEWS

O

fficials from Island Ferries are flying to Toronto today to try and clinch the final piece of the puzzle that could see a foot ferry established between Nanaimo and Vancouver in 2016.

David Marshall, Island Ferries director of operations, said the company has connected with a possible investor, who he wouldn’t name, that may be interested in pumping in at least $20 million into the approximately $70-million project.

But Marshall said the City of Nanaimo’s refusal to renew the company’s lease on Industrial property at 1 Port Dr., which Island Ferries was looking to use as a temporary headquarters for its operations, may negatively impact the negotiations with the Toronto investor.

“We’re feeling betrayed,” Marshall said to the newspaper’s editorial board Tuesday.

“We’re trying to build a $70-million project from private money to build what is considered to be the highest priority (infrastructure) project in the area. People have been screaming for this for years.”

Island Ferries has long been working toward providing a foot-passenger service for. The company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Nanaimo, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Port Authority and the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation to launch the service.

But the MOU expired at the same time Island Ferries saw its lease on 1 Port Pl. end after it didn’t meet a deadline to have the foot-ferry in ser-

David J. Marshall, Island Ferry Service Ltd.

David J. Marshall, director of operations for Island Ferry Services Ltd., on Tuesday. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]

vice by March of 2015.

Last week, the city and the NPA issued a joint press release stating they are trying to find a new company to deliver the foot passenger service.

Bernie Dumas, CEO of the NPA, said the port authority has “been patient” with Island Ferries for five years, and has been working collaboratively with the company and the city to help get the service up and running.

But he said the NPA’s board of directors decided it wanted to explore other options after receiving calls from a number of ferry operators that expressed interest in starting the service themselves.

Dumas said the city and the NPA decided to issue the request for proposals to see if other parties were serious enough to commit to the project.

“Five years is a long time and now

we have others looking at it as well,” he said. “If Island Ferries wants to apply for their project under the terms of the new request for proposals, it would be evaluated equally and fairly. We wish them luck.”

Dale Lindsay, Nanaimo’s director of community development, also said the city wanted to explore other options after interest in the project from other groups was confirmed.

He said the city didn’t want to allow Island Ferries to renew the lease on 1 Port Pl., because officials wanted to see what other proposals would arise during the RFP process.

Lindsay said other proponents might want to lease the property for its own foot-ferry project, if it was chosen, so the city didn’t want it leased to a third party.

“We were not aware that Island Ferries may be in the final stages of its financing goals for the project,” Lindsay said.

“We are not currently in direct negotiations with the company.”

Marshall said Island Ferries has invested $11 million and many years into its project and doesn’t intend to stop trying to move it forward.

“We’re too far down that road to just give up,” he said. “We’ve been at this too long.”

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BUSINESS NOTES News from the Nanaimo and area business community

Second COBS Bread franchise opens in north Nanaimo can be used on their websites and as promotional materials.

Bone said Filter Studios began in Nanaimo four years ago when he, a professional photographer, and Baycroft, a former cameraman for CTV, were being inundated with requests for their services from local businesses and organizations.

“We decided to form Filter Studios, and our main customer since we opened has been Tilray (the medicinal-marijuana producer at Duke Point),” Bone said.

“While we have moved a number of times, we are finding that the atmosphere at SquareOne is energetic and has helped us greatly.”

Robert Barron Reporting

A

second COBS Bread bakery in Nanaimo will be opening today at 6461 Metral Dr. The franchise’s first store in Nanaimo opened in Terminal Park in 2011.

Alison Humphreys, who owns the new location along with her husband Michael, said today is considered a Charity Day, with all proceeds going to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation.

She said the store’s grand opening will be held Thursday.

Humphreys has a background in finance and her husband has spent 15 years working in the oil industry.

“We were looking at a number of franchises to get involved with, and chose COBS Bread because we liked the concept of cooking and selling

Alison and Michael Humphries recently opened a COBS Bread in the north end.

[AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]

fresh-baked goods daily that have no preservatives or additives,” she said.

“We also liked the charity angle COBS Bread has, so all of our goods not sold during each day will go to local charities like the Loaves and Fishes food bank and the Salvation Army.”

New location Filter Studios has re-established itself at SquareOne, 38 Victoria Crescent.

The company, owned by Jesse Bone and Tash Baycroft, helps businesses connect with potential customers by telling stories through video that

Pay for licences Businesses in Nanaimo are being reminded to pay for their business licences for 2016 by Dec. 31.

The invoices for the business licences were mailed in the last week of November. Nelda Richardson, Nanaimo’s manager of business licensing, said those past due on

Jan. 1 will be subject to fines.

She said businesses that have not received their 2016 invoice, or businesses that have relocated or are no longer operating, should notify the city’s licensing office as soon as possible by email at licencing@nanaimo. ca, or in person at the Service & Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir St. “The requirement for business licences assist in ensuring that municipal land use regulations, building and fire codes, health regulations and all other relevant community safety requirements are adhered to by business operators,” Richardson said.

Soft opening Subhi Imports Ltd. will be holding a soft opening at 103-2520 Bowen Road on Dec. 18.

The store sells electric wall fireplaces, shower stalls, bathtub enclosures, walk-in closets, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, toilets, blinds and much more. The store’s grand opening will be held at a later date.

6

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

OUR VIEW

Anti-impaired driving message remains important E very year, the message sinks in a little deeper.

Once again, it’s the holiday party season and Island RCMP are out in full force to make sure everyone gets home safely.

Earlier this month, RCMP across Canada started a campaign to catch people who are impaired before they crash and injure or kill others. In four check stops, six people had their drivers licences temporarily revoked.

Of course, that’s six too many, but it wasn’t that long ago those numbers would have been sky-high.

Drinking and driving didn’t draw people’s score like it does today. The laws concerning this crime were much weaker and the general public didn’t have the same awareness of the potential harm. But attitudes toward drinking and driving have

People appear to be getting the message that impaired driving is unacceptable. But that’s not to say that the situation can’t be improved.

Information about us

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Nanaimo Daily News is published

by Black Press Ltd., B1, 2575 McCullough Rd., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 5W5. The Daily News and its predecessor the Daily Free Press have been serving Nanaimo and area since 1874.

Grieving over holidays can be acknowledged

Publisher/Subscriptions: Andrea Rosato-Taylor 250-729-4248 Managing Editor: Philip Wolf 250-729-4240

General enquiries: 250-729-4200 The Daily News is a member of the National NewsMedia Council.

Editorial comment The editorials that appear as ‘Our View’ represent the stance of the Nanaimo Daily News. They are unsigned because they do not necessarily represent the personal views of the writers. If you have comment regarding our position, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. To discuss the editorial policies of the newspaper, please contact Managing Editor Philip Wolf.

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hardened and more people and businesses have sought ways to deal with the issue.

We repeat: More people are realizing that we cannot tolerate anyone operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Recent statistics show that we’re getting smarter about this.

Operation Red Nose volunteers in Nanaimo drives hundreds of vehicles

At Nanaimo Hospice, we realize that the holiday season can be a joyous time for family and friends.

But if you have lost someone who played a vital role in your enjoyment of the season, you may dread seeing it approach. When the family circle is broken by death, the holidays take on a whole new meaning. Grief doesn’t have to be fresh to be painful at this time of the year. Here are some suggestions that may help to make things a little easier: • Acknowledge that this year will be different. Holidays often magnify feelings of loss. Be gentle with yourself and don’t expect too much. If you cry, don’t let that ruin the day for you. It may give others permission to grieve as well, and feel sad, even on a “happy” day.

• There is no right or wrong way to handle the day. Some people prefer to follow cherished family traditions, while others decide to change them.

Remember, what you choose to do this time can always be changed again next year.

• Embrace your “Treasure of Memories.” They are one of the best legacies your loved one leaves behind.

Instead of ignoring memories, share them.

• Do something symbolic. Think about including rituals that can appropriately symbolize your memory of your loved one. For example, you might light a candle, or hang a special Christmas ornament.

Karyn French Executive Director, Nanaimo Community Hospice Society

Cuts by interim city manager are a good sign As a member of a family who has paid taxes in Nanaimo for almost 70 years, I applaud Tracy Samra for doing in a month on the job what

(and their imbibing owners) home during the Christmas season each year. The campaign extends across the province, with thousands of volunteers driving home thousands of folks.

The RCMP continue to crack down on impaired drivers with roadblocks during their annual CounterAttack campaigns. Most years, the numbers fall, as people get the message.

“There’s been very good media coverage of the new impaired driving legislation and penalties, and I think that’s helped people make better choices,” Cpl. Robert McDonald told the Daily News during a previous campaign.

Media coverage may be part of it, but the decline in charges is also likely a sign of society’s changing attitudes toward impaired driving.

three previous full-time city managers could not; introducing a provisional budget with no tax increase.

Earlier in the day, she announced nearly $1 million in savings for tax-weary citizens by eliminating three costly and unnecessary general managers and freezing one manager position. In addition, the core services review is underway, with a report due back at the end of March.

I was, however, troubled to see one councillor repeatedly questioning and apparently trying to micromanage when they have scolded others for doing less-inquisitional actions in the past.

It was also sadly missing from a few, now “minority” council members last night, the repeated patson-the-back usually bemoaned on staff for accomplishing (or not) only a smidgeon of the feats you have managed to achieve within one short month.

Last night was indeed the time for each and every councillor and the mayor to commend you openly, in public, for your smart moves; which

People have known for years that it’s wrong, but now more proactive folks are taking steps to prevent it from happening.

More people are volunteering for organizations like Operation Red Nose or are agreeing to remain sober to drive their friends home. Also, businesses are doing their part.

Many pubs and bars in Nanaimo are offering complimentary shuttle services to ensure patrons get home safe.

This is also a smart business move, since it sends the message to the community that the establishment cares about its patrons.

B.C.’s tougher drinking and driving laws also likely played a role in officers arresting fewer people for drunk driving. However, we suspect that this trend isn’t simply a blip.

have already resulted in the savings of $816,000 per year, and gives all of us tax-fatigued residents hope for the future with hopefully no tax increase.

Ms. Samra should know, despite some of the pushback from those who champion some small but vocal special interest groups and stir unsubstantiated fear, there are 87,000 residents in our city. She has the full support of the average struggling families and taxpayers who cannot afford the seemingly endless spending that has gone on.

Please keep up the awesome work.

By continuing to watch our money, I trust you will be appointed permanently as our city manager.

Kevan Shaw Nanaimo

Thanks to the city for using all our tax dollars I’ve been asked about my lack of letters to the editor by a few people I meet here and there. I said I was

People appear to be getting the message that impaired driving is unacceptable. But that’s not to say that the situation can’t be improved.

Hundreds of people are still convicted of drunk driving every year in B.C., despite changing attitudes and tougher laws. There will always be a few individuals who are determined to break the law and put others at risk.

Stopping drinking and driving isn’t only up to the RCMP — it takes the entire community to make a difference.

Let’s hope that even more effort will be put into stopping this crime in 2016.

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hoping to find some positive city news to praise, not always negative stuff about tax waste.

So Merry Christmas and best wishes for the four-year terms, or turmoil.

Thank you, city staff, for building a new building with no new council chambers at twice the cost of fixing the annex. Thank you, council, for using tax dollars to pay the Vancouver Island Conference Centre for Shaw Auditorium. Thank you, City of Nanaimo, for a new water treatment plant with major cost overruns.

Neil Saunders Nanaimo Letters must include your hometown and a daytime phone number for verification purposes only. Letters must include your first name (or two initials) and last name. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, taste, legality and for length. Unsigned letters and letters of more than 300 words will not be accepted. Email to: yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF Compiled by Daily News

@NanaimoDaily

CITY HALL

FIRST NATIONS

Former chief is returned to council

◆ CRIME

RCMP arrest suspect in gas station robbery RCMP arrested a 28-year-old man suspected of robbing the Northridge Husky gas station in Nanaimo Sunday morning.

An employee of the business said a man wearing a mask and dressed in camouflage clothing, entered the business and demanded money from the till. No weapon was produced and an undisclosed amount of cash was handed to the suspect. The man left on foot.

Officers, along with an RCMP police dog, were able to locate a track that went a short distance. Police stopped a van 30 minutes later near the McGirr Road and Hammond Bay Road intersection. The driver was arrested for the robbery. A woman passenger was released and not charged.

Police seized the vehicle have requested a search warrant.

The man was released later that day on a promise to appear. Police are recommending one charge of robbery.

His first court date is Feb. 23.

◆ TRANSPORTATION

BC Ferries adds 150 sailings for the holidays BC Ferries added more than 150 sailings for the holiday season.

The extra sailings were added to the three major routes between Metro Vancouve-Vancouver Island from Dec. 18 to Jan. 3.

More than 100 sailings were added to the Tsawwassen-wartz Bay route, more than 40 extra sailings were added to the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route, and sailings have been added to the Tsawwassen-Duke Point run on Saturdays. BC Ferries predicts Dec. 23 will be the busiest pre-Christmas travel day. Historically, Dec. 27 is the busiest post-Christmas travel day.

BC Ferries posted a calendar forecasting busy sailings for major routes on its website.

SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS

Staff members were loaded into an RCMP vehicle in late November, as police raided several Nanaimo marijuana dispensaries. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]

Nanaimo council to look at city regulations for pot dispensaries DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS

Nanaimo may write its own regulations for how medical marijuana dispensaries operate.

Nanaimo city council passed a motion this week asking city staff to investigate steps other cities have taken to regulate pot storefronts.

The motion followed presentations from representatives of several dispensaries.

Three of 10 pot storefronts were recently raided by Nanaimo RCMP, and some appeared before council asking the city to regulate the fledgling industry. The raids followed a warning from Health Canada earlier this year to dispensaries, that they are not operating within the law. That was before the Liberals were elected on a pro-legalization platform.

In Vancouver and Victoria, dispensaries must comply with a myriad of municipal rules, including minimum distances from schools and banning the sale of cannabis chocolates that children might mistaken for candy.

Nanaimo city council is now ready to consider regulation.

“Council is going to look to see what kind of regulatory framework there might be — what approaches are being considered in other cities like Vancouver and Victoria — what regulatory tools they have,” said Mayor Bill McKay. Coun. Jerry Hong was ready to explore that option in September after he attended sessions on the subject at the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference.

Dispensary operators are pleased.

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in Nanaimo,” said Matt O’Donnell, of Phoenix Pain Management.

He was among the delegates who presented to council on the subject.

“What it means for clients or patients, we’re more of a step toward legitimacy.

“We’ve said from the get-go we want to be legitimate.”

McKay also signed a joint letter with the mayors of Vancouver and Victoria asking Ottawa for direction.

Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235 » We want to hear from you.

Send comments on this story to yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com.

Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.

The Snuneymuxw First Nation has wrapped up bi-annual council elections, with former chief Doug White taking the most votes and returning to council.

The 11-member council, which includes a chief and 10 band councillors, holds its elections every two years on a staggered basis, meaning that half of Snuneymuxw council is elected at a different time than the other half.

For example, current chief John Wesley, was elected in December 2013 and took office in February 2014, as did current councillors James Seward, Michael Wyse, Paul Wyse-Seward, Bill Yoachim and Erralyn Thomas.

Wesley defeated then-chief Doug White in a close ballot. Coun. Doug White II was also lost his re-election bid in the 2013 vote. Both Whites returned to council following the election Saturday, which saw 24 candidates vying for the five seats.

Sitting councillor Regan Seward was re-elected, but two of his colleagues weren’t so lucky; current councillors Sandra Good and Emmy Manson lost their seats.

Council newcomers are Stacey Jean (Kate) Good and Isaac Thomas.

The new council composition will alter during the next election, which will see a contest for the chief’s seat and five council seats get underway.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

VANCOUVER ISLAND

Island MPs lobby for federal ferry funding CRAIG SPENCE LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

Vancouver Island and North Coast NDP MPs are calling on the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to allow BC Ferries access to federal infrastructure grant funding.

“BC Ferries is a critical transportation link for Island residents but years of dramatic fare increases have had a devastating impact on our coastal communities,” said Murray Rankin, MP for Victoria.

“The coastal ferry system is a key transportation link like roads and bridges and should be treated the same when it comes to federal infrastructure grants.”

All of Vancouver Island’s MPs, including Sheila Malcolmson in Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Alistair MacGregor in Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, have added their names to the request.

Malcolmson and MacGregor both called for access to infrastructure funding during the September-October federal election campaign.

NEWS IN BRIEF Black Press ◆ SAANICH

Two men stabbed after dining dispute escalates A Friday night beef between two parties in front of Saanich’s Keg restaurant ended in one male stabbing a pair of male diners exiting the restaurant on the 3900-block of Quadra Street.

The suspect fled but was soon apprehended by a Saanich Police Department police dog.

An initial police report stated there was an altercation between two males and another male, during which a weapon was produced.

The patrons were injured, but the injuries were not life-threatening and relatively minor in nature.

The suspect was initially taken into custody but was released.

◆ OCEANSIDE

Alleged drunk driver steers himself to police A 43-year-old Errington man, who is prohibited from driving, allegedly drove to the police detachment — intoxicated — the morning of Dec. 5.

Oceanside RCMP issued a news release saying the man drove to the detachment “to check on his intoxicated friend” who had been lodged in police cells the night before.

According to police, the man was “known to be a prohibited driver and appeared to be intoxicated himself.”

The man was subsequently arrested and given a breathalyzer test, which police said showed him to be “well over” the legal limit to drive.

Police recommended charges of driving while prohibited and impaired operation of a motor vehicle to Crown counsel.

“We will make ferry infrastructure, including terminals and fleets, an eligible category for federal funding under the New Building Canada Fund,” Malcolmson said.

Conservative candidate Mark MacDonald said during the campaign that BC Ferries “is eligible for Build Canada funding for all their shorebased facilities.”

But the post-election call for infrastructure funding urges the Liberal government to take a new tack.

“The former Conservative government stood by while ferry fares skyrocketed for Island residents,” Rankin said.

“We are reaching out to this new government and asking them to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges facing our coastal communities.”

Comparisons have been made between the heavily subsidized ferry routes on the east coast, but those subsidies have been claimed as an obligation because they are inter-provincial, whereas BC Ferries’ routes are not.

The Chemainus BC Ferry terminal is scheduled for renovations. [LADYSMITH CHRONICLE]

EDUCATION

School district looking at expanding French immersion program into Ladysmith secondary CRAIG SPENCE LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District is sounding out parents and students to see if they are interested in a Grade 8 and 9 French immersion program at Ladysmith Secondary School starting in Sept. 2016.

“If your child is entering French immersion Grade 8 or 9 in September 2016, and/or is currently in Grade 8 at LSS and attended French Immersion in Grade 7, he/she may indicate interest for Grade 8 or 9 French immersion at LSS,” says a Dec. 8 letter to parents from Assistant Superintendent of Schools Tim Davie.

Parents have been given until Dec. 17 to respond to the letter.

“We’ve come a long way. Enabling youth to work, live and grow in any part of our country is an incredible gift.”

Patti Holm, Canadian Parents for French

“Once the information has been compiled, a decision will be made as to whether or not there is sufficient interest to offer the program,” it says.

Support for French Immersion was strong in the community, up to June, 2014, when the French Immersion program at Ecole Davis Road was

relocated to North Oyster and Davis Road was closed as part of SD68’s Enhanced Facilities Plan.

The school was operating at ‘200 per cent of its capacity’ and there was a waiting-list to get into the program, even though parents knew the school might be closed, according to the Parent Advisory Committee.

On the same day Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District sent its letter to parents about the level of support for a French immersion program at LSS, the Canadian Parents for French and La Fédération des Francophones de la Colombie-Britannique released polling results that show “French is a huge hit in Canada’s most western province.”

A commissioned Insights West poll shows 70 per cent of British Columbians support Canada’s two official languages; and 66 percent believe French is an integral part of the Canadian identity.

“We’ve come a long way,” said, Patti Holm, President of Canadian Parents for French.

“Enabling youth to work, live, and grow in any part of our country is an incredible gift. It also continues to make our country stronger.” “(British Columbians) see big benefits in multilingualism,” with 93 per cent saying they believe it is an important skill to have, and 75 per cent agreeing that speaking French opens “social, career, and cultural opportunities.”

LADYSMITH

Unexplained boom rattles mid-Island windows LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

A window-rattling ‘explosion’ heard Wednesday, Dec. 10 in several Ladysmith neighbourhoods may have been a sonic boom, but a Canadian air force spokseperson said there were no Canadian jet fighters on the West Coast that day.

“It was a powerful enough blast that it virtually rattled the dishes in the cupboard,” said David Milne, who lives in the 800-block, of Craig Road.

“It actually shook the house.”

Several of his neighbours stepped

out of their houses at the same time to determine what had caused the noise. Milne, who was talking to a friend in Courtenay shortly after the boom was heard here, learned that the same phenomenon had been experienced there, and the event was widely reported on the area’s Around Town Facebook page, including one report from Crofton.

“I’m in Crofton and we heard-felt it here too,” said Linda Prowse.

Other reports came in from Roberts Street and Fourth Avenue; from South Davis Road; and from Saltair.

Placed on a map, the reports all fall close to a straight line between Crofton and Courtney.

Sonic booms occur when aircraft break the sound barrier, that is, when they travel faster than the speed of sound: 1,225 kilometres per hour.

At that point the sound waves become compressed into the shape of a cone, trailing the plane. Where that cone intersects with the ground along the flight path, a sonic boom occurs.

That the reports came in from a relatively straight line along a flight path from Crofton to Courtenay, cor-

roborates the suggestion that it was a sonic boom.

That they were reported at almost the same time could be explained by the fact that a fighter jet can travel at speeds over 1,900 kph, which would take it from Ladysmith to Courtenay in about four minutes.

But Cpt. Alexandre Cadieux, a spokesperson for the Canadian air force, said there were no CF-18 Hornets on the West Coast that day, and that the CF-18 is the only Canadian military aircraft capable of supersonic flight.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

@NanaimoDaily

VICTORIA

â—† SALTSPRING ISLAND

Fire department warns of risk of stove-top fires after blaze

Killer dog put down after going on rampage

VICTORIA NEWS

The Victoria Fire Department is warning residents to be careful when cooking food on the stove following a kitchen fire on Sunday evening that’s left one person homeless.

Around 9:30 p.m., the fire department responded to alarm bells at an apartment complex at 710 Queens Ave. Upon arrival, crews discovered that a stove-top oil fire had activated the sprinkler system in the kitchen, which extinguished the fire that was contained to the pot.

A dog on the loose tore through the usually bucolic Burgoyne Valley last week, prompting a Capital

The resident had been cooking french fries in oil on the stove at the time of the incident. Officials believe the fire was likely caused by overheating the oil.

The blaze caused approximately $35,000 in damage, most of which came from the sprinkler activation. There was also some smoke and heat damage.

The fire marks the second within three days. On Dec. 11, crews responded to a fire at 841 Bay St. All five people inside the house were able to return to their suites. The fire is being treated as suspicious as the investigation continues.

NEWS 9

Regional District animal control officer to subdue the animal with lethal force. “The last thing I want to do is dispatch the dog, but there was no way of stopping it. He would have kept on killing,� said CRD employee Wolfgang Brunnwieser. “When

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

VICTORIA

COURTENAY-ALBERNI

Unique ring found inside mittens is among unusual store surprises

MP urges seniors’ strategy in inaugural speech

PAMELA ROTH VICTORIA NEWS

It looked like a regular pair of Olympic mittens sold at the Hudson’s Bay store in downtown Victoria.

But when Helen Lewis watched a female customer try on a pair a few weeks ago, the customer felt more than just the cozy feel of a warm glove.

“She said ‘oh, I found a ring in here!’” said Lewis.

“I had a look at it and one of the other employees came along and noticed it’s a nice ring.”

According to Lewis, the shiny silver ring appears to have a First Nations significance given the unique etchings found on the band.

It looked like something of value, leaving Lewis to believe that someone had tried the glove on previously and the ring got stuck inside without the owner even realizing what had happened.

Lewis took the ring to the lost and found department, where it’s been sitting since it parted ways with its

A unique ring that was found inside a glove at the Hudson’s Bay store in downtown Victoria is still waiting to be reunited with its owner. [CONTRIBUTED]

owner around Nov. 27. She’s amazed nobody has called searching for their missing piece of jewelry.

“If I had lost that, at least 50 pairs

of ears would have heard about it by now,” she said. “It’s a bit of a mystery.”

The store’s lost and found depart-

ment receives two to three items on a daily basis, depending on the season.

Many of the items are earrings that people have left in the dressing room or have fallen onto the floor, along with umbrellas, sunglasses and prescription glasses.

If nobody comes to claim the items after three months, they are given to charity.

On one occasion, Barbara Ann, who did not want to provide her last name, took 33 unclaimed umbrellas to the community chest in James Bay, where they were sold for $3 a piece.

Both Lewis and Barbara are hopeful the owner will return to claim the unique ring, but Barbara said such reunions only happen two or three times a month.

“It’s not much. I’ve got more prescription glasses that get turned in here. It’s unbelievable,” she said.

“You are out shopping, you put something down and then you can’t remember where it is because you’ve been to 12 stores. It happens a lot.”

NORTH COWICHAN

WESTERN COMMUNITIES

Farm firearm exemption is considered

Winds drops trees, close roads after weekend storm in Victoria

LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

KATHERINE ENGQVIST GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE

North Cowichan council has asked for a report from staff about the possibility of allowing farmers to use firearms on agricultural lands to control invasive animals.

The request came to council from the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Council directed staff at its Dec. 2 meeting to report back on “possible amendments to the firearms bylaw, to allow farmers the right to discharge a firearm on their private agricultural lands to protect their crops from invasive animals.”

Councillor Maeve Maguire said bear, elk and deer were talked about during committee discussion, and she said the intent is not to ‘destroy’ the animals.

“They do understand that it’s a very sensitive issue,” she said.

Under Bylaw 3077 a firearm includes: “a device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, compressed gas or spring, and includes a rifle, shotgun, handgun, air gun, air rifle, air pistol, or spring gun.”

It’s not clear if the requested bylaw change was to be with respect to single projectile type weapons, like rifles, which are mostly prohibited; or if it will focus on shotguns, which can already be discharged in some areas of North Cowichan.

Presently, the discharge of rifles in North Cowichan is only allowed on the Chemainus Rod & Gun Club rifle range.

While the winds have died down, the debris they carried throughout the weekend still lays scattered across some of Greater Victoria’s West Shore area. That debris led one bylaw officer to have a close call.

A City of Langford bylaw enforcement officer was out in the area of Humpback and Sawyer roads on Sunday when he noticed an orange glow coming from the trees at the B.C. Hydro access road. While investigating this glow, he realized there was a tree down on power lines which had caught fire.

According to the City of Langford, either the tree or the high voltage lines exploded, causing the lines to break away from the power pole.

A high voltage line landed on the hood of the city vehicle while the bylaw officer was inside and rolled off towards the front. Since the vehicle was mounted with a push guard, the officer couldn’t be sure if the line had rolled to the ground or was still in contact with the vehicle.

He stayed in the vehicle until help arrived, especially since he could feel what he described as a “tingling” sensation running through the vehicle.

West Shore RCMP and BC Hydro crews arrived to shut off the power so he could safely exit the scene.

B.C. Hydro crews were busy over the weekend with outages being reported across the Island.

The City of Colwood closed Ocean Boulevard after high winds and high tides created a dangerous situation with logs and debris being tossed onto the road.

According to Colwood city staff, the road was closed from roughly 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday. [KATHERINE ENGQVIST]

Roughly 11,500 West Shore customers lost power between Friday and Sunday.

Most of those outages were attributed to the wind storm or trees down on lines.

By Monday morning power had been restored to all West Shore residents, with the exception of scheduled outages for maintenance.

In Colwood, Ocean Boulevard, along the Esquimalt Lagoon, remained closed until Monday morning as engineers assessed the impact of the weekend’s storm on the roadway and the bridge.

Sandra Russell, Colwood communications manager, said the bridge only sustained surface damage despite

many logs crashing through with high tides and high winds. She added that some minor repairs were scheduled for later in the day.

City crews also found the roadway to be intact and most of the parking was being returned to normal use as part of the final cleanup process that took place Monday morning.

Due to a combination of king tides and strong storm surges, Ocean Boulevard was closed Dec. 10 for a period of time during high tide, with other closures occurring on Saturday, Sunday and into Monday.

Surging waves and debris posed a danger of washing over the roadway, causing a safety risk for motorists and other road users.

CANDACE WU PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH NEWS

Courtenay-Alberni’s first MP gave his first full speech in the House of Commons Friday, calling for a national seniors’ strategy.

“Having the highest median age for seniors in my riding, I see firsthand the results of not having a seniors’ strategy, and not having a strategy for dementia and Alzheimer’s,” Gord Johns said in Ottawa.

Asked to elaborate on what a seniors’ strategy would entail, Johns referred to the NDP’s National Strategy on Aging in Canada.

The eight-page document calls on the federal government to: restore the age of eligibility for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement to 65 and raise GIS rates; negotiate with the provinces to improve the Canada Pension Plan; amend the Employment Equity Act to include ageism, and launch an awareness campaign to dispel the prejudice many older workers face; and limit ATM transaction fees to no more than $0.50, and ensure that all banks offer at least one low-cost credit card with an interest rate no higher than five per cent above the prime lending rate.

Moreover, the strategy proposes government work with provinces to ensure that the growing demand for doctors and nurses specializing in gerontology is met, work with the provinces and territories to develop more flexible housing options for seniors, create a seniors advocate and take a systemic approach to fighting elder abuse.

“The number of seniors in Canada is set to double by 2036,” said Johns.

“We need to put plans in place now to ensure that we are ready for this dramatic increase. No one should have to grow old in poverty, insecurity and isolation.”

Qualicum Beach is the oldest community in Canada with a median age of 63.9 as of the 2011 census.

Area Salvation Army manager Lisa Clason and SOS executive director Renate Sutherland both said this year the number of seniors accessing their services is on the rise.

Johns speech in Ottawa also touched on economic and environmental challenges facing the riding.

“Small business is the core of our economy and the natural leader of innovation. We have opportunities to invest in innovation,” Johns said in the House.

“Often the wealth of our country starts in rural communities, but it leaves rural communities. We need to have shared prosperity with aboriginal people, and with all of our communities.”

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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a Personalized Paydown Q: DoPlanyouforneed your holiday bills?

Most Canadians suffer with their highest personal debt load in January, when the “holiday hit” arrives and your credit card statements let you know just how much you spent on the Sharon Fauchon festive season. It’s especially hard if you already had a & Krista Verhiel burgeoning debt load before the holidays.

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11

EXPERTS REAL ESTATE

a metal upper partial and Q: Ia have very high smile line. Is there a

Today

@NanaimoDaily

am a single mother with a home in foreclosure Q: Iand an ex-husband who pays no child support.

I have credit card debt and my hydro was recently cut off. Is bankruptcy my only option?

I have a good job.

If you have sufficient income, a proposal to creditors under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act may be an option. Under this kind of arrangement, you may pay your debts through a single regular monthly payment over a period of usually between three to five years. Gareth F. Slocombe C.A., C.I.R.P. Depending on what assets you have and your ability to Trustee pay, your may either end up paying your debts in full or making a compromise by paying as little as 10% to 20% of your debts in some cases. All interest is stopped and creditors may not take any further action against you such as garnishments etc. Depending on the amount of your debts, you may only need 51% of the creditors ( by dollar value ) to vote in favour of the proposal in order to bind all other creditors in the compromise.

Arrears on your hydro bill can also be included in the proposal and you will be able to have your service reconnected once the proposal is filed. If you are counting a shortfall to the mortgage holder as part of your total debt, you may first wish to ensure that it is not going to be paid out by your ex-husband if he had originally cosigned for it.

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NOTARIES PUBLIC

any funding available Q: forIs there seniors to adapt their own home for safety or for seniors who rent their home?

A: in

Adapting your own home small ways can help you stay in your home longer and Tiah Workman more safely. There are a number of Notary Public programs available that might help fund these improvements including Home Adaptations for Independence (see http://www.bchousing.org/ Options/Home_Renovations) and the BC Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit. BC residents over 60 with low to moderate incomes who rent their homes may be eligible for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, which provides monthly cash payment to subsidize rent, including homes in the private rental market.

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year I seem to have to deal with Q: Each the common cold. Also, I have high blood pressure. Are over-the-counter cold remedies

A:

safe for me to use?

Although not life-threatening, catching a cold is not a very pleasant experience! Symptoms like a runny nose, frequent sneezing, sore throat, headaches, mild fever and muscle aches make your life unpleasant! Over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies aren’t off-limits if you have high blood pressure, but it is David Duncan important to make careful choices. Among OTC remedies, B.SC. (Pharm) decongestants cause the most concern for people who R.P.E.B.C. have high blood pressure. Decongestants act by narrowing Pharmacist/ nasal blood vessels to provide relief from that “stuffy nose” Manager feeling, which is caused by vascular swelling inside the nasal cavity. However, this narrowing can affect other blood vessels in our bodies as well, which can then increase your blood pressure. Therefore, avoid OTC decongestants and multi-symptom cold remedies that contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. The use of a saline nasal spray can be very helpful in relieving nasal congestion. The spray can be used often and helps to flush your sinuses. Also, be aware that some of the ingredients in OTC multi-symptom cold remedies may interfere with the functions of other medicines that you may be taking. If you have any concerns always check with your doctor or pharmacist.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

POLITICS

Watchdog warns of hacker threat Provincial organizations lack strong enough defences against IT breaches, says B.C.’s auditor general THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA — Many British Columbia government organizations lack a strong enough line of defence against hacking, system threats and disruption, says the province’s auditor general.

Carol Bellringer released a report Tuesday examining or the policies and practices that protect government information technology systems from threats.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of these controls,” she said.

“Without strong general computing controls, government risks loss of public trust in its ability to safeguard our most sensitive data and ensuring critical services are always up and running.”

Controls include restraints on who can access systems, how to make changes to systems and backup and recovery of systems.

Bellringer asked all 148 government organizations, including ministries, health authorities and colleges, to rate their general computing controls and audited 13 of those self-assessments.

Many organizations assessed themselves at a higher level than in a previous report in 2013. But of the 13 organizations she audited, 69 per cent over-rated their level of achievement.

“They didn’t have sufficient evidence to support their self-assessments. Many of them didn’t have documented policies and procedures, which are the foundation of strong general computing controls.”

Bellringer recommended that organizations review their business and IT goals, set a target for how strong controls must be, analyze the

LOTTERIES

controls necessary, then determine what needs to be done to meet the target and monitor their progress.

The report comes amid renewed scrutiny of the province’s implementation of IT systems.

The Opposition NDP said last week that BC Hydro intentionally misled a regulatory agency about its spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on information technology.

Earlier this year, Bellringer released a blistering report on the $182-million Integrated Case Management system used by the Children’s Ministry. She found in March it was just

one-third complete, prone to crashes and failed to adequately protect sensitive personal information.

Over the past decade, 78 per cent of recommendations from IT audits conducted by the auditor general have been about improving general computing controls, Bellringer said.

She said there is a rigorous process to monitor how recommendations are implemented, but the report did not say how many had been adopted.

“If you don’t lock the front door of your house, don’t be surprised that someone tries to open the door and they can get in.”

POLICING

‘Shy and private’ family steps Misconduct, including forward as $50-million winners sexual, denied by officer DAN FUMANO THE PROVINCE THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER — It’s been a $50-million dollar question across Canada for the last 21 months: who owns the lone winning ticket from a 2014 Lotto Max draw.

Friedrich Mayrhofer stepped forward to make the claim on Tuesday on behalf of himself, his wife, Annand, and their son, Eric.

He entered the news conference carrying a picture of himself with his other big lottery win of $1,000 two decades before.

“It took 20 years to get a few more zeroes on the end,” he said with a smile.

Mayrhofer, 67, who described himself and his family as shy and private, said the delay was because they wanted to remain anonymous out of concern they wouldn’t be able to handle such an enormous prize.

They have since hired a group of advisers to help them handle the money, he said.

A lawyer for the family tried to claim the prize on behalf of a trust earlier this year, just days before the ticket was to expire.

After a review, B.C. Lottery Corp. president Jim Lightbody said they determined only a person could make the lottery claim and anyone who buys a ticket is required to consent to their name, photo and the amount of the prize being published when they buy a ticket.

“This has been a very unique situation for all of us involved, let alone the winners. And there has been significant public interest in this win,” Lightbody said.

The corporation received 739 inquiries about the prize and reviewed every claim, he said.

But only the Mayrhofer’s ticket qualified for the $50-million win.

From left, $50-million winners Annand Mayrhofer, Eric Mayrhofer and Friedrich Mayrhofer.

“It took 20 years to get a few more zeroes on the end.”

Friedrick Mayrhofer, lotto winner

In hindsight, Mayrhofer said he wished he would have come in earlier because claiming the money was much easier than he thought and they lost about $500,000 in interest.

“Money is nice, but the priority is my family,” he added.

The newly retired steel fabricator and his wife have been married for 42 years and have three children and an undisclosed number of grandchildren who Mayrhofer didn’t want to discuss.

They’ve lived in the same home in Langley, southeast of Vancouver for 36 years and plan to do a renovation with the cash.

He said his wife also plans on buying some new furniture and he “hoped” they could afford the expense.

Mayrhofer said he and his family are very thankful for the win and he even thanked those who bought tickets to the March 14, 2014 draw, but didn’t win.

When asked if he was going to keep buying tickets, he replied he had already purchased two tickets for this Friday’s draw.

“If I win Friday, I’ll be here on Monday,” he said to a roar of laughter from gathered media and onlookers.

“I’ll make up for the last (lost) interest.”

A Chilliwack Mountie has denied six allegations of misconduct, including alleged sexual incidents, which were outlined in a conduct hearing Monday.

Before Monday’s hearing, Const.

Daniel Marshall of the Chilliwack RCMP submitted a written denial of six allegations of misconduct, including allegations of inappropriate sexual encounters both on- and off-duty.

Three further allegations against him have been withdrawn, because one complainant recently died.

RCMP Insp. James Knopp, who is chairing the hearing, read out allegations that Marshall had “engaged in discreditable conduct in a manner that is likely to discredit the force.”

Marshall is not facing any criminal charges, according to B.C.’s online court-records system, and none of the professional misconduct allegations against him have been proven.

Knopp, the hearing chairman, said Monday: “We are dealing with, effectively, the very first contested hearing under, shall we call it, the new RCMP Act.” Amendments to the act, which came into force late last year, Knopp said, are intended “to streamline the process” and “enhance the accountability of the RCMP.” Marshall is currently suspended with pay, said RCMP spokesman Staff-Sgt. Rob Vermeulen.

At the start of the hearing, Knopp read out descriptions of the alleged incidents, including one that began with Marshall allegedly attending a woman’s residence in September 2014 in response to a call about her mental health.

The woman talked with Marshall about her “mental health and her substance-abuse issues,” Knopp said, and Marshall returned to her home

later that day to follow up, finding the woman unresponsive in her bedroom. She was transported to hospital by emergency crews.

Over the next two weeks, Marshall allegedly “returned several times to (the woman’s) residence while off-duty and while on-duty and engaged in sexual and romantic conduct, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse,” Knopp said, reading out the allegation.

Two complainants testified Monday, their names covered by a publication ban. The first complainant, a teen, testified Marshall approached her last year in a parking lot, and she recognized him from his earlier visit to the group home where she lived.

The young woman testified Marshall looked her up on his police car’s computer system, and asked her questions about her own background, including a sexual assault during her youth.

The encounter, she said, made her feel “really, really scared” and caused her to have nightmares.

A second complainant testified she contacted police in October 2014 to report a stolen bicycle, and Marshall responded.

Marshall spoke with her at her home for “at least two hours,” she testified, and the two of them had a personal conversation, talking about her life as a single mom and how she rarely goes out or socializes. Marshall told her about his service with the army in Afghanistan, she said, and about his own family.

After some time, she went with him to his cruiser, she said, where he allegedly used his police computer to look up information on her background.

The officer returned to her home around 11 that night, in plain clothes, she testified, and they allegedly had sex.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

COURTS

Man accused of killing his dad with shotgun JENNIFER SALTMAN THE PROVINCE

When Spiro Saites and his wife, Patricia, heard arguing coming from next door on Aug. 12, 2014, it sounded different than the arguments they usually overheard.

“It was very intense, very loud,” Spiro testified in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster Monday at the second-degree murder trial of 30-year-old Ryan Beauchamp.

Spiro looked out the window and tried to see what was happening. When he couldn’t, he and his wife ran outside, jumped the fence into the neighbour’s yard and found Beauchamp — who lived upstairs in the Surrey rental house with his father Allen Bezell — wrestling with the downstairs tenant, Brad Buckley.

Minutes earlier, Beauchamp had walked into a shed where Bezell and Buckley were working on a car, and slashed his father’s face with a knife.

Buckley dragged Beauchamp out of the shed and got him to drop the knife, but Beauchamp was fighting back.

It was at this point that Spiro and Patricia arrived.

Spiro said he yelled repeatedly at the men to stop fighting, and it didn’t take long for them to separate. According to Patricia, Beauchamp ran up the stairs into his house, yelling at his dad, “This is all your fault!”

Bezell emerged from the shed after his son had left. He was holding his forehead and bleeding. Buckley called 911.

Less than five minutes later, Beauchamp emerged from the house with a shotgun.

“I was very surprised he was even holding a gun,” Patricia testified.

Spiro spotted Beauchamp when he

“As he went by, I said ‘Ryan, no, no, don’t do it.”

Spiro Saites, witness

was halfway down the driveway. He said Beauchamp went straight for his father.

“As he went by, I said, ‘Ryan, no, no, don’t do it,” Spiro said.

But Beauchamp didn’t even acknowledge that Spiro and his wife were there. Spiro said Beauchamp looked very distraught, “disconnected,” and “not in touch with reality.”

Beauchamp walked up to his father and pointed the shotgun at his chest.

The two struggled and shouted at each other.

“Al said, ‘What are you doing?’ He was so desperate in his tone trying to get Ryan to stop what he was doing. Ryan just said, ‘This is all your fault.’ And then it was over,” Patricia said.

The gun discharged, shooting Bezell once in the chest. He died instantly. “(Beauchamp) said two or three times, ‘It’s finished, it’s done, it’s done, it’s done — as if that was his mission,” Spiro said.

Patricia said Beauchamp yelled, hysterically, “Patricia, I guess you won’t be getting your rent this month.”

Beauchamp placed the gun by his father’s body. She said that after he put the gun down, Beauchamp was frantic and babbling.

“I said Ryan, I want you to go sit down. I want you to sit on the stairs and just be quiet,” Patricia said. “He just did as he was told.”

Beauchamp sat on the steps until police arrived and arrested him. He was charged with his father’s murder.

LANGLEY

Thefts leave food bank reeling, looking for help DAN FERGUSON LANGLEY TIMES

In less than 72 hours, multiple thefts at the Sources Langley Food Bank have left the charity scrambling to find help.

First, someone stole $1,000 in gift cards from the food bank on Thursday.

Then, late Friday, the big panel van the food bank uses to collect donations and pick up purchases disappeared from its parking spot.

The theft occurred even though colourful decals had been applied to the van four weeks earlier to promote the food bank and render the van less attractive to thieves.

Early on Saturday, someone used the gas card for the van to buy more than $,1300 of diesel gas from a Clearbrook gas station. The van was found abandoned in Aldergrove later that same morning.

The nearly 20-year-old Ford E350 was not drivable due to mechanical damage and is being assessed by ICBC to see if it is repairable.

It happened shortly after the food bank discovered that its only other vehicle, a smaller van, needed about $5,000 in repairs and would have to be scrapped.

“It has been a challenging week,” said Denise Darrell, Director of Community Services at White Rock-based Sources.

“This is the busiest time of year for us and the loss of both of our vehicles is going to cause a huge hardship for our food bank and clients alike.”

On Sunday, the charity had to rent a small van to pick up donations at the Basics for Babies event at the Langley Events Centre.

The rental isn’t big enough to collect donations of food from partnering stores in the Langley and Aldergrove regions served by Sources.

“We require the ability to collect these donations,” Darrell said. “We also make large purchases.”

Since the food bank began operating in Langley a year ago, the number of people it serves has grown to almost 600 (as of last week).

@NanaimoDaily

B.C. 13

14

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FIRST NATIONS

Reconciliation is key theme in residential school report ‘We must proceed one step at a time,’ says Justice Murray Sinclair of moving forward THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — Justice Murray Sinclair says the entire country must join a journey to reconciliation between aboriginals and non-aboriginals — and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to join that journey.

The head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Tuesday wound up a six-year odyssey that chronicled decades of suffering and tragedy in thousands of pages of testimony from victims of the residential school system.

He ended it at with a clarion call for action at a formal ceremony marking the delivery of the commission’s final report.

“Change, of course, will not be immediate,” he said. “It will take years, perhaps generations, but it is important for Canadians to start somewhere and ultimately to create those tools of reconciliation that will live beyond today.”

A survivor in the audience wept as Sinclair spoke of how the commission’s work changed his life and those of his two fellow commissioners.

With Trudeau looking on, Sinclair spoke of a country that has hard work ahead.

“Achieving reconciliation . . . is like climbing a mountain; we must proceed one step at a time,” he said.

“It will not always be easy, there will be storms, there will be obstacles, we will fall down from time to time. But we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task

NEWS IN BRIEF The Canadian Press ◆ TORONTO

BMO says low oil prices not translating at pump A report by the Bank of Montreal suggests Canadian drivers aren’t reaping the full benefit of lower oil prices when it comes to prices at the pump.

BMO senior economist Benjamin Reitzes pointed to a chart that showed when the Brent crude oil price was last at today’s levels in 2008, the average gasoline price was less than 80 cents per litre.

However, the average regular gasoline price today remains around $1 per litre.

The Brent crude oil price is a major trading classification of sweet light crude oil.

“With last week’s plunge in oil fresh in my mind as I headed into the weekend, I couldn’t help but notice how gasoline prices had ticked higher from the previous week,” Reitzes said.

◆ MASKWACIS, SASK.

RCMP charge woman in death of 15-month-old From left to right: Commissioner Marie Wilson, Commissioner Chief Wilton Littlechild, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Commissioner Justice Murray Sinclair after presenting Trudeau with a copy of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation commission on Tuesday. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

because our goal is a just one and it is also necessary for our children.”

The prime minister, in his own speech, recalled the historic apology to Aboriginal Peoples delivered by the Harper government seven years ago.

“Today, we find ourselves on a new path, working together toward a nation-to-nation relationship based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation and partnership,” an emotional Trudeau said.

His speech was interrupted four times by standing ovations.

He said it is time for a renewal of the relationship between indigenous peoples and Canada as a whole.

“The final report provides a way forward for all Canadians,” he said.

“Building on the formal apologies of seven years ago, it sets us squarely on the path to true reconciliation. The government of Canada is committed to walking that path with indigenous peoples in partnership and in friendship.”

Sinclair said the commission’s findings make clear that the myriad problems of aboriginal communities

are rooted, directly or indirectly, in years of government efforts to “assimilate, acculturate, indoctrinate and destroy. When it comes to engineering the lives of indigenous people in this country, governments have shown a disdainful mistrust of indigenous capacity and a breezy belief in their own,.”

Sinclair also thanked his family, saying they fretted about his health as he worked gruelling hours with the commission.

“In the area of my own health and well-being, I am a reckless fool.”

ECONOMY

Household debt highest among younger set ANDY BLATCHFORD THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — The most-important weak spot in the armour of the country’s financial system — climbing household debt — is increasingly concentrated among younger Canadians, the Bank of Canada said Tuesday.

In its latest assessment of Canada’s financial health, the central bank said the most indebted borrowers tend to be under 45 years old and usually earn less money, which puts them more at risk in an economic downturn.

The bank’s semi-annual financial system review was released as the economy struggles to build momentum after contracting over the first two quarters of 2015. The lack of

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

POLOZ

economic growth early in the year was largely due to the sharp tumble in commodity prices.

The Bank of Canada, which lowered its trend-setting interest rate twice in 2015 to cushion the blow of the

resources slump, projects the economy will strengthen with lots of help from improvements in the United States.

In the meantime, Canadian borrowers have helped carry the load and, as a result, the key vulnerability of household debt has continued to rise.

The bank said that while income growth has failed to keep pace with mounting mortgage credit, the chance of household debt becoming a serious problem remains low and is likely to fade as the economy picks up steam. It added that so far there has been little evidence of significant increases in delinquency rates.

Still, the report contained numbers that show the proportion of households in the shaky position of holding debt higher than 350 per cent

of their gross income has doubled to about eight per cent since the 2008 financial crisis. The increase is mostly due to the extended era of low interest rates.

Meanwhile, the share of Canada’s household debt held by these higher-risk borrowers has risen to 21 per cent or close to $400 billion from a pre-crisis level of 13 per cent. These households tend to be in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

The likelihood that a household would be unable to make its debt payments following an adverse economic event increases significantly when its debt reaches above 350 per cent of gross income, the bank said.

Those vulnerabilities have continued to edge higher, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz said.

RCMP have charged a woman in the death of a child on the Samson Cree reserve south of Edmonton.

Police say EMS responded to a report of a child in distress on Dec. 5.

First responders pronounced a 15-month-old child dead and an autopsy determined the death was a homicide.

Following an investigation by Maskwacis RCMP, a 28-year-old woman has been charged with second-degree murder.

She was to appear in Wetaskiwin provincial court on Tuesday.

RCMP have declined to identify the woman or release the gender of the child.

◆ REGINA

MDs oppose allowing paying for private MRIs The organization representing Saskatchewan doctors says it’s concerned that the government’s decision to allow people to pay privately for MRIs is a hasty policy.

A letter to physicians from the president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association says it opposes the move and told Health Minister Dustin Duncan that at the end of October.

Dr. Mark Brown says the legislation allowing people to pay privately for MRIs runs contrary to the fundamental principle of medicare.

“We really believe that a patient accessing a test should be based on a need, rather than the ability to pay.

That’s the bottom line,” Brown said Tuesday in a phone interview with The Canadian Press.

A briefing note attached to the Dec. 4 letter says creating dual access to MRI scans does not reduce surgical wait times, and Brown suggested it could lead to queue-jumping for surgery.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

@NanaimoDaily

NATION&WORLD 15

COURTS

Duffy says Tories threatened him over scandal JENNIFER DITCHBURN THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — In Mike Duffy’s telling, his last months inside the Conservative caucus were a devastating series of betrayals and threats, designed to force him into admitting he had botched his Senate expenses.

If there was a crux to the senator’s testimony, which entered its sixth day on Tuesday, his animated description of his dealings with Stephen Harper’s team in February 2013 was it.

“I knew they were building a scaffold and everywhere I looked I saw people who were betraying me, leaking stuff to the media that wasn’t true,” Duffy told the court.

“I was all alone . . .”

Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Some of the charges have to do with his filing living expenses for time spent in his longtime home in the Ottawa area, on the premise his primary residence was a cottage in Prince Edward Island.

Three bribery charges relate to the allegation that he participated in a scheme to have Harper’s one-time chief of staff Nigel Wright secretly repay $90,000 in expenses, while Duffy told the public he had done so.

Duffy’s defence is that he was coerced into agreeing to the scheme

A division of

“That was it. I had fought and I had fought and I had fought, and I tried every kind of resistance, but when they pulled that knife out and held it over my head, I felt I had no other choice.”

Mike Duffy, ex-Tory senator

by powerful Conservatives, including Wright and Harper, while all along he felt he had done nothing wrong.

Duffy said he made his case to the former prime minister after a February 2013 caucus meeting, arguing that telling the public he had made a mistake with his expenses would ruin his reputation.

“I know it seems unfair, I know you didn’t break the rules, but the rules are inexplicable to our base (of political support) and therefore you’re going to have to pay the money back,” Duffy says Harper told him.

A few days later, Duffy and Wright would have a testy phone call about how the senator should admit making a mistake and repay the expenses.

Duffy dug in his heels — he felt he could prove he spent enough time on P.E.I., with other weeks spent on the road trying to raise support for the Conservative party.

Duffy alleges that Wright warned him that a powerful, Conservative-dominated Senate committee was poised to issue a report saying he wasn’t constitutionally eligible to sit in the Senate for P.E.I., because of his living arrangements.

“I realized that after everything that I had seen, everything that had been done to me, this seemed like a very live option, that they wouldn’t hesitate to do this to me,” said Duffy.

When Duffy asked Wright to produce the analysis that said he had broken the rules, he said Wright became angry.

“He said, ‘if you keep defying the prime minister, you’ll end up like Patrick Brazeau, out of the caucus and probably out of the Senate.’ And I said, ‘For what?”’ Duffy recounted, referring to Brazeau’s ouster a few weeks earlier following an assault charge.

“He said, ‘Listen to me, you’re defying the prime minister . . . you’re going to do this.’ It was quite snarky.”

Wright testified in August that he had pressured Duffy to repay his expenses, but that he had not raised the threat of expulsion. On the con-

trary, Wright said he continually reassured Duffy that he was on a solid constitutional footing.

Internal PMO emails filed as evidence in the court suggest that Harper did not want to entertain any discussion over the constitutional eligibility of senators to represent their provinces.

Duffy said he received more calls from Conservatives pressuring him to give in.

Those conversations, a new review of residency status partly triggered

by Marjory LeBreton, then the Conservative Senate leader, plus the alleged threat to his constitutional eligibility, made Duffy cave.

“That was it. I had fought and I had fought and I had fought, and I tried every kind of resistance, but when they pulled that knife out and held it over my head, I felt I had no other choice,” Duffy said.

From there, negotiations began among Duffy’s lawyer, Wright and Harper’s lawyer.

The Crown has alleged that Duffy made a number of demands around the repayment, including that he not be out of pocket for the expenses and that he be withdrawn from an independent audit by the firm Deloitte.

Duffy told the court that he never asked for money.

Instead, he said Wright told him

#UsedHelps

the party would pay, because Duffy had spent so much time travelling and working on political events.

Harper staffers then coached Duffy on a public statement on his intent to repay, which he delivered in television interviews that month.

Wright ultimately wrote a cheque for $90,000 in late March 2013, after the Conservative party balked at footing the bill.

Duffy said he still thought it had come from the party when the funds appeared in his account, not learning of Wright’s role until it broke in the media in May of that year.

As Bayne came to the end of his examination of Duffy — potentially the sole defence witness — he asked Duffy whether he voluntarily went along with the repayment scheme.

“No, I was coerced into going along with this under the threat of losing my job, and I did what they insisted I do, and read the script they wrote, and then found out in the fall that they’ve suspended my pay and pension for two years.”

The Crown is scheduled to begin its cross-examination on Wednesday. » We want to hear from you.

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16 NATION&WORLD

U.S. POLITICS

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

RETAILING

Ontario premier’s six-pack buy kicks off grocery store beer sales Kathleen Wynne, 62, smiled when asked to give proof of age as she bought booze CARSON

Candidate wants U.S. forces on Canadian border ALEXANDER PANETTA THE CANADIAN PRESS

WASHINGTON — A U.S. presidential candidate has called for troops to be positioned along the Canadian border, as the American election becomes consumed by national-security fears.

Republican Ben Carson says he wants soldiers and national guard stationed along the Mexican border — and at certain unspecified spots along the Canadian border.

It’s one of his Seven Steps to a Safer America, released Tuesday.

Others include formally declaring war against ISIL, restrictions on visitor visas, establishing a refugee safe zone within Syria, and investigating the group Council on American-Islamic Relations.

“President Barack Obama and Congress should immediately deploy the National Guard and military troops to patrol the U.S. southern border as well as designated spots along the northern border,” said proposal No. 6, without elaborating on where troops might be stationed along the so-called world’s longest undefended border.

Carson does not currently lead in any of the early-voting primary states. He’s in fourth place nationally in an average of polls of Republican voters, compiled by the site Real Clear Politics.

He enjoyed a brief moment as a potential frontrunner, just over a month ago. But his support collapsed around the time security came to dominate the conversation, with the Nov. 13 Paris attacks.

The retired neurosurgeon was mocked for his allegedly loose grasp of foreign policy, including his method of pronouncing the name of the militant group Hamas — which from Carson’s mouth sounded a bit like the chickpea dip “hummus.”

National security is now the No. 1 concern of American voters, according to polls. That fear is evident in media like the wall-to-wall coverage Tuesday from some networks of schools being closed in Los Angeles following a bomb threat.

KEITH LESLIE THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Ontario’s premier made history Tuesday simply by purchasing a six-pack of beer at a grocery store, something that hasn’t been legal in the province since Prohibition.

Kathleen Wynne, 62, smiled when she was asked for proof of age as she bought the beer at a Toronto Loblaws, starting the long-awaited rollout of beer sales in select grocery stores across the province.

“It’s nice to be carded,” she joked before announcing that 58 grocery stores across Ontario can now legally sell beer. “Today the wait is over. Beer is here, in grocery stores, just in time for the holidays.”

The Liberal government aims to have six-packs of beer available at 58 grocery stores by the end of this month, and expand to 450 grocers, both large and small, by 2017. That’s about the same number of retail outlets as the Beer Store operates.

Newfoundland and Labrador sells beer in some corner stores and gas stations; in Quebec, beer is available on the shelves of grocery and convenience stores. New Brunswick sells a limited selection of wines at some grocery stores, while Ontario sells Canadian wines at 300 Wine Rack locations, three-quarters of which are located in grocery stores but have separate checkouts.

The province is still examining ways to expand wine sales to more private stores, Wynne said.

“It is complex in terms of trade

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, left, and Minister of Finance Charles Sousa purchase beer at a grocery store in Toronto on Tuesday. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

agreements,” she said. “We’re not backing off on it, but we do want to get it right.”

Making it more convenient to buy beer is all about making life easier for people who lead busy lives, said Wynne.

The changes are also about fairness, she said, with at least 20 per cent of grocers’ shelf space for beer dedicated to products from small brewers “so that the province’s incredible craft brewers can continue to grow in a fair and efficient beer market.”

In addition to six-packs at some grocery stores, LCBO stores sell six and 12-packs of beer, but the foreign-owned Beer Store retains exclusive rights to sell cases of 24.

“You can probably buy a six-pack of tall boys and you get pretty close to a 12-pack,” said Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

The Liberals didn’t want to “blow up” the Beer Store’s cost-effective distribution network, which keeps Ontario beer prices among the lowest in Canada, said Wynne.

POLITICS

Consensus on assisted dying issue possible, says Liberal House leader THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — The Trudeau government is aiming to conduct a quick, two-month public consultation on medically assisted dying and have a new law crafted, studied, debated and passed by June.

Despite the rush, government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc says he’s confident the process will be sufficient to build a national consensus on the life-and-death issue.

The timeline might yet become even more rushed if the Supreme Court of Canada rejects the new Liberal government’s request for a sixmonth extension to craft a new law.

Last February, the Supreme Court struck down the prohibition on doctor-assisted death and gave the federal government a year to come up with a new law recognizing the right

of clearly consenting adults who are enduring intolerable physical or mental suffering to seek medical help in ending their lives.

LeBlanc says the last-minute rush could have been avoided had the previous Conservative government adopted a Liberal motion last March to create a special parliamentary committee that would have been mandated to consult and report back with draft legislation by mid-July.

But since the Conservatives dragged their feet on the issue, the new government has had to speed up the process.

“It was our hope that this work would have properly been done last spring. The previous Parliament chose not to accept our suggestion,” LeBlanc said Tuesday after a cabinet meeting.

“So we have the deadline we have.

That being said, we are very confident that if the Supreme Court considers and accepts our request for an extension, we can undertake the proper and appropriate process to build the kind of national consensus that’s important on an issue . . . that’s this sensitive.”

The Supreme Court has not yet responded to the request for more time. While the government has asked for an extension until August, LeBlanc said the new law will need to be passed by the end of June, before Parliament breaks for the summer.

The federal health and justice ministers expected to receive an external panel report Tuesday on issues the federal government will need to consider. The report, commissioned by the previous government, will be translated before its public release, likely early in the new year.

She also praised the consortium for returning to its co-operative roots by opening up ownership to all Ontariobased brewers.

The government awarded the first round of beer licences to 45 outlets operated by 13 large chains, including retail giant Walmart, Metro Ontario and Sobeys.

Of the initial 58 licences, 13 went to independent grocers, including Starsky Fine Foods in Hamilton, Pino’s Get Fresh in Sault Ste. Marie and J-&-B La Mantia in Lindsay.

Four Sea King helicopters to be retired THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — A spokesman for National Defence says the air force is only expecting to retire four of its venerable CH-124 Sea King helicopters in 2016 in addition to the four it has already put out pasture.

Daniel Le Bouthillier says the choppers, which have seen five decades of service, have been written off, but not yet sent to the scrap yard.

There are 26 Sea Kings still flying and earlier this week a senior government official said training and delivery of the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopters will have to be sped up in order to ensure there is no gap between the fleets.

The 28 Cyclones have faced repeated development delays since being ordered in 2004 and are not expected to be fully operational until 2021 — three years after the last Sea King is to leave service.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

MANITOBA

Child advocate can now review Tina Fontaine case, says minister CHINTA PUXLEY THE CANADIAN PRESS

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s family services minister says the children’s advocate is now free to investigate whether the child-welfare system failed a Manitoba teen whose body was found in the Red River.

Kerri Irvin-Ross said the arrest of a suspect in Tina Fontaine’s killing means the advocate can move forward with her review, which could be made public if new legislation is in place by then.

The report should be able to answer “what did the system do or not do to support Tina,” Irvin-Ross said Tuesday.

“If the children’s advocate perceives that this is a document that she wants to share, she will be able to share it,” Irvin-Ross said. “It will answer many questions that Manitobans have had.”

Children’s advocate Darlene MacDonald was unavailable for comment, but spokeswoman Ainsley Krone said MacDonald will meet with police soon to discuss when she can move forward.

“We want to ensure we are not interfering in any way with any criminal proceedings as we con-

“We want to ensure we are not interfering in any way with any criminal proceedings as we conclude our review.”

Ainsley Krone, spokeswoman

clude our review,” Krone said.

Raymond Cormier, 53, was arrested last week and charged with second-degree murder in Tina’s death. Her body was found wrapped in a bag in the Red River on Aug. 17, 2014.

Cormier waived a court appearance Tuesday and the case was put over to Jan. 8.

His lawyer, Pam Smith, said her client will fight the charges.

Tina had only been in Winnipeg a couple of weeks after leaving her great-aunt’s home on the Sagkeeng First Nation, about 70 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

She was in the care of Child and Family Services, but police said Tina became an exploited youth in

the Manitoba capital. They say she met Cormier at a residence they both frequented.

Court documents allege Tina was killed around Aug. 10, 2014 — 10 days after she was first reported missing from foster care. Police picked her up two days before it’s believed she was killed, but did not take her into custody.

Tina’s family has said she was found a few hours later, passed out in a downtown alley, and taken to hospital. She was picked up by social workers and placed in a downtown hotel, but ran away again shortly before she was killed.

Irvin-Ross said the office of the children’s advocate automatically investigates when a child dies in care, but the Fontaine investigation was on hold while police searched for a suspect. The province did its own internal review and has made changes since then, she said.

Critics say much more must be done. Ian Wishart, a Progressive Conservative legislature member, pointed to a recent Winnipeg police report which found 83 per cent of 550 missing persons reports officers dealt with involved kids in government care.

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Saskatoon hotel cancels trade show on Africa trophy hunting THE CANADIAN PRESS

A trade show that was to showcase companies that offer trophy hunts in Africa is no longer going to be held at a Saskatoon hotel.

The expo by African Events Canada and African Hunting Gazette was to be held next month at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre.

The hotel has confirmed the event has been cancelled, but has not said why.

Lana Stark, who started an online petition against the event, says it is unethical for hunters to target animals such as rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes and hippos.

A Holiday Inn in Toronto last week cancelled its participation in a similar event after an animal justice lawyer organized an online petition.

The killing of Cecil the lion by a U.S. big-game hunter in Zimbabwe last summer drew international condemnation

and sparked outrage among animal conservationists and politicians.

“Trophy hunters say they are conservationists helping local communities. I don’t think you are if you pay money to shoot an animal, and there must be less destructive ways to save a species,” Stark said Tuesday.

“If you’re putting a price tag on their heads, make it about eco-tourism.

“Have safaris, tours and photography.

People want to see these majestic animals.”

Event organizers said they targeted Saskatoon because Saskatchewan is full of hunters who live and work in a thriving economy with disposable income. » We want to hear from you.

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NATIONAL SECURITY

NEWS IN BRIEF The Associated Press

No Trump politics for Tories, says interim leader

◆ MEXICO CITY

Police find bodies tossed in mountain canyon

STEPHANIE LEVITZ THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — Donald Trump may be running to lead America’s right-wing political party, but his views aren’t welcome by Canada’s right-wing party, the interim leader of the Conservatives says.

Trump’s position should not even be considered right-wing, but something far beyond that, said Rona Ambrose in a wide-ranging year-end interview with The Canadian Press.

“I think he’s off the spectrum, frankly,” Ambrose said. “That’s not a voice that we welcome in our party.”

Earlier this month, Trump, who is hoping to lead the Republican party in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, called for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration to the United States. He has also advocated for Syrian refugees to be registered in a national database and has suggested Muslims should carry ID cards.

Backlash against Muslims in the U.S. has been growing in recent months and Trump’s comments have been blamed for fanning those flames. While the comments have drawn widespread condemnation, polls suggest around half of Republicans support those positions.

Ambrose said she’s thankful that kind of discourse isn’t happening among Canada’s political leadership, but acknowledged Trump’s remarks come with consequences.

“I think what happens is, it fuels the fire for people that have very bad intentions and then they act,” she said.

“There’s no excuse for that, Donald Trump is not an excuse . . . I don’t think his rhetoric helps the case.”

Canada has not been immune from anti-Muslim backlash either.

After the attacks in Paris linked to Islamic extremists, a mosque in Peterborough, Ont., was set on fire and a Muslim woman was attacked in Toronto.

Ambrose said that when she spoke out publicly against some of those incidents, she was also criticized.

If that criticism — and any other type of anti-Muslim sentiment in Canada — comes from people purporting to be part of the Conservatives, they aren’t, she said.

The Conservatives have been accused in the past of not doing enough to combat Islamophobia — and potentially exacerbating it.

In the coming months, Ambrose said, she will be working to expand outreach to existing party supporters and potential new ones ahead of the coming leadership race.

In October, the Conservatives garnered 31.9 per cent of popular support, down about eight percentage points from the previous election.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

A gate to Birmingham Community Charter High School is locked with a sign stating that school is closed on Tuesday in Van Nuys, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. [AP PHOTO]

LA cancels classes over threats NYC calls a hoax Shutdown abruptly closed more than 1,000 schools in the city CHRISTOPHER WEBER AND TAMI ABDOLLAH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — The nation’s two biggest school systems — New York City and Los Angeles — received threats of a large-scale attack Tuesday with guns and bombs, and LA reacted by shutting down the entire district, while New York dismissed the warning as an amateurish hoax and held class as usual.

The shutdown was a rare example of big city closing its entire school district because of fears of an attack.

The decision also reflected lingering unease in the aftermath of the shooting that killed 14 people at an office holiday party less than two weeks ago in nearby San Bernardino.

In LA, the threat came in the form of an email to a school board member. Authorities in New York reported receiving the same “generic” email that was sent to other cities around the country. They decided there was no danger to schoolchildren, with Mayor Bill de Blasio concluding the threat contained “nothing credible.”

“It was so outlandish,” he said.

New York Police Commissioner William Bratton agreed, quipping that it looked like the sender of the threat had watched a lot of the Showtime terrorism drama “Homeland.”

The shutdown abruptly closed more than 900 public schools and 187 charter schools attended by 640,000 students across Los Angeles.

LA officials defended the move.

“It is very easy in hindsight to criticize a decision based on results the decider could never have known,” LA Police Chief Charlie Beck said at a news conference.

The threatening email sent to the New York City school superintendent warned that schools would be attacked with pressure cooker

“It is very easy in hindsight to criticize a decision based on results the decider could never have known.”

Charlie Beck, LA police chief

bombs, nerve agents and machineguns. It claimed the writer and “138 comrades” would carry out the attack.

Students “at every school in the New York City school district will be massacred, mercilessly. And there is nothing you can do to stop it,” the message said.

The anonymous writer claimed to be a student at a district high school who had been bullied.

A law enforcement official with access to the document provided the email to The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to disclose details of an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The person who wrote the note also claimed to be a jihadist but made errors that suggested the writer was really a prankster, including spelling the word “Allah” with a lowercase “a.”

The threats came in simultaneously to New York and LA school officials at about 1:20 a.m. EST Tuesday, or about 10:20 p.m. Monday in Los Angeles.

According to LA school police, the FBI and LA police were contacted late Monday, which would mean within 90 minutes or so of the threat arriving.

The decision to close Los Angeles schools was announced at 6:25 a.m., well after NYC had already concluded

the threat was a hoax and decided to keep schools open.

Los Angeles Superintendent Ramon Cortines said every campus would be searched before schools reopened.

Bratton called the closure in Los Angeles a “significant overreaction.”

“We cannot allow ourselves to raise levels of fear,” said Bratton, who once ran the LA Police Department.

Hours later, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee also said the threat was believed to be a hoax.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he would not second-guess the decisions made in Los Angeles or New York.

The decision to close the district disrupted the morning routines of many Los Angeles families.

Lupita Vela, who has a daughter in the third grade and a son who is a high school senior, called the threat “absolutely terrifying” in light of the San Bernardino attack.

“I know the kids are anxious,” she said.

Beck said the email was specific to all the campuses in the district.

The LA schools commonly get threats, but Cortines called this one rare and said the San Bernardino attack influenced his decision to close the entire district.

The threat “was not to one school, two schools or three schools,” he said at a news conference. “It was many schools, not specifically identified . . . . That’s the reason I took the action that I did.”

The superintendent said the district police chief informed him about the threat shortly after 5 a.m.

Vela said she worries about talking to her kids about the threat and terrorism in general.

She’s concerned about her daughter feeling safe in class.

Authorities have found what they believe are at least 19 bodies tossed into a deep, narrow canyon in the violence-plagued southern state of Guerrero, two Mexican officials said Tuesday.

The federal officials said eight of the bodies had been partially burned, and two more were found in pieces.

Authorities were not ruling out the possibility of finding more bodies at the site. They said the bodies appear to have been dumped — not buried — between a month and a yearand-a-half ago. They were found in a gorge about 500 metres deep in a mountain area near the town of Chichihualco, west of the Guerrero state capital of Chilpancingo.

The officials said authorities received an anonymous tip about the dumping ground late last week.

◆ ATHENS, GREECE

Greek parliament OKs new austerity bill Greek lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation granting the right to sell bad business loans from local banks to overseas funds as part of a new austerity bill demanded by bailout lenders from the rest of the eurozone.

All 153 members of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ left-led coalition voted in favour of the draft legislation, while all 138 opposition lawmakers present rejected it, and nine were absent from the vote.

The changes will only affect larger businesses and follow months of pressure from lenders as the number of non-performing loans in the Greek market rose above 40 per cent.

Labour unions, which oppose the reforms, staged two separate, peaceful protest marches in central Athens late Tuesday.

◆ PARIS

City to save notes to pay tribute to attack victims The city of Paris has decided to collect and archive the notes, poems and drawings left by passers-by on informal memorials at the sites of the Nov. 13 attacks, to keep the memory intact of the moving and spontaneous show of solidarity and compassion toward the victims.

Archivist Mathilde Pintault said “it is important to keep track of the amount of tributes that have been left and the diversity of these tributes, some from children, from older people, from relatives of the victims, from anonymous people.”

Another arrchivist, Audrey Ceselli, said she works with a “sense of urgency” but tries not to read the highly emotional notes.

“To go there is difficult for us, as Parisians . . . we are paying attention to the notes because they are fragile, but we don’t focus on the substance for now,” she said.

More news, Pages 27, 28

19

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Islanders crush Bulldogs 72-21 in opener NDSS squad ranked No. 7 in B.C. held Barsby to four points in the first half in first game of league action SPORTS INSIDE Today’s issue

SCOTT MCKENZIE DAILY NEWS

T

he talented trio of Callum Gemma, Max Reed and Anders Cedeberg will be the leaders of the Nanaimo Islanders — a group tied as the seventh ranked team in B.C. Triple A basketball.

But in their league opener Tuesday night, they weren’t needed all that much.

Both Nick Hunter and Winston Gardiner came off the bench to drop 17 points a piece as the Islanders beat the John Barsby Bulldogs 72-21, sending Barsby to 0-2 on the season in Vancouver Mid-Island league play.

“It’s going to be more of a team effort this year, so it doesn’t really matter who scores,” said Islanders head coach Jacob Thom.

“It’s going to be by committee.”

The Islanders, playing a league game without graduated star Tyus Barfoot for the first time in three years, got contributions from everyone on both sides of the floor against Barsby as they held the Bulldogs to four points in the first half.

“We came in here trying to focus defensively and just do our stuff offensively,” Thom said.

Canucks Hockey Golf NFL Scoreboard

Nanaimo Islanders forward Winston Gardiner, left, drives to the basket while being defended by John Barsby Bulldogs forward Ibraham Herwi on Tuesday night during a high school basketball game at Barsby. [SCOTT MCKENZIE/DAILY NEWS]

“Our big emphasis was just to do our jobs, and I think we did a pretty good job of that.”

Mike Wyse led the Bulldogs in scoring in the loss with 11 points, including three three-pointers.

With an early start to league play this season — last year’s opener

was in January —Thom thought there were still areas his team could improve.

“We made a conscious effort to move the ball offensively, and I thought we did a pretty good job,” he said.

“There was a couple of times where

WELLINGTON 87 BALLENAS 76

20 21 22 23 24

we broke down and just weren’t engaged mentally, so we can always do a better job passing the ball.”

Reed and Gemma, returning senior starters, combined for nine points while Cedeberg, a Grade 11 returning starter, had seven.

The Islanders will have a stiffer test this weekend as they head south for the Gary Taylor Oak Bay Classic, one of the top tournaments on the Island.

Their next home game is on Dec. 30, an exhibition game, against the Mount Douglas Rams at 1 p.m.

The Bulldogs have an exhibition road game scheduled for Thursday at Dover Bay.

In a much tighter Vancouver Mid-Island Triple A league game, Nanaimo’s Wellington Wildcats travelled to take on the Ballenas Whalers and returned with an upset win.

Led by Alex Staniforth and Hayden Jeffrey, the Cats beat the Whalers 87-76 in Parksville, taking down the team tied with NDSS for that No. 7 provincial ranking.

“It’s crucial to get these league wins,” said Wellington head coach Luke Letham. “Our league’s going to be very tough, so it was a big win for us.

Staniforth, a Grade 11 small forward, finished the game with 27 points while senior guard Jeffrey posted 18.

“We didn’t put a full game together, but we definitely saw some periods that we played very well,” Letham said.

The Wildcats, 2-0 in league play, are off to the Beyond Mars tournament this weekend in Delview. They return to league action Jan. 5.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

NHL

Injury-riddled Canucks are coming off the rails Vancouver’s 6-2 loss to Minnesota was the worst beating they’ve taken this season BEN KUZMA THE PROVINCE

C

hris Tanev with a rare positioning brain cramp.

Alex Edler with bad puck decisions.

This is the trickle-down effect of losing Dan Hamhuis and Luca Sbisa to injury, losing confidence and losing games.

Tanev and Edler log major minutes and draw tough matchups. It was made tougher Tuesday when the Vancouver Canucks decided to play no-touch hockey and leave Ryan Miller defenceless.

Their lack of awareness, support and battle level turned this into a sickening stick-waving exhibition in the slot — and especially down low.

It allowed the Minnesota Wild to do exactly what they vowed to do — go right down Main Street — for an easy 6-2 victory.

Two words summed it up.

“Battle level,” said Canucks winger Daniel Sedin.

“That’s the No. 1 thing. If it’s not there, you’re not going to win any games. We should be disappointed, the whole team where we are in the standings. It’s unacceptable. Millsy (Miller) played a heck of a game and was our best player. We need to take a deep breath and get back to playing hockey.”

It was the worst beating the Canucks have absorbed this season and it’s turning this six-game road trip into a nightmare, especially with back-to-back games in Philadelphia on Thursday and Detroit on Friday.

How unsettling was it? The Canucks could have used Frank Corrado, who finally played his first game for Toronto on Tuesday after being claimed off waivers from Vancouver.

They could have used Jarret Stoll, who was claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Wild, because it was a bad night for Bo Horvat and Jared McCann. They looked lost and outmatched. But the veterans were just as bad as the kids.

“Our team has to stand up for themselves,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “We can’t rely on three or four guys (top line and Miller) to carry us. Other guys have to start caring. Quite a bit bothered me tonight. Our compete level wasn’t high enough and I’m concerned.”

What the Canucks should have done is given Miller the mercy hook earlier and not after two periods when Jacob Markstrom took over.

It could have been a blowout when the Wild held a 13-5 shot advantage in the first period.

And before it became a laugher, Miller did what he could. The Canucks were trailing 2-0 in the second period when Zach Parise first forced Miller to make a tough shoulder save.

Parise got a chance on the rebound

PRICE

Carey Price wins Marsh award as Canada’s top athlete THE CANADIAN PRESS

Minnesota Wild left wing Thomas Vanek (26) scores on Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller, during the first period in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday. [AP PHOTO]

“Other guys have to start caring.“ Willie Desjardins, head coach

from his knees and then picked the far corner from a sharp angle.

Chris Higgins, Horvat and Edler watched it all unfold.

It was the theme of the night.

The only drama was how long Miller was going to play.

“You might as well battle through but by that time in the second period, realistically you think beyond tonight and you have to regroup,” Miller said of giving up six goals on 36 shots.

“It’s ugly and it’s embarrassing. It’s my job to solve problems. If things break down, I have to make reads.

I thought I was trying to battle and find pucks.

“They just made plays around us.

I can’t judge the guys and I can’t sit there and coach. I didn’t solve enough of the problems and it’s my job to figure it out.”

Miller wasn’t the problem.

“He plays so hard and he hates coming out — he just hates it,” said Desjardins. “But I knew I was going to take him out the end of the second.”

WHAT THIS MEANS: Willie Desjardins went to great lengths after the morning skate to talk about how he prefers laughter over lashing out against his players.

He may need a new approach.

Players are ultimately responsible for their play, but what’s at play here is an injury-riddled team coming off the rails.

But every team has ailments and the biggest one the Canucks could have is a mental one if they lose their starting goalie and lose their way the remainder of this trip.

It took two periods for Ryan Miller to call it a night. It might take longer for him to regain trust with what’s happening in front of him.

The Canucks went with the status quo against the Wild because they have few options. They should play Jacob Markstrom in Philadelphia on Thursday and let Ronalds Kenins at least run at people.

That’s a start.

But there are riddles in the middle and Brandon Sutter is being missed on several levels. If Jarret Stoll wasn’t the answer, who is? Getting younger is getting old.

WHAT WE LEARNED: The Canucks didn’t put in a waiver claim for centre Stoll but the Wild did.

At 33, the right-hand shot is a fourth-liner, but could have improved the Canucks’ 30th-ranked faceoff (46.6 per cent) dilemma and with an expiring $800,000 US contract, he’s a cap fit.

It could have allowed Jared McCann to join Team Canada for the world junior tournament and buy time until Brandon Sutter heals from sports-hernia surgery.

But the Canucks like Adam Cracknell’s play and they want to get younger, not older.

IN A WORD: SCHOOLED: Ben Hutton got the how-do-you-do move from Charlie Coyle, who went outside and inside on the rookie for a scoring chance.

Hutton then drew a holding penalty.

FOOLED: Chris Tanev went to the sideboards and Alex Edler was the lone defender as Zach Parise easily set up Thomas Vanek for a powerplay chip goal to open scoring.

FOOLS: Radim Vrbata was in a trio including Jared McCann and Tanev, who waved sticks as Jason Zucker was allowed to deposit his backhand rebound while falling.

ADVANCED STATS 7: Shots by defencemen in first period as Matt Bartkowski had three and Alex Biega and Alex Edler had two apiece. Only five came from forwards.

Can’t win games from blueline.

-40: Combined even strength Corsi for Jared McCann, Radim Vrbata and Chris Higgins after two periods.

McCann (For 5, Against 19), Vrbata (For 5, Against 18), Higgins (For 5, Against 18).

4: Double minor that McCann took for getting his stick in the face of Parise and drawing blood. Ryan Suter scored on the 5-on-3 power pay for 5-1 lead.

32: Distance in feet of Mikko Koivu’s goal from the slot to make it 4-1.

Nobody laid a hand on him.

TORONTO — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price says he hasn’t built a trophy room in his house yet, even if the awards are starting to pile up.

Price became the first hockey goaltender to win the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete on Tuesday.

“I was actually surprised at that because this country’s had so many outstanding goaltenders, which speaks volumes of our athletic system in general,” he said. “We have so many great athletes, year after year, putting up such great performances.

“To be able to top some of those is truly honouring.”

Price hit career highs with 44 wins, a 1.96 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage for Montreal in the 2014-15 season.

He also won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender, the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player as voted by the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association and earned the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL MVP as judged by his fellow players.

He also shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed with Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I’m going to be trying to put together a man cave this summer in Kelowna, so maybe it will go there,” said Price, who joined some the greatest names in Canadian sport history to win the award. “Obviously it’s truly an honour to be a part of those names.

“It’s definitely special to me. I’m going to be proud of that for the rest of my life.”

Price’s 44 wins set a record for most in a season by a Canadiens goaltender and was tied for fifth for most in a season.

The 28-year-old from Anahim Lake, B.C., is only the second player in the storied history of the Canadiens franchise to win four NHL awards in one season. He is the third Lou Marsh winner from the Canadiens after Guy Lafleur and Maurice (Rocket) Richard.

Asked which names he was proudest to join as winners of the award, he said Olympic 100-metres gold medallist Donovan Bailey. And hockey great Wayne Gretzky of course.

“Basically all the hockey players,” he added.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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NHL

Speculation swirls as Stamkos arrives in T.O. STEPHEN WHYNO THE CANADIAN PRESS

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stands behind Sidney Crosby (87) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Pittsburgh on Monday. [AP PHOTO]

Penguins are at crossroads as Mike Sullivan takes over WILL GRAVES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH — Mike Sullivan’s voice is unmistakable. Loud. Authoritative. Animated.

And, the Pittsburgh Penguins hope, an alarm clock.

One of the NHL’s marquee draws is in the midst of an identity crisis more than a third of the way into a season that began with typically high expectations, goals that at the moment appear impossibly out of reach. The Penguins aren’t scoring.

They occasionally aren’t defending and — perhaps most troubling — the magic they once summoned so easily seems to have disappeared.

“I think we’re bottom of the league in goals scored this year and I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t be, right?” forward Phil Kessel asked, only somewhat rhetorically.

Pittsburgh’s 4-1 loss to Washington on Monday night in Sullivan’s debut dropped the Penguins to 15-11-3.

They remain in a tie for ninth in the Eastern Conference and are 27th in goals per game despite ranking fifth in shots. The power play littered with All-Stars is 28th, ahead of only Calgary and Arizona. Not exactly the

neighbourhood Pittsburgh planned to be living in as the New Year approaches.

Enter Sullivan, who spent a decade grinding out a career as a defensive-minded forward before getting into coaching. He now finds himself trying to get Pittsburgh’s highly capable, occasionally highly strung players working in unison.

Nowhere are Pittsburgh’s struggles more evident than in Sidney Crosby’s prolonged funk. The twotime Hart Trophy winner is on pace for career lows in goals and points, and his team appears destined for a four-month battle just to reach the post-season let alone make a serious run at Stanley Cup to bookend the one he and fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin won in 2009 back when a dynasty seemed almost inevitable.

It never happened thanks to a mix of injuries, bad luck and a handful of meek flameouts in the playoffs.

The shine on one of hockey’s biggest success stories has dimmed. While the team has played to a full house for nearly eight years and counting, it’s one of the few constants for a franchise in flux.

Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero, the

coach and general manager who helped make the Penguins one of the league’s must-see attractions, are gone. Forward Pascal Dupuis, long the glue in a dressing room of diverse personalities, retired abruptly last week due to lingering health concerns surrounding the blood clotting issue that cut short his 2014-15 season. Defenceman Rob Scuderi, brought in more than two years ago to provide the blue line with some needed grit, became a pariah as his game deteriorated and was shipped off to Chicago on Monday night for Trevor Daley.

Co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle are shopping the club, at least when the notoriously private Lemieux isn’t taking to Twitter to shoot down speculation of a rift between himself and Crosby.

The day-to-day drama that seems to follow the Penguins wherever they go aside — on Tuesday alone the Penguins said goaltender MarcAndre Fleury is out for a spell with a concussion and star-crossed forward Beau Bennett will miss at least a month with a shoulder injury — the ever accessible Crosby allows “we have to be better.”

Kassian waived after being cleared to play THE CANADIAN PRESS

Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has been cleared to play again after spending more than two months in a substance abuse program.

The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association announced Tuesday that Kassian “has been returned to available status and has entered the follow-up care phase of the sub-

SPORTS 21

stance abuse and behavioural health program.”

“Kassian’s care continues to be administered pursuant to the NHL/NHLPA SABH Program.”

The Canadiens then placed Kassian on waivers.

Kassian, a native of Windsor, Ont., was placed in stage two of the program after he was involved in an early-morning, single-car accident on Oct. 4. He was deemed to have violat-

ed stage one, which mainly involves counselling.

The 24-year-old right-winger was acquired by the Canadiens in an off-season trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

He has yet to play a regular-season game for Montreal.

Kassian has 66 points (35 goals, 31 assists) in 198 career games. He had 16 points (10-6) in 42 games for the Canucks last season.

TORONTO — Steven Stamkos returned Tuesday to the city that likes him back.

In the aftermath of a furor over “liking” a tweet about the Maple Leafs pursuing him, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain came to Toronto to face the team many hockey observers have speculated could sign him this summer.

Stamkos — who grew up in nearby Markham, Ont., — has said his actions on Twitter, recently and two summers ago, were accidental. After NBA star LeBron James went “home” to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Stamkos also liked a tweet speculating about him being hockey’s version of that.

No matter the intent, Stamkos not having a contract extension with the Lightning is more than enough fuel for speculation about his future.

Information about negotiations has been tightly guarded by his camp at Newport Sports and Tampa Bay management.

Stamkos has never ruled out the possibility of playing for the Leafs at some point in his career. This would be his chance.

“I’m not going to look too far into that just because I don’t have a crystal ball,” said Leafs forward Shawn Matthias, who was Stamkos’s roommate at the 2008 world junior championship. “I can’t predict the future. He’s a great player. I’m sure everybody around the league would

“I’m sure everybody around the league would love to play with him . . . “ Shawn Matthias, former teammate

love to play with him because he’s done so much in the game already.”

Stamkos has 11 goals and 11 assists in his first 31 games this season but is almost a point-a-game player in his career. In 523 NHL games, he has 287 goals and 233 assists for 520 points.

Add in the fact that Stamkos will be 26 in February, and he’s due a major payday. A long-term contract worth an average of US$10.5 million per year isn’t out of the question.

The elephant-in-the-room question is whether Stamkos will be paid by the Lightning or another team.

“He’s scored so many goals and he’s a great player,” Matthias said. “He seems like a good leader. I’m sure if you asked anyone if they would love to play with him, everyone would say, ‘Yeah, of course.’ He’s that good of a player.”

Stamkos told reporters Monday in Columbus that he doesn’t let his status “creep into the (locker)-room” with the Lightning.

He was named captain in the spring of 2014 after general manager Steve Yzerman traded Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers.

WORLD JUNIORS

Work just beginning for Canadian coaches, staff JOHN CHIDLEY-HILL THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Hockey Canada has the raw materials for its junior team.

Now it’s time to starting putting it together.

Canada’s roster of 27 players had their first practice in Imatra, Finland, on Tuesday to prepare for three pre-competition exhibition games this weekend as the coaching staff and Hockey Canada’s management team evaluates who will make the final roster for the world junior hockey championship.

“I think that everyone that comes to Europe has a chance to make the team,” said Ryan Jankowski, director of player personnel for the team.

“The job isn’t done and that’s what we’ve got the week for and that’s what we’ve got the three exhibition games for, to help sort that out.

“That’s the week where things to come together and you see the foundation taking shape.”

After a four-day selection camp in Toronto where four players were cut, Canada’s junior team now has 15 forwards, nine defencemen and three goaltenders. The three goalies — Mackenzie Blackwood, Mason

McDonald and Samuel Montembeault — are the only ones guaranteed spots. Blackwood will be unavailable for Canada’s opening game of the world junior championship against the United States on Dec. 26 and the Canadians’ second game on Dec. 28 against Denmark as he serves out the end of an eight-game suspension.

That means forwards and defencemen will have to be cut over the next week to get Canada down to a 23-man roster.

“It’s about getting a smaller group together,” said Jankowski. “It’s about putting a structure in place needed to be successful at the international game.

“Even though we’ll have some extra players there it’s about building the foundation, building the style of play that’s been started here. But now it’s a less volatile environment because the first cuts have been made and now we’re starting to strengthen the team.”

An emphasis has been placed on speed and play-making ability throughout the evaluation process with players and coaches alike using the word “fast” as a desired quality throughout the selection camp.

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22 SPORTS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

GOLF

NFL POWER RANKINGS

Forgotten: Scott won 18 times with his short putter

Perfect Panthers remain at the top 1. Panthers 13-0 (1): Remember when there were three unbeaten teams left and Carolina was the “worst” of the bunch?

Doug Ferguson

2. Cardinals 11-2 (3): Bruce Arians will be able to keep this team focused on a first-round bye, which it can secure Sunday night with a win and a Green Bay loss.

Golf Notes

T

he popular “strokes gained” statistic was not introduced until four years ago, although the PGA Tour has data to track putting performances dating to 2004. Tiger Woods was No. 2 that year, followed by Brad Faxon and Steve Stricker. All have reputations as being great putters.

So it’s worth noting, statistically, who was the No. 1 putter in 2004 — Adam Scott.

And that’s why Scott is bemused, and a little irritated, when he’s often cited among players facing an uncertain future when the ban on anchored strokes used for long putters starts on Jan. 1.

“People don’t like facts? It’s a good starting point to an opinion — a fact,” said Scott, with a grin. “Maybe because me changing to a long putter was quite a drastic change. Maybe that’s why it got a lot of attention.

Beats me. I’ve tried to downplay it the whole time. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal going back to the short putter.”

He switched to the long putter at the Match Play Championship in 2011, contended for the first time at the Masters two months later, nearly won the British Open the following year and then became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013.

What often gets overlooked is that Scott won 18 times worldwide before switching to the long putter, including The Players Championship and the Tour Championship. He has won seven times in five years with the long putter.

Scott refers to 2015 as a “transition” year, yet when he talked about change — a daughter, a new caddie, tinkering with equipment — his putting was almost an afterthought.

What might have hurt him this year was putting so poorly. He started with a short putter, only to switch back to the longer putter before the Masters. The change back to a short putter for good began at the Presidents Cup. He had one match where he missed everything, and a Sunday singles rout of Rickie Fowler when he made everything.

“I think the focus on putting is probably the least impactful thing,” he said. “I haven’t had the consistency with my striking this year because it’s one of those things where when your putting suffers, eventually it catches up with your ball striking.”

Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson have used long putters their entire careers, and Clark used it all the way to the end of 2015. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, who used belly putters their entire PGA Tour

Last week’s rank in parentheses.

3. Patriots 11-2 (5): Dolphins’ loss Monday night clinched AFC East for New England for seventh consecutive year and 13th time in last 15 seasons.

4. Seahawks 8-5 (6): If Pete Carroll gets on top of lockers to celebrate beating Jimmy Clausen for a second time in one year, what will he do after a playoff win?

5. Broncos 10-3 (2): Gary Kubiak has three games to sort out the offensive woes or it could be another quick exit from the playoffs.

Adam Scott celebrates at the 2013 Australian Open, a tournament he won that year. [AP PHOTO]

careers, went to a short putter at the end of 2014. Both now are well out of the top 50.

JORDAN & THE KING: Jordan Spieth returned to Augusta National last week for the first time since his four-shot victory in the Masters. He saw his name on the permanent Masters trophy. He was treated like an honorary member. And he checked out the new Champions Locker Room. Augusta National has champions share a locker, and the 22-yearold Texan was curious.

“I walked up to see who I was with,” Spieth told Golfweek magazine. “And I share a locker with Arnold Palmer.

So it was a very special moment there.”

He might have recognized one other thing in that locker room — his 60-degree wedge that he used to win the Masters.

The club asks champions to donate one club that was meaningful in their victory. That wedge is what Spieth used to hit a flop shot over the edge of a bunker on the 18th hole in the third round for an unlikely par save to keep his lead at four shots.

After next year’s Masters, the club will be brought down to the Grill Room with the rest of the clubs donated over the years.

TIGER’S PUTTING: Tiger Woods wasn’t making as many putts before his back surgeries or at least it seemed that way because he used to make everything.

He had a reason for that in his interview with Time magazine.

“Here’s the deal,” Woods said.

“When my back was bad, anytime I bent over, my whole upper body and neck would start to cramp up, and so putting was the most painful, and so I never practiced it. It hurt too much. It’s just a matter of getting

healthy enough to where I can do that again.”

Woods didn’t play enough to be eligible for a ranking in strokes gained in 2014 and 2015. In his last two full seasons, he was 35th in 2012 and tied for 22nd in 2013.

“I know I can putt,” Woods said. “I proved that to myself this year that I can still putt. I haven’t lost my nerves. My hands don’t shake. I don’t feel any of those sensations, unless my back was acting up. But then bending over would cause my neck to go, and eventually other parts of my body would start to go.”

KOEPKA’S LONG BREAK: Brooks Koepka, who rarely describes his personality without mentioning the word “chill,” should be plenty rested by the time the Florida swing starts on Feb. 25 with his hometown event at the Honda Classic.

Koepka will have played three tournaments during a three-month stretch. He missed the cut in Las Vegas on Oct. 23. He didn’t play again until the Hero World Challenge. He will tee it up at Kapalua at the start of the year. And he will defend his title in the Phoenix Open.

“I love golf,” he said. “But not every single day.”

He didn’t touch a club from Las Vegas until a week before going to the Bahamas and said he felt excited, a feeling he had not had since after the PGA Championship. That’s understandable considering Koepka played 13 times in a 16-week stretch from the Scottish Open through Las Vegas. Part of that was the FedEx Cup schedule, along with his bid to make the Presidents Cup team.

“You take time off when you can,” Koepka said. “All we try to do is have everything click at the beginning of April. That’s when you want your game to peak.”

16. Bills 6-7 (12): It’s unraveling once again in Buffalo as they have lost three of the last four.

17. Buccaneers 6-7 (15): Tampa declined the fifth-year option for Doug Martin and now it will have to pay big to keep him as he’s 37 yards off the NFL rushing lead.

18. Redskins 6-7 (24): They control their own destiny in the NFC East but Dec. 26 game at Philadelphia looms large.

19. Colts 6-7 (14): After giving up 96 points to the Steelers and Jaguars, they’re in a freefall before an AFC South showdown with Houston.

Advantage: Texans.

20. Bears 5-8 (16): Barring a miraculous series of events, they will miss the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years.

21. Falcons 6-7 (21): Arthur Blank says first-year coach Dan Quinn is safe but they are stumbling and bumbling to the finish line.

6. Steelers 8-5 (7): They’re on the outside looking in at the AFC playoffs right now and need a home win over Denver on Sunday.

22. Dolphins 5-8 (22): The throwback uniforms looked cool on Monday night.

7. Bengals 10-3 (4): No question AJ McCarron could continue the Bengals’ trend of one-and-done playoff performances.

23. Rams 5-8 (27): Rookie running back Todd Gurley got cranked up with Rob Boras taking over playcalling.

8. Packers 9-4 (9): Mike McCarthy is calling the plays again, which begs the question, was it a good idea to give the duties to Tom Clements in the offseason?

24. Saints 5-8 (28): They put a virtual halt to talk of the playoffs in Tampa. So that’s something.

9. Chiefs 8-5 (8): They’ve won seven straight but Kansas City would be viewed as a greater threat if super-safe Alex Smith wasn’t the quarterback.

10. Jets 8-5 (10): Of the seven clubs that began the year with a new head coach, only the Jets with Todd Bowles and Broncos with Gary Kubiak have winning records.

11. Vikings 8-5 (11): Yes, Mike Zimmer kicks a 48-yard field goal with 13 seconds to play if he’s ever in that situation again.

12. Raiders 6-7 (19): Reggie McKenzie has hit big on some recent high picks: Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper. Talk about a foundation.

13. Eagles 6-7 (17): Chip Kelly gets the last laugh with LeSean McCoy. 14. Texans 6-7 (13): Second concussion in a month for Brian Hoyer doesn’t bode well for AFC South showdown with Colts. Advantage: Colts.

15. Giants 6-7 (18): Broke a three-game losing streak with Eli Manning leading the way at Miami.

Now they’ve got to tangle with the Panthers.

25. Jaguars 5-8 (30): Gus Bradley just might be saving his job with the offense flourishing down the stretch.

26. Cowboys 4-9 (20): They’re delaying putting Tony Romo on IR for playoff possibilities. But shelving him now won’t affect the 2017 postseason push.

27. Lions 4-9 (23): Rumors heating up that Michigan native Adam Gase could be an intriguing hire for the Lions if Jim Caldwell is launched.

28. Ravens 4-9 (26): Baltimore signed Ryan Mallett and need to issue him a jersey, playbook and alarm clock.

29. 49ers 4-9 (25): Jim Tomsula’s deer-in-the-headlights press conferences will be missed after he’s dismissed.

30. Browns 3-10 (32): Presumably the Browns’ next GM and coach, whoever they may be, are keeping an eye on Johnny Manziel.

31. Chargers 3-10 (31): Dolphins come to Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday. Final game for Chargers in San Diego?

32. Titans 3-10 (29): Extra-wide push broom needed to clean this team out at season’s end.

— THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

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SPORTS 23

NFL

NASCAR

Odell Beckham Jr. pairs big heart with even larger talent

Chris Buescher has plenty to celebrate

Bob Glauber Newsday

B

y any measure, what we’ve seen so far from Odell Beckham Jr. is simply spectacular. Historically spectacular, in fact.

By the numbers: Beckham is off to the best start of any wide receiver. Ever. Through 25 games, he has 176 catches for 2,625 yards and 24 touchdowns — more than Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (91-1,801-12) or soonto-be Hall of Famer Randy Moss (110-1,957-23).

By the breathtaking athleticism on so many of his catches, including his two touchdown receptions in the Giants’ potentially season-saving 31-24 win over the Dolphins on Monday night at Sun Life Stadium.

How he caught the ball and got both feet in bounds on his 6-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter is mind-numbing, even when watching it in slow motion. And the burst he showed on his 84-yard scoring play to put the Giants ahead to stay, when he beat the Dolphins on a slant-and-go? Almost beyond words.

But there’s something else in Beckham’s game that is just as important as the statistics and the balletic movements he shows on the field. It’s impossible to quantify this characteristic — there are no numbers to define it — but those who know him best see it every day. Not just on game day.

It’s called heart.

Beyond the talent, the athleticism, the sheer physical greatness lies a competitiveness

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham makes a catch as Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes defends. [AP PHOTO]

“He sets the example. Guys see how he practices.

They see how every play is full speed.“ Eli Manning, quarterback

that few players at any position possess, regardless of how good they are.

The guy just wants to win.

Every game, every play. It’s what elevates his game even beyond what the numbers can explain.

On Monday, when the Giants needed him most, Beckham rose to the occasion with the kind of flair that is such a big part of his game. Beckham, who had been ill during the week with a stomach virus, was badly dehydrated at the start of the second half,

and required two bags of intravenous fluids that required him to miss part of the team’s first drive of the third quarter. There were three IV bags in all, including the pregame treatment.

Beckham did his best work after returning to the field, catching the two second-half touchdowns that proved the difference in the game and kept the 6-7 Giants tied for first place in the NFC East. That the game was played on the Monday Night Football stage made it all the more impressive. He played as big as the moment.

It was not a surprise to those who know him best.

“It says a lot about him,” coach Tom Coughlin said of his prized receiver. “It says that he’s a great competitor. He loves to play. He wants to win.

“Nobody wants to win more than he does.”

And that’s what separates

Beckham from so many of his peers, both past and present.

There may come a time where he turns into a me-first receiver who is obsessed with getting the ball, almost to the exclusion of his team’s success, but it’s doubtful that day will come. You just don’t get the feeling he will look at himself as bigger than the game, the way some self-absorbed players often become deeper into their careers.

Yes, he wants the ball. But more than anything, he wants the ball because it gives him a chance to help his team win.

“He sets the example,” quarterback Eli Manning said. “Guys see how he practices. They see how every play is full speed. There’s not a different in his game speed and his practice speed. That’s a tribute to him and the way he goes after it. That’s contagious, also. The other guys see it and realize that’s the way you have to play and the way you have to practice.”

The fact that Manning and Beckham could collaborate just hours before kickoff on what would become the winning play also speaks to the receiver’s relentless preparation and desire to win.

The two watched game film in the team hotel and saw that the Dolphins might line up in a certain formation the Giants could take advantage of with a certain play, despite the fact they hadn’t practiced the play for several weeks.

Manning called his shot in the fourth quarter, and Beckham ran the slant-and-go and got behind the Miami defense for the winning score.

It was another example of the brilliance of Beckham. Another example of how his game is about more than just the numbers. It’s about the passion to win that burns inside.

Defectors Puig, Abreu return to Cuba HAVANA — A lineup of Cubanborn baseball stars, including some of the most famous defectors in recent memory, made a triumphant return to the island Tuesday as part of the first Major League Baseball trip here since 1999.

Once the object of official disdain in Cuba for leaving the country illegally, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Brayan Pena, and first baseman

PHILADELPHIA — Chris Buescher had stripped his firesuit to his waist and was off to another photo opp when a street vendor near the Rocky Balboa statue shouted for him to stop.

The man hawking Rocky T-shirts recognized the outfit of every NASCAR driver — though the not man wearing one.

“Sign this, NASCAR driver,” said the man, after securing a pen and notebook. “Whatever your name is.”

Buescher smiled and graciously signed an autograph, his name now known to a new fan.

Buescher’s name is stamped just as permanently in the BUESCHER NASCAR history book as the 2015 Xfinity Series champion.

Now come the off-season spoils for his racing reward.

The 23-year-old Buescher hit a Philadelphia Eagles game, saw the Liberty Bell (“I swear I didn’t break it!

Haha,” he tweeted), toured Independence Hall, sampled cheesesteaks and, yes, ran the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art well known to anyone who’s seen Rocky and that famous training run by Sylvester Stallone. First, he needed a little coaching on the purpose of his jog.

“I have not actually seen the movies,” he said. “I’m ashamed to say it.”

Buescher reaped his biggest reward last week when he signed a deal to drive the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports in the Sprint Cup series. Buescher made six Cup starts in 2015, never finishing better than 20th. His preference was to defend his championship in the second-tier NASCAR series. Instead, he’ll basically spend 2016 as the fourth Jack Roush driver because of a shared technical alliance between the organizations.

“It can be a good deal,” Buescher said. “Maybe a little sooner than I hoped. But you’ve got to take it, right?”

November 23 - December 17, 2015 Schedules are subject to change without notice.

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BASEBALL

MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DAN GELSTON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jose Abreu and shortstop Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox were swarmed by fans and members of the state media in the lobby of Havana’s soaring Hotel Nacional at the start of a three-day mission meant to warm relations between MLB and Cuba.

The major leagues and Cuban baseball have been moving quickly to rebuild ties since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared a year ago Thursday that they would re-establish diplomatic relations.

The official return of baseball

defectors earning millions in the major leagues was a landmark in the new relationship and a dramatic manifestation of Cuba’s shifting attitude toward the hundreds of players who have abandoned the country that trained them.

Puig, who fled to Mexico in a smuggler’s fast-boat in 2012 and then crossed the border to Texas, wrapped his childhood coach Juan Arechavaleta in a bear-hug, resting the side of his face atop the smaller man’s head.

“I’m very happy to be here,” said Puig, who signed a sev-

en-year, $42 million contract and was barred from returning to Cuba until he was granted special permission for this week’s trip.

Pena, who is from Havana, was met by at least 20 family members. They laughed at stories of the catcher’s life in America and handed him the phone to talk to relatives who hadn’t been able to make it to the hotel. The players will hold two days of youth clinics while league and Major League Baseball Players Association executives talk business with their Cuban counterparts.

NANAIMO (DUKE POINT) - TSAWWASSEN Leave Duke Point

Leave Tsawwassen 3:15 pm 75:45 pm 7 8:15 pm 7 10:45 pm

5:15 am 7:45 am 10:15 am 12:45 pm 7 Except Sat.

Except Sun.

5:15 am 7:45 am 10:15 am 12:45 pm

3:15 pm

75:45 pm 7 8:15 pm 7 10:45 pm

Except Sat & Sun.

SWARTZ BAY - TSAWWASSEN Leave Swartz Bay 7:00 am 9:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Leave Tsawwassen 3:00 pm z4:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

z Fri & Sun only.

7:00 am 9:00 am 11:00 am 1:00 pm 2:00 pm

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For schedule and fare information or reservations: 1 888 223 3779 • bcferries.com

www.nanaimodailynews.com

24 SPORTS

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE

LIGHTNING 5, LEAFS 4 (OT)

AVALANCHE 3, HAWKS 0

ATLANTIC DIVISION

First Period 1. TB, Kucherov 12 (Namestnikov) 2:59.

2. Toronto, Bozak 5 (van Riemsdyk, Parenteau) 10:40 (pp).

3. Toronto, van Riemsdyk 9 (Bozak, Parenteau) 18:03.

3HQDOWLHV — Gourde TB (interference) 4:41; Stralman TB (delay of game) 9:21.

Second Period 4. Toronto, Rielly 4 (Komarov) 11:34.

5. TB, Stralman 3 (Kucherov) 19:24.

3HQDOWLHV — Winnik Tor (hooking) 0:59; Winnik Tor (hooking) 8:46; Polak Tor (tripping) 9:30.

Third Period 6. TB, Blunden 1 (Gourde, Sustr) 5:56.

7. TB, Marchessault 4 (Killorn, Sustr) 6:32.

8. Tor, Winnik 3 (Polak, Spaling) 13:28.

3HQDOWLHV — Filppula TB (hooking) 0:20.

Overtime 9. TB, Namestnikov 6 (unassisted) 2:01.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Tampa Bay 4 10 12 1 —27 Toronto 15 9 12 1 —37 *RDO — Tampa Bay: Vasilevskiy (W, 3-4-0); Toronto: Bernier (LO, 0-8-2).

3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — TB: 0-3; Tor: 1-3.

Attendance — 18,989 at Toronto.

First Period 1. Colorado, Duchene 16 (Landeskog, MacKinnon) 14:30.

3HQDOWLHV — Landeskog Col (tripping) 2:30; Panarin Chi (holding) 4:36; Seabrook Chi (holding) 11:11.

Second Period 2. Colorado, Redmond 1 (Comeau, Beauchemin) 1:43.

3HQDOW\ — Anisimov Chi (tripping) 10:26.

Third Period 3. Colorado, Landeskog 8 (MacKinnon, Duchene) 18:03 (en).

3HQDOWLHV — Skille Col (delay of game) 5:34; Shaw Chi (charging) 12:31.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Colorado 12 9 6—27 Chicago 9 13 7—29 *RDO — Colorado: Varlamov (W, 10-8-1); Chi: Crawford (L, 15-8-2). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Colo: 0-4; Chi: 0-2.

Attendance — 21,473 at Chicago.

Montreal Detroit Ottawa

GP 32 31 31

W L OL SL GF 20 9 2 1 101 16 9 5 1 79 16 10 2 3 97

GA 73 79 93

Pts Home 43 11-5-2-0 38 10-6-3-0 37 8-4-1-3

Away 9-4-0-1 6-3-2-1 8-6-1-0

Last 10 Strk 4-5-1-0 L-1 5-1-3-1 L-2 5-5-0-0 W-1

GA 63 74 77

Pts Home 44 11-3-1-0 42 13-4-1-0 41 11-5-2-0

Away 10-3-1-0 6-5-1-2 7-4-1-2

Last 10 Strk 8-1-1-0 W-2 3-5-1-1 W-1 7-1-1-1 L-1

METROPOLITAN DIVISION Washington NY Rangers NY Islanders

GP 29 32 32

W 21 19 18

L OL SL 6 2 0 9 2 2 9 3 2

GF 89 94 90

WILD CARD Boston New Jersey Tampa Bay Florida Pittsburgh Philadelphia Carolina Buffalo Toronto Columbus

GP 29 31 32 31 29 31 31 32 29 33

W 16 16 16 15 15 13 12 13 10 11

L OL SL 9 3 1 11 1 3 13 1 2 12 3 1 11 1 2 12 4 2 14 4 1 16 1 2 13 2 4 19 2 1

GF GA 93 80 76 75 78 73 81 75 68 71 66 86 77 96 74 86 68 81 76 100

Pts 36 36 35 34 33 32 29 29 26 25

Home 6-7-2-0 7-6-1-2 7-6-0-1 7-6-2-0 8-5-0-2 6-5-2-2 6-6-2-1 7-9-1-0 5-5-2-2 4-8-2-1

Away 10-2-1-1 9-5-0-1 9-7-1-1 8-6-1-1 7-6-1-0 7-7-2-0 6-8-2-0 6-7-0-2 5-8-0-2 7-11-0-0

Last 10 Strk 6-1-2-1 L-1 5-2-1-2 W-1 6-4-0-0 W-2 7-3-0-0 W-1 3-4-1-2 L-2 6-3-0-1 W-1 5-4-1-0 L-1 5-4-0-1 L-1 4-4-1-1 L-1 2-5-2-1 L-5

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION Dallas St. Louis Minnesota

GP 31 32 29

W L OL SL GF 23 6 1 1 107 18 10 3 1 82 16 7 6 0 79

GA 80 78 68

Pts Home 48 12-3-0-0 40 9-6-2-0 38 11-3-1-0

Away 11-3-1-1 9-4-1-1 5-4-5-0

Last 10 Strk 6-2-1-1 W-1 4-4-1-1 W-1 5-2-3-0 W-2

GP 30 30 30

W L OL SL 19 9 1 1 15 14 1 0 14 14 2 0

GF 78 78 81

GA 66 79 95

Pts Home 40 11-5-0-0 31 4-9-0-0 30 7-4-1-0

Away 8-4-1-1 11-5-1-0 7-10-1-0

Last 10 Strk 7-1-1-1 L-2 3-6-1-0 W-1 4-5-1-0 L-1

GP 32 31 32 30 31 32 32 29

W 17 15 15 14 14 14 11 11

GF GA 85 78 81 81 88 88 80 104 85 95 87 96 81 92 56 73

Pts Home 38 12-4-1-0 36 9-4-2-1 31 4-7-1-0 30 10-5-0-0 30 8-5-1-0 30 9-5-1-0 30 5-6-3-0 27 8-5-3-1

Away 5-7-3-0 6-6-3-0 11-9-0-0 4-9-1-1 6-10-0-1 5-11-1-0 6-7-4-1 3-8-1-0

Last 10 Strk 5-3-2-0 L-1 3-4-3-0 L-2 7-3-0-0 W-3 7-2-1-0 W-6 4-6-0-0 L-2 7-2-1-0 L-1 3-5-1-1 L-2 5-4-1-0 L-1

PACIFIC DIVISION Los Angeles San Jose Arizona

WILD CARD Chicago Nashville Colorado Calgary Winnipeg Edmonton Vancouver Anaheim

L OL SL 11 4 0 10 5 1 16 1 0 14 1 1 15 1 1 16 2 0 13 7 1 13 4 1

Note: winning team is credited with 2 points and a victory in the W column; a team losing in overtime or shootout receives 1 point in the respective OTL or SOL column.

7XHVGD\¡V UHVXOWV Tampa Bay 5 Toronto 4 (OT) San Jose 3 Montreal 1 Colorado 3 Chicago 0 Dallas 5 Columbus 1 New Jersey 2 Buffalo 0 Minnesota 6 Vancouver 2 St. Louis 4 Winnipeg 3 NY Rangers 4 Edmonton 2 Calgary 2 Nashville 1 (OT) Florida 5 NY Islanders 1 Philadelphia 4 Carolina 3 (OT) 0RQGD\¡V UHVXOWV Edmonton 3 Boston 2 (OT) Tampa Bay 2 Columbus 1 Ottawa 5 Los Angeles 3 Washington 4 Pittsburgh 1 Buffalo 2 Detroit 1 :HGQHVGD\¡V JDPHV Ottawa at Washington, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Boston, 8 p.m.

7KXUVGD\¡V JDPHV Anaheim at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Florida at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

San Jose at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

NY Rangers at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Nashville at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Edmonton at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Calgary at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

NY Islanders at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Columbus at Arizona, 9 p.m. )ULGD\¡V JDPHV Tampa Bay at Washington, 7 p.m.

Florida at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Boston at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

San Jose at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

NY Rangers at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

SHARKS 3, CANADIENS 1

RANGERS 4, OILERS 2

First Period 1. SJ, Marleau 12 (Ward, Braun) 17:34.

3HQDOWLHV — Dillon SJ (roughing) 6:09; *RRGURZ 6- 0LWFKHOO 0WO ÀJKWLQJ

Second Period 2. San Jose, Pavelski 14 (Braun) :36.

3. San Jose, Zubrus 1 (Pavelski, Thornton) 9:19.

4. Mtl, Weise 10 (Subban, Beaulieu) 17:24.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

Third Period — No Scoring.

3HQDOWLHV — Tierney SJ (cross-checking) 1:37.

6KRWV RQ JRDO San Jose 3 13 2—18 Montreal 10 8 9—27 *RDO — San Jose: Jones (W, 13-10-1); Mtl: Tokarski (L, 1-2-0). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — San Jose: 0-0; Mtl: 0-2.

Attendance — 21,288 at Montreal.

First Period 1. NYR, Zuccarello 14 (Yandle, Nash) 5:04.

3HQDOWLHV — Lindberg NYR (hooking) 2:08; Hall Edm (tripping) 10:30; McIlrath NYR (high-sticking) 14:20.

Second Period 2. Ed, Hall 15 (Draisaitl, Purcell) 5:12 (pp).

3. NYR, McIlrath 1 (Yandle, Moore) 7:54.

4. Ed, Eberle 8 (Nugent-Hopkins) 18:20.

5. NY Rangers, Nash 10 (Zuccarello, Brassard) 19:21 (pp).

3HQDOWLHV — Lindberg NYR (hooking) 4:37; Sekera Edm (hooking) 5:41; Edm Bench (too many men) 19:08.

Third Period 6. NYR, Fast 5 (Moore, Stalberg) 19:56 (en).

3HQDOWLHV — Staal NYR (slashing) 2:40; Staal NYR (high-sticking) 5:03; Miller NYR (high-sticking) 8:46; Nugent-Hopkins Edm (holding) 12:49; Lander Edm (slashing) 14:25.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Edmonton 6 7 7—20 NY Rangers 9 6 6—21 *RDO — Edm: Nilsson (L, 10-8-1); NYR: Lundqvist (W, 15-6-3). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Edm: 1-6; NYR: 1-5.

Attendance — 18,006 at NY Rangers.

DEVILS 2, SABRES 0 First Period — No Scoring.

3HQDOWLHV — Kane Buf (slashing) 18:16.

Second Period 1. New Jersey, Stempniak 8 (Cammalleri, Henrique) 17:27.

3HQDOWLHV — Tootoo NJ (slashing) 6:40; Henrique NJ (hooking) 9:07.

Third Period 2. New Jersey, Tlusty 2 (Palmieri) 4:12.

3HQDOW\—Cammalleri NJ (roughing) 8:52.

6KRWV RQ JRDO New Jersey 9 8 4—21 Buffalo 6 7 12—25 *RDO — NJ: Schneider (W, 14-8-4); Buf: Ullmark (L, 5-7-2). 3RZHU SOD\V (goalchances) — NJ: 0-1; Buffalo: 0-3.

Attendance — 18,297 at Buffalo.

G 19 20 15 14 7 13 12 17

7XHVGD\ V JDPHV QRW LQFOXGHG

A 27 20 25 20 27 20 19 13

First Period 1. Minnesota, Vanek 11 (Parise, Pominville) 5:17 (pp).

2. Minn, Zucker 7 (Vanek, Koivu) 12:47.

3HQDOWLHV — Hutton Vcr (holding) 4:50.

Second Period 3. Min, Parise 10 (Koivu, Vanek) 5:25 (pp).

4. Vancouver, Hansen 9 (H. Sedin) 6:45.

5. Minn, Koivu 6 (Vanek, Prosser) 8:12.

6. Min, Suter 5 (Parise, Koivu) 12:36 (pp).

7. Min, Scandella 4 (Dumba, Niederreiter) 16:03.

3HQDOWLHV — Weber Vcr (hooking) 5:12; Dorsett Vcr, Prosser Minn (roughing) 10:59; McCann Vcr (high-sticking) 11:04.

Third Period 8. Van, D. Sedin 14 (H. Sedin) 6:16.

3HQDOWLHV — Prosser Min, Dorsett Vcr ÀJKWLQJ ERDUGLQJ

6KRWV RQ JRDO Vancouver 12 9 10—31 Minnesota 17 19 5—41 *RDO — Vancouver: Miller (L, 9-11-6); Minn: Kuemper (W, 3-0-4). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Van: 0-0; Minn: 3-5.

Attendance — 18,804 at Minnesota.

BLUES 4, JETS 3

SCORING LEADERS Kane, Chi Benn, Dal Seguin, Dal Hall, Edm Karlsson, Ott D. Sedin, Vcr Gaudreau, Cal Hoffman, Ott

WILD 6, CANUCKS 2

Pt 46 40 40 34 34 33 31 30

First Period 1. Wpg, Scheifele 12 (Myers, Perreault) 4:10.

3HQDOW\ — Lehtera StL (tripping) 12:45.

Second Period 2. St. Louis, Brouwer 6 (Backes) :16.

3. Wpg, Thorburn 5 (Wheeler, Myers) 5:54.

4. Wpg, Stafford 11 (Perreault, Scheifele) 8:30.

5. St. Louis, Steen 11 (Shattenkirk, Tarasenko) 18:25 (pp).

3HQDOWLHV — Chiarot Wpg (tripping) 13:38; Lowry Wpg (holding) 18:03; Scheifele Wpg (roughing, cross-checking), Parayko StL (roughing) 19:20.

Third Period 6. St. Louis, Tarasenko 19 (Shattenkirk, Steen) :51 (pp).

7. StL, Stastny 3 (Tarasenko, Steen) 16:21.

3HQDOW\ — Paajarvi StL (slashing) 4:04.

6KRWV RQ JRDO St. Louis 11 11 4—26 Winnipeg 10 12 12—34 *RDO — St. Louis: Allen (W, 14-7-2); Wpg: Hellebuyck (L, 4-2-0). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — StL: 2-3; Wpg: 0-2.

Attendance — 15,294 at Winnipeg.

FLAMES 2, PREDS 1 (OT) First Period 1. Nashville, Hodgson 3, 5:09 (pen-shot).

3HQDOW\—Arvidsson Nash (holding) 18:44.

Second Period 2. Cal, Brodie 4 (Bennett, Russell) 12:28.

3HQDOWLHV — Ribeiro Nash (hooking), Neal Nash (illegal check to head minor) 2:08; Brodie Cgy (high-sticking) 8:37.

Third Period — No Scoring.

3HQDOWLHV — Backlund Cgy (slashing) 3:16; Weber Nash (cross-checking) 17:40.

Overtime 3. Cal, Russell 2 (Gaudreau, Hamilton) 1:23.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Calgary 5 6 8 2 —21 Nashville 12 4 5 0 —21 *RDO — Calgary: Ramo (W, 10-8-1); Nash: Rinne (LO, 12-8-6). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Cal: 0-4; Nash: 0-2.

Attendance — 15,431 at Nashville.

STARS 5, BLUE JACKETS 1 First Period 1. Dallas, Oduya 3 (unassisted) 17:53.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

Second Period 2. Columbus, Hartnell 13 (Wennberg, Foligno) 4:32 (pp).

3. Dallas, Goligoski 3 (Hemsky, Nichushkin) 13:02.

4. Dallas, Seguin 16 (Klingberg, Lehtonen) 16:26.

5. Dal, Seguin 17 (Ja.Benn, Eakin) 16:56.

3HQDOWLHV — Nemeth Dal (high-sticking) 4:06; Hartnell Clb (cross-check) 18:02.

Third Period 6. Dallas, Janmark 7 (unassisted) 1:47.

3HQDOWLHV — Dubinsky Clb (hooking) -HQQHU &OE ÀJKWLQJ 5RXVVHO 'DO ÀJKWLQJ URXJKLQJ 3URXW &OE (roughing, misconduct), Fiddler Dal, Dubinsky Clb (roughing), Moen Dal (misconduct) 19:44.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Columbus 16 12 7—35 Dallas 8 19 7—34 *RDO — Columbus: Korpisalo (L, 0-2-0); Dal: Lehtonen (W, 11-1-0). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Colu: 1-2; Dallas: 0-3.

Attendance — 18,232 at Dallas.

PANTHERS 5, ISLANDERS 1 First Period — No Scoring.

3HQDOWLHV — Lee NYI (tripping) 9:56; Okposo NYI (slashing) 12:16; Howden Fla (tripping) 14:51; Okposo NYI (crosschecking), Jokinen Fla (embellishment) 17:43; Kulikov Fla (hooking) 18:03.

Second Period 1. Florida, Smith 9 (Olsen, Jokinen) 1:51.

2. Florida, Barkov 7 (unassisted) 7:25.

3. NY Islanders, Nelson 10 (Zidlicky, Grabovski) 12:37.

4. Florida, Ekblad 7 (Pirri, Barkov) 12:57.

3HQDOWLHV — Kulikov Fla (holding) 3:05.

Third Period 5. Fla, Trocheck 9 (Jokinen, Smith) 1:23.

6. Fla, Huberdeau 4 (Barkov) 16:17 (en-sh).

3HQDOWLHV — Okposo NYI (high-sticking) 11:28; Trocheck Fla (hooking) 15:04.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Florida 2 10 4—16 NY Islanders 19 9 6—34 *RDO — Florida: Luongo (W, 11-11-3); NYI: Halak (L, 9-5-3). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Florida: 0-3; NYI: 0-4.

Attendance — 13,656 at NY Islanders.

FLYERS 4, CANES 3 (OT) First Period 1. Carolina, Skinner 12 (Di Giuseppe, Slavin) 1:56.

3HQDOW\ — Laughton Pha (holding) 2:14.

Second Period 2. Philadelphia, Voracek 2 (Gudas, Couturier) :23.

3. Carolina, Skinner 13 (Jo. Staal, Pesce) 3:37 (pp).

3KLODGHOSKLD % 6FKHQQ 5DIĂ Gostisbehere) 4:35.

5. Philadelphia, Couturier 4 (Voracek, Read) 16:29.

3HQDOWLHV — Laughton Pha (interference) 2:13; Lindholm Car (interference) 6:40; Medvedev Pha (tripping) 10:04; 0DORQH &DU NQHHLQJ ÀJKWLQJ 6LPPRQGV 3KD PLVFRQGXFW LQVWLJDWRU ÀJKWing) 13:13; Faulk Car (tripping) 17:40; Medvedev Pha (hooking) 19:53.

Third Period 6. Carolina, Skinner 14 (Di Giuseppe, Faulk) 9:07.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

Overtime 7. Phila, Gostisbehere 6 (Voracek) 1:42.

3HQDOWLHV — None.

6KRWV RQ JRDO Carolina 9 13 9 1 —32 Philadelphia 6 13 10 2 —31 *RDO — Carolina: Lack (LO, 3-6-2); Phila: Neuvirth (W, 8-4-2). 3RZHU SOD\V (goal-chances) — Carol: 1-4; Phila: 0-2.

Attendance — 18,205 at Philadelphia.

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

HOCKEY

FOOTBALL

NBA

WHL

NFL

EASTERN CONFERENCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

EAST DIVISION GP W L Brandon 32 19 10 Prince Albert 32 18 11 Moose Jaw 31 16 10 Regina 33 15 14 Saskatoon 30 11 16 Swift Current 32 10 18

EAST OL 1 2 4 2 3 3

SL 2 1 1 2 0 1

GF GA 120 90 100 99 112 101 100 111 87 124 77 102

Pt 41 39 37 34 25 24

OL 0 1 0 3 2 2

SL 0 1 0 0 1 0

GF GA 121 94 116 108 132 99 93 113 101 127 64 144

Pt 44 44 42 29 25 14

CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L Red Deer 33 22 11 Calgary 35 21 12 Lethbridge 32 21 11 Edmonton 34 13 18 Medicine Hat 32 11 18 Kootenay 34 6 26

WESTERN CONFERENCE B.C. DIVISION Kelowna Victoria Prince George Kamloops Vancouver

GP W L 32 24 7 32 20 10 32 20 10 29 15 10 33 10 19

OL 1 1 1 3 2

SL 0 1 1 1 2

GF GA 128 93 110 73 110 91 109 95 94 120

Pt 49 42 42 34 24

OL 2 0 2 0 1

SL 0 2 1 0 0

GF GA 105 93 78 62 104 104 107 102 99 122

Pt 38 36 35 30 27

U.S. DIVISION GP W L 31 18 11 29 17 10 31 16 12 31 15 16 32 13 18

Seattle Everett Spokane Portland Tri-City

Note: Division leaders ranked in top 2 positions per conference regardless of points; a team winning in overtime or shootout gets 2 pts. & a victory in W column; team losing in overtime or shootout gets 1 point in OTL or SOL columns 7XHVGD\¡V UHVXOWV Kamloops 4 Regina 3 Kelowna 6 Swift Current 3 Lethbridge 5 Prince Albert 4 Medicine Hat 2 Edmonton 1 Red Deer 4 Kootenay 2 Tri-City 6 Portland 4 Prince George 6 Seattle 2 :HGQHVGD\¡V JDPHV $OO WLPHV /RFDO Kamloops at Brandon, 6 p.m.

Kelowna at Moose Jaw, 6 p.m.

Lethbridge at Saskatoon, 6:05 p.m.

Victoria at Vancouver, 8 p.m.

Everett at Spokane, 8:05 p.m. )ULGD\¡V JDPHV Kamloops at Moose Jaw, 6 p.m.

Kelowna at Prince Albert, 6 p.m.

Saskatoon at Regina, 6 p.m.

Brandon at Swift Current, 6 p.m.

Lethbridge at Edmonton, 7 p.m.

Calgary at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.

Kootenay at Red Deer, 8 p.m.

Victoria at Prince George, 8 p.m.

Portland at Spokane, 8:05 p.m.

Everett at Vancouver, 8:30 p.m.

Tri-City at Seattle, 8:35 p.m.

BCHL INTERIOR DIVISION GP W L Penticton 34 30 3 Salmon Arm 32 20 8 West Kelowna 34 19 13 Vernon 36 15 18 Trail 33 15 18 Merritt 35 10 23

T OL GF GA Pt 1 0 147 72 61 2 2 134 89 44 0 2 133 125 40 0 3 151 119 33 0 0 97 132 30 0 2 118 157 22

ISLAND DIVISION GP W L Nanaimo 34 22 11 Powell River 31 18 12 Cowichan Vally 33 16 12 Victoria 36 13 19 Alberni Valley 33 13 17

T OL GF GA Pt 0 1 137 110 45 0 1 111 84 37 2 3 116 148 37 0 4 93 109 30 2 1 97 123 29

MAINLAND DIVISION GP W L Chilliwack 32 22 6 Wenatchee 34 20 9 Langley 32 18 13 Coquitlam 34 14 15 Prince George 34 8 24 Surrey 33 5 27

T OL GF GA Pt 1 3 133 74 48 3 2 116 78 45 1 0 123 102 37 1 4 107 135 33 0 2 79 150 18 1 0 82 167 11

7XHVGD\¡V UHVXOW Penticton 5 Vernon 4 (2OT) 0RQGD\¡V UHVXOW Alberni Valley 4 Trail 2 :HGQHVGD\¡V JDPHV Cowichan Valley at Nanaimo, 7 p.m.

Vernon at Trail, 7:30 p.m.

7KXUVGD\¡V JDPH Victoria at Alberni Valley, 7 p.m. )ULGD\¡V JDPHV Cowichan Valley at Alberni Valley, 7 p.m.

Surrey at Coquitlam, 7 p.m.

Prince George at Nanaimo, 7 p.m.

Merritt at Vernon, 7 p.m.

Penticton at West Kelowna, 7 p.m.

Chilliwack at Wenatchee, 7:05 p.m.

Powell River at Langley, 7:15 p.m.

Salmon Arm at Trail, 7:30 p.m.

x-New England N.Y. Jets Buffalo Miami

W 11 8 6 5

L 2 5 7 8

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .846 .615 .462 .385

PF 402 325 316 264

PA 253 256 301 331

W L 10 3 8 5 4 9 3 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .769 .615 .308 .231

PF 354 344 278 240

PA 229 260 326 357

W L 6 7 6 7 5 8 3 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .462 .462 .385 .231

PF 275 259 326 253

PA 356 291 357 326

W L 10 3 8 5 6 7 3 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .769 .615 .462 .231

PF 281 331 299 250

PA 225 243 326 334

NORTH Cincinnati Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland

WEST Denver Kansas City Oakland San Diego

NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST Washington Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Dallas

W 6 6 6 4

L 7 7 7 9

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .462 .462 .462 .308

PF 281 301 338 230

PA 307 322 320 305

W 9 8 5 4

L 4 5 8 9

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .692 .615 .385 .308

PF 317 258 272 267

PA 245 255 314 336

W 13 6 6 5

L 0 7 7 8

T 0 0 0 0

Pct 1.000 .462 .462 .385

PF 411 288 279 323

PA 243 322 295 397

NORTH Green Bay Minnesota Chicago Detroit

SOUTH y-Carolina Tampa Bay Atlanta New Orleans

W

L

Pct

GB

16 14 16 14 14 14 14 13 14 14 11 10 10 7 1

7 8 10 9 9 9 11 11 12 12 14 13 16 17 25

.696 .636 .615 .609 .609 .609 .560 .542 .538 .538 .440 .435 .385 .292 .038

— 11/2 11/2 2 2 2 3 1 3 /2 31/2 31/2 6 6 71/2 91/2 161/2

WESTERN CONFERENCE

SOUTH Indianapolis Houston Jacksonville Tennessee

Cleveland Chicago Toronto Indiana Charlotte Miami Boston Orlando Detroit Atlanta New York Washington Milwaukee Brooklyn Philadelphia

WEST W L T Pct PF PA x-Arizona 11 2 0 .846 405 252 Seattle 8 5 0 .615 340 235 St. Louis 5 8 0 .385 210 271 San Francisco 4 9 0 .308 188 315 x -clinched playoff berth; y- clinched division.

0RQGD\¡V UHVXOW N.Y. Giants 31 Miami 24

WEEK 15 7KXUVGD\ V JDPH Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8:25 p.m.

6DWXUGD\ V JDPH N.Y. Jets at Dallas, 8:25 p.m.

6XQGD\ V JDPHV Atlanta at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Washington, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at New England, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Green Bay at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

Denver at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 21 Detroit at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

NCAA BOWLS

Golden State San Antonio Oklahoma City L.A. Clippers Dallas Memphis Houston Denver Utah Phoenix Portland Sacramento Minnesota New Orleans L.A. Lakers

W

L

Pct

GB

24 21 16 15 14 14 12 11 10 11 11 10 9 6 4

1 5 8 10 11 12 14 14 13 15 15 15 15 18 21

.960 .808 .667 .600 .560 .538 .462 .440 .435 .423 .423 .400 .375 .250 .160

— 31/2 71/2 9 10 101/2 121/2 13 13 131/2 131/2 14 141/2 171/2 20

7XHVGD\¡V UHVXOWV Cleveland 89 Boston 77 Denver 112 Minnesota 100 Sacramento 107 Houston 97 L.A. Lakers 113 Milwaukee 95 0RQGD\¡V UHVXOWV Indiana 106 Toronto 90 Orlando 105 Brooklyn 82 L.A. Clippers 105 Detroit 103 (OT) Chicago 115 Philadelphia 96 Memphis 112 Washington 95 Miami 100 Atlanta 88 San Antonio 118 Utah 81 Dallas 104 Phoenix 94 Denver 114 Houston 108 Portland 105 New Orleans 101 :HGQHVGD\¡V JDPHV Dallas at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Charlotte at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Miami at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Boston at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Memphis at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 8 p.m.

Washington at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Utah, 9 p.m.

Phoenix at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

7KXUVGD\¡V JDPHV Toronto at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

SOCCER ENGLAND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff City 3 Brentford 2 Charlton 2 Bolton 2 Derby 4 Bristol City 0 Ipswich Town 2 Fulham 1 +XGGHUVĂ€HOG 7RZQ 5RWKHUKDP Middlesbrough 1 Brunley 0 0LOWRQ 6KHIĂ€HOG Preston 1 Brimingham City 1 Queens Park Rangrs 2 Brightn & Hove 2

FRANCE COUPE DE LA LIGUE

(Subject to Change) 6DWXUGD\ V JDPHV

CELEBRATION BOWL $W $WODQWD NC A&T (9-2) vs. Alcorn State (9-3), noon

NEW MEXICO BOWL $W $OEXTXHUTXH Arizona (6-6) vs. New Mexico (7-5), 2 p.m. (ESPN)

LAS VEGAS BOWL BYU (9-3) vs. Utah (9-3), 3:30 pm. (ABC)

CAMELIA BOWL $W 0RQWJRPHU\ $OD Ohio (8-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-2), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)

CURE BOWL $W 2UODQGR )OD San Jose State (5-7) vs. Georgia State (6-6), 7 p.m. (CBSSN)

NEW ORLEANS BOWL Louisiana Tech (8-4) vs. Arkansas State (9-3), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 21

MIAMI BEACH BOWL South Florida (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (11-2), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Guingamp 2 Nice 2 Lille 1 Stade Laval 0 Toulouse 3 Stade Rennes 1 Lorient 3 Dijon 0

GERMANY DFB POKAL Werdr Bremn 4 Borssia Monchngldbck 3 Bayer Leverkusn 3 SpVgg Unterhachin 1 Bayern Munich 1 SV Darmstadt 98 0 Heidenheimer SB 2 FC Erzebirge Aue 0

ITALY COPPA ITALIA Alessandria 2 Genoa 1 Internazionale 3 Cagliari 0

SPAIN COPA DEL REY Real Betis 3 Sporting Gijon 3 (Real Betis wins on aggregate 5-3) Deportivo La Coruna 1 Llagostera 1 (Deportivo wins on aggregate 3-2) Espanyol 2 Levante 1 (Espanyol wins on aggregate 3-2) Sevilla 2 Logrones CF 0 (Sevilla wins on aggregate 5-0)

NHL

Kane’s streak ends as Avalance shut out Blackhawks THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO — Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots for his first shutout of the season, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-0 victory over Chicago on Tuesday night and snapping Blackhawks star Patrick Kane’s points streak at 26 games.

Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who won their third straight to cap a perfect four-day road trip to Nashville,

St. Louis and Chicago. Zach Redmond scored in the second period and Gabriel Landeskog added an empty-netter with 1:57 left.

Varlamov was sharp when needed in earning his 19th career shutout and third against Chicago. But for most of the game, Colorado limited Chicago’s chances — and Kane.

Kane’s franchise-record streak was the longest since Mats Sundin’s 30-game stretch in 1992-93. The Chicago right wing had 16 goals and

24 assists during the run, and has points in all but three of the Blackhawks’ 32 games.

STARS 5, BLUE JACKETS 1 Tyler Seguin broke open a tight game with two second-period goals 30 seconds apart in Dallas’ victory over Columbus. Kari Lehtonen improved to 11-1-0 by making 34 saves. He also notched his third assist of the season on Seguin’s first goal. Defencemen Johnny Oduya and

Alex Goligoski each scored to give the Stars one-goal leads in the first and second.

Scott Hartnell scored on the power play for Columbus at 4:32 of the second before Goligoski’s goal at 13:02 gave the Stars a lead they never relinquished. Seguin’s 16th and 17th goals came at 16:26 and 16:56.

Columbus rookie Joonas Korpisalo had 23 saves before Curtis McElhinney replaced him for the third period. McElhinney stopped six shots

but gave up a goal to rookie Mattias Janmark.

BLUES 4, JETS 3 Paul Stastny scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:38 left in regulation, and St. Louis fought back from a twogoal deficit to defeat Winnipeg.

After Jets forward Mark Scheifele hit the post with a shot, the Blues moved the puck the other way and Vladimir Tarasenko fed a pass across to Stastny.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015 GARFIELD

@NanaimoDaily

DIVERSIONS 25

CROSSWORD FRUIT SALAD

ACROSS 1 Young stallion 5 Spanish miss: Abbr.

9 Fix deeply 14 Triple-decker cookie 15 Hammer or wrench 16 __ Loa 17 Lauer of Today 18 Cuban leader Castro 19 Stacked (up) 20 Fats Domino tune 23 Burst of energy 24 Fortune teller 25 Part of TGIF: Abbr.

28 Campaign funding orgs.

30 More costly 32 Traffic snarl 35 Kind of clam 38 “Put __ on it!”

40 Marsupial, for short 41 Matures 42 Driver’s license info 47 Fix firmly 48 Actor Estevez 49 Affirmative votes 51 Beagle or poodle 52 Jar tops 55 Wipe clean 58 iPad, for instance 62 More than needed 64 Role in Rent 65 Ripped 66 Use as a bed 67 In the twinkling __ eye 68 Lake adjoining Toledo 69 Talks like Daffy Duck 70 Perform a tune 71 Burger bun tidbit

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

ANDY CAPP

ZITS

DOWN 1 Hair untangler 2 Nonwritten exams 3 Ease off 4 Calculate

PREVIOUS PUZZLE SOLVED

5 Extend one’s arms 6 Loud crowd sound 7 Vacations with a guide 8 “O Come, __ Faithful” 9 Royal realms 10 Postal delivery 11 Pond croakers 12 Chemical suffix 13 June honoree 21 Bric-a-__ 22 Actress Lamarr 26 Oscar winner Zellweger

27 “__ my case” 29 Resident of Belgrade 31 __ glance (quickly) 32 World-weary 33 Rival of Budget 34 Makes less severe 36 French king 37 Golf pro McIlroy 39 Neighbor of Penna.

43 Crankcase parts 44 Fencing blade 45 Swarming (with) 46 Heavenly instrument 50 Fries lightly 53 Floor models 54 Futuristic book genre 56 Emporium 57 Homonym for 68 Across 59 Object held on stage 60 Saudi Arabia neighbor 61 Marsh stalk 62 Right-angle shape 63 Highest sundial numeral

HI AND LOIS

HAGAR

» EVENTS // EMAIL: EVENTS@NANAIMODAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16

SATURDAY, DEC. 19

MONDAY, DEC. 21

7 p.m. Open Mic Acoustic night with Dave Marco, Smoke‘n’Water Restaurant, Pacific Shores Resort, 1-1600 Stroulger Rd., Parksville

2 p.m. Put a little country in your Christmas.

Free concert with Moonshine Mollies under the Christmas tree in Diana Krall Plaza.

THURSDAY, DEC. 17 8 p.m. Schayde Dame, Cara McCandless at the Longwood Brewpub. Live at Longwood, free live music series every Thursday at the Longwood brew pub. 5775 Turner Rd.

7:30 p.m. The Emperor’s New Clothes prremiers at the Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd., Nanaimo, Runs through Dec. 31. Tickets $16; New Year’s Eve, $25. For specific times, other information: www.nanaimotheatregroup.ca or 250-758-7224.

4 p.m. Halbe Hall Monday Market, 8369 North Island Highway, Black Creek. Wide variety of vendors of fresh produce and baked goods, arts and crafts andan on-site chair massage.

Free event.

FRIDAY, DEC. 18

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

7 and 9 p.m. Two comedy shows at The Laugh Lounge, 150 Skinner St., Nanaimo.

Tickets $10 at The Old City Station Pub.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last Minute Shopper’s Craft Fair. Qualicum Beach Community Hall, 644 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach.

TUESDAY, DEC. 22

Marco, every Wednesday at Smoke‘n’Water Restaurant, Pacific Shores Resort, 1-1600 Stroulger Rd., Parksville

legendary Manhattan salad, along with Marty Steele playing swinging jazz, blues, and classic rock favourites on his keyboards.

THURSDAY, DEC. 24

SUNDAY, DEC. 27

8 p.m. Live at Longwood, free live music series every Thursday at the Longwood brew pub.

5775 Turner Rd., Nanaimo.

1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Christmas pantomime : The Emperor’s New Clothes (Nanaimo Theatre Group). Bailey Studio. Tickets various prices, available at www.nanaimotheatregroup.ca.

7-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland on Ice Teen Skate for ages 13-18. Free event at Oceanside Place arena, 830 West Island Highway, Parksville.

FRIDAY, DEC. 25.

Merry Christmas!

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23

6-8 p.m. Saturday Music at New York Style Pizza in Nanaimo. Once again, New York Style dishes up their award-winning pizza and their

7 p.m. Open Mic Acoustic night with Dave

SATURDAY, DEC. 26

MONDAY, DEC. 28 4 p.m. Halbe Hall Monday Market, 8369 North Island Highway, Black Creek. Wide variety of vendors of fresh produce and baked goods, arts and crafts andan on-site chair massage.

Free event.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

26 DIVERSIONS BLONDIE

@NanaimoDaily

HOROSCOPE

by Jacqueline Bigar ARIES (March 21-April 19) Use the morning for interactions with others. In the afternoon, you’ll want to put aside time for some quiet time to work. Be sure to note your thoughts as rapidly as they come to you. You might want to touch base with someone you rarely speak to. Tonight: Be incognito.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) A take-charge attitude goes far in the morning. Meetings with associates or friends will put a smile on your face, as long as they’re scheduled for later in the afternoon. You can accomplish a lot at that time. Listen to your sixth sense when dealing with a pal. Tonight: Where the crowds are.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You could be in a situation where you enjoy yourself to the max. You don’t want to be distracted, but a responsibility calls. You might want to rethink a choice you recently made. Could it be a mistake?

Tonight: Handle everything that you need to ASAP. CANCER (June 21-July 22) You could be wondering what is best to do under certain circumstances.

A partner might be very firm about what he or she wants to do with a project. You have no room for negotiation, so don’t even worry about it. Detach and you won’t be so concerned. Tonight: Feed your mind.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Touch base with a loved one. Your decisions need to be based on when the two of you will be getting together.

BABY BLUES

BC

WORD FIND

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

Understand why this person is so emotional. The reason might not make sense unless you stop and listen to his or her story. Tonight: Togetherness will be a great theme.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You could be in a situation where you want to have a long-overdue conversation. You might feel unable to draw in the other party as much as you would like to. This person is full of ideas, but he or she tends to be easily distracted. Tonight: The only answer is “yes!”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Use the morning for you and you alone. In the afternoon, you’ll need to get into errands and/or a project. Don’t allow someone to distract you too much, if you want to accomplish what you need to. A conversation could be quite informative. Tonight: Use your imagination.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You will be full of ideas and distracted for most of the afternoon. The person who occupies your thoughts could act very much like a muse.

You often can funnel these spurts of creativity into other areas of your life as well. Tonight: Finish up some holiday shopping.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You finally might discover what is going on with a neighbor. Nevertheless, you won’t be able to continue the conversation for too long, as you have other obligations. Set up another time to visit very soon.

Handle a personal matter in the evening. Tonight: Close to home.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Use good sense with your purchases.

You might not believe how much you need to spend. You could

decide to reassess your holiday shopping list. Honor a change of pace, and go along with a discussion, even if you feel it is a bit crazy.

Tonight: Share some eggnog with a friend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Use your abundant energy well in the morning. You could feel some pressure, as the holiday season is in full gear. You might need to play out a situation that surrounds a friend and a money matter. Know when to say you have had enough.

Tonight: Finish up some shopping.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You might need to rethink a certain matter. A loved one could be difficult in the morning, or perhaps just unwilling to work with you.

By the afternoon, everything and everyone interacts like a well-oiled machine. You have a lot on your mind. Tonight: Get into some holiday fun.

YOUR BIRTHDAY (Dec. 16): This year you tend to be offbeat. Others might claim that you have become quite eccentric. At other times, you will be dreamy, creative and artistic.

This back-and-forth could throw a friend into confusion, but this is just who you are right now. If you are single, forming a friendship as well as a romantic bond will be very important to you. You seem to be able to manage both, but not everyone can. If you are attached, you will be more and more aware of the importance of a friendship within a love relationship. With any luck, you will be able to manifest a dream together. PISCES expects a lot from you on a personal level.

SUDOKU CRYPTOQUOTE

www.harbourviewvw.com

Barrel of oil

Dow Jones

➜

Harbourview Volkswagen

➜

PREVIOUS SUDOKO SOLVED

$37.35 +$1.04

17,524.91 +156.41

Canadian Dollar

➜

4,995.36 +43.13

S&P/TSX

➜

The Canadian dollar traded Tuesday afternoon at 72.79 cents US, unchanged from Monday’s close. The Pound Sterling was worth $2.0657, down 1.37 cents while the Euro was worth $1.5004, down 0.85 of a cents.

➜

NASDAQ

12,919.57 +224.08

SOLUTION: EXCITING PLACES

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

@NanaimoDaily

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ON THE WEB:

Dorothy Mae Lawlor

I Walked With You As Long As I Could I walked with you as long as I could.

Our years were many, our days were good.

I watched you fade slowly day by day; My heart wept tears, I hid them away.

I could not show you weakness or grief, I gave you strength and staunch belief.

God took your hand and we had to part.

He eased your pain, but He broke my heart.

I wanted you with me for a few more years.

God knew how I felt, but He knew best.

He took you home so you could rest.

Life goes on, I know it’s true, But it’s not the same since I lost you.

Your beautiful memories I will treasure forever, Of the happy days when we were together.

With an aching heart I whisper low, I love you and miss you so.

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

PLUMBING

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

FULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

S. NANAIMO large comm/industrial parking area, good for trucks, trailers, containers, car lot etc. Best Island Hwy exposure. 1-604-594-1960.

ajorgensen@scandesigns.com

Nov. 26, 1932 - Dec.9 2015 It is with profound sadness that the Lawlor family announces the passing of their beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Dorothy passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 9, 2015 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 63 years, George. Dorothy was a loving mother of 4 children; Karen, Kathy (Brian), Bob (Patti), Dianne (Bruce); 10 grandchildren, Niki (Tony), Mike (Juanita), Samantha (Ryan), Janine (Tyler), Kabri (Brodie), Dani (Clay), Paige (Jesse), Brady, Lauren, Reid; great grandchildren, Rylie, Dakota, Desirae, Austin, Emmett, Addison, Hudson; sisters, Jean, Joyce, and brother Bob (Mary).

She was an extraordinary wife and mother who devoted her life to the well-being of her family. She provided a welcoming home, always offering food when you arrived. There were weekly lunches with daughters and granddaughters. She enjoyed Friday night evenings with friends, her weekly bridge and Shells Golf Group. Dorothy loved family gatherings.

Family always came first. She will be deeply missed.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers on the 3rd floor of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Dr Steve Beerman and Dr. Scott Neilson. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to cancer research, Heart and Stroke, or Covenant House.

RENTALS

MUSE & MERCHANT/ SCAN DESIGNS Leading furniture retailer has an immediate full-time sales position opening.

The candidate will be responsible for sales and merchandising of the Nanaimo Muse & Merchant.

BeneďŹ t package, weekend work.

Please send resume to:

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GARAGE SALES QUALICUM NORTH 1900 Ashling Rd. (Meadowood area). Year End Sale Dec 18 20 (9-5). Massive combined 3 estate sales in 1. (Worth the drive!!). Vintage audio, 2 at screen TVs, tools galore, Harley Davidson stuff, antique & contemporary furn., linen, bedding, pots, pans & much more.

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Teen convicted in murder, rape of his math teacher at school THE ASSOCIATED PRESST

SALEM, Mass. — A teenager was convicted Tuesday of raping and killing his math teacher at a high school in the state of Massachusetts when he was 14.

Philip Chism, now 16, followed his Grade 9 algebra teacher, Colleen Ritzer, into a school bathroom, strangled her, stabbed her at least 16 times and raped her.

Chism was convicted of a raping Ritzer inside the bathroom but was acquitted of a second rape, committed with a tree branch in woods near the school where Chism put her body. He was convicted of armed robbery for stealing Ritzer’s credit cards and her underwear.

Chism stared straight ahead and did not have any visible reaction as the verdicts were being read in Salem Superior Court.

During his trial, his lawyer admitted Chism killed Ritzer, but said he was suffering from severe mental illness and was not criminally responsible for his actions. A psychiatrist who testified for the defence said Chism was hearing voices and in the throes of a psychotic episode when he killed Ritzer.

Ritzer, 24, was a popular teacher at Danvers High School, about 40 kilometres north of Boston, doing her dream job, teaching math, Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall told jurors in her opening statement.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

28 NATION&WORLD

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

MIDDLE EAST

BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia forms 34-member alliance to fight terrorist groups

CP Rail not worried about takeover approval

Absent from the alliance are the Shiite-led countries of Iran and Iraq, as well as Syria AYA BATRAWY AND ADAM SCHRECK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Projecting its ambition for regional leadership, Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it has lined up most of the Arab world, NATO member Turkey and several African and Asian countries behind a vaguely defined “Islamic military alliance” against terrorists.

The move allows the kingdom, which follows a deeply conservative interpretation of Islam, to cast itself as a leader in the fight against extremism.

But absent from the alliance are the Shiite-led countries of Iran and Iraq, as well as Syria, whose government is backed by Tehran. And that omission raises questions about whether the 34-member bloc is primarily intended to present a unified front against extremists — or to also serve as a Sunni deterrent to Iran, Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival.

Riyadh supports rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been leading an Arab coalition against Iran-supported Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen since March. It is also part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

The announcement on state media said the Saudi-led alliance is being established because terrorism “should be fought by all means.”

Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman said at a rare news conference that the bloc will develop mechanisms for working with other countries and international bodies to support counterterrorism efforts. Their efforts would not be limited to countering the Islamic State group.

JOSH FUNK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saudi security forces on Sept. 17 take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. [AP PHOTO]

“Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually . . . so co-ordinating efforts is very important,” he said.

Though few details were given, the statement said the alliance would not just be countering Sunni extremists but protecting Muslim nations from all terrorists “whatever their doctrine.”

When asked if this meant the alliance would also counter Shiite militants, the Saudi defence minister replied the coalition would fight terrorist groups “regardless of their categorization,” particularly in Syria and Iraq, where he said there will be co-operation with the international community.

The U.S. and its allies have trained militarily with the Gulf states and

other friendly countries in the region for years, encouraging them to work more closely together.

Last year, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states joined the U.S. in carrying out airstrikes in Syria against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. Many of the Arab countries in the new Saudi-led coalition are part of that existing alliance against IS, though their contributions have waned since March, with Gulf efforts diverted to the Yemen offensive.

The Saudi endeavour appeared to catch some in Washington off-guard.

A senior defence official said the U.S. did not know in advance about the plan for the alliance and that officials were working to find out details. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on

condition of anonymity.

U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter, visiting Incerlik Air Base in Turkey, said: “In general, at least, it appears that it’s very much aligned with something that we’ve been urging for quite some time, which is greater involvement in the campaign to combat ISIL by Sunni Arab countries.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the alliance wouldn’t be a substitute or a replacement for the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS militants, noting the Saudi effort was intended to focus on broader targets.

The Saudis have made “important contributions” to the anti-IS coalition led by Washington, “and we anticipate that they will continue to do so,” he said.

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil cops search homes of top political figures BRAD BROOKS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s federal police carried out sweeping raids Tuesday in the homes and offices of top political figures ensnared in a massive corruption investigation.

Among the targets was the speaker of the nation’s lower house, who earlier this month introduced impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff.

Dep. Eduardo Cunha is a bitter nemesis of Rousseff and faces federal charges of corruption for allegedly accepting at least $5 million in bribes linked to a sprawling kickback scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras.

As speaker of the house, Cunha had the power to allow the impeachment process against the president to

“This weakens the whole impeachment process because there will be even more fragmentation in Congress.”

Franciso Fonseca, political science professor

begin. Her government is accused of fiscal irregularities by using funds from state-run banks to cover budget gaps.

Cunha for months has been the leader’s biggest congressional roadblock to passing austerity measures to jumpstart the moribund economy and other legislation.

The push against Cunha and several high-ranking members of his powerful party, which is split into pro- and anti-Rousseff camps despite serving as the ruling Workers’ Party’s strongest coalition partner since it took power in 2003, is seen as a political boost for Rousseff.

“This weakens the whole impeachment process because there will be even more fragmentation in Congress,” said Francisco Fonseca, a political science professor at the Gertulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo.

Cunha, who said on Tuesday that he’s “totally innocent,” has said the millions investigators found in Swiss bank accounts and linked to him was made through business dealings, was not the only figure caught up in the raids, which saw police confiscating

phones, computers, documents and other items but as yet not arresting anyone.

Also targeted were two government ministers and a senator from Cunha’s Brazil Democratic Movement Party, known as the PMDB. Rousseff’s Vice-President Michel Temer is the head of the PMDB and, should she be impeached, would take the presidency.

Federal prosecutors say the Petrobras scheme is the largest corruption case yet discovered in Brazil and has resulted in an unprecedented fight against impunity for the rich and powerful in a nation where few from the elite classes have ever been held accountable for crimes.

More than 100 people have already been tossed in jail in connection with the case.

OMAHA, Neb. — Canadian Pacific said Tuesday that getting regulatory approval for its proposed multi-billion-dollar purchase of Norfolk Southern shouldn’t be a problem.

Norfolk Southern has rejected two cash-and-stock offers from the Canadian railroad, saying regulators wouldn’t approve the deal and investors would be better off if the Norfolk, Virginia, railroad remained independent.

The deal’s value is also contested.

Norfolk Southern estimates the latest offer from Canadian Pacific at roughly $27 billion, and says it’s inadequate; Canadian Pacific says it’s between $37 billion and $42 billion based on the projected value of stock in a new company that would own both railroads.

The role federal regulators might play in a railroad merger like this is the subject of much speculation because no major railroad deals have been approved since the rules were toughened in 2001.

In a report issued last week, Norfolk Southern had consulted two former STB commissioners who predicted that concerns about competition and the structure of the proposal would doom this deal.

Norfolk Southern believes the way Canadian Pacific proposed structuring the combination would violate a prohibition against an acquiring railroad taking control of its target before a deal is approved.

It’s set up as a voting trust, with Canadian Pacific CEO Hunter Harrison taking over Norfolk Southern while the deal is being reviewed by regulators.

In a Tuesday report, Canadian Pacific said that Norfolk Southern is wrong to think the Surface Transportation Board wouldn’t approve such a structure. It said that tactic is common in railroad mergers because of the prolonged review needed.

Canadian Pacific also said it doesn’t believe its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern would necessarily trigger additional deals among the other major railroads, as some analysts predict, and would actually increase competition.

Norfolk Southern issued a statement Tuesday afternoon challenging Canadian Pacific to back up its opinion by asking regulators to rule on the proposed deal’s structure.

Canadian Pacific executives plan to hold a second conference call with investors Wednesday about the deal.

Norfolk Southern Corp. shares rose $1.67, or 1.9 per cent, to close at $91.02 Tuesday. U.S. shares of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. rose $1.97, or 1.6 per cent, to $125.

29 nanaimodailynews.com

ICE WINE

Eileen Bennewith Nutrition Notes

Donate as a way to spread good cheer

A

the vine later than usual, sometimes months after the normal harvest, resulting in higher sugar concentrations as the grapes are slowly losing water content. The crucial difference, however, is that late-harvest grapes are picked before they freeze.

In the production process for both ice wine and late-harvest wine, the yeast added to the high-sugar grape juice soon tires of turning the sugars into alcohol, thus leaving behind residual sugar.

This is why late-harvest wines are popular as sweet dessert wines, and ice wines even more so.

re you still trying to find something to give to the person who has everything? Most families have too much of everything, while others struggle to put a meal on the table. Why not make a donation to a local food charity in the name of a friend or relative. A donation of money or non-perishable food to a charitable food agency is a thoughtful gift that fits anyone.

For some families, receiving food is important but others may need to learn the skills to help them prepare the food. There are many skill-building programs that teach people to cook, garden or preserve foods. Most skill building programs are offered free of charge to their participants. Agencies that offer these free programs struggle every year to find enough donated funding to keep these services available. By donating to one of the skill building programs in the name of a friend, local people will learn the skills that will help them to put healthy food on the table.

The following agencies in our community would welcome a donation from you or in the name of someone on your Christmas list: Food Banks: • Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank (250 754 8347) • Ladysmith Food Bank (250-245-3079) • People for a Healthy Community (Gabriola) (250-247-7311) Soup Kitchens: • 7-10 Soup Kitchen Society (250-714-0917) • Salvation Army (250-753-8010) • People for a Healthy Community (Gabriola Island) (250-247-7311) Skill Building Programs: • Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society (250-753-7470) • Nanaimo Community Gardens Society (250-816-4769)

See ICE WINES, Page 30

See FAMILIES, Page 30

A popular Canadian-made gift Sheila Hockin The Lucky Gourmet

T

hanks to our climate, it’s no surprise that Canada is the leading producer of ice wines.

This sweet elixir is created from the freezing of grapes on the vine and is hailed as “winter gold” in a glass.

Ice wine was accidentally discovered in 1794, when German vineyards were hit by extremely cold

A division of

and extremely rare winter temperatures. To make ice wine, grapes must freeze on the vine at a minimum of -8C for at least 24 hours. The natural sugars in the grapes do not freeze but the water does, concentrating the sugars in the grape’s core.

The high sugar content results in slow fermentation of the wine.

After the frozen grapes have been pressed, specialty cultivated yeasts are added. The fermentation process is closely monitored to ensure a quality ice wine is produced.

A litre of pressed grapes normally yields a regular 750-ml bottle of wine. With ice-wine grapes, the frozen water in the grape is

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

@NanaimoDaily

discarded, as the wine-maker is in search of the concentrated natural sugars left in the remaining liquid in the core of the grape. The small ice-wine yield, for an equal amount of work, is why ice wine is more expensive and sold in smaller bottles (120 to 200 millilitres) than regular wine.

Canada’s cool winter months can create ideal conditions for ice-wine grapes. From Ontario to B.C. just over 95 wineries make ice wine.

Weather conditions are so varied from year to year that vintage harvests are much sought after by wine collectors.

Late-harvest wine is different from ice wine. Grapes are left on

www.nanaimodailynews.com

30 FOOD

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

Nothing says happy holidays like baking a pie Chef Dez On Cooking

T

he fondest memory I have from my childhood is one that I hold dear to my heart.

Fitted with an over-sized apron and a smile from ear to ear, I was six years old on a stool rolling out pie pastry along side my Mom. While she made the large pies for the family, I rolled out pastry for miniature imitations formed to the confines of empty, metal chip-dip containers. I was very proud and happy to be a part of the preparation for such a wonderful treat.

Pies are a very traditional way to end a meal on certain holidays throughout the year, and especial-

ly at Christmas time. Pumpkin is always a favourite pie among many for the holidays, but numerous different pies can and will be made and enjoyed.

Pies are basically made up of a shell or crust, with a flavourful filling, and can be divided into two groups: baked or unbaked. Baked pies are obviously ones with raw pie shells that are filled and then baked. The unbaked category represents prebaked pie shells that are filled with a prepared filling and then chilled to set before serving. The pie dough that makes up these shells can also be divided into two categories: flaky dough or mealy dough. Flaky dough is usually a pastry that has a mixture of shortening and butter that is “cut in” so that there are small chunks still left in the finished product. This aids in creating steam, which helps with the leavening process and thus creating the flaky texture.

Mealy dough is one that is usually made with butter that is mixed in more thoroughly, and when baked has a texture much like tender shortbread. This is because the flour particles are more coated with fat and thus less gluten is formed.

Once you have decided on the type of crust to make, it is time to decide on the filling. Basically there are four choices: fruit, custard, cream, or chiffon. All fillings require the existence of a starch or stabilizer to ensure that it holds together when sliced.

Fruit and cream fillings use starches, such as cornstarch for their stability, while custard filling use the stabilization of eggs coagulation for their firmness. Examples of custard pies are ones such as pumpkin, pecan, and key lime pies. Chiffon pies usually use a combination of starch or gelatin with whipped eggs whites folded in.

Baking is a science and recipes are the formulas. For the reasons listed here and for many others, it is important to follow these recipes exactly in order to have a successful outcome. Whatever pie or other dessert you choose to finish your holiday meals with, I wish you, your families, friends, and loved ones all the best in health and happiness this upcoming holiday season.

Dear Chef Dez: I have heard and known that it is best to keep pie pastry as cold possible to prevent melting the butter and shortening pieces.

What is the best way of doing this?

Douglas C. Langley Dear Douglas: The best way of doing this is to first focus on your ingredients. Make sure you are using ice water instead of cold water, and frozen butter grated into the flour mixture is ideal. The frozen but-

Fifteen dollars a month* is a small price to pay to stay informed.

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12

people at a social services that killed multiple y following a shooting PRESS VIA AP] an area on Wednesda VICTOR VALLEY DAILY Authorities search [JAMES QUIGG/THE San Bernardino, Calif. for the disabled in

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Subscribe between Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and you will be entered to win a beautiful cultured pearl necklace from

SPECIAL SERIES: The ‘Daily News’ examines the effect s of a dry summer Page 4

condition “They came pitalized in critical condition, three were in serious prepared to do what nn said.

Fire Chief Tom Hannema law enforcethey did, as if they FBI agents and other on the ” were on a mission. ment authorities convergedto room Calif. — At room SAN BERNARDINO, attackers centre and searched they had armed but heavily two Burguan, attackers, least for the at a social Jarrod chief San Bernardino police opened fire on a banquet apparently escaped. , the disabled Willwerth for Glenn centre services One witness, 14 people and across the Wednesday, killing who runs a business to 15 shots a than conmore a 10 in seriously wounding They opened fire street, said he heard assault San Berwith blackeddozen others in a precision ference area that the and then saw an SUV nt of were on a “very calmly, that looked “as if they nardino County Departmeout out windows pull out off. s said.

Health had rented slowly” and drive mission,” authoritie Public very for hunting up outMarybeth Hours later, police for a banquet, said Triage units were set black SUV CEO of the people were the killers riddled a Feild, president and side the centre, and three . with gunfire in a shootout non-profitcentre. wheeled away on stretchers Sgt. Vicki from a late-morning kilometres from the Police spokeswoman reported Others walked quickly up so and woman hands carnage, and a man Cervantes said witnesses building with their them and handguns and one to three gunmen. with assault rifles, that police could search weren’t were killed, seeing came prepared to do what “assault-style clothing”Chief Jarrod “They make sure the attackers misa on were Police o they if San Bernardin they did, as trying to slip out. and at said.

Burguan said. sion,” the police chief Stores, office buildings had spotted down was someone locked who A third person Burguan said that least one school were was s’ event blocked off. running near the gunbattle left the county employee in the city, and roads said it was with type of disdetained, but Burguanhad anything after “there was some were not About four hours later, SUV, ors dark unclear if that person pute,” but investigat anything to police looking for a had a home in to do with the crime. sure whether that officers staking out a deadliest mass city of Redlands saw the subsequent massacre It was the nation’s with nearby do the city of attack at a description. shooting since the in the Southern Californiakilovehicle matching that the SUV Connecticut, 100 over, school in Newtown, 214,000 people about They tried to pull it out left 26 chilAngeles. and a gun battle broke three years ago that metres outside Los a potential crashed, p.m., authorities said. dren and adults dead.

Authorities also found around 3 on the the social sera minor injury.

Police shed no light explosive device at One officer suffered David but was Obama massacre, motive for the vice centre.

President Barack director of through the by his homeBowdich, assistant As gunfire echoed briefed on the attack office, said complex, sevHe said it the FBI’s Los Angeles several large three-building land security adviser. the shooters’ at themselves in early to know too the bureau is looking workplace eral people locked was to ly waiting the country to possibilities, including . He did not their offices, desperate motives but urged Some texted mass shootviolence and terrorism be rescued by police. take steps to reduce gun laws telephoned elaborate. their loved ones or ings, including stricter d checks. the Inland to them what The attackers invaded them and whispered and stronger backgroun began shootRegional Center and was going on. a.m.

11 around ing

AMANDA LEE MYERS AND JUSTIN PRITCHARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Draw date is Wednesday, Dec. 23rd, 2015

www.nanaimodailynews.com m PUBLISHED SINCE 1874 * Based on one-year subscription only. Pre-authorized monthly payments will be charged to a credit card or chequing account. $19.00 for Rural Delivery.

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Ice wine ideal as special gift ICE WINE, from Page 29 Unfortunately, Vancouver Island’s mild winters don’t create the freezing conditions necessary to produce ice wines. Most folks prefer to sip ice wine on its own, as a dessert unto itself while late harvest wines can pair beautifully with a rich dessert like a crème brulee.

Lucky’s Liquor store is home to many late harvest and ice wines from across Canada. The eighth Generation Wineries Syrah Ice Wine is an exceptional product from the Okanagan, bursting with the flavours of quince jelly over ripe plums, honey and a hint of vanilla. The grapes are carefully hand-picked at -13C temperatures, producing only 183 cases of the ice wine, hence the $52.99 price tag.

So if you’re looking for a special gift for that wine enthusiast in the family, your friends or business associates, let us help you choose a top-quality, Canadian-made late-harvest dessert wine or an ice wine.

Believe me, it will not only be well appreciated, you will also earn a whole bunch of points with those you are trying to impress!

FAMILIES, from Page 29

250-729-4248 @NanaimoDaily

» Chef Dez is a food columnist, culinary travel host and cookbook author. Visit him at www.chefdez.com

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ter particles then are already the required size from the grater and will not suffer from the warm friction of too much mixing or “cutting” it in.

Secondly, try not to touch the dough with your hands, as the warmth from them will melt the butter. It is best to form the dough by folding it over consistently with a metal dough cutter (bench scraper). Once the dough is formed, wrap and place it in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled. Remove and proceed with rolling, ideally on a chilled marble surface. Once shaped, refrigerate for approximately ten more minutes before baking.

I have even heard that using vodka from the freezer (instead of the ice water in your recipe) will produce a flakier crust!

In addition to being entered to win, you will also receive a $25 Gift Card to

Good Food Box Programs: • Nanaimo Foodshare Society (250-753-9393) • Ladysmith Resources Centre (250-245-3079) Christmas Hamper Program: Since 2004, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank and The Salvation Army have been partnering in the Christmas Hamper Program. Last Christmas they served over 4622 people and distributed 2116 food hampers to residents of Nanaimo.

For details go to their website: www.hampervillenanaimo.org or call 250-751-9780.

Many more hampers can be filled with your donation of food or money. You can donate without even leaving your home. Online donations can be made on the website. Won’t your loved ones be pleased to think that the money you donated in their name will help another family in Nanaimo to eat well. Please give generously.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

MUSIC

Edith Piaf to be honoured on centenary MARK KENNEDY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Edith Piaf would have turned 100 this month and never has she been more vital.

The cabaret singer who once sang on the streets for spare change was celebrated and channelled by the likes of Madonna and Celine Dion in the days after the worst attack on French soil in more than a half-century.

“She knew what is trauma. She knew what is hurting. She cried in her life,” said Christine Laume, her sister-in-law. “I’m sure if she was alive she would be so sorry for what happened to France.”

Piaf, famous for her hit “La Vie En Rose,” stood only four feet 8 inches, yet her voice was strong and distinctive, a trembling alto wail that became the voice of the Paris working class. She was nicknamed Little Sparrow.

Record label Parlophone is celebrating her Dec. 19 birthday with Intgrale 2015, a massive box set of 350 tracks, including rare recording sessions, rehearsals, a 1962 interview and seven live performances. It clocks in at more than 20 hours on 20 CDs, re-mastered from the original 78-rpm vinyl records and tapes.

“Her voice sets her apart from all other singers.

Something happens when she sings. You stop dead, you listen and you are immediately moved by her powerful and aching tone,” said Matthieu Moulin, who supervised the box set. “Contrary to others, you don’t hear Edith Piaf. You listen to her.”

Piaf will be celebrated this month from the Cairo Opera House to an exhibit at The Bibliotheque Nationale de France. In New York’s Metropolitan Room, actress and singer Myriam Phiro will celebrate Piaf’s birthday by singing her songbook.

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Dear Annie: My wife’s niece has a three-year-old child whom we love dearly. We help take care of this child and pay for a great deal of the baby’s care.

The problem is, my wife frequently offers advice to her niece. The niece cusses her out, and my wife ends up in tears. But my wife insists she has to keep doing this in order to help the baby.

I disagree with her logic. I told her she is simply repeating the same pattern over and over, setting herself up for misery. This niece is not a nice person. She treats her own mother (my wife’s sister) poorly.

Her crying is disturbing to me. My wife is a social worker and says that she helps strangers, so why can’t she help her own family?

— Stop Already Dear Stop: She can’t help her own family because she is not objective enough. She also believes her background will somehow give her more authority over her niece, when it obviously does not. Unless your wife enjoys being a martyr (and she may), she should back off from giving advice and simply transfer her professional skills toward the care of the baby, who will benefit from being loved by someone who obviously has a great deal to give.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

@NanaimoDaily

Holiday Greetings 2015 THIS SPECIAL FEATURE WILL APPEAR IN PRINT AND ONLINE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons ________________________

Welcome Home, Wesley Carter!

We’re so proud and grateful to be spending Christmas with you. Thank you for your service and for a being a wonderful son.

Love, Mom & Dad ________________________

Happy 1st Christmas to Abby Noonan!

Congratulations, Rick and Barbara. We wish you all a blessed holiday.

Love, Auntie Kelly ________________________ Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wish wishes, The Hansons ________________________

Dear Melissa Gallagher, Thanks for bringing so much joy to our lives. We couldn’t ask for a better aunt unt and friend.

XOXO, Lynne & Ti Tim ________________________

Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors rs and friends. friends W We’re ’ looking l k forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons ________________________

Thanks to Our Customers!

Best wishes for a very happy holiday season from The Perks Coffee Team! ________________________ Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for beingg such uch great neighbors and friends. riends. We’re We re looking forward f to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons ________________________

Merry Christmas, Lisa & Eddie Barclay Guess what? I’ll be “home for the holidays” soon! Can’t wait to see everyone.

Love, Jenna ________________________

h c u m w o h s e n o d e v o l d n a e s r g u a s o s b e h g m i e d n e , z s li d a n n e o i r s f r r e u p o a y l h l t i Te w n o s a e s y a d . i n l o o i h t c s i e h s t s e g r n a i t e e r you c G y a d i l o H in our

Happy Kwanzaa to the Smith Family!

We’re so grateful for your friendship.

Your ur neighbors, Jim & Sue ________________________ ___

Merry Christmas, Grandma Joan!

We wish we could be there to celebrate with you. Miss you andd love you!

Hugs H & Kisses, Grace & Junior Miller ________________________

To Our Good Friend Emily Andrews, We wish you all the best at Christmastime Christm ti and all year!

With Love From James, Lily, Heather & Ryan ________________________

Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons

Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons

Adam & Andrea Hayden, Wishing you a blessed and happy Hanukkah. Thanks for sharing the holidays with us!

Mark & Gina Wells

Share the Joy This Season!

Tell your friends, neighbors and loved ones how much you care this holiday season with a personalized message in our Holiday Greetings section. This special feature will appear in print and online Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

Option A $15 plus tax up to 5 lines, no graphic Sample: Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons

Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons

Merry Christmas Chris to the Wilson Wil Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons ________________________

Happy 1st Christmas to Abby Noonan!

Congratulations, Rick and Barbara. We wish you all a blessed holiday. Love, Auntie Kelly

Holiday Greetings ORDER FORM NAME ______________________________________________________________________________

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1. Call Michéle 250-729-4203 Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm to place your order by phone.

2. Mail or Drop Off completed order form with payment to the following address: Nanaimo Daily News B1 – 2575 McCullough Road, Nanaimo BC V9S 5W5 3. Email your order to reception@nanaimodailynews.com

Option B $25 plus tax

Merry Christmas to Pastor astor Joe Franklin!

Thanks for all you y give i to your parishioners and this community.

With gratitude and best wishes, Helen & Frank Miller ________________________

To Gary Anders, Thank you for all that you do.

You are a truly wonderful person.

Merry Christmas From Nora Blake & Kurt Peters ________________________

Customize your greeting with a holiday graphic!

up to 5 lines, plus graphic Sample:

______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ❐ ____ If you would like to add a graphic, please indicate the corresponding number here.

TOTAL COST: Option A – $15.75

Option B – $26.25

Method of payment: ❐ Cheque ❐ Visa ❐ MasterCard Name on Card ________________________________________________________________________ #001

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Merry Christmas to the Wilson Family!

Thanks for being such great neighbors and friends. We’re looking forward to more good times in 2016!

Best wishes, The Hansons

Credit Card # ________________________________________________________ Exp: ___________ Authorized amount of order ____________ Signature ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________

DEADLINE: Friday, December 18, 2015 at 5 pm #007

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