N2K - N2K - January 2016

N K Track 2

ON THE RIGHT

NEED TO KNOW

JANUARY 2016 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 9

2015 Northwest B.C. Industry

SUCCESS STORIES

Inside N 2 K Shovels Out LNG Canada begins Kitimat site preparation

Big Plans Prince Rupert eyes Northwest Passage

Before & After CN helps Vanderhoof group give fish a better trip

Mining Legend Telkwa’s Hans Smit to be honoured by industry

Proud to be serving the North Coast

BARGE LOADING & OFFLOADING • MARINE SALVAGE • BARGE CHARTER • RAMP BARGE

For Competitive Pricing, Contact: For Competitive Pricing, Contact Wainwright Marine Services LTD. P: 250-624-9858 / F: 250-624-5473 WAINRIGHT MARINE SERVICES LTD. Email: wms@citywest.ca P: 250-624-9858 / F: 250-624-5473 www.wainwrightmarine.com

E: wms@citywest.ca

Giving back to the community LNG Canada has recognized the contributions of the 13 members of its Community Advisory Group by giving each member $1,000 to donate to a local community group or charity of their choice.

The Community Advisory Group is a way LNG Canada can have a direct line of communication with the residents of Kitimat. The Group provides feedback and advice on how the company is seen to be operating in the community.

According to Ruth Sulentich, Senior Consultation Specialist at LNG Canada, the Community Advisory Group provides Kitimat with 13 community ambassadors who can talk to people about the project.

Sulentich says the Community Advisory Group meetings provide the company the opportunity to address rumours that group members bring forward, or to validate what is being said in the community about work the company is doing.

The members of the Community Advisory Group are volunteers, and the work they’ve done hasn’t gone unnoticed by LNG Canada. Because group members have many connections to non-profit groups in the community,

LNG Canada felt that offering $1,000 for each member to be spent towards a local organization was the best way to say thank you.

The organizations that benefited from a donation via a Community Advisory Group member include: Kitimat Understanding the Environment ($1,000), Kitimat Public Library, including the Books for Babies program ($2,000 for both), Tamitik Status of Women Donations Room ($2,000), Kildala Breakfast Club ($2,000), Kitimat Baptist Homeless Shelter ($1,000), REM Lee Hospital Foundation for the regional oncology program ($1,000), The Kitimat Hospital Foundation ($3,000), and the Child Development Centre. ($1,000) “It was great to see some members grouping together to make a bigger impact,” says Sulentich, recognizing some members contributed to the same organization.

The donations marked the end of

This space is a collaborative promotional venture by LNG Canada and N2K Editor Cameron Orr

“

“Everyone’s very committed and excited for what the second year will bring.”

the first year for the group. Group members serve on for two-year terms.

“We’ve been meeting now for one year, which is quite exciting,” says Sulentich. “Everyone’s very committed and excited for what the second year will bring.”

A recent survey of area residents commissioned by LNG Canada found that 14 per cent of people would contact a member if they had any questions or concerns, and 65 per cent of people in Kitimat were aware of the group’s existence.

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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Todd Hamilton Prince Rupert Ed Evans, Sales Melissa Boutilier, Sales Kevin Campbell, Reporter Terrace Rod Link, Editor Bert Husband, Sales Erin Bowker, Sales Kitimat Louisa Genzale, Sales Cameron Orr, Editor Smithers Grant Harris, Sales Nick Briere, Sales Alicia Bridges, reporter Houston Mary-Anne Ruiter, Sales Burns Lake Laura Blackwell, Sales Flavio Nienow, Editor Fort St. James/ Vanderhoof Pam Berger, Sales Vivian Chui, Reporter Barbara Latkowski, Reporter Haida Gwaii Quinn Bender, Sales Stacey Marple, Reporter N2K CONTACT INFO:

Vanderhoof Fort St. James Burns Lake Houston Smithers Terrace Kitimat Prince Rupert Haida Gwaii

• • • • • • • • •

250-567-9258 250-567-9258 250-692-7526 250-845-2890 250-847-3266 250-638-7283 250-632-6144 250-624-8088 250-559-4680

N2K is a Black Press publication mailed or delivered by carrier to 31,500 homes and businesses throughout Northwest B.C. Our Head Office is located at: 737 Fraser Street, Prince Rupert, B.C., V8J 1R1 250-624-8088 Fax: 250-624-8085

NEED TO KNOW NORTHWEST B.C.’S INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

W

hat kind of year was 2015?

As in most things, perception is the key.

A positive perception will provoke a positive response and vice

versa.

Granted, the state of commodity prices, which so heavily impact our resource-based economies in Northwest B.C., will probably be viewed by most negatively. Unless, you are one of the positive folk, who doesn’t mind so much while watching the digits spin more slowly at the local gas station.

While some will view 2015 as a glass half empty, we, on the other hand, view it much differently. Our cup runneth over.

Each month we pride ourselves in examining and reporting on the progress and successes industry in our corner of the world is piling up. And they are piling up.

Possibly not as fast as some would like, but each and every month in 2015, we were not at any time short on finding great success stories and of progress.

This month, we have compiled a quick review of 2015. It is by no means the complete list, but just some of the great things we reported on that are happening in Northwest B.C. From near-exponential growth of the Port of Prince Rupert that has spinoff effects throughout our region — with bigger things to come — to a group of small family businesses in Smithers tackling the wholesale food industry.

We reported on breakthroughs in safety and green technologies to openings of mines and new ports (Stewart is pretty positive about that one).

All in all, while 2015 didn’t have the game-changing final LNG investment decisions, there is every indication they are in it for the long haul and not predicating their decision on one year ... or one decade for that matter.

And as Cameron Orr in Kitimat reports in this issue, LNG Canada is even moving forward with site preparations.

We hope, as you review our review, your perception may improve whether you started out positively or negatively.

There are great things happening throughout our region. It is our perception that 2016 is going to be even greater.

On behalf of the entire staff at N2K, we wish each of you a very safe and positive 2016.

Todd Hamilton N2K Publisher publisher@thenorthernview.com

Out-of-area subscriptions now available e-mail: circulation@thenorthernview.com View our e-version for free at: www.thenorthernview.com/eeditions

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Volume 2 • Issue 9

January 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at 2015 through the pages of N2K

7-14

BEFORE AND AFTER CN and stewarship society give fish a better trip up the creek

20

D5631

BRITISH COLUMBIA'S

LARGEST HD DEALER FOR 2014

THUMBS UP LNG Canada begins site preparation in Kitimat

MINING LEGEND Telkwa’s Hans Smit to be honoured by mining industry

15-17

25

CHECK OUT OUR LINE UP OF 2015 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS

HAYS 2.0 Prince Rupert city council unveils massive plans

NEW NORTH How to build in B.C.’s new north 28

18

HELP WANTED Check out the jobs in the career section 30

Lightweight, affordable, quality-built travel trailers, fifth wheels and campers.

Whether you plan on purchasing a fleet of vehicles or need a lease, let us help you meet your commercial needs.

We can deliver your new vehicle today.

www.sullivangm.com sullivangm.com

SEE OUR GREAT SELECTION OF NEW & USED RVS www.smprv.ca Located on Highway 16, Houston, BC • Phone 250-845-2244 • Toll Free 1-800-665-3151 NORTHWEST’S LARGEST VOLUME DEALER FOR A REASON!!

Providing the Facts

An artist’s interpretation of what the LNG facility could look like once constructed.

Pacific NorthWest LNG is a proposed LNG facility on Lelu Island within the District of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert, on land administered by the Prince Rupert Port Authority. Designing the best possible project is important to us, which is why we’ve worked with the community and local First Nations to refine our marine infrastructure, particularly around Flora Bank. We understand that the eelgrass on Flora Bank supports fish and fish habitat.

Our proposed suspension bridge minimizes marine infrastructure next to Flora Bank, and would connect to a trestle linking Lelu Island to the LNG carrier berths in naturally deep water in Chatham Sound.

Over the past year, our team of experts have conducted thorough research related to Flora Bank and the local marine environment, totaling more than 100,000 hours of work to date. In November, we submitted our findings to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), as part of our environmental assessment application. These findings can be found on the CEAA website at bit.ly/pnwlng. The study results show that there will be no significant adverse effects to the stability of Flora Bank, or fish and fish habitat on Flora Bank.

Why did CEAA ask PNW LNG for more information?

What did you learn from the modelling?

Part of the regulatory process is gathering and responding to feedback from First Nations and the community. The environmental review process is an ongoing dialogue with the regulators. The request for more information was a response to questions and comments that were raised by local First Nations, the community and federal government scientists about the potential impacts on the marine environment near our proposed facility.

We learned that Flora Bank would remain naturally stable and the eelgrass on Flora Bank would remain healthy with our proposed marine structures. The modelling demonstrated that there would be small changes to the seabed immediately around the structures. With each progressive round of modelling, the predicted effects from the marine structures have been refined.

Why did PNW LNG conduct 3D modelling of Flora Bank?

We conducted 3D modelling because it simulates the real world and tests how man-made structures would interact with the environment. The purpose of our modelling was to analyze and understand the natural processes occurring on and around Flora Bank, and how, or if, they might be affected by the marine infrastructure. The model we used is an accurate, computerized representation of the regional coastal environment.

Will your marine infrastructure impact the eelgrass?

No. Based on our modelling, the eelgrass, fish and fish habitat on and around Flora Bank would remain healthy. The modelling results show minimal erosion and deposition immediately around the marine structures, which would be over 100 metres away from the nearest eelgrass beds.

For more information, visit one of our community offices in Port Edward or Prince Rupert, PacificNorthWestLNG.com or call 250.622.2727.

2015 Connecting industry and culture One company’s work to protect Northwest B.C.’s culturally and environmentally sensitive areas JANUARY 2015 • VOL. 1, ISSUE 10

FEBRUARY 2015 • VOL. 1, ISSUE 11

Learning today for real jobs tomorrow

MARCH 2015 • VOL. 1, ISSUE 12

MAY 2015

APRIL 2015 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 1

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VOL. 2, ISSUE 2

JUNE 2015

•

VOL. 2, ISSUE 3

Thriving in the Building Tomorrow Vanderhoof’s Avison’s way of doing business

The win-win scenario

Northwest N h B B.C. C projects j b back k iin the h spotlight li h Finall spike Fi ik opens R Ridley idl IIsland l d tto endless opprtunities

Coast Bullies

Land Gift

Keep on Truckin’

SAAM SMIT Marine tugboats pushing the fleet around

From industry to public access

Smithers’ Bandstra Trucking stays a family affair

Building B.C.

Front line

Northwest’s AMS leading the growth

Vanderhoof first aid provider is out there

JULY 2015

•

VOL. 2, ISSUE 4

Shape Shifters Vanderhoof sheet metal company makes it an artform

Smithers’ one-stop shop for mineral industry

Home Safe

Ground Work 2014 ends with high hopes for 2015 at Port Authority

AUGUST 2015 •

Western Canada Marine Response getting ready

Houston Canfor’s No. 1 priority: A safe worker

VOL. 2, ISSUE 5

Green Light

Rock Talk

Brucejack Mine receives approval

Smithers mining meet heads up high

Thrive North Burns Lake sawmill’s new approach to safety

Partnership backing future entrepreneurs

Terrace company has one of only seven in the world

SEPTEMBER 2015 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 5

OCTOBER 2015 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 6

LNG Firsthand Port Edward’s close look at Malaysian operation

Caring Contractor

Kristoff Trucking meets a growing demand

Size doesn’t matter for Flintstone Mining

Setting Sail

Business Boom

Delta Spirit departs as modernization winds down

N2K

NEED TO KNOW

DECEMBER 2015 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 8

NOVEMBER 2015 • VOL. 2, ISSUE 7

Mining takes centre stage

Smithers hosts B.C.’s best mine safety teams

Planning Ahead

Industrial interest sparks Terrace business growth

LNG Still Keane On

AWAITING THE FINAL DECISION

Pacific NorthWest LNG and LNG Canada reach project milestones

Rio Tinto Alcan celebrates modernization milestone

Bucking Trends Pacific Timber having a big impact in Burns Lake

Green Power

Seeking Success

AltaGas opens three run-of-river projects

Second cohort completes Pathways training

Industry Innovator

Feeding Variety

Hy-Tech Drilling invention saves on water use in mining

Nechako Valley Feeds growsby mixing it up

Designing Business Alora Griffin Architect brings keen eye to development

Tahltan Anniversary Development Corporation reflects on 30 years

Sitka Lodge Civeo secures worker housing contract

Pioneering Camp

Fish Friendly

LandSea Camp Services turns its attention to Port Edward

Mount Milligan’s habitat compensation success

Thriving Success

Mine Approved Brucejack Gold Mine given the green light

Catching up with the ThriveNorth winners

Biomass Build Fraser Lake Sawmill turns waste into energy

Terminal Sold DP World completes Fairview Terminal purchase

Funding Partners

Safe Strategy

New Arrival

TransCanada, TRICORP provide money for Aboriginal training

Vanderhoof’s New Gold celebrates safety milestone

Maersk Line makes first call at Fairview Terminal

Stewart Success

Pipeline Planning

Going Green

New shipping facility officially opened

TransCanada looking to new technology

Lake Babine Nation bets on biomass

Inside N 2 K Port’s Plans

Visitable Home

Diversity key to Port Authority success

Terrace designer’s twist on new construction

Wholesale Pizza Smithers companies after Northwest markets

Concrete Man Burns Lake operator cemented in service

Major milestones achieved, projects started in 2015

By Kevin Campbell

January

February

Port Edward inks landmark deal with Pacific NorthWest LNG

Pathways to Success graduates celebrate completion of program

Pacific NorthWest LNG announced a 25-year agreement-in-principle to support Port Edward infrastructure and services to the tune of $150 million.

The landmark agreement guarantees the District of Port Edward $3.25 million each year and escalates over the life of the agreement. The $150 million will be paid out in the form of property taxes and front-end contributions by Pacific NorthWest LNG for district infrastructure improvements.

With the support of BG Canada, Hecate Strait Employment Development Society, Aboriginal Mentoring and Training Association and the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations, 14 aboriginal graduates are well on their way to filling high-paying jobs associated with LNG development. BG Canada sponsored 100 per cent of the program and the courses involve both academic components and skills training for its participants.

Three First Nations sign pipeline agreements

New Sawmill near Burns Lake

Three First Nations signed LNG pipeline benefit agreements with the province in December, moving forward the process of building TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink pipeline.

The Wet’suwet’en, Skin Tyee and Nee Tahi Buhn are the first three to sign agreements with the province.

N2K

The Cheslatta Carrier Nation, located on the south shore of Francois Lake, is making plans to construct and operate a new sawmill in the Burns Lake area.

Mike Robertson, Cheslatta Carrier Nation’s senior advisor, said the Cheslatta are moving forward to build the project at their industrial site at Ootsa Lake.

See Page 8

7

March

April

Piping Industry college opens in shuttered school

Fairview expansion in place for Port of Prince Rupert

Thornhill Junior Secondary School, which was shuttered several years ago as a result of a declining student population, is now the home to a private training college. With a campus first in Kitimat and one now in Thornhill just outside Terrace, the UA Piping Industry College of B.C. runs specific classes and courses aimed at preparing participants for the early stages of careers in plumbing, sprinkler-fitting, steamfitting and welding. The college was started 25 years ago by piping industry unions as a way of training people for careers in those skilled trades.

Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Don Krusel announced the largest single investment in the history of the Port of Prince Rupert – a $200 million expansion that would increase the capacity of Fairview Terminal to 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by the end of 2017. Plans call for the addition of four cranes to create two separate berths.

A 286-metre extension of the dock to create a total of 800 metres of crane-operated dockside and the creation of four rail tracks. The project started immediately and will create approximately 600 person years of employment with an average of 240 workers on-site over the length of the project.

Eagle Spirit Energy announces support The company planning to build an oil export facility at Grassy Point near Lax Kw’alaams has garnered the backing of three Northwest First Nations. At a press conference in Calgary, Eagle Spirit Energy announced it had received declarations of support from Chief Dan George of the Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band), Chief Archie Patrick of the Stellat’en First Nation near Fraser Lake and two Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs: Larry Marsden and Art Mathews.

Rio Tinto announces completion of modernization project Rio Tinto said Kitimat’s modernization will be complete in the first half of 2015. Overall for Rio Tinto’s 2014 performance, Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said, “we have had a successful year of production, capped off with a robust fourth quarter.

West Coast Launch adds two vessels Kvichak Marine delivered two all-aluminum 36.6’ Crew/Pilot Boats to West Coast Launch, Ltd. which operates year-round as a water transportation company in Prince Rupert. “Lelu and Kitson” will join the current five vessels already operating in their fleet.

Nisga’a readies workforce Through a financial agreement with the federal government, Nisga’a Employment, Skills and Training (NEST) was established. NEST has its main office in New Aiyansh and smaller offices in Terrace and Prince Rupert. Aside from job training, it will also start people along the road to opening their own businesses.

VANDERHOOF and DISTRICTS CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION 15 Cardlock Locations: Fort St. James To Quesnel, Terrace To Valemount.

Fuel Tanks Sales & Rentals, Bulk Fuel and Oil Deliveries: Vanderhoof Toll Free: 1-888-545-2667, Quesnel: 1-888-992-2667, Prince George: 1-866-309-2667 Houston: 1-800-848-6347, Terrace: 250-635-9595

See Page 10

You

asked about

LOCAL JOBS

Local community members and First Nation leaders told us that jobs are important, and that they’re important now. We are doing what we can now to support people into jobs.

Over 140

First Nations members found jobs through Pathways to Success in 2015.

We want to congratulate everyone who has gone through the program. We also want to congratulate our partners.

Pathways to Success helps Tsimshian people find jobs. It is supported by six Tsimshian First Nations, BG Canada, LNG Canada, Pacific Northwest LNG, and the BC provincial government.

Find out more at: princerupertlng.ca/pathwaystosuccess BG Canada is proposing an LNG facility on Ridley Island near Prince Rupert, BC. Stay informed about what we’re doing in the community by signing up for our email updates on our Contact Us page. Or, visit Rosa and Herb at our local Prince Rupert office located at 610 2nd Avenue West. We’ve also recently updated our website! Visit www.princerupertlng.ca.

Rosa Miller

Herb Pond

May

June

Northwest gold mine receives provincial approval A provincial environment assessment certificate issued last month moves the US$747 million Brucejack gold mine 65 kilometres north of Stewart closer to fruition.

Pretivm president and CEO Robert Quartermain said his Vancouver-based company would need 800-900 employees for construction. The mine itself would have 500 employees working over its minimum 16-year operating life. Construction is expected to be completed in 2017.

BG Canada commits $5 million to help young entrepreneurs Futurpreneur Canada and BG Canada announced the launch of a collaborative business challenge with the partners committing to empower and enhance entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Northwest B.C. by establishing a five-year partnership, and with a $5 million commitment from BG Canada.

Imperial Metals’ milestone Imperial Metals’ Red Chris copper and gold mine had a lot of reason to celebrate with the loading of the first export ship from the port of Stewart and the signing of an agreement with the Tahltan First Nation. The agreement outlines plans to have Tahltan members account for as much as 40 per cent of the workforce while also being directly involved in the environmental monitoring of the mine, which is located near Iskut, B.C. Just before the announcement, the new carrier M/V Edward Oldendorff left Stewart with the first load from the mine.

Fairview Container Terminal makes headlines The Journal of Commerce released its list of the fastest growing container ports in North America and Prince Rupert’s Fairview Terminal sits alone at the top of the list of 25. Prince Rupert experienced a growth of 13.8 per cent in the number of loaded containers being handled, a number that just beats out the 11.23 per cent growth experienced by the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico and the 11.2 per cent growth experienced by Boston, Massachusetts.

Province, Pacific NorthWest LNG sign agreement The provincial government and Pacific NorthWest LNG signed a project development agreement that both parties say moves the project closer to becoming a reality. The agreement, which includes a long-term royalty agreement, covers 2016 through to 2038.

Last spike driven into Road, Rail and Utility Corridor The last spike was driven into the Road, Rail and Utility Corridor (RRUC). The $97 million project was completed on time and on budget after two years of construction by local contracting companies comprised of First Nations joint venture partnerships. “The RRUC is going to be Ridley Island’s backbone. It is the foundational piece of infrastructure that is going to allow the Port of Prince Rupert to grow and prosper for decades to come,” Port CEO Don Krusel said.

See Page 11

July Pacific NorthWest LNG announces positive FID Pacific NorthWest LNG, the company planning to build an $11 billion terminal on Lelu Island in Port Edward, announced a conditional positive final investment decision (FID). The first condition is the approval of the Project Development Agreement by the B.C. Legislature and the second is the granting of an environmental assessment permit from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

World Record MV Popi S

AltaGas opens three hydroelectric projects

Shipping record in Prince Rupert

Nearly $1 billion of capital expenditure in northwestern B.C. was realized with the official opening of three run-ofriver power projects along the Iskut River. Developed by Calgary-based energy company AltaGas, the largest of the three – the Forrest Kerr facility at 195 megawatts – and the smallest – Volcano Creek, at 16 megawatts – began producing power while the 66-megawatt McLymont Creek facility is to be finished this year. Power produced by the facilities is being sold to BC Hydro and fed into the provincial grid through a substation at Bob Quinn, the end point of BC Hydro’s Northwest Transmission Line.

A new world record was set in Prince Rupert when the M/V Popi S sailed away from Westview Terminal with almost 60,000 tons of wood pellets destined for Drax Power in the U.K. – the largest load of wood pellets shipped in the history of the industry. “Pinnacle is excited about its leadership in the use of panamaxes for wood pellets,” said Vaughan Bassett, Pinnacle’s senior vicepresident of sales and logistics. “They are presently an under-utilized class of vessel, so this additional cargo option will suit shop owners, shippers and receivers alike.”

PRETIVM IS ADVANCING ITS HIGH-GRADE GOLD BRUCEJACK PROJECT IN NORTHERN BC.

See Page 12

August

It’s open

Rio Tinto Alcan completes first pour Rio Tinto Alcan produced its first hot metal in the modernized Kitiamt smelter. The company held a special celebration inside the site’s new cafeteria, dubbed Henning Hall in honour of company executive Paul Henning. Rio Tinto is hailing the milestone while also noting that they still have work to do to reach the ‘inauguration’, which will be the formal conclusion of all construction work, expected in 2016.

YXT traffic soars The Northwest Regional Airport based in Terrace is ramping up operations and preparing to meet new emergency standards. The airport’s traffic numbers have risen so high that it is obligated by federal regulations to provide an aircraft rescue and firefighting service. “Once we reach those levels of 180,000 [passengers] for those six-month periods, we then have one year to bring in the service,” said airport manager Carman Hendry. The addition of direct flights to and from Calgary this spring have put the airport into a higher regulatory category of landings and takeoffs so that a second firetruck will now be needed.

September Brucejack Mine project approved A planned gold mine northwest of Stewart has now received the blessing of the federal government. Federal environment minister Leona Aglukkaq signed off on the Brucejack project, owned by Pretium Resources, following a federal environmental assessment that began two years ago. She further found the project met assessment standards laid down for the Nisga’a Nation in accordance with the provincial and federal governments.

Investment brings on-land radar to the North Coast With the number of ships calling on the Port of Prince Rupert expected to grow substantially in the years ahead, the Prince Rupert Port Authority announced a $5 million partnership that will create a shore-based radar system to cover the waters of the North Coast. The project – which includes $2 million investment from both Western Economic Diversification Canada – will provide radar coverage 50 nautical miles west to the northern tip of Haida Gwaii and north beyond the Alaska border.

12

Stewart World Port

October DP World completes acquisition of Fairview Terminal DP World confirmed the completed acquisition of Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert. DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the purchase was part of an aggressive expansion undertaken by the company. “In 2015, we have invested over $3.5 billion in acquisitions and expansionary capex, and this investment leaves us well-placed to capitalize on the significant medium to long-term growth potential of this industry,” he said.

Stewart World Port open for business A $70 million commercial wharf being billed as a gateway for goods and products in and out of northern B.C., the Yukon and northern Alberta was officially opened on Sept. 16. The Stewart World Port offers shippers a day-and-a-half shorter shipping time toand-from Asia than southern port facilities. As well, Stewart is ice-free and that its harbour is very deep offers competitive advantages. In the shipping world the Stewart World Port is called a break bulk facility, handling goods and material that aren’t normally shipped in containers or in bulk such as grain.

TransCanada, TRICORP contribute funds to training program TransCanada, the operators behind the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project and TRICORP (Prince Rupert Tribal Resources Investment Corporation) together announced a $250,000 partnership to offer skills development and training for Aboriginal people in northwestern B.C. through TransCanada’s Pathway to Pipelines Readiness program. TransCanada and TRICORP each contributing $50,000 in cash and inkind contributions and the federal government also contributed funds.

See Page 13

N2K

November Nisga’a benefit from $2.1 million training program Nisga’a citizens in Terrace, Prince Rupert and the Nass Valley are to benefit from a $2.1 million training program over the next three years. The goal is to train 215 Nisga’a for jobs within the liguefied natural gas industry, but skills learned can also apply elsewhere, said Gary Patsey of Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training (NEST), the Nisga’a Lisims Government agency which is to administer the program. Already more than 50 people have applied for training to earn a driver’s licence, considered one of the key first steps toward development. The money comes from a provincial government skills training program and was announced in Terrace on Oct. 19.

Terrace building permits top $50 million Two construction projects in October pushed the value of Terrace building permits issued to date to more than $50 million, a 10-year record. One is the first phase of a large multi-family residential development on the bench now breaking ground and the other is an addition and renovation of a business on Park Ave. downtown. Seven townhomes in two duplexes and one triplex now under construction by Vancouver developer SwissReal carry a value of $1.4 million.

New Gold Safe

Vanderhoof operation celebrates 500,000 safe working hours Terrace city council endorses TransCanada pipeline The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project, a TransCanada pipeline that would bring liquefied natural gas from Northeastern B.C. to Pacific NorthWest LNG’s Lelu Island terminal, has been finding major backing in the past few months.

Councillors for the City of Terrace voted to write a letter of support for the pipeline and the terminal.

“It’s a wholesale endorsement. You can’t have a pipeline if you’re not going to have an upstream and downstream. It wouldn’t make sense to support just a pipeline,” said Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc.

See Page 14

眀眀眀⸀挀欀愀搀瘀攀爀琀椀猀椀渀最猀漀氀甀琀椀漀渀猀⸀挀漀洀

December Smithers and Telkwa businesses making a wholesale change Family businesses in the Bulkley Valley captured attention for a wholesale change to their business models.

Chris Morsund and his mother Leslee, took their small Smithers pizzeria and hit the wholesale market packaging their fresh pizzas for sale in regional markets. But the Morsunds weren’t the only ones in the Smithers-Telkwa area to look regionally rather than just their hometowns. Holger Rudolph of Rudolph’s Pure Sausage and Sheona Sikkes of Paul’s Bakery have also made in-roads with their product being stocked by Overwaitea.

David Black’s clean refinery project unfazed by Enbridge prognosis B.C. oil refinery proponent David Black says his $22 billion proposal won’t die with the apparently thwarted Northern Gateway pipeline – he aims to bring oil sands bitumen across northern B.C. by train instead.

He said tanker exports of refined fuel would be less damaging than a spill of crude or bitumen at sea.

PRINCE RUPERT’S OWN AIRLINE PROUDLY SERVING THE NORTH COAST SAFELY SINCE 1981 DAILY SCHEDULED SERVICE TO MASSET AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS FLY WITH INLAND AIR

Prince Rupert: 250-624-2577 • Queen Charlotte: 250-559-4222 Masset: 250-626-3225 • Toll Free: 1-888-624-2577

www.inlandair.bc.ca

Still Keane LNG Alliance president delivered a message of patience and optimism Smithers licensee does it right Canfor’s planning and forestry activities received passing grades following an audit by Forest Practices Board. Canfor, which conducted the practices on behalf of Smithers forest licencee Lowell A. Johnson, were found to be in compliance by the independent forestry watchdog. Auditors examined operational planning, timber harvesting, road construction, deactivation and maintenance, silviculture and fire protection activities carried out between Oct. 1, 2013 and Oct. 9, 2015.

-N2K 2015 -

Quality Through Craftsmanship EXPERTS IN Piping & Plumbing Structural Steel & Fabrication Flat Roofing

Sheet Metal & Cladding Machining Metal Working Millwrighting COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL - RESIDENTIAL 245 - 3rd St. Kitimat Tel. 250-632-6859 Toll Free 1•877•632•6859 101first@101industries.com www.101industries.com

Serving the Northwest for Over 47 years

Shovels in the

GROUND LNG Canada begins site preparation in Kitimat

K

By Cameron Orr

itimat’s sky held back the afternoon rains just long enough for a smooth — and dry — celebration at the grounds of LNG Canada’s proposed liquefaction plant.

Guests and executives were shuttled to an out-of-theway clearing, adjacent to a scenic creek and near the railroad tracks that lead to the Kitimat wharves, where Marc Maeseele, LNG Canada’s construction project manager, formally announced that the company was commencing site preparation work for the project.

In total, the pricetag for LNG Canada has been estimated as high as $40 or $50 billion. The commencement of work in Kitimat, at this point, doesn’t mean a final investment decision by the company’s partners. That is, a river of billions of dollars is not starting to pour in to Kitimat right away.

That said, the early work taking place in Kitimat is a crucial step toward being ready should the investors pull the trigger on the starting pistol for the project in 2016.

The company has said they expect a final investment decision to be made by the first half of 2016.

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Final investment decision on $40-50 billion project expected in first half of 2016 Until then there will be a fluctuation of few hundred people in Kitimat to do work.

That work, said Maeseele, includes things like removing top soil, developing roads, and land clearing.

At the start of December there were about 120 people working on the LNG Canada site.

That number could rise to around 300, he said.

The commencement of early works was celebrated with words at the company’s on-site ceremony from Kitimat’s mayor and representatives from the Haisla Nation Council.

See Page 16

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Thumbs UP! LNG Canada already working on housing employees LNG Canada has been at work consulting the community and doing its ground studies at the site for months, if not years, to this point. Even with just a few hundred people, the company has taken pains to ensure they won’t have any negative impact on the community.

Maeseele said the company spoke at length with the District of Kitimat and through community members with their Community Advisory Group to discuss transportation issues. That includes how to operate a

16

shuttle service down to its route and schedule.

The company has also been cognizant of residential pressures on the community from other projects and has followed through on the feedback by securing a large number of new housing options for its workers.

Namely, LNG Canada has leased bed space at Civeo’s Sitka Lodge worker accommodation facility located near downtown Kitimat and has also leased out an entire apartment building from the soon-to-be completed

Haisla Town Centre’s first phase.

A planned townhouse complex in Kitimat’s Whitesail neighbourhood will also house people associated with LNG Canada.

Maeseele says the company’s ambition is to have almost everyone working on the project to be placed in housing, rather than having people finding their own housing in the community. That scenario had been a driving factor that significantly raised rental costs in Kitimat over the

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past several years. Their employees will also use company transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Maeseele notes that the work at the site now won’t result in permanent structures being built, but if an FID does come through in 2016 that will also mark the start of true construction of permanent facilities at their site.

Guests at the opening included B.C. Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon, who was on a tour of northern B.C.

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Thumbs UP! LNG Canada already working on housing employees LNG Canada has been at work consulting the community and doing its ground studies at the site for months, if not years, to this point. Even with just a few hundred people, the company has taken pains to ensure they won’t have any negative impact on the community.

Maeseele said the company spoke at length with the District of Kitimat and through community members with their Community Advisory Group to discuss transportation issues. That includes how to operate a

16

shuttle service down to its route and schedule.

The company has also been cognizant of residential pressures on the community from other projects and has followed through on the feedback by securing a large number of new housing options for its workers.

Namely, LNG Canada has leased bed space at Civeo’s Sitka Lodge worker accommodation facility located near downtown Kitimat and has also leased out an entire apartment building from the soon-to-be completed

Haisla Town Centre’s first phase.

A planned townhouse complex in Kitimat’s Whitesail neighbourhood will also house people associated with LNG Canada.

Maeseele says the company’s ambition is to have almost everyone working on the project to be placed in housing, rather than having people finding their own housing in the community. That scenario had been a driving factor that significantly raised rental costs in Kitimat over the

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past several years. Their employees will also use company transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Maeseele notes that the work at the site now won’t result in permanent structures being built, but if an FID does come through in 2016 that will also mark the start of true construction of permanent facilities at their site.

Guests at the opening included B.C. Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon, who was on a tour of northern B.C.

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Prince Rupert’s

Grand New Dream

Prince Rupert city council announces Hays 2.0

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By Kevin Campbell

he City of Prince Rupert is jumping into the global shipping fray headfirst.

Although, it may take them a few years to get oriented.

This past month and up until the end of 2015, Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain and council’s grand vision, dubbed ‘Hays 2.0’, after Prince Rupert’s founder Melville B. Hays, who died on the Titanic following a return trip from England to secure funding to turn Prince Rupert into the world’s next great port city, has been receiving feedback on the all-encompassing 25-50 year plan for the North Coast city.

The grand new vision outlines everything from the Alaska Marine Highway System potential redesign, to updating First Nations partnerships, to its main component of situating Prince Rupert as a global transshipping hub (transshipping is the transfer of cargo from one ship to another) between Asia and Europe by using both the developing Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route.

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“Having an even larger ambition to be a conduit a gate to the world - I think will be very, very welcome.”

- Nathan Cullen The beginnings of Hays 2.0 is already beginning to take shape in its extremely early stages.

The Prince Rupert Airport, located on Digby Island and just off of Kaien Island where Prince Rupert is situated, is receiving upgrades and sidewalks in the heart of downtown Prince Rupert are being torn up over the next five years and being replaced with modern sidewalks, often in an updated style featuring jut-out crosswalks and a child-friendly design.

See Page 19

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Prince Rupert

Eyes Northwest Passage A 72-unit, eight-storey condominium and accompanying medical building was just approved by city council to be built right on the waterfront downtown, providing much-needed housing relief for seniors or anyone looking to downgrade from their detached houses to something smaller.

DP World, the owner of Fairview Container Terminal within the Port of Prince Rupert, has just released its plans for a feasibility study that would expand the terminal to handle between 2 and 2.5 million twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUs) from its current cap of 850,000 TEUs. While obviously not all of this is the work of the City, progress on Hays 2.0 can clearly be seen as 2015 neared its end in the Prince Rupert area.

“Every council and mayor who comes into Prince Rupert will be able to just keep adding to the vision.

There’s something here for everyone,” said Mayor Brain in November.

The plan received applause from Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, who mentioned that as Prince Rupert experiences generational changes in terms of its core industry (from the now shut down Prince Rupert Mill and the closed salmon cannery lines at Canfisco to the Port of Prince Rupert’s diverse host of terminals shipping everything from wood pellets to containters) it’s necessary for leadership to have a longterm goal to work toward.

“It’s really great to see a community that’s willing to put some plans down and say ‘This is where we want to be’ and recognize its natural advantages. Shortening shipping times has been a big reason for the success of the container port in Prince Rupert. Having an even larger ambition to be a conduit – a gate to the world – I think will be very, very welcome,” said Cullen in late November.

The Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce’s president Rosa Miller also weighed in with the chamber’s support.

“In 20 years time when the Prince Rupert to Rotterdam route is fully established, people will look back to today’s ability to dare to dream big with pride and thank those who helped to make those dreams a reality,” said Miller.

The meat of HAYS 2.0 • A future-oriented vision that promotes economic resilience, protecting the natural envioronment and enhance the collective quality of life; • Includes five components: 2030 Sustainable City, First Nations Partnerships, Re:Build Rupert, Becoming a Global Community and Re:Design Rupert; • Is based on Prince Rupert founder Charles Hays’ vision to make the city a northwest terminus for the North American rail system, as well as a metropolitan global shipping hub; • Establishing a global community by making Prince Rupert a global trade and transshipping hub – the position of the city makes regular access to Russia and Europe nine-to-12 days shorter in sailing time in relation to existing shipping routes such as the Panama Canal; • CN Rail’s connection distribution to Toronto, Chicago and as far as the Gulf of Mexico can be utilized in the transshipping model; • Explores the potential of moving the Alaska Marine Highway System to Lax Kw’alaams as part of the Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project – a transportation link via ferry and road connecting Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, the Prince Rupert Airport and Prince Rupert; • Seek formal partnerships with area First Nations • Re:Build Rupert – address a $300 million infrastructure deficit through repairs, upgrades and fund-seeking; • Re:Design Rupert – an 18-month civic engagement process that aims to gather public input and feedback around the design of a 21st-century Prince Rupert; • 2030 Sustainable City – showcasing the balance between the realities of climate change, keeping sustainable living spaces and developing responsible economic, industrious growth.

BEFORE

CN partners with stewardship society to improve fish passage

P

By Vivian Chui

artnering with the Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society (NEWSS), the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) installed a new customized culvert to improve fish passage to upstream habitats at its rail crossing over Stoney Creek.

To put in place the pre-assembled culvert measuring three metres in diameter, crews diverted the creek around the working area for the day, as well as temporarily removing the track and an embankment portion, CN spokesperson Kate Fenske said.

Environmental monitors were on site during construction to provide technical direction, diverting flow and salvaging fish from the work area, Fenske added.

“The collected fish were then released downstream unharmed,” she said, adding that in the weeks after the culvert installation, crews also built an in-stream rock weir to stabilize the creek’s banks and remove debris upstream of the new culvert.

CN completes a fish passage restoration project in Western Canada each year to restore or improve fish access to habitat upstream of the CN track, Fenske said.

Initiated by NEWSS and with two years of planning, the culvert replacement project involved the company

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“As a large corporation ... they don’t take this lightly.”

- Wayne Salewski shutting down the rail line for 16 hours, said NEWSS director Wayne Salewski.

“It’s amazing they got it done in that short period of time, but it’s a beautiful fish passage/culvert now,” Salewski said. “They made plunge pools on both sides of it, they created a weir, to the help the fish … it’s better than it’s been in 50 years.

He added, “As a large corporation with a lot of responsibility to their customers, they don’t take this lightly.”

The rail company will return next year to conduct fish monitoring, as well as plant trees and shrubs along the land by the creek, Salewski said.

“Their staff on this project has been amazing, very efficient,” he said. “It’s a good relationship with CN.” See Page 21

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and after The culvert installation was the society’s sixth Stoney Creek project in the last two years — NEWSS and its partners, including CN — have spent more than $600,000 in restoration and improvement so far

on the creek, Salewski added.

Another project for Stoney Creek will take place soon, as crews build winter habitat near Vanderhoof ’s pedestrian bridge over the creek.

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A clean

PLAN Provincial funding will help Wet’suwet’en develop plan

T

By Flavio Nienow

he provincial government is providing $30,000 to Wet’suwet’en First Nation (WFN) to support the community’s examination of clean energy opportunities within its traditional territory.

The examination will help determine how clean energy projects can provide a source of revenue and create employment opportunities for WFN. In addition, the plan will study the community’s energy use and total greenhouse gas emissions and provide options to reduce community energy use.

Chief Karen Ogen said clean energy initiatives align with WFN’s goal of preserving and maintaining the environment.

“Wet’suwet’en First Nation is committed to ensuring we balance our environmental concerns with any future energy projects we might pursue in our traditional territory,” she said. “This funding will help us explore some of the clean energy options that might be available.”

The funding provided to WTF is part of B.C.’ First Nations clean energy business fund. Since 2011, more than 100 Aboriginal communities have benefited from

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“This funding will help us explore some of the clean energy optiobs that might be available.”

- Chief Karen Ogen $6.9 million in funding through this program.

John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes, said this funding helps First Nations communities explore a variety of potential benefits, including reduced power consumption, job creation, and new revenue sources from clean energy development.

According to the provincial government, the clean energy technology industry is one of the fastestgrowing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68 per cent of which were formed in the past decade.

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Telkwa mining

LEGEND Hans Smit to be recognized for career in geology

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By Chris Gareau

Northwest B.C. legend in the world of mining, Hans Smit will be recognized for his decades of contributions to the mineral industry by the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) British Columbia.

Smit and his mining colleagues Jerry Asp and Barry Price will be presented the award at The AME BC Awards Celebration of Excellence Gala on January 27 during the Mineral Exploration Roundup 2016 conference in Vancouver.

“I was surprised and honoured,” said Smit.

The award is chosen by all the past chairs and presidents of the AME. Current chair David McLelland did not get to vote, but he was less surprised at Smit’s winning.

“It’s for people they believe have done the most volunteer work for the forwarding of our sector and our association,” explained McLelland.

“He’s very widely known in our community, and he is very prolific in his advocacy and in his example at mentorship. And those things are critical. It’s important to … set a high example of the character and ethics of

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It’s important to ... set a high example of character and ethics of our industry and our membership.”

- David McLelland our industry and our membership.”

Smit graduated from university in 1984 as a geologist, but was already in the field as a helper for several years.

“And then I started working basically as a junior geologist: exploration, running drills, logging core, and still do some of that. But also I do management of junior companies,” said Smit.

He recently returned from Mexico, where most of his work has been the last ten years. Smit does still believe strongly in creating local jobs with local projects in northern B.C. See Page 26

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Hans Smit at Minerals North in Vanderhoof 2014

“I’ve got a project in a private company that’s outside of Prince George that we’ve drilled, and I worked on various projects over the years including the Red Mountain Project by Stewart and Swamp Point gravel pit south of Stewart – also in the Yukon quite a bit and Alaska,” said Smit.

He reminded that the award was not so much about his day-to-day work.

“It’s [because] I believe strongly the mineral industry can help communities economically and socially, because it’s providing jobs. But it doesn’t work if all those jobs are all filled by people from somewhere else or if all the commodities are being bought from Vancouver and being trucked to Smithers, that doesn’t help as much as if people buy stuff in Smithers,” said Smit.

The current president of Minerals North for a couple decades, Smit is bringing the annual event to Smithers and his hometown of Telkwa in May. “I’ve been a strong supporter of that and one of the instigators, and really trying to get mining industries and communities to discuss more so you can maximize the benefits, which are about jobs and economics, and try to minimize the [negative] impacts industry has,” said Smit.

“The industry is an evolving project but is much more responsive than say 20 years ago.”

Smit had a hand in shaping the industry’s past, is shaping the present, and is helping shape its future as

26

the chair of the an advisory committee to the School of Exploration and Mining at Northwest Community College in Smithers. The committee helps the college decide what goes into the course and how it is taught.

“Should that course be taught, how we connect with companies; the idea being that if the college teaches things that industry needs people for, it works really well because people get hired,” said Smit.

While exploration is down, Smit said mining is still an economic driver for the Northwest with new mines like Pretivm’s Brucejack mine opening. He himself sees this as an opportune time to invest in the industry.

“Quite honestly, investing in a junior company is one of the riskiest investments you can ever make. High risk, high reward. People who are worried about their bank stocks are not going to invest in junior mining.

“It’s cyclic, always has been, and we just started a new company because we figure now’s the time to start it – at the bottom when people need investment when nobody else is looking. The deals are better, you can get a driller better, you can get the best people the easiest.

Right now I’m very actively looking in North America … to try to find a project to start funding,” said Smit, who still loves getting his hands dirty.

“The fun part of this job is I get to go to Toronto with a suit and tie, but I also just spent three days in the field with a Mexican geologist and the helper and ranchers sitting out and eating barbecued meat on a little ranch,” said Smit.

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Next PHASE?

North America’s fastest growing terminal may grow even faster

J

By Kevin Campbell

ust as a ‘Phase 2’ northward expansion is currently underway byRupert the Prince Rupert Port with Authority These days, Prince is synonymous progress. and2’DP World forexpansion the Fairview Container Just (PRPA) as a ‘Phase northward is currently Terminal, will raise thePort terminal’s capacity to underway bywhich the Prince Rupert Authority (PRPA) equivalent units (TEUs) upon and1.3 DPmillion Worldtwenty-foot for the Fairview Container Terminal which completion in 2017, the two organizations announced will raise the terminal’s capacity to 1.3 million twenty-foot that theyunits will be conducting a ‘Phase 2 South’ Feasibility equivalent (TEUs) upon completion in 2017, the Study. two organizations announced Monday that they will be That expansion raise the terminal’s conducting a ‘Phase would 2 South’ Feasibility Study.capacity from 1.3 million TEUs to between 2 and millionfrom That expansion would raise the terminal’s2.5 capacity TEUs. 1.3 million TEUs to between 2 and 2.5 million TEUs. a release sent PRPA and DP World,the the In aInrelease sent outout byby thethe PRPA and DP World, Feasibility Study includes DP World examining current Feasibility Study includes DP World examining curliner services and container volume growth rentmarine marine liner services and container volume growth forecasts for trans-Pacifi c trade on the west coast. forecasts for trans-Pacific trade on the west coast. ThTh ee owner-operator DP World would “weigh demand for owner-operator DP World would “weigh demand for activation of Fairview’s Phase 2 South expansiontotoalign align activation of Fairview’s Phase 2 South expansion the project schedule with market demand”. the project schedule with market demand”.

“Phase 2 South ... would provide capacity to meet Can-

“Phase 2 South ... would provide capacity to meet Canada’s Pacific container terminal capacity requirements for decades to come in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible ” said Maksim Mihic,requirements DP World for ada’s Pacific manner, container terminal capacity Canada group general manager, who signed the agreedecades to come in a cost-effective and environmentally ment for the feasibility study with Don Krusel, PRPA Canresponsible manner,” said Maksim Mihic, DP World president and CEO on Sunday. ada group general manager, who signed the agreement for e growthstudy in traffi c atDon the Krusel, FairviewPRPA Terminal, Northand the“Th feasibility with president America’s fastest-growing intermodal gateway, has been CEO on Sunday. a “Th validation of the Prince Rupert advantages in trans-Pae growth in traffic at the Fairview Terminal, North cific shipping.

We are pleased to see DPgateway, World ready to a America’s fastest-growing intermodal has been seize those advantages and move forward with planning validation of the Prince Rupert advantages in trans-Pacific the terminal’s continued Kruselready said. to seize shipping.

We are pleasedexpansion, to see DP ”World Government of Canada approval and environmental those advantages and move forward with planning the assessmentcontinued certification was received for said.

Phase 2 South terminal’s expansion, ” Krusel expansionary action in 2012.

Government of Canada approval and environmental

By Nov. 30, 718,815 TEUs beenfor shipped assessment certifi cation was had received Phasethrough 2 South the terminal, one of North America’s fastest-growing, expansionary action in 2012. which signifi a year-to-date growth more than 29 per

By Nov. 30,es718,815 TEUs had beenofshipped through cent over 2014. the terminal, one of North America’s fastest-growing, which signifies a year-to-date growth of over 29 per cent

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New North Education

A

By Rod Link

t first it might seem odd that the author of a book on how to do business in the north was promoting it in the north.

Not so, says Ramona Materi, West Vancouver consultant and author of the new book, British Columbia’s New North: How to Build Your Business, Respect Communities – and Prosper. She was in Terrace recently doing that very thing.

People in the northwest may not be fully aware of what is going on in the northeast and vice versa, says Materi of snapshots of northern BC activity that are contained in the book.

“Most people are aware of the large projects, LNG, if you will, and Site C, but there are also smaller ones,” she said listing a few like a gasoline processing plant near Chetwynd and the $800 million Brucejack gold mine being developed by Pretivm Resources near Stewart.

She says businesses need to consider all circumstances when making investment decisions.

“To use a baseball analogy, you may not hit a homerun every time, but a single can be just as valuable,” Materi said of business investments.

Aside from those snapshots of economic activity, Materi hopes other sections of the 222-page book offer insights for even well-established business people as well as people from other areas who might be drawn to the north because of its business opportunities.

There are chapters on the north’s aboriginal

28

population, concentrating on their economic history and, crucially, the growing involvement of aboriginal people and companies in current economic development. There is also information on the use of temporary foreign workers.

Materi is president of Ingenia Consulting, which offers advice on workforce and economic development, and has been coming to the north since 2011.

Through her work with the company, which included providing some of the early-on human resource information for BC Hydro’s Northwest Transmission Line, Materi discovered there was no one single ‘howto’ publication for businesspeople.

“I saw gaps in the information out there for businesses,” said Materi of why she wrote her ‘how-to’ manual. “People told me there just wasn’t anything like that.”

To fill that gap, Materi includes some up-close knowledge of specific issues, including sections based on input from a stable of northerners with the needed expertise.

For readers who have never lived in the north, Materi offers advice on travelling and day-to-day activities, including 21 tips for first-timers to the north to absorb.

The first tip – get going, says Materi in adding that land, for example, in Fort St. John is becoming increasingly expensive.

The last tip – be adventurous and have fun at what you’re doing, Materi advises.

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NIS TS’EDILH Moving Forward The province of B.C. has signalled they want to ensure more First Nations members will have the skills they need to take advantage of job opportunities, especially in the emerging LNG industry, with the announcement in Burns Lake of $365,684 in funding.

The focus of the program named “NIS TS’EDILH - We Are Moving Forward,” will provide two new Aboriginal skills training programs for members of the Tsil Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Skin Tyee First Nation, and Nee-Tahi-Buhn Indian Band.

One of the programs will provide 50 participants from the Tsil Kaz Koh and Wet’suwet’en First Nation communities with trades-related training. The bridging to trades component of the program includes in-classroom instruction, as well as hands-on training. The initial classroom time will provide safety certifications, essential skills and career awareness training.

The hands-on training includes eight weeks of practical shop time, one week of blended experience across five construction and mechanical trades. Additional classroom time will provide participants with information about trades opportunities and familiarize them with the apprenticeship system. The program will be delivered by the College of New Caledonia.

THE

E T E R C N O C M AN • Ready Mix Concrete • Concrete Foundations • Excavating & Demolition • Concrete Pumping • Concrete Finishing • 100+ concrete blocks in stock • Drain Rock & Road Crush • Sand & Gravel • Snow Removal & Sanding

An additional $396,762 is being invested in a seven-month program that will provide an opportunity for 60 participants from the Skin Tyee and Nee-Tahi-Buhn communities to pursue post-secondary opportunities and meaningful careers in environmental sciences while remaining in their communities.

The program includes “Stepping Stones”, a certificate component with six courses in community-based project planning and foundational skills for project implementation. An environmental field assistant component includes training in wildlife, land and water monitoring. Essential skills in areas such as oral communications, document use and digital technology are also provided.

Provincial funding for these programs is provided through the Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund which is investing up to $30 million over the next three years for new Aboriginal skills training projects and partnerships.

Offering community-driven skills training is one part of the Province’s efforts to include First Nations communities and Aboriginal people in new LNG sector opportunities.

B.C. is also working with First Nations communities on environmental stewardship priorities and financial benefits agreements.

“I’ve learned to be myself and have confidence.

I’m so happy that I came.”

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•

Career Opportunities •

DISTRICT OF HOUSTON

Corporate Services Officer The District of Houston is looking for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment to assume the role of Corporate Services Officer.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Corporate Services Officer is responsible for corporate administration as stated under Section 148 of the Community Charter. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated professional with excellent written and verbal communication skills, have a working knowledge of local government legislation and procedures along with education and experience relative to this position. An ability to maintain positive relations with the public, coworkers, various committees, Council and senior levels of government is essential.

As a dynamic, self-motivated individual this position will be a key member of the senior management team committed to achieving the goals and objectives as set by Mayor and Council. Public communication and open government transparency are important to the District and the Corporate Services Officer will be responsible for producing and overseeing all communications including print publications.

You will have a good understanding of parliamentary procedures, and BC Municipal Legislation including the Community Charter, Local Government Act, Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act and Robert’s Rules of Order. The position is also responsible for Civic and School Board Elections and the Board of Variance.

The successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree in public administration, a certificate in Local Government Administration or a minimum of five (5) years experience at the corporate officer level.

This position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, detailed resume, and references by 4:00 pm on Friday, January 29, 2016 to: Attn: Michael D. Glavin, CAO, District of Houston 3367 – 12th , PO Box 370, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0 cao@houston.ca The District of Houston requires all positions undergo a Criminal Record Check.

We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position and advise that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted

A division of

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January 2016

Vice President Human Resources

Northern Savings Credit Union is seeking a Vice President Human Resources. This is an exciting opportunity to exhibit leadership in developing a culture of engagement and accountability to our members, employees and communities in support of the credit union vision, “Neighbours helping neighbours to build sustainable communities”. Northern Savings operates four branch locations, insurance and wealth management divisions and a head office located in Prince Rupert, BC with over 160 talented employees. A recent re-structuring affords the successful candidate the ability to design and lead in the implementation of compensation and performance management programs, and to foster an employee brand that supports our vision and mission. Ideally, the Human Resources professional should have 10 years’ experience in a senior human resources role and possess or be working toward their CHRP designation.

For more information about Northern Savings Credit Union, the VP Human Resources opportunity, or to apply visit www.northsave.com

Lands admInIstrator The First Nations Framework for Land Management allows First Nations to opt out of land related sections of the Indian Act thereby enabling us to manage our reserve lands under an overarching Haisla Land Code. The Haisla Land Code was ratified by the community last year. We are seeking someone who is qualified as a Lands Administrator or is likely to be qualified for the role by April 1, 2016.

Full details can be found on: http://www.haisla.ca/council/job-opportunities/ Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume along with three references to: Stephanie McClure, Human Resources Manager Haisla Nation Council We thank all applicants for Haisla PO Box 1101, Kitamaat Village, BC, V0T 2B0 their interest, however, only Fax (250) 632-2840 those short-listed will be Email: humanresources@haisla.ca contacted.

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alora griffin architect Alora S. GrifďŹ n Phone: (250)627-1777 Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP Email: architect@citywest.ca Box 983, Prince Rupert, BC, V8J 4B7 Website: aloragrifďŹ narchitect.ca

Trade is building stronger communities.

The Port of Prince Rupert is growing opportunities and prosperity by connecting the communities of northern BC. Last year, port activity was directly responsible for the equivalent of 3,060 permanent full-time jobs.

Watch and share our video tribute to the workers and families of BC’s gateway industry: youtube.com/rupertport.