COMMUNITY: GEM’s Soupfest
PROFILE: Students engage in new way of learning
PAGE 2
PAGE 8
Publications Mail Registration #0040028607
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Proudly serving Houston and District - Home of Canada’s Largest Fly Rod
www.houston-today.com
NO. 08 $1.30 Inc. GST
Library to take over PV Market
“
By Xuyun Zeng Houston Today
BC WINTER Games
Submitted photo
The Houston girls team of Zone 7 (NorthWest) will be going to Penticton February 25-28 to compete in the BC Winter Games. Joining them will be five Terrace players. Shown above are: back row: Marli Breuer, Maggie Kenzle, Mackenzie Emberley, Riley Standbridge, Taylor Standbridge. Front row: L to R: Bailey Spooner, Madalyn Slaney. Missing is Courtney Farrell. Terrace coaches: Kenny Giesbrecht, Dinah Qualizza. Houston Liaison: Christina Emberley.
“[We] would like the market to encompass small businesses and artisans in the community...”
The Houston Public Library will run the Pleasant Valley Community Market this year and beyond, and they are looking to broaden its reach. Presenting to council last Tuesday, Houston Public Library director Toni McKilligan explained that the Library also wants to use it as a Library fundraiser. She also wants to have it held at Jamie Baxter Park and have it encompass more businesses. “ Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, the farmer’s market has been affiliated with the British Columbia Association of Farmer’s Market, which restricts the type of vendors they can have,” said McKilligan. “Because Houston is so small, our market, while it’s
thriving and doing OK, there’s just no room for it to grow.” She added that BCAFM rules require that products be “made, baked, grown or raised locally, but McKilligan argues that because of Houston’s size, it gets challenging to find vendors. Rather, she would like the market to encompass small busiSee MARKET on Page 2
Action to help mines not significant, says Critic for Energy and Mines By Flavio Nienow Black Press
The provincial government announced an action to help mines in B.C. during the global commodity slowdown. The program, delivered by B.C. Hydro, will allow companies operating metal and coal mines to temporarily defer a portion of their B.C. Hydro’s electricity payments. Minister of energy
and mines Bill Bennett said this action would provide some temporary support to help B.C. mines during the current slowdown in the sector. “We are in the midst of a challenging time for the sector and this will provide some temporary support to help the mines stay open as long as possible, hopefully until commodity prices bounce back,” said Bennett.
However, Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm MacDonald, who’s also the province’s Energy and Mines Critic, said this action will not significantly assist mines in B.C. He said decisions by government in relation to mining must employ more “long-term thinking,” ensuring that B.C. has a mining industry that operates in an environmentally and so-
www.glaciertoyota.ca
2007 Chevy Colorado
cially responsible way. “Ultimately, low commodity prices are the biggest factor, and that is not something that government can control,” said MacDonald. Low copper and coal prices have put operations at a number of British Columbia mines at risk and some have already been forced to reduce production and employee levels. Steve Robertson,
2009 Prius
4 4x
a Spokesperson at Huckleberry Mine, said it is still too soon to determine if this government action will have any sort of impact on Huckleberry. “Huckleberry is waiting for further details on the program announced by the government so that we can properly assess the impact it would have on the mine,” said Robertson. Huckleberry laid off
R
d!
ce
u ed
2010 Chevy Equinox AWD
100 workers in January and has recently announced its plans to shut down all operations by Aug. 31, 2016. Approximately 160 workers will lose their jobs when the mine shuts down. Endako Mine, located near Fraser Lake, has also been struggling with low commodity prices. The mine was placed on temporary suspension on Dec. 31, 2014, due to a contin-
2010 Honda Odyssey
ize
m Fa
S ily
ued weakness in the molybdenum market. Since then, over 300 employees have lost their jobs. Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., company that holds a 75 per cent interest in the Endako Mine, was also asked if the recent government action will have an impact on Endako Mine. However, the company did not provide a comment by press time.
2013 Dodge Go Caravan tow n S
TODAY TOMORROW TOYOTA
Smithers, BC 1.866.844.6723
G8461A1
*please add $395 Documentation
fee and applicable taxes DL#8879
NOW * ONLY
$13,998
G4534A
G4623A
NOW * ONLY
$12,998
NOW ONLY *
$16,998
G4565A
NOW ONLY
*$15,998
G8886
NOW ONLY *
$15,998