Chetwynd Echo April 23, 2014

Karen Boos 250-788-6598

Alma Walter 250-788-5168

Myra Grodzuik 250-788-6365

Dan Grodzuik 250-788-6435

Julia Nelson 250-788-6707

www.chetwyndecho.net

Come

heck

ur

out o

ood & daily f pecials s drink594 • 4613-47 Ave. nd c n in a

o

88-9

250-7

CELEBRATING 55 YEARS IN 2014

APRIL 23, 2014

b

Pu s ’ y a r Mur

$1.25 INCLUDES GST

What now?

BCTF begin job action today

Walter Energy is in a race against the clock ...

72-hour strike notice issued April 17

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Stage one of the BCTF’s job action will begin today following a 72-hour strike notice issued on Thursday, April 17.

The bitter and sometimes seemingly never ending battle between the teachers’ union, and the union representing the province’s public sector employees, came to a head on March 6 when the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) voted in favour of strike action by a wide margin – 89 per cent.

The union then had 90 days to implement job action.

This week the time has come.

This first stage will mean teachers will not undertake any mandated supervision of students outside of regularly scheduled classes, except when it is deemed essential.

Teachers will also not attend any meetings with school administrators other than for worksite Joint Health and Safety committees, will not communicate with administrators in anyway, and will only be allowed at the school for more than one hour before, and one hour after, the schools regular hours.

The union said in a release that it is fed up with the lack of progress at the bargaining table, where the BCTF and the British Columbia Public Sector Employees Association (BCPSEA) have been trying to negotiate a new deal since the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement expired on June 30, 2013.

In a release to the media, president Jim Iker says that BCTF members had hoped the strike vote would put pressure on the government to back away from the positions it has held thus far, which are deemed ‘unfair� by the union. “Unfortunately more than six weeks since [the strike

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – In the wake of the announcement from Walter Energy last week that they would be idling their Canadian operations by July, some investors are saying that the next logical step for the troubled met coal producer - which carries a debt burden of roughly $2.8 billion - would be to sell off the mine properties in northeast BC entirely.

In addition to this news, the Chetwynd Echo found out last week from Tom Hoffman, vice president of communications for Walter Energy that the $7 million in severance packages might not be made BY

Please see "EMPLOYER S," page 2

available to all employees, especially for employees working at the non-unionized Brule mine.

Tumbler Ridge feels the brunt of the impact of last week’s announcement right away, with 415 employees at the company’s Wolverine mine out of a job immediately.

Closer to Chetwynd, the Brazion group mines, which consist of the previously curtailed Willow Creek operation and the Brule mine, will close its gates to 280 people, who will be out of work on July 15.

Hoffman did not go into detail on the severance packages, saying only that who is eligible varies depending on their current labour

agreement situation. “There may not be, for Brule, a big company severance package,� he said. “I think a lot of what people might be eligible for, will be whatever is required under Canadian law.�

While production at all three Walter Energy owned mines this summer will stop, the company says the processing plants at the Willow Creek and Wolverine operations could continue most of the year, preparing the 1.1 million metric tonnes of coal in inventory for the market.

According to District of Chetwynd data, the direct impact Please see "DISTRICT," page 5

Government releases wolf management plan Wolves play a key role in Klinse-za caribou herd decline MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– VICTORIA – After an extensive public consultation that revealed strongly differing beliefs and values BY

INSIDE

on the management of wolf populations through 2,500 comments, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources has released the province’s wolf management plan.

In our region, wolves have played a key role in the dwindling population numbers of the Klinse-za northern caribou herd. The West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations have tried to stem the bleeding with the Northern Caribou Maternity Penning project.

In areas where wildlife populations are threatened by wolf predation, the government’s plan com-

mits to responsibly helping stakeholders; ranchers and First Nations, manage the impacts of expanding wolf populations.

Detailed implementation plans which have yet to be developed, will be put in place in these areas and areas where wolves affect livestock, before any actions are undertaken. “The plan fully recognizes that the fundamental

goal of wolf management in British Columbia, as with all other provincial game species, is to maintain self-sustaining populations throughout the species’ range,� the ministry said in a release. “In most areas, wolf management will be concerned with ensuring that wolves continue to serve their ecological role as a top predator. Sustainable

hunting and trapping opportunities will use controls on harvest through specified season lengths and bag limits.�

The plan had undergone a public consultation, with over 2,500 people submitting their comment in writing. “All submissions were Please see "CARIBOU," page 6

Canfor CEO opposes changes to licences

Farmer’s Market sets sight on new season

Easter Eggstravanganza for kids

Page 2

Page 7

Page 8

5008 50th Ave • Chet wynd, BC • 250-788-3755 Prices in effect from Friday April 25 - May 1

2

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Fire training

Hungry For Your Ideas Supper

The Chetwynd Volunteer Fire Department began pre-emptive burning in high hazard areas around town on Tuesday evening April 14. Vacant lots with tall grass were burned off in controlled situations to prevent brush Photo by Naomi Larsen fires from threatening homes and businesses this spring.

$ #' % # & ! ' $ % # ! ! #" # # ! # # ' "#' " & ! # # # ! # # # #" # "# % # "

Sunday, April 27 6 pm • Pine Valley Seniors Hall # ## % " # "#' " ' & ! # #" " "$ # ! ! ! ! # # # ! #

! !

Shriners Hospital for Children treats the following conditions: Scoliosis Dislocated hips Club feet Cerebral Palsy Head Injuries Rickets Absent arm or leg Spina Bifida Bone tumours Hand,leg or back problems

Sports inuries to bones, muscles or tendons Osetogenesis Imperfecta or Brittle Bone Disease Legg Parthes Diseas Cleft lip or palate Burn scars Short Legs Neuromuscular diseases

There is a Shriners Hospital nearby and available to you

3550 Wayburne Drive • Burnaby, BC • V5G 3K9 604 - 291-7707 • Fax: 604-291-9147 shriner@shawcable.com • www.shriners.bc.ca

Employer s unfair positions have barely moved says BCTF president Continued from page 1 vote], the government and employer’s unfair positions have barely moved,� said Iker.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender promptly released a statement of his own on the same day the 72-hour notice was issued, which points the finger back at the BCTF. “It’s a little disappointing but not at all surprising,� Fassbender said. “Over the past few weeks, it appears the BCTF has been more focused on implementing its strike plan than bargaining at the table.�

Premier Christy Clark has openly suggested a 10-year deal would be in the best interest of all

By donation All proceeds go towards Muscular Dystophy Canada

May 3, 2014 Downtown next to IGA

IKER

FASSBENDER

British Columbians, ensuring labour peace with the union for a decade.

The government’s position also offers up a 6.5 per cent wage increase over the first six years.

The BCTF says the 10year deal doesn’t work for them, and that they would prefer a three-year deal that includes a 13.5 per cent wage increase.

In addition, the BCTF would like to see the government stop pursuing a controversial piece of legislation that has already been struck down by the province’s supreme court.

The removal of collective bargaining agreement language in 2002, which regulated class sizes and class composition, is something the government is still pushing, despite the regulations being reinstated by the BC

Supreme Court in a late January 2014 ruling.

The government is currently going through an appeals process on the BC Supreme Court ruling, while negotiations with the BCTF continue.

Minister Fassbender says it is the BCTF whose demands are unfair, and it is the BCTF who have refused to budge on anything at the bargaining table, and instead, have gone full steam ahead with strike action. “There has been virtually no movement from the BCTF on their wage and contract positions.

The union hasn’t moved off its opening position of approximately 13.5 per cent increase over three years,� he said.

To this, the union responded that the government is trying to provoke

“As far as Canfor is concerned, the risk of aligning the public against BC s largest forestry companies outweighs any marginal benefits of expanding area-based tenures�

teachers. “Despite our patience and our measured approach in bargaining, Christy Clark and her government are once again trying to provoke BC teachers and shut down BC schools,� Iker said. “Job action is always a last resort because teachers care deeply about our schools and our students.�

That is why they are asking for smaller classes, Iker says, claiming this will increase the level of education kids get in the class room with increased one-on-one time while alleviating the stress on teachers and to ensure kids who need more attention get it.

Minister Fassbender says he doesn’t want to see a prolonged strike happen, like the one that occurred in 2012. “I’m informed that the BCPSEA will respond to the BCTF’s strike in an appropriate and principled manner to put commensurate pressure on the union.

I believed that this is a responsible approach. This time around, with the BCTF also feeling pressure to reach an agreement, we hope both sides will be equally motivated to find solutions at the table, rather than letting the BCTF’s strike drift indefi-

EEK

QUOTE OF W

- Don Kayne, Chief Executive Officer and president of Canfor Corporation, page 3

Beelyne Executive Services Ltd. Serving Chetwynd for 40 Years ACCOUNTING ~ INCOME TAX

New office hours: Summer Hours July/August Monday - Friday: Monday - Thursday 9 am to 6 pm 9am-12pm • 1pm Saturdays: - 4pm Closed 10 am -Fridays 12 pm 1 pm - 4 pm

788-3638 250-788-3638

5208 N.Access (Chinook Centre)

Johnson Rad & Muffler 4536-45th Ave

This spotPark could Industrial

be yours!

Call us today!

MON- FRI -7:00 - 5:30

SATURDAY- 8:00AM- 1:00 PM AM

788-3535

PM

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

3

Canfor CEO opposes government’s proposed changes to forest licences MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – The provincial government has kick started a public engagement process on changes to the way it doles out forest licences, and Don Kayne, Chief Executive Officer and president of Canfor Corporation was one of the first to speak up.

The government is contemplating converting some volume-based forest licences to new or expanded area-based tree farm licences, a move which Kayne says comes at an inappropriate time.

“Canfor understands that the brief consultation process is part of Minister Steve Thompson’s mandate letter and we hold Minister Thompson and his officials in the highest possible regard,” Kayne wrote in a letter to the media.

“However, BC’s interior forest sector is undergoing a significant transformation in the wake of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and in our view, this is absolutely not the time for major changes to tenure administration.”

The government says the results of the engagement process will inform how they proceed and whether legislative changes will be needed as a result of the feedback.

“We’re only interested in pursuing conversations in areas where there is support – and we’re proposing that any requests for conversion to be considered on a case-by-case basis,” Minister Thompson said in a release.

The BC Liberals have hired veteran professional forester Jim Snetsinger to compile the feedback into a report to government by the end of June.

Snetsinger, a former provincial chief forester, will also travel to at least 10 different BC communities to meet with stakeholders, First Nations, local government and members of the public who express interest in contributing to the discusBY

Canfor president and CEO Don Kayne says it’s not the right time to contemplate File photo how the government doles out forest tenures.

More importantly, the public opposition to this proposal is a deal breaker.

Kayne seems to question the government’s public engagement process, saying Canfor can only support the a “fully transparent process that is fair to all licensees and involves sufficient public involvement so we could be confident it has the support of British Columbians.”

“If government moves to an area-based tenure

process, Canfor would participate in order to protect out interests,” Kayne wrote. “But we would do so reluctantly. We consider it a needless diversion of vital government staff time – and our own staff time – away from higher priorities.”

Kayne says he believes government resources should be focused on maintaining the health of the interior forest sector, completing an updated forest inventory to support planning and decision making, resourcing smaller tenure holders and the BC Timber Sales program so they can access their tenure volume, and assisting communities “with any necessary rationalizations in primary manufacturing.”

Forest tenures represent an agreement between the provincial government and a person, company or other legally entity that provides logging rights on Crown land.

Multiple volume-based

forest licensees may operate in the same timber supply area; whereas area-based forest licensees have virtually exclusive logging rights in a defined area.

All forest tenure holders are required to make payments to the province for the Crown timber harvested under that licence, these are known as “stumpage fees”, and they are calculated based on volume of timber harvested by the tenure holder.

In 2013, more than 58,200 people were directly employed in forestry. In 201415, it is estimated that government will collect $785 million in direct forest revenue.

The majority of forest sector jobs are in rural communities, like Chetwynd, across the province, and in some regions the economic contribution of forestry exceeds 40 per cent.

DON KAYNE sion.

It was still not known by press time if Chetwynd would be on that list.

The meetings will focus on the potential benefits that proponents seeking conversions may be able to provide, the criteria for evaluating applications, and the process for implementing conversions.

Conversions are not being considered on a province wide basis, the government says.

They are one “tool in the toolbox” that may help with mid-term timber supply issues in parts of the Interior that have been impacted by the mountain pine beetle.

Kayne says that government and industry must focus on understanding what timber is available and what adjustments are needed in primary manufacturing.

“We feel the benefits of area-based tenures are marginal at best and that there are many higher pri-

orities that would yield greater positive impacts,” he wrote.

“More importantly, the public opposition to this proposal is a deal breaker.

As far as Canfor is concerned, the risk of aligning the public against BC’s largest forestry companies outweighs any marginal benefits of expanding area-based tenures.”

Just where Kayne perceives the public’s opposition to the proposal is unclear, as consultations only began this month.

They will take place over the next two months, ending on noon May 30, 2014.

People are invited to participate in the public discussion on the expansion of area-abased forest management at: http://engage.gov.bc/foresttenures The site contains reference material, a frequently asked questions section, a discussion paper, and an interactive blog where a conversation will occur online.

Quit. Before your time runs out.

www.bc.lung.ca

Wednesday 16

High: 6 Low: -5

Friday 18

Thursday 17

High: 5 Low: -5

High: 9 Low: 0

Saturday 19

High: 12 Low: 0

prepared for driving winter driving conditions.

BeBe prepared for seasonal conditions.

Check www.drivebc.ca

Check www.drivebc.ca or phone 1-800-550-4997 phone 1-800-550-4997 for the latest conditions in BC fororthe latest road conditions in road British Columbia.

Sunday 20

High: 11 Low: 3

Tuesday 22

Monday 21

High: 10 Low: -3

High: 10 Low: 0

Use caution when passing Use caution when passing or encountering or encountering road maintenance equipment.road maintenance equipment.

Drive Safely!

Drive Safely!

4

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Always at the mercy of world coal prices NOTABLY NOMI :)

I

can’t imagine showing up for work one day only to find the doors locked and someone Naomi Larsen is Editor for the Chetwynd Echo. telling me, sorry we’ve Contact her at by phone at 250.788.2246 or via email had to make cutbacks the editor@chetwyndecho.net Echo is closed as of today.

To me that would be a nightmare. For many that nightmare came true last week as Walter Energy employees arrived ready to start their day at Wolverine mine only to be told to go home – they’re done.

Walter calls it “idling” with “temporary layoffs.”

But hundreds call it something different: unemployed.

Walter also says they place to only stay closed until coal prices recover. So what do their employees do until then?

Officials told the press they have tried everything to try and keep their doors open however as coal prices plummeted, they weren’t able to keep up and extracting it became more expensive than selling it. In fact the steelmaking ingredient has slumped to a six year low.

In February Walter posted a fourth quarter loss of $174.3 million. Rumours began flying at that point about what the company’s future held.

Even Vancouver-based Teck Resources has been slowing down their decision about whether or not to restart the Quintette coal mine. The future of coal is not as bright as it once was.

But that is nothing new. I have lived in mining communities the majority of my life. There’s up and downs all the time, that’s just the way it goes. Sometimes the roads are paved with milk and honey and sometimes they’re paved with manure. You just never know.

And I feel for those employees. With Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge being small communities, one hears the heartbreaking stories of people who are being affected. Some families haven’t even been here for six months and are now drowning in debt after uprooting their families and purchasing homes in the area after accepting employment at these mines.

Also what I find interesting is that while around 700 employees at Walter are losing their jobs, Vancouverbased HD Mining International wants to bring 500 Chinese workers for its proposed $300 million Murray River coal mine.

In an interview with Resource Clips on Mining.com Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond said the government believes in “saying yes to economic development,” and that if the Murray River project becomes a fully developed mine, authorities plan to do everything they can to ensure British Columbians are trained to fill these jobs first.”

As of this spring, the Murray River project is still seeking approval but are currently undertaking exploration and sampling works and working to finalize their Environmental Assessment application.

But if Walter Energy is shutting down because coal prices are plummeting, why are new mines chomping at the bit to start up?

In the meantime for those affected by the recent layoffs, Grande Cache Coals is hosting a job fair April 29 and 30 at the Tumbler Ridge Recreation Centre (see the ad on page 3 in this week’s Echo). Good luck to everyone who applies.

At the end of the day we’re always going to be at the mercy of world prices as long as we’re content to be miners of coal.

Fan us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter www.chetwyndecho.net

COLUMN

The new green fence is the start of something brand new for Chetwynd MAYORA S REPORT

T

he first thing that caught my eye as I came to work on April 14 was a new green fence in town.

You may wonder why I would get excited over a new fence that’s too high to jump, even a green fence. This fence is a barricade, in fact, it’s a barricade to keep me out of a work site. I love work sites and I will usually accept an invitation to visit and marvel at the skill of the workers. I will especially enjoy this one as it is the site of the new municipal hall.

This fence is the beginning of change in this part of town; it’s a harbinger of much more to come.

Chetwynd really is going to get a new office.

I don’t remember how far back the idea of a new municipal hall was first voiced. I do know that the

among cost, temporary serviceabilsection, the ity, durabilportables still i t y , housing the appearance, C o u n c i l and style chamber, was met intended to We chose to build that serve only and we believe that y o u r five years. the majority of citi- budget and That must zens in our home- your discriminating have been town agree with more than 25 CouncilA s decision. tastes. The residents of years ago our town when Andy went far to Teslyk was push CounCAO. Council cil up the discussed the hill toward idea at length a commitduring one of Mayor Saugstad’s terms ment to act. When we fiand began putting aside nally understood that the funds against the time that tax payers of town construction could hap- favoured our building of a pen. That must have been new municipal hall, and at least six years ago. Good more than that, they things do take time. Per- favoured our building a fahaps, as much as anything cility that was pleasing to else, good things take the look at as well as serviceable, Council said, “Let’s do will to act.

During the first year of it.” Only it was said in the my term as Mayor, Council legal format and terminolbegan serious study of the ogy of a bylaw.

Now with the defeasibility of funding the new municipal hall. It took sign completed, the conseveral iterations but even- tract with the builder tually we struck a balance signed, and the stakes in

the ground, I wouldn’t be surprised if digging begins before you get to read this piece of modern literature.

Take a walk-by on North Access and Hospital Roads to observe for yourselves the progress of the work.

The total cost of the project, including landscaping and paving, will approach $5 million Canadian.

That’s a lot of coin no matter how you view it. One thing the project won’t cost the tax payer is an increase in your tax rate. I agree, we could have put those dollars toward other projects.

We could have, but that would have condemned our hard-working Staff and Administration to more years in inadequate quarters.

We chose to build and we believe that the majority of citizens in our home town agree with Council’s decision.

Disclaimer: The preceding is the opinion of Mayor Merlin Nichols and may or may not reflect the views and/or wishes of council.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Looks like John Hogan will be new NDP leader

Were you affected by Walter Energy’s recent layoffs?

To the Editor: Unless something changes between now and the first of May, it looks like John Horgan will become the new leader of the NDP by acclimation. Although I’m not an NDP supporter, one has to wish him well given the staggering if not impossible job he has ahead of him.

To his credit, and not all that long ago, Horgan did indicate that he understands we have to tap BC's natu-

ral resources to grow and sustain the BC economy. However, I’m sceptical that his apparent pro-economy sentiment will actually work its way into NDP practice. If the past is any guide, the collection of special interests that make up the NDP will invariably hobble any agenda that does not serve their special interest objectives.

For instance, with people like the Sierra Club's George Heyman in his

caucus, and a significant environmental activist contingent firmly embedded within the NDP, how will Horgan be able to pursue a proeconomy resource extraction agenda as stated and protect and grow resource-based jobs in mining, forestry, and energy? I doubt that he can.

Sandra Robinson Maple Ridge, BC

Email editor@chetwyndecho.net or log onto our Facebook page. Your response could be included in our pages next week!

Chetwynd

www.chetwyndecho.net

ECHO

Published each Wednesday by Draper & Dobie Company Inc. P.O Box 750 • 5016 50th Ave. Chetwynd, BC • V0C 1J0

Telephone: 250-788-2246 Fax: 250-788-9988 Email: publisher@chetwyndecho.net Fan us on Facebook • Read us online www.chetwyndecho.net

An independent community newspaper established in1959.

Its main interests are those which best serve the Chetwynd area including Hudsonʼs Hope, Jackfish, Hasler and Groundbirch areas.

Naomi Larsen, Publisher/ Editor/Sales publisher@chetwyndecho.net editor@chetwyndecho.net sales@chetwyndecho.net production@chetwyndecho.net

Mike Carter, Reporter

reporter@chetwyndecho.net

Tammy Cloarec, Office Manager accounts@chetwyndecho.net

Office Hours Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm

Submission deadlines: Friday at 4 pm

The opinions expressed on the editorial page of the Chetwynd Echo are strictly those of the paricular writers involved and are not necessarily shared or supported in any way by Draper & Dobie Company Inc, itʼs management or employees. The columns of the Chetwynd Echo editorial page are open to letters to the editor of reasonable length dealing with current events or other concerns. All correspondence must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The newspaper reserves the right to edit, condense or reject any submission or advertisements.

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

5

District of Chetwynd# s plan to include Willow Creek within its boundaries could be dead in the water Continued from page 1 on Chetwynd will be felt through the approximately 40 employees living in town that work at the Brule mine, the roughly 39 Chetwynd residents working at the Willow Creek operation, and the five employees working at the Walter Energy office in town.

These numbers don’t include 23 additional Chetwynd residents working at the Willow Creek processing plant.

“That's probably representing close to 80 families in Chetwynd and, that hurts,” said Chetwynd Mayor Merlin Nichols.

Nichols says the impact could be offset slightly by the opening of the Paper Excellence pulp mill, on the former Tembec pulp mill site, about 20 minutes east on Highway 97.

“The District is working with the government to make the transition easier,” he said. “There is not a whole lot to do when you lose a job... we can set up job fairs and so on, but beyond that, there is not a whole lot that we can do sadly.”

Indirectly, the town will also feel the effects of the mine closures through the spin-off support industries and lack of expendable income that comes with the highly paid jobs.

Maple Leaf Loading Ltd., for one, a wholly owned subsidiary of Calgary-based Pro-Trans, which employs many temporary Chetwynd residents, issued a statement last week stating they expect to stop hauling in the

ThatA s probably representing close to 80 families in Chetwynd and that hurts.

NICHOLS area by the end of the year.

Walter Energy was Maple Leaf Loading Ltd.’s largest customer.

Many other spinoff support businesses in town will be feeling the pinch over the next year, and the real estate market is also expected to take a big hit as many houses come onto the market, which can have a lowering effect on house prices.

FOR SALE? These lost jobs in northeast BC are termed by Walter Energy as “temporary lay offs”, but some in the investing world are saying the logical next step for the company would be to sell off their mine properties in Northeast BC, despite the highcost operations being a tough sell.

Vladimir Zernov, of the investors news service “The Motley Fool”, says the Canadian mines were destined to be idled in the face of the current slump in metallurgical coal prices.

He also notes that the operations will be a hard sell, but a logical step for

Walter Energy, which carries an almost $2.8 billion debt burden.

“Walter Energy stated that coal reserves at its Canadian mines remained valuable assets. This is true, but it will be extremely hard to extract value from these assets in the near term,” Zernov said.

“It's difficult to think of a company that will be willing to acquire high-cost mines during the period of met coal overproduction and plunging met coal prices. In my view, the sale is still the next logical step.

Walter Energy needs to deleverage. The company recently raised $550 million from the debt market, but this money won't last long.

“Walter Energy has to pay $260 million under 2011 credit agreement and senior notes payments this year. In 2015, this number will rise to $579 million.

It's probable that Walter Energy will try to find a buyer for all or some of its Canadian mines closer to the beginning of the next year. However, the selling price is likely to be low, given depressed met coal

WHY

SUBSCRIBE?

market conditions and the fact that Walter Energy has little negotiating power in current circumstances.”

The bottom line: by reducing their Canadian operations to the work of processing coal at the Willow Creek and Wolverine plants, the immediate cash flow issues Walter Energy faces will be alleviated.

However, “there’s still a long way to go before Walter Energy finds itself in safe waters,” he notes.

Glencore Xstrata, who already owns multiple coal tenures surrounding the soon-to-be defunct Walter Energy properties, could be interested in purchasing the mine properties. But, there is no indication yet from Glen-

Chetwynd.

The fact that this might spawn a potential mass migration to Alberta is something that the Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett is worried about.

“It is obviously not a good thing and government will do everything that it can to help. I mean Grande Cache has got... they’ve got issues as well,” Bennett told the Chetwynd Echo last week.

“There is this temporary period of time now where the folks that are getting laid off, they have every right to look at their options and I guess if they want to go to Alberta, that is what they'll do.”

Bennett also hinted on the fact that Chetwynd’s

It is obviously not a good thing and the government will doanything it can to help.

BENNETT core Xstrata, in a public ambition to incorporate sense, that they are con- the Willow Creek mine into the towns boundary’s templating this move.

– a move that when first proposed last year was to “IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A GOOD THING.” bring in $350,000 in tax Companies such as revenue for the town per Grande Cache coal are year - could be dead in the now actively recruiting in water.

“There is nothing that the Tumbler Ridge area, and are soon expected to the municipality did that be doing the same in caused Walter Energy to

make their decision, I am not saying that,” Bennett said.

“While I support generally a move eventually in that direction, this just really kind of goes to show you that, you really have to be careful that you don’t put extra costs on a company because when commodity prices go down, every single cost that they've got gets factored in.”

In last week’s interview with the Chetwynd Echo Hoffman said that the price of met coal basically made the decision to idle the Canadian operations automatic.

“This last round of price settlements for some of the types of metallurgical coal that we produce just really almost took the decision out of our hands and made it automatic in a sense,” he said.

He also said that the company, in public statements, fully expects the mine properties to be back in operation under Walter Energy’s name.

“The unfortunate thing is you don’t have a crystal ball that can tell you with the sort of precision you'd like when things are going to recover but yet, with some perspective of history, [we] feel pretty confident that there will be a recovery and when that recovery occurs there will be a point at which we are going to bring these mines back,” he said. “[But] that doesn't make it any easier to have to tell as many people as we had to tell that they were going to be laid off.”

Kudos &

Kicks ve a S off 0 nd 1 $ wsstaivery) l Ne e De m Ho

(

KUDOS ... to Mark and Dana for being so informative and helpful and caring when it comes to owners and their pets.

KUDOS ... to the Chetwynd Echo for now offering e-subscriptions! What a great idea!

KUDOS ... to Leah at the bank for always having a wonderful smiling face for each of her customers.

KICKS ... to Mother Nature - pick a season already!

250-788-2246

Community news delivered to yourto Community News Delivered doorstep, your mailbox or inbox each week Your Door Each Week

ECHO

Chetwynd Echo 5016 - 50th Avenue

KUDOS ... to everyone who shops local and keeps our money in our town!

KUDOS ... to Mike for all the work he does - so great!

Do you have a kudos or kick for someone? Email them to EDITOR@CHETWYNDECHO.NET or drop them off at our office in beautiful

downtown Chetwynd (inbetween Talisman and JobSearch)

You can email us at editor@chetwyndecho.net; mail to Box 750 Chetwynd B.C. V0C 1J0 or drop of your letter at 5016 50 Avenue. All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so we can confirm that it came from you. The Echo reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, legality, length and to refuse publication of any submitted material. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for a story. So, be sure to keep your letters brief and to the point. Letters originating from the Peace region get priority. We encourage new contributors as we attempt to publish a cross- section of public opinion.

- Naomi Larsen, Editor

6

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Caribou " sitting ducks# for ever increasing wolf populations Continued from page 1

Losing your grip?

TAKE THE TEST Are your dentures Loose?

Painful?

Keeping you from smiling?

Over 5 years old?

In your pocket?

DENTURIST: Jodie Atkinson

We Can Help You! Call to book a FREE consultation

250-782-6004

www.MileZeroDentureClinic.ca 816-103rd Avenue

carefully reviewed,” the ministry explained, “and helped inform the final plan.”

The results of the consultation confirm there are strongly differing beliefs and values on the management of wolf populations and re-affirmed for the government, the importance that they make balanced decisions on the basis of sound science.

The plan summarizes the best available scientific information on the biology and threats to the species and informs the development of a management framework. It sets goals and objectives, and recommends approaches appropriate for species or ecosystem conservation.

It indicates that wolf populations are likely stable or increasing throughout the province and are not considered “at-risk”.

Quite the opposite, according to local First Nations.

Chief Roland Willson of the West Moberly First Nation, in conversation with the Chetwynd Echo, has said that wolf populations in our region have spiked over the last few years.

Willson attributes the population increase to linear disturbances and the creation of “early seral” forests, which are made up of the early growth that takes over after a cutblock has been logged.

Last wolf management plan was prepared in 1979.

File photo

WILLSON A natural resource officer (who withheld his name) adds that snowmobile tracks act like highways for wolves.

He says these forests create prime moose habitat, and that wolves follow the moose into the territory to find not only moose to feed on, but also vulnerable caribou.

As a result the wolf population has exploded.

In turn, the populations of the Klinse-za caribou herd that live near the West Moberly First Nation, have dwindled to less than 20 animals.

A penning project, started by West Moberly, Saulteau First Nations and industry partners, aims to double the population if successful. By watching over the animals until they give birth, they reduce the chance or predation by wolves.

Ten pregnant caribou cows have already been penned and they and their newborn calves will be released in July (see last week’s Chetwynd Echo for the full story.)

During the vulnerable

period of pregnancy, caribou are “sitting ducks” for the ever-increasing wolf population.

Yet, government data seems to contrast the empirical evidence. That data states that the current wolf population estimate is about 8,500 which is similar to an earlier estimate of 8,100 in 1991.

The last wolf management plan was prepared in 1979, and the new plan provides a substantive update in the science guiding the conservation and management of wolves.

The BC government says it is committed to ensuring sustainable wildlife populations and healthy predator-prey relationships throughout the province.

Fort Nelson First Nation tells government officials to leave shale gas conference

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– FORT NELSON – Around 300 elders, aboriginal leaders, industry executives and government officials gather in Fort Nelson last week to discuss the effects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, used in the extraction of natural gas.

The theme of the conference, which ran from April 14-16, was “Striking a Balance,” but after government officials were perceived to be making important decisions “behind the scenes,” the chief of the Fort Nelson First Nation asked them to leave the room so that the community members could talk freely and openly amongst themselves.

“We had planned for a really good conference where we could really honour our treaty and talk about how the Fort Nelson First Nation territory will be governing our lands,” said Chief Sharleen Gale, speaking to APTN news.

Gale explains that her nation sat down with the Minister of Natural Gas development, Rich Coleman and the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, John Rustad, to talk about natural gas development in the region.

“I really thought that we were on a new path forward,” she says. “But, unfortunately, behind the scenes they were making decisions that will greatly effect our people going forward and the spirit of the treaty is peace and sharing and with those decisions, going forward it’s not going to work for us, it’s not the path we can walk together.”

On the last day of the conference, April 16, government officials were asked to leave.

“We have some serious discussion to have with our council, and our community with this high level is disrespect to our people, we are seriously looking at counseling our Oil and Gas Commission consultation agreement. We have to look how we are going forward with our community. There are some serious considerations we need to take going forward.”

The Fort Nelson First Nation encompasses the Liard, Horn River and the Cordova Embyament, all within the Monteny shale gas formation

Follow the Chetwynd Echo

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

7

Farmer’s market sets sights on new season Organizer warns if participation doesn8 t pick up, this year8 s market may be the last MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Susan Becker, manager of the Chetwynd Farmer’s Market, was feeling a little glum when the Chetwynd Echo caught up with her a few weeks ago. She had called a general meeting for the farmer’s market, and hardly anyone showed up.

“Only three people showed up other than Julie [Shaw] and I,” she said. “Not a good start, none of the regular vendors. If participation doesn’t improve this year will be my last.”

But the group was able to draw up a plan for the new season. And after a bit of a pep talk, Becker was feeling good about the possibility of the market growing.

May 23 will be the first Chetwynd Farmer’s Market for the 2014 season.

BY

Just like last year, they will be located in Spirit Park, which is behind the Canada Post, accessible by 51 Ave. The market will be open from 3 – 7 p.m. weekly.

A price for membership to the farmer ’s market has been set at a cost to vendors of $10.

Membership is not required for vendors, but entitles the vendor to vote for whom they would like to see on the executive committee, and to sit on the committee themselves, if they would like.

Memberships are also not restricted to vendors, customers are welcome to become a member of the farmer ’s market as well and submit their ideas for improving the grassroots organization.

Becker also says that the farmer ’s market group has put together a

A vendor displays here goods at a 2013 Chetwynd Farmer’s Market. The organizing committee has set it sets on a Christmas Market this year, and will be re-opening the outdoor market on May 23. Like last year, the market is located in Spirit Park and operates every Friday from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

File photo

“Only three people showed up other than Julie and I... not a good start...if participation doesnA t improve ... this year will be my last.

welcome package for new vendors, which supplies them with the rules, as set out by the market group, and a briefing on what food items are, and are not, allowed to be sold.

There is no charge for the booklet. Becker says she will be handing them out on May 23 and the first market. New vendors can also contact Becker at 250-788-3477 if they would like to obtain

a copy of the booklet.

A new event has been added to the calendar for the Chetwynd farmer ’s market this year. The group will host a Christmas market during the holiday season with a date, time and location yet to be determined.

Becker says she remains optimistic and excited for the new season, and adds that the market is always looking to encourage new

vendors to come out an sell their goods.

“I have talked to a few people that are interested in becoming vendors, but we still need more people showing up to the meetings,” she said.

The logistics of the growing market remain an issue year in and year out. The group enjoys the location they have now, but find it hard to offer many food items that are typically a popular draw at farmer’s markets.

“It’s hard to do food without electricity, and health regulations are strict so we have to be careful,” Becker explains.

“Maybe someone could set up a barbeque and sell hot dogs.”

Becker noted she would be contacting the group that hosts the Chetwynd Coffeehouses to see if anyone would be inter-

ested in busking at the market. She is also looking into contacting two well-known Chetwynd summer landmarks Bill’s Burger Barn and Jodie’s Ice Cream trailer – to see if they would be interested in joining forces once a week on Friday from 3 – 7 p.m.

The farmer ’s market group will host a Market Safe course this spring, May 10 at the Chetwynd Public Library from 9:15 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The course covers food safety training for farmers and producers who make, bake or grow products to sell at a Farmer ’s Market or other types of temporary market.

For more information, or to register for the course, visit the District of Chetwynd Office or call Susan Becker at the number listed above.

8

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

It was an ...

Chetwynd Echo

Eggstravaganza

Little Giant Figure Skating Club

Tuesday April 29, 2014 at 6 p.m Chetwynd Public Library

Draw for 50% off 2014/15 registration fees

The District of Chetwynd wishes to remind residence that, with the warm weather, concerns regarding property become more prevalent. The snow melts and reveals once buried objects and the sand and gravel that was once our friend is now our enemy.

The Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 912, 2009, is designed to enhance the general quality of neighbourhoods, to protect the safety, health and well-being of the public and to ensure the continued enjoyment of properties for residents and owners.

Here are some common complaints that may be addressed under this District bylaw: • Rubbish, garbage or litter • Excessive growth of long grass (as defined by the bylaw) • The presence of noxious weeds such as thistles and knapweed • Inoperative vehicles, trailers, machinery and appliances The consolidated version of this and other District Bylaws can be found on the District of Chetwynd website at www.gochetwynd.com under the Municipal Office heading; or you can request a copy at the District office located at 5400 North Access Road (please note a fee may be charged for the photocopying).

Our office is happy to answer any questions about this or other Bylaws you may have; please contact Marv Schwartz, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, by phone at 250-401-4119, or by email mschwartz@gochetwynd.com

Young children from Chetwynd and surrounding areas gathered at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre on April 16, 2014 for the annual Easter Eggstravaganza. The arena area was buzzing, as children took part in crafts, games, relay races, egg hunts and of course, were graced with the early presence of the Easter Bunny himself, who made a quick stop in town before returning later on in the weekend.

Photos by Mike Carter

CHETWYND YOUTH LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP -'#4' $' #&7+4'& 5*#5 5*' +453+%5 0( *'58:/& +4 #%%'15+/) /0.+/#5+0/4 (03 5*' *'58:/& "065* '#&'34*+1 %*0-#34*+1 *+4 4%*0-#34*+1 +4 +/5'/&'& 50 3'%0)/+;' #/& 3'8#3& 06545#/&+/) %0/53+$65+0/ 50 5*' %0..6/+5: $: # 1'340/ 8*0 +4 )3#&6#5+/) (30. 4'%0/&#3: 4%*00- +/

#/& +4 +/5'/&+/) 50 16346' 1045 4'%0/&#3: '&6%#5+0/ &+1.$45+,2 4,6(4,$ 0/<3.#5+0/ 0( 3')+453#5+0/ #5 # 1045 4'%0/&#3: #%#&'.+% 03 53#&' +/45+565+0/ +/ 5*'

#-- '.'45'3 *' %#/&+&#5' 8+-- *#7' &'.0/453#5'& %0/4+45'/5 $'*#7+063 07'3 5+.' +/ 5*' (0--08+/) ,': #3'#4 = +/& #/& )'/'3064 $'*#7+063 508#3& 5*' '-&'3-: = (('%5+7' -'#&'34*+1 +/ 5*' #3'# 0( '/%063#)+/) *'#-5*: $'*#7+063 #.0/) 1''34 = (('%5+7' -'#&'34*+1 +/ 5*' #3'# 0( &+4%063#)+/) 6/*'#-5*: $'*#7+063 #.0/) 1''34 = '/503+/) 0( :06/)'3 1'340/4 = 305'%5+/) :06/)'3 1'340/4 (30. )308+/) 61 *#;#3&4 46%* #4 &36) #%5+7+5: $6--:+/) = '*#7+063 5*#5 &'.0/453#5'4 3'41'%5 (03 5*' 03&'3 0( 40%+'5: = !0-6/5''3 #%5+7+5: = 5*'3 50 $' &'4%3+$'& $: 5*' 1'340/4 .#,+/) 5*' /0.+/#5+0/ 0/' 5+.' '7'/5 &'.0/453#5+/) '953#03&+/#3: %063#)' #/& 03 1'34'7'3#/%' +/ 5*' (#%' 0( '953'.' 1'3+- .#: 26#-+(: # 1'340/ (03 5*' #8#3& 1307+&'& 5*' 1045 4'%0/&#3: 3')+453#5+0/ 3'26+3'.'/5 +4 .'5 0.+/#5+0/ (03.4 %#/ $' 1+%,'& 61 #5 5*' +453+%5 (<%' 03 #3' #7#+-#$-' 0/ 5*' +453+%5 0( *'58:/& 8'$4+5' #5 888 )0%*'58:/& %0. -'#4' 46$.+5 %0.1-'5'& /0.+/#5+0/ (03.4 $: 1 . 0/ #:

50 +453+%5 0( *'58:/&

035* %%'44 0#& 09 *'58:/& ! #9 0

.#+- & %*'5 )0%*'58:/& %0.

03 (635*'3 +/(03.#5+0/ 1-'#4' %0/5#%5 5*' +453+%5 (<%' #5

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

9

The newspaper is just what you need to keep up on the latest news and trends happening in our community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect way to stay informed and competitive every week.

Goes great with morning coffee.

Call today for special subscription rates and save!

250-788-2246

Chetwynd echo

Ecole Windrem Elementary holds open house to showcase dual track school Open house set for Friday April 25 MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHETWYND â&#x20AC;&#x201C; There is no doubt about it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are a lot of choices for parents in Chetwynd with children who are about to enter into their first year of schooling.

And those choices also allow parents many options for their kids who may already be in school, but might be looking for a change.

Chetwynd has: Little Prairie Elementary with its project based learning approach, Don Titus Elementary which offers a Montessori style of learning, and Peace Christian School is the private school offering in town.

And then, there is Ecole Windrem Elementary, which offers both regular English classes and French immersion, in what is called a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dual trackâ&#x20AC;? school setting.

Lauri Mason, principal at Ecole Windrem Elementary said she was very surprised to learn that some families in Chetwynd were not aware that the school offered both French and English classes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are definitely a dual track school,â&#x20AC;? Mason said in an interview with the Echo last week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a teacher very recently speaking with a longtime Chetwynd family and someone said something about, 'well Windrem is only French immersion', well - it's not.â&#x20AC;?

Mason has also been hearing parents concerns about the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recess time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location to a busy street, and close proximity to the Chetwynd Secondary School chief among the concerns that were most recently raised.

Mason is hoping to dispel some of these rumors this week by giving parents a chance to see how the school mitigates those BY

issues.

For curious parents in the community who may want to come and see just what a typical day at Windrem Elementary looks like, they will have the chance to do just that this Friday April 25, at the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open house.

Both English and French classrooms will be open to visitors.

From the beginning of

We will have some of our PAC members here ... so parents have an opportunity to talk to other parents from Windrem.

classes at 9:00 a.m., until noon, parents are invited to walk into the school and have a look around to see just how a dual track school works, and how their kids might benefit from learning Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second language.

Parents can also join in on a regularly scheduled recess to see how it works, and to have their concerns addressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be during regular class time,â&#x20AC;? Mason explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents have the opportunity of seeing what it would look like for their child with a kindergarten class in English, and in French. The idea behind [the open house] is that, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opportunity to see what a typical day looks like at Windrem School.â&#x20AC;?

This is the second year the school has hosted an open house for parents.

Members of Windremâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parental Advisory Committee (PAC) will also be on hand during the day, giving parents of prospective students another opportunity to gather even more information about the school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will have some of our PAC members here because they will be doing hot lunch on Friday so, parents have an opportunity to talk to other parents from Windrem.â&#x20AC;?

Parents will also be able to have a question and answer session with some of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intermediate French immersion students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That would give parents an opportunity to ask about what are you learning in French, what have been your struggles, where have you succeeded, what are your future plans perhaps, to use French, what are your thoughts now that you have gone from kindergarten up to grade 7 with French, were you happy that that was a choice your family made for you, those kind of questions that maybe a kindergarten or a teacher couldn't answer, but an intermediate student could maybe give some perspective on,â&#x20AC;?

Mason explains.

For more information you can call the school at 250-788-2528 during regular school hours.

Peace Christian School is accepting registration for the 2014/2015 school year. Peace Christian School offers a K-12 education that involves: ( ! "# " " " "

( # ' ! " # ' " !" % " " " ! !# " ( ! ! $ " (

# # # # "! ( &" # # " $ " ! " # #" " # " & ( ! " " ! "

" !

"# " ! " " " ! ! ( $ "# " ! " '

( " " ! ( !" " " ( $ "# " ( # " ! ( #

( ! ! " " !!

If you are interested in private education without the monthly financial tuition, go to: www.peacechristianschool.ca.

You can request more info at 250-788-2044 or email us at peacechristianschool@gmail.com

HELLO! my name is

Introduce yourself to hundreds of new customers in the pages of the Chetwynd Echo. ItĘźs a great way to showcase your products and services to consumers who care about keeping our community vibrant and strong by supporting local businesses like yours.

ADS RATES

start at just $33

Contact Naomi Larsen at 250-788-2246 or sales@chetwyndecho.net today, and let us start spreading the word about your business.

10

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Shots are overwhelmingly safe, but complications can occur, and some say it's time for compensation Do you have an opinion: Share it!

Email editor@chetwyndecho.net

Raymond Belanger Oct. 31, 1952 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 12, 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE BEST STEP DAD WE COULD EVER HAVE"

! # ! ! $ ! # ! ! ! " ! $ ! % " $

" $ ! $ !

" $ # !

! $ ! ! ! ! $ # $ ! ! ! # $ ! $ ! # $ $ ! # $ ! ! ! % # $ # # # $ " $ ! # ! !

Forever missed and always loved Chris and Candice LaFaver To show your Condolences please make donations to the Alzheimer s Society.

4565 VETERANS WAY

5111 41 STREET

OTTAWA CITIZEN â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gwenn wasn't thinking about anything but her son's deteriorating health when she rushed him to the British Columbia Children's Hospital in 1996.

The seven-month-old baby had a fever for about a week, then began having small seizures. But this one was different.

Gwenn would learn at the hospital that the baby was experiencing a tonicclonic seizure (which used to be known as grand mal). What doctors asked next surprised her. Among other questions, they wanted to know whether her son had recently been vaccinated.

He had. He received his DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccine just two weeks earlier, just before the fever began. When Gwenn asked why, doctors told her that in some children who are prone to seizure disorders, vaccines can sometimes act as a "trigger" for the illness.

Nearly two decades later, Gwenn acknowledges her son's seizure disorder and his subsequent death at age seven will never be conclusively connected to that vaccine. But doctors have told her there could be a relationship between the two. And that was enough to make the mother, who now lives outside Ottawa, think twice about vaccinating

36 BELCOURT PLACE

5840 WABI ESTATES ROAD

Canada monitors adverse events following immunizaMetro photo tions. her next child, at least until she was older. That, in fact, was the advice of her doctor in British Columbia.

Vaccines, one of the most effective tools ever developed to fight disease, are overwhelmingly safe.

Amid growing pockets of anti-vaccine sentiment in North America, some based on long since- discredited research that linked measles, mumps and rubella vaccines to autism, public health officials increasingly empha-

2379 HIGHWAY 29

New Listing

$219,000

$255,500

5202 41 STREET

5591 BROWNS ROAD

$105,000

5200 41ST STREET

New Listing

$352,500

6962 PIONEER ROAD

$405,000

$249,000

4920 44 STREET

$279,000

$289,900

5117 41ST STREET

$390,000

5209 41 STREET

SOLD $340,000

$46,500

FOR RENT

/ $ 1

$,

!+' -# '(-# 0$-# '$( ') &" ," "-, )% 1

+ "')+" #" - #1!+) ()- $( &" $( "-, )% 1

$355,000

+ "')+" #" - #1!+) ()- $( &" $( "-, )% 1

"!+))' -# ')(-# -) ')(-# )+ 1" + &" ," -"( (* 1, )0( .-$&$-$",

size their safety and effectiveness. The question of vaccine injury is not always discussed or even acknowledged, in part for fear of fuelling an irrational movement against the lifesaving tool.

But it should be discussed, says Dr. Kumanan Wilson, research chair in public health policy at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa. Compensating the extremely rare injuries caused by vaccines is important to maintaining high levels of confidence in immunization.

And, he says, it is the right thing to do.

Vaccine-preventable diseases once took the lives of tens of thousands of Canadian children. Maternal rubella was the leading cause of blindness and deafness in children until the vaccine was introduced in 1969. Every year 50 to 75 children died of measles.

In contrast, of millions of people vaccinated in Canada every year, a handful - likely fewer than 10 - will sustain a permanent, serious injury.

Wilson is among those who have long argued that Canada must join other countries and set up a compensation system for vaccines injuries. Canada is among just two G8 nations (the other is Russia)

without such a national system (although Quebec compensates for vaccine injury).

"We are actually telling people, and it is becoming more explicit, that you are not only vaccinating to protect yourself but to protect others, so if you get hurt the state should provide compensation."

"Despite the great benefits from a universally immunized population, side-effects from vaccines have been observed and have the potential to cause serious injuries and permanent harm," Wilson and colleague Jennifer Keelan wrote in a paper delivered in 2011 that argued Canada should have a vaccine compensation program.

"Infrequently, injuries can be caused by a particularly 'hot' or immunologically reactive batch of vaccine but more often, injuries are related to idiosyncratic and therefore unpredictable immune responses to the immunization, or an underlying predisposition for injury."

As part of its National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, the United States, has a table of vaccine-related injuries that it will compensate, depending on how quickly they occurred after administration of a vaccine.

"Vaccines are the best defence we have against infectious diseases," says an article on vaccine safety on the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention website. "However, no vaccine is 100 per cent safe or effective. Differences in the way individual immune systems react to a vaccine account for rare occasions when people are not protected following immunization or when they experience side effects."

Canada monitors adverse events following immunization, but, outside of Quebec, does not compensate. Quebec does on a case-by-case basis.

In 1972, a five-year-old Quebec girl developed viral encephalitis and permanent disabilities after a measles vaccine. Her father launched a lawsuit against the Quebec govPlease see "GOVERNMENT," page 11

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014 11

Chetwynd Echo

Government found not at fault in court case Continued from page 10 ernment. The province's superior court found the government was not at fault but said compensation should be paid because the injuries were caused by complying with a government-recommended vaccination schedule. That case was subsequently over city turned by the Supreme Court of Canada, but in 1986 Quebec set up a nofault compensation system for vaccine injuries. Since then, there have been recommendations that the federal government follow suit.

It is not clear whether such a program - if it did exist - would have helped Gwenn and her family.

Was his one of the rare cases of vaccine injury, or was the timing coincidental? Gwenn believes there are some people who should be able to postpone vaccinations because of a family history of adverse reactions. She can't help but wonder whether it would have made a difference for her son.

"Can you draw a direct complete line from vaccination to death by seizure?" she asks. "It is not going to be a thick felt line; it is going to be an arc.

My child may have had a propensity (for seizures) or he may not have. Had he not had the vaccine or had we waited three years, it may not have occurred.

"It is a 'may,' but for my child, 'may' works for me."

“In my family we have a history of vaccination issues, which means we have to pick and choose.”

Despite her son's tragic story and the fact that her brother reacted to a childhood vaccine with enough swelling to dislocate his arm, Gwenn is not antivaccine.

A note from her doctor allowed her daughter to be exempt from vaccines while in elementary school. The note, to school officials, said the girl's sibling had developed a seizure disorder "potentially linked to vaccination." She was later vaccinated as a teenager.

Research has linked an earlier version of the DPT vaccine to febrile seizures and to more frequent adverse reactions, but not to the increased risk of developing epilepsy. Injuries related to DPT vaccines were the subject of numerous lawsuits in the U.S. during the 1970s and '80s and were one reason for the creation of a compensation system there.

"In my family, we have a history of vaccination issues, which means we have to pick and choose.

My choice is, I choose not

to vaccinate tiny infants."

NUMBERS ON VACCINES Vaccines have prevented millions of deaths and debilitating injuries including blindness, deafness and brain injury.

As a result of mass immunization, measles has been eradicated in North America (imported cases still occur).

Vaccines are infrequently responsible for adverse reactions. Mostly they are minor, including swelling and soreness at the injection site. In rare cases, reactions are more serious, resulting in maybe 10 incidents in Canada each year.

• 1 in 40,000 The risk of developing thrombocytopenia - low platelet count in the blood - after the MMR vaccine.

•1 in a million The risk of contracting GuillainBarré syndrome related to an influenza vaccine.

• 122,000 The number of people who died in the developing world in 2012 from measles.

Premier's LNG working group provides government with road map for development

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark’s working group on LNG development, including members from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the public sector employers’ council division of the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Advanced education, submitted their final report this month.

The report, which also included input from LNG proponents, organized labour, and the Haisla First Nation, maps out 15 recommendations on planning, skills training, marketing and developing best practices within the LNG sector to attract a “mobile workforce.”

“To bring home the opportunity presented by LNG, we have to work together – government, industry, First Nations and labour,” Premier Clark said. “Everyone here today is working toward the same goal – making sure British Columbians benefit from this generational opportunity.”

The first meetings of the working group were held with representatives of organized labour in September 2013. At that meeting, it was agreed that all par-

ties would work to map out how they could work together to solve some of the challeneges associated with LNG development.

The report includes one recommendation on developing a working group moving forward, four recommendations on skills training planning and implementation, two recommendations on marketing and promotions, three recommendations on apprenticeship trades and mentoring, two recommendations on a mobile workforce, one recommendation on timelines and two reccomendations on the use of workers from other jurisdictions.

The recommendations will be reflected in the 10year skills training plan that the government says will be released soon.

“I want to thank the premier for setting up the

working group,” said Jim Sinclair, president of the BC Federation of Labour.

“I also want to thank the representatives of the Haisla Nation, industry, labour and government as it has been quite a process to come to agreement on the recommendations.”

Sinclair says industry, labour and other parties involved were able to go beyond their differences and keep focus on what BC workers need to take advantage of the potential that lies in LNG. “Now we have to ensure that the 15 recommendations are implemented,” he said.

“This investment in the workers of British Columbia will lead to good jobs.”

The entire report is available online at: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/ pubs/pdf/lng_final_report.pdf

Chetwynd Dental Associates offers services in all aspects of general dentistry including cleanings/oral hygiene, whitening, fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, and more!

We are a full service dental clinic catering to our community's oral health needs close to home in Chetwynd, BC. We treat patients of all ages and pride ourselves in our dedication to ensuring continuing exceptional dental care. With this in mind, we are pleased to welcome Keli who has recently joined our team in the hygiene department. Dr. Ian, Dani, Denise and Keli look forward to the chance of meeting and serving you and your family!

We re open Mon, Tues, Thurs 9am-5pm; Wed 11am-7pm Make your appointment today at 206-4717 51st St NW (in the Pioneer Building), Chetwynd, BC or call us at 250-788-2113.

Pay Les Welding & Safety Supply Store

• Authorized Linde Bottle Depot • C02 refills for paint guns • Much more!

Open Mon. to Frii. 8 am to 6 pm 3794 Old Hart Wabi Road Across from Tumbler Ridge Turnoff

• Preventative Maintenance • Winterization • Licence B.C. Inspection • Full vehicle servicing P: 788-9599 F: 788-7930 NOBODY DOES IT BETTER!

Phone: 250-788-3376

YOUR ONE CALL FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE NEEDS

We offer in home repair of all major appliances of all brands, as well as the supply of repair parts.

With years of experience we serve you better across the Peace Region – with weekly trips to Fort St. John, Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd – and book appointments by the hour for your convenience.

Locally owned and operated 250-719-8872

Please be advised that the hours of operation for the Recycling Depot are as follows: Sunday - Closed Monday 10 am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

250 -788-1111

12

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Tumbler Ridge aspiring international Geopark recieves government funding MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– TUMBLER RIDGE – An initiative to designate areas around Tumbler Ridge as an internationally recognized Geopark, got a welcome bit of good news last week.

The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural development announced that they would be providing $30,000 of funding to the Tumbler Ridge Aspiring Geopark steering committee.

BY

South Peace MLA Mike Bernier said the announcement would be a step forward for the steering committee’s efforts to make a compelling case to international authorities to make the Geopark a reality.

“Tumbler Ridge has some of the most unique geological formations, found nowhere else on our planet including amazing fossil heritage, and incredibly beautiful natural landscapes,” Bernier said.

“Receiving Geopark sta-

NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE W669 Please be advised that Andrew Carveth is proposing to remove 49.9 hectares of private land from Woodlot Licence W 669 located in the vicinity of Boucher Lake Road.

Inquiries, comments to this proposal must be submitted to Andrew Carveth, PO Box 104 Moberly Lake, BC. V0C 1X0 by May 31, 2014.

Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to.

Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting Andrew Carveth at the above address or by phone at 250788-9327.

tus would also bring significant economic benefits including geotourism and job creation in research and sustainability focused employment to our region.”

Obtaining Geopark status recognizes an area of unique geological heritage, international significance and scientific value to the global community. There are currently 102 Geoparks worldwide, with Stonehammer Geopark in New Brunswick, just outside of St. John, being the only Geopark recognized in North America.

“I would like to thank Dr. Charles Helm and all of the volunteers of the Tumbler Ridge Aspiring Geopark steering committee for all of their hard work so far and I wish them the best of luck in their presentations to UNESCO and GGN this summer,” Bernier added.

The District of Chetwynd supported the Geopark designation by becoming a signatory of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November 2013.

By signing on, Chetwynd agrees to be an advocate for the Tumbler Ridge Aspiring Geopark (TRAG) project, communi-

cate with other signatories of the MOU, meet as required in order to advance the development of the Geopark and assist in attempts to secure the resources required to pursue the project.

The TRAG steering committee submitted an application for Global Geopark status to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in March 2013.

The proposed Geopark area encompasses much of Tumbler Ridge, an esti-

mated 7822 square kilometres. This area includes a portion of the eastern slopes of the Hart Ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains.

Among a host of other evidence, they substantiate this claim with reference to their paleontological museum with its dinosaur discovery gallery, collections area, guided tours and educational camps and a network of hiking trails leading to areas of geological and scenic “splendour”, and historic importance.

“We have wonderfully varied geology, topography, scenery and human history, catapulted to fame by the fantastic paleontological discoveries of the past decade. To us, an application to become a UNESCO Geopark seems to be a logical, almost inevitable outcome of the work that has already been done,” the committee wrote in its submission.

The Peace River Regional District pledged its support for the project with $125,000 in February.

Keep the numbers of these locally owned businesses on hand for all of your service and shopping needs.

Naomi Larsen

Photography •

250-788-3992 •

Check me out on Facebook

M &JJ M& Computers COMPUTERS

Hours:

44 7 157- 5 511St Srtere 74 ete t 250 -7 81 8 78 80-01 90 0 9

Computers, peripherals, software, and accessories

“Putting computers and customers together and servicing the products as well”

We accept Taxi Saver Coupons Call us for: •Hotshots •Crew Transport •Pilot car

Sun: 9:00 am – 1:00 am Mon: 7:00 am – 1:00 am Tue: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Wed: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Thu: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Fri: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Sat: 9:00 am – 3:00 am

“The voice of local business”

Box 870 Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 Ph: 250-788-3345 Fx: 250-788-3655 www.chetwyndchamber.ca

Since 1990

e r u t a n g Si

Signs

Industrial & Commercial Signage 4745 51 St Box 1529 Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 250-788-9225

In the Home Hardware Building Chetwynd, BC

250-788-9373

Basic oil change/gas Includes oil & filter $60 BRIAN GALLANT, Manager

Bus: (250) 788-2067 Fax: (250) 788-2524 Email: brian_gallant@kaltire.com

Basic oil change/diesel Includes oil & filter $100 Box 267 4809 S. Access Road Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0

These spots could be yours for only $10/week.

Call Naomi today! 250-788-2246 • sales@chetwyndecho.net

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014 13

Chetwynd Echo

Cleaning up mill sawdust no quick pass with a broom, inspections reveal Ninety man-hours to clean up Canfor Chetwynd VANCOUVER SUN –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – It took an estimated 1,200 hours to clean up wood dust that had accumulated in the 13 sawmills hit with stopwork in inspections by WorkSafeBC conducted between November and January.

Put another way, it took 30 workers a full 40-hour week each to clean up wood dust considered a hazard for fire or an explosion at the sawmills in B.C. WorkSafeBC announced the results of its latest inspection in March. But more details of its inspection were revealed in documents obtained by The Vancouver Sun through a freedom of information request. They showed that, in November 2013, it took Weyerhaeuser about 700

hours of worker time to clean up wood dust at its Princeton sawmill after Work-SafeBC issued a stop-work order.

There were heavy accumulations of wood dust on all surfaces in the sawmill, including electric motor control centres.

Following the cleanup at Weyerhaeuser, the stopwork order was lifted.

The next biggest cleanup took place at Skeena Sawmills in December 2013. Reopening the mill took an estimated 180 hours of cleaning. Excessive wood dust accumulations were found throughout the sawmill and planer buildings.

It took about 90 manhours to clean up Canfor's Chetwynd mill (November 2013), 54 man-hours at Sigurdson Forest Products

in Williams Lake (January 2014) and 50 manhours at Western Forest Products in Chemainus (December 2013).

The documents also showed examples of mills clean of dust and others where combustible dust had not been cleaned properly.

In one photo of an unidentified sawmill, wood dust is escaping from a drop chute to a waster conveyor. The dust is piling up near the conveyor and also settling on wall supports.

In several other photos, motors that run equipment in sawmills are covered in sawdust and finer wood dust.

The inspection was the third round carried out by Work-SafeBC since two wood dustfuelled explo-

Moving?

At the Chetwynd Echo we have MOVING BOXES and the

BEST Packing Paper Available Call For Pricing 250 -788-2246

sions at sawmills in northern B.C. in 2012 killed two workers each.

The B.C. government reacted to the latest round of inspections by saying continuing dust buildups in sawmills would not be tolerated.

Following a meeting with industry in late March, B.C. Labour Minister Shirley Bond announced that WorkSafeBC would be doubling the size of its wood-dust inspection team to 20, that safety regulations were being reviewed and that industry would be helping to set up a team of technical experts to assist all mills to properly manage and clean dust.

ADOPT A DOG

The District of Chetwynd Animal Control department is offering

stray dogs for adoption.

Please pick up an application form at the District office. Office hours are Mon. - Fri., 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The District does not promise to provide a dog that meets your specific wishes but we do expect to offer a dog that you will like.

Please consider this option for the care and protection of innocent animals.

Thank you.

District of Chetwynd

Tumbler Ridge Dental Services 250-257-1378

We offer Invisalign and one day crown and bridges with our Cerec.

Call us for more information

DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN Pest Management Plan Reference Number: WOODLOT 1189 – PMP2014/19 Applicant: Peter Haagsman As per the Integrated Pest Management Regulation of British Columbia, Section 61(1) notice is given that a draft Pest Management Plan (PMP) has been prepared by Peter Haagsman concerning the management of unwanted vegetation on Woodlot 1189 in northeast British Columbia.

The PMP covers all Schedule A and B lands within the woodlot licence 1189. It is made up of three parcels of land in the Hudson s Hope Area. Parcel A is the closest to Hudson s Hope and is nine kilometers west of the town, parcel B is the central parcel with its central to western edge being 2.5 kilometers east Williston Lake, at the closest point.

Parcel 1 is 26-29 kilometers west-southwest of Hudson s hope and occupies a portion of the ridge north of Gething Creek.

The proposed duration of this plan is 5 years, from submission in 2014 to 2019. An Integrated Vegetation Management approach which includes manual brushing and herbicide application to control unwanted vegetation will be implemented.

The use of herbicides is intended within the area to which the Pest Management Plan applies.

The herbicides that maybe used under this PMP display a Pest Control Products Act Registration Number indicating that the product has been registered for use by Health Canada, and include: • Glyphosate-Vision Max™, Vision®, Vantage™ or equivalents • Triclopyr- Garlon™ RTU, Release™ or equivalents Proposed methods of applying pesticides may include: • Backpack – Selective (Single stem, cone, wick, spot or direct foliar) or broadcast • Helicopter (Aerial) - Selective o broadcast.

To provide comment or discuss/view the proposed PMP and maps of the proposed treatment area in person, please contact Sarah Bowers of Spectrum Resource Group at 250-788-3662, or email sbowers@srgi.ca.

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant to the address below within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

Peter Haagsman Box 210 Hudson s Hope, BC V0C 1V0 Attn: Peter Haagsman, Licence Holder W1189

14

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

CLASSIFIEDS Ca n ce l y ou r times ha re. n o r isk pro g ra m S to p mo rt ga g e an d mainten ance pa ym e n t s t o d a y. 1 0 0 p e r c en t mo ne y b ac k g u ar an te e . F ree co n s u l t a t i o n . C a l l u s N o w.

We c an h e lp . 1 -8 8 8 35 6-52 48 Crimin al R eco rd?

Canadian rec ord sus pens ion (Crimina l p ardo n) sea ls rec ord.

American waiv er allows legal e n t r y. W h y r i s k e m ploymen t, business , tr avel, licensing, deportation, peace of min d? F ree consu l-

tation: 2540

1 -8 00-347 -

Crimial Rec ord?

Don’t let your past limit your caree r plans. Since 1989.

Confi dent ial, fast afford able, A+ BB B rating. Employment an d travel freed om.

Call for fre e info booklet.

1 -8 -NOWPA R D O N (1-8669 7 2 - 7 3 6 6 ) www.removeyour re c o rd . co m BIRTHS Place you r b a b y ’s birth anno unce me nt in the Chet wynd Echo class ifieds! Add a

SELLING?

Are you selling your house or modular home?

Advertise it in the

+

Chetwynd Echo!

We will run a business card sized ad (3.21” x 2”) with photo in our classified section for one month (4 issues) for $50 + GST

BONUS!

Add ONE month on our website for an extra $30 + GST (Total cost: $80+gst)

Contact Naomi at the Chetwynd Echo today at 250-788-2246 or sales@chetwyndecho.net

picture of your bundle of joy for $5.

O r. . . f o r a n e x t r a $ 2 5 , tur n your announcement into a full two column display ad!

SOCIALS Engagemen ts, A n n i v e rsa ries, Weddings, Grads, Bir th days...make th e an nouncement in our clas sified s ection. $10 per photo and $6.50 for the first 10 w ords. 11¢ each additional word.

WAN TED : GAS B AR CASHIER s alary : $11 /Hourly for 40 h r s / w e e k J o b Ty p e : F ull-Time , P e r m anent Star t Date of E mp lo yment: As soon as possible Minimum Education: None Positions A v a i l a b l e : 4 Te r m s o f E m p l o y m e n t : P e rman ent, F ull Time E duc ation : Not re q uired Cre dentials (certificates, licences, m e m b e rships, cou rs es, e tc .): No t requ ire d.

E xperienc e: Not re quired Languages: Speak English, Read Englis h Specific Customer Skills : se rv ice o rien te d,

ADVERTISING REGULATIONS The Chetwynd Echo reserves the right to classify ads under appropriate headlines and to set rates therefore and to determine page location. The Chetwynd Echo reserves the right to revise, edit classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the Chetwynd Echo. The Chetwynd Echo cannot be responsible for errors after the first publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the appropriate advertising department to be corrected in the next available edition. It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of the Chetwynd Echo in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted item only, and that there shall be no liability to an event greater than the amount paid for such advertising. Advertisements must comply with the British Columbia Human Rights Act which prohibits any advertising that discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place or origin or because age is between 44 and 65 years unless the condition is justified by a bondable requirement for the work involved.

featured Job Opportunities

Award n

4809 51st Avenue Chetwynd B.C.

FOOD COUNTER ATTENDANT 0957016BC LTD. o/a Tim Hortons

Full Time, Part Time • Permanent + shift Nights, Overnights, Early Morning, Weekends $10.25 hr. + Benefits Start Date: ASAP

35 Vacancies

No experience required • education not required Apply in person or by e-mail to: chetwyndtimhortons@gmail.com

Winning Newspaper 2014 Business of the Year Nominee • 2013 Business of the Year Nominee • 2011 Family Friendly Business of the Year

Job description available: www.timhortons.com

LIGHT EQUIPMENT OPERATOR / DRIVER / LABOURER SEASONAL POSITIONS DEPARTMENT

Engineering & Public Works STATUS

Term, Full-time (Seasonal)

CLASSIFICATION

LEO/Driver/Labourer

UNION

CUPE Local 3052

HOURS OF WORK:

40 hrs/week

WAGES:

$26.99 – $27.69 per hour

Join us at the District of Chetwynd – we have openings for two (2) seasonal, term, full-time Light Equipment Operator/Driver/Labourer positions for the approximate period of May 1 to October 31, 2014. These positions are responsible for the operation of equipment in construction, maintenance and repair activities and perform a variety of semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance of municipal roads, facilities, grounds and utility systems.

The successful candidate(s) will have a valid BC Driver’s License Class 3 with air endorsement, a minimum of 3 years experience operating a tandem truck and loader, a working knowledge of plumbing, carpentry and normal construction practices and must be physically capable of performing the required duties. Preference may be given to candidates with carpentry skills, and experience as a grader, excavator and backhoe operator.

We offer employees tremendous opportunities to apply and enhance their skills in a positive environment. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please submit your application by 4:30 p.m. on April 28, 2014 to: Human Resources Officer, District of Chetwynd 5400 North Access Road, PO Box 357, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 Fax No.: (250) 401-4101 Email: d-chet@gochetwynd.com Posted on April 17, 2014

Op erate ca sh re gist e r, P r o c e s s m o n e y, cheques and c redit/d ebit card paymen ts, Scan items, Receive payme nt for goods or s ervices , Suggestiv e s elling, Stock shelves and clean c oun ter area , Greet customers, Enter prices of items on c a s h r e g i s t e r, W r a p o r pl ace me rchandis e in bags. Employer: Anup Kumar Shar ma & Sons Ltd. o / a C h ev ron Ap p l y i n Person Be twee n 9 :0 0 am - 5:00 pm 4801 - 51 Avenue Che twynd, B.C V0C 1J0 0 9 5 7 0 1 6 B C LT D . o / a Tim Hortons 4809 51st Avenue Chetwynd B.C. Food Co un te r Attendant Full Time, Part Time Nights, Over nights, Early Mor ning, W e e k e n d s 1 0 . 2 5 h r. + Be ne fi t s. Pe r man en t + Sh ift. Star t D a t e : A S A P 3 5 Va cancies No experience Re qu ired Apply in person or by e-mail to: chetwyndtimhortons@gmail.com.

Job description available at w w w. t i m h o r t o n s . c o m . E du ca tio n n ot re q uired.

Help wanted! Make $ 100 0 we ekly ma iling b roch ures from home. No experie nce required . Start i m m e d i a t l e y . w w w . t h e m a i l i nghub. com

Now hiring !!! $ 2 8 / h o u r.

U n d e rcover shoppers needed. $ 3 0 0 / d a y.

E a s y. O n l i n e C o m puter wo rk. $575 /week . Assemblin g prod ucts. $1,000 w e e k l y. P a i d i n A d vanc e!!!

Ma ilin g broc hurs.

P T / F T. Genuine. Ex perience U n n e c e s s a r y. www.Av ail abl eHel pWa n t e d . c o m Interior heavy equipme nt operator school. No simulato rs . In the seat training. Real world ta sks. Wee kly start dat es Tr u e p y c h i c s . F o r answers call now 24/7 toll free 1-877342-3032.

Mobile # 4 4 8 6 w ww.t r u e p s y chi cs. ca Loc al Hoo kup s Bro ws e4f re e 1-88 8628 -679 0 or # 787 8 mobil e Hot loc al ch at. 1- 877290 -055 3 M ob il e: #5015 Fi nd yo ur f a vou ri t e.

C a l l n o w. 1 - 8 6 6 - 7 3 2 0070. 1-888-544-01 99 18+ M eet s in gl es r ig ht n o w ! N o p a i d o p e r ato r s. Just re al p eo pl e li ke yo u.

Bro ws e gre et in gs, e xch ang e messa ge s a nd co nn e c t l i v e . Tr y i t f r e e .

Ca ll no w: 1- 80 0- 59 08215 H o t Tu b S p a C o v e r s .

Bes t p r ic e, bes t q ual i t y. A l l s h p e s a n d

c o lo u r s a va i la b le . Ca l l 1-866-652-6837. w w w. t h e c o v e r g u y. c o m /newspaper Bu tche r su pplies, l e a t h e r, c r a f s u p p l i e s an d a ni m al co nt ro l pro du ct s. G et y our Ha lf o rds 136 pag e F R E E C ATA L O G .

180 0-353 -786 4 or em ai l : or der @ ha lf o rdh i d e . c o m . Vi s i t o u r we bs to re w w w. h a l f o r d s m a i l o r d e r. c o m S t e e l buildings/metal buildings. Up to 60 per ce nt off. 30 x40, 40x60, 50x80, 60x100, 80x100 sell fo r ba la nce owed.

Call 1-800-4572206. w ww. c ro w n steelbuildings.ca Va c a n t L o t f o r S a l e .

Only minutes west on Westall Road.

Asking $79,000. Call Mark t 780 -5694717.

Oilmen? Car collect o r T h i s h o m e i s p e rfect for you. 00 sq ft 6 ye a r o l d t w o st o re y on 50 acre estate.

Complete with attach ed 50x50x20 heat ed sh op wit h 200 amp service.

Dirt bi ke track.

Seeded t o gra ss.

Fenced and cross fendced with rail fencing. Paved road a l l t h e w a y t o d o o r. $ 2 1 0 0 m o n t h i n s u rface revenue. Locate d just west of Med icin e Hat Alber ta. $845,000. For s a l e b y o w n e r. ( 4 0 3 ) 548-1985.

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014 15

Chetwynd Echo

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Why we remember if I were unsure of the reSUBMITTED turn of my dear parents or â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The following is Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only sister while the beat of distant gunshots reverberwinning essay in full: ated in the air?

As the years creep by, As the days get shorter, and the steam of our and the numbers of people breath becomes more who have been personally prominent, somber expres- impacted by the war disions become tattooed on minish, our emotional our features as Remem- bond with Remembrance brance Day approaches. Day becomes thinner and That day is like a remind- frail. Our emotional bond ing tap on the shoulders of with Remembrance Day people who have been per- may become progressively sonally been affected by weaker because after a war or who have only while, there may be no one learned of the significance with personal experience of our past and WW1 and left on this earth. Listening WW2, through print media to the history of blearyand videos such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lest eyed war veterans suffering from emotional We Forgetâ&#x20AC;?.

When I was younger, and/or physical war-ineven if my thoughts were duced injuries was how scattered I was sure of one my heart had started to thing. I was confident in beat quicker in pity and my belief that the boring empathy.

Previously, the textbook Royal Canadian Legion president Karen Buckley presyearly Remembrance Day ents Chetwynd Secondary School student Elizabeth assemblies were actually descriptions of the battleLee with her certificate for placing third in the the the hour-long lectures in dis- field were like the depicguise. I was always con- tions of a foreign country; provincial Remembrance Day Essay Contest. sumed with regret of my important, yet distant and Photo by Naomi Larsen previous opinions after unfamiliar. Fast-forward truly understanding the 200 years in the future and meaning of Remembrance earth could face a new war that have been buried un- serenely into the streams Day while beginning a sev- that would leave WW2 derneath all the misery. that sing with the songenth grade research proj- and WW1 in the shadows. And that is what makes us birds in harmony. We chilect. Who could have By then, the meaning of humans the most powerful dren will dance to that thought that the mottled Remembrance Day would race that inhabits this melody, basking in our grey tombstones I had have faded away like a for- earth. Our strength was privilege of liberty. But the once thought resembled gotten dream. I think peo- well represented by the streams will freeze and the loaves of rotten bread were ple 2000 years in the future single scarlet poppy that birds will cease to sing as actually for marking where should still remember and bloomed in desolate Flan- Remembrance Day reviseach fallen soldier would acknowledge the wars be- dersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fields, like the first its, reminding us just how much our freedom cost. forever sleep? How could I cause of our ability to re- star in the night sky.

The melting snow drops Lest We Forget. have known that those discover the shards of hope amusing fuzzy poppy pins were the miracle that grew from the cold lifeless bodies and therefore became the symbol of rebirth? I was now aware and capable of acknowledging the importance of Remembrance Day; and for that, I was grateful.

Beginning my Remembrance Day project is one of the most important decisions of my life as I was no longer clueless about the significance of Remembrance Day. At the very least, young children should respect November 11 instead of mocking and scorning the day like I had once done. The most ignorant of children should realize that the simplest joys of life might not be possible if not for the sacrifices and heroes of the major wars. While diving into my research, the thing that As one of Western Canada s largest providers of struck me most was readHeavy Construction and Mining services, North ing about the impacted lives and silent struggles of American Construction Group attracts some of the the innocent children and best individuals in the industry. families washed up in the current of the war. One of Right now, you can join our team by applying for a my distant relatives had been personally stricken by number of positions including: the war. By empathizing with them I was able to feel Operators their raw emotions of heartache and pain and to Labourers conjuring the image of my Project Staff loved ones being dragged Supervisory Positions away into the battlefields.

How would I have reacted

Visit our website at www.nacg.ca/careers and being building your career today.

Dog obedience classes. April 23 - May 8 Contact Bonnie 250-788-2529/5351 Chetwynd Swim Club 2nd Annual Steak and Dance night. April 26 at the PVEP. Tickets available from any swim club member or call 250-401-1030 for more information. Doors open at 6. Dinner at 6:30-8. Cash bar. No minors Gymkhana Basics Clinic May 4 2014 at Pine Valley Exhibition Park.

Contact Kristy at 250-780-2083 for more info US Clincian Jennifer Buchanan Horsemanship/ Reining Clinic. PVEP May 30June 1 Call Sanda 250-788-3217 to book your spot!

Free English Practice Mondays 9:30 am at Northern Lights College and Wednesdays at 5:30 pm at the Chetwynd Public Library Call 250-7882559 Chetwynd Breastfeeding Support Network meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m at the Chetwynd Public Librar y.

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets ever y Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Pine Valley Seniors Centre Call 250-788-3306 Pine Valley Seniors Hall weekly activities including Cribbage, Whist, Bingo and Carpet Bowling. Call Anita at 788-2307 for info.

Pine Valley Seniors Hall Carpet Bowling Tuesdays @ 1:30 pm.

FREE Cree Lessons Wednesdays 5-6 pm at Tansi Friendship Centre Babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Chance Pregnancy Outreach Program Drop in : Mondays 10am to Noon. Weekly Group Sessions Tuesdays 11 am-1pm.

Located at Kici.

Alanon meetings 6:30 pm Tuesdays Mickeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place (behind AandW) Chetwynd Society for Community Living Board Meeting. First Monday of each month. 4699 Airport Road Ph: 250-788-4889.

Homeschooling Network Thursdays 1 pm - 2 pm at the Chetwynd Public Library Muskoti Learning Centre Homework Club Mon-Thursday 3 - 4:30 pm Quintessentials Quilters Guild. Meetings held every third monday at 7 pm at the Shared Ministry Church. Contact Joan at 250-788-2714 for more information.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Happening

KFC New Menu!

6 New Sandwiches

Big Boss coming March 11 KFC Chetwynd 4800 North Access Rd. 250-788-9866

16

Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Switch and save.

Get your first month FREE when you switch to Shaw Direct satellite TV.* Packages start at just $40 per month.

FREE HD receiver rental for two years.*

Two FREE on-demand or pay-per-view movies.*

Switch today call 1-855-528-5654 or visit shawdirect.ca/switch

*Offer available for a limited time and is subject to change without notice. Regular prices are subject to change. Taxes extra. Available to qualified customers who haven’t been subscribed to Shaw Direct for the past 180 days. A valid credit card is required in order to rent a receiver. Essential HD Receiver regular rental price of $4.99 per month after the two-year promotional period. Installation fees may apply and range from $49.99 to $99.99. Basic installation is provided at no cost for initial Essential HD Receiver rental. Maximum of 6 receivers per account. A multi-receiver fee (MRF) of $6.02 may apply for customers with two or more receivers. Shipping fees may apply. Rental equipment must be returned to Shaw Direct if your services are cancelled. Receive first month of service free on any programming package valued under $70 or a $70 credit on any programming package valued higher than $70. †Limit of two PPV/VOD coupons per customer. Coupons must be used within 3 months of activation and will credit the value of up to 2 PPV/VOD rental titles, each valued at $7.99, or less. Coupon will not apply to events or adult titles. †Based on an independent survey of Canadian satellite customers by SRG. ˆNumber of HD channels varies by programming package. Channel availability varies by market. An included fee of 0.5% of your monthly satellite TV charges applies to fund Shaw Direct’s contribution to the CRTC’s Local Programming Improvement Fund. See shawdirect.ca/lpif. All Shaw Direct services are subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.