Chetwynd Echo February 26 2014

4745 51 Street P.O. Box 1529 Chetwynd, B.C. V0C 1J0

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ECHO FEBRUARY 26, 2014

INSIDE

CELEBRATING 55 YEARS IN 2014

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Toasting new beginnings at the Riverhouse & Pine

The staff at the Riverhouse Restaurant in Chetwynd raise their glasses to new beginnings. The restaurant opens this Saturday, and features an extensive wine list and menu and a completely revamped interior Photo by Mike Carter design. See page 7 for more.

Museum opening on track

Page 2

Girls take first in hoekey tourney Page 9

Local Facebook “Boring but page administrator balanced” told to seek legal budget tabled 2013 by goverment advice by RCMP Business Stop Bullying with pink shirt day Page 11

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NAOMI LARSEN Chetwynd Echo Editor –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Administrators of a popular Chetwynd-based social media page entitled WTF Chetwynd say they were told to shut their page down by RCMP following a controversial post over the weekend of Feb. 15.

The post which garnered more than 130 responses (that the Chetwynd Echo has a full copy of) makes serious allegations in regards to an RCMP officer’s conduct following a teen’s alleged arrest for underage drinking.

One of the page’s administrators and the original group creator, Alyssa Bond, said she received the call from an RCMP officer regarding the post and she was told she had to remove the WTF page and in her words: “lawyer up.”

“For them to tell me to get a lawyer because BY

He said the RCMP has notified Facebook of our group and that we need to take it down, that we are slandering people.

there's people after me is bullshit and a threat,” Bond said. “He (the officer that called) said the RCMP has notified Facebook of our group and that we need to take it down, that we are slandering people.”

The WTF page was created in 2011 by Bond and bills itself as a place to discuss or complain about local issues, businesses, what’s playing at the

movies, bad parking and sometimes, even people.

But the online discussions have often been accused of turning into name-calling, insults and bashfests.

Chetwynd RCMP Commanding Officer Olivia Tremblay said their detachment was notified of the thread regarding one of her officers however she states Bond was not told to hire a lawyer but rather find out what her legal responsibilities are as the page’s administrator.

“She was told we would be contacting Facebook to see what – if any – rights we have as the ones being basically slandered,” Tremblay – who did not speak to Bond personally – said. “And she was advised that she could also speak to a lawyer or someone to determine what her rights are – what she can

Please see "RCMP," page 2

Fresh made you-bake deli pizzas “best in town”

Surpluses promised for the next three years; LNG income tax regime introduced

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– VICTORIA - Tuesday Feb. 18 was budget day in British Columbia.

To reflect his government’s low-frill, low-spending ways, Finance Minister Mike de Jong skirted tradition. Instead of buying a new pair of shoes for budget day, he had the soles on his old ones replaced.

The “boring, balanced budget”, as described by de Jong, is the second consecutive surplus for the BC Liberals and reiterates their commitment to controlled spending.

The government ended the fiscal year with a surplus of $175-million, and they forecast surpluses of $184-million in 2014-15, $206-million in 2015-16 and $451 for 2016-17.

“It may not be glitzy or chock full of goodies, but it is the right plan for British Columbia,” de Jong said. “The three-year plan I am presenting today actually projects surpluses totaling $841-million over three years of the plan. That doesn’t mean it’s all clear sailing. In fact, to continue meeting our targets, we will have to rely on more of that old-fashioned discipline that got us here in the first place.”

South Peace MLA Mike Bernier welcomed the bal-

Please see "BUDGET," page 3

5008 50th Ave • Chet wynd, BC • 250-788-3755

2

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Little Prairie museum restoration on track for June 2014 re-opening

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – In any renovation project, you are bound to hit a few bumps in the road. Once you start the process, surprises can be expected.

It’s kind of like Christmas day – you know there are going to be some presents involved, but you don’t know what they are.

The restoration project at the Little Prairie Heritage Museum on the Westgate Road is no exception. Unexpected discoveries were encountered along the way, but the Little Prairie Heritage Society (LPHS) says it does not expect that any of these will hinder their timeline.

Restorations at the museum, which was forced to BY

close its doors for the 2013 summer season due to safety concerns, are on track for completion in June.

LPHS announced in late February 2013 that the museum would need an estimated $100,000-plus in repairs. In October, the society received grants-in-aid funding from the Peace River Regional District to the tune of $103,808.

The group hopes they will be able to have their grand opening during the Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce’s International Chainsaw Carving Competition weekend.

The carpeting upstairs and down, has been ripped out and the new flooring will be installed in within the next few weeks.

While stripping out the

carpeting, they came across some handy work that has caused the front of the building to sag. “Heat used to come through the floor [and] somebody in their wisdom cut the joist with a chainsaw to install a vent for the furnace,� said LPHS vicepresident Julie Shaw. “That is actually why [the building] is sloping in the front. It was braced up, but not quite as much as it could be by comparison to today’s standard.�

Shaw says when the renovations are complete; they won’t actually be heating the building with a furnace, but would like the aesthetic to remain the same, so as to keep the architectural integrity of the building in tact.

That means they have

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Renovations at the LPHS Museum are on track. A grand opening is planned File photo for the Chainsaw Carving Competition weekend. had to level the floor by bringing it up about two inches, take the old brace out, and rebuild portions of the main floor.

As they did this they discovered that when the building was moved from where it originally sat as a post office in the downtown area, some of the joists were broken as well. “Thank goodness nothing was put on that part of the building,� said Shaw. “People could have fallen through or things could have happened, there

could be a loss of artifacts.�

Shaw says these developments do not hurt their timeline at all. They have been dealt with and are moving on to the next phases of the project.

The next big job will be to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and replace the lighting. “Since everything is taken out, it’s easier to paint now and because we have an issue with lighting, we are looking also with the grants in aid to get track lighting throughout

because then we can highlight [artifacts] and use flood lights and spot lights etc‌ We want it well lit.

We want it user friendly, and it would be more energy efficient,� Shaw said.

The society is still on the hunt for a full time curator and have partnered with the Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce to hire one summer student. At this point, when the museum opens, they are looking at having regular hours from 10-2 p.m. seven days a week.

RCMP did not demand page be shut down: Tremblay Continued from page 1

and cannot post, what she is responsible for as the site co-ordinator ‌ it was like, you may want to educate yourself as to what you should and shouldn't allow on your site.�

Tremblay also says the RCMP did not demand the page be shut down, however she said there are rules on Facebook that must be followed. “And basically for some situations a site may be shut down by Facebook if they feel it's not appropriate,� Tremblay said. “You can find those rules on the Facebook site.

Bond says if is forced to shut down her page – either by the RCMP or by Facebook – they then also have a lot of other WTF pages to remove in other cities and communities. Prince George, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John all have similar pages. “They are trying to snuff out public discussion,� Bond said.

Bond believes that while some of the comments in the post were uncalled for there were comments from some people giving advice and letting the teenknow where to get help if they needed it. “Isn't that what community is about?�

Bond asked. “Helping each other?�

Page co-administrator Raelene Belcher said the page, despite its name, is not always negative. “The page doesn't always have bad things posted on it,� she said. “It's not completely negative all the time. Every-

CLARIFICATION

We reported last week that Talisman Energy had been sold to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL).

However, CNRLĘźs wholly owned subsidiary Sukunka Natural Resources Inc. will

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one in that group made the choice to join, they can also choose to leave and not read it if it bothers them. We can't control what other people say. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It’s just a place where they can choose to post that opinion publicly. We didn't start that page to have to babysit the whole community.�

However, Tremblay said Internet law is still quite new it can be murky waters to tread. “The bottom line in this case was that some unsubstantiated allegations were recently made ‌ in regards to Chetwynd RCMP officers,â€? she said in an official statement to the Chetwynd Echo. “I would urge anyone who has a complaint about our officers to make a formal complaint so their allegation can be investigated.â€?

Tremblay said if anyone does not feel comfortable reporting an allegation in person, it can also be done by telephone, to a school liaison officer, or through the Public Complaints Commission. “The primary concern of my members and myself is to ensure Chetwynd is a safe community for all of its citizens.�

This isn’t the first time the RCMP have been involved with this page, Bond said, confirming police have been involved in the past with various threads. “They can't make us take it (the page) down without a court order,� Bond said. “And until they provide that, it'll stay up.�

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be the owner of TalismanĘźs Monkman assets.

Sukunka Natural Resources Inc. will be the successor employer under the terms of the collective agreement with the union-

ized employees, and will offer continued employment to that group.

They have also signaled an interest in speaking with Monkman non-unionized staff in the field.

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“Budget ignores the needs of people today”

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Continued from page 1

Walter Energy posts fourth quarter net loss of $174.3-million

The company presented its final 2013 earnings report last Friday.

File photo

Despite the loss, the earnings report points to some good news for local mines

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Walter Energy has posted a smaller than expected fourth quarter loss due to cost cuts and the slumping price of metallurgical (steelmaking) coal.

The company presented its final 2013 earnings report last Friday, which covers October, November and December of last year, along with an overall look back at the company’s year end earnings.

Within British Columbia, Walter Energy holds the right to two large multi-deposit coal property groups: the Wolverine group, including Tumbler Ridge’s Wolverine mine and the Brazion group, including the Brule Mine, the Willow Creek Mine near Chetwynd and less explored portions of these and adjacent properties.

Looking ahead to 2014, Walter Energy says it is expecting to see demand for met coal increase, in contrast to other coal companies like Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources in the United States who project improvement in demand for electricity generating thermal coal rather than metallurgical coal.

Walter Energy cut its capital expenditure by 60 per cent to $153.9-million in 2013 and expects to spend less than $150-million in 2014.

The company’s sale of met coal rose 16 per cent in the fourth quarter to 2.9 million metric tons, accounting for about 85 per cent of their total coal sales volume in the quarter. The company also produces thermal coal in other locations separate to the mines in BY

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the Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge area.

However, total revenue for the year slipped one per cent to $472-million because of low coal prices.

As the price of met coal has dipped, Walter Energy took action to curtail operations at Willow Creek in March of 2012, and have instituted a number of measures to reduce production costs at both the Brule and Wolverine mines.

If you look at how the Canadian operations have improved their cost structure, I think youʼll see a steady progression.

The company cut production costs by 20 per cent, helping to alleviate a 10 per cent drop in the price of met coal.

At Willow Creek there are currently only about 80 persons employed in the pit and in the wash plant, where coal from all three mines is processed for the market.

"The company's good job streamlining its operations to work through the current downturn should be well received by investors," analysts at Simmons & Co said in a note to clients.

Chief executive officer Walter J. Scheler said, “I think the takeaways from our [fourth quarter] and full 2013 year results are these: costs were

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lower, production was higher, sales were higher.”

Scheller noted the year posed several challenges and the market for met coal has proven to be “difficult” as the supply of met coal has continued to outstrip the demand, leaving met coal mining operations to scale back and warehouse extra coal that is just not yet needed in the market place.

“If you look at how the Canadian operations have improved their cost structure, I think you’ll see a steady progression,” Scheller explained. Adding that at Wolverine and Brazion, there is typically a lag between when those cost reductions take place and when they show up in sales.

Despite both the Brule and the Wolverine mines running negative margins, Scheller does not expect any further closures or reductions in staff locally.

“What you haven’t seen is the continued progression of their cost reductions over the last couple of quarters.”

Scheller adds that both mines can be cash flow positive in 2014.

“At the fourth quarter pricing, frankly, they were cash-neutral,” added chief financial officer Bill Harvey.

The weak market conditions will continue to hamper the companies restructuring efforts.

They have announced that they expect to sell around $250-million in assets but, cannot yet say where or what they are thinking of selling.

The company expects 2014 will be a year where sales overall will modestly exceed those in 2013.

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prepared for driving winter driving conditions.

BeBe prepared for seasonal conditions.

Check www.drivebc.ca

Here are some more highlights from the 2014 provincial budget:

→ $11 billion in taxpayersupported capital projects including $3.4 billion for

ing years to deny that this is happening.”

The industry itself was the focus of one of the few spending items on the provincial budget.

The government earmarked $29-million to support the development of BC’s LNG opportunity.

The budget also provides $9-million to support environmental assessments of the resource impacts.

A tax regime for the LNG industry was also a key focus for the Liberal’s budget.

They have proposed a two-tiered LNG Income Tax that is due for introduction as legislation in the fall session.

The first tier of the tax will be 1.5 per cent and the second tier, when introduced, could rise to seven per cent, de Jong said.

The 1.5 per cent tax will start when production begins and the second tier will be levied once proposed LNG projects are up and running.

Premier Christy Clark has promised that the revenues generated form the province’s LNG Income Tax scheme will go partially towards the development of a Prosperity Fund that could eventually pay off the provincial debt, which is currently over $60-billion.

In a news release Mon-

day morning, the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) said the budget has been balanced at a high cost and offers little to British Columbians looking for economic growth, job creation and quality public services.

“Today’s budget continues to underfund public services and does not repair any of the damage done by budget cuts and freezes over the last dozen years,” said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president said.

“Any government can slash spending, but there is more to balancing the budget than a single bottom line. We need a provincial government that invests in British Columbians. That requires targeted deficit spending today and deficit reductions when the economy recovers in the future.”

Walker added that the funding increase for child and family services under the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Community Living BC included in the budget was a welcome addition, but doesn’t address workload issues.

“This budget is all about paying off the debt for the future but ignores the needs of many people today,” he said.

transportation and $2.6 billion for health-sector infrastructure which will be used in part to develop a University Hospital of Northern British Columbia. → $15 million for children

and youth with special needs → $15 million for increased RCMP policing costs. → $6 million for legal aidrelated services → $841 million provincial budget surplus by 2017.

AT A GLANCE

DAWSON CREEK/CHETWYND AREA TRANSMISSION PROJECT CONSTRUCTION Public Safety Notice—Foundation Anchors in Transmission Right-of-Way Construction of the Dawson Creek/Chetwynd Area Transmission (DCAT) Project is underway.

Over the next few months, crews will be installing foundation anchors in the cleared transmission line right-of-way. The foundation anchors are clusters of large metal pipes sticking out of the ground between two feet and five feet from the ground. These anchors will be marked with flags and temporary fencing, but with snow and wind these markings may not always be visible.

Please use extra care when traveling on snow machines around rightof-way areas as foundation anchors pose a public safety hazard and may not be visible when covered in snow.

The DCAT project will help meet the rapidly increasing need for electricity in the South Peace region. The project includes a new 230 kilovolt, double circuit transmission line that will be installed between the new Sundance and Dawson Creek substations. For more information on the project please visit: bchydro.com/dcat.

If you have any questions, please contact BC Hydro stakeholder engagement: 1 866 647 3334 or send an email to stakeholderengagement@bchydro.com.

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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.

anced budget saying, “only one other province in Canada was able to balance their budget.

[There were] tough decisions, but we did it.”

Saskatchewan was the only other province to balance their budget.

With this budget, the Ministry of Health’s funding will increase by $2.5-billion over the course of the government’s fiscal plan for the year ending March 31, 2015. By 2016-17, total healthcare spending will reach $19.6-billion.

Minister de Jong paid a lot of attention to the LNG economy, which the BC Liberals are praising as a unique opportunity that will lift the province out of debt.

Three proposed LNG plants are at least three years away from operating, but the projected surpluses in the budget by then should put the government in a good position to maximize what potential is there.

“After 10 years of production, estimates are that one single LNG plant could generate up to $1.4-billion in LNG tax alone,” de Jong said.

“Those are the numbers for just one plant. I expect the skeptics are going to find it harder and harder over the com-

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Size: 4.93” X 108 lines Publication: High: (GM-IND) -12 High: -13 Chetwynd Echo High: -4 Insertion date: Jan 10, 17,Low: 24, 31 & -25Feb 7, 14, 21, 28

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Chetwynd Echo

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

Drive Safely!

Drive Safely!

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

To be or not to be: your most personal choice

T

NOTABLY NOMI :)

Naomi Larsen is Editor for the Chetwynd Echo.

Contact her at by phone at 250.788.2246 or via email editor@chetwyndecho.net

“We have to stop viewing death as a failure and focus instead on a good life with a good death,” Andre Picard, public health reporter at Globe and Mail and bestselling author.

his past weekend at their national convention, the Federal Liberal party voted in favour of legalizing assisted suicide, or “medically assisted death.”

The resolution, Party Leader Justin Trudeau said challenges Liberals "to expand our idea of what it means to be a free citizen in a modern democracy" and "to reflect on giving terminally afflicted Canadians the choice to end their pain and suffering and plan their own death with dignity."

I agree. As a cancer survivor I can say when you are faced with your own mortality you think about a lot of things – including whether or not if given the diagnosis of terminal – how and when you wish to leave this world.

Sure, one could down a bottle of Tylenol and chase it with a bottle of champagne, however in some cases that doesn’t cause death but rather brain damage, liver failure or a coma. Sure, one could go the violent way with a gun or hanging however these are traumatic for the survivors and the person would die alone. Legalizing medically assisted death would allow people to have a peaceful death and to be surrounded by loved ones.

In some places – such as Oregon and Washington State – doctors simply write a prescription for medication which the patient fills and takes themselves.

In other places a doctor or someone under a doctor’s supervision administers the medication to the patient. This is legal in both the Netherlands and Belgium.

Currently, in Canada Section 241 of the Canadian criminal code prohibits aiding, abetting or counseling someone to suicide. Breaking this law carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

When an animal is suffering beyond any meaningful recovery then the accepted thing to do is put them down since they are unable to manage that task on their own - to let them suffer is cruel. I believe the same goes for humans.

To legislate that a human can't decide when to end their own life takes away the most important personal freedom as far as I'm concerned. "To be or not to be, that is the question". Nobody can answer that but yourself.

Studies have show that one quarter of our health dollars go to people in their last 90 days of life. We artificially keep people alive. How good is that emotionally for all - the patient, friends, family?

People defer the pain of the logistics of death, and perhaps the pain and anguish of loss - which is inevitable. Death is reality. It is unavoidable. It is constant. It is personal. Let’s hope at some point in the future, it’s acceptable.

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Do you think people with a terminal illness should be able to choose when, how and where they can die?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Do you not consider rural people human?

To the Editor: Mr. Nichols, after reading your Mayor’s report in the Chetwynd Echo Feb. 12 I realized I had to respond to remarks which I feel are sarcastic and very demeaning to farmers and rural people.

When you pull your chair up to the table for breakfast in the morning where do you think the bacon, eggs, milk, potatoes, toast, etc. come from?

They come from the same place as the taxes that you talk about for some of your infrastructure, the rural people help through Fair Share money and taxes. Your water supply is from the rural area and you flush your toilets onto rural land. Taking just a few things I mentioned into consideration, we sure don't need your sarcasm dumped on us as well.

Having said this, don't ever think the 1996/2011 Bylaw is a dead issue.

This Bylaw you took part in was not asked for, you didn't follow the Local Government act. you didn't follow your procedural Bylaw, you didn't listen to your Constituents.

Let’s hope for your sake and the sake of everyone else on the board that we don’t retain a lawyer to show you how wrong and illegal this is. I recommend you don't get too high and mighty. It was tax payers that paid for your office and supplied you a very comfortable chair. I might add you occupy this chair because the majority voted for you, contrary to your remark that in a democratic society it is not the majority that always gets it’s way. After your comments, resigning would be

a good option because I have a feeling a win is not in your future.

Something else you said in your report that was right “you made a mistake” it happens, no big deal everybody makes mistakes. Wrong.

Knowing you made a mistake and not fixing it was a bigger mistake.

On December 2 you had your chance to do just that. In November Bruce Christensen made his feelings clear. The Board made a big mistake and must fix it no matter what the cost, I believe he was replaced on the Board for trying to get the right thing done. I ask you, if I steal your car and get caught would that just be a mistake and we all make mistakes “we are not super humans. ” Right! I doubt that very much. Regarding your reply to my email of Feb.13, you ask, ‘what more could you ask for’. The answer is “get rid of bylaw 1996/2011”.

Let anyone that wants a building permit to pick one up at the PRRD office. If you think the people are stupid enough not to realize what's going on you are wrong. Let the people cool off, forget or just lose interest like Karen said. We know the Bylaw is still in effect, we have only the word of the board that it will not be enforced and this can be changed at any time. If a bylaw which has had three readings and adoption can be ignored how can we believe in the integrity of decisions made by the Board? We’re not a bunch of pour uneducated farmers regardless of what you think.

Why would you keep this bylaw if you are not going to enforce it at

some future date? We are not stupid we know your plan.

I looked up the word “thief” in the dictionary it said “a person who steals, especially one who steals secretly and without force”. I would think that describes the PRRD to a “T”, remember, this is no small mistake, it involves 63,000 people and 12,000,000 hectors of land.

These are not my figures, they came from the PRRD so that, my friend is removing money from the pockets of approximately 63,000 people. Apparently your interpretation of a small mistake is different than mine.

I would also like to point out to you that the violations involving your lagoons in the past should be a great concern and you should be spending more time cleaning up the health hazard in your own back yard. It’s a bit hypocritical to pretend the building bylaw has to be put in for our health and safety (in the rules it says this is the only reason to impose a building bylaw) when your town has created a big health hazard for people and animals drinking the water where you discharge your sewer in the Pine River.

I was going to say humans but thought you might not consider rural people human. I’m sure the people downstream from your discharge will be happy to hear this.

Can you imagine someone bringing you a cup of this water to drink?

Protect yourself from financial fraud To the Editor: Every year, millions of Canadians are targeted by fraud regardless of their age, education level, income, profession or ethnicity. March is Fraud Protection Month in Canada and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is joining

the Competition Bureau and several other organizations in raising awareness about the issue of fraud.

It’s an ideal time for Canadians to find out how to recognize, prevent and report fraud should they become a victim.

It’s easy to fall for a fi-

nancial scam. Criminals use creative tactics to catch potential victims at different stages of their lives.

Whether you are starting your first job, moving out on your own, maintaining a home or living in retirement, be mindful of the potential scams that could target you. Protect your as-

Walter Stewart Charlie Lake, B.C.

sets, property and identity by recognizing and reporting the warning signs to the proper authorities and by visiting itpaystoknow.gc.ca to learn more.

Lucie Tedesco Commissioner Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

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

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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, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

5

Spring is coming: time to stimulate fertile minds The Mayor’s Report

M

with Merlin Nichols

ore on our home town. Spring’s coming up in a hurry and I’d like to stimulate your fertile imaginations with the possibilities of changing the face of town a little bit at a time wherever you have a bit of influence.

Suppose you owned the Post Office. Just suppose.

Nothing else, this is just mind work for now. What could you do to cause the tourist from Baton Rouge

to crane her neck for a third look as she drives by and excitedly exclaim, “Wow!” Suppose you owned Front Counter BC – you know who does. Just suppose. Nothing more. What could you do to impel the jaded, exhausted worker heading for bed in the Pomeroy to pause and take that other look – and promise to move the family to our home town?

Suppose you own the new District Office. Just suppose. In a sense you do own it. But just suppose for the sake of this argument. How will you use your creative talent to make it a thing of beauty in a garden of delights?

Suppose you owned one

Keeping our living space liveable is a community effort.

of the businesses competing for your hard-earned coin along our busy streets. Suppose, for a moment, how you could almost compel a passerby to

stop, enjoy, enter, and contribute to your retirement fund. Just suppose. I’m not asking for anything else – for the moment.

Now alter your perspective for a moment. Suppose you are a regular, big-spending customer at an in-town business that could benefit from some of your fantastic ideas.

This is not an outlandish thought! Did you ever think of exercising some of your capital to influence your partner in trade to help change the face of our home town?

Your District Council does what it can at budget time to support the beautification of our streets and roads and empty spaces. You know and

High in the air

other places where things were lost during the time of snow, would take on that somebody-caresenough-to look!

Keeping our living space liveable is a community effort. Whether it involves sand blasting and a few buckets of paint, new fencing, removal of stuff, or picking up what we drop, preferably when we drop it, when we all contribute, first to our own premises and then to the common turf, our town is beautiful.

I want to extend a special thank you to the Chetwynd Echo for offering the public library space in their newspaper to bring you previews of events and reading opportunities. (You’re so very welcome! We are big supporters of the library. – Ed.) Here is some of the newest material out there: “Carthage” by Joyce Carol Oates, is dark and riveting; a powerful addition to her works, one that explores the human capacity for violence, love, and forgiveness, and asks if it is ever truly possible to come home again.

“The Forever Girl” by Alexander McCall Smith, is the story of Clover and James, and Amanda and David, telling a tale full of love and heartbreak, humour and melancholy, that beautifully demonstrates the myriad ways in which love shapes our lives.

“The Martian” by Andy Weir, is a truly remarkable thriller: six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first

people to walk on Mars.

Now he’s sure to be the first person to die there.

This is an impossible-toput-down suspense novel that manages to read like a real-life survival tale.

“Cell” by Robin Cook, master of the medical thriller, is another topnotch fusion of ground breaking medical science and edge-of-your seat suspense.

“Ripper” by Isabel Allende, is a tightly plotted tale of crimes obvious and masked….sharply perceptive, utterly charming, and intensely suspenseful.

“Confessions of a Wild Child” by Jackie Collins, takes you back to where it all began with “Lucky” in the early years. How did Lucky Santangelo become the kick-ass woman she is today? Lucky will navigate you through her teen years—through first romances, family dramas, and adventures from Greek islands to Vegas penthouses.

Check us out and get back into reading!

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

Free music at library

F

The Acronaires acrobatic team from the Canadian University College (CUC) in Lacombe, Alberta were a hit with the community, especially with the elementary school aged children who had a first hand look at the team while the toured local schools with demonstrations of gravity-defying splendour. See more, page 8

Council knows that there is a limit to what Council can do just like there is a limit to what the other 3000 of us can do. Council will fund the planting of more flowers this spring and they will brighten our lives. Council may also fund a few more trees along our boulevards.

Council has a plan to extend and beautify our walkway from east to west along the boulevard.

That is a multi-year project. And we live in the present.

After the snow melts (it will melt), and before the grass grows tall, if 3000 people would get out to clean up the winter’s litter how quickly our streets, vacant lots, ditches, and

Local Library Briefs Fay Asleson

reegal mobile application is a completely free and legal way to access a collection of almost seven million MP3 songs via your local Public Library.

The Freegal offering includes many of today’s top artists , a fantastic retrospective collection, and music from around the world. All you have to do is have in your possession a valid “free” library card and have access to the Public Library website – http://chetwynd.bclibrary.ca.

While you are on the website check out our upcoming programs for the rest of February. Our facebook page highlights every forth coming program as well. Check these out and if you need further assistance or information please call us at 250-788-2559.

Photo by Naomi Larsen

“Any government can slash spending, but there is more to balancing the budget than a single bottom line. ” - Darryl Walker, BCGEU president re the provincial budget. See page 3.

EEK

QUOTE OF W

R E A D MO R E .

DO MORE.

Pick us up on newstands throughout the area

For more information on lung cancer, keep smoking.

Get more out of Chetwynd!

Log on and read the Chetwynd Echo at www.issuu.com

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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, February 26, 2014

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Chetwynd Echo

Teachers Federation will wait to enforce court ruling

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Negotiations between the two unions representing British Columbia teachers and their employers continued last week.

A protocol agreement between the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers Association (BCPSEA) prevents any dissemination of information on the specifics of the negotiations at the bargaining table to the public or media.

That could change at any time though, as either side can back out of the agreement if they decide it is best to do so.

A BC Supreme Court ruling in late January slammed Christy Clark’s government, saying that legislation introduced in 2011 removing collective agreement language stipulating guidelines for class size and composition, was unconstitutional.

The 2011 legislation was also deemed “virtually identical” to a law enacted in 2002, again removing caps on class sizes and the number of students with learning disabilities allowed in one class.

The court also concluded the province attempted to provoke a full-scale teachers strike and awarded the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) $2-million.

The BCTF has argued that removing the caps has BY

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A government appeal to Januaryʼs BC Supreme court ruling in favour of teachers will not be heard spring/ late summer

put additional stress on teachers and has left the most vulnerable students with a lower level of education because teachers are unable to provide the much needed one-on-one time in larger classes.

The government’s appeal of this decision will be heard this spring/summer, in May or possibly June.

On Friday, Feb. 21, the two parties were again before the court as a lawyer

legislation and the revised law passed in 2012, Horsman said, is that the new version allowed class size and composition issues to be included in contract negotiations.

“The BCTF is free to put any proposal it wishes to on the bargaining table pertaining to class size and composition. And I understand that is, in fact, what is happening in bargaining,” Horsman said.

John Rogers, a lawyer

The teachers of Peace River South are very disappointed in the budget.

MacKAY for the provincial government presented arguments for a “stay” that would hold off implementing that decision until an appeal of the ruling was carried out.

The government argued bringing class sizes and compositions back to their smaller 2002 levels would cause massive disruptions and cost millions of dollars, as school districts would scramble to reorganize classes and find the needed funds to do so.

The government’s attorney Karen Horsman said on Friday that if these changes go through now, there would be no way to reverse them if the government eventually wins its appeal.

“If not stayed pending appeal, [the original ruling] presents irreparable harm to public interest of an unprecedented magnitude,” Horman told the Canadian Press.

“There is financial harm, and also of greater concern is the less-quantifiable harm to students, families and educators in the disruption of school programs and classrooms in the restructuring of the K-12 system.”

The key difference between the original 2002

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for the BCTF said the teachers’ federation isn’t actually asking for the changes to be put in place until the beginning of the next school year in September.

The BCTF said this will “prevent disruption during this school year and enable school boards to plan to implement the decision in the 2014-15 school year.” Adding that if the government has concerns about next year, they should plan ahead.

Representatives from the teachers’ union said some strategizing around a strike vote is happening, because negotiations have been going on for a year now. But, as long as negotiations continue, no job action is planned.

In School District 59 (Peace River South), class sizes are in pretty good shape.

Peace River South Teachers Association (PRSTA) president Lorraine MacKay says there are more issues around class composition than class size at the local level.

“Locally, implementing the [court decision] would not be a huge cost,” she said. “Hopefully the government will accept that

WEʼRE ONLINE AND WEʼRE MOBILE! LOG ON TODAY!

the court decision was correct and once they’ve accepted that, it would go a long ways towards helping our bargaining move forward.”

But as they have shown, the government is prepared to appeal the ruling.

Simply just accepting it is not something that can be realistically expected.

“Right now, there is no cost politically to them because they have such a strong majority. What [the PRSTA] is doing is looking down the road and hopefully this will help people become more aware of exactly what Christy Clark’s government is doing to the education system and in fact is doing to the future of their children,” MacKay said.

The BCTF and the PRSTA were hoping to see some indication in the budget that funds were being put aside to implement the court ruling this fall, when the new school year gets underway. But, with the appeal and the application for the stay, the government has indicated that it will not be implementing anything for now until they are forced into it should they lose the appeal.

For MacKay, the provincial budget – which was announced on Feb. 18 was a huge disappointment.

“The teachers of Peace River South are very disappointed in the budget,” she said. “We recognize that this is going to make further hardships for students in our classrooms because, there will be cuts, the school district was already looking at a possible cut of $650,000 and if all costs for Medical Service Plans and Hydro continue to rise - and other issues, the school district will be forced at looking at further cuts.”

The BCTF also criticized the government’s budget saying it is another step back for education funding.

“There is a surplus and a sizable contingency fund,” BCTF vice-president Glen Hansman said in relation to the government’s argument that it simply can not afford to reduce class sizes to their 2002 levels.

“The government just chose not to put the funds into schools and education. After losing two rounds in BC Supreme Court, it’s time for government to respect teachers, the work they do, and properly fund BC’s education system.”

WWW. CHETWYNDECHO. NET

CHETWYND ECHO

Chamber of Commerce sparks work camp resolution

Chetwynd Echo

Hotel stays down 40 to 60 per cent ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS –––––––––––––– FORT ST. JOHN – The first delegation of the Feb. 13 Peace River Regional District board meeting brought forward the hot topic of work camps and their impact on municipalities.

"Hotels are down anywhere from 40 to 60 per cent in some locations, so it is significant," said Dawson Creek Chamber of Commerce director Rudy Van Spronsen. "We encourage the board - that is our purpose today - to take a look at some of the recommendations in the studies that the board has already had in front of them and talk about how we can better manage these work camps and better get business back into the municipalities."

Van Spronsen spoke to the board alongside two Chamber of Commerce members: Central Motel owner Peter Kwag and owner of Inn on the Creek and other properties in the region, Sam Mangalji. Both hoteliers spoke to their own experience and the challenges they have faced with development in recent years.

"With the work camps, the thing in my opinion is that they go outside the city limits or somewhere else and we've been paying property taxes for 20 years," Mangalji said of his Chetwynd property in particular. "These guys come in, pay no property taxes, they come in and make their money and off they're gone and it doesn't affect just the hotels: the barber to the restaurants, to a lot

of other activities."

The process of permitting work camps came up as a measure of regulating these activities.

PRRD chair Karen Goodings pointed out that permitting isn't solely the responsibility of the PRRD. "We are not the only permit place, where they get their permits, they get some from us if they're on private land, get some from the Oil and Gas Commission, get some from the Ministry of Environment, depending on the size of the camp," said Goodings.

"It is a process that we are trying to work through to coordinate it better."

PRRD general manager of development services Bruce Simard discussed that information sharing between the various groups involved in permitting work camps was an ongoing project for the PRRD staff. Simard said they are working on developing a sort of aggregate of camps: the numbers, the locations and how often they are moving.

Bringing up the other side of the work camp issue, Area D director Leonard Hiebert said that he has heard comments from his constituents regarding highway traffic, particularly with oil and gas activity. He noted that work camps are one of the ways to limit that sort of heavy traffic.

"One of the comments that I keep hearing is that they want to minimize the amount of traffic on the road.

"Worker camps, I think, might be one of their solutions to it but I don't think

Some of them actually are good neighbours and they come and talk to us, others shut their eyes, go forward and ignore.

they took into account exactly what it will do to all industries," said Hiebert.

Hiebert posed the question to the delegation of how to minimize the number of vehicles on the road, while still utilizing the services within the municipalities. Van Spronsen pointed to Fort McMurray where the massive number of worksites are set quite a distance from the community itself and workers are bused in and out of town.

"Putting 50 people on a bus instead of having 50 passenger vehicles go out or however they want to carpool, that's probably one of the more legitimate solutions to it," said Van

Riverhouse set to open March 1

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – It was one year ago this week when Colin Bateman, owner of the Riverhouse Restaurant and Lounge in Smithers BC, tweeted a picture of what we knew then as the New Blue Sky Restaurant, with the caption reading: “Riverhouse Restaurant in Chetwynd, Coming Soon”.

That sent us here at the Chetwynd Echo into high-powered newsgathering mode. A new restaurant is big time excitement.

A week later and we had our story. Now, almost one year later to the day, the restaurant is set to open this Saturday, March 1.

Opening night will be reservations only and it will be for dinner, from 5-10 p.m.

“We’d rather have everybody

hope

BY

NICHOLS

Spronsen. "Then you're dealing with professional drivers and the safety aspect of it is increased dramatically, you don't have tired people on the roads and that kind of thing."

Bringing up a way to works towards more positive relationships between communities and surrounding work camps, Chetwynd director Merlin Nichols offered that a requirement could be put in place through the various authorities that license work camps, requiring operators to meet with the nearby municipalities.

"At present, they have no obligation to do so. Some of them actually are good neighbours and they come and talk to us, others shut their eyes, go forward and ignore," said Nichols.

"Maybe, if we could make some kind of a representation to the various ministries involved, that this could be a condition of getting a permit to start operations."

Adding to Nichols' suggestion of a mandated cooperation between industry and municipalities, Area E director Jerrilyn Schembri noted that it could be a solution that resonates throughout the province. She suggested the resolution be brought forward to the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA).

"I know it's something that is not unique to this area, it's not unique to the Peace," said Schembri. "It would be something that I think would be a provincewide interest so I think that it might be a good idea to do that."

Schembri and Nichols will bring forward a resolution to be voted on by the board at the next regular meeting on Feb. 27.

come in and be happy than be packed and have [bad] service,” said staff supervisor Jocelyn Patricia.

Regular hours after that will be seven days a week, 6:30-2 p.m., then closed 2-5p.m., and open again for dinner 5 p.m. - midnight.

The kitchen will close at 10 p.m. every night, but will continue to serve appetizers until closing time.

The Riverhouse Restaurant is licensed, but bills itself as a food primary establishment.

It took a lot of work to get here, but the staff of 35 couldn’t be more excited about the new beginnings.

The new ownership will also take over the adjacent hotel, changing the name to simply, “The Pine”.

Derek Pillay, General Manager could hardly contain his excitement this week, as Bateman put

the newly hired staff –mostly from Chetwynd – through their paces in preparation for opening day.

“We have a world renowned chef in Eric Duncan,” Pillay said. “He is known all over the world.”

Duncan, who worked most recently in Dubai as well as the Arctic Circle, said he and his staff are pretty much ready. “We’re just working out all of the kinks we can think of.”

Pillay explains the timing was perfect to hire Duncan.

“We go back about seven years,” he said. “We both worked in the artic [together] I rent hotels up there and he worked up there as well as a chef. The timing was right, he just came back from overseas and I just got offered this gig.”

If the feedback on Facebook is any indication, the restaurant is sure to be a success.

For every question there is an answer.

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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2014 Civic Night Nominees CIVIC NIGHT IS TOMORROW NIGHT Here is the official list of this yearʼs nominees.

Theresa Bernard Joan Templ Dr. Schreve Richart Martin Little Prairie Elementary Elizabeth Dobb Glen Derkoch Hospital staff Larry Skoreyko Margie Shannon Ana Peasgood George Kalischuk Cheryl Widdicombe Chris Lirette Rebekah Hallaert Matthew Swain Kara-Ann Russell Chrystal Marsel Julia Nelson Liz Gauthier Krista Sedgwick J.A. Shannon (Archie & Margie) Super Valu Chetwynd Echo Newspaper Chetwynd Library Chetwynd Bistro Peace FM & Chet TV Toni Ethier Jennifer Grosse Wendy Harris Naomi Larsen Brenda Maisey Dennis & Theresa Walker

TICKETS FOR THIS YEARʼS GALA ARE $5 AND ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHETWYND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

8

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

The Acronaires wowed the crowd, loved Chetwynd and left a lasting impact on town.

Photos by Naomi Larsen and Mike Carter

Acronaires entertain standing room only crowd at Peace Christian School MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – It was a night filled with highflying twists and jumps, a few laughs and a lot of “wow”.

The Acronaires acrobatic team from the Canadian University College (CUC) in Lacombe, Alberta were a hit with the community, especially with the elementary school aged children who had a first hand look at the team while they toured local schools with demonstrations of gravitydefying splendour.

The team was in Chetwynd from Thursday, BY

Feb. 13 until Sunday, Feb. 16, and they made the best of every moment by taking in all that Chetwynd has to offer (including a hike up Baldy), while giving all they had on the floor for an extensive show Saturday, Feb. 15 at Peace Christian School (PCS).

PCS principal Darren Shankel, who met his wife while they were both members of the Acronaires squad at CUC, said the team had actually approached him about the visit.

“Aside from having former team members in the area, a big draw for them was due to the positive re-

“When youʼre doing a hand-

stand 10 feet off the ground on top of a pyramid made of people, you need to be insane or have a significant level of trust ...”

ception they received from the Chetwynd community the last time they were here,” Shankel said.

“We were happy to accommodate them, but it was coach [Ron Schafer]

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He speculates that it was not only the personal connection he and his wife, (as

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well as a teacher at PCS who is a former team member) had with the team that drew the Acronaires back to Chetwynd.

“There was likely something [Schafer] wanted some of the members of the team to experience in order to send a message about their worldview,” Shankel continued. “There are a lot of things about Chetwynd that speaks volumes about cooperation for the greater good of more than just the individual. That’s a pretty important message to send to a team.”

There were many volunteers that made the trip a success. Shankel wanted to specifically thank his wife, Dori, for her help in organizing the “food end” of the weekend.

“They likely would not have fared as well if they would have been relying on me for cold cereal and macaroni,” he said.

Also, Annette Carter at the Tansi Friendship Centre and Amy Meyer for facilitating food donations.

“I also appreciate the willingness of our local elementary principals to be flexible to make the four school performances all work,” he added. “The enthusiasm that students bring to these types of displays provide significant

positive reinforcement to the performer.”

The 50-member team mostly stayed at PCS, with a few exceptions.

“Classrooms and sleeping bags,” Shankel said, adding that it is pretty common for teams now.

Before, they were able to billet in people’s houses all over Canada, but “with changes in society you can’t do that anymore [it’s] sad, it was a great way to meet people on a personal level. Unfortunately, that’s also the biggest reason we can’t chance it anymore.”

As a participant in the program, Shankel understands that it has a lasting impact on your life.

Those in attendance a few weeks ago will tell you with confidence, that the Acronaires have had a lasting impact on Chetwynd, as well.

“When you’re doing a handstand 10 feet off the ground on top of a pyramid made of people, you need to be insane or have a significant level of trust and cooperation with the people keeping gravity from having its way with you.”

“It was definitely a lot of work, but in my mind well worth the effort. I am confident that every member of the Acronaires feels the same way.”

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

9

Chetwynd Kal Tire Girls Giants take first place in Mackenzie hockey tournament

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– MACKENZIE – The Chetwynd Kal Tire Girls Giants took home the first place banner from a tournament in Mackenzie this past weekend, Feb. 21- 23.

The team was in fourth place after going without a single win in round robin play, but came storming all the way back to win both the semi final and final games in a shootout.

Game one was against the team from Vanderhoof.

Chetwynd lost 2-1, with the only goal coming off the stick of Jannelle Patmore in the first period.

The ladies were shutout in game two against Fraser Lake, losing 5-0. Fraser Lake scored three in the second period and two in the third.

Against the home team from Mackenzie in the third game of the round robin, the Giants fell 5-3.

Tianna Patmore scored in the first period, but Mackenzie would add two goals to carry a 2-1 lead into the second.

Brianna Young tied things up 2-2, but late in the second period the team from Mackenzie would add two more goals to go up 4-2.

The teams traded goals in the third period, with the Giants inching close on Young’s second of the game to make it 4-3 before Mackenzie sealed the win with just 1:16 remaining, winning by a score of 5-3.

The Giants faced the first place team from Vanderhoof in the playoff round, winning in a shootout to

set up a final one game showdown against the host Mackenzie team on Feb. 23.

The home team jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the only goal scored in the first period.

The lady Giants came out firing in the second period, taking a 2-1 lead on two goals from Reece Mosher at 17:39 and 16:55.

Mackenzie tied it up, and later at 10:47 of the second, would take a onegoal lead.

Mackenzie scored to rack up a two-goal lead at the beginning of the third.

But there was no quit in this Giants team as they picked themselves up with two clutch goals from Janelle Patmore to tie things up, sending the game to overtime.

After a four-on-four fiveminute overtime period

solved nothing, the final can work out,” said team game for first place in the manager Laurelle Watson. tournament headed to a shootout.

Chetwynd’s Brianna Young was the first shooter and she made no mistake, burying her shot in the back of the net on the Mackenzie goaltender.

Giants’ goalie Kyana Watson stopped all three Mackenzie shooters, and the celebration was on.

The team went from last place going into the playoff round to win the tournament, showing grit and determination reminiscent of the Team Canada women’s hockey gold medal win last week.

Canada was down 2-0 to the Americans with less than four minutes remaining, only to tie the game in the final minute and win it in overtime.

“It’s crazy how things

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – In Sochi, girl power is as strong as ever.

The Canadian women’s hockey team captured gold on the same day as the Canadian women’s curling team. The very next day, north Vancouver’s Marielle Thompson and Kelsey Serwa of Kelowna captured gold and silver in the women’s ski cross event.

“We’re all about girl power from the start,” Thompson said. “We’re just having fun all day. I know Kelsey, and we tried to help each other all the way down the course.”

But after the medals are all handed out and the world turns it’s attention back to what’s happening at home, the next generation of female athletes will be lacing up their skates right here in Chetwynd.

Who knows, maybe one day they could play in the Olympics? But right now, what is important is having fun.

The Chetwynd and District Minor Hockey Association and the Chetwynd Kal Tire Female Giants are asking girls in Chetwynd to come out and give hockey a try.

On March 13, at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre, these two will host a girls hockey night.

Registration is free and begins at 5 p.m.. There will be pizza, snacks and door prizes.

“I am in the process of promoting our female hockey program in Chetwynd,” Laurelle Watson, manager of the Kal

Tire Female Giants said in an email. “We really struggled this year due to low numbers and I am trying to get as many girls interested in trying this sport out and maybe registering with us for next season.”

Helmets, skates and gloves are mandatory.

Watson notes that some gear will be available for the girls to try out. There will also be skate rentals available from the rec centre.

“Maybe we can get enough little girls out to start our own younger girls team,” Watson said.

The Chetwynd Kal Tire Girls Giants pose with their first place medals after a miraculous victory at a tournament in Mackenzie this past weekend. The team was dead last after round robin play, but they never gave up, and came all the way back to go Photo submitted undefeated in the playoff round and win the top prize.

Chetwynd Kal Tire Female Giants host "Try Girls Hockey Night" March 13

Name: Brodie Watson Position: Forward Number: 4 Height: 5’10” Weight: 170lbs Favourite Team: Canucks Favourite Player: Kevin Bieska Favourite Food: Bacon Mushroom burger Favourite other sport: Skiing Watson’s performance over the season has made him this week’s player of the week. Nicknamed “moose”, Watson has two goals and three assists on the season.

Female Major Midget Cougars lock up second place 10

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Chetwynd duo “assist”team to semi finals

BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– KELOWNA – The Northland Dodge Northern Female Major Midget Cougars hockey club, featuring Chetwynd-born players Hunter Mosher and Marissa Nichol, locked in a second place finish to the regular season with four games this past weekend.

Both Chetwynd players helped the team out by scoring a goal each. The team will now get a bye from the first round of the playoffs.

The Cougars will host the best of three semi-final playoff round in Prince George next month, March 21-23, with their opponent yet to be determined.

In four games over the Feb. 21-23 weekend, the Cougars won three and tied one, en route to picking up 7 out of a possible 8 points. Going into the weekend’s action, the Cougars needed only three points to lock in a second

NICHOL

MOSHER

The Cougars’ two Chetwynd-born players both had a big weekend. Mosher and Nichol each picked up a goal to help the team to a magnificent 3-0-1 record, clinching second place and earning a bye to the second round of the playoffs. This is the first time a team from Northern BC has placed this high in the standings heading into the playoffs.

place finish.

The first game was against the Vancouver Island Hurricanes. This was the sixth game between the two this season, with the cougars sporting a 4-1 record heading into the match.

They would improve on that already impressive record versus the Hurricanes, with a convincing 40 victory.

Megan Hickey, Madison Fjellstrom, Chatelle Bead-

man-Rolph and Chetwynd’s own Hunter Mosher scored goals in this game. Kelsey Roberts earned the shutout.

Mosher now has three goals and three assist on the season.

The second game versus the Thompson-Okanagan Rockets had important implications for the playoff standings, with both the Rockets and the Cougars battling it out for second place overall behind the

HUNTER GENTRY MOBERLY LAKE ELEMENTARY He enjoys reading “Chester”. He says, “Chester is a funny cat that draws on all kinds of things in the book.”

LEARIAH CARDINAL LITTLE PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY

Provincial Preparations

With only a month to go before the Chetwynd Midget Giants leave for the BC Hockey Provincial Championships in Clearwater, BC, the hockey team was pleased to receive support from a local business. Shane Surerus, Operations Manager of Chetwynd Redi Mix presented the Giants with a $500.00 provincials sponsorship. Donning the “Old School” Chetwynd jerseys, Midget players Brice Vossler & Liam Beattie accepted the donation on behalf of the hockey team.

Photo submitted

powerhouse Fraser Valley Phantoms.

The Cougars would go on to beat the Rockets 2-1 on goals from Fjellstrom and the other Chetwyndborn player on the team, Marissa Nichol.

With that tally, Nichol now has four goals and three assists.

The Cougars played two more games on the weekend, tying the first place Phantoms 1-1. Chantelle Beadman-Rolph scored on

the power play for the Cougars, while Kelsey Roberts turned in another great goaltending performance.

They then finished off the weekend with a win in the final game against North Vancouver’s Westcoast Avalanche.

The Cougars were up 3-0 on two goals from Tessa Hare and one from Jocelyn Forrest, before the Avalanche got moving and made a game of it in the

third, narrowing the lead to 3-2.

Avery Quiring was in goal, and she survived a barrage of shots from the Avalanche to hold out for the win.

Next up for the Cougars, the final three games of the season. The team will travel to play all three games against the Kootenay Wildcats, and are hoping to put an exclamation mark on what has already been a terrific season.

The Amazing Book Challenge: Week 4

URIAH DAVIS MOBERLY LAKE ELEMENTARY

His favorite books is Pete the Cat. I Love my White Shoes. He likes it when Pete steps in a pile of blueberries.

ANNABELLE HAYWARD

PEACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

I like the character Mean Jean!

LEVI BREMNER PEACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL I really like Robert Munsch books!

Leariah likes listening to her teacher read Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. Her favourite part was when Henry gets a dog.

JILLIAN NEWMAN CHETWYND SECONDARY

I enjoy reading beacuse it's an escape from reality.

You can go anywhere, become anyone, or do anything; just from reading."

DEVYN JENSEN LITTLE PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY

Devyn read Cool Cats Play in the Snow. Her favourite part was when they made a snow cat.

TY MURFITT WINDREM ELEMENTARY

My favorite author is Robert Munsch, I like reading the Bone books and The Lord of the Rings.

"I love books because they give you a chance to experience things you wouldn't do otherwise.

They can really take you away."

874

Winner of the smoothie from the Chetwynd Bistro is:

My favorite book to read is Green eggs and ham and my favorite author is Dr. Seuss

The Weekly Book Challenge is sponsored in part by the Chetwynd Echo

ZOE NAIRM CHETWYND SECONDARY

Total amount of books read so far:

PATIENCE MAURER WINDREM ELEMENTARY

Daylin Spenst

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9LVLW UHGFURVV FD IRU F\EHU VDIHW\ WLSV

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 11

Chetwynd Echo

LPES celebrates Pink Shirt Day

me about Pink Shirt Day was actually surprised so I said that I would with the knowledge of come by and participate,” some of the stuff that is out there.”

Cst. Taylor said.

Taylor said the kids He was on hand on Monday to lead the kids taught him about some of through a workshop on the different chat rooms and smartphone apps that cyber bullying.

Cst. Taylor said he are out there where kids thought the workshop can get help if they are was very well received being bullied.

Schools in Chetwynd and was surprised that will be celebrating Pink some of the kids knew TW Shirt Day todayOperations by eneven more than he did Client: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource couraging teachers and about the issue.

Campaign: Northeast Region trapline information “I was kind of explain- students to wear a pink Size: 3.218” x 4.558” ing what it is, things that shirt and to talk about the Chetwynd Echo they can do to prevent it negative impact bullying and just more awareness. has in the classroom and It went really good. Lots the school. of good questions, and I

Grade 3 student Liam Penner displays his sign during Little Prairie Elementary Pink Shirt Day Assembly on Photo by Mike Carter Monday, Feb. 24.

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – Students and teachers are donning pink shirts today in honour of “Pink Shirt Day”, a campaign to combat bullying that began when two high school students from the Maritimes witnessed bullying at their school.

David Shepherd and Travis Price, former students at Central Kings Rural High School in Berwick, Nova Scotia, began organizing the event after they were inBY

spired to help a Grade 9 student in their school who had been the victim of some severe bullying.

That Grade 9 student was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school one day. In protest, Shepherd and Price decided they would wear pink shirts to school and encourage others to do the same in solidarity with the boy that had been bullied.

The two teens ran out to Wal-Mart and bought 50 pink tank tops. They got the message out to friends the day before through so-

cial media sites and text messaging and started handing them out at school.

The event snowballed right across the country.

Little Prairie Elementary held their Pink Shirt Day festivities a little early this year. The official day is today, Feb. 26. But, antibullying activities went on throughout Little Prairie School on Monday.

“Our theme today is how to be an upstander,” said Little Prairie coach/mentor Diane Bassendowski. “The kids have been travelling to

different stations throughout the whole day learning how to stand up to bully’s and how to stop bullying.”

“Being an upstander means to help other people who are being bullying and to stand up to people,” said student Lelland Smith. “I will never be a bystander.”

Constable Adam Taylor with the Chetwynd RCMP is the liaison officer with Little Prairie Elementary School.

“I came here about two weeks ago to meet with the principal and she told

NOTICE TO ALL TRAPPERS IN THE PEACE REGION The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is reviewing the management of traplines throughout British Columbia and may reallocate any traplines that are not being used.

To support this initiative, the ministry’s Northeast Region is: t DPOöSNJOH UIF PXOFSTIJQ BOE BDUJWJUZ BTTPDJBUFE with each registered trapline t EFUFSNJOJOH FBDI USBQMJOF T IJTUPSJDBM BOE DVSSFOU use, based on fur harvest reports t EFWFMPQJOH B GSBNFXPSL GPS NBOBHFNFOU EFDJTJPOT on unused traplines Important notifications about trapline use and trapline cabins will be mailed to trappers in the near future. To ensure that you receive these notifications, please email any contact information updates to Lori Jeffrey at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations office in Fort St. John (lori.jeffrey@gov.bc.ca), or call FrontCounter BC at 250 787-3415 in Fort St. John or toll-free at 1 877 855-3222.

M&J COMPUTERS

M&J Computers is a locally owned business that has been part of the community and serving Chetwynd for more than 15 years.

Owner Heidi Greenwood and her staff pride themselves on their customer service stating if the customer isnʼt happy – neither are they.

M&J Computers carries usb flash drives, webcams, games, software, RAM, accessories, GPS, printers, ink, scanners, and numerous computer accessories. They also deal with Canadian-based Xplornet satellite internet.

Since their move early 2012 theyʼve expanded their store to include so much more - including televisions, laptops, gaming headsets, and accessories for both Playstation and Xbox. They also host two public internet computers and and a gaming station where they can host a variety of video game tournaments including Halo and Call of Duty.

“We have three times the space, which means three times the product,” Greenwood said.

M & J Computers is also a system builder and are qualified to custom build your computer, giving you the components you need. hey are also registered with Microsoft and have in stock HOURS OF OPERATION: the new Windows 8. They can also can order in any Mac component. Need work done? Instore tech Zack can Mon. - Fri. 9 am to 6 pm Sat. 10 am to 5 pm do onsite calls and assist you with networkingand troubleshooting and as usual, their work is 100% guaranteed.

ADDRESS: M&J Computers is located in downtown Chetwynd on 51st Street and is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 4717 51 St (between Grindz & Bindz pm and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. They are closed Sundays however a simple phone call can get you after hours and RedRock Cinema) and weekend assistance. Donʼt forget to fan them on Facebook for up to the minute sales and deals.

250-788-1009 • mjcomp@pris.ca

Pay Les Welding & Safety Supply Store

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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

LIONS RECYCLING DEPOT HOURS OF OPERATION

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

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12

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

Canadian Diabetes Association introduces phone support program, webinar series

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND - The Canadian Diabetes Association has announced two new programs in British Columbia and the Yukon to help newly diagnosed diabetes patients.

The first program, called D-Chat, is a free and confidential telephone based personal mentoring program available to those newly diagnosed with type two diabetes. The free program connects recently diagnosed type two patients with diabetes mentors.

The goal of the program is to empower and guide participants with type two BY

diabetes towards healthy living by having them regularly connect with a peer mentor.

D-Chat matches individuals newly-diagnosed with type two diabetes with a volunteer mentor also living with the disease

for a casual one-on-one chat over the phone for a period of six weeks.

Once an individual registers, a trained volunteer will phone them to answer their questions, offer information about local resources and share

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION

Notice is hereby given that effective December 19, 2013 the boundary of the District of Chetwynd is amended by including the parcel of vacant land legally known as Lot 2, Plan EPP 21481, District Lot 2685, Peace River District.

Letters Patent and a map showing the boundaries of the new municipality may be viewed at the offices of the District of Chetwynd during regular office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, except statutory holidays.

For additional information call:

Carol Newsom, Director of Corporate Administration, (250) 401-4104

This synopsis is published in accordance with section 15(b) of the Local Government Act.

experiences.

D-Chat volunteers do not provide medical advice, instead they share their personal experience and support on how best to navigate the health care system.

“We’re excited to now offer this unique support program and encourage newly-diagnosed individuals with type two diabetes in BC and Yukon to participate,” said Leanne Morgan, senior manager, community programs and partnerships at the Canadian Diabetes Association.

“Finding out you’ve been diagnosed with dia-

betes can be an unforgettable moment in one’s life.”

Having a mentor to share his or her own experience of living with the disease and provide tips and suggestions will help alleviate the stress of figuring out the best ways to adjust, the association says.

The second program introduced by the association is a series of webinars that will run until August 2014. The webinars will be packed with relevant and up-to-date information for people living with type one and type two diabetes.

Residents from BC and

the Yukon can sign-up at no cost to attend any or all of the available two-hour webinars, with topics ranging from kids, food and nutrition to health, travel, foot care and more.

The Canadian Diabetes Association says it has worked to create a highlyinformative and engaging series, which feature radio personality and host Jessica Gares (the Bill Good Show, CKNW Vancouver) experienced diabetes educators, health professional and other knowledgeable speakers.

“These webinars will provide people with type one and type two diabetes free professional information, facilitated discussion and a new way to connect with others in the diabetes community,” said Morgan.

“We hope to reach a diversified audience and serve residents in city, rural and remote communities.

For further information on both these programs, visit: www.diabetes.ca or call toll free: 1-800-6656526.

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014 13

Chetwynd Echo

Spectra Energy's Liquids Extraction project delayed Project was to be completed in 2015

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– DAWSON CREEK – Spectra Energy has announced that it is delaying the construction of its Dawson Liquid Extraction facility in Dawson Creek.

Spectra Energy has received regulatory approval from the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission to construct and operate the 400 million cubic feet per day facility which is slated to be located on Spectra’s properties 16 kilometres west of the city, adjacent to the current Dawson Processing Plant.

Construction was expected to start at the beginning of 2014, but community coordinator Michela Bjorseth said the construction has been delayed.

BY

Bjorseth offered little reason for the delay in a letter to the District of Chetwynd mayor and council.

“Development of the project is ongoing, “ she wrote, “ and once we have a better idea of the project timing, we will send out another update.”

When constructed, the facility will process sweet raw (unprocessed) gas from producer wells in the area and, sweet residue (sales quality) gas from the immediately adjacent

Dawson Processing Plant to remove water and extract natural gas liquids.

It will have a design capacity for storage and handling of up to 400 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The facility will include a high-pressure flare system and a cryogenic flare system, along with an office building and a warehouse.

A 1.5 kilometre, 30-inch diameter pipeline is being proposed along with the extraction facility to connect the dry sales gas to TransCanada’s NOVA gas

transmission system - a 23,500-kilometre pipeline carrying natural gas for use in both Alberta and British Columbia.

Spectra have undertaken fieldwork, including surveying, environmental studies and archeological assessments.

The Dawson Liquids Extraction project will be provincially regulated, and the company says it will speed up its extraction of gas from the Monteny shale gas formation in the South Peace, near Dawson Creek.

Access to the facility will be by way of a new private access road connecting to the existing 241 Road.

It was expected to have an in service date of between July and September 2015, but that proposed deadline will now likely be extended.

Grand Chief Edward John (centre) addresses the media at a postsummit news conference on Wednesday Feb. 19, 2014, while BC Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad (left) and federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver (right) listen on.

First Nations feeling the pressure from LNG proponents

Photo by XXXX

MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– FORT ST. JOHN – As the third First Nations LNG summit came to a close, Aboriginal leaders feared the urgency to get the multitude of liquefied natural gas projects underway would hurt their chances at giving free, prior and informed consent to the use of their land for pipelines and LNG processing plants.

“We’re feeling the pressure,” Terry Teegee, tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council said at the closing press conference.

“There are limited resources to really look at these projects fully to get that informed consent and it’s an issue that all communities that are effected by pipelines or any of these projects are facing.”

More than 300 delegates attended the three-day event held in Fort St. John to discuss the social, environmental and cumulative impacts of LNG development in northern BC. It was the third such summit, with others being held in Prince George and Prince Rupert.

The summits are billed as an opportunity for both the federal and provincial governments, along with proponents and First Nations leaders to work collectively to share information and perspectives on LNG and work toward informed decision-making on how to proceed with projects effecting First Nations communities.

Grand Chief Edward John, Chief of the Tl’azt’en Nation located near Stuart Lake, and North American representative to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, left the conference BY

feeling many issues still needed to be addressed.

“The situation is this: we have no resources in our communities, we have companies coming in with pipelines and they are expecting us to jump up and down at their beck and call and we don’t have the wherewithal to be able to [deal] with that,” John said.

“We have no resources from the federal government [and] no resources from the provincial government,” John said while gesturing towards both the BC Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad and the federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver who sat on either side of him.

“A significant amount of money and effort is required for the communities to be able to make the kind of decisions that they need to.”

The biggest challenge faced is the urgency with which both levels of government and the corporations working with them have pushed to have liquefied natural gas plants and pipe lines developed.

Several other countries are chasing the demand for natural gas in Asia, where the prices are as much as five times greater than what LNG can be sold for domestically.

“The international energy markets are extraordinarily competitive and in respect to LNG, Australia is a major supplier as is Qatar and the United States has discovered vast amounts of shale gas and are rapidly building liquefaction plants [for] exporting,” federal Minister of Natural resources Joe Oliver said.

“Countries that have long-term strategic energy needs and therefore need to diversify their markets are looking to enter long-term con-

tracts.”

Amongst other advantages, Canada is closer to the Asian markets, Oliver says. That puts us in a good position to capitalize on a wealth of natural gas resources in the peace region of BC. But, because of a lack of infrastructure to export the product, significant investments are needed to get the ball rolling, and if they do not proceed in a timely manner, Oliver says we could just miss our window of opportunity.

“To the extent that long-term contracts are signed by other countries, they are not available to us. So, without diminishing any of the other issues, that is a very serious consideration,” he explained.

Nothing should be done without free, prior and informed consent, Edward John maintained.

“We have heard about world class standards for tanker traffic, tanker safety, world class standards for pipelines, but there are also world class standards for indigenous rights issues called free prior and informed consent,” he said.

“These standards are in the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, many of which have been confirmed and supported by the supreme court of Canada.”

Terry Teegee of the Carrier Sekani Tribal council said the LNG summit was an overall success.

“We learned the issues of the northeast and how the development can really effect the people where the gas is being extracted. The idea of this conference is to have frank discussions about all these projects.

The more voices we hear, the more communication [the better].”

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

All Artists, take note, that the deadline for entering the Regional Juried Arts Exhibit in Fort St. John is fast approaching.

Entry registrations are to be in by March 7 but artwork is not delivered until March 26. This is the 3oth year that emerging artists and seasoned artists in Northeast BC can show their works, win awards sponsored by Encana and network with new and professional artists.

The exhibit runs from March 29-April 17 at the Peace Gallery North in the North Peace Cultural Centre, Fort St. John.

Registrations forms and more information from the Fort St. John Community Arts Council at email: info@fsjarts.org or phone 250-787-2781 or 250-785-6214.

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 Library.

Fun Darts at the Royal Canadian gion Saturday’s 7 pm

Le-

Little Giant Air Cadets . Mondays at 6:30pm at the Royal Canadian Legion. Ages 12-18.

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Pine Valley Seniors Centre Call 250-7883306

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

Baby’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 Mickey’s Place (behind AandW)

Chetwynd Society for Community Living Board Meeting. First Monday of each month. 4699 Airport Road Ph: 250-7884889.

Homeschooling Network Thursdays 1 pm - 2 pm at the Chetwynd Public Library

CDMHA and Chetwynd Kal Tire Female Giants are hosting Girls Hockey Night, Thursday March 13. Pizza, snacks and door prizes. Call 250-788-7890 or 250874-0187 for info.

Muskoti Learning Centre Homework Club Mon-Thursday 3 - 4:30 pm

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FOR THE WEEK OF Feb 23

matic, you can focus on other things.

together. It is a productive pairing.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, make a concerted effort to improve your focus in the weeks ahead. There is much to lose if you cannot tackle the tasks at hand, particularly at the workplace.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you can differentiate between right and wrong, but your judgement might be off this week. Rely on your intuition, but don't make any big decisions without first thinking carefully.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you want to play outside of the rules this week. You normally like to follow a relatively traditional course, so this catches others off guard.

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you want more than you can acquire this week and your desires may lead you astray. It is important to exercise self-restraint, even if you get a thrill from living on the edge.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, it's unlike you to slow down, so don't be surprised when friends start looking at you curiously after you take your foot off the gas. Your free spirited nature will soon return.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, find a routine that works for you and then stick with it. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, and when actions become auto-

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 A need for attention could get the better of you, Leo. A little humility goes a long way and can alter others' perceptions of you. You may end up being seen in a more positive light.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, it may seem like you are being led astray by one thing after another, when all you want is to focus on one task at a time. Find a way to block out any and all distractions.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, work on a creative project with a sweetheart or friend early in the week.

Ideas will flow easily and your imaginations will soar

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 This is not your week to mix love and money, Sagittarius.

In fact, keep the two as separate as possible, and exercise caution before lending anyone money.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 You don't always have the patience to stick with the same routine, Aquarius.

That means others cannot expect you to conform to their whims if they want you as a friend.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you may need to sacrifice some security for a chance to have a memorable experience. Do something out of the ordinary.

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Teck profits down nearly half

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 15

Chetwynd Echo

TUMBLER RIDGE NEWS –––––––––––––– Lower commodity prices means lower profits for Teck in the last quarter of 2013. In this case, about 44 percent lower.

Before the vultures start circling, they should note that means Teck only made one billion (with a B) dollars last quarter, compared to $1.8 billion the year before.

Donald Lindsay, president and chief executive officer for Teck says the company had a good year.

“I am pleased to report that we met or exceeded all of our production targets. We also set a number of significant operating and sales records, including record annual coal sales.”

According to Lyndsay, the company had a record quarter for copper production, with 105,000 tonnes of copper mined in the last three months of the year. Coal production was up 300,000 tonnes over Q4 in the previous year.

However, with coal prices down 23 percent, even additional volume couldn’t prevent the drop in revenue. Lindsay says that the prices “remaining below the level that we believe is required to sustain adequate production in this sector long-term.”

However, a strong US dollar partially offset weak prices.

The company has been working hard at reducing costs, and Lindsay says they exceeded goals set for their cost reduction program, cutting back $360 million dollars by the end of 2013. “We are prudently allocating capital to the best risk/reward projects for future growth and we are responding to market conditions in the shortterm to manage our capacity to invest,” says

“We are continuing detailed

engineering work at Quintette, so that if market conditions turn favorable, we will be in a position to be able to move quickly.”

Lindsay. “We have reduced our sustaining capital where it makes sense; we’ve also deferred projects and their related capital expenditures, including delaying the Quintette mine restart and slowing down development of QB2.”

Something new for Teck is the Fort Hills oil sands project near Fort McMurray. Teck has historically mined coal, copper and zinc , but has three oil sands projects, including this partnership between Teck, Total E&P and Suncor. It marks Teck’s second foray into the Energy Market; the first was a 30 percent interest in the Wintering Hills Wind Power Facility near Drumheller.

While the company’s long-term future is undiminished, Lindsay is not so upbeat about the shortterm. “"While we believe that the longer term fundamentals for steelmaking coal, copper and zinc are favorable, the recent weakness in some of these markets may well persist for some time."

With new coal mines coming on-stream, prices are not expected to rise very much. And a weak US dollar means operating costs will increase.

For 2014, Teck predicts a drop in production for copper and zinc. In 2013, the company produced 364,000 tonnes of copper.

They are expecting to produce between 320,000 and 340,000 tonnes over the next year. Zinc production is expected to drop from 623,000 tonnes to below 585,000 in 2014.

Lindsay says that the company is in good shape to meet demand for metallurgical coal in 2014, but the amount of coal the company sells is dependant upon demand. “"Our actual production will depend primarily on customer demand for deliveries of steelmaking coal. Depending on market conditions and the sales outlook, we may adjust our production plans.”

Last year, the company produced 25.6 million tonnes of met coal. This year, says Lindsay, the company is planning to run under capacity. “We have the option to grow capacity by a further three or four million tonnes by restarting our Quintette mine.”

On that topic, Lindsay say no decision has been made yet. “We are continuing detailed engineering work at Quintette, so that if market conditions turn favorable, we will be in a position to be able to move quickly. Production could commence within 14 months of the construction decision, and at this point we don't contemplate making a decision until closer to midyear.”

Kinuseo named most popular waterfall in western Canada by “eh Canada”

Kinuseo Falls is a waterfall on the Murray River, which flows through the northern tip of Monkman Provincial Park in the Northern Rockies of British Columbia.

File photo

TUMBLER RIDGE NEWS –––––––––––––– TUMBLER RIDGE – Kinuseo Falls beat out the thunderous Alexandra Falls in the Northwest Territories and Begbie Falls in Revelstoke to be named the 2014 Traveler’s choice for Most Popular Waterfall in Western/Northern Canada in ehcanadatravel.com online magazine.

The magazine is part of the largest travel network in western Canada.

According to the site, the winners were selected “by our millions of Online Travelers as they booked and researched their Canadian travel plans on our ehCanadaTravel.com website. Visitation traffic numbers determining the winners were taken from our 2013 website reports, analytics and statistics.”

Using that metric, Kinuseo Falls was the most searched for waterfall in Western and Northern Canada by the 2.1 million visitors to the site last year.

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16

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chetwynd Echo

“With over 40 years of experience, I can confidently say that Northern Gateway’s emergency response will be world class.”

- Dr. Ed Owens, expert on shoreline response

Meet the expert: Dr. Ed Owens is a world renowned authority on shoreline response planning and cleanup operations, and has consulted for the UN, World Bank, and Environment Canada.

Northern Gateway is committed to protecting B.C.’s waters. That’s why we will plan, prepare for and implement international emergency response best practices.

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE Northern Gateway has consulted with dozens of experts, including Dr. Ed Owens, an oil spill specialist who has acted as a consultant to the UN, the Arctic Council, and more. With over 40 years of experience, he was instrumental in helping us develop our marine emergency response program.

“I have worked closely with Northern Gateway to develop programs for enhanced spill response along all marine transportation routes. These programs will help ensure the environmental safety along the shipping routes.”

Northern Gateway will implement some of the safest marine operations practices from around the world to help prevent a marine spill from ever occurring. We are also preparing for the most effective response possible in the unlikely event of a marine emergency.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Our marine emergency response practices go well beyond Canadian requirements. As Owens puts it: “By placing emergency response capacity at various key locations along the proposed route, valuable time will be saved in the unlikely event of an oil spill – and in a marine emergency situation, response time is critical.

But having the right equipment in the right places is not always enough. A world class response capability requires an experienced response team at both the management and operational levels, and integrated training to ensure that timely decisions make the best use of the equipment and resources.”

IMPORTANT CONDITIONS This past December, the Joint Review Panel recommended that the project be approved, subject to 209 conditions – including ones that require Northern Gateway to implement effective spill response measures. We are working towards meeting these conditions, the same way we are working hard to meet the five conditions set out by the Province of British Columbia.

In short, Northern Gateway is committed to doing everything possible to build a safer, better project.

Learn more at gatewayfacts.ca

Working in partnership with B.C. and Alberta First Nations and Métis Communities, and leading energy companies in Canada