Skip to main content

Prince George Citizen March 17, 2022

Page 1

CN CENTRE • MARCH 19-27 CN CENTRE • MARCH 19-27

SCAN TO SCAN TO GET YOUR GET YOUR TICKETS TICKETS

Since 1916

THURSDAY, March 17, 2022

PGCITIZEN.CA

PRINCEGEORGECITIZEN

Welfare office move opposed

‘I think it’s a good start’ Indigenous leaders welcome new B.C. graduation requirements

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

tions for its inaugural Big Air competition Saturday. Eleven snowboarders and skiers of all ages and skill levels took their turns hitting the jumps. For more photos from the event, go to pgcitizen.ca.

INVESTMENT FUNDS WITH GUARANTEE OF CAPITAL Segregated Funds: Many Different Options Guaranteed Interest Accounts TFSA 2022 maximum $6000, limit to date $81,500

“Your Financial Planning Center”

In partnership with:

H/M Assoc. Financial Planning Centre (2005) Inc. Catherine Stovel Financial Inc.

PROVIDING INDEPENDENT, INTELLIGENT INVESTMENT ADVICE SINCE ’82

250.563.8243 • fpcinc@telus.net • 114 - 1717 3rd Ave.

Read the full version of our stories at

pgcitizen.ca

Gordon Hayward

CHS, EPC, CEA

Catherine Stovel

CHS, EPC, CEA

$2.00

5

BIG AIR The Hart Ski Hill could not have asked for better condi-

00200

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

Saying there has been a lack of consultation on the idea, Downtown Prince George is calling on the B.C. government to reconsider moving the social assistance office to the old Spee-Dee Stationers building. “The proposed new location is in very close proximity to a daycare, a senior centre, a church, service-based businesses, and other community retail,” the Downtown Prince George Business Improvement Association (Downtown Prince George) says. The controversy dates back to at least February 2020 when the Prince George and District Senior Citizens Activity Centre, located across the street at 425 Brunswick St. from the 490 Brunswick St. location submitted a 68-signature petition to city council raising concerns about parking, foot traffic and safety. But because the site is already zoned for the use, the proposal did not have to go through a public hearing and the best city council could do was to seek a meeting with ministry officials. As well, then social development and poverty reduction minister Shane Simpson made it clear the move was going ahead. The provincial government has entered an agreement to purchase the building. The move was made because the lease for the office’s current location at 1445 10th Ave. will not be renewed. But the lease expires in early 2024 and DPG is hoping a petition will prompt Victoria to change its mind. Signatures on the petition are being invited at www.downtownpg.com.

58307

Citizen staff

0

HANNA PETERSEN

B.C. high school students will soon have to complete four credits of Indigenous-focused coursework to graduate, a move local First Nations leaders are calling a good first step. “I think it is a great start,” said Mel Aksidan, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s acting education manager and member of the newly formed Indigenous Education Leadership Table. “There’s a lack of understanding and without understanding, people can’t show empathy to Indigenous people and Indigenous issues and that lack of education is what is affecting where Indigenous people stand in our world.” The Ministry of Education says the new requirement — the first of its kind in Canada — will be in effect for students graduating in the 2023-2024 school year. The ministry says it collaborated with the First Nations Education Steering Committee on the graduation requirement and was guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It plans to consult with Indigenous communities this spring to address gaps in the K-12 curriculum. The change is also in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report on the residential school system, which recommended that an age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, treaties and Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to Canada be mandatory for kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Pam Spooner, director of Indigenous Education at School District 57, said the requirement builds upon work already underway within the district.

or go to www.curling.ca/2022worldwomen/tickets/ or go to www.curling.ca/2022worldwomen/tickets/


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Prince George Citizen March 17, 2022 by Prince George Citizen - Issuu