Prince George Citizen March 2, 2023

THURSDAY, March 2, 2023

Gold for Ewert at Canada Games

Joel Ewert’s road to gold started in 2015 when he was 15 years old and he played in his first Canada Winter Games in his Prince George hometown

Held off the medal podium that year and again in 2019 in Red Deer, there was no denying Ewert and Team B.C. in his Canada Games finale Saturday in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

The heavily-favoured nine-male, three-female B.C. squad beat Alberta 79 -32 to cap an undefeated 5-0 tournament, claiming the province’s first title since the sport made its Canada Winter Games debut in 1995.

“It’s an emotional one,” said Ewert “Ten years of my life in the Canada Games program – if you are going to finish something, you might as well finish on the top of the mountain ”

The 23-year-old Ewert, a defensive specialist and the team’s inspirational leader, had two points in the final.

“It was just a really special ending for a really special group,” said Ewert. “We earned that final score and it was really

ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH

Team BC captain Joel Ewert of Prince George cuts down the net while being held high by his coaches and teammates after he helped B C win gold in wheelchair basketball at the Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, P E I

awesome to see this group, that was together for eight years, have an ending like this

“One of the strengths of this group was our depth It wasn’t one superstar

Different games happened and different people got into foul trouble and injuries. We just had a lot of trust one through 12 and that really showed here with this result ”

The lack of economical fibre in the region and low lumber prices that have forced curtailments and reduced the availability of residual wood chips from sawmills means at least one more pulp mill in the region will likely be targeted for closure, according to forest industry expert Ben Parfitt.

“I think people don’t really appreciate just how significant the reductions ahead are going to be and what that is going to translate into in the Interior,” said Parfitt, resource policy analyst for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. “Unfortunately there’s every reason to believe that we’re going to see further mill closures and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see another pulp mill in the Interior of the province go down, nor would I be surprised to see a number of other sawmills close as well ”

The most likely pulp candidates for closure are Canfor’s Taylor mill, which was shut down in November and won’t be restarted until spring, as well as one of West Fraser’s two mills in Quesnel, Cariboo Pulp and Paper or Quesnel River Pulp, in addition to the pending PG Pulp closure

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to section 86 of the Community Charter, Prince George City Council is proposing to seek approval of the electors of the City of Prince George by Alternative Approval Process. The question before the electors is whether they are opposed to Prince George City Council adopting the proposed “City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9382, 2023” at the regular Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, without first obtaining assent of the electors by a referendum vote.

• “City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9382, 2023”

The annual replacement and addition of vehicles and capital equipment are financed through the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) Equipment Financing Program. The estimated cost of the projects associated with this Bylaw is the sum of two million seven hundred and eleven thousand dollars ($2,711,000.00).

The loan agreement with the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) will be for a term no longer than fifteen (15) years to match the expected service life of the new mobile equipment. The annual debt servicing costs for borrowing the full amounts is estimated to be three hundred and forty one thousand four hundred and seven dollars ($341,407.00) and would result in 0.29% of future tax levy increases.

The approved projects from the 2023 - 2027 Capital Financial Plan that will be part of the Equipment Financing Program request include:

• #0431 – Mobile Equipment Replacement - $2,395,000

• #1283 – Drivable Hoist – Lube Bay - $65,000

• #3208 – Janitorial Equipment – Replace Floor Scrubbers - $30,000

• #3388 – Fire Srv – Rapid Deployment Tents - $51,000

• #3389 – Fire Srv – Emergency Program - New Light Fleet - $85,000

• #3390 – Fire Srv – Training Captain - New Light Fleet - $85,000

A copy of proposed Bylaw No. 9382, 2023, a more detailed summary of the Equipment Financing, and a copy of the proposed loan agreements with the Municipal Finance Authority are available for public inspection at City Hall during each business day of the week between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m

For any questions, please contact the Legislative Services Department at (250) 561-7793 or cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

INSTRUCTIONS

If you are not opposed to the adoption of the above noted Bylaw, you need to do nothing.

If you are opposed to the adoption of the above noted Bylaw without the Bylaw first receiving assent of the electors by a referendum vote, you may sign and submit an Elector Response Form indicating your opposition.

A person may not sign more than one Elector Response Form.

APPLICABLE AREA

The area to which the Alternative Approval Process applies is the entire area of the City of Prince George. The municipal Council may proceed with the adoption of Bylaw No 9382, 2023 unless before the deadline of 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 30, 2023, at least 10% of electors submit a complete and signed Elector Response Form indicating that Council must obtain assent of the electors by a referendum vote before proceeding with the adoption of Bylaw No. 9382, 2023.

For the purpose of this Alternative Approval Process, Council has determined that there are 55,941 registered electors in the City of Prince George. The municipal Council may therefore proceed with the adoption of Bylaw No. 9382, 2023 unless at least 5,594 electors submit a completed copy of an Elector Response Form to the City of Prince George before the deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023

RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

In order to sign an Elector Response Form, a person must either be a resident elector or a non-resident property elector of the City of Prince George. For the purposes of the Alternative Approval Process, an elector is a person who meets the qualifications referred to in section 65 or section 66 of the Local Government Act if assent of the electors were sought, either as a resident elector or non-resident property elector

To sign an Elector Response Form as a resident elector a person must:

• be a Canadian citizen;

• be at least 18 years of age;

• have lived in British Columbia for at least the last six (6) months before signing the Elector Response Form;

• live within the City of Prince George; and

• not be otherwise disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or by other law

To sign an Elector Response Form as a non-resident property elector a person must:

• be a Canadian citizen;

• be at least 18 years of age;

• have lived in British Columbia for at least the last six (6) months before signing the Elector Response Form;

• have been a registered owner of property within the City of Prince George for at least the last thirty (30) days; and

• not be otherwise disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or by other law

ELECTOR RESPONSE FORM

An Elector Response Form must be in the form approved by the Council of the City of Prince George, or an accurate copy of the form such as a photocopy Elector Response Forms are available on the 1st Floor or the 5th Floor of Prince George City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m , on Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Elector Response Forms are also available on the City’s website: www.princegeorge.ca/aap.

The deadline for submitting an Elector Response Form is 5:00 p.m on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

An Elector Response Form must be fully completed and hand-signed. All three (3) pages of the completed Elector Response Form must be submitted in order to be counted.

Elector Response Forms may be submitted by hand delivery, mail, facsimile (fax), or email as a PDF document attachment, as follows:

Address for delivery or mail: Attention: Corporate Officer City of Prince George Legislative Services Division 5th Floor - 1100 Patricia Blvd. Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Facsimile (fax) number: (250) 561-0183 PDF submission via email: cityclerk@princegeorge ca

If submitting the Elector Response Form to the City of Prince George by facsimile (fax) or by email as a PDF document attachment, please ensure that the transmission was completed.

This notice is published in accordance to section 86 and 94 of the Community Charter and City of Prince George Public Notice Bylaw No. 9329, 2022.

DATED this 10th day of February, 2023

Maureen Connelly, Corporate Officer City of Prince George

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Two major expansions planned at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. are projected to cost a combined $660 million, with property tax payers in the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District expected to contribute 40 per cent.

The proposed UHNBC acute care tower, first announced in September 2020, is expected to cost $600 million, of which the local hospital district will be expected to fund $240 million, according to a report presented to the hospital district board A project to add additional residential care and alternative dementia beds is expected to cost a further $60 million, with local property tax payers picking up

$24 million of the cost.

“It’s not that these projects aren’t needed, because they are needed, but I think the tax burden on local taxpayers is incredible,” Coun. Brian Skakun said during a hospital board meeting last week. “Our fees went up (more than) 25 per cent for the local taxpayers this year ”

Skakun represents the City of Prince George as a director of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and on the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District He said he’s concerned about rising hospital tax rates for property owners in the City of Prince George and Regional District of Fraser-Fort George

The regional hospital district has the same borders as the regional district, and collects property taxes to fund capital projects at hospitals in the region,

including UHNBC. The regional hospital district’s contribution to capital projects at regional hospitals is typically 40 per cent of the total cost

In 2021, the hospital board’s tax requisition rate was $0 6354 per $1,000 of assessed value, and rose to $0.6854 per $1,000 in 2022 The hospital board’s longterm financial plan calls for another $0.05 per $1,000 increase in 2023, followed by annual four per cent increases until 2036. The hospital board’s total tax requisition has grown from $5 8 million per year in 2015 to $17 77 million per year in 2022

The regional hospital board will consider its 2023 budget, which will determine the tax rate, at a meeting in March

In 2022, the hospital tax portion of the property taxes on an average home in the regional district (valued at $400,899) was

$274.16, up from $212.25 on an average home (then valued at $334,045) in 2021

Within the City of Prince George the hospital taxes on an average house in 2022 was $311, up from $190 on an average home (then valued at $341,075) in 2021 – a 61 per cent increase.

In an email, a spokesperson for Northern Health said both major capital projects are still in the planning phase, and a business plan for the projects is being submitted to the Ministry of Health

The new hospital tower is expected to include new mental health, surgical and cardiac units, according to an announcement by the provincial government

The regional hospital district board is expected to receive an update from Northern Health on the proposed acute care tower between May and July.

City probe into land sale not over, mayor says

ARTHUR

WILLIAMS Citizen staff

An internal city review into what went wrong regarding the city’s sale of land located at 4500 Ospika Blvd. to a Vancouver-based developer is ongoing, according to Mayor Simon Yu.

In a statement, the City of Prince George announced that it violated the B C Community Charter when it sold the land to The Hub Collection Ltd. in July 2020 for $500,000, by failing to publish statutory public notices regarding the sale The staff error was discovered in an internal review, after Prince George community group Ginter’s Green Forever questioned the legality of the sale “We are looking at all aspects of this deal We are looking if this is a simple oversight, or a structural issue that

caused this oversight, or if it is something to do with this project,” Yu said. “I campaigned on transparency, accountability I’m taking this very, very seriously.”

The city has a legal obligation, under the Community Charter, to make sure it informs the public when disposing of a public asset like land, he said. Yu said city council has directed city staff to prepare a report on what happened, and what possible changes are needed to the process going forward.

That report will be brought forward to a public city council meeting, he said Yu said he and the members of city council are committed to making sure

“the process, going from here, is a transparent one,” for the public and developers.

“When that is not done, the optics is absolutely awful,” Yu said.

The original sale agreement between the City of Prince George and The Hub Collection required the developer to build a 256-unit student housing complex on the site

A copy of the purchase agreement, dated July 29, 2020, says, “The Covenantor will commence construction of the proposed student housing project upon the Property and will have completed framing on or before 24 months following the completion of the purchase of the lands ”

On Feb 6, city council denied a change to the covenant requested by the developer, to allow a 118-unit seniors housing complex on the site instead City director of planning and development Deanna Wasnik, said that city administration already modified the original covenant in October 2021, functionally

eliminating the requirement for construction to be completed within two years The amended covenant requires the developer to have begun pouring the foundation within 24 months of the conclusion of the purchase agreement, which they had done prior to stopping construction.

Yu said he’s “not satisfied at all,” with how the covenant on the land was handled by city administration Decisions on restrictive covenants linked to land sales should be made at the city council level, with input from the city’s professional staff, Yu said

“The business case study for student housing versus seniors housing wasn’t well studied by the city or the developer (ahead of the sale),” Yu said. “Some incentive was given to them to do that (student housing).”

More firefighters needed, city consultant says

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

The Prince George Fire Rescue Service needs to hire 32 additional firefighters and two support staff over the next four years, a city report says.

The city hired consultant group Dave Mitchell & Associates Ltd. last year to provide an update to the 2015 Standards of Cover report conducted in 2015. The report and accompanying presentation call for the city to hire seven additional firefighters and one administrative clerk in 2024, 10 additional firefighters in 2025, 10 additional firefighters and one emergency vehicle technician in 2026 and five more firefighters in 2027-28

“The 2016 SOC Report recommended adding a second staffed unit at Hall 1 to deal with the significant call volume at this Hall The staffing at Hall 1 is unchanged from the date of that report, even though the call volume in the Hall’s primary response area has increased by some 93 per cent, rising from 2,800 events in 2015 to 5,409 in 2022,” Mitchell wrote in the report.

The fire department is facing an “almost stunning growth in total call volumes,” Mitchell added

The fire department hasn’t had a substantial increase in staff since 1995, and as a result isn’t able to achieve compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards, the report says The report calls for the addition of a F350 medic unit in 2024, at an estimated cost of $100,000; an additional pumper/ tender fire truck in 2025 at an estimated cost of $1 million; a fire training centre in Prince George at an unknown cost; and a fifth fire hall in the BCR Industrial Site at an unknown cost.

“This is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar program. Detailed costing shall be conducted as part of the first service enhancement request during the 2024 City budget process,” city director of public safety Adam Davey wrote in his report to council

“When considered in aggregate with the concurrent Police Services Review 20232027 plan, the proposed enhancements to protective services throughout the 2020s is the most significant change to the provision of public safety to the residents of Prince George in over a generation The current rate of call volume and demand for protective services is no longer sustainable without substantial, multi-year increases to police and fire services ”

2014 Doosan

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 in Prince George wish to Thank All of our community that helped make our 2022 Poppy Campaign another success.

This includes all the Businesses that had Poppy Trays and Credit Card

Tap machines in their establishments.

The large number of volunteers and all of the very generous donors.

It is truly wonderful to receive this great support

Thank you to all the following donors as well as the many whom donated cash without giving a name.

School District #57, staff, teachers and students, Great job.

All the Private Schools in Prince George

3rd PG West Scouts

All Points Fire Control

Assman’s Funeral Chapel

Banning Equipment Ltd

BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU)

Buckhorn Elementary School

Canadian Tire

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE #1048)

Carrier lumber Ltd

Cedars Christian School

City of Prince George

CN Pensioners Association

College of New Caledonia

Don Kennedy

Dorrie Braden

DP Todd Secondary School

Dr Rickards

Dr. Suzanne Rozon Inc.

Earl’s Restaurant

Ecole Lac Des Bois

Elks lodge

First Baptist Church

First Litre Cold Beer Store

First Truck Centre

Foothills Elementary School

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Grama’s Inn

Guru Gobind Singh Temple Association

Hart Home Hardware & Hart Drug Mart

Immaculate Conception School

Jean Green - In Memory of Alex & Mary

John Davis

John Jaque “In Memory of Archie & Angie Bevington”

Joy Global / Komatsu

Kinsmen Club of Prince George

Linden Fabricating Ltd.

Masonic Nechako Lodge #86

Metis Nation of BC

National Association of Federal Retirees

North Central Labour Council

Peden Hill Elementary School

PG Veterinary Hospital

Pineview Elementary School

Pinewood Elementary School

Prince George Chateau

Prince George District Teacher’s Association

Prince George Masonic Lodge #178

Prince George Metis Community

Association Veterans

Prince George Royal Purple

Prince George Truck & Equipment (2000) Ltd.

Prince Sheet Heating & Metal

Public & Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) Local 9

Punjabi Canadian Seniors Society

R&R Hoist Repair Ltd

RCEC Sacred Heart School

Regional District of Fraser

Fort George

Roger Pallard

Rotary Club of Prince GeorgeNechako

SA Energy Group

Salvation Army

Schultz Craftsman Collision

Shirley Bond

Sources Community Resource

Centres

Spruceland Traditional School

Strategic Natural Resources

Sunset Glass

Team Powerhouse Realty -

Rebecca Worthington

Trinity United Church

Twin Rivers Development

Unifor Local #603

University of Northern BC

Vietnam Veterans Association

Windsor Plywood

Thank you to all of you. We have received over $80,000 Dollars again this year to be used to assist our Veterans and their families.

Prince George support for the Poppy Program is Awesome.

Arrested man sues Prince George RCMP

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

One of the men facing charges from a wild pursuit and arrest last summer has filed a lawsuit alleging mistreatment at the hands of the arresting Prince George RCMP officers.

In a notice of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court, a lawyer representing Dilmeet Singh Chahal claims he was Tazered twice, including once in the face, and, once in handcuffs “physically thrown into the back of an RCMP vehicle” then “physically assaulted and threatened” by police following the apprehension.

The lawsuit stems from an incident in which, according to Prince George RCMP, police vehicles were rammed and shots were fired in the lead up to the arrests of Chahal and two other people during the afternoon of Aug. 21, 2022.

Police have said the incident began shortly after 2 p.m. when RCMP attempted to pull over a suspicious vehicle. The driver did not stop and instead fled the area and when a second RCMP officer attempted to stop the suspect vehicle around the area of 10th Avenue and Carney Street, the driver rammed the Mountie’s vehicle and fled RCMP tracked the vehicle down to the vicinity of Ross Crescent and Fifth Avenue where it collided with a second police vehicle. Three people fled the area on foot and they were apprehended in the vicnity of Fourth Avenue and Winnipeg Street following a brief pursuit but not before shots were fired by police.

Chahal and co-accused Zakaria Benjamin Athaya were both subsequently charged with resisting arrest and two firearms-related counts - possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle As well, Chahal was charged with dangerous driving and fleeing police

In the claim, filed in Vancouver, Chahal’s lawyer alleges that while in the RCMP vehicle, he was “immediately

punched in the face” by one of the officers after acknowledging he understood why he had been arrested. The Tazer prongs were still attached to his face and his arms were handcuffed behind his back, rendering him “defenceless,” according to the claim.

Chahal alleges he began to plead “yes, sir, yes sir” to avoid further assaults and one of the officers responded with an expletive and then went on to say Chahal is no longer in Surrey, he’s in Prince George and that RCMP in this city “dump losers” like him

Chahal took the comment to be a threat that the officers were going to kill him. A few minutes later, an officer allegedly asked Chahal if he “liked being shocked.” When Chahal replied that he did not, one of the officers replied that he could get shot

“Shot? Over what?,” Chahal replied according to the claim “F--k around and find out my man,” an officer allegedly replied

“Because this isn’t f---king Surrey you idiot, we play different up here,” another officer is alleged to have added.

Chahal alleges he was then grabbed by the head and slammed face first into the seat in front of him

According to the claim, at all material times Chahal’s hands were handcuffed behind his back and was not a threat such that “no violence or threat” against him was necessary

“All violence and threats from the RCMP were gratuitous, excessive, demeaning and intended to make the Plaintiff have immediate fear for his life,” the claim goes on to state.

Chahal claims he suffered injuries to his head and face, as well as psychological injuries including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress and is seeking general and punitive damages

The Prince George RCMP and three officers are named as defendants as are the City of Prince George, the Attorney General of Canada and the B C Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Marriage Commissioner

The Vital Statistics Agency, Ministry of Health, is looking for an individual to serve as a Marriage Commissioner for Prince George. The individual will perform civil marriages within their community on behalf of the agency Applicants must reside in Prince George in order to be considered for this position

For information and an application form please visit our website at: gov.bc.ca/becoming-a-marriage-commissioner

Probe launched into RCMP abuse allegations

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

B.C. public safety minister Mike Farnworth says an investigation will be launched into an apparent failure to properly investigate allegations made roughly two decades ago that RCMP officers in Prince George were sexually abusing Indigenous girls.

Farnworth announced the step after B C First Nations leaders called for release of a report from the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP and for a further investigation into the matter

In turn, their demands were issued in response to a series of columns by Vancouver Sun columnist Ian Mulgrew after he was leaked a copy of the report.

The CRCC, which investigates complaints about RCMP procedure, has declined to make the report public, citing privacy concerns

Mulgrew says the allegations date back to the time of disgraced Prince George judge David Ramsay, sentenced in 2004 to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting young Indigenous girls. Ramsay’s accusers and more than a dozen other young First Nations women also accused nine Mounties and a lawyer of committing similar acts, according to Mulgrew

In an email, Farnworth said he “can confirm that the province will be launching a full independent out-of-jurisdiction investigation into the troubling complaints highlighted in the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission Report on the RCMP in Prince George.”

“The RCMP has confirmed they will fully cooperate with the investigation, including providing all their records to the external agency – which will be announced in the coming weeks,” Farnworth continued

“Our government is absolutely committed to ending systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and vulnerable persons, particularly in the cases which involve the police and there still remains work to be done

“In addition to this investigation, my ministry is working through the recommendations made by the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act We are working collaboratively with First Nations and local governments to inform the new policing and oversight legislation

“I am limited from further comment on

the investigation into the RCMP in Prince George as this matter is now the subject of an independent investigation.”

In a letter sent to Farnworth, the First Nations Leadership Council and B.C. First Nations Justice Council called for a release of the CCRC’s report, for an independent Indigenous and civilian-led investigation, a criminal investigation and for “profound police reform to put an end to negligence and violence towards our people ”

“The discredited RCMP organization must be completely transformed so that it stops perpetuating harm against Indigenous peoples, especially women, girls and gender-diverse people First Nations’ jurisdiction over matters of justice, policing and community safety must be affirmed,” they also said.

SUPER BINGO

SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH

Saturday Evening Bingo at 6:00pm

Honest discussions important in schools

Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democracy Academic freedom, therefore, should be cherished by both the left and the right. When this freedom is threatened, it should be a concern to all of us

As an educator, I want to teach my students how to think, not what to think I want them to look at historical events, learn from their ancestors’ successes and mistakes, and recognize their responsibility to the world around them. I want them to question why things are the way that they are and recognize that finding the answers is a lifetime journey

I also recognize that academic freedom does not mean the same thing for students as it does for teachers. While I am challenged to put my personal opinions aside, students are encouraged to

test their biases as part of their learning process The greatest compliment to me as a social studies teacher is when my students challenge my perspectives

My own bias stems from the belief that the most effective test of the health of a society is the level of respect shown to all members I have yet to find a person who does not want to be treated with dignity and I believe that society should provide a means for that to happen

This has been a common lens used in studying history, especially in light of the Holocaust and the brutality that reigned in the 20th century As a person with family in Germany during this time, my life journey has been to understand how the Holocaust happened and to live in a way that prevents such horrendous crimes from ever happening again.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WORKING CLASS TIRED

Todd Whitcombe should stick to chemistry His political views are interesting to read but in my mind opinions like his are why 67 per cent of Canadians are saying Canada is broken.

One-sided woke left-wing views of the world are destroying democracy in Canada and around the world

Democracy is broken when political leaders are selective on what kind of protest is allowed to take place. It has peaked in Canada when a basically very noisy and disruptive but physically non-destructive protest in Ottawa is hammered with the use of the Emergency Act and other types of environmental protest can harass workers and destroy $10,000,000 in pipeline equipment on a forest service road in Houston B C in the same time span of February 2022.

Left-wing commentators like Whitcombe are silent on violent protest and woke left leaning politicians are also basically silent when environmental protesters blockade, intimidate and destroy things.

Yes, Canada is broken and democracy

itself is not only the worst form of government but it is also broken Justice Rouleau said this in his report. He said there was a failure of federation Policing did not work, the Ontario Conservative government of Rob Ford did not become engaged in the Freedom Convoy protest until the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor was blocked. Ford also failed to co-operate with the Emergency Act inquiry.

Yes, democracy it totally broken when the left wing and the right wing have been so polarized that there is a failure of federation, a failure of government to do things that matter Woke editorials do express a view, a view that is further dividing the working class and the social class that wants government to be a nanny state

My definition of the nanny state is I want to be comfortable, but my work ethic is very poor, my life skills as taught in high schools and universities are poor, but I want, I want things for free.

The working class is getting worn out from all of the various forms of government that tax them to death The price we pay for living in George Orwell nanny state is too high

I become very alarmed when I see laws enacted that restrict the honest analysis of both history and current events. It seems contradictory that limits to seeking truth are being pursued by people who claim to value democratic rights

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has been far from transparent about the fact her Ukrainian grandfather was editor of a Nazi propaganda publication during the Second World War, a newspaper stolen from Jewish owners. While Freeland and her party dismiss this as Russian propaganda, the evidence, as recounted in the Globe and Mail and the Ottawa Citizen, appears irrefutable.

Few would argue that the trans-Atlantic slave trade was one of the most brutal violations of human rights in history The governor of Florida, however, is using

a “Stop Woke” platform to make the analysis of this history and discussion of its impact a sanctionable offense for educators If their state and their country is ever to rebuild trust and respect, honest analysis of historical truth is vital

There are governments that have encouraged the unearthing of uncomfortable facts Germany leads the way in Holocaust education and has one of the most stable and transparent governments in the western world. Countries like Canada and New Zealand are also showing tentative improvements since the discussion of their crimes of colonialism has become more open.

Honest discussion of crimes against humanity and their impacts must never be legislated out of our schools

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

This is what the Freedom Convoy represented to me The price we pay for living in the nanny state has reached a peak People were voicing their displeasure with an out of touch, out of reality nanny state government People that want to look after themselves have a limit to the number of other people that they can support.

How much of the woke nanny state can the various levels of government dump onto the working poor blue collar worker? The price of the nanny state has gotten too high

Wayne Martineau, Fraser Lake

PARENT TREATED BADLY

This letter is in response to the attack on Josh Silva, who spoke at the school board meeting back in December and the attack on school board chair Rachael Weber, who made comments after his speech

I was in the room and heard everything that was said and in no way was this anything anti-LGBTQ+ or against any person, nor a rant What I heard was a concerned parent asking where is the help for all the troubles the kids are facing these days I

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heard a concerned parent that is looking for answers and people saying it was courageous to sit there and bring up these hard questions

Most people are raised with the respect to ask questions if you don’t understand something and that it’s not ok to attack someone if you truly don’t understand what they meant.

I truly believe Daryl Beauregard should publicly apologize to everyone he slandered because he acted on assumption of intent and not factual meaning of what was said He did not ask any questions to the points made to get clarification on what the gentleman was saying To now label someone this way is nothing but a bully calling someone names and I expect more from adults

This is not a light-hearted accusation and I would hope that before anyone would do this they would get the facts. Not everyone is good at public speaking so one may be a little nervous sitting in front of others and bringing up hard questions. That does not mean you can imply what someone is saying without asking what one means.

Andre Roman, Prince George

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Big donation kick starts Ukrainian aid campaign

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

With a generous first donation of $20,000, Miracle Theatre and the Prince George Community Foundation are kicking off the Raising Hope Campaign to further support Ukrainians arriving in the city.

The goal is to raise $100,000 for the refugee and hope endowment fund, which will be established through the proceeds of Miracle Theatre’s upcoming production of Dancing Lessons.

The fund will provide support for Share Hope Prince George and the work they are doing in assisting Ukrainians who are settling in our community seeking refuge from the war

The $20,000 donation, which is the largest cash donation Miracle Theatre has ever received from a member of the public, came from local resident Eli Klasner, the executive director of the community arts council.

“Last week, we marked the anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Indeed, there’s much to grieve and much from which to derive strength and hope,” said Klasner

“As a Jew, my family and relatives understand firsthand the threat that evil poses when left unchecked. With its military onslaught, Moscow has shown itself hell bent on carrying out as much carnage and destruction in Ukraine as possible.”

Klasner spoke about obliterated hospitals, schools, cultural treasures,

Mindy Stroet.

apartment complexes, infrastructure and industrial centres, whole towns and cities in Ukraine that have been razed to the ground as well as the millions of Ukrainians who have had to leave or been internally displaced

“For me, knowing my own background and the fact that my existence here on Earth is simply because Canada once opened up its doors to my family as refugees. It was an easy decision to want to kick off this fundraising campaign ”

At a future time, when income from

the fund is no longer required to support Ukrainian refugees, the funds will go to support various Prince George organizations that are assisting those who find themselves in the city seeking refuge from violence or disaster – whether they come from across the globe or down the street

The fund will be managed by the Prince George Community Foundation

The goal is to raise 60 per cent or $60,000 before opening day of the production of Dancing Lessons on April 1 and

then reach $100,000 by the time the show closes.

“We were speechless when Eli approached us about this donation. To have a community leader like Eli come forward and want to support the fundraising work of Miracle Theatre and the community in this huge way is just so uplifting and inspiring,” said Miracle Theatre producer Anne Laughlin and director Ted Price

“We just want to make sure that there’s resources in place so that these people right now in this crisis, have had the support So, we’re really looking for people to kind of get on board with this right away starting this week,” said Klasner, adding that any amount of donation will help

“If everyone in the city can contribute just a little bit, we’ll be able to reach that goal ”

Those interested in contributing to this campaign can donate on the Foundation’s website at www pgcf ca or call the office at 250-562-7772 or mail a donation to the Foundation at 102-1548 7th Avenue V2L 3P4.

The foundation’s office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a charitable tax receipt will be provided.

“We know that the need is still very real in our community. The big show of support today will only help to make it a little bit easier for those who are fleeing their homes to find safety by coming to Prince George,” said Mindy Stroet, director of development with the community foundation.

Meet Prince George’s Citizens of the Year

Steve Hamilton, Dave King, Mary Teegee and Patti Perrault are this year’s recipients of the Prince George Community Foundation’s annual Citizens of the Year award.

Hamilton, King and Teegee are being recognized as lifetime achievement recipients for at least of 10 years of volunteer service in Prince George and for showing exemplary leadership through their volunteer and philanthropic work.

Perrault is being recognized with the difference maker award for extraordinary volunteerism or philanthropic dedication to Prince George within the last calendar year

The Citizens of the Year dinner will be held March 8 at the Coast Inn of the North Mary Teegee

• As executive director, Carrier Sekani Family Services, she oversees the integrated services to children and families, including delegated child welfare, prevention and intervention programming in accordance with legislation, directives, policy standards, and approved procedures.

• Chief negotiator on several

fundamental important initiatives such as forestry, fisheries, land use, in and around her community.

• Instrumental in organizing the Highway of Tears Symposium leading to the development of the Highway of Tears Recommendations Report. She also produced an award-winning documentary titled, “Highway of Tears,” as well as the Netflix documentary “For Love ”

Patti Perrault

• Organizes community night markets (over 150 vendors) with proceeds going to non profits

• Over $5,000 raised for the local Humane Society

• Owner of Simply Beautiful Jewelry Design and Clothing began creating jewelry to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life 12 years ago

Dave King

• Spent his career as a Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection biologist with the provincial government working throughout central-north BC, and beyond.

• Member of committees tasked with developing Land and Resource Management Plans, for which his primary focus

was to support the identification and establishment of protected areas

• Helped find and develop local hiking trails such as Viking Ridge, Fang Mountain, Caledonia Mountain and Driscoll Ridge

• Spends hundreds of volunteer hours a year helping maintain and improve our local trails. In addition, he is also a founder of the prestigious Ancient Forest, 110km east of Prince George.

• His contributions to building the Ancient Forest Trail were extraordinary and he helped establish the new Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park.

• Awarded the NRESi Community Advancement Award in Natural Resources and Conservation Practice This award is given each year by the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute to a person who demonstrates a broad influence on the development of natural resources and/or the conservation of our environment, through interdisciplinary research or service to central-north BC. Dave was recognized for his many years and thousands of hours of volunteer work as a member of the Ramblers

• Joined the Caledonia Ramblers in 1975, was president for fifteen years (1979 to 1994), and has been a major leader, organizer, and consultant to others

• Director of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC

• Director of PG Backcountry Recreation Society

• Director of Hike BC

• Director of Tabour mountain Recreation Society

• 80 years old and spent 50 days clearing trails and overseeing 500 feet of plank wat added to muddy sections of the Viking Trail.

Steve Hamilton

• Member of the Spruce City Wildlife Association, three terms as president and now past president

• Helped re-open the fish hatchery

• Started Shane Lake Family Fish Releases (trout)

• Created yearly Salmon Send off (releasing chinook into the Nechako)

• Created the backcountry clean up of illegal dumpsites.

• Member of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia

• Author at BC Outdoors Magazine

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Eli Klasner, centre, with Ukrainian family Rostyslav, Iryna, and baby Martin Skoblenko, as well as Miracle Theatre’s Ted Price and Anne McLaughlin, and PGCF’s

Crowd gathers to mark invasion anniversary

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

While people the world over marked the one-year anniversary of the Russian-Ukraine war, Vova Pluzhnikov knows the conflict in his native country has been going on for not just one, but nine years.

On Feb 23, 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine and brought with it death and destruction that continues to ravage Pluzhnikov’s Ukrainian homeland

different in Ukraine and I would encourage people to be more patient with the Ukrainian families who come here and support us The support has been amazing.”

The United Nations estimates 300,000 people have died over the past year in Ukraine

In addition to the tens of thousands of military troops on either side who have been killed, the war has cost the lives of at least 8,000 civilians, with another 13,000 injured

“It’s a time of reflection about what’s happened in the last year with our family and friends and we need to be proud of how everyone has dealt with the situation,” said Pluzhnikov “It could have been much worse and we have to be thankful for all the support we have received On this day we obviously pay respects to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our safety and the people who were accidently affected by this war

“It’s been a struggle for the past nine years since the initial annexation of Crimea and Donbas and the struggle continues and it will not end until Ukraine proves it’s an independent country,” he said “We want democracy and we want to be part of Europe and the European Union and NATO and we’re finally walking away from communism and the Soviet Union.”

Pluzhnikov is from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, one of the hardest hit cities in the conflict, and for the past six years he’s been living in Prince George, where he was recruited to play basketball at UNBC for the Timberwolves.

Pluzhnikov is now working for RBC as a banking advisor and he’s helped many of the 167 Ukrainian refugees now living in Prince George get established in their new country

“The first thing every Ukrainian family says is how incredible Canadians have been with their kindness and that’s been great,” said Pluzhnikov “There’s a lot of people who come to Prince George and they’re afraid of their English skills or just shy in general People have different values and the culture is completely

Russia has amped up its missile attacks and it’s expected Putin is already launching a major offensive in anticipation of the one-year milestone

“My heart breaks every time I hear the news and the regular people, the civilians having to go through this, it blows my mind that we still have to deal with this,” he said. “Kharkiv is close to the eastern border with Russia and the territories they tried to occupy back in February of last year Having my hometown that close to the action, I can only imagine how difficult it is for the people who are still there

“For the last month, starting in mid-January, Kharkiv has been hit multiple times and I think they’re just ramping up their efforts to take Kharkiv, because that would d be a huge victory for them, but that will never happen ”

The response from Western countries when the invasion was launched a year ago was immediate The flow of weapons and money to arm Ukraine has continued throughout the conflict and that’s helped Ukrainians on the ground successfully repel Russian attacks and retake some of the territory lost earlier in the war.

“What I really appreciate is the continued support,” said Pluzhnikov. “The countries could have chosen to provide a one-time supply of weaponry or ammo, but people need to remind themselves it’s been a year of continued support from our western allies and that’s very important We could have been left abandoned and alone and I can’t be more thankful for the support we have received and it seems like our relationship with NATO and European Union is only getting stronger.”

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the steps of Prince George city hall for a vigil to remember the victims of the war in Ukraine since the Russian invasion a year ago

Heavy equipment fleet ordered for Blackwater Gold

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

Artemis Gold is digging into its construction plans to create a gold/silver mine south of Vanderhoof.

The Vancouver-based company has ordered its fleet of heavy equipment and plans to start building the Blackwater Gold mine works in the second quarter of 2023

Finning Canada will supply Artemis with the machinery it needs, including excavators, backhoe loaders, compactors, graders, telehandlers, and fuel/water trucks. The fleet will be expanded as construction of the open-pit mine progresses this year

Artemis will also rely on rental equipment for the initial construction period to build access roads, mine-haul roads, water management structures and construction of a tailings dam Site preparation is already well advanced with a majority of the bulk earth works already completed

With the spring thaw expected in a couple months, construction activities have focused on completion of a sediment and erosion pond

Building of the process plant site area will be completed before the start of the major works construction, which will get underway once Artemis receives its BC

Mines Act Permit

The company has hired workers from partner companies to provide security, supply fuel, explosives and other related products and services

Finalization of those contracts will follow once the permitting phase is complete.

“As the bulk earthworks activities for the Blackwater process plant nears completion, and in anticipation of receipt of the BC Mines Act Permits for Blackwater, we are preparing our team and making the necessary preparations with our preferred partners to secure the supply of equipment, materials and services in order to be shovel-ready for the commencement of major works construction,” said Artemis chairman and CEO Steven Dean

A 150-room construction camp with enough beds to house 477 workers will be ready for occupation by March, with some of the rooms and a kitchen expected to be completed by next week.

A feasibility study predicts the mine will produce 321,000 troy ounces of gold annually over the first five years

Over its expected 22-year lifespan, the company hopes to extract 11 7 million ounces of gold and 122.4 million ounces of silver

The Blackwater Gold site is located 160 kilometres south of Vanderhoof

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The site of the Blackwater Gold mine southwest of Prince George is shown in this August 2022 photo

Women’s memorial march braves the cold

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Despite an extreme cold warning due to an arctic wind chill, a group of supporters gathered together last week on the steps of the Prince George Court House to participate in the annual Women’s Memorial March. It was the first time the event has been held in Prince George since 2018 due to COVID-19 However, the organizing committee came back together this year to host another march

“It’s been a few years since we’ve gathered, I think the biggest thing, the whole reason we’re here is for the call for justice for all the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and men and boys too, across Canada,” said organizer Ken Solanas

The Women’s Memorial March is held annually in many cities across Canada and was first held in 1992 in Vancouver in response to the murder of a woman on the downtown east side

The march continues, on Feb. 14 of each year to commemorate and honour the lives of those lost and call for action as Indigenous women and girls continue to be disproportionally lost and affected by gender-based violence.

Solanas said the planning happened a little late this year in Prince George, but was happy the organizers were able to pull together an event to mark the occasion and raise awareness.

According to Amnesty International, Indigenous women and girls are at least three times more likely to experience violence, and at least six times more likely to be murdered than any other woman or girl in Canada Prince George is also located along Highway 16

The Prince George Women’s Memorial March was held on Feb 23 from the courthouse to the Native Friendship Centre.

- commonly referred to as the Highway of Tears – the 725-kilometre stretch of highway where many Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered since 1970

Lheildi T’enneh Elder Darlene McIntosh opened the March with a welcoming and a prayer, as supporters held signs ready to make the walk to the Prince George Native Friendship Centre where speakers and performers would address the crowd and food would be served.

“We have to be vigilant We have to put the awareness out there that we need to protect our women and girls and boys too, for that matter,” said McIntosh

She said participating in the March is important because despite being a community located on the Highway of Tears, sometimes there’s apathy to the situation especially among men.

“What always comes to mind is where are our men? Where are our warrior men that need to come be in the place of protection for women and girls?” said McIntosh

“I would like to see more awareness with the men, to bring themselves into the moment into consciousness and remember our ancestors and what they did for our women They protected them Of course, with our young girls and our women, they need to be vigilant and support each other and always be there just in case something happens ”

She said supporting the Women’s Memorial March is also important for family members who’ve lost a loved one and never had closure

“The families, they’re heartbroken and looking always for that closure and sometimes they won’t get that closure, so we need to show them that we’re there in spirit We’re physically supporting them and being with them on their journey,” added McIntosh

“Considering today and how cold it is with the wind chill, and we have people come out that says there is that support. Of course, we know that Prince George, the community, always comes and supports however that may be.”

Following the march, the event included speakers like Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls advocate Brenda Wilson, Lheidli T’enneh Councillor Crystal Gibbs, as well as Sonya Rock, the vice principal of Nusdeh Yoh Elementary School, along with Khast’an drummers, Pow Wow dancer Grant West, and Jingle Dress dancer Tracy Peters performing

Candidates

Former city councillor Cameron Stolz has been disqualified from being nominated for, elected to or holding a local authority office in B.C. until after the next municipal election.

School District 57 candidate Mike Rositano was also disqualified for failing to file by the late-filing deadline.

Stolz and Rositano were among 48 candidates throughout B C who were disqualified from running in the next municipal election, after they failed to disclose their campaign financing disclosure statements by the late-filing deadline of Feb 13,

according to a list provided by Elections BC.

In a column published in the Citizen on Feb. 15, Stolz said he filed his documents a day late, and raised and spent $6,516 65 on his campaign and reused $2,000 worth of sign frames

School District 57 trustee Bob Thompson was fined $500 for filing his finance papers late Thompson was elected by acclamation, as the only school district candidate to come forward in the Robson Valley, and reported no campaign activity

UNBC’s Shittu named Canada West All-Star

After a tremendous season that saw him take yet another major leap forward, UNBC men’s basketball forward Fareed Shittu has been named a 20222023 Canada West All-Star.

The Edmonton product earned a Canada West Third Team All-Star nod, becoming just the third UNBC men’s basketball player to be recognized as a conference all-star

Shittu joins Franco Kouagnia (20142015) and Jovan Leamy (2018-2019) as the lone T-Wolves to be picked by the Canada West coaches as the conference’s best

“We are incredibly proud of Fareed. Being named an All-Star is a major accomplishment for him and it’s big for the program,” said UNBC coach Todd Jordan “It shows that we have an environment here where players can thrive and develop as both people and student-athletes. This is something we take a lot of pride in, and Fareed has been committed and all-in as a Timberwolf since the day he committed to our program.”

The electrifying forward averaged 14 9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, while establishing himself as an elite defender at the rim, and on the perimeter While his scoring and rebounding numbers did improve, it was his playmaking and offensive efficiency that blossomed this season

Last season, Shittu registered 17 assists; a number he more than doubled this year with 39. In 2021-2022, he went 63/135 from the field, good for 46 7 per cent, while going 4/19 from beyond the arc for a 21 1 per cent clip This year, the third-year went 109/207 from the field for a 52 7 per cent rate, and shot 21/54 from long-range, making 38.9 per cent of his looks from three-point land

“His time spent in the weight room,

hours spent shooting the basketball, and improving his skills, basketball IQ, and mindset is all paying off,” said Jordan. “He is definitely deserving of this award He has been extremely coachable, and me and our coaching staff are all extremely proud of him for all he has done to achieve this recognition ”

Timberwolves fans have grown accustomed to Shittu throwing down his signature dunks, electrifying the crowds at the Northern Sport Centre and striking fear into opposing rim protectors In fact, the man known as the “Edmonton Elevator” led the conference in dunks for the second consecutive season.

“It has been extremely rewarding to see the growth in Fareed to this point. It wasn’t that long ago that he was a skinny kid who didn’t always start for his high school team in Grade 12, and now he has been named as one of the top performers at the university level,” said Jordan “When he arrived at UNBC, he had a lot of work to do as far as getting stronger, improving his shooting, and learning how to attack the rim Now, he is a Canada West All-Star.”

PGSS student joining women’s soccer team

The UNBC’s women’s soccer team has signed Prince George’s Amneet Toor for the upcoming season.

Toor, 17, is no stranger to the UNBC program She has honed her skills since 2019 with the Timberwolves Academy, where she was trained by TWolves varsity assistant coach Jo Wankling, with instruction from a number of players of the UNBC roster.

Toor plays predominantly as a midfielder or fullback, using her speed and fast-developing soccer IQ to make an impact on the pitch UNBC coach Neil Sedgwick points to the 17-year-old’s willingness to learn and grow as a major asset as she makes the jump from youth

to the highest level of university soccer in the country.

A provincial level long-distance runner, the five-foot-five Toor had the best seat in the house for recent TWolves seasons, serving as a ball-girl for home games at Masich Place The honour roll student will graduate from PGSS in June and join her new teammates for training camp in July. She will enroll in UNBC’s arts program, with the intention to focus on economics

“I am excited to take this next step and be able to play the sport I like,” she said in a release “To have it be a challenge and to have fun with it It is a new experience. It is one in a lifetime.”

FAREED SHITTU

Artisan wills part of her estate to CNC students

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

A long-term resident of Prince George, Elsie Osterberg, has donated $41,481.70 to create a new support fund at the College of New Caledonia that will assist students experiencing emergency hardship or need.

Osterberg was a talented and creative woman who loved to work with her hands.

There’s a colourful rug on display at CNC’s library also known as the Learning Commons that Osterberg made Her two passions were being creative and helping others

Thanks to her estate’s generous

donation of $41,481 70, the new Elsie Osterberg Student Support Fund will ensure her legacy of helping those in need lives on for years to come as the fund will assist students in a time of emergency hardship or need.

“With Elsie’s passing, she has left behind a legacy of support for students in need,” said Alison Akehurst, a close friend and the executor of the estate.

“Elsie truly believed in the teaching of young people. She said she could teach everybody something ”

Her creativity also took a variety of forms, from panning gold to running her own upholstery business that specialized in helicopter interiors, seat slips, and blade covers

In retirement, her interests shifted to hand-braided and sewn recycled fabric floor rugs, like the one on display in the Learning Commons. She would sit for hours taking apart all kinds of clothing and cutting and sewing into strips to make her rugs

Although she lost count, there are a few hundred of her award-winning rugs scattered around communities with family and friends

“We know students who work very hard through their studies can run into unexpected financial challenges,” said Gail Little, CNC’s manager of student success and retention

“We’re grateful for financial legacies like Elsie’s to make a difference in those times

of need, and to enjoy the beautiful rug she created as a keepsake of her life.”

The shadow box containing Osterberg’s story, her rug, and snapshots of her life will be on display in the Learning Commons for the next five years to honour her contribution to students of CNC

“Elsie knew I loved working in the embroidery industry, and she encouraged me to open my own shop almost 23 years ago,” shared Akehurst “We hope her donation will give students who are struggling that extra help and inspiration to fulfill their dreams too ”

Student can visit CNC’s financial aid and awards site to learn more about Elsie Osterberg Student Support Fund and how to apply

TNW to feature queer spin on Pride and Prejudice

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Local writer and actor Julian Legere is putting queer expression front and centre in this spring’s installment of the Pride Reading Series at Theatre Northwest.

He will be premiering a reading of his new play Darcy & Wickham, which reimagines the history between Jane Austen’s beloved hero and alluring scoundrel from her novel Pride and Prejudice through a queer-masculine lens.

“As a big Jane Austen nerd, I’ve always been fascinated by the history these two characters share,” said Legere “And in starting to write about it I found all

this rich material I could use to explore masculinity and queerness and gender and intimacy by doing a bit of a remix of Austen’s narrative ”

Darcy & Wickham will kick off the Pride Series on March 29 and followed by two other readings. On April 5, two actors will portray one character’s gender odyssey over half a century in Dragonfly

The series will then close on April 12 with the lush and deeply felt romantic comedy Swollen Tongues.

Veteran playwright Kathleen Oliver’s Swollen Tongues is a bright, frothy homage to the saucy wit of classical romantic comedies, featuring plenty of gender bending, mistaken identities, and cheeky wordplay, as well as sincere and moving

queer romance.

Legere and Michelle Cyr will perform this one with an unusual twist: they will assign the roles based on an audience coin toss the night of the reading.

As practicing artists, both Cyr and Legere feel there’s an extra urgency in telling queer stories these days

“There’s a lot of anxiety right now in the queer communities we’re a part of,” said Cyr “We’re seeing so many victories for people who want queer folx to be invisible, and trans folx to be eradicated ”

With threats and violence plaguing many queer event spaces, increasing attempts to prevent social transition and gender affirming health care, and a rise particularly in anti-trans rhetoric

among high-profile public figures like J.K. Rowling and Dave Chapelle, many queer activists, leaders, and artists are worried about losing ground after decades of significant progress for LGBTQ2S+ rights.

“Canadians love to compare ourselves to the U.S. and say ‘it won’t happen here,’ but we know that’s not always true,” Legere explains

“Storytelling has always been a vital part of queer resistance and liberation, and we are so excited to bring these radical, beautiful, heartfelt stories of love and survival to Prince George; especially in these strange and uncertain times ” Tickets to all Theatre Northwest Stage Readings are available online at tickets.theatrenorthwest.com.

Peterson seeks help for Indigenous artist

Controversial Canadian psychologist and best-selling author Jordan Peterson has launched a GoFundMe to help a man in Williams Lake whose house burned down. He is raising money in support of Charles Joseph, also known as Boone, an internationally acclaimed Kwakwaka’wakw carver living in Williams Lake

Joseph is renowned for making masks, totem poles, canoes and other carvings including a 55-foot pole that now resides at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

However, he has suffered multiple hardships this year

In January, his wife Frankie died and then on Feb 11 a fire started in his workshop.

The fire quickly spread to his home and destroyed everything.

He made attempts to recover art he was

working on and had recently completed but the fire was spreading fast in the shop fuelled by the cedar he works with Joseph and his children are currently camped out in a motel and he has no way to continue working on his art

Peterson has donated $10,000 of his own dollars to the GoFundMe campaign

In the campaign, he explains he met Joseph about 20 years ago in Comox, on Vancouver Island, when he bought a few pieces of his work

Then eight years ago Joseph came to stay with Peterson and his wife to help them design the third floor of their home in Toronto in the style of a Kwakwaka’wakw Big House

Joseph was also interviewed about his life story on one of Peterson’s podcast episodes released in 2022

Peterson said he spoke to a few of Joseph’s friends and decided to set up the GoFundMe page to help Joseph get back on his feet

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Healthy North y

SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS

This year’s sexual reproductive health awareness theme is “Get the Facts”!

Identify accurate and accessible information about sexual reproductive health that’s reliable and inclusive at Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights: https://www.actioncanadashr.org/get-the-facts.

The SmartSex Resource is another reliable source to help make informed decisions about your own sexual and reproductive health: https://smartsexresource.com/

IMAGINE GRANTS

Imagine Grant deadline for submissions is March 3rd.

Northern Health recognizes that Northern BC communities are unique with different health and wellness priorities. IMAGINE Community Grants exist to support projects that address community-led health and wellness initiatives while improving the well-being of all Northern BC residents. Grants are available for a maximum of $10,000.

Deadline to apply is March 3rd Find out more about the application process through the NH Imagine Grants website: https://www northernhealth ca/services/healthy-living-incommunities/imagine-grants

PRINCE GEORGE COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC

For up to date clinic information follow Northern Health on Facebook or visit https://www northernhealth ca/ health-topics/covid-19-and-flu-immunization-clinics

Ages 12 and up

When: 7 days per week (10 am to 3:40 pm)

Where: Prince George COVID-19 Testing and Immunization Centre, 175-1600 15th Ave

Details: By appointment, limited availability. In the Parkwood Mall in the corner to the right of the movie theatre, free parking on site. Register and book through the Get Vaccinated system or call 1-833-838-2323.

Pharmacy: A local pharmacy can provide your vaccine Register and book through the province’s Get Vaccinated system: https://www getvaccinated gov bc ca/s/ or visit the BC Pharmacy Association for more information https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/patients

HOROSCOPES & PUZZLES

ARIES

You’ll be successful in front of an audience despite your shyness. When it comes to your health, you’ll receive treatment to resolve a problem that’s been haunting you for a long time.

TAURUS

You’re not always comfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight. When you accomplish something, it’s normal to be applauded and be come the focus of attention for a moment.

GEMINI

You’ll start researching a place to live or buying a new home. Your children will give you a moment of joy, even if only by taking their first steps.

CANCER

You’ll be pretty talkative and be able to make light of any situation. To your credit, you’ll tell a joke that defuses a tense situation at work or home.

LEO

You may do some compulsive shopping. You’ll also need to get moving and experience new things. Be careful not to use up all your savings.

VIRGO

Get enough rest to start the week off on the right foot. You’ll need your full night’s sleep to be efficient and up to the things that’ll be demanded of you.

LIBRA

If you’re artistic, you’ll draw inspiration from different cultures and societies to create a masterpiece. Fatigue will get the better of you, prompting you to plan a holiday to get away from it all and recharge your batteries.

SCORPIO

CAPRICORN

As you feel a need for change, let yourself be guided by the inner voice that invites you to live more passionately You’ll expand your horizons by making new discoveries.

AQUARIUS

At work, you’ll attract new and loyal clients. You’ll have abundant work, which will make you feel secure. You’ll contemplate taking on new and exciting projects.

SAGITTARIUS

A short trip may get arranged spontaneously

You’ll consider working in another field to have new and enriching experiences. You could benefit from signing up for a training course.

Comply

Takes a spouse

Sauna locale

This woman’s

Petty quarrel

Angel’s headdress

Nothing more than

Actress West et al.

Sailor’s greeting

Criminal gang

Life will offer you a challenge that aligns with your ambitions. You’ll surprise yourself as you display enthusiasm and joie de vivre. Your audaciousness will lead you to meet your destiny

PISCES

At work, you’ll have to negotiate with certain people to reach an agreement after a conflict. You’ll likely take action, perhaps with a union or in your community

PUZZLE NO. 911

PUZZLE NO. 175

cl assi fi eds

In loving memory Cheryl Marie

August 12, 1967February 25, 2022

The golf course isn’t the same without you and your big smile.

Miss you a lot your loving husband Fenton and your mom

October 8, 1988February 20, 2023

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Brett Neil Glazier, loved and cherished by many family and friends.

The light of every life he touched, Brett is survived by his parents Brenda and Neil; grandparents Al and Colleen, Frank and Brandy; aunts and uncles Chris (Tracy), Marty (Jeanette), Dwaine (Heather), Corrina, Bruce, Brian (Sharleen) and Bradley, also may cousins and friends.

Predeceased by grandparents Elaine Gyursek and Doug Glazier and great aunt Lois.

A celebration of life will be held at the Elks Hall, 663 Douglas St at 11 am, March 11, 2023.

TAVENIER, William (Bill)

1931 - 2023

William was called Home to his Lord & Saviour on February 16th in his 91st year.

William was predeceased by his wife of almost 60 years, Elizabeth Tavenier-de Graaf (September 2022).

William is survived by 3 grateful children and their spouses, 7 grandchildren, 3 greatgrandchildren and numerous cherished family members, mostly in the Netherlands, the land of his birth.

Predeceased by a preborn child and grandchild.

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 11th at 1 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church of Prince George, B.C., 1905 Willow Street.

REMEMBRANCES

A Vanished Friend

Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end; Yet days go by, and weeks rush on, And before I know it a year has gone, And I never see my old friend’s face, For life is a swift and terrible race. He knows I like him just as well As in the days when I rang his bell, And he rang mine. We were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men, Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired with trying to make a name.

“Tomorrow, I will call on Jim, Just to show that I am thinking of him.”

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And the distance between us grows and grows, Around the corner, yet miles away

“Here’s a telegram, sir,”

“Jim died today!”

And that’s what we get, and deserve in the end, Around the corner a vanished friend! by Anders Lim

In Memoriam

Brett Neil Glazier

Grant A.Yule

April 6, 1928 -Feb. 20, 2023

Grant A.Yule passed away after a valiant fight on Monday February 20th, 2023 at the Prince George Rotary Hospice House in Prince George, B.C. He is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife of 69 yrs Jean, his children Wayne (Cyndie), Tim (Kelly), Heather and Scott (Maggie); as well as his grandchildren Daniel,Christopher, Darby, Erin, Kassandra, Marcus, Alisha and Ashley; great grandchildren; Scarlett, Axel; Layla, Quinn and Zane.

In recognition of his life as a man of faith,a celebration of his life will be held on Friday March 3rd 2023 at 2pm at Gateway Church, 2055 20 Ave, Prince George, B.C.

William John Bott

February 14, 1946February 20, 2023

It’s with great sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of John Bott in Cherryville, BC. On February 20, 2023, John left this world while being held in the arms of his best friend Darlene. John was predeceased by his beautiful daughter Susan Moore. He will be sadly missed by his lovely soul-mate Darlene, son Rick Bott, daughter-in-law Stacey Bott and grandchildren Hannah Moore, Emma Moore, Danielle Bott and Brennan Bott. John will also be greatly missed by his extended family who he loved all so much and was so grateful to have them in his life.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Franchise Tax Preparation BusinessMackenzieservicing and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years.

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ADRIENNE (LEA) LEONA FELKER

September 12, 1971 –February 13, 2023

John moved to Prince George in 1982, in which he owned his own paving company, worked at Columbia Bitulithic and Pittman Asphalt. He worked very hard over the years laying millions of asphalt tonnage down. This allowed John to see the world.

Our beautiful mother and daughter ADRIENNE (LEA) made her journey to the other side after passing away peacefully in her sleep Adrienne was residing in Edmonton, AB at the time of her passing She is survived by her loving sons Nicholas Anthony Felker (30) and Dylan James Felker (26); her mom and stepdad Barb Ward-Burkitt and Jim Burkitt; nephew Anthony Lloyd Brian Felker (14) and niece Adrienne Karilee Felker-Very (9); as well as numerous family members and friends including her roommate of 4 years.

She is predeceased by brothers Steven Anthony Felker (2019) and Anthony Duane Felker (1975); her grandparents Martha (2008) and Lloyd Ward (2004); her father Russ Felker (2021); many cousins, aunts and uncles

Adrienne’s celebration of life is planned for Spring 2023 in Prince George (a notice will be posted on her mom ’ s FB page), she will then be interned close to her brother Steve at the PG Memorial Cemetery

Rest In Peace Our P recious Adrienne

Peter Anton Kowalski

August 6, 1935 - Februar y 13, 2023

Peter Anton Kowalski former long-time resident born August 6, 1935, passed away peacefully on Februar y 13, 2023, in Abbotsford B.C. Sur vived by his loving wife of 65 years Christine, and son Glen (Lidia) and family Ryan (Alexandra), Brianna, Larissa ( Vincenzo) and son Gar y (Sandra) and family Mitchell and Spencer

Dad was a very social person who was loved and will be missed by many No ser vice by request.

In 2008, John moved to Cherryville, to fully retire and fulfill his dream of living in the country. John loved fishing and hunting and the outdoor life. Together John and Darlene enjoyed their lives, gardening, raising chickens, feeding the deer and turkeys and taking life easy with the dogs “the girls”.

John was a man of many good qualities, a loving and caring man who always enjoyed life. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.

We love you!

Toys/Games/Puzzles

AVON COLLECTIBLES, Valued $3600, asking $1500.

A LOT Of 45 & LPs. All kinds $5$40 each, 778-675-4716

BUYING ALL SILVER! WANTED 9999 BULLION, BARS, COINS, ROUNDS, ALL SILVER COINS, PRE 1968 COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, FRANKLIN MINT SETS, OLD STERLING SILVER, COIN COLLECTIONS +++ ALSO BUYING GOLD!!! TODD 25O 864 3521

COLLECTOR PURCHASING COINS & COIN COLLECTIONS! BUYING OLD COINS, ROLLS OF COINS, BANK BAGS OF COINS, RARE COINS, COLLECTOR COINS, OLYMPIC COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY, PRE 1968 COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, US MINT, COLLECTIONS +. WANTED CANADA, USA & WORLD COLLECTIONS! Todd’s Coins 1-250-8643521

Firewood

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $1100. or bucked to length $1300 per load delivered 250614-6667

Mills/Equipment

1998 KENWORTH with mixer trailer, white. $120,000. 617-3373

SAWMILL, 48” head rig, hand set, completely rebuilt, $8000 obo plus parts. 250-441-3242

Sheds/Outbuildings

NEW 30’ x 50’ All Steel Commercial shop, never assembled, c/w complete set of drawings and engineer cert. Has straight outside walls, 1 12’ x 14’ service door opening, 1 3’ man door opening, inside clearance 16’, roof has 3/ 12 pitch that is 20’ high at peak. Outside wall cladding painted tan. $30, 000 Call Bob 250-983-3372

Wanted

Collectibles & Classic Cars

QUICK PAY

For all gold, Estate jewelry, scrap or unwanted, coins & currency, antiques, Rolex. Unbeatable pricing, privacy assured. (250) 612-1808 24/7

BUYING COIN COLLECTIONS!

OLD COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY, GOLD COINS, SILVER COINS, COIN SETS, COLLECTOR COINS, WORLD MONEY COLLECTIONS, FRANKLIN MINT SETS, ALL 9999 BULLION, COINS, BARS, INGOTS, WAFERS, MAPLE LEAFS ++++ TODD 25O 864 3521

Motorcycles

SUZUKI Bandit 1200, great shape, recent tune-up and brakes. (250)613-5981 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON Wide Glide. Low mileage. 250-617-

BUYING OLD JEWELRY, COINS, OLD MONEY, COIN COLLECTIONS, 9999 BARS & COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, COIN SETS, WORLD $$$ COLLECTIONS ++ TODD 25O 864 3521

Genuine Rolex watches, all models, old, new, damaged or parts req’d. Top prices paid subject to viewing. Gold, two-tone, tri-color & Stainless. Available 24/7 250-612-1808

$277,500. 250-561-1255 Ready to sell!

Out Of Town

WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT

Whereas the following are indebted to Special D’s Collision for repair and 5 years storage of personal property, and ought to have been paid, and are still unpaid, notice is hereby given that the said property will be sold to pay the outstanding debt, plus costs of seizure, advertising and sale, two weeks from the date of this notice on the 2nd day of March, 2023, at 2255 Queensway St, Prince George, BC

KRT TRANSPORT INC

FORD F350

Highest or any bid not necessarily accepted. Viewing and bids may be submitted to 2255 Queensway St, Prince George, BC. (250) 612-3939.

1ST NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE W1150

Please be advised that Big Bull Enterprises Ltd is proposing to remove (D.L. 3671) approximately 120 hectares of private land from Woodlot Licence W1150 located in the vicinity of Telachick Road, Prince George, BC.

Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Big Bull Enterprises Ltd 4342 Chingee Ave Prince George, BC V2M 6Z9 by April 2, 2023. Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to. Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting Big Bull Enterprises Ltd at dnygaard@shaw.ca.

HOMES

4 ideas for a statement ceiling

When renovating, many people forget to incorporate their ceiling into the overall design However, this surface shouldn’t be ignored. Here are four ceiling updates you maywanttoconsider

1. EXPOSED BEAMS

A ceiling with exposed beams can add visual intrigue to a modern or traditional home. You can opt for thick, rustic wood beams or thin, low-profile faux beams To create contrast and draw the eye upward, paintyourbeamsadarkercolourthanyour wallsandceiling.

2. PAINT

To add style to a room, consider pairing a dark ceiling with light-coloured walls In a large room, this can create definition and make other features, such as artwork and lightfixtures,standout Inasmallspace,a darkceilingwilllendacosy,intimatefeel

3. MOULDINGS

There are a variety of decorative features you can install on your ceiling to add character to your space Emphasize the transition between your walls and ceiling with classic crown mouldings, or add grandeur to any room in your home with egg-anddartmouldings

4. WALLPAPER

Applying wallpaper to a ceiling is an easy waytoinjectpersonalityintoaroom Ifyou wanttomakeastatement,optforwallpaper that has a bold geometric, striped or floral print If you prefer a look that’s a bit more understated, look for a simple design in a neutralorlightcolour

To get help making your statement ceiling come to life, reach out to an interior designer,architectorgeneralcontractorinyour area

Tips for adding a window seat to your home

Do you want to add a window seat to your home? Whether it’s for a breakfast nook, livingroomorhomelibrary,hereareafewtips

•If you want it to be comfortable, your window seat should be at least 40 centimetres (16 inches) deep and 80 centimetres (32 inches) wide. If you want to sit or lie sideways, the seat should be at least 100 centimetres (39 inches) deep and 122 centimetres (48 inches) wide You should also make sure the unit sits flushwiththebottomofthewindow

•For the ultimate in comfort, the seat cushions should be at least 7.5 centimetres (threeinches)thick.Inaddition,youmay want to consider adding a backrest or

placing large pillows or bolster rolls on eithersidethatyoucanleanupagainst.

•The windowsill beside the seat should be at least 20 centimetres (eight inches) wide so you have enough room to put downyourbookandcoffeemugordecoratewithpottedplantsandotheritems.

•If you want to combine style and function, add a few drawers or cubbies underneaththewindowseatwhereyoucan stowawaybooks,toys,boardgamesand otheritems.

To make your window seat project come tolife,startbygettingquotesfromseveral licensedgeneralcontractorsinyourarea.

Itcanbeexpensiveandtime-consumingto frequentlyupdateyourchild’sbedroomas theygetolderandtheirinterestschange If you want to create a space they’ll feel at homeinforyearstocome,here’ssomeadvicetofollow.

•Buya“bigkid”bed.Awroughtironor upholsteredheadboardandmatchingbed frame will look just as appropriate in a teen’s bedroom as it will in a child’s If you have the space, skip straight to a doublebed.

•Invest in timeless furniture. Opt for woodorwhitebookcasesratherthancolourful storagebinssoyoudon’twindup with pieces that feel too juvenile in a

few years You should also avoid childsizefurniturethey’llsoonoutgrow.

•Pickaneutralpaintcolour.White,greige orcreamwallswillprovideaneutralbackdropforcolourfulartandaccessories,which canbeeasilyupdatedasyourchild’stastes evolve.

•Keep staple items classic. Favour an arearugwithageometricorfloralpattern rather than a space- or princess-themed one Similarly, invest in window coveringsthatwillstandthetestoftime.

•Personalizethespacewithaccessories. Usefunblankets,throwpillowsandwall hangings to make the space more child friendly You can evenencourageyour kids to paint their own frames and choosewhatphotosto display

Remember to keep your child involved in the process While you should avoid giving them free rein on the design, don’t hesitate to let them select certain items or choose between severaloptions

GO FOR GOLD.

What to include in a reading nook

Whether it’s in your bedroom or a quiet corner of the living room, everyone deserves a cosy spot they can retreat to for some downtime Here are a few musthavesforyourreadingnook.

•Afabricarmchairwithasmallottomanor pouf,orasoftchaiselounge

•Asourceofnaturallightaswellas aconvenientlyplacedfloorlamp

•Anendtablewhereyoucanputyour comfortingbeverageofchoice

•Afewplushthrowpillowsandalarge, softblanket

•Apopofcolourtomakethespace feel soothingyetinviting

•Asmallarearugtodefinethespaceand keepyourfeetwarm

•Anassortmentofpottedplants oradriedflowerarrangement

•Acandleoressentialoildiffuser witharelaxingscentlikelavender orrosemary

Finally, don’t forget to add a classic bookcase, built-in shelving or an elegant magazine rack with an assortment of your favouritereads.

Doyouwanttosavemoneyonyourutility bills and minimize your carbon footprint? If so, you may want to upgrade to a geothermal unit for heating and cooling yourhome.

Geothermal systems use long loops of fluid buried below ground to exchange heat with the surrounding soil. Although installing a geothermal system requires a fair amount of work, it might be a smart investmentif:

•You’reabouttoreplaceyourfurnaceor

coolingsystem

•Youcantakeadvantageofanenergyrebateorgovernmentincentive tocutcosts

•Youplantostayinyourhome foralongtime

•Youliveonalargelotwithplenty ofspace

If you’re interested in investing in a geothermal unit for your home, make sure you