Prince George Citizen July 10, 2025

Arrest made afer driver fees Ospika Blvd. hit-and-run

Police track suspect after members of the Tour de North cycling team are injured

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Police have made an arrest after two cyclists were seriously injured in a hitand-run incident Monday morning while on a training ride in a residential Prince George neighbourhood.

One of the victims, an adult male, sustained serious facial injuries and was unconscious when first attended to by an off-duty nurse and off-duty police officer shortly after the collision at about 9:50 a.m.

The other rider, also an adult male, was conscious but suffered a broken leg and abdominal injuries. A health-care worker at the scene said one of the riders would need to be transported to Vancouver.

Police responded to the scene at Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue with ground vehicles and an RCMP helicopter to search for the driver of a black pickup truck suspected in the incident.

A vehicle matching the description — missing its passenger-side mirror and showing significant front-end damage — was found in a townhouse development a few blocks from the crash. Police arrested a man, believed to be in his 20s, after converging on a unit at 101 Tabor Blvd.

“Police officers are looking for anyone with video surveillance, dash camera footage or cellphone video that shows the vehicle’s driving behaviour before and after the collision,” said Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“The vehicle travelled from where the incident occurred and turned left on McDermid Drive, then left again on Tabor Boulevard. Witnesses report seeing the vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed.”

Terri Guest, a Level 3 first-aid attendant, was one of the first on scene. She

helped the off-duty nurse and officer stabilize one of the victims’ necks while they waited for BCEHS paramedics to arrive.

“There were two victims, both 40 years old, and one of them had a Tour de North jersey. I think they were both training for the Tour de North, because that’s the route they take — they go out to Miworth and back,” said Guest.

“It was a black truck. It’ll be missing a mirror — I’d say the passenger side, because I had to step over it to get from one victim to the other when I was checking vital signs.

“The conscious victim was talking about his leg, but I saw part of his helmet was crunched and I was worried. Even though he wasn’t registering any pain in the head or neck, he might still have injuries there. They already had the other guy well in hand.”

A registered nurse whose apartment faces the scene told The Citizen she turned over doorbell camera footage to police.

The Cops for Cancer Tour de North is an annual ride organized by the Canadian Cancer Society. It involves police

Gallo knows both men involved — one is an RCMP officer, the other a civilian rider — and said Monday’s incident represents every cyclist’s worst fear. He said the riders were wearing bright Tour de North jerseys and had lights on their bikes to increase visibility. One even had a radar detector to monitor approaching traffic.

“I’m at a loss for words. This is the nightmare that cyclists don’t ever want to experience, and now we have two of our riders in hospital with unknown conditions,” said Gallo, choking back tears.

“Their bikes are destroyed. I can only imagine the shape they’re in. These are people with families, with kids expecting them to come home — and they’re not coming home today.”

Gallo said the Tour de North ride requires months of training and fundraising. Knowing that these two won’t be able to take part this year has left the community shaken.

officers, first responders and civilian riders raising funds for childhood cancer research and support programs.

This year’s 850-kilometre ride, scheduled for Sept. 12-18, has 21 registered riders. It begins in Prince George and ends eight days later in Prince Rupert.

Ron Gallo, a civilian rider who has participated in several Tour de North rides, was called to the scene and helped police identify each rider’s equipment where it lay on the roadside.

“Cycling isn’t something where you just get up one day and decide to ride 850 kilometres to raise money for pediatric cancer. But that’s all these guys have been thinking about — the ride in September, and where the money is going,” said Gallo.

“They’re not supposed to put their own health and safety at risk, but that’s what’s happened here today.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

RCMP escort a man in handcuffs, suspected to be involved in a hit and run on Ospika Boulevard, from a residence at 112-101 Tabor Boulevard on Monday, July 7.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The scene of a hit-and-run on Ospika Boulevard at McRae Avenue shows two bicycles with riding gear scattered around on Monday, July 7.

Athletes head to Prince George for the Summer Games

After the Torch Run and the Games’ opening ceremonies, competition happens Friday and Saturday

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Athletes, coaches, supporters, volunteers, city staff and council members were full of excitement and smiles Monday at the raising of the Special Olympics flag at city hall.

The flag will remain in place until the closing of the Games.

Mayor Simon Yu also made a special proclamation recognizing the athletes and their hard work. From now on, the week of July 7 to July 13 will be Special Olympics Week in Prince George.

The Games will bring more than 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities, along with volunteer coaches and staff, to Prince George from across BC and the Yukon.

Yu said he was proud to celebrate Prince George as a northern host city.

“This is what we do,” said Yu. “We are always a great host city — for the Special Olympics, Canada Games and all sorts of tournaments for youth and high school. This is the northern capital and this is what we do.”

Yu encouraged everyone in Prince George to join in the celebrations.

“We are looking forward to this week and to doing a lot of volunteer work and to looking forward to all the events,” he said. “More importantly, we encourage

everybody to get to the Games, to watch the events and to watch the Games themselves. This will give us the real feeling of all the excitement that the 1,200 athletes bring to the city — to watch them shine and to watch them get their medals.”

The city has also been shortlisted to host the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, something Yu said may depend on how the city performs this summer.

“This is part of the stepping stone,” said Yu. “The organizers of the 2030 Games will be watching how we do for all these events — and this is where Prince George, please show off what we’ve got.”

Peter Goudal, local coach and co-ordinator for Special Olympics BC, also attended the flag-raising ceremony and

spoke with media about how excited the local athletes are.

“This is a very memorable moment for us,” said Goudal. “We haven’t had the Summer Games here in Prince George before — we’ve had a couple of the winter ones — so everybody’s excited.

“We just went through COVID a few years ago and cancelled our Summer Games. This is the first one in six years and our athletes have been training hard. It’s a four-year journey to get here for every athlete in the province and they’re looking forward to it.”

Goudal emphasized that many athletes have faced personal hardships over the past few years — and this event highlights just how far they’ve come.

“We’ve had a couple of athletes

whose parents — their biggest supporters — passed away this year,” he said. “They’re going to be participating in these Games without their No. 1 supporters, but their family still supports, the Special Olympics community still supports and wraps around.

“We have one athlete who had a heart attack during COVID, he got better and he’s going to be participating. My son had an ailment two years ago with his muscles — he couldn’t move — and he’s gotten better and will be participating in these Games.

“All these challenges they’ve faced, they’ve overcome and gotten stronger. To see them supported by this wonderful community is great.”

Powerlifting athlete Sam Russell, who will compete in his first provincial Games, also attended the ceremony with fellow local athletes.

He spoke to The Citizen about what he’s most excited for.

“It’s so amazing,” said Russell. “I’m excited to meet people and new faces on the buses back and forth. I am social, so I’m pretty happy.”

Russell can lift close to 300 pounds and is confident heading into the July 10 competition.

He said he’s excited to meet other athletes and is honoured to be part of the Games.

The next RCMP Law Enforcement Torch Run kicked off the Games on Wednesday, July 9, beginning at the RCMP detachment at Fifth Avenue and Victoria Street and ending at the CN Centre, where the RCMP hosted a barbecue for locals and athletes.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The Prince George Special Olympics BC Summer Games committee along with supporters and athlete ambassadors Adam Spokes, Marinka VanHage and Chase Caron gather as Special Olympics Week begins on Monday, July 7.

Judge reserves decision on future of Moccasin Flats

The city wants it shut down, but lawyers for its residents say it’s not the right time

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A BC Supreme Court judge reserved decision Friday, July 4 in City of Prince George’s third bid to clear a homeless camp out of Moccasin Flats.

After not succeeding in 2021 and 2022, the city is seeking an injunction to regain control of the land and refuse anyone the right to camp on the cityowned property if they refuse to apply to or receive an offer from BC Housing for suitable housing with daytime activities.

Justice Bruce Elwood heard arguments for much of the previous two days from lawyers for the campers. They said the city has insufficient suitable or accessible housing available for their seven clients and should not have made the court application until it did.

The city claimed there are 11 people sheltering on the site. The respondents said there are 18, but only three supportive housing beds are vacant and unallocated.

“The central issue is that with this date, by the city’s evidence, there are 11 people sheltering in the park; the respondents’ evidence was 18,” Claire Kanigan told Elwood on Thursday, July 3. “These numbers do fluctuate with time, but even if we are to accept the city’s evidence that there are 11 people sheltering, they simply only have three beds available right now.”

Kanigan said there are eight units available at the Third Avenue supportive housing site, in various states of readiness, “three are currently vacant and unallocated.”

Kanigan and co-counsel Casey St. Germain argued that the housing offered may be suitable for one but not suitable or accessible for all.

They cited a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: inedible food, limited “harm reduction” supplies,

A firefighter puts out a fire in a trailer at Moccasin Flats quickly on Sunday, May 25. It was one of several fires this year at the Lower Patricia Boulevard encampment.

absence of wrap-around services, minimal privacy, staff-conducted wellness checks without resident consent, limited security for personal belongings and a prohibition on pets.

The lawyers also say that homeless individuals are particularly vulnerable to poor physical health and compromised mental health. Many are Indigenous, have histories of trauma and abuse, and suffer from addictions.

“The’ve come before the court prematurely and are asking the court to grant a very unusual order,” said St. Germain. “The city is certainly capable of getting people off the land, if they’re offered suitable housing.”

The city, she said, does not need the court assistance, because it has not done the work needed to offer housing to everybody that needs it. If the city had 18 units available, but all 18 rejected the offer, “then that might be an appropriate time to come before the court.”

On Wednesday, July 2, Jeffrey Locke, representing city hall, said the city and

that the effective date of the injunction application for the occupants of this encampment be held and not effective until a unit is ready for them. There’s some available now. There’s some that are under repair.”

Belvery Edward Johnny was the only defendant identified in the city’s February-filed notice of civil claim, since he is the only constant resident for the past three years. Defence filings also name Jessica Alec, Tom Beaudette, Jesse Boake, Quinton Campbell, Constant Lavoie and Johnnie Macburnie.

When Elwood adjourned the hearing and reserved decision, he said he had limited time before mid-August.

“I’m aware of the urgency of this,” Elwood said.

The city originally filed for an injunction in August 2021 after the May and June 2021 establishment of encampments on city-owned lands at George Street and Moccasin Flats.

By October of that year, the sites contained 50 structures and over 80 occupants, sparking complaints about public safety and living conditions.

province have “doubled down” to create enough housing to satisfy the court so that the site, also known as Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment, can be cleared and remediated.

He reminded the court that, in May 2023, the city amended the Zoning and Parks and Open Space bylaws to allow temporary overnight shelter only between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.

He pointed to the January-opened, Third Avenue supportive housing site “specifically designed” to meet court requirements to offer a “safe, comfortable facility where occupants live while long-term housing solutions are sought for them.”

He also mentioned other housing projects.

“The city and Province of BC have really doubled down on creating new supportive housing in Prince George,” Locke said. “So there is enough supportive housing now for the 11 (remaining encampment) occupants. But here’s the most important difference: The city is seeking an injunction, yes, but

That month, a judge ordered George Street vacated and cleared, but defined Moccasin Flats as green space and dismissed the city’s application to vacate and clear the site, “absent other suitable housing and daytime facilities.”

Campers were offered space in the BC Housing-acquired Knights Inn beginning in November 2021.

But the city lost another legal challenge in February 2022 when a judge said the city breached the original order by tearing down the Moccasin Flats encampment in November 2021.

Campers were offered space in the BC Housing-acquired Knights Inn in November 2021, the month after the first court decision.

In May 2023, the city amended the Zoning and Parks and Open Space bylaws to allow temporary overnight shelter only between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. In May 2024, the province counted 45 people living at Moccasin Flats. Since then, 44 of them either found space in the BC Housing system or moved elsewhere.

From Canada to the World

We began with one goal: To set the benchmark for safe and reliable lique ed natural gas development in Canada.

Working with Indigenous and local communities in British Columbia, and with tens of thousands of highly skilled individuals from across this great country, we have met that goal. Canada’s rst large-scale LNG export facility is now in operations, in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.

LNG Canada and its joint venture participants—Shell plc, PETRONAS, PetroChina Canada Ltd, Mitsubishi Corporation and Korea Gas Company—are delivering lower-carbon, Canadian-made LNG from Kitimat, British Columbia to countries that need it, and helping diversify Canada’s export markets.

lngcanada.ca

Rustad pledges to ‘Build BC’ with Bird and Giddens

Conservative leader says his party is committed to new public projects

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Flanked by two Prince George MLAs on Monday, July 7, Opposition Leader John Rustad asserted his party’s commitment to building public projects in BC in the wake of a BC Ferries contract being awarded to a Chinese shipbuilder.

Last month, BC Ferries announced it would commission China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to build four new major vessels after no Canadian shipbuilders entered bids.

The exact value of the contract was not disclosed, with the Crown corporation saying in a June 10 release that “disclosing the total construction cost could compromise BC Ferries’ ability to secure the best value on future vessel procurements.”

Speaking at Prince George-Valemount Conservative MLA Rosalyn Bird’s downtown Prince George office on July 7, Rustad said BC needs to make sure jobs stay within the province.

“Obviously, the contract for ferries in China is a huge issue,” Rustad said, with both Bird and Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens beside him.

“We should be doing everything we can by building and supporting those jobs right here in British Columbia.”

To put itself first, Rustad cited several things BC should do, including not selling natural gas to the United States at an 80 per cent discount, expediting natural resources projects and awarding taxpayer-funded contracts to bidders within the province.

He said his party is signing a “Build BC” pledge to advance these issues.

Behind the three MLAs was a board they all eventually signed, saying that to strengthen BC’s economy, they would push to:

• Keep projects local

• Stop sending taxpayer-funded

jobs offshore

• Hire BC workers and skilled trades

• Empower BC businesses

• Strengthen industry capacity and put BC families and industries first

Bird said in the last few years, northern BC has seen curtailments and closures in the natural resources sector affecting communities like Prince George, Chetwynd, Fraser Lake and Bear Lake.

“And so supporting this pledge and supporting jobs, staying in BC and being built in BC is extremely important,” Bird said.

“I would encourage the stakeholders in the area, whether it’s the Home Builders’ Association, the (Northern Regional Construction Association), the (Independent Contractors and Businesses Association) to also share our messages and get it out there that we are here to support jobs in British Columbia.

Giddens and Rustad said there have been record numbers of young people leaving British Columbia and we need to keep them for jobs both across the province and Prince George.

In June 2024, the Angus Reid Institute published results stating that 36 per cent of people surveyed said they were considering leaving BC because of the cost of housing. Isolating results to men and women aged 18 to 34, about half said they were considering leaving.

“That’s why we fought hard for the Tidewater refinery, making sure

that those jobs stayed here in Prince George,” Giddens said. “The NDP have gone down a path of ideological policymaking, putting politics before people. We’re going to put workers first.”

Late last year and earlier this year, Giddens pushed for the provincial government to make changes to subsidies granted to foreign producers of renewable diesel after Tidewater Renewables said that American companies getting subsidies in both the U.S. and Canada made it difficult for them to compete.

The government ultimately chose a different path and changed regulations to address the issue, with Energy Minister Adrian Dix thanking Giddens for his advocacy.

In his role as the party’s labour critic, Giddens said he had recently visited the Seaspan shipyards in Vancouver, adding that he believed that company had the capacity to take on the ferry project.

Throughout the summer, Giddens said, the party would be visiting with union leaders, business groups, employers and workers to carry the “Build BC” message.

Taking questions from reporters, Rustad said he didn’t think Premier David Eby and his government had done enough to improve permitting delays in the forestry and mining sectors as he had pledged at this January’s BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.

Rustad also said he doesn’t think Eby is doing enough to align with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s infrastructure

agenda and promises to make Canada an energy superpower.

He pointed to an agreement signed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier in the day committing to work together to build a bitumen pipeline between their provinces.

While Eby has said there have been no proponents coming forward for an oil pipeline from Alberta to the BC coast, Rustad said it’s a chicken-and-egg scenario as Enbridge has said it might be interested if provincial and federal legislative changes were made to make such a project feasible.

Interjecting, Giddens said this situation is why BC needs a Rustad-led Conservative government.

Though the BC Legislature is currently on break for the summer, the Prince George MLAs said they have some events planned this summer.

One is a meeting between all three Prince George-area MLAs and local small- and medium-sized businesses to discuss their concerns regarding public safety and the economy.

Bird and Giddens said they and Prince George-North Cariboo Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare would take the information they learn for use during the next legislative sessions.

The second is an initiative Bird said she and the City of Prince George are working on together to hold a take-back day for unused or expired prescriptions as well as promote local mental health resources.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Opposition Leader John Rustad (left), Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA

Kiel Giddens speak about their party’s Build BC pledge at Bird’s downtown Prince George office on Monday, July 7.

Bird’s ofce not yet open, but staf available to help

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George-Valemount Conservative MLA Rosalyn Bird’s office is not yet open to the general public, but she and her staff are available to help constituents.

Speaking to reporters before a media conference with Conservative Leader John Rustad on Monday, July 7, Bird said that though she had held an open house event the previous weekend, construction issues have meant that her office at 1350 Fifth Ave. is not yet able to take walk-in visitors.

That address is the same as Bird’s predecessor from the same constituency, retired MLA Shirley Bond.

In the meantime, Bird said her office is available by phone at 778-744-8598 and by email at Rosalyn.Bird.MLA@leg. bc.ca. Once contact is made, Bird said her staff will see what next steps need

to be taken and whether an appointment should be set up.

While there is another phone number still printed on the office door, Bird said it is an old number that isn’t directed to her or her staff.

Anyone who tried calling that number should try calling the number listed above.

“The other thing we have, which is going to be launched in the next couple of days, we have put together a website that is fairly robust,” Bird said. “It has an extensive resources page, so that when people contact my staff or myself, we can direct them to their first point of contact before it comes to the MLA getting engaged.”

She said a lot of times, constituents reach out to her office for help because they don’t know where to turn to. They’re happy to send people in the right direction and follow up if they don’t get the results they’re looking for.

Down at the Container Market

CITIZEN

BY CHUCK NISBETT

Artist Diane Levesque-Majewski spends a rainy day at the Nanguz’An Container Market Saturday, July 5 at Canada Games Plaza. The market, which features four shipping containers converted to storefronts, will be open on Thursdays from 3-7 p.m., on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Different local vendors will be taking part each week.

PHOTO

Closing down Moccasin Flats won’t solve the problem

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

There’s a new resident at Moccasin Flats. A battered Class C motorhome has joined the fifth-wheel trailer and almost a dozen tents already there despite the freshly installed gates the City of Prince George and mayor and council hoped would keep large vehicles and new people out.

Regardless of how the BC Supreme Court rules in the city’s latest bid to evict the people living on the strip of land along Lower Patricia Boulevard, the broader reality remains unchanged: if permanent, physical, legal and logistical solutions are not implemented, the site will continue its cycle of eviction and reoccupation.

And even if the city “wins” in court — if it is granted authority to clear the encampment and relocate its residents — we have to ask: where will those people go?

Despite the Atco trailer village at the end of Fourth Avenue, the Knights Inn, North Star Inn and two new facilities built on First Avenue, some people continue to choose tents. They are doing so not because there isn’t housing available, but because they don’t want to live in the available options.

Prince George has seen it before when the city shut down the encampment at Millennium Park. The park may have been fenced off, but the people who were camped out there didn’t disappear — they moved.

A notice is seen on a tent at the Millennium Park encampment in this file photo. The city can issue orders, the courts can rule, but until more fundamental changes are made, people will keep living in tents and rough shelters in Prince George.

In Kamloops, Williams Lake and across our province, people experiencing homelessness are setting up in parks, greenbelts, back alleys and residential neighbourhoods. The reality we are seeing elsewhere is likely what will happen here.

And then, rather than being at a centralized site that outreach workers, police and emergency services can monitor and respond to, people will be scattered. The pressure on frontline services and first responders goes up, not down.

Clearing Moccasin Flats without preparing for what comes next is simply pushing the issue into the shadows, where it’s harder to track and harder to treat.

Smarter, more strategic action is needed — not just from Prince George, but from the province as well. Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon’s current approach, especially the buy-motels-and-convert-them model, is simply failing as we have reported and commented on in a

previous editorial.

It’s time for the province and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside to come forward with a comprehensive plan to meet the complex needs of the homeless population.

That plan needs to include long-term access to mental health care and addiction treatment facilities and dedicated facilities for women and children across our province, but especially in the north. Only by helping people address their mental health and addictions challenges will we see a true reduction of people living in tents and temporary housing.

The city’s long-term credibility — and its ability to manage public land — depends on more than court victories or physical barriers. If the city wants to ensure that Moccasin Flats isn’t reoccupied, it needs to take a different approach.

One option is to completely reimagine Lower Patricia Boulevard. This could mean permanent supportive infrastructure or commercial redevelopment

that makes ongoing occupation unlikely.

Light industrial land in Prince George is in high demand, even if it’s on the east side of Queensway. The city could re-zone the land and provide a permissive tax exemption to entice the private sector to develop the land.

Green space redevelopment? The land that represents Moccasin Flats has previously been envisioned as a connector between the downtown and the river front trail system.

Although ambitious and aspirational, if Millennium Park — which is to be sold to become a parking lot — is any guide, the city has little momentum or political will to reclaim former encampments for public use.

So, we’re left with this: unless the city acts boldly — legally, physically, and symbolically — Moccasin Flats will return. Maybe not immediately, maybe not in the same form, but the cycle will repeat.

Regardless of whether the city wins or loses in court, there’s no win for our community. It won’t solve the problem. Losing means the problem stays in the Flats. Winning means the problem relocates into our neighbourhoods.

For a true win we need the provincial government to step up and provide long-term mental health facilities along with addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers.

If not, the cycle will repeat and the problem will continue to grow.

Have your say with a letter to the editor: editor@pgcitizen.ca.

We acknowledge the fnancial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui fnancier du gouvernement du Canada.

Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

OFFICE (8:30a - 4:30p)

505 Fourth Avenue

Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2

FRONT DESK AND CLASSIFIED frontdesk@pgcitzen.ca 250-562-2441

NEWS AND SPORTS news@pgcitzen.ca

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@pgcitzen.ca

OWNER / PUBLISHER owner@pgcitzen.ca

Letters to the editor are welcome. The maximum length is 300 words. Letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity, grammar, spelling and legalities prior to publication. Please include your daytime contact information.

Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

Terresa Randall-Stolz Owner

The future means embracing an ‘introvert economy’

Back

COVID showed us we have issues if the ships don’t come in. U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats show us we can’t rely on the ships getting out. That leaves us with one dependable partner: ourselves.

If we were an introverted nation, this wouldn’t be an issue. But it appears we are extreme extroverts who can’t stand our own company.

We grow apples — more than our domestic consumption. Good ones, too. But we oversell our domestic production, requiring us to turn around and import $209 million worth of apples from the United States, as well as nations as far away as Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, Italy and China.

At the Superstore in Prince George there is Australian beef you can buy, even though we have a large local cattle ranching industry producing superior beef that never goes out of season. Canada currently produces around 1.4 million tonnes of beef — almost half a million more tonnes than we consume. Nevertheless, we oversell it, requiring us to then import 214,000 tonnes of beef back again — half of it from the U.S., but also beef from Uruguay, New Zealand, Brazil and, of course, Australia.

I could go on and on with this. It’s sort of like all the logging trucks we see on public roads driving past each other with the exact same product.

I guess we just like to move stuff around and hammer the public highways for the sake of moving stuff around — a nervous quirk of our economy. Maybe the beef tastes better the further it flies.

The official explanation is found in fancy words like “arbitrage,” “quality differentiation,” “market segregation” and “comparative advantage.”

But at the end of the day, we have a

Canadian farmers grow more apples than we can consume, yet we import $209 millions worth more from the U.S. each year, James Steidle writes today.

complex array of rules, regulations and subsidies that prioritize big exportdriven industries and unnecessary, redundant global economic integration.

We have an entire federal Crown corporation — the Canadian Commercial Corporation — dedicated to tying Canadian producers into foreign markets.

We have a Department of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development which annually dedicates $420 million to expanding Canadian trade. Almost all commodity-related federal departments have a strong focus on exports in their mission statements. We have massive public subsidies for port infrastructure to lock us into more trade and induce self-inflicted economic damage by further reducing the cost of cheap offshore imports.

Meanwhile, other than the nearly $3 billion we spend on our supply-managed Canadian dairy sector, there is next to nothing to help local producers access Canadian markets. If you scour the list of provincial and federal agriculture grants and programs, there is only one program for local food security — the $10 million-a-year Local Food Infrastructure Fund, about a quarter of the $37 million we spend on the CanExport program to encourage the export of Canadian produce. And this doesn’t include what we spend on Export Navigator, AgriAssurance and AgriMarketing — a few of the many programs aimed at

helping producers export food.

And what’s the point of spending $10 million on local food infrastructure when the government giveth with one hand and taketh with the other?

People may remember the government shut down most of our local beef processing — which had provided us with self-sufficiency and local beef. They forced most of them out of business, making it cost-prohibitive, while increasing the domination of feedlots and the two huge foreign-owned corporations that conduct over 90 per cent of our beef processing in this country at three locations.

And the supply management of egg and dairy industries — a good idea in theory — costs us billions, yet has allowed Prince George’s local dairies and egg farms to get swallowed up by Lower Mainland megacorps. We lost our self-sufficiency there, too, thanks to government policies favouring consolidation.

Now the government wants to force Prince George vegetable producers to operate under the auspices of a Lower Mainland-controlled marketing board — which will likely deny them access to local supermarkets.

Our governments want globally competitive big industries. They don’t want little independent mom-and-pop producers to get in the way.

The unofficial policy of North American agriculture — like the rest of the

economy — is “get big or get out,” as American secretary of agriculture Earl Butz once famously said before he initiated a set of policies that effectively wiped out the small American farmer. We followed suit up here.

If you look at the “efficiencies defence,” also known as Section 96 of the Competition Act, which was only repealed in 2023, having huge corporations swallow up small competition was legal — so long as it satisfied the gods of efficiency.

At the root of all this is the obsession with GDP. Maximizing exports maximizes GDP. To win this game, the argument goes, we need big, efficient global players to compete on the world stage. To practise self-sufficiency, you need import substitution — and the books tell us this is bad for GDP.

And that, apparently, is all that matters.

I’m not sure how spending a bunch of money sending our apples thousands of kilometres one way and buying the same thing from the other side of the world is good for GDP — let alone society or the planet — but that’s what the textbooks say, and that’s what our government is hell-bent on believing.

With Trump showing the fragility of global trade relationships, it might be time to write some new textbooks that recognize it’s OK to be an introvert.

Self-sufficiency has value.

James Steidle is a Prince George writer.

JAMES STEIDLE

Story

OPINION

What’s next for Lower Patricia and the Little Prince?

I am very disappointed in seeing that sort of comments coming from Tim Bennett!

I won’t attack you personally but will call you out politically. There’d be no Canada if not for the War of 1812 because then Canada would’ve been the 51st state for sure. But that’s right we stopped teaching that because its colonialism!

The Little Prince is a cherished little piece of history that deserves funding.

I believe all public funding, including that directed toward Indigenous programs, should be subject to thorough and transparent audits to ensure it all reaches the communities it’s meant to support.

We’ve seen instances where funds have been mismanaged by city officials and others diverted by intermediaries.

A stronger oversight would help protect those resources, promote accountability, & build public trust.

This isn’t about reducing support for the Little Prince or other programs — it’s about making sure it’s effective, equitable, and improving outcomes on the ground. Remember that next election, Tim.

Aynun

Share your views on our stories at pgcitizen.ca

Judge reserves decision after three days of Moccasin Flats hearings

The unhoused in L.A. have everything given to them, free food, free clothing, and if they want it, free shelter.

But they don’t want the shelter because they have to follow the rules. They rather live on the street.

Sound familiar? What really galls me is that the judge wants P.G. to provide housing with daytime activities.

If I want daytime activities I have to find it and in most instances, pay for it myself.

Most activities have a cost. It’s bad enough we have to provide food, clothing, housing, and dope but our judicial system also expects us to provide entertainment for the unhoused as well.

I am so sick and tired of this charade.

Lyn Grandma

Not enough housing for Prince George’s homeless people: lawyer

The argument is bizarre...they do not seem to be presenting evidence that living in the encampment is safer or better than available shelter options. Their arguments focus on the inadequacy of shelters but do not address the welldocumented risks and harms associated with encampment living.

I mean...there have been MURDERS in Moccasin Flats. I’m trying to think of the last time anyone was MURDERED in PG supportive housing.

Bob Robertson

Not enough housing for Prince George’s homeless people: lawyer

There’s never enough housing because they keep being shipped here and they don’t like the free housing provided. I didn’t have the option of owning a dog when I PAID for my own apartment.

Their excuses are wild, yet I’m sure the courts will accept them. I’m so done with BC enabling this. It’s unacceptable. It’s not why we pay taxes. Either the government fixes the drug crisis or they let it take it happen, but enabling it is not a solution that is working. We know what services are needed yet we spend all the money debating what services are needed. We citizens deserve safe cities and a downtown that we can actually enjoy.

Aly Rivers

Prince George International Airport brings in new CEO

I truly believe the PG Airport can grow but it takes time and patience.

Many naysayers have been very vocal about the runway extension and tank farm and things were looking good and there was interest from several airlines but then COVID hit and things changed overnight.

However things are starting to look somewhat brighter as mining, manufacturing and even forestry is looking up and several warehouses, repair shops and even heavy equipment sales are picking up. This will invariably lead to more flights, more cargo and heavy lift capacity flights coming to the city but it takes time.

Until then the nay sayers will only see the negative side of things which is their choice. Dearth

Tornado warning a frst for cell phone alert system

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Prince George people returned to work Wednesday morning after the Canada Day holiday, and thankfully we weren’t talking about what might have been a damaging tornado touching down and wreaking havoc on the city.

But there was a real chance it could have happened.

That’s why Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the city at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday, advising residents to take immediate cover in a basement or interior room and be alert for flying debris, in case the severe weather threat materialized.

Fortunately, by the time most residents saw the warning on their phones, the thunderstorm had already tracked northeast into a sparsely populated area.

“(Thursday) evening, there were some thunderstorms that popped up in central British Columbia, and one in particular was noted on radar to have a signature conducive to rotation in a thunderstorm — what we call a bounded weak echo region,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Matt Loney, based in Edmonton. “This prompted a radar-based warning.”

At the time the alert was issued, the worst of the storm had already passed through Prince George. Residents took to social media noting it wasn’t even windy when the alert hit their phones.

“When you get phone-based warnings, they’re geolocated with reference to the forecast region,” Loney said. “In future, that should change so it’s only people in the immediate vicinity (who receive alerts). The storm was actually a few kilometres northeast of Prince George and moving toward the northeast at 50 kilometres an hour.

“Had the storm been forming from the southwest, it would have been much more alarming. But it was already east of the city, moving into a less dangerous area, luckily.”

Earlier Tuesday, Environment Canada had warned of the potential for severe thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Daytime temperatures reaching 28 C

generated convective currents that led to heavy rain, nickel-sized hail and lightning activity later in the day.

Doppler radar at Prince George Airport detected rotating updrafts — or mesocyclones — during the storm. These were caused by wind shear, where winds moved in opposite directions toward and away from the radar, triggering the tornado warning. There were no reports of funnel clouds forming or touching down, and the severe thunderstorm warning ended at 9:45 p.m.

Loney said the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in London, Ont., will conduct a follow-up study to investigate further.

Radar in northern BC is monitored 24/7 by Environment Canada, and Loney said the turnaround time from detecting a threat to issuing a warning is typically within five minutes.

However, northern BC has few radar stations and many sparsely populated areas, increasing the chance of tornadic activity going unreported.

“We do have tornadoes in BC from time to time — more than we think — simply because we tend to live in valleys and the surrounding terrain is mostly uninhabited,” Loney said. “So, there’s likely a lack of confirmed sightings.”

BC’s mountainous terrain and proximity to the cool Pacific generally make it less prone to the powerful thunderstorms common in the Prairie provinces. Flat topography in those areas allows storms to gain strength and duration.

Prince George isn’t part of “tornado alley,” but it sits in a corridor that experiences more thunderstorms than much of the province.

The city averages 32.9 days annually with lightning detected within 25 kilometres — the third-highest in BC, behind Castlegar (36.5 days) and Cranbrook (33.9 days).

“That strip through central BC is more prone to thunderstorms, which can give birth to tornadoes,” said Loney.

On May 21, a weak landspout tornado was detected northeast of Vanderhoof. No injuries or damage were reported.

More violent tornadoes are typically spawned by supercells — large rotating thunderclouds — or when multiple cells converge. These usually need about an hour to gain enough rotation to touch down.

Straight-line winds, also known as derechos or plow winds, can also occur during thunderstorms. These gusts, dragged downward by precipitation, can be strong enough to flatten swaths of trees.

“People should have in their emergency awareness that tornadoes do happen in BC, and they should know what

to do,” said Loney, who studied at the University of Oklahoma and chased nine tornadoes during that time. “Take cover, go to the basement if you can, stay away from walls and windows. Try to get out of your car — being in a vehicle during a tornado can be dangerous. It’s better to be in a low spot on the ground.”

He also warned against the common myth that sheltering under a highway overpass is safer.

“A tornado’s funnel effect will reach under the bridge, and parking under an overpass — especially when visibility is low — can cause traffic jams and motor vehicle accidents,” he said.

There are unconfirmed reports of a tornado touching down in Prince George as recently as 1994.

If you experienced that storm or have information about any other tornado to touch down in the area’s history, please contact Citizen reporter Ted Clarke at tclarke@pgcitizen.ca or call 250-960-2764.

TJ O’GRADY/FACEBOOK

TJ O’Grady captured this lightning strike in Prince George on Canada Day.

BC probing safety concerns in PG supportve housing

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The province is addressing concerns over staff and resident safety, drug exposure, and property damage in supportive housing, including in Prince George.

A limited-time working group has been established to respond to these concerns by acting on requests from housing providers for greater authority to address urgent safety issues.

One key request from supportive housing providers is the removal or review of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) as it applies to the more than 7,500 supportive housing facilities constructed since 2017.

Currently, many of these facilities operate under the RTA — the primary legislation governing landlord-tenant relationships for most residential properties in the province. This means people living in supportive housing are granted the same rights as those living in traditional rental buildings.

However, many — including Liz Vick Sandha, COO of Connective — say the act, as currently implemented, has hindered the safety of both residents and staff in supportive housing settings.

“People who live in supportive housing face more barriers than your average person,” said Sandha. “Especially in terms of securing housing and then being able to stabilize and maintain that housing.”

She added: “There are some challenges in using the Residential Tenancy Act in the supportive housing field. There’s value in reviewing it, because the challenges we face include the fact that the act has quite a long timeframe between when an issue is raised about a tenant and when it can be addressed through the arbitration process. Sometimes that delay can create excessive safety risks for both our staff and the tenants.”

One of Sandha’s main concerns is the lag between safety issues being reported and appropriate action being taken — a problem she says she’s seen firsthand in her organization’s facilities.

“We have a full range of policies and procedures to make sure staff are protected and supported throughout,” she said. “Sometimes situations occur that we couldn’t have planned for. There have been situations that we’ve had to learn from, and we make sure we’re reviewing them carefully and responding appropriately.

“Part of that is, if we’ve identified that one of our tenants can no longer stay in this program — for their own safety, for staff safety, or for the safety of neighbours — we want to be able to take action. Right now, the delay we experience between raising these issues and being able to act against someone who’s compromising community safety is too slow.”

While Sandha is critical of the current application of the RTA in supportive housing, she doesn’t advocate for it to be removed entirely.

“I don’t know if we’d be advocating for a complete removal,” she said. “I welcome the concept of having a group of experts come together to think through what other options there are. We use other options in other programs and we’d certainly be willing to explore them if they could be appropriate for supportive housing. If there were a

particular arm of the Residential Tenancy Act specific to supportive housing, that would be valuable.

“If concerns could be fast-tracked, for example, I think that would equip everyone in the program — ensuring their rights to safety are upheld — while also allowing us, as the managing organization, to balance whose needs we can support and whose we can’t.”

Alongside this new initiative, the province is also working with WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to address the impact of the ongoing toxic-drug crisis on supportive housing.

Supportive housing facilities are often hotspots for drug trafficking and consumption, particularly involving fentanyl — which can be dangerous to inhale secondhand.

WorkSafeBC has issued guidelines stating that workers should not be exposed to air concentrations exceeding 0.3 micrograms per cubic metre for more than 30 minutes per shift, and never exceeding 0.5 micrograms per cubic metre at any time.

Following these standards, WorkSafeBC and the BCCDC have tested 14 supportive housing buildings in Victoria and Vancouver. Early results indicate

that certain areas in some buildings have airborne fentanyl levels above the recommended limit.

Sandha said she supports the new testing initiative.

“I’m glad they’ve done the research to identify whether this is a genuine concern, or something people have worried about without fully understanding the evidence,” she said. “I’m glad it’s been identified, and that they’ve provided us with recommendations we can implement in our programs.

“This is something the whole of BC is navigating. We’re just happy to receive guidance on how we can keep our tenants and staff as safe as possible.”

Based on early findings, the province has proposed several measures to mitigate airborne drug exposure and other safety risks in supportive housing:

• Respiratory protection (personal protective equipment)

• Safety protocols and no-smoking policies

• Air scrubbers

• HVAC assessments (repairs/airflow improvements)

• Reduced suite entry (alternative protocols)

• Encouragement of overdose-prevention services

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

One local BC Housing supportive care complex is located at 160 Ontario St. The province is looking to address concerns.

Local scammers are pretending to be from BC Hydro

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

BC Hydro is warning customers about a surge in increasingly sophisticated scams, with incidents spiking since May.

In a news release, the utility said 60 customers reported falling victim to scams in May, while another 92 contacted BC Hydro to report attempted scams.

The figures represent a 36 per cent increase in scam-related activity compared to the monthly average between February and April. However, the actual number is likely higher, the utility said, as many scam attempts go unreported.

“Scammers are continually refining their tactics to appear more convincing and credible,” said Susie Rieder, a BC Hydro spokesperson.

“We urge customers to trust their instincts — if something feels off, it probably is — and to report suspicious activity right away.”

BC Hydro reports that 60 customers reported falling victim to scams in May, while another 92 contacted BC Hydro to report attempted scams.

Scammers have been using spoofed phone calls, emails and deceptive online ads to impersonate BC Hydro employees.

Some fraudulent ads link to fake websites offering bogus discounts on home upgrades and services.

In one recent case, a paid Google ad closely mimicked BC Hydro’s official website, resulting in several successful scams.

More concerning still, BC Hydro says fraudsters have shown up at customers’ homes posing as employees. In these

RCMP share video of vehicle allegedly involved in hit-and-run

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Investigators with the Prince George RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying a vehicle involved in a hitand-run at 11th Avenue and Victoria Street.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on June 16, officers responded to a report of a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.

The driver fled the scene after the incident.

The vehicle is described as a small, silver four-door hatchback.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“Despite gathering available video surveillance from the area, we have not been able to positively identify the suspect vehicle. We are hoping that anyone who was in the area that evening and

RCMP released video showing this vehicle, which is believed to have been involved in an incident June 16.

may have seen the vehicle and has dash camera, cell phone or video surveillance contacts us,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.

If you have any information about this or any other criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca.

instances, the scammers attempt to access the property or sell solar or battery services, falsely claiming customers will receive rebates.

BC Hydro says it is working with the RCMP, social media platforms and search engines to identify and remove fake content as quickly as possible.

To help protect customers, BC Hydro offers the following scam prevention tips:

• Suspicious messages: BC Hydro does not send billing or usage texts to residential customers

• False refunds or rebates: Only customers who opt in through MyHydro may receive legitimate Interac e-transfers. BC Hydro does not issue credits or refunds via e-transfer

• Fake contractors or affiliations: Always seek multiple quotes and confirm any contractor’s affiliation with BC Hydro.

• Payments should be made directly to the contractor — never to BC Hydro or CleanBC

• Unannounced visits or calls: BC Hydro employees never enter homes unannounced. Always ask for identification and call to verify. Scam calls can spoof BC Hydro’s number.

If unsure, hang up and call

1-800-BCHYDRO directly.

Customers are also encouraged to report fraudulent texts, calls or emails to their local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Canada’s fentanyl czar outlines BC’s growing drug crisis

Kevin Brosseau spoke at the Conference on Asset Forfeiture

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Siloed, border-driven jurisdictional rules have made “criminals smile and families cry” for too long, according to Kevin Brosseau, now four months into his job as the Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl.

But the tide is turning rapidly, he said in a June 17 speech to the Vancouver Anti-Corruption Institute’s 2025 Conference on Asset Forfeiture.

Earlier in June, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government tabled Bill C-2, better known as the Strong Borders Act, a suite of measures that Brosseau said “tightens a financial noose around transnational organized crime.”

“You squeeze the side of a balloon on one side, it’s going to pop out on another. You focus on what happens at the border, it will impact what happens on Main Street,” said Brosseau, who toured ground zero of Canada’s fentanyl crisis, the Downtown Eastside, with Vancouver Police officers on June 16.

Brosseau spent more than 20 years in the RCMP, with stops in Williams Lake, Burnaby and Beaver Creek, Yukon. He climbed the ranks to become the top Mountie in Manitoba from 2012 to 2016 and then three years as the RCMP’s deputy commissioner.

Harvard-educated in corporate and Indigenous law, Brosseau also held senior roles in Transport Canada and Department of Fisheries and Oceans before last October’s appointment as former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy national security and intelligence advisor.

Brosseau got a sudden, new assignment in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariff-triggered demand that Canada get serious about battling the fentanyl crisis.

“Feb. 11 was a bit of an auspicious day for me, because it was not what I expected to happen that day,” Brosseau

recalled, “as I was minding my own business, walking the halls of the Prime Minister’s Office, ready to give advice on the latest national security issue and in conversations.”

Brosseau’s business card says “Canada’s Fentanyl Czar.” He admits it is a title that “my spouse and family roll their eyes about frequently,” but it carries high expectations.

Fentanyl addiction and overdoses are not just a public health emergency, but a national security threat, he said. Synthetic drugs are now the largest criminal market in the country. It is not just about what comes in — such as precursor chemicals and finished product — but what gets sent abroad.

An average 21 Canadians a day lose their lives to synthetic opioids. Frontline workers, parents and grandparents now have “a sense of hope that somebody’s going to do something about it.”

It won’t be easy. While March was

BC’s sixth consecutive month of fewer than 160 deaths, Brosseau said small, remote communities around the country — especially Indigenous communities — are not seeing improvement.

The BC Centre for Disease Control reported 110 unregulated drug deaths in 2024 in the Prince George local health area, the highest in the Northern Interior, up from 100 in 2023.

In 2015, the year before the province declared a public health emergency, there were only 12 such deaths in Prince George.

Brosseau said political leaders at all levels of government and Canadians in general are “fed up” and want “all elements of public institutions and, frankly, civil society and corporations doing their part to right the wrong.”

To that end, criminal prosecutions and civil asset forfeiture need to work hand-in-hand.

“The hardest hits you can deal with to criminal organizations are made

Fentanyl, which comes in a variety of forms, continues to have a deadly impact on Prince George.

not only in cuffs and courtrooms, but they’re made when you take their stuff away,” he said.

Take away their houses, cars and crypto wallets in civil court cases, “the things that make that world go around.”

PRIVY COUNCIL OF CANADA PHOTO

Kevin Brosseau, Canada’s fentanyl czar, speaks to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on the federal government’s commitment to fighting fentanyl in this file photo.

Backlog in transcripts is adding to delays in BC courts

Lawyers and litigants are waiting longer for key documents now that a U.S. contractor has taken over

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When a Provincial Court judge found Prince George’s Dawson Smith not guilty in January of violating a court order about his hunting licence, Smith immediately asked court staff about ordering a transcript.

Little did he know it would take a $436.80 bite out of his wallet and he would be kept waiting until March.

Judge Cassandra Malfair decided Jan. 10 that another judge’s written order, which allowed Smith to continue hunting while he re-took the provincially required safety and ethics course, prevailed over the judge’s oral reading.

Smith was told he could order the word-for-word record of his day in court from the Ministry of Attorney General’s official provider, Veritext Litigation Solutions Canada Inc.

He placed his order Feb. 11 for the 10-day priority service. Three weeks later, on March 4, he got the hearing transcript.

But he said he had to wait even longer, until March 22, for a signed copy of Malfair’s verdict.

“No, they didn’t apologize,” Smith said in an interview. “It was interesting because I phoned numerous times, because I really needed the transcript. I had retained a lawyer in regards to that matter.”

Smith is not alone.

Last October, Livingston, New Jersey-headquartered Veritext took over the B.C. courts contract from J.C. Wordassist Ltd. and Verbatim Words West Ltd.

Since then, lawyers and self-represented litigants are waiting longer to receive transcripts of court proceedings and judges’ decisions.

Christy Pratt, the principal for Veritext Canada, did not respond to The Citizen’s request for comment.

A transcript of a judge’s oral verdict on March 3 in Prince George took until April 28 to be published on the BC Supreme Court website.

It was a total of eight weeks after Justice John Gibb-Carsley’s decision to acquit Dakota Rayn Keewatin and Kerridge Andrew Lowley of a 2022 machete attack in a downtown Prince George motel.

During a June 11 procedural hearing in Prince George Provincial Court, defence lawyer Anthony Zipp asked for an adjournment.

He needed a copy of a hearing transcript in order to decide the next move for a client facing drug and firearms charges.

“If I could predict when Veritext would produce transcripts, I would perhaps be emperor of the world,” Zipp said before Malfair.

“I don’t know anyone that could predict that these days.”

Officials in the Ministry of the Attorney General had said the ministry was addressing the backlog “directly and collaboratively” with Veritext, which had already made changes in order to to speed-up transcript delivery.

Jenny Manton, the assistant deputy minister in charge of the Court Services Branch, said April 24 that the backlog had peaked at 1,000 transcripts but had been reduced to 35.

“They have really been working well with us to address the backlog issues,” Manton said.

“So we’re still going through some transition issues with the company, but they’re very committed to making improvements and obviously providing a good service within the court.”

She said the department would continue to monitor the situation, including quality issues, until it is stable and “we have confidence in their ability to respond to the transcript requirements.”

Delays in transcripts are leading to delays in bail hearings, according to Greg Phillips, president of the Trial

Lawyers Association of BC. TLA members have reported waiting weeks after ordering a three-day transcription turnaround from Veritext, he said.

Phillips said the backlog puts defence lawyers like him “in an uncomfortable position of having to essentially ask for more time through no fault of our own.”

Canadian Lawyer Magazine reported in 2021 about Veritext’s Canadian business expansion, beginning in 2019 with Toronto’s Neesons, then westward to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta before buying BC’s Reportex, United Reporting and Kamloops Reporting Services in 2021.

Phillips, who is also a civil litigation

and injury claims lawyer with the Nanaimo firm Johnston Franklin Bishop, said it did not surprise him that Veritext would expand so aggressively across the country.

“But I don’t think anyone expected that it would be such a rocky transition (in BC),” Phillips said.

Could the backlog be considered a contribution to the violation of an accused person’s constitutional right to a timely trial?

A landmark 2016 Supreme Court of Canada decision, named for the appellant, accused BC drug trafficker Barrett Richard Jordan, set 18 months as the presumptive ceiling between a charge and the end of a Provincial Court trial and 30 months for a BC Supreme Court case.

“These things do tend to snowball, so I think it’s inevitable that that we will see a Jordan application at some point as a result of delays,” said Phillips.

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

Phillips

House arrest, curfew for man guilty of sexual assault

In his favour, the judge said, he confessed right away and pleaded guilty

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George Provincial Court judge sentenced a man to 20 months of home confinement on June 25 after he pleaded guilty in a case of sexual assault.

The sentencing happened under a publication ban that covers the

identities of both the victim and the accused.

Judge Judith Doulis said the man entered a guilty plea on Oct. 24, 2024.

He admitted that he spent the night together with a female companion and they became sexually intimate in the morning of Oct. 3, 2021.

When the woman asked the accused if he had a condom, he said he did not and she stopped the encounter, court was told.

They resumed intimacy, but he continued to force himself on her,“despite knowing she would not consent to sexual intercourse itself,” Doulis said.

The woman complained to the RCMP on Oct. 13, 2021 and the man was arrested a week later. He confessed to the incident.

Almost a year later in court, he pleaded guilty as charged.

“As this offence involved penile penetration, it was highly invasive,” Doulis said.

Doulis described the man as a “youthful Indigenous offender with no criminal record” who has attended a residential treatment facility for alcohol addiction.

A report to the court said he had suffered due to his Indigenous heritage, lengthy periods of homelessness and

Accused expresses remorse for assault

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A BC Supreme Court judge sentenced a Prince George man on June 26 to a conditional discharge and 12 months probation for grabbing and shaking another adult during a verbal argument. Michel Bouchard, 55, pleaded guilty to assault, which took place between Nov. 19-30, 2019.

Information that could identify the victim is protected by a ban on publication.

Under a conditional discharge, Bouchard will have no criminal record if he successfully completes the probation.

Bouchard’s lawyer had sought an absolute discharge. Justice Ronald Tindale said a conditional discharge, including probation and a counselling program, is in the public interest, acknowledging that the victim suffered “emotional, physical and economic consequences.”

Tindale said Bouchard reported being under financial stress at the time of the incident, due to a faculty strike at the University of Northern B.C., where he works as an anthropology professor.

“Mr. Bouchard has expressed remorse for this offence, which I accept,” Tindale said.

Court heard that Bouchard and the

A local man pleaded guilty to assault and received a conditional discharge, which means he will have no criminal record if he successfully completes 12 months of probation.

complainant historically had a “toxic relationship.” On one occasion, the other party allegedly committed an offence against Bouchard, who asked prosecutors not to proceed. Tindale said that both sides have since resolved their dispute.

Tindale said Bouchard had no prior criminal record, was on bail conditions

unemployment.

In his favour, Doulis said, the man apologized to the victim after the incident and admitted it to police.

The victim did not provide an impact statement.

Doulis said the man will spend the first 16 months of his sentence under house arrest, with limited allowance to leave for personal business and urgent medical care.

The final four months of the sentence will be under a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

The man must not attempt to communicate with his victim or attend anywhere she may be.

Man given 14 days for breach of

probaton

A man pleaded guilty July 2 in Prince George Provincial Court to breaching probation.

Judge David Simpkin sentenced Ricky Kalen Alexander Sam to 14 days house arrest after an off-duty RCMP officer noticed him at a Fort St. James Petro-Canada station on Feb. 1.

The officer recognized Sam from previous interactions and notified another officer.

Sam, described as wearing a red hoodie and white gloves while riding a black bike, was under a bail order from a judge to not go within 20 kilometres of Fort St. James.

for five years without any incident and is a productive, law-abiding member of the community who is highly respected in his field.

“Mr. Bouchard has taken significant positive measures towards his rehabilitation,” Tindale said, acknowledging Bouchard sought treatment for autism spectrum disorder.

When police found him on Highway 27, Sam was wearing sunglasses and a mask over his face with his hoodie up. An officer ordered him to remove the mask and sunglasses before he was arrested.

Simpkin’s conditional sentence order to the 39-year-old Indigenous man requires him to stay away from Fort St. James and live under round-the-clock house arrest.

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

New CAO touches down at PG Internatonal Airport

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Geoff Ritchie, an aviation expert with more than 30 years of experience, has been named the new president and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA).

Ritchie is a Royal Air Force-trained aeronautical engineer and has held a variety of roles in the industry, including work as an Air Force liaison with the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport. He was also part of the leadership team at Kelowna International Airport. He replaces Gordon Duke, who announced his retirement last year.

Ritchie’s portfolio in Kelowna included capital projects, business and commercial development, air service strategy and community engagement.

He told The Citizen that helping move Kelowna from the 11th busiest airport in Canada to the ninth is one of the many highlights of his career.

“Airports don’t jump other airports in Canada necessarily,” Ritchie said. “They generally grow together. We very strategically went after air service at Kelowna to manage the recovery out of COVID. From 11th to ninth in Canada is very significant. So I think that’s one of the highlights.”

Enhanced air service is also something he hopes to bring to Prince George Airport (YXS), but he said that requires support not only from the PGAA team, but the community as well.

“The opportunities are here for sure,” said Ritchie. “Air service development is a very collaborative effort. It needs the local community and the regional community to be on board to support it.

“You can turn up with any size airplane you like on the apron, but if people don’t buy tickets, the air service is not going to stay. It’s a very, very risky and highly expensive operation

for an airline to restart a new route. So the community has to be behind that in order to make it successful.

“That’s one of my key emphases. It’s not just what my team and I are going to do here. It’s collaboratively what are we going to do across the community for regional economic growth?”

Ritchie sees YXS as not only essential to the North, but as a key driver of the region’s economy.

“Any airport’s important, but this one’s particularly important,” he said. “We are the largest city in northern BC. We need access for various things, whether it’s tourism, visiting friends and family, or business. Everybody needs to be able to get out, particularly over the winter season.

“I spent 25 years in Edmonton, so I know what it’s like to be up to your knees in snow. That air access is hugely important. If we can maintain that and grow that, then it becomes one of the key regional economic drivers.”

He added that he’s happy to be in the Prince George area and is looking forward to what’s ahead.

“I like Prince George,” said Ritchie. “I’ve been here a few times now. Every time that I’ve come here, the people are very friendly and very respectful. Everyone I’ve come across has been very welcoming and very interested in what’s happening and what the opportunities are. So I’m really looking forward to what the future can bring.”

Ritchie said he hopes to see both YXS and the broader region grow together during his tenure as CEO.

“We see YXS as an economic engine,” he said. “Whatever we grow will help the region grow — and vice versa. I think it’s all about the partnerships, and

that success happens when we all work together.

“We’ve got space, we’ve got infrastructure, we’ve got the team to make that growth happen. I think it’s an exciting time for the airport and for the region.”

Ritchie

Geoff Ritchie, the new CAO of the Prince George International Airport, comes to the city from the Kelowna International Airport.

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The Dudley now open in College Heights Popeyes is hiring for

The Dudley, a new sports bar and restaurant, is now open at the former College Heights Pub location in Prince George.

The business is currently in its soft opening phase, with operating hours from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Extended hours are expected in the near future.

Owners Garrett Fedorkiw and Eoin Foley — the team behind Nancy O’s Restaurant Group, which also owns Nancy O’s and Betulla Burning in downtown Prince George — had been eyeing the College Heights location for some time. They’ve transformed the space into a blend of sports bar, family restaurant and cozy British pub, located at 5787 Albert Place.

Foley said the restaurant’s name, The Dudley, comes from an old English term meaning “a clearing in the woods.”

Before opening, the interior underwent a major refresh, and a patio was added for al fresco dining.

“The patio was already there,” Foley said. “We didn’t build it. We just cleaned it up and put out some tables and chairs.”

He added that, for now, seating on the patio is limited.

“For the foreseeable future — at least this summer — we’ll have a restricted number of people allowed out there. We need to complete some rezoning with the city, which probably won’t be finalized until the end of summer. But it’s a beautiful patio surrounded by trees. We’ve seen lots of wildlife — bears, moose and deer — although not on the patio, just around it. This is Prince George; we’re used to that.”

The Dudley has introduced its signature smash burger — also called The Dudley — via social media. It features a garlic butter–toasted sesame seed bun, garlic aioli, pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, caramelized onions, cheddar and a smash patty.

Diners can “choose their own adventure” by ordering combinations such as 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 (four patties, four slices of cheese).

“There are plenty of other smash burgers to try on the menu, too,” Foley said. “They’ve been very popular during the first couple of days.”

Honouring the location’s past, the team is embracing the English pub heritage of the former CHP.

“The place always had that pub feel, so we’re leaning into that a bit,” Foley said. “We’ve got really great fish and chips, some appetizers with an English vibe, and a few desserts as well.”

The soft opening allows the staff time to get trained and systems in place, Foley explained.

“It’s new to everybody right now,” he said. “We didn’t want to overwhelm the team while opening a brand new place. Everyone is still learning. For the first few weeks, we’ve got a limited menu. But within a month, we’ll expand to the full menu.”

He said the team is well-prepared, but like any new venture, there are adjustments.

“We’ve had months to think about the thousand things we’d need to make it all run smoothly. Then you open and realize there are actually a thousand and ten. That’s what these early nights are for — to make tweaks so we’re ready to go full bore.”

The Dudley will serve locally brewed beer, alongside its own lager and pale ale, and carry classic domestic brands on tap.

In the planning stages, Foley said the team envisioned The Dudley as a gathering place for sports teams.

Two large tables in the centre of the dining room are meant to encourage post-game hangouts.

“We thought it would be a fun way to use the space,” Foley said. “Small groups can share it, or a whole softball team can sit together after a game. We want to encourage teams to come by and celebrate.”

Eventually, the restaurant will expand to full-time hours, including lunch service and weekend breakfasts.

Families are welcome, though after 8 p.m. the atmosphere will shift to a more adult-oriented pub environment.

“We’ve got a pool table and cornhole on the patio,” Foley said. “We encourage everyone to come check out the space.”

Foley said The Dudley is also meant to be a destination for watching sports.

“There are areas with TVs, but also corners where you can avoid them if sports aren’t your thing,” he said. “We’ll be showing football, hockey and fights — but there’s room for everyone.”

He offered thanks to the community.

“We’ve had so much positivity from people in Prince George and especially College Heights. We’re very thankful to be open and finally able to share what we’ve been working on.”

For updates, visit The Dudley on Facebook.

frst

If you’ve been craving a certain fried chicken fix, you may only have to wait another year.

The popular chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has posted a job listing for kitchen cooks at a new location planned for Prince George.

The chain is currently hiring permanent, part-time and full-time staff for the restaurant, which is expected to be built on a vacant site next to the BC Cannabis Store at 6111 Southridge Ave. It’s across the road from Walmart.

A worker at a neighbouring store said construction is expected to be completed sometime next year.

The worker also noted the lot next door would be home to additional storefronts in addition to the new Popeyes, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

Popeyes has 373 locations across Canada. The nearest one to Prince George is in Quesnel.

There are more than 3,700 locations worldwide.

The American chain serves fried chicken, chicken sandwiches and seafood.

Reactions on social media, including the Prince George subreddit, where the job listing was shared, have been a mix of excitement and confusion over the rumoured location and construction timeline.

According to the job ad recently posted on Indeed, the Popeyes kitchen positions pay between $18.15 and $18.50 per hour, with four- and eighthour shifts available.

Employees are offered benefits including dental care, extended health coverage and more.

The job listing is in Indeed and other employment sites.

THE DUDLEY/FACEBOOK

This is the Dudley, the signature smash burger at the new sports bar and restaurant of the same name located at the old College Heights Pub location.

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Quesnel food bank rises from the ashes afer blaze

Prince

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Nourish Foodbank in Quesnel has found a new home after a devastating structure fire destroyed its previous location in May.

The food bank, which operates under the umbrella of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Northern BC, plans to restore vital food services for more than 700 households in the area.

CMHA says it hopes the new location will help support individuals impacted by poverty, inflation and the economic downturn following the closure of Quesnel’s pulp and paper mills.

Over the past two months, Nourish has received support from CMHA, community partners and emergency assistance from Food Banks BC. The organization has now relocated to 138 McLean St.

Elaine Laberge, executive director of CMHA of Northern BC, spoke with The Citizen about the benefits of the new site.

“It’s bigger, more centralized, and it’s going to be easier to get to,” she said. “It needs some renovations, but nothing major. And it’s going to really help us increase the number of households we’re able to support — as long as we have donations and funding in place. But it truly is a new home that’s only going to require minimal renovations. Within a month, the place will be fully functional.”

Laberge emphasized that community support in Quesnel has been essential in helping bring the food bank back.

“The Quesnel community has been, beyond belief, amazing,” she said. “Their ability to support us getting up and running has only been limited

by our lack of proper space. We were running it (Nourish) out of our clinical offices. That space was highly, highly constrained — but it was all we had in the interim. Right after the fire, people were donating appliances, food and cash.”

Nourish is still seeking support from the community in several areas as it finalizes its transition.

“We’re looking for food donations, household goods, cash donations, and in-kind support,” said Laberge. “If folks want to come paint or help with flooring — that kind of thing — people who are handy or craftsmen are going to be greatly appreciated.”

Support has also come from Prince George, where the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association donated $25,000 to help Nourish recover.

Despite the challenges, Nourish is focused on providing dignity and independence to those who need it most.

“Our focus is still going to be on the monthly food hampers for now,” said Laberge.

“It’s going to be on the Hot Meal program. Eventually, we hope to transform the food bank to look more like a grocery store — so people can come in and choose what they need. It’s a model that offers more dignity, autonomy and independence.”

She noted the growing need for Nourish’s services and said she’s seen the economic impact of the mill closures firsthand — with former donors now becoming clients.

“We’re serving about 700 households a month now, and that number is going to keep increasing,” she said. “I’ve seen the downturn in the economy. Inflation is so bad. Poverty rates are rising. The working class is becoming the working poor. We know we need to continue to be there, and we’re going to need bigger, stronger, more robust and diversified food bank models than ever before.”

Those interested in supporting Nourish during its transition can donate online at: bcvfd.foodbank.bc.ca/team/ supportnourish.

Staff at Nourish Foodbank

Appliances at their

Mackenzie arts council renovatng former Sikh Temple

The

refurbished building will be known as Caribou Place

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

MACKENZIE — Two years after learning they would be evicted from their home of 31 years, members of the Mackenzie Community Arts Council are still hard at work renovating their new headquarters.

The council, 103.5 CHMM-FM radio station, the hospital auxiliary thrift shop, the seniors’ centre and the Mackenzie Museum were all located in the Ernie Bodin Community Centre, built in 1970.

According to the museum’s website, Bodin ran the first private business in Mackenzie and owned the first non-company house.

The centre, a collection of 25 modular buildings, originally served as the town’s hospital before the Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre was built.

Well past the end of its projected lifespan, tenants were informed in 2023 they would have to vacate the building due to structural concerns.

Speaking to The Citizen on July 3, council president Michelle Bobrel said the owners of Mackenzie’s defunct Sikh temple at 9 Laurier Dr. were looking to transfer the building to a local community group around that same time.

“There were about 200 strong,” Bobrel said of the former Sikh community. “Then in 2008, with the mill closures, a whole bunch of people lost their jobs. At that point, there was kind of a mass exodus to the Surrey area, and now there are only two families left in town.

“With only two families, there wasn’t really much going on and it was starting to fall into a state of disrepair.”

When word spread that evictions were likely at the community centre, Bobrel said the temple building was offered to several groups. She thought the seniors’ centre or the thrift store would take it on — but both declined.

“No one else wanted to take it on, and we were crazy enough to decide we would — because our alternative was pretty much to dissolve as an organization,” Bobrel said. “We’ve been going for 50 years … you don’t want to lose that legacy.”

The arts council purchased the property for $1 in September 2023, on the condition they name the former temple the Herbant Singh Building. The overall site — which also includes Mackenzie’s Men’s Shed and a new community shed in progress — will be known as Caribou Place.

Once inside, structural issues with the roof were discovered. Temporary support walls were built on both floors, and a local contractor supplied a carpenter and labourers to repair the trusses over several months at a cost of about $100,000.

The roof shingles still need to be replaced.

While the building was unusable, Bobrel said the council hosted programming outdoors and at community events to maintain its presence.

One temporary wall remains on the upper floor. This summer, the council is running a mural-making camp, and the frame will hold the children’s artwork.

Earlier on July 3, Bobrel said a building inspector confirmed the upper floor was cleared for camp use.

Although the program begins after the school year ends, organizers hope some recent graduates will create a commemorative mural.

The wall frame will also be reused for Halloween and Christmas events before eventually being removed.

Roof repairs were completed in spring 2024, allowing the council to move its equipment to the site on Aug. 1. That included the local potters’ guild and its kilns and wheels.

Additional completed work includes a new accessible front entrance — costing about $20,000 — and the replacement of electric baseboard heaters with a high-efficiency gas furnace.

Previously, the electric heat cost the council $1,600 every two months just to prevent the pipes from freezing. The new furnace has “drastically cut the expense,” Bobrel said.

One of the next major projects is replacing carpet on both levels and levelling the bottom floor.

At the Regional District of Fraser–Fort George board meeting on June 19 — held at the Mackenzie Recreation Centre — $9,921 in grant funding was

approved for the flooring.

Bobrel said Centerra Gas also contributed $5,000, and Enbridge donated another $5,000 to complete the flooring in the potters’ guild space, which is now done.

To finalize that space, a sink still needs to be removed and a “wheel bank” — featuring electrical outlets for multiple pottery wheels — must be installed. That work will allow the guild to resume operations, which have been on hold since the move.

“One of the biggest things I foresee is a lot of electrical work being done for the bank, because it’s not up to code,” Bobrel said.

On the lower level, the council also plans to convert a bathroom into a kitchenette.

In an office in the back corner, an employee currently shares space with a small gift shop selling locally made items. The plan is to eventually convert that room into a one-bedroom suite to host artists-in-residence.

The woman who previously hosted visiting artists is preparing to retire and sell her home, so the new suite would allow that program to continue.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Rain falls on the Mackenzie Community Arts Centre on Thursday, July 3. The building once served as the community’s Sikh Temple.

Kickstarter campaign is part of the fundraising efort

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The gift shop would be relocated upstairs.

The remainder of the top floor will be fitted with portable dividers, so it can flexibly serve as a venue, program space or classroom as needed.

The lower floor would become a community boardroom and makerspace, with room to accommodate larger pottery classes.

To improve accessibility, one of the two front staircases will be removed to install a chair lift.

The province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) has provided $498,000 for architectural and engineering work related to the lift. That funding will also cover Bobrel’s salary for a year, exterior painting, window replacement and help with the flooring.

One of the

largest remaining costs is the $130,000 needed to repave the Caribou Place parking lot.

Despite the generous grants received so far, the council still must pay GST on many project elements — estimated at $35,000 — and is actively seeking corporate sponsors and donors.

They also plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign soon, offering rewards to backers. Donors who contribute $5,000 or more will have their name inscribed on a cornerstone plaque alongside the Sikh community that gifted the building.

Bobrel is now applying for other grants, including $300,000 from the Northern Development Initiative Trust, and additional funds through BC Community Gaming Grants, arts infrastructure programs and more.

Watch for moose on highways, says road safety advocate

ABIGAIL POPPLE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

VALEMOUNT — BC drivers should be on the lookout for moose, elk and other large animals while driving on highways this summer, according to WorkSafeBC group Road Safety at Work.

Summer and fall can be the busiest times of the year for wildlife on roads, says program director Trace Acres.

“It’s important to be alert all year round, but particularly at this time of year,” Acres told The Goat in an interview.

“Any animal that is struck at highway speeds can do a lot of damage to the vehicle, and it can potentially injure or even kill the passengers or drivers in the vehicle.

ICBC reported nearly 13,000 crashes involving animals in 2023 alone, resulting in two deaths, Acres added. About a

Those interested in donating can contact Bobrel at ed@mackenzieac.com.

There’s still a lot of work ahead, but Bobrel is excited about what the new arts centre could mean for the town.

In Mackenzie, she said, there’s often a tension between the narrative that the community is a “ghost town” — with people leaving due to industry closures — and the view that those who remain are here to stay.

“I want a place where my kids — when they approach teenagehood in a few years — have healthy activities and a strong sense of community,” Bobrel said.

“That’s why I’m excited. As a newcomer, I don’t necessarily have family or friendship bonds here. But it’s about what we build — what we create space for. The community is changing, and it’s going to stay on its feet.”

Having lived in Calgary and Edmonton, Bobrel said driving across a city can take two hours. She hopes more people in Prince George will recognize

that a two-hour drive to Mackenzie isn’t far — especially for hosting weddings or enjoying outdoor recreation like mountain biking.

On Aug. 23, the council will host a celebration to mark the halfway point of renovations.

Since the building was in no condition for a move-in party, they’re calling it a “groundbreaking” ceremony.

The event will feature a barbecue, cake, speeches, mural displays, games and more — all in celebration of those who helped them get this far and to welcome potential new supporters.

Upcoming events include the Rockin’ the Ridgeline music, biking and art festival — held in partnership with the Mackenzie Outdoor Route and Trail Association — and a Sept. 21 pancake breakfast at the local Legion.

With a donated electric piano, the council also plans to offer music lessons. Another volunteer is organizing Spanish classes.

Looking for a new hobby this Summer?

quarter of those were in northern B.C., which saw 3,519 collisions involving animals that year, according to ICBC.

The best way to avoid animal collisions is staying alert, said Acres.

That means avoiding distractions like your phone, staying within the speed limit, and generally paying attention to your surroundings, Acres added. Drivers who encounter an animal on the road should also turn on their hazard lights so oncoming drivers know there is something in the road further up, he said.

“The key is to expect the unexpected, because wildlife is terribly unpredictable,” Acres said.

“You can’t really prepare yourself for it – all you can really do is put yourself in a position where you can react quickly.”

This article originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.

Why not try your hand at DIY creations, at Ave Maria Specialties we have everything you need to create your own beauty products, skin care, or seasonal products such as sunscreen or bug spray. From shea butter and cocoa butter, to essentials oils and empty bottles and tins of all sizes we’ve got you covered. Come in today to get great advice from our knowledgeable staff to help you start your DIY journey.

Bobrel

What’s happening in PG

Summer Art Monkeys goes every Wednesday until Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Ave, and presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. Children will get to experience painting, sketching, working with clay and learning how to journal. For more information and to register visit www.studio2880. com/programs/youth-programs/ summer-arts.

Behind the Canvas goes every Thursday starting July 10 at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Avenue, and is presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. Starting on July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. visit with an artist as they demonstrate their talent and answer any questions you may have on techniques and being a working artist. On July 10 visit with Marylyn Schmaus, Wendy Framst on July 17, Rick Mintz on July 24, Lorri Maley Bell on July 31, Terrill Bodner on Aug. 7, Cliff Mann on Aug. 14, Christina Watts on Aug. 21 and Diane Levesque on Aug. 28. Refreshments will be provided.

Community Art Days goes Friday, July 11 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canada Games Plaza and inside and outside of the Two Rivers Gallery. This is a free event for all ages. There will be art and family-oriented activities, musical performances and the theme is Weaving Connection. Finger weaving, yarn landscapes, paint spinning, mini macrame, leather working, button making, creature cut outs and more.

28th Annual Prince George Pride Parade goes Saturday, July 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. in downtown Prince George. Join us as we celebrate the strength, beauty, and diversity of our local 2SLGBTQIA+ community, followed by the Pride Festival & Market at Veteran’s Plaza, 1100 Patricia Blvd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calling all local artisans. Accepting registrations from vendors for this event. Email info@pgpride.com for information or registration.

Adam Beattie and Fiona Bevan with guest Derek Joyce goes Saturday, July

12 at 7 p.m. at Deadfall Brewery, 1733 Nicholson St. South. Join us for what’s sure to be a night of great live music featuring three talented performers. Community Potluck goes Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at 2139 Queensway. Presented by Food Systems North Project. People are invited to connect with community over delicious shared dishes. Join in the discussion on how we can strengthen our local food system through the development of a food policy council. Bring something to share. Please list ingredients for those with dietary restrictions. For questions email foodsystemsnorth@gmail.com.

P&R Organics Celebration of Life for Robert Bucher goes Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 12800 Salmon Valley Road. Come out to celebrate Robert, see the legacy he built with his wife, Priska and children, Daniel, Andres and Martina. There will be local vendors, food vendors and of course our tasty veggies for cash sales. Animals to see and hayrides to enjoy. One of dad’s joys at our events was the hayrides, he loved driving around the farm for all to see. This event will celebrate his legacy.

Summer Creativity Camps at Two Rivers Gallery goes Monday, July 15 to Monday, July 28. A fun, creative way to keep children engaged this summer. Two Rivers Gallery is offering exciting art camps for children from six to 12 years old. This year’s themes include Celebrating Indigenous Arts, Nature’s Palette, Let’s Go To The Fair, Project Runway, Canada’s Got Talent and so much more, each packed with hands-on art, games, and outdoor fun. Spots fill up fast. For more information and to register visit www.tworiversgallery.ca/ do/programs/camps.

Downtown Summerfest goes Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Veteran’s Plaza,1100 Patricia Blvd. Hosted by Downtown PG, there will be a vendors alley, live music, outdoor food court, petting zoo and family fun. For all the details visit www.downtownpg.com/ summerfest.

Kodiaks Home Opener VS Westshore Rebels goes Saturday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Masich Place Stadium. Kodiaks open season 4 as they take on the Westshore Rebels. Gates open at 4pm. Food, drinks, fun and entertainment are in

store for the kickoff of the Kodiaks Season. For more information and tickets visit https://ticketsnorth.Kodiaks. Pineview Sunfrolics goes Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pineview Hall, 6470 Bendixon Road presented by the Pineview Recreation Commission. There is a Junk in the Trunk sale, bouncy castle for the kids, pickleball tournament, classic car show, a slopitch tournament, full concession and $5 face painting. For more information visit www.facebook.com/ pgpineviewhall.

Northern Lights Winery 10 Year Anniversary Celebration goes Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m at the Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Rd. Celebrate a decade of sipping, sharing and making memories at Northern Lights Winery. The event will feature interactive wine tastings, a DJ dance party, exclusive giveaways, and so much more. For more information and tickets that are online only visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ northern-lights-winerys-10-year-anniversarytickets.

CONTINUED

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

People watch a movie outdoors at Northern Lights Estate Winery in this file photo. The winery is celebrating its 10th anniversary on July 26, and will have an outdoor screening of 10 Things I Hate About You on Aug. 1.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The Burden, FloodGate, & Keeper Metal Night goes Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Get ready for a night of intense metal music that will blow your mind. For more information and tickets visit www.bandsintown.com/ theburdentickets.

Sunflower Festival goes Thursday, July 31 at 10 a.m. to Monday, Sept. 1 at Northern Lights Estate Winery Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Rd. Photo stations, friendly farm animals, drinks and snack at Bloom Café, live music every Friday and Saturday, Kids’ Days and Artisan Craft classes, u-cut sunflower specials on Thursdays. For more information and tickets that are online only visit www.northernlightswinery.ca/ sunflower-fest.

Movie Night in the Orchard – 10 Things I Hate About You goes Friday, Aug. 1 at 9:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road at the Orchard View Amphitheatre across from the Winery. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, bug spray, and some warm layers. Come early to secure a parking spot, set up your perfect viewing spot, grab snacks & drinks from our concession stand. Cash, debit & credit accepted. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.eventbrite. ca/e/movie-night-in-the-orchard-10things-i-hate-about-you-tickets.

tickets visit www.bandsintown.com/ tennysonking.

Kulbir Jhinjer Live goes Saturday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre. Jhinjer is a prominent Punjabi singer and songwriter known for his distinctive voice and impactful lyrics. He gained recognition with his hit tracks that blend traditional Punjabi music with contemporary sounds, establishing himself as a significant figure in the Punjabi music industry. For tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ kulbir-jhinjer-live.

ride is shiny, dirty or just off a haul, be ready to light up the night. Let’s show Prince George the real power of the industry that keeps everything rolling. Pre-register your truck by emailing htrpilotservices@outlook.com – just $20 to register before Aug. 15 and $25 after. $2 admission for the public.

BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Jams and Lessons go every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St. Everyone is welcome to attend. Drop-in fee is $5 at the door.

Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Come on down and join in a game of backgammon, checkers, crib, pool or darts (please bring your own darts). Open to everyone for a $5 drop-in fee.

magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.

Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. For more information call Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618.

Willow River Farmers Market and Junk in the Trunk goes every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Willow River Hall, 55 Willow Avenue in Willow River, about 30 minutes east of Prince George, until Sept. 28. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Tennyson King goes Saturday, Aug. 2 at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Tennyson King is an international touring act from Hong Kong and Canada. His style of rock and roll is infused with earthy roots and blues while subtly laced in psychedelic sounds. It’s a raw, gritty, and organic sound that makes the soul feel wild and the heart comforted. For more information and

BC Northern Exhibition (BCNE) goes Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Exhibition Grounds, hosted by the Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association. Along with West Coast Amusements and the Food Court there is a BCNE Trade Route Beer & Cider Festival and a BCNE/Spirit of the North fundraising Casino Night along with main stage performers and roaming acts including SuperDogs, Heritage Lane, Equine Events, 4H displays and showcases and old timey fair contests for Home Arts & Horticulture including woodworking, flowers, quilting, needlework and more. Tickets are free for children 11 and under, youth 12 to 17 are $5, Adults 18 to 54 are $10 and 55+ are $5 except for Seniors Day on Aug. 14 and then it’s a toonie to get into the fair. For all the details visit www. bcne.ca/ and for advanced tickets visit www.showpass.com/s/events/ all/?search_string=bcne.

Big Rig Show & Shine goes Saturday, Aug. 16 noon til dark with a light show after dusk and Sunday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at PGARA Speedway. Food trucks on site, music and good vibes, logging trucks, heavy haulers, cranes and more. Bring the family and show your pride in your ride. This is a working truck show so whether your

Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the

If you’ve got an event coming up email us at news@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. LOCF

Join the RDFFG Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) invites applications from the public to fll up to twelve (12) vacancies on the RDFFG’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

The application form and the complete Terms of Refer ence are available at the RDFFG ofce (155 George Street, Prince George BC) or online (see below).

Please submit applications by 4:30 pm on Monday, July 28, 2025

For more details visit rdffg.ca/Accessibility

King

Jhinjer

It’s getng harder to fnd a family doctor. Here’s why

A physician explains how changes to training and payment have had an effect

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

If you think it’s difficult trying to find a family doctor in Prince George, get in line.

You’re not alone.

It’s estimated that one out of every three people in the city is unattached to a family physician. That leads to long lines at the two drop-in medical clinics in Prince George — and a crush of people regularly clogging the emergency ward at University Hospital of Northern BC.

And the problem is expected to worsen with an aging population of both patients and care providers.

Patients have more complex needs as they age — but if they aren’t visiting a doctor regularly, that reduces the likelihood those conditions will be managed before they turn into serious health risks.

It’s estimated one in six doctors in the country are approaching retirement age. Those pending retirements — and a generational reluctance by new doctors unwilling to work the long hours of their older peers — could leave millions more Canadians without a primary-care provider.

“We have a system that’s in crisis,” said Ian Schokking, a 64-year-old Prince George family physician and one of 15 doctors currently working at Northern Health’s Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) at Parkwood Place.

“The issue is that the system is built on people of my generation who work 24/7 and are always available — and that’s what the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons’ rules say we need to do. When I trained (40 years ago), we did 100- or 120-hour-a-week training, and that was the volume you got used to working. That’s what you do and you don’t doubt it.”

Since then, Schokking says, physician

Prince George family doctor Ian Schokking says new medical grads unwilling to work long hours he and his colleagues grew up with and patient care is suffering as a result.

unions have gotten stronger and have limited medical-student training and two-year residencies to 40 hours per week. They graduate with half or less the training doctors in his era had, when medical students regularly turned in 80- or 100-hour work weeks.

“The first consequence is people are used to working that volume and don’t want to work more — and the second is they’re scared, they don’t have enough experience and they don’t have enough context,” said Schokking.

“Virtually all the grads are limiting their clinical environments because they don’t have the clinical experience in their training. They’ve limited the amount they can train at the suggestion of their union — and the notion that if you don’t sleep enough, you don’t learn.”

That generational shift means doctors are less independent and aren’t put in positions where they might be the only physician working a night shift — something Schokking looks back on as one of his most valuable learning experiences.

Schokking, who received the College of Family Physicians of Canada award as a family physician-of-the-year finalist, says the new pay structure introduced by the province in 2023 to increase the number of family physicians has removed the incentive for doctors to work in local walk-in clinics and cover hospital shifts.

“It used to be everybody worked in the hospital — and gradually that has eroded, and now we have a big problem with only seven of us working in longterm care, when we used to have 15 taking on new patients,” said Schokking.

“We’re about to get 200 new beds with the new facility at O’Grady — but who’s going to look after those patients when they build it? We’ve got fewer and fewer doctors looking after their own patients, and we’ve had four more bail in the last three months, and their work falls on the same few of us who do long-term care, urgent care and hospital work.

He agrees a societal reset was needed so doctors could devote more time to their families, but says the pendulum has swung too far and doctor shortages are the result.

Longitudinal care is now a requirement for BC doctors

The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons policy is clear: all its registrants must provide longitudinal care for their patients. Family physicians and specialists are ethically and legally responsible to ensure patients have access to afterhours care for urgent medical issues, either in person or virtually.

Longitudinal care means a family doctor who takes on a patient is expected to develop a primary-care relationship that offers continuous healthcare support over an extended period — basically until death. Familiarity with the patient generally leads to better management of chronic conditions, reduced hospitalizations and improved overall health.

“There’s more and more work being dumped on fewer and fewer of us as the old docs age — and it’s mostly the young docs who have been bailing. They’re doing office practice only — they’re not doing hospital or nursing-home work anymore and they’re not working at the urgent-care clinic.”

The UPCC now has just 15 doctors — a staggering drop from the 69 physicians who used to fight for shifts when it was run by the Nechako Medical Clinic group at Spruceland Mall starting in 1991.

Half of those doctors left when the clinic moved to Parkwood Place in 2019.

The new service model means doctors at the UPCC who used to be paid per patient (fee-for-service) now receive a fixed hourly salary. So instead of seeing six to eight patients an hour, they’re paid to see only four per hour. As a result, only 12 to 15 of the city’s 100 family doctors work at the urgent-care clinic — meaning patients no longer have immediate access to a doctor. On arrival, people are triaged by a nurse and referred based on their urgency — not on when they arrived.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

HANDOUT PHOTO

A soluton would mean a shif in thinking, says doctor

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Schokking has a solution that would restore quick access — though it would require a shift in thinking across the family-doctor community.

“If we asked for four hours per month from all our docs in town, our urgentcare clinic would be open, our hospital work would be managed,” he said. “If all the doctors who have stopped doing what they used to do gave me an hour a week, my urgent problem would be solved.

“I think if we could somehow encourage docs to look at their social responsibility and provide a little bit of time, then we could weave new grads into the system we have and we’d have less of a problem.

“We have to figure out how to provide 24/7 care in a way that works for Gen Z. The answer we’re using now doesn’t work.”

The lack of access to urgent-care doctors at the UPCC and Salveo Medical Clinic at Real Canadian Superstore puts more pressure on the emergency ward at UHNBC — and patients are forced to go to hospital for minor ailments or to get a prescription filled.

The province has tried to ease hospital pressure by allowing pharmacists to renew an existing prescription for up to three months and setting up virtual-video links to connect patients to doctors. But Schokking says that doesn’t compare to a longitudinal doctor who knows you and your healthcare needs — and who won’t bill the system for unnecessary scans or duplicate tests.

“People do not value longitudinal care, and data suggests having somebody in that relationship with you saves 40 per cent of health dollars,” Schokking said.

Province introduced new doctor-payment model in 2023

The potential cost savings drove the province to introduce the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) blended-payment model in February 2023 to increase the pool of GPs and improve access to primary care.

The LFP model streamlines administrative tasks and removes some of the burden so doctors have more time with patients. Doctors receive payments based on their panel size and the complexity of each patient’s needs. Billing is simplified: visits are coded according to complexity and duration.

Since it became a voluntary alternative to fee-for-service, more than 4,300 family physicians have signed on, but that didn’t create more doctors. It meant many shifted from hospital and urgent-care work to office-based longitudinal care because of the financial incentive.

Years ago, GPs working in hospitals treated less acute patients and referred complex cases to specialists. But when GPs left hospitals for office practice, they were replaced by hospitalists — who now make up about one-third of all family-medicine graduates — and these physicians do not provide longitudinal care.

In June 2024, the province expanded the LFP model to include doctors working in hospitals providing inpatient, pregnancy/newborn, long-term and palliative care.

“If you get urgent care organized, then you’d get all these people having somebody provide some care for them — there wouldn’t be so many people who walk in with six problems and cancer that somebody has missed,” said Schokking.

“We’re working in an under-resourced environment with no good model to

pivot from a system run by doctors who worked everywhere always, to one where everybody is much more compartmentalized. Everyone’s fighting each other for resources.”

LFP introduction prompted rural-doctor exodus

Under the LFP model, doctors are paid more for office-based work than for clinics or hospitals — and that change has carried a heavy price for rural Northern Health.

“The consequence was you now get paid quite a bit more to work in the city seeing patients, so places like Prince Rupert lost 10 doctors and rural medicine got killed by the LFP model,” said Schokking.

“Many who moved to longitudinal care came from urgent care and hospital work. They incentivized longitudinal care — but the 24/7 piece got hurt, particularly in rural areas. The manpower drain probably cost us 15 per cent of our rural doctors. The bonuses that had kept them rural no longer had the same differential.”

Schokking suggests the province find new incentives for communities so that new recruits receive bonuses for devoting part of their time to hospital work, urgent care, long-term care and obstetrics — wherever they are needed.

Schokking says hospital work is not fun like it used to be because many healthcare positions are unfilled. The staff shortage extends to nurses — many of whom left the profession

during the pandemic or were fired for not getting COVID-19 vaccines.

“BC is different than any other province — and during COVID it refused to let unvaccinated nurses work,” said Schokking. “In the Peace Country we lost 40 per cent of our nurses — they either went to Alberta or changed careers, but most stopped nursing,” said Schokking.

“The province could have been creative and let them all work in virtual care short-term, but they didn’t. They said you can’t do any job — and the consequence, at a time of severe shortages, is we lost a bunch of doctors and nurses.”

Prince George clinics feeling pinch of doctor shortages

Since Northern Health took over the UPCC in January, the clinic averaged 2,137 patients per month through the first three months of the year — and that number has increased each month. The clinic has 19 doctors who provide primary care to those not attached to a doctor or nurse practitioner. When capacity allows, those doctors also provide urgent or episodic care.

The UPCC is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Doctors working weekdays after 4 p.m., or on weekends or statutory holidays, see only urgent-care patients.

“While the Prince George UPCC is making progress to increase the number of patients seen, Northern Health recognizes the needs in the community remain high,” said a Northern Health spokesperson.

“Efforts to recruit primary-care providers to provide coverage at the clinic are ongoing.”

The privately owned Salveo Medical Clinic at Real Canadian Superstore is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Sundays.

It currently has just two doctors who bill under fee-for-service: they receive full pay for the first 55 patients seen, half pay for the next 10, and no compensation beyond that.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

People line up for the Salveo Medical Clinic at Real Canadian Superstore in this file photo. The clinic has two doctors who bill under a fee-for-service model, unlike other doctors who are paid by the hour.

Grow it ‘cause you love it, one local gardener advises

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Even though we have a relatively short growing season there are plenty of ways to take full advantage of the sunshiny days in Prince George.

Just ask Laureen Stevenson, who grows thousands of flowers gracing multi-tiered planters, a stop-you-in-yourtracks wagon filled with over-flowing blossoms, fountains filled with plants instead of water and a rather cheeky giant flower made, ironically, from flowers.

Stevenson’s been at it since 2000 when she started her landscape company.

“So that’s 25 years,” Stevenson said. “And before that my mum and grandma were gardeners and I watched them as a kid and kinda got started that way and then started my Green With Envy Landscaping company.”

She said she started her business because people around here didn’t do flowers or flower beds.

“The guys wanted to mow the lawn and that sort of thing but didn’t want to do the flowers,” Stevenson said.

“And I was more about the flowers and so there were a lot of older people that wanted flowers but they can’t get down on the ground anymore to weed their flower beds so I keep really busy. It’s also my hobby. I love it. It’s funny, you know, I can go work at it all day and then I come home at the end of the day and it’s still what I want to do.”

Stevenson continues to get creative in her own backyard because she has set a standard in creativity that comes with certain expectations from her friends and neighbours.

“So the pressure is on,” Stevenson laughed. “And I enjoy it, too. So in the winter you’ve got magazines to look at for inspiration and seed catalogues and

Gardener Laureen Stevenson has a wagon filled with blooms, one of the many interesting ways she brings flowers to life.

that’s when I make my plans for next summer’s garden.”

The short growing season in the Prince George area limits what you can do, Stevenson added.

“There are some things that we can and can’t have and we need to stick to heartier plants — like petunias — that can take a little bit of frost and we have had really nice Septembers and Octobers lately,” Stevenson said.

“And that’s been really nice.”

Stevenson puts a lot of thought into the flowers she picks depending on where they’re going.

“Once you’ve been in gardening for a while you know which ones you want, ones that look really nice from a distance or which ones are really nice up close,” Stevenson said.

It also depends on where you have them in your yard. Do you want it sitting beside you? Do you want the flowers to cascade over the planter?

“You should also consider flowers that don’t require a lot of deadheading because you don’t want to make it a job,” Stevenson advised.

that’s a perennial down south just have expectations that it will be an annual here.

“And enjoy it while you can,” Stevenson said. “So you can still buy whatever you like.”

Stevenson is looking to expand her landscaping business by purchasing a farm she’s got her eye on that would be suitable as a wedding venue and photo opp site.

“What I do now is I will load my wagon in an enclosed trailer and take it to weddings and mostly I’ve done it for friends whose kids are getting married,” Stevenson said.

“So that kind of thing I really enjoy so I am hoping to go a little bit more that way.”

Stevenson said lawn maintenance is getting harder and harder as time goes by so she’s looking to take a different approach.

“So I am looking to do flowers and baskets and weddings and pretty things,” Stevenson said.

“You don’t want it to be a chore, you want it to be enjoyable. Somewhere you can lose yourself for a little while. Sometimes you need to escape from the rest of the world even if it’s just for a short time. A lot of people plant too much or plant the wrong thing and then it gets to be a job. A lot of people get discouraged if they do too much and then they won’t do it again next year. So start off small so it’s manageable.”

Stevenson said she cautions people who want to grow vegetables to start off small, too.

Stevenson said she starts a lot of her plants from seed and will also purchase from area greenhouses, including those in Quesnel and Vanderhoof.

“I like to spread it out rather than just go to one place,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said she pushes the limits and knows we’re in Zone 3.

“But I buy plants suited for Zone 4 because you never know,” Stevenson said. “I’ve managed to hold on to plants for five or six years and then I just try another one.”

And if there is something you love

“When I go outside it’s such an escape. There’s no troubles out there. I can just focus on the flowers that I’m looking at.”

Stevenson said she knows there’s aspects to gardening that are out of our control, like the weather.

“Mother Nature is not always our best friend but just go with it,” Stevenson said.

“I know a lot of people planted early this year and things froze and you just have to cut it back and try again. But a lot of people would just give up. Just do a little research and remember that your soil is number one. If you have good soil you’re good to go.”

Stevenson advises buying what you like. If instructions say the plant needs 6-7 hours of sun a day and you plant it where it only gets three then it will take it a little longer to bloom as it should, she added.

“So just go out and buy it if you like it,” Stevenson advises.

“The garden is somewhere you can be creative in your own way and it’s really rewarding as a job and as a hobby,” Stevenson said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Stevenson

Free counselling through new CMHA pilot program

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A new pilot program out of the Prince George branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is now offering free counselling sessions to those in need.

The CMHA says the program was created in response to the escalating mental health crisis in the Prince George region. The goal is to ensure no one faces their mental health struggles alone.

Elaine Laberge, executive director of CMHA Northern BC, told The Citizen that this program stands apart from others.

“It was critical that this therapy be provided with no barriers,” said Laberge. “That means no money attached and more than one or two sessions. When you’re going into therapy for just one or two sessions, it’s like pulling the bandage off and then saying, ‘See you later.’ So we needed to provide ongoing therapy to support folks who are living with mental illness, who have experienced homelessness, who are living with the effects of inflation, the housing crisis, economic downturn, poverty, generational poverty and complex trauma — those kinds of things.”

The program offers 10 free counselling sessions — including the intake session — to individuals over the age of 19 who have been substance-free for at least 90 days.

Sessions are designed to be goal-focused, trauma-informed and culturally safe.

The pilot program was created with support from Northern Health, which contributed $65,000 toward its costs.

Laberge said she has noticed significant social changes in the community since arriving in Prince George a year and a half ago, and she hopes the program can help address some of the rising challenges.

“I’ve seen the transformation in Prince

George, and it’s not a good transformation,” she said.

“I’m a sociologist. I know the impacts of all the social injustices, inequalities and inequities that are happening — they’re trickling down.

“We’re seeing the working class become the working poor. We know that affects mental health. This is our way of showing folks that CMHA is a leader in this area—not just for our clients, but for the community as a whole.”

Since launching in June, the program has already drawn more interest than expected.

“It’s already showing signs of being popular,” said Laberge.

“We just need to get the word out to the entire community. There’s less stigma attached to seeking therapy than there was 30 years ago when I first accessed therapy. We know there’s still stigma … One of the questions I get asked is: What happens when you see a therapist? There’s still this idea that you’re going to lie on a couch and Freud’s going to come in and talk about your mom issues.”

Laberge said the CMHA hopes to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in order to make it a permanent offering at the Prince George branch.

“Since I’ve been in this role, I can’t tell you how many times people have come to the door asking to see a therapist, and we didn’t have one. When you send people away, how do you know if they’ll ever come back?” she said.

“In the Canadian Mental Health Association, it only makes sense that we should have a therapist. I hope that if we can show Northern Health and the public how important this program is, we can expand it.”

Counselling sessions are available by appointment only.

Both self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted.

To access the referral form, visit https://northernbc.cmha.ca or email: counselling@cmhanorthernbc.ca.

New bursary is a bitersweet tribute to lost students

It was awarded to Emily Parker in honour of the PGSS students who died on the Willow River

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

It was quite poignant for one Class of ’74 alumni as he sat listening to Prince George Secondary School graduate, Emily Parker, 17, chat with The Citizen Thursday morning about her big plans for the future.

Emily is the first recipient of the Willow River Eight Memorial Fund bursary.

Last year the Class of ’74 set up the memorial fund during their 50th reunion in honour of the eight Prince George Senior Secondary School students who perished in a tragic canoeing accident on the Willow River on May 10, 1974.

Class of ’74 alumni Gerry Van Caeseele couldn’t help but think of what a bright future Emily has while those eight young men’s lives were cut short.

“It was so great to get to know Emily through this interview.”

And this is what he heard.

Not only is Emily a scholar but she’s also a leader in her high school and in the community through her sporting life. She’s captain of her ringette team, took leadership classes, helped organize a food hamper program for students’ families in need, all while holding down a part-time job and when she can she explores her creativity through piano playing, painting and making soap.

Emily will attend UNBC this fall to begin her studies in environmental science specializing in restoration science to help revitalize damaged habitats in this wildfire-impacted world.

“That’s what I am most interested in — being a restoration scientist,” Emily said.

“I’ve been interested in this for a long time. I really like hiking and being out in nature. Both my parents are very outdoorsy and I was in Mr. Thomson’s outdoor recreation class that really brought out my love of the outdoors and I’ve also seen the impact the forest

and facilitate extra-curricular programming and collaborate with community agencies.

“The Wellness Centre supports people while they’re in school but when they leave for spring break, winter break and summer break they have no support so we decided we wanted to help support our school so we budgeted, made hampers and fundraised in the front lobby and took donations of non-perishable food items and I think that supported them a lot over the break.”

Exploring her creative side Emily and her mom started making soap as Christmas presents.

“And I thought it was really fun,” Emily said about what inspired her to continue her soap making.

She explored different recipes and her signature soaps always have a common ingredient.

“I do different scents but there’s always got to be glitter in the soaps because it’s so pretty,” Emily smiled.

PGSS Principal Randy Halpape said Emily was selected by the School District 57 Awards Committee because she surpassed the fund’s criteria for exemplary school and community leadership.

fires have had on us and it’s sad to see how everything got wrecked and so for a very long time I’ve been wanting to do everything I can to fix that.”

If her educational pursuits take her out of Prince George, as the University of Victoria is her dream school, Emily said she has plans to return home in the future.

“I really like it up here,” Emily said.

“So I might just come back up and work here because forestry is something I especially want to do and we’ve got lots of that up here.”

Emily is very community minded and helps out where she can. As a concerned student Emily got involved in the Youth Community Action Network,

a program offered through the YMCA as part of her project-based learning group at PGSS.

“We got to pick what we wanted to do and we decided we wanted to create food hampers and then we thought we’d do them for St. Vincent de Paul or something but then we thought why don’t we just keep it in the school,” Emily explained.

PGSS has a Wellness Centre that offers a host of opportunities for students including to support student’s feeling of connectedness to the school community, develop programs and services to meet school and local needs, support development of life skills, social skills, and self-esteem, develop, organize

“Emily managed a heavy course load this year, while also playing ringette, participating in recreation, hockey and leadership classes, and holding down a parttime job,” Halpape said. “She exceeded expectations across the board.”

“I like to be busy,” Emily said.

The Willow River Eight Memorial Bursary Fund committee raised more than $21,000 last year and recently received contributions from the PGSSS Class of ’75, who held their 50th reunion in PG recently.

Van Caeseele said there is about $30,000 in the fund at present and each year $674 will be awarded to a worthy student like Emily.

“I am hoping the money will cover some of my text books and maybe even some of my tuition – every little bit helps and I’m so very grateful,” Emily said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Willow River 8 Memorial Bursary Fund’s first recipient is Emily Parker, Grade 12 Prince George Secondary School graduate, who is seen with Principal Randy Halpape, left, and Class of ‘74 Reunion Committee member Gerry Van Caeseele. The trio is standing in front of Willow the bear in the PGSS foyer. Willow is a symbol to honour the eight students lost in a tragic canoeing accident on the Willow River on May 10, 1974.

Pedalling from Texas to Alaska, with a stop in PG

Cyclists on the Texas 4000 Cancer Ride were on hand at the Canada Day in the Park celebrations at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on July 1. The riders of the Rocky Mountain route have travelled from Texas through Denver, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Yellowstone National Park, WY; Bozeman, MT; Glacier National Park, MT and Calgary before reaching Prince George on their way to Anchorage. The student ride has raised US $462,797.30 toward their US$550,000 goal for cancer research and support.

Student ‘honoured’ to be frst recipients of PGSS bursary

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“I would like to say thanks and that I am honoured to be the first recipient of the memorial fund. I know that loss impacted so many people because people still talk about it today so it obviously made a huge impact on the community. I am very honoured to be selected and I am very honoured to receive the bursary in their memory.”

The 1974 Prince George Senior Secondary School boys who lost their lives in the Willow River on May 10 were Robert Haney, Dwight McFarland, Ian Rice, Murray Sales, Brian Weaver and David Walker, Jeff Pick and Paul Trudeau.

“I always thinks of the families and the loved ones they lost,” Van Caeseele said.

“We had the biggest graduating class in Canada in 1974 and it was probably

the same for 1975 — so you’re looking at 1600-1700 people who lost them all — boom — in one weekend.”

Van Caeseele said they will all carry that loss forever.

“They weren’t just people, they were our friends — I made models with Murray Sales in his basement, played lacrosse with Ian Rice — they never had a chance to go to college or university or have families of their own,” Van Caeseele said with a shake of his head and then turned to Emily with a smile on his face.

“We’re so happy to help you, Emily.”

Because the Willow River 8 bursary is a memorial endowment fund held in trust with the Prince George Community Foundation people can continue to donate to the cause by visiting www.pgcf.ca/fund/ The-Willow-River-8-Memorial-Bursary.

Deadline: July 25, 2025

CITIZEN

Hikers restoring long-lost trail in Pine Le Moray Park

The YouTubers heard about a mountain route that hadn’t been used in decades, and set out to !nd it

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

For Prince George locals Mark Vejvoda and Gerald Weich, the call of the wild is irresistible.

Both are avid members of the Prince George hiking community and run YouTube channels dedicated to exploring Northern BC.

So when a viewer mentioned a forgotten trail that hadn’t been used in more than 30 years, they knew they had to investigate.

They even got in touch with the family of Otto Elden, one of the original outfitters who helped cut the trail.

The old “donkey trail” lies near the back of Pine Le Moray Provincial Park and had been completely cut off from surrounding routes for more than three decades.

Vejvoda and Weich packed their gear and headed out, hoping to find and reconnect the long-lost trail to the broader network.

The pair spent nearly a week exploring, clearing and cutting through dense overgrowth along the old path.

“It’s nice — but it was hell,” said Vejvoda. “We spent several days just bushwhacking, and we had no idea where it went because this 30-year-old trail just comes and goes in the bush. For several days we tracked it with GPS.

“We created tracks and eventually found the connecting points to get up to those three lakes. It was crazy — we were five or six kilometres deep in the bush, on the side of a mountain, and it’s like, hey, here’s an old ribbon from 20 or 30 years ago. Then we found another chunk of the trail!”

Based on their initial exploration, the trail is a 7.5-kilometre trek that crosses railway lines, gullies, meadows and ridges, offering scenic views of the three

Lemoray lakes.

From the summit, hikers can see the Pine Pass Highway and Heart Lake. The duo also discovered decades-old cairns built by early trail users and outfitters.

Despite the pair’s efforts, Weich said there’s still more work to do.

“Eighty-five to 90 per cent of it is a pretty decent horse trail—it’s been cut out and you can follow it,” said Weich. “You’re not really bushwhacking. Just a small percentage is more overgrown.

“When you look at the backroad map, it actually shows the trail going much farther than where we stopped. Other people in the Facebook group are talking about distances of 20, 30 or even 40 kilometres leading to other lakes. There’s actually a lake out there called Otto Lake. We think it’s named after the guy who originally cut the trail.”

Vejvoda believes the remaining trail continues around the ridge behind the

lakes and comes out near Mount Lemoray. He estimates it could take several weeks to fully explore and uncover the rest of the route.

Still, the pair is confident others will step up to help complete the rediscovery.

“We cleared most of the trail,” said Vejvoda. “But there are two kinds of help we think could happen. We’ve reached out to the B.C. Horsemen’s group, and they’re starting to talk about it.

“There’s the Prince George–Omineca chapter of the BC Horsemen. Since it’s an old donkey trail, there’s nothing better than getting horse people in there — they can cover ground, pack saws and clear trail really well. But also, any zealous hikers who want to check out this ‘new old trail’— we’ve got all the information.”

Vejvoda and Weich are excited about

the rediscovery and hope it brings a piece of hiking history back to Northern BC.

“I think you’ll find with all the hikers and horse people, they’re all adventurers, all explorers,” said Weich. “History is a big part of that. If there was something there before, there was a reason for it. People want to get into those places, whether it’s for hunting, fishing, or just to see what’s around.

“Tons of local history books talk about where they used to go with horses and how they travelled through that country. Now the trails are disappearing, and it’s cool to bring some of that back.”

For those interested in hiking the newly rediscovered trail, GPS coordinates and details can be found on their website: https://hiking.princegeorge.tech/ pine-pass-lemoray-lakes-in-northern-bc.

MARK VEJVODA AND GERALD WECIH PHOTO

Mark Vejvoda stops to survey the view during the rediscovery of the ‘Donkey Trail.’

Spruce City Wildlife Associaton would like your rocks

They’d be used to stop people from dumping vehicles into Buckhorn

Lake

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

If you’ve got any large rocks or even boulders, the Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA) is interested in taking them off your hands — for a good cause.

The bigger, the better.

About three years ago, the SCWA extracted three pickup trucks that had been illegally dumped into Buckhorn Lake, located southeast of Prince George in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

Steve Hamilton, the association’s past president, said the issue first came to his attention when someone reported fishing in the lake 50 to 100 feet from shore and their boat became high-centred.

With the help of natural resource officers, auto wreckers and a team of divers led by Matt Trudel, the group went to the lake expecting to remove one vehicle and ended up pulling out several.

That effort was part of the backcountry cleanups program that Hamilton created. He said that over the past 10 years, they’ve removed an estimated 150,000 pounds of garbage with help from the regional district, Wood Wheaton, G.A.P. Manufacturing and community volunteers.

Years later, Hamilton said there may still be one or more vehicles submerged in the lake.

It’s unclear if any more have been dumped since the last cleanup.

Now, in partnership with the Buckhorn Recreation Association and the provincial government, the SCWA is planning to line parts of the beach with large rocks to deter would-be dumpers.

“We’re trying to stop the vehicles ending up in there illegally,” Hamilton said. “We still want to allow access for people to take their car-topper boats and canoes, stuff like that. But when

you’ve got an environmental hazard — vehicles that have been in there 20 years — you’re leaching out toxins, fluids, fuel. You name it.”

That 20-year estimate comes from searching the vehicle identification number of one of the trucks, he said.

Rocks were chosen over fencing or bollards to maintain the natural aesthetic of the lake. To prevent the barriers from being easily moved, the association is looking for stones weighing hundreds to over a thousand pounds.

“If a donor has the equipment to meet someone at the lake with a rock, that’s even better,” Hamilton said.

So far, the association has not received any large rocks, although two 1,200-kilogram concrete barriers have been donated.

Hamilton said he hopes to complete the project this summer, before the forest service road that accesses the lake freezes.

Those interested in donating a rock can send a photo to the association’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ SpruceCityWildlifeAssociation.

Hamilton noted that previous revitalization efforts in the region have seen positive results.

At the Lower Chilako River (Mud River) recreation site southwest of Prince George, the association transformed what was essentially a mud pit by adding slope stabilization, pathways, fencing and a parking lot.

At the Nelson Lake Recreation Site farther south, the group installed a 200foot wooden pathway, cleared space and added a fishing dock, with support from Yellowhead Road & Bridge (YRB).

“There’s a shared value that returns to the landscape, and people realize that if volunteers and donors are putting their hard-earned time and money into it, there seems to be quite the level of respect given,” Hamilton said.

In addition to its cleanup and revitalization efforts, the association is also looking for volunteers to help with other projects, including its salmon hatchery.

The next initiative, Hamilton said, is a brood capture for the hatchery.

Join the Prince George Public Library Board of Trustee (RDFFG Representative)

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) invites applications from residents of the RDFFG within Electoral Area A, C, D, E, F, or in the portion of Area G lying south of McLeod Lake, who are interested in serving as a volunteer on the Prince George Public Library (PGPL) Board of Trustees. There is one (1) volunteer library trustee position for a twoyear term of service, with the possibility of renewal.

The application form is available at the RDFFG ofce (155 George Street, Prince George BC) or online (see below).

Please submit applications by 4:30 pm on Monday, July 28, 2025

For more details visit rdffg.ca/LibraryBoard

STEVE HAMILTON PHOTO

Representatives from Spruce City Wildlife Association, G.A.P. Manufacturing, Ron’s Towing and Matt Trudel’s dive team work to pull a dumped truck out of Buckhorn Lake in 2022.

Willow River seniors put out the call for a new roof

Partial support is available through an emergency fund, but more is required

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

She’s raising money to fix her roof. A senior on a fixed income and her ailing husband are asking for support to help pay for a new roof.

Marie Hallam, 76, has lived in Willow River with her husband, Rick, 78, since 1968. When their roof began leaking, she did the right thing — she reached out for help.

The Prince George Council of Seniors has a Seniors Emergency Pilot Program fund, held in trust by the Prince George Community Foundation.

The emergency fund was made possible thanks to the herculean fundraising efforts of Ted Price and Anne Laughlin of Miracle Theatre, who ended their triumphant spring campaign with $209,000 raised for an endowment.

Funding is available to seniors in need, with a ceiling of $3,000 — but the Hallams’ roof will cost about $5,500, leaving a gap Marie is hoping the community can help fill.

“The roof needed replacing a few years ago, and if we don’t do something now, the inside of our house is going to be in peril,” said Marie, who is especially concerned about mould.

The Hallams bought their home — which sits on an acre of land — in 1968 for $1,800.

“That was back in the day,” Marie laughed.

Rick worked for a metalworks company until he became ill. He was eventually diagnosed with a hereditary kidney disease that had gone undetected until his kidneys began to fail.

He had to stop working in his 40s. He

received a kidney transplant 34 years ago and did well, Marie said, but the anti-rejection medication damaged his pancreas, resulting in a diabetes diagnosis and ongoing health complications.

Marie worked for years on the Perry farm caring for cattle. “I was always an active person,” she said.

She later started her own cleaning business, which she ran for 12 years. During that time, she frequently gave back to her community.

“I would do a lot of housecleaning for free. I’d take people to their appointments, make them meals, and pick up groceries and medications,” she said.

Looking to expand her volunteer work, Marie recently visited the Seniors Resource Centre — run by the Prince George Council of Seniors — to offer her help.

It was there that she shared her concerns about the roof and was quickly informed of the emergency funding available to seniors in need.

“Up until now, Rick and I have been living here in Willow River and we’re quite comfortable. We love the area, and we would love to live in our home for the next 15 to 20 years,” Marie said.

So far, Marie and Rick have raised about $1,200 through donations from friends and family, but they still need more to pay for the roof and to cover any unseen damage once the old tin is removed.

“I’m worried about the roof around the chimney,” Marie said. “I think we’ll find some damage there.”

Asking for help has not come easily for the couple.

“For Rick, especially, it’s hard. We’re used to being the ones giving — not getting,” said Marie.

“This is something I’ve never had to do, and it’s just heartbreaking that I have to put my hand out now and ask people for help.”

“You don’t know how much this means to us. We’d like to thank the

Council of Seniors, and a special thanks to everyone who has donated so far — and to those who will. It means the world to us. I would love to meet each and every one of them and shake their hand. I know that’s not possible, but if I ever get beyond this, I would love to help somebody else.”

Marie was encouraged by Council of Seniors staff to start a GoFundMe page in hopes of reaching her goal.

“I’m not very good at doing the GoFundMe page,” she admitted. “I know I should be sharing it more, but I don’t know where to start.”

But The Citizen does.

To make a donation, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/ seniors-in-desperate-of-new-roof.

Marie Hallam

GOFUNDME PHOTOS

Marie and Rick Hallam, seniors living in Willow River, need a new roof and because they are on a fixed income, can’t afford it. They are seeking the community’s help to make that happen.

Throwback Thursday: Week of July 10

July 10, 1978: The Tenth Fort George Voyageur Venturer Company paddled back into the city after completing the 175-mile canoe route used by Simon Fraser and Alexander Mackenzie. They started their trip 14 days earlier at the Missimka River. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY TIM SWANKY

July 14, 1992: Murray Lukinchuk and Wendy Conway showed The Citizen the damage left behind when vandals trashed the PGARA concession. It was one of a string wilful damage over $1,000 in the rst six months of the year, a 37 per cent increase over the year before. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

July 10, 2013: Members of the Lake Babine Nation were among the delegates to the 37th annual BC Elders Gathering at the CN Centre. The gathering included a musical performance that teamed up the Lheidli T’enneh Drum Group with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

July 12, 1960: ‘Business ain’t so good,’ said 12-year-old Bob MacLise as he looked over the ledger book showing $35 loss for the homemade store he built with friend Ken Leboe, 13. The plan was to expand the store, located at Pine Street and 17th Avenue, to sell coffee and hot chocolate in the winter. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY HAL VANDERVOORT

Northern Interior Health Unit is relocatng next year

EMILY PRESTMO

Northern Health

The Northern Interior Health Unit is planned to relocate in 2026, making way for UHNBC’s new acute care tower and a new era of health care in Northern BC.

Big changes are coming to health care in Northern BC! The Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) is planning a move in spring 2026, setting the stage for the construction of a state-of-theart, 11-story acute care tower at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC).

Why the move?

The current NIHU building will be deconstructed after the move in summer 2026 to make space for the tower, which brings expanded services in cardiac care, surgical services, and mental health and substance use services to Northern BC. But don’t worry, services aren’t going far.

The relocation keeps care close to UHNBC, improves collaboration between teams, and frees up more parking for patients and staff.

Where’s the NIHU going?

NIHU services will relocate to Parkwood Mall, with teams settling into two main areas:

• The former China Cup Buffet unit will now house:

• Mental Health Rehabilitation Team

• Community Acute Stabilization Team

• Community Outreach and Assertive Services Team

• Adult Addictions Day Treatment Program

The former Hudson’s Bay unit (second floor) will now house:

• Interprofessional Community Teams (IPTs) – including the John G. Mackenzie Family Practice Centre

• Preventative and Public Health Team

• Child and Youth Services, including:

The Northern Interior Health Unit is planned to relocate in 2026, making way for UHNBC’s new acute care tower and a new era of health care in Northern BC. A Northern Health diagram of the new-look health-care site is shown below.

• Speech/language clinics

• Northern Health Assessment Network

• Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA)

Teamwork makes the dream work

The John G. Mackenzie Family Practice Centre will also move into the former Hudson’s Bay unit and join forces with IPT3, creating a stronger, more connected care team.

Their current building on Alward Street will be transformed into the Project Management Office for the tower

build.

Parking perks!

Parkwood Mall offers extra parking, and the new 471-stall parkade next to the BC Cancer Centre for the North will make hospital visits even easier.

Looking ahead

This move is more than a change of address; it’s a leap toward a healthier future.

With the NIHU relocation paving the way, the new acute care tower is anticipated to open its doors in Winter

2031, bringing modern, accessible, and culturally safe care to the heart of Northern BC.

The tower will be located at the southeast corner of the UHNBC campus, on the current site of the Northern Interior Health Unit building, between Edmonton Street and Winnipeg Street.

Emily Prestmo works with the Northern Health Communications team as a Community Engagement Liason Officer. She is originally from Vanderhoof, BC and studied marketing at Prince George’s UNBC campus.

Food security initatve looking for northern volunteers

ABIGAIL POPPLE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Young adults interested in food security and environmental stewardship may find some food for thought in Rise Up, a BC-based program that places volunteers in local organizations and businesses focused on food systems.

Jointly funded by the Public Health Association of BC and the Canada Service Corps, the program is continuing to accept applications from anyone between the ages of 15-30 based in northern BC.

The program does not require prior experience in volunteering or working in agriculture.

The idea is to make the program as accessible as possible to inspire more youth to work in food systems, and give them experience they can draw on when applying to jobs in the future, said Rise Up’s provincial manager Lauren Bernardi.

“If you have even the littlest bit of curiosity about food systems and environmental stewardship, absolutely apply,” Bernardi said. “We really see (this program) as an opportunity to address food insecurity and employability challenges, while also giving educational opportunities for youth.

She added that Rise Up has a commitment to finding volunteers across the province — this year’s cohort will include 10 volunteers from northern

Rise Up is looking for volunteer applications from anyone between the ages of 15-30 based in northern BC.

BC Volunteers can do anything from remotely handling social media for a non-profit to getting your hands dirty growing food in community gardens.

Rise Up covers travel costs to the host organization and a retreat on Vancouver Island, which can be especially valuable for volunteers from more remote parts of BC, said northern lead Cameron Bell.

“As someone who lives in the north and went to university in the north, I think it’s really important for us to have those opportunities to gather with people from across the province and build relationships,” Bell said. “(You) get to know your peers that have similar interests that you might not have met otherwise because you live in other places.”

When the program had its first pilot run in 2023, one volunteer was placed in Valemount to work remotely for Robson Valley Community Services, Bell added.

This year’s northern programs will largely focus on finding host organizations in the northwest, and the 2026-2027 cohort will focus more on northeastern organizations, Bell said. However, he said this guideline is not set in stone, and encourages northeastern groups who need a volunteer placement this year to apply.

“We’re trying to maintain some flexibility so that we can find youth that are excited and inspired to be working in food systems and then find an opportunity that really speaks to them,” he said.

The program will continue to accept applications from northern BC volunteers until all 10 spots are filled, Bell added. He said potential volunteers can contact him with any questions at northern.riseup@phabc.org.

“I’m a farmer, and I would love to see more youth participating in food production, but also participating in our food systems in other ways, such as food banks, community gardens (and) food literacy initiatives,” Bell said. “You eat three times a day — everybody needs farmers, everybody needs food, and we would love to see more youth involved in our food systems.”

This article originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.

GoHealth BC expands nurse coverage to more rural areas

NORTHERN HEALTH

GoHealth BC is continuing to grow, with nurses now providing care in Fraser Lake and Quesnel, in addition to recent expansions in 100 Mile House, Clearwater, and Keremeos within the Interior Health region, and Tofino under Island Health.

The provincial program now employs more than 500 nurses who travel to provide care in rural and remote communities.

The majority of their hours are spent

serving northern BC.

Unlike private travel nurse agencies, GoHealth BC nurses are employed directly by Northern Health.

That means they receive the same pay, union representation and training requirements as full-time staff.

Meggan Wood, patient care coordinator at the Hospital of Haida Gwaii, said the consistent training and standards among GoHealth BC nurses helps improve patient safety and reduces workload for permanent staff.

“When it’s through GoHealth BC,

we actually know what education and standards we’re getting,” said Wood. “It saves me so much time and the patients are getting better care.”

In Dease Lake, where the Stikine Health Centre operates with no permanent clinical staff, interim site manager Liza Hart said the facility relies almost entirely on GoHealth BC nurses to stay open.

Beyond care delivery, Wood said GoHealth BC’s consistency helps her schedule coverage in advance, allowing regular nurses to take time off and

maintain a healthier work-life balance.

To improve retention, both sites prioritize creating a welcoming environment.

Nurses are provided with orientation and housing, often in Northern Healthowned accommodations. Many return repeatedly.

“Some people are into fishing, and I’ve heard physicians invite people to come ice fishing,” Hart said. “I’m just really trying to help people enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that makes working here unique.”

Local Sports Pole vaulter, 80, beats cancer, sets natonal record

Tuomas Ukonmaanaho is competing just months after major surgery

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Prostate cancer survivor Tuomas Ukonmaanaho turned 80 on Dec. 1, 2024, and just months after undergoing major surgery, he’s back doing what he loves — competing in track and field.

Now part of the M80 division for men aged 80 to 84 in masters athletics, Ukonmaanaho is wasting no time chasing new records in sprinting, throwing, jumping — and pole vaulting.

At the Spruce Capital Meet at Masich Place Stadium on June 14, he cleared 2.15 metres, breaking a 30-year-old Canadian record in the M80 pole vault category.

He topped that again two weeks later, vaulting 2.28 metres at the Jack Brow Track and Field Meet in Kelowna.

“I was successful in each of my first attempts and I quit at 2.28 metres,” said Ukonmaanaho. “It feels pretty good to break that record, especially since it was set in 1995. To break a 30-year-old record means something.”

The previous record of 2.03 metres was set by Ian Hume of Quebec on June 25, 1995, in Ontario.

A longtime member of the Prince George Track and Field Club and recipient of its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, Ukonmaanaho credits coach Quinn Matthews for reviving interest in pole vaulting.

“Oh yeah, the youngsters jump and jump and I watch,” Ukonmaanaho said, laughing.

“I’m still a lazy practiser.”

A self-proclaimed “lazy” vaulter, he says Matthews has helped him improve technically — even if he jokes he’s scared of heights.

Next up for Ukonmaanaho is the BC Masters Athletics Championships, hosted

Tuomas Ukonmaanaho, 80, breaks the Canadian record for pole vault, for men 80-84 years old,with a jump of 2.15 metres at the Spruce Capital Track and Field meet at Masich Place Stadium Saturday, June 14. He would best that height two weeks later with a leap of 2.28 metres to seal the Canadian record deal.

by the Greyhounds Track and Field Club in Coquitlam from Aug. 15 to 17.

He was golden in every event he entered at the Jack Brow Meet — winning the 60m sprint in 9.89 seconds, the shot put with a throw of 9.31 metres, and the javelin with 26.04 metres.

In addition to his achievements on the track, Ukonmaanaho has become an advocate for prostate cancer awareness.

“Men have to know to get the PSA test for prostate cancer,” he said. “That’s why I tell everybody — if you catch it in time, you’ll be lucky like me.”

After a biopsy revealed cancer in eight out of 15 samples, Ukonmaanaho opted for surgery, thanks to his excellent physical condition.

He’s the current M75 Canadian record holder for decathlon and has broken more than 50 age-class records

between ages 65 and 80, including two world records as part of a relay team in 2022.

According to BC Cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer death. It typically affects men over 60 and is often confined to the prostate.

Special Olympics swimming expected to draw a crowd

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

If you enjoy sports and watching athletes perform live, you’re going to love what’s coming to Prince George later this week: the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

More than 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities will take part in two days of competition across 10 sports, including basketball, 10-pin bowling, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming and track and field. The Games will also feature large-scale opening and closing ceremonies.

“It’s just a different vibe,” said Larry Chrobot, who will serve as referee-in-charge for the swimming events on Friday and Saturday.

“If you want a real heartfelt moment, you watch the athletes — they’re so inspired, they’re always smiling, they want to do well, and we’re going to make it happen.”

Chrobot was a swim official in 2001 when Prince George last hosted the Games. That event left a lasting impression.

“For me, the thing I take away most during Special Olympics is the athletes — even if they come in last, they’re happy,” he said. “They finished, they got a time, they got some applause, and they’re super happy — not just for themselves, but for everyone around them. They really relish the moment. I

wouldn’t say they don’t want to win, but participating is their No. 1 driver, rather than winning.”

For months, Chrobot and a dedicated team of volunteer officials and marshals have been preparing for the two-day swim meet at the Prince George Aquatic Centre. Now, he says, it’s just a matter

of letting it all unfold.

There are enough swim officials from the two local clubs — the Prince George Barracudas and the Prince George Pisces — to staff all the positions required for the meet. Chrobot hopes even more volunteers will step forward to get involved.

“For the officials, it’s our honour to be there for two days. It really is about creating an environment for the athletes to do their very best. We do that for all swim meets, but Special O has a different vibe — and multisport events are the best. People are really behind it. The volunteerism is next-level.”

The spectator capacity at the Aquatic Centre is limited to about 200 at any one time, and most of those seats will be filled by parents and families. However, because only a few athletes will compete in all eight swimming events, Chrobot expects a good turnover, giving other fans the chance to watch.

“If you’ve never experienced a Special O swim event, you’ve gotta go,” said Chrobot. “You get to see parents, athletes and coaches appreciate it on a different level — the expectations are just different, and it’s inspiring.”

Track athletes from Prince George compete in Kelowna

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

While many men die with, rather than from, prostate cancer, it can become fatal if it spreads to other organs.

Track results

The following are results from Prince George Track and Field Club athletes at the Jack Brow Meet at Apple Bowl Stadium in Kelowna:

• Brad Frenkel, 61 (M60): Gold in hammer (35.98m), discus (36.74m), shot put (9.78m), javelin (26.89m).

• Kevin Pettersen, 54 (M50): Silver in hammer (25.12m); bronze in shot put (8.18m), discus (22.66m), javelin (22.67m).

• Jacqueline Pettersen (W50): Silver in javelin (12.42m).

• Joan Harris, 62 (W60): Gold in hammer (31.43m), shot put (8.29m), javelin (22.82m), discus (23.74m).

• Ava Matthews, 16: Gold in W16-17 pole vault (2.48m).

• Quinn Matthews, 41 (M40): Gold in pole vault (3.85m).

• Isabelle Day, 15 (W14-15): 4th in 100m hurdles (14.74s); 5th in 300m hurdles (54.44s); T-6th in 100m (13.98s); 9th in 200m (29.34s).

• Thomas Reed, 16: 4th in 3000m (9:50.21); 9th in 1500m (4:37.02).

• James Reed, 17: 6th in 1500m (4:18.75); bronze in 800m (2:04.39).

• Max Pettersen, 14 (M14-15): 8th in discus (25.06m).

• Wasim Aka, 18 (M18-19): Silver in 400m (53.26s); 4th in 100m (11.80s).

• Monika Deveikyte (Girls 12): Bronze in 300m (50.12s); 5th in 80m hurdles (17.06s); silver in 1200m (4:57.00).

• Sarah Aka, 16 (W16-17): Silver in 100m hurdles (14.71s); 8th in 100m (12.97s).

• Meriam Hana Aka (Girls 10): Bronze in 60m hurdles (13.71s); 4th in 60m (10.26s); 6th in 100m (17.20s); 5th in long jump (2.79m).

• Eli Baumbach (Boys 9): Gold in 60m hurdles (12.21s), high jump (1.10m), long jump (3.18m), shot put (6.08m); silver in 60m (10.26s) and 100m (16.41s).

• Edward Barker (Boys 9): Silver in 60m hurdles (13.01s), long jump (3.15m); bronze in 60m (10.63s); 4th in 100m (17.24s).

• Emmett Baumbach (Boys 11): 6th in 60m (9.99s) and 100m (15.86s); 4th in long jump (3.93m), discus (11.80m); 5th in javelin (10.31m).

• Leighton Betz (Girls 13): 5th in 200m (29.29s); bronze in 100m (14.00s), discus (16.57m); silver in javelin (16.82m).

• Alaina McDonald (Girls 12): 6th in 200m (30.22s), 100m (14.30s); 7th in long jump (3.64m); silver in shot put (6.64m).

• Corbin Matthews (Boys 11): 4th in 1000m (4:20.41); 5th in shot put (6.22m); bronze in discus (12.42m), javelin (15.56m).

• Britta Harris (Girls 13): Silver in shot put (7.85m); 6th in javelin (13.10m).

WILMA VANHAGE PHOTO

Prince George Special Olympics athlete David Dunn is seen in this file photo during a regional qualifier race held in Kelowna. The Prince George Aquatic Centre will be a busy place this week (Thursday and Friday) when Prince George hosts the BC Special Olympic Summer Games.

Full-contact Kabbadi

An Abbotsford raider tags a Grande Prairie defender before rushing back to his side of the field during a Kabaddi match at the PG Annual Punjabi Cultural Event held at the PGSS fields Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6. Kabaddi is a traditional South Asian contact sport where two teams of seven alternate sending a raider to tag defenders and return within 30 seconds without being tackled, earning points for successful tags or stops.

Basketball Timberwolves’ new season starts Oct. 26

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The U SPORTS Canada West schedules have been released and UNBC Timberwolves men’s and women’s basketball teams will start their seasons with five-game homestands.

The 2025-26 season tips off with a Sunday matinee for both teams on Oct. 26 when they host the UBC-Okanagan Heat of Kelowna.

Men’s team head coach Todd Jordan will return to the court for his 16th season at UNBC, while women’s team head coach Sergey Shchepotkin is back for his 13th season. Like Jordan, Shchepotkin has been at the helm at UNBC since the T-wolves entered the Canada West league in 2012.

The University of Alberta Golden Bears men’s team and Pandas women’s team return to Brownridge Court for the first time since 2016, with games scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. That opening stretch concludes Nov. 7 and 8 when divisional foes Trinity Western visit Prince George.

UNBC hits the road next for back-toback games at UBCO on Nov. 14 and 15,

followed by another road weekend at UFV on Nov. 21 and 22.

The Timberwolves will wrap up their home slate for 2025 with a pair of games against the Victoria Vikes on November 28 and 29, before heading to Kamloops for a single Dec. 5 showdown with Thompson Rivers.

The first opportunity to catch the Timberwolves at home in 2026 comes Jan. 15 (against UBC) and Jan. 17 (against UFV).

That’s followed by road matchups against Victoria (Jan. 22) and Trinity Western (Jan. 24), then a two-game set at UBC on Jan. 30 and 31.

UNBC will close out its regular season at home on Feb. 6 and 7, hosting the TRU WolfPack at Brownridge Court. Each UNBC team plays matching 20-game schedules and will travel together to opponents’ gyms for Canada West road games.

The men’s games will be preceded two hours earlier by the women’s games throughout the season for all games except for Nov. 14 and 15 at UBC-O. On both those dates, the men’s games will start two hours ahead of the women’s games.

leaps through the blocks of UBC Thunderbirds during a game on Feb. 14, 2024 at Brownridge Court.

NOTE: Women’s game start ahead of men’s games except on Nov. 14 and 14

• Oct. 26: UNBC vs. UBC-Okanagan (women at 2 p.m., men at 4 p.m.)

• Oct. 31: UNBC vs. Alberta (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Nov. 1: UNBC vs. Alberta (5 and 7 p.m.)

• Nov. 7: UNBC vs. Trinity Western University (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Nov. 8: UNBC vs. Trinity Western University (5 and 7 p.m.)

• Nov. 14: UNBC at UBC-Okanagan (men at 5:30 p.m., women at 7:30 p.m.)

• Nov. 15: UNBC at UBC-Okanagan (men at 4:30 p.m., women at 6:30 p.m.)

• Nov. 21: UNBC at University of Fraser Valley (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Nov. 22: UNBC at University of Fraser Valley (4 and 6 p.m.)

• Nov. 28: UNBC vs. Victoria (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Nov. 29: UNBC vs. Victoria (5 and 7 p.m.)

• Dec. 5: UNBC at Thompson Rivers University (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.)

• Jan. 15: UNBC vs. University of BC (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Jan. 17: UNBC vs. University of Fraser Valley (5 and 7 p.m.

• Jan. 22: UNBC at Victoria (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Jan. 24: UNBC at Trinity Western University (4 and 6 p.m.)

• Jan. 30: UNBC at University of BC (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.)

• Jan. 31: UNBC at University of BC (4 and 6 p.m.)

• Feb. 6: UNBC vs. Thompson Rivers University (6 and 8 p.m.)

• Feb. 7: UNBC vs. Thompson Rivers University (5 and 7 p.m.)

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Timberwolves guard Yana Shupak

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Life Events

Kathy Lee Walker

August 31, 1959 - April 25, 2025

In loving Memory of Kathy Lee Walker who passed away suddenly on April 25 2025.She is survived by her Brothers and Sister. You can now Rest in Peace. Forever in our Hearts.

Nelly Gavini Viray

June 9, 1943 - June 21, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, Nelly Gavini Viray. Following a recent cancer diagnosis, Nelly passed away peacefully at home in Edmonton on Saturday, June 21, surrounded by family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ruben Victorio Viray; her sisters, Fely Dorthee, Violet O’Brien, and Adela Gavini; her brother, Rudy Gavini; and her mother, Tarcela Gavini.

Nelly is lovingly remembered by her son, Runell (Ivan Perez Fuentes); daughters, Rhoda (Kelly Douglas), Rachelle (Derek Flindall), and Rubynell (Maxim Hanna); and grandchildren, Gabrielle (Tyson Solmonson), Gavin, Grace, Maya, and Solomon. She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Esteban and Ligaya Horsak, as well as many other cherished relatves and friends.

A prayer and visitaton service was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday July 2, with Father Aruldhas Lucas, SAC, ofciatng. A Funeral Mass was held Thursday, July 3, followed by the interment at Memorial Park City Cemetery.

Nelly will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and unwavering love for her family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In loving memory

Alexander Fredrick Hogh

June 20 1986-July 8 2021

Always loved, never forgo en. Missing you so much Alex Forever in our hearts

Mom Dad Chris Luke Andy & Julia

Brian Robert Foot

October 25, 1959 - June 26, 2025

With heavy hearts we announce that Brian Robert Foot passed away June 26, 2025 surrounded by friends and family.

Brian was pre-deceased by his parents Bob and Mary Foot.

He is survived by wife Joanne, sons Brent (Sarah) and Kile, and grandsons Kevin and Jason. He leaves behind many other friends and family who will miss his sense of humour, opinions on world ma ers and his erce loyalty to friends and family.

Brian loved Nukko Lake and spent every summer there. e was a compettve water s ier and a coach with the Nukko Lake Water Ski School, along with his ncle oward and cousins eg and enee. A er many years of wor with Forts, rian was a le to retre to live full tme at u o La e.

here will e a Cele raton of Life for rian on Saturday, September 20th, 2025. Please join us at the Nukko Lake Community Hall, 23485 Chief Lake Rd, Prince George from 2 to 5pm.

n lieu of owers, donatons to either the C Cancer Centre or the Prince George Hospice Society would be appreciated

Debora Irene Bourcier

May 5, 1961 - July 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of Debora Irene Bourcier.

A beloved mother, sister, nanny, aunty, & friend. She passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Cele raton of Life at pm, hursday uly , Salavaton Army Church, rince eorge C

Lloyd Elvin Pommer ecem er , une ,

In loving memory of Lloyd Pommer, who passed away at the age of 89 years on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in rince eorge, ritsh Colum ia.

Lloyd was a devoted hus and, father and grandfather. e will e sadly missed y his children, Lisa ean ic s , wayne eghan of rince eorge and rian ose e rard of innipeg. e will e fondly remem ered y his grandchildren ared ordyn eans , Ale a, eara, aco and ronwyn. e is survived y his only rother, arvin irginia of Surrey, C and a large e tended family.

Lloyd was predeceased y his eloved wife Aurise n e orisse e , who passed away from cancer in , at the young age of years.

In recent years, Lloyd lived with symptoms of dementa. is family would li e to e press their sincere appreciaton to r. aul outcher and the health professionals at University Hospital of orthern ritsh Colum ia and Simon Fraser Lodge for their care and compassion.

A private interment will e held at emorial ar Cemetery in rince eorge. n lieu of owers, charita le donatons may e made to the rince eorge Council of Seniors.

Joan Colleen Schleich

December 21, 1948 – June 17, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Schleich.

Joan will be greatly missed and mourned by her loving family, husband Karl, son Richard, daughterin-law Sarah, grandsons uentn, Sawyer, and Apollo. Her brothers Dan, Rod, and sister Debbie, and all other family members and friends.

Joan was predeceased by her father Frank McLeod and mother Irene.

We all cherish the tme we had with you and will keep you in our memories forever.

No service as per Joan’s request

David “Dave” B. Evans 1943 - 2025

David was born in Lucky Lake Saskatchewan to Rollin and Anne Evans. He was the oldest and only son with three sisters. He passed away peacefully at 81 years on his terms at home with his son at his side June 20, 2025 afer a brief illness.

In earlier years David enjoyed fshing, huntng and boatng and took pride in his yard. You may know that he heard the shots in Dallas Texas when Kennedy was assasinated. He retred from Canfor - PG Pulp and Paper as head operator afer 34 years.

David is predeceased by his parents and sister Elaine Kurka.

Lef to honour his memory is Susan, Rob (Brenda), granddaughter Meghan and step grandsons Dustn, Clayton (Brea), Darryl and sisters Heather Ede and Judy Evans as well as other extended family.

We remember David and a good, solid man with an infectous smile and laugh. He loved his fres and enjoyed a cold one now and again.

No service by request. Honour his memory by sitng by the fre with a beverage, share stories and laugh.

Special thanks to Dr Ian Schokking for his 30 yrs of care, the ER and FMU staf at UH NBC as well as the Hospice at Home staf.

Donatons to the Salvaton Army or charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Paul Boyko

May 1 , 1929 - June 1 , 2025

It is with great sorrow that the family of Paul Boyko announces that he has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour.

Born in Ardel, Saskatchewan, he passed at the age of 96 in Salmon Arm, BC. Remembered with love and admiraton by Marie, his devoted wife of 4 years, as well as his two children, Clare (Joan) and Carol (Roger), his 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grand children.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Michael, Anne, Agnes, era and James. Afer raising their family in Salmon Arm, Paul and Marie moved to Prince George where they lived for 40 years while making tme to travel the world. Upon his retrement at the age of 90 from Peterbilt rucking, they came back home to Salmon Arm in 2019.

Paul is remembered for his lighthearted nature, his love of playing cards, fshing, golfng, and travelling. He found joy in celebraton, always ensuring there was tme to gather and create memories with loved ones. Paul was a devoted member of his church and the Gideon Bible rgani aton, ofen volunteering with Marie by his side.

he family sincerely wish to thank all the wonderful and caring staf at the Good Samaritan Hillside illage. May God bless you for the important work that you do.

A celebraton of life will be held on July 29 in Salmon Arm. If you would like to a end, please contact the family at Boyko000 telus.net

Share condolences and memories of Paul through his

Teresa Anne Stevenson

July 29, 19 3 - June 24, 2025

We, the family of our beautful daughter, sister, aunt niece, and cousin, eresa Anne Stevenson, sadly announce her passing on June 24, 2025.

he frst-born child of Dave and Dianne Stevenson, eresa was born in Prince George BC, and over the course of her 1 years also lived in Port Alberni, Macken ie, amloops, Calgary and most recently Creston.

eresa made many friends throughout her lifetme she cared greatly and deeply for those around her, and always put others ahead of herself.

eresa was pre-deceased by her brother Butchie, her father Dave, and her partner Bradley Bates.

She is survived by her mother Dianne, sisters Frankie, racey, Raelene (Guy), and brother urner ( im), and their respectve families. She also leaves to mourn the Bates Family, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

ur Family would like to thank Dr s Hopkins, Walker and Bailey in Creston, Dr. Petric at BC Cancer in elowna, Dr s Watson, Javed, Schokking, and Rose and in Prince George and the numerous nurses who were instrumental in her daily care.

eresa bravely lived her life to the fullest and faced life s many challenges head on. She commi ed wholly and entrely to knowing that quality of life was more important than quantty and lef her family with words of love, support and unity.

No service by request. Celebraton of life to be

Kathryn Elizabeth Kerbes

November 24, 1955 - June 17, 2025

Kathryn Elizabeth “Kathi” Kerbes (née Phillips) passed away following a short but courageous fght with a rare and aggressive cancer on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, with her loving husband and partner of 43 years, Hal Kerbes, by her side.

Born in Calgary, AB, on November 24, 1955, Kathi grew up in the close-knit community of St. Andrews Heights. In 1958, she proudly became a big sister to Frederick (Tom) Phillips.

As a student at Parkdale Junior High and later Queen Elizabeth High School, she immersed herself in music, later becoming a proud member of the original Calgary Stampede Band. She began studying music educaton at the University of Calgary in 1973. It was there that she frst locked eyes with Hal Kerbes. Their frst date on November 1, 1975, would become the annual “Nerds’ Night Out,” marked with a rose for each passing year. Kathi and Hal were married on December 30, 1982, at Central United Church. Their daughter Sarah was born in 1984, followed by Hannah in 1991.

Kathi began her teaching career with Rocky View School Division in Chestermere, AB, startng with band and choir and quickly expanding into drama—simply because she was “the artsy type.” It was when she returned to the U of C for a crash course in drama that she discovered her true passion. She went on to develop an award-winning high school drama program and later served as the division’s Fine Arts Consultant.

She began working on stage in the 1980s in such memorable productons as Waitng for the Parade and Blood Brothers. Following the unexpected passing of their friend and collaborator Peter Spear in 1988, Kathi, Hal, and Gail Whiteford took the helm of Aurora Stage, transforming it into Shadow Productons. Launched to fulfl Peter’s remaining murder mystery bookings, Shadow grew into a thriving company. At its peak, it presented over 250 shows annually, from interactve murder mysteries to medieval feasts, and creatng Stage West for Kids. In 1998, Kathi and Hal received the Harry and Martha Cohen Award for their sustained, signifcant contributon to theatre in Calgary, AB. Afer 21 years of teaching, Kathi transitoned into a full-tme career in professional theatre. Over the next two and a half decades, she appeared on stages across Alberta and Britsh Columbia, including Theatre Calgary, Stage West, Alberta Theatre Projects, Lunchbox Theatre, Vertgo Theatre, The Chemainus Theatre Festval and Theatre Northwest.

Kathi was a two-tme Bety Mitchell Award recipient—best ensemble for Book Club at Lunchbox Theatre, and for Best Actress for The Hollow at Vertgo Theatre. She also appeared in several flm and television projects, most notably in Steven Spielberg’s Into the West. Kathi will be remembered for her extraordinary creatvity, warmth, humour, and ferce dedicaton to the arts and educaton. She is survived by her husband, Hal Kerbes; daughters, Sarah Milliard (Wyat Milliard) and Hannah Kerbes (Brandon Anson); grandchildren, Violet and Sam Milliard; brother, Tom Phillips (Jasmin Olhof); sister-in-law, Annete Berry (Mike Berry); her many nieces and their families, along with many great friends. She will be remembered by a generaton of Chestermere High School students and theatre colleagues across the country.

She was predeceased by her parents, Kaye and Fred Phillips; grandparents; aunts and uncles, and four of her cousins.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Zoo, c/o Aldera Chisholm, 1300 Zoo Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, www. calgaryzoo.com or StoryBook Theatre, 375 Bermuda Dr N.W., Calgary, AB T3K 2J5, www. storybooktheatre.org. Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Recepton to follow at the Marda Loop Community Centre.

It is difcult to fnd the right words to accompany this obituary. My tme getng to know Kathi was relatvely short, but her impact was immediate and unforgetable.

Our organizaton was fortunate to be the last place she plied the trade to which she dedicated her life. As her obituary so beautfully outlines, Kathi spent her entre life performing, teaching, and inspiring others through her extraordinary talent and spirit. There is something deeply satsfying in knowing that we were able to be part of her fnal performance.

I am especially grateful that she was here with her beloved husband, Hal, and that they shared the stage together one last tme. One of the unexpected privileges of running a theatre has been witnessing the dreams our small organizaton helps bring to life— from someone’s frst appearance on stage to their very last. Seeing artsts mark these milestones is humbling and profoundly moving.

Our thoughts are with Hal, Sarah, Hannah, and their families as they learn to navigate this life without her. Kathi’s creatvity, warmth, and dedicaton will be remembered here always.

Marnie Hamagami

Artstc Producer, Theatre NorthWest

Fernie Jackson

December 14. 1945 - April 27, 2025

Please join us for a Memorial Service to honour Fernie’s life on Saturday July 12th 1:00 pm at Prince George Funeral Home 10th & Douglas.

A recepton will follow at 2:30 pm in the Summit Room at the Inn of the North 770 Brunswick Street Prince George, BC

Christne Theresa Luise Reichenbach

Classifeds

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

Booking deadline: Friday noon

Approval deadline: Monday at noon

frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca

250.562.2441

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 1628) which provides development plans within the Prince administered from the Prince George Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) have been prepared in accordance Practices Act and describe areas planned for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three comments on the FOM(s) at any point during the review and comment period, which starts July 11, 2024 and

public review and comment submissions online at the following website address: or https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices

Carrier Lumber Ltd., invites the public to review its Forest Operatons Maps (FOM ID: 2363, 2364, 2365, 2366, 2367, 2368, and 2369) which provides development plans within the Robson Timber Supply Area and administered from the Prince George Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) have been prepared in accordance with the Forest and Range Practces Act and describe areas planned for Cutng Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years. The public may provide comments on the FOM(s) at any point during the review and comment period, which starts July 10, 2025 and ends August 8, 2025.

comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumber woodlands staff member locations during regular office hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm):

George BC V2N 5S5

The FOM(s) is accessible for public review and comment submissions online at the following website address: Forest Operatons Map gov.bc.ca or h ps fom.nrs.gov.bc.capublicpro ects public otces

Carrier Lumber Ltd. in partnership with Tano T’enneh Limited Partnerships, invites the public to review its Forest Operatons Maps (FOM ID: 2448) which provides development plans for the Tano T’enneh Community Forest ( 1N), within the Prince George Timber Supply Area and administered from the Prince George Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) have been prepared in accordance with the Forest and Range Practces Act and describe areas planned for Cutng Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years. The public may provide comments on the FOM(s) at any point during the review and comment period, which starts July 10, 2025 and ends August 8, 2025.

submitted by mail to the above address or by phone at (250) 563-9271 or by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca

Alternatvely, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumber woodlands staf member will be available, at the following locatons during regular ofce hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm): 4722 Contnental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5

FOM(s) comments may also be submited by mail to the above address or by phone at (250) 563-9271 or by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca

The FOM(s) is accessible for public review and comment submissions online at the following website address: Forest Operatons Map gov.bc.ca or h ps fom.nrs.gov.bc.capublicpro ects public otces

Alternatvely, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumber woodlands staf member will be available, at the following locatons during regular ofce hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm): 4722 Contnental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5

FOM(s) comments may also be submited by mail to the above address or by phone at (250) 563-9271 or by email at fom.pg carrierlumber.ca

DID YOU KNOW?

The Prince George Citzen publishes 23,000 papers per week, with an average readership of over 33,000 readers? We also publish a number of specialty publicatons such as TASTE, Industry and Trades, Shop PG, and the Fishing Guide Magazines.

Our average weekly website views are more than 330,000 or more than 1 million views a month. Yep, over 1,000,000!

With a focus on quality local content, and fair unbiased reportng, it’s no wonder the Citzen is the number one source for local news, sports and informaton.

Locally Owned Community Focused

*On July 21, 365, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Greece caused a tsunami that devastated the city of Alexandria, Egypt. While no measuring tools for it existed at the time, modern scientists estimate that it consisted of two successive tremors,

• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.

the largest of which is thought to have had a magnitude of 8.0.

* On July 22, 2003, Qusay and Uday Hussein, sons of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, were killed in Mosul, northern Iraq, after a three-hour firefight with U.S. forces. Both men were believed by many to be even more ruthless than their father, and news of their deaths was met with widespread celebration.

* On July 23, 2021, the Cleveland Indians baseball team announced its name change to the Cleveland Guardians, as a gesture of respect

to Native Americans. The team had retired its “Chief Wahoo” logo three years earlier, banning it from future National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum plaques and merchandise sold outside of Ohio.

* On July 24, 1901, William Sydney Porter, better known to literature fans as O. Henry, was released from prison after serving a three-year jail term for embezzling from an Austin, Texas bank. He had previously hidden from authorities in Honduras but returned to America when his wife was diagnosed

with a terminal illness, and supported his young daughter from prison by writing stories.

* On July 25, 1953, New York City issued its first subway tokens, which were used for 50 years before being replaced by the MetroCard.

* On July 26, 1972, singer Johnny Cash met with President Richard Nixon to lobby for prison reform. Cash was never an inmate himself, though he did spend a few nights in jail for minor offenses, but often performed at prisons.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your honesty is, as always, admirable. But you might want to be more tactul when discussing a sensitve issue with a family member. Remember, you can give advice without giving ofense.

• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An unexpected workplace snag should be handled quickly and efciently so that it leaves you tme for family get-togethers. Also, you might soon get a long-sought apology.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A seemingly clear-cut agreement might not be quite so straightorward afer all. Recheck for language that could make you liable for hidden costs and other unpleasant surprises.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You’re fnally seeing some progress with your new venture, but be prepared for it to contnue at a slower pace than you’re used to. Meanwhile, a loved one could be preparing a surprise.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Good news! While a changing workplace environment can be dauntng for some, it could be the challenge you’ve been hoping for. If so, confront it with confdence and move on.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Aspects favor family maters, especially where children might be involved. Spending tme with loved ones helps restore some much-needed balance to your typically busy schedule.

• On Nov. 13, 1979, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaped over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine for a memorable slam dunk that shattered the fiberglass backboard. His equally memorable comment on the move, which was not his last and the sound of which spectators likened to a bomb going off: “It wasn’t really a safe thing to do, but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do.”

• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.

• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.

• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.

• On Nov. 17, 1903, the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party split into two factions: the majority Bolshe-

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Careful, Kity! It’s beter to deal with someone with proven reliability than a big talker who promises much but can’t confrm that they will deliver. Meanwhile, your social life really zings this weekend.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Your matchmaking skills are at peak performance levels -- both in helping to staf workplace teams for upcoming projects and for bringing people together on a more personal basis.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A family member’s success pulls you into the spotlight as well. Enjoy it, but don’t let it overshadow or otherwise obstruct what you’re doing with your own creatve projects.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Using what you already know might not be quite enough to get a proposed project of the ground. Look for any new informaton that might help tlt the scales in your favor.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) It’s a good tme to recheck travel arrangements for any changes that could work to your advantage. Aspects also favor strengthening and restoring old, fraying relatonships.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20)

Using your intuitve reasoning helps you cut right through the double talk and straight to what’s really going on around you. Stay the course untl all your questons are answered.

Homes & Living

Preparing your home for extreme weather

Forty years ago, Canada experienced 19 natural disasters per decade, on average. That number has now increased to 133. From extreme heat to wildfires and flooding, incidences of extreme weather are on the rise. While we can’t change the weather, there are things that can be done to prepare for major events and lessen their impact on our homes.

“With more people impacted by extreme weather, preparation matters,” says Carla Smith, Chief Climate Officer at Intact. “Small measures taken today can save time, money, and stress down the road. There are simple maintenance steps you can take to reduce the risk of flooding and wildfire to your home and they can typically be completed in less than a day.”

Wildfires. If you live near forests and grasslands, keeping combustible ground

door starts here

cover such as mulch and plants at least 1.5 metres, about one and a half baseball bats, from the house perimeter is a must. Keep the lawn mowed to less than 10 centimetres, or about the height of a pop can, and plant low-growing, wellspaced shrubs and other fire-resistant plants. Adding a non-combustible threemillimetre screen to all external vents, except for the dryer vent, along with fencing made of cement fiber boards, metal, chain link or stone within 1.5 metres of the house can all help prevent wildfires from spreading.

Reduce the risk of flooding. The simplest way to help reduce the risk of flooding is with regular maintenance of your home, both inside and outside, twice a year. This includes removing debris from storm drains and cleaning out eavestroughs, checking for leaks in

plumbing fixtures and appliances, testing your sump pump and cleaning out the backwater valve. Be sure to also keep obstructions well away from floor drains. Beat the heat. There are many simple and cost-effective home upgrades available to help moderate temperature. Consider planting shade trees, growing vines over your brick walls, deck or balcony, as well as using fans for air circulation and installing heat-resistant glazing on windows. During periods of extreme heat, these steps will help lower the temperature of your home without solely relying on an air conditioning unit. The reality of climate change is that Canadians are experiencing more wildfires, homes are being flooded from torrential rain events, and more people are being impacted by extreme heat.

Deck cleaning tps

A wood deck adds charm and functionality to your outdoor space, but regular cleaning is essential to preserve its appearance and longevity. Here are some practical tips for effectively cleaning your wood deck.

Start by removing all furniture, planters, and debris. Use a broom or leaf blower to sweep off leaves, twigs, and dirt. Pay special attention to corners and gaps between boards where organic matter often accumulates.

Next, rinse the deck thoroughly with a garden hose. Avoid using a pressure washer unless you’re experienced with it, as high pressure can damage the wood. A medium-pressure rinse is usually enough to loosen dirt and grime. Prepare a gentle cleaning solution using warm water and a few drops of dish soap or a store-bought wood deck cleaner. For natural alternatives, mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of water. Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the deck boards, working in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratching.

If your deck has mold or mildew, add

a small amount of oxygen bleach to the cleaning solution. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing.

After cleaning, rinse the deck thoroughly and allow it to dry completely—this may take 24 to 48 hours depending on weather. Once dry, inspect for splintering or nail pops and make any necessary repairs. For best results, clean your deck annually, and consider resealing or staining it every two to three years to protect against weather damage and keep it looking fresh.