Mackenzie looks to the future
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
MACKENZIE — The District of Mackenzie has seen challenges in recent years with a downturn in British Columbia’s forestry industry, but Mayor Joan Atkinson said that diversifying into other industries has made a big impact on her community.
On Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19, representatives from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George travelled to Mackenzie for a tour of local facilities and to hold that month’s board of directors meeting.
The Citizen sent a reporter north to cover those events and to interview Atkinson during the trip.
“I certainly think we are doing quite well, regardless of the circumstance we find ourselves in,” said Atkinson, who has served on Mackenzie council since 2007. “We suffered a huge loss in
taxation from 2024 to 2025 as a result of the closure of two large industrial facilities, but this community has always
been resilient.”
Canfor said it was indefinitely curtailing activity at its Mackenzie sawmill in
July 2019. The Tyee reported in 2024 that after the facility was sold to Peak Renewables in 2022, all the equipment at the mill was sent to another facility in Louisiana.
Paper Excellence permanently shuttered its Mackenzie pulp mill in April 2021.
However, Atkinson noted two factors that have helped the local forestry industry.
The first was a visit from Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, where Atkinson said he announced a change in an appraisal system that makes it more economically viable for companies to operate in Northern BC.
The second is ownership of nearby timber supply areas by First Nations.
“Probably 50 per cent of the annual allowable cut in our timber supply area belongs to First Nations,” Atkinson said.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Members of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board visit Morfee Lake during a tour of Mackenzie on Wednesday,
18.
Mackenzie has partnered with McLeod Lake Indian Band
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“The province is trying to achieve a 20 per cent total across the province. We’re already at 50 and that was a result of Canfor selling their cut. Half was purchased by the McLeod Lake Indian Band, half was purchased by Tsay Keh Dene Band. Both of those First Nations bands have had successful logging companies for many, many years.”
That transfer happened last fall.
The nations’ prior experience, Atkinson said, made them well equipped to take over that tenure. She said she’s optimistic that the transfer will benefit Mackenzie going forward.
Since 2009, the district and McLeod Lake have partnered on the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest. Logging profits from the venture are split in thirds between the district, the First Nation and the ministry itself.
The day before the interview, Atkinson said Mackenzie and McLeod Lake both received $300,000 cheques from the venture. The ministry also sends out around $150,000 to local non-profit societies.
Beyond forestry, Atkinson said the opening of the Mt. Milligan copper and gold mine in 2013 brought in a lot of local jobs. On the other side of the Pine Pass, which traverses the northern Rocky Mountains, Atkinson said a lot of workers in Mackenzie commute to Conuma Resources coal mining operations.
“We have so many families now supported by the mining industry,” Atkinson said.
The mayor also thinks that Mackenzie is being recognized as a great place to live and raise a family because of low crime rates, reasonable housing costs and proximity to the great outdoors. Later this year, the installation of high-speed fibre-optic internet services is expected to finish up. Once that happens, Atkinson said it’ll make Mackenzie more attractive to people who work from home.
Though there is good cellular network coverage in town, Atkinson said if you drive five minutes down the highway it
It’s 56 feet long and weighs about 175 tons.
disappears.
“It would be awesome if we had full cell coverage right across the province, right across the country,” she said. “It’s still an urban versus rural (issue).”
The tour locations for the regional district included a new $6.5 million fire hall that opened in May made possible by provincial funding and upgrades to the Mackenzie Recreation Centre facilitated by a $2.9 million grant from the federal government.
During the fire hall tour, Atkinson said she had been surprised when Mackenzie was granted the money by former premier John Horgan in 2019 as she felt the district was frequently left out of provincial funding.
She credits that partially to the government doing a better job of listening to Mackenzie’s needs and partially to the district doing a better job of advocating for itself.
Last year, Atkinson said, Mackenzie finally received a full complement of paramedics from the province after previously only having four part-time positions.
All eight of the doctors in the community operate out of the Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre. Atkinson said everyone has a family doctor and the hospital was recently approved to get residents sent there from the University of British Columbia’s medical program.
Because all the doctors are Northern
RDFFG board tours landmarks, new fre hall
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Health employees and not running private practices, she said they have more time to deal with patients.
This February, School District 57 staff issued a long-range facilities plan suggesting that Mackenzie’s only remaining elementary school, Morfee Elementary, could be closed and amalgamated with Mackenzie Secondary.
Asked about that possibility, Atkinson said it might happen in 10 years or not at all and she doesn’t want to spend too much time considering something that may never happen.
Last year, the Ernie Bodin Community Centre — home to the local museum, arts council, radio station and potters’ guild — closed its doors after reaching the end of its lifespan.
The Mackenzie Community Arts Council moved to a former Sikh Temple, which had gone unused for years. Atkinson said after pulling in around $500,000 in grant funding for renovations, a grand opening event is being held on Saturday, Aug. 23.
After the old centre is demolished, Atkinson said there’s been talk of building seniors’ housing on the site because there’s very little of it in town.
Seniors’ housing and extended care is likely to be the next project the community lobbies higher levels of government to fund so that people in town can age in place rather than have to move south and potentially away from their family.
MACKENZIE — Representatives from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George got a firsthand look at several landmarks and municipal sites in the District of Mackenzie on Wednesday, June 18, including the community’s multi-million dollar fire hall that opened less than a month ago.
The day before the district’s directors were to have their June regular meeting at Mackenzie’s recreation centre, elected officials and staff were shuttled from place to place in the town located about two hours north of Prince George by car.
After a brief stop at the local landfill, Mayor Joan Atkinson and Deputy Fire Chief Luke Thorne gave the group a tour of the $6.5 million fire hall at 60 Centennial Dr., which had its grand opening on May 24.
The Mackenzie Fire Rescue Department has three staff members and more than 30 volunteers.
The previous fire hall opened in 1971.
Atkinson and Thorne explained that most of the funding for the fire hall was announced by former premier John Horgan in Feb. 2019 and construction started either late that year or in early 2020.
That money came as a surprise, Atkinson said, because Mackenzie frequently gets left out of provincial funding programs. CONTINUED ON
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
The World’s Largest Tree Crusher is a popular tourist attraction in Mackenzie.
Atkinson
Renovatons modernize Mackenzie Recreaton Centre
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While it was initially supposed to be finished construction within about a year, several building starts had to be torn down and work started over from scratch due to various issues.
Eventually, the contractor walked away and the district’s fire chief took over project management.
The Citizen reported on litigation between contractors working on the project back in 2023.
The fire hall’s first floor contains equipment storage, laundry facilities, a classroom used to train both local firefighters and staff from the BC Wildfire Service, bathrooms with large showers and the garage containing the department’s vehicles.
While in the locker room, Thorne pointed out that each station had a pair of matching red Crocs in them. Until recently, the fire hall had a gravel driveway and the Crocs were used to avoid tracking dirt and debris throughout the building.
Atkinson explained while in the garage that when the district’s most recent fire engine was ordered, the price tag was $1.2 million. Eighteen months later, the price for new orders exceeded $3 million.
The second floor contains a clubhouse of sorts for the Mackenzie Fire Fighters Association, with a kitchen and bar area, a snooker table, a tv area, an outdoor balcony with picnic tables and grills and a small gym on a mezzanine overlooking the garage.
After a drive-by look at the local hospital and trips to the Little Mac ski hill and recreation areas at Morfee Lake, the
of recreation services Terry Gilmer explained to the delegation that drainage issues caused the reopening of the arena to be delayed into the middle of the hockey season.
After four years of working to get federal grants, approval from Mackenzie council and construction, he said that they stepped onto the ice surface to discover that the quality wasn’t as good as was hoped.
There were gaps where ice didn’t form as quickly and to get through the season they had to avoid turning the heat on to maintain a playable surface. At one point, a power outage caused havoc as they tried to get things back in order.
It turned out that beneath the concrete slab, some of the pipes below didn’t have their headers drilled through, preventing coolant from circulating.
delegation took a tour of the Mackenzie Recreation Centre at 400 Skeena Dr.
The rec centre offers several multipurpose rooms, an indoor multi-sport court, an indoor playground, the local ice arena and concession booth, a library, pool and fitness centre.
One of those multi-purpose rooms is named after Leah Callahan, a freestyle wrestler who grew up in Mackenzie and represented Canada at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Late last year, the district finished extensive renovations to the ice arena that included a new concrete ice slab, rink boards, heating and cooling systems, solar panels and a heat exchange system that both cools the ice surface and heats the nearby pool.
That project earned Mackenzie a
Community Leadership Award for Environmental Stewardship from the North Central Local Government Association at the organization’s 2025 annual general meeting in May.
The City of Prince George earned two Community Leadership Awards of its own at the AGM, one for environmental stewardship for work using a satellite and artificial intelligence tool to manage wetland assets within the city and another presented to both Prince George and Prince Rupert for economic development for their work on the Northern BC Hydrogen Hub initiative.
Prince George has been selected as the host for the 2026 NCLGA annual general meeting.
While on the concrete slab, director
The district is now working with the contractor to cut out a chunk of concrete, open the pipes, drill into the headers, fuse the pipes back together and pour a stronger variety of concrete as a plug that will hopefully maintain the quality and lifespan of the surface.
The pool also had a new deck installed and a water slide will be delivered sometime later this year. Next door, the local library is temporarily closed as new flooring is installed.
The tour concluded with a brief stop at a new bike park across the street from the rec centre that features both dirt and paved elements.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
District of Mackenzie director of recreation services Terry Gilmer discusses recent renovations to the ice arena at Mackenzie Recreation Centre during a visit by officials from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George on Wednesday, June 18.
Library, Tourism PG tout strong 2024 performances
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Tourism Prince George sold more than $45,000 in merchandise at its gift shop in 2024, while the Prince George Public Library saw a five-year high in newly registered patrons, city council heard at its meeting Monday.
Representatives from both organizations presented their annual reports to council, outlining highlights from their 2024 operations.
Speaking for Tourism PG were CEO Colin Carson — who announced earlier in the day he would step down from his role on Aug. 1 — and board chair Jamie Valcourt. In the audience was Carmen Herman, who will serve as interim CEO following Carson’s departure.
Carson said the organization’s current strategic plan is nearing its end and will expire in 2027.
Among the highlights he listed for 2024 were partnerships with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, including work on the Ancient Forest interpretive centre, creation of virtual accessibility tours in collaboration with Spinal Cord Injury BC, new mountain bike trails, and a pilot project aimed at attracting visitors to area farms.
Tourism PG supported 37 events in 2024, including four new ones and secured bids for two major events. One of the new events was the Lheidli Basketball Tournament held in November, which drew competitors from as far away as the Northwest Territories.
Carson said much of the organization’s content creation involved collaborations with influencers brought into the city. Four key marketing campaigns were launched in support of local activities: mountain biking, fat biking, winter activities and summer activities.
Although the organization did not operate a permanent visitor centre for most of the year, its shipping container-style location at Canada Games Plaza welcomed 7,900 visitors and distributed more than 13,000 maps and guides. The gift shop generated more than $46,000 in sales, and mobile services were sent to 28 events throughout the city.
Revenue from the city’s accommodation tax totalled approximately $1.81 million in 2024 — the second-highest figure since 2020.
Following the presentation, Mayor Simon Yu said it “sucked” to see Carson go after his accomplishments with the organization, and wished him well in his next role.
When asked about trade tensions between Canada and the United States, Carson said American tourists are still visiting and Tourism PG is working on creative strategies to keep them coming.
Carson also addressed a partnership with the College of New Caledonia, noting the post-diploma program in tourism and hotel management has not drawn enough students for its last three intakes and will be discontinued after the current cohort graduates.
Representing the Prince George Public Library were board chair Anna Duff and library director Paul Burry.
They began by unveiling the library’s new branding, created by local firm Splash Media. The logo features an open book with a burst of colours emerging from one page, paired with a purple sans-serif font.
The library registered 3,865 new members in 2024 — its highest total since 2020, when 1,681 patrons signed up.
Duff highlighted the Winter Blues promotional campaign, which emphasized the elimination of late fees and the library’s many free programs as ways to combat seasonal depression.
Burry said the library celebrated
Freedom to Read Week in February, drawing attention to rising threats to intellectual freedom in Canadian libraries. In 2023, there was a 115 per cent increase in book challenges nationwide, and a 40 per cent increase at the PGPL.
The library hosted 1,443 programs and events in 2024, drawing 43,540 participants — both five-year highs. Events included Lunar New Year celebrations, a puzzle challenge and swap, a Fungi in Mythology and Folklore talk at the Nechako branch, the Friends of the Library spring book sale, and the World of Curiosity Summer Reading Program.
There were 143,945 digital items borrowed in 2024, another five-year high.
Students in Grades 3 through 12 were able to access free English, math and science tutoring through the Homework Help program.
There were 20 sessions, with as many as 60 students attending, and 120 total participants registered.
Of those surveyed, 96 per cent said they could not otherwise afford tutoring or had to stop due to cost. Another 85 per cent reported academic improvement after joining the program.
To improve health and safety at the library, Duff said staff received Naloxone training, underwent a risk assessment survey, and received emergency and business continuity training. Additional security cameras were installed and cybersecurity training was implemented, along with an updated code of conduct.
Duff said the library’s new slogan is a single word: Welcome!
Following the presentation, Burry was asked about educational partnerships with local post-secondary institutions. He noted that during a recent non-instructional day, UNBC students delivered a presentation at the library on creating art using science.
Burry also said the installation of the TPG visitor centre and the Nanguz’an container market at Canada Games Plaza has made the area busier. While some concerns remain, he said the increased activity and partnership with Tourism PG have been mutually beneficial.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Prince George Public Library board chair Anna Duff (left) and director Paul Burry (right) present the organization’s annual report to city council on Monday, June 23.
PRINCE GEORGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
This new logo for the Prince George Public Library was previewed during a report to city council on Monday, June 23.
CEO Colin Carson leaves Tourism PG afer 4 years
Move to Cure ALS
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The board of directors for Tourism Prince George has announced that CEO Colin Carson will step down from his role after four years in the position.
Carson said he will be pursuing other career opportunities and will officially leave the organization on Aug. 1.
He has worked with Tourism Prince George since 2017 and became CEO in July 2021.
Carson Carmen Herman to step in on an interim basis
Carson told The Citizen he plans to leave Prince George but will especially miss the people.
“I’m always blown away at just the friendliness of people in Prince George,”
Carson said. “It’s something I hear in my profession as well, but in my personal life you see it all the time. We have visitors come to the visitors’ centre who say, ‘Oh, I was just walking around, talking to people at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and they were just so friendly, asking where we were visiting from and how our day was going.’ That’s just what I feel in the community all the time — a truly welcoming group of people. It’s going to be tough not to be around that.”
During his time as CEO, Carson played a key role in shaping the direction of the organization. He led the relocation of the visitor centre, oversaw the construction of Nanguz’An Market, and helped the agency recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Colin joined Tourism Prince George before the pandemic and has steered the organization and staff through some
very challenging times with professionalism, compassion and strength,” said board chair Jamie Valcourt. “He has led the organization with energy, creativity and processes that have positioned Tourism Prince George well for the future.”
Carson said beyond the infrastructure projects, he’s especially proud of helping bring major sporting events to the city.
“The two big ones that I hold really fondly are the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in 2019, which was such a cool event,” he said. “It was the first-ever World Championship, so I look back really fondly on that one.
“The other was the Women’s Curling Championships, which was supposed to be hosted in 2020. All the teams were supposed to arrive in Prince George just as the pandemic hit, so the event couldn’t take place. To have it return a couple of years later and finally host it in Prince George was really special.”
Carson also reflected on the broader benefits of tourism to the community.
“Our staff does a really good job of promoting the things that attract new people to Prince George,” he said. “And that increases the economic benefit to Prince George … I think we’ve done a really good job of showing the value of the tourism industry here. I’m really proud of that. I think what I’ll leave behind is the understanding that tourism is a really important sector here in Prince George — it employs a lot of people and contributes greatly to our local economy.”
Tourism Prince George’s new interim CEO will be Carmen Herman, who was the first person Carson hired when he took over in 2021 — something he described as a full-circle moment.
Carson said he has full confidence in her leadership.
“She’s awesome, and she’s going to do a really good job leading the team,” he said. “I don’t think she needs any advice from me — she’ll be just great doing things her own way.”
GRADUATION GRADUATION
Congratulations to the class of 2025!
You showed perseverance and dedication, and made a lasting impact in your school communities. Be proud of all you’ve accomplished. Wishing you every success in the exciting journey ahead!
A message from your teachers, members of the Prince George District Teachers’ Association
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Milo Sanchez, 13, (left) Sadie Francis, 15, and Lucy Lafontaine, 14, lead the way during the Move to Cure ALS walk at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Sunday, June 22. Dozens of people took part in the annual event under sunny skies.
College Heights housing development going ahead
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A College Heights multi-family development cleared the last hurdles needed before construction at the Monday, June 23 council meeting.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve Official Community Plan and zoning amendments that will allow for a 1.91-hectare multi-family housing development to be built at 8640 St. Lawrence Ave. and 2800 Vista Ridge Dr. Ridgecrest Development Group was looking for the property’s designation under the Official Community Plan to be changed from Neighbourhood Corridor from Neighbourhood Residential and rezoned from RS2: Single Residential to RM5: Multiple Residential to facilitate the project.
The company also wanted three restrictive covenants discharged.
Because council voted after a public hearing at its Sept. 25, 2024 meeting to request an updated traffic study before making a final decision, a second public hearing was required. That was held at council’s Dec. 2, 2024 meeting.
Ridgecrest Development Group wants to build new multi-storey apartment buildings on a 1.91-hectare plot of land at 8640 St. Lawrence Ave. and 2800 Vista Ridge Dr. It’s the area outlined in black.
As previously reported by The Citizen, four residents spoke in opposition to the project at the Dec. 2 public hearing. Concerns raised by the quartet included access to transit, potential
vehicle accidents if the intersection of St. Lawrence Avenue and Southridge Avenue was made a four-way stop because of the development, issues with slowing down to that same
intersection during icy conditions and a potential conflict with the yet-to-be-approved new draft of the Official Community Plan that seeks to reduce urban sprawl.
At the same hearing, representatives from L&M Engineering speaking on behalf of the developer said the company was willing to put the property under a restrictive covenant to prevent the construction of apartments, clubs and convenience stores to address locals’ concerns about housing density and traffic.
Another covenant was proposed restricting the housing density from 125 units per hectare to 75 units per hectare.
L&M’s Tanner Fjellstrom told council that a traffic study showed that roads in the area are within the threshold for collector streets.
In response to concerns about emergency access, he said there’s a paved trail in the area blocked by bollards that could be removed if needed.
The new restrictive covenants were to be in place before fourth and final reading of the two bylaws were considered.
$15k in spending approved for CN Centre’s 30th
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George City Council unanimously approved up to $15,000 in spending so that the CN Centre can host a 30th anniversary event this September at its Monday, June 23 meeting. At the May 26 council meeting, a motion was passed directing staff to prepare a report on the city hosting an anniversary event to commemorate three decades since the former Prince George Multiplex opened on Sept. 28, 1995.
The outline for that celebration was provided in a report attached to the agenda for the June 23 meeting.
Staff proposed that the celebration would also incorporate the city’s annual International Students Welcome and Volunteer Appreciation
Event that typically occur around the same time.
“By incorporating these events, we intend on creating a ‘wow’ event that will provide a platform to respectfully, specifically and wholesomely honour our volunteer community, international students and the CN Centre anniversary,” the report said.
The free event is proposed to include a stage with live music, public skating with free skate rentals, concessions and more.
Also proposed is a kickoff ceremony on the stage overlooking the ice surface that will honour past city councillors, suppliers and other personnel instrumental in the facility’s construction, a history of the venue, a thank-you to volunteers, a welcome message for international students and a ceremonial cake cutting.
Administration said it has applied for a provincial grant to help cover the cost and will look for additional support from venue naming sponsor CN Rail as well as the construction and architecture companies instrumental in building the facility.
Coun. Garth Frizzell said he thought including a welcome to students would send a message to the federal government with the numbers of international students set to drop soon.
Skakun mentioned some of the positives that CN Centre has brought to the community, including the Prince George Cougars hockey team, and said it’s important to celebrate the people who made the project possible.
With the city looking for grant applications and fundraising opportunities, Coun. Cori Ramsay suggested some kind of legacy project could be
pursued.
Coun. Ron Polillo said that the spending was more than he had envisioned when the event was first proposed but noted that it was “up to $15,000” in spending and the actual bill could be lower.
Since the other events are being combined with this one, Coun. Tim Bennett wondered if the funding would be combined into one pot.
Director of civic facilities Andy Beasley said the $20,000 in funding earmarked for the “Thank You PG” this year would be rolled into the anniversary, along with the $15,000 just earmarked by council and whatever funds can be raised on top of that.
Mayor Simon Yu said he thought that representatives from CN Rail and other neighbouring municipalities should be invited.
President announces new post, departure from UNBC
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The University of Northern British Columbia’s president is stepping down before the start of his second term.
Geoffrey Payne made the announcement at the Prince George campus on Thursday, June 19.
“Every moment that I’ve been a part of the UNBC community has been a pleasure,” Payne told The Citizen. “I came in as an assistant professor and had the opportunity to work with amazing people who mentored me and supported me. One of the things that’s always impressed me about UNBC is the people.”
He’s leaving to take on a new role as president and CEO of Michael Smith Health Research BC in Vancouver.
“Although today I’m stepping down as the president of UNBC and moving on to this exciting opportunity, the university will continue to move forward,” he said.
Michael Smith Health Research BC, established in 2001, is the province’s health research agency.
According to its website, its goal is to attract, recruit and retain people with the professional skills needed to advance research, support the knowledge economy and improve the health of British Columbians.
The move marks the end of Payne’s tenure at UNBC, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles since joining the institution in 2004.
Payne served as vice-president of research, inaugural assistant dean for education and research with the Northern Medical Program and founding director of the UNBC Health Research Institute.
He has also led progress in several key areas, including advancing research, making meaningful strides on Truth and Reconciliation, improving the budget process, and developing and launching the university’s renewed strategic vision, Ready. He was appointed interim president in 2020 and named UNBC’s sixth president in April 2022. He was reappointed in
July 2024, with that term set to begin this June 28 and run until 2030.
In his interview with The Citizen, Payne said there are no immediate plans for a replacement but that he is confident in the transition process.
“We made the announcement early — with Michael Smith Health Research BC and here at UNBC — to give the board time to really think it through,” he said. “I’m not leaving tomorrow. There will be a significant transition over the next number of months, which gives us time to make intentional decisions and continue the momentum we’ve built.”
Payne described his new role as a rare opportunity to make a broader impact on health research in BC.
“Opportunities like this don’t come up often,” he said. “My background in research — and particularly health research — played a big part. I thought this would be a great opportunity to make a difference and contribute positively to that organization.”
Payne also offered advice for his successor.
“Remember the 16,000 people who started this institution,” he said. “Those hopes and aspirations for a community. Remember, it’s the people. It’s the connectedness to the North. Those are the things that will always be part of UNBC. So regardless of who is next to sit in the president’s seat, remember those pieces — and that the green and gold runs deep.”
Payne said he has mixed emotions about the move and that UNBC will always hold a special place in his heart.
“It’s a lot to process today, for sure,”
he said.
“But I’m just thankful, humbled, honoured. It has been an absolute professional privilege to serve as president of UNBC. It’s been an honour to work with hundreds — thousands — of people over my 20 years here. The North will always be part of who I am, and UNBC has a permanent mark on my heart.”
Joel McKay, chair of the university’s board of governors, praised Payne’s impact, saying his leadership helped
guide UNBC through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a period of renewed focus and stability.
“His student-first approach and dedication to building diverse, empowered teams will ensure UNBC remains focused on delivering outstanding student experiences, advancing research and deepening our engagement with communities,” McKay said in a statement.
During Payne’s time as president, UNBC advanced priorities including academic and research excellence, Truth and Reconciliation, budget reform and the development of a new institutional vision, titled Ready
The university stated it is beginning a search for Payne’s successor and is committed to a “transparent and deliberate” process.
In the meantime, McKay said the institution’s leadership team is well-positioned to maintain momentum and stability during the transition.
UNBC president Geoff Payne, seen here taking part in a presentation in a file photo, has resigned. He made the announcement Thursday, June 19.
Motel housing strategy failing as we pay the price
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
The slow death of the Knights Inn transitional housing project in Prince George is more than just the end of a flawed experiment — it’s proof that BC’s motel-based housing strategy has failed.
It’s also a cautionary tale about poor planning, misplaced investments and squandered taxpayer dollars in the name of temporary relief.
The City of Prince George bought the deteriorating 61-year-old building for a staggering $4.15 million, nearly four times its assessed value of $1.211 million, according to BC Assessment records from July 2023.
Despite serious concerns over the condition of the building — including unsafe stairways, exposed wiring, rodent infestations, and compromised water quality — the city chose to sink millions into buying a property slated for demolition within a few years.
Supporters of the deal point to a thirdparty appraisal that gave the property its inflated market value, as well as financial incentives from BC Housing, including $1.134 million up front for a two-year lease and an additional $450,000 toward future demolition costs (in 2019 the city’s demolition of the Days Inn to make way for the Canfor Leisure pool cost $2.5 million).
Mayor Simon Yu has defended the purchase of the Knights Inn as a smart long-term move, citing its location near the proposed Civic Core as a prime
redevelopment site for condominiums or a hotel.
But let’s be clear: this was not a strategic acquisition. It was damage control disguised as a forward-thinking vision.
And now, the building is closing early, not because the need for housing has disappeared, but because the building has become uninhabitable.
After three years of use as a last-resort shelter, the structure has buckled under the weight of neglect and inadequate design for its current purpose.
Holes in the walls, unsafe stairwells, and pest infestations are not just maintenance issues — they are symptoms of a broken model.
The PG Native Friendship Centre, which operates the former motel, did its best under difficult circumstances, offering meals and wraparound support to residents, but the reality is that no amount of goodwill can compensate for a decaying and abused building.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon’s other local motel conversion — the North Star Inn on Victoria Street — is already facing similar issues and the initial renovations haven’t even been completed.
Phase 2 renovations, to the smaller 30-unit section, are not yet finished, as the contractor has had to complete repairs to areas just upgraded. Phase 1, the larger 60-unit building, has been plagued by fires, vandalism and violent incidents.
These failures paint a clear picture: turning aging motels into housing for people with complex challenges and needs isn’t just unsustainable — it’s dangerous, it’s costly, and it’s ineffective.
Prince George remains without a dedicated addiction and treatment facilities for women or youths. We still have no long-term care facility for those who are overcome by mental health challenges.
And there remains no clear plan for replacement housing or to develop the supports for those still living in these motels.
This city and province have taken the approach to prioritize optics over outcomes. It puts money into properties that are easier to acquire than fix, properties that do not require rezoning or public input. It leans on short-term leases and patchwork renovations instead of purpose-built housing with wrap around support services and long-term viability.
Worst of all, it pretends that “supportive housing” in rotting motels is somehow an acceptable interim solution. It’s not. It never was.
Homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues all fall under the provincial mandate — the city alone cannot solve these problems. We require long-term solutions which only the province can provide.
If Prince George and the province are serious about addressing homelessness, they must stop chasing quick fixes and start looking at permanent, long-term solutions. That means purpose-built facilities with onsite supports, designed from the ground up with dignity, safety, and sustainability in mind.
The Knights Inn project and the North Star Inn are a stopgap. Their failure was foreseeable.
Hopefully, this is the last time we mistake emergency shelter for support and a housing strategy.
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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Transitional housing residents at the former Knights Inn motel will be moved to new homes as the building has become uninhabitable. That’s city hall in the background.
Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher
Terresa Randall-Stolz Owner
Canada.
du Canada.
OPINION
Closing Moccasin Flats will lead to other problems for downtown Prince George
We are just going to play whack-a-mole when the camp is shut down.
They will be looking for new places to set up permanently and in the mean time be more agitated on the streets of PG.
A lot of these people are sad to say but beyond help, working with a lot of multi barrier clients, it does feel good when they overcome their addictions and get back to being productive members of society.
But some of them are just ....too far gone, years of drug abuse have left them incoherent and unable to be productive members of society.
My issue is the kids, they still have a chance, but the system is failing them and I see more and more CHILDREN ending up in these bad circles because they feel like their is no where else to turn, much from broken home lives but also a lot from bullying and lack of known resources.
Shame to the predators getting these teens addicted to drugs so they can have an army of zombies to steal for them.
PGBornandRaised
Prince George-area teacher suspended for one day for professional misconduct
There are many teachers who are working simply for the time-off benefits of paid Christmas and spring breaks, paid sick days and unpaid annual two month summer vacation.
These are the teachers who clock in and out exactly on time and put the minimal amount of effort into teaching.
These are the “teachers“ who detract from the really good teachers in the system that make a positive difference in childrens lives.
No child remembers a lousy teacher, they only remember the good ones. It’s too bad the system doesn’t weed out the teacher rot so that the good teachers can flourish. Stop protecting the lousy teachers BCTF.
BGeez
Letter to the editor: Let’s not forget why Mr. PG is Prince George’s mascot
I would like to see a 75-foot high Mr. PG at the casino corner.
It would be great for promoting Prince George.
A great tourist attraction. LARGEST STICK MAN IN THE WORLD.
bill lloyd-jones
CEO Colin Carson leaving Tourism Prince George
Carson hit the nail on the head when he says the greatest strength of PG is the friendliness of its people.
That is so true and that is what is so vexxing about PG for those of us who have tried living elsewhere.
That for so many who move away to warmer, less isolated climes eventually many move back.
He’ll be back in five years.
BGeez
Enbridge pipeline expansion could bring up to 850 workers to Mackenzie area
Great news for Mackenzie !! As an EMR on various projects up and down the pine pass over the last three years I think the need to address emergency services is also a priority.
With 850 people employed in the area and Mackenzie’ss hospital staffing issues there could be an issue if a serious event occurred.
Dan E. Moffat
BC Hydro’s North Coast project will start with new power lines out of PG
“...reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling customers to switch from fossil fuels to clean electricity,”
This raises questions in my mind.
Is this “clean electricity” delivered with an entirely separate transmission line? Will customers have to connect to the new line? If not, how can customers tell which electricity they’re using? Will customers have the option of staying on fossil fuel generated electricity? Where will BC Hydro get all this increased amount of “clean electricity” from, considering they already import 20 per cent of our electricity?
Art Betke
Knights Inn housing facility faces imminent closure
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
After nearly four years of overseeing a transitional housing project to support people at risk of homelessness at the former Knights Inn in downtown Prince George, the end is near for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre’s (PGNFC) involvement as the program’s operator.
A letter from BC Housing has been circulating to the remaining tenants which confirms the building at 650 Dominion St. will be closing.
“It’s due to the shape of the building,” said Jennifer Harrington, the Native Friendship Centre’s director of supportive housing.
Some of the 47 units in the building have been damaged with holes around light switches and fixtures that have exposed wires.
A stairway had to be closed because it was deemed unsafe, and there have been reports of poor water quality and mice in the building.
PGNFC executive director Barb WardBurkitt admits the state of the building has suffered from the effects of housing some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, people at various stages of substance addictions and some with mental health and hoarding issues.
“The Knights Inn was opened as a result of moving folks from Moccasin Flats when they tried closing it down three years ago and BC Housing reached out to us to ask us to be the operator to do that,” said Ward-Burkitt.
“It was supposed to be a one-year project. It’s coming to the end of our contract with BC Housing, so we’re working to move many of those folks from Knights Inn into other housing,” she said. “The reason we are moving away from that contract after three years is that’s an old building and it’s been harder to maintain that building, so we’ve made the decision as an organization to not be a provider in that facility.”
Knights Inn was used by Northern Health during the pandemic to provide temporary housing for street people to
isolate them from the COVID-19 virus. When the Friendship Centre took it over in 2021, all 47 units were occupied. There are now just eight people living there.
The PGNFC has found other accommodation for 22 residents in recent months and Ward-Burkitt says it’s been difficult finding the remaining tenants alternative housing in the city.
“We’ve moved many of those individuals onto the main floor, so they’re not in the upstairs, to the best of the not necessarily excellent rooms,” she said. “Almost every one of them agreed to a new room that was freshened up (with paint) but not every one of them because they’re paying rent and they can make their own decisions. I think only two of the 11 chose not to move into a fresh room.”
Although the BC Housing letter to tenants lists March 30, 2026 as the day Knights Inn will be shut down permanently, a firm date has yet to be determined. Harrington said it won’t be closed until everyone living there has a place to go.
“We would like to be wrapping up a little bit before that and it’s because of the building, it’s not because of the program or the people there,” said Harrington. “This was supposed to end almost a year ago and we’re just trying to make sure everybody gets housed, so
we’re really hoping that before the snow flies everyone is out of there.”
Knowing their contract was coming to an end, the PGNFC did not replace tenants as they moved out and that’s been the policy for about the past year.
“We didn’t keep people coming in there because then we would have been setting ourselves up for having to house a whole bunch of more people at the end of the project,” said Harrington. “It always had an end date and we’ve really tried to accommodate the people that live there the best we can.
“The stairs have been decommissioned but they have put up stairs that meet the regulation to make them safe. It is something that we need to move people on to more permanent housing within the community.”
Some of the former Knights Inn tenants have been moved to the 30-unit Fraser Inn at 1616 Queensway, bought by BC Housing in 2023, along with the adjacent Direct Art building. Others have found places to live in housing provided by other social agencies.
The PGNFC provides Knights Inn tenants with daily meals and collaborates with other agencies such as the Brain Injured Group and central Interior Native Health to offer wraparound support to the people living there.
Knights Inn is one of seven supportive housing facilities the PGNFC operates
for adults and the centre also provides youth supportive housing.
The city’s long-term plan for the building is to demolish it to make way for the Civic Core Plan redevelopment, a project to replace Kopar Memorial Arena and add to the Prince George Civic and Convention Centre at Canada Games Place.
The city bought the motel in March 2024 for $4.15 million. BC Housing paid the city $1.134 million up front (based on the monthly cost of $47,250) to cover a two-year lease that runs through March 30, 2026. The remaining $3.036 million of the purchase price was paid for from the city’s Endowment Reserve Fund.
The city’s collaboration with BC Housing on the building purchase follows a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2023 that formalizes a commitment for the province and municipal governments to work together on projects that support unhoused people in the city.
BC Housing is currently renovating the second 30-unit building of its Victoria Street Housing Project in the former North Star Inn and Suites at 1500 Victoria St. Its larger 60-unit building has been occupied for about a year and has been plagued with vandalism, violent incidents involving tenants and fires set in the units.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Knights Inn at 650 Dominion St., has provided supportive housing to some of the city’s most vulnerable people since 2021.
New general store planned for Hart intersecton
It would be built where Ness Lake Road meets Chief Lake Road
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
MACKENZIE — The board of directors for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George decided to temporarily hold off on moving forward with removing a restrictive covenant to allow for the future construction of a general store at the corner of Ness Lake Road and Chief Lake Road at its Thursday, June 19 meeting.
Applicants Myrna and Howard Thiessen are looking for a 0.58-hectare portion of the property at the northeast corner of the intersection to be rezoned to allow for general store use.
“Our goal would be to provide a service of household basics and necessities at our general store,” a letter from the Thiessens about the rezoning application said.
“In addition, we would like to offer animal feed, farm suppliers and have a small snack and coffee bar … a future addition would be to add a tack store in the upstairs of the building. The building would be roughly 2,000 square feet with an upper floor to allow more space.”
Directors were given four options for the rezoning: hold a public hearing, proceed without a public hearing, postpone consideration of the zoning bylaw until further information is received and not proceed with the application by defeating first reading of the bylaw.
Information on the rezoning application was accepted for consideration, but no decisions were made regarding the proposed changes.
In addition, there’s a section 219 restrictive covenant established in 1985 ties both that parcel and an adjacent 45.37-hectare parcel used for residence and agricultural activities together.
However, the parcels are on separate property titles.
The Thiessens want that covenant dissolved so that the business won’t be attached to a mortgage on the other parcel, they said in a letter to the regional district.
“We are looking into the possibility of using this property commercially as a general store,” the letter said.
“In the event that this goes forward, we feel like it would be necessary if we ever wanted to sell our residence or the business separately. A second reason is that we have had difficulty using our property as collateral in purchasing other properties due to the fact that financial institutions wouldn’t be able to foreclose on the property as they have to stay together.”
Though the property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve, a backgrounder document states that the applicants have confirmed with the Agricultural Land Commission that the property is exempt from restrictions because the property was subdivided before Dec. 21, 1972.
A letter from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit attached to the backgrounder said that because of the property’s proximity to Chief Lake Road, access to the proposed general store would have to be through the owners’ adjacent property.
While discussing the covenant discharge application, Vice-chair Art Kaehn (Woodpecker-Hixon) said that if it was removed, the property owners could end up building something other than a store or just selling the lot. He wondered if the regional district could place any conditions to ensure that a store would be built.
Director Victor Mobley (Salmon River-Lakes) said he thought it might be premature to remove the covenant before the public process for the rezoning has completed.
Ultimately, directors voted to postpone consideration of discharging the covenant.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Reference # PPC-03-26-31
As per the Integrated Pest Management Regulaton of Britsh Columbia, Secton 61(1) this is Public Notfcaton that:
Pembina Pipeline Corporaton is renewing an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under the BC Integrated Pest Management Regulaton (IPMR). Vegetaton management will be performed on facilites, rights-of-way, and related infrastructure within the province of Britsh Columbia which includes the Lower Mainland, Thompson, Cariboo, North Coast and Northern BC encompassing many Regional Districts. Under these regulatons this plan is required to be updated every 5 years (the proposed term of this plan is fve years from June 2026 to June 2031).
Select treatments including mechanical, manual, preventatve and herbicides will be used to control growth of unwanted vegetaton. This plan ensures reduced fre risk, maximized public safety and access to facilites and rights-of-way for maintenance and operatonal data collecton. These select treatment applicatons may also be used in accordance with the Weed Control Act by orders from the B.C. Ministry or local jurisdictonal authorites. Herbicides will be applied to facilites and in specifc cases for invasive species control. Herbicides will be applied at low applicaton rates, by backpack sprayers with wands for selectve foliar and soil applicatons and ATVs with spray tanks and power nozzles for foliar applicatons. The use of pestcides is intended within the area to which the IPMP applies. Trade names and actve ingredients of herbicides proposed under this IPMP are:
•Herbicide actve ingredients proposed under this program include: Glyphosate, Aminopyralid, Metsulfuron-methyl, Flumioxazin, Pyroxasulfone, Imazapyr, Triclopyr, 2,4-D Amine, MCPA, Indazifam, Clopyralid, Aminocyclopyrachlor, Propyzamide, Fluroxypyr, Dicamba, Mecoprop-P, Dichlorprop-P, Florpyrauxifen, Safufenacil, Chlorsulfuron, Acetc Acid
•Trade names: RT540, Milestone, Clearview, Torpedo EZ, Arsenal Powerline, Garlon XRT, 2,4-D Amine 600, MCPA 600, Esplanade SC, Lontrel 360, Navius VM, Kerb SC, Octain XL, Banvel VM, Mecoprop-P, Estaprop XT, Rinskor, Detail, Telar XP, Munger Vinegar Plus
A copy of the draf pest management plan is available for viewing at: htps://www.pembina.com/pest-management
Map(s) are available upon request.
For more informaton, please contact the IPM agent, E-Qwest Consultng at email: clover.eqwest@gmail.com or alternatvely you can contact the applicant Pembina Pipeline Corporaton at:
Moe Ouellet, Supervisor, Environment 56116 RR 220, Sturgeon County, Box 459, Alberta, T0A 2W0 Phone: 780-912-3214
Email: mouellet@pembina.com
A person wishing to contribute informaton about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of this Pest Management Plan may send copies of the informaton to the email address above within 30 days of the publicaton of this notce.
Mayor to face disciplinary panel over engineering work
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George Mayor Simon Yu says allegations levied against him in relation to engineering work done before he entered public office are “complete misinformation of the facts.”
The website for Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia lists disciplinary hearings for Sing-Yau (Simon) Yu scheduled for July 18, Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, 2025 based on a citation dated Sept. 26, 2024.
That organization regulates and governs professional engineers and geoscientists in BC, with only people licensed by it allowed to work in those fields.
Before running for mayor in 2022, Yu worked as an engineer for decades.
The citation alleges that Yu committed professional misconduct, violated Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s code of ethics and bylaws and violated BC’s Engineers and Geoscientists Act while submitting documentation supporting a building permit application for an addition to a cabin at Cluculz Lake in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
The lake is about 65 kilometres west from Prince George by road.
In submitting the documentation, the citation alleges that Yu wrote and authenticated two letters, one certifying the construction of a retaining wall and another certifying the stability of a slope and soil retaining wall “despite not having sufficient geotechnical expertise to provide such a certification.”
It further alleges that the retaining wall letter fell below professional standards by expressing opinions based on insufficient investigation and supporting information and failing to include information required by both the BC Building Code and professional practice guidelines.
For the slope stability letter, the citation alleges that it was not prepared according to the organization’s guidelines and bylaws.
Along with the letters, the citation said that Yu authenticated eight drawings for the projects’ “overall design, including both geotechnical and
structural aspects, despite those drawings being deficient,” as well as failing to comply with several requirements.
On a letter of assurance dated Dec. 21, 2021, Yu is alleged to have crossed out a reference to “geotechnical aspects of deep foundations” despite the drawings indicating that the project had a deep foundation.
Through the alleged actions, the citation said Yu violated Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s code of ethics. It also accuses Yu of not having kept documents relating to the project for at least 10 years, contrary to the organization’s bylaws.
The ethics rules Yu is accused of violating include holding the safety, health and welfare of the public paramount, only practicing in fields in which a person is professionally competent, having regard for the common law, having regard for applicable standards, providing professional opinions that distinguish between facts, assumptions and opinions, undertake work and documentation with due diligence.
The citation, signed by investigation committee chair Peter Helland, states
not built after it turned out that part of the retaining wall was located on the neighbouring property.
Yu pulled out his cell phone and showed The Citizen photos of the wall he took this May which he said show that there are no problems with it.
“Any geotechnical engineer or structural engineer should be able to design a simple little wall like that based on the knowledge they have received in university,” Yu said. “I have done third-, fourth- and fifth-year university (courses) on geotechnical studies.”
Throughout his career, the mayor said he has inspected hundreds of these kinds of walls, including a retaining wall along Highway 16 on the stretch that connects downtown to the intersection with Highway 97.
If geotechnical engineers were needed to look at walls like that, Yu said, BC would probably need a couple of thousand more of them and would need to change the university curriculum for the profession.
that Yu has the right to be represented by legal counsel at the hearing at his own expense as well as cross-examine all witnesses called and give evidence in his own defence.
If Yu fails to attend the hearing, the citation warns that the discipline committee has the right to continue with proceedings if it feels he was given advance notification.
Speaking with The Citizen after the Tuesday, June 17 meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Safety, Yu said the charges stem from a complaint made by a building inspector in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
He wondered whether there was a political element to the complaint.
At the Cluculz Lake property in question, he said the owners wanted him to comment on whether a block lock wall installed originally in 1984 that was three and a half layers high was safe.
Later, Yu said, the owners wanted to build a 14-by-19-foot large shed and he was asked to comment on a sketch they prepared of screw piles that would be used to anchor the building.
He said that ultimately, the shed was
As for the other allegations about record keeping, he said there were no related documents required for the project and if more information was required, they could have just asked him for it. He said the building inspector never asked him to provide any detailed information.
When Yu attends the hearing, he said, he will be bringing a lawyer with him.
“I will vigorously defend my honour,” he said.
According to the organization’s website, disciplinary hearings are open to the public. The website’s profile for Yu states that he has no previous disciplinary history.
BC’s Professional Governance Act states that if a disciplinary committee decides against a respondent, they must choose one of the following options: reprimand them, impose a penalty of not more than $100,000, impose other conditions under its rules, suspend their registration as a member, cancel their registration, require them to complete a remedial program or require them to appear before a committee to prove their competence in the practice.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said allegations made against him by Engineers and Geoscientists of BC relate to this lock block retaining wall at a Cluculz Lake property he looked at in 2021.
Culture and faith at the Santacruzan
Members of Prince George’s Filipino community take part in the Santacruzan parade, making their way down Patricia Boulevard and back to Sacred Heart Cathedral, on Sunday, June 22. Santacruzan, held each May, celebrates the discovery of the Holy Cross by St. Helena, mother of Roman emporer Constantine, who brought Christianity to Rome. The traditional cultural event sees people in traditional Filipino clothing taking part in what is both a cultural tradition and faith tradition. The parade was followed by a cultural presentation, potluck and cooking contest.
Teacher suspended for one day over professional misconduct
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
A teacher from School District 57 was suspended for one day, June 16, for “professional misconduct,’ according to a BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision.
Ingrid Anne Stengler agreed to a one-day suspension of her certificate of qualification after the commissioner’s May 21 decision.
In addition to her suspension, Stengler agreed to complete the course Creating a Positive Learning Environment through the Justice Institute of BC. Details of the nature of the misconduct were not made public by the commission.
In a statement Tuesday, the Ministry of Education and Child Care stated that the commissioner must balance the need for transparency in the discipline process with the obligation to protect
student privacy.
In some cases, identifying details such as the name of a school or past conduct may be withheld to avoid revealing the identities of students.
The ministry declined to comment on specific incidents reported to the commissioner, citing these confidentiality rules.
It said the relevant school district, as the teacher’s employer, is best positioned to answer questions about the educator’s current role.
The Citizen reached out to School District 57 for more information, but has received no comment.
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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Teacher Ingrid Anne Stengler faced disciplinary action and was suspended for one day.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Man guilty of manslaughter, not murder
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge in Prince George acquitted a Kwadacha man of second degree murder on June 17 because he was too drunk to form the intent to kill his wife.
But Justice Sandra Sukstorf found Brent Angus McCook guilty of manslaughter, because it was beyond reasonable doubt that he fired the shots at the vehicle in which Rochelle Poole was sitting on Jan. 24, 2023.
For reasons unknown, McCook loaded his .308 calibre Tikka rifle and discharged it twice from within the residence in the town, also known as Fort Ware, towards his parked truck outside. Two bullets passed through the windshield. One fatally struck Poole in the head.
“There’s no direct evidence of foresight or deliberation,” Sukstorf said in her oral verdict. “There’s no indication Mr. McCook saw Miss Poole in the vehicle, no suggestion of motive or prior conflict, and no evidence that he targeted her.”
McCook’s lawyers asserted that he was so extremely drunk at the time that he was “unable to form the intention necessary to support a conviction of murder,” Sukstorf said.
Sukstorf said that, over the course of 17 consecutive hours, beginning Jan. 23, 2023, “McCook consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, witnesses
A judge has found a man guilty of manslaughter in the death of his wife. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder but it was ruled that he was too drunk at the time to form intent.
described the alcohol’s physical and behavioural impact on Mr. McCook becoming increasingly pronounced over the time period in question.”
McCook did not testify, so there was direct evidence about his state of mind or intent at the time of the shooting.
Sukstorf said it is common sense that, the more impaired someone becomes, the greater the likelihood that their conduct may become uninhibited or unintended. They may not understand the consequences of their actions.
An RCMP officer testified that, after his arrest, McCook needed assistance at the detachment in getting undressed. He was capable of walking and speaking, but his cognitive abilities were notably compromised and he made a
series of incoherent statements.
An officer testified that McCook was too drunk to understand what was being communicated to him and he made “emotional and nonsensical remarks,” including telling a constable that “he loved him and wanted to honour him for his service.”
Sukstorf ordered pre-sentencing reports, including an analysis of the impact of McCook’s Indigenous heritage, with a deadline of Sept. 22, the day that she set a hearing to fix dates for McCook’s sentencing.
The Criminal Code says that, when a firearm is used to commit manslaughter, the minimum punishment is four years and the maximum sentence is life in prison.
Shoplifer was on house arrest when caught
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A woman pleaded guilty in Prince George Provincial Court on June 11 to theft under $5,000 and breach of a release order for a shoplifting scheme while she should have been at home.
Judge Cassandra Malfair set Aug. 20 for pre-sentencing reports and a hearing to schedule sentencing for Dana Leanne Marshall, who was born in 1971. Court heard that Marshall and Kenneth James Marshall, born 1972,
entered the Real Canadian Superstore on Ferry Avenue in Prince George with a cart full of reusable bags around 2:30 p.m. on March 11.
They selected and concealed several items before arriving at the checkout.
Dana Marshall proceeded to pay for basic items, such as popcorn, bread and milk, while Kenneth Marshall prepared to leave the store with bags containing more-expensive items, including electronics.
They were arrested immediately upon exiting the store and the merchandise
Fitness hearing for killer in courthouse stabbing
A woman guilty of committing second-degree murder outside the Prince George courthouse almost five years ago will undergo a fitness hearing on Aug. 11, a B.C. Supreme Court judge decided June 19.
Justice Neena Sharma also granted another two weeks for Charlene Jane Alexander, 59, to undergo a fitness assessment that she originally ordered almost a month ago. Alexander’s lawyer Lisa Helps said the assessment is not complete and her client may see an additional specialist.
Sharma also reiterated a ban on publication of the details of Alexander’s health condition.
in store
returned to the retailer.
Malfair was told the items totalled $1,057 in value.
Kenneth Marshall pleaded guilty April 30 to the same charges and was sentenced to time served and a 12-month probation term.
At the time of the incident, Dana Marshall was under court-ordered house arrest, hence the other charge. She pleaded guilty of theft under $5,000 in May 2024 and was sentenced to a conditional discharge and nine-month probation.
“We’ve set Aug. 11 as a date for a fitness hearing, but what exactly we will be deciding on Aug. 11 will depend on the report,” Crown prosecutor Tyler Bauman told Sharma. “And there’s layers of legal complexity that are different than simply making a finding of fitness, pre-conviction.”
Alexander was originally charged in September 2021. She could face a jail term of between 10 and 25 years without parole for the July 2, 2020 fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Jessie Mae Hayward-Lines.
RCMP officers were called to the courthouse around 10 p.m. that night. Hayward-Lines died in hospital.
The victim’s mother, Paula Hayward, is angry that justice is delayed again.
“We’re made to go through this for four years, in and out of court, in and out of court,” Hayward said in an interview. “I’ve had to relive my daughter’s death multiple times now, and I don’t get it.”
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Court dismisses appeal over allegatons of racist judge
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge dismissed an appeal from a Prince George solar power installer who accused a Provincial Court judge of racial bias in a small claims trial.
Blue Green Solar Ltd. was ordered to pay customers Chris Lewis and Denise Bauman $3,669.86 in a March 2024 decision by a judge in Burns Lake.
Blue Green had claimed $12,613.12 in unpaid bills in a November 2022 filing.
Justice Ronald Tindale’s June 19 ruling said Blue Green owner Michael Yearwood appeared on his own behalf at the Jan. 8-9 appeal hearing, where he argued that Regional Administrative Judge Calvin Struyk erred by assessing witness credibility on race, “because Mr. Yearwood who is black was not believed and the witnesses for the respondent who were white were believed.”
Allegations of racial bias in a small-claims court trial involving a BC solar panel company led to an appeal, which was later dismissed.
Tindale found no evidence in Struyk’s reasons for judgment or transcript to give any weight to Yearwood’s argument.
He said Struyk lost confidence in Yearwood’s credibility when he alleged that Lewis brandished a firearm in January 2022, but his partner and video evidence do not “support that version of events.”
The dispute began when Chris Lewis and Denise Bauman hired the company
and paid a $20,000 deposit towards work and materials.
Blue Green invoiced them $12,613.12 for the outstanding amount payable, which was reduced to $7,122.62 in the small claims ruling.
When they replied to the lawsuit in December 2022, Lewis and Bauman counterclaimed for $42,828.83, alleging incomplete work, damage to their home and improper billing.
Struyk awarded Lewis and Bauman
$10,792.48 on their counterclaim.
Tindale found that Lewis and Bauman did not comply with some pretrial directions about document disclosure and statements, but both parties had the opportunity to explain their positions to the judge.
Yearwood unsuccessfully argued the Provincial Court decision was unfair because two police officers he wanted to call as witnesses did not appear in court.
However, he did not summon the officers and did not ask for an adjournment because they did not attend. Tindale said it was up to Struyk to conduct the trial as he saw fit and there was nothing unfair about it.
“Judge Struyk did not make any palpable or overriding errors in the manner that he conducted the small claims trial,” Tindale wrote.
Tindale found Lewis and Bauman are entitled to recoup their costs for the appeal.
Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine Project
Invitation to Comment
Thompson Creek Metals Company is proposing to expand the Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine project, located approximately 90 km northeast of Fort St. James, B.C. They have applied to extend the mine life by 7 years, by expanding the pit and increasing tailings storage, stockpiles, groundwater withdrawal and camp capacity, as well as adding transportation routes for mined materials through additional communities.
To support e ective and e cient regulatory reviews, the ministries of Mining and Critical Minerals and Environment and Parks will also use feedback from this public comment period to inform their permitting processes.
Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.’s proposed changes to the project require changes to their Environmental Management Act Permit, including: updating the mine site infrastructure to include tailings surge ponds, allowing acid scrubber liquid waste to be discharged into Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), allowing the TSF to discharge an undetermined amount of liquid waste directly into groundwater, and removing the requirement for liquid waste from waste rock pits to be directed into the TSF at closure.
You may also submit comments by mail: Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine Project, PO box 9426, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8W
Man with machete threatens downtown store owner
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
Sue Bloomingdale says she’s had enough.
The owner of Sisters Rock’n Gems was heading into work recently when she was confronted by a man wielding a machete in an alley behind her store at 1476 Fourth Ave.
She had just turned into the alley to park when she saw the man trying to break into the neighbouring store.
“He saw that I saw him, and that’s when he pulled the machete out,” she said. “Because I saw him, he thinks it’s OK to pull a machete out, and I felt threatened.”
She said she was reminded of a friend — her mechanic — who lost sight in his right eye after a violent robbery.
“I wasn’t going to let it go,” she said. The man initially pulled the machete out and then put it back. Bloomingdale backed into her parking spot, but said he turned toward her again and made a threatening gesture with the blade.
“It was like he was saying, ‘Keep your mouth shut or I’ll get you,’” she said. “I’ve just had enough. That’s when I called the police.”
She said officers arrived quickly and arrested the suspect before he reached the end of the alley. Four police cars were involved in boxing him in.
Bloomingdale said police recommended she seek a restraining order, which she agreed to — but it came with a downside.
“That means he now has my full name and the store’s address, which is not ideal,” she said.
She expressed frustration with what she described as a revolving-door justice system.
“The police do the right thing and take them away, but after that something goes very wrong in our system and the criminals get out right away,” she said. “That’s not right. There are no consequences.”
The man has been charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug.
20, and Bloomingdale said she plans to attend — which means she’ll have to close her store for the day.
She also questioned city planning decisions, saying shelters for unhoused individuals are being placed too close to retail businesses.
“Why can’t we have a safe place for businesses, and a safe place for those needing help, that is away from us?” she asked. “Drug addicts are unpredictable and have become more and more violent recently. How can I expect my customers to feel safe when I don’t even feel safe?”
Bloomingdale said running a small business leaves no room for days off, and she doesn’t believe physical threats should be part of the job.
“I feel the issue lies with — you can’t have Specialty Avenue and allow these shelters to surround us,” she said. “You can’t expect drug addicts not to act like drug addicts.”
She said many people struggling with addiction resort to theft to feed their habits, and are released too quickly after being caught.
“It used to be a safe area of downtown,” she said. “It’s Specialty Avenue!
That should still mean something. Look at all the beautiful shops and restaurants on Third Avenue, too. Why should we be forced to move from downtown because we don’t feel safe?”
Bloomingdale said the situation has prompted many businesses to install buzzers on their locked doors to control who enters.
“It’s always something down here,” she said.
One recent incident involved a man lighting a bonfire in the alley behind her store, claiming it was because his girlfriend had broken up with him.
“What?! It just doesn’t make any sense to me,” she said. “And the unhoused people in the downtown core are just allowed to keep behaving like this.”
She said the problem worsened after wildfires in Williams Lake brought evacuees to Prince George, adding that the homeless population has grown and
become more violent.
“We used to help the homeless who were down on their luck,” she said. “But then it seemed like there were so many violent people from out of town, and they just kept coming.”
Bloomingdale said shelters are now spread throughout the city, including in residential areas, and it isn’t working.
“My daughter lives in College Heights and the homeless moved into her kids’ tree fort,” she said.
“There are needles all over the ground. At Spruceland, you’ve got to be careful. Parkwood businesses have suffered — the grocery store moved because of it, I’m sure.”
She said people experiencing homelessness have told her they don’t feel safe in the shelters.
“There are gangs in there, and they get beat up,” she said. “They say staff can be disrespectful, and when they sleep, all their belongings get stolen.”
Bloomingdale said she believes the city needs to take a more comprehensive approach. “Why aren’t we addressing these issues?” she asked. “Something has to be done about all of it.”
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
This is historic Corless House, built in 1917, in which Sisters Rock’n Gems is located on Specialty Avenue, 1276 Fourth Ave. in downtown Prince George.
Bloomingdale
Reduce home wildfre risk through city’s new free mitgaton program
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The City of Prince George has launched a new program aimed at reducing wildfire risk for residents through the FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program.
Residents can book a free visit from a local wildfire expert who will assess their home and yard and provide personalized tips to make their property safer.
“We’re excited to offer the FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program here in Prince George,” said Tanya Spooner, the city’s manager of emergency programs.
“Community members have a key role in ensuring their own safety during a wildfire, and we hope homeowners will take advantage of the opportunity to work with a wildfire mitigation specialist
and take action to reduce wildfire risks to their home.”
The city says wildfire mitigation specialists will tour residents’ homes and surrounding properties to identify risks and offer practical steps to reduce them.
Residents who complete the tour may be eligible for a FireSmart certificate, which is awarded following mitigation efforts and a successful follow-up inspection.
They may also qualify for insurance incentives or discounts.
The program is a partnership between FireSmart Canada, FireSmart BC, local and provincial governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector.
To learn more about the program or to book an assessment, visit firesmartbcplatform.ca/ request-home-inspection.
Quesnel mill goes up in fames
A Quesnel firefighter deals with a flareup outside the East Fraser Fibre mill, which caught fire the night before, on Sunday, June 22. The mill caught fire the night before. The fire, which broke out at about 10 p.m. Saturday, June 21, forced the closure of Highway 96 overnight. Detours were in effect near Finning Road as Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department crews worked to extinguish the flames. The highway reopened early Sunday morning. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire, nor was there a damage estimate.
Tomorrow is what BC has to o er.
Tomorrow is on.™
When we think of energy, it’s easy to remember the technical terms like kilowatts and e ciency. But what does it really mean to us, as people? It’s warming up the house when it’s chilly. It’s sterilizing medical tools for our doctors and nurses. It’s firing up the BBQ to enjoy some delicious salmon.
Enbridge is proud to be at the heart of what makes beautiful BC thrive—supporting the things you love and driving key industries like healthcare, manufacturing, construction and more. Above all, we’re committed to keeping natural gas a ordable, reliable and versatile—empowering BC today and for the tomorrows to come.
Visit enbridge.com/bc to learn more.
Game developer investng in Indigenous-led tech
Willow River’s Josh Nilson was a co-founder of East Side Games
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
If you had told Josh Nilson as a kid that he’d one day be making games for the cast of Trailer Park Boys, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Office, he probably wouldn’t have believed you.
But Nilson has not only hit major milestones in the video game industry — he’s also investing in his community to help foster more Indigenous involvement in tech.
Nilson, who is Métis, grew up in Willow River, a village of about 150 people located 30 kilometres east of Prince George. He’s now based in Vancouver.
From a young age, he was fascinated by technology, especially video games. He told The Citizen he grew up during the golden age of retro consoles and spent his summers playing Atari, ColecoVision and Dungeons & Dragons
“I initially wanted to work for TSR and work on D&D or making board games,” said Nilson.
“When I went to school, they didn’t really have the programs we have now. So on Career Day, when I said I wanted to make games, they asked if I was going to university. I didn’t think university was in the cards. So I said, I guess I’ll work in hospitality.”
Nilson spent close to 15 years travelling the country, opening kitchens in restaurants and hotels. He began an IT course at Capilano University in 2001, but it wasn’t until a friend mentioned they were hiring in an IT department that his tech career truly began.
He started in IT at Relic Entertainment and quickly moved into production, working on titles like Company of Heroes and Dawn of War
But Nilson says a major life decision helped steer him toward real success.
“My wife said, why don’t we quit our jobs and backpack around the world? I was almost 30 and thought, if I don’t
do it now, I’ll regret it. So we did that,” he said. “When I came back to games, I noticed a new kind of game — stuff you could play online and connect with friends on Facebook. I had been playing a lot of Facebook and mobile games while travelling. So I thought, what if I worked for a company making those?”
That idea led him to a studio that was later sold, and ultimately, Nilson became one of the three founders of East Side Games.
Since then, East Side Games has become a major player in the mobile gaming market.
“We were the only licensed Trailer Park Boys game in existence, and it became one of East Side Games’ most successful titles,” said Nilson. “We did over 30 games — not all of them survived — but we grew our team to over 200 people and went public on the TSX. We’re one of the only game studios in Canada that has done that, and we did it during the pandemic.”
Over the past 20 years, Nilson and his team have launched popular games including Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money, The Office: Somehow We Manage, RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar, The Gang Goes Mobile, Star Trek: Lower Decks and Cheech & Chong’s Kush Kingdom.
In 2021, East Side Games was acquired by another mobile studio, LEAF, in a $159-million deal.
Since then, Nilson has shifted some of his focus to entrepreneurship and Indigenous tech.
His latest venture, Maskwa Investments, supports tech startups through funding and consultation, with a strong focus on Indigenous-led companies.
So far, Maskwa has invested in Spark Agency Group, a marketing and communications firm; Artemis, a data stack monitoring company; and Maskwa Games.
“I’ve made a number of investments already, and I have more pending,” he
said. “We also started an Indigenous tech circle. It began with six people during the pandemic, and now we have nearly a thousand Indigenous tech professionals. We do programming and we’re now a registered non-profit.”
Nilson shared his guiding philosophy for fostering Indigenous entrepreneurship and tech leadership.
“I’m just having fun doing this,” he said. “The best thing I’m doing is social impact investing — investing to disrupt and in areas that not many others are exploring. Now I’m trying something new: social impact gaming.
“I’m investing in games that get people thinking differently. My hope is we can train 100 Indigenous youth to become game developers. One of them is going to make a game way better than anything I’ve done. Then, one generation from now, we’ll have 1,000 Indigenous developers — then 10,000 — then 100,000.”
JOSH NILSON PHOTO
Nilson returns to Great White Toys in Prince George, a place that he said helped foster his love of tech at a young age. The store is owned by Citizen owner and publisher Cameron Stolz.
12 businesses stll up for Northern Angel Summit’s $100K
The competition puts people with business ideas to the test, with $100,000 in private capital from local investors the prize
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Twelve semi-finalists have been chosen to move on to the finals in the Northern Angel Summit.
It’s a new annual program aimed at driving innovation in the North by providing private capital to local businesses seeking to expand their reach.
The 10-week investment readiness program brought together 24 Northern businesses to compete for a chance to earn $100,000 in private capital from a group of 20 angel investors.
The companies made pitches to the investors, who then narrowed the field down to 12.
The semi-finalists are:
• Design Time
• Edison Motors Ltd.
• Forefront Energy Ltd.
• Hope Innovations
• North Pacific Kelp Wild Foods Inc.
• Open Waters Design and Manufacturing Ltd.
• ProDelta Projects
• skiKrumb Trackers
• Sporalis Biotech
• Squiggly Things
• Tree Track Intelligence Inc.
• Trueleaf Petcare Inc.
Two of the 12 semi-finalists — Design Time, a local software company, and Open Waters Design and Manufacturing Ltd., which manufactures solar panels — are based in Prince George.
Mary Myytting, executive director of the Northern Innovation Network, spoke to The Citizen about what these businesses can expect as they prepare to pitch again to the angel investors on Sept. 8 and 9.
“In early September, the angels will get together with the founders and
ask the burning questions they want answered,” said Myytting.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to understand: What’s the special sauce of this company? What’s going to make it successful? What’s going to give it market traction?”
Founders will have 10 minutes to pitch their ideas to the angel investors and explain how their businesses can bring jobs and economic growth to the North.
After the top six companies are selected, they will advance to the Summit Finale, a public gala to be held Sept. 25.
The public will also have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award, given to the crowd favourite during the gala.
Myytting said the Northern Angel Summit highlights how northern businesses are uniquely positioned to contribute to the region’s economic development.
“Northerners are generally hard workers, and we’re innovative people,” she said.
“But we don’t necessarily commercialize some of the innovations that take place on the shop floor or in the field.
“By showcasing some of the innovative companies doing things in northern British Columbia, it’s really a call to get other innovators to come out, talk about their ideas, and get support for their companies. We also want some of the students who come out of UNBC to remain here — which means having
jobs they can move into.”
She added that the summit is also a chance for angel investors to build local business networks.
“We’re trying to build a network so that when these innovative companies get started, we can come alongside them and invest in them,” said Myytting. “The angels are just people who care
about the community. They might not be outrageously wealthy — they’re people who want to see our region thrive.
“Some of our angels will say, ‘It doesn’t matter to me how much of my investment I get back, or even if I get a return. What matters is that we’re helping someone try to do something in our region.’”
NORTHERN INNOVATION NETWORK PHOTO
Angel investors pose for a picture during the quarter-finals of the Northern Angel Summit.
Pipeline could bring up to 850 workers to Mackenzie
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
MACKENZIE — Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Program for the Westcoast natural gas pipeline will bring up to 850 workers to two locations near Mackenzie, the board of directors for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George heard at its Thursday, June 19 meeting.
Community and Indigenous relations advisor Jennifer Prochera and project co-ordinator Seanna McDonald made the trip up to the Mackenzie Recreation Centre to present information on the proposed expansion to the board.
The approximately 2,900-kilometre pipeline runs all the way from Fort Nelson near the border with Yukon Territory to the Sumas border crossing with Washington state, with branches that extend to Fort St. John and across the border into Alberta.
In May, it was announced that 36 First Nations including Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band were partnering to buy a $750 million minority stake in this pipeline. It was first built in 1957 by what was then known as the Westcoast Transmission Company. It was sold to Duke Energy in 2002, which eventually spun off its natural gas business into Spectra Energy, which then merged with Enbridge in 2017.
The expansion, Prochera explained, is proposed for what’s called the “T-South” branch of the pipeline that runs from the Pine Pass near Powder King Mountain Resort and Azouzetta Lake southwards to the U.S. border.
“Right now, there’s a 30- and 36-inch pipeline in the ground,” Prochera said. “We’re looking to do additional looping of 42-inch diameter pipeline … this involves us putting in compressor stations and then 139 kilometres of pipeline looping. That’s over 11 segments all the way from up in Azouzetta by Powder King all the way down to the Huntington-Sumas border.”
Enbridge’s website says that pipeline loops are additional segments that are installed parallel to existing systems to
add additional capacity.
“But it’s also a safety measure,” Prochera said. “If we need to do integrity work, maintenance work, we need to shut down a portion of the pipeline, that means BC is still receiving gas.”
With the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, five sections of pipeline looping are proposed:
• An 18.1-kilometre pipeline loop from a compressor station at McLeod Lake to Trapper Creek Road
• A 13.5-kilometre pipeline loop from south of McLeod Lake to north of Summit Lake
• A new natural gas compressor unit northeast of Mackenzie
• A 19.9-kilometre pipeline loop near Summit Lake to north of Salmon Valley
• A 5.1-kilometre pipeline loop running north of Woodpecker to a compressor
• A 20.8-kilometre pipeline loop from a compressor station to south of Hixon
On top of the looping, a new natural gas-powered compressor station is proposed for installation near Azouzetta Lake.
locations, workers will be staying at accommodations within communities. There are also expansions for the T-North part of the pipeline, but those are different projects.
After the presentation, Vice-chair Art Kaehn (Woodpecker-Hixon) said that the construction timeline will line up with the wind power project near Hixon being pursued by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Spanish firm Ecoener. He asked whether Enbridge had been in touch about sharing resources.
Prochera said that conversation has been had in other communities where mine expansion is taking place, but not yet with the Hixon wind project.
Three more electrified compressors are being proposed for installation at existing sites at 93 Mile House, Kingsvale and Othello. To accommodate that, 10 kilometres of new overhead power lines will need to be built.
To accommodate workers for the construction, two accommodation sites are proposed: one near Mackenzie housing up to 700 workers and one near Powder King housing up to 150 workers.
Prochera said McDonald will serve as a liaison between Enbridge and the District of Mackenzie for the temporary accommodation sites to make sure the chosen location and the construction doesn’t disrupt the community.
As part of the Canada Energy Regulation process, Prochera said Enbridge will need to complete a socioeconomic effects management plan as well. Another plan, she said, is being developed in Hixon.
“We talk a lot of transient workers in communities … accommodations, traffic, jobs, training, we’re still working through that process and then we’ll develop this into this management plan,” Prochera said.
The temporary sites are needed in the Mackenzie area because there aren’t a lot of existing accommodations. However, for the rest of the project
She said beyond the need for accommodations, a shared need for skilled workers among multiple projects is another challenge and that’s why engaging with the affected communities is important to understand the potential overlap.
Director Owen Torgerson (Village of McBride) said that based on previous experience, he recommended that medical needs like prescriptions are considered in the planning phases so that local health care facilities and staff aren’t inundated during construction.
He also said that a tight-knit code of conduct for workers is needed to emphasize to workers that they are guests in the communities they’re near and asked where the power for the electrical compressor stations are coming from.
From what she understands, Prochera said there aren’t any concerns about accessing the needed power and that if they’re needed, the compressor stations will still be able to be powered by natural gas.
Work on the Sunrise project started back in 2022 and an application was submitted to the Canada Energy Regulator on May 30, 2024. The application was deemed complete last fall, which kicked off a 450-day review process.
The company hopes that the regulator will give the product a certificate in the second quarter of 2026 and the new components will come online at the end of 2028.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Jennifer Prochera (right) and Seanna McDonald (left) of Enbridge give a presentation on the proposed Sunrise expansion project for the Westcoast natural gas pipeline to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s board of directors at the Mackenzie Recreation Centre on Thursday, June 19.
Proposed metallurgical coal mine could create jobs
It
would be located between Chetwynd
and Tumbler Ridge
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
MACKENZIE — A proposed metallurgical coal mine about halfway between Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge would create up to 400 direct jobs in nearby communities including Mackenzie, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s board of directors heard at its Thursday, June 19 meeting.
Presenting remotely on the Rocky Creek metallurgical coal project to directors assembled at the Mackenzie Recreation Centre was Judy Matkaluk, CTI Plus Resources’ manager of regulatory affairs and engagement.
Metallurgical coal, she said, is only used in the steel manufacturing process.
The project is located about 47 kilometres southwest of Chetwynd on Crown land. Most of the roads needed for the project are already built and there will be little new construction.
It was first conceived in 2019, with a feasibility study being launched in 2023.
Because the project would produce more than 250,000 tonnes of rock per year, Matkaluk said it will trigger both the federal and provincial environmental assessment process.
The project’s six proposed open pits in a northwest block and another pit in a separate southeast block are estimated to created three million tonnes of raw coal and two million tonnes of clean coal per year.
“We’re looking at approximately 10 years of mining for the northwest block and approximately one to two years for the southeast block,” Matkaluk said. “The last geology work that was done shows this to be a very high-grade coal.” Including construction and
Court overturns decision on insurance for landslide
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Court of Appeal tribunal overturned a BC Supreme Court ruling that limited an insurance broker’s role as an agent for an insurance company.
Deasan Holdings Ltd. successfully argued the lower court ruling erred in deciding Continental Casualty Company had no duty to defend it in a lawsuit after the massive 2018 landslide near Fort St. John.
“An insurance broker was acting as agent for Continental, and through its conduct, bound Continental to insure Deasan as owner of the gravel pit,” said the May 29 ruling, written by Justice Barbara Fisher. “The broker later accepted Deasan’s notice of a change in risk by way of start up of the gravel pit operation, by conduct and by operation
reclamation, the mine has a project total lifespan of approximately 16 years.
To ship the mined product out, Matkaluk said the mine would be able to access the rail loop near the Enersul Hasler Flats sulphur plant near Chetwynd to transport it to the Port of Prince Rupert.
A presented timeline showed that the company intends to submit its environmental assessment paperwork in the third quarter of 2026, receive certification in the fourth quarter of 2027, receive its mine permit and begin construction in the second quarter of 2028 and start operations in the third quarter of 2030.
Projection created in recent months estimate that the project would create 400 direct jobs in local communities.
Matkaluk said the company has already started collaborating with those communities and Indigenous groups to mitigate potential impacts that could arise. That list of communities includes
the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Mackenzie and McLeod Lake Indian Band.
Two open houses have been held so far in Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge.
“We want to have sustainable economic benefits for all the communities and local employment opportunities,” she said.
“We believe in our local talent … you know the area better than we know it.”
Unlike an Enbridge natural gas pipeline expansion discussed at the same meeting that two temporary workforce accommodation sites will be built for if the project goes ahead, Matkaluk said local housing in Mackenzie, Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd would likely be used.
In a meeting with the District of Mackenzie, she said they discussed having a bus transporting workers to the mine site.
“The only infrastructure on the proposed mine site would be the office and the safety and medical office,” Matkaluk said.
of Statutory Condition 4 of the Insurance Act.”
The landslide happened Sept. 29, 2018 at the gravel mine. It destroyed the only road in and out of Old Fort and sparked evacuations. Neighbouring property owners sued Deasan for damages.
Deasan asked a judge to declare Continental had a duty to defend and indemnify it under the policy with CMB Insurance Brokers. The ruling in April 2024 by Justice Allan Betton concluded the broker was an agent for Continental, but, as Griffin wrote, Betton “interpreted the certificate narrowly, and found that the broker did not extend Continental’s insurance coverage to Deasan’s gravel pit operation.”
The appeal court found that the broker had the ability to bind Continental to provide insurance to Deasan’s gravel pit operation and that the broker did so.
TOYS • COMICS • GAMES
What’s happening in PG
Cinematography One-Day Workshop goes Friday, June 27 or Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is presented by the Arts North Digital Media Centre, a division of the Community Arts Council of Prince George & District at Studio 2880. The workshop is led by Jeff Gruending, local founder of video marketing firm Precision FX,and includes camera fundamentals, lighting essentials, audio production, composition & storytelling, editing & final production. For more information and to register visit www.studio2880. com/arts-north-digital-studio-media/ cinematography-workshop.
Summer Vacation Improv goes Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. at The Underground Show Lounge and Bar, 1177 Third Ave., and presented by Improv Shmimprov. This is live theatre, on stage, based on the audience suggestions. Improv comedy, live on stage with games and hijinks. Snacks and drinky drinks available so bring friends and have some laughs. For more information and tickets visit www.shmimprovimprov.ca/summer-vacation
Comedy Night Raw goes Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, 850 River Road. Brace yourself for an 18+ night of uncensored, unfiltered, and unforgettable stand-up comedy. Farmhouse and Gypsy Entertainment Group host the event with all proceeds going to Cariboo North Cultural Society. Six brave new comedians take up the mic, each with five minutes to bring the house down with their best jokes. Think you’ve got what it takes? Register on our event page. For tickets and more information visit www.farmhousecatering.ca/event-details/comedy-night-raw.
Northern Riffs goes Saturday, June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Roll-A-Dome, 2588 Recplace Drive. Santana Pro in collaboration with Infectious Nation are bringing a night of hard rock meets heavy metal and punk. Bands include The Dusty Pines, an all-female punk supergroup from Vancouver, The Infirmary of Smithers and Sustain from Terrace. PG’s own favourite zombie hard rock and metal
band Infectious will be supporting these three touring bands along with local heavy metal and hard rock band Cynnical. For more information and tickets visit www.northernriffs.art.
Free Concert in the Park goes Saturday, June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park at the bandshell. This event is presented by the City of Prince George. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on to enjoy the music of Aquiles Tarumba, The Verdants and Andrew Judah. There will be a variety of food trucks on site.
Startup to Success Program participants will be at the Q3 Community Market, 1299 Third Avenue on Saturday, June 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. These talented young entrepreneurs spent 16 weeks developing their business plans during a 16-week program supported by Junior Achievers and YMCA BC. Teams will showcase their products, including crafts, party packages, car scents, and mental health colouring books. Bring the family and be part of this inspiring
event to celebrate and support the next generation of local entrepreneurs.
Canada Day in the Park goes Tuesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and is presented by Canadian Tire. Enjoy multicultural food and entertainment, games and bouncy castles for the children and browse the marketplace. There’s plenty of fun for everyone.
Pride Drag Show 2025 goes Friday, July 4 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Underground Show Lounge and Bar, 1177 Third Ave. Presented by the PG Pride Society, The Underground and Ma Dame Foreteaze this event celebrates Celebrate love, diversity, and the art of drag. Tickets at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ pride-drag-show-after-party-tickets.
Foodie Fridays are back at Canada Games Plaza and will go from noon to 4 p.m. on July 4, 18, 25 and Aug. 1, 8, 29. There will be food trucks, vendors and entertainers. The Tourism PG Nanguz ’An Market is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. in July and August.
Three Breed Classic Horse Show 2025 goes Friday, July 4 at noon to Sunday, July 6 at 5 p.m. at the PG Agriplex and hosted by the Prince George Horse Society. This is an All Breed, AQHA, APHA and ApHC approved two-day show. It will be double judged and this is the first year the society is hotsing this event in Prince George. For more information about entering this event email EntriesThreeBreed@gmail..com
Chris Goodwin Band goes Saturday, July 5 at 8:30 p.m. at Nelly’s Pub, 2280 John Hart Hwy. This well-known fourpiece country group has been captivating audiences in Northern British Columbia since 2019. They’ve gained a strong reputation in Western Canada, headlining events like the 2020 Rooftop Rock Festival and sharing the stage with renowned artists like Brett Kissel, Dean Brody, and Corb Lund at the 2022 Best Damn Music Fest.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Patrick Michaud (left), Chris Goodwin, and Steve Smith of the Chris Goodwin Band bring their rocking country sound to the stage at last year’s Crossroads Summer Street Fest. They play Saturday, July 5 at Nelly’s Pub.
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Pride High Tea goes Saturday, July 5 at the Ramada Plaza, 444 George St. This is the most anticipated event of the social season: a Bridgerton-Inspired Pride High Tea, where elegance meets exuberance and every guest is the diamond of the day. Join us amidst lush florals, delicate music, and the soft clinking of fine china for an afternoon steeped in sophistication and celebration. Indulge in a selection of delicate pastries, finger sandwiches, and perfectly steeped teas — accompanied by sparkling company. Dress in your Regency finest with a modern Pride twist — think corsets, cravats, crowns, and colour. This is a space where every identity is honoured and every love story is welcome. Tickets: $25, children 5 and under free. For tickets visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ pride-high-tea-tickets.
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.
latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.
interaction. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.
Pride Picnic goes Sunday July 6 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park from 3 to 8 p.m. This event is presented by the Northern BC Queer Connection Society and is a free, family-friendly celebration of love, diversity, and community spirit. There will be live music, food trucks, games, crafting fun, a fabulous queerfriendly market, access to amazing community resources and a special Queer History Exhibit. Wear your brightest rainbow gear and bring your picnic essentials like chairs, blankets, baskets and sunscreen. Market vendors, musicians, performers, artists and poets who wish to participate can email events@ nbcqueerconnection.com.
Summer Art Monkeys goes every Wednesday from July 9th to August 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.
28th Annual Prince George Pride Parade goes Saturday, July 12 from 10
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 https://downtownpg.com/community/explore/dpg-annual-events/ downtownsummerfest/
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 or better yet try out the pool table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to everyone for a $5 drop in fee.
Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their
Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. Everyone is welcome who has been diagnosed, those who are caregivers, family members and friends. Wheelchair accessible parking at the back of the building. For more information call Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618.
Parkinson Support Group meetings are the third Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Meetings are informal and are for sharing information about slowing down the progression of PD. There are guest speakers, special events and biweekly exercise sessions and positive social
Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. There’s something for everyone. The winning team gets a custom Nancy O’s Trivia trophy and a round of drinks, their photo on the wall that goes into the winners’ book after two weeks. Those caught cheating will be publicly shamed and labelled as cheaters – good wholesome fun. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066.
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
2SLGBTQIA+ students, colleagues, and families: We see you, we love you, and we celebrate you—exactly as you are.
A message
Natonal Indigenous Peoples Day
Ceremony and celebration at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
ABOVE: Lheidli T’enneh dancer, actress, filmmaker and DJ Keilani Rose spins tunes onstage.
BELOW: Chubby Cree performs as part of the day’s live entertainment.
ABOVE: Hoop dancer Ryder Contois, 13, takes part in the day’s traditions.
BELOW: Patrycja Legut her daughter Amelia Legut-Petersen, 13, as she tries her hand at using stilts from the Huble Homestead tent.
ABOVE: Men’s Northern Traditional Dancers Grant West (left) and Michael Antoine dance during the Mini Pow Wow at the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Saturday, June 21
BELOW: Metis country music artist JJ Lavallee performs in the photo at left, while at right, Ruxin Belyk, 8, plays chess against his dad Chad at the PG Public Library display.
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT
Let’s put your knowledge of our country to the test with 20 questions about Canada:
1. What is celebrated on Canada Day?
A. Canada’s independence from Britain
B. The signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights
C. The formation of the Canadian Confederation
D. The adoption of the current Canadian flag
2. In what year was Canada officially founded?
A. 1776
How well do you know our proud country? CANADA DAYCelebrating
B. 1867
C. 1917
D. 1982
3. How many provinces did Canada have at Confederation in 1867?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 7
D. 10
4. Which provinces were the original four in Confederation?
A. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia
B. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
C. Ontario, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
D. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia
5. What was Canada Day originally called?
A. Dominion Day
B. Founders’ Day
C. Maple Day
D. Commonwealth Day
6. When did Dominion Day officially become Canada Day?
A. 1867
B. 1927
C. 1967
D. 1982
7. What city hosts the biggest Canada Day celebration?
A. Vancouver
B. Toronto
C. Ottawa
D. Montreal
8. What Canadian symbol is prominently featured on the national flag?
A. Beaver
B. Moose
C. Maple Leaf
D. Canoe
9. Who is recognized as the first prime minister of Canada?
A. Alexander Mackenzie
B. Wilfrid Laurier
C. John A. Macdonald
D. Lester B. Pearson
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CONTINUED
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
10. What is the national anthem of Canada?
A. God Save the Queen
B. The Maple Leaf Forever
C. Canada the Beautiful
D. O Canada
11. What does the red on the Canadian flag represent?
A. British heritage
B. Courage and valour
C. The blood of patriots
D. The maple tree
12. What major event is traditionally held on Parliament Hill on Canada Day?
A. National pancake breakfast
B. Fireworks and concerts
C. Governor General’s speech
D. Maple syrup tasting
CANADA DAYCelebrating
13. Which Canadian province joined Confederation last?
A. Newfoundland and Labrador
B. Alberta
C. Manitoba
D. Prince Edward Island
14. What is the population of Canada closest to in 2025?
A. 25 million
B. 30 million
C. 40 million
D. 50 million
15. What does the name “Canada” come from?
A. A French word meaning “wilderness”
B. A Viking term for northern lands
C. A Spanish word meaning “north”
D. A St. Lawrence Iroquoian word for “village”
16. What colour are the fireworks
typically associated with Canada Day celebrations?
A. Blue and white
B. Green and gold
C. Red and white
D. Orange and purple
17. What is the name of the document that united the provinces into Canada in 1867?
A. Canadian Constitution
B. Charter of Confederation
C. Constitution Act
D. British North America Act
18. What common treat is often served at Canada Day events?
A. Butter tarts
B. Donair
C. Nanaimo bars
D. Poutine
19. Bonus BC question: Which of these was NOT a premier of BC?
D. Amor de Cosmos
20. Bonus PG question: Who was the “George” in “Prince George?”
A. King George V
B. An early Grand Trunk Pacific director named George
C. Nobody in particular, they just liked the sound of it
D. Prince George, the Duke of Kent
Canada Day
LHEIDLI T’ENNEH MEMORIAL PARK
Dr. Nadine Caron to be inducted into Hall of Fame
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Dr. Nadine Caron, a surgeon and professor at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC), was one of six Canadians inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame on June 19.
Her contributions to oncology research, surgical practice, and Indigenous health — both in the North and across Canada — have been widely recognized.
Caron currently works as a surgical oncologist and focuses her efforts on breaking down barriers in medicine and health-care services in remote northern communities.
A member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, she holds the distinction of being the first Canadian female general surgeon of First Nations descent, as well as the first female First Nations graduate of the University of British Columbia’s medical school.
She has served as the First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC and has participated in numerous health-based committees, including the Native Physicians Association of Canada and the British Columbia Medical Association’s committee on health.
Speaking with The Citizen about her upcoming induction, Caron said the recognition came as a surprise.
“To be honest, I was shocked,” she said. “Obviously, I was very honoured to hear it, but I think it was an equal mixture of just the shock of the announcement and being really touched by the people who were behind this to make it happen.”
Her path to medicine began through athletics.
“I went to Simon Fraser University and got my degree in kinesiology while I was playing varsity basketball there — and even a year of varsity soccer,” she said. “I really enjoyed studying the human body, physiology and anatomy, but I was focused on my sport. Then as I approached the end of my university career, I had to figure out the next step. I had the opportunity to shadow a general surgeon down in Tennessee of all places, and realized very quickly, after scrubbing in on my first operation, that this was what I wanted to do.”
From there, her medical career took off. Caron earned her MD from UBC as a top-ranking student, followed by a Master of Public Health from Harvard University — completed while she was doing her surgical residency — and a postgraduate fellowship in endocrine surgical oncology at the University of California, San Francisco.
She said one of the highlights of her career was the mentorship she received
along the way.
“I absolutely loved medical school and surgery residency at UBC,” she said. “I learned so much and sort of buckled in for a real lifetime experience at Harvard for my master’s in public health. Then I finally finished my formal training at UCSF, doing my endocrine surgery training with an icon of surgery, Dr. Orlo Clark.
“Just an icon — who demonstrated that you could be a world-renowned surgeon and still be known for your dedication to your family, your love of art, and your sense of humour. He was the full package, and it was a real honour to meet him.”
One of Caron’s most enduring goals has been to identify and correct gaps in rural and Indigenous health care — particularly across the North.
She first noticed some of these gaps while spending time at the Centre for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
“That centre offered public health courses for Indigenous community
members across the United States — something I found didn’t exist in Canada,” she said.
In response, she helped create the Certificate in Indigenous Public Health, a program hosted at UBC that brings in 25 students each February and August to take Indigenous-specific public health courses.
She also continues to work extensively in oncology, which she says is a deeply meaningful part of her practice.
“Ninety per cent of the patients I see are either for cancer screening or cancer treatment,” she said. “I’m seeing individuals at a very stressful time, and I’m so honoured that they trust me enough to share their stories. From a clinical point of view, that is a tremendous honour — and so rewarding.”
She added that teaching and research are also fulfilling aspects of her work.
“Being able to ask questions and seeing the research capacity in Canada grow to better listen to Indigenous questions and voices — I think that’s improved over the years,” she said. “We have a long way to go, but we now have some examples of success that we can fall back on.
“I also think that teaching medical students at the Northern Medical Program, and seeing how that program has evolved and the students it’s produced, is incredibly rewarding.”
Caron said she wouldn’t be where she is today without the support of her parents and the inspiration she draws from her daughter, Aliah Turner.
“She’s my inspiration,” she said. “I think everyone should work to make the world a better place for their kids, and every time I see Aliah, I know that it’s worth it.”
How did you do?
Here are the answers to the Canada Day quiz on Page 26 and Page 27.
1. C. The formation of the Canadian Confederation 2. B. 1867
A. 4 4. B. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
5. A. Dominion Day
6. D. 1982
7. C. Ottawa
8. C. Maple Leaf
9. C. John A. Macdonald
10. D. O Canada
11. A. British heritage
12. B. Fireworks and concerts
13. A. Newfoundland and Labrador
14. C. 40 million
15. D. A St. Lawrence Iroquoian
word for “village”
16. C. Red and white
17. D. British North America Act
18. A. Butter tarts
19. B. Charles Langley
20. D. Prince George, the Duke of Kent
Dr. Nadine Caron was one of six Canadians inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame earlier this month.
New Hospice program helps seniors with dementa
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
A new program led by the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society (PGHPCS) is launching in Prince George.
The Connecting Minds Through Compassionate Hearts program is a joint initiative between the PGHPCS and the Prince George Council of Seniors. It is funded by Health Canada and the University of British Columbia.
The initiative aims to assist people living with early-onset dementia and help restore a sense of dignity and purpose.
“What we know is if we provide purpose and interaction and decrease isolation, we can do what we call ‘square the curve,’” said Donna Flood, executive director of the PGHPCS. “Instead of a trajectory going down slowly in terms of their cognitive function, we can help maintain a little bit of quality of life for them and the people who care for them.”
The program will feature two streams. The Council of Seniors will offer services specifically to support caregivers of individuals with dementia. The PGHPCS will match trained volunteers with people living with early dementia based on shared interests.
“What we’re doing is creating connectedness through volunteers,” said Flood. “We’re trying to connect people
with similar hobbies or interests. If someone with dementia is a golfer, we’ll connect them with a volunteer who’s also a golfer, so they can go out and maintain that social interaction.”
Volunteers will receive extensive training in supporting people with early-onset dementia, including how to care for and communicate with both individuals living with the disease and
their caregivers.
“We offer quite extensive training on how to relate, care and communicate with someone with dementia,” said Flood. “That way, we’re able to create a safe environment both for the volunteers and for the individuals themselves — giving them the tools to create purposeful interactions and experiences. We just want to make sure everyone is
well prepared.”
The PGHPCS is currently recruiting volunteers, with 20 positions available and more expected as the initiative grows.
Flood also highlighted a new tech tool the program will use to enhance training: a virtual reality (VR) simulation.
“The other thing we have, which is really cool, is a virtual reality immersive experience,” she said. “It allows our volunteers, caregivers or anyone in the community to put on the VR headset and experience what it feels like to live with dementia. It gives you that lived experience so you have a better appreciation of what the world might seem like to them.”
While the PGHPCS has long experience in end-of-life care, Flood said supporting caregivers is a central part of this new initiative.
“We know that if you can care for the caregiver, they’re then able to continue caring for their person,” she said. “It’s really a privilege to care for someone, but it can also be quite difficult — because of isolation, not being able to get out, and a loss of social connectedness. We want to help normalize that whole journey.”
Those interested in volunteering for the program can email volunteers@ pghpcs.ca or visit pghpcs.ca/volunteer/ opportunities.
City’s parking modernizaton study moves into next phase
no formal presentations.
Attendees can view feedback from the survey, read the draft recommendations and ask questions.
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The City of Prince George is inviting residents to the House of Ancestors to review and discuss the results of its recent parking survey.
The drop-in event at the House of Ancestors will take place Wednesday, June 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be
Survey respondents raised concerns about a lack of available parking, on-street time limits and enforcement, safety issues, confusing payment systems, a limited number of accessible parking spaces and the cost of parking.
The survey, which was hosted on the City of Prince George’s website in April, received nearly 1,500 responses.
Based on this feedback, the city has
developed preliminary recommendations and identified current parking demand in the downtown and hospital zones.
The parking project team — made up of city staff and representatives from LEA Consulting Ltd. — also met with key community user groups to discuss challenges and opportunities in these areas.
The survey is also being used to help forecast future parking needs based on growth projections and mobility trends.
“We received great feedback from
residents, business owners and partner organizations over the past several months, and we look forward to sharing the draft recommendations with the public,” said Robert Keel, transportation planning manager at LEA. “Proposed strategies aim to make city-owned parking options safer, more accessible and easier to understand.”
Keel said suggested improvements include clearer signage, increased safety and security measures, a more flexible permit system and enhanced design for accessible parking.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Abbie Ispanovic, 14, (left) and Kelis Jackson, 15, had a great time spraying people with yellow coloured powder at the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society Colour Walk at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Saturday, June 7.
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Van Horlick’s Trophies and Gifs
Remembering former Citzen editor/reporter Mark Allan
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Mark Allan’s dream job probably would have been working for Rolling Stone magazine, or maybe Creem.
Music was an integral part of his life and he had a vast collection of CDs and vinyl albums representative of virtually every genre of modern music. His knowledge of the rock world was virtually limitless and that soon became obvious to his co-workers in The Prince George Citizen’s newsroom.
If he found out you’d never heard a certain band he’d make you a copy on his cassette recorder and he loved to produce mixed tapes of his favourite songs, hoping to turn you on to similar audio passions.
Dave Paulson joined the Citizen sports department in 1979, a couple of months before Allan moved over to the newspaper from radio journalism, where he had worked as a sports reporter at Prince George country station CJCI.
“He had an encyclopedic knowledge of music and obscure bands that I’d never heard of and that kind of opened my eyes up to all these bands. He was a real music buff,” said Paulson. “Music was in his blood and I don’t think he played any instruments, but he knew music, especially early rock.”
Allan died May 21 in Courtenay after a prolonged illness, three days before his 74th birthday.
He grew up in North Vancouver and got his start in the news industry working as a sports reporter for Vancouver rock station LGFM (now Rock 101), having studied at Capilano College and BCIT, where he volunteered as a DJ for their campus radio stations.
The Citizen newsroom was a much different place in the days before computers were introduced in 1981. Reporters literally banged out their stories using typewriters and with more than a dozen of them working at any one time in the newsroom during a weekday shift it was a much different atmosphere as they tried to beat the deadlines of the six-day-per-week newspaper.
“It was noisy in there and people
remembers Allan for his love of music and his sense of humour.
“He had a rather extensive music collection that makes mine look small,” said Schaffer. “I know he knew more trivia that I would ever know about music and bands and stuff like that. He was fun to deal with and a pretty good guy to work for.
“He was a good guy, I always enjoyed spending time with Mark. His sense of humour was sarcastic, but also sharp. He didn’t tell jokes but he riffed off of stuff.”
His tenure with The Citizen lasted until publisher Bob McKenzie ushered in a new management style that didn’t sit well with Allan, who left the paper in 1998.
As a freelancer, he wrote sports and arts stories for The Prince George Free Press, did contract work to write analytical summaries of the Indigenous treaty progress and also made contributions as the editor/writer of a nationally-syndicated hockey pool magazine.
Allan left for Vancouver Island in 2001 and took on the job as editor of The North Island Gazette, later becoming publisher, in Port Hardy, where he got involved in the Rotary Club.
After four years at The Gazette he landed with The Comox Valley Record and ended his 35-year journalism career when he retired in April 2014.
smoked at their desks — Pete Miller, Doug Martin, Jan-Udo Wenzel — half the reporters smoked in the newsroom,” said Paulson.
Allan never smoked, but he was particularly hard on his keyboard. Part of the reason was that his right hand was missing two fingers, the result of a car accident while he was in Grade 11 growing up in North Vancouver.
He was hit as a pedestrian while crossing a street and his hand caught the headlight which severed his two middle digits.
“When we were working on typewriters he’d have to change his typewriter ribbon every couple of weeks,” said Paulson. “He’d make holes in the ribbon, I’d never seen anyone hammer the keys that hard.”
Allan never had children of his own but from 1992-2001 he volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Prince George, spending time with kids who didn’t have a father figure in their lives.
He was big on baseball and hockey pools but didn’t play organized sports other than with The Citizen’s mixed rec softball team. He and Paulson worked with Ron (Blue) Allerton until Allerton moved on to become city editor and Allan took over as sports editor.
Allan eventually gravitated to the news department and worked several years as a page editor before he became city editor, supervising a staff of as many as 10 reporters.
Don Schaffer, a former Citizen sports editor who went on to work under Allan covering the city hall beat in the 1990s,
During that time he immersed himself in the Vancouver Island arts scene and was involved as chair of the North Island Concert Society from 2001-2005.
He spoke French and Spanish, and his efforts to promote the arts community earned Allan recognition as the Eric Dunning Integrity Award at the Ma Murray community newspapers awards ceremony in 2004.
He was vice-president of the Filberg Heritage Board and Park Association in Courtenay and was MC of the Live at Filberg Park concerts. He continued freelance writing, editing and photography until his death.
He’s survived by his wife Kimberley of 19 years, brother Kim (Lynn), nephew Perry Allan and niece Erin Hughes. A celebration of life is being planned.
LINKEDIN PHOTO
Former Prince George Citizen reporter/editor Mark Allan receives the Eric Dunning Integrity Award at the Ma Murray BC/Yukon Community Newspaper Association awards ceremony in 2004.
Throwback Thursday: Week of June 26
28, 2012:
DAVID MAH
June 26, 1972: Hans Sturm of Prince George oats gently to the ground after competing in the BC skydiving championships in Beaverly. Unique patterns on the chutes helped judges identify each jumper. There were 37 from BC, two from Ontario, one from Australia and one from New Zealand taking part. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY
DAVE MILNE
June 27, 1960: Prince George’s municipal swimming pool opened for the summer and hosted 600 people on its rst day, 800 on its second. The pool was located at Third Avenue and Watrous Street. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY HAL VANDERVOORT
June 26, 1990: Const. John Stegeman of the BC Rail Police talks to 175 students at Hart Highlands Elementary School about the railway safety program Operation Lifesaver. The program was designed by BC Rail Police to promote railway safety in the province. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY
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Knights pitcher Jesse Knopp make an offering to a Gladiators batter at Citizen Field. The Knights won 8-7 in the rst extra inning. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY
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Questons raised afer MAID claims on social media
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A pamphlet circulating on Prince George social media groups recently advocates for people to take action against medical assistance in dying (MAID) but frequently provides incomplete or inaccurate information about the state of the program in Canada.
Titled “Euthansia in Canada” and dated summer/fall 2024, the pamphlet was produced by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The organization’s website states it “is the national association of evangelical Christians in Canada. Since 1964 the EFC has provided a national forum for Evangelicals, fostered ministry partnerships, conducted research on religious and social trends and provided a constructive voice for biblical principles in life and society.”
The pamphlet discusses the potential expansion of MAID to so-called mature minors and those suffering from mental illness, argues for the need for MAIDfree medical facilities and asks people to help advocate towards these goals as well as the expansion of palliative care in Canada.
Here’s a look at the claims made by the pamphlet and the state of MAID in Canada.
MAID for mature minors
The brochure states: “a special committee of MPs and senators studying MAID has recommended allowing MAID for mature minors.”
It further claims that allowing this would “essentially remove the minimum age of eligibility” and that the committee “suggested parents may not be consulted and wouldn’t need to consent to their child’s death via MAID.”
In February 2023, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying issued a report reviewing MAID legislation and making recommendations on how it should be further studied and amended.
This included seven recommendations regarding MAID access for mature minors.
“The term ‘mature minor’ refers to a common-law doctrine according to which “an adolescent’s treatment wishes should be granted a degree of deference that is reflective of his or her evolving maturity,” the report said.
The report further notes that senior counsel for the federal Department of Justice suggested that Parliament needs to adopt a definition of mature minor if MAID is expanded to the group.
Witnesses who spoke to the committee are cited as saying that there are many contextual factors in determining whether a minor has decision-making
decision-making capacity upon assessment,” though it acknowledges safeguards are needed.
It also recommends that the federal government consult with minors on the topic of MAID and provide research to Health Canada to study the subject both within five years of the report being tabled.
The report also recommends that MAID for mature minors be restricted only to those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable, that the federal government consults with provinces, territories and indigenous groups to establish standard for minors seeking MAID.
If royal assent is granted to legislation extending MAID to mature minors, the committee recommends that the federal government appoint an independent panel to review it within five years. No timeline is recommended for the actual implementation of MAID for mature minors.
The brochure’s assertion that the committee said parents may not be consulted and they wouldn’t have to give consent if their child applied for MAID is only half-true.
Recommendation 19 said that parents or guardians should be consulted, where appropriate, but that the will of a mature minor found to have the requisite decision-making capacity would ultimately take priority.
capacity beyond just age.
Some of these witnesses proposed a specific minimum age, while others said there should be a minimum age.
The report references another report completed by the Collège des médecins du Québec in December 2021, which said minors aged 14 and older should have access to MAID with parental consent.
Ultimately, the report recommends that “Government of Canada amend the eligibility criteria for MAID set out in the Criminal Code to include minors deemed to have the requisite
In an opinion piece for Al Jazeera in February 2024, London, Ont.-based family doctor Ramona Coelho objected to the expansion of mature minors for several reasons, including the inadequacy of assessments, the fact that children’s brains are still developing, that treatments for their illnesses could still be developed and that the children applying for MAID might have grown up in circumstances where they see their illness or disability as a burden.
The non-profit Dying With Dignity Canada bills itself as “national humanrights charity committed to improving quality of dying, protecting end-of-life rights, and helping people across Canada avoid unwanted suffering.”
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
In February 2023, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying issued a report reviewing MAID legislation and making recommendations on how it should be further studied and amended.
MAID’s potental expansion to mental health cases delayed
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
On its website, it argues that “in many jurisdictions across Canada, mature minors already have the right to make important decisions regarding their health care. This includes the right to consent to or refuse lifesaving medical treatment. With special eligibility criteria in place, and appropriate safeguards, Dying With Dignity Canada believes mature minors should be allowed the right to choose MAID.”
Even though the committee made these recommendations, it does not necessarily mean that the government will implement them.
Mental illness
The brochure said that MAID for mental illness is set to take effect in March 2027.
On Feb. 29, 2024, royal assent was given to a bill that delayed the expansion of MAID in cases where mental disorders are the sole underlying condition until March 17, 2027.
However, it’s important to note that the federal government has delayed the implementation of MAID for mental health cases multiple times in the past and could do so again.
MAID was first legalized by the federal government in June 2016, after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the sections of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting medical assistance in dying were inconsistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms the previous year.
On March 17, 2021, Parliament approved amendments to MAID legislation that changed the eligibility criteria and the process through which applicants are assessed.
At that point, MAID eligibility for people suffering solely from mental illness was temporarily postponed for two years.
The preamble for the bill said that further consultations and deliberation were required to determine whether it was appropriate to provide MAID for people solely suffering from mental
illness given the risks involved.
On March 9, 2023, legislation extending the mental health exclusion by another year received royal assent.
Then, in February 2024, the deadline was extended for a further three years.
When that last piece of legislation was under consideration, the federal government proposed that a joint committee made up of members from both the House of Commons and the Senate complete a comprehensive review regarding MAID eligibility for those suffering solely from mental illness within two years.
“This measure would further serve to examine progress made by provinces, territories, and partners, in achieving overall health care system readiness,” a Health Canada news release dated Feb. 1, 2024 said.
A previous iteration of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying issued a report in January 2024 that concluded “that the medical system in Canada is not prepared for medical assistance in dying where mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition.”
The brochure also said that “one in 10 people will wait more than four months for counselling. The waiting period for MAID is only three months.”
The information about the waiting periods is correct, but incomplete.
While there was previously a 10-day “reflection period” for people applying for MAID whose natural death was reasonably foreseeable, it has been removed.
For people whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable applying for MAID, they must go through eligibility assessments taking at least 90 days though the periods can be shortened if the applicant is about to lose their decision-making capacity.
These applicants, according to a federal government website, “must be informed of available and appropriate means to relieve their suffering, including counselling services, mental health and disability support services, community services, and palliative care, and must be offered consultations with professionals who provide those services.”
One in 10 people will wait more than four months for counselling. The waiting period for MAID is only three months.
No sources are listed for any of the information in the brochure, including the claim about the wait times.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported statistics in December 2024 saying that half of Canadians wait about a month for ongoing counselling services in their community while one in 10 people wait more than 20 weeks.
The institute’s data, though, is incomplete. There are no results listed at all for British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nunavut “due to incomplete data submission.” Data for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Yukon is considered to only be partial.
MAID-free safe spaces
One section of the brochure states that “there is pressure to eliminate MAID-free, safe spaces where patients and doctors are not pressured to end life via MAID.”
Last year, The Canadian Press reported that the Catholic archbishop of Montreal filed a legal challenge against Quebec’s MAID legislation on the grounds of religious freedom.
“The lawsuit says the Catholic Church should be exempted from a section of the law requiring all palliative care homes in the province to offer medical assistance in dying,” the outlet reported.
“It says the law is forcing the Catholic Church to choose between allowing a procedure it finds morally unacceptable or abandoning its palliative care centre, called St. Raphael’s. Since 2019, St. Raphael’s has sent patients requesting MAID to provincially run facilities, but the church says it should not be forced
to provide medically assisted deaths on its property.
“The office of Archbishop Christian Lépine says palliative care homes should have the same right as medical practitioners to refuse to offer services they are morally opposed to.”
A similar battle has been simmering in BC since 2020, when the provincial government announced Fraser Health would stop funding the Delta Hospice Society effective Feb. 25, 2021 after the society’s board refused to comply with BC’s policies on MAID.
Ultimately, Fraser Health took over operations of the Irene Thomas Hospice the next year, the CBC reported in April 2021.
That article also stated that the BC Supreme Court had ruled the Delta Hospice Society could not hand-pick members who supported their Christian views on MAID while rejecting members who did not, and that the Supreme Court of Canada had rejected an appeal of that decision.
Currently, the society has received itervenor status in a lawsuit filed by the estate of Sam O’Neill and a group called Dying with Dignity Canada against the Province of British Columbia, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the Providence Health Care Society.
In a decision issued on April 1, 2025, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia Ronald Skolrood wrote that the plaintiffs are looking to challenge certain MAID-related policies by the defendants in facilities they operate.
Skolrood said that O’Neill was admitted to St. Paul’s Hospital in early 2022 with advanced cervical cancer. The hospital is run by Providence, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church.
Though O’Neill was approved for MAID in February 2023, St. Paul’s does not offer MAID services and she was transferred to another facility.
“The plaintiffs allege that this transfer caused her considerable pain and distress,” Skolrood wrote, which they claim violate some of her rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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Conservatves oppose expansion of MAID: Doherty
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Several groups applied as intervenors on the case, both religious and non-religious: the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the British Columbia Humanist Association, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities, Canadian Physicians for Life, the Christian Legal Fellowship and the Delta Hospice Society.
Also applying for intervenor status was the author of the brochure: the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
All these applications were accepted except for the Canadian Constitution Foundation’s.
Another of the intervenors, the CCLA, said on its website that it wants to “provide a principled framework for assessing whether, and to what extent, faith-based organizations can claim standalone freedom of religion protections that would be independent from the medical staff’s individual right to conscientious objection.”
“CCLA will argue that when an organization’s primary purpose is not worship or the promotion of religious beliefs and practices, ascribing independent religious rights to the organization will pose inevitable difficulties,” the April 1 news release stated.
Many of the concerns listed in the EFC’s brochure are either recommendations or items that aren’t yet in place.
However, concerns over MAID are not isolated to religious concerns.
In a section titled “the need for sanctuary,” the brochure said that “people with disabilities have been pressured to end their lives via MAID.”
In an April 2024 opinion piece for Policy Options titled “Reality, not religion, is the reason people need MAiD-free health care,” disabled writer and policy analyst Gabrielle Peters discussed the impact of ableism on the health-care system.
She wrote that disability is frequently viewed in medical spheres as “as deficiency, tragedy, and the opposite of health.”
“Suffering is assumed and, because disability is understood entirely as a
problem with an individual’s body, knowledge, power, and authority are placed within the medical field,” Peters said.
“The result of this is our entire humanity is compressed into our diagnoses. There is no examination of the inherent political oppression or the bias in treatment because the medical model assumes the inequity disabled people experience is a logical result of being disabled.”
Health-care professionals, she said have more control over more than just a disabled person’s essential medical care, their signature also controls access to other aspects of life like housing, transportation, income, education, mobility and more.
Describing her own experiences, Peters described how at one point, before MAID was legal, that she had been offered a chance to sign a do-not-resuscitate order at one hospital when she still wanted to live.
“Affirming support for the belief of ‘better dead than disabled’ in health care is dangerous and cruel,” Peters said. “Canada has made disabled people a killable class, and hardly anyone has considered the impact this would have on us. This country must maintain MAiD-free health-care spaces.”
In testimony given to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying in November 2022, Peters said that disabled people are not provided with the freedom to live in their community and not be forced into institutions “should our needs exceed those deemed appropriately human.”
“I came to put it in on the record: Canada’s expansion of MAID to disabled people whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable reifies and builds on the existing dehumanization of disabled people in Canada, breathes new life into the goals of never-dismantled eugenics and is based on the ableism that formed this country’s foundation, and as such, represents a serious threat,” Peters told the committee.
As court cases go on and the federal government continues to study the subject, it looks like the discussion over
MAID and who should be eligible for it is not yet over.
One local elected official’s position
In a Thursday, June 12 phone interview from Ottawa, Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty said his party has been consistent that it doesn’t approve or accept the expansion of MAID to youth or people struggling with mental illness.
He said it can be easy for people with struggling with mental illness or live with a disability to give up hope and as a society, we should instead break down barriers so they can access treatment and supports.
Doherty pointed to a private member’s bill his caucus colleague, Abbotsford MP Ed Fast, unsuccessfully proposed in 2023 that would have stopped the expansion of MAID to people where mental illness is the only condition.
Bill C-314 failed in its second reading in the House of Commons when 136 Liberal MPs, 30 Bloc Quebecois MPs and one independent MP voted against it. Eight Liberal MPs voted with the 155 Conservatives, 24 NDP MPs, one independent and two Green Party MPs who voted in favour of it.
“We also sat on a committee where we had experts there talking about how the expansion of MAID for mental illness can’t
be implemented safely,” Doherty said.
“It is absolutely impossible to determine that an individual’s mental illness will never respond to treatment. We don’t believe that MAID is an acceptable solution to mental illness and psychological suffering. We believe that we should always support treatment and recovery wherever possible.
The MP said he had a loved one facing a long battle with a terminal illness who initially chose to proceed with MAID before declining it at the last minute.
When the issue first came up in Parliament, Doherty said he spoke with people within the faith-based community, his own pastor, constituents who were facing their own battles with terminal illnesses and people who said they wished that MAID had been available for their loved one.
“It’s a deeply personal choice,” Doherty said. “I think we need to be making sure that whatever the case is, the checks and balances are in place because MAID is a slippery slope.”
In the last term, Doherty had a private member’s bill passed that created the 9-8-8 national suicide crisis hotline. He said one of the events in his life that spurred him to champion suicide prevention was the death of a friend 39 years ago.
“We need to make sure that we are providing help to those that are struggling in the darkness,” he said. “We’ve got 9-8-8 up and running for a little over two years and we need to make sure that the government continues to fund that.”
After the federal election on April 28, Doherty was named the Opposition critic for addiction. He said that his party’s election platform would have provided $50,000 for addictions treatment and recovery beds and that’s something they’re still looking to champion during the current minority government.
Recently, Doherty said, he and his colleagues had a meeting with representatives from Health Canada as well as Health Minister Marjorie Michel and hopes that they can work collaboratively with them on mental and physical health.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty calls MAID ‘a slippery slope.’
Local Sports PG to host Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympics trials
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Some early Christmas presents are going to be buried under the snow at Otway Nordic Centre in December for Canada’s top cross-country ski racers.
They’ll have to earn them when they come to Prince George for the Nordiq 2026 Canada Olympic Winter Games Trials, Dec. 10-16.
The races will determine who gets to wear the maple leaf at the Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, Feb. 6-22, 2026.
Beckie Scott, the 2002 Olympic sprint champion and the first Canadian ever to win an Olympic cross-country skiing medal, was on hand at the Caledonia lodge at Otway to make the announcement of the trials Friday afternoon.
“Prince George is a model for what community sport development can achieve,” said Scott, the CEO of Nordic Canada. “Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has repeatedly demonstrated their ability to deliver world-class competitions and we are proud to bring this pivotal moment in our Olympic pathway to such a dedicated and enthusiastic host.”
“I applaud you and the community for bringing this event together and for making this very special for the young people who will come here to participate and compete at the Olympic Games,” Scott said. “I know there’s a lot of work ahead of you but it’s a fantastic event to host.”
Scott was just getting established internationally when she came to Prince George to race in the junior national championships at Otway in the mid1990s. She says the Caledonia club has proven it has world-class trails hosting events like the World Paranordic Championships the city responds with a volunteer base needed to successfully host high-profile events.
“For our club and for Prince George, this is more than just an event,” said Caledonia Club event chair Kevin
Pettersen. Caledonia Nordic is already recognized on the international stage, but hosting the Olympic Trials takes us to an Olympic level and gives us an opportunity to showcase northern BC to the world. None of this would be possible without the volunteers who power every competition we host, and we hope this entire community will get behind this incredible event.”
The Caledonia club has hosted such events as the World Para Nordic championships (in 2019 and 2023), Para Biathlon World Championships (2023), Nordiq Canada selection trials (2023) and world junior biathlon trials (2024) and that put Otway at the head of the list for the Olympic trials.
“It has excellent facilities and it’s a known organizing committee with the capacity and the competency to pull off an important event like this,” said Scott. “The location is great, the facility is world-class. With the roller ski trails this could become a real destination for skiers to train in the summer as well. Obviously the organizing committee is very highly regarded in the community,
trusted, respected and proven performers when it comes to organizing incredible events.”
The trials will feature six consecutive days of racing.
“The announcement marks a historic first for the city,” said Mayor Simon Yu. “To be selected to host the Olympic trials is the first time and I’m sure there will be many times because of it.
“I can’t wait to see the young athletes come here to compete for the spot. Later on we can watch them here and then watch them on TV perhaps win a medal and then we can say we were part of that.”
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation chief Dolleen Logan said the continued improvements to the nordic facilities at Otway are an inspiration to the Indigenous community in the region and she says the Caledonia club’s involvement in hosting high-profile events like the Olympic trials could result in more of her nation’s members taking advantage of the ski trails, winter and summer, with the addition of a paved trail at Otway that opened this year.
“We have seen our members join the athletes and participate, utilizing the facilities, learning more about nordic skiing, biathlon and roller skiing,” said Logan. “It’s my hope to see increased participation from our nation’s athletes in these events and with the trials coming and everyone bringing our youth … will inspire them to come out here and try.
“Children need sports and as we all live in the North, it’s winter sports. With the Olympic trials here I’ll definitely be bringing more of our youth out here.
I know you will be looking for a lot of volunteers so I’ll be a wrangling our membership for volunteers.”
Canada now has Olympic berths for five women and four men. That could change, based on World Cup race results early in the season. Scott is hopeful at least five of each gender will get to go to Italy to ensure each has a backup athlete for the team relays.
Six men and four women have been named to the senior team. The event could attract as many as 150 athletes.
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CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE
The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has successfully bid to host the Nordic Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials, Dec. 1016 at Otway Nordic Centre. The people on hand the announcement pose in front of the new sign on Friday, June 20.
Kris Yip Fondo bike racers hit new heights
One hundred and sixty two riders leave Civic Plaza to start the 3rd Annual Kris Yip Memorial Fondo at 8am Saturday, June 21. The event was split into three lengths for riders of differing abilities, with longest being the 120-km Eaglet Lake Epic with a 976-metre elevation gain. Second longest was the 95-km Harold Mann Hustle to Harold Mann Park with an 850-metre elevation gain, while the shortest route was the 60-km Tabor Lake Dash with a 626-metre elevation gain. Completion times ranged from just over 90 minutes to over four hours.
Northern Sport Centre sees 7-year high in membership
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Membership revenues for the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre reached a seven-year high in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to a report given to Prince George city council at its Monday, June 23 meeting.
The chair of the centre’s board of directors, former city councillor Don Basserman, centre president David Claus and treasurer Dan Kusz were on hand at the meeting to present the facility’s 2024-25 annual report.
The centre, located on the grounds of the University of Northern British Columbia, is equally co-owned by the City of Prince George and UNBC and operated by the university.
There is an indoor running track, weight rooms, indoor courts and more
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“I think for athletes across Canada, any opportunity to race against the best in the country is one they will probably jump on,” said Scott.
Katherine Stewart-Jones of Ottawa is the only Canadian skier pre-qualified for the Olympic team. Scott said
at the centre. UNBC’s Timberwolves basketball teams play their home games at the centre and convocation events for the university’s Prince George campus take place there.
Both owners contribute $300,000 towards the centre’s operations each year.
Claus said that the facility was recently filmed by a reality TV crew and that the program should air in the next couple of months. He did not name the program, but The Amazing Race Canada was spotted filming in Prince George in early May.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, most of the gymnasium’s usage hours were utilized by UNBC. Athletics and recreation activities associated with the university took up 50 per cent of used hours while other operations took up another eight per cent.
Local sport organizations throughout
several of the athletes vying for Olympic berths who could do quite well in Italy.
“We’re knocking at the door, we have some young men and young women right now who have medal potential in the sprint relay and the team relay, based on last year, they’re just on the cusp,” said Scott.
the community used 25 per cent of used hours while the Engage Sport North program used the remaining 17 per cent of used hours.
Claus clarified that these are the used hours for the gym, not the available hours — more times are available should they be needed. These figures are also only for the gym, not other parts of the centre.
Revenue from memberships was around $1.82 million in 2024-25, the highest since 2018-19.
Membership revenue in previous years was around:
• 2023-24: $1.64 million
• 2022-23: $1.34 million
• 2021-22: $981,126
• 2020-21: $509,533
• 2019-20: $1.23 million
• 2018-19: $1.34 million
The centre’s approved budget for
“Liliane Gagnon is ranked second in the world in under-23. Alison Mackie won two bronze medals at the world juniors last year, and we have some of our more veteran men, like Antoine Cyr and Olivier Léveillé. They’re seasoned racers and they’ve already been to the Olympics.”
The 50-year-old Scott, a native of
the 2025-26 fiscal year has around $2.34 million in both revenues and expenses, though a forecast projects around $2.62 million in both revenues and expenses. Though the centre’s capital reserve balance is expected to be at $389,542 at the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, it is expected to be overdrawn over the next several years due to several needed projects.
In 2026-27, the exhaust system for the restrooms needs to be renewed at an estimated cost of $250,000 and metal telescopic bleachers need to be renewed at an estimated cost of $1.15 million.
In 2027-28, renewal of air handling units’ variable frequency drives is expected to cost $1.5 million.
Combined with other projects throughout the years, the projected balance of the capital reserve in 2029-30 is projected to be a $4.3 million deficit.
Vegreville, Alta., now based in Canmore, is three months into her term as CEO of Nordiq Canada having retired from ski racing in 2006.
She finished the 2005-06 season ranked second in the FIS world standings, celebrating a silver medal win that year with Sara Renner in the Olympic team sprint silver.
Otway prepares to host summer cross-country training
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Prince George is now home to one of only three paved Nordic trails in Western Canada.
On any given day, you might see a young ski racer on roller skis, willing to let it rip on steep downhills, risking road rash while hitting speeds of up to 52 km/h.
If they can do that without fear on unforgiving asphalt, just imagine how easy it will be for them to go that fast when they’re back on snow.
The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club used a $1-million grant from the province’s Destination Development Fund, along with other funding, to pave a 2.6-kilometre section of trail at Otway Nordic Centre last fall. Now, the club’s biathlon and cross-country ski racers are benefitting, using roller skis to prepare for winter.
Former Olympic champion and Nordiq Canada CEO Beckie Scott toured the newly paved path Friday, June 20 with Kevin Pettersen, chair of the committee organizing the Olympic cross-country ski trials set for Dec. 10–16 at Otway.
That week of racing will determine Canada’s team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
There had been talk of the national cross-country team making Prince George its summer training base, but Scott said that won’t happen— there’s not enough funding for any national team camps this summer.
“We don’t have any training camps planned for this summer, that’s the reality,” Scott said.
“That’s my mandate and my vision — to attract different revenue sources to the program, to really get some people to believe in our team and our athletes and what we’re doing. The cost should not be downloaded onto athletes, and that’s what’s happening now.”
Scott, coached by Prince George
native Dave Wood, won Olympic gold in the 2002 sprint at Salt Lake City and silver in the team sprint with Sara Renner four years later in Turin.
At the peak of her competitive career — she retired ranked second in the world in 2006 — Scott was able to focus entirely on performance. Finances weren’t a factor.
“It’s not like that now,” she said. “The difference is the sport funding from the federal government. Twenty years ago, it was possible to be an athlete on the team and not pay for anything. Finances weren’t a barrier. I could travel and race with the national team without paying. That is not the case today.
in Europe. They’re competing against well-funded powerhouse nations like Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Czechia, where top athletes receive generous salaries and sponsorship deals.
“Our budget is a third of some mid-level nations, and a tenth of the strongest countries,” Scott said. “It’s a barrier. Sport is so nation-building and unifying, and people do understand the value, so it’s a mystery why we don’t see more funding from government.
“The value to society is incredible — it inspires young people and promotes long-term health. Cross-country skiing isn’t a niche sport; it’s a lifestyle sport that multiple generations can do together.”
The Caledonia club will host three biathlon training camps in July for regional, provincial and national athletes.
The camps begin July 18 and run through the end of the month. Athletes will stay at the UNBC residences, eat at the campus cafeteria and work out at the Northern Sport Centre with Simone Lamarche, Engage Sport North’s high-performance strength and conditioning coach.
“Federal funding hasn’t increased in 20 years, but with inflation, its value has been cut in half. It’s really limited our ability, as a national sport organization, to support athletes to the extent they need to be competitive on the world stage.”
Nordiq Canada received $600,000 in federal funding through the Own the Podium program to cover the 2024–26 period. That funding is based on athlete performance in international competition.
Canadian athletes already face significant hurdles — including rising costs for travel, meals and accommodation — to attend races, most of which are held
Pettersen knows athletes from both biathlon and cross-country want to train at Otway and hopes the national teams will come in the future. He pointed to Norway’s national lottery, which raises money for that country’s ski programs, and said a similar model in Canada could be a game-changer.
“It seems like national sport organizations are so focused on getting someone on the podium that the base of the pyramid gets left behind,” said Pettersen. “It would be great for the government to see this as an investment, rather than a cost — investing in physical activity and inspiring generations of active people, which will reduce health care costs in the future.
“The Canada Sport for Life model is awesome, but you have to think about how all the pieces work together, not just the high-performance peak. A model like Norway’s, where lottery revenues fund sport, is a recipe for success.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
The paved trails at Otway Nordic are ideal for summer cross-country ski training, but out of reach for some athletes.
Scott
Masters Mixed Slopitch looking to grow the sport
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
There’s one masters athlete in Prince George who wants a Slopitch League for older athletes in Prince George so much she recruits strangers off the street.
Jackie Burns belongs to a 55+ Slopitch women’s team down south but thought about how much fun it would be to have a Masters Mixed Slopitch League in Prince George.
“We got people to sign up at our table at the PG Golf & Curling Club, we got some from our posters and The Citizen notice and people we know who used to play, then I go walking and I see people that look about the right age and I go up and ask,” Burns laughed.
And that worked?
“Ah, no,” Burns laughed again. The group of ball players gets together every Thursday morning at the Nechako Park Field.
“We were a little ambitious thinking we could play two days a week,” Burns said. “We’ve got a lot of golfers so they are already busy so we thought we would start out with one day a week this year.”
The league has 24 players and they are hoping for more to join in the fun.
There are two teams, The Legends and The Swing Masters.
“It’s been kinda fun connecting with old ballplayers I haven’t seen for a while,” Burns said.
“And we’ve made some adaptive rules so it isn’t too hard — it’s still ball, but we’ve made some changes.”
Domenic Demarzo has been playing ball since 1975.
He and Burns have known each other for years so she recruited him to be the president of the Masters Mixed Slopitch League.
“I started playing here in Prince George — we had a team called the Angels,” Demarzo said.
“Back then we played at different school fields against other teams and we progressed from there to form a men’s ball league called Senior Men’s Slopitch.”
Making contact during the Masters Mixed Slopitch League game at Nechako Park Field on Thursday, June 12. Organizers are looking for new players to grow the league.
Demarzo played in the league for years then switched to a mixed league and continued to play.
“This is my first time playing in a league for seniors,” Demarzo said.
Last year he played in a division with younger and older teams.
“And we held our own but it was tough competing with younger players,” he said.
“We’ve adopted rules to make it safer for the older people.”
As long as a player can get to first base, they can get a runner to take over for them, Demarzo added.
“If you hit the ball in the infield you get to first automatically,” Demarzo explained.
That gives the opportunity for players who are not that quick to get on base.
“This is our first attempt to get a seniors’ league going –— we’ve had senior teams — both men’s and mixed go to the 55+ BC Games and National Softball Association BC tournaments for 55+,” Demarzo said.
The league invites anyone interested
to come out and try it.
“We would be more than happy to have people come out,” Demarzo said.
“Fifty-five-plus is what we’re looking at for age and we’re trying to make a league of it. Right now we’ve got two teams and if we got four teams of 12 to 14 players we’d play twice a week.
Players who’ve joined are very, very happy to be part of the league because there’s no other place to play. The other leagues are just too fast for them. They’re playing against 20- and 30-year-olds.”
Originally the idea was to get a team together for the 55+ BC Games in Nanaimo from Sept. 9 to 13 but there isn’t enough time and not enough people want to make the trip but that might change next year when the 55+ BC Games are held in Kamloops from Aug. 18 to 22.
Randy Mackus, a quarter amputee, and championship golfer, joined the league recently.
“This is absolutely fantastic,” Mackus said.
“I didn’t really think that I would be able to swing the bat because I’m a bit different. The bat is heavier than a golf club but it seems to work out fine and everybody is really supportive. There’s a lot of ‘hey, way to go!’ — which is kinda cool.”
Mackus said he likes trying everything.
“And just like anybody else I am trying to figure out what happens after 55 or even 60 because we have a preconceived notion of what that might be. Just because we’re getting old doesn’t mean we can’t do sh#% anymore. When we were 13 we looked at 60 and thought ‘you’re really old’ — but that’s not how it is now. I don’t feel old, do you?”
So right now it’s all about the love of the sport.
“We’re just hoping we can get more people to come on down and join us and have some fun, be social and active,” Burns said.
For more information reach out to Jackie Burns at jackielloyd.burns@ gmail.com.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH
Life Events
Randall Douglas Horning
November 16, 1950 - June 17, 2025
Randall Douglas Horning, 74, of Prince George, BC passed peacefully on June 17, 2025
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Douglas, mother Marion, siblings Barry & Laura, and is survived by his partner Susan, sister Gwen, children eil (Susan), Amanda (Mathew), Ryan (Laurie), and grandchildren Jake, Aubrey, Riley, icole, Charlote, Zoey, Conway and Freya.
A celebraton of life will be held on June 2 at the Kinsmen Community Complex (777 Kinsmen Place) at 1:00 p.m. n lieu of fowers, please consider a donaton to the Prince George Hospice House.
David James Edward Wight
Born April 9,1945, passed June 2, 2025
Survived by mother Patricia, brothers; John, Alan, Tom (Shirley), sisters; Jackie (Steve), Barb (Doug) numerous, neices and nephews Celebraton of life at a later date
Paul Steindl
February 9, 1928 - June 16, 2025
Paul passed away peacefully at Parkside Care Home in Prince George, BC.
Born in Bavaria, Germany Paul travelled to Australia and then to Canada in 1955. Dad arrived in PG in 1957 and married his wife Nan in 1959.
Paul was predeceased by his wife Nan in 2014 and will be greatly missed by his daughter Jane Allan (Ian) and son Dave (Dyonne) along with his 4 grandchildren, Kelsey (Sean), Greg (Jen), Sian (Robin), Ally and one great grandchild Ben.
Many thanks to the wonderful sta at Parkside for looking a er dad in his nal years.
No service upon request.
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Calvin Lestage at the age of 65.
Calvin was a kind, generous soul, truly the best guy. A big kid at heart, he brought joy wherever he went. Music fowed through him, and he shared it freely. His presence made others feel special and loved.
He’ll be deeply missed by his daughters Chantelle (Jaromi), Lindsay, and Becca; his mother Alvina; siblings Allen (Beth), Smiley (Dar), Cheryl, Blaine (Kelly), Carrie, Kelly (Russell), and Shelly (Brian); grandchildren Liam, Brandon, Jesse, Erick, and Jensen; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Predeceased by his father, Wilfred Lestage, Calvin carried his memory always.
He also leaves behind Shelley, her daughters Holly (Greg), Krystle, and her grandchildren Cameron, Sarah, Jordan, Kayden, and Mason.
His friends from PGARA, Polar Lumber, and Bear Lake will remember him with love. Calvin’s legacy of laughter, love, and music lives on.
A Celebraton of Life will be held June 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Bear Lake Community Hall. All who knew Calvin are welcome to atend.
Kenneth “Ken” Howard Dahl
November 16, 1943 - May 28, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kenneth Howard Dahl on May 28, 2025. Ken was born in Chilliwack November 16, 1943 but the family made their home in Vanderhoof. The family moved to Salmon Arm in 1955 where Ken nished his educaton.
Ken had a number of notable careers. He was the manager of Territorial Leasing, he trained and worked as a re ghter with the Prince George ire Department, and then he took a ob as an nvestgator with the ire Commissioners ce of the Government ofB.C.
Ken enjoyed many sports, especially lacrosse, badminton, and curling. He was actve in the community, volunteering with the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, Prince George Spruce Kings, the BCGREA, and St. Giles Presbyterian Church.
Ken and Helen were married in April 1972 and she was his greatest support and cheerleaderthroughout his life. They raised two children and welcomed four lovely grandchildren into the family.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Earl Dahl and Paty Dahl, sister Shirley White, brother Jerrold Dahl, brotherin-law Glen hite and other precious family members. He is survived by his wife Helen, children Jennifer (Sandy) Clarke, Andrew (Irene) Dahl, and grandchildren Ryan, Pa ton, Aubrey, and Layne plus many dear relatves.
A memorial service will be held for Ken on July 30 at St. Giles Presbyterian church at 1 pm. n lieu of fowers please consider making a donaton to the Alzheimers Society of Canada.
Classifeds
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Repairers Lien Act
Whereas Cela Nora West is indebted to Subaru of Prince George for repairs and storage in the amount of $18304.14 on a 2010 Subaru Impreza 4 door Sedan VIN# JF1GE6C68AG501168
ot e is ere iven t t t noon on , or t ere er, t e nit e so t r ns i t, rin e eor e, or ore infor ton Subaru of Prince George. 250-564-3300
SUBARU OF PRINCE GEORGE
LEGAL NOTICE
To anyone related to George, James Derek about the trailer MHR#014999, Serial#IH210, 1969, UNITED TRAILORS COUNTRY ESTATE, located at #8A - 6151 GAUTHIER ROAD, PRINCE GEORGE, BC. 460445 B.C. Ltd., the owner of Meadows MH Park, 251-3381 Cambie St., Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4R3 (604-248-7505),
i is ose of t e ove entone tr i er n ess t e erson ein not e t es ossession of t e property and establishes a right of possession of it it in s fro t e te t e not e is serve on that person.
*On July 7, 1456, Joan of Arc’s heresy conviction was overturned at an appeal proceeding held at the archbishop’s palace in Rouen, France. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church’s change of heart came too late, as she’d been burned at the stake 25 years earlier.
• 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.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you don’t like to change plans once they’re set, once again, you might fnd that doing so can make a big diference in your favor. Meanwhile, family maters dominate the weekend.
• 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) You contnue to get encouragement for your proposals, including some support from unlikely sources. Use this positve fow to move forward with your plans. Good luck!
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Family maters are dominant this week. It’s a good tme to be with those you love. It’s also a good tme to contact and reunite with loved ones with whom you’ve lost touch.
• 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
* On July 8, 1905, the body of Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, which had lain for more than a century in a French graveyard, began its final trans-Atlantic journey, ending in interment at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland with a ceremony presided over by President Theodore Roosevelt.
* On July 9, 1928, Rose Booher, her son Fred and two hired workers were shot to death on a secluded farm in Canada while the rest of the Booher family was away. Son Vernon Booher
confessed to the crime after Max Langsner used his alleged psychic powers, with which he’d reputedly solved crimes around Europe, to sketch a scene that included a rifle hidden under some bushes, giving police a makeshift map to locate the murder weapon.
* On July 10, 2018, the last of 12 Thai youth soccer players and their coach were rescued from the Tham Luang cave network after a search that held the world’s attention for more than two weeks. The team had
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Be careful not to allow diferences of opinion to create unpleasant feelings, especially in the workplace. A neutral observer could check out the situaton and suggest a resoluton.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) While the Lion’s Den is the center of atenton this week with family maters dominatng much of your tme, workplace issues are also important. Try to fnd a balance between them.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The future of a new relatonship could depend on how much the usually impatent-to-get-things-done VIRGO is willing to stop pushing and let things happen naturally.
set out on a supposed hour-long adventure when they were trapped underground after monsoon rains flooded the cave’s entrance.
* On July 11, 1944, German army officer Count Claus von Stauffenberg carried a bomb to Adolf Hitler’s headquarters in Bavaria with the intention of assassinating him. The count ended up holding back because Hermann Göring and Heinrich Himmler, who were also considered crucial targets, weren’t present as expected.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Worry over a loved one’s wellbeing is eased with good news from a sympathetc source. Your contnued show of love and support is important. Stay with it.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) This is a good tme to consider mending fences with someone you wish was back in your life. Forget about blame and focus on the good things you once shared.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good week to start researching informaton regarding whatever changes you’re considering, whether it involves a new home, a new locaton, or a new job.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A long-antcipated job opportunity could turn out to be less than you expected, but appearances might be deceiving. Check it out before you decide it’s not for you.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Good news! Adaptng to a new situaton might come more easily than you expected. You can look for contnued support from colleagues who appreciate your contributons.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone you care for might need more reassurance from the typically “unemotonal” PISCES. Go ahead. Open up, and you might be surprised at what you fnd when you do.
Homes & Living
How Canada got its name: A story rooted in Indigenous origins
The name “Canada” has its roots in a rich and respectful exchange between Indigenous peoples and early European explorers. Long before European contact, the land we now call Canada was home to diverse and thriving Indigenous nations, each with their own languages, cultures, and territories. The word “Canada” itself is believed to have originated from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word “kanata,” meaning “village” or “settlement.”
In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River and interacted with the people of what is now Quebec. The young sons of a local Haudenosaunee
(Iroquois) chief from the village of Stadacona used the word “kanata” to direct Cartier to the village. Cartier misunderstood the term, thinking it referred to the entire region. Over time, he and other Europeans began using “Canada” to describe not just the village but the vast area surrounding it.
As French and later British influence expanded, the name “Canada” began appearing on maps to refer to the larger territory. In the 18th century, “Canada” was used to describe two colonies: Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec). When Confederation was achieved in 1867, uniting several colonies into one country, the new
nation was officially named the Dominion of Canada. While the naming of Canada came through misunderstanding, it reflects the deep impact of Indigenous languages and presence on this land. Indigenous peoples have always been central to the country’s history, and their contributions continue to shape Canada’s identity today. Recognizing that the name “Canada” has Indigenous roots is a step toward honouring those who first named and cared for this land, long before it was mapped or claimed by European powers.
Staining your deck or fence
Staining your fence and deck is an excellent way to preserve the wood, enhance its natural beauty, and protect it from the elements. To ensure the best results, proper preparation and application are key.
Start by thoroughly cleaning the wood. Remove any dirt, mildew, or old stain using a deck cleaner or wood brightener. If your wood is weathered or gray, a light sanding may be necessary to restore its surface. Allow the wood to dry completely—this usually takes 24 to 48 hours depending on weather conditions.
Choose a high-quality stain suitable for your climate and wood type. Semitransparent stains are popular because they highlight the wood grain while still offering protection. Solid stains provide more UV protection and are great for older wood with imperfections. Apply stain when temperatures are moderate—ideally between 10°C and 30°C (50°F to 85°F)—and avoid staining in direct sunlight or just before rain. Use a brush, roller, or sprayer depending on your preference and
the size of the project. Brushes are ideal for working the stain into the wood, especially on fences and vertical surfaces.
Always follow the direction of the wood grain and work in manageable sections to avoid lap marks. Apply one even coat and let it soak in. If a second coat is needed, wait until the first is dry, usually 24 hours.
With attention to detail and patience, a well-stained fence or deck not only looks great but will last for years with minimal maintenance.
