Prince George Citizen May 15, 2025

Urgent care, urgent crisis

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Every day at the Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre, patients who need a prescription, treatment for a wound or relief from a minor ailment are first assessed by a nurse who determines the urgency of their case.

The triage system works well — when there are enough doctors to provide care. But at the Prince George clinic, there are not nearly enough physicians signing up for shifts.

Barend Grobbelaar, former chair of the Nechako Medical Group, which operated the clinic for 33 years, no longer represents the group. Speaking as an individual, he says he is deeply concerned that so few of the city’s 70 family doctors are volunteering to cover urgent care shifts at the clinic, located in Parkwood Place.

“The ability to get through the triage

system depends on how many physician hours are available, and the Achilles heel right now is that there just aren’t many doctors,” Grobbelaar said.

“Right now, there are fewer than a handful participating on a regular basis.”

Years ago, when the Nechako Medical Clinic was thriving, each doctor could see

six to 10 urgent care patients per hour. Today, that number is closer to four. Physicians used to earn a premium for working evenings and weekends— more than they could make anywhere else. That incentive disappeared under the current provincial contract, where doctors now earn less than they would

in other settings.

Two years ago, BC replaced the feefor-service model with the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) payment model, aimed at better compensating family doctors for time spent with patients.

The Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre at Parkwood Place recently changed its operating model, which has affected people without a family doctor.

Pulled over by the CN Rail police

If you’ve ever been ticketed by a CN Rail officer, you may have been left scratching your head as to how and why. CN police officers have all the powers of a peace officer under the Railway Safety Act, including those powers vested through the Criminal Code of Canada, to enforce violations occurring on or within 500 metres of CN’s railway network throughout Canada. This means any road within 500 metres of a railway network is fair game when it comes to issuing tickets for speeding or other offences witnessed by a rail officer.

Doctor encourages colleagues to try a few shifs at clinic

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The new system factors in the added time needed to manage complex conditions and the administrative burden that comes with them.

Under the LFP model, physicians are responsible for patients across the continuum of care—whether in their office, the emergency department, hospital or palliative care. It replaced a system where doctors were paid only for faceto-face visits.

The LFP model has persuaded many doctors to convert their walk-in clinics to longitudinal practices, where they provide ongoing care and coordinate services. But that shift has had consequences. Doctors are now better compensated for office and hospital work, and fewer are willing to take on urgent care shifts.

“We’re getting paid better now to look after panels of patients, and a lot of doctors are realizing they don’t need to work long extra hours to cover their overhead and make a living,” said Grobbelaar.

“There’s also been a generational shift in priorities. Family life is more important now than it was in the past. Urgent care means working after hours, on weekends and holidays, and many doctors just aren’t willing to do that anymore.”

The urgent care clinic offers services to patients with minor injuries,

non-life-threatening conditions or who need a prescription refill. It also helps relieve pressure on emergency staff at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. However, the triage process adopted by Northern Health, while improving care quality for individual patients, has also led to fewer being seen overall.

“This would be a net positive if we had enough doctors,” Grobbelaar said.

“The real problem is that we don’t have enough showing up to sign on for shifts, and that’s a serious vulnerability for the ongoing function of the urgent care centre.”

“It’s much less efficient now. The quality of care is better per patient, but we’re not seeing the same volume, and the cost per patient is three to four times higher.”

According to Grobbelaar, about half of patients are now seen virtually by Teladoc Health, an international company offering remote services. Each Teladoc consultation involves both a remote doctor and a nurse, supported in person by another nurse who facilitates the visit on-site.

“For one patient, you’re paying three people, and you’re paying Teladoc,” he

said. “They won’t see really sick people or anyone needing a quick, hands-on exam. We’re paying two to four times more just to get a prescription filled, and that’s happening because there aren’t any doctors signing up. The money is leaving the community, and the care isn’t as good.”

Grobbelaar said Teladoc is useful in remote parts of northern BC where doctors are scarce, but a city the size of Prince George shouldn’t have to rely on it.

For 33 years, until their contract ended in December, the Nechako Medical Clinic operated the urgent care centre, offering a critical service for the one-third of local residents without a family doctor.

But the group withdrew because they couldn’t recruit enough of the city’s 70 family physicians to work there. At the time of closure, only 19 doctors were involved — down from 40 or 50 in earlier decades. Mounting costs, including rent and staffing, meant the clinic was operating at a loss for two years before the group dissolved the corporation.

Northern Health took over on Dec. 9, 2024. Patients are now seen the same day by a physician, nurse practitioner or other health-care professional, depending on the urgency of their case. Triage prioritizes care based on severity rather than order of arrival, aiming to improve flow and reduce the frustration of patients being turned away once the daily schedule is full—but the system is

far from perfect.

A decade ago, the shortage of primary care wasn’t an issue. Most Prince George residents had a family doctor. The Nechako Medical Clinic, which operated at Spruceland Mall from 1991 to 2019, focused on urgent patients and used the Medical Services Plan fee-forservice model, which rewarded speed and volume.

When the current clinic opened at Parkwood Mall in June 2019, Northern Health combined urgent and primary care services. But an aging population and physician shortage means more patients showing up at the clinic haven’t seen a doctor in years and often have complex conditions that require primary care.

At opening, 35 doctors were involved. Most have since left, and the situation is likely to worsen. Grobbelaar, now 70, says many of his colleagues are nearing retirement.

“There are only five or six of us doing regular urgent care shifts. Realistically, two of us are covering 80 per cent of the work,” said Grobbelaar, who averages 20 shifts a month.

“It just takes forever to be seen. You show up four or five hours before a doctor arrives,” he said.

“I believe that if more local doctors tried a few shifts, they’d find it a good working environment and would return. We’ve got to overcome their reluctance to participate.”

Grobbelaar

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Members seek to block reporter from public meetng

Media’s presence at grants funding session called ‘chilling’ by Tracy Calogheros

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Several members of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s Select Committee on Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants expressed a desire to make their decisions in private and disallow the media from attending their meetings during its Friday, May 9 meeting.

Early in the meeting, which was held at the district’s offices in Prince George at 155 George St. with several members calling in via teleconference, committee chair Lara Beckett (Chilako River-Nechako) told those on the phone that a Citizen reporter was in attendance.

Member Tracy Calogheros, the

former CEO of the Exploration Place, asked whether their decisions would be made in-camera, meaning behind closed doors.

Beckett told her that the meetings of the committee are public, though the media had not previously attended any.

Director Cori Ramsay, a member of Prince George city council, said she had a similar question when she and her colleagues gathered earlier this year to discuss limited-duration grant applications in a Committee of the Whole meeting.

“There’s no ability within the Community Charter to go into a closed meeting to discuss grant adjudication,” Ramsay said.

“So, it is required to be in an open session.”

Later in the meeting, Calogheros advocated for future meetings to be held in-camera, saying she had never adjudicated grants with media being in the room before.

“I find that it’s very chilling on the

conversation and I’m very concerned about what this will do to relationships with other cultural organizations down the road where people are looking to work in partnership,” she said.

“I just think this is something that the regional district board should really consider if they’re going to continue to adjudicate grants at a committee level, there have to be a means to do that in camera so that conversations can actually be free and flowing.”

Fellow committee members Sharon Stearns and Megan Brumovsky said they agreed with Calogheros. Ramsay replied that committee meetings are public under provincial law.

Under part four, division three of BC’s Community Charter, local government council meetings must be open to the public, except when it comes to personnel matters, security, land acquisition or disposal, legal matters, information protected under the Freedom of

Information and Protection of Privacy Act, negotiations around the provision of municipal services and the developments of annual reports.

Section 93(a) of the Community Charter states that these rules also apply to council committees, commissions, tax roll review panels, board of variance, advisory bodies, bodies that can exercise local government powers and other bodies proscribed by regulation.

“I will raise it as a concern when we talk about it at board and perhaps there would be advocacy put forward by the regional district just to change the Community Charter to allow those types of conversations to occur in a closed (meeting) because they are confidential in nature and it is quite awkward to have these conversations publicly that can be seen as very critical of the community partners that are applying for funding, but that’s not the intent at all,” Ramsay said.

“It’s really to judge the merits of the application.”

Final decision on local grants to be made June 19

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$4,000 for the Prince George Community Band

The band was looking for funds to help purchase new sheet music from Canadian and Indigenous artists as well as more modern and popular hits. Additionally, the band wanted financial support to replace and update some of its percussion equipment.

Ramsay recused herself from this vote, saying she plays with the band though she is not a member of its executive. The full funding amount was recommended by the committee.

$2,275.18 for Theatre Northwest

Originally, Theatre Northwest had asked for $10,000 to help with several capital improvements.

Those included a new, non-reflective, slip-resistant floor, installing blinds on the lobby windows, replacing lobby

furniture and improve washroom facilities by installing a baby-changing table in the accessible washroom and adding menstrual product dispensers in all bathrooms.

The amount recommended would pay for the changing station and the menstrual product dispensers.

Ramsay noted that she had mixed thoughts on the application as a whole but felt this aspect was important and there might not be other funding sources available for it.

$2,500 for the Fraser Lyric Opera Society

The society asked for $10,000 in funding for its 2025 summer camp titled Opera Unleashed: the Art of Acting.

The vote for this application was held when only about $10,000 was left in the budget, with the committee deciding to direct $7,500 to the Exploration Place and $2,500 for the opera society.

$2,000 for the Northern BC Queer Connection Society

The society asked for $7,650 to help put on its annual pride picnic at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Saturday, July 6 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Committee members said they felt the application was Prince George-centric and didn’t have much of a regional focus.

Stearns said she was concerned that no budget for the event was attached to the application.

However, they said they thought it was an important initiative and decided on recommending a $2,000 contribution.

The other applications that were received but not recommended were from:

• $10,000 for the Prince George Folkfest Society to host the “Dak’et, Shun Inli” event in November 2025

• $10,000 for the Robson Valley Music Society to host the Robson Valley Music Festival from Aug. 29 to 31 in Dunster

• $8,000 for the White Spruce City Chorus Chapter of Sweet Adelines International to purchase choral risers

• $7,500 for the Alban Classical Artists Society to host free concerts in Beaverly and Blackburn

• $7,000 for Inspiring Women Among Us at the University of Northern British Columbia for its 2025 series of events in November

• $5,000 for Downtown Prince George to host Winterfest in February 2026

The district’s board of directors will make final decisions on the grant recommendations at its Thursday, June 19 meeting.

Visitors can attend for FREE using promo code CNRE2030 or scan the QR code

You have the right to know how your money is spent

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Municipal taxpayers deserve to know how decisions are made when their money is being given to community groups as grants. That’s not an opinion. It’s fact, and it’s law.

That’s why a recent debate over whether reporters should be allowed to attend meetings of the Fraser-Fort George Regional District’s Select Committee on Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants is not just unnecessary. It’s legally baseless.

Complaints about a Citizen reporter’s presence should have been dropped the moment Coun. Cori Ramsay pointed out the reality: These meetings are public, and that includes the right of the media to attend and report on them.

This isn’t a political preference. It’s a legal requirement under the Community Charter and Local Government Act, which governs and guarantees transparency in local government.

It was particularly concerning to hear experienced committee members like Tracy Calogheros — who was the long-serving CEO of Exploration Place and has run for public office — suggesting that the presence of a reporter has a “chilling” effect on deliberations.

She was wrong. The presence of media encourages decision-makers to weigh their words carefully, be fair, and avoid favoritism or bias.

Calogheros’s further suggestion and the discussion that followed that these

Method Dance Society is one of the deserving local non-profit groups set to receive grants of public funds from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George this year. Applicants and taxpayers deserve to be able to understand the decision-making process through media coverage.

sessions should be held “in camera” and away from public view is a waste of time, and an erosion of democratic accountability.

The committee is tasked with distributing taxpayer dollars to community

groups. These are public funds, allocated through a public process, based on criteria and discussions that must be visible to the people — you — who are footing the bill.

Anyone arguing for closed-door meetings is asking the public to accept a news blackout on the disbursement of their own money.

That’s unacceptable.

The fact that some committee members find it “awkward” to discuss applications critically in front of a reporter is not a justification for secrecy — it’s a reminder of why transparency matters.

This is especially important in a smaller city like Prince George, where some of the appointed or elected members of a committee like this may have previous or existing connections to the groups hoping for funding.

For example, at this meeting, Ramsay recused herself and left the room during the discussion of funding for the Prince George Community Band because she’s a band member.

Not everyone is as familiar with conflict-of-interest guidelines, or even the perception of conflict, as elected officials like Ramsay.

This is why it was unfortunate that Ramsay later equivocated — wrongly suggesting to fellow committee members that there may be a mechanism to bar media from future meetings. This gave them false hope that their misguided complaint had merit.

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OPINION

LETTERS EDITOR to the

Backyard chickens are fine, and we still need pesticides

Re: Backyard chickens are bad but toxic pesticides are OK?

I have no objection to backyard chickens in the city.

Contrary to what some think, smell or noise would not be an issue, less than that from a backyard dog.

At one time I had an acre in a semi-rural area and I raised chickens, dozens of them, so I know whereof I speak. However, knowing what’s involved, I would not recommend it.

As for pesticides, there are claims and studies that say they are carcinogens, and others that say they are not. When DDT was banned, one of the reasons was that it was a carcinogen, another that it was responsible for the thinning of raptor eggs. Both claims were false. When deciding on the use of such chemicals, a cost-benefit analysis is a must.

In the First World War, more soldiers died from typhus than from battle, but in the Second World War, soldiers dusted themselves with DDT and

suffered no epidemic. DDT was responsible for the elimination of malaria in N. America. When the ban was being

considered, an official was advised that DDT was highly effective against malarial mosquitos in Africa and if banned

would result in many deaths. He ignored the warning. It’s estimated that more than 40 million children died because of that ban.

My father used DDT, handled it with his bare hands and suffered no ill effects. He lived to 102.

In 2021, Sri Lanka banned synthetic fertilizer and pesticide imports practically overnight, forcing Sri Lanka’s millions of farmers to go organic. The result was a collapse of their agricultural economy, the impoverishment of the people who subsequently overthrew the government.

When it comes to a choice between using herbicides and pesticides or crop failure and hunger, the choice is clear. Perhaps not so clear in the city. For myself, I like a nice lawn. When the time comes that the weeds get too numerous, I use Killex. There’s been no damaging or killing of trees and shrubs in my yard or neighbouring area. My lawn is not “dreary and lifeless.” It is lush and green.

Every year when I de-thatch my lawn, I rototill the piles of clippings into my veggie garden. My garden does great too.

Public meetngs are required to be just that: Public

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On top of that, the slippery-slope argument that transparency could “damage relationships” with applicants or future partners is off-base.

Applicants are fellow citizens and community organizations who deserve respectful and honest assessments — not whispered criticism behind closed doors.

If public scrutiny of the adjudication process risks relationships, perhaps the process needs to be improved, not hidden.

Let’s also dispense with the idea that this is uncharted territory. As chair Lara Beckett noted, these meetings have always been public — it’s just that

it’s been a while since a journalist has attended.

The fact that a reporter from ˆ was present on May 9 is not a disruption. It’s a return to form for how public governance is supposed to operate, and part of the now locally owned Citizen’s mandate to shine a stronger light on public processes.

The law is clear. The meetings are public. The press has a right to attend. And the committee should focus on doing its work while accepting and understanding public scrutiny, not looking for ways to escape it.

Have your say on this editorial or other coverage from this issue of The Citizen with a letter to the editor: editor@ pgcitizen.ca

Art Betke

Prince George

ART BETKE PHOTO

Art Betke relies on pesticides to maintain his Prince George yard and garden, which includes sunflowers and corn.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Members of a Regional District of Fraser-Fort George committee recently discussed barring media from public meetings despite their presence being guaranteed by law.

Locked gates installed at Moccasin Flats access points

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

City of Prince George workers installed lockable gates at either end of Lower Patricia Boulevard as it enters Moccasin Flats on Thursday, May 8.

As of 3:45 p.m., the gate at the intersection of Lower Patricia and Fifth Avenue had been blocked while the other near the intersection of Lower Patricia and Fourth Avenue remained unlocked.

At an April 23 meeting, Prince George city council approved installation of the gates to block off vehicle traffic but not foot traffic to the homeless encampment.

In the morning and early afternoon, city crews and external contractors were seen hoisting the burnt-out remains of a semi-trailer that had once served as a shelter onto a flatbed truck and removed from the site.

That heralded the beginning of work to install lockable concrete no-post gates, a spokesperson from the City of Prince George said by email.

Signs were also erected on the road through the flats telling passersby

The new gates at Moccasin Flats are seen in their open position shortly after they were installed at the entrances to the encampment last week.

that the road and fire hydrants must be kept clear at all times under city bylaws.

By email that afternoon, director of administrative services Eric Depenau confirmed that work to install the gates was beginning and would continue over the next several days.

“This work is being carried out under the authority of the Community Charter, Section 38(1),” Depenau said.

“Notices about the work were handed out to people at the encampment and posted up around the area. The notice explains that sheltering in the area will not be impacted by the installation of the gates.

“Emergency services will still have access to the area via the roadway, which must be kept clear at all times. Once gates are installed, vehicle access to this area will be restricted to

authorized traffic only.”

Section 38(1) of the Community Charter states that the council of a local government may “temporarily restrict or prohibit all or some types of traffic on a highway.”

The City of Prince George’s application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to clear out what remains of Moccasin Flats is still pending. Only a few people still live on the site.

Four PG-area ballots not counted in Coquitlam snafu

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Elections Canada says that 822 special ballots cast from the riding of Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, including four from Prince George ridings, were not counted on election night due to human error.

A media release issued on Wednesday, May 7 said that the 822 ballots cast by voters from 74 different ridings were mistakenly kept at the office of the returning officer in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam instead of being returned to Elections Canada’s headquarters by 6 p.m. eastern on April 28, the legal deadline for them to have been counted.

An initial investigation into the incident has determined that the votes

would not have affected the final outcome in any of the affected ridings and that it was caused by a failure to comply with written procedures.

Three of these uncounted ballots were in Cariboo-Prince George, where Conservative incumbent Todd Doherty secured his fourth consecutive victory,

and one was in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, where fellow Tory Bob Zimmer won his fifth consecutive race.

Doherty earned 60.3 per cent of the vote in his riding while Zimmer earned 71.1 per cent of ballots cast.

Another five ballots were affected for

Skeena-Bulkley Valley, where Conservative candidate Ellis Ross earned 47.2 per cent of votes cast.

A list showing how many ballots were involved from each of the affected ridings has been sent to all registered political parties. The most affected riding was Port Moody-Coquitlam, where 530 ballots went uncounted.

As a result of the incident, chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault has ordered a complete review of controls in place to prevent it from happening again.

“My commitment to candidates, political parties and Canadians is that when issues related to the delivery of an election arise, we take all necessary steps to resolve them,” Perrault said in the release.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Prince George voters went to the polls on April 28.

When one door closes, another opens. at old saying rings especially true these days.

Across industries, chaos and disruption have become familiar. We’ve watched businesses face setbacks—from personal losses to global supply chain breakdowns. Recently, several international publishers I’ve worked with, and counted as friends, have shut down operations entirely. ese closures, driven by strained logistics from China to the U.S., have impacted many of us, including me.

But disruption can also spark opportunity. One of my smaller ventures has taken o in direct response to these shi s. What was once seen as niche is now gaining traction across the city and beyond. With growing support for Canadianmade products, especially those rooted in community, “Made in Canada” has become more than a label—it’s a priority.

Still, growth brings its own challenges.

at’s where the Northern Angel Summit comes in.

is groundbreaking program represents a powerful convergence of innovation and investment, designed to strengthen the region’s economic future. At its core, the Summit addresses a critical need in Northern BC’s business ecosystem—connecting promising startups seeking early-stage capital with angel investors who can help bring their visions to life.

“In our 2023 survey of the Northern Innovation Ecosystem, Northern Ventures identi$ed early access to capital as both crucial to success and scarce throughout the region,” says Mary Mytting, Executive

Director. “ e Northern Angel Summit is designed to bridge the gap between investors seeking untapped potential and companies looking for investment—unlocking capital within our region.”

“

Northern BC doesn’t need to ask for a seat at the table, we’re building our own table

e 10-week intensive program, culminating in a live pitch $nale on September 25, 2025, in Prince George, o ers much more than just funding opportunities. For entrepreneurs, it provides comprehensive training in investor relations, pitch development, and business growth strategies. e

process begins with competitive quarter-$nal and semi-$nal rounds, ultimately narrowing the $eld to six $nalists who will present their ventures to a public audience and a panel of investors. is year’s program aims to award $100,000 in funding to the most promising startup, a signi$cant investment that could transform a local business.

“Northern BC doesn’t need to ask for a seat at the table—we’re building our

own table,” says Josh Nilson, Founder of Maskwa Investments. “Supporting founders here means shaping the next wave of innovation.” Originally from Mud River just outside of Prince George, Nilson is the co-founder of East Side Games, a successful mobile gaming studio known for hit titles like Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money and RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar.

What makes the Northern Angel Summit particularly valuable is its dual focus on both founders and investors. Startups gain unprecedented access to investor perspectives, learning directly what captures attention and builds con$dence in potential funders.

For investors, the program o ers a structured introduction to the world of angel investing. rough training and mentorship from experienced investors, participants learn how to evaluate opportunities, assess risks, and build a diversi$ed investment portfolio. It also presents access to a new network for seasoned investors.

e Summit creates a unique environment where investors can discover high-potential local ventures while contributing to Northern BC’s economic development.

“Commercializing new technologies in Northern BC brings unique challenges with $nancing $rst-of-akind due to lack of awareness with local investors,” says Owen Miller, founder of Deadwood Innovations.

“Programs like the Northern Angel Summit are vital in bridging this gap, connecting pre-commercial companies with creative risk-tolerant investors who recognize the region’s potential.”

At the heart of this initiative is Mary

Mytting, the Executive Director of the Northern Innovation Network, whose diverse background brings invaluable perspective to the program.

A Northern BC native with experience spanning entrepreneurship, nonpro$t leadership, and international business development, Mytting has personally launched and sold two successful businesses while establishing a lasting charitable initiative in South Africa. Her two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and community development inform the Summit’s practical, purposeful approach.

“ e Northern Angel Summit is positioned to be an annual initiative that supports northern entrepreneurs and invites accredited investors to the world of angel investing through a guided, hands-on process, where a capital fund is raised, deals are screened, and investment in a startup is made,” Says Mary.

Applications for 2025 remain open until May 23, o ering both founders and investors the chance to participate in this transformative experience. Beyond the immediate bene$ts of funding and education, the Summit fosters lasting connections that continue to bene$t participants long a er the program concludes.

In a business landscape o en dominated by major urban centers, this initiative proves that Northern BC has both the talent and the vision to build its own thriving innovation economy.

I plan to apply. Who’s with me? ose interested in learning more can visit NorthernAngelSummit.ca or contact the organizers directly at angelsummit@northerninnovation.ca.

Tourism PG reports surplus of $170K

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Tourism Prince George ran an operational surplus of $170,415 in 2024, representatives from the organization told the city’s Standing Committee on Finance and Audit at its Wednesday, May 7 meeting.

CEO Colin Carson and Lorna Wendling of accounting firm MNP presented the not-for-profit organization’s yearend financial statements for 2024 at the meeting.

As of Dec. 31, 2024, Tourism Prince George had around $2.9 million in assets and $696,889 in liabilities.

That’s up from around $2.28 million in assets and $216,463 in liabilities in 2023.

Wendling noted that the value of TPG’s restricted investments decreased from just over $1.2 million in 2023 to $920,879 in 2024.

“That was because there was a cash withdrawal from those investments to support the move from the tourism centre to its new location in the Civic Centre,” Wendling said.

“You’ll also see a significant increase in tangible capital assets from $43,000 to $901,000 and that’s a combination of additions to the leasehold improvements to get the new tourism centre ready for occupation, work that was done on the skating rink and the acquisition of the containers for the container market.”

Last year, the organization moved into a shipping container at Canada Games Plaza while their new digs inside the Civic Centre were being made ready. They made the move inside the building this January.

A synthetic material was also installed in the plaza’s skating rink to allow visitors to use it year-round, instead of just during the colder months.

A slideshow prepared by MNP noted that developing the container market in the plaza cost around $369,000 while the organization spent around $500,000 for leasehold improvements.

Offsetting some of those costs were around $421,000 in grants.

Library ran defcit of almost $267K in 2024

The Prince George Public Library ran a deficit of $266,704 in 2024 after budgeting for a $275,454 surplus, according to documents presented to the city’s Standing Committee on Finance and Audit on Wednesday, May 7.

Financial statements show that while revenues ended up being $186,561 greater than expected in the budget, expenses were $728,719 beyond what was anticipated.

The largest contributing factor to those extra expenses were $376,354 paid out in amortization — paying off debts or loans.

The container market was not finished being assembled when the financial statements were prepared and so the cost of paying off related debts has not been included in the 2024 budget.

In terms of revenues, TPG saw a drop of around 6.5 per cent in hotel room tax grant from around $1.94 million in 2023 to around $1.81 million in 2024.

Coun. Trudy Klassen asked whether that drop could be attributed to 2024 being the first year where short-term rentals were not allowed in unattached units within the city.

Carson said there wasn’t a significant decrease from revenues from online accommodations platforms in 2024. Rather, he theorized that 2023’s figures were higher than normal because of pent-up demand for events that had been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would say that 2024 was probably a close to normal year and kind of plateaued out where 2023 was truthfully better than expected,” Carson said. “That’s something we saw across the province, not only here in Prince George.”

Following up, Klassen asked how well TPG can access its visitors centre when events are on.

Carson praised the organization’s relationship with Andy Beesley, the city’s director of civic facilities and said the centre being open has been considered as adding value to conference being held at the Civic Centre.

“I know we want to have that, so going forward unless there is a specific event that cannot have us open for security reasons or if it’s an extremely private event where that can happen, those should be the only times those doors are closed,” Carson said.

With the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games coming to Prince George this July and the city submitted a bid to host the national games in 2030, Coun. Ron Polillo asked if there was anything TPG could share about collaborations with those events.

“Nothing that I can share with you now, although I think there will be some announcements in the next month or two about some pretty significant and special events that will be coming to Prince George in the near future,” Carson said.

Another factor was salaries being $177,159 more than was budgeted for, the committee heard.

Presenting the documents to the committee with Corey Naphtali of accounting firm KPMG, who said that there was a two per cent wage increase in 2024 as well as an increase of two full-time equivalent positions.

A note provided in the financial statements states that “amortization was not contemplated on development of the budget and, as such, has not been included.”

The annual deficit was covered by the library’s accumulated surplus, which decreased from around $1.58 million at the end of 2023 to around $1.32 million at the end of 2024.

The 2024 deficit was also bigger than the 2023 deficit, which came in at $61,924.

At the end of 2024, the library had total financial assets worth around $1.1 million and liabilities worth $781,233, for a net position of $307,845.

That’s down from $517,631 at the end of 2023.

The library also has total non-financial assets like capital assets and prepaid expenses worth just over $1 million.

TOURISM PRINCE GEORGE PHOTO

Tourism Prince George operates its visitors’ centre at Canada Games Plaza and has big plans for the facility.

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George Catholics welcome new Pope Leo XIV

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The election of the first American pope has drawn global attention to the Catholic Church.

Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected to the papal seat Wednesday with at least 89 of the 133 votes, securing the two-thirds majority required to become pope.

Prevost chose the name Pope Leo XIV and greeted the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square with his first words as pope: “Peace be with you.”

Leo XIV is the first American in history to be elected pope. He was born in Chicago in 1955, joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982.

In 1985, he joined an Augustinian mission in Peru, where he served for many years and obtained dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru.

Leo was recalled to the Vatican from Peru by Pope Francis in 2023. His appointment came as a surprise to many observers, who viewed him as an unlikely choice due to both his American background and his reputation as a political moderate within the Church.

Father Rectorino Mendoza Tolentino Jr., of Sacred Heart Cathedral, commented on the outcome of the vote in an interview with The Citizen

“The Lord always gives us a surprise,” said Father Rectorino. “That’s the work of the Holy Spirit — to deliver His message. And sometimes the message comes to us in more surprising ways.”

Father Rectorino also said he hopes Leo XIV will follow the example set by the last pope to bear the name Leo.

“Pope Leo XIII was the one who started the reform we call Rerum Novarum,” he said.

“This was an encyclical in the Church that addressed social and economic issues. The very fact that the new pope, Cardinal Prevost, chose the name Leo is making a statement — that he will continue the legacy of Pope Francis, and at the same time, he will also put his own touch on this exciting time in Church

Pope

leadership.

“Briefly looking at his history, he worked with the poorest of the poor in Peru before he was named a bishop, before he was named a cardinal, and before he went to Rome to work more closely with the Holy Father.”

While the choosing of a new pope is often seen as a political process, Father Rectorino said he hopes the Church can unify around its new leader.

“I want to avoid the words conservative and traditional,” he said. “Rather, I’d like to see that every leader in the Church, like that of the Pope, will bring the Church into unity — into oneness — in the same way as our Lord Jesus Christ prayed, that all may be one.

“With the new pope, there is hope that he will continue that work of bringing the people of God united, together, journeying toward where the Lord wants to lead us.”

Father Rectorino also expressed excitement that the new pope is American, a development that has energized his local church community.

“Now we have a pope who came from the land of America. This is an exciting time in the Church, and for my fellow Catholics, we are all rejoicing that we have been given a new pope who will lead us.

“In the celebration of the Catholic Mass, every time we celebrate it, the name of the pope is mentioned. We will get used to saying Leo XIV, our pope, in

after his election on Thursday, May 8,

the prayer of the Mass.”

The Citizen also received a statement from Bishop Stephen Jensen, who reflected on the historic nature of the appointment.

“We thank God for giving us another successor of St. Peter — the 267th! This

is a reminder of the universality of the Church: a second pope from the New World and a son of the United States. Perhaps also evidence that the young churches of the Western Hemisphere have matured to take their place alongside the older churches of Europe.”

SHOULDER SEASON

May 16th - 30th

Leo XVI greets the crowd at the Vatican

2025. Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, carried out much of his work in South America before being named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.

Kayaker rescued afer incident on Crooked River

CITIZEN STAFF

A kayaking trip turned into a life-threatening emergency on Saturday, May 10 when a paddler suffered a severe injury while navigating a logjam on the Crooked River.

Prince George Search and Rescue (PGSAR) workers made their way to the scene and helped carry out the rescue effort, as documented on the group’s Facebook page.

PGSAR reported that a group of four was making its way down the river when they encountered a large log stretching from bank to bank. While attempting to pull their kayaks over the obstruction, one member of the group slipped and sustained a deep laceration, resulting in significant bleeding.

Her companions quickly got her to shore, then two members of the group paddled downstream to retrieve a cell phone and call for help. After alerting emergency services, they made their

way back upstream to assist the injured paddler, PGSAR reported.

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) dispatched an ambulance to the scene but quickly determined that they would be unable to move the subject through the dense terrain without assistance. Prince George Search and Rescue (PGSAR) was called in to help.

PGSAR members arrived approximately 20 minutes after paramedics and began packaging the injured woman for transport just as rain began to fall. Using saws, the team cut a path through thick brush, brambles, and fallen trees to reach the road, where she was transferred to a waiting ambulance.

“Thanks to BCEHS for their quick response and excellent collaboration,” said a PGSAR spokesperson.

The rescue organization commended the group for wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) and having access to an emergency communication device that worked in the area.

FIRE NOTES

Occupants, pets make it out after kitchen catches fire

At about 2:20 p.m. on May 5, Prince George firefighters from three different halls responded to a reported structure fire on the 4000 block of Robson Avenue.

Upon arrival, the first crew found heavy smoke and fire in the kitchen area. The blaze was quickly extinguished.

All occupants and pets were able to evacuate safely.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Damage is estimated at $75,000.

No injuries in Lombardy Mobile Home Park fire

Nineteen firefighters from four fire halls responded to a structure fire in the Lombardy Mobile Home Park on Norwood Street at 6:30 p.m. on May 8, 2025.

Upon arrival, crews found a small home in flames with heavy smoke. Fire

crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and kept it from spreading to adjacent units.

The cause of the fire is under investigation with damages estimated at $25,000. There were no injuries.

Garage goes up in flames in the Hart, causing $50K damage

Damage is estimated at $50,000 after an early-morning fire in the Hart on Wednesday, May 7.

Firefighters were called to the 1800 block of Croft Road at about 3 a.m. where they found a burning garage. The fire was quickly put out.

There were no injuries.

The cause is under investigation.

PRINCE GEORGE SEARCH AND RESCUE/FACEBOOK

Prince George Search and Rescue workers transport a person after an incident on the Willow River on Saturday, May 10.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

A garage fire on Croft Road caused $50,000 in damages.

Man hit in face with pliers while trying to stop thief

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

A Prince George mechanic attacked in the alley of his downtown Prince George auto repair shop by a thief is recovering at UHNBC with an eye injury after the culprit hit him in the face with a pair of pliers.

The attack happened at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 — on Mike Gunther’s 55th birthday — in the back of his shop.

When he arrived for work with his wife, Sherrie, at BST Performance Automotive, at 300 Third Ave., he caught a tall thin man dressed in a hooded black jacket wearing a balaclava and ball cap in the act of stealing a lawnmower from the fenced yard of the adjacent Summit Power Tools.

Video surveillance taken from the tool shop shows the man getting physically aggressive with Gunther but the actual attack happened out of the camera’s range.

It’s not clear whether the man stabbed him with the pliers or threw them at him. Gunther underwent three hours of surgery Wednesday night at UHNBC to stitch up his upper and lower eyelids.

“It severed the tear duct in his eye and peeled back the eyelid skin and they were unable to fix the tear duct in surgery (Wednesday) night,” said Gunther’s daughter, Stephanie Knight.

“Once it heals he’ll have to get sent down to Vancouver to see a plastic surgeon. He can’t see out of his eye right now but they said he will be able to see again, it will just take some time.”

There might be other damage and doctors would not rule out the possibility he could have some permanent damage to his vision.

Summit Power Tools owner Steve Taylor got the call at about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday from the security company that monitors his business to let him know someone was in the yard stealing lawnmowers. By the time he arrived at about 7:45 the attack had already happened and the man had fled on foot.

Taylor watched the video that

SUBMITTED PHOTO

This is the suspect in the yard at Summit Power Tools in downtown Prince George who allegedly attacked mechanic Mike Gunther with a pair of pliers and left him with a serious eye injury when he confronted him on Wednesday, May 7.

showed the man attempting to steal the lawnmower and he also had a leaf blower and grass trimmer in his possession when Gunther confronted him. All three items came out of a scrap-metal bin in the yard, set to be turned into scrap.

“The guy got aggressive with Mike and Mike grabbed him and pushed him into one of Trench’s vans,” said Taylor. “The guy was a little bit messed up, you can tell, and they left the camera view and he pulled out some pliers and either threw them or stabbed him and got him in the eye, one end in his eye and the other in his nose.”

Len McNamara, the manager of DART, a landscaping company that’s in the same building, saw the man trying to steal the lawnmower and told him he would have to leave without the lawnmower or he would call the police.

“I was hoping the fact I told him I was going to phone the police that he would leave, like, I wasn’t going to stop him,” said McNamara. “At that point he took his shirt tail and wiped it across the hand mower, I’m assuming to wipe off fingerprints, but I told the cop there would still be prints on the blower and the pliers.”

McNamara was not involved in the struggle.

“Mike was tussling with him and I do remember the kid saying, ‘I’m a minor.’”

of this interview.

Prince George RCMP swarmed the area and brought in a dog team and the helicopter but despite an intensive search they were unable to find the man.

Taylor has operated his business there for several years and the building he shares with the Gunthers is across the street from the 43-unit transitional residence complex BC Housing opened in late December.

said McNamara. “Maybe it was in his head, ‘You can’t do this to me because I’m a minor.’

“He stopped momentarily on the road and he turned back as he was yelling at Mike and he said, ‘I know where you live.’ It’s unbelievable that a human life is affected like that with their brain (from using drugs), but they’re dangerous.”

Taylor’ earlier video shows the man at about 6:45 a.m. before he initially got into the yard walking unsteadily on his feet. He then takes out a pipe to smoke something and Taylor said whatever substance he inhaled it must have given him a temporary adrenaline boost that gave the strength to toss a lawnmower over the barbed-wire fence into the alley while standing on a cement structure.

“He could hardly walk, and he was obviously doing meth or crack,” said Taylor. “At 7:15 he’s walking fine and has superpowers. He lifted a 120-pound lawnmower over his head and threw it over the fence, totally fine.”

Summit Power Tools and Trench Brewing, across the alley, each recorded video of the attack that was collected by the RCMP. An employee of Allen’s Scrap Metal on Second Avenue also witnessed the incident and drove Gunther to the hospital.

No arrest had been made at the time

Taylor has had numerous machines stolen from his yard over the years and has had to invest in an elaborate security system. But he said there were no issues for several months starting in April 2024 when construction of the BC Housing complex began and the company building it, Datoff Construction, hired 24-hour security on the site. The camp opened in late December and this past February Taylor started getting those intruder calls again and there’s been a noticeable increase in undesirable visitors in the area.

“Now that the weather’s warmer you’re seeing them a lot more during the day,” Stephanie said. “But we’ve never had an incident like this. Word has gotten around with all the small businesses checking in, and none of them are happy.”

Gunther is self-employed and is the only mechanic at the shop. His son was able to take time off his job at Brandt Tractor to fill in for him. On Thursday, Knight was telling Gunther’s customers he likely will be off work for at least the next two weeks.

Taylor said a video surveillance system was recording Monday at 12:30 p.m. as a man and a woman rode up on bikes to the same spot where Gunther was attacked. The man is shown breaking into the truck’s passenger door and starting the engine before the two of them threw their bikes into the back and drove off.

Taylor was on the phone to police reporting the break-in and theft before they left the scene but they were gone by the time the RCMP got there. The white Chevy pickup was later located near LC Gunn Park.

Accused won’t testfy in second-degree murder trial

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The lawyer for a man charged with second degree murder told a BC Supreme Court judge in Prince George on May 8 that his client would not testify in his defence.

Jason LeBlond said he consulted with Dakota Rayn Keewatin after the Crown wrapped its case on May 7 and told Justice Ronald Tindale that the defence would not call any evidence. The onus is on the Crown to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Final submissions are expected over two days in June and Tindale is likely to provide a verdict at a later date.

The last witness was one of the Prince George RCMP officers called to investigate a home invasion robbery on March 7, 2023. Const. Greg Stewart, who was on regular uniformed duty that night, recounted his arrival at the scene after being dispatched around 9 p.m. to a call

involving firearms.

Stewart and another officer entered through the lobby of the Connaught Hill apartments and knocked on the door of apartment 107 at the end of a hallway.

“I don’t recall hearing anything from the outside, I knocked loudly on the door,” Stewart testified. “I yelled that it was the police, and immediately I was greeted by a female voice, which sounded kind of frantic to me, saying something to the effect of ‘who is it?’ I,

Man found liable for 2022 assault

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A BC Supreme Court judge awarded more than $185,000 to the victim of a Prince George man’s 2022 assault.

Michael Benjamin Nahanee sued Jonathan Davidson after a March 8, 2022 attack at his shop in the Mosquito Creek marina in North Vancouver left him with a mild concussion, cut lip and mouth and fractured rib.

“Mr. Davidson’s vicious and entirely unprovoked assault on Mr. Nahanee is reprehensible conduct deserving of specific rebuke,” said Justice Judith Hoffman in a May 5 verdict. “Thus far, this conduct has gone unpunished as criminal charges against Mr. Davidson were not proceeded with. This type of violence must be deterred and denounced.”

Davidson failed to respond to Nahanee’s lawsuit so a default judgment was entered. Nahanee sought $189,000 to $244,100 in damages.

On the night of the incident, Squamish

Nation member Nahanee hosted a birthday party for a friend at his shop. After it ended, Davidson, who operated a welding business at the marina, came looking for one of Nahanee’s friends. Nahanee left the shop briefly, but returned and asked Davidson to leave. Davidson responded by punching Nahanee in the head before filming a video of Nahanee on the ground.

Nahanee was hospitalized and also suffered emotionally. Hoffman said he became isolated and socially withdrawn for fear of running into Davidson.

“This lasted for a significant period of time as it was not until Mr. Nahanee learned that Mr. Davidson had relocated to Prince George, approximately a year after the incident, that he felt safe to be out in public,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman awarded Nahanee

$185,047.72: $80,000 for non-pecuniary loss; $38,365.36 for past wage loss; $36,000 for loss of income earning capacity; $20,000 for aggravated damages; $5,000 for punitive damages; and $5,682.36 for healthcare services.

again, yelled that it was the police.”

Stewart said he began to hear rustling sounds coming from the unit, as if the woman was trying to barricade the door. She did eventually open the door and Stewart noticed a cut on her left knee. He heard a male voice inside the unit, but did not immediately see the male. Stewart entered and went to the left, where he saw a male standing at the end of a hallway. On the ground, up against the baseboard, was what

appeared to be a black handgun with a large, silver suppressor.

Stewart said he did not remember what the male said verbatim, but “it would have been to the effect of it belonged to them or whoever was here and I was able to wrestle it away from them.”

Officers escorted the apartment’s two occupants to a police vehicle and Stewart helped secure the crime scene. Another officer showed him shell casings on the floor.

Stewart said that he could not recognize the man in the courtroom — Keewatin — as someone he dealt with in the apartment on March 7, 2023.

The case is under a ban on publication of information about the victim.

The trial happened almost two months after Justice John Gibb-Carsley acquitted 1993-born Keewatin and co-accused Kerridge Andrew Lowley, 49, of aggravated assault and break-and-enter. They were charged after a 2022 machete attack at a Prince George motel.

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

A local man has been on trial for second-degree murder in connection with an incident from March 7, 2023.

PROUDLY CANADIAN

Firefghters save Williams Lake log home business

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The rapid response of firefighters and workers at Pioneer Log Homes east of Williams Lake to prevent a log pile fire from spreading to other piles in the yard is being credited for saving the construction site from being destroyed.

The fire on the west side of the building site at 1527 Old Cariboo Highway 97 (Mile 153) was reported to the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department just after noon Monday and after a mutual aid request fire crews from City of Williams Lake and volunteer departments in Miocene and Wildwood were also dispatched to the scene.

They spent nearly half a day dousing the burning logs until the fire was fully extinguished at about 11:30 p.m. Monday. No estimate has been determined on the cost of the logs lost in the fire, which was confined to one large pile covering an area estimated at one hectare.

“We had all hands on deck, BC Wildfire attended as well and site staff were a big part of the process cooling logs that were not on fire and protecting those exposures,” said Cariboo regional fire Chief Roger Hollander.

“They did a great job being able to protect the wood piles in conjunction with the 150 Mile Fire Department incident commander in charge of the overall scene. The staff also had the ability to use heavy machinery to pull apart those log piles and that assisted with being able to suppress the fire.”

There was a light wind blowing at the time the fire started, Hollander said, which likely contributed to the intensity of Monday’s blaze.

“The important part is that it was contained to that one pile and didn’t go to other piles in the area in addition to structures, of course the main office, and they’re in the process of building a log home,” Hollander said. “It could have been a lot worse. Kudos to the agencies.”

There are no hydrants at the site so fire crews used the Discovery Tourism

Centre hydrant in nearby Williams Lake to fill their trucks while water tanks tendered back and forth to the fire scene.

That drain on the public water system stirred up sediment and resulted in temporary discoloration of water from taps in the area.

Hollander credited the volunteer firefighters who put in a long shift fighting the flames in hot and smoky conditions.

“These members worked from around noon to 11:30 p.m. and if it wasn’t for the volunteers stepping up in the community they wouldn’t have these members on scene,” said Hollander.

“When you get into long hours of firefighting it takes a toll on personnel. Those people had to be hydrated and food was brought in.

“People often take it for granted that these are full-time firefighters. They’re dropping what they’re doing at their regular work to show up for these things, so I certainly encourage anybody to join their local department.”

Although the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, a photo posted by Scott Nelson on Facebook shows a section of burned grass on the adjacent

berm next to the still-burning log pile. The company reportedly conducted prescribed burn operations last week but Hollander could not confirm if the cause was related to that.

“I do know there’s burning in the area and that certainly will be part of the investigation on whether it contributed to the fire or not,” Hollander said.

The Cariboo Regional District will be enacting Category 2 and Category 3 bans on fires as of noon Wednesday. In anticipation of the bans, residents and businesses in the area this spring have purposely lit controlled or prescribed fires to lessen the fire risk and some of those fires have gotten out of control, resulting in emergency calls to the district’s 14 volunteer fire departments.

“I do know that this is the season to burn prior to the bans coming in place,” said Hollander. “This is the time when it’s dry, right after the snow melts, you have that time before green-up when people are permitted to do that burn on their properties prior to the restrictions coming into place.

“BC Wildfire has regulations as far as having enough machinery and

personnel and not to leave any sites. Cariboo Regional fire departments have been responding to many fires in the area where folks have not been able to control their fires. We’re looking forward to the restrictions and hopefully things will calm down before they usually get worse in August.”

Pioneer Log Homes is world-renowned for its log home projects featured on the weekly reality TV show Timber Kings on HGTV Canada and Discovery Channel.

Started by Bryan Reid in 1973, the family-owned business has as many as 200 employees during its most active construction period. The company is also known for supporting charitable causes in the region, including in Prince George.

“There’s obviously a lot of eyes and optics on this particular fire because of their show and a lot of people are aware of them ” said Hollander. “They certainly have been in the community a long time and I know they’re heavily involved in the Williams Lake community and have given a lot of support for local organizations.”

SCOTT NELSON/FACEBOOK PHOTO

Fire crews battle intense flames at Pioneer Log Homes after a log pile caught fire at about noon on Monday, May 5.

Minerals minister highlights Milligan Mine afer tour

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar recently visited Fort St. James and Milligan Mine to tour the facility and highlight its role in BC’s economic and environmental strategy.

Following the tour, Brar spoke with The Citizen and expressed his admiration for the operation and the support it provides to local communities. A highlight for him was meeting workers and witnessing the impact the mine has on their lives.

“I was very pleased to meet an Indigenous worker there,” Brar said. “Her name is Sarah, she works there full time and has a very good, family-supporting job. Sarah is a success story. About 19 per cent of the people who work at the mine are from Indigenous communities, and about 70 per cent of the workforce comes from local communities. They are supporting the local economy and helping local towns. I was very pleased to see that, because mining in this area is a major contributor to the local economy and supports economic development.”

Brar also noted that, in addition to providing 40,000 jobs across B.C., the mining sector has grown in importance to the provincial economy in recent years.

“Since 2017, total employment has increased by 10 per cent. Private sector investment in mineral resource devel opment has more than doubled, and mineral exports, which are crucial right now, have increased in value by 41 per cent, reaching $17 billion in 2023. Mining exports are also predominantly going to Asia — over 90 per cent — so we’re not reliant on the U.S. for exports from the mining sector.”

Regarding the impact of potential tar iffs on mining, Brar acknowledged some minor effects but remains confident in the province’s connections to Asian markets.

“Tariffs will have some impact, but it will be very minor,” Brar said. “Min ing uses a lot of machinery, including trucks, loaders, and other equipment

that come from the U.S. If we enter a tariff war, it could affect the sector in that respect. However, when it comes to mining exports, we are in a strong position. We have customers in Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.”

Brar also spoke about the North’s growing role in BC’s mining development and the opportunities it presents

efficiency in the North’s mining sector.

“Premier Eby is committed to addressing the infrastructure needs of the northwest region,” Brar said.

“As part of that commitment, we recently announced $195 million in joint funding with the federal government through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund to support upgrades to

are crucial for the mining sector’s future. We’re also working to streamline the permitting process without compromising our world-class environmental standards or reconciliation efforts. For example, we now run a joint application process, conducting environmental assessments and mining technical reviews simultaneously, which reduces

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE 2025 AGM OF THE PRINCE GEORGE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION WILL BE HELD IN PRINCE GEORGE, BC AS FOLLOWS: All attendees should pre-register by June 6th @ 5:00pm.

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Knox Performance Centre

DOWNTOWN PROPERTY AND BUSINESS OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION IS COMPLETED BY MAY 12, 2025, IN ORDER TO VOTE.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED BY MAY 28, 2025. ALL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DPG OFFICE OR WEBSITE. 1406 2 AVENUE, PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2L 3B6 / 250-614-1330 / WWW.DOWNTOWNPG.COM/2025-AGM

This aerial shot taken this month shows the progress of construction of the Blackwater Gold mine 160 km southwest of Prince George. Construction is now 73 per cent complete.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Navy League of Canada-Prince George branch Bottle Drive Fundraiser goes Saturday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Connaught Youth Centre parking lot in the back at 1491 17th Ave. On Saturday, May 31 at the Salmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 5155 Salmon Valley Road. Funds raised will get camp levers up and running for 158 Grizzly Sea Cadets and 142 Aurora.

Jessica McMann Trio goes Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. McMann is an Alberta -based Cree (Cowessess, SK), multi-disciplinary artist who interweaves land, Indigenous identity, history, and language throughout her dance and music creation/performance practice. A classically trained flutist, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Calgary and an MFA in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University. Her work fuses together traditional language and dance with her own contemporary experiences as an Indigenous woman and TwoSpirit person. For more information and tickets visit www.knoxcentre.ca/ upcoming-shows.

Walk for Alzheimer’s goes Sunday, May 25 at 1 p.m. at the YMCA of Northern BC. Join the walk for people affected by dementia so they don’t have to walk the journey alone. Funds raised at the Walk help the Alzheimer Society of BC deliver programs and services for families on the dementia journey and enable critical research to change the future of the disease. Register as an individual, start a new team, or join an existing team. For more information or to register visit www.support.alzheimer. ca/princegeorgewalk.

BC Assembly of First Nations Low Carbon Transportation Forum goes Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre. For more information and to register visit www.events.bcafn.ca/ fn-low-carbon-transportation-forum/

registration.

Europa Super Circus goes Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1at CN Centre for evening and matinee shows. This show features world class artists from all over the globe like International tightwire acrobat, Geoffrey Berhault, Jose Ponce Ramos on the Wheel of Death and the ALL-STAR FMX Ultimate Circus riders. Witness high flying aerialists, dizzying roller skaters and comedic clowns all presented by Europe’s best circus artists. For Prince George tickets visit www.//tickets.supercircus.com/shows/ princegeorge.

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 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.

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 interaction. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.

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

Jessica McMann Trio Brings

Powerful Blend of Indigenous Song and Story to Prince George

On May 24, the Knox Performance Centre welcomes the Jessica McMann Trio—a rich and moving evening of music and storytelling that braids together Indigenous identity, classical training, and contemporary expression.

Led by Alberta-based Cree (Cowessess First Nation, SK) artist Jessica McMann, the trio o ers a performance rooted in land, history, and language. A classically trained utist with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary and an MFA in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University, McMann’s work draws from her heritage and her lived experience as an Indigenous woman and Two-Spirit person. Her performances are both grounded and transcendent, weaving traditional language and dance with contemporary themes to re ect the complexities of Indigenous life today.

Joining McMann on stage are Connor Chee and Holly Battacharya, each bringing unique musical voices to this intimate and moving performance. e trio’s work de es genre, creating sonic landscapes that echo with memory, resistance, and renewal.

In addition to the concert, McMann will lead a Hoop Dance Workshop on May 23 at the Knox Performance Centre—a chance for community members to engage directly with this powerful and symbolic form of movement. Known for its connection to storytelling and healing, hoop dance is a practice that embodies cycles of life and

transformation. e workshop is open to all and can be registered through www.studio2880.com.

is presentation continues a wave of Indigenous-led performance that is reshaping the cultural landscape of Northern BC. It also rea rms Prince George’s growing role as a vital gathering place for contemporary performance and Indigenous artistic expression.

Presented in partnership with the Community Arts Council of Prince George and District, the Jessica McMann Trio is more than a concert—it is an invitation to witness, listen, and re ect. As the performing arts scene in the North continues to grow, events like this one o er rare and meaningful opportunities for connection across cultures and generations.

Tickets for the May 24 performance are available through www.KnoxCentre.ca or in person at Studio 2880. Don’t miss this evocative night of music, memory, and movement.

Major mile marker: Mr. PG celebrates his 65th birthday

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Mr. PG, Prince George’s iconic and beloved mascot, just turned 65.

He was first unveiled on May 8, 1960, at the Rotary International conference held at the Simon Fraser Inn, and was later put on display outside the former Simon Fraser Hotel on Quebec Street in downtown Prince George.

Over the decades, Mr. PG has seen many changes — his body has been rebuilt from wood into fiberglass and steel, and he has moved locations around town three times.

Even his miniature version has lived an adventurous life, famously going missing at an international conference and travelling the world for 10 years before being found in a Scottish pub by a local resident.

One of Mr. PG’s most devoted fans is Bob Kronbauer — better known as BC Bob — who hosts Now You Know BC, a show dedicated to uncovering the province’s unique people, places and landmarks. Kronbauer recently partnered with The Exploration Place to release new Mr. PG merchandise.

Kronbauer said he has fond childhood memories of seeing Mr. PG during family visits to Prince George.

“As a kid, we would take the Greyhound bus from Vernon to my grandma’s in Prince George. Every summer we would go there,” said Kronbauer. “She lived by the Pine Centre Mall, and when we saw Mr. PG, we knew the long bus ride was over and we got to hang out in the great city of Prince George.”

Having explored much of BC, Kronbauer said he’s never seen another mascot with quite the same impact.

“There aren’t many — or any — other communities in all of BC that have a personified mascot that really represents the city,” he said. “You think of Kami the Kamloops Trout — it was short-lived, didn’t represent the place, and went the way of the dinosaur. But Mr. PG has been around for 65 years. There’s nothing else like him in British Columbia that people can rally around as a community.”

Kronbauer said Mr. PG represents not only the town but the spirit of its residents.

“To me, he represents the hope of Prince George as a forestry community,” he said. “He’s always stood there as a reminder to everybody rolling through or going to Prince George of how proud people are of their community.”

Darren Rigo, a local professional photographer and videographer, is another long-time fan of Mr. PG. He once acted as a social media advocate for the mascot during an online popularity contest — and he even sports a Mr. PG tattoo.

“There was this online bracket about the best roadside attraction in British Columbia,” said Rigo. “Mr. PG almost won. He got second place and lost by one per cent to the Coombs rooftop goats.

“During that battle, I became a bit of a conduit by which Prince George was fighting a little Twitter fight. I made him a bit of a front-and-centre character in my mind. I just thought, he’s such a silly icon for this town — and that just makes so much sense. He doesn’t take

himself too seriously. He’s just so goofy, which I love.”

For Rigo, Mr. PG embodies the downto-earth nature of life in northern BC.

“My sense of Prince George and the North in general is that we pride ourselves on not taking ourselves too seriously,” he said. “You probably wouldn’t be in downtown Vancouver expecting to see a silly giant log man, but we’re all like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s our guy.’”

He added that Mr. PG’s charm lies in his simplicity.

“There is this trend of design getting more boring over time,” said Rigo. “People use McDonald’s as a metaphor — they used to be fun, colourful and exciting, and now they’re all minimalist, modern buildings. Mr. PG doesn’t feel like he was made by a committee. He feels like he was drawn on the back of a napkin by two lumberjacks out for a beer.”

Mr. PG has felt the community’s love on his birthday this year. A Facebook post from the City of Prince George celebrating the milestone had drawn more than 120 comments at the time of publication, with residents sharing fond memories and birthday wishes.

The city also organized a scavenger hunt in Mr. PG’s honour. More details are available on the City of Prince George’s Facebook page.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Mr. PG is located at the busy intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 16, greeting travellers as they pass through the city.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO/THE EXPLORATION PLACE

Mr. PG was already a part of civic events by 1963, as seen in this photo.

Local Special Olympian designs 2025 medal ribbons

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Chase Caron, Prince George Special Olympics ambassador, athlete and artist, has created the medal ribbon design that will be seen at the 2025 BC Summer Games held in Prince George from July 10 to 12.

There will be 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities striving to earn a coveted medal in 10 different sporting events including basketball, in which Caron has chosen to participate for this BC Summer Games.

The medal ribbon’s design was unveiled Monday morning in the Civic Centre lobby with Shirley Bond, the Games’ director of public relations, introducing Caron.

“Athletes are coming here from all over the province to compete,” Bond said.

“They are athletes, they practise, they train hard and they want to win medals. So we are very proud to say that Chase Caron is competing in her fifth Special Olympics BC Games. She is also one of our athlete ambassadors and in addition to that — not just a talented athlete, she is also a talented artist, an illustrator, a cartoonist and she has agreed to share her skills to design the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games medal ribbon.”

Caron, who has been involved with the Special Olympics program in Prince George for the last 12 years, participating in basketball, track and field, curling, soccer, snowshoeing, and the Club Fit program that is mandatory for competitive athletes, talked about each aspect of the ribbon that has the words “celebration,” “pride,” “limitless” and “inclusion” on it as well as the phrase “let your brilliance shine.”

There is an infinity symbol along with the colours that reflect the province and the Special Olympics logo.

“To design the ribbon for the medals I wanted to choose elements that represent Special Olympics as a whole,” Caron said.

Those elements would showcase core values like inclusion, perseverance and

teamwork, she added.

“I also wanted to include the backgrounds of the province as this is an important competition for athletes all across the province,” Caron said. “So I incorporated the colours of the provincial flag as well as the colours of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games logo that includes summery colours like the orange and yellow, which are also meant to represent the Special Olympics flame. I also wanted to incorporate our Pacific Northwest colours like blue for the ocean and the sky.

“I hope the ribbon will make people feel a sense of accomplishment and pride and the award being won and all the trials and tribulations athletes have persevered through both practice and in competition. I hope it shows the skills and abilities of those Special Olympics athletes and I hope it shows pride in your team, pride in your province, pride in your own endurance and pride in yourself and how you developed your own skill sets.

“To me, Special Olympics provides a true experience of sportsmanship and teamwork. It is a place where people with intellectual disabilities can feel a sense of belonging and where we can experience the joy of competition and camaraderie. I thank everyone who is involved in Special Olympics and helps make these inclusive experiences possible.”

For more information about the Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George from July 10 to 12 and to register to volunteer visit www. specialolympics.ca/british-columbia/2025-sobc-summer-games.

Scan this QR code for information on volunteering at the Special Olympics.

Friday, May 23rd

Prince George Playhouse 6:00-7:00

Saturday, May 24th

Prince George Playhouse 2 shows - 11am & 1pm

Saturday, May 24th Dinner & Dance Kinsmen Hall - $20/tcket

Grand Finale on Sunday, May 25th at Lheidli T’enneh Park around 10:30am

All shows are free - Call 236-423-3455 for more informaton

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Chase Caron is the artist who created the medal ribbon design for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. Caron is also an athlete who will compete in basketball at the games. See another Special Olympics story on Page 36.

Message in a botle: Mystery artwork washes ashore

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Kristine Brownscombe has walked the shoreline of the Fraser River for years, always on the lookout for little treasures — even foraging for mushrooms along the way.

On Sunday, May 3, 2025, about an hour south of Prince George, she spotted something she thought would just be another item to recycle.

“Something caught my eye, and it was a bottle,” Brownscombe said.

“It’s an old bottle. I thought it might’ve come out of somebody’s boat, so I figured I’d just pick up the garbage. Then I saw it had something in it — and it’s sealed.”

The bottle has paper inside, a message placed in it before it was tossed into the river.

Brownscombe said the bottle appears to have been professionally sealed, likely using a metal cap sealer, with no signs of moisture inside.

“I Google Lensed it, and it said they stopped using that type of sealer in the ’80s and switched to plastic caps,” she said.

The bottle is green, and the aluminum cap still has its small metal tabs intact. There are two letters etched on top.

“Given the calligraphy style, it could be an M and an N, or a W and an N,” she said.

Despite her curiosity, Brownscombe has decided not to open the bottle.

“It’s driving my kids crazy, but no, I am not opening it,” she said with a laugh. “I want to return it to the sender. And if I find them and they want me to throw it back in the river, I will.”

She said the message inside appears to be a piece of artwork with no words or visible identifiers.

“From the outside, I can see a bit of artwork. It’s a pencil sketch,” she said. “I’ve flipped it around a million different ways. I can kind of see into the coil of paper, and I don’t see any date or name or anything. It’s just a hand-drawn picture inside the bottle.

“I would love to see the person get it back and open it. I want the sender

to get it back. I just want them to know their art project is still alive.”

After sharing her find on social media, Brownscombe received a few responses from people claiming it might be theirs. But once she mentioned the metal cap sealer, those leads dried up.

“So now it just sits on my counter, waiting for someone to say, ‘Hey, that’s mine, and I did this, that and the other thing,’” she said.

“That would be really cool. And like I said, if they’d like me to put it back in the water, I will. If they want it back, they can have it. It was just a super cool find.”

If you have any information about the bottle or its creator, you can reach out to Kristine Brownscombe on Facebook.

KRISTINE BROWNSCOMBE PHOTOS

This is the bottle Kristine Brownscombe found along the Fraser River about an hour south of Prince George. She’s looking for its owner to claim it.

Students tap into creatve spirit for Arts Extravaganza

Their work goes on display at Prince George’s newest elementary school

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Creative energy is high, happy voices ring throughout the halls and there is colour everywhere.

This is what Spruceland Community School of the Arts on Rainbow Drive looks like in its second year.

“Spruceland was originally a traditional school, and we realized that model was no longer effective — it wasn’t meeting the needs of our kids,” said Stephanie Coates, acting principal.

“When we looked at the mandate of traditional schools, it was very, very strict — not just in terms of uniforms, but also discipline and learning styles,” said Pam Spooner, assistant superintendent of Indigenous education. “In education today, we’re more open to different learning styles, and I think a community school for the arts fits this community a lot better than the traditional model.”

Educators began exploring a new model that would suit a choice school in the area.

Coates said the school’s name reflects its mission. It’s not a fine arts school — it’s a community school of the arts, with a focus on accessibility and equity.

“The intention was to develop a school to give kids art opportunities — specifically in creative movement or dance, visual arts, drama and music — that they might not otherwise have,” she said.

Once the surrounding community supported the idea, steps were taken to phase out the traditional program and build the foundation for the new one.

One goal the school continues to work toward is full arts integration.

“That means, for example, when you’re learning math, you’re learning math through the arts,” Coates said.

“Some of our teachers already do that beautifully. They did it organically even before becoming an art school. The

intention now is for students to learn through the arts all day, every day.”

As in any school, students gravitate toward their interests. As they experience dance, visual arts, drama and music in class, they also have chances to explore those interests outside the classroom.

Earlier in May, the school hosted an Arts Extravaganza — a predominantly visual arts showcase that featured a wide range of student creations. In the past, there have been smaller showcases such as the winter concert, and next week, intermediate students will perform a play titled Princess What’s Her Name to sharpen their dramatic skills.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTOS

Claire Scofield, left and Maeve Ziemer, both Grade 7 students, hold their latest works, Doughnut Art, at the Spruceland Community School of the Arts. Below, This is the quilt the Grade 5 class did as a project where everyone learned to sew.

Talent thrives at Spruceland Community School of the Arts

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

For the Arts Extravaganza, all 267 students contributed in some way.

Talent level doesn’t matter, Coates said — participation does.

“It’s a celebration to recognize the new opportunities our kids have had and the ways they’ve pushed themselves. It’s meant to be joyful,” she said. “It feels like a really important hallmark of our achievements in these early years of the program.”

Coates noted that not all teachers at the school come from artistic backgrounds — they’re educators exploring the arts alongside their students.

“What’s really valuable for us is having artists in residence lend their expertise to both staff and students. It’s great because we get to engage with and connect to the broader artist community in Prince George,” she said.

Recent contributing artists have included:

• Melissa Glover of Theatre NorthWest/Shooting Stars Theatre (drama)

• Miscellaneous Productions from Vancouver (drama and dance)

• Monica Peacock (textile arts)

• Method Dance and PGSS Polar Performing Arts (dance)

• Joanne Mikkelsen (pottery)

“We’re all learning, growing and developing our artistic skills. The staff are really on board,” Coates said. “Many have artistic hobbies, but very few would describe themselves as professional artists.”

Grade 7 students Maeve Ziemer and Claire Scofield took a break from class to share their experiences.

Both students contributed “doughnut art” to the Arts Extravaganza.

Claire’s piece featured a dramatic contrast — a dark background with a doughnut topped with drizzle.

“I accidentally got paint splattered on it, so I made stars out of the splatter,” she said.

“Then I didn’t know what else to do and had some extra time, so I just started doing random things.”

Claire, who crochets in her spare time, plays the lead role in Princess What’s Her Name, and said acting is her favourite form of artistic expression.

Maeve chose to give her doughnut a chocolate drizzle and kept the background white by painting the doughnut first.

“I chose to place it slightly off-centre,” she said. “It had to be a chocolate doughnut — I like chocolate doughnuts,” she added with a smile.

Drama is Maeve’s favourite artistic outlet, though she also enjoys music and sketches portraits in her free time.

In the play, she plays both the Queen of the North and Prince Adonis, with one role heavy on dialogue and the other more minimal.

As a student at a community school of the arts, Maeve said she’s found more creative opportunities than before.

“I’d never done pottery before,” she said.

“And there are so many after-school activities.”

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Pam Spooner, assistant superintendent of Indigenous education, left, and Stephanie Coates, acting principal, take a moment on a tour of the Spruceland Community School of the Arts to pose for this photo in one of the many creatively decorated hallways at the school.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Pebble art makes up one of the exhibits along with marble tires (at right) at the Art Extravaganza on May 1.

Throwback Thursday: Week of May 15

MAY 15, 1981: RCMP

Const. R.C. Van Den Brink shows Kristian Austand, 12, the ner points of a police motorcycle at Pine Centre Mall as part of a National Police Week exhibit. The event was designed to help acquaint the public with the working of the federal police service.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BROCK GABLE

MAY 15, 1964: Vandals broke glass, then reached through to open a latch to gain access to the Duchess Park Secondary School library where RCMP investigators and Identi cation Branch of cers found ngerprints and other clues. Vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage at three local schools overnight, with incidents also reported at King George V and Baron Bing. Eggs were smashed on desks, a rehose was damaged, releasing thousands of gallons of water, glue was spread and vending machines were smashed.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

MAY 15, 1997: Bairaj Badfh plays Count Dracula in the Heritage Elementary School production of Monster Madness. The play was performed by students in grades 4-7, and admission was by donation. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

MAY 16, 2014: Northside Christian North Stars ball carrier Katherine Wiens is one step ahead of Morgan Proctor of the Mackenzie Sabres during game action on a warm afternoon at the North Central District single-A girls soccer championship at Rotary Field. Northside won 2-0 and went on to lose 5-0 to Lakes District of Burns Lake.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Volunteers key to PURPLE Crying campaign support

NANCY SHELFORD

Northern Health

We’re grateful for the volunteers who choose to collaborate with us and support Northern Health (NH). Volunteers are invaluable to the health-care system, lending their time to promote health and provide services to Northerners.

This spirit of collaboration was evident in our recent winter campaign to raise awareness about the Period of PURPLE Crying program (PURPLE). Read on to learn more about this initiative and the role volunteers played in making it possible.

PURPLE Crying and CLICK

PURPLE provides parents and caregivers with important health promotion and injury prevention information about inconsolable infant crying.

This type of crying, called PURPLE, typically peaks around two months of age. Health-care providers educate families year-round about soothing and coping strategies, as this can be a frustrating experience.

To raise further awareness across northern B.C., NH rebooted a winter campaign called CLICK for Babies.

Supporting new parents

The campaign launched on New Year’s Day. Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2025, new parents and caregivers of newborns and two-month-old infants in NH received a handmade purple cap. Along with standard PURPLE education and resources, the caps were distributed by maternity and NICU staff, midwives and primary care teams prior to hospital discharge or at child health clinics.

In 2024, more than 1,250 purple caps were donated to NH by Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC) at BC Children’s Hospital. NH volunteers and health-care providers worked together to prepare the caps for shipping to teams across the North.

Project co-lead Randi Leanne Parsons, NH regional nursing lead for maternal infant health, said: “We’re excited to reboot CLICK in NH. Families need support from their communities, and this is a warm-hearted way to talk about a difficult topic.”

Role of volunteers

To prepare for the campaign, NH hosted a work bee in Prince George last November with volunteers, families and health-care providers. Together, they

ensured the caps were safe for babies and packaged them with information materials.

One of those volunteers was Kacie, who is planning a career in health care.

“Nothing is more important than your health,” she said.

“While volunteering for this campaign, I could picture who would receive the information, and it was very emotional because we could see how serious it is. We can help parents see the warning signs so they get support. That can be life-changing.”

NH’s Population and Public Health team plans to continue this important initiative with community support.

“The initial supply of caps was provided by BC Children’s Hospital, and

we’re hoping that northern knitters will get involved to keep the momentum going,” added Parsons. “We’re also planning more volunteer work bees later this year to prepare and distribute the supply of caps.”

Reflecting on the experience, Kacie added: “I learned so much from this opportunity and it affirmed that I’m making the right career choice to go into psychology. Life is hard, and I want to help people cope.”

Support PURPLE in the North Email HealthyStart@northernhealth. ca to express interest in knitting and donating purple caps (planning for the winter 2025–26 campaign will begin in spring 2025).

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Volunteers assist in getting hand-knitted purple caps ready to be shipped out to NH sites. NH received over 1,250 purple caps from Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC), at BC Children’s Hospital.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

In 2024, more than 1,250 caps were donated to Northern Health (NH) by Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC). NH Volunteers and health care providers worked together to prepare the caps for shipping to teams across the north.

Local Sports Power lifers pumped for Special Olympics

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Conor McLaughlin, Special Olympics powerlifting coach in Prince George, is preparing athletes to compete in the BC Summer Games, set to take place in Prince George from July 10 to 12.

McLaughlin has been a powerlifter for many years, transitioning from team sports to powerlifting in Grade 12.

“I grew up in Prince George, was in team sports most of my life. Hockey was a big one. I played a little soccer, a little bit of baseball,” McLaughlin said.

“Once Grade 12 came around and I stopped playing hockey, powerlifting became the sport for me. I was on my own — not a team sport anymore. I competed in that for a number of years, and I still compete, but now my focus has shifted more toward the Special Olympics athletes.”

McLaughlin, who began powerlifting in 2018, worked his way up to the national level. In 2023, he earned a bronze medal.

“Then I switched focus to these guys. I still compete, but I drifted more toward being a coach,” he said.

He first became aware of Special Olympics athletes while working at the YMCA during high school. Each week, athletes attended Club Fit — a mandatory fitness program for those aiming to compete in Special Olympics sports.

“Over the years I got to know a lot of the athletes and other coaches, and I thought, you know, I’d like to be involved,” he said. “Luckily, powerlifting was one of the sports they needed a coach for. I knew the previous coach and he was no longer able to do it, so it just kind of worked out.”

Three Special Olympians from Prince George — Diana Bramble, Leif Skuggedal and Sam Russell — will compete under McLaughlin’s guidance at the BC Summer Games.

Throughout the year, McLaughlin coaches seven athletes twice a week. Four chose to compete in other sports for the Games, leaving three to represent Region 8 in powerlifting.

The Region 8 powerlifters gathered at the Prince George YMCA on May 6 to demonstrate two of the sport’s three components: bench press and deadlift. The third — squat — will be included in the Games.

Having moved from team sports to an individual sport himself, McLaughlin understands both sides of competition.

“Everyone is competing on their own — they’re the only one on that platform — but when it comes down to it, we are a team,” he said.

“Everyone will be cheering each other on, just as they do when they train. Everyone is clapping when someone lifts heavy. It is an individual sport, but when you have a team like this, it is a team sport.”

The athletes are working hard as they

prepare for the Games, he added.

“They are pretty jittery and excited — the countdown has been going on for a long time,” McLaughlin said. “Last year was the teaser, as they attended the regional qualifiers in Mackenzie. For many of them, it had been a long time since they had competed, so there were quite a few nerves. But this year, I think it’s more excitement than anything. They’re ready to get out there.”

At the YMCA, athletes Bramble and Skuggedal expressed their joy in participating in the sport.

“Sports in general are meant to be fun,” said McLaughlin. “There’s obviously the aspect of competition — they want to win, they want to get gold — but at the end of the day it’s meant to be something that’s fun.”

Bramble, 54, agrees. Her face lit up as she talked about the Games.

“I was 19 when I started powerlifting, and now I’m 54,” said Bramble, whose favourite event is the deadlift.

Reuniting with old friends is one reason she enjoys competing.

“And I like meeting new people,” she said.

For fellow athlete Leif Skuggedal, the sport holds a different meaning.

Leif has been powerlifting for about 10 years and has competed in tournaments before, he said.

He got his start thanks to encouragement from a friend.

“Brian said to me, ‘You know, Leif, we need you as a powerlifter,’ and he inspired me,” Leif recalled.

“I love powerlifting. I love everything about it. I love lifting the weights, I love the coaches and the other athletes.”

He’ll compete in the deadlift and bench press during the Games.

“I’m better at deadlift,” he said. “I’m not that good at bench press, but me and my coach, Conor, have a plan. The Summer Games are coming, and I’m just going to keep my eye on the prize and go for the gold.”

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Representing Prince George’s powerlifting community in the BC Special Olympics in July are coach Peter Goudal, athlete Leif Skuggedal, coach Conor McLaughlin, coach Bryce Surgenor, athlete Pierce Northcott in the top row and athlete Diana Bramblein front.

Cougars choose Kamloops, PG forwards in WHL draf

With several veterans moving on, the team is building its future

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Koehn Ziemmer’s WHL future is in the past but there’s another Cohen on the Prince George Cougars’ hockey horizon whose star is rising.

Forward Cohen Baker celebrated his 15th birthday Wednesday with the news he’s joined the Cougar family after they selected the Kamloops native in the first round, 17th overall in the WHL Prospects Draft.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity — I couldn’t be happier to become a Prince George Cougar,” said Baker, from his billet home in Burnaby. “They’ve got a great group of players and prospects, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Listed at five-foot-seven, 134 pounds, Baker belies his lack of size with a fearless attitude that makes him stand out among the crowd. In 33 games at left wing with the Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep he led the team in scoring with 34 goals 30 assists and 64 points and also had 80 penalty minutes, second on his team.

“I’m just a hard-working player who can find my teammates to make great plays,” said Baker. “I’m a pass-first guy, even though I scored a lot of goals this year. I can put the puck in the net but I’ll always look for the pass first. I think I can bring some intensity to the game even as a smaller guy. I hope the fans are going to love me there and love the style of play I’m going to bring to them.”

His parents in Kamloops were season ticket holders for Blazers games and he models his game after NHLers Logan Stankoven, a former Blazer, and Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand.

“(They’re) smaller guys, both hard-working, both can put the puck in the net and can find their teammates as well,” said Baker. “Brad Marchand is obviously known as a rat, he’s hard to play against, which I would like to be like. I think I already am hard to play against.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Left winger Cohen Baker of Kamloops led the Burnaby Winter Club U15s in scoring this past season. The Prince George Cougars selected him 17th overall in the WHL Prospects draft on Wednesday, May 7.

Prince George hockey fans should get to see Baker in game action next season when he shifts to the BC Elite Hockey League, playing for his hometown Thompson Blazers 18U.

“The first thing you will notice is his energy,” said Bob Simmonds, the Cougars’ director of scouting. “He’s not the biggest kid, he’s going to grow a little more, but this young fellow has a level of compete that few have. He’s in the middle of everything, he’s not shy, he’s a battler in the thick of everything and he does it in a very skilled way.

Kadric Mujcin picked in fifth round

Kadric Mujcin wasn’t watching the WHL Prospects Draft unfold on the internet Thursday morning.

He was too busy doing something he really loves — playing hockey. Having his favourite sport as part of his course load is one of the perks of attending Grade 9 classes at Prince George Secondary School. When his hometown Prince George Cougars called out his name in the fifth round,

Mujcin (pronounced moy-chin) led the Cariboo Cougars U15 triple-A squad in scoring with 29 goals and 34 assists for 63 points in just 27 games and his offensive alchemy continued on the playoffs. In six games, he scored eight goals and had 13 points to help the Cougars get to the BC Elite Hockey League championship series, which they lost to Kelowna.

He said being surrounded by a hardworking team that made a surprise run the league final might have helped him get drafted.

“There was a lot of development, we all developed really well, we came along so much from the start of the year just from school hockey with RJ and team practices and we really made a jump to the finals,” Mujcin said. “It wouldn’t have happened without everyone working together and getting along together.”

Standing five-foot-eight and weigh 150 pounds developed a reputation as a hard-hitting left winger who skates well and creates offence.

113th overall in Thursdays WHL Prospect Draft, Mujcin had no idea his name was on that list.

PGSS teacher/coach RJ Berra gave him the good news.

When he finally got to his phone, it was blowing up with congratulatory messages and phone calls and before he knew it the battery was dead.

“It was unexpected, a saw them at the rink a few times but I was not expecting it,” said Mujcin. “It’s nice to be drafted by them, I get to stay home and get to stay by my friends and be part of a great organization just from home.

“(The chance to play for the Cougars means) just playing against all the best players my age and above from Western Canada and the States, and just playing at the top level, for sure. It’s been my dream. I’ve been watching the league for a long time.

“I think the Cougars are a pretty aggressive team, they like to finish their hits and they’re coached well, they have good strategies and you can see that just watching their games.”

“I’m physical and I like to finish my hits, I guess I’ve got a lot of heart and some skill to my game,” he said. “I like to find my open teammates in the slot.

“I hope PG likes me.”

In other draft news, Prince George native Logan Henry, a centre for the Burnaby Winter Club, was chosen 23rd overall by the Regina Pats.

Henry was the third first-rounder Regina picked and he was the final choice in the first round, going 33rd overall.

Henry finished second to Baker in team scoring for Burnaby Winter Club with 32 goals and 19 assists for 51 points in 31 games. The 15-year-old power forward, a Prince George minor hockey product, had 116 penalty minutes to lead the team

“Logan plays that fast, big, physical WHL-ready game,” said WHL draft analyst Brad Ginnell.

“The physicality of this kid, he can blow guys up because he can absolutely fly catching guys’ open ice. But he can score some big goals; he was second on a stacked Burnaby forward group in goals this year.”

New Kodiaks team startng to take shape

The Prince George Kodiaks spent Sunday afternoon showing their coaches what they can do for the Spirit Game, marking the end of the three-day Spring Evaluation Camp at Masich Place Stadium. Before the initial kickoff, players took to the stands with flowers in hand for their moms in recognition of Mother’s Day and all their mothers have done for them to get them to where they stand today. The game featured many returning players and a number of newcomers looking to make the lineup. The Kodiaks finished last season with a 3-7 record but are hoping for some more wins this year with the improvement they are seeing in some players of the camp. The season home opener will be July 19 against Victoria’s Westshore Rebels with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

UNBC athletcs director picked for German assignment

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Loralyn Murdoch is about to get a taste of Germany.

The longtime UNBC’s director of athletics and recreation has been named to Canada’s mission staff for the FISU Summer World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, July 16-27.

Murdoch will serve as operations manager for Team Canada.

“I’m honoured and excited to represent UNBC, Canada, and U SPORTS on the international stage in the role of operations manager at the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Germany,” said Murdoch.

“It’s a privilege to be part of such a prestigious event and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated staff and talented student-athletes from across the country.

“This will be an unforgettable experience, and I’m looking forward to

bringing back valuable insights and learnings that will benefit the UNBC Timberwolves program moving forward.”

The 32nd FISU Summer Games will feature eighteen sports, including 3x3 basketball (including 3x3 wheelchair basketball), basketball, badminton, beach volleyball, archery, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, water polo, and diving.

Murdoch has been with UNBC since 1997. She served as the Timberwolves varsity women’s basketball coach from 1997-2013, starting in the BC Colleges Athletic Association, and led the team into U SPORTS Canada West Conference. She assumed her duties as athletics director in September 2013.

Canada will send 140 athletes to Germany, none of whom have local or UNBC ties.

UNBC director of athletics and recreation Loralyn Murdoch, addresses the 10th annual Timberwolves Legacy Dinner at the Civic Centre, Nov. 29, 2024. Murdoch has been selected as operations manager for Canada at the FISU Summer World University Games in Germany, July 16-27.

Canada is returning to the Summer Games, held every two years, having missed the 2023 Games. In 2019 in Naples, Canada won six medals (one gold, one silver and four bronze).

This marks the second consecutive

FISU event with UNBC representation in the organizational structure.

In January, Rich Abney, UNBC’s associate athletic director was the communications manager for Canada at the FISU Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Life Events

Cheers to 100 years!

email: frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call 250.562.2441

George Henry Hannah

February 1, 1934 - April 30, 2025

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father George.

He was a loving husband, father, Grandpa, and uncle. George was predeceased by his wife Gwen, daughter Kathy, sons Charles and Darren, and grandson Tarl.

He will be forever loved by his sons, grandkids, and great grandkids Willy, Gord (Tammy, Jordon, Harlene, Justne Craig), Greg (Cheryl, Marcus, Jamie) Blair (Destny), Derian, Danika, Conan, and many other relatves and friends. Rest in peace Dad. In our hearts you will always be

Joan Patricia Dmitrasinovic née Cox

August 11, 1932 – April 18, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share that Joan “got her wings” on April 18, 2025. She never did have to go to “Shady Pines” due to the unwavering dedicaton of her caring son David with whom she lived. She was Best Friend to her daughter Alexandra who provided logistcal support for Joanie to stay at home, and she shared a special bond with her loving son Charles who in recent years spent more tme with the “Ol’ Bird” in Prince George than in his own home in Delta. Dr. Higgins, Linda, Mei, Debbie, Shannon and Autumn provided exceptonal care to Joan who at 92 stll had her sharp mind, intelligence and sense of humour.

In her last days, she listened to the creek roaring outside and was surrounded by those she loved including her son-in-law Mike Gagel with whom she shared a dry sense of humour, her tall, strong grandsons Thomas (Emi Kumada) and Nicholas, her much-loved and talented frst son Howard Airey of Vancouver, and the cats and dogs who wandered in and out of her room.

She was predeceased by her good-humoured husband Stan in 2009, her dearest friend Minnie White in 1991 and her loving brother Charlie Cox in 1987. She will be deeply missed by her treasured sister Pat Kelly and loving niece Angela in Calgary, friends and extended family including Maria Brkich and Helen Usen. She enjoyed “Guys’ Night” on Fridays when all her “Boys” including Robert Greus and Trevor Dungate would come together for a meal and watch TV.

Joan was born in London, England but, at age 7, with the start of WWII, was evacuated with her younger sister to live with a kind family in Somerset for 6 years.

She received her teacher training in the UK and emigrated to Canada in 1955, drawn by the Rocky Mountains and open skies. She married Stan in Jasper and in 1960 they moved to Prince George where Joan taught several grades in the one-room Bonnet Hill School. She was a well-respected Primary educator who taught in SD57 for nearly 30 years and, with a few other progressive teachers, was instrumental in setng up the play-based model of Kindergarten in elementary schools in the early 1970’s.

With Stan, Joan formed many friendships in Prince George and in the Tabor Lake community over 65 years. She was happiest with her family enjoying a peaceful life at the lake -- cooking, baking, putering in the greenhouse, knitng, watching English shows, reading newspapers and politcking with Stan, drinking cofee and sharing baking and fresh bread with friends who dropped by the “Homestead” on weekends. She relished trips to Vancouver to see her adult children and spend tme with her then-young grandsons reading and talking. She instlled in all of us the value of educaton, curiosity, travel, books, the arts, design, music, family, heritage and history, civic duty, and love of place. A kind, gentle and generous soul, Joan always saw the best in everyone. Thoughtul and level-headed, strong and independent, she was an excellent sounding board and made everything seem possible. Joan lived a good life and loved us “to the moon and back.”

A Celebraton of Joan’s Life will be held on July 12th. Please email Alexandra at JoanJuly12@gmail.com or text her at 778-281-3961 for more informaton.

In lieu of fowers, please send a donaton to BC Children’s Hospital.

email: frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call

Classifeds

Yard Sale

20km south Red Rock. Signs posted. Collectbles, tools, bunkbeds, camping. Clothes, books, glassware, brass, cast iron. 1890’s -1990’s. Sat.-Mon. 9-5, May 17-19. Tons of stuf for everybody.

Sunday May 18, 2025 725 Alward Street Prince George, BC. NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

PG Alano Society GM 2:00pm

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

Aviaton fees charged to the operaton of aircraf at Prince George Airport will be increased efectve July 1, 2025 to ofset increases in airport operatng costs.

Please visit our website at www.pgairport.ca/business-informaton/rates-charges/ for details

PUBLIC NOTICE: FOREST OPERATION MAP REVIEW

n accordance with the orest ange and ractces Act, Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) invites the public to review its orest peratons aps 8 in the rince eorge atural esource istrict.

The describes areas proposed for Cu ng ermit and oad ermit development within the ne t three years startng on une 1 , 0 , and ending on ay 11, 0 8. e welcome your comments and feedback during the one-month review period startng ay 11, 0 , and ending une 1 , 0 .

The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at h ps fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca public pro ects public otces.

lternatvely, in-person review and comments can be completed at the following locaton during regular o ce hours onday riday, 8 00 00

1 orthwood ulpmill oad, . . o 9000, rince eorge C

Comments may also be submi ed by mail to the above address or submi ed via phone or email at 1- 0-9 - 1 pg.fom.comment canfor.com

*On May 26, 1897, Bram Stoker’s now iconic horror novel “Dracula” went on sale in London. Stoker’s editors had deleted the first 101 pages from his manuscript and altered the text to seem less “real,” since there just so happened to be a serial killer known as Jack the Ripper on the loose in the city at that time.

* On May 27, 1949, the unemployed, 22-year-old model-actress Marilyn Monroe earned $50 for posing nude for a Los Angeles photographer against a red velvet backdrop. Though it became the most famous calendar photo in history, she never earned another cent from the picture, as she had signed away all her rights to it in a release form.

• 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 might prefer to move forward at a steady pace, it might be a good idea to stop and reassess your plans. You could fnd a good reason to make a change at this tme.

* On May 28, 2005, Carl Edward Roland, who was wanted by police in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Gonzalez, was removed from a crane perched 18 stories above a construction site in Atlanta, where he’d spent three days.

• 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) Just when you thought you had everything planned to the smallest detail, you get some news that could unsetle things. But a tmely explanaton helps put it all back on track.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Home and work contnue to compete for your atenton, but you handle it well by giving each its proper due. Meanwhile, someone you trust ofers valuable advice. Listen to it.

After his capture, he was eventually found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

* On May 29, 2014, transgender actor and advocate Laverne Cox appeared on the cover of TIME for its story “The Transgender Tipping Point,” following a public backlash over the magazine’s exclusion of Cox from its 100 most influential people reader’s poll the previous month.

* On May 30, 1993, after being stalled for four days by a blizzard 4,000 feet below the summit, Joni Phelps became the first blind climber to reach the top of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. She was guided

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Unsetling news creates a difcult but not impossible situaton. Contnue to follow your planned routne, but keep your mind open to a possible change down the line.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Lick your wounded pride if you like, but it’s a beter idea to fnd out why your suggestons were rejected. What you learn could help you deal with an upcoming situaton.

• 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.”

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Feeling a bit listless? No wonder! You might be pushing too hard to fnish everything on your to-do list. Cutng it down could help get your energy levels up.

• 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.

by her twin sons.

* On May 31, 1977, the song “God Save the Queen” by the British punk band the Sex Pistols was banned from the radio by the BBC. Three decades after its release, lead singer Johnny Rotten aptly remarked, “There are not many songs written over baked beans at the breakfast table that went on to divide a nation and force a change in popular culture.”

* On June 1, 1494, Friar John Cor distilled Scotland’s first whisky at Lindores Abbey, under a commission from King James IV to turn eight bolls of malt into “aqua vitae,” or “water of life.”

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Taking tme out of your busy schedule might be the best way to handle a sensitve private mater. It will help reassure everyone involved about your priorites.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Insist on full disclosure by all partes before agreeing to be part of a “great deal.” What you learn should help you decide whether or not to go with it.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your decision to protect the secret that was entrusted to you might irk some people. But it also wins you the admiraton of those who value trust and loyalty.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Creatve actvites take on a practcal approach as you realize you might be able to market your work. Ask for advice from someone experienced in this area.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) If you’re suddenly a bit unsure about a decision, ask trusted colleagues and/or friends or family members for suggestons that could help resolve your doubts.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A workplace situaton could get stormy. But stay on course untl there’s a soluton that meets with everyone’s approval, and things can fnally calm down.

Homes & Living

Some of The Best Plants for Co-Plantng in Northern BC

Co-planting, or companion planting, is a sustainable gardening technique that involves growing specific plants together to improve growth, deter pests, and maximize space. In northern British Columbia, where the climate is characterized by shorter growing seasons, cooler temperatures, and unpredictable frost, choosing the right plant combinations is essential. Fortunately, a number of cold-tolerant plants thrive in this environment and pair well together for mutual benefit.

Beans and Potatoes: Soil Enhancers

Beans, especially bush beans, are nitrogen-fixers, enriching the soil for neighboring plants like potatoes. Potatoes benefit from the improved nitrogen levels, which promote healthy foliage growth. Beans also help shade the soil, reducing water evaporation, which is useful during dry spells

common in interior parts of northern BC.

Peas and Lettuce: Shade Partners

Peas are another nitrogen-fixing plant that thrives in cool northern climates. When grown on trellises, they provide partial shade for lettuce, which is prone to bolting in full sun. This combination is perfect for maximizing small garden plots while keeping lettuce tender and sweet.

Cabbage and Dill: Pest Deterrent Pairing

Cabbage is a staple cold-hardy vegetable ideal for northern BC, but it attracts pests like cabbage moths and aphids. Planting dill nearby helps repel these pests while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Dill’s lacy foliage also allows enough light for cabbage to grow without competing heavily for resources.

Radishes and Spinach: Fast-Growing Allies

Radishes and spinach are quickgrowing, cold-tolerant crops that can be planted early and harvested quickly. Radishes mature faster and can break up the soil, benefiting spinach roots. By harvesting radishes early, spinach has more room to spread as it matures.

Marigolds and Vegetables: AllAround Protectors

Though not edible, marigolds are powerful companion plants. Their scent repels nematodes and various insects, making them ideal companions for tomatoes, beans, and root vegetables. They add color to the garden while serving a practical pest-deterring function.

Co-planting takes advantage of natural plant relationships to boost productivity, manage pests organically,

and make efficient use of limited growing time. By selecting the right companions, gardeners in northern BC can enjoy a thriving, resilient garden even in a challenging environment