Prince George Citizen Thursday, September 11, 2025

SATURDAY,

Push contnues for a movement disorder clinic in city

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She spoke to The Citizen about her personal experience with Parkinson’s and what brought her to become an advocate for this critical cause.

“My husband Barry had Parkinson’s diagnosed for about 15, 18 years, and he passed away two years ago,” said Beddome. “I’m still fully involved because I’m committed to the cause, and my husband’s Parkinson’s was actually genetic, so there’s a possibility it can still pass along in my family.”

While research into the disease is extensive, a cure has yet to be found — something Beddome explained is critical in differentiating this disease from others.

“The key difference is there is no cure,” said Beddome. “Whereas if you have cancer, you can fight cancer and that thing. There are other diseases where there is no cure, but Parkinson’s — there is no cure. You can slow down the progression of it, and that’s all, and it affects everyone differently.”

Beddome also emphasized the importance of local support for those suffering from the disease.

“There’s a common bond — a common bond between them all — that they are becoming more aware of Parkinson’s disease and the effects it has on those affected, and that they care and support, that it’s not so isolated and you’re not so alone,” she said.

Another piece of advocacy at the event was raising support for a Movement Disorder Clinic to address critical gaps in northern BC.

Serena Sanghera, a SuperWalk coordinator and advocate for a Movement Disorder Clinic in Prince George, explained why closing this gap is so crucial to those suffering from Parkinson’s in the province.

“I think it’s important because it shows that we have health inequalities in our province,” said Sanghera. “For healthcare to be adequate and fair across the province, we need to have one here. The reason why we need one here is that a lot of people with Parkinson’s are physically immobile. They’re

unable to travel the long distance, and there are also financial barriers. So a lot of them have caregivers, and they need to bring the caregivers down to the Lower Mainland, but they’re not able to because they cannot afford flights. People don’t even end up going. A lot of people with Parkinson’s are over 60, and they’re on a fixed income. It’s really hard to even go four times a year. So they can’t even make the clinics sometimes.”

This proposed clinic would be a visiting clinic with a team of experts suited to deal with the nuances of this complicated disease, as Sanghera explains.

“It’s a team effort, so it includes a neurologist, a speech pathologist, a physiotherapist, and a nurse clerk,” said Sanghera. “They work as a team, and they help — and also social workers for mental health. Mental health is just as important as physical health. They come as a team, and they work here, and it’s a visiting clinic, so we’re trying to get there four times a year. We’re currently in talks with Northern Health, and we’re gonna have a meeting really soon with them at Parkinson Society of BC, and we’re hoping to have a clinic very soon in Prince George.”

Sanghera told The Citizen they are hoping to have the clinic in Prince George by the end of the year. She also

BC sometimes lacks healthcare, and this is just one of the little things we need here to motivate more diversity in healthcare.”

One of the event organizers and advocates was former MLA Shirley Bond, whose close friend Selen Alpay, owner of Canadian Tire and a longtime community supporter, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in January.

With more than 200 supporters wearing purple shirts with a “Selen’s squad.” label on the front, Bond was ecstatic to see the immense support for her friend and the overall cause.

feels that once the clinic comes to the city, it can help bring attention to further healthcare gaps in the North.

“Prince George is an amazing community, and we are so blessed to have such a good community here,” said Sanghera. “I think they should be part of it, because Parkinson’s isn’t happening to just us. It can happen to anyone. It’s becoming more prevalent in youth, and if we fight for a neurologic clinic, we can fight for other things. I feel like northern

“I couldn’t be happier today,” said Bond. “I think that, you know, part of this is because someone who gives to the community all the time — Selen Alpay — had the courage to speak about his story. And we are seeing an incredible turnout here today.”

She added the importance of this walk beyond fundraising efforts.

“There are a large number of people in British Columbia — over 17,000 people — that are impacted directly by Parkinson’s,” said Bond.

“That doesn’t take into account families and caregivers. So when you think about the impacts of this disease, it is significant in British Columbia and here in our communities. We want to raise awareness, make sure people understand what this does to a family and to caregivers, and we want to show as a community how much we support people that are impacted. When you look out today and see this large group of people here, it makes me feel really proud to live in a community that steps up and cares.”

Bond also offered her appreciation to those who attended and helped organize the highly successful fundraiser.

“I want to say a special thank-you to people who have helped organize the walk for many years, to people who have donated, to people who sponsor, to people who create teams and go look for donations. It’s a huge community effort, and I’m just so grateful to people who’ve stepped up, who have donated, who have organized, and who have shown up here today,” she said.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Jim Terrion, (otherwise known as Million Dollar Jim), left, Selen Alpay and Shirley Bond take part in the SuperWalk on Saturday, Sept. 6.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Serena Sanghera speaks to the crowd about the importance of a movement disorder clinic in Prince George on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Arrest made, probe underway afer CrossRoads blaze

Smoke !lled the air as the popular brewery and restaurant went up in ames

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The investigation into the fire at CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery in downtown Prince George has led to an arrest.

Prince George RCMP announced Monday, Sept. 8 that Richard Titchener, 57, has been charged with arson causing damage to property.

He’ll be held in custody as he awaits a court appearance.

The popular business at the intersection of George Street and Fifth Avenue caught fire early on the morning of Friday, Sept. 5. There was nobody inside at the time.

The fire caused $1.8 million in damage. In addition to the police probe, fire and insurance officials are investigating the cause.

By Monday, Sept. 8, the site was fenced off with 24-hour security stationed outside.

Firefighters had to deal with flareups over the weekend.

Fire Chief Bryan Burleigh updated the media outside CrossRoads on Friday, Sept. 5, close to 12 hours after the fire began.

Burleigh told reporters that approximately 20 firefighters — plus additional support staff from four Prince George halls — responded, with four firefighting vehicles used over the course of the morning to help contain the blaze.

“At approximately 2:30 a.m., we got a call for a commercial fire alarm on the road that was upgraded to a curb structure fire. On arrival, we found heavy fire and smoke throughout the building,” he said.

Burleigh provided insight into firefighters’ course of action upon arriving at the blaze and assessing the situation.

Once firefighters determined there was nobody in the building, he said, the plan changed from offence to defence

as the building’s structural integrity was compromised.

This meant crews worked on putting out the fire from outside rather than venturing into the building.

One concern involved the possibility of a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE), which fire officials said was a risk due to the location of the brewing tanks near the street-facing windows of the restaurant.

Fire crews spent hours dousing the tanks with cold water to keep them intact, an effort that proved successful.

There were no injuries reported to either fire personnel or civilians.

“Based on the time, most of these buildings and properties were already vacant or unoccupied,” Burleigh said. “So we were able to maintain the fire in the property of origin.”

Smoke from the fire could be seen throughout Prince George, with earlier statements warning the public to avoid “toxic smoke” from the fire.

“Smoke was one of our factors that we considered. We worked with adjacent property owners to minimize and control their HVAC systems. But the nature is that in the downtown core like

this, there’s smoke lingering throughout several blocks,” he said.

The fire forced the cancellation of CrossRoads’ popular Summer Street Fest, featuring craft beer and live music, which was scheduled to happen Saturday, Sept. 6 on the streets outside the business.

CrossRoads’ owners were on site as firefighters battled the flames but did not want to comment on the situation.

They later issued a Facebook statement, thanking the fire department and first responders as well as other breweries.

“We greatly appreciate everyone’s positive comments on social media,” they wrote. “The support from fellow breweries has been swift and overwhelming, with offers to assist in production and packaging. Our community’s response has been incredible, and we are humbled by your kind words and offers of support.”

As the fire raged, the adjacent Ramada Hotel was partially evacuated due to concerns over smoke inhalation.

The hotel’s parking garage across the street was also closed off as

firefighters climbed to its upper levels to spray water into the burning building.

Guests staying on select floors facing the fire were moved to rooms at the back of the hotel following early morning wake-up calls from firefighters and hotel staff.

Faith Lasuur, from Holland, who was travelling to Yellowknife, spoke to The Citizen about her experience.

“At about 2 (a.m.), my husband woke me up and he said ‘Hey I’m smelling some smoke!’ We could smell it during the night and then this morning around 7 (a.m.). They knocked on the door, said ‘get out, you are being evacuated’ and that’s the moment when I thought, ‘OK, there’s something wrong but it’s not the hotel that’s burning.’”

Shauri and Donald Martin, who were travelling home to Alaska when they too were wakened by the smell of smoke.

“Around three o’clock in the morning, I was woken because i couldn’t breathe,” said Shauri Martin. “Shortly after we got a pound on the door to get evacuated. So it’s just stressful just trying to know what to do from this point.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Prince George Fire Rescue crews battle the flames at CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery on Friday, Sept. 5. The firefighters at left are keeping the brewing tanks cool to prevent an explosion. Nobody was hurt in the fire.

Banned teacher to be sentenced for sexual assault

Crown wants three years behind bars for Brendan Boylan

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The defence lawyer for a teacher convicted last fall of sexual assault told a BC Supreme Court judge on Monday, Sept. 8 in Prince George that his client should serve a conditional sentence of two years less a day in the community, rather than the 30-to-36 months in jail sought by the Crown.

Jon Duncan told Justice Simon Coval that Brendan Tomas Boylan, 40, has no criminal record, is a low risk to reoffend and contributes to the community.

“Sex assault is truly a terrible crime and there’s no way around it,” Duncan said. “And he’s not asking you to find otherwise in this case, or in any case, for that matter, but he’s saying that the constellation of mitigating factors represents a compelling case, in this case, for a conditional sentence.”

Duncan read from character reference letters, told the court that his client is a frequent donor to the Canadian Blood Services and is of vital assistance to his

mother and autistic brother.

Duncan said Boylan has lost his “entire economic life, but for his disability pension, and lost his home and likely his career as a teacher.”

The BC government’s online registry of teachers says Boylan signed an undertaking not to practise last year, “pending resolution of a matter before the commissioner or a hearing panel

under Part 6 of the Teachers Act.”

Duncan said there is “virtually no chance” that Boylan’s certificate will ever be restored. More likely, he’ll be barred for life.

“He does have serious health issues, sensitivity to bright light and noise will make it intolerable in jail,” Duncan said.

“That’s an extra punishment, almost a torture, not imposed by you, of course,

just the fact of the problems there.”

Last Nov. 20, Coval found Boylan guilty beyond reasonable doubt. While having consensual sex with Boylan, the victim said she felt pain and asked Boylan to stop, thus withdrawing her consent. The victim testified that Boylan instead held her down on the bed and forcibly continued, causing her injury.

Boylan denied the allegations, but Coval found his testimony “implausible, not credible and untruthful.”

The sentencing hearing was delayed while Boylan attempted to quash the charge on constitutional grounds. But, on June 3, Coval decided that Boylan’s right to a timely trial was not violated. Boylan, who represented himself for the constitutional challenge, claimed that the trial lasted 16 months longer than the 30-month presumptive ceiling set by the Supreme Court of Canada. Coval decided that 26 1/2 months of delays were due to the defence and other circumstances he called unavoidable. He said the actual length was 20 months from indictment to completion of the trial.

The sentencing hearing was scheduled to run through Wednesday, Sept. 10, after this edition of The Citizen went to press. Visit www.princegeorgecitizen. com for updates.

Wildfre evacuees being hosted at emergency centre

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Wildfire evacuees from the Chilcotin and Cariboo regions have arrived in Prince George, but far fewer than officials initially thought.

On Monday, Sept. 8, City of Prince George emergency programs manager Tanya Spooner told reporters at the emergency social services (ESS) centre behind the Kin Centres that 71 evacuees, mostly from Ulkatcho First Nation, had arrived in town since the previous Thursday with another 40 expected to arrive later in the day after spending the weekend in Williams Lake.

The original estimate pegged the

number of evacuees likely to come to Prince George at 750 to 1,000. Ulkatcho First Nation is headquartered in Anahim Lake.

It’s the first time the ESS centre has been activated for out of town guests this year, though Spooner said it was previously used to help those affected by the Boardwalk Properties fire on Killoren Crescent back on May 22.

Between Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, the Cariboo Regional District issued six evacuation orders relating to the Tsetzi Lake, Beef Trail Creek, Dusty Lake, Charlotte Lake and Smokey Lake fires.

These orders cover 322,114 hectares of land — 3,221.13 square kilometres.

There are also evacuation alerts

relating to the Eliguk Lake, Bosk Lake and Smokey Lake fires that includes the West Chilcotin Health Centre on Highway 20, which connects Bella Coola to Williams Lake.

As of Sept. 8, the Beef Trail Creek, Dusty Lake, Tsetzi Lake and Smokey Lake fires were considered out of control by the BC Wildfire Service.

For evacuees who have arrived in Prince George, Spooner said the ESS is making sure that they have a place to stay as well as clothing and is also covering some incidental costs for pet food, gas and meals through provincial funding.

“One of the things about Prince George is we are considered the largest host community in the north part of the

province,” Spooner said.

“Every year we’re sort of designated if something big happens, this will be the location people go to. This year for this event, Williams Lake didn’t have a lot of hotel accommodation. Kamloops had space for quite a few people, they were also activated for this event but they had limited hotel space and so people made their way here.”

Evacuees arriving in Prince George are to register first at the ESS centre where they will be assigned a hotel room. The centre is currently open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, with the possibility of those hours increasing if another emergency arises or if circumstances change.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BOB MACKIN

Brendan Tomas Boylan of Prince George leaves Vancouver court on Wednesday, April 30.

City contnues Lower Patricia site cleanup

Part of the work includes clearing trees around the encampment to reduce re hazards

MATTHEW HILLIER

Citizen Staff

The City of Prince George has provided an update on the closure of the Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment (LPBE), otherwise known as Moccasin Flats. The BC Supreme Court decision handed down on Aug. 14 authorized the immediate closure of LPBE to everyone except those who had been continuously encamped since July 2, 2025.

Work has begun to remediate the site and to establish a structured temporary overnight shelter area is underway, the city states.

The city has provided a list of current efforts to remediate the site:

• Provided scrap metal and refuse bins to support ongoing clean-up efforts by city staff and those sheltering on the site

• Carried out fuel mitigation work on a portion of the adjacent hillside, with mature trees left in place, but shrubs and brush cleared to reduce fire risk

• Constructed a fuel break and access path at the top of the hill on the eastern end of the site, which included a clean-up of garbage and materials abandoned in the area

• Begun installation of fencing along the existing borders of the encampment

An excavator loads debris from a burnt shelter in

Prince George onto a flatbed truck on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

• Provided notice to clear structures left behind by individuals who have transitioned into housing

Staff from the city have been going to the Flats to provide those there with information on indoor shelter options and the new designated temporary overnight shelter area.

As well, the city has emphasized that they are aware that BC Housing has been working to connect encampment occupants with housing.

The city also adds that those impacted have the constitutional right

to shelter in designated public spaces during the night, if the number of unhoused is greater then the number of available shelter spaces.

In Prince George, this designated shelter is located at 498 Ottawa St., with overnight sheltering not available at any other location.

The Moccasin Flats encampment began to emerge in the spring of 2021.

That’s when people first began establishing the encampment at the end of Lower Patricia Boulevard in Prince George. It continued to grow over the years.

Campfre ban in efect for PG and area

CITIZEN STAFF

Campfires will be prohibited as of Monday, Sept. 8 at noon, the Prince George Fire Centre announced Friday. This applies to Category 1 fires, described as a small open fire no larger than 0.5 meters high by 0.5 meters wide, usually used for camping and recreation.

It affects the entire Prince George Fire Centre, which includes the City of Prince George and surrounding areas, including recreation sites and parks. Category 2 and Category 3 fires are already prohibited. These include:

• Fireworks

• Sky lanterns

• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description

• Binary exploding targets

• Air curtain burners

• Chimineas

• Tiki and similar kinds of torches

• Outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA or ULC rating

• The campfire ban will be in effect until noon on Friday, Oct. 17, or until it is rescinded. It applies to all public and private lands. The prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As outlined in the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance, that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Moccasin Flats in

Internatonal student caps hurtng CNC enrolment

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Caps on international students and new eligibility requirements for foreign students to enter the labour market are putting the pinch on post-secondary schools across Canada — and the College of New Caledonia has been forced to embrace that bitter reality.

CNC has been especially hard hit by new rules implemented this academic year by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which tie post-graduate work permits to jobs identified as having long-term labour shortages.

That means foreign students who graduate from most programs at CNC are no longer eligible for those work permits — a significant game-changer for a college whose overall enrolment two or three years ago was 70 per cent international students.

The heavy reliance on foreign students — and the fact many of them won’t be coming to the central Interior — has had a profound effect on the 2026–27 budget deliberations now underway at CNC.

In addition to the lost revenue, fewer than a dozen of CNC’s 80-plus programs are eligible for post-grad work permits, which puts the college in a difficult position attracting students to its main campus in Prince George and community campuses in Quesnel, Fort St. James, Burns Lake, Mackenzie and Vanderhoof.

“The postgraduate work permit had a huge impact, even more than the caps, because you can come to school and not get a work permit when you’re done, so who’s going to come, and that’s when we saw the decrease in applications,” said CNC president and CEO Cindy Heitman.

“Right now it’s unethical for us to have students come, do two years of study, knowing that they won’t get a work permit.”

Overall college enrolment is down this fall by about 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) students in a school that has about 3,000 FTEs, based on a student

head count of between 5,000 and 6,000.

While some programs vary, international students have been paying tuition fees about three times those of domestic students.

Before limits were placed on international students, some of the tuition they paid was used to subsidize CNC programs that were expensive to run. Now that safety net is gone.

In the past two years, IRCC has reduced the country’s international student permits by one-third — from 650,000 in 2023 to 437,000 in 2025.

Foreign students are now required to show they have $20,000 saved before they come — double the requirement before the rules changed in the spring of 2024.

The drop in student enrolment means fewer faculty and support staff will be needed. While the current student count for the fall term has yet to be finalized and staffing decisions have yet to be announced, CNC has not emerged unscathed.

The college employs between 600 and 700 people, and when the immigration changes were first announced 18 months ago, CNC projected as much as 10 per cent of its workforce in all employee groups could have been on the chopping block.

“It didn’t end that way,” said Heitman.

In February, facing a $7-million shortfall, CNC announced it was cancelling its English language program. It also cancelled its Community and School

school system for 28 years and was School District 57’s superintendent when she took over from Dennis Johnson as CNC president in November 2023.

CNC had already launched a longterm strategic plan to shift its student recruitment focus away from the international market to target domestic enrolment when Ottawa announced — two months into Heitman’s term — it would reduce international student visas by 65 per cent in 2024-25 and 10 per cent in 2025–26. The new rules applied to all students who registered after Nov. 1, 2024.

Support and Associate of Arts — Modern Classics programs. Seven faculty members lost their jobs.

According to Ken Steele, a London, Ont.-based higher education trendspotter who maintains the website Eduvation, a live tracking graphic shows CNC has had 16 reported layoffs, early retirements or positions eliminated since the fall of 2024. That number will likely increase once fall attendance figures are tabulated.

“This whole entire sector is hurting right now across the country,” said Heitman. “The IRCC continues to make changes that impact the work we had to do, and I do anticipate it’s going to take another year or two for things to stabilize.”

The average tuition in 2024–25 at the college was $3,063 per semester — second-lowest in BC compared to other colleges. CNC has had success with its dual-credit high school programs, which have boosted domestic enrolment. The nursing and allied health programs are full, and CNC’s health sciences, human services, trades and technology programs remain popular.

“Our domestic enrolment has increased by about 300 students a year for the past three years, and if you’re talking about full-time equivalency, we’re just under a 20 per cent increase in domestic enrolment — which is fantastic,” said Heitman.

Heitman, a former CNC student, worked in the Prince George public

“The work that had happened under Dennis and the vice-president, Shelley Carter-Rose, set up a plan where we started recruiting and having students register so far in advance that that first round didn’t really impact our college because students had already been accepted, so we didn’t feel any of that in the fall of 2024, where other institutions may have,” said Heitman.

But in January 2025, there was a noticeable dip in enrolment at CNC and a sharp decline in student visa applications for the 2025–26 school year.

“The college was on a path to balance the enrolment, looking to see more domestic and fewer international,” said Heitman. “What the IRCC did is it took a five-year plan and turned it into five months.”

After the cap was introduced, the study permit approval rate in Canada dropped to 45 per cent in 2024, from 67 per cent in 2023. As of late August 2025, the rate of approvals for new study permits was about 31 per cent.

The program-specific rules on issuing work permits do not apply to students graduating with bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees — and that’s helped universities like UNBC avoid drastic drops in international enrolment.

CNC is continually seeking out other revenue sources, stepping up its efforts to engage with industry partners in sponsorship programs and reaching out to alumni graduates to involve former students in community events and connect them to the college’s private donations program.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

College of New Caledonia president and CEO Cindy Heitman stands at the front entrance of the Prince George campus on Sept. 4. The entranceway is undergoing a major construction facelift.

Citzen award commitee invites groups to take part

Community foundation, botanical society asked to help manage process

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The Prince George Community Foundation and David Douglas Botanical Society have been recruited to help manage the citizen recognition award program currently being developed by a council committee.

Representatives from both organizations were present at the Friday, Sept. 5 meeting of the Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program.

At this point in the committee’s work, it is envisioned that the winners of the award titled the “Prince George Medal of Excellence and Good Citizenship” will be awarded a custom-designed medal likely made of wood with a matching lapel pin.

As a legacy element of the award, the committee is proposing that trees will be planted and dedicated to the winners at a cost of around $1,000 per tree.

Up to three people will receive the award per year, with the committee leaning towards holding a reception for the winners ahead of a city council meeting.

PGCF executive director Rae-Ann Noonan spoke to the committee about the work that had gone into the foundation’s Citizen of the Year awards, which were last handed out in 2023.

She said the event was never a fundraiser for the organization, though there was sometimes a sponsor and there were things like silent auctions to help cover the costs. If any money was left over each year, it was held to help pay for the next year’s event.

Noonan said the event took a lot of volunteers — 30 or 40 separated into various committees focusing on topics like nominations, education, sponsorship and marketing.

As the number of volunteers whittled down, the amount of time it took for the foundation’s staff to complete took off.

“We really were doing it on off hours

putting this on because it just took so much time,” Noonan said. “We did that for three years and then we were like ‘we need to restructure this somewhat.”

The event was scaled back after COVID hit and then put on hold as stakeholder said they loved the award itself, but the event was getting tried.

At that point, Noonan said they were hoping that another organization would help take up the reins. Three years ago, she said they suggested that the city could include the Citizen of the Year award in with its recognition program.

Partnering with the city on this new program, Noonan said, would allow them to reuse some of the framework and procedures they already established and pool resources with while allowing the adjudication of the awards to be arms-length from the city itself. However, she said some of those procedures might need to be revised.

The committee unanimously passed a motion recommending the PGCF’s involvement in the program.

Earlier in the summer, the committee decided that planting trees in honour of award recipients would be a legacy component to the award.

The botanical society was invited to the meeting in the hopes that it could help identify a place for the trees to be planted.

Esther Prosser, the society’s vice-president, said they thought the idea of planting more trees was wonderful but wanted to know what the committee envisions planting, what kind of signage is desired and what should be done if a tree dies before it reaches the end of its expected lifespan.

There was some discussion over where the trees should be planted and whether plants in one of the society’s gardens could be dedicated instead of trees.

Coun. Brian Skakun wondered if the society’s new garden up at the University of Northern BC could be a good place for the trees.

Coun. Kyle Sampson expressed concern that the amount of money available through the program might not be enough to develop a big or beautiful

enough garden space and suggested maybe that plaques could be placed at the garden’s entrance with the actual additions up to the society itself.

Prosser said that would be the most flexible solution for the society, like arrangements it has with other organizations for trail initiatives. She also said that $1,000 per recipient would buy more plants than it would trees.

The motion passed by council that formed the select committee had its mandate expiring at the end of September. With work left to do and the next meeting scheduled for later this month set to be cancelled due to staffing constraints, the committee approved a motion calling on council to extend their mandate by a couple of months.

Committee chair Coun. Susan Scott said they still need to pass a motion approving the botanical garden society’s participation, firm up details on the award event and zero-in on the budget for the program.

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The David Douglas Botanical Society, which manages the garden at UNBC, and the Prince George Community Foundation have been invited to be a part of the city’s new citizen recognition award planning process.

Don’t use tax dollars to pay for soccer watch partes

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

As Prince George city council prepares to consider a motion on Sept. 17 to fund public FIFA World Cup viewing parties next year, just months before the next municipal election, we urge council to reject this idea — not because we oppose soccer, community gatherings or national pride, but because this is a costly and misguided attempt to latch onto an event that offers little direct benefit to our city.

The motion, brought forward by Coun. Ron Polillo and Coun. Cori Ramsay, recommends the city organize “family-friendly” watch parties at Canada Games Plaza in June and July 2026 to coincide with Team Canada’s games and the World Cup final.

While the World Cup is undeniably a global spectacle, and Canadian pride has surged since the start of this year, large-scale events tied to games should be organized by private business or organizations such as Downtown Prince George.

In the past, the city has opened up CN Centre and tuned the jumbotron to events that are of interest in the community.

Something like that allows us to rally together and have that communal celebratory experience with very little financial impact.

Like every other Canadian community, people will be watching the games — on their large-screen TVs, online or at their favourite local venues.

That’s already happening organically.

Sports bars, cultural organizations, soccer clubs and downtown businesses have long hosted watch parties for events like the World Cup or the Olympics. They do it because they know their audiences, they’re nimble and they can do it without relying on taxpayer funds to throw a party.

If local organizations such as the Prince George Youth Soccer Association, Downtown Prince George or international cultural groups want to rally behind this global moment and host events, they should be encouraged to do so. In fact, they often do it better.

What this motion proposes is a government-sponsored fan zone — an

expensive and unnecessary venture as a feel-good event where councillors will be sure to wave the flag, just two months before the next municipal election.

From infrastructure backlogs to rising homelessness, public safety concerns to crumbling and eroding trail systems, Prince George has more pressing priorities than spending limited staff time organizing an event and tens of thousands of dollars on big screens, food trucks, beer gardens and entertainment.

The motion’s authors suggest sponsorship and advertising to offset costs, but conveniently leave the door open for any shortfalls to be covered by the civic events budget or the council contingency fund. That’s code for:

taxpayers will foot the bill.

This is not a criticism of soccer fans or national pride. Many of us will cheer on Team Canada from our living rooms, pubs or community centres. But we can do that without turning it into a taxpayer-funded spectacle. Let our private sector, non-profits and cultural organizations lead the way, as they’ve always done for major events.

City council should be focusing its limited resources on solving real problems — not trying to tie themselves to a feel-good event.

If our councillors want to show their civic pride, it should be by making tangible improvements to our community. editor@pgcitizen.ca

We acknowledge the fnancial

Nous reconnaissons l’appui fnancier du gouvernement

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OPINION

Province distributes naloxone kits to postsecondary institutions

When one is young, one does not grasp the fragility of life. Curiosity, peer pressure, pain(emotional/social/spiritual) and other factors lead to experimentation.

In the era of most of the commenting people, alcohol and cannabis were the most commonly used/abused substances. There was heroin, opium, and cocaine (and a few others) There were “redirected” pharmaceuticals like morphine, valium, dilaudid, and oxycodone. It was rare to have highly concentrated or pure illicit drugs in circulation.

We now have many cheap, highly concentrated drugs that rapidly penetrate the central nervous system. Many if not all of these drugs are easily combined with others. It is simple to see why fatalities are so high and why it is critical to stop the flow but also save those who have simply made a “one-off” mistake.

Letter to the editor: Close call leads to a safety warning about electric scooters

They need to bring back the bike rodeos to the elementary schools to teach the young how to safely and correctly ride all these “transporters.”

76tech

Province distributes naloxone kits to postsecondary institutions

This is absolutely crap. Let’s spend that money on teaching our children about drugs and how not too become an addict. Have steadily available mental health workers available to our kids before they become addicts, not this three-year wait for a psychiatrist.

What about epipens for those who suffer from something that they had no control over? This is coming from an ex-drug addict myself.

It all could have been prevented, but we rather waste our money on trying to save ppl who usually don’t want help... way to go, Canada.

Ashfolk

Council directs staff to investigate riverfront strategy

I’m surprised the Centennial Trail isn’t a permanent budget item, especially given its prominence on the city parks and recreation website. It could be the perfect safe, multi-use path connecting neighborhoods to parks and the river.

We’re not asking for a major revitalization (but that would be nice), just a modest annual investment for upkeep and small improvements like definition, naturalization, lighting, and walking/biking paths.

Developing it over time is fine, but consistent maintenance is essential.

S Goods

Business community shares stories at crime forum

The problem is that the NDP claims compassion and uses that as emotional manipulation to tug at people’s heartstrings… “we can’t lock up these poor people,” but by removing any form of civility in our streets, we have created a society where those who are struggling the most are allowed the most freedom… the rule of law only applies to the people who aren’t doing any crime, which means we currently live in a lawless society… What we need are compassionate programs in prison. Good nutrition, exercise, healthcare, mental well being programs etc. in prison.

Letter to the editor: Airport should offer free parking for disabled people, too

Veterans are a different case: many have sacrificed greatly, some even with their lives, to defend the freedoms of a democratic society.

In that society, accessibility is already respected through disability parking spaces with preferential access — designated spots close to the terminal, some paid, some not.

Offering veterans free parking is a symbolic gesture of gratitude for their service and should not be used as leverage to meet other demands.

Many disabled people are wealthy. Should they receive preferential treatment of free parking over poorer, nondisabled citizens? Where is the equity in that?

The news media and academia have been used as a weapon to bludgeon the minds of the people into believing they’re bad people for wanting to have a safe community.

Even the Conservative politician in this article felt she had to concede “I don’t want to lock them up” …

We need hope for those struggling. But it has to be a with the whole community in mind. We need compassionate prisons, not lawlessness.

DD22

Share your views on our stories at

Fairness means addressing genuine barriers — which is already done through accessible parking — not creating new financial privileges that divide travellers further.

Perham

CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery up in ames

Sad news! Our community has lost more than a business in this fire. CrossRoads was a place for jobs, good times, and connection. Its owners brought so much life to downtown PG with the brewery and fest. Whatever comes next, I hope they know how grateful we are for all they gave to this city.

S Goods

Lou Maurice

Ofcial Community Plan hearing scheduled for Oct. 1

New draft adds changes discussed earlier in the process

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council rescinded second reading of the revised Official Community Plan at its Wednesday, Sept. 3 meeting and passed second reading of a new draft, paving the way for public hearing on the new version on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.

All local governments in British Columbia — which includes both municipalities and regional districts — are required by the provincial government to update their Official Community Plans by the end of 2025 and again by the end of 2026.

Earlier this year, a public hearing on the OCP was held on March 19 and April 9. Those who attended the hearing raised issues like a need for greater protection for green spaces like Ginter’s Green and a lack of communication for developers over the impacts the new OCP would have on their properties.

After the hearing dates, council asked administration to prepare a report on the potential consequences of potential changes to the draft OCP they were interested in making.

Administration returned with a 39-page report on those consequences at the Monday, July 14 council meeting when the issue received more than three hours of discussion.

At the Sept. 3 meeting, administration provided a new draft of the OCP that incorporates some of the changes that were proposed during the process. Because of the changes, administration requested that second reading of the previous draft of the OCP be rescinded and second reading of the new draft be passed.

Then, administration requested that a new public hearing be scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

Here are some of the changes in the new version of the plan.

As was previously discussed by council, the new draft replaced references in the document to Prince George being a winter city to instead being a yearround destination.

Instead of saying that “climate change mitigation measures reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the plan’s objectives section now says that “climate change adaptation and mitigation measure minimizes negative climate-related impacts on human safety, health and well being.”

A later section specifically focusing on climate action and resilience has been modified to emphasize the need not just for climate change mitigation, but adaptation.

Under the growth management section, a line about infrastructure in future development areas being fully funded by developers now says “must” instead of “shall.”

In the same section, an area focusing on support for agricultural initiatives for the local food system has been expanded to include nine new policies supporting things like eliminating barriers to sustainable food systems, public transportation to grocery stores and farmers’ markets, community gardens and kitchens and research into local

airport has been greatly expanded from the initial draft, stressing the partnership between the PGAA and the city, acknowledging the PGAA’s role in landuse decisions and confining airport- and aircraft-related land uses to the areas around the airport itself.

In the section that lays out how the city will measure the success of the OCP, the document has been changed to use vital statistics information from the BC Government in assessing housing options and business diversification snapshots from Statistics Canada when assessing investments in infrastructure.

Despite a lot of discussion around the Urban Containment Boundary earlier this year, it does not appear to have changed between the initial draft and the new draft presented on Sept. 3.

food production.

Reference to food security has also been added to the section of the plan focusing on social health and wellbeing.

In the natural environment section, a policy about discouraging planting of fruit-bearing trees and vegetation has been clarified with the addition of “where there is no intent to harvest.”

The wording of some policies in the economic development section have been modified to emphasize the need to not just create, but retain jobs, as well as support the development of a local workforce that meets both near-term demands and future jobs for emerging sectors.

The section on future land use plans had a section on parks and open space tweaked slightly to encourage the create of new parks and open spaces not just in growth priority areas, but underserved ones as well.

During the hearing dates earlier this year, representatives from the Prince George Airport Authority expressed concern that much of the language from the 2011 version of the OCP recognizing its authority in land-use decisions around the airport had been removed.

The list of land-use policies about the

Council voted unanimously to rescind second reading of the original OCP draft, to amend the draft with the changes proposed by administration and to pass second reading of the new version of the OCP.

In discussing the public hearing timing, Coun. Cori Ramsay said that in conversations with the public, not many people knew that the OCP had to be updated again by 2028. She asked whether there could be a social media campaign to let the public know that the matter will be coming up again soon and not in 10 years as some people believe.

Coun. Tim Bennett asked whether the public hearing could start earlier to maximize the time available.

Manager of legislative services Ethan Anderson said that the city’s procedures bylaw sets a 7 p.m. start time as the default for public hearings but that other times could be chosen. However, he said that he believed it shouldn’t be moved up before 6 p.m. as that could limit participation from some people.

Mayor Simon Yu said he wanted the public to know that the OCP is a living document and it will be changed over time regardless of when the large revisions are.

Bennett’s motion to advance the start time to 6 p.m. passed.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Members of the public speak their minds at the second night of the public hearing on the Official Community Plan before Prince George city council on Wednesday, April 9 at city hall. A new draft OCP will be presented Oct. 1

Council guides staf to chart a new riverfront strategy

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council voted to direct staff to investigate the potential development of a riverfront strategy in partnership with the University of Northern BC at its Wednesday, Sept. 3 meeting.

Coun. Trudy Klassen and Coun. Tim Bennett gave their colleagues notice at the previous council meeting on Monday, Aug. 18 that they would propose some motions relating to riverfront vitality at the Monday, Sept. 3 council meeting.

Their motion as originally written asked council to direct city staff to request co-operation with the University of Northern British Columbia to create a waterfront plan for the Nechako and Fraser rivers with the help of other stakeholders like the public, potential investors, community organizations, Indigenous governments, and provincial and federal government agencies.

They specified that the plan would need to align with would both the city’s strategic plan and the 2009 Smart Growth on the Ground Report to identify development opportunities for business, environmental and historical protection, tourism and recreation.

They requested that if approved, the strategy be delivered to council no later than Dec. 31, 2026 with quarterly and bi-annual updates being provided along the way, allocating up to $25,000 in council contingency funds to pay for the work and requiring that the final plan as presented to council include consideration of regulatory mechanisms and funding opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, Klassen said she wanted the city to start to take the steps to redevelop its riverfront areas.

She said the city’s strategic plan seeks to retain people like students rather than have them move away after their studies and she felt that further developing the riverfront could help in that regard.

Bennett said that since the notice of

motion was given, he and Klassen had worked with city staff to adjust the plan to be more in line with what they have the capacity to do.

The new version of the motion removed the specific end date for when the final report to council should be revised.

While Coun. Brian Skakun said he approves of further developing the riverfront, the level of engagement the motion required would be immense and wasn’t sure how both city staff and councillors would be able to carry it out.

“I think the intent is right, but how do we do this?” Skakun asked.

Mayor Simon Yu said he’s participated in a study with communities along the Nechako River basin and said it was a years-long effort to complete.

He said he thought Klassen and Bennett’s motion was narrow enough to be focused on just the city.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said she agrees with Skakun that the work is important and she’d love to see riverfront revitalization, but she wants to see what work the university is already doing in and around the river.

She said she would prefer to refer the motion to staff to look into and engage UNBC with rather than pass it outright.

Coun. Kyle Sampson said his parents live in Kamloops and he thought that city had done things right with a mix of

recommendations on how to proceed. Sampson added that there are several unfunded capital projects along the riverfront like trail building and maintenance that can still be done along with other work that has already been done.

Coun. Ron Polillo said he felt similarly to Ramsay and Skakun and wondered whether UNBC even wants to take on the work. He said he would support referring the matter to staff.

Coun. Susan Scott said no one had spoken yet about the flood plains along the river and how much work factoring them into a riverfront strategy would take. She said she would vote against the motion.

commercial and recreational opportunities along the riverfront there.

He said he would vote against both the motion and a referral, preferring that a broader request be made to staff who could return to council with

Speaking again, Klassen said she urged her colleagues to approve referral to staff, feeling that it was broad enough to proceed with.

A referral motion passed five to three, with Ramsay, Sampson and Scott voting against.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The Fraser River flows under the Yellowhead Bridge near Cottonwood Island Park. City council has discussed the potential of a revitalized riverfront.

Police crack down on safety as kids head back to school

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Students at Blackburn Elementary School had an extra set of eyes looking out for them as they headed to school on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The Prince George RCMP, in partnership with School District 57 and RCMP Patrol Volunteers, were set up at various points along Giscome Road with radar guns and speed traps — reminding drivers to keep an eye out during the hectic beginning of the school year.

“We’re out here serving as a visual reminder that our school zones are back in session,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer. “8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, on all school days, because kids have a hard time curbing that excitement. If you come out to any elementary school — I’m sure the high schools are no different — you can feel the excitement in the air. It is palpable, and that makes it hard for them to remember the road safety rules and act accordingly. We’re reminding drivers that it is our responsibility as the adults on scene to be making those responsible choices for the kids — watching out for them and slowing down in these school zones.”

Cooper noted that it also never hurts to remind students about road safety as they head back for their first week.

“If you are letting your kids walk to school on their own, if they’re unsupervised or especially if this is their first time, reviewing the route with them — where are the danger spots, where should they be crossing, what do they need to look out for — making sure that we’ve gone over those reminders, because sometimes our kids tend to forget that with all of their excitement. So a couple of repeated reminders or family discussions about road safety would go a long way to help and keep our kids safe,” she said.

Cooper also emphasized that schools like Blackburn sometimes don’t have sidewalks, like along Giscome Road, and this makes it more difficult for drivers to manoeuvre if a student crosses the street in a rush.

As well, she told The Citizen that the RCMP hears about speeders following the initial back-to-school rush.

“We get constant complaints from schools and people who live near schools or parents taking their kids to school about people speeding through school zones,” said Cooper. “It is prevalent throughout the year. We’ll typically find that maybe this week is okay — everybody’s kind of got that memo front and centre in their minds — but as we get into the routine, our manners start to slide and we see people starting to ramp up their speed again. So it’s something that’s important not only first week of school but throughout this school year as well.”

Helping the RCMP at Blackburn Elementary were RCMP Patrol Volunteers. These volunteers record speeders’ information — like the speed they were going, their licence plate number, and the make and model of their vehicle.

While these volunteers can’t issue tickets, a written warning is then often sent to the offending vehicle owner’s address and is also given to the RCMP community policing unit, which helps them find areas with prolific offenders.

School zone speed enforcement is not just being conducted at Blackburn, with officers on scene mentioning that during traffic enforcement at Pineview Elementary yesterday, they managed to issue more than a few tickets.

“Pineview has always put a lot into reminding drivers to slow down on that highway,” said Cooper. “It is a numbered highway you’re coming off — going a pretty good speed — you come off onto Old Cariboo Highway there, and sometimes people forget to slow down for the school zone. They have done a lot as a school and as a parent advisory council to reinforce the message. They’ve got the flashing beacons and the big 30-kilometres-an-hour signs painted on the road, so that has gone a long way to help, but we still find that having us out there as a visual reminder kind of kickstarts that and gets it really going.”

Cooper also mentioned that people in Prince George are likely to see the RCMP in other school zones in the coming weeks.

“We will be popping up throughout Prince George,” she said. “We’re not going to let anyone know in advance so we can see what the typical behaviour in that area is. So keep an eye out for us — this week especially — but throughout the rest of the month as we reinforce the back-to-school message.”

RCMP has also provided the following list of tips for drivers, parents and students:

Drivers

• School zone speed limits are now back in effect. This means a 30 km/h speed limit in all marked

school zones, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all regular school days

• Do not park inside or over a designated crosswalk

• Do not pass a stopped vehicle that is allowing pedestrians to cross the street

• When approaching a school bus with its lights flashing and its stop sign extended, drivers in both lanes of traffic must come to a complete stop until the bus driver has turned off the lights and retracted the stop sign

• When a vehicle is travelling at 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres (59 feet) to come to a complete stop. If you are travelling at 50 km/h, it takes 37 metres (121 feet) to stop

Parents

• Try to avoid dropping your child off for school on the opposite side of the street from their school. If this is unavoidable, make sure your child knows how to cross the street safely at the nearest designated crosswalk

• Avoid double-parking by stopping and unloading in non-designated parking/drop-off zones

• Learn the traffic patterns at your child’s school and obey the directions of crossing guards

• Be patient and courteous to other drivers and students

Students

• Make sure to review your route to school with your grown-up at home. Know where to cross the street and where your bus stop is if you are riding the bus

• Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Remember: stop, look and listen for cars

• If you are riding your bike, make sure you know the rules of the road and are travelling single file as close to the right side of the street as possible. Make sure your helmet is on and fits you properly

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

RCMP Patrol Volunteers work outside Blackburn Elementary School, assisting RCMP, on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Pickup driver charged afer collision with ambulance

CITIZEN STAFF

RCMP in Prince George say one person has been arrested in connection with a crash involving a pickup truck and an ambulance last week.

Police say the arrest was made after members of the public came forward with tips about the collision, which happened shortly after midnight on Friday, Sept. 5 at the intersection of Carney Street and 15th Avenue.

The ambulance ended up on its side, with the pickup truck crushed against a residential fence. A boat the truck had been towing was on the other side of the ambulance.

At the time, police said the two occupants of the truck had fled the scene, while the people in the ambulance were taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“We want to extend our thanks to all the people who provided us with information on this investigation,” said

Police investigate in the aftermath of a collision between a pickup truck towing a boat and an ambulance at 15th Avenue and Carney Street on Friday, Sept. 5.

Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP, in a press release. “As a result of the tips we received, our Investigative Support Team was able to arrest the driver of the pickup truck in connection with this event.”

Police fnd stolen motorbike, drugs, guns, inert grenade in raid

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Prince George RCMP’s Downtown Safety Unit and Problem-Oriented Policing team recently executed two Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants on homes on the 2600 block of Quince Street and the 1600 block of Eighth Avenue on Aug. 27.

Police said that due to the potential for violence from residents living at the locations, the North District Emergency Response Team assisted local RCMP. Officers seized the following items during the searches:

• More than 35 grams of suspected cocaine

• Suspected hydromorphone pills

• Two 3D-printed firearms

• Multiple standard firearms

• Stolen motorbike

• Hard body armour

• One inert military ordnance

• Various ammunition and other weapons

• More than $500 in cash

In total, four people were arrested in relation to the two investigations.

Three suspects were released without process after the search of the residence was complete, with the fourth being arrested on outstanding warrants and held for court.

“This is the second time in less than a year we have been to the residence on Quince Street, for similar investigations each time,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.

The home on Quince Street was searched after officers witnessed a man setting a stolen vehicle on fire on Nov. 29. RCMP found multiple high-powered firearms and silicone molds used to press illicit drugs into candy-like shapes.

Police say the suspect has since been released and will appear in court at a later date. Specific charges have not yet been announced.

The investigation remains ongoing.

RCMP say Initial reports indicated that the Emergency Health Services

ambulance was travelling through the intersection when it struck the pickup, which had been driving against the traffic light.

The intersection was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene.

Only one use of defensive tools by bylaw ofcers: city

They’re equipped with pepper spray, batons and handcuffs

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

In the first two years since City of Prince George bylaw officers were equipped with defensive tools like batons, pepper spray and handcuffs, they have only been used once according to a new report presented at the Wednesday, Sept. 3 city council meeting.

Council first heard about bylaw officers being given the tools in July 2023, when it was told that officers had previously only been outfitted with protective vests.

Councillors voted to have administration report back on how the rollout of the gear had gone after a year had gone by.

In the first report delivered in August 2024, the tools had not been used but

city staff noted that bylaw services staff felt safer going about their duties.

The new report presented on Sept. 3, which was written by director of administrative services Eric Depenau, said that there was one occasion in the last year where the defensive tools had been used.

In that instance, handcuffs were used to detain someone who allegedly assaulted a bylaw officer until RCMP arrived to take custody of the suspect.

“Providing defensive tools to bylaw officers, animal control officers, and parking control officers is considered a positive measure to enhance their workplace safety,” the report concluded. “Officers undergo refresher training on a two-year cycle to stay current on this skill set including protective force options and use of force theory.”

Discussing the report, Coun. Brian Skakun said that bylaw officers needing to carry defensive tools is a “sign of the times” and it’s necessary not just in Prince George but elsewhere as well.

Skakun noted that the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George recently discussed rolling out similar tools to its bylaw officers

He asked whether bylaw officers are rotated between on-street work and office work so they’re not always having to deal with intense situations.

Depenau said bylaw officers work four days and then have four days off, with some officers dedicated specifically to downtown issues rather than more traditional issues like nuisance abatement.

“So there is opportunity to get some reprieve through the variety of what comes up and we also look to follow up whenever critical incidents occur if there’s an occasion where somebody is supported with Naloxone or comes across somebody who is deceased or assists in a particularly challenging call, we look for opportunities to work with them after to make sure they’re getting the support they need,” Depenau said.

Coun. Cori Ramsay asked whether

the use of defensive tools would still be tracked even if council no longer asked for yearly reports. Depenau said incidents and near-misses are tracked every day like what is done for health and safety programs separate to the reporting for council.

Ramsay said she didn’t think the matter needed to come to council again going forward unless there was a specific incident warranting discussion.

Coun. Trudy Klassen said she was in favour of continuing the yearly reports because she thought the accountability was important. She said she would vote against a motion that did not include a provision that the yearly reports continue going forward.

Coun. Susan Scott said she was glad that bylaw officers have been able to maintain their rapport with the public while being outfitted with the defensive tools

Council voted to receive the report for information, with only Klassen voting against.

Council OKs fnancial support for Block Watch partes

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council voted to provide upcoming Block Watch parties with up to $7,500 of financial support from its contingency fund at its Wednesday, Sept. 4 meeting.

The matter was forwarded to council from the Standing Committee on Public Safety, which heard about the events at its Tuesday, Aug. 19 meeting.

The parties are aimed at generating interest in the Block Watch program, which organizes residents of various neighbourhoods to work together on crime prevention.

Four Block Watch parties are coming up this month at College Heights Secondary School, Duchess Park Secondary School, John McInnis Secondary School and Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School.

An RCMP spokesperson told The Citizen that the four events are invite-only and not open to the general public.

A report written by Mayor Simon Yu said that the events will include a registration table, a barbecue and interactive activities relating to public safety and crime preventions, with representatives from local agencies participating.

“Organizers have suggested that $7500.00 would provide the lift necessary to have confidence in ensuring a high quality experience for participants,” the mayor wrote.

Discussing the request, Yu said safety starts at the neighbourhood level and the parties would help residents learn how they can participate in those efforts.

Coun. Brian Skakun said that representatives from Prince George Fire Rescue, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Bear Aware Society,

the city’s parks department and the RCMP would be on hand for the parties.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said she thought the parties were a good idea but wondered what the $7,500 would support that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

Responding, director of administrative services Eric Depenau said the events would still go ahead without the extra funds, but if they were approved they would go towards items like tents to make sure they could still take place regardless of weather, more food services and porta-potties.

Ramsay said she would support giving the funds, though it would have been preferable for the request to have been made before the preparation work had started.

Coun. Kyle Sampson said he was having trouble justifying approving the funds for items that should already have been factored in for events like this such

as porta-potties, though he supports Block Watch parties in principle.

Depenau said basic amenities were being provided but could be improved with funding.

Coun. Ron Polillo said he appreciated what his colleagues had said, but thought council was overanalyzing the matter. He added that the public safety committee thought the events needed a boost to make them a success.

Skakun returned to say that other groups like Inspiring Women Among Us and the Invasive Plants Council didn’t have their funding requests dissected, just asked to report on their spending after the fact.

Ramsay put forward an amendment so that council would provide up to $7,500 in funding rather than the whole amount by default.

The motion passed with only Sampson voting in opposition.

Barbie Jeep driver pulled over and arrested by RCMP

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

During a busy Friday full of police and fire action across Prince George, an unlikely form of transportation caught one RCMP officer’s eye.

Local man Kasper Lincoln was spotted by police and members of the public driving his roommate’s daughter’s Barbie Jeep to drive to a gas station on 15th Avenue near Nicholson Street on Sept. 5.

“Me and my roommate were going to go to Canco to pull up some money because he needed to go somewhere,”

Lincoln told The Citizen on Monday, Sept. 8. “I just wanted to go for a Slurpee and I didn’t want to walk, so I was like, oh, there’s like the Jeep here!”

As he drove the child-sized battery-powered toy vehicle down the street, an RCMP officer in an unmarked car heading the other direction spotted Lincoln and pulled him over.

Despite this sudden surprise, Lincoln said he stayed in a good mood.

“So when I was driving by him, he stopped and said ‘hey, what’s up man? Can you pull over so I can talk to you?’ I was like ‘Yeah, sure, I can pull over!’ He pulled up right behind me and had his lights flashing. I was just smiling the whole time.”

Lincoln was arrested for prohibited driving, and RCMP report that this led to an impaired driving investigation. Lincoln provided two breath samples that were both over the legal limit and he was subsequently issued a 90-day driving prohibition.

Despite his arrest, Lincoln remained in a positive mood; he reported that even some of the RCMP saw the humour in it.

“The guys who arrested me were serious. But when I was at the station, a cop and I were laughing around about the whole situation,” he said.

Lincoln told The Citizen that he drove on bike paths and sidewalks and even used hand signals to initiate turns since his vehicle lacked electronic signals. He noted that he was only in the middle of the road once to cross to the other side

of the street.

He also added that while he had been drinking the night before, he had not consumed any alcohol that day prior to his ride.

Following his arrest, Lincoln’s friend was able take the jeep home despite offi cers telling him it could be impounded.

RCMP, in a press release, issued the following reasons for Lincoln was stopped and arrest

“Any vehicle on a roadway that is powered by anything other than mus cular power fits into the definition of a motor vehicle and requires a licensed driver and insurance. While it might seem to some to be an inefficient use of police time to pull over a driver in a toy car, the risk the driver was creating to other motorists on the road who were forced to go around him, coupled with the risk to himself as other drivers are not in the habit of looking for toy cars on the busy road, was enough to warrant police attention.”

Lincoln plans to contest the charges as he feels that he acted safely while rid ing the vehicle and in a vehicle that he feels didn’t meet standards for electric modes of transportation, like e-bikes or e-scooters

“I’m innocent,” he said. “It’s an electric kid toy.”

He added that despite his newfound

added, however that family and friends have been sending him memes and TikToks related to his arrest, something he has found especially funny.

One witness to the incident spoke with The Citizen and said she found the situation humorous and was surprised at the police response.

“He wasn’t combative with them at all or trying to fight against it or anything. He was having a good old time. It’s nice to see an adult enjoying life in this hard time right now,” said Summer Caron.

“Seeing the cops pull him over in my head, it was kind of like, really? With everything else going on in town? This is what you’re going to worry about?”

Caron added that she has seen people ride in similar vehicles in other towns where they did not receive police attention.

notoriety since his Friday arrest — the local CBC station first covered the story, which then went national — he has been minding his own business. He

Lincoln was released on an appearance notice with a future court date, with the RCMP stating that their investi-

The RCMP pulls over Kasper Lincoln as he drives a plastic Barbie Jeep down Nicholson Street on Friday, Sept. 5.

Murder trial expected to run all month

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Crown prosecutor told a B.C. Supreme Court judge in Prince George that Zain Xavier Wood scoped out 22-year-old Isabelle Thomas’s Alpine Village townhouse twice before executing his plan to kill her “in a swift and deliberate fashion” on July 18, 2023.

Wood was charged with first degree murder more than a month later. He pleaded not guilty when the trial began Sept. 2.

Kristina King told Justice Michael Tammen that Wood, 25, left his home on Lalonde Road at 7 a.m. on the day of the crime and arrived outside Thomas’s residence via taxi, after a stop to withdraw money at a Scotiabank.

“He entered Miss Thomas’s home through her unlocked front door,” King said. “He was inside the home for only 35 seconds, and within those 35 seconds, Mr. Wood stabbed Miss Thomas a total of 16 times in the presence of her six-yearold daughter and six-month-old baby.”

King said most of the stab wounds were to Thomas’s back and one of those wounds transected her cervical spinal cord in her neck, which would have resulted in instant quadriplegia and possible spinal shock.

There were also multiple stab wounds to Thomas’s front. The most significant, to the chest, pierced Thomas’s heart at the anterior ascending aorta.

“This wound would have resulted in rapid unconsciousness and death,” King said. “After killing Miss Thomas, he quickly left her residence and returned home.”

King said Crown evidence will include events of July 12, 2023, when Wood “lingered around the area” of Thomas’s home, and a second visit, during which Wood walked up to Thomas’s front door and disabled her doorbell camera on July 13, 2023.

King said witnesses will include two of the first Prince George RCMP officers on the scene, who will describe their initial observations of the scene, and a forensic identification services officer, who will describe his analysis of the scene.

The first-degree murder trial of Zain Xavier Wood is underway in Prince George Court. Wood is accused of killing Isabelle Thomas in 2023.

Also testifying: a blood spatter pattern expert; pathologist; lead investigator; the constable who took a statement from Wood; an employee of Prince George Community Corrections; electronic monitoring data experts; Thomas’s neighbours; and Thomas’s intimate partner, who arrived home from work shortly after the first responders arrived.

Pathologist testifies

The pathologist who conducted the autopsy told a BC Supreme Court judge on Sept. 3 that Isabelle Thomas was found deceased, lying on her back, with her face up, partially on a bed.

Dr. Jason Doyle said on the second day of Wood’s first-degree murder trial that Thomas died of multiple sharp force injuries. Tammen allowed Vernon-based Doyle to testify remotely, instead of travel to Prince George, due to the shortage of pathologists in BC.

Doyle spent much of the morning and into the afternoon describing the injuries Thomas suffered. He showed photographs from the autopsy of the gashes on Thomas’s back, neck and head.

“Injury to the aorta, in particular, is the most significant, and would have resulted in rapid unconsciousness and death,” Doyle testified. “The spinal cord transection would have resulted in instant quadriplegia, meaning someone

More jail tme for man who admited to breaking and entering

BOB MACKIN

A Provincial Court judge in Prince George has agreed to a joint Crown and defence proposal for a nine-month jail sentence after a man pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and committing an indictable offence.

not being able to use their arms or legs, and probable spinal shock. The other wounds would have resulted in some degree of hemorrhage.”

Doyle said the stab wounds were deeper into Thomas’s tissue than they were long on the surface. There were several wounds on the front and back of the neck and front and back of the chest area, as well as the back and sides of the head.

Doyle focused on two wounds in particular: the front of the chest and into the aorta, which he described as a hose at the top of the heart, and the back of the neck, where the blade cut across Thomas’s spinal cord.

Crown prosecutor Tyler Bauman asked Doyle how long would it take for the stab to the aorta to result in unconsciousness.

Doyle said many individuals will die within seconds of such an injury. Others can survive a little longer.

“Most people would die within a minute or two, maybe a few minutes of this injury,” he said.

As for the spinal cord transection, Bauman asked if it would be fatal on its own. Doyle said some individuals could survive.

“In this case, we can’t know for sure,” Doyle said.

The trial is scheduled to run through most of September.

But Judge Peter McDermick said Sept. 4 that Patrick Ryan Baker will serve another 43 days after receiving credit for time served plus two years on probation.

For the first nine months he serves of the probation, Baker must be in his residence between 11 p.m to 6 a.m. every day.

Baker faced six charges of breaching probation orders and charges of break and enter, possession of stolen property under $5,000, theft under $5,000 and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Baker pleaded guilty to the July 30, 2024 offence, admitting that he broke into a dwelling on Stafford Road and stole appliances.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking his 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew last New Year’s Eve.

Baker was found to be absent when a Prince George RCMP officer showed up at his dwelling for a mandatory compliance check at 11:15 p.m. that night.

Baker, who has been on an 18-month probation order since Sept. 26, 2023, was caught possessing an intoxicant on Oct. 15, 2024 and failed to report to his assigned probation officer on Jan. 15, 2025.

Defence lawyer Connor Carleton told the court that his client, a 38-year-old, has struggled with substance abuse.

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sentencing in November in courthouse stabbing case

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sentencing will go ahead in November for a 59-year-old woman guilty of a second degree murder that happened more than five years ago outside the Prince George courthouse.

Charlene Jane Alexander faces a jail term of between 10 and 25 years without parole for the July 2, 2020 stabbing murder of 26-year-old Jessie Mae Hayward-Lines.

RCMP officers were called to the courthouse around 10 p.m. that night. Hayward-Lines died in hospital.

On May 21, BC Supreme Court Justice Neena Sharma agreed to a defence application and decided that Alexander would undergo assessment to determine whether she was fit to continue.

On Sept. 4, after the completion of reports by qualified medical professionals, defence lawyer Lisa Helps told Sharma “that fitness has been established.”

Sharma kept in place a ban on publication of any specific details about Alexander’s condition or treatments, but scheduled the sentencing hearing for Nov. 3 and 4 in Prince George.

Sharma also agreed to a request from Helps to ask for the BC Sheriff Service to make more than one washroom stop on the journey from the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women in Maple

Fine for man who disobeyed judge’s community service order

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty Sept. 3 in Prince George to breaching a probation order by failing to complete 20 hours of community work service.

Provincial Court Judge Cassandra Malfair fined Jordon Zachery Roland Cote $500 after a joint proposal by Crown and defence lawyers.

“Well, it’s unfortunate you didn’t get those community work service hours done, because now this is going to show on your record,” Malfair said to Cote.

Malfair heard that Cote was sentenced to a year on probation on March 5, 2024, including an order to perform 20 hours of community work by Feb. 5, 2025.

He failed to report by phone to a probation officer on March 5, 2025 and failed to provide proof that he completed the hours of work.

Cote’s criminal record includes two 2024 mischief charges and assault and theft under $5,000 in 2025, all of which resulted in conditional discharge sentences.

His lawyer, Benjamin Levine, said in court that Cote told him he did about five hours of work service, but did not explain why he did not do more.

Levine said Cote is Indigenous, from Fort St. James and now living in Prince George.

While his client is relying on social assistance for now, Levine said he has the resources available to pay the fine.

Malfair set a March 31, 2026 deadline for Cote to pay.

Ridge, where Alexander is being held, to Prince George.

Helps said it takes her nine hours to drive the distance, but Alexander interjected to say the trip in a sheriff’s van is 11 hours with only one stop for a washroom break.

Helps said she would also contact the associate warden.

Paula Hayward, the victim’s mother, was informed of the sentencing dates by a reporter. She said it feels like “somebody put a Band-Aid on and they keep ripping it off and then putting it back on and ripping it off, expecting it to stick each time.”

“For five years, nothing but games, it feels like nothing but games have been played, you know,” Hayward said. “And I dread that courthouse, I dread going there because of what happened there, I dread seeing (Alexander) because she is smug. Like I said before, I’ve never seen an ounce of remorse coming out of this woman.”

Police are investigating after a woman was stabbed and died outside of the Prince George courthouse.

Business community shares crime stories with MLAs

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Dozens of elected officials and members of Prince George’s business community gathered downtown to discuss crime and safety issues in the late afternoon and evening of Thursday, Sept. 4.

More than 60 people spent two hours in a ballroom at the Ramada.

The event was hosted by the three Prince George Conservative MLAs, Rosalyn Bird (Prince George-Valemount), Sheldon Clare (Prince GeorgeNorth Cariboo) and Kiel Giddens (Prince George-Mackenzie), as well two of their colleagues from out of town, public safety critic Elenore Sturko (Surrey-Cloverdale) and jobs critic Gavin Dew (Kelowna-Mission).

After Prince George city council voiced a desire to participate in the forum earlier in the summer, Mayor Simon Yu and councillors Susan Scott, Kyle Sampson, Tim Bennett and Trudy Klassen represented the municipal government at the event.

Attending on behalf of city administration was director of administrative services Eric Depenau.

Before the forum, Clare, Giddens, Sturko and Dew were led on a walking tour of the downtown core by Downtown Prince George executive director Chrisie Berry, president Eoin Foley, treasurer Derek Dougherty and Prince George Chamber of Commerce executive director Neil Godbout, The Citizen’s former editor.

As the group walked along, the locals pointed out incidents like fire, vandalism and even explosions that had occurred at various properties.

Going by the former Fortis BC call centre on Second Avenue, Foley said the staff moving to a new location in the Spruceland area due to crime and safety concerns means dozens of people who won’t frequent downtown businesses as often.

Passing the St. Vincent de Paul building on the same road someone lying on the sidewalk threw an object in front of the group and onto the street. Sturko

said it was a hypodermic needle.

Starting the evening off, Clare said everyone knows there’s a problem with crime and it’s time to find solutions. He said that getting primary source data at events like these was important for he and his colleagues to take back to Victoria when the legislature comes back for its next session.

Clare said they would be hosting further events in Quesnel in Williams Lake.

Yu made a few remarks thanking those present for sharing their remarks and said that as a downtown business owner, he’s experienced some of same issues as those present.

Giddens said that many issues were discussed during his time as both president of the chamber of commerce and a member of the previous iteration of the city’s public safety committee. While those problems still persist, he said that there’s only so much the city itself can do.

Sturko said while she was happy to visit Prince George, she was sorry that street disorder was the reason for her trip. She said during the downtown walk, she saw some underlying causes of that disorder like untreated mental

and gave attendees chances to talk about the challenges they’re facing both crime-related and otherwise.

A woman who introduced herself as the manager of the downtown Canada Post building talked about repeated issues with vandalism and theft that have occurred, including multiple incidents involving the same person.

She said she doesn’t feel safe walking downtown to the point where she was debating whether she should walk or drive to the forum.

Sturko said there are issues with the Criminal Code of Canada and the court system where there are incentives within the system for people to be released from custody as soon as possible. She said that the principle of restraint under 493 of the criminal code needed to be amended to help deal with catch-and-release issues.

Because people aren’t being held accountable for their crimes, she said, it’s emboldening criminals.

health and addictions.

Unlike in the Lower Mainland, Sturko said there aren’t as many places for people to get treatment for those issues. Discussing what she saw in her former career as a police officer, she said she got into politics to try to find frontline solutions to some of the problems she saw in the RCMP.

Prince George, she said, helped affect change in Victoria after the Prince George RCMP announced that drugs obtained through safe supply programs were ending up in the wrong hands, forcing the government to alter its policies.

Dew said he was inspired to enter politics because of his experiences as a small business owner. He said BC is at a crossroads, where it’s getting harder and harder for businesses to operate and thrive.

What really scares him, he said, is a decrease in the number of new businesses opening in recent years and an increase in the number of bankruptcies. This, he said, is leading to an erosion in many communities’ downtown cores and job opportunities for young people. After those initial comments, Bird carried a microphone around the room

At the provincial level, Sturko said, there’s a serious lack of resources for mental health care.

Sturko said she doesn’t want to imprison everyone with addiction issues, but wondered if there should be way to compel people to get treatment.

A man named Roy Stewart, who said he’s a lawyer with an office across the street from the courthouse, says he hears screaming from the street every day. He cited the explosion of the former Achillion restaurant, saying he doesn’t think there’s a similar event that has occurred across the entire province.

He criticized BC’s NDP government for not bringing more treatment beds to Prince George since the last provincial election and the federal government for not doing enough work on bail reform. He said the solution has to be political as the police have enough on their hands.

“Goddamn it, we don’t want to take it anymore,” he said. “We want politicians who form government to do the right goddamn thing.”

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CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Conservative MLAs and representatives from Downtown Prince George and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce tour downtown before a business crime forum on Thursday, Sept. 4.

People are concerned about street disorder, addicton

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To this point, Dew said, the provincial government has only introduced inadequate “Band-Aid” solutions. He cited a vandalism rebate program launched by the NDP that had onerous conditions and that handed out only about one-fifth of the money set aside for it.

Keg Restaurant owner Jos Van Hage talked about a decline in business in recent years and said that Prince George’s problems are currently like what Amsterdam in his native Holland was like 50 years ago.

What changed in Holland, he said, is that the people went to the government and said enough was enough, demanding a solution.

During last year’s provincial election campaign, Giddens said, street disorder, crime, mental health and addictions were by far topics he heard people talk about most when knocking on doors.

A representative of a downtown daycare said their primary goal is safety for the 108 spaces for kids they have and said they’ve had to call 911 more than 10 times since they opened last October, including about active drug use in kids’ line of sight and indecent exposure.

Every week, she said, she has to clean up items like human feces, drug paraphernalia, and discarded underwear. She added that she thinks downtown is missing safe outdoor green space for children to use.

She said there have been several near misses where the building has almost had to be evacuated due to fires being started near their building.

Sturko said that despite the supposed rollback of the decriminalization of public drug use, the fact that these cases aren’t being prosecuted means the users have defacto permission to continue. She said the province needs to take responsibility and take action.

Dew said his family used to run a child-care business and has experienced some of the challenges to establish a business in that sector. He said the government needs to prioritize the success of those kinds of businesses

Surrey-Cloverdale Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko (centre) speaks during a business crime forum at the Prince George Ramada on Thursday, Sept. 4 as Kelowna-Mission Conservative MLA Gavin Dew (right) and Prince George Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens (left) look on.

rather than allow the chaos on the streets to continue.

BC Schizophrenia Society of Prince George executive director Nansi Long said her agency is doing the best it can, but agencies like hers aren’t being given the resources they need by government to do their work despite providing deliverables year after year.

A woman named Alicia who works for Mills, an office supply company with a on First Avenue near Moccasin Flats, said that around a year ago an intoxicated man came into their building through the rear and died of an overdose in their warehouse.

She then had to wait until 10:30 p.m. for the coroner to pick up his body and spoke about the guilt she felt for not helping him after he had attacked her.

She spoke of the impact that incident had on her and that similar incidents have had on businesses in the area, who have had to put up fencing around their properties.

In response, Dew said there haven’t been enough conversations about the trauma that people in communities’ central business districts have had to witness or endure.

related to the province’s safe supply program.

John Zukowski, a member of the city’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and a downtown business owner, said small businesses are the lifeblood of their communities but many of them are barely able to make ends meet when they have to pay $2,000 to repair broken windows and deal with human waste and graffiti.

He said he was tired of seeing elected officials wearing blinders and ignoring things they don’t like, expressing gratitude to the MLAs for hosting the forum.

Concluding the structured part of the event, Bird took the microphone to thank members of the business community for coming out and sharing their stories despite being tired and frustrated.

Former Prince George-Mackenzie BC Liberal MLA Pat Bell, the owner of the downtown Wendy’s location, spoke about the conversation of the former North Star Inn into a supportive housing facility. He said he was worried that it would spell the end of his business, but it didn’t change things either for the better or worse.

He said in the last year, there have been around 11 windows smashed at the Wendy’s, but he’d prefer that the people feeding drugs into Prince George be dealt with rather than the vandals.

While he’d like to blame Premier David Eby and the NDP, Bell said the federal government needs to give the RCMP the tools to deal with situations like this.

Sturko said that she agrees that the root causes need to be addressed, but individuals need to be held accountable for their actions. She said that treating people for addictions is a more successful route to reducing the demand for drugs rather than just going after traffickers.

She then said that Eby and the NDP have been the biggest drug kingpins in BC, referring to a bust outside a downtown pharmacy that she said was

At her drug takeback event the previous week, Bird said just one table collected 12 pounds of medications. She said by continuing that effort each year, they could take thousands of pills off the streets.

Bird said that the local business advocacy organizations and the RCMP need to hear about incidents when they happen so that she and her colleagues can use that information to push for change in Victoria.

For the last half-hour of the event, the MLAs had one-on-one conversations with those present at the event.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Sturko said she’d heard similar stories from business owners at similar events held around the province — rampant public drug use, untreated mental illness, poverty and homelessness.

While amending the criminal code and bail reform is a federal responsibility, she said BC has a responsibility for the administration of justice, which includes making sure that enough courts are open and there are enough prosecutors and resources to deal with cases referred to Crown counsel.

Heading into the next legislative session, she said she would bring up the issues raised at the Prince George forum with government during question period.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Fort St. James artst hostng retreat for BC Culture Days

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

There’s a creative retreat set in nature as part of the BC Culture Days that will see participants in Fort St. James take a nature walk, do some gentle yoga, an easy art activity and a creative writing exercise.

Lauren Aldred is the facilitator of the Autumn Inspired by Nature Retreat and an ambassador for BC Culture Days set for Sept. 19 to Oct. 12 this year.

Aldred’s first scheduled retreat was so popular the session has already filled up so she’s added another one on Sunday, Sept. 21 to meet demand.

In its 16th year BC Culture Days covers all kinds of arts disciplines, cultural activities and free, fun, family-friendly events.

Last year, more than 700,000 BC residents took part in 685 events in 65 communities across the province.

“This year’s programming theme in BC. is the positive impact of arts, culture, and creativity on the health of our communities, more specifically mental health and wellness,” said Nazanin Shoja, BC Culture Days program director.

“With all the political, economic, and environmental challenges being experienced around the world at this time, many are feeling the impact, especially those already faced with ongoing mental health challenges. Through this year’s programming, we hope to share how creativity can serve as an outlet for expression, compassion, connection, and self-care as we move forward together.”

BC Culture Days appoints emerging artists from communities across the province as arts and culture ambassadors in their local communities.

As they are mentored by established Canadian artists, the ambassadors present their own events for Culture Days. This year there are six artist ambassadors who will offer community members in Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria, Valemount, and Fort St. James an opportunity to engage in a variety of arts disciplines, including dance, poetry,

painting, storytelling, theatre improv, mask-making, and choral collage.

This year’s ambassadors’ events are presented as part of the CARE (Community Arts Reimagining Equity & Wellness) Series. Throughout this series, participants will be invited to explore how creativity and community connection play an important role in their own mental health journeys, with a focus on equitable access to low-barrier activities to assist them along the way. A certified clinical counsellor or art therapist will be present at each event to serve as an active listener for participants in case support is needed, the press release said.

Aldred is a painter, poet, counsellor, and teacher, who is hosting her retreat at the Pope Mountain Arts Centre in Fort St. James. For her, art is a community endeavour and she loves to encourage others to play with paint and with words, finding ways to express the soul. All participants aged 15 and older

are welcome to the second session of the retreat set for Sunday, Sept. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We’ll start the day really, really gently with coffee and gathering,” Aldred said during a phone interview with The Citizen.

“Then we’re going on a nature walk where we’re going to encourage people to be aware of all of their senses as we do a really gentle walk around the area and maybe gather a few fallen leaves for our project that we’ll do after the walk.”

Participants will have a gel plate for printmaking that will be incorporated into the artwork planned as part of the retreat, Aldred added.

“It’s really relaxing and something everybody can do successfully,” Aldred said.

“All the research is showing how healthy it is to have creative pursuits, which is the whole idea of the retreat. Then we’ll have a luncheon that will

cater to any special diets for anyone in the group and then we’ll have the opportunity to visit and encourage one another.”

They will also be doing some gentle yoga.

“And there will be a creative writing exercise as well where people can incorporate their sensory experiences from their walk,” Aldred said.

Everyone is creative and this retreat will encourage everyone to explore theirs, she added.

“We will be encouraging everybody to lean towards their creativity because everyone has it,” Aldred said.

“Often people don’t think they have any talent but they just need to explore enough to find theirs,” Aldred said.

Aldred is a multi-disciplinary artist.

“And I can’t recall a time in my life that I wasn’t involved in some sort of creative expression,” Aldred said.

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CAT WEST PHOTO

Artist Lauren Aldred will facilitate the Autumn Inspired by Nature Retreat set for Sunday, Sept. 21 at Pope Mountain Arts Centre in Fort St. James.

Valemount stll waitng for Jasper recovery assistance

ABIGAIL POPPLE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

More than a year after wildfires forced mass evacuations from Jasper, Alta., and sent thousands into Valemount overnight, the BC village has yet to receive any economic recovery funding, despite 21 lobbying meetings, three MPs, six provincial ministries, and a report outlining $1.5 million in business losses.

Mayor Owen Torgerson says the federal and BC governments have failed to support the community after highway closures and an emergency influx of evacuees devastated the local economy.

“We might have paved the way, but paving the way sucks,” he said. “It’s terribly inefficient. You make mistakes, but in the end, you try to identify gaps in policy and make sure they’re addressed.”

When the wildfire hit last July, Torgerson said Valemount residents and businesses stepped up—often at their

own expense.

“Businesses — credit to them — turned off cash registers and just fed people,” he said. “Kind gestures like that went a long way.”

But the financial toll was steep. With tourism nearly disappearing overnight and few mechanisms to recoup losses, the village hired consulting firm Strategies North to develop an economic recovery plan. Their report, submitted in July, estimated that Valemount businesses lost $1.5 million in July and August 2024 alone.

The report includes detailed summaries of lobbying efforts with provincial and federal officials, as well as Simpcw First Nation Chief George Lampreau. Delays due to the BC and federal elections slowed progress, and in the end, the meetings yielded no commitments.

“There was a lot of gratitude… but in the end, it was just, ‘Thanks, way to go,’” said Torgerson. “There’s no program to help a municipality hit economically by

Artst had her frst exhibit at 60

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“Family lore has it that I dictated my first poem when I was 14 months old to my grandmother. It was about moose and red berries in the snow. I think that one of the things that slowed me down a bit was that I worried about whether or not I was good at things and that’s so subjective. Every art critic will have a different opinion of an art exhibit or work of art.”

Aldred, who had her first art exhibit at 60 years old in 2023, said people have to consider all aspects of art, not just the finished product.

“The process of creating art is so good for our bodies and our brains,” Aldred explained.

“If we can make something and we like it that’s all that matters. If we can decorate our homes with what we’ve created or if we can send our poetry to our friends and family it enriches all our lives.”

Aldred believes that the very

definition of what an art exhibition is has changed over time and hers is all about sculpture, poetry, painting and photography.

“It’s all kind of woven together,” Aldred said.

“I love the idea that creative expression is for everyone.”

For more information on how to take part in BC Culture Days sign up for the newsletter or visit culturedays. ca/bc. For updates on BC Culture Days and the BC Culture Days artist ambassadors follow BC Culture Days on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Use Hashtags: #BCCultureDays, #CultureDays, and #2025CARESeries.

Community organizers interested in hosting their own events can register their activities until Sept. 18. To start planning their Culture Days itinerary, participants can visit culturedays.ca/bc and stay updated by following @BCCultureDays on social media.

a disaster outside their own province. That’s a serious oversight.”

Torgerson fears that inaction on Valemount’s case may set a precedent that discourages other communities from helping their cross-border neighbours.

He raised the issue with Niagara Falls MP and Conservative tourism critic Tony Baldinelli, warning that Ontario municipalities could soon face similar situations with evacuees from Manitoba.

“If you don’t do this, what message does that send to other rural municipalities along the border?” Torgerson asked.

The BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness did provide nearly $60,000 to fund the recovery plan, but no direct economic support followed.

Minister Kelly Greene acknowledged the Robson Valley’s response in a statement to The Goat, saying the province remains committed to cross-border cooperation.

“Wildfires show no regard for

provincial borders — and neither does B.C. when it comes to emergency response,” the statement said.

Alberta’s government agreed to allow Valemount to submit expenses to the Municipality of Jasper, which will forward them to Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety. However, the Alberta government did not directly respond to questions, instead referring to a press release from Premier Danielle Smith.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George also ran into jurisdictional issues during the emergency.

Area H director Dannielle Alan said the district couldn’t activate standard emergency protocols without a task number from the BC government, since the wildfire originated in Alberta.

“In order for us to activate emergency services, we need a task number from the province,” she said. “With Jasper, there was no provincial task number.” This article originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.

What’s happening in PG

Theatre NorthWest presents Clue, running until Sept. 27 at the Parkhill Centre theatre. The comedic adaptation of the classic board game, directed by Sarah Rodgers, kicks off Theatre NorthWest’s 30th season, which will also feature The Odd Couple and Murder on the Orient Express. Learn more and buy tickets at www.theatrenorthwest. com/

Seniors’ Paint Club goes Wednesday, Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22, presented by Prince George & District Community Arts Council, at Studio 2880 2880-15th Ave. in the Jack Bryan Room. Learn the skills of water colour painting with Lorri-Anne Mayley-Bell. This group is designed for those 55+ and is on the main floor. Each session is $25 each. Register today, space is limited. For more information visit https://www.studio2880.com/ programs/art-classes

Beads & Bannock: Orange Shirt Pins goes Thursday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery. In recognition of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt day, join together to make beautifully beaded pins to honour residential school survivors and their families. Join Indigenous programmer Crystal Behn to create customized accessories. Enjoy freshly made treats while learning traditional Indigenous art. Everyone is welcome. Fee is $63 for two sessions. To register call 250-6147800 or visit www.tworiversgallery.ca/ orange-shirt-pins.

Seniors’ Paint Club goes Thursday, Sept. 11, 18, Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23, presented by Prince George & District Community Arts Council, from noon to 2 p.m. at Studio 2880 2880-15th Ave. in the Jack Bryan Room. Learn the skills of acrylic painting with Marilyn Schmaus. This group is designed for those 55+ and is on the main floor. Each session is $25 each. Register today, space is limited. For more information visit www. studio2880.com/programs/art-classes

Special Olympics BC Prince George Registration Day goes Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Art

Knapps Plantland, 4411 Kimball Road. This is for new and returning athletes and volunteers. There will also be a fundraising BBQ and bake sale. Special Olympics enhances the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through year round sport programs. Prince George offers 14 different sport programs and are very excited to add Active Start for ages 3-7 and Fundamentals for ages 7-12.

Trouble in the Headwaters, documentary screening goes Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Canfor Theatre at UNBC. Local community group Conservation North will host the event that showcases the hard-hitting 25-minute documentary by filmmaker Dan Pierce, which examines the disastrous 2018 flood in Grand Forks, BC and the hydrological connection to clearcut logging in the Kettle River Watershed. The film will be followed by an in-depth discussion of watershed issues in the Omineca. Pierce’s film features the research of Dr. Younes Alila, a civil engineer and

professor of forest hydrology at the UBC Faculty of Forestry, who has studied the connection between forestry and flooding for decades. Pierce and Alila will both be in attendance at the screening event, alongside former MLA Mike Morris and Conservation North’s Michelle Connolly. Come early to enjoy food and refreshments.

Early Years Fair goes Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library. This free drop-in event is geared for families. Join in fun activities and learn about community agencies that support young children and families. This event starts right after story time.

Coldsnap Presents Locarno on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. Locarno, the Latin project of Juno Award-winning musician Tom Landa, brings a captivating blend of Mexican and Canadian sounds. With influences from Son Jarocho, Afro-Cuban rhythms

and more, Locarno’s live performances, featuring a talented ensemble of musicians, are known for their infectious energy and fusion of musical styles. For tickets visit www.coldsnapfestival.tickit.ca/locarno

Movie Night in the Orchard – Practical Magic goes Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Rd.. The concession offers fresh popcorn and candy, water, pop, beer and Northern Lights wines. Cash, debit or credit. Tips: Arrive early to secure parking and set up seating. Gates open one hour before the movie starts. Check ticket for the confirmed start time. In case of weather cancellation, ticket refunds will be processed automatically but Eventbrite fees are non-refundable. Tickets are online in advance only at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ movie-night-in-the-orchard-practicalmagic-tickets.

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CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The cast of the Theatre NorthWest stage production of Clue: On Stage by Sandy Rustin takes part in a dress rehearsal for the play, which runs until Sept. 27 at the Parkhill Centre theatre.

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Grand Unveiling Concert goes Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Prince George Conservatory of Music, 3555 Fifth Ave. A special concert will unveil the Conservatory’s brand-new grand piano purchased thanks to last year’s incredible community fundraising campaign. This piano is truly a gift from and for the community. Featuring Conservatory teachers and students, along with guest performers from the wider musical community to shine a spotlight on our newest faculty member, pianist Chiao-Rou Liu, in her conservatory debut. Celebrate the power of music, community, and generosity as we inaugurate this beautiful instrument that will inspire musicians for years to come. Admission is by donation with proceeds going to future tuning/maintenance of the piano.

45th annual Terry Fox Run goes Sunday, Sept. 14 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Prince George holds a special place in Terry Fox’s story. In 1979, he participated in the Prince George to Boston Marathon and after running the 17 miles, he knew he was ready to embark on his Marathon of Hope in the spring of 1980. Part of this year’s route follows Terry’s footsteps taken in 1979. Funds raised at The Terry Fox Run support ground-breaking cancer research across Canada. For more information and updates on the run visit Facebook and Instagram at @TerryFoxRunPG. Participants and teams can register and donate at https://run.terryfox.ca/ princegeorge

Trails for Tails Dog-A-Thon goes Sunday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cottonwood Island Park is a fundraiser for the Humane Society. This fun and active event is a chance to raise money for animals in need while enjoying a morning on the trails with your dog. Register as an individual or create a team — everyone is welcome. After the walk, stay for hot dogs and hamburgers, kids’ face painting and activities, as well as games and friendly competitions

for the dogs. Information booths and local vendors to explore throughout the event. Dogs must be leashed at all times. To register visit www.canadahelps.org/ prince-george-humane-society.

HockeyFest goes Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21 at CN Centre. This is world’s biggest road hockey festival coming to Prince George for the first time as a fundraiser for Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation to help bring cancer care closer to home. Agebased divisions with men’s, women’s, and mixed teams, capped at 100 teams total. All teams guaranteed to play 4+ games. For more information and to register visit www.spiritofthenorth.ca/ hockeyfest.

PG Mud Bogs goes Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at NITRO Motorsports Park, 9285 Raceway Rd. The mud will fly during Two epic days of racing at the PG Mud Bogs packed with things to see and do, including two live bands performing at halftime. $30/weekend pass, $20/ day pass, 16 and under or 65+ are free. No alcohol or pets please. Bring camp chairs. Hosted by local off-road You Tube channel Bearded Boggers, RTI ramp on location-taking donations for MS Society per try.

CMHA Dallas Werbecky Memorial Move for Mood Walk goes Saturday, Sept. 20 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lheidli T’en neh Memorial Park. This free event will provide an opportunity for community to step outside and join the movement for mental health awareness. This event promotes action, solidarity, and open ness to talk about mental health and access professional resources while benefitting the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Free Food Preservation Workshops go every Thursday and is presented by PG Aboriginal Business Development Centre, 1200 LaSalle Avenue. Want to learn how to make jam or pickle fresh veggies? No experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity. Participants will learn jam-making and vegetable

pickling step by step. All supplies are provided and everything made will be shared among participants to take home. Building community skills, one jar at a time. RSVP by calling Cheryl Doering at 250-562-6325 to register. 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.

Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. Everyone is welcome who has been diagnosed, those who are caregivers, family members and friends. Wheelchair accessible parking at the back of the building. For more information call

Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618.

Parkinson Support Group meetings are the third Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Meetings are informal and are for sharing information about slowing down the progression of PD. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.

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

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

playhouse

Council of Prince George & District

Summer of

As the sunny season comes to a close, here are some of Chuck Nisbet’s best photos from the last couple of months

TOP LEFT: The SuperDogs show revealed the talents of their dogs and emphasized that love and attention can make all dogs super at the BCNE Saturday, Aug. 16.

TOP CENTRE: Azure sinks another basket on her quest to win a prize at the Mini Hoops game in the mid-way at the BCNE Sunday, Aug. 17.

TOP RIGHT: Vincent Weget herds a cow into the proper pen as he takes part in the Saddle Up And Sort event at the BCNE Saturday, Aug. 16.

BOTTOM LEFT: Checkdown Charlie’s Sarah Wilding (left) and Melissa Walker perform at the CUPE Concert in the Park and Active Living Market at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Friday, Aug. 22.

BOTTOM CENTRE: Eleanor Huettmeyer strokes through the 50-metre butterfly final for the Prince George Pisces Club Sunday during the BCSSA 2025 Provincial Championship Meet at the aquatic centre Sunday, Aug. 17.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Kathryn Davies, 12, of Manning, Alta., has been handling dogs like Bubbles, a four-year-old Burmese Mountain Dog she was preparing to show Saturday, July 26 during the PG Kennel Club dog show at the AgriPlex, since she was ‘little.’

How to protect yourself as ‘Smoketember’ rolls in

As the air quality worsens, there are things we can do to guard our health

MICHELLE GAMAGE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wildfire smoke will continue to coat the southern half of the province over the next couple of days.

By this evening, smoke is forecast to blanket Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Squamish and Williams Lake, creating an air quality health index of 10-plus — on a scale that goes only from one (low risk) to 10 (very high risk), according to the federal government. And that’s with the caveat that the air quality health index sometimes underreports health risks caused by smoky air.

Wildfire smoke is harmful for everyone. Seniors, young children and infants, people who are pregnant, people with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and diabetes, and people with respiratory infections like COVID-19 are considered more at risk from wildfire smoke and should take extra precautions during smoky periods.

What’s in it that makes it so bad?

Wildfire smoke is made up of a mixture of gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and fine particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 microns wide. For comparison, a human hair is generally between 50 and 180 microns wide.

BC Air Quality’s goal is to have less than 25 micrograms of fine particulate matter in a cubic metre of air over a 24-hour period.

As of the beginning of the month, air quality measuring stations in the Lower Mainland were reporting 191 micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic metre of air. Communities across the province were reporting poor air quality, with daily air quality advisories in Prince George.

The mixture of gases and particles in

wildfire smoke can vary depending on the weather, what’s burning and the proximity of the fire.

How wildfire smoke affects health

Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause minor and more serious health issues, and there is no “safe” level of exposure, according to Health Canada.

The BC Centre for Disease Control, or BCCDC, lists several negative ways smoke affects a person’s health. First, wildfire smoke makes it harder for a person’s lungs to get oxygen into their blood.

Second, smoke irritates the respiratory system and can cause an immune response that can create inflammation that affects other parts of the body, like a sore throat. (That’s because tiny particles can get deep into a person’s lungs

says WorkSafeBC.

One caveat: protecting yourself from extreme heat is even more important than protecting yourself from smoke. Heat can kill in a short time, so crack that window or hang out in a park to cool down even if it’s smoky out.

Staying hydrated helps the body deal with heat stress and wildfire smoke stress.

Adults can breathe 10 times more air when exercising than when resting, so the BCCDC recommends slowing down when outside during smoke to reduce the amount you breathe and therefore the amount of smoke you are exposed to.

A properly fitting N95 mask protects the wearer from breathing in fine particulate matter created by wildfires. Blue medical masks will not filter out smoke, according to WorkSafeBC. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy also recommends wearing a fitted three-layer cloth mask to filter smoke. When they are in areas that have poor air quality, people working in vehicles should roll up the windows and turn the air conditioning on recirculate mode, according to WorkSafeBC.

and enter their bloodstream.)

Third, smoke may increase the risk of some infections, such as pneumonia, COVID-19 and ear infections in children.

Common reactions to smoke, according to the BCCDC, include irritated eyes, runny nose, mild cough, phlegm production, wheezy breathing and headaches. These symptoms generally do not require medical attention. But people should seek medical attention if they experience more severe symptoms, which can include shortness of breath, severe cough, dizziness, chest pain or heart palpitations, the BCCDC says.

How to protect yourself

The best way to limit the harms of wildfire smoke is to minimize your exposure to it as much as possible,

Indoor spaces can be turned into clean air shelters by sealing an area (such as a room, an office or a home) from wildfire smoke, by closing doors and windows and sealing any cracks, and then cleaning the air inside using indoor air purifiers, HVAC systems or heat pumps.

Indoor air purifiers like a Corsi-Rosenthal box can be built for around $75 and are relatively easy to make. The Tyee has a video showing how to assemble one, or you can follow instructions from the BCCDC.

HEPA air filters are best, according to the First Nations Health Authority, but if they are not available, running a conventional filter will still help clean indoor air.

Avoid smoking, burning candles, turning on gas or wood-burning stoves, frying food and vacuuming in the shelter space, and make sure the air purifier is up to the task of cleaning all the air.

DARRYL DYCK/CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

This was the scene in downtown Prince George at around 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, when wildfire smoke from the surrounding region blocked out the sun. While it hasn’t gotten this bad in 2025, the danger is still there.

More fowers for Connaught Hill through $50K grant

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Connaught Hill Park now has 250 new flowers and plants alongside four new trees, thanks to grant funding from CN Rail and Tree Canada.

Prince George was one of 10 communities across Canada selected to receive a $50,000 grant to enhance their community’s green spaces and improve the social well-being of residents.

These new flowers and trees were used to refurbish the gardens around the newly constructed pergola in Connaught Hill Park.

At an event commemorating the grant and the newly refurbished gardens, Mayor Simon Yu, city staff, CN Rail representatives and local CN Rail pensioners joined together to celebrate the improvement of one of the city’s most unique green spaces.

Natalie McDonald, general superintendent for CN Rail, has been involved in funding green spaces and has seen the benefit they can bring to the communities that feature them.

“We see a lot of projects where we work with communities to beautify the areas, said McDonald. “For us it’s very, very important to help and be with our

communities and do projects like this. We live in the communities, we’re a part of the community, we run through our community, so we think it’s very important to be able to help and give back.”

McDonald also thanked CN pensioners who were heavily involved with tree and shrub planting in the new garden. Yu was also excited to see this improvement and hopes it will help

bring people to Connaught Hill Park for years to come.

“It has already improved the community, said Yu.

“This is a site of beauty, this is the place where people will come to take their wedding photos, to get their anniversary photos. This is a massive improvement for this particular section of Connaught Hill. And we are just so grateful. I think over the years, Prince George will be

known for visiting Connaught Hill to have your photo taken here.”

The mayor also thanked CN Rail.

“CN has been a great corporate citizen to the city,” he said. “They sponsored the CN Centre and they continue to have multiple programs in the city. This particular program, we’re really grateful. Only 10 cities in Canada got chosen to have this program. $50,000. It’s a substantial amount of money for gardening and for beautifying an area with these beautiful trees and shrubs. We are really grateful that we have such a good corporate citizen working with the city.”

As well, Yu said he hopes local people will become ambassadors for the city’s beautiful green spaces in the future.

“We probably have more beautiful parts than most other cities, this is a secret,” said Yu.

“We in Prince George take that for granted. We need to be ambassadors for our city to tell people to come to Prince George to visit all our parks and you will see nothing but beauty and tranquility.”

Staff will also be planting trees throughout the community as part of the city’s annual Tree Planting Greening the City project.

People working outdoor are partcularly vulnerable

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Many municipalities also operate clean air shelters at local libraries or malls, where the buildings have HEPA filtration systems.

How outdoor workers are doing

Employers in the construction and agricultural industries are not doing enough to protect workers from wildfire smoke, said Byron Cruz, a longtime advocate for migrant farmworkers and a member of the Sanctuary Health collective.

Cruz said he had to help take an agricultural worker to the hospital because they were in respiratory distress after not being given a mask at work, and

previously he’s heard from construction workers who said the smoke made them feel dizzy and sick.

Cruz said the provincial government needs to create regulations that protect workers from smoke. Right now there are just recommendations from WorkSafeBC, he said, and inspections that employers know about ahead of time.

“Inspections right now are not real,” he said. “They’ll speak with a supervisor but they don’t have anyone who speaks Spanish or Vietnamese. When WorkSafe arrives on a farm, the farm is prepared. They’ll give out the nice masks. But then the inspector leaves and they go back to the $1 masks, if they even give out masks. There is no PPE for the smoke.”

He added that he isn’t aware of any recommendations, let alone regulations, about workplace exposure to wildfire smoke.

WorkSafeBC says wildfire smoke likely isn’t enough of a danger for a worker to refuse unsafe work and that the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation does not specifically cover wildfire smoke. However, the Workers Compensation Act and regulation more generally require employers to ensure the health and safety of their workers.

Unfortunately, Cruz said, most temporary foreign workers do not feel like they are able to complain about unsafe work or advocate for better working conditions.

Their work permits are generally tied to a single employer who can send them home if they rock the boat, Cruz said.

Some work is being done in the agricultural sector to improve workplace safety around extreme heat, like having workers start at 3 a.m. when it is cool and finishing work by 11 a.m., Cruz said.

But 80 per cent of housing is inadequate and doesn’t have air conditioning, so there’s nowhere for workers to safely sleep after starting work at 3 a.m., Cruz said.

Most construction sites don’t have cooling centres either, he added.

This article originally appeared in The Tyee

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Green spaces on Connaught Hill have been refurbished through a grant, from CN Rail and Tree Canada, as seen on Thursday, Sept 4.

JON KIMURA PARKER

Jon Kimura Parker Returns to Northern BC for an Unforgettable Evening of Music

On September 30, 2025, the Prince George Playhouse will open its doors to welcome one of Canada’s most esteemed classical pianists— Jon Kimura Parker—for a rare and intmate evening of music. This highly antcipated performance marks Parker’s frst tme performing on the Playhouse stage and his frst return to Prince George since 2008.

For those who witnessed his last visit, the memory of Parker’s exceptonal artstry stll resonates. During that 2008 concert, he performed on Prince George’s prized Bechstein grand piano, an instrument beloved by many for its clarity, warmth, and dynamic range. Since that tme, the piano has undergone a series of sensitve updates, including the replacement of its hammers, ensuring it contnues to meet the highest standards for performance. This upcoming event ofers a unique full-circle moment: Parker returns not only to the community that has long admired him but to an instrument he helped bring to life nearly two decades ago—now beautfully restored and ready for his return.

A natve of Vancouver, Jon Kimura Parker has performed with the world’s top orchestras—from the Berlin Philharmonic to the Chicago Symphony—and appeared on the most prestgious stages, including Carnegie Hall, London’s South Bank Centre, and the Sydney Opera House. Known for his charismatc presence, deep musical intelligence, and approachable style, Parker is also celebrated for championing both traditonal repertoire and

contemporary works, ofen weaving unexpected pieces into his performances. Whether interpretng Rachmaninof or reimagining Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Parker brings an unmistakable vitality to the concert hall.

Hosted by the Community Arts Council of Prince George & District, this concert is part of the new Playhouse Sessions series—a programming initatve that aims to bring internatonally recognized artsts to Northern audiences while building capacity in the region’s arts and culture infrastructure. The series refects the Council’s commitment to reimagining the Prince George Playhouse as not just a performance venue, but a community hub for creatvity, cultural exchange, and artstc excellence.

“Jon Kimura Parker represents the very best of Canadian music,” says Shelby Richardson, Performing Arts Program Manager at the Playhouse.

“To have him perform on our newly upgraded Bechstein, in a space that’s being reinvigorated through new programming and community investment, feels incredibly special.”

This performance is more than just a concert—it’s a celebraton of what’s possible when community, culture, and artstry converge. As Northern BC contnues to carve out a place for itself on the natonal cultural map, moments like this serve as a reminder of the calibre of experiences available right here at home.

Tickets are available now at www.PrinceGeorgePlayhouse.ca. Seatng is limited and demand is high, so early booking is recommended.

Special Olympics registraton coming up

All-ages year-round programming will be available

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Active Start and FUNdamentals for the younger ones and Special Olympic programs for teens and adults are all gearing up in October following a successful BC Summer Games which brought more than 1,000 competitors to Prince George from July 10 to 12 this year.

Athletes, volunteers, coaches and assistant coaches, are all rested up after the exciting lead up to the Games that showcased the result of the training athletes do for both summer and winters sports.

Registration for the Special Olympics BC Prince George programs takes place on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Art Knapp’s Plantland, 4411 Kimball Road.

This event is for new and returning athletes and volunteers who run the programs. During registration there is a fundraising barbecue and bake sale.

Special Olympics year-round programs enhances the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through year-round sport programs. Prince George offers 14 different sport programs and the organizing committee is now adding Active Start for ages two to six and FUNdamentals for ages seven to 12.

“This is only my second year as local coordinator,” said Peter Goudal, of Special Olympics BC Prince George, whose son Isaac has been involved with Special Olympics for the last 12 years.

“What I am observing is that we have a strong base group of about 100 athletes. It’s a vibrant Special Olympics program in Prince George but we don’t have any young athletes coming in.”

There is only two teenagers in the Special Olympics program, he added.

“And that tells me that I need to be

doing more to attract teenagers into our program,” Goudal said.

“To do that a lot of it starts before they enter teenagehood — if that’s a word! We’ve got to start with the young kids so Active Start and FUNdamentals for Special Olympics BC has been around for a number of years. We have tried it here in Prince George a few times but what I’ve noticed has happened is it’s always university students who want to start the program and so I always say I have my coaches, I have the venues – I just don’t have the participants so we have to do a lot better job with getting the word out to the general public to get more participants in the programs.”

Once the younger children are involved it will create a streamlined approach, Goudal added.

“They’re here and then as they get older they move into the next program and then they can move into our main program,” Goudal explained.

“My vision is to have 200 athletes within the next four years so that’s basically doubling it. We know what it does for participants. And it was an eye-opening experience for the community to host the Special Olympics BC Summer Games, including and welcoming these athletes and being inspired by their attempts and their glory and excitement that they bring. I haven’t spoken to one volunteer who wasn’t inspired by the athletes.”

Goudal said the Prince George Special Olympics BC committee hosted a volunteer appreciation event at the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum at the end of the Games and 250 people showed up.

“And after all those hours of volunteering at the Games their excitement was still going,” Goudal said.

“And it continued from the Games and I’ve been hearing about it for the last two months so now it’s time to develop programs for the children in Prince George.”

Parents of partcipants can also beneft from the programs

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The Special Olympics BC website explains it best.

Active Start is a family-centred activity program for children with an intellectual or developmental disability ages two to six. Through the program, children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping, balancing and throwing in a fun and safe environment.

These skills provide support for everyday activities as well as a base for Special Olympics sports training and competition as athletes grow older.

Age: Two to six

• Priority: Active participation for fun, development of physical literacy

• Objective: Develop play skills through movement and daily physical activity

• Skills: Basic motor skills, ex: walking, running, jumping, balancing, etc.

FUNdamentals is a continuation of the Active Start program for athletes with an intellectual or developmental disability ages seven to 12. This program transitions from basic movement skills to basic sport and physical literacy skills while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction. This program also promotes specific sport education, proper nutrition, and social inclusion through participation in positive sport environment. The skills learned in this program provide support for everyday activities as well as a base for Special Olympics sports training and competition as athletes grow older.

Age: Seven to 12

• Priority: Development of fundamental movement skills

• Objective: Physical literacy

• Skills: Basic sport movement skills, for example kicking, throwing, catching, striking, dribbling, etc.

Guardians and caretakers of these participants can also gain access to knowledge on how to raise a child with special needs and build a support

structure while meeting other parents/ guardians in the community.

“Awareness is the key and hopefully parents will sign up their kids,” Goudal said.

Goudal said parents will also benefit from the programs because they get to meet others who are going through similar situations, which is an important part of the Special Olympics program, as well.

Goudal has approached the medical program at UNBC to encourage students who are pursuing physiotherapy studies to become volunteers in the Active Start and FUNdamentals programs, which offer them volunteer hours in their chosen field while providing a much-needed service to the children in the community.

“We encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to come to the registration on Saturday, Sept. 13. And then all we need is the children to join in the fun,” Goudal said.

For more information about volunteering and the programs available for anyone with an intellectual or developmental disability visit www.facebook. com/sobcprincegeorge.

The Prince George Citzen right to your inbox.

Scan the QR Code to fnd out how!

TERRY HOGAN PHOTO

Victoria Hogan leaps during long jump on Friday, July 11 during Special Olympics BC Summer Games Track & Field held at Masich Place Stadium in Prince George.

New outdoor learning centre welcoming students

Mousewood

Nature School has indoor, outdoor classrooms on ve acres

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Mousewood Nature School has opened its doors and is now a first-of-itskind outdoor teaching tool in the Prince George area.

The school currently has three indoor and outdoor classrooms and sits on a five-acre property with dedicated nature learning areas and trails — including wetlands and meadows — that encourage students to learn about their natural environment.

Mousewood currently has three full-time students and offers part-time Homeschool Cohorts and part-time programs for mornings and day students. The school is looking to expand its services following approval for a temporary use permit.

These programs aim to provide hands-on care with small class sizes of four to eight students, and dedicated teaching staff who support children in a unique environment — particularly those with autism or ADHD.

Mary Lynne Brook, the volunteer program director, said the natural setting sets Mousewood apart.

“Forest and Nature School teaches children to settle down within themselves. They learn to self-regulate,” said Brook. “Even something as simple as tripping on a twig — they learn to get back up again. They learn resilience. And when we are in the forest classroom, each group of children will have their own study area, and they will watch the program as it goes through the seasons.”

Heidi Reeves, executive director and founder, told The Citizen what she hopes students will take away from the experience.

“They develop resilience, persistence — because they have to keep working at something — and children these days often have no persistence. They give

up on things. This teaches persistence and, as she said, self-regulation, and cooperation, because we will be doing things where the children have to work together to build something.

“When we build, we teach them how to build structures. In this program, they will learn basic bushcraft skills — for instance, survival in the wilderness. Like whittling with a potato peeler — and then they can make little pointyheaded gnomes and that sort of thing.”

Mousewood is currently a non-profit and is working toward charity status to provide access and transportation for low-income families in northern BC. The school also hopes to provide targeted supports for children with diverse needs later in its development.

Reeves explained how she hopes the learning centre will help children with sensory challenges in the local community.

“What I really had in mind when I created it was that it would be for children who had autism, ADHD,” said Reeves. “For instance, children with ADHD — in a classroom, they're told to be quiet and stop running around. That sort of thing. Here, they can do that without being told, ‘Slow down, be quiet.’

“As well, children who have sensory issues with autism — when they're in a classroom, with the noises reverberating off the walls, there are people in their space, there's stuff everywhere.

Here, it's nature. And it's really different. And there's so much space, and there's nobody in your space.”

Mousewood has received significant help from local parents who have volunteered time and labour to improve the property. Community support has also been vital, with donations and contributions helping staff acquire essential items at no cost.

Reeves said organizers have invested $100,000 of their own money into the development of the school and have put in countless hours cleaning and maintaining the property to make it suitable for children.

However, the property is currently

zoned for residential use, which legally limits Mousewood to having 12 students on-site at any time.

Efforts to obtain a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) from the city have been delayed due to recent updates to the Official Community Plan.

A TUP allows short-term use of a property that does not comply with zoning bylaws. These permits are issued for a maximum of three years.

“This area is being rezoned as what’s called rural resource,” said Reeves. “They favour things like agriculture and even clear-cutting kind of thing... They said that you can't have anything commercial. And they said that they favour neighbourhood people who take care of their properties. I'm like, well, that's what we're doing.”

In addition to rezoning issues, the school is facing challenges with code requirements at the rented home on the property.

“They want us to do what you need to get a permanent rezoning pretty much now, for the TUP,” said Reeves. “They want us to get either an architect — which is like tens of thousands of dollars — or an engineer to do a code analysis.

“As well, one day when we find a better property, I have to do it all over again. The people who move back in here are likely going to be a family, and it's going to look like a nursing home in here. The point of this is to be a homey place — and most of our time is going to be spent outdoors anyway.”

Despite recent difficulties, Mousewood is excited to offer a new model of childcare in the region and looks forward to welcoming more families in Prince George.

“The thing that's special about this place is that not only is it the first forest and nature place that children can come to and feel free and connected — to themselves, to others and the land — but just the ability for them to build so many skills that they don't get in a regular daycare,” said Reeves.

For more information, visit the Mousewood website: https://www. mousewood.ca/

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Kids learn about local flora and fauna at Mousewood, including worms.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Mary Lynne Brook, (left) and Heidi Reeves (right) pose for a picture in front of the entrance to their outdoor classroom on Friday, Aug. 29.

Throwback Thursday: Week of September 11

Sept. 7, 1967: Kelly Road Junior Secondary School had to use its gymnasium for regular classes because of an increase in enrolment. The gym oor was divided into four ‘classrooms’ with a fth on the stage. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Sept. 8, 1999: Remax Centre City Realty’s Susan McInnis, left, and Schmitz-AndersonNielsen’s Faye Klossner battled for the ball at Rotary Field on the season opening night of the Prince George Youth Soccer Association. The two under-17 clubs battled to a 1-1 draw.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Sept. 9, 1980: Students from Edgewood Elementary School built a highway of pennies from Thunder Bay to Vancouver as their way of helping Terry Fox in his Marathon of Hope. Using a scale of one penny to one kilometre, about 5,000 pennies were used with some left over, With an additional $50 donated by school staff, the total raised was $254.79. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BROCK GABLE

Sept. 8, 2014: Daisy Schie ey tries to coax her white Golden Retriever Harry into bobbing for a treat while Whitney Vanwijk does the same with her Husky/ Greyhound Tuck during a competition at the SPCA’s Paws for a Cause fundraiser at Cottonwood Island Park. More than 300 people and their pets turned out. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHARELLE EVELYN

Kathy’s story: A call for cardiac care in Northern BC

EMILY PRESTMO Northern Health

After a day of worsening coughing, Kathy Yeulet went to bed early — only to wake at 2:30 a.m. with intense chest heat, stomach pain and a racing heart. Her clinical instincts told her something was wrong. Despite the symptoms feeling different from textbook cases, she suspected a heart attack. Tylenol and antacids didn’t help. She went straight to the emergency department at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC).

Tests confirmed her suspicion — Kathy was having a heart attack. The next morning, an internist recommended she be flown to Vancouver for further diagnosis and treatment. She was admitted to UHNBC to wait for an air ambulance. That wait lasted seven days. Each day brought uncertainty, with no clear diagnosis and only “best guess” medications to manage her condition.

When she finally arrived at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, an angiogram revealed no arterial blockages or defects.

The cardiologist suspected Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) — but said it was difficult to

confirm, as too much time had passed since the event.

Back in Prince George, recovery was challenging. Few local providers were familiar with SCAD, and her angiogram didn’t clearly support the diagnosis. She continued to experience chest pain and anxiety, unsure of how to prevent another attack.

Kathy Yeulet, RN and Nurse Educator (now retired), shares her journey

through uncertainty and recovery — highlighting the importance of timely cardiac diagnostics close to home.

Six months later, a referral to Vancouver cardiologists led to a second angiogram — and a definitive SCAD diagnosis.

The initial seven-day wait at UHNBC before transfer to St. Paul’s Hospital contributed to this delay in diagnosing SCAD, as the healing of the coronary

vessel during that time made the condition more difficult to detect. With the confirmed SCAD diagnosis, her treatment plan was adjusted, and she finally received the information she needed to understand her condition and manage her recovery.

The emotional toll of waiting, not knowing and being far from specialized care was profound. A timely diagnosis in Prince George could have changed everything.

Kathy’s story is one of many that highlight the need for improved cardiac care in Northern BC. She strongly supports efforts to bring specialized cardiac services closer to home.

Her experience underscores the importance of bringing a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to UHNBC as part of the Acute Care Tower project — a vital step toward ensuring timely access to life-saving diagnostics and interventions, right here in Northern BC.

The Acute Care Tower at UHNBC represents a transformative investment in health care for Northern communities. It’s not just about expanding infrastructure — it’s about building equity, improving outcomes and ensuring that patients like Kathy don’t have to wait days for care that could be delivered locally.

BC deputy health ofcer issues statement on vaccines

The province is reminding parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations (and vaccination records) are up to date as the new school year begin.

As students across British Columbia return to school, the province’s deputy health officer is urging families to ensure their children are up to date on routine vaccinations.

“As families start their preparations for back-to-school, I encourage parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date on routine immunizations and are protected against illnesses, including measles, mumps and rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox,” Dr. Martin Lavoie said in a statement.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

A stronger heartbeat for Northern BC — the Acute Care Tower is a step towards more accessible, modern cardiac care.

CITIZEN STAFF

Program earns nurses’ associaton accreditaton

DAVEY MACLENNAN Northern Health

We are proud to announce that the Northern Health (NH) Regional Emergency Department Education Program (REDEP) has officially been accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).

Developed in collaboration with Interior Health, REDEP is an 18-week specialty education program designed to prepare registered nurses for safe, novice-level emergency nursing practice.

The program blends evidence-informed online learning (Elsevier’s Emergency Nursing Orientation), hands-on simulation, and clinical practicums — offering a comprehensive foundation in emergency nursing.

We’ve also been collaborating closely on various initiatives with GoHealth BC to improve health services and reduce service interruptions across the region. This partnership has significantly enhanced our capability to deliver high-quality education and support to our staff.

This CNA accreditation recognizes REDEP’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and its alignment with national standards. Upon

decision-making

Jennifer Nickel, team lead, Clinical Education, Specialty Education Programs, speaks to the importance of the program and what it provides for those who take part:

“REDEP was thoughtfully designed to support emergency department nurses across NH by providing a consistent, high-quality approach to emergency nursing education.

“With the guidance of our dedicated REDEP facilitators, learners gain the confidence, clinical foundation and critical thinking skills needed to begin their ED careers with competency and clarity.

“This program not only prepares nurses for the realities of emergency care — it empowers them to thrive in it.”

successful completion, learners are designated as Emergency Department (ED) RNs — equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care in emergency settings across NH.

REDEP supports nurses to:

• Apply emergency nursing frameworks to complex patient

scenarios

• Practise trauma-informed and culturally safe care

• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams

• Prioritize and manage urgent and emergent situations

• Lead with professionalism and evidence-informed

This milestone of CNA accreditation reflects our dedication to supporting nurses in rural and remote communities and enhancing emergency care across the region.

To find out more about REDEP and the specialty education offered through Northern Health — as well as to see current opportunities — visit our specialty education webpage at www.northernhealth.ca/for-health-professionals/ specialty-education.

Vaccinatons crucial with measles is back: Health ofcer

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“Children will soon start to gather in schools or child care spaces, and they will interact with more people from outside of their households. This means they will be more exposed to various infectious diseases.”

Lavoie emphasized the importance of checking immunization records now, as August and early September are ideal times to ensure children receive any outstanding vaccines — especially amid rising cases of measles in BC and across Canada.

“Getting your children vaccinated is the best way to protect them from

vaccine-preventable illnesses that can cause serious illness, long-term disability and even death,” he said.

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for publicly funded vaccines to protect them against more than a dozen illnesses, including influenza, polio, measles, chickenpox and COVID-19. Appointments can be booked at public health units or through some doctors’ and nurse-practitioners’ offices.

For children over the age of four, certain pharmacies also offer vaccination services.

In-school immunization clinics also offer key vaccines for older students.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is routinely provided in Grade 6, while vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and meningitis are typically offered in Grade 9.

These vaccinations are also available at public health units, community health centres, and select pharmacies and primary care offices.

“I encourage everyone to visit HealthLink BC for more information about recommended immunizations for children and young adults, and to receive any outstanding, routine vaccinations,” Lavoie said.

“You can also see your children’s immunization records through the

Health Gateway.”

To learn more about immunization schedules, visit: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-library/immunizations/ schedules

To update your immunization records, visit the Provincial Immunization Registry: https://www.immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca/

Unsure which vaccines your child is due for? To check their immunization records through the Health Gateway, visit: https://www.healthgateway.gov. bc.ca/

To find a pharmacy with measles vaccines, visit: https://www.bcpharmacy. ca/mmr

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Left to right: Breann Fischer, Nargiz Shamilova, Jessie Harland, Rebecca Landry, and Kailen Armstong participating in the REDEP Advance Cardiac Life Support training.

Local Sports Kodiaks eclipsed by Sun at Masich Place

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The Okanagan Sun had already burned a 60-point imprint on the scoreboard when Toby Plett lined up for his second series pitching relief duty as Prince George Kodiaks’ quarterback with less than a minute left to play Friday at Masich Place Stadium.

Directing the hurry-up offence, the 18-year-old Plett, a native of Steinbach, Man., handed off to Simon Olaifa, who ran the ball into Okanagan territory and on the next play Plett spotted Myron Brown breaking free with a run up the sideline and heaved the ball right into his arms and Brown did the rest, eluding tackles to find the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown strike.

It was the only blemish in an otherwise airtight 60-6 victory for the Sun (7-0) who remained undefeated atop the BC Football Conference standings.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted, we trained for this, practiced for it a lot, and didn’t come out on top and it sucks,” said Brown, a 19-year-old receiver from Sexsmith, Alta., whose 46-yard punt return earlier in the fourth quarter brought a roar out of the Kodiaks’ crowd of about 2,000.

“It was tough, we didn’t have much going for us, we got a few runs and a few decent plays on special teams, but in the end it just wasn’t enough.”

The Kodiaks had a few small victories they can take away from Saturday’s lopsided affair that dropped their thirdplace record to 4-3.

Brown says giving Plett the first touchdown completion of his junior career is one thing his team will use to build some momentum for next week.

“I’m so proud of him, he came in thirdstring and got some great series in with all our rookie receivers in,” said Brown. “He did his job for sure. I was just trying to get into the end zone. It helps a lot,

especially when people start to hang their heads at the end of the game it’s definitely good to get one.”

Aside from a few long gains in the second half, the Prince George defensive line limited the damage from Sun running back Gerren Hardisty, who came into the game as the league’s leading rusher, having scored a BCFS-best eight touchdowns this season.

The Kodiaks obviously watched the previous week’s game film, when Hardisty steamrolled the Kamloops Broncos with 142 yards rushing and two touchdowns in a 70-3 whitewash.

For the most part on Saturday they shut down the Victoria native, who played at York University last year, after two seasons with the Westshore Rebels.

Prince George native and Sun running back Justin Lutes also did some damage, rushing for 55 yards on five carries.

As effective as they were at stopping him the run, the Kodiaks’ pass coverage was definitely not up to snuff and Sun quarterbacks Liam Kroeger and Marcus Christos picked them apart.

Case in point: Seth Famakinde’s

14-yard sideline scamper — there wasn’t a Kodiak in sight when he caught the ball and took it to the house.

Kroeger, a 20-year-old from Grande Prairie, had a field day especially in the first half, connecting on 20 of his 27 pass attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and couldn’t seem to miss after the halftime break, going 11-for-12 for another 123 yards passing and one more TD before Sun head coach Travis Miller gave him the rest of the night off.

Christos took over the snaps in the fourth quarter and went 10-for-15 for 143 yards and one touchdown.

“They came in with a good gameplan to stop our run and then we just had to adjust on offence and come back with the pass,” said Kroeger.

“Our defence is always stout and they pitched a shutout until the last minuteand-a-half and that always makes my job easier.

“We have tons of depth, every position we have has a great backup, especially Marcus, our backup QB. Our chemistry makes us great, we work together, and everyone wants to see

everyone do well. Kelowna recruits itself, it really does, and I think we’re really coming together, not as individuals but as team players and that really makes a difference.”

It was a much closer game Aug. 2 in Kelowna, where the Sun beat the Kodiaks 35-11.

“We just had to be the hammer, not the nail, be the aggressors in the game, and I think that was the difference from the first time we played them,” said Kroeger.

The Sun had their kickers honed on as well and Liam Attwood got them up to 60 points with a 51-yard field goal. That would have capped the scoring if not for Brown’s last-gasp catch-and-run with 10.5 seconds left.

“We did a better job on the run tonight, which was an emphasis for us, but missed on stuff in the secondary and that needs to be better and cleaned up pretty quick because we’re running out of season,” said Kodiaks head coach Jamie Boreham.

“(Hardisty) is one of the top guys in the league and they’ve run the ball successfully on a lot of people but they spread the ball around pretty good to a bunch of their guys and we weren’t up to our coverage.”

Sawyer Thiessen started at QB for the Kodiaks and spent a lot of time scrambling out of the pocket to avoid the likes of defensive end Jarveon Williiams, the BCFC sack leader.

When the score got out of hand, Boreham replaced Thiessen early in the fourth quarter with rookie James Comstock.

Comstock, whose fumble recovery on punt-return coverage in the third quarter gave the Kodiaks possession on the Sun 35-yard line — their best field position to that point — was unable sustain any Prince George drives.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Kodiaks receiver Myron Brown runs into an Okanagan Sun tackler during their game at Masich Place Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Sun won 60-6.

Cougars’ Parascak hopes to Capital-ize on pro camp

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Terik Parascak expects he’ll be back in the WHL this season playing for the Prince George Cougars and not in the NHL for the Washington Capitals, the team that drafted him 17th overall in 2024.

The Caps are deep in forward talent and Parascak’s still got some unfinished business in junior hockey before he moves on to the pros.

Winning a WHL championship with the Cougars is the top priority for the 19-year-old right winger and he just might have a team in Prince George capable of doing that, starting with their primary puck-stopper.

Cougars goalie Josh Ravensbergen, picked by San Jose 30th overall in this year’s NHL draft, was one of Parsacak’s teammates playing for Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase tournament in Minneapolis, Min., July 29-Aug. 2, and that bodes well for the Cougars.

“He’s been awesome,” said Parascak. “We went to Minnesota together for the Team Canada camp and I got to watch him there and I thought he was exceptional. I thought he was the best goalie there. Maybe that’s biased coming from me, but he looked really good in that, and sharp.

“I’m just excited for the year with these guys and I hope to make another push.”

Parascak has never been involved with a Hockey Canada team and a return to Minnesota for him and

Ravensbergen to play for the world junior squad would be his ultimate dream. He’s coming off a 28-goal, 82-point season as the Cougars’ second-leading scorer - a bit of dip from his amazing 105-point rookie season - but Parascak had some injuries to deal with that forced him to miss nine games in ’24-25.

The Cougars lost a good chunk of their scoring talent and leadership with the departure of Riley Heidt, Koehn Ziemmer, Borya Valis and William Kmec, and Parascak feels ready to step into that role. He anticipates another productive season, with so many talented forwards to mesh with on the ice.

“I just want to become more of a leader,” he said. “I had a couple years with some pretty good captains in the

organization with (Hudson Thornton) the first year and Heidt last year,” he said. “Those guys are exceptional people and players I’ve been able to watch those guys to see what they’re like and learn from them.

“With the experience I have now, hopefully I can lead the way for some of the younger kids, especially with our team looking a bit younger this year, and I’m just excited for that opportunity.”

The Cougars’ camp from Aug. 27-31 included 82 players. With 36 players still around, the team has an abundance WHL-ready players in all positions and that makes it tough for the coaching staff to decide who stays and who will get sent elsewhere before the season opens Sept. 19 at CN Centre against the

Portland Winterhawks.

“It’s a whole new team,” said Parascak. “That core they had with the ’05 draft class, that’s kind of the building block to turn the program around here and we did that with those guys and except for Bauer (defenceman Dumanski) there’s not a single guy left.

“If you look at our team we have so many good young players coming in and it’s exciting to see. We’ve got lots of depth up front, lots of depth on the back end and we’ve got (Ravenbergen) in net.”

Parascak spent the summer in Calgary working out on and off the ice with NHL pros Morgan Geekie, Dylan Holloway and Jake Debrusk, and that kept his workouts intense. He’s played on the elite scorers his entire career in Prince George, including Heidt, Ondrej Becher and Zac Funk and now feels ready to be the guy to push the pace on offence. He said Cougars fans are in for a treat watching the team play this season.

“We’re all excited, there’s a lot of new faces in that room, a lot of new energy and some young talent coming in and were pumped for the year, it should be a great one,” said Parascak.

Parascak and the Cougars headed to Hinton last weekend to start their WHL preseason against the Edmonton Oil Kings. He left for his second Capitals’ training camp earlier this week. The rookie camp runs from Friday, Sept. 12 to Monday, Sept. 15 in Annapolis, Md., and players will be on the ice three of the four days, leading to the NHL camp that starts Sept. 18.

Kodiaks are at home this weekend against Huskers

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The Sun took advantage of deep field position and Sam Melanson hauled in two more Sun touchdown passes and Josiah Haliburton also scored to add to the lopsided total.

“We got to see some young guys on the field and it’s a tough situation to go with our two young quarterbacks,”

said Boreham. “Toby Plett drove us down on the last drive and did a real good hob with the offence for limited action. He was comfortable and threw good footballs and made some good decisions.

“Comstock is our Swiss Army knife and it was nice to see him on the field. The future’s bright with these young guys but we’ve got to clean up the

mess. We’re middle of the pack, I know we’re not ready to contend with the top teams. Physically, we banged with them, we hit with them, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to be sore as we’re going to be sore, and that part was good. Missed execution has been a problem for the last three weeks and you play a good team you get exposed. We’ve got to clean up some offensive

line blocking.”

The Kodiaks will be back at Masich on Saturday, Sept. 13 to face the Valley Huskers (2-4), while in Kelowna, the Sun will put their undefeated record on the line against the Westshore Rebels, who defeated the Kamloops Broncos 72-0 Saturday in Langford.

Two of the remaining three games on the Kodiaks’ schedule are on home turf.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

The Spruce Kings have named defenceman Isaac Holt as the 24th captain in their 30-year BCHL history.

Prince George selected to host 2026 handgun natonals

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

After hosting the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) BC Handgun BC provincial championships on Labour Day weekend, the Prince George Rod and Gun Club is making plans to reload and invite the whole country.

Next year, from July 27-Aug. 1, the club will host in the IPSC national championships, a weeklong event that promises to attract 350-450 of Canada’s top handgun shooters to Prince George.

A handgun shooting match is a race against the clock that tests the speed and accuracy of each shooter trying to hit moving and stationary targets. They take two shots at each paper target and unload one round at each steel target.

Target scores divided by the time it takes to complete the course. Thirty-two shots is the maximum for each round. The cumulative scores determine national placings.

Prince George Rod and Gun Club president Andrew Tomlinson, a metal shop/photography/history teacher at College Heights Secondary School, got involved in the sport in 2008.

“You got to the range and shoot a target straight ahead of you, one of those typical bullseyes, and you realize it’s pretty boring after a while, so running around with a gun looked like a lot more fun,” said Tomlinson.

“You go to the practices and see what they’re doing and get the belt, get the holster, get the equipment and start shooting. It’s another reason to own a handgun and ultimately it makes you a better handgun shooter doing it in that environment that forces you to be accurate and fast while you’re doing that.”

The provincial championships here in Prince George (Aug. 29-31) brought 133 shooters to the city.

Tomlinson, 40, made the most of his time on the provincial course and won the classic division and also claimed the BC points match title. He was fourth at nationals this year.

Timothy Lam, a 20-year-old Lower Mainland resident dominated the

provincial open division, following up on his national championship win in late July in Taber, Alta. Tomlinson said Lam grew up playing video games that simulate live shooting situations and he’s used that experience to become a Canadian champion.

“He’s doing really well,” said Tomlinson. “These are the guys running around ridiculously fast, with the fastest guns in the hardest division. He won the provincials, won the nationals and BC won the national team (title) as well. It’s a different version of that kind of gamer mentality.”

Open division shooters use handguns that place a red laser-focused dot on the target. Their guns are also equipped with a compensator at the end of the barrel that vents the gas of the ignited gunpowder upward to reduce the kickback of firing a live round and that allows them to take aim and shoot faster.

The action bays at the club’s range at 31755 Blackwater Rd., were updated a few years ago and two more were added this year in time for the provincial event. The local club has leased that piece of Crown land since 2006.

At nationals, the first two days of the match will be for range officials only,

followed by a four-day match for registered competitors. The final day will be set aside as a rain day or for a speedshoot competition.

Tomlinson and the club are lining up sponsors for next year’s nationals and will apply for event-hosting grants from the city. He sent a letter to city council asking for its support.

Taber attracted 416 participants to Alberta for this year nationals and he anticipates a similar number of shooters will come to Prince George with their families next summer, which will fill campgrounds, hotel rooms, retail stores, restaurant seats and tourist attractions in and around the city.

The town of Taber figures that hosting nationals this year will result in a $2 million economic spin-off.

“Knowing we’re a little harder to get to, on the other side of the country compared to a lot of eastern shooters, we’ll probably be around the 400 (shooter) mark, Tomlinson said.

“This is the biggest event in Canada for handgun shooting and the best shooters will be competing and some if them have competes or are competing at the world shoot, which takes place in South Africa (Sept. 11-28). They shoot at provincials to be able to go to nationals and they shoot the nationals to go to a world shoot every three years.”

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

ABOVE: Chief Range Officer Rebecca Wortman keeps the time as Dana Kaplanchuk of Maple Ridge shoots stage 4 at the IPSC BC Provincial Handgun Championships at the Prince George Rod and Gun Club Blackwater Range Saturday, Aug. 30. BELOW: Janet Kaplanchuk of Maple Ridge checks and clears her STI DVC Open 9mm at the safety area bench before putting the trigger lock on and locking it in its storage box at the same event.

Holt is ready to lead the Spruce Kings into a big season

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Isaac Holt doesn’t go looking for trouble patrolling the Prince George Spruce Kings blueline but he’s not afraid to step in with gloves off to come to the aid of an overmatched teammate.

He knows how to use his six-foot-five leverage and 233-pound bulk to his advantage if it comes down to a hockey fight. Even that that means an early shower in the BC Hockey League, Holt won’t back down.

“He’s the toughest guy in our league,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes. “He doesn’t go looking for it, but he can handle himself better than anybody in our league.”

Holt brings that same approach to playing defence. Strong, agile and smart with his choices on where he wants that big body to move, he usually makes the right choice and that’s what makes him so effective keeping opponents away from the Spruce Kings’ net.

“I’m just a lockdown defenceman,” said Holt. “When I’m on the ice my goal is to shut down any play I can, whether it’s in the neutral zone or our end, winning corner battles and trying to advance the puck up the ice,” said Holt. He likes playing at Kopar Memorial Arena, where the rink is 10 feet shy of NHL dimensions and opposing forwards have less space and minimal time to make plays.

“If we can use our rink to our advantage, you saw last year in playoffs it’s pretty hard to beat us in our barn,” said Holt. “People hate coming to PG and that’s something we can embrace. Our atmosphere is unreal, our fans are so passionate and loyal and have been with us through the thick and the thin and we’re hoping to reward them this year and really show up for them.

“We’re just a hungry group and we want to do well this year.”

The Spruce Kings’ 2025-26 season opener is on the road in Chilliwack on Sept. 19 against the Chiefs. Their first home game is on Sept. 26, at home against the Surrey Eagles.

One year from starting his NCAA

college hockey career at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, the 20-year-old Holt will wear the captain’s ‘C’ playing for Prince George in his final season of junior hockey.

“It’s an honour, obviously, and a it was a bit of a shock when (head coach Brad Tesink) told me because I didn’t come in here expecting anything, but I was super-proud to get it and just hope I can be there for my teammates and I can be the best captain I can be,” said Holt.

“As a 20, it’s just a bit more responsibility and there’s not as much room for error, I need to be out there setting a good example making safe and smart decisions. I’d obviously rather be on the ice helping the boys, but if push comes to shove and I need to stick up for a teammate or myself, I’m willing to do it.”

Holt earned the respect of his teammates from the day he arrived last October in a trade for future considerations from the Vernon Vipers.

He went on to play 38 regular season games and rode a remarkable wave during the last month of the season as the Spruce Kings came out of nowhere to make the playoffs on the last day of

a do-or-die game. It was a nice accomplishment get into the playoffs and do what we did to, bringing Chilliwack to seven games, but it’s nowhere close to what we want to do this year. We want to do a lot better and reach a lot higher.”

Holt spent the off-season at home in Pembroke, Ont., working eight-hour days as a mover, before he headed to the gym. He gave up his job in July to resume skating six hours a week in Ottawa and came back to PG in early August to work at the Spruce Kings hockey school and take part in daily workouts on and off the ice with trainer Chase Astorino.

“He’s amazing,” said Holt. “I don’t think I’ve worked out with anyone better. He really helped me get ready for training camp.”

The Spruce Kings opened their exhibition schedule Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena when they took on the Spruce Grove Saints in a two-game set that reconvened Sunday at noon.

the season.

Goalie Charles Edward-Gravel, acquired in early February, was the catalyst of that playoff push, coming to Prince George from the Quebec Martimes Junior Hockey League. Gravel won 10 of his 14 games and his quality netminding was enough to take the Spruce Kings to a seven-game series loss against the first-place Chilliwack Chiefs, the eventual league finalists.

Ten players back from last year’s team and that playoff ride was a bonding experience Holt that Tesink’s troops plan to utilize to take them well beyond the first playoff round this season.

“Gravy was a huge pickup for us but even just in the room, the second half of the season we were really trusting of each other and we all leaned on each other in the good and bad moments and I think that’s what really got us into playoffs and also to make that playoff run, we were super tight,” said Holt.

“Playoffs are huge and we got a little bit of that last year. Really, our whole second half of the season was playoffs last year, every night was pretty much

That gave Kings fans a chance to check out new forwards Markus Lougheed, Ben Vreugdenhil, Tai Ushio and 17-year-old River Arnason, one of the top scorers last year in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League. Holt has also been impressed with 18-yearold defenceman Dracen Campbell, who played in the Greater Ontario Hockey League last year for the Stratford Warriors.

Holt is one of nine 2005-born players on the Spruce Kings’ roster and they’ve added 19-year-old former Prince George Cougar Fraser Leonard to the mix on defence.

Goalie Colin Reay, 20, had hip surgery that ended his season not long after he arrived in a deadline deal in January from Vernon. Reay is still working at getting his full flexibility to return but says the team is in good hands now that he’s healthy again.

“I played nine games for Vernon so I was there for two months and we were pretty good buddies there, so when I found out he was getting traded here I was pretty excited, he’s going to be a huge part of our team this year.”

VICKI BROWN PHOTO

The Spruce Kings have named defenceman Isaac Holt as the 24th captain in their 30-year BCHL history.

Life Events

DOUGLAS CHARLES DALTON

A Funeral Mass will be held at: mmaculate Concepton arish, Cathedral Avenue rince eorge, C Saturday, September , at p.m. his will be followed by a recepton in the Church all.

CANCELLATION

Celebraton of Life

olf Curling Club Sunday, September , p.m.

ur sincere apologies. The Dalton Family

Regina Joan Morash ay , August ,

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mom Regina Joan Morash, at the age of 93, who le us peacefully on August , in ova Scota, surrounded by her children. orn on ay , in n eld, ova Scota, mom was the daughter of the late orrest arden and ary orne arden. om loved music and dancing, and she touched many lives with her kindness, sharp wit, storytelling and generosity. She is survived by her sisters ay, oyce and arlene and her children, aul Carol eese elly , Shawn Susan and daughter oan ob Cassie grandchildren, Lisa, Shana, ebecca, Annalise, Drew, ate, ate, and uinn and seven great grandchildren. She is pre deceased by her husband ordon and siblings. A graveside service will take place at St ernard s Catholic Church in n eld, S on September th and an additonal graveside service will take place in rince eorge at a later date. est in peace mom, you are nally home.

James September , August ,

ith love and grattude, we announce the passing of va ames, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, on August , , ust shy of her rd birthday.

orn and raised on Cranbrook ill, va spent her life in rince eorge. She shared a special bond with her twin sister, ose, and later with her husband of years, Alan. ogether they raised two sons, Larry racey and andy aureen , and built a life rooted in family, community, and hard work. va touched many lives as a teacher s aide, through her work at A , and alongside Alan in their family businesses. nown for her vibrant spirit, va loved sports, from her days on the so ball eld to cheering for the Cougars. She cherished her home at Southridge reen, where she en oyed three decades of friendship and connecton.

va is predeceased by her husband Alan, her parents, and her seven siblings. She leaves behind her sons, grandchildren aylor rist an and enna arcus , great granddaughters Sadie and Lyla, and many nieces and nephews.

he family e tends hear elt thanks to the sta of odica ouse, C, and Dr. adeem for their care and compassion.

Douglas Bradley Wright March 11, 1947 - August 30, 2025

Doug Wright, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully in the home he built for his family, with his wife and sons at his side.

He was predeceased by his baby son Michael (born sleeping), parents Douglas F. and Maria Wright, brother Kenneth Wright, and parents-inlaw Orance and Marie Plamondon.

Doug is survived by his wife of 58 years: Muriel, sons: Brad (Melissa) and Jason (Chizuru), and grandsons: Tomihiro, Ashton, Aiden, and Farren. Siblings: Fred (Dona), Gerry (Peggy), Gail (Jack) Larson, special sister-in-law Linda (Pat) Wardell, as well as in-laws Louise (Mack) Seaman, Germaine (Willy) DeCraene, Gerry (Elaine) Plamondon, Julian (Karen) Plamondon and Ron Plamondon. He also leaves many special nieces and nephews.

We especially want to thank our medical team who made our past 14 years bearable and kept Doug smiling and living his best life. Dr. Satsh Mann, thank you for always giving us the best advice and for caring for all of us like family. We are blessed to have you on our side. To our Home and Community Care Nurses, you all know who you are, we are very grateful for your excellent care, support and compassion. Your friendship was a lifeline for both of us! To our daily Home Care Workers, he had so many favorites. Your patence, care and kindness was always appreciated and he enjoyed having someone to tease and joke with daily.

Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in knowing he is at peace and pain free. His steadfast love for his family and those he loved will forever live in our hearts and in the memories of all who knew him.

Doug’s unique sense of humour will be missed by many. A Celebraton of Life will be held at a later date to commemorate his memory.

Eva

Mabel Blocka 1929 -2025

MEMORIAL / CELEBRATION TEA

Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:30 pm Prince George Golf and Curling Club – Remax Room

Patricia A. Kemble

November 6, 1940 - May 29, 2025

Celebration of Life

Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM Ferndale Community Hall 3595 Upper Fraser Road Drive highway 16 east from, 7-11, PetroCan turn le onto u er raser d 2 km turn into hall parking lot.

n lieu of owers a dona on in atricia s na e to one of the following would be a reciated. Diabetes ancer os ice ociety

Thank you, Kemble family lease car ool as ar ing is li ited

Lawrence “Larry” Donald Barry

June 26, 1953 - August 11, 2025

Lawrence (Larry) Donald Barry, born June 26, 1953, in New Westminster, BC, passed away at the age of 72 on August 11, 2025. As per his wishes Larry ended his journey at his home in Prince George with family by his side. Larry fought a short but courageous batle with cancer.

Larry was pre-deceased by his mother Rachelle Barry, sister Charmaine Parker, both maternal and paternal grandparents, and many family and friends who have passed before him.

Larry leaves behind his sisters Jeannine Drewit (Roy, deceased Jan 2014), Maxine Johnson (Cal) and nephews Brad (Elesha) and Sheldon, brother-in-law Larry Parker (Charmaine deceased March 2015) and nieces Lisa McBurnie (Ryan), Shari Deines, Krystal Sekulic (Mike), six grandnieces and one grandnephew

For the complete obituary see the online version at www.princegeorgecitzen.com/obituaries/lawrencelarry-donald-barry-obituary-11165225

Uta Schuler

October 1, 1938 - August 16, 2025

have slo es to s i and owder to nd And many high mountains to view and climb With places to travel, adventures to live New things to learn, and more to give.

Uta had a passion for the outdoors and encouraged many people to join her hiking in summer or back country in winter. As a friend commented, “She got you doing things…..and at es it could be uite an adventure.

Uta loved travelling, music and the arts. You could expect to see her at most cultural events in Prince George. Her enthusiasm didn’t stop here. he also ar ci ated in any any rogra s o ered in rince eorge fro eals on heels the ed ross edical Loans ui ent Library program for shut ins and the list goes on.

Uta was born in Germany. As a young woman she trained in London ngland as a nurse then followed her brother Dic rst to u alo and then to Vancouver where she became a public health nurse. er rst ob too her to the high rc c before she chose to setle in rince eorge. e re ent didn t slow ta down.

schuss ye ta ay your ac be light and the breeze be gentle. You will be missed by your extended family and friends.

han you to the sta at i on raser Lodge and to Drs Hillhouse and Carter, for your kindness and care of Uta.

celebra on of life for ta will ta e lace Oct 1st, 2-4pm at Otway.

email: frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call

Amanda was born on October 21, 1926, in Herbert, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her parents, ve siblings and two husbands.

he is lovingly re e bered by her daughter arah ilchu llen of a loo s her son John ell Lynn of ed Deer lberta her grandchildren Didi hawn ur s and arey and her great grandchildren eagan ichelle radley yan ryan and avanah

anda arried John enry ell on arch . he wor ed for any years as a resser at terling leaners in ed Deer lberta. n her younger years she loved sewing a ing wine and gardening.

n Dece ber anda arried l er iu in rince eorge . er l er s re re ent they oved to the al on r area. hey shared a wonderful year arriage together. o leave an online essage of condolence lease visit www.bowersfuneralservice.co

Logan Robert Reginald Garber

May 21, 2006 - July 20, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Logan Robert Reginald Garber on July 20, 2025, at the age of 19.

Logan was born on May 21, 2006, in Prince George, B.C. He is survived by his loving parents, Monte and Julie, and his sisters, Larissa and Meagan. Logan will also be deeply missed by his grandmother (Mama) Marilyn arber and grand arents alter and hris ne isho as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Logan was truly one of a kind—a young man with a kind soul and a big heart. He will be remembered always with love and gra tude.

celebra on of life will be held on e te ber at the Columbus Community Center, t Lawrence ve fro . . ll who new and loved Logan are welco e to atend.

Logan’s absence leaves an immeasurable void, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of his family forever.

Amanda Wium

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Soonats’ooneh Health Society Formerly Central Interior N t e e t oc et

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

Carrier Lumber Ltd., invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 1628) which provides George Timber Supply Area and administered from the Prince George Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) with the Forest and Range Practices Act and describe areas planned for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development years. The public may provide comments on the FOM(s) at any point during the review and comment period, ends August 9, 2024.

In-Person Annual General Meetng Ge e eet 23rd September, 2025 4:00pm to 6:00pm o e o d oo t e e

The FOM(s) is accessible for public review and comment submissions online at the following website Forest Operations Map (gov.bc.ca) or https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices

Carrier Lumber Ltd., invites the public to review its orest er tons s I i provides development plans within the Prince George Timber Supply Area and administered from the Prince eor e t r eso r e istri t e s ve been prepared in accordance with the Forest and n e r t es t n es ri e re s nne for n er it n o er it eve o ent within the next three years. The public may provide o ents on t e s t n oint rin t e review and comment period, which starts September 11, 2025 and ends October 10, 2025.

Alternatively, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier will be available, at the following locations during regular office hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm):

In order to atend virtually, contact John for the Zoom link at o c o or phone: (250) 614-2031

4722 Continental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5

Please RSVP by 16 September, 2025 Providing Service since 1993 Everyone Welcome

e s is essi e for i revie n comment submissions online at the following website ress orest er tons ov or htps://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public projects#publicNotces

FOM(s) comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or by phone at (250) 563-9271 or

tern tve , in erson revie n o ent of s n e o ete , oint ent to ens re rrier er oo n s st e er i e v i e, t t e fo o in o tons rin re r o e o rs to 4722 Contnental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5

I see in i er nn ernen o , o t for erson siness er, n one it infor ton on ernin er ere o ts, e se ont t es ernen o i chernenkofames@gmail.com ThankYou

* “Save egg cartons for children’s painting palettes. It’s very easy to give kids a small amount of many colors, and they don’t spread them out and run them together as quickly when they are each in their own cup. Plus, they are easy to carry.” -- O.L. in Utah

s o ents so e s i e i to t e ove ress or one t or by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca

* Remove price tag residue off hard surfaces with hairspray. Or WD40 works well too.

* Make your own frozen dinners by purchasing divided trays and using them to store leftovers. Slip each into a plastic bag and label. On busy nights, you can take your favorite out and microwave it.

-- A.S. in Oregon

FANTASTIC

On Sept. 22, 1888, National Geographic magazine published its first issue, without photos. The publication had so few subscribers that its editor, Gilbert H. Grosvenor, addressed each copy and carried them to the post office himself.

* On Sept. 23, 1992, Manon Rheaume became the first woman to play in one of

• 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.

• 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.’”

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Aspects favor new romances for unpaired Ewes and Rams. Already paired Arian twosomes might experience renewed harmony in their relatonships. Money maters also take a bright turn.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Use your strong Bovine determinaton to help you keep the faith with your convictons while you move through a period of uncertainty. Things begin to ease by the weekend.

• 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.”

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Pay atenton to your intuiton. It could be alertng you to be more careful about acceptng a “statement of fact” that is simply based on trust. Don’t be shy about asking for more proof.

• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.

• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.

• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.

• On Nov. 17, 1903, the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party split into two factions: the majority Bolsheviks and minority Mensheviks. The

the four major men’s North American pro sports leagues when she stepped on the ice as goalie for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning in a preseason game. Admitting to being “very nervous,” she also noted that part of her admission was “for publicity,” but added that it was “still a chance to play. That’s what I care about.”

* On Sept. 24, 1902, cookbook author Fannie Farmer, who changed the way Americans prepared food by advocating for the use of standardized measurements in recipes, opened Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery in Boston.

Farmer not only taught women how to cook, but later instructed medical professionals on nutrition for the sick.

* On Sept. 25, 1890, religious leaders issued the “Mormon Manifesto,” which ordered all Latter-day Saints to uphold America’s anti-polygamy laws. The men were given little choice in the decision, as they faced federal confiscation of their temples and revocation of church members’ basic civil rights for failure to comply.

* On Sept. 26, 1996, biochemist and U.S. astronaut Shannon Lucid returned to

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Concern for the well-being of someone in need is admirable. But don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Ask a family member, close friend or colleague to help you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s OK to focus on the demands of your career. But try to avoid misunderstandings by also reaching out to family and friends. Your sharp intuitve sense kicks in by midweek.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Keep a rein on the green-eyed monster -- jealousy is counterproductve. Instead of resentng a colleague’s good points, concentrate on developing your own abilites.

Earth in the U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis after six months in orbit aboard the Russian space station Mir. She was the first American woman to live in a space station.

* On Sept. 27, 622, the prophet Muhammad completed his Hegira, or “flight,” from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution. In Medina, he set about building the followers of his religion, Islam, into an organized community and Arabian power. The Hegira would later mark the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Spending tme on a creatve project during this high-energy week can pay of -- both in emotonal satsfacton and in impressing someone who is glad to see this side of you.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Now is a good tme to start planning a trip you’ve put of because of the demands on your tme. Be sure to choose a destnaton that is new and excitng!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) An upbeat mood during the frst part of the week makes you eager to take on new ventures. A more serious note sets in later to help you assess an upcoming decision.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A high energy level gives the Goat the get-up-and-go to fnish outstanding tasks before deadlines, leaving tme for well-earned fun and games with friends and family.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Dealing with disappointment is never easy. But the wise Aquarian will use it as a vital lesson and be beter for it. Meanwhile, a close friend has something important to say.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your best bet is not to get involved in an argument between colleagues untl you know more about who started it and why. And even then, appearances could be deceiving. Be alert!

Homes & Living

From garden to jar canning the fall harvest

The vibrant peak of summer brings with it a bountiful harvest. Your garden overflows with plump tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and leafy greens, while your fruit trees are heavy with ripe peaches, juicy plums, and tart cherries. This abundance is a joy to behold, but it can also be a challenge to manage. How do you enjoy the fruits of your labor long after the season has passed? The answer lies in the time-honored tradition of canning.

Canning is a fantastic way to preserve the freshness and flavor of your harvest, allowing you to enjoy homegrown goodness all year round. While it may seem intimidating at first, the process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to begin your canning journey,

transforming your garden and orchard’s bounty into delicious, shelfstable preserves.

Gather Your Supplies: The Canning Arsenal

Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment. Most of these items are readily available at hardware stores, big-box retailers, or online.

Canning Jars: These are specially designed glass jars with two-part lids (a flat lid and a screw band). You’ll need jars in various sizes, such as pint and quart. Always inspect them for chips or cracks before use.

A Large Pot or Canner: You need a pot large enough to completely submerge your jars in boiling water. A dedicated canner with a rack is ideal as it keeps the jars off the bottom of the pot, ensuring even heat

circulation.

Canning Tools: A canning tool set is a great investment. It typically includes a jar lifter (essential for safely removing hot jars), a canning funnel (to prevent spills), and a bubble remover/headspace tool.

Lids and Screw Bands: The flat lids are single-use and create the vacuum seal. The screw bands can be reused. Always use new lids for each canning session.

Ingredients: Your fresh produce is the star of the show! You’ll also need other ingredients for your specific recipe, such as sugar, salt, vinegar, or pectin (for jams and jellies).

Choose Your Method: Water Bath vs. Pressure Canning

There are two primary methods of home canning, each suited for different types of food:

Water Bath Canning: This method is used for high-acid foods. The high acidity, combined with the heat from boiling water, kills bacteria and creates a safe, stable product. This is the method of choice for fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and most tomato products.

From garden to jar cont.

Pressure Canning: This method is required for low-acid foods, such as vegetables (like green beans, corn, and carrots), meats, and soups. A pressure canner heats the jars to a temperature higher than boiling, which is necessary to destroy harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum. Pressure canning is an essential skill for preserving most garden vegetables. For a beginner, water bath canning is a fantastic starting point. It’s simpler and safer for a first-time canner. Focus on preserving high-acid produce like berries, peaches, or making quick cucumber pickles.

Master the Basics: The Steps to a Perfect Seal

Once you’ve chosen your recipe, the process is largely the same for all water bath canning:

Prepare Your Jars and Lids: Wash jars and screw bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Sanitize your jars by either running them through a hot cycle in the dishwasher or by placing them in simmering water. Leave lids in

a separate bowl of hot water to soften the sealing compound.

Prepare Your Produce: Wash, peel, and chop your produce as directed by your recipe. Be sure to use the freshest ingredients possible.

Fill the Jars: Using a canning funnel, pack your prepared food into the jars, leaving the recommended “headspace” at the top (usually ! to ½ inch). This space is crucial for creating a proper vacuum seal.

Remove Air Bubbles: Slide a nonmetallic spatula or bubble remover around the inside of the jar to release any trapped air bubbles.

Wipe the Rims: Clean the jar rims with a damp cloth to ensure a clean surface for the lid to seal.

Secure the Lids: Place a hot, sanitized lid on the jar, then screw on the band “fingertip tight.” Do not overtighten, as this can prevent the air from escaping and the jar from sealing.

Process in the Water Bath: Carefully place the jars on the rack in your canner. Ensure the water level covers

the jars by at least one inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil and process for the time specified in your recipe.

Cool and Check for Seals: Using the jar lifter, carefully remove the hot jars and place them on a towel-lined counter to cool, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours. You’ll hear the satisfying “pop” as the lids seal. After cooling, press the center of each lid. If it is concave and does not spring back, the jar is sealed.

Enjoy

Your Hard Work!

Label your sealed jars with the contents and the date. Store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Your pantry will now be a testament to your hard work, filled with the preserved tastes of summer. Canning is more than just a way to save food; it’s a connection to the land and a skill that provides a deep sense of satisfaction. As you open a jar of homemade jam on a cold winter morning, you’ll be transported back to the warmth of summer, savoring a taste of your garden’s bounty, preserved just for you. Happy canning!

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