Issuu

JULY 2012

JUNE 2012

Serving Northern British Columbia

Big North

The Northern REPORT www.pgfreepress.com

The Northern Gateway pipeline

Inserted in your Big North today is our premiere edition of The Northern Report, a publication looking at issues facing northern B.C. In this issue – the Northern Gateway pipeline.

What you need to know about the project

FREE PRESS

FEEL

THE

Michalko still looking

POWER

DELYNDA PILON newsroom@pgfreepress.com

DeLynda PILON/Free Press

Melissa Jaeger with STEP felt the power when she got up on a dozer during Fiddler industries’ open house last month.

By 2010 Ray Michalko, a private investigator and former RCMP officer, logged about a year’s worth of hours looking into the murders and disappearances along the Highway of Tears. Although he expected to return to the area in the spring alongside a few other experts he was calling in on the investigation, he said he hasn’t moved forward with that plan yet. Instead he’s hoping to come to Prince George, if everything works out, in August. “Every time I think I’m going to stop, I get a call with information that seems quite interesting,” he said. Currently he said he has a couple of leads he wants to follow up on though he won’t say, specifically, who he needs to talk to. Michalko’s focus in the Prince George area includes the murders of Roxanne Thiara and Leah Alishia Germaine and the disappearance of Nicole Hoar. Thiara was 15 when she went missing from Prince George in November of 1994. Her body was discovered dumped near Burns Lake. Germaine’s body was found Dec. 9, 1994. The Prince George girl was 15 and knew Thiara. Hoar, 25, was hitchhiking on Highway16 and last seen June 21, 2002 in Prince George. Her body has never been found. Michalko added he’s spent a fair amount of time looking into the murder of Alberta Williams.

FIREPLACES & INSERTS

Williams, 24, was last seen Aug. 26, 1989 in Prince Rupert. Her body was found Sept. 16, 1989 on Highway. 16. The first nine women who went missing, he added, remains a focus for him though he doesn’t believe they are all the work of a serial killer. “There may be a serial killer involved with a couple of them, but for the most part the information I’m getting is these women were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, which is sometimes worse because then you’re looking at nine killers instead of one.” He added that, from listening to the news, the RCMP said at one point they felt there were three serial killers operating in the province. One was dead. One was Robert Pickton. The other, he believes, is being hunted by EPANA, a special unit put together by the RCMP to investigate the Highway of Tears disappearances and murders. Also of interest, he said, is the official investigation into missing women in the province. One transcript of testimony he read with interest, he said, came from a retired RCMP officer testified that the force is not very adept at handling disappearances. “There seems to be a big problem with missing women across Western Canada,” he said. Michalko said if he finds something of interest in his investigation, he shares it with the police after he pursues the lead as far as he can. Something, he added, he does on his own time and own dime.

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For the longest time, GMC was considered a professional truck brand. But since General Motors, owner of the GMC brand, stopped making medium and heavy-duty trucks, the company had to find itself a new vocation. Consequently, GMC began to offer people movers in its line-up. While everyone is waiting for the upcoming Granite compact CUV to hit the market, the smallest vehicle your GMC dealer can offer you is the tough looking Terrain. This is a mid-sized crossover, similar to the Chevrolet Equinox, which is powered by a four-cylinder engine or a V-6. It can be ordered with front- or all-wheel drive. Following this successful light truck is the bigger Acadia, also front- or all-wheel drive, that can carry up to eight passengers. This family friendly crossover, available in the luxury Denali trim, can pull up to 2,363 kilograms! GMC’s biggest SUV remains the impressive Yukon, available as a big station wagon or a longer XL version. The Yukon can be bought as a hybrid with a short body or as a very luxurious Denali model. Where GMC excels is in the pick-up segment. Its smallest offering remains the well designed Canyon, but a lot of people go for the full-sized Sierra, available in many sizes and trims, including a unique hybrid version. The Sierra is also offered in the more luxurious Denali trims or as a more robust HD version. With the HD, it is possible to order a strong diesel engine. And last but not least, let’s not forget that GMC still produces the classic commercial delivery van, the Savana.

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#1 REF

When General Motors had to eliminate some brands during its reorganization, many feared that Buick would be a casualty. Thank heavens, it wasn’t! As a matter of fact, it is back in better shape than ever. And did you know that Buick was also among China’s favourite brand of cars? Buick now offers four vehicles in its line-up, with a fifth model coming out soon. The biggest car on offer is a great looking full-sized sedan, called the LaCrosse. This four-door, front-wheel drive is powered by a base 182-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that now comes with the stop-start technology. That means that when the car is stopped at a traffic light, its engine shuts off and restarts automatically when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal. A V-6 engine is still available. The mid-sized Buick is called the Regal. Also a front-wheel drive, it only comes with a four-cylinder engine, but the Turbo GS version develops some 270 horsepower! This is quite a sports sedan! Incidentally, this great looking car is based on a German GM product. The smallest car Buick has to offer right now is the highly styled Verano compact sedan. Though it shares its basic structure with the Chevrolet Cruze, all resemblance stops there. The Verano is powered by a bigger and more powerful four-cylinder engine and its interior is far more luxurious. Buick dealers also offer the now well-known Enclave crossover, the brand’s biggest vehicle, powered by a V-6 engine and available with front- or all-wheel drive. It will soon be joined by the recently unveiled smaller crossover, the Encore.

GMC vehicles are easy to recognize, thanks to the three big letters in the grille.

dy bo

The Buick brand is rapidly regaining its past popularity.

GMC: a brand in itself

u sCiEcGEA s OR G t o a N I E l PR

NTY

BUICK: Popular again

2012

GE OR

2 BIG NORTH

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CANADA

LISTINGS

B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ J ULY 2012

BIG NORTH 3

Input sought on appointment TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com

Te re s a M A LLA M / Fre e Pre s s

Pamela Martin, director of outreach, Office of the Premier, and Ron Cantelon, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors, chat during a break from public input meetings at the PG Civic Centre.

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forums and written submissions, the views of British Columbians on the development of a model to build a stronger voice for British Columbia’s seniors will emerge. The consultation will look at the role and functions of the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate with a particular focus on how the role could collaborate with existing organizations who perform similar roles for B.C.’s seniors. The objectives for the consultation process are: • Identify the types of issues that the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate could assist seniors with • Identify the range and scope of services for the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate • Identify issues and opportunities on how the Seniors’ Advocate can work with community organizations currently engaged in similar work • Ensure seniors, their families and caregivers have a voice in the creation of Office of the Seniors’ Advocate. Anyone who wants to provide input to questions (e.g. How could an Office of the Seniors’ Advocate help seniors in B.C.? What should be the priority focus for the Seniors’ Advocate? Should there be an age range to access the Office? What could be the role of the Seniors Advocate in elder abuse prevention and response? How can the Seniors advocate best engage seniors to ensure that their voice is heard?) can send written responses to Seniors Action Plan, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 9825, Stn. Prov. Gov. Victoria, B.C. V8W 9W4 or via e-mail to SeniorsAdvocate @gov.b.ca. Deadline for written submissions is July 31.

VICT

Seniors are a growing population with growing needs. In its Improving Care for B.C. Seniors: An Action Plan, the provincial government announced in February concrete plans to improve the quality of life for all seniors with the goal to help them remain independent for as long as possible. The action plan outlines steps aimed at making it easier for seniors and their families to access and understand the care system, and identifies ways to strengthen protection for vulnerable seniors. The plan includes creation of an Office of the Seniors’ Advocate for B.C. that, according to a recent consultation discussion paper on the move, will “support a more accessible, transparent and accountable approach to addressing issues and interests of seniors in British Columbia.” What will the Seniors Advocate do? Older adults, families and stakeholders are being invited to help shape the future role of the Seniors’ Advocate by taking part in provincewide consultation process. On June 25 government representatives were at the Prince George Civic Centre hearing from local seniors on a variety of issues. “We want to provide a strong voice for British Columbia seniors,” said Pamela Martin, director of outreach, Office of the Premier. “There are so many agencies, people don’t know about them all, and we’re hoping to help them navigate their way to them. We will be visiting 10 communities in the province where we’ll be giving workshops and inviting input from interested groups.” Martin and Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors Ron Cantelon (MLA for ParksvilleQualicum) spoke briefly with the Free Press Monday in general terms about what issues are important to seniors and any views or suggestions they have on how to improve the lives of seniors. (Afternoon presentations by local interest groups and individuals were closed to the media.) “My job is to listen on behalf of seniors,” said Martin, who notes a Seniors’ Advocate will be appointed within one year. In the meantime, they plan to gather from seniors in the province as much information as they can. “We’ve heard lots of touching stories...stories from seniors who have been abused...we’ve talked to people about parents who can’t get proper care for things like dementia. We’re listening very carefully to them because we want to make sure we get it (role of the Seniors’ Advocate) right.“ Martin said housing, health and financial issues remain high on the list on concerns for seniors. As well, seniors of all ages continue to need help in accessing support systems, healthcare and filling out paperwork such as applications for old age pensions. They have questions that require answers. A seniors support line set up June 1 is “going well,” said Cantelon. There have been 268 enquiries so far on a wide variety of issues, he said. It is expected that through meetings, public

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4 BIG NORTH

B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ J ULY 2012

“Anybody can catch HIV.” – TONY

Son, brother and Positive Frontline Warrior

HIV is a real concern within our communities. You can contract HIV primarily through unprotected sex and by sharing needles. HIV can live in your body for years without you knowing and all the while you can be passing it to others. At least 25 per cent of people who are HIV+ do not know and these 25 per cent are estimated to be responsible for 75 per cent of new infections. Northern Health, in collaboration with its community partners, is working with the Province of BC to prevent the spread of HIV by expanding HIV testing, treatment, and support services to British Columbians.

Educate:

Educate yourself, your family and your friends about HIV. Visit HIV101.ca today.

Test:

The only way to know you are not positive is by getting tested. Request an HIV test today.

Please share your new knowledge about HIV with others, and please encourage everyone to get an HIV test.

B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ J ULY 2012

BIG NORTH 5

Province needs to start planting Every so often the issue of silviculture comes up. Every time it does, the B.C. government maintains that it is putting more money into silviculture than ever before and that we are replanting the forests as fast as we can, despite claims to the contrary by silviculture contractors who are putting fewer trees into the ground. Now, the silviculture contractors have some backup … namely the Forest Practices Board. The total area of B.C.’s provincial forests that may need to be restocked with healthy young trees could exceed current reforestation efforts by more than one million hectares, according to a Forest Practices Board

report released last month. affected forests because those areas might still be harThe report indicates that almost two million hectares vested - and eventually restocked - by the forest indusof Crown forested land could potentially be “not satistry, the Forest Practices Board said in a press release. factorily restocked” (NSR). To put that in perspective, “There is a lot of debate about exactly how much forthe timber harvesting land base in B.C. is about 22 milest has been damaged by fire and beetles,” said Gorley. lion hectares in total. “But the important question is, should we invest money Of the land that will be restocked, nearly half a milnow to ensure a healthy timber supply into the future, lion hectares will be restocked by industry and governand, if so, how will we raise and invest it? But if action ment has current plans to restock is to be taken, it must be taken quickly.” about a quarter of a million hectares. According to the board, Victoria has funded a “Decisions about whether to reforestation program since 2005 that has treated Writer’s replant areas where mountain pine an estimated total area of just over 50,000 hectares; Block beetle and fire have killed most of mostly fire-damaged forest and young beetle-damthe trees will have an impact on the BILLPHILLIPS aged forests. INI OCCER future timber supply in the B.C. InteThe board has made recommendations to governrior,” said Al Gorley, board chair. “At ment that it hopes will promote a useful dialogue a minimum, if nature is left to take its course, the evenon the topic of restocking British Columbia’s forests. tual crop of timber in those areas will be delayed.” Like the city’s crumbling streets, it requires money That’s a nice way of saying it won’t get done. Kind of and a political will to actually do it now, rather than like the City of Prince George’s road rehabilitation budsomeday. get … when you know how much you need to do every And, even more crucial, the province’s future econyear just to maintain what you have, and you don’t do omy. it, you fall behind. Falling 4 behind puts more pressure on successive budgets and governments. As for the “not satisfactorily restocked” areas, government has a reforestation program for these areas, but A li st air Mc I NN I S/F ree P ress to date it has Graham Bruce, 4, chases down the ball during a only directed U5 boys soccer game at the Rotary fields, part limited effort of the Prince George Youth Soccer Association at re-stocking Mini Fest. mature, beetleAngelique’s Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program Native Arts This program is for those who need a little more guidance 8 “2005 Community RAYBAN • MAUI JIM • GUESS • GUCCI • BEBE • FYSH • KLIIK • EASY CLIP with the business plan development stage. Upon successful Arts Council’s Arts Gallery of Honor Award” completion, clients receive an incentive that they can contribute to

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start up costs or to leverage additional ﬁnancing. All Nations Elders The All Nations Elders is a group that works together on projects for the betterment of the Aboriginal community in Prince George. It is open and inclusive to all Elders, regardless of ethnicity and age. Youth are encouraged to participate. Financial Literacy Program The workshops cover topics such as assets, budgeting, consumerism, banking, credit and credit repair. It also includes a matched savings component.

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6 BIG NORTH

B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ J ULY 2012

Province boosts CNC The Aboriginal Service Plan (ASP) at the College of New Caledonia got a half-million dollar boost last month. The provincial government announced June 21, National Aboriginal Day, that it was committing more than $4.2 million for ASP projects at 11 post-secondary institutions, including $542,000 for CNC. “We are delighted the government has funded Phase 2 of the community-driven ASP program,” CNC president John Bowman said in a press release, “which will have a tremendous impact on Aboriginal learners and their communities.” During Phase 1 of the program, he said, CNC saw Aboriginal enrolment go to 1,839 in all programs in 2010-11, up from 744 in 2006-07. “This funding will allow the great work, partnerships and community engagement to continue.” The funding will be added to $200,000 in funding of its own CNC had already committed to for the 2012-13 school year. It will allow CNC and its partners – 20 First Nations, aboriginal organizations, Aboriginal individuals, Elders and other post-secondary institutions – to move forward with the second phase of the ASP. Activities include the college-wide Yinka Dene Council, Aboriginal advisories at each campus, and the campus-based Aboriginal liaison positions. Additional activities include language programs, policy development, essential skills training, student support, and more.

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Te re s a M A LLA M / Fre e Pre s s

Zoe Spooner (left) and her seven-minutes-older twin sister Araya show off colourful crafts they made at the Aboriginal Education booth during Aboriginal Day at Fort George Park.

Radiation therapy soon offered in North When the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North opens in

late 2012, northern B.C. residents will be able to receive

radiation therapy for the first time in their home region. The new service will be provided through two state-of-the-art linear accelerators (radiation therapy units) now in place at the facility being 9. Favor constructed in Prince 10. Krupke, e.g. George. The two pieces 11. Shad output of equipment are valued 12. 100 lbs. at more than $3 million 13. Rathskeller serving each. 15. Get wind of “The radiation therapy 17. Blue 23. Throw away treatment, which will be 25. Bring to mind provided through the 26. Merganser’s kin new cancer centre, will 27. Daddy both complement and 28. Blessing concluder add to the services pro30. Tiny tree vided through Northern 32. Entrance Health’s cancer clinic 33. Ribbon network,” Cathy Ulrich, 34. It beats a deuce Northern Health presi36. Complaint dent and CEO, said in 38. Rainy a press release. “We 41. Footless animal look forward to con45. Algonquian language

X CROSSWORD

PUZZLE NO. 581

ACROSS

42. Develop 43. Fade 1. In the know 44. Bucolic 6. TV serial 48. Biblical pronoun 10. “Free Willy” whale 49. Plants 14. Overshoe 51. Roll or fish starter 16. Immobile 53. Pluralizing letter 18. Chicken or turkey 56. Processed food 19. Intertwine substance 20. Fruit pulp 58. On a cot 21. Festival 62. Clan pole 22. Pair 64. Certain woodwind 24. African adventure 65. Demolish 26. Mountain resort 66. Covet 29. Small amount 67. Glower 31. Transmit 69. Harden 35. Caribbean dance 37. One who plants seeds 70. Diatribe 72. Anxious 39. Closet wood 74. Hoover, e.g. 40. Saber’s cousin 75. Basic commodity 41. Skin blemishes

77. Modify text 79. Polynesian image 82. 4 x 4 race 84. Detest 88. Butter alternative 89. Hurrah 90. Bakery treat 91. Enthusiasm 92. Gun type 93. Busybody

DOWN 1. Beauty preceder 2. Blanched 3. Every bit 4. Way to Mandalay 5. Old Portuguese money 6. Drink a little 7. Burden of proof 8. Supply with oxygen

46. Rotate 47. On the safe side 50. Mourn for 52. Sweater material 53. Imprint firmly 54. Marsh bird 55. Flag feature 57. Excessively 59. Telegraphy unit 60. Hebrew prophet 61. Consider 63. Avoidance 67. Great! 68. Storage spot 69. Foolishness 71. Togs 73. Resting 76. Mansard feature 78. Fantasy 79. ____ the line 80. Queasy 81. Green parrot 83. Farther 85. Hosiery hue 86. Punch 87. Momentous period

PUZZLE NO. 350 HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.

tinued partnership through the Northern Cancer Control Strategy in further strengthening cancer care delivery across our region.” The units arrived in March, and since then, the centre’s medical physics team has worked to install and program them. Ongoing calibrating and rigorous testing will continue over the next several months to ensure the devices will be ready to provide safe and accurate treatment. The new facility will be the sixth regional cancer centre operated by the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. The other centres are in Abbotsford, Kelowna, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. The new centre will serve

more than 750 patients annually. About 60 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point in the course of their treatment. Linear accelerators provide the radiation therapy used to treat a variety of cancers. Radiation therapy makes use of high-energy x-rays to kill tumour cells. Radiation therapy is useful as curative treatment for some types of cancer, and also to relieve symptoms if cancer spreads. Radiation may be used on its own, or in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery. The radiation therapy units at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North are the most high-end and technologically integrated units available on the market. The centre also features doorless treatment rooms, allowing patients to undergo high-dose radiation therapy without the need for a heavy lead door, providing a less intimidating environment. The Northern Cancer Control Strategy is a joint partnership between Northern Health, BC Cancer Agency and the Provincial Health Services Authority. It is focused on enhancing the continuum of cancer services in the North, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive and palliaAnswers can be found in the classifieds. tive care.

B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ J ULY 2012

BIG NORTH 7 Be ﬁrst to add to the story or read what your neighbour thinks. Be a part of your community paper. Comment online.

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A llan WISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Paul Winwood, left, and David Snadden share a laugh at an informal press conference at UNBC announcing Winwood’s appointment as the new leader of academic medicine in northern B.C., a role formerly held by Snadden.

New medical program boss having an office at UNBC makes it easier to find medical assistants if I need them.”

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Council has thrown its support behind bringing new technology and engineering programs to post-secondary institutions in the north. The resolution, brought forward as a notice of motion report by Coun. Albert Koehler, has no economic repercussions, however it does state the goal is a community priority for the city. “Many organizations in Prince George have provided an endorsement,” Koehler said when he introduced the motion at the June 11 council meeting. The report states, “Many corporations are currently not in the position to accept new orders while orders in progress have to be delayed, which leads to foreclosure of economic opportunities and a potential slowdown of or economy in all areas due to lack of properly skilled personnel.”

the position.” Being able to stay in Prince George for the most part in the new position played a part in his decision. “We’ve been here for four years and feeling very settled. We like everything Prince George has to offer, like the outdoors. “It would have been a huge upheaval to move somewhere else again.” Winwood says the new position does mean he will have to cut back on both his current practice and his research work. “I’ll still do some clinical work, but it will probably be about one-third of what I have been doing. I also won’t be able to do as much lab work as I had been doing. “On the other hand,

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didn’t know about.” Snadden says the search for his replacement was international, but “I was very pleased there were local candidates who had the qualifications.” He helped recruit Winwood to Prince George in 2008. “We always recruit for the potential people may have to move on to other roles.” For Winwood, the urge to move on to other things had been there for some time. “I’ve always had in mind that I wanted to develop my career in the academic direction. So when the opportunity came up, I had a few conversations – including with my family – and had to decide whether I had the skills needed for

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If Paul Winwood needs to find medical assistants to help with his research, he won’t have far to look. Winwood, a gastroenterologist who immigrated to Prince George from the United Kingdom is 2008, will become the new leader of academic medicine

in northern B.C. on July 1. UNBC and UBC have appointed Winwood to the positions of regional associate dean for northern B.C. in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and viceprovost medicine at UNBC. He succeeds David Snadden, who was appointed executive associate dean of education in the UBC Faculty of Medicine in November. Snadden still has an office at UNBC, and Winwood says that will be very helpful as he settles into his new positions. “I’ve talked with David and (interim dean) Jeff Payne quite a bit since I was notified I would be getting the position. They’ve helped a lot in understanding challenges I

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