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Volume 61 No. 15
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
1.30 INCLUDES TAX
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A delegation from Unifor 2300’s bargaining team, at top left, speaks to Kitimat Council in a particularly heated exchange April 7. At right is councillor Mario Feldhoff, CAO Ron Poole and Mayor Phil Germuth as they listen to the presentation which included hollering from the gallery. Below right, the union held a rally before the meeting.
No ground was gained Cameron Orr It was likely not what either side wanted in a municipal strike which has ground onwards for over 40 days. An April 7 council meeting turned, temporarily, in to a public hollering match when Unifor 2300 members were given the floor to present information to council. But union members hoping to hear answers to specific questions were denied when council opted to maintain only hearing from the union as they presented details from their final offer, a response to the union’s belief that councillors hadn’t been given adequate explanation of their demands from the city’s bargaining unit. That said, council through the may-
or, and through councillor Mario Feldhoff even, did shoot back a few words, although nothing that specifically addressed items in the contract. The union’s presentation centred on two points, one that councillors were not properly informed of the union’s own offer to settle before the strike even began, and secondly to question why some aspects of a new collective agreement are not being discussed at the bargaining table. “We need to know why council never got to see the offer to settle,” said Martin McIlwrath, the business agent representing Unifor 2300 in bargaining. “If you look at the way things have played out, council wasn’t willing to continue bargaining, never got to see
Kildala kids explore their energy impacts.
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our offer to settle. Our members, your employees, were out on the streets from February 28 to March 16. March 16 is the first time council got to see our offer to settle. How is that possible?” Mayor Phil Germuth reiterated what he’s said publicly before, that council has been very informed on offers. That said, he admits that all councillors likely didn’t read the entire 40+ page union document, relying on the town’s bargaining team to inform them of any changes made from existing offers. “They updated us on whatever changes were there from previous days of negotiations,” said Germuth. Continued on page 10
Outside support called in for strike Cameron Orr It’s come down to an external hand. The District of Kitimat will follow through on taking on the services of a third-party to figure out the best way to resolve the impasse of the municipal Collective Agreement. In an open letter to the community
Mayor Phil Germuth said that the town had given the union until 4 p.m. Sunday to reconsider the town’s last final offer, otherwise it would be rescinded and the external party would be brought in. “Negotiations with the Union have not resulted in the finalization of a Collective Agreement. Both sides recognize
we have reached an impasse. It is evident another course of action must be undertaken,” Germuth wrote. It didn’t take long for the union to publish their own response, saying that they’d even be looking at legal options, as they dispute the mayor’s message. Continued on page 2
Union brings lines to other facilities Cameron Orr Both the Kitimat Public Library and the Kitimat Museum & Archives closed for the day, April 7, due to Unifor 2300 picketers in front of the facilities. The library is staffed by CUPE members and the library workers reportedly opted to show support for the day by not crossing the line. That said, the library association and the CUPE members later each voted to continue operations as normal at the library, meaning the facility won’t close if a line returns. The staff at the museum are not unionized but the facility
also opted to close for the day in support, but like the library have no plans to close again. Picketers had returned to the library and museum in the days since. In a statement from museum curator Louise Avery, she writes that “Although the picket line continues at the museum…staff members are back to work, returning the museum to its regular hours of operation.” The museum and the library are District of Kitimat owned buildings which gives the municipal union the ability to picket them.
2 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Suspect vehicle in erratic driving calls found in ditch March 30 At 11:59 a.m. the RCMP were alerted to a possible missing person, reported by the woman’s ex-boyfriend who had not seen her for a couple of weeks. The person was located at a home in Kitimat and the complainant was notified. March 31 At 7:50 p.m. the RCMP were given two reports of an erratic driver. The police, while patrolling, came
across the suspect vehicle, off the road in a ditch on Nalabila Boulevard at Sparks Avenue. The driver was suspected of being impaired by drugs, and was given a 24-hour driving ban and given a ticket for driving without due care and attention. The driver was also taken to the Kitimat General Hospital. April 1 At 9:25 p.m. police were called to deal with an intoxicated
male at a business at City Centre. The officers found a man who had slurred speech and could not walk without stumbling. The man was arrested for being intoxicated in a public place and held in cells until the morning when sober. April 2 The back window to a pick-up truck was reportedly shattered, police say. Investigation has led officers to suspect the window
was broken by a rock slung from a neighbour’s lawnmower. At 6:49 p.m. the police picked up a woman near Nechako Centre under the Mental Health Act. The woman was reportedly talking to herself and walking without shoes. She was taken to the hospital for an assessment. April 3 The RCMP attended to a collision between a youth on a
dirt bike and a pickup truck, on Columbia Avenue. It was a minor collision with no injuries. The youth and his parents were spoken to, police say. A 32-year-old male was arrested after police were called on a domestic assault file. The person arrested was actually the complainant who called police, saying he was allegedly being assaulted by his girlfriend, the police
charging his cell phone but had no intention to drive. The male was brought back to his room. April 5 A 48-year-old Californian male was given a three day driving prohibition after blowing a ‘warn’ in a roadside screening device after being pulled over in a traffic stop.
say. The individual has been released on a promise to appear and an undertaking. April 4 Police checked in on a person reportedly intoxicated and sleeping in his vehicle on Alcan Way. Police arrived to find the person outside of the vehicle, and told officers he had fallen asleep while
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Continued from page 1 The union followed up that message saying they would seek a mediator from the Labour Relations Board. The LRB offers several services relating to collective bargaining relations. Unifor’s Business Agent Martin McIlwrath told the Sentinel that they have made the application and at press time was awaiting word from the LRB if the District of Kitimat would accept the offer. “This is an opportunity to settle this and get through this labour dispute and we hope they take us up on this offer,” he said. Mayor Phil Germuth said, as of early Monday morning, he was not aware of the District having received the application from the LRB, but such a request, if received formally, would be discussed at the council’s meeting later that day. He said the external negotiator the District has hired is not a part of services offered through the LRB. “This is somebody to go in and do negotiations for us see-
ing as we’re refusing to put our people back in to an environment like that, where they’re getting sworn at and abused everyday. We’ve had enough of it,” said Germuth. He expects some new movement on negotiations by midweek. “What we’re expecting in a day or two this person is going to know either there is a deal to be made or there isn’t, and from KITIMAT there we’ll go right away to hopefully agreeing to a mediator or an arbitrator.” SELF SERVE Germuth couldn’t immediately STORAGE UNITS say who this external negotiator is, or how much the services of this Sizes from 8’x8’x10’ to person will cost. 12’x 27’x10’ Part of the cost will depend on how long they employ this person 250-632-6934 for, but Germuth maintains the Dis414 Enterprise Ave. trict was forced into this direction.
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REGIONAL Recycling society needs people or depot could close Kitimat Understanding the Environment, the recycling depot would close down. with stuff multiple times a week. That was just BRIEFS non-profit “We encourage the citizens of Kitimat to step added stress I didn’t need.” society which operates the recycling Tims
Motorists stopping for Tim Hortons in Terrace need to be aware they could be breaking a traffic law while waiting in line at the restaurant chain’s Keith Ave./Hwy16 location. The warning issued by Terrace RCMP follows a complaint made about traffic spilling across the sidewalk and on to Kalum Street at the entrance to the drivethrough. “Police will be monitoring this situation and issuing fines for those drivers insisting on blocking the flow of traffic and pedestrians,” said Corporal Philip Crack of the RCMP’s highway patrol. “Drivers should consider using alternate routes so as not to contribute to this problem,” he said. The fine may only be $40 for blocking a business entrance or exit or blocking traffic but repeat offenders can get a ticket of $196 and six points against their driver’s licences.
No appeal The federal government will not be asking the country’s highest court to overturn a series of court decisions which ruled that the Kitselas First Nation is owed compensation for a land transaction dating back over 120 years. The government had 60 days to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada following last year’s Federal Court decision which upheld an earlier Specific Claims Tribunal ruling that dates back to 1891 and deals with a 10.5 acre parcel of land located on the banks of the Skeena River. The tribunal acts like a court with a judge and was set up in 2008 to hear cases claims on First Nation land outside of the treaty process.
depot in the Service Centre is potentially on its last threads. The society issued a notice last Friday which announced all of the existing board members will resign following May 26, the date of the society’s annual general meeting. It was said each board member had decided to resign independently. The AGM will be held at the library at 7 p.m. The Society Act requires a minimum of three officers on the board. If not then KUTE loses its society status. The conclusion to all of that would mean the
up and volunteer to keep the Society and the Recycling Depot going. Please direct any inquiries to kitimatrecycle@gmail.com.” One of KUTE’s current directors says the decisions to resign were personal, which essentially lead to this perfect storm of having no one left at the end. There are only three people on the board at the moment. “What happened was I got sick, and to reduce the amount of stress I have in my life I’m shedding some of the more onerous responsibilities I have, one of them being KUTE,” said Ken Maitland. “There are times where we’re having to deal
Town budget nearly complete Ahead of municipalities May 15 deadline to submit their budgets to the provincial government, Kitimat has approved its 2015 budget in principle, and established their flat tax rate. Adopting the budget comes with approving the tax policy which sets how much each tax class pays to the total town revenue. Mario Feldhoff stepped
out on that one, given that the town’s only major industry at the moment, Rio Tinto Alcan, is his employer. Residential taxes in 2015 will apply to 16.48 per cent of the total tax revenue in Kitimat. Major industry continues to take the highest burden at 63.69 per cent — which amounts to $13,673,255. Light industry pays 10.59
per cent, and business and commercial taxes are 8.84 per cent. The flat tax portion of residential taxes is a policy dating back to 1990 which is based on the theory that all households in Kitimat use a base amount of services. The flat tax can also go towards protecting against potentially wild fluctuations in the yearly tax rates of homes.
Another director had health issues in their extended family which took their focus, and it left the majority of work on to Barb Hall, KUTE’s president. “That’s a lot of stress on her,” said Maitland. He said the directors spoke with a lawyer to figure out the best way to go forward and it was recommended they go public on the need to give people time to understand the importance of the society and for people to step in. “What [the lawyer] recommended is announce resignations well in advance to try to explain to the community what the consequences will be, see if [we] can round up more members to step forward. Closing the depot would also put four employees out of work. “If you have enough people it’s manageable,” said Maitland, adding, “This series of circumstances that make it difficult with all of these projects going on, resulted in a very high turnover. We were regularly having to go search for people, interview people, hire people, go through that whole process.” Constant fundraising was also part of the job, he said. With KMP ramping down things might get easier, but if LNG goes ahead work will go up again.
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A file photo from an LNG Canada open house. LNG Canada’s largest stakeholder, Shell, has purchased BG Group for a tidy $70 billion.
Big BG buy by Shell Shaun Thomas The BG Group, proponents of an LNG export facility on Ridley Island near Prince Rupert, has been sold to Royal Dutch Shell. The two companies announced a deal on April 8 that will see Shell, which is spearheading the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, pay approximately $70 billion to purchase the BG Group. “BG’s deep water positions and strengths in exploration, liquefaction and LNG shipping and marketing will combine well with Shell’s scale, development expertise and financial strength.
“The consolidated business will be placed to develop the growth projects in BG’s portfolio. The transaction will take time to complete, during which my team and I will remain committed to BG and our shareholders, and to safely delivering our 2015 business plan,” said BG CEO Helge Lund in a statement. “This is an important transaction for Shell, accelerating the delivery of our strategy for shareholders. The result will be a more competitive, stronger company for both sets of shareholders in today’s volatile oil price world...we believe that
the combination is in the interests of both our companies and their shareholders,” said Shell chair Jorma Ollila in a statement following the announcement, with Shell CEO Ben van Beurden noting “LNG is a very important component of this”. When asked by the Sentinel, Shell didn’t make any comments as far as how this deal plays with the ongoing proposal of the LNG Canada project. However a Globe and Mail Report on Business article says this move will “bolster” the LNG Canada project here while it
hampers the BG Group project, given the comparisons of the regulatory distance the Kitimat project has over Ridley Island.
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4 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Viewpoints
The shadow over the town Each year Punxsutawney Phil gets pulled out from his cage and the mayor of the small Pennsylvania town listens closely to hear from the groundhog whether it saw its shadow, which as we all know means six more weeks of winter. Kitimat does not have a groundhog named Phil but we do have a mayor named such, and after hearing his response to the union at last week’s council meeting I feel like we’re in for another ‘six weeks of winter’. (That’s my metaphor for the strike, if it wasn’t clear.) Now, it’s not to say a terse response wasn’t in some way coaxed. There was shouting and hollering, eventually leading to calls to resign or to bring back past mayor Joanne Monaghan. Union members were also demanding a response from councillors, asking for feedback from the union’s formal presentation to councillors that night. As far as any out-of-control back and forth it was smartly blocked. I understand many people would have wanted an open and public dialogue between the council and the union but as was pointed out, presentations to council have never been the place for that. Back a few years when open arguments would erupt during the public presentation portions of meetings — this is going back a couple of councils — the town at the time had a reputation for dysfunction going well beyond our municipal boundaries. So as much as people would want answers that night, opening up a conversation on the floor would lead the town back down a path we don’t want. So all that being said, Phil, you need to be careful how you talk to people. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong, I’m talking about not poking at people already frustrated. In terms of tone, the District communications so far have been fairly measured and balanced — again, talking tone and not content at the moment — but the mayor showed some cracks in that through some of his choice of words or answers. Basically, questioning how much the union has done for its workers or ‘take it or leave it’ attitude by saying they should apply at RTA, or even just pointing fingers at who really started the strike, all doesn’t lead anywhere productive at this time. Comedians are told to read their audience. This union strike is not funny but a similar rule applies here. Sticking to the script of “it’s a fair offer, etc.,” would have sufficed without the shots over the bow. Council as a whole just have to continue to temper their feelings as best as they can, because after the April 7 meeting, we all saw the shadow, and it got awfully cold afterwards. Cameron Orr
The strange ways money travels Under Miscellaneous
The more things change the more the stay the same. An old saying, yes, but still true on so many levels. This morning I was scanning through my e-mail when I came across a new device for a smart phone. It was a “retro” old-style holdin-the hand wired earpiece and mouthpiece telephone unit that plugs into the earphone of a smart phone and easily converts your media device into, yes, an old school wired telephone. Adjust the volume or answer a call with the push of a button. Why? Who knows but I was not tempted to spend $10.49-to-$15 on it, pink coloured or not. It’s just another gimmick and the world is becoming more and more gimmicky. I opened another e-mail from Huffington Post, which featured a notification that HP had scanned my computer and observed I did not have the iTunes app downloaded. What? HP says it can can scan my computer with an e-mail? The fact is I have no need for
by Allan Hewitson ahewitson@telus.net
iTunes, don’t want iTunes and can’t even stand the thought of iTunes. I unsubscribed to HuffPost. That kind of gimmick, I just don’t want, not that I think HP can scan my computer, but just the thought is enough. Worse, it came in my primary mail, not in spam. Passing through a major airport is a hassle. I think we’re all agreed on that. It’s a hassle where you have to keep your wits about you, be patient and above all keep your comments to yourself. Still, I was surprised to read this week that one of the little “hassles”, putting your car keys, spare change and other metallic objects in the bin to bypass the scanner, results in a loss of a lot of money. I guess people in a hurry
leave a lot of spare change in the bins. The Americans keep a trace of that spare change left behind by frazzled passengers. Last week, the Transportation Security Administration released its annual report, which disclosed the government agency collected almost $675,000 in loose change left behind by travellers in 2014 and it gets to keep every penny. The TSA claims to make every effort to reunite passengers with items left at checkpoints, however there are instances where loose change or other items are left behind and unclaimed. Unclaimed money, typically consisting of loose coins passengers remove from their pockets, is documented and turned into the TSA financial office, only the latest in a steady increase in yearly collections and amounted to $674,841.06 compared with 2008, when the TSA collected a “mere” $383,413.79. I wonder if they check down inside the cushions in the waiting rooms? Continued on page 5
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College to cut back on budget Northwest Community College is on the verge of cutting the number of university credit classes it offers at its main campus locations of Terrace, Prince Rupert and Smithers. And, in Smithers, it could mean the end of face-to-face classroom instruction. The result will also mean fewer university credit instructors being employed at the college. College communications director Sarah Zimmerman said no decisions have been made but that the college needs to respond to budget pressures and lower enrolments specifically in its academic programs. “What we're trying to do is minimize the impact,” she said of everything from offering early retirement incentives and voluntary severance packages to instructors to combining classes where it makes sense to do so. A number of instructors have already been given notices of at least partial layoffs in accordance with union contracts, said Zimmerman. Zimmerman was responding to an April 2 release by the Northwest Community College Students' Union which indicated college officials
were about to cut up to 40 university courses – 15 in Prince Rupert, 6 in Terrace, and 14 in Smithers. Since there are only 14 courses being offered in Smithers, it would mean the end of classroom instruction there, said the union. “The one place locals can start a post-secondary education in our region is Northwest Community College,” said students' union chair Steve Verblac in criticizing the college's plan. Trades and other programs, so far, have not been affected. Zimmerman did not confirm nor deny the numbers released by the students’ union but said in places such as Smithers, alternatives to direct classroom instruction are possible. “To say that we won’t be offering instruction in Smithers isn’t true. We’re going to ensure there are options for our students,” she said. The college already offers classes through closed-circuit viewing in which students in one community are taught by an instructor in another community.
Readers Write
Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 5
Bravo to the pianist Dear Sir, I don’t know who the fellow was, all I know is that on the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, there were staff members, the public and patients with faces aglow while this gentleman so effortlessly and lovingly played the
piano in the main lobby of the Kitimat General Hospital. Not only did this bring me a great delight and peace in listening to your redition of Que Cera, Cera, and other melodies, to simply see the positive effect on so many others
is simply priceless. I would personally like to thank you for donating your time and gift to where it was so appreciated. You deserve a standing ovation, and yes, we would like an encore! Sincerely, Cindy Harmel
LETTERS WELCOME The Northern Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor on relevant or topical matters. It reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity, brevity, legality and taste. All submissions must bear the author’s name, address and telephone number. All letters must be signed. Unsigned letters will not be considered. Address your letters to: Northern Sentinel, 626 Enterprise Ave., Kitimat, BC V8C 2E4 E-mail: newsroom@northernsentinel.com or Fax: (250) 639-9373
People make the changeless God all about change 1 Corinthians 1: 22ff, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and a folly to Gentiles.” It is said that the only thing constant in this world is change. We have seen many changes in our society for both good and bad. Even here in Kitimat, it was only a couple of years ago that the economy was in the tank and now look at what is happening. It is true that things change, but what about God? The Bible clearly tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, yet people always seem to want to put their own spin on Him. Jesus in particular. In the first centuries Jesus was considered friend of the lowly and downtrodden. By the year 500 He
was had been adopted as the great supporter of the establishment and Roman Empire. By the first millennium He was portrayed as the mighty warrior in whose name the crusades were launched; By 1500 he had been altered into a Lord so angry with humanity’s sin that priests doled out all sorts of punishments in order to appease Him; and now, well, Jesus is many things; from a genie in a bottle who will give you your heart’s desire, to your homeboy, to a good teacher and philosopher. So, has Jesus changed or have we perhaps just tried to make Him into our image? In the verse above Paul; tells us that Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom. It seems like people want Jesus to be anything
From the Pulpit Redeemer Lutheran Church
travelling on the wide road to eternal destruction, to people following Jesus on the narrow path to Heaven. When it comes to us, our changeless God is all about change. You may be someone who has tried to reinvent Jesus or ignore Him, but let me ask you, do you have peace? You likely have more stuff than your parents, but has that given you any peace?
From the Pulpit Redeemer Lutheran Church
Pastor Clint Magnus other than Christ crucified for our sins and raised for our eternal salvation; a stumbling block to our pride and folly to the hardened, sceptical heart. The truth is, we cannot change God, but He can change us. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” In Christ we are changed from being children of wrath into
children of God; we are changed from being spiritually blind to having our eyes opened to God’s grace and mercy. We are changed from people who are
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no one who will not receive the peace and assurance in eternity that Jesus so freely gives through faith in Him. Jesus lived, died and rose again, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we might repent, believe and be saved. That is the great change that the Lord wishes to give every soul upon this earth. That is the change He wants to work in you. Amen.
Weekly Crossword Solution in the Classifieds Clues Across
1. Auricles 5. Sharpening strap 10. Supplemented with difficulty 14. Jaguarundi 15. “7 Year Itch” Tom 16. European defense organization 17. Camber 18. Kittiwake genus 19. 3rd largest French city 20. Used for instant long locks 23. Harangue 24. Grabs 25. Formally withdraw membership 28. Magnitude relations 32. El Dorado High School 33. Porzana carolina
Clues Down
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Pastor Clint Magnus
Do the things that you have done in the past follow you around like a black cloud, nagging at your heart and making each day dark and dreary? Do you feel angry, hurt, neglected and sad? Are you at peace?’ And if the answer is “no,” then I have some good news for you. There is no one who is too terrible to be forgiven by our crucified Christ, and there is
1. Formerly the ECM 2. A native nursemaid in India 3. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 4. Ironies 5. Peaceable 6. Between 7. Cessation of activity 8. “Little House” actor Merlin 9. Lying in one plane 10. Joins the military 11. Knock out 12. British School 13. Puts on clothing 21. Radioactivity unit 22. Helps little firms 25. Podetiums 26. Fluid accumulation in tissues 27. Backed seat for one
34. Earl Grey or green 35. Dog’s tail action 36. Friends (French) 38. Lessen the force of 39. Dermaptera 42. Views 44. From a distance 46. Bleats 47. London Games 2012 53. Let the body fall heavily 54. Collect a large group 55. Aba ____ Honeymoon 57. Give over 58. Glue & plaster painting prep 59. Middle East chieftain 60. Removed ruthlessly 61. AKA bromeosin 62. A dissenting clique 29. From farm state 30. Speak 31. Gurus 37. Deluged 38. In addition to 40. Oldest Yoruba town 41. A place to shelter cars 42. __ and Delilah 43. Toothpaste tube cover 45. __ and Juliet 46. Mussel beards 47. Prevents harm to creatures 48. Gorse genus 49. A method of doing 50. Young Scottish woman 51. Latticework lead bar 52. Invests in little enterprises 56. The products of human creativity
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6 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Kitimat-raised poet is up for an award Cameron Orr A Kitimat-raised author is up for a prestigious award for her new, and first, book of poetry. Kayla Czaga is up for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize for her poetry collection, For Your Safety Please Hold On. She came to Kitimat Monday for a reading as part of the BC Book Prize tour at the library. She arrived with author Gabrielle Prendergast for her book Capricious, which is shortlisted for the Sheial A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize.
For Czaga, her collection covers a number of different themes, about family and childhood, and about travel, she said. “The title itself is taken from the stickers you see on buses in Vancouver that say ‘for your safety please hold on.’” Czaga lived in Kitimat from 1996 until 2007 when she embarked on travels of her own. From Kitimat (and being born in Lethbridge) she travelled to Victoria to do her Bachelors of English, and did spend a little time in high school in Europe and has trav-
elled around Canada. This book is the result of her work to get her Masters, which required her to work on a book, whether it was poems or short stories or other. She began with a series of poems about her dad. “I don’t know why I started writing about him one day,” she said, but noted that he has lived an interesting life and is himself an interesting person. Halfway through writing the book she was connected with a publisher. And now here she is shortlisted for an award.
“It was really weird finding it out, I guess because it’s my first book. I think I’m the only one on the list that’s been nominated with a first book.” One of the other shortlisted authors for her category is a long-time writer who she has admired so the significance of sharing a nomination with him is not lost on her. She said the book does have a couple of poems set in Kitimat, and thinks the north is a good place to be raised for a writer if just for the natural beauty of the area. “And I had great teachers in high school,” she adds.
Kitimat, the pipeline stage show
Scenes from the dress rehearsal of the play ‘Kitimat’, which opened in California last week. Carrie Rosema for Pomona College
Sales down in the first Q Cameron Orr The BC Northern Real Estate Board has released their first quarter results for 2015. In Kitimat, 20 properties worth $5.7 million were sold, down from 36 properties sold in 2014 worth $10.4 million. Of those 20 in Kitimat, 14 were single family homes, five were half duplexes and one was a home on an acreage. There were 93 properties of all types for sale through MLS at the end of March, up from 47 the same time last year. Terrace’s sales were slowing too. Fifty-two sold versus 101 for the same period last year, and the value dipped to $12 million from $23 million in 2014. In Prince Rupert, 37 properties sold in this first quarter worth $8.1 million. In 2014 it was 83 properties worth $14.7 million. “Although the volume of sales was down slightly across BCNREB area, in the first quarter of 2015, the regions more closely associated with the oil and gas industry, the Northeast and North Coast experienced a more significant drop, year over year. This can be attributed to the uncertainty with the long term effects of lower oil prices,” said BCNREB President David Black, in a media release.
Cameron Orr A stage play inspired by Kitimat’s experience with a pipeline plebiscite has opened at Pomona College in California. The play was written by Elaine Avila who spent time in Kitimat to research the script, which is a drama that focuses on two sisters who are on opposite ends of a pipeline debate. “I tried to show both sides and how the relationship between the two sisters shifts. I also wanted to consider all of the story more deeply,” said Avila in a Pomona College article on the play from their website written by Mary Marvin. “Because of my experiences in Kitimat, I’ve become very interested in our connections to land and story and ancestors and what it means to become part of a community as an immigrant.”
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Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7
Coming Events
A Global Calgary film crew record students at Kildala Elementary during one of their energy challenges, this time as a stuff swap to determine how much material things people really need in their lives.
A special classroom diet Cameron Orr It’s a unique chance for elementary school students to take a closer look at the impacts their make on their environment. A project, called the Classroom Energy Diet which is jointly provided by Shell Canada, Canadian Geographic Education, and is being featured by Global TV as their film crew tracks two classes in Canada, one in Halifax and the other here. The Kildala teacher running the program here is Allison Whicher who said getting involved came from an e-mail invite. She teaches a grade 4/5/6 French Immersion class. After getting set up, classes had to conduct three environmentally conscious challenges, which would be filmed by the Global film crew. “The first challenge that we did was a recycling challenge where we went through three days of garbage within the school...and we sorted it in to stuff that should have been recycled, stuff that was actual garbage, and then wasted food,” said Whicher. “That was a huge eye opener.”
The second challenge covered water use, and had students monitoring their own consumption of H2O. “They took notes on their water usage for a week and then charted that,” she said. After monitoring it a second week to see how much got cut down she said the class saved about 1,000 litres. To really emphasize the point, and to make good film footage, the class was shown how much water that approximately was by filling a ‘pool’ — made with their desks laid on their side — with shredded paper. “The last challenge...that was a ‘do you really need it’. Discussing needed items versus wanted items,” said Whicher. “We had a toy swap, so kids in this class brought in toys, then we had it set up in the lunch room and other kids in the school brought in their own toys and they would swap for what they have.” There is a bank of potential projects the class could choose from and with the help of the project organizers help narrow it down to things that would be most appropriate locally, leaving Whicher to pick the final three. The project has been great for the
kids, she says. “It’s a term we use in school, secret teaching, which is they don’t know that they’re learning anything but they actually are,” she said. “They were very excited to be on TV, which is no suprise... but they took the challenges to heart.” She said the students really put in the effort to not just look like they knew what they were doing, but to actually know what they were doing. “They are generally, with everything we do now, very much aware of their surroundings. If they see someone throwing something in the garbage that should have been recycled...then they’re ‘hey you, we just did this challenge, you need be recycling this stuff,’” she said. They’ll also keep an eye out on how to repurpose food that looks like it’s heading to a garbage bin. To participate the class been given $500 for a charity (which has not yet been announced to which one) and another $500 for the class to spend on how they see fit. To note, a class in Thornhill also has a grade four class putting in extra time on energy diet lessons. Their teacher Karen Ting is leading those exercises.
April 16 ART CLUB of Kitimat meets at 7 p.m. in Room 103 at MEMSS. Creating Textures in Media – Bring materials of your choice. Kitimat. No supplies? We have some and we share. For more information contact Katherine Johnsen at 250632-6888. April 16 UNIFOR 2301 RETIREES CHAPTER hosting the Healthy Communities webinar from Northern Health, “The Best is Yet to Come.” From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Unifor 2301 hall. All seniors are welcome. Contact Raymond Raj for more information at rayrraj@gmail.com or call 250-632-4006. April 25 Zone 10 55+ Games meeting, 1:30 p.m., at Prince Rupert Seniors Centre, 21 Grenville Place. Come on out and find out how you can get involved in activities from archery to whist and everything in between. Ongoing On Mondays: From 1 to 3 p.m. the Zone 10 of the B.C. Seniors Games Society will be taking memberships for 2015. Registration is at the Kitimat Seniors Centre. For more information call Bill Whitty at 250-632-2710, or call Margaret Ferns at 250-632-2862. Consider joining the Friends of the Public Library. To do so contact Luce Gauthier at lucegauthier10@gmail.com or Virginia Charron @ vcharron@kitimatpubliclibrary.org or call 250632-8985. KITIMAT QUILTERS GUILD: If you are interested in joining the Kitimat Quilters Guild please contact Aileen Ponter at 250-632-6225 or Janet Malnis at 250-632-7387 for further information. EVERY THURSDAY, the Kitimat Pottery Guild meets in the Riverlodge arts wing, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Interested in playing with clay? All experience levels welcome. For more information call Anne at 250-632-3318. THE KITIMAT Public Library offers the highly engaging Mother Goose StoryTime for preschoolers Monday mornings from 10:30 -11:15 .am. Please register for this free program. HEALTHY BABIES drop in is held every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kitimat Child Development Center. They welcome families throughout pregnancy and up to one year (older siblings welcome). Come meet other parents and infants over light refreshments with support from the CDC staff and a Public Health Nurse. For more information call 250-632-3144. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE FunSpot drop-in for children aged birth to 5 years with caregivers. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 10 am- 12 pm. Fridays are now a combined drop-in/ multicultural playgroup. All are welcome to attend. Contact 250-632-3144 for more information.
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8 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Distracted Driving
Awareness In North America, driver distraction is a factor in about FOUR MILLION motor vehicle collisions each year. Distracted driving is any task that takes the driver away from the primary task of driving, such as texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, tuning the radio, putting on makeup or shaving. The three main types of distraction while driving are visual, taking your eyes off the road, manual, which is taking your hands off the wheel and cognitive, taking your mind off driving. Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on Canada's roadways. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate the public about the danger it poses. With the rise of cellphone use around the world, the number of motor vehicle collisions caused by distracted driving has also increased. Texting something as simple as “LOL!” can result in the loss of life. Consider this scenario: you’re driving down the highway when your phone buzzes. You’re cruising at 80 km/h. You take five seconds on a straight stretch to look at the message. It’s your friend wondering if you want to go out for dinner. After five seconds at that speed you’ve already traveled the distance of a football field, without the
benefit of looking up. That’s essentially being blindfolded. It’s something to think about though. In 2010, the RCMP say distracted driving contributed to 104 collision fatalities in British Columbia alone. It’s a common enough problem. Statistics show that 80 per cent all collisions and 65 per cent of close calls can be traced to some kind of driver inattention. It’s not just phones that keep people out of focus while driving. Looking up directions can be a source of distraction too. It’s suggested that drivers already plan where they’re going with maps or written directions before they start driving. In fact leave plenty of time to get to your destination too. Being rushed can lead to poor decision making. You can make that yellow light, right? Well, one misjudgment can make a huge difference to how the rest of your life plays out. Loose items can also distract. Things that aren’t secured makes noise and can take your attention away from the road. And speaking of noise, use caution when traveling with your pets. Especially smaller animals that can get in to places in your vehicle creatures have no business being, like by your feet. Even larger animals wanting to share your space in the vehicle can be a possible hazard. A cat or dog pushing their way to the front seat can easily knock your car in to another gear, not to mention possibly block your vision by climbing into your lap or licking your face. For you parents out there, prepare whatever your kids
might need for the drive ahead of time so you’re not needing to reach to the back seat or issue some ‘car justice’ for misbehaving siblings. Avoiding distractions really isn’t that hard. If you’re getting a call on your phone, just let it go to voicemail. Whatever the message is it likely isn’t so important that you can’t wait from your drive from Margetts to City Centre Mall. Just avoid any time wasters entirely. Surfing the web isn’t usually that healthy at home but can cause major consequences on the road. No e-mails, texts or Internet for the commute. And for those who generally groom themselves on the road — yes we know you’re out there — just stop it. Pull over if it’s important or there’s a call you just have to make.
FOOD AND DRINK ARE DISTRACTING TOO With the number of fast food drive-thru’s on seemingly every corner in the most dangerous driving areas, the task of eating while driving has been normalized by our society. Nobody thinks it’s a big deal and in fact, our vehicles and fast food companies have made it as easy as possible for you. Just because a certain form of distracted driving is overlooked, that doesn’t mean you should take part. Eating while driving is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than texting while driving. The majority of food related accidents occur in the morning hours. Eating while driving also occurs more frequently when people are running late.
Drive now, text later Robin Austin, MLA
Kitimat Constituency
213 City Centre Lower City Centre Mall
Ph. 250-632-9886
Distracted driving causes more road deaths than both speeding and driving under the influence combined.
Manual transmission vehicles double the chances of distracted driving crashes caused by food consumption. The top ten worst foods to consume while driving are: 10) Chocolate 9) Soft Drinks 8) Jelly/cream filled or powdered donuts 7) Fried chicken 6) Anything barbecued 5) Burgers 4) Chili 3) Tacos 2) Hot Soup, and the number one most distracting food is... COFFEE Coffee is responsible for more distracted driving accidents than any other food item. If you spill coffee on yourself while driving, it will likely burn you and you will no longer be focused on the road, but the burning skin on your hands or legs or possibly even your face. The main reason the majority of these foods are on this list is because they are messy and the messes they make can be very distracting.
DID YOU KNOW? • Of the 269 people killed on the roads in the last year in B.C., distracted driving led to 77 deaths. That was second only to
speed, which was a factor in 78 deaths. Alcohol and drugs were blamed for 63 deaths.
Make your car a
N
PHONE ZONE WHEN DRIVING, A PERSON IS
23 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CRASH IF THEY ARE TEXTING
Phil Germuth
District of Kitimat - Mayor
Keep your eyes, and mind, on the road
Terrace Constituency Office 104-4710 Lazelle Ave. Ph. 250-638-7906
McElhanney
322 - 323 City Centre tel 250.632.3200 • Kitimat@McElhanney.com www.McElhanney.com
272-3rd Street, Kitimat Ph. 250-632-2544 • Fax 250-632-7728
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Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 9 • The World Health Organization (WHO) states that by using a cellphone while driving, drivers are about four times more likely to be involved in a car crash than a driver who is not using a phone, and this appears to be the same for hands-free devices because it’s the cognitive distraction as opposed to the physical one of holding the phone. • Passengers can be distractions as well. According to CAA, children are four times more distracting than adults as passengers and infants are eight times more distracting than adults as passengers. • In Nova Scotia, the RCMP reported that in the summer of 2013, distracted driving surpassed impaired driving as the number one cause of deaths. Saskatchewan’s public insurance bureau noted the same. • ICBC suggests if you’re sharing a car with a friend, make the passenger a designated texter or caller.
• ICBC also reminds motorists who may have an L or N licence, they are not allowed to use any electronic devices behind the wheel, and that includes handsfree headsets and speakerphones. As for the people who can use such things, remember those wireless headsets can only go over one of your ears, not both. Drivers engaged in the following distractions are more likely to be in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. Texting on a cellphone 23 times more likely Talking on a cell phone 4 to 5 times more likely Reading 3 times more likely Applying makeup 3 times more likely Reaching for a moving object (child/pet) 9 times more likely Dialing on a hand-held device 3 times more likely
Get home safely. Keep your mind on the road. Heavy Transport Commercial & Residential RV & Boat Storage www.dialnorder.ca 2131 Forest Ave. Kitimat
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The inaugural Red Seal Construction Craft Worker class listens during an orientation session at the start of the four week program. Cameron Orr
Trades course sets groundwork for more projects Cameron Orr A training program that’s been running at Kitimat Valley Institute will go a long way in providing trained workers for a potential LNG construction boom in Kitimat. The Construction Craft Worker (CCW) is B.C.’s newest Red Seal trade although it’s existed for years in other parts of Canada. A CCW can install utility piping, place concrete, construct roads, perform selective demolition, and other tasks. The program is a collaborate effort, and is funded by the Industry Training Authority (ITA), and contracted out to Northwest Community College.
The college partnered with KVI to deliver the program through the KVI campus on Alexander Street. Right now students are completing the level 1 CCW program, but there’s plans to deliver level 2 in the near future as well. This program is a result of industry demands. “It was a demand from industry. We don’t just do this stuff because we want to,” said ITA apprenticeship advisor Crystal Bouchard. Roger Bennet, the service representative organizer for the Laborers’ International Union of North America Construction and Specialized Workers Union (LiUNA), the
union which has supplied all of the students for this first round of training, said from an employers’ perspective he said he’d be fearful not to have a foundation of workers with this certification. Bouchard agrees. “The more that we can offer those training opportunities...the better qualified and more successful these projects will be locally,” she said. She said with the RTA project transitioning to an operations stage, right now was good timing to do this training as people are coming off the project but still living in the community. Bennet said from being on worksites in Kitimat
many fresh workers have seen what is required to be in work which translates to value for the CCW. More than 50 per cent of people in this first class had never been on a work site before KMP, he said. This course is funded through ITA, and was supported through the STEP program, the skilled trades employment program, which identified several candidates for the program. The program’s need arose from the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint and ITA’s own LNG Action Plan. “This is the tip of the iceberg for this,” said Bennet on training programs. “And it’s great.”
Reflecting on Haiti journey Two nurses in Kitimat are reflecting on several weeks in Haiti, a trip which they say was made possible through community donations. Amanda Slanina and Hope Bechard spent several weeks in Haiti in late fall last year, with Bechard even returning to the country again in a week’s time, on another mission to deliver health care to Haitians, this time with a group of 16 nurses. In October the pair went under the umbrella of Hands Up for Haiti, and the two adapted to a major change in daily quality of life as they held clinics and workshops which they say proved very successful, even as they worked their way through an obstacle
course of broken down vehicles and flooding. But such things were just facts of living in a different country, and both have no plans to give up on supporting the country through their trips, having supported providing medical care to hundreds of Haitians. “I hope to go back in the fall,” said Slanina. “The hardest thing is to leave, actually, because it’s a different world there. You see the change you make.” Thanks to community donations they raised $7,000 which essentially paid for the trip — which included funds to help provide the services in Haiti — and people also sent with them other care packages of donations for clinics there. The pair travelled
around the region to deliver clinics and provided other services for the organization, although they’ll admit the biggest highlight for them was a women’s group they established for women in the city they stayed in. Several dozen women would come out to learn about violence issues and health education, they say. “Whereas in Canada we have free education and you have to beg people to come. There they take on every opportunity,” said Slanina. Bechard’s now supporting a nurse program for Haiti, through partnerships of various organizations. “Now, from our work, we’ve started a new program called Sponsor a Nurse,” said
Amanda Slanina, left, and Hope Bechard, in Haiti. Bechard, which allows people to directly sponsor nurses through Hands Up for Haiti. “We saw there how much a nurse can make a difference in a community.” Her trip back to Haiti in a week will see 16 nurses join her as
part of a pilot project which would see the nurses earn academic credits for their time out of country. Despite leaving behind the comforts of home, both definitely show a strong attachment to the country and the people.
The Buzz
10 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
MEMSS
Mount Elizabeth Middle and Secondary School
Written by local Kitimat students.
Sentinel
Volume 1 No. 03 Sponsored by the KITIMAT Northern
KCH
Kitimat City High School
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
KCH
Anger awareness class brings out positives Amy Kuppers As a student of Kitimat City high, I enjoy participating in some of the school’s programs and activities. I joined a class known as “Anger Awareness” and have been pleasantly surprised at how much I’ve learned. When most people think of an “anger class” they think anger management or perhaps something out of an episode of Frasier, but I think I speak for all the students attending the class when I say it has been so much more. During this time, Bruce Robinson and Sabrina McDowell explain to the students where anger comes from and shows them a step-bystep guide to recognizing and dealing with negative emotions
(called “The Eight Tools of Anger”). I talked to Bruce to hear his thoughts on the program. “Basically what we do is incorporate strategies to be aware of anger. I call this class Anger Awareness because once we’re angry, we can’t control it. But if we’re aware of our anger, there are strategies we can use to minimize the impact.” The class also teaches teens how to react with the anger of those around them. When asked about the effects of the group on students, Bruce said, “I think it’s had a major impact as they are willing to try new experiences and new tactics and be more willing to express themselves and engage in
conversation. They learn positive ways to show their feelings and differentiate between what is positive and negative.” Sabrina, who runs the group with Bruce, also gave her thoughts on the matter. “I’m essentially mentoring under Bruce, being his second when it comes to the anger awareness class. It’s been incredible to see how he runs his group and the dynamic he has with the youth. Seeing the progression from the start of the class to the end and seeing how the individuals become more comfortable with sharing and making the connections to implement strategies in their lives. Not only does he teach his youth, he also helps mentor
other people in his field of work.” Being a participant in the group, I have seen changes in both myself and my peers. I found the group to be confidential, positive, and non-judgemental and I’ve seen others open up more and more as the weeks progress. We share our stories and opinions and talk about the negative situations that have gone on in our lives and how to better cope with them. Bruce makes the experience not only educational but enjoyable. I also spoke with Emily George, a part-time teacher at KCH regarding her opinion on the program and its effects on the students. “I would say the top benefits to the students are that it
gives them tools for coping and understanding their own anger triggers while in addition giving them strategies for how to navigate the anger of important people in their lives. We are very lucky to have Bruce Robinson running the program as he is a skilled, knowledgeable facilitator with many years of experience working with the youth in the northwest region. He brings a unique perspective due in part to his First Nations background and his ability in relating to students and their needs.” Anger Awareness is coming to a close for the year at Kitimat City High, but we thank Bruce and Sabrina for their dedication to the program and to the teens that take part in it.
KCH welcomes return of a school yearbook Julia Gerard-Gray Kitimat City High is excitedly welcoming the return of a school staple; the yearbook. Since the 2010/2011 school year, KCH has not had a yearbook, but that’s changed this year, as the school anticipates the largest graduation class it’s ever seen. Kathleen Cherry is the organizer for this new year book.
She is helped out by Denise Pedro, who is the designer and illustrator for the book. Denise will also be in charge of yearbook layout. KCH is looking towards a possible graduation class of 27 students if everyone stays on track. That’s over half the school. Several students are involved in making the yearbook happen this year. Dee Galaske
and Jayme Clifton are taking photos around the school and on school trips, while Chelsey Wright is gathering the graduates’ baby photos. Brittany Hall is in charge of the grad write-ups. Julia Gerard-Gray is taking pictures of everyone’s artwork and ceramics work. The students, especially the grads, are very pleased to be getting a book full of great memories to our wonderful school.
MEMSS
Students wanting to provide content are welcome to speak to your student council or send your stories to the Northern Sentinel Editor at newsroom@ northernsentinel.com STUDENT ARTICLES WELCOME!
No shortage of effort from Eagles in Langley championships Eugene Chang The Kitimat MESS Eagles from Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School departed out to Langley on March 10 with Coach Dan Striker and Assistant Coach Norm Fossl to compete at the BC Boys High School Basketball Provincial Championships. It’s an unforgettable experience for every young man. The team hasn’t had a history of success in the sport for many years and it wasn’t looking entirely hopeful for this year’s team but that was not going to stop them from trying.
Game 1 was set against Victoria’s St. Michaels University School, the first seed in B.C.’s AA league. The Eagle’s defensive play was powerful and the game stayed even during the first few minutes. Beyond the start it was a one sided game and SMU defeated the Eagles however it was not a bitter loss. Being 16th seed and playing against the tournament favourite, it was more of a learning experience. The feeling of playing against a team that you can readily tell is levels beyond you can only be de-
scribed as an amazing experience. SMU later continued on to win the championship, seemingly with ease. Game 2 was against Richmond’s Cambie Crusaders, the 8th seed in the tournament, another very tough opponent. Cambie took an early lead but the Eagles fought back and even took a small lead for a short time. Eventually the Crusaders took
the game away and secured a solid lead. Game 3 was against Vancouver’s Britannia Bruins. The game tied four times and the lead switched three. It was an especially good performance from the team’s two starting guards Kaennon Alcoseba and Dylan Fossl. They combined for 44 points out of the teams total of 62, Kaennon with 23 and
Dylan with 21. Britannia scored 77 points, winning by only 15. This time around the taste of a bitter defeat was very vivid. The final game was against Vanderhoof’s Nechako Valley Vikings. This game would be another close one with a switching edge in scoring. Kitimat never trailed behind exceedingly far but victory left their
clutches towards the end of the game. This would also be the final game for seven seniors, Jas Dhillon, Dylan Fossl, Lucas Fontes, Jake Minaker, Kody Welsh, Raymond Grant and Eugene Chang, which made it all the more of a devastating defeat having lost by only nine points, 55 to 46. The entire season up to and including the provincial cham-
pionships will forever be an irreplaceable experience for every one of the 14 who went including Kaennon Alcoseba, Marc Brais, Eugene Chang, Jas Dhillon, Lucas Fontes, Dylan Fossl, Raymond Grant, Elmer Grant, Matthew Hammerstrom, Jake Samuel-Minaker and Kody Welsh along with 3 latecomers, Kameron Smith, Nolan Striker and JJ Ymasa.
Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 11
More home care, fewer drugs As many as 15 per cent of B.C. seniors in residential care could have more independence with assisted living or community care support, B.C.'s Seniors Advocate says. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie also compared statistics for B.C. seniors in home and residential care with those in Alberta and Ontario, finding B.C. patients are prescribed more anti-psychotic drugs and receive less physiotherapy and recreation therapy than other provinces. Mackenzie said the potential overuse of residential care is "troubling on a couple of fronts" with the shortage of residential care beds for high-needs seniors. "Most seniors would prefer to live independently than in residential care and so we want to ensure all supports and alternative living arrangements are exhausted before we move someone to residential care," Mackenzie said. "If we are filling even five per cent of these scarce beds with folks who could live independently, that is 1,500 beds that could open up province-wide." Health Minister Terry Lake said the ministry is aware of the problems highlighted by the report, and is putting more resources toward home care and community health services, with spending up $1.2 billion to $2.8 billion since 2001.
Toast of the town
An area speech and evaluation contest held in Terrace resulted in top wins for Kitimat’s Nechako Toastmasters Club. M.K. Anand, second from left, for the Kitimat club placed first in the speech contest. Kitimat’s President Reg Barnes, far right, followed behind with a second place finish. Terrace’s Daniel Glass placed third. For the evaluation contest Barnes placed first for his constructive critiques. Anand took the second place in that competition, and Glass again placed third.
To lose treaty commission no big deal: Ross Cameron Orr, files from Tom Fletcher A sudden cancellation of George Abbott’s appointment to lead the B.C. Treaty Commission (BCTC) has thrown the whole future of the commission in to question. Yet Chief Councillor for the Haisla Nation Council Ellis Ross says many people seem to have a misinterpretation of the organization and a cloudy future for it doesn’t spell trouble. Recently Premier Christy Clark said in its current form, the B.C. Treaty Commission would need a century to settle all the aboriginal land claims that are before it. She was taking questions for the first time about the sudden cancellation of former cabinet minister George Abbott's appointment to lead the commission, Clark said she doesn't know yet if the organization will continue. She emphasized that having only 50 out of 200 B.C. First Nations involved, and painfully slow progress with those, is not enough.
"There have been some results, but four treaties in 22 years for $600 million is not enough result," Clark said. "We have to be able to move faster, and we have to find a way to include more First Nations in the process." The Haisla have not been at the treaty table since about 2010, said Ross, but added the commission is essentially a flow-through for money and that they don’t have real power to implement any treaties. “I am surprised at the amount of importance that is being put on this,” said Ross. “Everybody seems to be up in arms about it and I don’t see why.” He said the BCTC is “mainly a flow-through for money that comes from the feds and the province. That’s all they are.” As for the future of the commission in general, Ross is sure it will continue, and they do have a role in essentially chairing treaty negotiations, but the real work happens with the other parties.
“It’s [Treaties] one of the most complicated documents ever put together,” he said. “A treaty, in today’s context, is actually a document that describes how a First Nation is going to exist within the borders of B.C. and Canada.” He said the only way for the treaty process to change, with or without BCTC, is for Canada, the province and First Nations to “take a good, hard look at mandates and make efforts to change the mandates.” The Haisla, for instance, had a mandate just for lands, but treaties are more than just that issue, he said. “Haisla, for instance, we knew what we didn’t want, but at the same time we never had a hard mandate like what B.C. and Canada had.” As it is, he said the only way he could envision the treaty process proceeding under his watch is with an interactive community meeting with his membership to talk about what treaty is. Continued on page 12
Kitimat Overwaitea won’t rush in to liquor sales The Overwaitea Food Group says they have no plans to offer sale of B.C. wine in their Kitimat grocery store. The question was posed to them after a Surrey Save-On-Foods began offering wine sales earlier this month.
The Surrey store was the first to take advantage of new regulations allowing sale of B.C. wines directly from grocery shelves. Supermarkets now have the option of including a liquor store with separate checkout for alcohol purchases.
Meanwhile producers are raising prices slightly and others are offering short-term discounts as B.C.'s new liquor price wholesale model took effect recently. Pre-tax retail price changes at B.C. government stores show
little change for the most popular brands of beer, hard liquor and other alcoholic beverages. Government store shoppers will see lower prices on the shelves, because as of April 1, government stores add provincial and federal sales tax at the
cash register. Of the top 10 brands of spirits, a 750 ml bottle of Crown Royal whiskey retails for $23.49, a two-cent increase, plus taxes. For the larger bottle of Crown Royal, government stores are reducing the price by $1.98
Masons dinners lead to $2,000 for hospital foundation Submitted The Kitimat General Hospital Foundation (KGHF) was the recipient of a $2,000 donation presented by members of the Masonic Kitimat Lodge #169, at the Mason’s Dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion on March 27, 2015.
Ron Burnett with the Masons, said “the success of the Friday night steak dinners at the Royal Canadian Legion is in large part due to the assistance and cooperation of the Kitselas Lodge #123 and the Kitimat Dynamics Gymnastic Club. It is the collaboration between or-
ganizations that benefits the entire community.” Corinne Scott, Chairperson of the KGHF, stated “the funds received from the Mason’s will be put towards providing ten...IV Infusion pumps for Kitimat General Hospital.
for the month of April. The government store retail price used to be the benchmark for B.C. sales, with discounts off that price to private liquor stores, agency and B.C. wine stores. Now all retailers pay the same wholesale price to the Liquor Distribution Branch, which retains its wholesale monopoly. The LDB wholesale markup is now
124 per cent of the supplier price for hard liquor, 73 per cent for coolers, 89 per cent and ciders and a perlitre tax with ascending rates for small, medium and large breweries. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton says the system is designed to create a level playing field for retailers, while maintaining the government's revenue of $1 billion a year from the wholesale markup.
12 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Apache officially lets go of their Kitimat LNG share Apache is out, welcome to Woodside Petroleum. Apache announced on April 10 that their anticipated sale of their 50 per cent stake in Kitimat LNG has been completed. The sale includes Apache’s upstream lands in the Horn River and Liard natural gas basins. The sale totaled
$854 million in proceeds, including $354 in “adjustments” for reimbursment of expenses from July 1 last year to the closing day. Apache’s intention to sell their stake was announced last July. “Consistent with the company’s ongoing repositioning for profitable and repeatable North American onshore growth, Apache
intends to completely exit the Wheatstone and Kitimat LNG projects,” said a report at the time. Wheatstone LNG is an Australian-based liquefied natural gas project. Kitimat LNG has all of its required permits and licences but is still undergoing a lengthy front-end engineering and design study which would fi-
nalize a price tag and move the company towards making a final investment decision. Media reports had indicated Apache was under pressure by investors to leave Kitimat LNG, and the company had indicated they were already interested in reducing their 50 per cent stake in the Kitimat-based LNG project.
The dock at the Kitimat LNG work site. Kitimat LNG as of now is a Chevron and Woodside Petroleum partnership.
Treaty Continued from page 11 Such an event is something he said he’s promised to his membership but hasn’t had enough time to host given the work making agreements with companies and the province on revenues, land issues, and decision making, “to achieve the same things treaty promised, by the way.” As for treaties’ future, Ross doesn’t see restructuring the process as a problem and in fact could be a good thing for everyone. He sees the B.C. government as possibly trying to find ways for people to achieve goals off the treaty table. “I think it’s being proven, especially in our territory, that it works...I don’t think people realize how hard it is to move back from a mandate that you’ve been living under for 30 years. “If that’s the reason why BC wants to reconsider BCTC, then it’s actually a good move.”
He said he’ll wait to see if the government takes the successes seen so far and applies those lessons to the treaty process, which he said would be significant. “This could affect so much if B.C.’s looking to change their approach to reconciliation,” he said. “That would probably be the first significant move in treaty negotiations in the last 10 years. Without a doubt.” As for the reaction to the rejection of Abbott, which sparked the province-wide dialogue on treaty, it came with surprise and disappointment from outgoing chief commissioner Sophie Pierre and commissioners representing the other two parties it represents, the federal government and B.C.'s First Nations Summit. NDP leader John Horgan said the B.C. government's sudden decision to leave a key position vacant is a violation of trust with aboriginal communities and Ottawa, which provides the cash for treaty settlements. B.C. pro-
vides Crown land once claimed territories are defined. "I don't disagree with those who suggest the treaty process can be revitalized," Horgan said. "You don't do it by blowing it up without talking to your partners." Pierre and others have expressed their own frustrations with the slow pace of progress, particularly from Ottawa. Treaty deals involving a share of salmon runs were put on hold for years while the federal government held an inquiry into the state of Fraser River sockeye runs. Pierre has also called for forgiveness of the debt piled up by First Nations as negotiations drag on — Ross said the Haisla have an $8 million bill due to the treaty loan funding. Money to continue talks is borrowed against future cash settlements for resources extracted from aboriginal territories, leaving the parties with little left to invest in communities.
Ground Continued from page 1 bility for the past, however Further the union “You guys should all resign, the union must also accept pressed for clarification on you’re killing this town.” their share of responsibilwhy there was no moveity in addressing employee - Martin McIlwrath discontent. The history of ment on certain key issues, grievance claims against namely language that establishes mutual shared values, and language that the District of Kitimat does not support the union’s cements the number of full-time positions at the claims. There are not numerous complaints to the District. The union says they’ve figured that the Workers Compensation Board for unsafe practicDistrict needs an overall minimum of 90 full-time es and there have been no complaints to the BC positions, taking in to account all the work that Human Rights Tribunal regarding the exploitation could be done by union members and an not con- of women,” he said. Germuth also said that he doesn’t buy the tracted out. Contracted-out work was a major sticking union saying grievances haven’t been filed due to point for McIlwrath at the council meeting, also threats of retribution. “Well, isn’t one of the reasons to belong to proposing that contracts for work must include provisions that the wages paid are equal to the a union is to have the union stand up for your wages accepted by the union for comparable posi- rights when you, for whatever reason, aren’t able to do so yourself? What has the union been doing tions. “We’re sitting, watching the erosion of ser- to represent our District workers for the last 30 vices before our eyes and we’re not going to put years?” He added, “You cannot fix 30 years of probup with it anymore.” Germuth did end the back-and-forth with the lems in two-to-three months.” union with a final statement, saying the District of As for the demand of wage parity with Rio Kitimat and Unifor had to share responsibility for Tinto Alcan employees, he said that handcuffs issues which have existed for the past 30 years. future councils and taxpayers to wage increases The District, he said, responded directly to “out of our control.” union concerns by increasing the number of full “RTA is RTA, the District of Kitimat is the time positions in Leisure Services and addressing District of Kitimat. You cannot compare an indussafety and training issues by offering to take on try to a municipality. If workers want RTA wages, the services of an occupational health and safety and we would be sorry to see them go, then they officer to give recommendations. would have to apply at RTA.” A joint union-District committee would also Germuth’s statement was not embraced well be formed under the new agreement to look at by union members in attendance. training needs to keep staff at the right skillset for “The only thing you’ve guaranteed is this any future potential jobs. strike is not going to end with that statement. You He also said the pay raise keeps the union in guys should all resign, you’re killing this town, the top two in the province with other municipal you’ve been killing it for 20 years. You’re in trouemployees. ble,” shouted McIlwrath, who at this point was “We feel we are taking our share of responsi- back in the gallery.
Hunters encour aged to go on offensive
Fisheries fines RTA for low flow
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The District’s latest details on the bargaining
Blizzards, blan
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Search warrant nabs ove
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Rio Tinto Alcan is the aluminium product group of Rio Tinto, headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company’s BC Operations is based in Kitimat, British Columbia and is one of the largest industrial complexes in the province. Rio Tinto Alcan is seeking to fill the following role at our Kitimat Operations with a successful candidate who will reside in the Kitimat/Terrace area.
CELL OPERATOR & EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – TRANSITION Rio Tinto Alcan is accepting applications for qualified candidates to work as Transition Operators in the current Kitimat aluminium smelter (Lines 3 – 4). The transition term of employment will be from April to September 18, 2015. Employees will be assigned to a training program which will provide the skills necessary to work safely and efficiently in the smelter. All positions will be based on 12-hour rotating shifts. The starting rate will be $37.78/hour plus shift and other premiums as applicable. BC medical plan premiums will be paid by the company. Applicants must have as a minimum, the following qualifications: t Grade 12 graduation t Ministry of Education transcript of Grade 11 and 12 results (this must be included with the application form) showing: -Grade 12 English or Communication 12 - Grade 11 math - Grade 11 science (physics preferred) t A total of two years of work experience (industrial preferred). This requirement will be waived if the applicant is in possession of a diploma from a recognized two-year technical program. t Current BC driver’s license (a legible copy must be included with the application) Employees are represented by UNIFOR Local 2301. To apply your skills and experience with a global leader in aluminium production, please pick up an employment application form at RTA’s Community Information office at 254 City Centre, Kitimat, BC or at the Work BC Employment Services Centre, 562 Mountainview Square. Completed applications should be mailed to Rio Tinto Alcan, Recruitment Coordinator, PO Box 1800, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H2. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 24, 2015. Rio Tinto Alcan would like to thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
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14 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 A14 www.northernsentinel.com
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LINE COOKS Seeking individuals to add to our culinary team. You will be responsible for creating meals that will ensure customers return, upholding hygiene and sanitary regulations, enforcing a safe work environment for yourself and your colleagues, promoting good relationships with other colleagues and departments.
GROUP HOME MANAGER Terrace, BC
At TCS we offer highly individualized, solution-focused services to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and to funders. Fundamental to our purpose is the selection and support of committed staff members. We are seeking a skilled, experienced and self-directed individual to fill the position of Manager for one of our group homes in Terrace, BC. You will have extensive experience working with adults with a developmental disability and supervisory experience would be an asset. You must have a sincere commitment to providing quality services to individuals. As a team player you must be able to build relationships, be an excellent interpersonal communicator and be able to maintain a flexible schedule as necessary. We offer competitive wages with an excellent benefit package including a pension. Assistance with relocation can be considered for the successful applicant. Please express your interest in writing by April 17th, 2015 to: Thompson Community Services Inc. Attn: Andrew Bell, Director of Services E-mail: abell@tcsinfo.ca Fax: 250 624 9631
Until there's a cure, there's us. Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. operates a world-class, high-speed grain export terminal situated in Prince Rupert on the scenic north coast of British Columbia. The Maintenance department is currently seeking qualified applicants for the following position.
Millwright (Industrial Mechanic) The ideal candidate should have a high degree of troubleshooting experience and possess the ability to resolve hydraulic system faults. Experience in fabrication would be a definite asset. You will be able to demonstrate a superior technical background and have the desire to work in industrial maintenance. Ideally the successful candidate will bring 10 years of experience performing general Millwright duties, with a proven safety and health record. You must hold a valid drivers license and an Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright ticket. Shift work will be required. Currently the position is paid $41.51/hr, in addition, PRG offers a comprehensive hourly employee benefit program. A pre-employment medical is required. Interested individuals who want to join a great team are invited to submit their resumes in confidence to us by May 15, 2015: Human Resources Department Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. 1300 Ridley Island Road, Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 3Y1 or Fax: (250) 627-8541 or email hrops@prgrain.bc.ca Applicants need only apply once. Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer.
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DRIVERS WANTED
AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 w/ Airbrake • Guaranteed 40hr. Work Week & Overtime • Paid Travel & Lodging • Meal Allowance • 4 Weeks Vacation • Excellent Benefits Package
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Must be able to have extended stays away from home. Up to 6 months. Must have valid AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 with airbrake license and have previous commercial driving experience. Apply at:www.sperryrail.com, careers & then choose the FastTRACK Application.
Help Wanted CAREGIVER
full-time, permanent required by the Van der Merwe Family , two boys, in rural homestead at 1st Ave., Lakelse Lake, 40 km North of Kitimat, BC. Duties: help with child care; meal preparation; general household chores; transporting the children to school, sports activities etc.; help with children’s academic program etc.; accompany children on outdoor activities Skills required: high school diploma, proficiency in English, mathematics and computer literacy. Wages: $10.50/hour, 40 hours + per week. Please send resume to: Van der Merwe F42, 920 Lahakas Blvd. S Kitimat, BC, V8C2R5 or fax to: 1.250.632.8668 MECHANIC WANTED Small engine, outboard. Experience required, full time, excellent Wage benefits. ShopRite Marine and Outdoor. est.1956. Port McNeill, BC. Resume to crosback@telus.net
PARTS MANAGER required at Comox Valley RV. Automotive or RV parts experience required. Email resume to danny@comoxvalleyrv.com
Thompson Community Services Inc. Attn: Andrew Bell, Director of Services E-mail: abell@tcsinfo.ca Fax: 250 624 9631
Misc. Wanted Private Collector Looking to Buy Coin Collections, Silver, Antique Native Art, Estates + Chad: 778-281-0030 in town.
MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-7683362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!
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Financial Services GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com
Real Estate For Sale By Owner 2 BEDROOM BUNGALOW
for sale by owner 1150 Sq ft. Newly renovated bathroom, new floors through out. New electric panel, ducting, plumbing, insulation, bonus room within attached garage. Some Doors and Windows replaced. New W/D and F/S. Snow blower and lawn mower included. ASKING $239,000 250-632-3912 Serious Inquiries Only
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QUATSINO APTS KITIMAT Downtown location Balconies Security Entrances Some furnished suites Call for an appointment 250.632.4511
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t Supervising staff members in a community setting t Developing employment opportunities t Developing community activities and opportunities to enhance the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with developmental disabilities t Participating in an individualized planning process for individuals; and t Participating in the development, selection and monitoring of a home sharing network involving the matching of individuals with family homes
This position is based in Terrace, BC. A car is required, mileage provided. The wage is competitive with an attractive benefit package and pension plan. Assistance with relocation can be considered for the successful applicant.
Submit applications to: Steve Haggard e-mail: manager@hcgwc.ca or call 250-632-4653
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SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT or call 1-800566-6899 Ext:400OT.
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The successful applicant will be an excellent interpersonal communicator and able to maintain a flexible schedule as necessary. She/he will also be a team player that is able to build relationships with individuals, staff members, home share providers and CLBC.
Seeking full-time or part-time employees to operate mowers & a variety of equipment for maintaining the golf course. Must be a team player and able to work with others to ensure timely completion of tasks.
LARGE FUND Borrowers Wanted Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income. Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca
At TCS we offer highly individualized, solution-focused services to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and to funders. Fundamental to our purpose is the selection and support of committed staff members. We are seeking a skilled, experienced and self-directed individual for a management position to develop, enhance and monitor opportunities for community inclusion / home share for individuals with developmental disabilities. The duties include:
Applicants must demonstrate experience as a Community Service Worker. Supervisory experience, mediation and advocacy skills are assets. Experience with home studies and fostering or home sharing is desirable.
KITIMAT BOXES, BOXES, BOXES You need them and we have them. Buy one bundle of 10 for $5.00 and we will give you a bundle for free. Come down to the Kitimat Northern Sentinel office at 626 Enterprise Avenue 9:00am - 4:30pm
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This home features five bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a large games room. It also has a sauna, garage and ample storage. It has a large, fenced back yard that backs on to lots of green space.
$374,000
Call 250-639-9657 A29
SERVING KITIMAT AND REGION SINCE 1954
Did you know? • Kidney Disease causes death in many people with diabetes and d high blood pressure, and raises the risk of a heart attack? od • Healthy kidneys reduce the risk of heart attacks and high blood pressure? If detected early, Chronic Kidney Disease can be treated, thereby re reducing the risk of complications of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart attacks.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch 200-4940 Canada anada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 1(800) 567-8112
Duplex / 4 Plex Uptown-Large 2 Bedroom 6 appliances, clean and bright with mountain views. $1050/m Kitimat-250-632-7767
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Superior 3 Bedrm, 2 bath renovated house. Completely furnished and fully equipped. No pets, no smk. 1 yr lease. $2900/m utilities not included Kitimat 250-632-6221 HOMES for rent in Kitimat Furnished and Unfurnished. Call Stan 780-974-3945 or email marps68@hotmail.com or visit www.rentboard.ca/BC/ Kitimat.
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Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 15
Sports & Leisure
Marlins adjust to life without a pool
A file photo of a Kitimat Marlins swim meet. A core group of 20 Marlins still practice in Terrace with Kitimat’s pool closed.
Cameron Orr With the Kitimat swimming pool currently off-limits to the public due to the strike, the Marlins Swim Club has had to make adjustments in getting their swimmers to practices. That means out of the Marlins’ 65 swimmers, 20 are still making the practices, which are being held in the Terrace swimming pool. It also means the club is scrambling to decide what to do about a regional swim meeting planned for early May. “It’s frustrating. We’re supposed to host a regional swim meet here in the beginning
of May. We’ve already been told too that if they do settle, it will be at least two weeks before they can get the pool re-opened,” said head coach Jason Cathers. The region includes Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert. He said they’re looking at various options, including hosting it in a different town. Even so, the program as a whole suffers without a pool. “It’s just sad for our program. The program we’ve had, we’ve gained membership numbers every year for the past four years. Our performance level has improved over the
Contest to host hockey championship Does Kitimat want to host the 2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships? The Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council is conducting a province-wide process to identify communities in B.C. who are interested in hosting the 2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. The group can approve and endorse one community from within B.C. to be put forward in the national bid process where they will compete amongst other communities from across the country. So they’re launching a provincial process to choose a B.C. community.
The selected B.C. community will receive a funding commitment of $50,000 to offset the event’s operating costs should they be successfully awarded the rights to host the 2017 NAHC through the national process. The first deadline is the submission of a letter of intent, which is required by Wednesday, April 29. For more information visit www.aboriginalsportbc.ca. Held annually each spring, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships serve as a premier event that showcases elite Bantam/Midget age Aboriginal hockey players from across Canada.
“It’s just sad for our program.” last four years. This year we had the most swimmers qualified for Western Nationals out of any team in the region,” he said, listing off the club’s accomplishments. “Basically, we are swimming in Terrace but we’re swimming one practice a day, between an hour and an hour and a half. To be at a national level those kids, at a national level...they need to be swimming seven to nine practices a week. They’re not getting what they need.” He adds, “Most of those swimmers are just doing three days a week as maintenance. This is going to have a long-term affect on our
club, not just this season but beyond.” He said it could affect future membership because club performance and membership “go handin-hand”, and if they aren’t making results because of the pool being closed it can affect future enrolment. Not to mention the club will be down six to eight swimmers in the near future as well, as those are from families in town for the Kitimat Modernization Project which is in its final stages. Director of Leisure Services Martin Gould said a pool start up could potentially take as much as 15 days to be ready for the public. That includes draining and filling the pool, properly treating the water and then finally having the water submitted to the health inspector for review.
Money diverted to repair sewer damage Cameron Orr A $150,000 pre-budget approval was passed unanimously by council to fix a sewer line on Mallard Street. Kitimat’s engineering department says the fibreglass liner installed in the sewer line, designed to rehabilitate it, detached and is causing a major constriction in the pipe’s capacity. Using the District’s usual sewer flushing tools has not solved the problem. The staff’s report to council says that it’s possible that more separation of the lining could result in a total blockage of the pipe, which
services all streets along Nalabila Boulevard, east of Kingfisher. The Sikh Temple has already experienced sewer back-ups as a result of this issue. Sewer flows have been diverted so cameras could go in and look at the line. There were three potential options to fix the problem selected. The challenges with fixing this sewer line is that it runs through a right of way at 99 Mallard Street, and a garage attached to the home has been constructed over the sewer. Replacing the
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16 Northern Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Park rezoning moves ahead Cameron Orr A rezoning application which would move a proposed park space in the later phases of the Forest Hills subdivision has moved forward with a second and third reading. That just leaves adoption for the rezoning that takes a plot of land currently zoned for park and moves it to the north west border of the area. That would connect the park, smaller in size compared to the original plan, to a trail head that leads to the Hirsch Creek Trail. The application received a number of comments, only one against the proposal, which was worried about the potential of vandalism of a proposed water fountain at the park, and was also concerned with a lack of green space buffer between the homes and the cemetery. The remaining comments were basically all in favour, primarily due to the fact the park would keep an accessway to the trail system. The loss of the more central park space wasn’t unanimously supported. Mario Feldhoff wasn’t happy to see it move, making access to park space more distant for future homeowners in the neighbourhood. He suggest a hybrid solution where the District itself might buy portions of land to maintain the park space. Feldhoff said he was not in favour of maintaining a trailhead if it meant at the expense of a playground. Developer Brian Wakita didn’t outright say no to such a proposal but indicated timing is crucial and wasn’t looking to add any length to his timeline to get the next phases under construction. The park space proposed for the outer edges is still large enough to install play-
ground equipment, the city’s director of planning and community development said. Claire Rattée said she supports the move, and even notes that the existing proposed park
space, being more central and closer to streets, could even be considered less safe than the new spot. Mary Murphy also sided with the three readings, saying they
can’t delay the project just for this issue. At a vote it passed with Feldhoff the sole vote against, still hoping to arrange a “hybrid solution” with Wakita.
Hearing set for parking spaces Following an approval in principle, council has unanimously passed the first two readings of a zoning amendment which would allow a proposed warehouse in the Service Centre to reduce its parking requirements. Inland Industrial Supply’s planned warehouse at the corner of Enterprise and Seventh Avenue wants to limit how many parking spots its required, which after rezoning would also require a development variance and then payment in lieu of actual parking spaces. A public hearing has been set for May 4.
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