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THURSDAY, September 17, 2026

CANDIDA T FORUM ES

See page th for detail ree s

Community news awards recognize Citizen team

SCHOO L BOAR D

CITY CO U

NCIL

MAYOR

Eight national nods for photography, sports, reporting and editorials COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

This photo of Prince George Fire Rescue crews battling the fire that destroyed the Nechako Bottle Depot on First Avenue on Sept. 9, 2025 earned Citizen photographer Chuck Nisbett a second-place finish in the Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards’ Spot News Photography category for papers with 17,500-plus circulation. Nisbett also won third place in the same category for a photo of the Spotless Cleaners fire that same year.

The Prince George Citizen earned eight honours in the 2026 Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards announced on Monday, Sept. 14, including top prizes in its category for Best Editorial Page and Best Sports Coverage. The awards are given out annually by News Media Canada to community publications and websites across Canada. Four of The Citizen’s awards were earned for the overall quality of the paper for publications with circulations of 17,500 or more per issue or websites serving audience of 100,000 people or more. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

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Ontario company building new FedEx facility near YXS COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Ontario-based company Dancor Construction is building a new FedEx facility and industrial condominium development on a 30-acre property near Prince George Airport. While Dancor partner Sean Ford said he was not authorized to identify which company would be leasing a 40,000-square-foot logistics facility on a nine-acre portion of 2157 Boundary Rd.,

Coun. Brian Skakun and Mayor Simon Yu confirmed to The Citizen that FedEx will be the tenant. By email, a spokesperson for FedEx said the company could not accommodate an interview request but said The Citizen should “feel free to reach out when the building is closer to opening.” Reached by phone on Friday, Sept. 11, Ford said a subdivision application is currently making its way through city hall that would also allow for a 100,000-square-foot industrial

condominium development to be built on the property. Like a residential condominium, where multiple people own individual residences in a single building, this facility would do the same thing for businesses. The goal is to have the logistics facility open in July 2027 and the condominium occupied by summer 2028. Lock said that Dancor does three things: act as a general contractor, build buildings for tenants to lease and act as

a property management company. He said the company also builds buildings for people to own or to lease, both of which they intend to do in Prince George. “Based on our meetings with a number of Prince George businesses and business owners, we think this type of product would go over very well for existing businesses and for those looking to come to Prince George as the hub, the capital of Northern BC,” Ford said.

Citizen wins for best editorial, best sports coverage CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The Citizen in the 2025 CCNAs. Those honours included: “I’m proud to see that • First place for Best Editorial the CCNA judges recPage ognized the team effort • First place for Best Sports here,” said Gordon. Coverage “The judges clearly • Second place for Best Allrespected what we’ve Round Newspaper and accomplished since • Third place for Best Front Page the paper returned to “You read this paper and you really local ownership. These feel you know what is going on in this awards are a good community,” a judge commented on reminder of why we do The Citizen’s second-place finish for what we do, and they’ll Best All-Round Newspaper. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO inspire us to get even From left-to-right: Prince George Citizen photographer Chuck Nesbitt, reporter Christine “I hesitate to use the term, but it better.” Dalgleish, owner and publisher Cameron Stolz, reporter Matthew Hillier and reporter Colin Slark Gordon was a judge really is old-school, with compreshow off editions of the paper that were bestowed prizes in the 2026 Canadian Community hensive coverage of the range of for this year’s CCNAs, NewsMedia Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. activities that occur in the lives of reviewing work by comits readers, and enough fun to give home. Excellent layout, headline Awards earlier this year. munity papers in smaller circulation the paper added value beyond its writing plus the stories are full of Photojournalist Chuck Nisbett categories. editorial content.” colour and excellent quotes. Kudos dominated the podium in the Best While the judges for the awards The Citizen’s sports coverage to the trio of staff contributing to Spot News Photo Coverage, taking are identified by name, their received praise from the judges. the content Christine Dalgleish, Ted home a second-place prize for a pho- specific remarks about entries are “The Prince George Citizen stands Clarke and Chuck Nisbett.” tograph of the Nechako Bottle Depot anonymized. by its claim the community newspaCitizen staff also took home four fire in September 2025 and a thirdCitizen owner and publisher per ‘goes beyond scores and schedadditional individual awards. place prize for a photo of firefighters Cameron Stolz said the awards ules’ by providing an actual sports Managing editor Kennedy Gorresponding to the Spotless Uniform show that the paper’s dedication to section,” one of the judges wrote. don won first place in The Citizen’s and Linen fire in August 2025. community news is paying off. “A perfect score, too, as this judge category for Best Local Editorial for Reporter Colin Slark came in third “This recognition is the result was able to read about a Jr. A teddy a piece on city council’s decision not in The Citizen’s category for Best of hard work by the entire Citibear toss; an 80-year-old pole vaulter, to distribute remaining contingency Local Civic Journalism for a story zen team,” Stolz said. “Now more who survived cancer, sets national funds to local seniors’ centres in about Prince George city council’s than ever, Canada needs news record; Jr. A player meets residential December 2025. decision to provide funding to outlets that are locally owned and school survivor; Special Olympics This follows Gordon receiving the seniors’ centres last December. community-focused. swimming; girls’ hockey and life of a 2025 Claude Ryan Award for EditoThe eight awards in 2026 more “Quality journalism matters.” pro wrestler who calls Prince George rial Writing at National Newspaper than doubles the three received by

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Council wants more information on residential beekeeping Ramsay and Bennett said they want to address a current grey area for urban apiaries COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

City of Prince George administration will look into what it would take to allow for beekeeping on residential properties after a motion proposed by a couple of city councillors was approved at a Wednesday, Sept. 9 meeting. The idea was brought forward by councillors Cori Ramsay and Tim Bennett, who submitted a report noting that the city’s current animal control bylaw discusses several forms of livestock but is silent on the topic of apiaries. “Recently, local beekeepers have reached out with concerns over an incident where Bylaw Services issued a cease-and-desist letter for having an apiary on their property,” the report said. “Given the definition of ‘livestock’ does not include apiary or hives, this should be interpreted as apiaries are neither allowed or disallowed and therefore unenforceable.” To provide space for an activity rising in popularity, promote food sovereignty and head off any potential issues with currently existing hives within city limits, they proposed asking city administration to investigate amending the bylaw to allow for an unspecified number of hives on single-family residential properties. They noted that while hives attracting bears might be a concern, those already in place have not demonstrated that problem and beekeeping courses provide information on how to reduce that risk.

The report concludes with examples of beekeeping bylaws put in place by other BC municipalities like Chilliwack, Kelowna, Saanich, Delta and Kamloops. During the meeting, Ramsay said almost all of these peer municipalities allow for beekeeping, while those without specific provisions are in similar grey areas as Prince George. Ramsay said she and Bennett were suggesting the same rules that Victoria has in place, which don’t specify how many hives can be kept. This, she said, would allow for flexibility as hives are sheltered over the winter. Regarding bears, she said many beekeepers already protect their hives with chain-link fences or electric fences and that she believes garbage is a greater concern on that front. Bennett thanked the writers of more than a dozen letters that were received by council regarding the proposal ahead of the meeting, highlighting some that pointed out the move was in line with the food charter council adopted earlier in the year. Lisa-Ann Marshall of St. Clare Street acknowledged potential concerns over beehives being bear attractants but said that bees are in the city every year regardless of whether humans are involved with keeping them. She said she had her own hive and neighbours didn’t even realize the bees were there unless they saw her in her bee suit. Colin Hamilton of McQueen Crescent, a member of the Prince George Beekeepers Association, said his family has raised bees in the city for three generations and endorsed the councillors’ proposal. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Bees are currently being kept on the Pine Centre roof CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Dawn Cowie of Marleau Road said honeybees are essential pollinators that contribute to food production and security, also endorsing the proposal. Shelley Proctor of Woodstock Court said that though she is an avid gardener who loves bees, her neighbour has two hives with around 10,000 bees and they have disrupted the enjoyment of her yard since they were put in place. She added that she had to take her dog on an emergency visit to a vet due to bee stings and a bear spent all night feeding on honey from her neighbour’s hives earlier this month. Everyone at the Table Collective, a local group engaged in food security advocacy, said it was excited to see the proposal and that clarity is needed on urban beekeeping in the wake of bylaw officers’ recent intervention on an apiary. The group noted that city hall used to host beehives and referenced a Citizen article about Pine Centre Mall installing its own hives earlier this year. It also said it wanted to clarify that indigenous bumblebees are the “real heroes and hard workers of pollination” rather than honeybees, a species imported by European settlers. Byron Silver of Haldi Road said he was in favour of the proposal, noting that “bees are perhaps the most integral part of our ecosystem.” He said he started beekeeping five years ago when his autistic son showed an interest and it has been a learning experience. Shauna Russell of Fifth Avenue also supported the motion, saying that she has kept honeybees in her yard for the past four years and has noted the creatures to be docile and gentle. She said that though bears had not been an issue for her hives, she did invest in an electric fence. Bruce Wayne of First Avenue and Andy Pratt of Third Avenue said the proposal is in line with the food

MASON MCCALL/PEXELS PHOTO

Prince George city council passed a motion directing staff to look into bylaw amendments that would allow for beekeeping on single-family residential properties at its Wednesday, Sept. 9 meeting.

charter adopted by council earlier in the year. Barry Clark, president of the PG Beekeepers Association, said that keeping honeybees in city limits is a tradition dating back to the Second World War or earlier and that his own organization has been around for more than 50 years. He said the association “is in full support” of the proposal. Sean Rickards of Marleau Road, another local beekeeper, said he’s in favour of the proposal alongside sensible rules for hive numbers, placement, water sources and good husbandry. Debating the item, Coun. Garth Frizzell asked if provisions should be included to make sure that native bees can be kept alongside honeybees. Corporate officer Ethan Anderson said he felt the language of the motion was broad enough to allow for that kind of flexibility. Coun. Brian Skakun said some

residents expressed concern over the placement of hives, especially around schools, as some people are allergic. Ramsay said those concerns could be addressed through staff’s research. Coun. Ron Polillo said bears were his major concern but felt that Ramsay had addressed that issue. He said amending the bylaw would fix a lack of clarity. Coun. Trudy Klassen said she’s generally in favour of allowing residents as much freedom as possible and asked why Bylaw Services had issued the cease-and-desist order. Director of planning and buildings Deanna Wasnik said that the issue was with the city’s zoning bylaw, as while beekeeping isn’t explicitly prohibited, it isn’t explicitly allowed and might be considered more appropriate for agricultural properties. She said staff would be happy to investigate urban beekeeping and how other municipalities have

navigated the issue. Mayor Simon Yu said that extreme cases make for bad law and noted that there has been limited opposition from the public regarding the proposal. After Yu said that, one man stood up in the gallery to note that he was opposed to the proposal. However, the motion passed by a margin of 7 to 2.

Vote summary Motion: Council directs administration to return a report on an amendment to the Animal Control Bylaw allowing for residents to keep an unspecified number of hives on single-family residential properties within city limits, even outside of the Agricultural Land Reserves. • In favour: Ramsay, Polillo, Scott, Skakun, Frizzell, Bennett and Sampson • Against: Klassen and Yu Result: Approved 7 to 2.

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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

A RCAF CC-177 Globemaster III transport plane taxis down the runway to take off from Prince George Airport in this 2021 file photo.

Bird’s inland port proposal gets council’s stamp of approval The MLA wants to see a port, military supply hub and emergency response facility in Prince George COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council voted to provide in-principle support for a local MLA’s proposal to further develop the city as an inland port at its Wednesday, Sept. 9 meeting. At the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs’ meeting on Monday, Aug. 10, Prince George-Valemount Independent MLA Rosalyn Bird said the city should pitch itself to take advantage of multiple opportunities. With Canada pledging to increase its military spending as part of its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Bird said Prince George is ideally located to be a military logistics hub. After a difficult wildfire season, she also said that Prince George could

serve as a larger equipment centre for the BC Wildfire Service. Finally, she said that with difficulties in the forestry industry, the city could further develop its capacity as an inland training port to provide jobs for workers looking to re-train after losing their jobs. The city is an ideal location for these elements, she argued, because of its location along two major highways, the long runway at the Prince George Airport, an abundance of shovel-ready industrial land, the presence of CN Rail lines and its proximity to ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert. After her departure from the Conservative Party of British Columbia last month, Bird confirmed with The Citizen that she still intends to pursue this idea and find non-partisan support for it. Committee chair Coun. Garth Frizzell forwarded the item to the Sept. 9 council meeting to seek his colleagues in-principle support towards the project. SEE ‘BIRD’ ON NEXT PAGE

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Aboriginal Housing Society acquires Parkview Manor The three-storey, 12unit apartment building is directly behind the society’s offices MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George (AHSPG) has expanded its services and housing options following the acquisition of a three-storey, 12-unit apartment building in Parkview Manor at 1753 Upland St. As of Tuesday, Sept. 1, the apartment building is now AHSPG housing. In addition to expanding AHSPG’s affordable housing options, the building is strategically located directly behind the society’s offices at 1919 17th Ave. The building will offer below-market-rent units to those on the AHSPG waitlist. It consists primarily of two-bedroom suites, providing housing options for individuals, couples and small families. The apartment building was acquired for an estimated $1.4 million through the society’s sale of unused single-family homes that are quickly becoming untenable for the society.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

The building at 1753 Upland St. was recently acquired by the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George on Sept 1, 2026.

“We are currently selling off some single-family homes that we own in the city of Prince George,” said Julia Sundell, executive director of the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George. “The government subsidies are ending on those and we can’t afford to keep them. Without a large capital investment into that housing portfolio, we can’t sustain it much longer. So the board has decided to sell off all of our single-family homes that can’t be repurposed or redeveloped.” The building will retain the 10 longterm residents who were living there

when the society purchased it. Sundell said she is happy to work with residents who have been good tenants in a sustainable building for so long. “They are below-market rental units,” said Sundell. “One of the beautiful things about acquiring this building was that there are a lot of long-term residents who have been there for decades. With a tenancy agreement that’s that long, generally the rents collected don’t increase much over the course of their tenancy. The rents in there are quite low, but the building is sustainable to carry it forward long

into the future.” She added that the acquisition will help keep rent affordable for those who need it most in the city. “It keeps below-market rents in the rental pool,” said Sundell. “If you look at our waitlist specifically, because we do manage our own waitlist, the people on our waitlist need subsidized units. They can’t afford below-market rent. This really doesn’t make a big difference to them, but it will make a big difference to those people on the list who can’t afford the regular median Prince George rent but need a little bit of a lower rental, but not the subsidy per se. So it keeps affordable rental units in Prince George.” A key feature for Sundell is the building’s proximity to the AHSPG office, which she believes will help tenants and staff work together more effectively. “Staff can walk right across the street. Tenants can walk right across the street if they have any questions. It’s right across the alleyway, I guess it would be. It’s a perfect location and it makes so much sense for us to acquire it. Yeah, no travel time. It fits in with the snow removal on this site. So it’s perfect. Snow removal, lawn care - everything that we do is just gonna continue,” said Sundell.

Bird proposing wildfire base, military supply hub CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE “There’s a lot of upheaval geopolitically, internationally and provincially,” Frizzell said at the meeting. “But this idea stands on its own merits.” Coun. Kyle Sampson said he appreciated the work that Bird put into amalgamating different efforts into one package. He said that he and Coun. Susan Scott had recently met with several federal ministers, including Transportation Minister Steven

MacKinnon, regarding an inland port project and uses for the rail line out to Prince Rupert and they were able to pass along all the information that Bird had put together. Coun. Trudy Klassen said that Bird’s proposal would be good not just for Prince George, but the country as a whole. She said it would also fit in with the city’s efforts to help preserve the 100 Mile House to Squamish rail line relinquished by CN Rail earlier this year. Coun. Cori Ramsay said she thinks Bird’s proposal would be great for

the city and from experience as a “military brat,” she thinks military bases have benefits for the communities they’re near. Director of administrative services Eric Depenau, a reservist with the Rocky Mountain Rangers in Prince George, said Bird’s proposal presents a vision but it might not align with plans the military has already put in place. Coun. Brian Skakun said some of these ideas have been looked at for a long time. He wondered whether the focus should be more on the

military hub rather than the inland port aspect. Mayor Simon Yu said it might take three or four council terms to get this project realized. The motion was approved unanimously.

Vote summary Motion: Council signals in-principle support for Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird’s northern inland port proposal and adds the item to the city’s advocacy toolkit. Result: Approved unanimously.

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

OPINION 8

Voting for school trustees matters more than you think KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

You should do your homework before voting for your school board trustees this Oct. 17. Here’s why. Putting your X beside your choice for mayor is easy. Then you have (up to) eight more X’s to place for councillors. We hope those are informed decisions you make as you place your X because you follow local politics, you keep up with the issues and you know what you want from your elected officials. But then comes another box: School Board 57. And this may give you pause. You might know a name or two, but it’s possible you don’t know any. So you cast your vote without the same thoughtful decision-making you put into your mayoral and council picks. You might even just go by name recognition or random selection. This is an unfortunately common approach to electing school board trustees. They don’t get the attention mayor and council do, but they should. School trustees have a significant responsibility, particularly for parents. They help set the direction of the school district with their selection of the superintendent, oversee its budget, establish policy and make decisions that directly affect students, families and education workers. But you don’t have to have children in school to care about who sits around that table. The students in classrooms today are the employees, taxpayers, voters and community leaders of tomorrow. Decisions made by trustees help shape that next generation and,

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

The School District 57 board of trustees meets in this file photo taken earlier this year. Voters will choose the next board at the same time as mayor and council on Oct. 17. ultimately, the community we all live in. There’s another reason voters should pay attention: school boards have long been a training ground for politicians who go on to run for higher office. Around here, some city councillors and MLAs got their start as school board trustees. For voters, that means the board of education can provide an early look at people who may eventually seek office at another level. So, it pays to look beyond would-be trustees’ campaign promises. Voters should examine how incumbents have voted, how they have handled difficult decisions and whether their approach to public service reflects the values they say they hold. There are plenty of candidates to consider this time around. Across the three areas of School District 57, 17 candidates are competing for seven seats. Prince George-area voters will elect five trustees, while Mackenzie and the Robson Valley, which includes McBride and Valemount, will each elect one.

All incumbents are running again except former chair Rachael Weber, who is seeking a seat on council in the District of Mackenzie. In Prince George, the candidates are Cory Antrim, Craig Brennan, Laurie Dillman, Samantha Hermanson, Sarah Holland, David Low, Shar McCrory, Erica McLean, Barb McNab, Lisa Mitchell, Sara Patterson, Monica Peacock, Don Sabo and Jake Skakun. Tianna Klein is the sole candidate in Mackenzie and will be acclaimed. In the Robson Valley, incumbent Bob Thompson is running against Lianne Abbott. There is also a Northern BC trustee race for the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, the provincewide francophone school board, which oversees francophone programs at two Prince George schools, Duchess Park Secondary School and École Franco-Nord. Retired Prince George teacher Sylvie St. Pierre is the sole candidate and will be acclaimed. One issue in particular should be on voters’

minds as they consider the SD57 candidates: the board’s decision to increase trustee compensation by 28 per cent during their May meeting. At a time when families are watching every dollar, school districts are facing budget pressures and teachers, educational assistants, custodians and other workers are seeing much smaller increases, the decision looks badly out of touch. Trustees voted 5-1 to increase annual pay from $23,430 to $30,000, with an additional 28% increases for the extra pay earned by the vicechair and chair. Antrim, Brennan, McLean and Weber supported the increase, while McCrory voted against it. Holland was absent. The raise applies to the board being elected Oct. 17, not technically the trustees who approved it. But given the advantage incumbents typically have in low-profile school board elections (via the name recognition we mentioned above), many of those same trustees will ultimately benefit from the decision. Keep that in mind Oct. 17. School board elections may not attract the crowds or headlines of a mayoral race, but the people elected to those positions have real power. They influence the education of thousands of students and, in some cases, go on to shape public policy at higher levels of government. That makes your vote worth more than a quick pencil mark on your ballot. So do that homework. Check out the candidates. Study the records of those seeking re-election. Ask why they made the decisions they did.

Most importantly, vote.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

OPINION RCMP conducts back-to-school traffic blitz at École College Heights

North has now spread to those urban postal codes. Last I heard, 1.3 million British Columbians were on some kind of waitlist to see a specialist.

BIJ I love to see this! Thank you for helping keep our kiddos safe. People tend to forget or ignore the schoolzone speed limit. I’m sure having a police presence around makes them pay attention.

Then, after that waitlist, another waitlist for a test. Then, after that waitlist, a wait for actual treatment. And if you are lucky, you do not get bumped out for someone else who has spent too long waiting and becomes more urgent than the 1.3 million on the waitlist.

Ontario company targets FedEx facility, industrial development for Prince George BGeez That’s excellent news for PG. Global companies, like FedEx, certainly do their diligent research before deciding where to locate a logistics hub. As the development property is across Boundary Road from the new YXS refuelling and parking apron, I would anticipate more air traf!c for YXS will happen, too. Well done, City of PG and YXS! Robots run around Prince George Public Library Zangief Lol, my favourite part was when the little robot went on its two hind legs and a toddler can be heard saying, “What the heck?” Opinions are very polarized on this subject, and I don’t blame anyone. I think this will be a massive shift for our societies. The prospect of AI or robots taking your job is a very real fear and, ultimately, probably unavoidable. Now that anyone can use AI to make images of anything we can imagine in moments, how will photographers, graphic design artists and models adapt?

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Tracey Hoffman, an ICBC road safety and community coordinator (left) and RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper hold Think of Me Cards drawn by local students to encourage driver safety during a traf!c safety blitz outside École College Heights Elementary on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

I’m sure we have all seen products as we browse Amazon depicted with AI-generated images. I think administrative jobs will be next, because why wouldn’t they be? I don’t think our nation can afford not to accept the technology, because other nations will embrace it, some unwillingly, and they will unleash its full potential. And everyone will accept it happily. Just like people eager to check out and bag their own groceries. You know you’re doing someone’s job for free, right? ELI KLASNER: Where’s the plan? Imagining a better future for Prince George

help seniors in our community. Most of these folks worked hard their entire lives, and many did not have pension plans to contribute to. Often, their wages met their everyday needs but did not stretch to any signi!cant amount of savings. Now these elders are struggling to meet their everyday needs with the prices of everything rising. It is an extremely sad state of affairs, and I would love to see and hear something from candidates on this subject. ELI KLASNER: Your postal code shouldn’t determine your health care waymar10@telus.net

Karen McKenzie

The Fraser River drains water into the Lower Fraser Valley and the urban postal codes.

Such a great article. So many of us feel the same. We need elected of!cials with a plan and then to see that followed up with real action.

The Fraser River highways, railways and airplanes drain Northern BC resource wealth into Lower Mainland postal codes.

The one thing I would like to add is some kind of plan to

As per health care, the poor access to health care in the

Veritas Thank you for this, Eli! Your willingness to share both the vulnerabilities of your personal health battles and the systemic challenges faced in accessing care demonstrates the kind of honest conversation our community needs. It’s a powerful reminder that behind health-care statistics are real people navigating real obstacles for both themselves and their families. Prince George chorus looking for four-part harmony singers — Prince George Citizen april_lirpa I joined this chorus last September after not singing with music groups since high school. It has been phenomenal not only to learn the barbershop style, but also to make so many wonderful new friends with these ladies! It’s easily the best part of my week!

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Carrier offers business approach to city hall in mayoral run Plumber wants to see more transparency and less bureaucracy at city hall COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

A longtime Prince George plumber seeking the mayor’s chair this fall says he wants to bring his experience running businesses to city hall. Marc Carrier, founder and former owner of Carrier Plumbing & Heating and founder of Absorb Plumbing & Heating, said he’s getting ready toretire, but has put himself on the ballot because he wants to give back to his home of 35 years. “I as a businessperson could do this job,” Carrier said on Tuesday, Sept. 8. “I know the ins and outs of contracts, I know what bonding is, I know how to read prints, I know what a budget is.” He said that the city has gotten itself into trouble in recent years with spending and high taxes. Those high taxes, he said, are making it difficult for small businesses to get started and for people to make ends meet. Carrier said the city can’t afford to drop taxes. Instead, it needs to make it easier for small businesses to operate and better sell itself to large industrial players to rebuild its tax base. He said the long runway at Prince George Airport should be better taken advantage of to land and refuel cargo planes and given the city’s location along key rail lines, it should be a bigger logistics and shipping hub. Beyond taxes, he said the city’s planning and development departments are making things difficult for businesses by taking too long to issue permits and making people go through layers of bureaucracy. He said he would seek to simplify bylaws and make sure the city has enough personnel to handle inspections.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Prince George mayoral candidate Marc Carrier stands outside the Prince George Citizen’s offices at 505 Fourth Ave. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

Another big concern of his is the city’s finance department. He said employees there have too much power and have become too comfortable. Council, he said, needs to keep a closer eye on city finances and improve transparency so cost overruns on projects like the parkade construction from a few years ago that went more than $20 million over budget are prevented. Recently approved loans to pay for items like repairs at the Prince George Aquatic Centre should have gone to referendums rather than be approved through the alternative approval process, as residents are smart enough to weigh in on issues like this, he said. By making participation in local affairs too complicated, Carrier said it makes people feel insulted and disincentivizes people from voting in general, especially youth. While the provincial government has promised a new involuntary care

centre for mental health and addictions at the former youth remand centre on Gunn Road, Carrier said it won’t make a difference unless the provincial Mental Health Act is amended to make it easier for people to be committed. He said he knew this from experience as he tried repeatedly to have one of his sons admitted for care, but he kept getting released because he didn’t want to stay. If elected, he said he would work with every municipality he can to lobby the provincial and federal governments to make changes on that front, saying Alberta had seen success in changing its legislation and care model. So much crime and property damage is happening in the downtown core that people have stopped reporting it, Carrier said, but people should make a point of reporting such incidents so the police and higher levels of government know the true extent of the problem.”

Asked about his views on the Civic Core Plan, which proposes to replace Kopar Memorial Arena and build a performing arts centre, Carrier said the city bought former Knights Inn and former Days Inn where the Canfor Leisure Pool is for more than what they were worth. He added that he felt a performing arts centre would maybe be better suited to the Hart or College Heights, saying he believes many neighbourhoods in the city get ignored. Something else he said he feels gets neglected are local seniors, criticizing council for rejecting a pitch by incumbent Mayor Simon Yu to spend remaining council contingency funds last December by distributing them equally to the city’s five major seniors’ centres. Though council later voted to start a new grant stream for seniors during budget deliberations the next month, Carrier said this “was to cover their big screw-up.” Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Yu pitches himself as the right leader for PG today Incumbent is looking to be re-elected for a second four-year term COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Incumbent Mayor Simon Yu pitched himself as the leader Prince George needs over the next few years while casting some shade on his colleagues’ leadership abilities during his formal campaign launch on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Returning to the Roll-A-Dome, where he launched his successful campaign in 2022, Yu started his speech to just over 100 people by referencing the counter-tariffs Canada instituted earlier that morning in response to tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump put in place last month. Because of the challenging economic times and the major federal economic projects earmarked for Northern BC, Yu said “the next four years and the decades ahead will be among the most consequential to the region and to Prince George.” While money will be spent on liquefied natural gas, mining and mineral projects, Yu said the forestry industry and the workers it employs are reeling. To shepherd economic development, he proposed the creation of a “North Starts Here” campaign to make Prince George the business and investment centre for Northern BC, as well as an “Initiative PG 100” campaign to have the mayor and council meet with 100 CEOs, industry leaders and Indigenous businesses to find out what it would take for them to invest in the city. Though he touted the closure of the Moccasin Flats and Millennium Park encampments during his last term, as well as the province’s investments in supportive housing and a new mental health and addictions treatment centre on Gunn

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Mayor Simon Yu delivers a speech at his re-election campaign launch event at the Roll-A-Dome on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Road, Yu said improvements still need to be made to public safety. He said he would push the province to further expand local treatment capacity, create a navigation centre for social services as a pilot project and review the concentration of social services through the city’s zoning regulations. “We can be compassionate and still have rules,” Yu said. “And to have rules, we need to enforce them together as a community.” More opportunities need to be created for both youth and seniors when it comes to housing and affordability, Yu said, touting what he called his “not very popular at the time” proposal to distribute council’s remaining 2025 contingency funds to the city’s five major seniors’ centres, which was shot down in a 6-to-3 vote by council last December. However, council did vote during

the next month’s budget deliberations to create a new grant funding stream aimed at seniors. Further discussing his colleagues, Yu said that Prince George “needs a council prepared to get things done as a team.” He said things at the council horseshoe were not always easy over the last four years, as there was a clear majority of councillors who had the opportunity to show leadership and set a new direction but instead always deferred to city administration or asked for more reports instead of taking action. “I don’t believe that’s leadership,” Yu said. “That’s against our interest and pursuing a personal agenda that benefits individuals, not our community as a whole. We need to stop that.” Despite some of those difficulties, Yu said council did have some other successes, such as building better

relationships with other governments and boosting the balance of the city’s financial reserves. “Imagine what we can do together by working together as a team to set aside petty grievances and personal agendas,” Yu said. Though he did not elaborate, Yu said the city needs good, clear whistleblower policies so staff can speak up when something is wrong and taxpayers know there’s accountability at city hall. In February, Yu was one of two councillors who voted against a revised whistleblower policy that eliminated the ability for staff to make anonymous complaints. Concluding, Yu pitched more collaboration with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, improving the city’s agricultural sector and making the city a strong economic centre in Western Canada. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

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Bortolon touts advocacy, teamwork skills in council bid COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

An Indigenous education worker with School District 57 hopes to use her skills as a community advocate to benefit the community as she launches a campaign for Prince George city council. Shawn Bortolon, who has Métis, Cree and Italian heritage, said in a Friday, Sept. 4 interview while she’s never sought public office before, she’s been elected as president of three organizations previously: The Multicultural Heritage Society of Prince George, the Northern Interior Community Gaming Association and the Peyak Li Moond Métis society. “I’ve always sought a way to help people,” Bortolon said. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m a support worker at the school district. It’s one of the reasons why I participate in volunteering roles with nonprofits and organizations.” She said she believes one of her greatest strengths is her ability to bridge people

together, which she attributes to her multicultural background, being a single working parent and being a homeowner. Affordability is something she said Bortolon she wants to address as young people in Prince George are having trouble going out on their own because they can’t afford their own homes, seniors are living in invisible poverty and both young and old are having trouble struggling to access transportation services. On that front, she said council’s vote to increase most types of bus fares back in June “is getting to be a bit beyond what many of our riders can afford.” As a homeowner, she said this year’s property tax increase was disheartening because of the impact on her budget. However, she acknowledged that if property taxes had been frozen, the city would have

needed to make up that revenue elsewhere. “Though I would like to see reasoning for revenue increases in any areas, one of the things I want to make sure of is that we’re also not sacrificing our jobs,” she said, adding that she is a proud union member and believer in the labour movement. For infrastructure, she said she would like to see a review done to see if the city can do more with less. She also said she’d like the city to do more to attract investors, but not at the cost of labour. Expanding the airport as has been suggested by Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird, she said, would be an ideal investment. However, she’d also like to see the airport become more accessible for residents, perhaps by running a bus route out that way. While she believes that the city needs to invest in cultural and recreational programs and facilities, as is proposed in the Civic Core Plan, she said she’d like to see Kopar Memorial Arena preserved if

possible and if more ice time is needed, the Kin Centres might be a better location for that development. As a former George Street business owner, she said she knows the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the downtown core and has empathy for unhoused residents. To make the city and the downtown safer, she said the city needs to take a lead role in uniting business, non-profits and service agencies to improve safety and identify gaps in existing services. Some of the challenges the city needs to address, she said, will come from lobbying higher levels of government. That’s something she said she had experience with, including fighting back against a reduction in non-profit gaming revenue grants back in 2010. “I do know that I can do this job … I’m not in this for the photo-ops. I’m really not. I really am here to move the needle and make a difference.” Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

Radloff would call for lower taxes, reduced spending on council TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Bob Radloff says Prince George taxpayers deserve a break. They’ve been forced to swallow property tax rate increases that add up to nearly 18 per cent just in the past three years and he doesn’t believe they’ve been getting enough bang for their bucks. So he’s decided to run for city council in the Oct. 17 municipal election. “I’d like to see our city continue to grow and I’d like to get some handle on taxes, that have increased at twice the rate of inflation for 10 years and that’s not sustainable,” said Radloff. “Wages are kind of linked to inflation and taxes are going at twice the rate and we can’t sustain that. We also have to do something about our downtown, that’s super critical. No amount of great business plans or anything is going to work in the downtown until we address the elephant in the room, that is the mental health and addictions issue on the streets.”

Radloff commends the current council and its Safe Streets Bylaw for tackling the issue of public safety but he said it needs to be enforced. He’s also encouraged by the Radloff province spending $92 million to convert the former youth jail on Gunn Road to a 92-bed involuntary treatment facility for people with mental health issues, brain injuries and substance addictions. “They committed to 12 beds and we need 200, that’s the honest truth,” said Radloff. “Look at the Crossroads Brewery, a beautiful investment, millions spent and it just burned down. That individual (who started the fire) is one of those people who’s on the streets and can’t be controlled, so we think involuntary treatment is a huge part of what needs to happen in this town.” Radloff, 71, has 44 years of experience as a civil engineer whose expertise is focused on design, construction, operation and

management of utilities and transportation infrastructure. He worked for the City of Prince George as a public works senior manager from 1992 to 2010, responsible for asset management of water, sewer, parks and transportation. He oversaw planning of the Downtown District Energy System and was project manager of the Boundary Road construction before he opened his own business – Radloff & Associates – in 2011. He also served on the board of Prince George Airport Authority. “I’m familiar with both sides of the city and have worked on both sides of the counter,” said Radloff. “I worked 19 years for the city in senior management. I was responsible for everything, water, sewer, roads, right to engineering, planning, business licences, permits and approvals, so I know that side of the counter. “I think there are some improvements in processes we can make, largely around giving our city staff more latitude to make decisions,” he said. “I’d like to see some innovative processes at city hall.” Radloff sees a modernized transit system

as a key part of the city’s infrastructure and wants the city to explore advances in artificial intelligence and whether that technology for driverless cars can be integrated into the bus fleet. He wants to revisit the capital spending program on facilities and find ways to avoid high-cost maintenance bills like the $15.6 million spent on CN Centre to repair exterior water leaks and the $37 million being spent to fix the 26-year-old Aquatic Centre, a project that will take two and a half years to complete. That, he said, leaves little in the budget to consider items like a performing arts centre. He said finding ways to reduce spending is even more critical in light of the pending closure of Northwood Pulp Mill, which will be a 1.2 per cent hit on the city’s annual property tax revenue. “We have really good people in the organization at city hall, we just need to rein in our capital expenditure program and that I’m hearing to a loud degree from a lot of people,” he said. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

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Susan Scott seeking fourth term at the council table COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

A three-term city councillor says that unfinished business inspired her to run for a fourth term this fall. Coun. Susan Scott, first elected in 2014, is one of six incumbent councillors looking to retain their jobs on election day with another two looking to move up to the mayor’s chair. Speaking with The Citizen on Wednesday, Sept. 9, Scott said she feels similarly to when her political adventure first started. “I feel like my city is on the brink of something more and I want to roll up my sleeves and participate,” Scott said. “I don’t pretend to have any particular answer or solution, but I want to participate in creating solutions and being involved.” Though the local forestry sector continues to struggle — the recently announced closure of Canfor’s Northwood Pulp Mill a one sign of that — Scott said she felt Prince George’s economy is stronger than in most other communities across British Columbia and Canada. This city, she said, is “wonderfully situated” to be a supply hub for development in the region. While a lot of development is seasonal, Scott said she’d like Prince George to be successful year-round. “If there are opportunities for employment, opportunities for education, we can grow and we can solidify the future.” One of the major financial decisions on the horizon will be whether to proceed with the Civic Core Plan, which could include the replacement of Kopar Memorial Arena and the construction of a new performing arts centre. Scott said though she believes growing the downtown is essential and infrastructure is needed to make it happen, it needs to have buy-in from residents. Because of the high price tag likely attached to the project, she said she’d like the final proposal to go to a referendum. Over the last term, the city has seen two homeless encampments close and a new involuntary treatment centre for mental health and addictions get promised by

the province, but concerns regarding public safety, homelessness and addictions remain. Scott said those issues are difficult to tackle because they have so many layers. Scott There have been discussions in the last couple of years over implementing a community safety officer program, instituting private security patrols downtown, adding overnight bylaw officer shifts and a request from Downtown Prince George for the city to fund an extension of its security camera pilot project. Those are all ideas Scott said she’s in favour of, but it’s important to remember these issues cannot be solved by policing alone. In the next term, she said council should be blunter with other levels of government and organizations like Northern Health about the impact of their decisions on the city and work with them to find solutions. Scott said she felt council members could do a better job of communicating with each other, city administration and the public. On that last front, she said she’d like to see more town hall meetings. While some candidates have advocated in favour of property tax freezes or even decreases, Scott cautioned that might have bigger impacts than minor increases. Council, she said, needs to better equip itself with knowledge about what each city department does so it can be more intentional when making budgetary decisions. During the last term, Scott said she was proud of the work she had done with seniors organizations given the increase in the local population of seniors. However, she said she didn’t regret voting against Mayor Simon Yu’s proposal to distribute council’s remaining contingency funds for 2025 to the city’s five major seniors’ centres last December. “I felt that we should be looking more holistically at the needs of our city, not just one group,” she said. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

BC Timber Sales Stuart-Nechako Natural Resource District REPLACEMENT FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN BC Timber Sales, Stuart-Nechako Business Area has prepared a draft replacement Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for operations in the Stuart-Nechako Natural Resource District, including the Vanderhoof and Fort St. James areas. The draft replacement FSP is now available for public review and comment. The draft replacement FSP has been prepared under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The FSP does not show specific locations of proposed cutblocks or roads. Instead, the draft FSP identifies larger Forest Development Units (FDUs) where harvesting and road building may occur during the FSP term. Forestry activities conducted within an FDU must be consistent with the results, strategies, measures, and stocking standards specified in the FSP, as well as FRPA requirements and applicable government-approved objectives for the management of forest resources in the planning area. As part of the public review, interested parties are invited to provide comments and information on resource values or features that may not be known to BCTS, so relevant information can be considered in planning. In accordance with the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, the draft replacement FSP is available for public review and comment from September 17 – November 16, 2026, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the address below: BC Timber Sales, 2000 South Ospika Blvd. Prince George, B.C. V2N 4W5 Telephone: 250 614-7400 The FSP public review package can be viewed online at: tinyurl.com/4tm8nark including the draft FSP, FSP content maps, supporting materials, and a Summary of Changes. Written comments may be submitted to BC Timber Sales at the mailing address above or by email at: Forests.StuartNechakoTimberSalesOffice@gov.bc.ca. If an interested party is unable to review the draft replacement FSP during regular business hours, please contact us at 250 614-7400 or by email to arrange a suitable time.

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Former Dawson Creek mayoral candidate runs for PG council

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Eight years after placing runner-up in the race to be mayor of Dawson Creek, Trenten Laarz is setting his sights on Prince George city council in this fall’s local elections. In a Thursday, Sept. 10 interview, Laarz said he moved to Prince George four years ago but went through high school in the city during a previous stint. As a mental health and addiction support worker at the University Hospital of Northern BC, Laarz said he’s running for office to be a voice for struggling people in council chambers. “I feel like somebody who works within the hospital, who helps people who are at their lowest point in the community, trying to help connect them with resources and stuff like that, I could come up with some intuitive ideas and work together with the next council to better Prince George for everybody,” Laarz said. He said he thinks that the city has been too reactive rather than proactive in dealing with mental health, addictions and public safety. While there have been improvements in housing and the city’s two encampments were disbanded over the past term, Laarz said he didn’t think bylaw officers are proving to be very effective in dissuading people who are lighting fires or loitering. There could be an opportunity, he said, to lower the Bylaw Services budget and instead partner with local non-profits like the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC) who operate community outreach and navigator programs. Earlier this year, city council voted to direct staff to prepare a report on the feasibility of creating a navigation centre that could help connect people access social and health services. Laarz said that’s something he’d be in favour of establishing as he feels there are people doing good work in the community but could benefit between

more collaboration and sharing of resources. He frequently brought up collaboration as a path forward on several issues, like partnering with Lheidli Laarz T’enneh and other First Nations to help develop the Civic Core Plan, working with non-profits and BC Transit to expand accessible transit services and working with Northern Health and other partners to build more seniors’ housing and sober living facilities for those in recovery from addiction. On property taxes, he said he’d like to see the city freeze them at current levels or lower them by reducing administrative costs and some services. He said costs relating to the planning department could be reduced by allowing qualified engineers to issue their own permits for single-family residential projects rather than have to apply to the city. This would entail 15 to 20 per cent of self-approved projects getting audited to ensure compliance with building codes and other regulations, he said, with severe penalties levied on those breaking the rules. He also touted a concierge service for some developments, similar to the Fast Track PG program being proposed by Coun. Kyle Sampson during the current term. The city’s zoning bylaw should be reviewed with construction workers to find out what developers are looking for and make it easier to build, which he said would help facilitate industrial expansion discussed in and around the Prince George Airport. He said the city and council haven’t been transparent enough about how public money is being spent and that Prince George should be issuing simplified monthly reports outlining the city’s spending. In that vein, he said he’d like to see the city use more referendums and fewer Alternative Approval Processes for authorizing loans. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Antrim hoping to sit on school board for another term MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Incumbent school board trustee Cory Antrim is hoping to serve another four years on School District No. 57’s board of education. In addition to four years as a trustee, he also served SD57 as an educational assistant and teacher for two decades before opening a business called Antrim Charters. Antrim is running on a platform of stability and maintaining the forward momentum that the school board has seen during his term. “I decided to run to try to make a positive change for the district, and so I thought we’d just keep the ball rolling and keep the momentum going,” said Antrim. During the term, Antrim advocated for increased funding for high school sports equipment and programs and told The Citizen this would be a focus for him if

re-elected. “I went to school to play sports; school was secondary, and you know, that’s the reality for some kids,” said Antrim. You hear kids say Antrim ‘ball is life’, but it really is for them. That’s their main thing. If schools can be there to help and have that place, then that’s what we want.” He also believes that extracurricular activities, including but not limited to sports, should also see more focus in the next four years. “When I work with my fellow trustees, the seven of us, it almost becomes a running joke that whenever we bring up students, they know my answer before I even say it, and that’s pushing for extracurricular activities, not just athletics, anything that ties kids to school. We call

RDFFG board nominations close COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The nomination period for candidates running to be regional directors in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George closed on Friday, Sept. 11 with 16 candidates listed on the district’s website. Electoral Area A (Salmon River-Lakes) • Greg Austman • Victor Mobley (incumbent) Electoral Area C (Chilako River-Nechako) • Lara Beckett (incumbent) Electoral Area D (Tabor Lake-Stone Creek) • Scott Broughton • Book Buksa • Ken Schinkel • Darrel Shultz • Perry Slump • Robert Verkalk Electoral Area E (Woodpecker-Hixon) • Art Kaehn (incumbent) Electoral Area F (Willow River-Upper

Fraser Valley) • Kathleen Bosiak • Caroline Brandner Olson • Gary Jamieson • Joe Rositano Electoral Area G (Crooked River-Parsnip) • Jerrilyn Kirk (incumbent) • David Szuckso Electoral Area H (Robson Valley-Canoe) • Dannielle Alan (incumbent) • Joe Kolida Bear Lake Community Commission • Herb Franklin • Barbara Giesbrecht • Jennifer Hebert • Thomas Kendall • Ella McCutcheon Further representatives to the board of directors will be appointed from those elected to councils in the City of Prince George, the District of Mackenzie, the Village of McBride and the Village of Valemount.

it extracurricular, but for some kids that is the reason they go to school.” The debate around the condition of D.P. Todd Secondary School has also been frequently debated among school board trustees. For Antrim, he wants to see the school start from scratch. “I’m just advocating to secure the funding for a full rebuild as soon as possible … This is my personal opinion, but I believe it needs to be a total rebuild and not put lipstick on a pig,” said Antrim. Securing funding for this rebuild from the current provincial government may be difficult, Antrim said, but he will work to secure it with his fellow trustees if elected. Antrim also said the reality of maintaining schools in Northern BC is often different than for many other school districts and wants to ensure that the unique needs of SD57 are met. “We have more challenges in the north and I don’t think they’re fully recognized

at the provincial level,” he said. “As a board, we always want to advocate for the North. We deal with the challenges of snow and weather … staff has done an amazing job at maintaining these schools. So we are fortunate, but as our schools aren’t falling apart and they’re old, and we’re holding them together because we have amazing staff. We need more funding to build schools.” If re-elected, Antrim also pledged to be as in touch with parents, teachers and staff at SD57 as possible and acknowledged that he needs to be informed of all viewpoints as his decisions may affect the lives of many others. “I work for the public. When they come to me and they talk about things, whether you’re a parent or staff members or the superintendent, I want to listen to everybody and then try to support the work that they’re doing because really they’re the experts,” said Antrim. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

1685 3rd Ave. Prince George, BC

250-563-6637 www.booksandcompany.ca

A COURT OF SPLINTERED HARMONY Midnight in Velaris: ACOTAR #6

Join us for a themed midnight release party for the sixth book in the ACOTAR series! Your ticket includes your copy of the book, snacks, entry into draws for prizes, and a ‘shelf trophy’ craft courtesy of Dusk & Dahlia.

Monday Oct 26th, 2026 10:00 PM—12:00 AM Tickets are limited, so make sure to get yours ASAP! $80+tax. Available now at Books & Company PG. or give us a call at 250-563-6637 to purchase.

Cait’s Bites & Beanery will also have themed drinks available for purchase.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

BC Timber Sales Prince George and Mackenzie Forest Districts FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN BC Timber Sales, Prince George Business Area has amended the Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for operations in the Prince George (Including Robson Valley) and Mackenzie Forest Districts. The draft amended FSP is now available for public review. The FSP has been amended under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The FSP does not show specific locations of proposed cutblocks or roads. Instead, the draft FSP shows larger Forest Development Units (FDU) within which harvesting and road building may occur during the FSP term. Forestry activities conducted within an FDU must be consistent with the results and strategies specified within the FSP, which in turn must be consistent with FRPA and government approved objectives for the management of forest resources in the planning area. As part of the public review, stakeholders are invited to provide information about specific resource features that may be unknown to BCTS so that it may be incorporated into planning. In accordance with the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, the FSP is available for public review and comment from September 21 – November 20, 2026, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the address below: BC Timber Sales 2000 South Ospika Blvd. Prince George, B.C. V2N 4W5 Telephone: 250 614-7400 Fax: 250 614-7435 The FSP public review package can be viewed online at: tinyurl.com/3xd2k9wr A representative of BCTS will be available to discuss the draft FSP at our office and receive comments by phone at the number listed above or by email at Forests.PrinceGeorgeTimberSalesOffice@gov.bc.ca.

If an interested party is unable to review the draft FSP during regular business hours, please contact us by phone or by email to arrange a suitable time.

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Holland looking to return for full term on SD57 board COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

An Indigenous education worker with School District 57’s board of education says a desire to continue work managing finances and updating policies is driving her to run for a second term. Sarah Holland joined the board in a 2023 byelection following the resignation of two trustees who had been elected in the regular election the previous year. She said she was proud to have contributed to a calmer environment after that period of turmoil, which also included the departure of former superintendent Cindy Heitman. “I think I’m good at what I do and there are things that I would like to be able to keep on doing,” Holland said. One of those items is continuing to update the district’s policies, something the current board has put a lot of work into over the past few years. Some policies, she said, were so old that they referenced the speed limit in school parking lots as miles per hour. Canada started to move towards the metric system in 1970. Holland, a financial planner by trade, said she’d like to continue to guide the district’s finances. She said long-range facilities plans developed for the district by third parties in recent years projected enrolment declines that turned out to not be as severe in reality. In February 2025, a long-range facilities plan projected a district-wide decrease of 1,200 students by 2033 and recommended the closure of Van Bien Elementary School as well as elementary schools in Hixon, Giscome, Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount. So far, just one of those schools, Giscome Elementary, has been closed. That situation, Holland said, was different because parents were in favour of the closure. In the rest of the cases, Holland said it would be a priority of hers to fight back against further closures. For several years, the district has requested capital funding from the province to either renovate or replace D.P. Todd Secondary School and expand Springwood

Elementary in Prince George, but the province has yet to fulfill those requests. Holland said it would likely take a larger community effort between the city, the Regional District of FrasHolland er-Fort George and local MLAs to convince the province to invest in local schools. Earlier this year, the board voted to raise trustees’ base pay as well as premiums provided to the chair and vice-chair that will take effect in the new term. Holland was absent from that meeting and said in the interview that she was disappointed a decision was made as she thought the report recommending the raises was just being received for information. She said she had concerns about districts larger than SD57 being used as salary comparators, though she understands concerns over trustees being fairly compensated for their work. In the next term, she said she would like to see the board review the policy that determines how remuneration changes are decided upon. Though she did not attend the inaugural event held by the Elev8 Prince George Foundation on Wednesday, Sept. 9, Holland said she was disappointed to hear that some prospective trustee candidates speaking that night spoke against provincial initiatives regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. School boards do not have the power to change that curriculum, she said, and boards that have waded into the issue have suffered financial consequences. Additionally, she said bringing the topic up again affects the well-being and security of both students and staff. On Indigenous education, she said the district has seen positive changes from putting things like graduation coaches in place and seen increased graduation rates, but she’s not yet satisfied that enough progress has been made. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Fired trucker found guilty of assault in PG court BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A trucker fired by a small Prince George log-hauling company in 2021 was found guilty Sept. 3 of assaulting his former employer, but acquitted of threatening the owner’s wife and child, carrying a cattle prod to commit an offence and stealing the owner’s truck keys. The Provincial Court case before Judge Judith Doulis took place under a publication ban on the names of the company owner and trucker. The owner has stepchildren from the first marriage of the trucker’s wife. The trucker was charged with five crimes against his former boss — four

stemming from a Sept. 7, 2021, roadside confrontation and the other, theft of tires, occurring between July 13, 2021, and Sept. 7, 2021. Doulis accepted that the men had an “acrimonious employment relationship. They began not trusting or respecting the other and regarded each other with suspicion, if not outright hostility.” When the sporadic trial began June 24, 2024, the Crown stayed the tire theft charge. When the trial ended June 11, 2026, the Crown admitted there was insufficient evidence on the truck keys theft charge. The company owner hired the accused on contract in July 2021 after he responded to a job ad seeking

Man calls stepdaughter’s allegations false BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A retired man on trial for sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching in Prince George testified Sept. 10 that he was brought up to be affectionate and was only trying to have a father-daughter relationship. He told Justice Edlyn Laurie that his teenage stepdaughter made up allegations against him about incidents between July and December 2022. A publication ban in the BC Supreme Court trial protects the identities of the victim and accused. “I never touched her, and she never touched me, except the only time I ever touched her was a hug and holding her hand in the car,” he testified. “That was constant. In the car, it was like a high five or the fist bump, you know, say have a good day and things like that. But as a sexual touch? I never, not even a second.” During cross-examination by Crown prosecutor Lisa Sukkau, the man vehemently responded to allegations that he was having a secret sexual relationship

with the girl. “Why are you trying to get me to say something that I didn’t do?” he said. The man said he grew up being affectionate and now is afraid of going out in public. Sukkau asked about comments he made referring to the girl’s hands as being so soft. “She’s got baby hands,” he said. “They’re the chubby, little fat hands.” He initially denied telling the girl that she was young and tender, then later admitted he said so as a compliment. “What does it mean? I don’t know,” he said. “It’s just words that popped out of my mouth. That’s all. Because I’m stupid. Because I’m a simpleton.” Evidence included a video of him holding the girl’s hand in a car. When confronted about that, after saying he never touched her in any way, shape or form, he denied that it was sexual. “I never tried to rape her or touch her in an unworthy way,” he said. “It wasn’t my cup of tea.” Closing arguments were scheduled for Sept. 11. Check back for updates.

a driver with a clean record. But the relationship deteriorated over pay, lack of maintenance and tardy paperwork. The employer testified that the accused agreed to $42 per hour or $700 per day, but demanded a raise on his first payday. After 36 days, on Aug. 19, 2021, the driver was fired over his refusal to retrieve a dozen tires stored at Overland West Freight Lines. The employer went to Overland on Aug. 23, 2021, and learned the accused had already picked up the tires but kept them for himself. He complained to the RCMP and continued to refuse to pay wages until the tires were returned. While the company owner was hauling logs to the Canfor sawmill on Sept. 7, 2021, he testified that the accused pulled up beside him while he was stopped on Northwood Pulp Road, got out and punched him in the chest with

a clenched fist. The owner said the accused told him he would pay if the tires were returned, but allegedly threatened that his wife would end up in a sex-slave ring and his son could end up in child pornography. He also accused the trucker of hitting him on the left side of his chest with a cattle prod. “(The accused) stopped at the pullout and went searching for (the owner) to demand payment of his outstanding wages,” Doulis said. “(He) was upset and confrontational.” At a minimum, Doulis found that the accused pushed the man hard with one hand, causing him to stumble back a few steps. That non-consensual application of force constituted an assault under the Criminal Code. As for the other three charges, Doulis said the Crown had not proved them beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted the man of those charges.

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

MTG Game Nights every Tuesday 6:00 PM Spruceland Shopping Centre

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Open Waters Solar receives $450K in federal investment The company is one of 10 organizations receiving a total of $11 million MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A local solar panel manufacturing company is receiving nearly half a million dollars from the federal government as part of a $11 million investment in Northern BC. Open Waters Solar, which manufactures impact-resistant solar panels for marine and transportation applications received a total of $450,000 as part of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). This initiative was launched to provide support to businesses affected by trade disruptions with greater access to liquidity and support. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson announced on Friday, Sept. 4, that 10 businesses and organizations across Northern BC are receiving investments to support jobs, productivity, and growth, including in key industries affected by global trade disruptions, such as the advanced manufacturing and forest sectors. A total of $4,821,000 was given as part of RTRI, with $6,363,227 given as part of the Community Economic Development and Diversification program, a federal funding initiative that invests in local projects. The businesses and organizations that received these funds are listed below: Regional Tariff Response Initiative • BKB Cedar Manufacturing received $672,500 to support the investment in the installation of a first-of-its-kind precision cedar processing system • East Fraser Fiber Co. Ltd. received $475,000 to replace aging machinery at its Mackenzie facil-ity • Great Glacier Salmon Ltd. received $223,500, which will

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Liam Connon, the lead of operational technologies at Open Waters Solar, shows off a solar panel during a tour that took place on Thursday, Sept. 4.

support upgrades to processing and loading equipment, as well as modifications to a transport vessel • North Pine Farmers Institute received $2,000,000 to help NPFI expand grain storage and im-prove loading and transportation capacity at its facility. • Open Waters Solar received $450,000 to help automate its manufacturing processes, up-grade its facility and train employees • SkyWest Environmental Contracting Inc. received $1,000,000 for the company to purchase specialized equipment to improve the collection and transportation of fibre Community Economic Development and Diversification program • BC Assembly of First Nations

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received $1,230,000 to help establish the First Nations Centre of Excellence in Prince George, which will provide economic and business development advisory services for northern First Nations communities. Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association received $1,600,040 to support the construction of a multi-functional trades training centre and food hub for Indigenous learners from rural communities Portland Canal Terminals LP received $672,134, which will go towards supporting engineer-ing studies, operational modelling and planning for the modernization and expansion of the Port of Stewart. University of British Columbia

(UBC) received $2,861,053. This investment will support the testing and deployment of drone technology in Northern BC. This will include workforce training, youth skills development and pilot projects with Stellat’en First Nation and the Vil-lage of Fraser Lake. Robertson made the announcement following a visit to Open Waters Solar in Prince George, where he toured the facility and heard from the company’s owners and workers about what they bring to the table. During his visit, Robertson got to see how the company designs, models, builds and cus-tomizes impact-resistant solar panels for marine vessels across the world CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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‘These solar panels are sailing all around the world now’ CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE He also got to hear from the company on the latest research they are doing to improve their products and what new developments or markets they hope to expand to in the future. “Incredible technology being developed here in Prince George by BC entrepreneurs who are having some global impact already,” said Robertson. “Very promising for creating more jobs and putting BC on the map in an industry where we haven’t been.” During his interview with The Citizen, Robertson explained why Open Waters Solar was chosen.. “They’ve been successful in raising capital from private investors. It’s very important as Canadian companies grow that governments also support our most promising companies to scale up. That accelerates the investment from the private sector

Connecting BC to the world British Columbia has long connected communities, businesses and people to the world. These connections help BC businesses compete globally and support jobs and investment here at home. Natural gas plays a role in that network, helping deliver dependable energy that supports trade with trusted partners and contributes to a strong provincial economy. As BC continues to expand its role on the world stage, our focus remains on supporting BC’s role as a responsible trading partner — while delivering reliable energy for communities across the province. > Visit enbridge.com/bc to learn more.

and shows confidence in new technology or companies that are scaling up. … We’re investing taxpayer dollars in these Canadian companies, and we want to be sure we’re maximizing the chances of success,” said Robertson. Part of the reason for the initiative is to combat influences from the ongoing trade war with the United States, with Robertson telling reporters that investment in companies like Open Waters Solar can provide positive outcomes.. “These times have shown that we have to be more self-reliant and focus on building Canada strong,” said Robertson. “Our economy and our entrepreneurs are at the foundation of that. PacificCan invests in small and medium businesses and entrepreneurs to help grow the BC economy and look at the big potential success stories that are coming. The world keeps changing fast, technology is evolving rapidly and we

want to be sure BC has some of the best opportunities for our entrepreneurs to succeed globally.” The minister was impressed with the company’s efforts and commended them for their reach, as most of their manufactured solar panels end up on boats and marine vessels outside of Canada. “These solar panels are sailing all around the world now,” said Robertson. “Leading consumers who see this as the future. It’s a great opportunity to see a breakthrough technology here develop. The challenging part is scaling that. The concept is proven and has a customer base. We want to be sure the capital’s there and the opportunities there for them to scale and produce with more people, and bring more investment into Canada ultimately.” Liam Connon, operational technologies lead at Open Waters Solar, explained what the funding will be used for.

“We’re developing our own automation and so that it’s all gonna go directly to that,” said Connon. “We’re doing a lot of R&D. To do R&D, you need funding. Hopefully this is enough funding to help us finish our R&D and get to the point where we’re ready to scale our automation. We’ll engineer it and increase our production to what we expect this shop to do.” He added that he is proud to work and develop in Prince George, even if he gets a raised eyebrow or two while talking to those interested in his work. “When I tell people what I do for work, they always ask me, ‘In Prince George?’ It seems kinda random, but it’s a great community to do it in. We’re all from here and it’s great to be able to put the town on the map, to be able to provide good jobs for the community and expand on what Prince George can offer,” said Connon.

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Forestry coalition demands Eby act to fix ailing industry Group calling for changes to regulations, policies, permitting processes and fibre-access decisions TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Proponents from BC’s forest industry are demanding Premier David Eby to take action in the face of mill closures and crippling 50 percent U.S. tariffs that are closing off markets to producers of wood products. A letter sent on Wednesday, Sept. 9 signed by representatives from 14 organizations from across the sector, including manufacturers, loggers and unions, tasked the provincial government to act now to remove barriers to stimulate the forest economy through the establishment of a task force that brings together government, forestry workers, manufacturers, contractors, communities and businesses with the end-goal to overcome the most serious challenges crippling BC’s forest sector. “We are calling on your government to urgently establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group, led by the premier’s office and bringing together senior government decision-makers and representatives from across the forest sector,” the letter stated. “Its mandate should be clear: get economically viable wood moving, reduce costs, remove regulatory barriers, stabilize fibre supply, protect operating businesses, and retain— not retrain—British Columbia’s skilled forestry workforce. “We are in the middle of a major international trade crisis. Government must respond with the urgency that crisis demands.” The coalition wants the NDP government to immediately freeze new provincial fees, taxes, charges and government-imposed cost increases affecting the forest sector while the current international trade crisis continues. It also calls for the government to within 30 days publicly

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Canfor announced on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 its plan to permanently close Northwood Pulp Mill in Prince George. A coalition of industry representatives is calling on the provincial government to immediately apply homegrown fixes to save BC forest sector.

release a forest sector crisis action plan that identified specific measures with firm implementation timelines. It wants regular public reporting on progress that will highlight additional timber brought to market, permits advanced, barriers removed, with updates on facilities kept open, jobs protected and additional government revenues generated. The group says it’s time for the federal government to establish a Canadian forest management office that would coordinate with the BC industry coalition to act on the forestry priorities and provide immediate solutions to the issues facing producers, workers and communities. But they say those solutions start with the province changing its handling of the industry to make it more profitable through changes to regulations, policies, permitting processes and fibre-access decisions that it says will determine whether BC companies survive. “The federal Forest Sector Transformation Task Force confirmed what industry has been saying for some time: many of the most serious

challenges confronting Canadian forestry are ‘homegrown,’” the group said. “While international trade pressures are beyond the province’s direct control, many of the conditions determining whether BC companies can continue operating are not. “This is no longer a challenge facing one segment of forestry. The entire value chain is at risk—from harvesting and transportation through primary manufacturing, pulp and paper, engineered wood and value-added manufacturing to silviculture and forest management.” The letter was signed by Kim Haakstad, BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI); Brian Menzies, Independent Wood Processors Association (IWPA); Todd Chamberlain, Interior Logging Association (ILA); Peter Lister, Truck Loggers Association (TLA); John Nester, North West Loggers Association (NWLA); Ted Dergousoff, Independent Lumber Manufacturers’ Association (ILMA); Lennard Joe, BC First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC);

Jeff Bromley, United Steelworkers (USW); Gord Chipman, Woodlots BC ; Jennifer Gunter, BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA); Megan Hanacek, Private Forest Landowners Association (PFLA); Joe Nemeth, BC Pulp and Paper Coalition; Brian Hawrysh, BC Wood Specialties Group (BC Wood); John Betts, Western Forestry Contractor’s Association and Bhavjit S. Thandi, BC Plywood & Veneer Coalition. The group says it’s vital for the province to increase its annual harvest to 45 million cubic metres from the current plan, which assumes an annual harvest of 29 million cubic metres. The increase would generate $600 million in additional government revenue, which the group says would offset the province’s projected shortfall in national gas revenue forecasts. The province has acknowledged its forecasting error and now figures natural gas revenues will be $300 million less per year, a reduction of $1.46 billion over five years. A media conference with Forests Minister Ravi Parmar is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

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Tour de North ride set to conclude in Williams Lake KHUSHI ARORA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Williams Lake RCMP Const. Chad Fofonoff and 150 Mile House fire department’s Sharleen Bast join Cops for Cancer Tour de North 2026 ride. Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders will hit the road Sept. 11 for a seven-day journey from Fort St. John to Williams Lake. Thirteen first responders and community riders will participate in the 850-kilometre Tour de North, expected to conclude in Williams Lake on Sept. 17. According to a Cops for Cancer press release, riders will visit communities and schools and raise money to support life-saving childhood cancer research and programs such as Camp Goodtimes, which provides recreational experiences for children and families affected by cancer. Williams Lake RCMP Const. Chad Fofonoff was among the riders, along with Sharleen Bast from the 150 Mile House fire department. Fofonoff has no previous cycling background and has spent months preparing for his first Tour de North. Bast signed up in 2024, making this her third year riding for Cops for Cancer Tour de North. For Fofonoff, when the ride gets difficult, he said he’d be thinking about his daughters and eight-year-old Duncan Eckert, his daughter’s hockey teammate, who has been undergoing cancer treatment for about two years. According to Fofonoff, Eckert has attended Camp Goodtimes, one of the programs supported by Cops for Cancer fundraising. Bast said the camp can give children going through treatment a chance to step away from hospital routines and simply experience childhood. Fofonoff said cancer fundraising isn’t new to him. He has been part of the CIBC Run for the Cure for about 20 to 25 years, and several family members have had a cancer experience. “I just want to get on my bike and raise as much as I can so that I don’t need to see kids suffering,” he said. “So, if there’s any way that we could make it easier on the

families, that’s kind of what the goal is.” Being a police officer, it has been difficult for Fofonoff to manage his job, his family and bicycle training. “This is obviously way different than being a police officer,” said Fofonoff. “This is aside that I get to do outside of work, which is a nice break.” According to Fofonoff, riders were expected to arrive at the Tourism Discovery Centre at around 5 p.m. on Sept. 17. “Pushing my limits is definitely something that is going to be tough, but I know I can do it, and I know that if kids can go through cancer, then I can pedal a bike for 850 kilometres,” said Fofonoff. On her third ride this year, Bast said she is riding for all the kids who are affected by cancer and their families. “It was such a great experience, and it’s such a good cause that I just couldn’t not do it,” she said. According to Bast, riders begin training in May and are expected to log at least 1,500 kilometres before the tour. Mandatory benchmark rides gradually increase from 80 kilometres to 140 kilometres by the end of August, she further explained. “Your body’s tired, and when you’re alone doing that, it’s a mental struggle,” said Bast. Bast shared her excitement about having another local first responder joining the tour this year and noted she was able to ride with Fofonoff during training. She also shared the experience of reaching the finish line and seeing people cheering for the riders when they arrive in the city. “There’ll be an escort of emergency vehicles, it gets really cool,” she added. Riders will get the opportunity to engage with local communities, businesses and residents through scheduled events and activities during the tour, according to the press release. Organizers encouraged members of the different communities to turn up at the events, to meet the riders and learn about why each of them is fundraising for such an important cause, the release stated. This article originally appeared in The Williams Lake Tribune.

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What’s happening in PG Lanterns Grief & Loss Support goes Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s School, 1088 Gillett Street and is a 10-week program. The mission is to empower children and youth facing separation, divorce, loss or other life altering events by providing safe, inclusive spaces for peer connection, emotional support and healing. There is no charge for the program and Lanterns is a non-sectarian organization. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information and to register call 778-281-3477 or email lanternspg2025@gmail.com Prince George Latin Community presents El Espejo 2 (The Mirror 2) that goes on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Theatre NorthWest. This is a production that is set to promote the Spanish language with English subtitles. This is a dramatic play reading with a bit of flare inserted similar to what people can find in a telenovela. For tickets visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/36885/production/1281714?performanceId=11834360 Homicide on the Homestead goes Saturday, Sept. 19 at Huble Homestead and registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 2. This is a popular murder mystery event where participants will experience an afternoon filled with intrigue, hor d’oeuvres, and prizes. Get dressed in your best roaring 20s clothes and get ready to do some sleuthing. Register before Sept. 2 to get the invitation that includes your character description and costume ideas, then get ready for an interactive afternoon with fellow guests. Space is limited and costumes are strongly recommended. Registration is open now and tickets are $60. Get yours before they’re gone at hublehomestead.ca. Echo-Chamber 1 goes Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 at the House of Ancestors Conference Centre and Café, 355 Vancouver St. This is a twoday event with a line up of artists to shake the walls and light up the North. Day 1 headliner: Cody Lawless, supporting acts: Infectious, The Goomahs, The Cavernous, Deep Trouble, The Verdants, Evangeline, Kristian Janzen.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

The 7 Foot Giant Van Bruggen clotheslines Braydon Goss during the Heavyweight Title Match at Primetime Wrestling at the CN Centre on Saturday, May 16. Wrestling action moves to the Civic Centre ring Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26.

Day 2 headliner: Evil Ebenezer, supporting acts: Lil Godd, Petty Boy Osley, Teo Laza, Caveman Casanova, Atomik, Diego Flores, Tokyogelic, Unknown Persona, Highbryd, Turell, Tennants, 6 Cell, Bioson, Urban Indian, Cold Messiah, J Finch, $Kiir0se, Ezra C, Esobi. Tickets are $40 for early bird, general admission is $75. For all the details visit https://linktr.ee/EchoChamber/PG 46th Annual Terry Fox Run goes Sunday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Bring your friends, family, co-workers, teammates and pets to this event. Run, walk or wheel the route that starts at the Bandshell and goes through the park and along part of the route Terry ran in 1979 in the Prince George to Boston Marathon that started it all. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the course officially opens from 10 a.m. to noon. Funds raised go to cancer research. Online donations can be made at https://run.terryfox.ca/princegeorge Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny goes Monday, Sept. 21 at CN Centre at 7:30 p.m. Known worldwide for his lightning-quick wit, dark one-liners and unmistakable laugh, Jimmy Carr remains one of the most successful and

best-selling comedians on the planet. A master of razor-sharp humour, he has toured over 40 countries, sold millions of tickets and continues to be one of the most streamed stand-ups of the last decade. Don’t miss Jimmy Carr coming to Prince George this fall. For more information and tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ jimmy-carr-laughs-funny/princegeorge Fan Halen tribute band goes Wednesday, Sept. 23 at CN Centre at 7:30 p.m. Fan Halen sets the stage for a night with Dave, Eddie, Alex and Michael with a true-to-life tribute to not only the band but the spirit of an era. It’ll feel like it’s 1984 all over again, from the look of the band, to the choreography, to the note-for-note reproduction of the greatest rock songs, to the sonic energy of the performance, nothing is overlooked. For more information and tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ fan-halen/princegeorge Pop Up Wedding Dress Sale goes Wednesday, Sept 23 from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel Downtown, 444 George Street. The sale includes new wedding dresses and accessories, including veils, belts, tiaras, etc, for the bride. There are more than 600 designer

wedding gowns available from size 2 to 28 all priced between $300 and $1299. That’s up to 80 per cent off regular prices. Regular entry is free but there is an option to get early access VIP tickets. For all the details visit www.facebook. com/events/weddingdresssalePG Love Starts Today Junk Journal Night goes Friday, Sept. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Spruce Capital Seniors, 3701 Rainbow Drive. The theme is a Tea Party. If you dress up or have something to show off you get a free ticket for the draw. There will be magazines, ink and stamps, paper punches, and pens, pencils, markers and adhesives available on tables for everyone to use. We now have premade, unique, themed bags for simple easy use. Adults are $25. Cost for children ages six to 18 is their age plus $2, so if they are 10 it will be $12. Children five and under are free to enjoy the evening with a parent or guardian. Price includes a Junk Journal Page and a choice of pre-made themed bag to help you create. Reserve a spot by emailing lovestartstoday@gmail.com Live Pro Wrestling presented by Primetime Entertainment goes Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26 with doors at 5:45, general bell at 7 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre and there are two different shows. For more information and tickets visit www.ticketseller.ca/tickets/event/ live-pro-wrestlingPG The Hip Experience goes Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. at CN Centre. This tribute band features frontman Derek Lathrop and the tour is called Ahead by a Century: The Hip Experience. This massive cross-country tour commemorates a decade since The Tragically Hip’s historic and emotional final concert, dedicated to preserving the legacy and “northern gothic” spirit of Canada’s most iconic rock band. For more information and tickets visit www.cncentre. ca/events-tickets/events-calendar/ ahead-century/thehipexperience CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Rockers Mathew Good and His Band will be joined by I Mother Earth at the CN Centre stage for a double-whammy concert on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Tickets are available at Tickets (ticketsnorth.ca).

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Drive Thru Fall Community Shred It Event goes Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the PGSS parking lot and is presented by the Northern BC Crime Stoppers as a fundraising event. This is an opportunity to shred personal or important documents, preventing identity theft. Donation is a minimum $10 per bag or box and is not meant for business owners. For another $5 donation enjoy a tasty Mr. Mike’s burger from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. National Tree Day 2026 Celebration goes Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Moore’s Meadow Park, 4750 First Avenue. Bring family, friends and pets to enjoy the fall colours and create your own meadow art. Easels for children and art supplies are provided. We take photos of your art before you take it home. Prizes for the most remarkable art. 41st annual Business Excellence Awards goes Saturday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way. There will be 12 awards presented to outstanding businesses in recognition of their work, including customer service, entertainment and attractions, environmental impact, food and

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beverage, not for profit and community service and lifetime achievement. For more information and for tickets visit https://www.pgchamber. bc.ca/39th-business-excellence-awards First Annual Duck Derby – Racing for Conservation goes Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at Cottonwood Island Park. All purchased ducks will be released into the Nechako River at the mouth of the newly restored Cottonwood Island Side Channel. The ducks will race downstream through the side channel toward the finish line, where a specially designed collection system will funnel them into the Winners Tube. The first three ducks into the Winners Tube will win. First place is $20,000, second place is $10,000 and third place is $5,000. But one lucky duck will be secretly selected before the race and if that duck comes in first the ticket holder will win an additional $50,000. For more information and to purchase tickets for $25 each visit https://scwa. bc.ca/2026-duck-derby/ Canadian Cancer Society is looking for Wheels of Hope drivers who make a significant impact on the lives of those battling cancer. By providing crucial transportation to treatment appointments volunteers offer not only a ride but also a supportive presence. This role involves flexible scheduling, confirming travel arrangements, ensuring client safety while adhering to CCS policies. CCS will provide training as volunteers join a dedicated team of more than 1600 drivers. Commit to a minimum of half a day to one day per week and be part of a mission to support and uplift those in need. For more information contact Wheels of Hope at 1-800-939-3333 or email volunteer@cancer.ca or visit www. cancer.ca//living-with-cancer/how-wecan-help/cancer-travel-and-accommodation-services-bc Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag

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about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest. Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. Everyone is welcome who has been diagnosed, those who are caregivers, family members and friends. Wheelchair accessible parking at the back of the building. For more information call Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618. Chronic Condition Support Group takes place the first Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Nechako Branch of the Prince George Public Library, 6547 John Hart Hwy. This is a community social group where people with any chronic condition can come together to socialize, connect and learn from each other. This is a free drop-in event.

Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. There’s something for everyone. Those caught cheating will be publicly shamed and labelled as cheaters — good wholesome fun. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066. Open Mic at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m. Open mic is hosted by Danny Bell and friends. Come on down and share songs, poetry, dance, stories, and anything else you can think to do on stage. All are welcome. If you’ve got an event coming up email us at news@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. LOCF

Celebrate National Forest Week

FREE Forestry Walking tour, Bag Lunch and Bus Ride to the Willow River Interpretive Trail (Hwy 16E) SATURDAY September 26 6, 2026 Departs from the Treasure Cove Casino parking lot • TIME TBA All ages welcome - Family Friendly This event lasts approximately 4 hours; the bus will drive you to the Willow River Interpretive Trail and a picnic site for lunch. Forest Professionals will guide you on a leisurely one hour walk along a 2 km trail, to share information on local forest management and view the recent partial cutting in the working forest. This is a guided tour and you must RSVP Anna Monetta via email amonetta@shaw.ca before Sept. 23rd to reserve your seat on the bus and your lunch.

Sponsored by the Cariboo Section of the Canadian Institute of Forestry

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Winter survival: PG competitor ends Alone World Championship ordeal Aaron Barnard endured intense cold and starvation for survival TV series TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

After 86 days in the bitter Arctic cold of the Mackenzie Delta, Aaron Barnard of Prince George was one of two contestants left standing in the Alone World Championship. Living in extremely harsh conditions in shelters they built, existing on whatever food they could find, with only winter clothes and 10 items of their choosing, Barnard and Slovenian Ziga Ogorelic were the only two left from the original 10 in the ultimate test of survival for a winner-takeall prize of US$500,000. Filming began when the competitors were dropped off in the wild just over a year ago. ALONE/HISTORY CHANNEL PHOTOS And as millions of TV viewers learned Left: This photo shows Alone contestant Aaron Barnard of Prince George on Day 1 of the Alone World Championship. in that final episode, broadcast on Right: This photo shows Alone contestant Aaron Barnard of Prince George on Day 87 of the Alone World Championship. He lost Wednesday, Sept. 9, Barnard, a 40-year- 78 pounds before he tapped out. old plumber-pipefitter and the lone Canadian in the competition, made the extracted — that he had won the comand had to spend the first night in hosthe final week. Having grown up on an agonizing decision to tap out. petition. His brother Miha accompanied pital in Inuvik. The doctor was worried acreage west of Prince George off Chief Having lost 78 pounds — more than the helicopter crew that had earlier about his liver and kidney function after Lake Road, he’s used to a cold-weather one-third of his normal 200-pound body contacted Ziga to give him the impreshe’d been existing on a protein diet climate, and the conditions where they weight — and suffering from the effects sion they were coming to exchange the consisting strictly of snowshoe hare for were, 50 kilometres south of the Beaufort of -23 C cold, malnutrition and loneliness batteries of the cameras given to each nearly 2½ months. Sea, were colder and wetter than most of that drained his physical, mental and contestant to film themselves in their He snared 98 hares in 87 days and the contestants had ever experienced. emotional strength, Barnard used his daily activities. boiled each of them in a pot. He was “I went in there with the notion that satellite phone to call the Alone home Ziga was shown talking to the camsuffering from protein poisoning, also we wouldn’t be that long,” said Barnard. base. A helicopter was dispatched to pick era crew while his brother sneaks up known as rabbit starvation. The body “I got to Day 87 and my body said no, him up and end his ordeal. from behind. With his back to him, Ziga is able to process 300 grams of protein we’re done. She was a battle.” “My body’s broken, my mind is heard his brother’s familiar whistle and each day, and he was ingesting 1,300 Barnard purposely overate to gain shot, I’m frozen to the core,” a tearful knew right away he’d won. grams per day, with very little fat to weight and was at 240 pounds when Barnard told the camera crew. “Finally, It took Miha a couple of days to get balance his digestive system. he was dropped off on Sept. 7, 2025. I broke. It’s a tough decision and I’ll to the site from Slovenia, which is why On his way home to Prince George, he By the time it was over on Dec. 5, he’d regret it forever. I quit, I just gave up Ziga had to stay an extra three days. ordered a beef dip and beer at his hotel dropped to 158 pounds. my dream. My body finally said enough, Barnard, Ziga and Nero Buys, a in Whitehorse and ended up getting For 2½ months, he existed exclusively you are done. My mind won’t let me 40-year-old outdoor educator from Aus- sick to his stomach because his body on a diet of snowshoe hare and a few continue.” tralia who tapped out on Day 85, spent wasn’t used to it. wild berries he collected, but his berry Ziga, a 35-year-old biologist from two weeks together at the Alone base Ten of the 13 seasons of Alone so far supply ran out by Day 40. Kocevje, Slovenia, found out on Day camp on a refeeding program. did not go beyond 83 days, so Barnard 90 — three days after Barnard was Barnard was starving and dehydrated knew he was getting close to the end in CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Aaron Barnard almost makes it to the end of TV competition CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Although the area is surrounded by lakes and rivers, he hadn’t caught any fish since Day 12. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, fish were one of the few sources of fat for any of the contestants, and without it, Barnard’s body suffered. He knew his time was coming to an end and he would eventually fail the medical test each contestant is required to pass every two weeks. Nero’s campsite was close to a natural weir in the river, an open section that continued to flow at the surface even after the river froze. It became a fish trap that had them literally jumping out of the water. Barnard didn’t have that luxury, and fish were scarce in his section of the river. Even on Day 90, when the crew came to pick him up, Ziga still had a large container one-third full of berries. He’d eaten most of the meat from the moose he shot with a bow before the snow came. Barnard, an experienced bowhunter, had a crack at a moose from 20 metres away on Day 27, but his arrow deflected off a tree branch and he missed his only shot at a biggame animal. Had he realized his moose was that deep into the rut and wasn’t about to be spooked, he would have waited to line up an unobscured shot. Even after he missed, the moose hung around the site. But he lost all his blunt arrows and was down to just two arrows by the final week. Weakened by hunger, he missed two closerange shots at a squirrel that came to his camp in the penultimate episode. “Food is everything. If you’ve got food, you can work harder, you’ve got more insulation, you can get more firewood. Unfortunately, that’s the game,” said Barnard, who said his moose was deep into the rutting stage when it came silently to his camp after he’d called it. Given another chance to design his log-cabin-style shelter, Barnard would have placed his fireplace in the middle of the floor for better

ALONE/HISTORY CHANNEL PHOTO

After 87 days in the Arctic, Aaron Barnard loads his pack for a helicopter ride to base camp. He was a finalist in the Alone World Championship.

ALONE/HISTORY CHANNEL PHOTO

Aaron Barnard’s shelter is seen after the Alone crew removed the roof to restore Barnard’s campsite after he tapped out on Day 87 as a finalist in the Alone World Championship.

heat retention, as Ziga did, rather than have it against the back wall. He would also place his raised bed on the lower side of the sloped-roof shelter. Barnard also misjudged the size of his chimney, which became too small to ventilate his cabin properly after he packed mud around the opening. That meant too much smoke inside, which made him reluctant to start fires in his shelter until it got really cold. “I didn’t practise building my shelter, I was just winging it. I’m just a hillbilly from Prince George, so I didn’t really train,” he said. “I should have built that shelter in Prince George, but I only had two months to prepare for it. There’s three or four mistakes I wish I could take back. Little mistakes cost me the game.” Late in the competition, Barnard fouled the zipper on his mummy sleeping bag and used paracord, snare wire and a fish hook to thread it back together after an exceptionally cold night. “My fire wasn’t lasting through the night. I was sleeping in a freezer,” he said.

“People don’t understand how cold a person can be. There’s nowhere to warm up. I was freezing and everything in my body was telling me to quit. But you just keep pushing. When you want something bad enough, you push through lots of pain and agony to try to get it. Sometimes your best is not enough.” In Episode 12, viewers learned what Barnard would do had he won a half-million-dollar payday. He wanted to buy a dump trailer and an earth-moving Bobcat to start a home-renovating business with his friend Todd, buying and flipping houses. He’d also use the cash to buy a house on an acreage. Barnard went back to work after his body recovered and has since bought a house on five acres in the Hart area of Prince George. He took home one souvenir from his Alone camp: the paw of the first rabbit he caught, which he kept for good luck. Barnard said being on the show gave him a new appreciation for his own life and made him realize how lucky he is to be healthy, able to work at his job and have people around

him who love him. When that’s taken away, it leaves a huge void. “I said it while I was out there, I’m complaining, I’m hungry, I’m starving, I’m not feeling well, but I could tap right now and this all ends for me. But there’s people in hospitals right now that don’t have that option.” Alone has a TV audience of between two million and three million for each episode, and Barnard has had hundreds of people from all over the world contact him on social media. He watched each weekly episode with friends at the Black Clover, and the season finale on Wednesday packed the downtown restaurant-pub. “I know it’s cool and I know I did a good job and I’m proud of what I did, but to me I just went camping with a camera,” he said. “It’s nothing out of the ordinary because I like camping, hunting and fishing.” He and his wife, Melissa, remain separated, as was first revealed on the show, but they’re still good friends. There’s a real chance Barnard will have another shot at the big prize. He spoke with an Alone producer who told him he likely will be invited as a contestant on a future redemption season of the series. “I’ll get on that show again,” he said. “I hope it’s somewhere warm.” All 13 episodes of the Alone series are available to watch on demand on History Channel.

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CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Members of Selen’s Squad, a team taking part in the 2026 Parkinson’s SuperWalk, pose for a picture on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Purple fills Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park for Superwalk MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park was filled with purple T-shirts on Saturday, Sept. 12, as more than 200 Prince George walkers raised funds and showed their support during the 2026 Parkinson SuperWalk in Prince George. The Parkinson SuperWalk, Parkinson Canada’s largest annual fundraiser, is an annual event held in more than 30 communities across Canada. A total of $20,187 was raised during the Prince George event, with the funds going directly to Parkinson Society BC for research, services and programs for families affected by the disease. The society reports that 17,000 people in BC have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism, with an estimated 1,700 of those people residing in Prince George. Funds were raised through donations, as well as a barbecue hosted by TELUS Ambassadors, who donated 100 per cent of their profits to the cause. The event was filled with positive energy and celebration as attendees shared their personal stories and the impact the event has had on their lives. Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Kyle Giddens and Mayor Simon Yu also

spoke at the event before the group’s physiotherapist led the crowd in warmup exercises. Gina Beddome, one of the event’s main organizers and a member of the Prince George Parkinson’s Support Group, spoke with The Citizen about the massive wave of support. “It means a great deal personally and as a representative of the group,” said Beddome. “One of our themes is ‘you are not alone.’ When people who have been affected by Parkinson’s attend this event and see how many other people in the Prince George community are aware of the disease and support them in their cause, it just makes you feel so much better and gives you the energy you need to fight for another year.” Beddome has been a tireless advocate for her support group and Parkinson Society BC since her husband was diagnosed with the disease more than 20 years ago. “I want to keep my fingers in it and make people aware of the improvements to Parkinson’s and the community,” said Beddome. “The people involved in Parkinson’s in Prince George are just such a wonderful group of people. They’re always so

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Gina Beddome, one of the lead members of Prince George Parkinson’s Support Groupon speaks to the crowd of walkers during the 2026 Parkinsons Superwalk on Saturday, Sept. 12.

upbeat and wanting to help out and wanting to learn new things that I just cannot see myself not hanging around and helping them.” The standout of the day was the massive support shown by Selen’s Squad, one of the teams in the walk. The team was responsible for raising

more than $40,000 during last year’s Parkinson SuperWalk, the record for funds raised in the province in 2025. The members of Selen’s Squad wore purple shirts with the words “shaken not stirred” on the back. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Selen’s Squad tops PG Parkinson’s fundraising efforts CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Selen Alpay, the philanthropist and owner of Canadian Tire for whom the squad is named, said the phrase has meaning to those with Parkinson’s. “The name of the team came from my dear friend Shirley Bond, and then I came up with the tagline ‘shaken not stirred,’” said Alpay. “It’s not only a James Bond line. It applies to us folks that have Parkinson’s because our bodies have Alpay been shaken, but our hearts and our minds haven’t been stirred, and we just keep moving forward. That’s really important, and events like this are even far more important to support each other.” For Beddome, Selen’s Squad brought new energy to supporting the cause. “My enthusiasm was waning, and I had a hard time getting enthused about SuperWalk,” she said. “Selen and his squad stepped up to the plate and have brought a whole new bit of energy into this event, and it’s just made such a difference. I don’t know what we would have done without them.” Alpay recently shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis after living with the disease for two years. However, he said his diagnosis has given him a newfound perspective and lifelong friends. “I’m glad I got Parkinson’s,” said Alpay. “Because I got Parkinson’s, I also have a whole new battery of friends that I get to interact with, and nobody’s embarrassed to talk about their situation. We all have the same issues, and it’s good to have that kind of support.” Beddome also shared that she believes the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s is much greater. “So many people don’t reach out to support groups,” said Beddome. “It’s the second-most-common neurological disease next to Alzheimer’s. It seems to be affecting younger and younger people as the years go on. It used to be an

old person’s disease, and now there’s a younger onset that is becoming very prevalent, being triggered by environmental factors.” Alpay told The Citizen that, based on his experiences, those with the disease should not be afraid to share their diagnoses. He also shared a few words for those who have not joined a support group or been public about having Parkinson’s. “I would say to them that getting Parkinson’s was not their fault, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” said Alpay. “There are so many other people, like 1,700 people just in this community alone, who have been stricken with Parkinson’s. It’s nice to be able to talk to somebody and give them feedback as to where you came from and make them feel better about themselves in that respect.” Alpay also shared that his favourite part of the event was seeing people from a local seniors residence, where he has previously volunteered, turn up for him and his squad. “It’s been years since I’ve been at Simon Fraser Lodge, but they’re all out here today in support of us, which is fantastic,” said Alpay. Beddome added that care for those in the North with the disease is often far more complicated, leading to a greater need for support and care for those diagnosed. “It’s very difficult because we’re so far removed from the Lower Mainland, and that’s one of the things that we are moving towards and getting close to — opening up a mobile disability clinic here for those suffering in Northern BC so they can get the services they need here without having to go to Vancouver,” said Beddome. “But no, it’s difficult. There are a lot more services in Vancouver and much, much less here in Prince George.” Beddome also took time to thank everyone who came out to show their support and the organizations that donated time, funding and support for the SuperWalk. “You have no idea how much that means to the group and to people with Parkinson’s,” she said. “It’s huge.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Walkers take part in warm-up exercises before the 2026 Parkinsons Superwalk, which attracted hundreds of people to Lheidl T’enneh Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 12.

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Local birds falling victim to PG’s toxic drug crisis Downtown crows and pigeons have been overdosing, rescue society reports MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Good Caws Crow Rescue Society is sounding the alarm after a concerning rise in accidental drug poisoning among downtown crows and pigeons. The society has recently shared videos and photos of crows in particular suffering the effects of toxic street drugs on its Facebook page. Birds, namely pigeons and corvids, can react in a confused and often unpredictable manner when they accidentally consume these drugs. They can injure themselves while thrashing, struggling to fly and falling unconscious. Good Caws told The Citizen that since June, it has received approximately two to three calls weekly regarding birds that have accidentally ingested illicit substances. The society added that the vast majority of these birds come from the same five-block radius around St. Vincent de Paul Drop-In Centre, located at 1220 Second Ave. Dayna Plane, founder of Good Caws, spoke to The Citizen about how these crows are accidentally ingesting these substances. “St. Vincent de Paul used to have an eat-in program. When COVID happened, they started giving out food. What’s happening is people are eating and they’re leaving their garbage outside. Crows are doing what crows do. They’re coming down to eat garbage. Among that, there are things with drug residue, there are broken crack pipes, there’s tin foil, there are baggies, and it takes a grain for a bird. Just a grain,” said Plane. As well, since it takes such a small amount of illicit substance for a crow to be injured or even die from it, puddles or runoff can spell disaster

GOOD CAWS RESCUE SOCIETY PHOTO

Good Caws has seen several crows, including the one seen here, pass away after ingesting toxic drugs.

for downtown crows and pigeons. “There’s rain, there’s runoff, there’s puddles, and there are trace amounts of drugs in that. The crows, they’re getting into this. It’s escalated from a public health crisis to also an environmental danger, is what I think is happening,” said Plane. Crows in the scientific community are often considered what is called a “sentinel species,” meaning they are often studied to determine environmental effects and dangers, as these are often showcased in corvid species faster and more obviously than in others. Plane believes these animals are sending those in Prince George a message through their suffering. “Crows are important because they live with us in our cities. They’re an immediate mirror of what we see going on in our environment around us and they are considered messengers in a lot of cultures. I think their message is that there is a problem happening right now and it’s getting worse and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later,” said Plane. Good Caws has begun administering nasal Narcan to these birds,

which Plane has seen take immediate effect, either waking the birds when they are unconscious or calming them down when they are suffering the effects. “The majority of them, I’d say 75 per cent of them, snap out of it within 24 hours. Now that we can give them nasal Narcan, they’ll snap out of it within an hour now,” said Plane. The Pounds Society has reportedly given Good Caws a supply of nasal Narcan to use on birds suffering from toxic drugs. Plane also told The Citizen that seeing so many birds suffer from this ongoing issue has taken an emotional toll on her, her staff and volunteers. “It’s just heartbreaking seeing this because they don’t know where they are, they’re throwing themselves into the walls of kennels, they’re having seizures, they’re like leaking brown liquid and foam from the beak if it’s really bad. It’s rough and it feels unfair to these birds,” said Plane. In response to growing reports of crows suffering these effects, members of Good Caws have taken to checking back alleys downtown for birds who may be suffering. Plane also described how her

organization discovered that downtown birds were suffering from these toxic drugs. “We were getting more and more of them,” said Plane. “We would get them and we’d think they were going to die. Then in the next day they’re fine, they would just snap out of it, and then we started seeing similarities between the effects of the drugs on the birds and the effects of the drugs on the people.” “We spoke with our vet about it, and the vet confirmed that she thinks that this is drugs, and then we started using Narcan and it worked. We’ve had some people ask, maybe it’s avian flu, maybe it’s West Nile. If that was true, these birds wouldn’t be snapping out of it in 24 hours. If that were true, Narcan wouldn’t work. So we know what this is,” said Plane. She also suggested some possible fixes but admitted that this problem was beyond her and her organization’s ability to solve on their own. “I don’t have answers for this kind of thing,” said Plane. “Perhaps eat-in programs, I think garbage reduction would help. But as far as the big problems, I couldn’t even think of the answers for that. I know that something needs to change. It’s so complicated, and I’m focused on these birds and seeing what’s happening and letting people know that this problem is growing and starting to affect more things around us. It’s becoming an environmental danger now.” Plane also expressed concern that larger animals such as dogs may ingest these substances during walks downtown. If you find a bird that is suffering, Plane suggested you follow these tips. “If you find a bird that you suspect is sick or drugged or anything, put it in a box, put it in a quiet place, do not feed or water it because that can kill them. Injured birds can’t swallow properly, they can aspirate. Their body temperature drops, and if you feed or water a bird with an improper body temperature, they go into shock and die.

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Families back to raise funds as Multiple Myeloma March set for Sept. 19 at Otway Nordic Centre Advances in cancer treatment have added years to lifespans of those who have rare blood disease TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Vivian Lougheed, a former lab technician who worked at Prince George Regional Hospital four decades ago, knew about multiple myeloma long before she was diagnosed with the disease. It used to be the prognosis for patients who had the rare blood disorder was gloomy at best. “When I was working in the lab way back in the 1970s, myeloma was a death warrant,” said the 83-year-old Lougheed. “The maximum you’d get was two years amd that would be two years of hell. Now, we have people that live up to 20 years and for me this coming spring will be seven years.” Multiple myeloma is a non-curable form of blood cancer that starts in the plasma. Normally, plasma forms antibodies that fight infections. In cases of multiple myeloma, a faulty (monoclonal) protein is produced that turns plasma cells cancerous, which leads to exponential growth of cancerous cells that can build up in the body and harm organs like the kidneys. The disease causes thinning of bones which leads to pain and increased risk of cracking or fractures. It’s difficult to diagnose multiple myeloma, especially in its early stages when there might not be any signs of the disease. Most commonly, it can produce high blood calcium levels, kidney problems, anemia and bone disease. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends anybody who has the

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Team Stinson, Laurisa (left to right), mother Iris, Mitch, father Don, Mitch’s partner Wendy Busse and dog Tippy gather together before starting the five-kilometre Multiple Myeloma March on Sept. 14, 2025 to celebrate their successful fundraising drive in memory of Malcolm Stinson.

following symptoms to immediately notify a doctor. Those specific symptoms can include: • Bone pain related to bone fractures that occur most commonly in the back, front of the chest, ribs, hips or skull; • Bone weakness, which can lead to osteoporosis (a condition where bones lose mass, or density, and the bone tissue breaks down) • Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness and paleness caused by low red blood cell counts (called anemia) • Frothy urine • Unexplained bruising • Frequent infections, including pneumonia (an infection of the lung) related to low white blood cell counts (called neutropenia) • Fever (related to an infection) • Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, a lot of bleeding from minor cuts or scrapes or a lot of bruising

caused by low platelet counts (called thrombocytopenia) • Higher than normal levels of protein in the blood or urine • Extreme thirst, a need to urinate often, dehydration, kidney problems including kidney failure, constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weakness, drowsiness, confusion, nausea and vomiting or lethargy caused by high levels of calcium in the blood (called hypercalcemia) • Nervous system problems, including sudden and severe pain, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness, paralysis, confusion and dizziness – some of these symptoms may be related to spinal cord compression, which is a cancer-related emergency • Weight loss • Headaches, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, fatigue, oozing from cuts, blurred vision, bruising,

symptoms of a stroke (weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech) caused by a thickening or stickiness of the blood (called hyperviscosity) • Weakness, shortness of breath, itching and swelling caused by kidney problems For Lougheed, one of her symptoms is related to early kidney damage. “It’s common to have frothy urine, but nobody thinks of that,” said Lougheed. “That’s proteins coming out in the urine and I remember going to my doctor two years before to say I’ve got frothy urine, that’s not normal, and she didn’t know where to go with it.” Lougheed leaned on her lab tech background and bought a dipstick tester which confirmed there was protein being excreted through her urine. Her doctor then referred her to another physician who ordered a bone marrow test that confirmed she had myeloma. She said it’s common for myeloma patient to not show any visible signs of the disease or appear ill at all but they feel pain in their bones or are chronically fatigued. On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m., the Northern BC chapter of Multiple Myeloma Canada will host the Multiple Myeloma March, a fundraising/ awareness walk at Otway Nordic Centre, 8141 Otway Road. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club lodge. There are about 30 members of the local chapter. They meet monthly (every third Saturday at 1 p.m.) at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St., a downtown Prince George business owned by Dan McLaren, whose father died of multiple myeloma. Guest speakers make presentations at those meetings and it’s a support group for people and their families who suffer from the disease.

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New Stem Cell Club Campaign starts up at UNBC There’s a next-level call out that to support Indigenous Donors Save Lives CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

There’s a next-level call out that sees the Stem Cell Club at UNBC support the Indigenous Donors Save Lives campaign to help increase Indigenous representation on Canada’s stem cell donor registry. Zoe Younghusband from the Stem Cell Club is partnering up with UNBC’s valedictorian, Araiya Bernard, who is a Métis scholar and recent nursing program graduate, to raise awareness for the initiative in the Prince George community. “This campaign is really focusing on recruitment, education and spreading awareness about Stem Cell Registry and how it affects not only Indigenous populations but also people in Canada as a whole,” Bernard said.

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Zoe Younghusband, left, from the Stem Cell Club is partnering up with UNBC’s valedictorian, Araiya Bernard, to raise awareness for the Indigenous Donors Save Lives initiative.

“We are launching the pilot of Indigenous Donors Save Lives that will be focused on Northern BC during the last week of September, which is National

Truth & Reconciliation Week. We are planning to do a drive at UNBC in the Winter Garden and then another on National Truth & Reconciliation Day,

Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Both of those will be focused on recruiting Indigenous donors specifically.” There is a decrease in the number of marginalized or ethnic populations on the registry, Bernard said. “So by doing a campaign like this we can kind of rebuild that trust and have relationships with community partners with communities across Northern BC and Indigenous folks,” Bernard said. “We want to try to show them that the Stem Cell Registry chapters around Canada are really focused on investing in Indigenous people and creating northern awareness and increasing those numbers because that is for the overall benefit of Indigenous people if they were ever to look for a match when they go through a health challenge.” The event will be held at UNBC on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then the group will be at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on National Truth & Reconciliation Day on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A walk through local arts and culture now only a download away A new partnership between Arts BC and Tourism Prince George is offering self-guided tours on a mobile app MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Tourism PG, in partnership with Arts BC, is now offering self-guided tours of a wide variety of arts and culture in Prince George, all within the free Arts BC mobile app. The Arts BC app now includes selfguided tours of the Prince George art scene, giving visitors and longtime residents the opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant and creative arts scene. The app includes, but is not limited

to, information on downtown murals, pieces at the Two Rivers Art Gallery, Elmer Gunderson’s tree carvings at Cottonwood and the artists who made them. These self-guided tours can be done on foot, by bike or with a short drive. The length of the tours is also customizable, giving visitors and residents the flexibility to choose a tour that matches their time constraints, interests and travel style. “The Arts BC app encourages the rediscovery of Prince George through an artist’s lens,” said Scott McWalter, executive director of Tourism PG. “There are hidden gems everywhere, and these self-guided tours are an excellent way to experience the creative pulse of our city. We hope this partnership grows the visibility of our bustling performing and visual art scenes in town and expands cultural

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Two Rivers Gallery and the artworks inside will be one of the locations featured in a new self-guided tour offered through a free mobile app designed by Tourism PG and Arts BC.

knowledge across the region.” Tourism PG also encourages residents to submit artwork that has not yet been uploaded to the Prince

George itinerary. The app is free on IOS and Android and can be downloaded at artsbc.org/ explore-arts-bc-app/

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Kopar breathing new life into Phoenix playhouse MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Phoenix Transition House will soon receive the donation of a refurbished and redesigned playhouse. The playhouse was donated to the Phoenix Transition House by an unlikely and caring source who wanted to see the house get used by those in need and was spruced up by Kopar Administration to get it ready for use. The facility is run by the Phoenix Transition Society, a social services organization that works to support women and children in their new lives after suffering intimate partner abuse. The house originally was built for a young girl in Prince George by her “papa” after she returned from a trip. However, as she grew older, things in the household took a turn for the worse. “The playhouse was there for her when she was two years old,” said KylaRae Laferdy, team leader at Phoenix Transition Society in a Thursday, Sept. 10 interview. “Regrettably, within that next year, due to ongoing intimate partner violence in the family home, the family had to flee. They fled their home, they fled everything and the playhouse was left behind.” However, after the home was sold, the now 10-year-old girl and her family reached out to the new owners to see if they could donate the playhouse. “If you think about the time that she wasn’t able to play at two years old, that’s such a formative time in a child’s life to really have that imagination and she had just settled into the playhouse only to have it taken away. She wanted to donate the playhouse, knowing that we have many children who come to Phoenix and she wanted children to experience what she never got to experience herself,” said Laferdy. The playhouse was then given to Kopar Administration after being transported by staff at the Prince George Rona for touch-ups by staff and students at their Bladerunners program. “Phoenix Transition House reached out to us and said that they had this

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY MATTHEW HILLIER

From left to right, Ken Newell, operations manager at Kopar Administration, Chris Jewesson, contract sales manager, at Rona, Joey Derrick Jr, Kopar student, Kohl Derksen, Kopar student, Jay Brouwez, staff member at Kopar Administration, Robert Thow, staff member at Kopar Administration, Julie Ortynsky, assistant manager at All-West Glass, Kyla-Rae Laferdy, team leader at the Phoenix Transition Society and Teela Tesluk, staff member at Phoenix Transition Society, pose for a photo with the new Playhouse at Kopar Admistration. The photo below shows the playhouse pre-restoration as it’s moved.

dilapidated playhouse that they had for the kids over at the transition house and wanted to know if it was something we could work on with them. When we went and took a look at it, we basically said, “ Yeah, this is right up our alley,” said Ken Newell, operations manager at Kopar Administration. The house was given a new paint job, a new front door painted with the Phoenix Transition House logo, new wood material was installed and windows were donated and installed courtesy of All-West Glass. The interior of the playhouse was finished with paint that is able to be drawn on with chalk. “This is exactly the type of heartfelt project that we want to do. We can give our students the skill sets, but at the same time do something good for the community,” said Newell. Beyond building practical skills, Newell said this type of project gives students an example of what good they can do in the community with their new skills. “It’s just really exciting that the students in the program can look at it and say, ‘hey, I did that,’ and then if it’s mentioned in the community, they can point it out to their friends and family and say, ‘I built that, I helped with that process’. It’s something they can feel good about

what they’re doing,” said Newell. Newell believes that even though this project was smaller scale, it showcases the involvement and heart of the Prince George community. “This is really a Prince George concept of how we all come together for a need,” said Newell. “Even something just like this, a playhouse for kids, having all these different partners involved Rona, All-West Glass, Central Display, etc. This was just fantastic because we made the call and nobody hesitated. Everyone was like, ‘Yep, sure, what can we do and can we do more?’ That’s just the Prince George community feel.” The playhouse was set to be transported to Phoenix Transition House on Monday, Sept 14, by Rona Prince George. Laferdy said the playhouse could not go to a better place. “It’s gonna be so well loved and I envision so many children having positive memories of this playhouse as they move forward through their own darkness,” said Laferdy. She also thanked all those involved for making this playhouse donation a reality. “On behalf of Phoenix Transition Society, we want to thank the young girl and her papa who thought of Phoenix House and all of the children who could find

comfort and joy for years to come in this heartfelt donation; the entire Kopar team and Bladerunners Crew for how quickly they responded to this project and poured their hearts into the project from start to finish, to Rona, Central Display, and to everyone else who worked behind the scenes to renew this playhouse for generations to come. This would not have been possible without all of you! Thank you for making one young girl’s dream come true,” said Laferdy.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

COMMUNITY

P PR R II N NC CE E G GE EO OR RG GE E C C II T T II Z ZE EN N

Swords drawn as Barony does ‘battle’ at public library MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Brock Perri is a plumber by trade however, when he puts on his armour and joins together with those in the Barony of the Northern Grove in Prince George, he becomes the king of the Viridian Outlands and lord over the territory of the Northern Groves. Perri and more than 25 others in Prince George are part of Amtgard — Barony of the Northern Grove a group that puts on events based around live-action roleplaying (LARP). On Thursday, Sept. 10, brave knights from Amtgard ventured to the Prince George Public Library’s Bob Harkins Branch to demonstrate the system’s rules, combat hold a duel, and take attendees on a “quest” throughout the library to solve riddles hidden in the books. The group was created eight years ago at a Denny’s where the founding members gathered to discuss creating a LARP group in Prince George. Amtgard itself is a not-for-profit organization focused on medieval combat games, events, crafting and more. Those under Amtgard’s banner, including those in Prince George, hold regular royal court sessions, coronations, social quests, and gatherings. “The rule set that we use is a part of a society nonprofit that also does food drives and other special events and campouts. We promote the arts and sciences, sewing, leather working, metal working and whatnot. As well as get togethers to do fantastic battles between warriors and wizards and on the on the fields in whatever park we happen to be in,” said Perri. The organization also maintains a constantly updated set of rules for one of the main draws of LARP, fighting battles with foam-padded swords, spears and other medieval weaponry. “It’s a light touch game,” said Perri. “There is not a full-body connective swing. It’s a little closer to fencing but without the rules of fencing. The weapons are traditionally in foam or the newbies use big boss pool noodles with

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Brock Perri (left) engages in a duel with Leif Morgan during an Amtgard — Barony of the Northern Grove demonstration at the Prince George Public Library’s Bob Harkins Branch on Thursday, Sept. 10.

solid cores. We have safety constructions so people can not get hurt. Everything goes to stringent safety.” Groups also have rules for magic use, including spells for wizards, necromancers, clerics, druids, paladins and more. Amtgard groups have been established in Vanderhoof, 100 Mile House and the Lower Mainland, but also reaches across North America with thousands of members. Outside of special community events, those in the Barony of the Northern Grove hold weekly Sunday meetings at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park where they conduct battle games, fight duels and more. Barony of the Northern Grove has also hosted booths at Northern FanCon, held events at the BCNE Renaissance Fair and gathers semi-frequently to hold feasts and special events at community centres in Prince George. As well, Amtgard has hierarchies with those involved in organization, admin, volunteer wor, or who stand out in their local groups, moving up the ranks of the system. For Perri, the most important aspect of Amtgard is how it brings people

closer together. “I’ve actually hosted, used my house and I’ve had people who just come over and we’ve done puzzle quests and word-association games and stuff while you’re dressed as your character. It’s a lot of fun. I just love the community aspect, the physical aspect also keeps me going. Makes me go to the gym to keep up with people. The social environment is just incredibly welcoming and inclusive to everyone,” said Perri. During the library event, Perri showed off a plush stuffed potato, which was won by his group for getting the most donations for an Amtgard food drive. Perri also emphasized during both his presentation at the library and his interview with The Citizen that the groups are very beginner-friendly and are open to those who are not interested in the combat games. “Everyone’s welcome to swing by. Combat is part of the game, but the rule book even has so much built in for people who either can’t or don’t wish to be in combat. We have certain things for them, certain rules for them that keep them safe. It’s also part of the social aspect. You get some people that show

up that are in their late sixties and they come out and they crochet and visit with us as well,” said Perri. They always set aside equipment for newcomers, as they have seen their local community grow since they started hosting more public events. “Especially after the ren faire, we have seen a lot of growth. We had six people join afterwards because of the tournaments that we put on for people who got really interested. It was quite fun to see everyone having so much fun,” said Perri. He also shared what’s on the horizon for the group in the coming months. “In October we’re putting on a demonstration at the Alexandrite Mountain Fantasy Book Ball on Oct 17. After that, it starts to slow down. We are hoping to get another murder mystery planned to run at Deadfall (Brewing Company) and, usually during the month of June or July, we like to host at Miworth Community Association and hold whole days of tournaments and questing and food,” said Perri. To learn more, visit the Amtgard — Barony of The Northern Grove Facebook page.

P PR R II N NC CE E G GE EO OR RG GE E C C II T T II Z ZE EN N

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Heritage commission wants Lheidli T’enneh input MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Prince George Heritage Commission decided to solicit Lheidli T’enneh First Nation input on new interpretive signs that are planned to go up across the city at its Thursday, Sept. 10 meeting. Members of the commission were presented with a recommendation to approve the content, location and type of sign for the proposed heritage interpretive signs listed below • Alexandra Hotel • Ben Baird’s Ltd./ Morrisons Men’s Wear • Cenotaph • ity hall • Columbus Hotel • Connaught Ski Hill • Corless House • Hotel Simon Fraser • Knox church bell • Knox United Church • Sixth Avenue liquor store • Masons Café - Prudente Block • McDonald Hotel. • McInnis Building Supplies. • Municipal public library • Northern Hardware • Pastry Chef Bakery • Post office at the corner of Third Avenue and Dominion Street • Prince George Arena • Shasta Café • Strand Theatre City council previously authorized a budget of $106,000 for the first phase of the sign revitalization project. These signs, for the most part, will replace old heritage signs that are in need of improvement and repair. Four new signs are also planned to be set up at PG landmarks during this phase. However, the commission pushed the approval of this latest batch of signs from their Thursday, Sept. 10 meeting to their Thursday, Dec. 10 meeting because it wants to get input on the content of these signs from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. Members cited the historical significance the nation has played in the history of Prince George and the wealth

of additional info they may be able to add to the signs. “We had an excellent meeting with representatives from the Lheidli T’enneh. That’s why we referred the approval of the signs’ text back to the working group. We’ve wanted the input of the Lheidli T’enneh for years now and that’s finally starting to happen,” said chairperson George Davison. Members of the commission were also given aluminum mock-ups of one of the proposed signs at their Sept. 10 meeting, made by Montreal-based company Kalitec. Many board members were impressed with the mock-up but are still debating whether they want to proceed with aluminum or ceramic signage. “The city parks folks say it costs about $1,700 per sign to replace them, from the base to the text and installation. The Kalitec signs, if we get 60 of them, they’re about $700 a piece. A base on top of that would be another few hundred dollars, so it would come well within the city’s idea of what a sign replacement would cost. Ceramic tile signs, we think it could be done for under $1,700, but that has to be nailed down because we haven’t gone far down that road yet,” said Davison. When this story was written, the commission has yet to receive a mock-up of the ceramic signage. Members also discussed the viability of protecting these signs against the elements, graffiti and fire damage, discussing the viability of different placement options or materials for protecting against these types of damage. The possibility of attaching QR codes to the signage that would link to further information was also brought forward, with councillors discussing the viability of implementing these codes on signage and possible online safety issues that may need to be considered when having scannable public QR codes. As well, the decommissioning of these signs once approval is gained and placement begins was discussed with members, potentially implementing a system where those with a personal investment in the history or location of

the signs can request the old signage. “Somebody came forward and asked what we were going to do with the old signs and his family is related to the Freimuller pioneer family who’ve been here over a hundred years. The sign sits in a park up off of Foothills Boulevard and he asked, ‘What are you gonna do with it? Could I have it?’ I said that we would bring the discussion to the commission. It sounds like there are a couple of options that we’re gonna be exploring between now and December and to bring forward a policy or process to deal with those decommissioned signs.” Another recommendation put forward was to consider the Heritage Register nomination for a property at 2626 Kaslo St., which was received on Tuesday, Aug. 11. According to Redfin, a real estate website, the house was built in 1915 and is not on the market. The Heritage Commission approved the recommendation with the matter

now being worked on by its register working group and the owner of the property. “The register working group will take a look at it and work with the owner of the house, see if it’s worthy of the register for one, and write up a statement of significance, which then comes back to the commission, and then the commission recommendation goes to council. So, there are several steps involved before something is put on the register,” said Davison. Other topics that were discussed during the meeting were the outcomes of the summer events that the Heritage Commission attended and the success of working groups since the June meeting. “There’s been a lot of activity over the summer on the outreach front: Canada Day, BCNE, work with the Multicultural Heritage Society, Labour Day, Seniors’ Day. We’ve done a lot there,” said Davison.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

Throwback Thursday: Week of September 17

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September 18, 1967: Twenty-one cars took part in the Prince George Auto Sports Club’s demolition derby in front of a huge crowd. Citizen File Photo.

September 16, 1977: Betty Hein became the city’s first instant millionaire after scoring the winning ticket from the Labor Day Provincial Lottery draw. Citizen File Photo by Dave Milne.

September 10, 2007: Dexter, a four-year-old Great Dane, made two new friends, Gabrielle Bernard, 7, and her brother Gage, at the SPCA’s Paws for a Cause event. Citizen File Photo by David Mah.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Local Sports Community skates in Mavrik’s memory Family welcomed supporters and the Spruce Kings to the CN Centre MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Turnbull family, alongside hockey fans, more than 200 members of the community and the Prince George Spruce Kings, celebrated the life of Mavrik Turnbull at his favourite place in the world, the CN Centre, on Saturday, Sept. 12. “I couldn’t have asked for a better result,” said Derek Turnbull, Mavrik’s father. “We had lots of people come out. It’s one of the hardest days I’ve done, but I couldn’t have asked for a better result.” Mavrik Turnbull’s story touched the hearts of tens of thousands across Prince George and beyond. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, shortly after he turned two years old in 2024. His treatment was intensive, with chemotherapy, surgeries, blood transfusions and specialized treatments in both Vancouver and the United States over the course of 21 months. Mavrik was moved to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver on June 11, 2026, after a spot seen on a previous CT scan had grown to four times its size following treatment. In hospice, the stars of Mavrik’s favourite game came to see him, with Mavrik being visited by about 50 players from the WHL and NHL. On July 6, 2026, Mavrik passed away after a long fight with cancer. He spent his last moments surrounded by loved ones. However, his fighting spirit, love for hockey and his family, not to mention his involvement with the Prince George community, ensured that his memory

will live on. Members of the Turnbull family shared their favourite stories about Mavrik during the celebration of life, including how he had an “emotional support potato chip” he would sleep with, his love for Starbucks and McDonald’s, hockey fights with his family members, pretending to be asleep to avoid doctors and “fighting like an alligator” when it came time to change his dressings, just to name a few. Vanessa Turnbull, Mavrik’s mother, also shared that her son demanded to sleep with three or more of his favourite stuffed animals in the hospital after learning that she had bought more than 20 duplicates to replace any that were lost or dirty. “He showed that no matter how small you were, you’re mightier than you can ever believe,” said Derek during the celebration of life. “You brought joy, happiness and light to everybody around you, even when you were going through the worst hell anyone could ever imagine. Your strength, determination and pure joy were infectious, and everybody who knew you somehow knew that you could help everyone, just by handing them a hockey stick, a Bluey toy or dropping gloves. The impact that you’ve left on this world is far greater than I or anybody else I know could have ever imagined.” In honour of Mavrik’s memory, the Turnbull family has set up the Mavrik Turnbull Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting the families of those with sick children in Northern BC. Vanessa and Derek have both seen the reality of treatment in Northern BC, with many specialized treatments only accessible with travel. This adds additional financial pressures, including housing, food and travel costs, in addition to caring for a sick child. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Mavrik Turnbull, 3, died July 6 after a battle with cancer. During his short life, his love of hockey brought pro players to his bedside and sparked a huge outpouring of community support.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

SPORTS

P PR R II N NC CE E G GE EO OR RG GE E C C II T T II Z ZE EN N

New effort launched to support other families in need

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

More than 200 people attended Mavrik Turnbull’s celebration of life at the CN Centre on Saturday, Sept. 12, which included a community skate (below).

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE During the celebration, Mavrik’s favourite toys, including a dinosaur, 12-volt electric cars and more, were given to those who donated to the foundation, with a silent auction also being held for some of the toys to raise funds. As well, the foundation hopes to sponsor one northern child a year to help them play hockey, even during treatment or illness. During the celebration, Derek announced that the foundation has found its first child to sponsor, Nixon Andreza, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2025. “We’ve bought Nixon all of his hockey gear to get ready for the upcoming season. Nixon actually played with Mavrik and is currently in remission from rhabdomyosarcoma. He was also diagnosed with cancer, fought through it and spent a good amount of time with

Mav. At this point, we couldn’t see a better fit in the short amount of time. Going forward, we’re going to sponsor at least one kid a year to do the same thing,” said Derek. The family, in partnership with the Prince George Community Foundation, has also established the

Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund, with the funds going toward the Turnbull Foundation. To that effect, Malcolm Turnbull, Mavrik’s grandfather, is also hoping to establish a children’s hospice in Prince George, so that Northern children can spend their final days around those

they love. “We already have to send our children to Vancouver for specific treatment not available here. If the treatments are unsuccessful, then our children have to die away from family and community, which I personally know is unfair. I will be putting my efforts toward trying to secure our small children’s hospice for Prince George and the surrounding communities. We should be able to have our children close when they have fought their battle and are losing their lives,” said Malcolm. Derek added more details about the efforts to make this potential children’s hospice a reality. “It’s a bit of a separate entity because we’re both channelling our energies in different places, but we are really looking forward to seeing that,” said Derek. “He wants to bring something home because when Mavrik turned terminal, they told us that there’s an outreach part of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, but if you die at home, there’s very little support with that. We need a place for these kids to go if the worst happens and to be able to bring them home and have the community come to them.” Following the celebration, approximately 30 members of the community laced up and joined the Turnbull family for a community skate in Mavrik’s honour. Derek said that seeing those in Prince George who have supported his family and his son celebrate his life with his family was emotional for everyone. “It’s everything. This community is incredible,” said Derek. “We can’t thank everybody enough for coming out, for supporting, for hearing about the foundation and hearing what we’re trying to do now that all this has gone on. This community, it’s amazing to be able to be a part of this community and to have them around all of us.” To donate to the Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund, visit the Prince George Community Foundation’s Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund page at pgcf.ca/fund/ The-Mavrik-Turnbull-Legacy-Fund

P PR R II N NC CE E G GE EO OR RG GE E C C II T T II Z ZE EN N

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Timberwolves men play to a draw; women blanked KRRISH NARENDRA UNBC Athletics

Sunday afternoon at Masich Place Stadium, the UNBC Timberwolves (0-1-3) and UBC Thunderbirds (5-0-1) delivered an absolute thriller, battling to a 3-3 draw in a high-intensity men’s soccer clash. The Timberwolves showcased tremendous grit and offensive firepower, with Kaiden Young taking home Mr. Mikes Player of the Game honours for a relentless performance that included a highlight-reel goal. The Thunderbirds tested UNBC early, but goalkeeper Owen Shum stood tall, making a sharp initial save before shutting down a header from UBC’s Max Comsia in the 11th minute. For Shum, it marked his first career Canada West start in goal. The Timberwolves’ defence matched the physical play, highlighted by Hagon Kim, who executed a perfect sliding tackle inside the penalty area in the 19th minute to dismantle a dangerous UBC attack. Young was a menace all half, using his speed on the right wing to keep the pressure pinned on the Thunderbird defence. UNBC’s offensive hustle soon paid off. In the 26th minute, Simon Odenthal created a moment of magic. The midfielder stole the ball near midfield and went on a sensational solo run. As the UBC goalkeeper rushed out to challenge, Odenthal calmly slid the ball to the left and into the open net to score his first goal of the season, giving UNBC a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, Young doubled the advantage. Trevor Scott delivered a pinpoint cross, and Young elevated to smash a powerful header past the keeper, putting the Timberwolves up 2-0. UBC answered quickly. In the 34th minute, the Thunderbirds’ Markus Rukavina found space at the top-left edge of the box and fired a strike to cut the deficit to 2-1. Pipeijn van der Ende did everything he could to protect the lead, executing a brilliant, clean slide tackle right beside the goal line to stop a sure equalizer. However, Rukavina found the back of the net again in the 42nd minute to tie the match. Right

UNBC ATHLETICS PHOTO BY DAN O’CONNOR

The UNBC Timberwolves play the UBC Thunderbirds at Masich Place Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13.

before the halftime whistle, van der Ende came up massive once more, clearing a dangerous ball out of the penalty box to ensure the teams entered the break locked at 2-2. The Thunderbirds came out pressing in the second half, taking their first lead of the game in the 47th minute when Rukavina completed his hat trick to make it 3-2. Down a goal, the Timberwolves refused to quit. Shum kept his team in it with a spectacular reaction save in the 57th minute, diving to deflect a blistering shot headed for the bottom-right corner. Defensively, Kim continued to anchor the backline, stepping up for another critical clearance inside the box at the hour mark. The Timberwolves’ relentless pressure finally broke the UBC defence in the 67th minute when UNBC was fouled inside the penalty area. Kim stepped up to the spot and calmly buried the penalty kick into the bottom-right corner, tying the game at 3-3. The final stretch was a frantic push for the winner. Adam Korduner used his

speed to spark dangerous fast breaks, and Luis Hirsch delivered a flawless slide tackle in stoppage time to steal the ball and ignite one last rush. Ryder Rusman charged down the right wing and sent a gorgeous cross into the box that missed a finishing touch by mere inches. Shum, who finished the match with seven crucial saves, came up with one final clutch stop at the 90-minute mark to preserve the hard-fought point. The Timberwolves will now hit the road for their next test, travelling to Abbotsford to face the UFV Cascades on Friday, Sept. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

Women’s game On Sunday afternoon in front of their home fans at Masich Place Stadium, the UNBC Timberwolves fell 5-0 to the visiting UBC Thunderbirds. Despite facing relentless pressure from a potent UBC attack, the Timberwolves battled to the final whistle, with Maresha Manulak earning Mr. Mikes Player of the Game honours for her tireless work generating offence in

the midfield. UBC received two goals apiece from Maddy Norman and Sophia Ferreira, and a single in the second half from Sabrina Carreira. The match began with the Thunderbirds pressing high. UBC found the back of the net early with Norman’s first, but UNBC goalkeeper Johanna Rathke quickly put on a show to keep her team in the fight. In the sixth minute, Rathke made a spectacular diving save to the bottom-right corner to deny a dangerous cross, and moments later, she reacted brilliantly to deflect another strike up off the post. UBC extended its lead to 3-0 thanks to a brace from Ferreira. Both goals came off successful corner kicks. But the home side did not quit. Grace Barrett was a sparkplug on the left wing, stealing the ball and making multiple aggressive runs upfield to put the UBC defence on its heels. Aimee Glasser also navigated through traffic with a fantastic run of her own before being fouled to halt her momentum. Rathke stood tall under heavy fire, racking up 11 saves before the halftime whistle. In the second half, the Timberwolves came out with renewed intensity, pressing the ball to successfully disrupt UBC’s rhythm. Manulak took charge of the UNBC attack, carrying the ball deep into Thunderbird territory in the 51st minute and sending a dangerous cross into the box that just missed a finishing touch. Shortly after, Manulak tested the UBC goalkeeper with a shot on target. On the defensive end, Fia Cameron anchored the backline, making crucial interventions inside the penalty area to clear away danger. Rathke continued her stellar play with another highlight diving save in the 60th minute. The Thunderbirds eventually added two more goals — Carreira in the 66th minute and Norman in the 86th — to complete the scoring, but the Timberwolves matched their physicality and kept their intensity strong through the final whistle. The Timberwolves will look to bounce back and secure a result on the road when they travel to Abbotsford to face the UFV Cascades on Friday, Sept. 18.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

ACROSS 1 Ashley and Wynonna 6 Consumer protection agcy. 9 Catchall abbr. 12 Track star Bolt 13 Tic-tac-toe win 14 “The Matrix” character 15 Refuse an offer

16 Seattle suburb that’s home to Microsoft 18 Credit rating publisher 20 Skin soother 21 Corp. money exec 23 Overly 24 Part of LGBTQ 25 Hit on the noggin 27 Japanese fish dish

29 Tranquil 31 Sort of dive 35 Police ID 37 Employ 38 Hairnet 41 Moray, for one 43 Past 44 Plane-related 45 Country song?

47 Archbishop Tutu 49 Stag 52 Altar affirmative 53 Reuben bread 54 More practical 55 Aachen article 56 Rowing need 57Birch’s kin

DOWN 1 Roast beef au -2 “Suits” network 3 “Shark Tank” star -John 4 Flintstones’ pet 5 Stuffed shirt 6 Gift giver’s words 7 Low digits

8 Atlantic fish 9 -- Holmes (Sherlock’s sister) 10 Mortise partner 11 Encryptions 17 “Butterfly” singer Carey 19 Medicated 21 “60 Minutes” airer

22 Nemesis 24 Fill in -- blank 26 Explosive sound 28 Bed cover 30 Wee bit 32 Tiara stone 33 Work unit 34 Old Olds 36 Census info

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

Life Events September 7, 1968 Susan Warner Bliskis Celebrating years of marriage. I love ya, honey.

Celebrate those special moments

In loving memory of our dad

C. R. “Bob” Cline

Happy Anniversary email: frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call 250.562.2441

October 26, 1943 - September 22, 2024 In memory of our dad, Happily fishing heaven’s rivers, where the sun is shining, the beer is cold and the big ones don’t get away. orever loved and missed, your girls

Celebration of Life

Timothy Tennessy

August 16, 1948 - September 2, 2026 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Timothy Tennessy, as he will be dearly missed. Tim was a devoted son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister Charleen, his brother Michael, his nephews Blair (Jeanette) and Trevor (Sarah), niece Joanna (Dan), great-nieces Kali, Bryn, Meadow, Lila, Daisy, and great-nephews Linden, Mickey, Parker, and many lifelong friends. Predeceased by his parents, Tony Sr. and Rena, and his brother, Tony, and his brother-in-law Jack. A life well lived, Tim had a love of travel and was fortunate to visit five continents. He was proud to be a member of the I.U.O.E. Local 115 for the past 60 years. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at UHNBC and Prince George Hospice House for the compassionate care and support they provided. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Tim’s memory be made to Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday September 27 at 10am at Prince George Golf & Curling Club (2601 Recplace Dr).

Edward James Griffth

March 28, 1931 - June 9, 2026 There will be a celebration of the life of dward James Gri th on ctober 2, 2026 at 11 0am at the Bon oyage.

Celebration of Life

Travis Alexander Betke

Terry W. Smith

May 22, 1996 - August 31, 2026

Saturday, October 17, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Prince George Golf and Curling Club Re/Max Room

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Travis Alexander Betke of Prince George, B.C., at the age of 30.

We warmly invite you to join us and come together to celebrate the life of our beloved friend Terry. This will be an informal gathering - a time to laugh, share stories, reminisce, and remember the many ways he touched our lives. We encourage anyone who would like to share a favourite memory, a funny story, or a few words about Terry to do so. There is no need to prepare anything formal - just come as you are and speak from the heart. Refreshments will be served a erwards.

Survived by mother Michelle Anderson (Dwayne); father Jeff Betke (Mar uita) brothers David Turner (Krystie and Ivy), Brandon Betke (Raven), Corey Dean, and Ethan Anderson; grandparents Rose Reimer, Art Betke, and Dorothy Betke. Quiet, intelligent, funny, and endlessly curious, Travis loved science, gaming, horror movies, and fascinating facts. He was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words. A celebration of Travis’s life will be announced at a later date.

Classifieds

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Booking deadline: Friday noon Approval deadline: Monday at noon

frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca 250.562.2441

Call 250.562.2441 to book your space now.

RENOVATIONS

BUYING

TREE SERVICE

CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER Coins, jewelry, nuggets, bullion sterling, etc. Also buying entire COIN COLLECTIONS Todd 250-864-3521

BBC TREE WORX Bucket Truck, hedging and tree removal. For FREE estimates call or text Brian 250.649.8447

SUPPORT LOCAL

SHOP PRINCE GEORGE SCAN TO SHOP

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

LEGAL NOTICE U-Haul Storage Center Prince George claims a Landlords Contractual Lien against the following person(s) goods in storage at 7087 Bear Rd, Prince George, BC V2N 5N7 Tel: (236)383-2009. 2265 1409 2232 1234 2286

Dale Christy $379.10 James Wessel $552.25 Cherina Mueller $797.15 Luke Latana $457.80 Roger Creuzot $762.65

If not paid in full, the contents of the locker will be sold online at www.bid13.com starting at 11 am on Monday, September 28th, 2026, until 11 am on Thursday, October 1st, 2026. Winners will be contacted by email at the end of the auction. Room contents are personal/household goods unless noted otherwise. Bids will be for the entire contents of each locker unit.

PLEASE LEGAL NOTICE

MINES ACT PERMIT APPLICATION

RECYCLE MINES ACT NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT APPROVING THE PROPOSED MINE THIS PLAN AND RECLAMATION PROGRAM FOR A QUARRY OPERATION NEWSPAPER Westwood MH PARK, the owner of Take notice that Vitreo Minerals Ltd. has filed with the

To anyone related to DUMONT, PHILIP TODD about the trailer MHR#4667, 1973 Glendale EL Monte, located at #19-3455 Westwood Drive Prince George V2N 1S5, Westwood MH PARK, 251-3381 Cambie St., Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4R3 (604-248-7505), will dispose of the abo e mentioned trailer unless the person being noti ed takes possession of the property and establishes a right of possession of it within 30 days from the date the notice is ser ed on that person.

Call 250.562.2441 to place your Classified Ad

Chief Permitting Officer pursuant to the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia, a proposed mine plan together with a program for the protection and reclamation of land and watercourses related to the Angus Project, a proposed silica sand mining operation, located near Bear Lake:

• Claim Numbers 1060633, 1052136, 1060737, 1072116, 1136935, 1136934, 1114787 • Mineral Titles Map Number 093J08F056C • Cariboo District A copy of the permit application, including supporting documentation, is available for viewing at the Vitreo Minerals Ltd. office, located at 110-1323 5th Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2L3L6. Any person affected by or interested in this program has 30 days from the date of publication to make written representation to: Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals mmd-princegeorge@gov.bc.ca Application information and instructions for submitting comments to the Ministry are also available at: https://www.gov.bc.ca/minesengagement

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

Application No. 454138

Application No. 449875

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE Application for a Permit under the provisions of the Environmental Management Act We, Vitreo Minerals Ltd., 110-1323 5th Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3L6, intend to submit this application to the Director to authorize the discharge of air emissions from the Angus Project, a silica sand quarrying and processing operation. The source(s) of discharge are the Monkman East Pit, Raw Sand Plant, Finishing Plant, material handling operations, crushing and screening operations, rotary dryer, storage silos, haul roads, stockpiles, and associated mobile and stationary equipment. The lands upon which the facilities will be situated, and the discharge will occur are comprised of two locations, approximately 60 kilometres north of Prince George, British Columbia, accessible via Highway 97 and the Chuchinka-Log Lake Forest Service Road (North Olsson FSR), within the Prince George airshed and Fraser Basin / McGregor Plateau region. Specifically: •The Mine Site located at UTM Zone 9N, 541800 E 6027689 N, UTM Zone 9N, and •The Finishing Plant Site located at UTM Zone 9N 524192 E 6031747 N. The maximum rate of air emissions discharged from this facility will be from particulate matter (PM) emissions (including PM, PM10, and PM2.5) from pointsource discharges, and non-point source discharges of fugitive dust emissions generated from mine activities, such as quarrying, crushing, processing, material handling, mine site haul roads, and stockpiles. Total annual emissions from selected sources include particulate emissions up to approximately 280 tonnes per year total suspended particulate matter (TSP), 96.5 tonnes per year PM10, and 16.4 tonnes per year PM2.5. The Angus Project is estimated to have a mine life of 22 years, including construction, operations, and reclamation and closure. The operating period for the Finishing Plant facility will be 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The operating period for the Mine Site is approximately 245 days per year. The characteristics of the air emissions discharged are assumed to contain the following contaminants: particulate matter (TSP, PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and combustion-related contaminants associated with quarrying and silica sand processing activities. The types of treatment to be applied to the air emissions discharges are baghouses, dust collection systems, water application for dust suppression, chemical dust suppressants on on-site access roads, enclosed material handling systems, and operational mitigation measures identified in the Technical Assessment Report and the Fugitive Dust Management Plan for the project. Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed discharge of waste and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments via email to Vitreo Minerals Ltd. (the applicant), with a copy to the Director for the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Mining Authorizations, Environmental Protection at ENV.MiningAuthorizations@gov.bc.ca. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record. Additional information on the Angus Project can be found on the project website: Angus Project | Vitreo Minerals Dated this 27th day of August, 2026. Contact person: David Luzi, Vice President Environment, Vitreo Minerals Ltd. Email address: Angus@VitreoMinerals.com Phone: 250-344-7171

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE

Application for a Permit under the provisions of the Environmental Management Act We, Vitreo Minerals Ltd., 110-1323 5th Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3L6, intend to submit this application to the Director to authorize the discharge of e uent from the Angus Project, a silica sand quarrying and processing operation. The source of the e uent is contact water and seepage generated by precipitation within the catchment areas of the Monkman East Pit (and Monkman East Pit Backfill), External Waste Rock and Fines Stockpile, Reclamation Material Stockpiles, and Raw Sand Plant. The land upon which the facility will be situated, and where e uent discharge will occur, is the Mine Site, located at UTM Zone 9N, 541800 E 6027689 N, located approximately 60 kilometres north of Prince George, British Columbia, accessible via Highway 97 and the Chuchinka-Log Lake Forest Service Road (North Olsson FSR). The Mine Site is located within the Giggler Creek, Olsson Creek, and Angusmac Creek watersheds. The maximum rate of e uent discharged from this facility is comprised from three locations, two non-point source discharges to ground and one point-source discharge to surface water. Specifically: • Angusmac Creek non-point source discharge to ground: 0.064 cubic metres per second (m3/s) under the average climate condition and 0.135 m3/s under the wet climate condition • Giggler Creek non-point source discharge to ground: 0.053 m3/s under the average climate condition and 0.072 m3/s under the wet climate condition, and • Olsson Creek point-source discharge to surface water: 0.082 m3/s under the average climate condition and 0.109 m3/s under the wet climate condition. The Angus Project is estimated to have a mine life of 22 years, including construction, operations, and reclamation and closure. The operating period for this facility will be 20 hours per day, 245 days per year between April and November (mining and processing activities will be paused each year from approximately November 30 to April 1). The characteristics of the waste discharged are as follows: • For non-point source discharge to ground at both the Angusmac and Giggler creek discharge points, predicted e uent concentrations are expected to be below the applicable Contaminated Sites Regulation Aquatic Life Standards. • For point source discharge to Olsson Creek, dissolved copper is identified as a parameter of concern in the receiving environment. The maximum dissolved copper concentration is expected to be 0.000544 milligrams per litre (mg/L) during the operation phases and 0.000645 mg/L during the Post-closure phase. These concentrations exceed the long-term British Columbia Water uality Guideline for the Protection of Freshwater Aquatic Life for dissolved copper by 1.1 times and 1.3 times, respectively. E uent permit limits are proposed for key discharge parameters: discharge (m3/s), total suspended solids, pH, and acute toxicity. The type(s) of treatment to be applied to the discharge is: Water treatment consists of sediment removal through engineered sediment ponds prior to water reuse or discharge. No active water treatment plant is proposed. Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed discharge of waste and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments via email to Vitreo Minerals Ltd. (the applicant), with a copy to the Director for the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Mining Authorizations, Environmental Protection at ENV.MiningAuthorizations@gov.bc.ca. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record. Additional information on the Angus Project can be found on the project website: Angus Project | Vitreo Minerals Dated this 27th day of August, 2026. Contact person: David Luzi, Vice President Environment, Vitreo Minerals Ltd. Email address: Angus@VitreoMinerals.com Phone: 250-344-7171

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

BOOST YOUR AD ADD A PHOTO FOR SALE

Sekani Forest Products Public Notice: orest perations ap evie an nvitation for Comment. In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices Act, e ani Forest Products and pectrum Resource Group invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 3430, 3431, and 3432) in the Mac en ie Natural Resource District. The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the ne t three years starting on October 18th, 2026, and ending on October 17th, 2029. e welcome your comments and feedbac during the review period starting eptember 17th, 2026. Please, submit your comments by October 17th, 2026. The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices

FOR SALE

Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be scheduled and completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday Friday, 8:00 AM 4:00 PM): 1960 Robertson Road, Prince George, C, 2N1 6

Call 250.562.2441 to place your Classified Ad

Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at: 1-250-564-0383; etorres@srg.ca

GENERAL LABOURER / GRAIN HANDLER $50.29/hr

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW FOREST OPERATIONS REVIEW FOREST MAP OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

PUBLIC NOTICE FOREST OPERATIONS MAP REVIEW

Carrier Lumber Ltd. in partnership with Tano T’enneh Limited Partnerships, invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID:

Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. (PRG) operates a state-of-the-art Carrier Lumber Ltd., invites theplans public review ForestCommunity Operations Maps (FOM ID: 1628) whichGeorge provides development plans within the Prince 3433) which provides development fortothe Tano T'enneh Forest (K1N), within the Prince Timber Supply Area and Carrier Lumber Ltd. inits partnership with Tano T’enneh Carrier Lumber Ltd. in partnership with Tse’ khene George Timber Supply Area and Natural administered from the Prince George Natural Resource The FOM(s) been in accordance from the Prince George Resource District. Thethe FOM(s) have prepared District. in accordance with thehave Forest and prepared Range grain shipping facility on Ridley Island in administered Prince Rupert. Limited Partnerships, invites public tobeen review Timber Ltd., invites the public to review its Forest Practices Act and describe areasPractices planned for Permit and Road Permitfor development withinand theRoad next three years. The public may provide with the Forest and Range ActCutting and describe areas planned Cutting Permit Permit development within the next three The terminal receives grain by rail and processes, sorts its Forestduring Operations Maps (FOM ID: 3433) which comments on the FOM(s) any point theonreview and comment which the starts September 17,Operations 2026 and endswhich October 16, July 2026. years. The public mayatprovide comments the FOM(s) at any period, point during review and comment period, starts 11,3444) 2024 and Maps (FOM ID: which provides and stores grain for loading onto ships bound for markets provides development plans for the Tano T’enneh ends August 9, 2024. development plans within the Prince George Timber worldwide. Community Forest (K1N), within the Prince George The FOM(s) is accessible for public review and comment submissions online at the following website address:

Supply Area and administered from the Prince George

Timber Supply Area and administered from the Prince Forest (gov.bc.ca) https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices TheOperations FOM(s) isMap accessible foror public review and comment submissions online at the following website address: Qualifications: Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) have been George Natural Resource District. The FOM(s) have Forest Operations Map (gov.bc.ca) or https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices • Minimum Grade 12 Diploma, GED or equivalent industrial Alternatively, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumberin woodlands staff member prepared accordance with the Forest and Range been prepared in accordance with the Forest and experience. will be available, at the following locations during regular office hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm): Alternatively, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumber woodlands staff planned member for Cutting Practices Act and describe areas Range Practices Act and describe areas planned • Must be capable of lifting and stacking 50lbs without willContinental be available, at Prince the following locations during regular hoursdevelopment (8:30 am to 4:00 pm): Permit and Road Permit development within the next for Cutting Permit and Roadoffice Permit 4722 Way, George BC V2N 5S5 assistance. within the next three years. The public may provide three years. The public may provide comments on the • Class 5 Driver’s License. 4722 Continental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5 FOM(s) comments may also be submitted by to FOM(s) the above at address or by phone at (250) comments onmail the any point during the 563-9271 or by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca

FOM(s) at any point during the review and comment

Assets: review andbycomment whichorstarts FOM(s) comments may also be submitted mail to theperiod, above address by phone at (250) 563-9271 by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca period,orwhich starts September 17, 2026 and ends • Experienced Locomotive Operators / Conductors. September 17, 2026 and ends October 16, 2026. October 16, 2026. • Fourth Class Power Engineers Certification. • Grain Terminal Operations Experience. The FOM(s) is accessible for public review and orest perations ap gov.bc.ca or • Completion of OH&S training courses such as OFA Level 3, comment submissions online at the following website forklift, confined space, WHMIS, fall arrest. address: Forest Operations Map (gov.bc.ca) or PRG provides an excellent compensation package. Currently, this position is paid 50.29/hr, in addition pension, benefits plan, training, and career development opportunities are available.

https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/publicprojects#publicNotices

Submit your resume electronically on our website: https://prgrain.ca/human-resources. We will only accept PDF files.

Alternatively, in-person review and comment of FOM(s) can be completed, by appointment to ensure a Carrier Lumber woodlands staff member will be available, at the following locations during regular office hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm): 4722 Continental Way, Prince George BC V2N 5S5

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted to proceed through the hiring process. Closing Date: October 1, 2026

FOM(s) comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or by phone at (250) 563-9271 or by email at fom.pg@carrierlumber.ca

Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

FOREST PRODUCTS LTD. FROMCANADIAN KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

PUBLIC NOTICE: FOREST OPERATION MAP REVIEW

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 257

In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices FLASHBACK #12345_20241111 Act, Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) invites the public to review Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: FOR RELEASE NOV. its 11, 2024 3453) in the Prince George Natural Resource District. By Mick Harper The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years starting on October 16, 2026, and ending on September 16, 2029. We welcome your comments and feedback during the one-month review period starting September 16, 2026, and ending October 16, 2026. The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/publicprojects#publicNotices. Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM):

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

1. What was the hand jive? 2. What performing name did the Urick brothers take? 3. Name the group that released “Georgy Girl.” 4. Which Johnny Mathis 1. Which group released “Rag song was adapted from an Old English folk song called Doll”? 2. Name the artist who wrote and “The Riddle Song”? released “Dreamy Eyes.” 3. Which released “Green5. Name thegroup song that contains this lyric: “There is none Eyed Lady”? so blind heandwho will not see, We must not close our 4. Whoas wrote released “Cracklin’ Rosie”? minds, We must let our thoughts be free.” 5. Name the song that contains this Answers lyric: “If I could take my pick of all the girls I’ve ever known, Then I’d 1. Hand jive come and pick was you outatodance be my verythat was mostly a complicated own.” of hand clapping movements. It started in pattern Answers 1. The Four Seasons, in 1964. The song spent two weeks at the top of the Hot 100 chart and reached No. 1 in Canada as well. 2. Johnny Tillotson, in 1958. The song was his first single and made it on to the Hot 100 chart. Tillotson penned several more hits over the years, including “Poetry in Motion.” 3. Sugarloaf, in 1970. A few years ago an old tape was found of the group’s live performance in 1975. It was remastered and turned into a vinyl album titled “Sugarloaf Live 1975.” It’s available online. 4. Neil Diamond, in 1970. 5. “Never Be Anyone Else But You,” by Ricky Nelson, in 1959. Nelson’s song has been covered by several artists, including internationally, over the years. The song has recently been used in a TV commercial for chicken noodle soup.

5162 Northwood Pulpmill Road, P.O. Box 9000, Prince George BC V2L 4W2 Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at: 1-250-962-3512; pg.fom.comment@canfor.com

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London in a bar where there was no space to actually dance. Hand clapping was all they had room to do. 2. The four brothers (Ed, Joe, Gene and Vic) originally called themselves the Amory Brothers until they changed it to the Ames Brothers. Their first charttopper was “Rag Mop.” 3. The Seekers, in 1966. It was used as the title song for the film of the same name and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. 4. “The Twelfth of Never.” 5. “Everything Is Beautiful,” by Ray Stevens, in 1970. Penned by Stevens himself, the song took the Grammy award for Best Contemporary Male Vocal Performance.

DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE NOTICE OF TAX SALE Pursuant to Section 645 of the Local Government Act, the following properties, land and improvements, will be offered for sale by public auction to be held at the Council Chambers, District of Mackenzie, 1 Mackenzie Blvd., Mackenzie, B.C. on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., unless the delinquent taxes and applicable interest are paid in full. are paid in full. Roll Number

Legal Description

PID

Civic Address

Upset Price

1101005

Lot 1, PGP41661, DL 12571

023-891-785

MILL RD

1150015

Lot 1, PGP41340, DL 12571

023-802-201

6051 FFI RD

$ 4,564,543.73

1150025

Lot 3, PGP34223, DL 12572

015-221-431

6060 FFI RD

7,128.61

5095000

Lot 48, PGP16647, DL 12463

011-735-414

31 KERRY CRES

11,068.63

5339000

Lot 39, PGP18898, DL 12463

010-787-348

811 CENTENNIAL DR

10,307.86

5346000

Lot 56, PGP18898, DL 12463

010-787-305

611 CENTENNIAL DR

10,383.28

5478000

Lot 188, PGP18898, DL 12463 010-774-122

9 TUTU PL

9,254.70

5511012

Lot 1, PGP19384, DL 12463

010-520-121

35 OMINECA CRES

8,942.96

5555000

Lot 42, PGP19397, DL 12463

010-518-916

34 PINE CRES

14,842.50

6784546

Lot 11, PGP34809, DL 5411

016-349-121

65 ALBERTA DR

22,421.91

10,142.02

The minimum bid is the upset price, that is, the current taxes and penalties, arrears and The minimum bid is the upset price, that is, the current taxes and penalties, arrears and delinquent taxes and interest, 5% tax sale costs and estimated Land Title Office transfer fees. Any person upon being declared the successful bidder must provide their name and address and immediately pay by cash, debit, or certified cheque the amount of the successful bid amount. Failure to pay this amount will result in the property being offered for sale again. The District of Mackenzie makes no representation express or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. Prospective purchasers are urged to make all necessary inquiries to applicable government departments and in the case of strata lots to the strata corporation, to determine the existence of any bylaws, restrictions, charges or other conditions which may affect the value or suitability of the properties. The purchase of a tax sale property that is not redeemed is subject to tax under the Property Transfer Act on the fair market value of the property at the end of the oneyear redemption period. Kerri Borne Chief Financial Officer - District of Mackenzie

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

*On Sept. 28, 1542, Spanish explorer Juan7,Rodriguez Cabrillo • On Sept. 1776, the American became the craft firstTurtle European to to submersible attempted sailattach intoa San Diego time bomb to Bay, the hullwhich of Brit-he named San Miguel and claimed ish Admiral Richard Howe’s flagship, forEagle, Spain. TheYork bayHarbor, was given in New marking itsthe present in 1602 by first use name of a submarine in warfare. Sebastian Vizcaino, who was also • On Sept. 8, 1664, Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland, to an English naval squadron under Colonel Richard Nicolls. Stuyvesant hoped to resist the English but wasn’t a popular ruler, and his ARIES (March 21 to April 19) With refusedquotient their support. yoursubjects Arian charm at anNew almost Amsterdam’s changed all-time high thisname weekwas (plus all thetofacts New you Yorkup), in honor of the Duke to back you just might winofover who organized its capture. the York, last doubters of your proposal. • On Sept. 9, 1939, moviegoers at the TAURUS (April in 20Riverside, to May 20) You Fox Theater California, might betreated in linetofor job change that were an aunexpected screenyouing applied for. But be advised of Margaret Mitchell’s “Gonethat with youthe could be shown calledby onthe totheater defend your Wind,” manqualifications against supporters of ager as a second feature while producother er applicants. David O. Selznick observed their reactions from the back of the theater. GEMINI (Maywas 21released to Junea20) The movie few Creating months a new approach to an old idea is one later. way to get beyond a workplace impasse. 10, 1960, Hurricane DonThere• On areSept. no such problems in your na struck thewhere Floridathings Keys ascontinue a Catego- to personal life, 4 storm. The devastating hurricane flowrysmoothly. ultimately killed more than 350 people along its full path, including more than 150 in Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, and the name “Donna” was later retired. • On Sept. 11, 1971, teen idol Donny Osmond earned his first solo No. 1 hit with “Go Away Little Girl.” For years afterward, the singer admitted he would “apologize for my career, for all of the cheesy music I was a part of,” but eventually came to terms with it and said to himself that the music “was great for what it was, people loved it, it was incredibly successful — why should I feel bad?” • On Sept. 12, 1952, residents of Flatwoods, West Virginia, while investigating a possible UFO crash, encountered a creature they described as 10 feet tall with glowing eyes and claw-like hands. Skeptics, however, dismissed their “monster” as likely an owl. • On Sept. 13, 2007, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which defined the rights of Indigenous peoples to their respective ways of life and prohibited discrimination against

the first person to note certain ecological features of California’s coast. * On Sept. 29, 1885, the world’s first practical public electric tramway, designed by Michael Holroyd Smith, opened in Blackpool, England, using an underground “conduit” system to supply electricity rather than overhead wires. The route is still active today, operating modern light rail vehicles. * On Sept. 30, 1934, St. Louis Browns coach Charley O’Leary “unretired” to good effect by becoming the oldest player to

get a hit and score a run in the major leagues, at age 58. * On Oct. 1, 1962, Barbra Streisand signed her first recording contract with Columbia Records. Her manager, Marty Erlichman, negotiated full artistic and creative control, including the right for Streisand to choose her own songs, in exchange for a lower initial pay rate of a $20,000 advance. * On Oct. 2, 1985, Hollywood heartthrob Rock Hudson died of AIDS related complications, just a few months after publicly acknowledging he had the

disease at a hospital in Paris where he was seeking treatment. * On Oct. 3, 1997, 69-yearold Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, who was known as “Mr. Hockey” and played his first NHL game when Harry Truman was president, skated the first shift with the Detroit Vipers in their International Hockey League opener for a total of just 40 seconds but became the only professional in the sport to compete in six decades. Afterward, he thanked the Vipers for “putting up with me.”

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Be more forthcoming about your feelings concerning a proposed change either in your workplace or in your personal life. Your opinions are valuable. Don’t keep them hidden.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) People have always relied on your integrity not only to get the job done, but to get it done right. So, don’t be pressured by anyone into cutting corners to save time.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) With your self-assurance rising to full strength, the bold Goat should feel confident about opening up to new ventures, as well as new relationships.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A changing situation in your life needs more patience than you appear to be willing to offer. Allowing it to develop at its own pace is the wisest course you can take at this time.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) While others might get rattled over unexpected changes, your ability to adapt calmly and competently helps you make a positive impression during a crucial period.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) With more stability in your life -- both on personal and professional levels -this could be a good time to strengthen relationships with both friends and colleagues.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A changing environment might be daunting for some, but the adventurous Sagittarian takes it all in stride. Meanwhile, a friend from the past could awaken some meaningful memories.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Reaching out to someone who has been unkind to you might not be easy. But in the long run, it’ll prove to have been the right thing to do. A friend offers moral support. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your keen insight once again helps you work through a seemingly insoluble problem in your workplace. The weekend offers a good chance to develop new relationships.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

Homes & Living Winterizing Your RV After a Beautiful Northern B.C. Summer After a long, beautiful Northern B.C. summer, it can be tempting to park the RV, close the door and leave the memories of campfires, fishing trips and weekend getaways until next spring. But before the first serious frost arrives, there is one more important trip to make — the trip through your winterizing checklist. Northern British Columbia winters can be hard on recreational vehicles. Freezing temperatures, snow, moisture and extended periods of inactivity can turn a small maintenance issue into an expensive springtime repair. Taking a little time now can help ensure your RV is ready to hit the road when warmer weather returns.

Begin by giving the RV a good cleaning, inside and out. Wash away road grime, dirt, insects and tree sap from the exterior. Pay particular attention to the roof and areas around windows, vents and doors. Inspect the exterior while you clean. Look for cracked caulking, damaged seals, loose trim or other places where water might find its way inside. Northern B.C.’s freeze-and-thaw cycles can make small cracks worse over the winter. Inside, remove food, crumbs and anything else that might attract mice or other unwanted visitors. Vacuum cupboards, drawers, floors and storage compartments. Leaving even a small amount of

food behind can turn your RV into an attractive winter home for rodents. One of the most important parts of winterizing an RV is protecting the plumbing system. Any water left in pipes, tanks, pumps or fixtures can freeze and expand, potentially causing cracked pipes or damaged components. Drain the fresh-water tank, holding tanks and water heater according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Open the faucets and allow the system to drain completely. Don’t forget less obvious locations such as the outside shower, toilet supply line and lowpoint drains.

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Many RV owners use RV-specific, non-toxic antifreeze to protect the plumbing system. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular RV and plumbing setup. Never assume that simply draining the visible water is enough. A small amount trapped in a line can still freeze and cause damage. Cold temperatures can be especially hard on batteries. If your RV will sit unused for several months, check the battery manufacturer’s recommendations for storage. For many RVs, removing the batteries and storing them in a cool, dry location is a good option. Keep them charged as

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recommended and periodically check their condition during the winter. If your RV has multiple batteries, make sure you understand how they are connected before disconnecting anything. Take a photograph of the connections before removal if necessary. Your RV’s tires have spent the summer carrying a considerable amount of weight and travelling over Northern B.C. roads. Before storage, inspect each tire for cracks, bulges, uneven wear or other signs of damage. Check the tire pressure and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended level. If possible, park the RV on a solid, level surface. Some owners use tire covers to protect tires from sunlight and weather exposure. The roof deserves special attention before the RV goes into storage. Check around vents, skylights, antennas, airconditioning units and other roof

penetrations. Look for deteriorated sealant or areas where water could enter. Repairing a questionable seal before winter is much easier than discovering a water-damaged ceiling next spring. If snow accumulates heavily on the RV, periodically check the roof and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding snow removal. Avoid climbing onto the roof unless it is specifically designed for that purpose and you can do so safely. Rodents can cause surprisingly expensive damage. Mice may chew electrical wiring, insulation and upholstery while looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Seal obvious entry points without blocking necessary ventilation. Consider traps or other appropriate deterrents, and check the RV periodically if possible. Moisture is another concern. Remove damp clothing, towels and bedding before storage.

Leave appropriate ventilation where recommended, and consider using moisture absorbers to help control condensation. Before locking the door for the season, walk through the RV one final time. Check that appliances are properly shut down, propane systems are handled according to manufacturer recommendations, windows and vents are secured as appropriate, and valuables have been removed. Make sure the parking brake and wheel chocks are properly positioned. It can also be useful to make a simple list of everything you have done. Include the date the plumbing was winterized, battery condition and any repairs that need attention in the spring. After a memorable Northern B.C. summer, winterizing your RV may feel like the end of the adventure. In reality, it’s the first step toward the next one. A few hours of preparation now

can help protect your investment through months of cold weather — and make that first spring camping trip considerably more enjoyable.

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