Prince George Free Press, November 22, 2013

www.pgfreepress.com | newsline: 250.564.0005

CITY: Council makes performing arts centre a priorityP

3

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The Prince George Spruce Kings Junior A Hockey Club is proud to an-nounce the launch of the 32nd annual Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery.

The Show Home boasts many custom-designed features making the home worth $491,225. Alongside the grand prize, there are a number of early bird prizes making the whole lottery worth over $519,000.

The Show Home is located at 2626 Links Drive in the Aberdeen Glen sub-division. Built by Scheck Construction, this years Show Home has 1,702 square feet of living space and a partially fin-ished basement. Modern accents paired with classic finishings bring out the warmth and desirability of the home.

Brent (Scheck Construction) and his team have done a phenomenal job with this custom designed home, said Spruce Kings communications direc-tor Ron Gallo. This home has some truly technologically advanced features with the Home Alive automation system from Curtis Elite. Northern Hardware has once again outdone themselves with appliances that will be included and the staging of this house. People will be excited about the prospect of winning of this home.

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Th e president of the Canadas National Firearms Association is throwing his sup-port behind a city man charged last week with 16 weapons-related charges.

I think that what were seeing here is the pillorying of people who are not de-serving of being pilloried, said Sheldon Clare. If theres a crime committed, I want to know who the victim is.

Last week the Prince George RCMP charged 53-year-old Karl Haus with two counts of importing a prohibited fi rearm or component knowing he was unauthor-ized to do so, four counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon that is either loaded or is readily accessible to ammunition, four counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, fi ve counts of care-less use of a fi rearm (unsafe storage), and two counts of possessing a fi rearm with the serial number altered.

Police say they seized more than 31,000 rounds of ammunition, three handguns (two of which were loaded, according to police), seven rifl es, a fully automatic M16, a fully automatic AK47; two morn-ing stars (spiked metal balls on a chain and stick), two shotguns, fi ve 100-round capacity drum magazines, 50 assault rifl e magazines, and four bulletproof vests.

Clare says Haus is a collector and, without intent to commit a crime, should be allowed to possess such weapons.

I dont see anything thats appropri-ately criminal, said Clare. If anything, what were looking at is administrative and regulatory law, rather than criminal law.

Clare says the charges against Haus boil down to not having the right paperwork for possessing such guns, adding that the weapons mentioned can be legally owned by Canadians.

As for prohibited weapons, Clare said the association doesnt believe such a designation should exist.

He says Canadas gun laws need to be changed.

Th eres a problem in a law where people are being punished for crimes that have no victims, said Clare.

He also questioned Haus being charged with improperly storing guns, saying that a person does not have to have guns secured when they are at home.

Th ere is plenty of case law that shows that, he said. How would you ever clean your fi rearm, how would you ever take it apart and learn how it works?

He stressed that the law should be changed because people can get pegged as criminals when they might not be.

I say the law needs to be changed be-cause what we have here is a classic case of good people who have no clean intent to commit any act of aggression who are caught up in what, in my view, should be a regulatory or administrative act, rather than a criminal one, Clare said.

Haus will face the charges in court in January.

Bill [email protected]

Gun owner defended

Teresa MALLAM/Free PressPastry Chef bakers came up with a whimsical winter penguin theme for its entry in the 20th annual Festival of Trees gin-gerbread village. The event runs Nov. 23 to Dec. 1 at the Prince George Civic Centre.

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Friday, November 22, 2013 3

Building a performing arts cen-tre in Prince George is now one of city councils capital project priorities.

Its not exactly what the society pushing for the facility was hoping for, but Monday nights decision puts the city centre-stage in the push to build the estimated $42.5 million facility.

We ask that city council pri-oritize it over other large invest-ments, said Ken Kilcullen, Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society spokesperson.

Its been a long road, said Kilcullen, given that such a centre was fi rst identifi ed as a key facility for the city in 1991. Once built, he added, it would contribute $5 million per year to the Prince George economy and it will be a multi-use facility benefi ting more than just the performing arts community.

Wed like to point out, clearly, that this is not a facility built for an exclusive segment of our com-munity, said Kilcullen. Quite the contrary. Th is is a inclusive home for arts and much more.

Money, however, is the big question, said Mayor Shari Green, pointing out that the city did try

to get P3 Canada funding for the project, but was unsuccessful.

Th is is the project Id like to see the city take on, Green said. Th e question is where do we get the money?

She said when the city talks to senior levels of government there is very little interest for funding this type of project.

Th eres not a lot of enthusi-asm, said Green.

Kilcullen said they get a diff er-ent response.

When we meet with other levels of government, the fi rst question out is where is the city? Kilcullen said. We need some inside champions at the city

level to connect with those levels of government to show the need.

Following a lengthy debate and concern over making it the main priority, council unanimously made it one of the citys capital

project priorities. It also decided to add it to the citys fi ve-year capital plan and directed city administration to start working on how to fund the project and determine a location.

BILL PHILLIPS | 250.564.0005 | [email protected] | www.pgfreepress.com

Written by Alan Janes

NOVEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 11

Buddy Hollys hit songs come alive in the worlds most successful

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Tickets available at Books & Company250.614.0039

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Canfor and the United Steel-workers union have reached a tentative deal.

Aft er a fi ve-week break in talks, the two sides resumed talks Friday. Th e fi ve-year agreement provides pay increases for tradesmen, im-provements to health and welfare benefi ts and the pension plan, plus

it deals with contract language regarding charge-hands.

In addition to a signing bo-nus, and wage increases, the deal provides cash payments in the third, fourth, and fi ft h years, rate adjustments for log scalers and carpenters, plus help for appren-tices living and travel expenses.

Performing arts centre a priority

Canfor, union reach deal


Council receives report on proposal, votes to move forward

Teresa MALLAM/Free PressAllison Bell with some of her pottery sculptures Thursday evening at the opening of her exhibit Keepsakes and Relics at Rustad Galleria, Two Rivers Gallery. The exhibit is on display until Dec. 1.

On Display

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two counts of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to three months in jail.

Robert J. Tulari was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to four days in jail.

Kyle A. Yule was found guilty of identity fraud and two counts of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, placed on probation for one year and assessed a victim surcharge of $50.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept. 18:Christopher R. Blaney was found guilty of two

counts each of unauthorized use of a computer and theft of property with a value less than $5,000 and received a conditional sentence of three months. Blaney was also found guilty of escape from lawful custody, failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to one day in jail.

Timothy P. Jensen was found guilty of two counts of theft of property with a value less than $5,000 and placed on probation for two years.

Richard J. OLeary was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fi ned $500, assessed a victim surcharge of $75 and prohibited from driving for one year.

Kohl A. Timms was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, fi ned $100 and assessed a victim surcharge of $15.

Tanis A. West was found guilty of causing a dis-turbance and placed on probation for one year.

Richard Williams was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fi ned $500, assessed a victim surcharge of $75 and prohibited from driving for one year.

Brent L. Wislon was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance, fi ned $100 and assessed a victim surcharge of $15.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept. 19:Sabina H. Haskell was found guilty of failing to

comply with a condition of an undertaking and sentenced to one day in jail.

Justin E. Pawluck was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of traf-fi cking, sentenced to 517 days in jail and received a lifetime prohibition on the possession of fi rearms.

Robert J.E. Regimbald was found guilty of as-sault and placed on probation for one year.

In Prince George Provincial Court Sept. 23:Gregory B. Bobb was sentenced to three months

in jail, put on probation for one year and ordered to give DNA sample for assault. He was also sen-tenced to three months in jail for failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking.

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Driving violations result in fines and prohibitionsIn Provincial Court in Prince

George on Sept. 13:Skyler D. Brennan was found guilty

of possession of stolen property with a value less than $5,000 and sen-tenced to 33 days in jail.

Daniel R. Heimbecker was found guilty of escape from lawful custody and sentenced to one day in jail.

Candace M. Lolly was found guilty of resisting a peace offi cer and two counts of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and sentenced to 25 days in jail.

Sukhbir S. Manhas was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fi ned $700 and assessed a victim surcharge of $105.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept. 16:

Peter A. Aubrey was found guilty of failing to provide a breath sample

when ordered to do so, received a conditional sentence of 90 days, as-sessed a victim surcharge of $50 and prohibited from driving for one year.

Shayne A. Keays was found guilty of robbery, sentenced to 18 months in jail and received a mandatory life-time prohibition on the possession on fi rearms.

Margaret R. Stroknes was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fi ned $750, assessed a victim sur-charge of $112.50 and prohibited from driving for one year.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept. 17:

Sheena L. Ketlo was found guilty of assault and fi ned $600.

Wilfred P. Prince was found guilty of break and enter, sentenced to 53 days in jail and placed on probation for one year. Prince was also found guilty of resisting a peace offi cer and

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Community AlertCommunity Alert

If you have information regarding these crimes call CRIMESTOPPERS

www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.caYou will remain anonymous. You may be eligible for a cash reward.

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1-800-222-8477

WANTEDCrime Stoppers is asking the publics assistance in locating the following person who is wanted on 2 British Columbia wide warrants. As of 0900hrs this 20th day of November 2013, Christopher James RAWN (B: 1981-08-05) is wanted on 2 British Columbia wide warrants for BREAK AND ENTER and BREACH OF UNDERTAKING. RAWN is described as a Caucasian male, 170 cm or 5 7 tall and weighs 66 kg or 146 lbs. RAWN has black hair and black eyes. RAWN should be considered violent.

WANTED

WANTEDCrime Stoppers is asking the publics assistance in locating the following person who is wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant. As of 0900hrs this 20th day of November 2013, Michael Christopher SOLONAS (B: 1985-03-17) is wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant for FAIL TO COMPLY WITH PROBATION. SOLONAS is described as a First Nations male, 178 cm or 5 10 tall and weighs 68 kg or 150 lbs. SOLONAS has black hair and brown eyes.

Crime Stoppers is asking the publics assistance in locating the following person who is wanted on a Canada wide warrant. As of 0900hrs this 20th day of November 2013, Brittany Katarina JOSEPH (B: 1991-04-25) is wanted on a Canada wide warrant for BEING UNLAWFULLY AT LARGE. JOSEPH is described as a First Nations female, 163 cm or 5 4 tall and weighs 95 kg or 210 lbs. JOSEPH has black hair and brown eyes. JOSEPH should be considered violent.

Christopher James RAWN

170 cm or 5766 kg or 146 lbs.

Brittany Katarina JOSEPH

163 cm or 5495 kg or 210 lbs.

Michael Christopher SOLONAS

178 cm or 510 68 kg or 150 lbs.

Th e photo caption with one of our photos from the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life (Free Press, September 20, 2013) requires correct-ing. Th e caption quoted Andrea Fuentes as saying her mother is living with HIV. Fuentes mother says she is not HIV positive.

Th e Free Press apologizes for any misunderstanding this may have caused.

For the record

Friday, November 22, 2013 5www.pgfreepress.com Prince George - NEWS - Free Press

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Its not every day Mounties in red serge greet those entering a police station and, once inside, visitors are greeted with the smell of sweetgrass.

But that was exactly the scene when the new $38.95 million Prince George RCMP detachment was unveiled Saturday. A group of about 30 guests, including Canadas top cop, Com-missioner Bob Paulson, city council, and the media were on hand for the offi cial opening and tour of the 5,912 square metre facility on Victoria Street.

Paulson wasnt the only high-rank-ing RCMP offi cer in attendance, and he pointed out that Prince George is a construction zone for police offi cers.

Th ere is something profound that happens to RCMP offi cers when they come to Prince George, he said, referring to some of the people in attendance: B.C.s top offi cer Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, who started his career in Prince George; Saskatchewans top offi cer, Chief Superintendent Brenda Butterworth-Carr, who served as Superintendent in Prince George for two years; Deputy Commissioner Peter Angel; and MLA Mike Morris. who was the North

District Chief Superintendent before he retired from the force.

Th ere is no better place to start ones career, said Callens.

And while the RCMPs top brass was in town for the event, so was the citys top brass as city council was on hand too. Th e new detachment is, aft er all, a city building. Th e work started two mayors ago and both former mayors who worked to get the funding for the building, Colin Kinsley and Dan Rogers, were in attendance.

But it was the current mayor and council who brought the project home.

Th is building will be a testament, for years to come, of the priority that council has placed on infrastructure investment in this city, said Mayor Shari Green. Im very proud to be part of the building of this much-needed detachment ... Th is day has been long in coming and many councils have debated long and hard over the years to ensure that this building became a reality. Lesser politicians might have wavered under some criticism about spending these kinds of tax dollars.

Part of the money came from the Federation of Canadian Munici-palities Green Municipal Fund that

contributed $500,000.But it will be Superinten-

dent Eric Stubbs and the Prince George detachments 140 offi cers who will actu-ally move into the new digs in a few weeks time. And for Stubbs, who will move into a corner offi ce overlooking Fourth Avenue and Victoria Street, moving out of the cramped quarters on Bruns-wick Street will be welcome.

Th is is a truly signifi cant event, he said. Weve been looking forward to this day and this building, for years ... We are going to move into a fantastic, extraordinary building.

And that it is. Th e build-ing is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifi ed. Roof and parking surfaces will refl ect heat, energy use is slated to be 61 per cent below the Model National Energy Code, solar panels will be used to for the hot water system, a solar wall preheats the fresh air intake, a groundwater well will be used

New detachment almost readyBill [email protected]

to provide cooling, storm water is collected and is used in the toilets, and it is connected to the citys district heating system.

Stubbs also pointed out that the detachment works closely with the Lheidli Tenneh and mem-bers smudged the facility prior to the ceremonies.

We will continue to relentlessly work to drive down crime in this community, said Stubbs. But now in a work environment that will do nothing but help our members achieve more success.

And for those who might celebrate a little too much ... take note that the drunk tank now has a heated fl oor.

Bill PHILLIPS/Free PressMayor Shari Green, along with North District RCMP Chief Superintendent Rod Booth (left), Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Prince George Superintendent Eric Stubbs, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, and council cut the ribbon to officially open the new Prince George RCMP detachment.

Bill PHILLIPS/Free PressWood columns adorn the inside of the new RCMP detachment on Victoria Street.

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Th e wet, heavy snow wasnt the only annoyance for workers putting together the Wood Innovation and Design Centre Friday.

About 40 strangers in hardhats and high-vis vests also traipsed through their worksite as a group of invited guests were given a tour of the downtown centrepiece starting to take shape. Th e controversial project was in the throne speech three times

before work actually began and is still the subject of ongoing litigation between two local developers, but the big red crane was busy hoisting glulam columns and beams, cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber into place. All are produced in B.C.

Its on time and on budget, said Jobs Minister Shirley Bond.

Victoria has put $25.1 million in the project, saying it will create 250 new jobs during the life of the project.

For me, thats a big win for Prince

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If youre wondering who the best and brightest up-and-coming professionals are in Prince George, you may want to start with the Top 40 Under Forty list for 2013, announced last week by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

Th e Top 40 Under Forty initiative was intro-duced in 2012 by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce to celebrate young professionals and showcase the successful and resourceful people who choose to live and work in Prince George. Th e response to the call for nominees was over-whelming this year, with close to 100 capable young candidates being considered for the 40 available spots.

To see a 54 per cent increase in the number of nominees this year is both encouraging and inspir-ing, Chamber CEO Christie Ray said in a press release. Th is kind of public enthusiasm indicates to us that the youthful energy of our city is one of our biggest assets.

Th e nomination process was open to the public over a four-week period during the month of Sep-tember. Nominees were judged independently, by a panel of local business people, according to their professional achievements, experience, leadership, innovative actions, responsibilities, success, and community involvement.

When you look over the list of Top 40 fi nal-ists, you dont necessarily see the future leaders of tomorrow; many of them are the leaders of today, said Chamber President Derek Dougherty. Prince George off ers great opportunities for early ad-vancement to young professionals.

Th e Top 40 Under Forty magazine publica-tion, complete with the bios and photos of all the fi nalists, is scheduled to go to print in early January 2014. Approximately 5,000 copies will be distrib-uted throughout Prince George and the region by mail and from various pickup locations.

Th e fi nalists are: Alex Castley, Allison Fedorkiw, Andrew Kurjata, Arvinder Billing, Bryan Paice, Candice Manahan Coyne, Catherine McCarthy, Chris Kinch, Cindy Th omson, Cory Klein, David Mothus, Dustin Robin, Gaurav Parmar, Jacki Col-lyer, Jason Morgan, Jennifer Brandle-McCall, Jer-emy Stewart, Jessica Quinn, Jillian Masson, Jodyne Green, Joel McKay, John Kason, K. Travis Mor-

an evening of improv comedy and dessert

Tickets ($10) at www.westwoodchurch.bc.ca

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CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, December 2, 2013 6:00 p.m.Council Chambers

COUNCIL COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS MEETINGS

Advisory Committee on Development DesignWednesday, November 27th 12:00 p.m.2nd Floor Conference Room

Prince George Heritage CommissionThursday, November 28th 12:00 p.m.2nd Floor Conference Room

PUBLIC NOTICESReal Estate ServicesPublic Notice pursuant to section 26(3) of the Community Charter.

The City of Prince George intends to sell to Landi Products Ltd. fee simple title to land legally described as (PID 029-160-138) Parcel D (being a consolidation of Lots 1-5, Block 164, Plan 1268 see CA3341712) Block 164 District Lot 343 Cariboo District Plan 1268, for a sale price of $525,000.00.

Ian WellsDirector of Planning & DevelopmentCity of Prince George

INVITATION TO BIDRequest For Proposal:

P13-22 Collection Services for Accounts ReceivableClosing Date: November 26, 2013

For information concerning City of Prince George bidding opportunities visit BC Bid @ www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca

JOB POSTINGS

#13/078 Corporate Communications Specialist (Exempt)Closing Date: November 22, 2013

YOUR CITY MATTERSNovember 22, 2013

#13/081 Planning Technician, Limited DurationClosing Date: November 25, 2013

#13/075 Wastewater Technician Certifi ed Closing Date: December 4, 2013

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

Beaverly West Leisure Society URGENT NOTICE! The Beaverly West Leisure Society (BWLS) is holding a Special AGM meeting to elect new members to the Board. All positions are open: Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Program Director, Members-at-large. If these positions are not fi lled, BWLS will be unable to operate Kids Club, Preschool and the community rec-reation programs. Resigning members will make efforts to guide new members into the positions.

Special Annual General Meeting Thursday, November 28, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. 9777 Western Road (At the Portable located beside Beaverly Elementary School)

Contact the BWLS at [email protected] or 250-964-1511. Show your support for your community and the programs offered!

Blackburn Community AssociationPancakes with SantaSunday, December 1, 2013Blackburn Community CentreDoors open 8:30 a.m., Breakfast is served at 9:00 a.m., Santa will arrive at 10:00 a.m.Tickets are $5.00 for children 12 & under and seniors, $7.00 for adults.

Christmas Craft FairSaturday, December 7, 2013 & Sunday, December 8, 2013Blackburn Community Centre10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.No admission charge

OTHER CITY MATTERS

National Jersey Day Friday, November 29, 2013Is a national day to show your love and support for sport by wearing a jersey, team or club uniform to school, work or play. From municipal council chambers to offi ce buildings and classrooms across the nation,

1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Tel. (250) 561-7600 Fax (250) 612-5605

www.princegeorge.ca [email protected]

we envision a sea of Canadians wearing their hearts on their sleeves on national Jersey Day. Show your support for sport!

Sports Day in Canada -- Saturday, November 30, 2013 Sports Day in Canada is a celebration of sport across the country. Come out to participate in any of the great activities being offered in Prince George. For more information visit: http://princegeorge.ca/cityliving/recreation/youthprograms/Pages/Default.aspx

TRAVEL GRANTS

The City supports young people in their pursuit of excellence. Travel grants are available to individuals or organizations for travel related to academic, art, cultural and amateur sport/recreation purposes involving youth 18 years of age or younger, if they have:

Been selected at a juried show to have his/her work displayed in a Provincial, Western Canadian, National level or within a designated geographic area as recognized by the sponsoring organization; OR

Been awarded a scholarship within a specifi c fi eld or art to attend a school of National or Western Canadian recognition; OR

Won a zone or regional competition or have been selected by a sponsoring organization to represent Prince George at a Provincial competition; OR

Won a Provincial competition and have gone on to participate in a Western Canadian, National competition or competition within a designated geographic area as recognized by the sponsoring organization; OR

Won the right or been selected to represent the City, the Province, and/or Canada at an international competition.

On occasion, those activities that are considered to be in pursuit of excellence are eligible for funding.

Applications are now available at the Community Services Department in City Hall or on the City web site www.princegeorge.ca/cityhall/grants/travel. Applications must be submitted after the travel has occurred and are reviewed in June and December of each year. For more information call 250-561-7646.

Top 40 under 40 named

gan, Kaleena Ross, Kyle Wightman, Lauren Phillips, Marnie Hamagami, Mike Ray, Miranda Paterson, Reza Akbari, Roberta Stewart, Sabrina

Mowbray-Angus, Scott McWalter, Seth Tobin, Shiloh Carlson, Sufey Chen, Taylor Graft on, Tiina Watt, Travis Holyk, Tyler Burbee.

Local Chamber recognizes young professionals

Teresa MALLAM/Free PressRachel Watson, Grace Waldie, Kelsey Monsen, Lauren Cape, Rebecca Saunderson and Shayla Dyble get glammed up for their Excalibur Holiday Recital performance of Swan Lake, a troupe pointe number by Ana Klassen.

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Th ree men are in custody following a report of possible home invasion in Prince George Tuesday aft er-noon.

At 1:14 p.m. on Tuesday, Prince George RCMP received a re-port of a possible home invasion at a residence on the 1300 block of 20th Avenue.

Within minutes members of the detach-ments General Duty, Traffi c, Downtown Enforcement and Police Dog Service Sections were at the scene and patrolling the area. Of-fi cers were able to rule out a home invasion, but determined that the residence was broken into.

Th rough investiga-tion, three people were located and arrested.

Th e Prince George

RCMP are investigating the vandalism of grave-stones that occurred over the Remembrance Day long weekend. A vehicle of interest has been identifi ed, and police are asking for the publics help. At approximately noon on Monday, November 11, the Prince George RCMP received a report advising that several gravestones had been driven over at some point during the weekend.

Th rough investiga-tion, an offi cer spoke to a witness who provided a descrip-tion of a vehicle seen in the same part of the cemetery over the weekend. Police would like to speak to the

owner of this vehicle. Th e vehicle is described as: mid-1980s Ford ton pickup; green/blue (teal) with a large white stripe; white canopy with no windows on

the sideIf you have any

information about this criminal off ence, the vehicle or the person(s) responsible, please con-tact the Prince George

RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stop-pers at 1(800)222-8477, online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only).

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Teresa MALLAM/Free PressArtisan Wendy Young with her new design, glass snowman, just in time for Christmas giving. Young and several others had their wares on display Sunday at the Handy Circle Crafts Fair held at AiMHi.

Handful of Snowmen


Boundary Road opens - indoors

Th e heavy wet snow kept more than motorists off the roads last Friday.

It kept a group of local politicians off the newly completed Boundary Road Connector. Th e inclement weather forced the ribbon cutting for the $28 million project indoors.

Work on the Boundary Road Con-nector began in June 2010, to establish a direct route between Highway 16 East and Highway 97 South. Th e connector opens up the Airport Logistics Park for development. Th e connector also pro-vides intermodal connectivity to both rail yards and will reduce congestion. Th is connection will also improve the safety of the Dangerous Goods Route within the city.

Construction of the Boundary Road Connector was supported by grants from the Building Canada Fund Com-munities Component, and received $7.5 million in federal funding, $7.5 million in provincial funding, $6.5 million in City of Prince George funding, and $6.5 million in private developer funding.

Th at private funding came largely from developer Henry Rempel, who credited the city with helping him get land out of the Agricultural Land Reserve.

I want to construct the Prince George Logistics Park, Rempel said. I want to construct it on both sides of Boundary Road from one end to the other.

He said Boundary Road will benefi t the entire community.


Bill PHILLIPS/Free PressMLA Shirley Bond (left), MLA Mike Morris, Henry Rempel, Airport CEO John Gibson, Mayor Shari Green, and Coun. Cameron Stolz (representing MP Bob Zimmer) cut the ribbon to officially open the $28 million Boundary Road, which will allow devel-opment of the Airport Logistics Park.


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Th e city is pushing its two unions towards strike action, according to the leaders of CUPE locals 399 and 1048.

Th e City of Prince George seems to have waged a public war on their own employees, the very people who provide front-line services and make Prince George an attractive place to live, work and visit and invest, said Local 399 president Gary Campbell, in a press release. It started with the hugely expen-sive bogus core review process, which aimed to devalue public services in our community, and has continued through the bargaining process. It looks like the city would rather take a confrontational and divisive approach rather than meaningful discus-sions that would lead to an agreement thats fair and reasonable for taxpayers and civic workers alike.

Earlier this week the city issued a press release saying Prince George entry level labourers are among the highest paid in the province.

Current wage rates place Prince George labourers as the third highest paid workers among 29 mu-nicipalities across B.C., states the citys release. Th e fi ndings are based on a review of current labourer wage rates, and what they would be over the next two years under the citys proposed wage agreement and the unions proposal.

CUPE City workers have done very well for the past fi ve years, said Superintendent of Operations Bill Gaal. Th e comparison shows their wages are near the top of the scale relative to the vast majority of their municipal counterparts.

Under the citys proposal of no wage increases in the fi rst two years of the contract (2013 and 2014), CUPE workers would still be among the top third paid municipal employees, said Gaal. Th e city has proposed a two per cent raise for CUPE in 2015. Th e unions are looking for two per cent per year over three years.

Janet Bigelow, president of CUPE 1048, adds that the two Prince George CUPE locals negotiated wage increases higher than infl ation rates in the last round of negotiations, but that in the early 2000s wage increases were below the rate of infl ation.

When youre in bargaining you cant predict the future, but when CUPE and the city negotiated the last collective agreement those were the wage in-creases both parties agreed were fair and reasonable, she said. And they were in line with settlements in many communities across the North. Th e mayor thinks our members should earn less and contrib-ute less to Prince Georges local economy as a result.

Unions say city isforcing strike action


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A local volunteer, Frank VanderZande of Emer-gency Radio Communications, was awarded a Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer award for emergency com-munications this week.

VanderZande was presented with the award at a ceremony held at the Emergency Management of BC North East Region Offi ce (Provincial Regional Emergency Operation Centre) in Prince George.

VanderZande earned his amateur radio certifi cate at age 14, and took a lead role in developing amateur emergency communications through his work with Industry Canada. In addition to a 35-year radio communications career in the federal public service, Frank has taught amateur radio since 1970. He served two terms as president of the Prince George Amateur Radio Club and is the North East Provin-cial Emergency Operations Centre Radio Station manager. He has been associated with the Red Cross as a Disaster Management Emergency Response Team Member since 2001, and has been the project lead for the Prince George Amateur Radio Club emergency communication trailer, a trailer now used to support search and rescue eff orts across northern B.C.

It is not surprising that Frank VanderZande is receiving this special recognition. Franks passion for radio began very early and he has used his expertise wherever he has lived. Frank has made a real diff er-ence and we are grateful for his public service, said Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, said in a press release.

Each year, volunteers are recognized for their out-standing contributions in six categories: Search and Rescue, Emergency Social Services, PEP (Provincial Emergency Program) Air, Road Rescue, Emer-gency Communications and Lifetime Achievement. Emergency Radio Communications respond when all other systems of communications fail. A proven and reliable means of communications, emergency or ham radio is a public safety lifeline that assists within the community and links the community in crisis to where relief and support can be coordinated.

Provincial award for local radio volunteer

Bill PHILLIPS/Free PressWith his message to Enbridge, Dennis Webster was one of about 75 people at a rally at the Civic Centre Saturday, pro-testing government inaction on climate change.

Sign of the Times

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Teresa Marie Charlie, 21, is charged with being an accessory aft er the fact to murder.

Jesse Darren Bird, 31, is charged with accessory aft er the fact to murder and interference with a dead body.

James David Junior Charlie, 23, is charged with interference with a dead body.

Th e investigation is still ongoing and RCMP say more arrests are still possible, so no further details will be released.

Bird was known to police, as he had been a suspect, along with two other men, in what was called by the press a brazen daylight shooting in down-town Prince George in 2008.

One man was shot in his vehicle on Dominion Street in Prince George in what police believed to be a gang-relat-ed shooting. Two others in the targeted vehicle at the time of the shooting were later found dead of gunshot wounds.

All three suspects, including Bird, were acquitted due to insuffi cient evidence.

Bjornsons murder has been hanging over the community of Fort St. James/Nakazdli, with ru-mours swirling ever since the young mans severed head was found in a vacant house on Nakazdli Reserve (which borders Fort St. James) on Feb. 3, 2012. His body was never found.

Bjornson had been missing since Jan. 12, 2012, aft er he was last seen leaving a 7-Eleven in Vander-hoof and the house on the reserve was searched fol-lowing the location of his abandoned truck in the

area. Bjornson lived in Vanderhoof but had been working north of Fort St. James and had friends in the community.

Th en there were numerous reports of rumours Bjornson had been killed and tortured during a drug-fuelled party on the reserve.

Th e alleged location of the party was next door to the abandoned house where his severed head was found.

I think its a good thing for our community, said Nakazdli Chief Fred Sam. Knowing these people arent out there running around in our com-munity.

Sam said some of those arrested were feared in the community due to their violent backgrounds.

Bjornson was only 28 years old and the father of two young children, but he had struggled with a cocaine addiction, according to his family and friends.

Bjornsons parents, Eileen and Fred Bjornson, had gone forward to the press with information people had brought to them of their sons torture and murder in the basement where the party was going on, but those who told the grieving parents were reportedly too afraid to come forward to the police because they feared reprisals from those involved.

Th e abandoned house where his head was found was later damaged in a fi re and eventually demol-ished.

RCMP have once again stated they have found nothing in the course of their investigation to support the rumours regarding any links be-tween Bjornsons death and the disappearance of Madison Scott. Scott and Bjornson were known to each other, but Scotts disappear-ance in May 2011 still appears in no way to be connected to the Bjornson murder.

Sam said Nakazdli is striving to address crime in the com-munity and has been holding workshops to reduce incidents of violence and hopes the community can work to improve substance abuse issues and work more closely with the RCMP.

Sometimes theyre not perfect, each RCMP is diff erent, but we still need to work with them and move ahead, said Sam. Peo-ple need to step for-ward and provide that important information so we could have had closure on this earlier and people shouldnt be afraid to provide that information.

Th e charges in the case have not been proven in court.

Four suspects have been arrested in relation to the murder of Fribjon Bjornson.

Th ree men and one woman will be facing charges and are in custody in Prince George aft er a lengthy inves-tigation.

Twenty-seven-year-old Wesley Dennis Duncan is facing a murder charge.

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Go electronic with invoicesCNC is hosting a free workshop

next week for businesses who want to switch to electronic invoicing systems.

Th e workshop, on Nov. 27, is ideal for independent consultants, and small or medium-sized busi-nesses that are currently using Word or Excel documents to generate invoices for their custom-ers. Th ree of the simplest and most cost-eff ective E-invoicing solutions will be reviewed and a guide to selecting the right service for your business will be provided.

Electronic invoicing leads to quicker approval and payment cy-cles, improved vendor satisfaction, fewer lost or missing invoices, and a more effi cient fi nancial process, said Zelda Craig, CNCs Industry Liaison. While the majority of small businesses rely on a paper invoicing system, global invoic-ing standards are rapidly moving towards electronic invoicing.

Large companies are insisting their suppliers adopt e-invoicing solutions in an eff ort to streamline approvals and make their pay-ments processes more effi cient. Some governments, such as Mexico and Brazil, are leading the way by making e-invoicing a regu-latory requirement. In northern B.C., most companies dont require e-invoicing from their suppli-ers, but many of them are already specifying a preference for it.

Th e free workshop is at CNC in Room 2-314 from 6 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Pre-registra-tion is required.

Craig, who is facilitating the workshop, said, I started using FreshBooks earlier this year to simplify my time-tracking, invoic-ing and payment processes. It

looks more professional, its easy for me to fl ag payment issues, and my year-end was a snap compared to previous years. Th e idea for the workshop actually came out of a conversation with Cassidy Dahl.

Dahl, the former owner of a BathMaster franchise and current owner of High Caliber Contract-

ing, used Invoice2Go and found that it made it easy to convert a proposal to an invoice. With the added benefi t of having a Smart-phone app, Dahl can issue an invoice from anywhere, including his clients kitchen.

Registration is free. You can preregister through Event-

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Th is workshop is provided by the college with support from the National Research Council.

Th is is the second electronic invoicing workshop CNC has or-ganized. Th e fi rst was held July 10, 2013 and was very successful.

Allan WISHART/Free PressThe School District 57 Tapestry Junior Choir performs the national anthem before Fridays BCHL game between the Spruce Kings and Surrey at the Coliseum.

Singing out

14 Friday, November 22, 2013


I didnt set out this week to do most of my Free Press sto-ries on people in Prince George who come from India, Iran, China, Scotland and Ireland.

It just turned out that way. But happily, I think that is a pretty fair indi-

cation that multiculturalism is alive and well in our northern city. As I say, it was unintend-ed, but I think very apt, that I sit and chat and learn more from people from several diff erent cultural backgrounds during Multicultural-ism Week.

I talked with a dozen immigrants who had all taken a leap of faith or their parents had and decided to come to Canada to live, leaving behind everything they knew includ-ing their family, friends and homeland.

Th at takes guts.I loved hearing the story of the courtship of two people

from India who now own and operate a family-run, home-based business, Anu Beauty Salon. Th e couple, Anu and Ravi, brought with them to Canada their savvy skin care skills learned in India. Ravi went back to school at UNBC and obtained his MBA. Th ey took laser technology ac-creditation and as a footnote literally if you were at the Diwali Celebrations this year, you saw this dynamic duo on the dance fl oor, dazzling diners with their Bollywood-style dance moves.

I also had the pleasure of sitting down with Mojegan,

owner of Zaff ron Cuisine Persian cafe and catering. I heard about her lush life in Iran and about many of their customs

with food and celebration. Recently, she took her home-based catering business to the next level and now off ers dine-in, take-out and catering services at her new location.

I was at the grand opening where she invited people to come out and sample cuisine (there is another ticketed sampling event at Zaff ron this weekend) and it was fun trying out new tastes and unique fl avours.

On Wednesday, I was on the phone with well-known Chinese-Canadian author Denise Chong, talking about her parents struggles to make a life in Prince George when they arrived in the 1950s and her own success in Ottawa (she worked for Pierre Trudeau okay, some non-fans of P.E.T.

would not consider that a career highlight but I was a fan).Speaking of me, as I always do, I am very proud of being a

Brit and while I have lived here most of my life, I still yearn now and then for a pint in a real British pub.

And I dont even drink beer.I immigrated to Canada with my parents when I was a

young girl and my father, now 93, a retired doctor, still has his English accent. I dropped mine in Grade 3 because the kids made fun of my way of speaking. Today they would likely call it bullying but back then it was all part of growing up and learning how to adapt to new situations and fi t in.

I also like to make it clear to anyone who will listen that on my mothers side I am part Irish and Scots as well. I have all my bases covered. I can be stubborn and stoic, fun-loving and fanciful (of course I believe in leprechauns), frugal and feisty, and blame it on my ancestry. Th ese are all cultural stereotypes, of course, and we are taught not to promote them in a negative way but most people I know, no matter what their place of origin, they all have a sense of humour.

So it works for me.Well, it did until I was talking Monday with a Canadian

man (yes, there are real natural-born Canadians) and he asked where I was born. Brits like to be Brits but when you consider the past scandals of the Royals, the bad boy be-haviour of the politicians (some make Toronto mayor Rob Ford look like a choir boy) and endless economic squabbles, some days its hard to know if I should wear my Brit badge or my Canadian maple leaf.

I have to confess, though, as the nightly talk show hosts and comedians make mincemeat of Rob Ford, I do slink down a little deeper into my chair. Not because his silly quotes and questionable actions are the brunt of their jokes but because they keep saying hes from Canada. I was okay with Americans who didnt know any better thinking we all lived in igloos and punctuate our sentences with eh? because thats just not true. But I am not sure I want our neighbours south of the border to think we come from a land of fools, eh?

TEA WITH TERESATERESAMALLAM

A global feast of local stories to tell

Politicians oft en wonder why people get so angry with them.

Most politicians, aft er all, are just trying to do whats best. Th e problem, it seems, lies in the fact that politi-cians seem to live in a diff erent world than the people they are serving.

Th ere are a couple of cases in point emanating out of Prince George city hall this week.

First up was the hour-long debate over whether to list a building a performing arts centre as the priority of the city or a priority for the city.

Yes, we paid a lot of good people good money to debate, for a long, long time, the seman-tics of putting the arts centre at the top of

the priority heap or just lumping it in with everything else.

Th ere was concern that by naming it the priority other projects might fall by the wayside. Huh? To suggest that just because council names its main prior-ity capital project that others will be neglected is pure folly. Not to mention that it suggests the high-priced city staff cant work on two projects at the same time.

But no, at city council the debate droned on, wasting the time of everyone, except all those sitting around the table, staff and politicians, all who get paid to be there.

Th en there is the off -street parking de-

bacle.No one at KPMG, who authored the citys

core services review, no one at city hall, who then tweaked the review, and no one on council, who then approved it, keyed in on the fact that massive rate increases at city-owned parkades would be a problem.

And there is a real irony that when the city was in the midst of attacking that downtown scourge people who move their cars, legally, to avoid parking tickets no one thought that increasing fees in the parkades would drive people to park (drum-roll please) on the street and become part of the two-hour shuffl e. (Who would have thought that when council campaigned on cleaning up crime downtown they were talking about illegal parking?)

But then theres the real mind-boggling part that no one foresaw: increasing parkade

fees, some by as much as 80 per cent, would create a backlash. And it certainly has.

But theres more.With the community in an uproar over

an arbitrary fee increase, council is now opining that theres nothing they can do to reverse the decision. Again huh?

Yes, that is apparently the case.So let me get this straight. Th e park-

ing rates were set, by bylaw, prior to the changes.

Th e city then changed that bylaw, increas-ing the rates. Now that they have been increased, theyre told they cant change that decision.

For some reason, known only to the folks who live in the otherworld known as city hall, they apparently cant pass a bylaw to actually reduce the rates.

Th at would explain a lot of things.

WRITERS BLOCKBILLPHILLIPS

The otherworld at city hall

Bill PHILLIPS/Free PressShowing their support for the environment at a rally at the Civic Centre Saturday are: Mackenzie Tom (left), Chad Sampson, Desiree Sampson, Nolan Sampson, and William Chelsea.

Friday, November 22, 2013 15www.pgfreepress.com Prince George - VOICES - Free Press

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Forgotten flagIt was a strange occurrence

on Saturday aft ernoon at DP Todd Secondary.

Before the AA boys zone volleyball championship game, everyone stood for the sing-ing of O Canada. It was then we realized there was no Canadian fl ag in the gymnasium, so everyone just sort of stood facing whatever direction they happened to be facing.

Th is is quite un-usual, since almost every other school gymnasium I have been in has the fl ag on one wall. I suspect the main reason is the gym is where most of the school assemblies are held, and some of them include the national anthem.

Something else Ive noticed in my travels around the city is the condition of some of the fl ags outside buildings. Most of the schools are pretty good on this front, but there are some fl ags I have seen where the one red stripe is more than half gone.

It doesnt show a lot of re-spect for the fl ag to allow it to be seen in that condition.

So the Saskatchewan Roughriders get one more

home game this season, sort of, with the Grey Cup being at Mosaic Stadium. Th e Roughies will be hoping to make it three in a row for teams winning the Grey Cup on their home

turf, aft er Toronto did it last year and B.C. won it the year before.

Th e last team to lose the Grey Cup at home was the Montreal Alouettes in 2008.

If Sundays game lives up to the last time Hamilton and Saskatchewan got together in the Grey Cup, it will be

a great game. Th at would have been the 1989 game, where Saskatchewan won 43-40 on a Dave Ridgway fi eld goal on the last play of the game.

Interestingly (at least to me), both teams will be play-ing in their 19th Grey Cup. Th e Tiger-Cats have a record of 8-10 in the championship while Saskatchewan is 3-15.

Wow, snow on the road in Prince George in November. What a strange concept.

At least it seemed that way to some of the drivers I saw, especially on Friday. It was the usual: about 95 per cent of the drivers were driving intel-

ligently and adjusting for the weather conditions, and then there were the other fi ve per cent.

I was at the light at 18th and Ospika, and saw two vehicles coming south on Ospika. Th e light turned to yellow and the car in the curb lane slowed down and came to an easy stop.

Th e driver in the other lane, who was a little bit farther away from the light when it turned yellow, didnt even try to slow down. Th ey apparently were of the school of thought that they couldnt possibly stop in those conditions, so why bother even trying.

I also saw one vehicle speed up to go through a light that was fully red before it got to the intersection. I was strongly tempted to pull over just on the other side of the intersec-tion and phone in their licence plate.

One week from tonight, Operation Red Nose starts up for another year. Ill be back at the main offi ce, helping out on phones again this year and insulting the teams of drivers and navigators as they go back and forth, providing safe rides home for the holidays.

What can I say, talking on the phone and insulting people are two things Im good at.

Allan WISHART/Free PressBenjamin Robichaud, closest to camera, and Thomas Brown of the Prince George Barracudas wait for the start of the boys 10 and under 100 backstroke on Sunday at the Northern Medical Sprint, held at the Aquatic Centre. The host Barracudas easily won the team title with 4,503 points, more than double the second-place total for Prince Rupert. Ten teams took part in the meet.

On Your Marks

ALLANS AMBLINGSALLANWISHART

16 Friday, November 22, 2013


Gambling has been attractive to humans for a long time. It is not diffi cult to imagine Oke and Uga having a small

wager on which spider would reach the top of the cave wall fi rst. We know gambling in one form or another has been part of recorded history.

In our not-so-distanct past a social movement, led by the pure of heart and morally correct, managed to make gam-bling a criminal act in Canada. It was legislation to save the poor and under-educated from themselves. It failed in its intent and simply drove gambling underground. It opened an opportunity for organized crime. From the simple numbers game to operating gambling dens, the criminal element was happy to provide the service and skim a fat profi t off the top.

Th e anti-gambling laws were not held in very high regard, a lot of gambling still went on. Th ere were card games at various fi nancial levels in every town. Raffl es, bingos and other games pro-vided a steady stream of money for community activities. No hoops to jump through, just go and do it and raise some of the money needed for the community enhancement. Did some nasty types run off with some of the profi ts? Probably that occurred, but it was rare.

In the early to middle of the 1900s was the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes. It was against the law to send tickets or funds from ticket purchases through the mail and the postal ser-vice was vigorous in its attempt to protect innocent Canadi-ans. Th ey worked hard and failed miserably. Interestingly, it was not against the law to buy the tickets and winners were frequently featured in the newspapers of the day.

Th e anti-gambling laws began to unravel when the Mon-treal Olympics in 1976 experienced gigantic cost overruns. A voluntary tax of a dollar was brought in and this dona-tion gave you a chance of winning a prize. While the City

of Montreal said it was just a matter of donation from the good citizens of the city, others disagreed and saw it as the lottery it was. Th e courts ruled that operating a lottery was a criminal act as set out in the Criminal Code, so the Crimi-nal Code was amended. Welcome Lotto 649. A part of the reasoning supporting the change was the fact the govern-ment would operate the lottery. Who could be more honest and pure of heart than the government?

Governments saw the potential to suck more money out of the populace without having to call it a tax. It brought a gleam to all politicians eyes and they co-operated in getting the legisla-tion in place. At fi rst it was to raise funds for recreation and sports and it was frequently declared that all communities would benefi t. It has changed a bit and the profi ts now get moved into general revenue to satisfy what-ever promises the politicians have made.

Subsequent amendments to the laws and enforcement have driven out many of the community-based eff orts. It has been used to bludgeon much of the competition such as service club-based recreational raffl es and bingos. It is a little silly when a church orga-

nization must obtain a licence to raffl e off a quilt or require a service club to have a lottery licence for the 50/50 meeting draw.

Some control may be good, but the current practice is simply the enforcement of a bureaucratic dictatorship. Per-haps British Columbia can lead the way. Cut both the lottery branch and the current legislation by 90 per cent and let the good folks alone. With rare exceptions, those running a raffl e or other game of chance are good people involved and working for their communities. We would be better served if governments got out of the way and let them carry out their good works.

Just in case you thought northern voices were lost in Victoria:Th e B.C. government is proposing to amend legislation to maintain existing northern and rural electoral districts and ensure that the number of provin-cial electoral districts stays at 85.

Th e proposed amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act are outlined in a white paper released this week by Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton. Th e white paper is available for public comment.

British Columbias demographics have changed signifi -cantly since the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act fi rst passed almost 25 years ago, and recent boundaries commissions have found it challenging to balance popula-tion growth with the need to ensure eff ective representa-tion for northern and rural British Columbians, according to the government press release.

If passed in the spring sitting of the legislature, the amendments will give the next Electoral Boundar-ies Commission (EBC) clear direction to preserve the existing number of electoral districts in northern and rural regions of the province when recommending new boundaries.

Th ats certainly good news for the North.

Gambling on government

AwardWinner

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CONTACT US:[email protected] | 250-564-0005Proudly serving more than

61,600 readers* through weekly delivery to over 28,000 homes, businesses and apartments** in B.C.s Northern Capital.

This Prince George Free Press is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the provinces newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org * Based on Stats Canada average of 2.2 person per household. ** CCAB Audit March 2013.

RoySpoonerCirculation Manager

BillPhillipsRegional

Editor

Ron DrillenGeneralManager

ONSIDEVICBOWMAN

Ridingno changes

The Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society should stand up and take a bow.Th ey have done an outstanding job of outlin-ing what needs to be done for Prince George to fi nally build one of the fi nal needed pillars of the community, identifi ed a couple of decades ago, a performing arts centre.

Th ey have presented a solid business plan to the city outlining everything from how much its going to cost ($42.5 million), to governance (city owned, society run), to eco-nomic impact ($5.7 million per year once constructed).

Th e timing of the presentation to council this week was also exemplary with council members fresh off a tour of the new $38.5 million RCMP detachment, the $25.1 million Wood Innovation and Design Centre and the $28 million Boundary Road Connector. One might argue that weve done enough mega-projects for a little while, however the point is the performing arts centre was being bandied about before any of the other three.

Th e issue, of course, is money. Th e Performing Arts Centre Society has now handed the fi le over the city to try and solve this problem. And, it was clear Monday that some at the city are hesitant, given the hour-long debate over whether to call it a main priority or just a priority.

Th is community, however, has a long history of making things happen when the community makes it a priority. As much as the onus is on city council to make this happen, the onus is also on the community to make sure council doesnt take its foot off the gas. Th e Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society isnt going to simply hand its report over to the city and walk away. It will keep reminding council that this is a priority, and so should you.

Setting priorities

Friday, November 22, 2013 17

www.pgfreepress.com

Bill Bennett, minister responsible for the B.C. governments core review, is trying his darnedest lately to reassure British Colum-bians that the government has no plans to dismantle the Agricultural Land Commis-sion and that much of the speculation was simply the result of government brain-storming.

Th ats nice. Doesnt mean much in government-speak, but it sounds comfort-ing. Its what comes next that should be of concern. In an interview with the Globe and Mail on Tuesday, Bennett confi rmed that the Commission would, however, be subject to the governments core review.

So just because the government doesnt want to dismantle it, doesnt mean that the government in Bennetts words think(s) the commission is perfect or that every piece of land that was put in there, should be there.

What exactly do those ominous words mean for the ALC? Th e B.C. Liberal partys campaign statements wont provide much guidance.

In the midst of last Mays election cam-

paign, Metro Vancouver asked each party what they would do to protect agricultural land in the Metro Vancouver region and what they would do to ensure that the ALC had adequate resources to develop the necessary policy and provide the required enforcement function to preserve BCs farmland?

Th e B.C. Liberals didnt respond by prom-ising to dismantle the ALC or that part of its mandate would be handed over to the Oil and Gas Commission. Nor did they say that the ALC would be subject to a core review.

Instead they boasted of the partys com-mitment to the Commission, noting that the B.C. Liberal government had added 39,000 net-new hectares to the Agricultural Land Reserve, that they had reaffi rmed their commitment with $1.6 million in additional one-time funding to strengthen compliance and enforcement, and that the Commissions $3 million operating budget will allow it to work more closely with farmers, ranchers and agricultural organi-zations to preserve agricultural land and encourage farming.

Clearly, B.C. Agricultural minister Pat Pimm didnt get that memo.

Only days aft er his reelection, Mr. Pimm was meddling in a fi le before the ALC over

an application by one of his constituents to remove prime agricultural land from the reserve.

Th e Commission knew his conduct was inappropriate and told him so. In fact, it was of such a concern that they issued a policy statement in early July regarding the role of elected offi cials in applications before the ALC.

Th eir statement noted that: Elected of-fi cials at the provincial and local level have been given specifi c channels within the Act to infl uence decisions on applications to the ALC. Outside of those channels, they should not attempt to infl uence the ALC with regard to the outcome of a particular application...

Again Mr. Pimm didnt seem to get the memo. Th ree weeks aft er the statement was released he instructed his ministerial offi ce to make further inquiries of the Commis-sion, eff ectively violating one of the most sacred principles of a democracy: judicial independence.

In a 2011 paper submitted to the World Conference on Constitutional Justice on behalf of the Supreme Court of Canada, then Justice Ian Binnie wrote: ...the stron-gest barrier to improper infl uences is a legal and political culture in which the public

simply will not tolerate actual or perceived transgressions. In some cases government Ministers have been obliged to resign be-cause of actions or statements that gave the slightest appearance of a failure to respect the principle of judicial independence.

And thats why Pat Pimm must resign as Minister of Agriculture.

Incredibly though despite the jurispru-dence, despite the precedents Mr. Pimm still doesnt believe he did anything wrong, claiming: I didnt think I was going too far and I still dont think I was going too far I think I was acting as an MLA

So now hes off forum shopping, hoping that B.C.s Confl ict of Interest Commis-sioner will tell him something diff erent from what the ALC rebuked him for in their August decision and what the Supreme Court of Canada has already expressed.

Equally worrisome in this whole aff air: have we reached the point where every tribunal, every agency has to write policy statements for every conceivable scenario so that ministers know what they can and can not do? If it needs to be spelled out in such minutia, maybe the MLA isnt ready for cabinet.

Dermod Travis is the executive director of IntegrityBC. www.integritybc.ca

Dermod TravisIntegrity B.C.

We should still be concerned about ALR

Editor:Are you aware...1. Canadian government offi cials are working with those

from 11 other nations to fi nalize the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership (TPP). I am very concerned about the TPP, which is currently being negotiated without public input.

We know from documents revealed by Wikileaks that the TPP includes an Internet Censorship plan that would make the Internet more policed, expensive and censored.

2. Experts have pointed out that under the TPP, kids could be sent to jail for downloading and whole families could be kicked off the Internet. It would force Internet Service Provid-ers (ISPs) to become Internet police and monitor my Internet use, censor website content, and remove entire websites from my view.

3. It would also hinder our ability to access information and criminalize our everyday use of the Internet. As a concerned citizen, I am speaking out for a free and open Internet.

4. Th e TPP would also limit accessibility for disabled people. Visually impaired or deaf people would be criminalized for circumventing digital locks on any digital materials they have purchased. Th is means they would be unable to convert them to braille, audio, or other accessible formats. I believe that the Internet should be open and accessible to everyone.

5. In addition, the TPPs proposal to force ISPs to install costly and invasive surveillance equipment into their networks gravely worries me.

6. Th ese added costs would drive up everyones Internet bills and could force smaller independent Internet providers out of business. I believe that Internet access is a right and should be kept open and aff ordable for everyone.

Already over 120,000 have signed the Say No to Internet Censorship petition. I encourage everyone to learn more about TPP Internet Censorship before its too late at this website: https://OpenMedia.org/Censorship

I encourage each and every Canadian to learn more about the TPP at OpenMedia.org/Censorship.

Annette RussellPrince George

Internetneeds to be open

Editor:Goooood mooorrrnnniiing Prince George.Okay, I am not Robin Williams, but I do have some-

thing to say to the fi ne people of Prince George.It is time to take your head out of our butt and keep

your eyes on the road. I am serious.I do applaud those of you who have made it obvious

that you do not have a clue how to maneuver the tons of machinery that, for some reason that defi es sensibility, you have a

Documents

Prince George Free Press, November 22, 2013