clearwater times, february 04, 2016

Thursday, February 4, 2016 ▼ Volume 52 No. 5 ▼ www.clearwatertimes.com ▼ $1.35 Includes GST

LOCAL NEWS: FIRST BABY OF 2016 ▼ A2T

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NORTH THOMPSON

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GOING QUACKERS:Backyard bird count soon. See A13 inside.

Keith McNeill

The new Liberal government in Ottawa has extended the cabinet review period by four months and the B.C. government has said it can’t support the project, but Kinder Morgan still hopes to have an expanded Trans Mountain pipeline in service as of 2019, according to company spokesperson Dave Fowles.

Speaking during a community-to-com-munity forum held Friday at Dutch Lake Community Centre, Fowles said Kinder Morgan has the longest and safest record for pipeline operation in North America.

"Nobody spends more money on safety and integrity than Kinder Morgan," he said.

There is great demand for the service, he said.

Before announcing in 2012 that it intend-ed to nearly triple the Trans Mountain pipe-line’s capacity to 890,000 barrels per day, Kinder Morgan got 15 to 20 agreements with shippers.

The project would involve installing 980 km of new 36" or 48" pipe between Edmonton and Burnaby.

About 73 per cent would follow the exist-ing pipeline right-of-way.

Another 16 per cent would be along other linear infrastructure, such as highways and fibre-optic.

Only 11 per cent would involve new right-of-way.

Total capital cost of the project is put at $5.4 billion.

Fowles said he was proud of how Kinder Morgan has addressed First Nations’ con-cerns.

The company has consulted with 133 Aboriginal communities and groups, he said.

He said that the information from First Nations helps pipeline planning.

"It comes from the people who are closest to the land," he said.

District of Barriere councillor Pat Paula asked what would happen if there was not enough land available for doubling.

Fowles replied that the existing corridor is only 18 m wide but when the original pipe was put down 60 years ago it was laid along one side of the corridor, leaving room for a second pipe. Whether more land would be needed for a work area would depend on the site, he said.

Mel Rothenburger, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Area P (Rivers and the Peaks), asked if Fowles’ comparison of the pipeline’s capacity with 440 railcars per day was realistic.

The Kinder Morgan spokesperson said that pipelines offer the safest and most eco-nomical method of transporting petroleum products.

He said that his understanding was that most of the rail cars coming this way are because of lack of pipeline capacity.

However, most rail cars carrying petro-leum products are heading south from Alberta, not west.

Fowles noted that 440 rail cars would work out to about six trains per day.

Thompson Headwaters (Area B) direc-tor Willow MacDonald asked about how Kinder Morgan planned to satisfy the concerns raised by the government of this province.

The Kinder Morgan spokesperson said the B.C. government has set five conditions before it can support the pipeline expansion. He said he was confident that the company could work through any concerns expressed.

The community-to-community forum was a meeting involving District of Clearwater, District of Barriere, Simpcw First Nation, plus Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors, board and staff.

Several have been held in the North Thompson Valley, with sponsorship from Union of BC Municipalities.

Kinder Morgan still optimistic about pipeline expansionSeeking

the big lunkerVavenby resident Ron Cederholm holds the 45 cm kokanee that won him first place in Clearwater Rotary Club’s an-nual Ice Man fishing derby on Dutch Lake on Sunday, Jan. 31. Despite good condi-tions, there were only 39 anglers entered, down somewhat from previous years. Close to 100 people were on the ice for the event. For more photos from the Ice Man fishing derby, see page A10 inside.Photo by Keith McNeill

Highway 5 Little Fort, BC250-677-4441

Located on Highway 5

Highway 5Clearwater, BC

250-674-3148

A2 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, February 4, 2016 Clearwater Times

Keith McNeill

Clearwater has Evergreen Acres, which provides low cost independent living for seniors.

And it has Forestview Place, the extended care wing at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital, for those who need more round-the-clock attention.

However, there has long been recognition of the need for some-thing in between.

A “campus of care” facility would encom-pass alternate residen-tial options such as assisted living, semi-dependent, hospice or respite care, and/or a

facility for challenged adults to support indi-viduals aging in place and at end of life.

During its Jan. 19 meeting, Clearwater town council adopted terms of reference for a campus of care steering committee and approved the appointment of the members of the com-mittee.

Last June the Ministry of Health announced a grant of $50,000 for the District to complete a feasibility study to identify the need for a campus of care in the North Thompson Valley.

Mayor John Harwood infor-

mally appointed a steering committee. Consultants were hired to complete the study.

The motion during the January meet-ing formalized the appointments and provided terms of reference for the com-mittee.

The members of the steering commit-tee are Berni Easson from Interior Health Authority, Pearl McAloney from Evergreen Acres Housing Society, community mem-ber at large Richard Christenson, and Clearwater councillor Ken Kjenstad, and Wells Gray Country (Area A) director Carol Schaffer. Mayor Harwood is an ex officio member of the committee (mean-ing he is a member because he is the mayor).

2 - 3

First baby of the yearProud parents Baljinder Dhanoa (l) and Aman-preet Dhanoa hold their daughter, Seneh Gurdev Kaur Dhanoa – the first baby of 2016 from Clearwater and area. She was born Jan. 19 and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Gertie McKeown presented the new parents with a baby quilt on behalf of the Hospital Auxiliary. Photo submitted

Connect with family and friends on BC Family Day weekendTimes Staff

BC Family Day on Monday, Feb. 8, offers British Columbians a holiday weekend to spend with their loved ones, enjoying fun and engaging events throughout the province.

Family Day in this area will include an event at Clearwater Secondary School, 1 – 4 p.m.

The afternoon will provide a variety of activities certain to provide entertainment for the whole family, such as indoor tennis, Aboriginal engagement, theatre, cooking, Lego, sewing, dance, indoor soccer, floor hockey, obstacle course, fort building, art, science, family zumba, family photography, wood project, and drumming.

"BC Family Day is a time to celebrate the importance of fami-lies and family life in communities large and small, urban and rural, throughout British Columbia,” said Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural

Development. “I encourage all British Columbians to take the opportunity to spend this extra time with their loved ones and enjoy one of the many activities happening this weekend."

The B.C. government is provid-ing $290,000 to support local BC Family Day events.

For more information about BC Family Day and to discover what's happening in your area, visit: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfami-lyday/

BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) provided Family Day grants to municipal and regional district recreation departments and First Nations communities.

Grant recipients will host BC Family Day weekend events at various local venues, including community centres, arenas and aquatic centres.

Find Family Day events in your hometown through the BCRPA's events listings: www.bcrpa.bc.ca/familyday/2016/events

Campus of care committee gets terms of reference

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Everything at Family Day will be FREE.

After the family day events the movie "Box Trolls" will be shown in the Pit. Start at 4:15 pm, cost $2/ person to a maximum of $10/ family. All proceeds go to the CSS PAC/ Student Council funded projects.

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CloSed Sunday

Celebrate February 8, 2016

Clearwater Times Thursday, February 4, 2016 www.clearwatertimes.com A3

Keith McNeill

“We found a lot of good talent. It was amazing.”

That was how Harry James, representative for Royal Canadian Legion Branch #259, described the judging for the Legion's annual poster and literary contest.

The contest was held last fall in conjunction with Remembrance Day.

James announced the results for the branch and zone judging during an assembly at Raft River Elementary School on Monday morning.

Seven students from Raft placed first or second in the zone competi-tion, James said, which was quite an accomplishment.

The two first place winners were automatically entered in the provin-cial contest. How they did there has not yet been announced.

The winners at the zone level were: color poster intermediate – 1, Mackenzie Ross; black and white poster junior – 1, Dustin Hurst;

color poster, primary – 2, Lars Dowker; black and white poster, primary – 2, Mia Thompson; poem, junior – 2, Tommy Panko; poem, intermediate – 2, Kelly Ludbrook; black and white poster, intermediate – 2, Dalton Carr.

Winners at the branch level were: Primary, black and white poster –

1, Mia Thompson; 2, Low Colbert; 3, Kalan Priede.

• colour poster –1, Lars Dowker; 2, Lilly Frost; 3, Lilly Dulaba.

Intermediate, black and white poster, 1, Dalton Carr; 2, Solamyn Barstow; 3, Damian Braaten.

• colour poster – Mackenzie Ross; 2, Dalton Carr; 3, Devin Green.

Poem – 1, Kelly Ludbrook; 2, Damian Braaten; 3, Mackenzie Ross; honorable mention, Solamyn Barstow.

Junior, black and white poster – 1, Dustin Hurst; 2, Cassidy Tucker; 3, Amery Hokai.

• colour poster – 1, Tommy Panko; 2, Braxton Hall; 3, Sarah Oud.

2 - 3Legion announces poster and literary winners

Winners at the zone level of the Legion's annual poster and literary contest pose for a photograph. Pic-tured are (back, l-r) Kelly Ludbrook, Tommy Panko, Dalton Carr, Legion rep. Harry James, (front, l-r) Lars Dowker, Dustin Hurst, Mia Thompson and Mackenzie Ross.Photo by Keith McNeill

Province commits $10 million for B.C. ground search and rescueSubmitted

"Wells Gray Search and Rescue is pleased to see the government of B.C. recognize the commitment by the 80 volunteer search and rescue teams in the Province of British Columbia.”

That was the response of Ryan McLarty, the president of and a search manager with Wells Gray Search and Rescue, following a recent announcement that the prov-ince was committing $10 million for search and rescue teams in B.C.

“A lot of volunteer hours go into securing funding to purchase the rescue equipment required to respond to wilder-ness and remote emergencies on behalf of the tasking agen-cies,” McLarty added. “These SAR tasks on any given day may require avalanche, swift water, rope and ground search and rescue equipment to safely deal with these situations.”

The spokesperson noted that tasks can come from a variety of agencies, including

the RCMP, BC Ambulance, BC Coroners Service, fire departments, Parks Canada and Canadian Armed Forces.

“Going forward we hope that this is the first step in securing long term ongoing funding to ensure SAR teams are equipped to continue responding provincewide,” McLarty said. “Currently Wells Gray SAR like many of the teams in the region utilize matching annual grants from the TNRD and the BC Lotteries community gam-ing grant fund to secure our yearly funding.”

According to a media release, the government will be providing $10-million in one-time funding to help bolster training, administra-tive support and equipment renewals.

Once allocated, the fund-ing will be spent according to the needs of the local ground search and rescue teams, replacing or updating equip-ment, providing administra-tive support and paying for new or additional training.

"The service that search and rescue groups provide in their communities is recog-nized as an invaluable asset to the people of this province and today we welcome the additional support of the B.C. government to help strengthen the work that's being done," said president of BC Search and Rescue Association Chris Kelly. "While we continue to work with the province on the proposed alternate support model for search and rescue, this money will help relieve some of the funding pressures and provide for increased training and other tools for those who tirelessly serve as volunteers."

This investment will build on the $6.3 million that the B.C. government is already providing each year to cover ground search and rescue operational costs for deploy-ment, as well as training and equipment costs, and the insurance and liability for the members of the 80 groups serving across the B.C. land-scape.

www.clearwatertimes.com


Keith McNeill

Clearwater has Evergreen Acres, which provides low cost independent living for seniors.

And it has Forestview Place, the extended care wing at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital, for those who need more round-the-clock attention.

However, there has long been recognition of the need for some-thing in between.

A “campus of care” facility would encom-pass alternate residen-tial options such as assisted living, semi-dependent, hospice or respite care, and/or a

facility for challenged adults to support indi-viduals aging in place and at end of life.

During its Jan. 19 meeting, Clearwater town council adopted terms of reference for a campus of care steering committee and approved the appointment of the members of the com-mittee.

Last June the Ministry of Health announced a grant of $50,000 for the District to complete a feasibility study to identify the need for a campus of care in the North Thompson Valley.

Mayor John Harwood infor-

mally appointed a steering committee. Consultants were hired to complete the study.

The motion during the January meet-ing formalized the appointments and provided terms of reference for the com-mittee.

The members of the steering commit-tee are Berni Easson from Interior Health Authority, Pearl McAloney from Evergreen Acres Housing Society, community mem-ber at large Richard Christenson, and Clearwater councillor Ken Kjenstad, and Wells Gray Country (Area A) director Carol Schaffer. Mayor Harwood is an ex officio member of the committee (mean-ing he is a member because he is the mayor).

2 - 3

First baby of the yearProud parents Baljinder Dhanoa (l) and Aman-preet Dhanoa hold their daughter, Seneh Gurdev Kaur Dhanoa – the first baby of 2016 from Clearwater and area. She was born Jan. 19 and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Gertie McKeown presented the new parents with a baby quilt on behalf of the Hospital Auxiliary. Photo submitted

Connect with family and friends on BC Family Day weekendTimes Staff

BC Family Day on Monday, Feb. 8, offers British Columbians a holiday weekend to spend with their loved ones, enjoying fun and engaging events throughout the province.

Family Day in this area will include an event at Clearwater Secondary School, 1 – 4 p.m.

The afternoon will provide a variety of activities certain to provide entertainment for the whole family, such as indoor tennis, Aboriginal engagement, theatre, cooking, Lego, sewing, dance, indoor soccer, floor hockey, obstacle course, fort building, art, science, family zumba, family photography, wood project, and drumming.

"BC Family Day is a time to celebrate the importance of fami-lies and family life in communities large and small, urban and rural, throughout British Columbia,” said Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural

Development. “I encourage all British Columbians to take the opportunity to spend this extra time with their loved ones and enjoy one of the many activities happening this weekend."

The B.C. government is provid-ing $290,000 to support local BC Family Day events.

For more information about BC Family Day and to discover what's happening in your area, visit: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfami-lyday/

BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) provided Family Day grants to municipal and regional district recreation departments and First Nations communities.

Grant recipients will host BC Family Day weekend events at various local venues, including community centres, arenas and aquatic centres.

Find Family Day events in your hometown through the BCRPA's events listings: www.bcrpa.bc.ca/familyday/2016/events

Campus of care committee gets terms of reference

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Editor, The Times:I read Tom

Fletcher's article (“Smart meter system finishes under budget," Jan. 28 issue) about the BC Hydro smart meter project being "officially complete" and "$153 million below the original budget". (The future cost of replacing all these meters, whose life-expectancy is at least 10 years less than the analog meters, is not mentioned.)

Now, I realize how figures can be manipu-lated, so I'm not nec-

essarily swallowing this whole, but I find it interesting that the article notes there are still 13,320 customers who have refused to accept smart meters, "opting to pay a monthly fee."

Well, we didn't actually opt for the fee; we just refused to part with our safe and reliable, long-life analogs that don't emit EMF – the fee part was imposed as a kind of extortion or punish-ment for not playing their game.

A little math: my

$408/year extortion fee times 13,320 'refuse-niks' yields BC Hydro $5,434,560 a year to offset their expenses; and don't let them tell you this is for meter readers.

Meter reading was always been included in the service provided (even though they are not really needed, with today's communication devices), and there are countless 'smart' meters in rural areas still being read by meter readers.

While I appreciated the 'privilege' of being allowed to 'opt out' (though I never opted in), I resent the fact that B.C. residents 'in the know' are paying a higher opt-out fee than anywhere else in the country, or indeed, in North America.

Should a 'refuse-niks' falter in his/her resolve, there is a $55 charge to 'opt in' to the smart meter pro-gram. And should BC Hydro decide to force

the issue, there is a $65 "failed installation charge" if a customer refuses forced meter exchange or obstructs access.

BC Hydro also has demonstrated that they have the power and will to cut service (winter or not) to a customer who refuses to pay the extortion fees (despite years of loyal service payment); then, when the non-compliant customer has been whipped into submission of 'back payments', s/he is then charged an exorbitant fee to be reconnected – to a 'smart' meter!

It sure seems like a David versus Goliath story; I hope it ends the same way.

I never thought our government would allow its citizens to be subjected to such obvi-ous extortion when trying to protect their privacy, security, safety and health.

P. GregsonClearwater, B.C.

editorial by keith McNeill

Opinion “ When there is blood on the street, I am buying.” - Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, banker

BC Press CouncilThe Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s 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 BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

Article on smart meters did not tell whole story

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline


Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

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NORTH THOMPSON


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ETimesWe acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Subscribe to the TimesIn Town / Out of Town Rates1 year $57.75; 2 years $110.25Prices include GST

Published by Black Press Ltd.74 Young Road, Unit 14 Brookfield MallClearwater, B.C. V0E 1N2

4 - 5

Readers of the Times might recall that longtime North Thompson resident Jean Nelson and your editor cycled from Toronto to Ottawa last spring to publicize a petition calling for a Canada-wide referendum on car-bon fee-and-dividend.

Carbon fee-and-dividend is a method to help control human-caused climate change. It would put a fee on fossil fuels, similar to a car-bon tax, but all the money collected would be returned to individuals as equal dividends.

Dr. James Hansen, in some ways the dean of climate scientists, has advocated for carbon fee-and-div-idend for many years. Quite a few top economists agree that carbon fee-and-dividend would be the best and most effective mechanism to control global warming.

Somewhat surprisingly, Hansen has complained bitterly about major environmental groups (what he calls “Big Green”) that not only do not support carbon fee-and-dividend, but that also appear to oppose it.

Carbon Washington, the group that has successfully raised enough signatures to force a referendum on a revenue-neutral carbon tax in that state, has been opposed by a consortium of environmental groups that want the money raised by the carbon tax to go to “green infrastructure” and not to reducing other taxes.

Recently Jean Nelson contacted a prominent B.C. environmentalist who does not support CF&D and asked him why not.

In his reply he said, in part, “… we need as much of the carbon tax income as possible to invest in cli-mate solutions.”

No doubt at least some of the money raised through carbon taxes should be used this way.

However, it is hard to believe that all of it or even a majority should be.

Like it or not, carbon fee-and-dividend is going to have to do most of the heavy lifting.

Here are some arguments against the prominent B.C. environmental-ist’s position:

1. CF&D would be more politically acceptable. In order for a price on carbon to have an adequate effect it’s going to have to be pretty high. A reasonable guess would be around $300/tonne carbon dioxide, or 10 times B.C.’s present carbon tax. People will not accept that unless they see some direct benefit coming back to them – a sizeable dividend cheque in the mail.

2. If a carbon tax were several times higher than B.C.’s and all or most of it going into govern-ment revenue, governments would become dependent on it as a cash cow. There would be tremendous pressure not to raise the carbon tax so high as to damage the fossil fuel industry. If the revenue were to go out as dividends, on the other hand, we can rely on people to want their cheques to be as big as possible, even if that means wreck-ing the fossil fuel industry, which is what we want.

3. Governments do not have a good record picking new and inno-vative technologies. CF&D would create a huge market for alternative energy under a free market sys-tem. Inventors would go out, raise capital and, if their ideas are good ones, become successes. This would be preferable to having government committees determine the winners and losers among new ideas.

4. CF&D would directly address the growing economic inequal-ity in Canada and the world. It is hard to see how investing in green infrastructure, etc. would have any effect on economic inequality.

5. CF&D is simple, inexpensive and transparent. All of the alterna-tives are not.

Why have no major environ-mental groups endorsed carbon fee-and-dividend?

My suspicion is they do not want to alarm the donors that they rely on for funding. Carbon fee-and-dividend, on the other hand, would be alarmingly disruptive.

The fact is, however, that if a group is not talking about carbon fee-and-dividend then they are not really talking about ways to con-trol human-caused climate change.

Answering a critic of carbon fee-and-dividend


Editor, The Times:If the article written by

Adam Williams – Kamloops This Week (“Upper Clearwater dispute likened to 'Hatfields and McCoys'”, Jan. 28 issue), was intended to sensationalize a difference of opinion between a handful of people living in Upper Clearwater and cause them and others alarm and distress, then it appears to have been successful.

We have fielded numerous

communications from wor-ried and concerned neigh-bours, friends and others who remember and know the Upper Clearwater Hall to be a joyous place.

Those who know us know that we are not thuggish louts who smash up property and ter-rorize our neighbours. Those that don’t know us yet but take a little time to talk with us will find that out for themselves.

The comments made by

Director Schaffer really say more about how she repre-sents some people in Area ‘A’ and were possibly not the best approach to heal “a rift in our community.”

The hall was built to be used and enjoyed. We look after it so it can be used and enjoyed and it is available to everyone to be used and enjoyed. If anyone still has doubts, come and talk with us, see things for yourself or

maybe, become a member and help look after the ‘old hall’.

You can find out more on our web site at www.ucfi.ca!

Nick Frost, secretaryUpper Clearwater Farmers

Institute

Sharon: No, leave things alone. There are more important things than that.

Jim Lamberton:I think it should be changed to “all our daughters' com-mand,” to make it more gender ... you (referring to editor Keith McNeill) put in the word, you change mine any-ways.

Liam Rorison (with Brooklynn and Emma-lee):I don't think we should change the words of our national anthem.

Kim Ramsay:It's been the same for many years and I don't see the need to change it. For one thing, we'd all have to learn the new words.

Ray Jackson: Yes, why not. I think it's long overdue. It's time we updated a lot of stuff, especially now that we have Trudeau and not Harper.

?Questionof the Week

Do you think the words “... in all thy son's

command” should be

taken out of O' Canada?

4 - 5

Hall should pay its own wayEditor, The Times:

I am writing in response to Gloria Petre's letter in the Jan. 28 issue (“Former Upper Clearwater resident asks for end to feuding about the hall”).

Gloria suggests it is a difference in opinion between old-timers and newcomers that is causing problems in the Upper Clearwater.

Not at all. There are just as many new-comers as old-timers

who object to sup-porting the Upper Clearwater Farmers Institute. It has abso-lutely nothing to do with the length of time one has lived in the valley.

It has everything to do with being appalled at how badly people have been treated: verbal abuse, swearing, lack of respect, refusal to have democratic ballot voting, the list goes on and on.

The UCFI states

they will be unable to operate the hall if the landowners of the Upper Clearwater stop paying taxes to support them. This is totally ludicrous. For pity's sake, fol-low the example of the Clearwater groups who have halls – earn the funds to support your hall.

Yes, fundraising does require work on the part of the mem-bers – but how much more satisfying to

earn one's keep.Remember how

wonderful it felt to earn your first pay-cheque? I am sure it will feel equally won-derful to know that you are supporting yourselves – and to know that the rest of the valley is support-ing causes to which they subscribe, not one they have been unfairly trapped into supporting.

Ellen FergusonUpper Clearwater, B.C.

Article misrepresents Upper Clearwater dispute

Tom Fletcher, Black Press

Communities around B.C. are strug-gling to cope with the continued influx of what politicians call “homelessness,” a term that suggests the problem can be solved merely by providing more homes.

Taxpaying citizens

see the daily reality behind the soothing euphemisms – mainly transients squatting in parks and “tent cit-ies” blighted by drug abuse and crime, and “homeless” shelters that fill up as soon as they open. They worry that the continued costly supply of sup-ports only invites more arrivals, particularly in

the gentle climate of southwestern B.C.

Their worries are well founded. In Abbotsford, a 40-bed “temporary weather shelter” made from industrial camp trailers opened in December with a $450,000 operat-ing grant from B.C. Housing.

It was full in 10

days. Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich told city council in January that his bike officers don’t recognize most of the shelter occupants from their constant patrols of local tent camps, the largest of which has been on a city-owned roadside site since 2013.Continued on page A7

Urban drug ghettos aren't working well


Editor, The Times:I read Tom

Fletcher's article (“Smart meter system finishes under budget," Jan. 28 issue) about the BC Hydro smart meter project being "officially complete" and "$153 million below the original budget". (The future cost of replacing all these meters, whose life-expectancy is at least 10 years less than the analog meters, is not mentioned.)

Now, I realize how figures can be manipu-lated, so I'm not nec-

essarily swallowing this whole, but I find it interesting that the article notes there are still 13,320 customers who have refused to accept smart meters, "opting to pay a monthly fee."

Well, we didn't actually opt for the fee; we just refused to part with our safe and reliable, long-life analogs that don't emit EMF – the fee part was imposed as a kind of extortion or punish-ment for not playing their game.

A little math: my

$408/year extortion fee times 13,320 'refuse-niks' yields BC Hydro $5,434,560 a year to offset their expenses; and don't let them tell you this is for meter readers.

Meter reading was always been included in the service provided (even though they are not really needed, with today's communication devices), and there are countless 'smart' meters in rural areas still being read by meter readers.

While I appreciated the 'privilege' of being allowed to 'opt out' (though I never opted in), I resent the fact that B.C. residents 'in the know' are paying a higher opt-out fee than anywhere else in the country, or indeed, in North America.

Should a 'refuse-niks' falter in his/her resolve, there is a $55 charge to 'opt in' to the smart meter pro-gram. And should BC Hydro decide to force

the issue, there is a $65 "failed installation charge" if a customer refuses forced meter exchange or obstructs access.

BC Hydro also has demonstrated that they have the power and will to cut service (winter or not) to a customer who refuses to pay the extortion fees (despite years of loyal service payment); then, when the non-compliant customer has been whipped into submission of 'back payments', s/he is then charged an exorbitant fee to be reconnected – to a 'smart' meter!

It sure seems like a David versus Goliath story; I hope it ends the same way.

I never thought our government would allow its citizens to be subjected to such obvi-ous extortion when trying to protect their privacy, security, safety and health.

P. GregsonClearwater, B.C.

editorial by keith McNeill

Opinion “ When there is blood on the street, I am buying.” - Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, banker

BC Press CouncilThe Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s 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 BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

Article on smart meters did not tell whole story

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline


Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

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NORTH THOMPSON


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Published by Black Press Ltd.74 Young Road, Unit 14 Brookfield MallClearwater, B.C. V0E 1N2

4 - 5

Readers of the Times might recall that longtime North Thompson resident Jean Nelson and your editor cycled from Toronto to Ottawa last spring to publicize a petition calling for a Canada-wide referendum on car-bon fee-and-dividend.

Carbon fee-and-dividend is a method to help control human-caused climate change. It would put a fee on fossil fuels, similar to a car-bon tax, but all the money collected would be returned to individuals as equal dividends.

Dr. James Hansen, in some ways the dean of climate scientists, has advocated for carbon fee-and-div-idend for many years. Quite a few top economists agree that carbon fee-and-dividend would be the best and most effective mechanism to control global warming.

Somewhat surprisingly, Hansen has complained bitterly about major environmental groups (what he calls “Big Green”) that not only do not support carbon fee-and-dividend, but that also appear to oppose it.

Carbon Washington, the group that has successfully raised enough signatures to force a referendum on a revenue-neutral carbon tax in that state, has been opposed by a consortium of environmental groups that want the money raised by the carbon tax to go to “green infrastructure” and not to reducing other taxes.

Recently Jean Nelson contacted a prominent B.C. environmentalist who does not support CF&D and asked him why not.

In his reply he said, in part, “… we need as much of the carbon tax income as possible to invest in cli-mate solutions.”

No doubt at least some of the money raised through carbon taxes should be used this way.

However, it is hard to believe that all of it or even a majority should be.

Like it or not, carbon fee-and-dividend is going to have to do most of the heavy lifting.

Here are some arguments against the prominent B.C. environmental-ist’s position:

1. CF&D would be more politically acceptable. In order for a price on carbon to have an adequate effect it’s going to have to be pretty high. A reasonable guess would be around $300/tonne carbon dioxide, or 10 times B.C.’s present carbon tax. People will not accept that unless they see some direct benefit coming back to them – a sizeable dividend cheque in the mail.

2. If a carbon tax were several times higher than B.C.’s and all or most of it going into govern-ment revenue, governments would become dependent on it as a cash cow. There would be tremendous pressure not to raise the carbon tax so high as to damage the fossil fuel industry. If the revenue were to go out as dividends, on the other hand, we can rely on people to want their cheques to be as big as possible, even if that means wreck-ing the fossil fuel industry, which is what we want.

3. Governments do not have a good record picking new and inno-vative technologies. CF&D would create a huge market for alternative energy under a free market sys-tem. Inventors would go out, raise capital and, if their ideas are good ones, become successes. This would be preferable to having government committees determine the winners and losers among new ideas.

4. CF&D would directly address the growing economic inequal-ity in Canada and the world. It is hard to see how investing in green infrastructure, etc. would have any effect on economic inequality.

5. CF&D is simple, inexpensive and transparent. All of the alterna-tives are not.

Why have no major environ-mental groups endorsed carbon fee-and-dividend?

My suspicion is they do not want to alarm the donors that they rely on for funding. Carbon fee-and-dividend, on the other hand, would be alarmingly disruptive.

The fact is, however, that if a group is not talking about carbon fee-and-dividend then they are not really talking about ways to con-trol human-caused climate change.

Answering a critic of carbon fee-and-dividend

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50 YEARS AGO:Residents of School

District 26 were about to vote in a referendum that would allow bor-rowing of close to $1 million to provide a full secondary school program at Clearwater Secondary School. Sending Grade 11 and 12 students to Kamloops, as some were suggesting, would cost the district $200 per year for tuition, plus $65 per month boarding allowance, trustee Mrs. Pye said.

An eager group of residents was planning the first annual Winter Carnival for Vavenby and, indeed, for all the valley.

A man of approxi-mately 75 years of age took an unscheduled trip on the CNR from Vancouver to Irvine (about six miles north of Vavenby). He had decided that an empty boxcar would be a good place to sleep. He woke up to find the train on its way and that he could not open the door. He was able to climb out at Irvine, and walked along the tracks to Vavenby. After a bowl of soup and talking to some section workers, he dis-appeared.

45 YEARS AGO:Nine snow machines

and 19 people planned

to travel to Mahood River on the log-ging road to Wells Gray Park next to the Clearwater River, but were stopped by a snow-slide. After a bonfire they returned the same day. Trail boss was Ed Mackenzie.

Two CFCR techni-cians braved the ele-ments to try to return television reception to the Clearwater area. On their first trip they found the road covered

with fallen trees and their Skidoo's were plagued with carburetor icing and frozen throttle linkages. Abandoning one machine, they returned down the mountain. The next day, accompanied by Mr. J. Elliot and Mr. D. Sallows, they reached the site in a blizzard. One technician was caught in an avalanche and was saved by a tree that he became caught in.

40 YEARS AGO:Forty-two businesses

signed up to have their names on a large direc-tional map that was to be erected in time for the next tourist sea-son by the Clearwater Business Association.

Art Mayer was look-ing for a Channel 12 head in order to trans-fer television reception from Kamloops to Barriere, which should improve reception.

Blue River Elementary School principal Mr. Tefinbach asked if the old school could be saved. School trustees made a motion that the school be sold to the Blue River Forum Committee for one dollar.

35 YEARS AGO:Clearwater curlers

Marg Lehto, Gloria Sauer, Linda Yurkiw and Daisy Hystad were to be one of four teams represent-ing the Interior at the Provincial Playdowns in Victoria.

Clearwater and District Minor Hockey Association reported that it had 138 young-sters registered. Their fees paid for ice time Oct. 1 to mid-January. From that time until the end of March, ice-time was paid for by fundraising.

30 YEARS AGO:TNRD Area

A director Paul Caissie, Area A Parks, Television and Cemeteries com-mittee chairman Murray Stockton and a Vancouver techni-cian tried to reach the propane powered television repeater site on Grizzly Mountain but were stopped by weather conditions. Committee member Bert Walker said he had received a telephone call from the western vice-president of CN/

CP Communications regarding participation in installing an electri-cal power-line to a pro-posed new repeater site on Ada Mountain.

20 YEARS AGO:Blue River's Sonia

Dobson, age 19, and Viva Wolf, 16, led the Canadian National Natural Luge Team to its best-ever showing at the 10th Natural Luge Championships in Oberperfuss, Austria. Ninth place finisher Dobson was the first non-European to break into the top 10 at the event, while Wolf came 11th.

First baby of the year, born on Jan. 24, was Andreas Ernest Paul Hauenstein, son of Ursula and Rene Haeunstein.

15 YEARS AGO:Clearwater's “new”

multi-level health care centre cleared last min-ute budget problems. After a review, costs were brought back within budget at an estimated $5.5 million.

Kamloops Thompson Teacher Association (KTTA) was butting heads with SD 73 regarding class sizes. KTTA took the stand that “children will suffer” if kinder-garten classes jumped from 20 to 23 and pri-mary classes from 22 to 24.

Cadets in the Clearwater area started their first unit, sign-ing up 22 youngsters with a waiting list. The cadets had belonged to a platoon based out of Kamloops and had been travelling to Barriere for weekly meetings.

10 YEARS AGO:The Rocky

Mountain Ranger Cadet Corps had until May to recruit more local officers and cadets or it would be shut down. To run an effi-cient corps 30 cadets were required. At the time, Clearwater had 20 cadets enrolled, with 12 parading each training night.

Conservative candi-date Betty Hinton took 39.3 per cent of the votes in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding, giving her a third straight victory

5 YEARS AGO:Signs warned of

thin ice on Dutch Lake. Nevertheless, several people continued to ice fish on the lake.

A forest fuel man-agement program car-ried out by District of Clearwater had both reduced the risk of wildfires plus created employment, Mayor John Harwood told an open house. "I probably would've just gone for a quarter-million but Bert Walker said go for the full $2.4 million, and we've got it over two years," he said. The program had cre-ated 6,830 person-days of employment, said corporate administrator Leslie Groulx.

1 YEAR AGO:Clearwater Medical

Clinic announced that it had five doctors working after a period when Dr. Soles had been the only regular physician.

A guest editorial by Tom Fletcher argued that a wolf kill was the last hope for saving the mountain caribou. A column on another page from Valhalla Wilderness Watch said that the govern-ment's caribou recovery program, including shooting wolves from helicopters, was failing disastrously.

HISTORICAL Perspect i ve

BACK IN TIME

6 - 7

Work

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An opportunity to offset the cost of training new eligible employees. The average wage subsidy is 50% of wage for 3-4 months of fulltime employment. Please contact us for our

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For Work Seeker:

An opportunity for eligible work seekers to market themselves to employers who would not normally consider them for fulltime employment without a wage subsidy to offset their cost of on-the-job training. Please contact us for more information

_________________________________________________ CLEARWATER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CENTRE

58A Young Road, Clearwater BC V0E 1N2 Phone: 250- 674-2928 Fax: 250- 674-2938

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 – 4:00 Email: [email protected]

www.clearwateremployment.ca Operated by Yellowhead Community Services

The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by

The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:00

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Sandwich Maker, Front Desk Attendant, Breakfast Cook, Fine Dining Server C0760 Rural BC-Motel Management Couples CB0759 Administrative Clerk C0758 Labourer BC 0757 Home Share Provider CB0756 Support Worker C0751

SNOWARAMA

Proceeds to the B.C. Lions Society will provide housing and holiday camps for handicapped children.

For more info contact Ralph Sunderman 250-674-3773

Registration at Elk’s Hall 8 am - 10 am Pledge forms are available at several locations around town.

Sunday February 14

This fundraiser is jointly sponsored by the Clearwater Sno-Drifters and the Clearwater-Vavenby Lions. Ad sponsor ed by:

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Continued from page A5In Maple Ridge, a “low barrier harm reduction” shelter was opened last fall in response to a growing tent camp and accom-panying drug dealing, prostitu-tion and petty crime.

One resident noted bitterly that a mayor’s task force had identified 42 unsheltered home-less people, then found places for 77 from the camp, 40 from a closing “temporary” shelter and 40 in a new shelter. “How exactly does one house 157 out of 42?” she asked.

Victoria’s camping population has gathered in an Occupy-style squat on provincial land next to the courthouse, after years of uncontrolled camping in Beacon Hill and other city parks.

The city opened a shelter in a vacant Boys and Girls Club gym, complete with new indoor tents. By the time that was full, the courthouse camp was big-ger than ever, with some occu-pants describing how they came to town for the opportunity. One said Vancouver Police gave her a bus ticket to Victoria.

The latest plan by a local agency that runs Victoria shelters is to convert an old, empty seniors’ care home into a 101-bed permanent housing facility. This would also be “low bar-rier,” a euphemism for allowing drug and alco-hol consumption in the rooms.

The city has come

up with around $1 million for this project, in a residential area next to a school, but it still needs millions more to renovate and run it. This would presumably come from B.C. taxpayers via our social housing czar, deputy premier Rich Coleman.

Coleman pioneered this “housing first” experiment in 2007, buying up 13 century-old “single-room occupancy” hotels in Vancouver’s notori-ous Downtown Eastside. These crumbling bedbug habitats were bought and renovated for a staggering $143 million, plus a 15-year maintenance commit-ment and a cop assigned to each one in an effort to contain the chaos inside.

Coleman brags endlessly about the great job he has done, but how is that actu-ally working? A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers provides a more objective assessment.

Tracking 433 mentally ill homeless adults over 10 years, the study found the concentra-tion of low-rent accommoda-tion, food handouts, street outreach and medical supports resulted in “significant person-al decline rather than recovery, as evidenced by their involve-ment in the criminal justice system, large increases in acute care and prolonged homeless-ness.”

The rate of people arriving in this service-intensive hellhole has tripled in the last 10 years, a finding similar to studies of concentrated services in New York, Sao Paulo and Osaka.

It’s a cautionary tale for other urban communities where this failed containment model is proposed.

– Tom Fletcher is B.C. legis-lature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @tom-fletcherbc

6 - 7

North Thompson Women in Business (NTWIB) was estab-lished in 2013 as a not-for-profit organization created to give a voice to Clearwater and district businesswomen, whether they be professionals, run their own busi-nesses, are thinking about starting a business or work for others.

Our aim is to offer as many networking opportunities as pos-sible to all women and to promote one another's businesses. We hold interesting and enjoyable social events that members and the gen-eral public are welcome to attend.

We meet once a month (last Monday) in January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November. Meeting place is the Wells Gray Inn, 12 p.m. - 2pm. Drop-in fee is $2 and you purchase your own lunch.

We have numerous guest speak-ers; and offer provocative think-ing, innovative business ideas, and workable solutions. Have your most-pressing business challenges, concerns, and questions addressed in our open forum. Exchange ideas and insights. We also offer very affordable advertising on our web site; www.thingstodoclearwa-terbc.com

We will be hosting our first annual NTWIB Expo on Saturday, April 2 in the foyer of the Clearwater Lodge. This event will be free to the public while the cost to showcase your busi-ness will be $50 per table. Please contact Fay McCracken 250-674-2700 or email ntwomeninbusi-ness@gmail for more information or to register your business and receive your expo package.

Stephanie Molina Tourism Market-ing manager for Tourism Wells Gray, was the guest speaker at the Jan. 25 Women In Business meeting at the Wells Gray Inn.

Next LuncheonMarch 13 12pm – 2pm • Wells Gray InnCost: $2.00 plus the cost of lunch

[email protected]

Women BusinessIn NORTH THOMPSON

New monitor for hospital(L-r) Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital X-ray technician Dionne Rad gives Hospital Auxiliary members Sue Ludtke, Marilyn Collison, Marg Anderson and Evelyn Warner a close-up look at a new $2,000.00 Holter monitor – another item from the doctors' wish list purchased with help from the Auxiliary. The device al-lows 24-hour cardiac monitoring for diagnostic purposes. TNRD director Carol Schaffer donated $1,000 towards the monitor from her discretionary fund. Photo submitted

Lower NT Community Forest awards grants

Barriere Star/Journal

The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS ) reported recently that it had received a total of 15 grant applications in 2015 for requested funding of $66,750, which well exceeded the planned amount for disbursement.

After reviewing all of the appli-cations received, 11 recipients were chosen to receive grants from the organization totalling $25,375.

“We wish them the best of luck in completion of their projects,” said LNTCFS manager Mike Francis, RPF.

Non-profit organizations receiv-ing 2015 LNTCFS grants are:

• Barriere and District Heritage Society – continuation/completion of the Heritage Garden project including repairs to side walk, gazebo, soil amendment, and labour $1,400

• Barriere Elementary School – support of the community garden program $1,000

• Barriere Recreation Society (Curling Club) – keeping youth fees low, bringing in several curling programs, and completing building repairs $2,000

• McLure Firefighters & Recreation Association – support in meeting increased training and equipment requirements under new Playbook $6,225

• Yellowhead Pioneer Residence Society – window replacements, heating upgrades and air conditioning for seniors housing units $3,500

• Little Fort Recreation Society – purchase of a new stage for the Little Fort Community Hall $2,500

• District of Barriere – establish-ment of a commemorative plaque for workers injured or killed in the logging and forest industry $1,000

• Pentacostal Christian Life Assembly – replacement of broken tables $1,000

• Barriere Secondary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) – providing student assistance with various funding $2,000

• North Thompson Volunteer and Information Center – car-pet replacement in the Volunteer Center and upgrading educational games and supplies $4,000

• North Thompson Communities Foundation – a one day Not For Profit capacity build-ing event $750

Housing for homeless doesn't work


50 YEARS AGO:Residents of School

District 26 were about to vote in a referendum that would allow bor-rowing of close to $1 million to provide a full secondary school program at Clearwater Secondary School. Sending Grade 11 and 12 students to Kamloops, as some were suggesting, would cost the district $200 per year for tuition, plus $65 per month boarding allowance, trustee Mrs. Pye said.

An eager group of residents was planning the first annual Winter Carnival for Vavenby and, indeed, for all the valley.

A man of approxi-mately 75 years of age took an unscheduled trip on the CNR from Vancouver to Irvine (about six miles north of Vavenby). He had decided that an empty boxcar would be a good place to sleep. He woke up to find the train on its way and that he could not open the door. He was able to climb out at Irvine, and walked along the tracks to Vavenby. After a bowl of soup and talking to some section workers, he dis-appeared.

45 YEARS AGO:Nine snow machines

and 19 people planned

to travel to Mahood River on the log-ging road to Wells Gray Park next to the Clearwater River, but were stopped by a snow-slide. After a bonfire they returned the same day. Trail boss was Ed Mackenzie.

Two CFCR techni-cians braved the ele-ments to try to return television reception to the Clearwater area. On their first trip they found the road covered

with fallen trees and their Skidoo's were plagued with carburetor icing and frozen throttle linkages. Abandoning one machine, they returned down the mountain. The next day, accompanied by Mr. J. Elliot and Mr. D. Sallows, they reached the site in a blizzard. One technician was caught in an avalanche and was saved by a tree that he became caught in.

40 YEARS AGO:Forty-two businesses

signed up to have their names on a large direc-tional map that was to be erected in time for the next tourist sea-son by the Clearwater Business Association.

Art Mayer was look-ing for a Channel 12 head in order to trans-fer television reception from Kamloops to Barriere, which should improve reception.

Blue River Elementary School principal Mr. Tefinbach asked if the old school could be saved. School trustees made a motion that the school be sold to the Blue River Forum Committee for one dollar.

35 YEARS AGO:Clearwater curlers

Marg Lehto, Gloria Sauer, Linda Yurkiw and Daisy Hystad were to be one of four teams represent-ing the Interior at the Provincial Playdowns in Victoria.

Clearwater and District Minor Hockey Association reported that it had 138 young-sters registered. Their fees paid for ice time Oct. 1 to mid-January. From that time until the end of March, ice-time was paid for by fundraising.

30 YEARS AGO:TNRD Area

A director Paul Caissie, Area A Parks, Television and Cemeteries com-mittee chairman Murray Stockton and a Vancouver techni-cian tried to reach the propane powered television repeater site on Grizzly Mountain but were stopped by weather conditions. Committee member Bert Walker said he had received a telephone call from the western vice-president of CN/

CP Communications regarding participation in installing an electri-cal power-line to a pro-posed new repeater site on Ada Mountain.

20 YEARS AGO:Blue River's Sonia

Dobson, age 19, and Viva Wolf, 16, led the Canadian National Natural Luge Team to its best-ever showing at the 10th Natural Luge Championships in Oberperfuss, Austria. Ninth place finisher Dobson was the first non-European to break into the top 10 at the event, while Wolf came 11th.

First baby of the year, born on Jan. 24, was Andreas Ernest Paul Hauenstein, son of Ursula and Rene Haeunstein.

15 YEARS AGO:Clearwater's “new”

multi-level health care centre cleared last min-ute budget problems. After a review, costs were brought back within budget at an estimated $5.5 million.

Kamloops Thompson Teacher Association (KTTA) was butting heads with SD 73 regarding class sizes. KTTA took the stand that “children will suffer” if kinder-garten classes jumped from 20 to 23 and pri-mary classes from 22 to 24.

Cadets in the Clearwater area started their first unit, sign-ing up 22 youngsters with a waiting list. The cadets had belonged to a platoon based out of Kamloops and had been travelling to Barriere for weekly meetings.

10 YEARS AGO:The Rocky

Mountain Ranger Cadet Corps had until May to recruit more local officers and cadets or it would be shut down. To run an effi-cient corps 30 cadets were required. At the time, Clearwater had 20 cadets enrolled, with 12 parading each training night.

Conservative candi-date Betty Hinton took 39.3 per cent of the votes in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding, giving her a third straight victory

5 YEARS AGO:Signs warned of

thin ice on Dutch Lake. Nevertheless, several people continued to ice fish on the lake.

A forest fuel man-agement program car-ried out by District of Clearwater had both reduced the risk of wildfires plus created employment, Mayor John Harwood told an open house. "I probably would've just gone for a quarter-million but Bert Walker said go for the full $2.4 million, and we've got it over two years," he said. The program had cre-ated 6,830 person-days of employment, said corporate administrator Leslie Groulx.

1 YEAR AGO:Clearwater Medical

Clinic announced that it had five doctors working after a period when Dr. Soles had been the only regular physician.

A guest editorial by Tom Fletcher argued that a wolf kill was the last hope for saving the mountain caribou. A column on another page from Valhalla Wilderness Watch said that the govern-ment's caribou recovery program, including shooting wolves from helicopters, was failing disastrously.

HISTORICAL Perspect i ve

BACK IN TIME

6 - 7

DepotBag Lady Enterprises

10AM - 4PM Mon - Sat4365 Borthwick Avenue

Barriere | 250-672-2123

If you have 10 Garbage Bags or more -

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8 - 9

Why we love winterJudges from Clearwater's Junior Council Megan Sim (l) and Stacie Panko (r) pose for a photo with the winners of the annual winter poster contest. Pictured are (l-r) Andrew Ludbrook, Gabrielle Mann, Kristen Regier and Kaylie Romero. Missing is Evan Colborne. The contest is held every year at the school for the students to show what they love about winter.Photo submitted

Submitted

OTTAWA – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo invites constituents to visit her updated website, drop in at her re-located constituency office in Kamloops and “Have Your Say” on policy decisions facing our country.

“The first week of Parliament covered a variety of issues from the official opposition calling on the prime minister to commit to speak-ing with President Obama about the expiration of the Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement, to a motion calling on the government to recognize the importance of the energy sector to the Canadian economy,” said McLeod.

“The announcement to lift sanctions against Iran was disturb-ing given the country’s continued support for terrorism as a state policy. As for the new mechanisms in the pipeline review process, it has become apparent that the pro-cess will likely create delays and not change support levels,” stated McLeod.

The Special Joint Commons Committee on physician-assisted dying convened on Jan. 25, and is holding a series of public con-sultations to hear from experts and stakeholders with the goal of reporting back with legislative suggestions by Feb. 26.

As the week came to a close, the new government announced that it is considering whether to cancel Friday sittings of Parliament and move that day’s workload to earlier in the week. This was within a package of ‘family friendly’ measures which includes scheduling votes at 3 p.m.

“I would like to invite all con-stituents to give me their feedback on my website poll on a Private Member’s Bill that Parliament will be voting on in the near future,” said McLeod. “The bill calls for changing a line in our National Anthem from ‘in all thy sons com-mand’ to ‘in all of us command’.

“I welcome everyone to stop by my new Kamloops office at 6-275 Seymour Street in Kamloops, or 118-475 Birch Ave, in 100 Mile House,” said McLeod.

MP McLeod talks about new website, office location and parliamentary session

Monthly potluck in Vavenby is community event enjoyed by allRobyn Rexin

Twenty-four people came out to enjoy good food and friendly atmosphere at Vavenby Christian Church's monthly community potluck lunch. The event was held Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Two kinds of soup were available – macaroni and hamburger/bean.

The next potluck community lunch at VCC will be on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Isaac Moilliet will do a stand-up comedian act at 12 p.m. during the next potluck. Come out and watch him perform.

Breakfast at Vavenby HallThere will be a Valentine's Day breakfast on

Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 – 11:30 a.m.The breakfast will be put on by the Vavenby

Trails and Recreation Society and will be held at Vavenby Community Hall.

Tickets are $4 for ages six and under, and $8 for everyone else.

Tickets can be bought at the door. To buy tickets ahead of time or for more information

phone Linda King at 250-676-9578, Wendy Pollard at 250-676-9565, or Reita Vandenborre at 250-676-9265.

The ladies would appreciate people phoning to let them know if they will be attending to give the ladies a rough idea of how many to expect.

On the menu will be pancakes, bacon, sau-sages, scrambled eggs, tea, coffee, and juice.

The society is looking for more members. Phone Linda King at 250-676-9578 to find out how to join.

VavenbyNews

By

Robyn Rexin

Road Maintenance (thoMpson) inc. Check Before you go! www.DriveBC.ca

DROP YOUR SPEED TO MATCH ROAD CONDITIONSThe posted speed is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. In win-ter it’s safer to drive below the posted speed. Snow and ice always has an element of unpredictability.

1655 Lucky Strike Place | Kamloops, BC | V1S 1W5 | Phone: 250-374-6690 | Toll Free: 1-800-661-2025

DISTRICT OF CLEARWATER

BUDGET PRESENTATION & OPEN HOUSE Date: February 11, 2016

Afternoon Time: 2pm to 4pm, Presentation at 2:30pm

Evening Time: 6pm to 8pm, Presentation at 6:30pm

Location: Dutch Lake Community Center

The District of Clearwater will be hosting a Budget Presentation & Open House at the Dutch Lake

Community Center on Thursday, February 11, 2016, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Both sessions will be covering the same topics. The purpose of the Open House is to gain public input for the 2016 – 2020

Financial Plan.

WE WANT YOU to tell us your ideas on budget & planning to improve program delivery and services.

District Council has identi� ed priorities and will be available to answer your questions in an informal setting.


Tom Fletcher – Black Press

Wood products producers are encour-aged by the Trudeau government's decision to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the first step to ratify-ing a sweeping agree-ment with Japan, Australia and other Asian countries.

International Trade Minister Christia Freeland said last week she will take the next "technical step," allowing the TPP to be debated in the House of Commons. It's the first signal the Liberals will continue the work started by the Conservative government, which warned against being left out as the U.S.

and Mexico go ahead with the TPP.

"All in all we think this is a pretty good agreement," said Paul Lansbergen, acting president of the Forest Products Association of Canada, in an interview from Vancouver.

"A lot of our industry is in rural Canada, and I think it's important for the government to recog-nize the importance of the well-paying jobs that we provide," he said. "And when our economy is hav-ing some rough times, particularly oil and gas, really the gov-ernment should be thinking about how our economy is diver-sified."

Lansbergen said the

deal not only phases out tariffs against Canadian forest prod-ucts, it has clear provi-sions to settle disputes, and rules around blocking imports due to concerns about insects or other con-taminants.

Some of the TPP partners currently have few forest prod-uct imports from Canada because of "prohibitive" tariffs, he said. Vietnam applies tariffs of up to 31 per cent, Malaysia up to 40 per cent and Brunei up to 20 per cent, which would be phased out under TPP.

Japan, a long-time customer for B.C. lumber, has tariffs of up to 10 per cent on forestry and value-added products such

as oriented strand-board and engineered wood.

Forest product exports have done well with the low Canadian dollar, with sales to the U.S. returning to historic levels after a collapse of the U.S. housing market in 2008.

Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. expired last fall, but bilateral wood products trade is exempt from the TPP as it was left out of NAFTA.

8 - 9

Times Staff

Five snowmobilers were killed Friday, Jan. 29, in a major avalanche east of McBride, according to McBride RCMP.

The slide happened in the Renshaw area around 1:30 p.m.

The five were among 17 persons who were snowmobiling in four separate groups in the area.

Police were first notified by the activation of two emergency GPS beacons, at which point they activated Robson Valley Search and Rescue. One

helicopter was dispatched as well.Two search and rescue members were

on scene almost immediately as they had been snowmobiling in the area just before the slide.

"They quickly determined there were several persons that were buried," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. "Unfortunately, five snowmobilers are deceased as a result of the avalanche. Their remains have been recovered from the avalanche area."

Rescue crews and paramedics worked through the afternoon and evening to remove people from the area and to

tend to the injured.Six to eight people who had lost

their snowmobiles were shuttled off the mountain.

According to BC Ambulance Service, three ground ambulances were sent to the scene and one person was transport-ed to hospital in stable condition.

McBride RCMP members inter-viewed people who had come off the mountain and making inquiries in the community to confirm that everyone was accounted for.

On Saturday the BC Coroners Service confirmed the identity of the

five men who died.All five were from Alberta, and

ranged in age from 41 to 55.They are:• Vincent Eugene Loewen, aged 52,

of Vegreville, Alberta.• Tony Christopher Greenwood,

aged 41, of Grand Prairie County, Alberta.

• Ricky Robinson, aged 55, of Spruce Grove, Alberta.

• Todd William Chisholm, aged 47, of St. Albert, Alberta.

• John Harold Garley, aged 49, of Stony Plain, Alberta.

Five die in avalanche near McBride

Forest industry waits for Pacific trade dealTariffs against B.C. wood products are prohibitively high in Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. Black Press file photo


8 - 9

Why we love winterJudges from Clearwater's Junior Council Megan Sim (l) and Stacie Panko (r) pose for a photo with the winners of the annual winter poster contest. Pictured are (l-r) Andrew Ludbrook, Gabrielle Mann, Kristen Regier and Kaylie Romero. Missing is Evan Colborne. The contest is held every year at the school for the students to show what they love about winter.Photo submitted

Submitted

OTTAWA – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo invites constituents to visit her updated website, drop in at her re-located constituency office in Kamloops and “Have Your Say” on policy decisions facing our country.

“The first week of Parliament covered a variety of issues from the official opposition calling on the prime minister to commit to speak-ing with President Obama about the expiration of the Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement, to a motion calling on the government to recognize the importance of the energy sector to the Canadian economy,” said McLeod.

“The announcement to lift sanctions against Iran was disturb-ing given the country’s continued support for terrorism as a state policy. As for the new mechanisms in the pipeline review process, it has become apparent that the pro-cess will likely create delays and not change support levels,” stated McLeod.

The Special Joint Commons Committee on physician-assisted dying convened on Jan. 25, and is holding a series of public con-sultations to hear from experts and stakeholders with the goal of reporting back with legislative suggestions by Feb. 26.

As the week came to a close, the new government announced that it is considering whether to cancel Friday sittings of Parliament and move that day’s workload to earlier in the week. This was within a package of ‘family friendly’ measures which includes scheduling votes at 3 p.m.

“I would like to invite all con-stituents to give me their feedback on my website poll on a Private Member’s Bill that Parliament will be voting on in the near future,” said McLeod. “The bill calls for changing a line in our National Anthem from ‘in all thy sons com-mand’ to ‘in all of us command’.

“I welcome everyone to stop by my new Kamloops office at 6-275 Seymour Street in Kamloops, or 118-475 Birch Ave, in 100 Mile House,” said McLeod.

MP McLeod talks about new website, office location and parliamentary session

Monthly potluck in Vavenby is community event enjoyed by allRobyn Rexin

Twenty-four people came out to enjoy good food and friendly atmosphere at Vavenby Christian Church's monthly community potluck lunch. The event was held Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Two kinds of soup were available – macaroni and hamburger/bean.

The next potluck community lunch at VCC will be on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Isaac Moilliet will do a stand-up comedian act at 12 p.m. during the next potluck. Come out and watch him perform.

Breakfast at Vavenby HallThere will be a Valentine's Day breakfast on

Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 – 11:30 a.m.The breakfast will be put on by the Vavenby

Trails and Recreation Society and will be held at Vavenby Community Hall.

Tickets are $4 for ages six and under, and $8 for everyone else.

Tickets can be bought at the door. To buy tickets ahead of time or for more information

phone Linda King at 250-676-9578, Wendy Pollard at 250-676-9565, or Reita Vandenborre at 250-676-9265.

The ladies would appreciate people phoning to let them know if they will be attending to give the ladies a rough idea of how many to expect.

On the menu will be pancakes, bacon, sau-sages, scrambled eggs, tea, coffee, and juice.

The society is looking for more members. Phone Linda King at 250-676-9578 to find out how to join.

VavenbyNews

By

Robyn Rexin

Family DayOur of� ces will be closed Monday Feb. 8 for Family Day

REVISED DEADLINEfor the Feb. 11 paper is Feb. 5 at 9am

February 8

C

C

apsule

omments

with MICHELLE

LEINS

PHARMASAVEMonday - Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM

Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM

201-365 Murtle Cres, Clearwater, B.C.

250-674-0058

Our heart beats 100,000 times a day pumping about six litres of blood every minute. It’s important we keep this organ in really good health. February is Heart Month in Canada, a time to reinforce the fact that regular exercise is the single most important thing we can do to keep our heart healthy. It’s good preventative maintenance and it doesn’t cost a thing!

CVS is a large pharmacy chain in the U.S. In September 2014 it made a very courageous but very professional decision to ban the sale of tobacco products from all its stores. Statistics collected by a national market research firm showed that there were 95 million fewer packs of cigarettes sold nationwide in the year following this decision.

Medical technology is making it easier for women to know when they are most likely to get pregnant. Actually the window is fairly small, limited to a few days before and after ovulation. There are testing kits that help determine when these days are. Our pharmacists will be happy to discuss this subject with you.

There is so much research being done to find better medications for all medical conditions. We do our best to keep up-to-date on this research. If you have any questions about a new drug you’ve heard about, give us a call. We will be happy to check it out for you.

Looking for a pharmacy to feel good about? Give us a try!


10-11

Having fun at the Ice Man derby

Above: (L-r) Wyatt Affleck looks down the hole while his mother Sarah and sister Jessie angle for a fish.

Left: (L-r) Clearwater Rotary member Larissa Hadley presents cheques to first place winner Ron Cederholm, third place winner Michelle Hall, and second place win-ner Denis Desjarlais.

Above: John Rusnak uses a bike to pull a friend's sled across the ice at the end of the derby. Behind him is fourth place winner Mike Mueller of Barriere.

Right: Gary Merriman helps young William Mackenzie try his hand at fishing during the Ice Man derby on Dutch Lake on Sunday.

All photos byKeith McNeill

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10-11

Clearwater Novice Raptor Lars Bowker takes the puck away from two oppo-nents during a Novice tournament at the Sportsplex last weekend.

Novice Raptors host tournamentSophie Collins looks for a way around an opponent. The local squad won its first game ever during the five-team tourna-ment. The feedback received was genuine praise and thanks for how well the tourna-ment was run. Photos byKeith McNeill

Tom Fletcher – Black Press

The B.C. government is pre-paring legislation to formalize its 10-year project to protect and share logging management on a vast area of the B.C. coast with forest companies and 26 coastal First Nations.

The agreement puts 85 per cent of the world’s larg-est intact temperate rainforest off limits to logging, and also makes permanent a ban on commercial grizzly bear hunt-ing that was announced for much of the central and north coast region in 2009.

Including Haida Gwaii, the Great Bear Rainforest agree-ment covers 6.4 million hect-ares on B.C.’s central and north coast, an area about twice the size of Vancouver Island.

The final version of the long-sought agreement increas-es the amount of protected old-growth forest from 50 to 70 per cent, in addition to large areas of second growth. It adds eight new special forest management areas covering 295,000 hectares where logging is not permitted.

“Ecosystem-based manage-ment is the modern term to describe what we have always done,” said Chief Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal

First Nations, which includes the Haida Nation, Gitga’at, Metlakatla, Heiltsuk and other communities on the north coast.

Dallas Smith, president of the Nanwakolas Tribal Council representing central coast communities, praised the co-operation of industry and government for the forest land use and a companion marine protection agreement that still requires federal approval.

“I stand here today proud, happy, but still a little bit upset that it’s taken this long,” Smith said.

Rick Jeffery, representing the industry group of Interfor, Catalyst, Western Forest Products and the provincial agency B.C. Timber Sales, said the agreement means an end to conflict and protest, with stable access to 550,000 hectares of forest harvest land.

“We know now where we can operate and what the run-ning rules are,” Jeffrey said.

Forests Minister Steve Thomson said the B.C. govern-ment will provide $15 million over five years to help aborigi-nal communities start their own forest companies. The deal also turns over forest carbon credit rights to First Nations, which could be sold as offsets for natural gas development.

Richard Brooks of Greenpeace Canada said when environmentalists began to push for preservation of the region, 95 per cent of the forest was available for logging, and now 85 per cent is protected.

The agreement formally began in 2006 when a land use plan covering about a third of the region was adopted, and work started on a compromise between industry, First Nations and environmental groups that had been organizing boycotts of B.C. forest products.

The B.C. and federal gov-ernments put up $30 million each to create a larger plan using “ecosystem-based man-agement” and aboriginal rights.

The U.S. Nature Conservancy put up a match-ing $60 million, raised mainly from U.S. private foundations, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, the Wilberforce Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Environmental groups Greenpeace, Sierra Club and ForestEthics represented the foundations, and have since argued that too much old-growth forest would continue to be logged under the plan.

Coastal rainforest pact to be made lawA10 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, February 4, 2016 Clearwater Times

10-11

Having fun at the Ice Man derby

Above: (L-r) Wyatt Affleck looks down the hole while his mother Sarah and sister Jessie angle for a fish.

Left: (L-r) Clearwater Rotary member Larissa Hadley presents cheques to first place winner Ron Cederholm, third place winner Michelle Hall, and second place win-ner Denis Desjarlais.

Above: John Rusnak uses a bike to pull a friend's sled across the ice at the end of the derby. Behind him is fourth place winner Mike Mueller of Barriere.

Right: Gary Merriman helps young William Mackenzie try his hand at fishing during the Ice Man derby on Dutch Lake on Sunday.

All photos byKeith McNeill

Clearwater

Winter FestivalClearwater




Sunday, February 7TUBING

TOBOGGANING BONFIRE

Ski Hill • 11-3pm• Free Admission •

Wiener Roast & Beverages provided

Disc Golf Putting Contest

Tubes provided– Bring your best snow racer and YOUR HELMET

Great Family Fun Day! WEATHER PERMITTING

Friday, February 5SKATE WITH DISNEY

Free Family Skating4:45-6pm SportsplexFree Refreshments & Prizes

FIGURE SKATING CARNIVAL

6:30-7pm at the SportsplexSunday, February 7

“GLOW STICK NIGHT” Free Family Skate 4:15pm @

SportsplexFree Admission

Saturday, February 6

BIRCH LEG • Cross Country Skiing Race •

Candle Creek Trails

Refreshments-groomed trails

“Put on your Nordic costume and join the fun”.

www.wellsgrayoutdoorclub.com

Thanks to our Winter Festival Sponsors: Buy Low Foods • Chamber of Commerce • Cleanway Supply • Clearwater Lodge • District of Clearwater • Pharmasave • River City Realty • Royal Bank • Tourism Wells Gray •

Wells Gray Community Forest • Wadlegger Logging • Wells Gray Country

www.districtofclearwater.com/events • 250.674.2257

Winter Festival


12 - 13

Sports

Clearwater Bantam House Warrior Devin Green takes the puck up the ice with a pair of Chase opponents chasing him during a play-off game at the Sportsplex on Saturday. Unfortunately, Clearwater was eliminated after two games against Chase. The local squad will host the district championships the first weekend in March. They also will be picking up a few exhibition games between now and then. Photo by Keith McNeill

Clearwater Bantam Rep Hawk Colby Rhodes shoots (and scores) assisted by John Meyer in the background. In the first game of playoffs on Friday in Winfield, Clearwater lost to Winfield in a barn-burner that went into double overtime. Final score was 4-3. On Saturday, Clearwater came back to tie the game with 11 minutes to go in the third period but Winfield scored with two minutes left and then got an empty net goal with one second left. Final score of the second game was 7-5. The Bantam Reps will be looking at some exhibition games and possibly a tournament in March.

Photo by Keith McNeill

Getting chased by Chase

Hawks battle Win� eld in playoff

Keith McNeill

Clearwater Midget Ice Hawks defeated West Kelowna in Clearwater and in West Kelowna during the first round of the playoffs last weekend, according to coach Ole Kjenstad.

“We went to West Kelowna Saturday and with a very short bench pulled off a 5-2 win,” he said. “With only nine skaters, the kids had the best effort of the year.”

Kjenstad noted that the first round playoff win is a first for a Clearwater Midget team in many years.

The second round will start here in Clearwater this coming Saturday. Exact time has not yet been announced.

“Would be nice to fill the build-ing,” said Kjenstad.

Midgets win � rst round of playoffs

Coming EventsFeb. 5/6/7 Clearwater Winter Festival

Friday Feb. 5 4:45 pm Disney on Ice 6:15pm Figure Skating Exhibition

Feb. 19,20,21 Provincial Forestry Tourney

Feb. 26,27,28 Oldtimers Hockey Tourney Ladies Bonspiel

Mar. 4 Figure Skating Carnival

Adult HockeyMens Drop In Hockey Fridays @ 7:45pm

Oldtimers Hockey will be Sundays @ 7pm & Wednesdays @ 8:35pm

Ladies Hockey Drop in: Sunday @ 5:45pm

Family SkatingFriday @ 4:45PM & Sunday @ 4:15PM

Disney On Ice

NORTH THOMPSON SPORTSPLEX

Hockey Lives Here!

For more information about the Sportsplex or any programs call 250 674 2143

Minor Hockey Schedule

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6 9:00 – 10:00 Novice10:00 – 10:50 Pre Novice1:00 – 2:30 Atoms vs Chase Playoff game3:00 – 5:30 Midget Rep vs. Kelowna Playoff game

Wells Gray Curling Club

call 250.674.3768


Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour

VANCOUVER – Forestry sector repre-sentatives met with the federal and provincial governments on Jan. 27 to discuss skilled-labour initiatives and human-resource planning, as part of a series of roundtables being held over com-ing months with sec-tors highlighted in the BC Jobs Plan.

"Our government is always looking at ways we can better partner with industry to address the shifting needs of B.C.'s labour market,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. “I would like to thank our val-ued stakeholders for taking the time to par-ticipate in this discus-sion, and look forward to our continued work together in an effort to best meet employer labour market needs."

The roundtables, co-hosted with indus-try associations and employers, aim to stimulate discussion

and create awareness about how sectors can access skilled labour and satisfy human-resource requirements, as a result of an aging population. These demographic realities – together with eco-nomic growth – place significant pressure on key sectors to find innovative solutions to address skills short-ages.

Participants were invited to share infor-mation and discuss the unique challenges in the forestry sector, specifically related to recruiting and training a qualified workforce, the promotion of B.C. export-ready products internationally, and identifying opportuni-ties for growth.

This is another way government is work-ing to provide employ-ers and industry the opportunity to ask and respond to ques-tions and inform the provincial and federal governments of key labour issues.

B.C. has reached a tipping point where more B.C. residents are leaving the work-force than entering it.

Forestry is the main driver in more

than 40 per cent of regional economies in B.C., contribut-ing $7 billion to the economy.

The forestry sector employs over 60,000 British Columbians in areas such as forest management, silvicul-ture and manufactur-ing.

Close to 3,600 job openings are pro-jected in the forest industry through to

2024, according to the Labour Market Outlook.

The highest demand will be for logging machinery operators, truck driv-ers, hand fallers, and logging workers, with opportunity in over 26 other job areas – including those requiring high levels of education such as forestry professionals and technicians.

Submitted

Join the world for the Great Backyard Bird Count as the GBBC along with eBird continues to monitor global bird populations.

Some people think a participant must be able to identify all the birds they see, which is not the case. If you see five species but only know three of them, you enter the three spe-cies as all you identi-fied.

It only takes a mini-mum of 15 minutes (not necessarily all at one time) in a day to count the birds in your yard, or elsewhere, to get one checklist. Count all four days to have four checklists. More than one 15-min-

ute checklist per loca-tion is allowed, so you could do a.m. and p.m. lists.

An abbreviated

checklist for the area is available at Clearwater Library.

It’s fairly easy to submit your

checklist(s) at www.birdcount.org, Cornell University’s website, which has information on how to count and

years of data to peruse. No Internet access?

Phone 250-674-2518 for further details on how to count and later to submit your checklist(s).

Your participation

as a Citizen Scientist in the GBBC is one piece of the puzzle that helps scientists get the big picture about changes in bird popu-lations.

Perhaps this year’s

count will show the northward progres-sion of magpies in the region.

So how about get-ting out, or relaxing inside, and counting some birds?

12 - 13Great Backyard Bird Count coming up in mid-February

Two waterbirds invite Clearwater and area residents to take part in the Great Back-yard Bird Count on Feb. 12 – 15. Before the criteria was changed, this area had one of the best participation rates in North America. Call 250-674-2518 for more informa-tion. Submitted graphic

Roundtable on access to skilled labour for the forestry sector


12 - 13

Sports

Clearwater Bantam House Warrior Devin Green takes the puck up the ice with a pair of Chase opponents chasing him during a play-off game at the Sportsplex on Saturday. Unfortunately, Clearwater was eliminated after two games against Chase. The local squad will host the district championships the first weekend in March. They also will be picking up a few exhibition games between now and then. Photo by Keith McNeill

Clearwater Bantam Rep Hawk Colby Rhodes shoots (and scores) assisted by John Meyer in the background. In the first game of playoffs on Friday in Winfield, Clearwater lost to Winfield in a barn-burner that went into double overtime. Final score was 4-3. On Saturday, Clearwater came back to tie the game with 11 minutes to go in the third period but Winfield scored with two minutes left and then got an empty net goal with one second left. Final score of the second game was 7-5. The Bantam Reps will be looking at some exhibition games and possibly a tournament in March.

Photo by Keith McNeill

Getting chased by Chase

Hawks battle Win� eld in playoff

Keith McNeill

Clearwater Midget Ice Hawks defeated West Kelowna in Clearwater and in West Kelowna during the first round of the playoffs last weekend, according to coach Ole Kjenstad.

“We went to West Kelowna Saturday and with a very short bench pulled off a 5-2 win,” he said. “With only nine skaters, the kids had the best effort of the year.”

Kjenstad noted that the first round playoff win is a first for a Clearwater Midget team in many years.

The second round will start here in Clearwater this coming Saturday. Exact time has not yet been announced.

“Would be nice to fill the build-ing,” said Kjenstad.

Midgets win � rst round of playoffs

St James Catholic Church

Sunday Service Mass

11am - 12pm

324 Clearwater Village Road

1-250-372-2581

Clearwater Seventh-Day

Adventist Church

Pastor John MasiganSaturday Service - 10amClearwater Christian ChurchPh. 250-674-3468

Clearwater Living Streams Christian

FellowshipMeeting at

New Life Assemblyevery Sunday 4:00pm

Contact Dave Meehan 250-674-3217email: [email protected]

Clearwater Community Churchopen to everyone - all denominations

CLEARWATER NEW LIFE ASSEMBLYDan Daase - Pastor

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am

(Kids church during service)Wednesdays Am - Ladies Bible Study

Phone: 250-674-2345308 W Old N Thompson Hwy

ChurchDirectory

Your places of worship

VAVENBY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3083 Capostinsky Rd. • Service 11 a.m.

Sunday Morning Celebration

ServicesIan Moilliet Pastor -

250-676-9574Non Denominational

Clearwater Christian ChurchNon-denominational congregation in fellowship with

the broader Christian community in the area.Meeting at: 11 Lodge Drive

Wayne Richardson (Pastor)

Sunday Worship Service

10 amOn the Web: www.clchch.com

For information 250.674.7073 or 250.674.2912

Pastor Doug Spinney 250.674.3624www.ccbaptist.ca

CLEARWATERCOMMUNITY

BAPTIST24E Old North Thompson Hwy

Worship Service 10:30

TRINITYSHARED MINISTRY

Anglican, Lutheran & UnitedMeeting at

St. James Catholic ChurchWorship Sunday 9am

Rev. Brian KrushelOffice: 250-672-5653 • [email protected]

www.norththompsonpc.ca

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Your news Your way


Business & Service DirectoryACCOUNTANT

STONE & COMPANYChartered Professional Accountants

Jason O’Driscoll, CPA, CA - Bob Lawrie, CPA, CGA

Rison Realty • 32 E Old N. Thompson Hwy.Feb. 1st to Apr. 30th - Every ThursdayMay 1st to Jan. 31st - By AppointmentHours: 9:30 am to Noon, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Phone: 250-674-2532 • Kamloops: 250-554-2533 • Fax: 250-554-2536Providing Assurance and Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services

Accountant Appliance Repair

CARPENTRY

Hazel’s HousingQUALITY WORK

• NEW CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATIONS • ROOFING

CLEARWATER, B.C.

250-674-4083Hazel Dowds

Journeyman Carpenter

Carpentry

Electric Contractors

Licenced & BondedReg. NO: 99142

BOTTLE DEPOT

Building Supplies

JAGER GARBAGEResidential & Commercial

Garbage Collection. Residential includes Blue Bag Recycling

Containers available for construction sites, yard clean-up, industrial sites etc.

Phone Jager Garbage 250-674-3798Serving from Vavenby to Blackpool area

GARBAGE COLLECTIONGarbage Collection

ConstructionConstruction &

Renovations from Foundations

to Roof

Rob Kerslake

Steve Noble

REFRIGERATION - SALES - HOT TUB PARTSAPPLIANCE PARTS - FURNACE PARTS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

DOUG

No� h RiverAPPLIANCE REPAIR

Quality Service

250.674.0079

Four Star Service

MOTOR LICENCE OFFICE

ICBC AgentDistrict of Clearwater

Phone: 250-674-2257 • Fax: 250-674-2173 Box 157, 209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, V0E 1N0Of� ce Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Open through the Noon hour

Motor Licence Office Plumbing & Drains

NORTH THOMPSON

NTPDPLUMBING AND DRAINSGot Leaks? Plugged Drain? New Installs

Fully Insured • 100% Guaranteed • 250-674-8151

Wells & Pumps ≈ Yearly Maintenance ≈ Frozen pipesWe are right around the corner

Construction

Construction and Home Renovation

MARSHALL MCRAERed Seal Carpenter

[email protected]

250-674-1182

On the Level Enterprises

Automotive Repair

649 Kennedy Road • www.wellsgrayservicecenter.ca

PRO-FORM Feeds

Your number one stop for all your garden, building and farm supplies

Complete Farm & Garden Centre • Customer Service at its BestWinter Hours • 8:30am - 5:00pm • Monday to Saturday

250-674-3386 - 213 W. Old N. Thompson Hwy.

• Paint Supplies • Plumbing & Electrical • Hardware • Plywoods • Lumber • Fencing Materials • Vinyl Sidings • Roo� ngs • Specialty Items

• Treated Timber • Farm Gates • Interior & Exterior Doors

Building Supplies

Business & Service Directory

Heating & A/C

Chain SharpeningCHAIN SHARPENINGProfessional Ground or Hand File

CHAIN SHARPENING30 Years of Experience Guaranteed Sharp NO Burnt TeethSpecializing in Ripping Chains

Stu Cahoon • Cell 250.674.1783 Home 250.677.4299Leave message for appointment

BOTTLE DEPOT

DepotRecycle Today to Save Tomorrow!

4365 Borthwick Ave. Barriere - BC

Bag Lady Enterprises

WINTER HOURS10am - 4pm Mon. - Sat.

Closed Sunday

HEATING & A/C

Your local provider for home comfortInspection & Cleaning of all

Makes & Models of Central A/Cs,Furnaces, Heat Pumps, Boilers,

Hot Water Tanks, HRVs, Etc.Hot Water Tanks, HRVs, Etc.

250.672.0251

SERVICING THE NORTH THOMPSON

Authorized Dealer

Rebates on equipment now

in eff ect

Certi� ed Partner

Heating & A/C

250-319-2306www.bjchvacltd.com

[email protected], BC

We Service, Maintain and Install Residential | Commercial | InstitutionalHeavy Equipment, Heating, A/C, Refrigeration, Heat Pump, Geothermal, Boilers, Rooftop Units, Oil & Propane Furnaces &Commercial Kitchen Equipment

BJC HVAC Ltd.PROUDLY SERVING THE NORTH THOMPSON

Building Contractor

Building Contractor40+ years experienceBuilding Contractor

HANS OUNPUU

Renovations • Additions • New Construction Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements

Home Repairs • HAFI Jobs • Proje Management

250-674-3875 [email protected]

86 Station RdClearwater

[email protected]@wghh.ca

Lumber YardGarden CentreKey Cutting Services

All your home improvement needs

WELLS GRAY


14 -15

Jeff Nagel – Black Press

The federal government is ordering extra consultations with First Nations and other com-munities separate from the work of the National Energy Board as part of its prescription to rebuild public confidence in the pipeline approval process.

It doesn't halt the NEB hearings underway on Kinder Morgan's proposed Trans Mountain oil pipeline twinning, nor does it delay the NEB's dead-line to deliver a recommendation to cabinet by May.

But the federal government has given itself seven months instead of the legislated deadline of three to make a final decision on Trans Mountain – that must now happen by December instead of August.

The government had previ-ously said it wouldn't force pro-ponents like Kinder Morgan to restart the approval process all over again.

A separate ministerial rep-resentative will be appointed to directly consult communities,

including First Nations, dur-ing the extension period and report back to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr.

Funding will be provided for first nations to participate.

Direct and upstream green-house gas emissions linked to the projects will now be assessed, but not the downstream emissions when fossil fuels are burned in destination countries.

The climate change analysis for each project, to be conducted by the federal environment department, will be made public.

The changes effectively add an extra layer of review to plug what the government says were major gaps in the flawed NEB review process left by the Harper Conservatives.

"Without the confidence of Canadians, none of these projects will move forward," Carr said.

He said final project decisions by cabinet will be based on sci-ence, traditional knowledge of indigenous people and other rel-evant evidence.

Carr wouldn't say how much weight would be given factors such as climate change impacts or

aboriginal concerns, but he cited past court rulings on the Crown's duty to consult first nations as one reason for the change.

The NEB has been hearing final arguments of intervenors in the Trans Mountain review this month and aboriginal leaders have repeatedly criticized what they say has been a lack of mean-ingful consultation on the project.

The new rules, billed as a transition step ahead of new legislation to reform the NEB, will apply not just to new pipe-lines but to all federally reviewed projects, such as mines and port expansions.

Also affected are proposed liquefied natural gas plants under federal review, including the Pacific Northwest LNG project at Prince Rupert and the Woodfibre LNG proposal near Squamish, both in late stages of review.

Carr said the process won't sat-isfy polarized critics who believe projects should be built either immediately or never, but will improve cabinet's ability to render a decision.

"There are all kinds of Canadians who want to be satis-

fied that the process that led to a decision was a good one, a fair one and they had their say."

The Wilderness Committee criticized the government's failure to include downstream carbon emissions that make up the bulk of the climate impacts of new pipelines.

"A true climate test would leave regulators with no choice

but to reject these projects,” cam-paigner Peter McCartney said. “Tacking on some window dress-ing doesn’t make these projects any less of a climate catastrophe.”

Kinder Morgan Canada president Ian Anderson said he's concerned pipeline construction may be delayed, but agreed pub-lic confidence in the process is crucial.

Feds tack on more pipeline consultations

The final government decision on the twinning of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline will be subject to revised federal rules. Black Press file photo

Business & Service Directory

Contracting

On allService Centre

250.674.0145 | [email protected] Yellowhead Hwy S. Clearwater, BC V0E 1N1

O� ering Heavy Duty mechanical and Inspections

Mon. - Fri. • 8am – [email protected] • 851 Yellowhead Hwy S.

• PLUMBING• PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS

• SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS• SEPTIC PUMPING

• WATER COMPACTION• WELL INSTALLATION

• DUST CONTROL• WATER HAULING

• REGISTERED ON-SITE WASTEWATER PRACTITIONER

• HEAVY DUTY TOWING• CERTIFIED TRAFFIC CONTROL

• WRECKMASTER CERTIFIED• EXCAVATION & SKIDD STEER SERVICE

• BOB CAT SERVICES• FIRE SUPPRESSION

• PUMP TRUCK • READY MIX CONCRETE

She Is Looking for Home Improvement Help. Will She Find Your Business?

Advertise your business for as low as $16/weekCall for more information or come in to the Times #14-74 Young Road

250-674-3343

Auto Repair & Towing

HindleMotors

Automotive Repair • Used Auto Parts • Mobile Repairs Designated Vehicle Inspection • C.V.I. Inspections

Commercial Truck & EQ Repair Fully Licensed Technicians

CLEARWATER TOWING LTD.24 Hour ServiceFree Scrap Car Removal516 Swanson RoadUsed Auto Parts

OFFICE: 250-674-3123or CELL: 250-674-1427

••NOW DOING COMMERCIAL TRUCK REPAIR••

NELS HINDLE

TAXI SERVICE

WELLS GRAY

TAXIAVAILABLE 24 HOURS • 7 DAYS A WEEK

250-674-2214 • 250-674-1542

Taxi Service


Thought of the week

Procrastination

is the art of

keeping up with

yesterday.

Don Marquis

Wells Gray Country

TO ADD YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT OR ORGANIZATION CALL THE TIMES AT 250-674-3343

Feb. 5-7: Clearwater Winter Festival

Feb. 6: Birchleg Ski Fest, WGOC, [email protected]

Feb. 6: Legion dinner, Clearwater Legion – 257 Glen Rd, doors open 5pm, dinner 6pm. Adults $15; children 7-12 yrs $6; 2-6 yrs, $3.

Feb. 8: Family Day activities, Clearwater Secondary School, 1-4 pm, cooking, soccer, dance, art, tennis, lego, theatre, etc.

Feb. 8: Family day movie “Tommorrowland”, CSS Pit, 4:15pm, $2/person to a max of $10/family. Proceeds to CSS PAC/student council funded projects.

Feb. 11: DOC Budget Presentation & Open House, 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm, DLCC

Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Breakfast, Vavenby Community Hall, $8, adults; $4 children 6 & under, tickets Linda 250-676-9578, Wendy 250-676-9565

Feb. 14: Valentines Day “Ladies High Tea’ at the Blackpool Hall. Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1pm. Sponsored by Ca nadian Royal Purple – Clearwater Lodge #302

Feb. 14: Snowarama. Proceeds to the BC Lions Society. Registration at Elk’s

Hall 8 am – 10 am. Info 250-674-3773

Feb. 20: Legion Dinner & Live Music. Legion, 257 Glen Rd, doors open 5pm, dinner 6pm. Adults $15; children 7-12 yrs, $6; 2-6 yrs, $3.

Feb. 26-28: Ladies Bonspiel, WG Curling Club, Reg. call Gwen 250-674-3768 or email [email protected]

Feb. 26-28: Oldtimers Hockey Tourney, NT Sportsplex

March 5: Volunteer Fair at the Elks Hall, 11am – 2pm. Open to all Non-pro� ts. For details contact Cheryl Thomas at rp#[email protected] or leave a msg at 250-674-3260

March 5: Legion Dinner, Legion Branch 259 – 257 Glen Rd, doors open 5 pm, dinner 6 pm. Adults $15; children 7-12 yrs, $6; 2-6 yrs, $3.

April 2: North Thompson Women In Business Expo, at Clearwater Lodge foyer. Info Fay 250-674-2700 or email [email protected]

Mt. View High School, Victoria, BC 1966 - 50th Reunion - grads send contact info to [email protected] or call Dave Hutchings 250-477-4505

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT• Indoor Market: Every Saturday May – Oct, 9 am – 12 noon, Elks

Hall.

• Tuesday Morning Coffee (TMC): Meets 10am – 11:30 @ Clearwa-ter Community Baptist Church. All women and children welcome. (9:30-10 am Bible Study). Info 250-674-3624

• Women in Business Luncheon: Last Wed. of the mth at Wells Gray Inn, 12–2 pm. Preregister at 250-674-2700

• Crafts & Conversations with Cheryl. Tuesdays 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the North Thompson Aboriginal Sharing Center. Phone 250-674-3703 for more info.

• Clearwater Farmers’ Market May – Oct. Saturdays 9am– Noon. For more info please call Anne at 250-674-3444.

• M&M (Mrs. & Ms.) Social. Last Sun of the mth Wells Gray Inn. 1pm: 250-587-6503

• Blackpool Community Hall Coffee House; Local musicians – 2nd Fri. of the mth. 6:30pm. Concession, $3 or 2 for $5.

• Clearwater Elks Bingo - 2nd & 4th Wed. Elks Hall 5pm, Info call Phyllis 250-674-3535

• Cribbage Wed. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 12:30 pm.• Fun Darts Fri. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 6 pm.

• Upstream Community and Heritage Society open house Tues-days: 9am-9pm @ Avola School House, various activities. Info ph Fay 250-678-5302.

• Thompson Valley Quilters. Meet 2nd Wed. and 3rd Mon. of the mth at NTAC in the DLCC, 9 am - 4 pm. Info Linda 250-674-3437 or Dorothy 250-676-9270

• Vavenby Needle Arts Group. Meet every Tues. 11am - 4pm at Vavenby Community Center. Info Dorothy 250-676-9270

CHILDREN & FAMILIES• Racoon StrongStart - Raft River Elem school days Mon, Tues, Thurs

& Fri 8:45-11:45am

• Racoon StrongStart - Vavenby Elm school days Wed 8:50-11:50am

• Clearwater Breastfeeding Group: 3rd Wed. of every month 7:30pm @ YCS

• Mother Goose - Monday mornings, reg. Kerry 250-674-3530

HEALTH & HEALING• Hospice Grief Support: 3rd Thur of every mth, NT Funeral Home

1-3 pm, info 250-674-2400

• Shambhala Meditation Group: meets every Tuesday at Forest House 6:30-8:00 pm. Info: 250-674-3233.

• Connections Healing Rooms - Wed. 1-3pm (except stat. holidays). 86 Young Rd. No charge. Sponsored by Living Streams Christian Church. www.healingrooms.com.

• Healthy Choices – Tues 9am Clearwater Christian Church bsmnt (behind Fields). $2/wk drop-in free. Kim 250-674-0224

• Clearwater & District Hospice 3rd Mon. Sept-Jun 10am Legion 778-208-0137.

RECREATION• Drop-in soccer: May-Sept. Tuesdays & Thursday at 7pm at CSS � eld.

Everyone welcome!

• Bowling: Mon. 10–12pm & 1-3pm; Thurs., 1-3pm. Seniors Centre at Evergreen Acres. 250-674-3675

• Clearwater Sno-Drifters: 1st Thurs every mth. 250-676-9414

• CNT Rod & Gun Club: 3rd Tues. of the mth. Blackpool Hall 7pm Nov., Jan., & Mar. AGM in May

• Volleyball: Winter, dates TBA, at Clearwater Secondary School Gym, $2 drop in. Info: 250-674-1878.

• Youth Group: ages 12-18, Fri. 7-10 pm Dutch Lake Community Center, arts & crafts, gymnastics, games & special events, info 250-674-2600

• Yoga Tree – Call or email Annie 250-674-2468 [email protected]

• Core Strength Fitness. Tuesdays. 10-11am 250-674-0001

• Badminton: Mon & Wed, Oct – Mar, CSS gym, 7:30-9:30 pm, $3 drop-in fee, info 250-674-2518

• Drop in Basketball: Winter, dates TBA, $2 drop in at Clearwater Secondary School Gym. Info: 250-674-1878

• Slo-Pitch: Clearwater mixed Slo-Pitch league May – July. Contact Carmen Archibald 778-208-1773, 250-674-2632

• Drop in Soccer: June -Sept, tues and Thurs, 6:30-8:00 PM, CSS � eld, $2 drop in, grade 8 to adult

SENIORS• BUNCO: 3rd Tue of every mth, Dutch Lake Seniors Drop-in Centre,

1:30 – 3 pm, info 250-674-2400

• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society 3rd Sun Social Meet at the Wells Gray Hotel at 12:30pm for lunch or dessert, & chat

• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society Book Club Last Thursday of the mth 2pm at the library. All seniors welcome.

• WGCSS Writers Circle: Meets 1st & 3rd Thur. @ Library

UPCOMING EVENTS

ONGOING EVENTS

REGISTER TODAYTEL: 250.674.3530 IN PERSON: 209 Dutch Lake Rd. EMAIL: [email protected] • www.tru.ca/regional_centres/clearwater

UPCOMING COURSES OFA LEVEL 1 FEB 16, MAR 15 $105TRANSPORTATION ENDORSEMENT FEB 17 $110FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 FEB 22 $100RED CROSS CPR/AED MARCH 15 & 16 $95JOY OF PAINTING MARCH 5 $85TRAFFIC CONTROL MARCH 13 & 14 $295H2S ALIVE MARCH 21 $295

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM February 29 – Sept 9, 2016This 27 week program is designed to prepare the graduate to function, under su-pervision, as a Health Care Assistant. Learned skills will be applied in the commu-nity utilizing care facilities, assisted living facilities and private homes. The focus will be on training the health care worker to assist the older adult in meeting his/her basic physical, emotional, environmental and social needs.

CAMP PREP COOK PROGRAM XFOO 0049March 29 – May 13, 2016• 7-week hands-on program • Opportunity to obtain OFA First Aid Level 1, WHMIS, WorldHost fundamentals, H2S Alive and Foodsafe Level 1 certifi cates• Training will be experiential using guide sheets and menus to prepare orders. Students will learn to use successful time management. There will be constant supervision to ensure safety and quality of food products.• All students will participate in setup, menu planning, inventory, budgeting, etc.• All cook apprentices/students will receive a nutritional education including use of deep fryers, cooking with a balance of protein, starch, and vegetables, make soups from scratch and cook recipes from other countries.• The cook apprentices/students will work under the guidance of a Red Seal Chef.

GYMNASTICS – WINTER 2016 February 22, 2016This program is appropriate for food handlers, kitchen staff and dining room at-tendants. Course content includes: the purchase and storage of potentially haz-ardous foods; personal hygiene; the causes of food borne diseases; maintaining a sanitary food service operation.

250-674-2674

Bayley’s BistroBayley’s Bistroin the Brookfield Shopping Centre in Clearwater

Eat in or Take out Fried Chicken

250-674-2674

this ad is sponsored by


Box 67, 100 Mile House B.C. V0K 2E0

BEFORE YOU SELL:• ASPEN • BIRCH • COTTONWOOD• PINE • SPRUCE • FIR PULP LOGS

Please call KATHERINE LEPPALA(250) 395-6218 (direct line) • (250) 395-0584 (cell)

(250) 395-6201 (fax)

CANADA BENEFIT GrouP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canada benefi t.ca/free-assessment

Clearwater Alcoholics Anonymous

Sunshine Group meets every Tuesday, 8 pm, Elks Hall

72 Taren Dr.Open to Everyone

For info contact Wendy 250-587-0026

Denied Long-TermDisability Benefi ts or

other insurance?If YES, call or email for

FREE initial legal consultation and protect

your right to compensation.778-588-7049

[email protected]

Do you need help with reading, writing or math?

FREE confi dential adult tutoring available.• Clearwater Literacy

250-674-3530• Barriere Literacy

250-672-9773

HIP OR Knee replacement? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in walking/dress-ing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For As-sistance: 1-844-453-5372.

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY GIFT CORNER

Located just inside the hospital main doors

Monday to Thursday10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Beautiful gift items25% discount on all Xmas

inventory

Safe Home Response Providing a safe place to

escape for women and their children.

Volunteers always needed. Clearwater 250-674-2135,Barriere 250-672-6444, or

North Thompson Valley 1-855-674-2135

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP

Located across the railway tracks in Vavenby, B.C.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Great deals - low prices

Travel

TimeshareCANCEL YOUR timeshare. No risk program. Stop mort-gage and maintenance pay-ments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consul-tation. Call us now, we can help! 1-888-356-5248.

TravelSEE POLAR Bears, Walrus and Whales on our Arctic Ex-plorer Voyage next summer. Save 15% with our winter sale for a limited time. Call toll-free: 1-800-363-7566 or visit:www.adventurecanada.com (TICO#04001400)

Employment

Education/Trade Schools

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Infor-mation Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765.

HEALTHCARE DOCUMEN-TATION Specialists are in huge demand. Employers want CanScribe graduates. A great work-from-home career! Train with Canada’s best-rated program. Enroll today.www.canscribe.com 1-800-466-1535. [email protected].

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT SCHOOL. Hands-On Tasks. Start Weekly. GPS Training!

Funding & Housing Avail! Job Aid! Already a HEO?

Get certifi cation proof.Call 1-866-399-3853 or go to:

iheschool.com

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit today: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career!

Help Wanted

Customer Service Representative

We are currently hiring for a full time position. Must be a team player and customer oriented. Experience in hard-ware and building supplies an asset. Must be computer literate. Competitive wage offered based on experi-ence.Please Send Resume With References: Box B, Unit 14 - 74 Young Rd, Clearwater,

BC V0E 1N2

Services

Financial ServicesGET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

LARGE FUNDBorrowers Wanted

Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

Photography / VideoPHOTOS

by Keith McNeillDigital and fi lm photographs.

Phone 250-674-3252 or email:[email protected]

Accounting/Tax/Bookkeeping

PETER NJENGA Chartered Professional Accountant - Ac-cepting new clients. 604-593-5447. [email protected]

Moving & Storage• Indoor Storage Units • Offi ce space with equipment storage available. Hwy access for convenience & [email protected] Yellowhead Hwy 5

PlumbingFULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, re-liable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1-800-573-2928.

A-Steel Shipping Storage Containers. Used 20’40’45’53’ insulated containers. All sizes in stock. Prices starting under $2,000. Modifi cations possible doors, windows, walls etc., as offi ce or living workshop etc., Ph Toll free 24 hours 1-866-528-7108 or 1-778-298-3192 8am-5pm. Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Misc. for SaleProgrammable Cash Register. CASIO PCR-T2000 with manual. 18 new paper rolls incl. $125.00 Ph. 250-674-3040

REFORESTATION NURSERY seedlings of hardy trees, shrubs and berries for shelter-belts or landscaping. Spruce and Pine from $.99/tree. Free shipping. Replacement guar-antee. 1-866-873-3846 or www.treetime.ca

SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397. Make money & save money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

Real Estate

Business for SaleM&M Meat Shops Franchise for sale in Cranbrook, BC.Owners retiring. Busy mainstreet location. Call KathyHosseini @ 1-519-895-2580ext. 448 [email protected]

For Sale By OwnerBarriere: 1232 sq ft, 3bdr, 2bth, lvg rm, dining rm, eat in kitch., 0.6 acre, corner lot $149,900. 250-672-5518

Misc. WantedMisc. Wanted

Announcements Employment Merchandise for Sale Real Estate

Information Education/Trade Schools

Heavy Duty Machinery

For Sale By OwnerFor Sale or Rent: 225 Murtle Cres, 3 bdrm, 3.5 bath, dbl heated garage w/toilet & shower, rent $1,150/mo + util. For Sale: 208 Dutch Lk. Rd, 3 bdrm, 1/2 duplex, 2 full bath, $125,000.00. Offers. Pls lvg msg at 250-674-3668

Rentals

Commercial/Industrial

Commercial space avail for rent in the Interior Whitewater Bldg. starting Jan. 1/2016. Spacious, bright, clean, like new. Close to amenities. 675 sqft, $500/mo. 73 Old North Thompson Hwy, Clearwater. Ph 250-674-3727

Duplex / 4 PlexClearwater: 3 bdrm duplex in Miller sub. F/S. Avail Jan. 1 Call Julie 250-674-0188

Mobile Homes & Pads

Vavenby: 2 bdrm covered mo-bile w/addition on priv lot. W/d, f/s. Ref req. $675/mo + dd. Pets neg. Call 250-676-9210

Vavenby: 3 bdrm MH on own property, 1.5 bath, w/d, f/s, covered deck. Fenced yard - 1 dog allowed. $800/mo. Now avail. Call Julie 250-674-0188

Rooms for RentClearwater: Room for rent in Weyerhaeuser sub. Wi-Fi, Sat TV. Nice clean place. NS, NP. $500/mo, incl laundry and util. Call 250-674-1768

Suites, LowerBarriere: 2 bdrm basement suite, all util, all appl. NS/NP, no parties. Separate entrance /parking. $750/mo. 250-672-5643

To advertise in print:Call: 250-674-3343 Email: [email protected]

Self-serve: blackpressused.ca Career ads: localworkbc.ca

Browse more at:

A division of

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Used.ca cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for the following edition.

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COPYRIGHTCopyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of Used.ca. Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

INDEX IN BRIEFFAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRAVEL

EMPLOYMENT

BUSINESS SERVICES

PETS & LIVESTOCK

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

AUTOMOTIVE

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

LEGAL NOTICES

Become a

Super hero!

Say yes and change a child’s

life today.

Donate!

www.bcchf.ca

Buy!

Sell!Sell!SELL!

Buy!Buy!





(250) 395-6201 (fax)










[email protected]




250-672-9773






inventory









Travel



Employment







iheschool.com


Help Wanted



BC V0E 1N2

Services


















Real Estate








Rentals




Mobile Homes & Pads







Browse more at:

A division of






ON THE WEB:



TRAVEL

EMPLOYMENT

BUSINESS SERVICES

PETS & LIVESTOCK


REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

AUTOMOTIVE

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

LEGAL NOTICES

Become a

Super hero!


life today.

Donate!

www.bcchf.ca

Buy!

Sell!Sell!SELL!

Buy!Buy!





(250) 395-6201 (fax)










[email protected]




250-672-9773






inventory









Travel



Employment







iheschool.com


Help Wanted



BC V0E 1N2

Services


















Real Estate








Rentals




Mobile Homes & Pads







Browse more at:

A division of






ON THE WEB:



TRAVEL

EMPLOYMENT

BUSINESS SERVICES

PETS & LIVESTOCK


REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

AUTOMOTIVE

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

LEGAL NOTICES

Become a

Super hero!


life today.

Donate!

www.bcchf.ca

Buy!

Sell!Sell!SELL!

Buy!Buy!

School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)

School Bus Drivers Clearwater, BC

School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson) is currently accepting applications for Relief School Bus Drivers in Clearwater BC.

The successful applicant must possess a valid Class 2 Drivers licence with an Air endorsement and have three years proven previous driving experience. Applicants must be able to successfully complete the School District’s road test.

Those individuals who have submitted an application in the last six (6) months will be considered and need not re-apply.

Applications should include, but are not limited to, the following information:• Work history• Indication of a valid Class 2 driver’s license• An Air Brake Endorsement• A recent driver’s abstract

If you have the above qualifications, please submit written applications by 4:00 pm. on Friday February 26, 2016 to:

Irene Cederholm, [email protected] District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)

750 Woreby RdClearwater, BC250-674-3224

FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH.

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT.™

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

By making a donation, you’ll be helping us fund life-saving research.

Visit heartandstroke.ca/HELP or call 1-888-HSF-INFO

1 X6183I_This Newspaper.inddRound

Job Description: Mechanical Specifications: Contact:

Leo Burnett 175 Bloor Street E. North Tower, 13th Floor Toronto, ON M4W 3R9 (416) 925-5997

Client: RTRDocket #: 112-LPBCRFX6183Project: Newspaper Ad #: X6183I

Bleed: None Trim: 2.81” x 3” Live: 2.31” x 2.5”File built at 100% 1” = 1”

Acct. Mgr: Kayla O

Crea. Dir: Anthony C

Art Dir: Sally F

Writer: Jason S

Producer: David E

Studio: Kim C

Proofreader: Peter C & Claude G

Colours: 4C Start Date: 1-5-2016 1:38 PMRevision Date: 1-6-2016 10:15 AMPrint Scale: None

Comments: None Publication: Black Press

This Newspaper.It’s a good read. When crumpled and stuffed in your jacket, it’s a good insulator. That’s what Bethany had to do when she lived on the streets.

This toque. It helped Bethany fi nd a better life. Buy yours at RaisingtheRoof.org or donate $5 by texting TOQUE to 45678. Help the homeless in your community.

STORY NO. 6

T:2.81”

T:3”

X6183I_This Newspaper.indd 1 2016-01-07 3:25 PM


18 -19

Q. Do I have to take the ashes home?

A. In a word ... no. The funeral home will hold them for 60 days at no charge. It’s the law. After 60 days, the funeral home can charge a fee to store them. After a year, the funeral home can dispose of the ashes. There are laws and ethical guidelines. Ask us about the special way we help families with ashes.

ASK DRAKE

North Thompson Funeral & Drake Cremation

Services

Drake Smith, MSW, is the Owner and Funeral Director of North Thompson Funeral & Drake Cremation Services. With locations in Kamloops 250-377-8225, Clearwater 250-674-3030 and Bar-riere 250-672-1999, his dedicated team has served people in the Kamloops area and the entire North Thompson valley since 2005

British Columbia paves the way to safest roads by 2020Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

VICTORIA – RoadSafetyBC has released a new report that will help guide the Province to achieving the safest roads in North America by 2020.

"Moving to Vision Zero: Road Safety Strategy Update and Showcase of Innovation in British Columbia" is the result of collaboration by more than 40 road safety experts.

The report aligns with Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2015 and highlights the application of the safe systems approach – the understanding that road safety developments must account for the inevitability of human error, the limitations of the human body in withstanding force, and the responsibility of road and vehicle designers, policy makers and road users.

With this approach and the implementation of evidence-based practices, and a thorough study of how road safety is managed around the globe, RoadSafetyBC is reinforcing its com-mitment to road safety principles that will lead to the province having the safest roads in North America.

Tweet your ideas and opinions about how British Columbia can achieve this goal, using the hashtag: #safestroadsby2020

Between 2005 and 2014, road deaths have decreased by 36 per cent, from 452 to 290, although relatively little progress has been made in reducing pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

British Columbia has invested in $18 billion in road-infrastructure improvements since 2001, including 33 new passing lanes on rural high-ways, 6,700 kilometres of rumble strips, 18,500 kilometres of repaving, and 14,000 kilometres of median and roadside barriers.

Since 2010, drinking and driving deaths have decreased by 52 per cent, with an estimated 260 lives saved due in part to B.C.'s tough drinking driving laws.


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March 21– April 19

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September 23– October 22

A p r i l 2 3 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 2

This week is all about give and take, Capricorn. Do for others, and they will do for you. A special event calls for some extra-special gifts.

Some habits are hard to break, Aquarius. Look to a mentor to help and you will succeed. A fitness goal is easily achieved with a new piece of equipment.

The odds may be stacked against you, Pisces, but that doesn’t mean you won’t come out on top with a little ingenuity. A weekend endeavor requires a leap of faith.

Speak up, Aries, and the problem will be solved. A little miracle at home makes for an interesting weekend. Travel plans come together.

Cast aside all doubt, Taurus. The offer is genuine and will bring you many rewards. A test of faith begins— be strong. Money woes ease.

Feeling blessed these days, Gemini? Pay it forward. A compromise at home raises everyone’s spirits and fun ensues all weekend long!

A business relationship blossoms with an addition. A larger-than- life personality drops by with an offer you can’t refuse. Oh boy, oh boy, Cancer.

Oops, Leo. You fall behind on a project, raising some eyebrows. Not to worry. You will get back on track sooner than you think, thanks to an innovation.

Spend less, save more and you’ll definitely get more, Virgo. More in your bottom line and more peace of mind. Flowers provide a great pick-me-up.

Lady Luck smiles on you, Libra, and there is nothing beyond your reach. A treasured heirloom resurfaces, bringing back many fond memories.

The tiniest of changes make a vast improvement in a project. A rejection is a blessing in disguise. Be grateful for what you’re given, Scorpio.

News from afar gets the creative juices flowing, and you accomplish more than you have in some time, Sagittarius. A game of wits at the office proves challenging.

February 4 - 10, 2016

A burst of optimism has you moving toward a new goal, Aries. This positive frame of mind can propel you to the finish line quickly, but make each deci-sion carefully.

Expect a change of circumstances at work, Cancer. This change may come by way of a transfer or a promotion, or it might be something less significant. Embrace it in any case.

Libra, you might feel nervous at the prospect of a big change at your job, but you are totally ready for the change and some new responsibilities.

Capricorn, you’re ready to spread your ideas and plans to others, but the public just may not be open to what you have to share at this time. Don’t force the issue at present; give it a few days.

Sacrifices will be well worth the effort this week, Aquarius. Keep in mind that these sacrifices are temporary and not that disruptive. The reward awaits.

Taurus, new revela-tions may inspire you to make some long-desired chang-es. Write down all of your plans so you can see them on paper and weigh all of your priorities.

A close friend of yours may suggest a last-minute trip, and you just may be game for an adventure, Leo. Pack all of your essentials and do not think too much, or you might back out.

Scorpio, some recent nerves and stress may come to an end this week. You feel focused right now and have your eye on the prize, and relief is on the way.

Pisces, success at work paints you in a new light with your colleagues. You may finally receive the recognition you deserve.

An old friend you haven’t seen in a while may suddenly reappear in your life, Gemini. This person may take you on a fun trip down memory lane. Enjoy the laughs.

Virgo, a financial windfall may seem like a great thing on the surface, but it doesn’t come with-out a price. Resolve to be responsible with your newfound largesse.

Sagittarius, expect some welcome de-velopments in your romantic life. This may be the week you meet someone new. If you’re in-volved, expect your romantic energy to grow.

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18 -19

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British Columbia paves the way to safest roads by 2020Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

VICTORIA – RoadSafetyBC has released a new report that will help guide the Province to achieving the safest roads in North America by 2020.

"Moving to Vision Zero: Road Safety Strategy Update and Showcase of Innovation in British Columbia" is the result of collaboration by more than 40 road safety experts.

The report aligns with Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2015 and highlights the application of the safe systems approach – the understanding that road safety developments must account for the inevitability of human error, the limitations of the human body in withstanding force, and the responsibility of road and vehicle designers, policy makers and road users.

With this approach and the implementation of evidence-based practices, and a thorough study of how road safety is managed around the globe, RoadSafetyBC is reinforcing its com-mitment to road safety principles that will lead to the province having the safest roads in North America.

Tweet your ideas and opinions about how British Columbia can achieve this goal, using the hashtag: #safestroadsby2020

Between 2005 and 2014, road deaths have decreased by 36 per cent, from 452 to 290, although relatively little progress has been made in reducing pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

British Columbia has invested in $18 billion in road-infrastructure improvements since 2001, including 33 new passing lanes on rural high-ways, 6,700 kilometres of rumble strips, 18,500 kilometres of repaving, and 14,000 kilometres of median and roadside barriers.

Since 2010, drinking and driving deaths have decreased by 52 per cent, with an estimated 260 lives saved due in part to B.C.'s tough drinking driving laws.


Jeff Nagel – Black Press

Major supermar-ket chains have lost a court battle to con-tinue offering their pharmacy customers loyalty reward points on prescription drugs in B.C.

A recent B.C. Court of Appeal rul-ing upholds the power of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. to enforce its two-year-old ban on incen-tive programs like Air Miles and other loy-alty rewards.

The decision, which overturned a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last year that initially struck down the ban, says inducements from pharmacists are "a matter of public interest and profes-sional standards" for the college, which can prohibit incentives without clear proof of harm to customers.

The pharmacists' regulatory body, which imposed the ban in late 2013, had argued loyalty points are a powerful lure for consumers that can alter their medication buying habits and potentially harm their health.

"The College con-siders the provision of incentives like redeem-

able points to be unethical, unsafe and unprofessional," reg-istrar Bob Nakagawa said.

"Pharmacists are medication experts, and sometimes the right thing for them to do is not dispense a drug. A patient’s motivation to collect redeemable points may inappropriately encourage drug use and can put their health at risk."

One of the objec-tions raised by the col-lege was that insured patients who don't pay out of pocket might continue to refill a prescription after they no longer need it just to collect more points and the unneeded drugs may be abused or diverted to the ille-gal drug trade.

The case included

anecdotal evidence that the top priority of some customers was to find out how many points they'd get filling a prescription rather than informa-tion on proper use or health effects.

There were also allegations of phar-macists retroactively dispensing medica-tion to patients who had already missed past days but were eager to get the points "thus generating fur-ther revenue for the pharmacist for drugs the patient does not need."

The ruling is a defeat for Sobey's and Jace Holdings, the companies that operate Safeway and Thrifty Foods stores. Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. was also an inter-venor in the case.

A Sobeys represen-tative said the com-pany is disappointed

with the court's deci-sion and considering its options.

Incentives have long been forbidden on methadone prescrip-

tions as well as any Pharmacare-covered prescriptions.

18 -19Home care spread thin, seniors' advocate saysTom Fletcher – Black Press

Health ministers across Canada say expanding community and home care is the best way to serve a grow-ing senior population, but total home care hours declined last year in three out of five B.C. health regions.

That's one of the findings in the first annual report on seniors' services by B.C. Seniors' Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.

Despite growing senior popula-tions across B.C., the report found the total hours of home sup-port delivered to clients was down four per cent in Vancouver Island and Vancouver Coastal health regions, and down 11 per cent in the area served by Northern Health.

Fraser Health, the largest region by population from Surrey through the Fraser Valley, had a seven per cent increase in hours in 2014-15, the fiscal year that ended last March.

Interior Health, including the Okanagan and Kootenays, saw a five per cent increase.

Mackenzie said there has been an increase in seniors served by home care workers in most regions, but the hours received by each has declined. She said the data on hours reflects what she has heard from seniors around the province, who report that their home care services are being reduced.

"That validates to a large extent what people are saying, which is 'I can't get meal prep, they cut my bath-ing, they cut out my housekeeping'," Mackenzie said.

Health Minister Terry Lake, who emphasized the need to move away from the acute-care hospital model to community and home care at a recent health ministers' conference in Vancouver, said the report is "a snapshot," but acknowledged there is more work to do.

Lake said the 11 million hours of home care support provided last year is up 35 per cent since the B.C. Liberals took office in 2001, and the number of clients served is up 29 per cent.

"Despite the fact that we've seen a significant increase in hours and bud-get, the demographics are such that we are falling behind here a little bit," Lake said in an interview. "I think this is a good early warning system to tell us, we need to do a bit more in this area."

Lake added that the new federal government has made a commit-ment to invest more in home health care. He said he is encouraged by Mackenzie's finding that 96 per cent of B.C. seniors have a regular family doctor.

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said Mackenzie's report "paints a picture of a system that is headed in the wrong direction." B.C. Seniors' Advocate Isobel Mackenzie

Prescriptions blocked from B.C. supermarket loyalty programs

Loyalty reward points can no longer be offered in B.C. on prescription drugs after a court ruling in favour of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. Black Press file photo


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