PRINCE GEORGE
Jin Sasaki
Takamasa Machiura
Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. announced that Jin Sasaki, the current President, will move to Seattle, WA, to become President & CEO of Coast Hotels USA, Inc., and APA Hotels’ top executive Takamasa Machiura will return to Vancouver, BC, as Coast Hotels Limited’s president and CEO.
Susie Grynol,who has been appointed vice president at Marriott International, submitted her resignation from the role of president and CEO, as announced by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), effective June 3rd, 2024.
Jameel Aziz has been named the new Superintendent of School District 57.
The BC Lenders Group Association named its new Board of Directors bringing diverse expertise and a shared commitment to excellence in providing educational events to mortgage brokers: President: Lee-Ann McEllister, ACC; Vice President: Kim Weishuhn; Treasurer: Matthew Sherriff; Secretary: Tania Hatcher; Directors: Kristina Morrison, Jennifer Sternig, Nicole Thomson, Cluny Coghlan, Yvonne Futter, Paula Hutton.
With a budget of $3.6 billion, B.C. Hydro has issued its first request for private power producers in 15 years, with the goal of supplying 270,000 homes with electricity by 2031. All bids for extra energy must be in accordance with Clean B.C.’s definition of renewable power and incorporate at least 25 per cent First Nations equity in order to be included in the biannual power call.
The Active Living Market, an event in Prince George, will be returning for the first time since 2020. Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park will host the market on May 4.
The Innovation Forum of the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) and COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) commenced at the Vancouver Convention Centre under the leadership of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Deputy Minister Fazil Mihlar.
The construction progress of the Blackwater Mine near Vanderhoof is currently at around 73 per cent.
The Prince George City Council has given the green light for funding various enhancements and renovations to the Prince George Aquatic Centre.
PRINCE RUPERT
Purdy’s chocolates were sold out at the Prince Rupert branch of RBC, resulting in an estimated $600 in proceeds being donated to BC Children’s Hospital.
Prince Rupert resident Alison O’Toole, serving as a dedicated theatrical mentor and a vocal supporter of the value of the performing arts, has been honoured with a community award.
In partnership with Nation2Nation, Ray-Mont Logistics becomes a Diamond Sponsor of the second annual Women’s Gathering in Prince Rupert, BC in support of women’s empowerment.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority‘s Jason Scherr and Kymm Girgulis, MBA from BC Hydro, discussed the prospects for electrifying the marine industry and the work they did ten years ago to establish safety regulations and prices to permit electrically recharging vessels in port.
Umo will soon be introduced to the Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Terrace, Skeena, and Kitimat Transit Systems.
FORT ST JOHN
Britney Carlstrom was recently recognized by the City of Fort St. John for her 10 years of dedicated service with the Planning and Engineering Department.
The Coast Fort St. John Hotel in Fort St. John has been honoured at the 2023 Coast Hotels Awards with the Most Improved Revenue Generation Index.
BC Transit introduces the Umo payment platform in Fort St. John.
A $210,414.29 architectural services contract has been awarded to McElhanney Ltd. by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) for investigative land works and the detailed design of an emergency operations centre on PRRD-owned property at 52 Collins Road.
The Mighty Peace Brewing Co.’s request to expand its hours of liquor service was approved by the City of Fort St. John in a unanimous vote.
The City of Fort St. John has designated May 5th to 11th as Hospice and Palliative Care Week. This week is dedicated to acknowledging, showcasing, and honouring the profound influence of palliative care on families throughout Canada.
KITIMAT
The team at Bothar Inc. recently used their knowledge of trenchless technology to successfully traverse a challenging project in Kitimat. The careful placement of a clay plug effectively maintained the soil integrity, highlighting Bothar’s creative approach to project success.
Permanent affordable housing for women and their children fleeing violence in Kitimat and the surrounding area is now open in Kitimat as a result of a collaboration between the District of Kitimat, the Province (via BC Housing), and the Tamitik Status of Women Association (TSW), which will manage the complex.
TERRACE
Dr. Michael Kenyon
Dr. Michael Kenyon, an internist from Terrace, has been awarded the Resident Doctors of Canada Mikhael Award for Medical Education.
The Comfort Inn & Suites in Terrace was a recipient of a gold award in the Midscale Brands – Suburban category at the Choice Hotels Canada’s annual 2024 Guest Satisfaction Awards.
The Skeena Terrace Community Plan has been selected as one of the 2024 National Urban Design Award recipients.
The B.C. Northern Real Estate Board has released data showing that for the first quarter of this year, the average selling price of a residential detached home in northern and central B.C. was highest in the Terrace neighbourhood.
WILLIAMS LAKE
During its April 16 Regular Meeting, City of Williams Lake Council received a presentation from Letwilc Ren Semec Centre Recovery House (LRSCRH) and Interior Health regarding an after treatment facility. The facility, located in Esk’etemc (Alkali Lake), places a strong emphasis on cultural and spiritual healing, in addition to providing addiction treatment and mental health supports.
Williams Lake Council gave the 2024-28 Financial Plan Bylaw and 2024 Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw three readings. The financial plan outlines the City’s operational expenses, capital expenditures, funding sources, and fund transfers; for 2024, it includes per cent tax rates, resulting in a 6 per cent average municipal tax increase after BC Housing valuation revisions. The municipal tax rate bylaw determines the 2024 operational and capital project funds.
SMITHERS
The Secondary Suite Incentive Program, which will assist homeowners in developing affordable homes in their communities, will be launched by BC Housing on May 2, 2024.
The Town, in collaboration with the Northern Development Initiative Trust, launches the 2024 Smithers Storefront Spruce Up program, which enables non-profits, new and existing businesses, to enhance the exterior and accessibility of their structure.
The 2024 Northwest Trade Expo in Smithers is taking place on May 3 – 4.
The Annual General Meeting and Election of Directors of the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce will take place at the chamber on May 9.
QUESNEL
Atlas Holdings paid $164 million to acquire pulp mills owned by West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (TSX,NYSE:WFG) in British Columbia and Alberta.
The Quesnel Council reversed a prior decision to allocate $5000 for Mayor Paull to transport the moose sculpture by local artist Bert DeVink from Capilano College to Quesnel. The taxpayer will no longer provide funding for this undertaking; rather, private donations will be utilized to finance the relocation.
The new electric fleet vehicle will be able to use a charging station at City Hall, which was funded with $20,000 from the carbon neutral reserve.
Both the City of Quesnel Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1961 of 2024 and the City of Quesnel Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1960 of 2024 were passed by Council after the first three readings.
The following allocation of 2023 surplus funds was approved by the Quesnel council: $100,000 for taxation reduction in 2024; $60,266 to increase the Snow Reserve to 30% of the snow budget; $337,304 for capital reinvestment; and $337,304 for the Tax and Community Stabilization Reserve.
There are 3 onsite parking stalls available, with an additional 8 stalls planned to be located at 290 Anderson Drive and reserved for use by 668 Doherty.
Council approved the following 2024 Business Improvement Area funds to be collected by local service property tax levies if the Business Associations meet all other bylaw conditions before receiving the awards: $72,773—Quesnel Downtown Association; $80,000 South Quesnel Business Association; $40,800—West Quesnel Business Association.
The municipal component of the property tax invoice for the average home in Quesnel, which is valued at $354,656, will increase by $63.45 or $17.89 per $100,000 of assessment. For every $100,000 in assessed value, a commercial enterprise will witness a rise of $84.62.
100 MILE HOUSE
The Days Inn by Wyndham 100 Mile House, BC was honoured with the Housekeeping Team of the Year award at the 2023 Days Inns ‑ Canada Awards of Recognition.
The Super Roller Disco will be held at the South Cariboo Rec Centre on May 24 at 100 Mile House.
The 100 Mile House law office of Sandrock McCrea Law Corporation is looking to add a detail-oriented bookkeeper/receptionist to its team.
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