PRINCE GEORGE
Tourism Prince George has launched the Farm Tour, a self-guided tour of local farms and food sustainability. The Farm Tour is open to sustainable farm operations in Prince George and the surrounding area, such as Foreman Farms, Col Juicery, East Line Market, Hope Farm Organics, Homespun Refillery, Prince George Farmers’ Market, Huble Homestead Historic Site, Mulino Kitchen and Craft Cocktails, WS Community Farmers’ Market, Northern Lights Estate Winery, Nancy O’s, PG Urban Shroomery, RiverHouse at Northern Lights Estate Winery, Wildflower Farm, and White Goose Bistro.
Among the recipients of the Dr. Charles Jago Awards that were announced at the 2024 ceremony, which was held at the Prince George Civic Centre, are: Fort St. John’s Caroline Dunford wins for Empathy, Prince George’s Vanessa Kinch for Respect, Prince George’s Ashley Stoppler and Rosetta Mitchell for Collaboration, and Prince George’s Helen Styles for Innovation.
A $1.5 million grant has been given to Dr. Tristan Pearce, an associate professor in the Department of Geography at UNBC, to lead the Indigenous Peoples Observatory Network, a multi-university, multi-national research project that looks at the relationship between local communities’ health, food systems, and climate change as it relates to Indigenous Peoples.
Shirley Bond, the MLA for Prince George-Valemount, has been appointed as the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery by the BC United Party.
Ann-Marie Clark, a Vancouver Island vehicle dealership owner, has been named the New Car Dealers Association of BC‘s chairwoman.
The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) announced the appointment of Lynn Bueckert as its secretary-business manager.
Dr. Daniel Vigo has been appointed by the Province as the Chief Scientific Advisor for Psychiatry, Toxic Drugs, and Concurrent Disorders in British Columbia.
On June 14th, Buy Low Foods will open in the former Save-On-Foods space at Parkwood Mall.
According to GoDaddy Venture Forward, British Columbia is home to the highest concentration of online microbusinesses in Canada, beating Ontario, which ranks in second place, and Alberta in third.
Workers for companies like Uber, Lyft, Skip the Dishes, and Door Dash, among others, will now get a minimum pay of $20.88 per hour as of September 3rd, according to regulations released by the provincial government. These regulations aim to ensure fairness, basic protections, and minimum wage protections.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) will be upgrading their current fleet of air ambulances to Beechcraft King Air 360CHW models, along with three additional backup aircraft.
On November 12th, the CN Centre will host the 80’s Club, which will feature rock artists including the Spoons, Men Without Hats, A Flock of Seagulls, and Honeymoon Suite.
Shirley Bond, the MLA for Prince George-Valemount, has been appointed as the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery by the BC United Party.
Ann-Marie Clark, a Vancouver Island vehicle dealership owner, has been named the New Car Dealers Association of BC‘s chairwoman.
PRINCE RUPERT
After a five-year environmental evaluation, Calgary-based AltaGas Ltd. and Netherlands-based Royal Vopak approved the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) near Prince Rupert, B.C. A $1.35 billion liquefied petroleum gas and bulk liquids terminal with an initial export capacity of 55,000 barrels per day and 600,000 barrels of LPG storage is expected to open in late 2026. It will be developed next to AltaGas and Vopak’s Ridley Island propane export terminal and have a new jetty and major rail and logistical infrastructure. The third-busiest port in Canada, Prince Rupert Port Authority, called this the largest investment in its history.
The City of Prince Rupert‘s application period for 2025-2027 Permissive Property Tax Exemptions is now open until July 15th.
The City of Prince Rupert is currently accepting applications for financial assistance from various Community Groups through the Community Enhancement Grant process. The deadline to submit applications is August 30th.
The City of Prince Rupert‘s Recreation Department is looking to hire Summer Camp leaders and Full-time Custodians. Applications will be accepted until June 21st and June 28th, respectively.
B-C Hydro offers a five-cent-per-kilowatt-hour nighttime rate plan. Energy users like electric car owners who charge overnight will gain most from the plan, according to Hydro officials.
BC Hydro has put forward a proposal for the North Coast Transmission Project, which aims to enhance transmission infrastructure from Prince George to Terrace. The estimated cost of this project is $36 billion.
FORT ST JOHN
Dan Davies, a member of parliament for Peace River North, has been appointed as Shadow Minister for Education.
Shirley Collington, who has been with the city for 25 years and is both the director of finance and the financial signing authority, was presented with the long service award by the city of Fort St. John.
South Peace River MLA Mike Bernier has been appointed Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Shadow Minister.
The City of Fort St. John and the Mayor’s Standing Committee on Community Economic Development launched the Shop Local Campaign for healthcare workers which runs from June 10–24 . This local economic development project honours local healthcare professionals and supports local businesses.
NorthRiver Midstream has ceased Fort Nelson Gas Plant operations due to a significant drop in regional gas quantities for processing.
The province presented Ray Ensz, a volunteer fireman with Taylor Fire and Rescue, with an award in appreciation of his 25 years of service.
Phase two of the Kids Arena Fieldhouse renovations will be funded by $150,000 from the city’s reserves, according to the Fort St. John council.
The High Barr Plateau, a substantial property situated between Hudson Hope and Fort St. John, is being offered for sale as a 5,665-acre block of land that has been divided into 36 even quarters. The land is comprised of arable and pasture land.
Two greenhouses at 11527 Alaska Road South were granted a three-year temporary use permit by the city council to facilitate plant production and foster strong economic and community relations with First Nations. One of Blueberry River Resources‘ (BRR) subsidiaries, Grandmother’s Greenhouse, offers customers native plants for the purpose of well site reclamation.
The rewilding project, spanning 46 hectares of DRFN territory, was officially launched on June 13th, with the participation of representatives from multiple energy firms, Project Forest, and members of the council of Doig River First Nation (DRFN). Over 115,000 native tree, bush, and shrub seedlings will be planted in a flat region on DRFN properties, roughly 60 kilometres northeast of Fort St. John, as part of the project.
KITIMAT
Rio Tinto marks a significant milestone as it marks 70 years of operations in Kitimat.
Sidnei de Paula Alves celebrates 3 years of service for Rio Tinto in Kitimat.
As part of the SaferCare initiative, the Kitimat General Hospital and Health Centre became the most recent surgical site under Northern Health to implement digital clinical documentation this year.
One LNG project worth $4.1 billion has the potential to contribute $4.5 billion to the GDP and generate 35,000 job opportunities. The Kitimat LNG terminal in BC is expected to bring in a substantial amount of government revenue, totaling $23 billion over a span of 40 years.
TERRACE
The City of Terrace Fire Department welcomes two new firefighters, Shayle Prins and Mike Krueger.
EFC Aviation has partnered with Westjet to provide ground handling services at the Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat in Terrace.
M’akola Housing Society and Aboriginal Housing Management Association come together to commemorate the unveiling of new exterior artwork and the renaming of one of its homes in Terrace. The Tetrault building is now known as Bevan Place, a heartfelt tribute to the late Mel Bevan.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation has provided a generous grant of $32,000 to assist the Kitsumkalum Band in their vital salmon restoration initiatives in northern B.C.
WILLIAMS LAKE
As of April 1, 2024, Aviso Wealth, a branch of Aviso Financial Inc., has replaced Credential Asset Management Inc. created in 2018 by the combination of NEI Investments, Qtrade Financial Group, and Credential Financial. Aviso is a prominent independent wealth management company in Canada. Owned by credit unions, Aviso provides services and products that are comparable to Williams Lake & District Credit Union and serves over 375,000 members at 150 credit unions nationwide.
A new four-year Collective Agreement for all unionized personnel was ratified between the City of Williams Lake and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 882-B. Over the course of the four-year contract, the parties agreed to pay raises totaling 16.25 per cent (5.75 per cent, 4.5 per cent, 3 per cent, and 3 per cent).
Councillors Joan Flaspohler, Michael Moses and Scott Nelson were named as Council representatives on the working group after the Council of Williams Lake accepted a draft Indigenous Working Group Terms of Reference.
Council backed the Social Planning Council/Central Cariboo Food Hub’s funding request to the Northern Development Initiative Trust for its online presence marketing and awareness campaign.
The Annual Cariboo GM Soap Box Derby, which takes place on June 20 outside Cariboo GM at 370 Mackenzie Ave. S., has the approval of the City of Williams Lake Council to restrict Fourth Avenue between Barnard Street and Mackenzie Avenue.
SMITHERS
Carl Chad has been hired by the Town of Smithers as a new Community Safety Officer.
Smithereens Mushroom received eight of 12 Natural Product Numbers from Health Canada, bringing them closer to selling medicinal mushrooms.
The Town of Smithers held a public engagement session to discuss the proposed Parks and Facilities Master Plan. This plan would serve as a 10-year roadmap for the town’s park decisions, including the development of Central and Heritage Parks. Up until June 30th, residents of Smithers can take part in an online poll that asks for their thoughts on the proposed plan.
The province has awarded Telkwa Elementary School a grant of $195,000 to fund the construction of a new accessible playground.
The Burns Lake Native Development Corporation has been granted $10,000 to support their upcoming annual celebration in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event will take place from June 18th to 22nd and is made possible through the grant from the Nechako-Kitimaat Development fund.
The Town of Smithers has chosen the BC YMCA to run their new childcare centre that is going to be built in Ranger Park.
QUESNEL
Quesnel School District 28 is hiring for a Manager of Data, Privacy and Risk Management.
Circle ‘S’ Western Wear, located at 323 Reid Street, Quesnel, is offering Buy 1 Get 1 50% OFF Storewide, which runs from June 12th-22nd.
Steve Mitchell has opened the Way of the Fist Martial Arts Academy at 196 Davie St. in Downtown Quesnel.
Dale “Duner” Hladun has been named the head coach and GM of the Quesnel River Rush.
100 MILE HOUSE
Applications for Permissive Tax Exemptions, along with comprehensive information about eligibility requirements and application process, are available at www.100milehouse.com or at the municipal office located at #1-385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House. Applications must be submitted by July 15th.
NAPA Auto Parts is seeking a Full Time Permanent Counter Clerk / Sales Associate for the NAPA 100 Mile House location.
With $195,000 from the Playground Equipment Programme of the Ministry of Education and Child Care, Lac La Hache Elementary School will be able to construct a new playground this summer.
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