News Influencing Decision Makers in Northern BC
PRINCE GEORGE
Pacific Coastal Airlines has launched its inaugural route connecting Kelowna International Airport – YLW with Prince George Airport Authority.
Pine Centre Mall celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The ride-hailing service Uber Technologies Inc. is currently only accessible in Victoria, Metro Vancouver, and Kelowna, but in May 2023, the BC Passenger Transportation Board approved its operation throughout the province. The company is currently hiring drivers in preparation for its expansion outside of BC’s major cities beginning the following year.
Foresight Canada compiles a list of the 50 most investable cleantech ventures in Canada. British Columbia is home to 25 of the 50 companies, underscoring the province’s critical role in fostering innovation in the cleantech and climate tech sectors. See the complete list here.
Fortescue, a mineral exploration and production firm based in Australia, has declared its intention to withdraw from the Coyote Hydrogen Project in Prince George. The project is vital to the province’s plan to produce hydrogen and achieve net-zero emissions.
Edo Japan (Edo), a franchise that is expanding rapidly throughout Canada, is celebrating its 45th anniversary by opening its 200th location. Since its founding in 1979 in Calgary, Alberta, Edo has been a successful distributor of teppanyaki-style Japanese food to food courts and street-front malls across the country. Today, the company serves more than 11 million meals a year throughout the Prairies, British Columbia, and Ontario.
The CHBA of Northern BC welcomes the Board of Directors after the President’s Dinner & 2024 AGM. Fort St. John, BC-based Angèle’s Drafting & Design president Angèle Heinrichs returns for another year. Shay Bulmer, owner of award-winning Northern Homecraft in Vanderhoof, will serve as Past President for the year. The board of directors include: Joel Baerg of GOTT Energy, Jason Blackman of Acera Insurance, George Hackle of Windsor Plywood, Mike Kuemmerle of All West Glass, Martin Lachapelle of Artistic Homes, James Lambert of Lambert Built, Matt O’Flynn of O’Flynn Roofing, Kaylie Ramsay of IDL Projects, Nathan Saarela of Ulko Contractors, and Jeff Young of Winton Homes.
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Nechako Ridge Denturist Corp.
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce’s 39th Annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) Winners include:
- BIPOC Business of the Year: Nechako Ridge Denturist Corp
- Business of the Year: 3 Goblins Games
- Business Person of the Year: Tracey Johnson
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Selen Alpay
- Excellence in Food and Beverage: Baller Food
- Excellence in Environmental Impact: Wall to Wall – Renovate Recycle Restore
- Excellence in Entertainment and Attractions: The Exploration Place
- Excellence in Business Philanthropy: Canadian Tire
- Excellence in Promotion and Marketing: Baller Food
- Excellence in Technological Innovation: Acres Enterprises Ltd.
- Excellence in Customer Service: com
- Excellence in Not For Profit and Community Service: Prince George Community Foundation
PRINCE RUPERT
Tamara Davidson, a member of the North Coast-Haida Gwaii MLA, was named the province’s environment and parks minister by Premier David Eby on November 18.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority helped the Rupert Rampage Fights Cancer campaign break a fundraising record! The Community Investment Fund matched community and business donations to buy Prince Rupert Regional Hospital new surgical equipment. Prince Rupert Port Authority donated over $1 million to local healthcare efforts with North Coast Health Improvement Society, Northern Health-BC, and Prince Rupert and District Hospice Society.
A new Tier 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and special care nursery at the new Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace will receive $430,000 from the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) as part of their Community Investment Fund, further enhancing health care in northwest BC.
The Port Ed General Store of the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society will close on November 30.
FORT ST JOHN
Matthew Cybulski has been appointed as Pouce Coupe‘s new Chief Administrative and Corporate Officer.
The Montney region’s Karr, Wapiti, and Zama holdings, as well as other properties in the Horn River Basin, have been sold by Paramount Resources Ltd. to Ovintiv Inc.
Residents of Fort St. John are encouraged to take part in the Official Community Plan survey in order to make sure that their objectives for the next 20 years are reflected in the OCP.
The first phase of the Attachie plant in Montney, which produces 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, has been put into service, according to ARC Resources Ltd.
The following SD 60 Trustees were chosen to serve on the board: Helen Gilbert is the board chair; Bill Snow is voted vice chair; Nicole Gilliss is the provincial councillor.
David Scott Moncrieff is the alternate provincial councillor, while Madeleine Lehmann is the representative of the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). Thomas Whitton is named the BCPSEA’s alternate representative.
KITIMAT
Phil Germuth, mayor of Kitimat, has maintained his position as the city’s delegate to the board of directors of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine.
Construction on a floating dock to improve Minette Bay West Park will start on December 4 and continue until December 31. The park will be closed during this time to allow for the work to take place.
A developer’s motion to revise a contentious development proposal for 3 Blueberry Avenue in Strawberry Meadows, lowering its density and scope in response to community concerns, was approved by Kitimat council.
Skeena Regional, Terrace Regional, and Kitimat riders will no longer be able to purchase monthly passes and 10-ride tickets through BC Transit as of December 1st.
TERRACE
The new hospital in Terrace will be called Ksyen Regional Hospital, which is the Sm’algyax term for the Skeena River, according to the Northern Health Authority.
The First Nations Climate Initiative will showcase its renewable energy network development in northwest British Columbia during COP29. In order to improve economic growth through partnerships, make amends with First Nations, and permit large net-zero infrastructure projects, FNCI hopes to influence the federal and British Columbian governments.
Conservative Party of British Columbia MLA for Skeena Claire Rattée took the oath of office on November 12.
WILLIAMS LAKE
Six new Indigenous Justice Centres (IJCs) are set to open in British Columbia by December 2024. The locations include Burns Lake, Hazelton, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Cranbrook, and Port Hardy, as announced by the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC).
To formally debut the new outdoor exercise park equipment that was built earlier this week, the City of Williams Lake joined members of the Williams Lake Rotary Club for a brief celebration in Kiwanis Park on Wednesday afternoon.
A fuel management treatment project will be carried out by the City of Williams Lake between the residential neighborhoods of Country Club Boulevard and Westridge Drive.
A new virtual physician project has been established by Interior Health for inpatients at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. To enable a distant doctor to offer treatment, a nurse will bring a screen, camera, and other necessary equipment.
Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials have extended Unity Cannabis Store‘s temporary use permit in Lac La Hache for another three years.
SMITHERS
Alle Jan de Vries, a deputy fire chief, has been elevated to the position of fire chief at Smithers Fire Rescue.
The BV Health Foundation has raised $112,000 at their annual health gala, which will go toward better healthcare for the Bulkley Valley population.
The University of Victoria awarded Satsan (Herbert George), a Wet’suwet’en leader, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the autumn 2024 convocation.
QUESNEL
Amanda Hennigar Bookkeeping and Financial Management and Julie Spina from Royal LePage Aspire Realty join the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce.
Tobi’s NoFrills has officially opened its doors in Quesnel, B.C., becoming the 99th No Frills location in Western Canada.
A total of eighty-two community organizations in Canada will receive $1.5 million from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to help finance capital projects in rural areas.
The council has given the green light to the grant applications of Northern Development Initiative Trust, which received $20,000 Business Façade Improvement funding.
The tourism capacity enhancement project’s grant applications were approved by the council as part of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program.
A five-year assessment of Council and Administrative policies is being conducted by the Policy and Bylaw and Financial Sustainability and Audit Committees in accordance with City Development & assessment Policy IWC-15.
Councillors Elliott, Goulet, Roodenburg, Runge and Vik made their way to Vancouver to represent the community and engage in various sessions at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention.
Council has decided to waive a livability requirement from the Multi-Unit Incentive Bylaw for the proposed 17-unit housing development at 668 Doherty Drive, allowing eight units to feature balconies, despite the bylaw’s stipulation that all units must have them.
100 MILE HOUSE
Precision Service and Pumps Inc. has been awarded the contract to rehabilitate the community’s wells by the District of 100 Mile House.
The 100 Mile Baseball Association‘s new website is now live! Visit www.100milebaseball.ca to stay updated.
The Forest Grove Community Hall at 4489 Eagle Creek Road is hosting a Christmas Fair on November 30th.
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