B.C. Ambulance Service Public Service Announcement

As the weather warms up, so does the potential of young children falling out of windows without proper security locks. Already, three toddlers have fallen through open windows since April.
In advance of the May long-weekend, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Ambulance Service are asking parents to make sure their homes are secure.
“Falls from windows seem to be increasing in frequency. Last year we saw about 10 seriously injured children, compared to three to five per year in past years,” says Dr. Ash Singhal, medical director, BC Children’s Hospital Trauma Program. “Falls are more common in younger children between one and six years of age, and seem to occur more frequently in the spring and summer. Many of the injuries can be quite severe, requiring surgery and causing potentially long term effects for the child.”
Falls from windows often occur at a child’s home, most commonly in the afternoon when windows are open or not fully secured as the family is home.
Paramedics see the critical injuries that result from falls from windows, from broken bones to facial and head trauma. “The best advice we can provide to caregivers is to ensure you have the right safety locks on windows and doors, especially if you have young children,” says BC Ambulance Service Superintendent Julien Ponsioen.
While it might be tempting to leave a window open a crack to let in some fresh air as the weather warms up, remember that young children are innately curious and natural climbers and may not understand the risk of their actions. They can be strong enough to widen an unlocked window enough to fall out of it.
 Safety tips to prevent falls from windows:

• Window screens will not prevent children from falling through.
• Don’t underestimate a child’s mobility; children begin climbing before they can walk. Move household furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing to peer out.
• Install window guards on windows above the ground level. These act like a gate in front of the window.
• Or, fasten the windows, so that they cannot open more than 10 centimetres (four inches). Children can fit through spaces as small as 12 centimetres (five inches) wide. In either case, ensure there is a safe release option in case of a house fire.
• Young children are avid learners – they may be able to unlock doors and windows to gain access to dangerous areas without you realizing it. Make sure to have the proper window and door locks in place.
• Don’t leave children unattended on balconies or decks. Move furniture or planters away from the edges as kids can climb up and over.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of opening and playing near windows, particularly on upper floors of the home.

By Cst.Julie Champagne- Communications / Media Liaison Officer – Prince George RCMP

Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Section are now treating the Suspicious death of a female found deceased at a scene on Holmes Road during the early morning hours of May 10th, 2012 as a Homicide Investigation.
On Monday May 14, 2012, an autopsy was conducted on the adult female and the cause of death was determined, but will not be released. Following the results of the autopsy, investigators can now confirm that the investigation will be treated as a homicide.
The deceased female was a Prince George resident.
The injured adult male found at the scene is also a resident of Prince George and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Section have now released the scene and the investigation is on-going.
Police believe that the incident was not random and that there is no threat to the public.
Further updates will be made available as the investigation continues.
If you have any information about this investigation, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips”.

By Marie Birkbeck

“Pitching in” On Sunday, May 6, 2012, Valemount residents including Patricia Thoni (left) and Mayor Andru McCracken (right) spent time cleaning up the village. Photos by Marie Birkbeck

Valemount & Area Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Valemount teamed up on Sunday, May 6, 2012, to participate in the annual Pitch-In Campaign. Although the Pitch-In Canada Week was April 23-30, the date was changed to coincide with Village of Valemount Spring Clean-Up Week in the hopes of having more involvement.

A small but enthusiastic group of volunteers gathered at the Caribou Grill and fanned out onto the nearby streets and alleys to pick up the debris that the winter snow has kept hidden from sight. There were no reports of any treasures or unusual items being found this year.

In the four years that the Chamber has participated in Pitch- In, we have noticed a marked decrease in the amount of garbage in the downtown area. The people of Valemount must be commended for being more aware of their surroundings and mitigating the negative impact garbage has on the environment and the image presented to tourists visiting our village.

Get involved. Mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of the 2013 Pitch-In. Together we can make a difference!

By Marie Birkbeck

“Job Options Graduates” Above: The first graduating class of Valemount Job Options BC program sponsored by Employment Action. From left to right: Clair-Louise Harford, Heidi Vriend, facilitator Marion Farquharson, Marie Birkbeck, Kerry-Lynn Fontiane Photo submitted

Four local students have completed the six week classroom time of the first round of Job Options BC, a pre-employment training program sponsored by Employment Action and the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. Under the very adept leadership of Marion Farquharson, the participants gained:

• Life Skills as necessary including working through conflict, learning styles, time management and budgeting; self-esteem, self-awareness, competence and confi dence, to name a few

• Basic computer training, and access to computers on a daily basis for practice and training

• Employment skills training— Resume, cover letter and interview skills training

• Access to career and aptitude testing and assessment for career decision making

• Short-term training – World Host, First Aid, WHMIS, etc. Other certifi cations are available when appropriate.

• Additionally the students received a $250 weekly training allowance for the duration of the classroom time.

The second round of Job Options BC in Valemount is scheduled to start in mid-June. An information session for interested individuals will be June 11 at the Learning Centre at 1:30 p.m. Classes start on June 18. Pre-registration is preferred. To qualify for Job Options BC, participants must meet the eligibility criteria as set out by Employment Action. You must be:

• A resident of British Columbia – landed immigrant or Canadian citizen, and not attending school

• At least 18 years of age

• Unemployed, not on or eligible for EI, with no established claim within the past three years, and not have had a maternity or parental claim in the last five years

• Someone who is likely to benefi t from long-term job search help, supported work experience, and follow up support services.

This program offers a lot of peer support and a great opportunity to build a network! The third round of Job Options BC will be offered in McBride in mid September.

For more information or to register with Job Options BC please call Marion Farquharson at the Valemount Learning Centre (250) 566 4601.

By Marie Birkbeck

Mother’s Day; the day we all pause and celebrate our mothers and motherhood. Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world in a lot of different ways, on different days, with a variety of names. Some celebrations are based on cultural or religious beliefs. In Canada we celebrate our Mothers and other significant females in our life on the second Sunday of May.

This is the day many moms look forward to sleeping in, and hopefully being served breakfast in bed, made lovingly by the children of the household, and spending the rest of the day just relaxing or perhaps indulging in a little retail therapy. Handmade gifts, fl owers, cards, a lovely brunch or dinner at a nice restaurant are some Canadian traditions that come to mind.

According to Hallmark Cards, Mother’s Day is the third-largest card sending occasion. Over nine million Mother’s Day cards will be given this year. As far as gifts go, a consumer survey suggests that men plan to spend significantly more than women on the occasion, which generates the second-highest volume of weekend shopping in the year, behind only Christmas.

As for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, results of a Linden Bay wine survey of 2,000 Canadians offers a clue, with more than 80 per cent of working moms saying they wanted more time in a day.

The cost? Clearly priceless!

I recently conducted a poll about how people in Valemount celebrate Mother’s day. Some of the responses I got were:

• I will put some flowers on her grave and when we get to Valemount, do the same for my mother-inlaw. (Although that may not happen on Mother’s Day, same thoughts and feelings.) – Mabel

• I will make sure to call her and usually I take a bouquet of fl owers and a sappy card to my aunt who raised me the last half of my life. – Jenn

• For me Mother’s Day holds a special meaning. I am very blessed to have my mother still alive. She  is now almost eighty-five years old, has raised eleven children (and half of the town who also called her Mom.) Mother’s Day is tucked right between my parent’s anniversary and my mother’s birthday, so the family always gathers for some quality time; with either a barbeque or a dinner out. Because of the distance that is now between us, it is not possible to visit in person, but my Mom will receive a card, flowers and a phone call. I also find some teary song to dedicate to her on her favorite radio station. – Marie

But this one summed it up the best.

• Since my own mother passed away a little over 10 years ago, Mother’s Day was a sad day for me, usually spent crying and feeling sorry for myself, with my children tip-toeing around me. Until one day a few years back someone said to me, “Although your mother is gone, your children still have a mother that they would like to spend the day with.” Best advice I was ever given and since then I spend the day being thankful for all of my blessings. From the homemade cards, cold breakfasts in bed to the wonderful surprises, each and every one given with love, I am thankful. I have been many things in my life, cook, maid, fl orist, mender of boo boos, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, but of all of the things I have been called, I like “Mom” the best – Sharon

Take the time this Mother’s Day to call your Mom and tell her how much she means to you!

By Daniel Betts

Two spots are open for local artists wanting to perform at Jobfest 2012, to be held on Tuesday May 22 in McBride. All genres can apply but rock is preferred. They will need to play two 15 minute sets. The PA and audio engineer is provided but the local artists would have to bring their own drums, amps and instruments. Any young musicians wanting to rock the stage at Jobfest 2012 are encouraged to signup. If you know of anyone who might be interested please pass the word along.

To be eligible to play at this gig you need to sign up at http://www.jobfest2012.ca/signup

Cpl. Craig Douglass – Communications NCO / Media Liaison Officer – Prince George RCMP

During the early morning hours of May 10th, 2012, the Prince George RCMP were called to the scene of a suspicious death on Holmes Road, just east of the City.

Once on scene officers located a deceased adult female and a critically injured adult male.  Initially, the male was transported to the University Hospital of Northern BC by the BC Ambulance Service, but has since been flown to Vancouver for further treatment.

Members of the Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit have been called in to investigate.  The property has been secured and is expected to remain in police control for a number of days, pending further investigation.

Investigators believe there is no threat to the public.

Further updates will be made available as the investigation continues.

If you have any information about this suspicious death, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips”.

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, introduced a motion in the Legislature on Monday, May 7 to apologize to the Japanese Canadian community for actions taken 70 years ago under the federal War Measures Act during the Second World War. Under the Act, Japanese Canadians in British Columbia had their property seized and were placed in internment camps.

The motion stated, “That this Legislature apologizes for the events during the Second World War, when under the authority of the federal War Measures Act, 22,000 Japanese Canadians were incarcerated in internment camps in the interior of British Columbia and had their property seized. The House deeply regrets that these Canadians were discriminated against simply because they were of Japanese descent and believes that all Canadians regardless of their origins should be welcomed and respected.”

“The internment of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia during the Second World War was unjust and contrary to our core values. It is important that we apologize and work to ensure that such a historical injustice never happens again,” saidYamamoto.

“I am elated that the government of British Columbia and the B.C. Legislature are introducing a motion to issue a formal apology to Japanese Canadians for the injustices perpetuated upon them during World War II. The apology is particularly important to me personally because in April of 1942, as a 7-year-old boy, I boarded an internment train heading to Manitoba with my parents and two sisters. My family spent nine back-breaking seasons in the sugar beet fields,” said Toshio Suzuki. “I am very grateful that Minister Yamamoto was able to spearhead the initiative for a formal apology even though the internment was a federal government decision. To me, it is most appropriate that Minister Yamamoto, as the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to the B.C. Legislature, will introduce the motion. That this happened so quickly now in 2012 -on the 70th anniversary of the internment- is unbelievable considering that I only first contacted Minister Yamamoto in late November 2011.”

Additional Information:

·         In 1942, 22,000 Japanese Canadians, 80 per cent of whom were born in Canada, were forcibly sent to internment camps located in B.C.’s Interior, North and on the Prairies.

·         The Canadian federal government issued the internment order under the provisions of the War Measures Act, creating a 100-mile wide “restricted area” along the coast of British Columbia.  It was based on speculation of sabotage and espionage, although the RCMP lacked proof of any threat.

·         The Government of British Columbia placed significant pressure on the federal government to remove Japanese Canadians from the B.C. coast and fostered anti-Japanese Canadian sentiment across the province.

·         The Canadian government promised the Japanese Canadians that their property and finances would be returned upon release, but instead they were sold off at auctions.

·         Not a single Japanese Canadian was ever charged with an act of disloyalty.

·         Unlike prisoners of war, who are protected by the Geneva Convention, Japanese Canadians had to pay for their own internment. Their movements were restricted and their mail censored.

·         Men were separated from their wives and children and forced into work crews building roads, railroads, and harvesting sugar beets. The women, children and seniors were sent inland to internment camps where conditions were very harsh.

·         After the war ended in 1945, Japanese Canadians were offered a choice, either to re-settle east of the Rockies or be deported back to Japan.

·         In 1949, Japanese Canadians were finally given back full citizenship rights, including the right to vote and the right to return to the West Coast.

·         In 1988 the Federal Government offered a formal apology and a $300 million compensation package which included $21,000 for each of the 13,000 survivors, $12 million for a Japanese community fund (National Association of Japanese Canadians), and $24 million to create the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

·         2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the internment.

·         May is Asian Heritage Month.

By Cpl. Craig Douglass – Communications NCO / Media Liaison Officer – Prince George RCMP

On the evening of Sunday May 6th, 2012, a police car was struck by an alleged Impaired Driver in the College Heights area of Prince George.

Just after 10:00 PM, a general duty officer in a fully marked police car was responding to a routine call, south bound on O’Grady Road.  The officer observed an oncoming vehicle strike the north bound curb and then veer into the path of the police vehicle.  Anticipating the collision, the officer was able to brake substantially before impact, lessening the effects.

The uninjured officer exited the police vehicle and immediately went to the aid of the occupants of the other vehicle.  Both the 18 year old driver and the 19 year old passenger appeared to be uninjured and refused medical treatment.  As a result of observations made of the driver, the officer began an Impaired Driving investigation.  The driver was arrested for Impaired Driving and transported to the Prince George Detachment.  The suspect provided two breath samples, both registering over twice the legal limit.

The accused Prince George resident was released on documents to appear in court on July 11, 2012.

If you have any information about this or any other Criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips”.

By Astrid Frazier

McBride hosted a Women’s Opportunity Fair Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the McBride Secondary School. The annual event was attended by 80 participants including our Prince George -Valemount MLA Shirley Bond who came down to offer a few encouraging words.

Some of the workshops ranged from yoga and self defense to chair and birdfeeder construction. If you were interested in cake decorating or knitting or even stress and self care, it was covered. The Women’s Opportunity Fair had something for everyone. Organizer Bridget Uhl would like to thank everyone who made this event such a big success.

Workshop Facilitators were: Amy Vause, Tracy Magdall, Ashley Chiupka, Kathryn Smith, Carrie Krenzler, Ingrid Srengler, Barbara Faust, Jennifer Quam, James Bos, Elizabeth de Vries, Angel Fraser, Laura Keil, Wanda Holmes, Lelani Arris, Sharon Stearns, Sheilagh Foster, Kim McNaughton, Michelle Nelson, and Mellany Ford.

The Generous Funders

included: The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, McBride Community Forest Corp., Shirley Bond MLA of Prince George-Valemount, IDL Construction in Prince George, McBride ELKS & Royal Purple, Stepping Stone Daycare, Robson Valley Support Society.

Additional thank you’s go to: The Morning Greeters: Elizabeth de Vries, and Jennifer Quam. All the Robson Valley Support Society Volunteers: A special thank you to RVSS Acting Director Melanie Johnson for her encouragement & enthusiasm! A special thanks to Jennifer Quam for being my “Task Force.” Thanks to Kerry McNaughton for delivering T-Shirts, and thanks to Beth Frederick for organizing our Free Daycare!

To Brenda & Dutch and the staff of AG Foods, thank you for the yummy catering! Thank you Becky Hulka for the beautiful lunchtime music. McBride Secondary School & School District #57 & Carrie Krenzler for coming in early to open the doors for us. McBride & District Library for the book display! And a special thank you to Naomi Balla-Boudreau for being the Film Crew!

Thanks also to all door prize contributors!