BC residents set to receive Climate Action Tax Credit in next few days

The Provincial Gov't has a bit more
financial help on the way for residents of BC

The Province of British Columbia is set to deliver some additional cash to more than 80 percent of families who are eligible for a Climate Action Tax credit.

The money started to flow this week and Eligible individuals will receive up to $218, children will receive up to $64 in a one-time increase and a family of four will receive up to $564.

That is a $174.50 boost for individuals, a $51.25 increase for children and a lift of $451.50 for a family of four – double the annual amount eligible households would have received prior to B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan.

Finance Minister Carole James noted how the enhanced tax credit will help British Columbians as they deal with the impact on the economy from the COVID pandemic.

“Many British Columbians are still worried about how they can cover costs such as transportation so they can return to work, pay for groceries and find day camps for their children. The enhanced climate action tax credit puts extra money in the pockets of British Columbians for their household expenses and to spend at local businesses. This is a needed boost as we work together to restart the economy.”

The money arrives at the same time as the Federal Government's GST/HST returns, residents who have completed their 2019 BC Tax returns will be eligible for the benefits on the way.

For more notes on today's announcement see this information release from the BC Government.

Further notes related to the work of the Legislature can be reviewed here.

Coast Mountain College to offer virtual conversation on University Credit programs

For those looking towards their next academic adventure, the start of the post-secondary school year in September will be a little different, with Distributed Learning still the focus for the province's universities and colleges.

For the Northwest what's available from the Coast Mountain College Academic Program Calendar in the year ahead will be the theme of a special Virtual Conversation set to stream on Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM

Among some of the themes to be explored:

General Associate Degrees
Criminology
Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Field schools offered
Degree agreements and transferability
Safety protocols and delivery-modes
Admission, application and registration processes
Financial and student support available

You can join in on the conversation by downloading the app here and checking out the streamcast tomorrow afternoon.

More on the virtual conference and the University Credit program can be found here.

Coast Mountain College has also hosted some Facebook updates on some of the Trade opportunities available at their campus locations across  the Northwest  and Haida Gwaii.

You can access those videos from the Coast Mountain College Facebook page here.

For more notes related post secondary education in the Northwest see our archive page here.

It was a Canada Day HOLE Down

There was some road work underway on Canada Day, as city workers
continued on with some infrastructure repairs on McBride

Some City of Prince Rupert workers spent their Canada Day working below the surface of McBride Street, with the City continuing with their repairs to a stretch of the road that runs from Second West to First Avenue West.

The work which first started in February was part of some emergency repair work for the water-main under McBride, it had a restart on Tuesday, with the City issuing an advisory to the public about traffic disruptions during the course of the work to be done.

According to the City's advisory that work will continue through today.

The work on McBride is just one of a number of trouble areas for city works crews as they try to keep up with some of the issues that are part of the city's aging infrastructure.

You can review some of the work from our archive page here.

New digs for weekly newspaper

The Northern View has moved to offices on Third Avenue West

The end of a month is at times a busy one as tenants move into new residences and that was the case for the end of June as Prince Rupert's The Northern View spent the last few days making the move four blocks east.

The local paper has shifted its operations from its familiar perch on Fraser Street to a new storefront found in the 300 block of Third West, with the move complete just prior to the Canada Day holiday.

The new location is across from the downtown Northern Health location, kitty corner to CityWest.

With the move may come some parking challenges for the staff of six and any visitors to the office, with the city's two hour parking limits in place for the downtown core area.

That could soon see the weekly's staffers joining the ongoing ballet of moving vehicles as office workers look to keep a step ahead of the city's Parking Enforcement officer and any unwanted parking tickets.

For more notes on media in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Taxes Due Day for Prince Rupert

There's nothing worse than having to go back to work on the day following a mid-week holiday, well maybe having to pay your taxes on that day.

For those looking to avoid the 10 percent tax penalty on municipal property taxes, today is the final day for payment in Prince Rupert.

With your payment required by the end of business today at City Hall.

As part of the City's COVID response measures, residents still require an appointment to enter city hall.

As such, you are asked to either drop your payment and home owner grant off at the mail slot at the East side of City Hall (the entrance near the Charles Hays statue) or call (250-627-0960) and see if an in person appointment may be available before they turn off the lights for the day at 4:30PM.

The City also notes that using online methods for payment now will not ensure that your payment is processed before the 10 percent penalty period goes into effect.

You can learn more about the City of Prince Rupert's property tax procedures from this information page from the City of Prince Rupert.

Residents of Port Edward will have a bit of extra time for their tax payments, as we outlined last week, the District has set August 4th as the final day for property tax payments.

Further background on the 2020 taxation process can be found here.

For more notes on City Hall themes from Prince Rupert see our Council Discussion page here.

Emergency Service Files: July 2020

Our Archive of items for the month of July, from the files of law enforcement and other emergency responders in Northwestern British Columbia.





From the North Coast Review


BC Conservations Service Officers tasked with travel restriction enforcement to Haida Gwaii
Skeena MLA Ellis Ross seeks out more information on government's plans for future LNG related protests and civil unrest in BC
Prince Rupert Fire Rescue responds to apartment fire on Sherbrooke
Downtown behaviour makes for Monday night discussion topic for Council 
Erratic driving in Terrace leads to Thornhill drug bust for Northwest Mounties
Prince Rupert RCMP seek public assistance on missing person's file
MLA Rice shares sense of loss on North Coast at passing of paramedic Mike Sorensen
Skeena MLA Ellis Ross named to Legislature Committee to study systemic racism in BC Policing
Prince Rupert Fire fighters expand on training with five day confined space rescue program
Terrace RCMP seek help of the public in missing person's case file


**************************************************************************

Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii/North Coast


Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue Facebook Page

Prince Rupert RCMP Detachment website

Prince Rupert Online Crime Reporting program link

Conservation Officer Service Facebook page


July 28 -- RCMP investigating after Haida matriarchs say they were 'put in danger' by fishing lodge
July 22 -- Quick reaction averts potential major fires
July 21 -- RCMP investigating incident as tensions build between residents of Haida Gwaii and fishing lodge
July 21 -- Queen Charlotte RCMP seize suspected cocaine, over $10,000 cash in Skidegate
July 21 -- MLA Mike Morris on police reform in BC (audio)
July 20 -- Conflict surrounding a fishing lodge in Haida Gwaii (video)
July 20 -- More from Haida Gwaii after a confrontation on the waters (audio)
July 17 -- Missing person
July 17 -- Missing Person - Shawn Spence (RCMP statement)
July 17 -- Cost to build Queen Charlotte fire hall jumps almost $150,000
July 15 -- Marking the one-year anniversary of a northern BC tragedy, Canada-wide manhunt (audio)
July 9 -- Small space extrication
July 8 -- Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls commissioner on police reform (audio)
July 7 -- First responders stand in honour of life of ambulance manager
July 6 -- Following incident at sea, fishing lodge says it will reopen despite Haida travel ban
July 3 -- Prince Rupert woman injured on Canada Day (video)
July 2 -- Canada Day investigation by RCMP



Terrace/Kitimat

Terrace RCMP Detachment website

Terrace RCMP Twitter feed

Conservation Officer Service Facebook page


July 31 -- Terrace councillors consider court watch committee to 'create an extra level of accountability' 
July 30 -- Terrace Dumpster Fire (video)
July 28 -- Terrace Search and Rescue grateful for large private donations
July 27 -- RCMP rural files on the rise
July 27 -- Missing Terrace man found deceased
July 27 -- Woman Tasered During arrest in Terrace
July 27 -- Terrace Council to review options for RCMP auxiliary program
July 25 -- Man fined after tossing box of breakfast cereal at bear in northwestern BC
July 24 -- RCMP arrest pipe wielding woman
July 23 -- Terrace RCMP taser pipe-wielding woman
July 23 -- Police use CEW to safely arrest pipe-wielding woman downtown (RCMP statement)
July 22 -- Search for missing person in car crash at Dyke Road and Giant Spruce Road proves to be false alarm
July 22 -- Drugs, Weapons, Cash Seized in traffic stop
July 22 -- RCMP seek information on Highway 16 crash  (video)
July 22 -- Terrace RCMP seize drugs and weapons after vehicle stop in Terrace (video)
July 22 -- Four injured in Highway crash near Kitwanga
July 21 -- Terrace RCMP seize drugs, weapons and cash during traffic stop
July 21 -- Drugs, cash, weapons seized after traffic stop in Thornhill
July 21 -- Police seize cash, drugs during traffic stop  (RCMP statement)
July 16 -- Speed enforcement leads to the arrest of suspect wanted on Canada-wide warrants
July 13 -- Search and Rescue and RCMP investigate after abandoned kayak found on Kitimat River
July 13 -- Empty kayak prompts search of Kitimat River - with a happy ending
July 10 -- Four air ambulance flights out of Terrace delayed or  cancelled
July 10 -- Missing 12 year old Terrace boy found safe
July 9 -- Skeena MLA on Police Reform Committee
July 9 -- Flight Service cuts affect medevacs (video)
July 9 -- Terrace Conservation Officers relocate Spirit Bear
July 9 -- Mother grizzly bear with two cubs spotted on Cruchy's Beach trail near Terrace
July 9 -- Terrace First Responders honour late colleague with large procession
July 8 -- Emergency Responders pay tribute to Mike Sorensen (video)
July 8 -- Investigation underway into injured man in Thornhill (video)
July 8 -- Man Found in injured in Thornhill
July 7 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (June 22-28)
July 7 -- Man found injured in Thornhill
July 7 -- Terrace RCMP investigating after a man found unconscious in parking lot
July 7 -- Police are investigating after a man was found with serious injuries  (RCMP statement)
July 3 -- Wanted Man located (RCMP Statement)
July 3 -- Group rescued unharmed after attempting to tube Lakelse River 
July 3 -- Terrace man missing (video)
July 3 -- Terrace man reported missing
July 3 -- Terrace RCMP searching for missing man 
July 2 -- RCMP searching for missing Terrace man
July 2 -- Missing Terrace man: Tyler Montague  (RCMP statement)

Bulkley Valley/Lakes District 

Smithers RCMP Detachment website

Conservation Officer Service Facebook page


July 28 -- Northwest Fire Centre sees less fires during the 2020 season
July 27 -- Police investigating bridge fire at Houston
July 24 -- Yukon man missing from Smithers found at home in Whitehorse
July 24 -- Traveller Missing from Smithers
July 24 -- Search for missing traveller in Northwest (video)
July 24 -- Man from Whitehorse missing in Smithers
July 24 -- Smithers RCMP seek missing man from Yukon
July 24 -- Missing Person - Roy Pawluck  (RCMP statement)
July 22 -- Suspicious incident near Topley sparks concern
July 21 -- Houston RCMP investigating suspicious occurrence on Highway 118
July 21 -- Houston RCMP search for man, woman
July 21 -- Suspicious occurrence, police look to public for answers  (RCMP statement)
July 20 -- One man dead after being struck by train in Smithers
July 15 -- RCMP still looking into the Nicole Hoar disappearance
July 15 -- Fundraiser for Kitwanga Ambulance station moves online
July 15 -- Two break-ins at Small Town Vape Store in Burns Lake
July 9 -- RCMP investigating two break ins at Burns Lake Store
July 8 -- Stage at Bovill Square defaced
July 8 -- Dzee Ba'yugh Safe House near Burns Lake, open to public since March 1
July 8 -- Vandals damage Burns Lake Public Library property
July 8 -- Vancouver man hit by a semi-tractor trailer near Burns Lake
July 8 -- Vape Store Break Ins
July 8 -- "I just want somebody to say I'm sorry': disappointment after vandals desecrate memorial
July 8 -- Police investigate two separate break and enters at same business (RCMP statement)
July 7 -- Do you know where Jerry is? (RCMP statement)

July 6 -- Wanted Nass Valley Man turns himself in to Police

July 3 -- Thursday's blackout likely caused by vandalism
July 3 -- Vancouver man critically injured when struck by truck near Burns Lake
July 3 -- RCMP investigating homicide in Houston
July 3 -- Police investigate July 2 homicide in Houston
July 3 -- Homicide Investigation underway in Houston
July 3 -- RCMP North District Major Crime investigating homicide in Houston (RCMP statement)
July 2 -- Vancouver man in hospital after being struck by commercial vehicle west of Burns Lake
July 1 -- Telkwa Council supports grant application for new fire tools
July 1 -- Vandals destroy property worth $10,000 in Village of Fraser Lake

Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska

July 30 -- San Diego man arrested in sexual assault charge in Ketchikan
July 30 -- Another sentenced for meth shipment to Petersburg
July 28 -- Four dead in vehicle wreck south of Petersburg
July 28 -- Multiple fatalities in vehicle wreck south of Petersburg
July 27 -- Air Station Sitka crews aid stranded boaters over weekend
July 27 -- Coast Guard helps two in remote stream near Petersburg
July 24 -- Time served jail sentence for drug shipment to Petersburg
July 16 -- Ketchikan woman who allegedly escaped from jail recaptured after nearly a month on the lam
July 14 -- Ketchikan condemned racism and police brutality. Some wanted to go further
July 6 -- Rocket's red glare injures three in Sitka fireworks mishap


Miscellaneous notes




Archive of month to month review for 2020






To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Happy Canada Day!

We'll have to make our own cake for 2020!
The traditional serving of Cake at Mariner's Park is on hold for a year
with Canada Day festivities cancelled for this year owing to COVID

Well, the 2020 edition of Canada Day will be like few before it, with large public festivities cancelled, we instead celebrate in a more subdued form for this year.

Prince Rupert's annual celebration of Confederation along with the Annual Seafest was cancelled for 2020 earlier this spring, shifting the focus for the day to personal events and smaller gatherings.

With Social Distancing still an important COVID measure
The usual crowd for Canada Day 2020 won't be found
at Prince Rupert's  Mariner's Park

Nationally the focus has turned to a Virtual celebration which you can explore here.

Prime Minister Trudeau's Message

Premier Horgan's Message

MLA Rice's Message

Mayor Lee Brain's Message

Message from the District of Port Edward

However you are observing this  153rd celebration of Confederation, have a safe and enjoyable Canada Day!