Online banking changes coming for Northern Savings Credit Union customers

How customers of Northern Savings access their online banking accounts is up for a change this month, with the Prince Rupert based financial organization outlining its plans to migrate to 2 Step Verification for account holders.

In an update for their membership, Northern Savings notes that December 7th is launch fat for the 2 Step Verification process, something that they note will provide for an extra level of protection for those who use their online services.

The way it works, is that Verification codes will be sent to you via text message (SMS) or email that you set up. 

This method of verification confirms your identity during high-risk logins, such as a login from a new device or location. 

Customers have until January 24, of 2023 to set up their 2 step verification program.

Some of the background to the changeover is explained below:

Should you have any questions about the change to Two Step verification you can contact Northern Savings  at 1-855-801-5770 or start a live chat session through the link included on the update page.

More notes on Commercial themes in the Northwest can be explored from our archive page.

Winterfest Craft Fair opens at 10AM Saturday at Highliner Plaza Hotel

Prince Rupert's Highliner Plaza Hotel
is the host for the Winterfest Craft Fair on Saturday

Christmas shoppers and lovers of crafts will be charting their course to the Highliner Plaza Hotel on Winterfest Saturday, with the Highliner the venue for the WinterFest Craft Fair.

Doors open at 10AM for the second chance this shopping season to find some unique holiday gifts, the Winterfest following up on the November Craft Fair at the Civic Centre.

The volume of vendors won't be quite as large as the event last month, but the opportunity to check out some of the works of talented North Coast residents should bring a good sized crowd to the venue through until 5 PM.

Organizers had been taking reservations for space at the Craft Fair since mid October.

The Saturday event takes place on the main level of the Highliner

You can keep up with any last minute notes on the Craft Fair from the Facebook page created for the event.

For more notes on Winterfest 2022 see our archive of events here.

New Sightings of Oil from North Coast Shipwreck have Coast Guard, partners charting plan of action

The Canadian Coast Guard has outlined its plans towards recently spotted
oil discharges from a 1946 shipwreck near Hartley Bay

The Canadian Coast Guard has provided an  update on some traces of oil found near the site of the USAT Brigadier General MG Zalinksi shipwreck on the North Coast.

It's an area of their operations from 2013 where they and a number of stakeholders and partners had launched an operation to try to remove as much oil as they could.

As they noted on Thursday in a Social Media piece, some small amounts of oil have again been observed near the wreck, the Coast Guard observing the oil likely coming from a number of fuel tanks that were inaccessible at the time.

They outline that with the slow but consistent release of  the drops of oil into the marine environment, they have Stood Up and Emergency Coordination Centre.

The Canadian Coast Guard is working with the Gitga'at Nation, Gitxaala First Nation, DFO Pacific and technical specialists with Environment Canada towards working on their next steps towards the situation.

Drops of oil from a 1946 shipwreck near Hartley Bay have once
again been spotted by the Canadian Coast Guard

The vessel sank after hitting rocks near Pitt Island, north of HartleyBay in September of 1946 following a particularly nasty storm in the region. 

This CBC story from 2013 provides a look at the work taken to that time towards containing the oil in the vessel.

The work of the Coast Guard at the time was the subject of a presentation to Prince Rupert City Council, as Coast Guard officials outlined their plan of attack to the challenge back in 2013.

You can review the Canadian Coast Guard background piece from Thursday here, which includes additional photos of the site in question.

The Gitga'at Nation and Gitxaala First Nation have yet to issue any comments on the situation.

More notes on the work of Emergency Responders along the North Coast can be reviewed from our archive page.

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP raises concerns on lack of addiction treatment options in the Northwest, calls for Federal support for First Nations led Regional option

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach brought the need for
more addictions services to the House of Commons on Thursday

The issue of more resources for addiction treatment services made its way to the House of Commons this week, with Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach noting. of the high rate of deaths from toxic drug overdoses in Northern BC, noting of the many challenges found in the region to seek treatment options.

Speaking as part of the Thursday Question Period in the House, Mr. Bacrach raised the issue with the Liberal government.

Terrace, B.C., has the third-highest death rate from toxic drug overdoses in our province, yet northern residents are still struggling to access detox and treatment services. 

People often have to wait weeks to get a bed in a facility, and when they do get a space, they have to travel hours away from home. 

The Northern First Nations Alliance has a real plan for a new treatment centre right in northwest B.C. It just needs support with the cost. Will the minister step up and ensure this project is completed as soon as possible?

The reply from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of health, didn't offer up much hope of any immediate funding coming the way of the Northwest, the reply mostly a review of past funding by the Federal Government.

You can review the exchange from the video below:

As Mr. Bachrach noted, the cost of lives from that the toxic drug supply is bringing to the North is on the increase. 

A recent information release from the BC Government relaying how the Terrace area is a community making for part of the concerning trend.

By Health Service Delivery Area in 2022, the highest rates have been in Vancouver, Northwest, Northern Interior, Thompson Cariboo and Fraser East. 

By Local Health Area in 2022, the highest rates were in Lillooet, Cowichan Valley West, Terrace, Alberni/Clayoquot and Merritt.

The Northern First Nations Alliance was formed in 2020 and  has brought together representatives from many communities across the Northwest towards shared concerns, among them are:

The Haisla, Gitanyow, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Gitxaala and the four Nass Valley Nisga’a Nation villages of Gitlaxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts’ap and Gingolx.

The facility referenced by Mr. Bachrach was first introduced by the NFAA in 2021. If it moves forward it would be located in Terrace.

The focus would be to address the growing need for facilities offering holistic detox and wrap-around mental health services in the northwest.

The comments to the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP's social media post on his Q and A in the House would suggest there is strong support for such a facility from his constituents.

More notes on the work of the Skeena-Bulkley ValleyMP can be explored through our archive page. 

Holiday scheduling ahead for Northern Connections Bus across Northwest BC

The Northern Connections Bus in downtown Prince Rupert

With fewer passengers requiring the services of the Northern Connections Bus program over the holidays the bus link between Prince Rupert and health facilities in Terrace, Prince George and Vancouver is about to go into a holiday shutdown schedule

Some areas of the Northeast will see a modified system in place by the 20th of this month. 

For travellers to and from Prince Rupert there are two dates to keep in mind  December 22 and 23.

The Northern Connections Bus will make its last trip from Prince Rupert to Prince George on December 22nd, while the Prince George to Prince Rupert transit will see its final trip for 2022 take place on December 23rd.

The service returns in January with the Prince George to Prince Rupert run taking place on January 2nd, the Prince Rupert to Prince George service resumes on January 4th.

The full review of the holiday schedule for all Northwest communities can be found here.   

The full Holiday Schedule and shutdown notes for
the Northern Health Connections Bus
(click to enlarge)

For those planning to book a trip for the New Year with the service, the office hours will also see a change over the holidays, with the NH Connections booking centre closed on December 24 to 26, as well as on  December 31 and January 1st.

You can contact the Northern Health Connections office at 1-888-647-4997, learn more about the service from their website here.

More notes related to Health services across the Northwest can be reviewed here.

MLA Rice, MP Bachrach to host Open House on Friday at Ocean Centre Office

Residents of the North Coast will be able to share a little Winterfest Cheer with two of their elected officials this Friday, with North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice and Skeena-Bulkley ValleyMP Taylor Bachrach  hosting an Open House at their Ocean Centre Constituency office.

Ocean Centre Open House  
for MLA Rice and
MP Bacharach set for Friday

The two NDP holiday hosts, who like many in the area are ready for Winterfest 2022,  will be in the office from 4:30 to 6 PM on Friday to meet and greet their constituents.

The MP and the MLA have much to catch up with constituents at the Open House, with both having had a very busy fall in Ottawa and Victoria.

You can learn more about the event from the Facebook page that has been created for the Friday event.

More notes on both elected officials can be reviewed below:

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice

MP Taylor Bachrach

Images of Ukraine for the viewing this weekend at the Ice House Gallery

A unique opportunity to explore the visual beauty of Ukraine comes this Saturday, as the Prince Rupert Rupert Ukrainian Society hosts  a photography exhibition at the Ice House Gallery in the Atlin Terminal.

The photo display of "In Ukraine" comes from the camera talents of Serhii, who currently is  in Western Ukraine.  

He provided thirteen pieces of his work for the exhibit available for viewing from Noon to 2 PM.

As part of the showing, Prince Rupert's Ukrainian Society will also have items available for purchase through the month of December.

During the opening of the art exhibition, the Society will present traditional Ukrainian embroidery as part of the December display.

You will also have the opportunity to purchase items such as, Pysanky eggs, Calendars, and authentic prints of Ukraine during the exhibition for the month of December.

Learn more about the work of the Prince Rupert Ukrainian Society from their website and Social Media feed.

Find out more about what's happening at the Ice House Gallery this month here.

The Photo Exhibit is one of a number events that make for part of Winterfest 2022,  learn more about Prince Rupert's welcome to Winter and the Holiday season here.