agassiz observer, october 15, 2015

INSIDEElection . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Mail Bag . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Community . . . . . . . . 15

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CANDIDATESMeet the candidates

seeking election in

the federal riding of

Mission-Matsqui-Fraser

Canyon.

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With the arrival of fall there has been an increase in bear sightings in the area, like this young one photographed last week in the Agassiz area by John Moody. This has been aparticularly bad year for bear encounters across the Lower Mainland. The hot dry summer reduced the number of berries available for the animals, and the lower water levelshas meant fewer salmon. Wildsafe BC reminds residents to ensure that household garbage is safely secured, and attractants like bird feeders are not accessible. To learn more,go to www.wildsafebc.com.

Bear Necessities

JOHN MOODY PHOTO

Countdown to the federal electionWith the federal election just a

few days away, Th e Observer has put together some helpful information.

Inside, you'll fi nd profi les of candidates seeking election in the riding of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, as well as party postions on a few key issues.

Many voters have already cast their ballot.

Elections Canada is reporting that this election has already seen more than 3.6 million people vote at advanced polling stations over the Th anksgiving long weekend. Th at's an increase of 70 cent from the 2011 election's early polling turnout.

(Th at number includes an extra day of voting; in 2011 advace polls were only open for three days, not four.)

Most residents, however, will be heading to the polls on Oct. 19.

Th e best way to determin where you'll vote is to to check your voter registration card before heading to the polls.

You can also go online at www.elections.ca and enter your postal code or address to fi nd your station.

Knowing the location beforehand can help plan out the trip, especially for those relying on taking transit or walking to a polling station. And remember, where you voted in the

provincial and municipal elections may not be the same place you vote federally.

If you haven't received a voter registration card, or are unsure if you are registered, you can go to the Elections Canada website.

While registering to vote is recommended, there is hope for those who haven't received their registration card in the mail. New voters, and those who have moved to a new ridings, can still register at a polling station and proceed to vote.

Remember to bring identifi cation. To learn more about what will be

considered as identifi cation, andto see where your polling stationis, visit Elections Canada online orphone 1-866-499-8025.

Voters may want to plot out achunk of time to visit the polls, aswell.

In light of the increased interest invoting, Elections Canada announcedthey will be fast-tracking those whohave their registration in order.By law, everyone who is eligible tovote must have three consecutivehours to cast their vote. For thosewhose work hours don't allow forthis, employers must give employeestime off , with pay.

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2 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, October 15, 2015

CANADA VOTES 20 15!

A look at the candidates in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon

For the past seven years, Dennis Adamson has dove head fi rst into the local political fi eld as the Fraser Valley Regional District’s Area B director.

And Adamson, who is representing the NDP, now believes he’s ready to take the next step and represent the area on the federal level.

“At the local government level I’m limited to the number of people I can help,” he said. “At the federal level it would expand my ability to help more people and that’s exactly what I want to do.”

He said his seven years as director gives him an advantage over his opponents in the federal election.

“I’m aware of the local issues and I’ve already made useful connections with other politicians and stakeholders in the community and those connections would help me solve other people’s problems,” he said. “I’ve been able to resolve diffi cult issues for my constituents because I think outside the box.”

Adamson pointed to a recent school shutdown in Yale that he helped transform into a community centre as an example of his creative ideas.

He said the biggest issues in the riding are good-paying local jobs, healthcare and the protection of the environment.

“Th e NDP will create 40,000 training and apprentice

opportunities for young people,” he said. “We’re also trying to kickstart the manufacturing sector and make investments in public transit. Environmentally, big polluters should pay for the cost of their pollution, and we would invest in renewable energy.”

Adamson said infrastructure is another big issue in the riding.

“Th e Harper government has let us down in that way,” he said. “We need to invest public money back into it. It puts people back to work and gets money fl oating around in the economy.”

He said people want a new energy in Ottawa and the NDP

can provide that.“People just aren’t happy

with the current government,”he said. “Whenever I do doorknocking it’s always one thingor another.It’s time for achange and I think people wantchange.”

Dennis Adamson - New Democratic Party

Art Green - Green PartyArthur Green was born in

Mission, at the current hospital, back in 1955.

His family is from Agassiz. His great grandfather settled there in the mid-1800s.

Aft er graduating from Agassiz High School in 1973 on an academic-technical program, he became a dispatcher for the BC Forest Service, at Ranger District 3, in Harrison Hot Springs, where he received a vast amount of offi ce training.

It was in 2013, aft er being with the NDP, that he moved to the Greens. It was an easy transition.

Green believes there are many local issues that need to be addressed in the new riding.

“Personally, I think economy-wise, I think what we really need to tie the valley together and to get it to start to boom again is a transportation system.”

He wants to work on a proposal to get the old BC Railway going as a commuter rail between Chilliwack and Langley. From there, it can tie into the new Langley-to-Surrey line being proposed.

“Th ere’s also that rail line that runs between Abbotsford and Mission and we could tie into the West Coast Express as well.”

Green said it would tie the

whole Fraser Valley together.Another issue close to his

heart is the Fraser River.“All these open-net fi sh farms

on the coast are destroying our salmon stocks. You can talk to any fi sherman up and down the Fraser River, all the salmon have sea lice and we believe that’s what it’s caused from, because they are actually farming Atlantic salmon in the Pacifi c Ocean.

“Between that and climate change, our Fraser River sockeye is in jeopardy.”

On a national level, Green said the money being used to subsidize the oil sands should be moved and invested in clean, renewable energy.

“Th ere are actually already more jobs in the clean and

renewable energy sector – like building windmills and solar panels and that sort of stuff – than there are in the tar sands and the oil patch now.”He believes tens

of thousands of jobs could be created.

“We believe we could create the greatest economic catalyst that the country has ever seen.”

Th e new riding of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon is huge and Green believes it will be

diffi cult for one man to representthe whole area.

“One man can’t do it. Youwould need two assistants to doit.”

If elected, Green would havean offi ce in Mission, but wouldalso run satellite offi ces in otherareas, including Lillooet.

He also believes, regardless ofwhich candidate is successful,all the candidates should gettogether and form a ridingassociation, similar to ataxpayers’ association.

“We could get together twoor three times a year and putour views for each party intoa central pool and whoever’selected – hopefully me – couldtake those ideas back to Ottawa.

“It would be more like aproportional representationriding that way.”

CANADA

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2015


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CANADA VOTES 20 15!A look at the candidates in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon

Wyatt Scott is a local business owner and community leader. He is president-elect of the Rotary Sunrise Club in Mission and is with the Optimist Club as well as being a member of various local boards.

Th e 38-year-old was born in Red Deer, Alta., and moved to Prince George when he was 14. He came to the Fraser Valley about a decade ago.

Scott thinks the economy is always on the top of any list of election issues.

“Th e economy is very important. Environment is also a huge issue in the Valley and in the Canyon. Th e Fraser River is a lifeline for all of us.”

He said the river plays a huge fi nancial role and, for many people, a spiritual role as well.

“Th ere are 25 diff erent bands within our federal riding and the logistics of it, just the sheer size of it, it creates all sorts of

challenges.”Federally, he said “the right”

is pushing the economy.“Economy plays such an

important role in any nation on the planet and I personally think that our economy could get so much stronger if we started to diversify a bit more and focus on the green sector. Ultimately, that’s where we are going to end up.”

As an independent, Scott said he faces a diff erent set of challenges and opportunities than other candidates.

“I have my own ideologies and that’s what I’m promoting at this time. I always let people know that I have conservative, I have liberal, I have socialist ideologies. I think I’m well-rounded on the political spectrum and I personally feel as though our country will be heading in a new direction over the next couple of decades.”

Scott said people have

seen all sorts of diff erent democracies come to fruition, bringing forward new democratic processes.

“I personally stand behind direct democracy,” he said, especially in an age of technology. He said he was “shocked” that Canada is still using paper ballots, when voting should be done electronically. He said more voters would take part if voting took place online.

As for the campaign, Scott said he’s thrilled to off er a diff erent kind of a choice to voters.

“I love Mission. I love the surrounding area. I think we are very fortunate to live where we do, when we do as well.”

Th e sheer size of the new riding makes representing the population a challenge. But it’s not just about time and distance.

“Even the economics of

it. In the north you have the orchards, you have cattle ranchers. And then down here we have quarries. Th ere are so many diff erent industries within the riding.”

He said he’s thrilled to off er voters a diff erent choice than the parties. Every day he hears promises of change from the major candidates.

“I always tell people that real change will never come from a political party. True change comes from each of us.”

Wyatt Scott - Independent

Jati Sidhu – Liberal PartyFor over 30 years, Jati Sidhu

has lived, worked and raised his family in the Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon area and now wants to represent the brand new riding in 2015.

Sidhu built a thriving farming business in the area in the 1970s and then expanded into local construction in the mid-1980s.

His community involvement is varied and expansive over his time in the area, serving as a founding member of the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association, a board member of Character Abbotsford, work with the A b b o t s f o r d Hospice Society, the Abbotsford Police Board and the University of Fraser Valley board of governors.

He said giving back to the community helps drive him.

“Volunteer service is in my blood,” he said. “I have passion dealing with people and doing something better for the community. Th is area and country was good to my family and children and I have the drive to serve it.”

Sidhu pointed to that

community involvement and dedication as his biggest strengths as a candidate.

“It gives me satisfaction if I can make a diff erence in our community,” he said. “To be able to grow my family up in this area has been amazing and I want them to have the same opportunities I had.”

Politics are not new to Sidhu. He ran federally in the Dewdney-Alouette riding in the year 2000 and has participated in municipal elections in the past. He said he’s been a Liberal since 1994 and

that he’s proud to represent that party.

“ E q u a l i t y , fairness and openness are the policies I believe, and the Liberal Party

believes in, for all Canadians,” he said.

“We have a strong leader [Justin Trudeau] who wants to serve the country from the heart. Th is country needs a change and strong leadership.”

Sidhu said the biggest issues in the riding are agricultural and economic growth.

“I’d really like to boost agricultural growth in the area and give farmers all the tools they

need,” he said. “We need to level the playing fi eld with American producers and whatever they use we should be able to use too. We also need to build up our bridges, roads, schools and hospitals – look at the Dewdney bridge that crumbled the other day.”

He said his experience and passion for the community makes him the right choice on Oct. 19.

“Out of the six candidates, I’m the only person that is heavily involved in volunteer work,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the community for over 30 years; some of the other candidates aren’t even 30 years old yet.”

CANADA

VOTES

2015


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Brad Vis was born and raised in Matsqui, now Abbotsford, and graduated from Robert Bateman Secondary School.

He attended the University of the Fraser Valley before completing a bachelor’s degree from UBC and a master’s from Carleton University, specializing in parliamentary decision making.

He worked on Parliament Hill for several years, and eventually worked at the Department of Foreign Aff airs, under Ed Fast, as an adviser in international trade.

Vis said he wants to c h a m p i o n people with d i s a b i l i t i e s , as a member of parliament, and he also wants to champion the agricultural sector.

“Th ere are endless opportunities to develop our agricultural resources and develop secondary food products and manufactured products. And I think there is going to be a lot of economic opportunity for people in the riding if we focus on those things,” he said.

Th roughout the campaign, Vis said he has spent time knocking on doors and what he hears more than anything else is that families want to make

sure the government is using their taxpayers’ dollars wisely. He said they recognize that the government has done a lot to support Canadian families.

“Since 2006, the average Canadian family has about $6,000 more in their pocket through diff erent tax breaks and tax reductions and direct benefi ts.”

Support for seniors is another key local issue that Vis said people ask him about.

“We’ve taken hundreds of thousands of low-income

seniors off the tax payroll all together. Th at’s been a really big accomplishment of the C o n s e r v a t i v e Party that oft en

goes unnoticed.”Mission-Matsqui-

Fraser Canyon has the third largest proportion of seniors in the country.

“Income splitting for seniors has saved a lot of money for seniors in the community and I’ve also heard a lot of people very pleased to know that we will now have a single senior tax credit,” he said.

According to Vis, the current government has made record investments in health and social transfers. Since 2006, health transfers to the provinces have increased from $20 billion to $34 billion – an increase of 70

per cent.By the end of the decade,

health transfers will reach $40billion, he said.

Fraser River managementis another local issue that is aconcern to Vis. He’s lookingforward to working withstakeholders to address someof the concerns related to fl oodmanagement, protection anddyke infrastructure.

Th e challenges of servingthe new riding are evident,according to Vis.

“Most of the population liveswithin Abbotsford and Missionand I understand that. Th at said,people in the Fraser Canyon alsoneed access to their member ofparliament. So, I have committedto people in the rural regions tomake regular, scheduled visitsthroughout the year.”

CANADA VOTES 20 15!Candidates in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon

Brad Vis - Conservative Party

Elaine Wismer – Marxist-Leninist Party

Elaine Wismer has lived in Yale for the past 12 years and was involved with the historical society for 10 years, volunteering at the museum.

Born in Vancouver, she lived in many areas of the Fraser Valley before coming to Yale.

Th is is the third time she has run for the Marxist-Leninist party. She fi rst ran in 1980 and again in 1997.

“I would say that the most important issue is democracy itself and who decides what the outcome is going to be of every decision, whether a decision is made with an outcome that favours the people or the monopolies and other large fi nancial institutions and wealthy enterprises,” she said.

Wismer said there is “something about this election campaign that has felt all wrong” to her and it has to do with

political structure.“Th ere are two

candidates – one for theLiberals and one for theConservatives – who Iwould characterize ascandidates representingmonopoly right, andthe right of wealthyenterprises, just as theyhave from the days ofJohn A. MacDonald.”

She characterizes theother four candidatesin the new riding,including herself, aspeople’s candidates inthe sense that they sharemany common views.

CANADA

VOTES

2015

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“Th ey have faith in the people as a force for change and for building Canada.”

She said the problem with the political structure is only one of these people can be elected.

“But all of those people could continue to contribute and are needed in a riding as large as this one.”

She said it’s clear that people from diff erent areas of the riding want to elect someone they know and trust and has been involved in their particular area. Many of the candidates are unknown to many of the voters. She believes change is needed.

“Th e people should be part of the decision- making process itself and actually be able to vote

on the issues as they come up in the future. A solution to the problem, I would say, is a change in the political structure that perhaps there could be a council for the whole riding in which someone is elected from the various diff erent communities to deal with federal matters.”

From 4

Elaine Wismer – Marxist-Leninist Party

Jeff NagelBLACK PRESS

Th is election may decide whether Canada makes a historic leap toward marijuana reform or remains a legal battleground between cannabis advocates and a resistant federal government.

Under the federal Conservatives, Ottawa has long argued pot is dangerous, unproven as a medicine, and a serious risk to youth if legal access grows.

Th e government has only allowed possession by authorized medical marijuana users aft er courts ruled in 2000 they have a right to reasonable access.

Since then, tens of thousands of Canadians became approved users and many got federal permits to grow it themselves.

Cities grew anxious about the explosion of oft en unsafe legal grow-ops in their midst.

Th at was one reason the Conservatives tried in 2014 to outlaw home growing of medical pot and force users to buy only via mail order from a new group of approved commercial producers.

Corporate growers have rushed to carve up the market while pot activists and lawyers have fought to defend

and widen the ability for anyone to grow and sell the stuff .

Nowhere has that battle been more obvious than in Vancouver, where more than 100 medical pot dispensaries have opened, illegally selling weed in contravention of federal law, but largely unmolested by police.

Vancouver and other cities aim to regulate retail pot stores themselves. Ottawa wants them closed instead and threatened to send in the RCMP.

Meanwhile, time seems on the side of legalization advocates, who say the drug can be regulated and taxed much like alcohol rather than feeding organized crime.

Societal attitudes have shift ed as a growing number of voters accept the case for reform.

A new Insights West poll found 65 per cent national support to legalize marijuana, with 30 per cent opposed. More than two-thirds believe pot has legitimate health benefi ts and that legalizing and taxing it would generate needed government revenue, while allowing police to focus on other priorities.

As more U.S. states legalize recreational marijuana – Washington has been joined by Colorado, Oregon and Alaska – B.C.’s advocates can increasingly point across the border and argue the sky has not fallen.

Where the parties stand

Th e Conservatives insist Canada will not follow them down a

road that expands drug culture and its risks, instead promising to fund more RCMP anti-drug operations.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper upped the rhetoric this month when he called marijuana “infi nitely worse” than tobacco in terms of damage to health, a claim contradicted by health experts, though they say pot poses elevated risks for teens.

Th e NDP would i m m e d i a t e l y decriminalize pot – leader Tom Mulcair says no one should have a criminal record for personal use – and then study further legalization options.

Th e Greens would legalize, regulate and tax it. Th eir platform banks on about $5 billion a year in marijuana tax revenue.

Under leader Justin

Trudeau, the Liberals were the fi rst major party to promise outright legalization and regulation, though they haven’t yet budgeted any tax revenue. Th ey argue legal, tightly regulated marijuana can be kept out of kids’ hands as eff ectively as booze and cigarettes.

“Oct. 19 is a pretty big day for cannabis policy in this country,” says lawyer Kirk Tousaw, who has led multiple challenges of federal marijuana regulations.

He credits Trudeau

CANADA VOTES 20 15!

Vote could spark marijuana reformIs legal pot about to bloom or be nipped in the bud?

Continued on 9

6 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, October 15, 20156 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, October 15, 2015

Seeing the forest and the trees

Shared responsibilityAnyone who has driven on B.C. roads for any length of time has been

there — a vehicle races past you at speeds well above the posted limit and then immediately cuts you off with a dangerous lane change.

Th en there are the drivers who’ll race through a stale yellow light, rather than wait two minutes for the next green, or the ones who jump the green to get in a left turn before oncoming traffi c has a chance to move.

Th ere is no shortage of aggressive drivers on our roads. As much as we all know it’s illegal and incredibly dangerous, it’s behaviour we’ve all come to expect and, to some degree, accept.

We might sigh, and ease our foot off the accelerator a little bit, just to give the aggressor a chance to move a bit farther along and minimize our own risk of getting caught up in any carnage they might generate.

But it’s so common, it barely raises an eyebrow.What is still a little surprising, though, (at least it should be) is the

percentage of vehicles that go blasting by with a green ’N’ affi xed to the back window or bumper.

Th e ’N’ stands, of course, for new (the sticker’s colour is symbolic in its own right). Th at’s new as in, inexperienced, unpractised, unskilled, amateur.

Despite that lack of experience, there’s a blind confi dence and sense of indestructibility that seems to come with being young. Granted, not every new driver is a young driver, but it’s a fair assumption that the vast majority aren’t too far removed from their 16th birthday.

Regardless, on roads as busy as the ones Lower Mainlanders drive every day — roads that handle everything from cyclists to semis — there is a whole lot going on for even the most experienced driver to take in.

Whether it’s slowing down, paying closer attention or ensuring a vehicle is properly maintained, drivers must make sure their actions don’t put others in harm’s way.

And part of that responsibility is ensuring new drivers understand that fact.

-Black Press

OpinionWill you be voting on October 19?

To answer, go to the Home Page of our website: www.agassizharrisonobserver.com

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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B.C. VIEWSTom Fletcher

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Victoria – Th ere was a fl urry of excitement in the B.C. legislature last week, as Delta South independent MLA Vicki Huntington released documents suggesting that a multinational manufacturing company continued to buy up B.C. farms for carbon off sets aft er they said last June they would stop.

False alarm, as it turns out. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick clarifi ed that three more farms in the Peace and Cariboo region had indeed been bought, but the company was merely following legal advice to close deals on farms that it had already agreed to purchase.

Th e company, British-based cleaning product and pharmaceutical maker Reckitt Benckiser (RB) confi rmed this. A company offi cial reiterated that its

program to buy farms and replant them with trees is suspended.

By the time the B.C. government became aware of this global public relations scheme, thanks to the work of NDP MLA Lana Popham and others, about 10,000 hectares of farmland was already planted with seedlings. RB initially said they were buying up abandoned and unproductive farms, but local government offi cials disputed that.

RB soon realized that undermining already precarious farming communities was going to provide the opposite of the green publicity they sought, at least in B.C. Th e company told me it is now looking to switch its carbon off set program to replanting forest areas depleted by pine beetle and fi re.

I’ll believe that when I see it, but on the face of it, this sounds almost as questionable as converting farmland back to forests. Pine forests need fi re to regenerate, so fi res have been part of the regeneration of the ecosystem since the retreat of the last Ice Age.

Beetle-kill areas are already coming back, and they were never completely denuded in any case, so the notion of manual planting these

areas seems impractical. Most are now criss-crossed with deadfall and all but impassible.

Another situation that received little public attention was a report issued late this summer by the B.C. Forest Practices Board about forest stewardship plans.

Th e board reviewed 43 stewardship plans from all regions of B.C., prepared as required under

provincial law by forest tenure holders on Crown land. Th ey are supposed to deal with things like where roads go and how streams are protected.

Th is is the management system put in place in 2003, when the B.C. Liberal government changed its approach to forest management. Gone was the NDP’s infamous seven-volume “Forest Practices Code,” which attempted to micromanage every detail of a timber licence, right down to inspecting for litter left at a logging site.

In came “results-based” forest management, where licence holders had to produce a plan showing stream protection and other values. Th e Forest Practices Board has found these plans oft en aren’t good for much, although results are generally good when they follow up with on-the-ground audits of actual timber harvest areas.

Th e investigation found that many of the plans cover “vast and overlapping areas of the province,

and were written using legal language that makes them very diffi cult for public understanding or review.” Little has changed since a similar fi nding in 2006.

During that time, the forests ministry was turned into Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, with greatly increased responsibility over wildlife, mining, gas drilling and so on.

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald, who traveled the province as NDP forests critic in recent years, says the problem now is there just aren’t enough people on the ground to assess what’s going on in our huge expanse of Crown land.

Meanwhile the city media covers professional protesters issuing demands about the Walbran Valley.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Twitter: @tomfl etcherbc Email: tfl [email protected]

RB soon realized that undermining already precarious farming

communities was going to provide the opposite of the green publicity they sought.

Published by Black Press Limited. 7167 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz BC V0M 1A0

SudokuOctober 15, 2015

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Mailbag

The Observer welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity and legality.

All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number (for verification purposes only)

Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of The Observer or its staff.

Email: [email protected]

Last November, due to outside interests mingling in the Districts ditching eff orts, my property was severely fl ooded. Th anks to the intervention of our MLA, Mr. Laurie Th roness, the Minister was approached and meetings were scheduled with district staff , property owners and MOE. As a result of these meetings, a Memo of Understanding was agreed upon which resolved the problem, not only for me, but for many properties in the eastern sector.

In addition to the above, this year a project to partly eliminate the fl ooding was initiated and, in my opinion, was a fantastic start. Th e water level was dropped instantly by over 2 feet aft er removal of weeds that had accumulated over the years. Now the Upper McCallum is again dry as in past decades and will do its purpose as it was designed for under ARSDA. It is like a glass of water. If it is half full in the beginning of the rainy season it takes very little to fi ll it.

I must admit my initial apprehension was unwarranted. Th e District staff did an excellent job and for the time being I should be at ease.

I have sent a letter of thanks to the District with mention of Staff that did a superb job.

Let that be a start to solve our long outstanding issues and eliminate fl ooding in the eastern section by having and working on a plan to have the ditched cleaned regularly and scheduled. Yes, we can have ditching done that serves the purpose well and address the environmental impact so long as outside interest stays at home.

Tony Stoeckly Agassiz, BC

A job well done, and a thanks to

district staff Two weeks ago, aft er years of long,

drawn out, secret bargaining sessions, an initial TPP International Trade agreement was announced. It was touted to be a benefi t for Canadian industries, Canadian farmers, Canadian resource development and employment. Yet the agreement is unavailable for scrutiny and those trade representatives who helped craft it and signed on for Canada are not explaining.

Other countries that have signed onto this Trans Pacifi c Partnership include those that rim right around the Pacifi c Ocean. Th ere are vast travel distances between them from Arctic, Temperate,Tropical, Temperate again to the Antarctic regions.

My concern, as a Canadian, is mostly in regard to food eaten by us and food produced for Canadians by local producers.

I also wonder how Canadian producers will be able to withstand the “hollowing out” of our fairly high production and management standards and regulations which are a hallmark of Canadian food production. When we are challenged by foreign corporations within these Pacifi c Rim countries to settle when we’re sued under the “Investor-State Dispute Settlement Mechanism” because they have not been given the access or the results they expected. How will we pay those high costs to a tribunal decision?

Our method of supply management that has been developed to serve our circumstances will take some powerful hits. Dairy and poultry farmers may well begin to see a major disruption to our stable system of food supply in the Canadian temperate growing zone, if this TPP proceeds.

Last week as I was listening to a local dairy farmer, I heard him explain how the Canadian supply management system supports consistent food

security; whereas, the so-called “free market” program in other countries easily fl uctuates between supply and demand which can consequently lead to volatility.

Local dairy farmers and farmers generally, face a wide variety of costs to produce milk; infrastructure/housing of animals, feed costs from low Canadian dollar for Alberta hay or high costs of Washington hay in U.S. dollars. If farmers produce their own feed, then machinery for plowing, seeding and harvesting, labour costs for milking help and harvesting hay plus, managing the health and safety costs must all go into being accounted as costs. Costs of maintaining good agricultural land is a given.

Th e system in the U.S. dairy “factory type farms” incorporates hundreds of cows in vast herds that oft en never ever see a blade of real grass. Farm management there uses antibiotic medication and hormone additives injections to blanket control disease prevention, in crowded conditions and to induce increased milk supply to match their “supply and demand” market requirements. Canadian farmers on the other hand, are highly restricted in using drugs for disease prevention and inducing lactation. Monsanto’s product, rBST steroid is used by U.S. dairy producers, therefore to induce more milk production in American cows. At this point, rBST is not allowed in Canada.

So if TPP were to be approved by a vote in Parliament, would this 3.25 per cent increase in dried powdered milk from American dairy cattle be entering the Canadian food market with a payload of antibiotics and growth hormones to bulk up our cheeses, pasta and pizza cheese powders? What we don’t know, could actually cause some problems.

Wendy Major

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with being most upfront in promising legalization at a time when many politicians remain gun shy, but believes both the Liberals and NDP would deliver major change.

A key issue if reform comes, he said, is whether anyone can grow their own pot – and even sell it at farmer’s markets – rather than just buying from corporate growers and dealers.

“My view is if you don’t have a right to grow your own cannabis you don’t live in a place where it’s actually legal.”

A re-elected C o n s e r v a t i v e government could face further proliferation of illegal retail stores – forcing Ottawa to either crack down or else concede de facto legalization in parts of the country.

Court challenges continue

A Tory victory would also continue the legal chess game between pot proponents and federal lawyers, at a rising cost

to taxpayers.Th e Supreme Court

of Canada unanimously ruled in June that medical marijuana can legally be possessed or sold in the form of cookies, other edibles and derivatives, not just dried bud.

So far, the government response has been to permit commercial producers to sell only medical pot oils at a low THC dosage, not other edibles.

A Federal Court judge will rule soon on another challenge – also argued by Tousaw – over whether medical patients can keep growing their own pot.

Th at decision could deal another blow to the new commercial production system.

“It could go either way,” Tousaw said. “Even if it’s a win for the patients, what that win looks like is probably going to be strongly infl uenced by what government is sitting in Ottawa.”

A re-elected Harper government confronted by more court defeats could still make medical pot access as diffi cult as possible by tightly

regulating the amount that can be legally possessed or grown.

“Every time the courts have held a facet of the medical cannabis program in this country to be unconstitutional, the government has

responded by doing the absolute minimum it can to comply with what the court has said,” Tousaw said.

Which is why pot reformers prefer a swift victory at the ballot box to clear the legal haze.

CANADA VOTES 20 15!

ELECTION 2015: Tories talk tough on crime, justiceJeff NagelBlack Press

Innocent victims slain over the past year in Surrey and Abbotsford, along with dozens of gang-linked shootings, have made crime a hot topic in the federal election campaign.

All three major parties have promised to add more police to fi ght gang crime, including Liberal and NDP vows to immediately deploy 100 more Mounties in Surrey.

But the Conservatives continue to project themselves as toughest on crime.

Leader Stephen

Harper has vowed to reintroduce a lapsed “life means life” bill to take away any chance at parole for the worst murderers.

It comes on top of earlier reforms, like the stacking of parole eligibility periods so a quadruple murderer can now be made to wait 100 years for a shot at getting out.

Other key changes have reduced the scope to use house arrest rather than jail, and reduced parole leniency for non-violent off enders.

But the Harper crime agenda has been reined in by the courts,

which have limited government attempts to impose more minimum sentences, most notably striking down mandatory three-year terms for gun crimes.

Th e government also tried to erase the practice of granting double credit for remand time served in jail before trial, but the Supreme Court of Canada has allowed judges to continue to grant 1.5 days credit for each day served.

“Th e Supreme Court’s decisions have hobbled or at the very least bridled the Conservatives’ law-and-order agenda,”

SFU criminologist Rob Gordon said.

He’s among the observers who warn the lock-em-up-longer approach threatens to cost Canada billions of dollars more to imprison convicts, as well as more protracted fi ghts in the courts that will mainly benefi t constitutional lawyers.

One of the newest Conservative campaign promises is to create a list of gangs to make prosecuting members easier without fi rst having to prove in each case that the group is a criminal organization.

Gordon doubts it will

work because, in the case of the Hells Angels, not every member of the gang is involved in serious organized crime.

“In Surrey, this is even less worthwhile because the groups active in the last six months don’t have names,” Gordon said. “Th ey don’t run

around with banners saying they are members of this, that or the other organization.”

Other new Tory promises pledge two-year minimum sentences for fraudsters with multiple victims unless there’s full restitution, and easing

the burden of evidencein prosecuting drunkdrivers, although it’sunclear whether thatwould reverse B.C.’srecent shift fromimpaired prosecutionsto roadside penalties.

Despite the intensespotlight on warring

Key Conservative reforms have been rolled back by courts

Court decision near on medical cannabis

Continued on 11


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gangs, criminologists like Gordon point out crime rates have actually been

declining for decades.“Crime is falling and

so is the rate of severe crimes,” he said.

Th e reasons isn’t Conservative policy, he said, but societal changes, particularly the demographic shift that’s left proportionally fewer young men who are most prone to crime.

Technology has helped. Th ere are more theft -resistant cars, alarm-protected homes, and video cameras poised to record crimes than ever before. And youth who were once more apt to fi nd trouble outside may be increasingly diverted now by online distractions that keep them indoors or staring at screens.

What would work to further cut crime?

Gordon lists marijuana reform and an end to the Lower Mainland’s patchwork system of

RCMP and municipal police jurisdictions.

Advocates have repeatedly called for more wraparound services to help intercept and rehabilitate prolifi c off enders, as well as better addiction treatment, education, gang prevention initiatives, and even anti-poverty measures like housing for the homeless.

Gordon said such social policy strategies hold promise, but don’t resonate with voters as well as hawkish rhetoric, and politicians who propose them may be denounced as soft on crime.

Th e NDP would decriminalize marijuana, while the Liberals and Greens would legalize it

and tax it.Liberal leader Justin

Trudeau has said he mayrepeal some mandatoryminimums on sentencing,which he said should bereserved for serious andviolent off ences.

Liberals have pledgedto tighten access tohandguns and restrictedfi rearms, and devote $100million a year to anti-gangtask forces to target gunand gang violence.

Th e NDP have saidthey’d strive to emphasizerehabilitation andreintegration of prisoners.

NDP leader TomMulcair has also pledged$250 million for a policerecruitment fund andto invest $40 million toreverse cuts to shelters forwomen fl eeing violence.

Tom FletcherBlack Press

Pensions and payroll deductions to fi nance them are a key battleground for the Oct. 19 federal election.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau sparked debate by endorsing the Ontario government's plan to launch a provincial version of the Canada Pension Plan, with mandatory payroll deductions to fi nance it.

Th e Liberal Party platform says only that a Trudeau government "will work with the provinces and territories, workers, employers and retiree organizations to enhance the Canada Pension Plan."

NDP leader Th omas Mulcair has made a similar pledge to expand the CPP, noting that Ontario and Prince Edward Island have already put forward pension proposals. He plans to convene a meeting with provinces within six months of forming a government.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper has rejected mandatory expansion, but has said he would consider a system of voluntary additional contributions to CPP. Th e Conservatives have promoted an increase in tax-free savings account limits to $10,000 per year and income splitting for married seniors.

Conservative Finance Minister Joe Oliver said for an

employee earning $60,000 a year, the Ontario pension would reduce take-home pay by $1,000 a year, and similar payments by employers would lead to reduced employment.

Th e Green Party platform also promises to expand the CPP, but provides no details.

Trudeau and Mulcair have both denied Harper's allegation that they plan to eliminate

pension income splitting. Bothhave also vowed to cancel theConservative plan to raisethe eligibility age for Old AgeSecurity payments from 65 to 67,which would not take full eff ectuntil 2029.

OAS is not a pension plan,but a taxpayer-funded programthat pays $565 per month forall seniors, in addition to theGuaranteed Income Supplement(GIS) that provides up to $766 permonth to qualifying low-incomeseniors. OAS is progressivelytaxed back for seniors whosecombined income from othersource exceeds $72,809.

In an interview last week,Harper said his government hasprovided the biggest increase inthe GIS in 25 years, and defendedthe move to phase in a highereligibility age for OAS, startingin 2023.

"We're doing, frankly, whatmost other Western democraticcountries do, make adjustmentsbased on demographics," Harper

CANADA VOTES 20 15!

Battle over pensions, pay stubs

Black Press fi lesSeniors are dedicated voters and political parties are courting their votes with promises to enhance pensions.

Federal parties pledge action on crimeFrom 9


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Health

Jeff NagelBLACK PRESS

Th ere are signs the fl u season may hit B.C. early and hard and public health offi cials are warning they expect the fl u vaccine to again be less eff ective than they’d like.

Th e most dangerous infl uenza type for vulnerable people is the H3N2 strain that was dominant in last year’s severe fl u season.

But because of a genetic mismatch, the vaccine provided last year was useless in warding off H3N2, according to B.C. Centre for Disease Control epidemiologist Dr. Danuta Skowronski.

Th at component of the vaccine was replaced on orders of the World Health Organization, but preliminary evidence suggests the new version will still not be a good match against H3N2, falling well short of the 60 to 70 per cent protection rates against other fl u strains in most years.

“I believe it’s going to be better than last year – in other words I don’t think it’s going to be zero – but by how much, I can’t say,” Skowronski said.

She said there’s good reason to hope it may be 40 to 60 per cent eff ective overall, adding she continues to recommend the vaccine, particularly for those more vulnerable.

“If you are a high-risk person, especially with heart and lung conditions or elderly, even if you’re looking at vaccine protection of 30, 40 or 50 per cent, you’re still better off than if you’re unvaccinated.”

Flu vaccine will be widely available by November and may be off ered sooner than that in high-risk settings like residential care homes.

E p i d e m i o l o g i s t s had expected H3N2 would be less prevalent this year, with more of a mix of H1N1 and infl uenza B strains also in circulation, making the mismatch less of a worry.

But Skowronski noted there have already been two H3N2 outbreaks in long-term care homes in B.C.’s Vancouver Coastal health region – one in the summer

and another in late September.

“To have had outbreak activity already in the summer is very unusual,” she said. “We are monitoring that closely for the possibility of an early season.”

Apart from last year, B.C. hasn’t seen fl u outbreaks this early since 2009.

Last year, with H3N2 widespread and the mismatched vaccine off ering no defence, there were 175 outbreaks in long-term care homes.

Th at was the highest number in more than a decade and twice as many outbreaks as the previous peak year of 2012.

S k o w r o n s k i acknowledged the mismatch problems threaten to erode public confi dence in the fl u vaccine but hopes vulnerable patients are not dissuaded.

“For me, it would be a double tragedy, frankly, if coming out of last season our high-risk people lost faith and did not get the vaccine.”

While infl uenza is a “miserable” illness, Skowronski said it’s not life-threatening to healthy people, for whom vaccination is still encouraged but a matter of personal preference.

About one-third of B.C. residents typically get the fl u vaccine each year.

H3N2 vaccines have consistently underperformed in recent years.

Skowronski said more work is needed to try to solve the challenges of accurately gauging the vaccine’s fi t against the virus in the lab, and in eff ectively reproducing a well-matched vaccine without losing its properties.

Also requiring more research, she said, is emerging evidence suggesting repeated use

of the vaccine by a given patient diminishes its eff ectiveness for them in future years.

While the fl u vaccine may not perform as well for someone who also received it the previous year as it would for a fi rst-time user, Skowronski said, they’ll still be better off than unvaccinated people.

Her team is trying to recruit more B.C. doctors and nurses to help track the spread of fl u strains this year and monitor the eff ectiveness of this year’s vaccine.

Flu vaccine to underperform againMismatch means less protection but not ‘zero’


Arts

He’s back! Th e master of virtuosity in every sense of the word, from acting to comedy to musical mastery, Chase Padgett returns to Chilliwack Cultural Centre this October with his whirlwind of country fi ngerpickin’ fury Nashville Hurricane! Aft er a spectacular barnstorming of Chilliwack with his wonderful 6 Guitars in Th e Centre’s last season, Chase will be bringing the mysterious tale of the best guitarist you’ve never heard of to life in Th e Centre on October 22, 25 & 26, 2015.

Packed with hickory-smoked tunes, storytelling fl air, and a series of characters with more quirks and anecdotes than you could imagine Nashville Hurricane is the next step in Chase’s inimitable and unforgettable style of fringe theatre. Performing to sold-out crowds at the Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver Fringe Festivals, as well as receiving rave reviews from everybody from CBC to his audience members, with Nashville Hurricane Chase has cranked up the dynamism, poignancy, and sheer side-splitting hilarity of 6 Guitars – resulting in a show that fulfi ls every wish you could have for a fringe theatre show. “Two things inspired me to write Nashville” Chase reveals of the show’s origins. “First, I wanted to take the same elements that

were successful with 6 Guitars – the music, the characters, the comedy, and use them to tell a single story from start to fi nish. Second, I was really into Tommy Emmanuel, an incredible acoustic guitarist who sounds like a one man orchestra. His Chet Atkins inspired music feels like a force of nature. So combine force of nature with country fi nger picking and you get Nashville Hurricane!”

Described as “a marvel of storytelling – the audience leapt to a standing ovation”, Nashville Hurricane isn’t just a hybrid of comedic character acting and virtuoso guitar playing – it’s an experience that resonates with

audiences personally, as well as comically and musically. “It connects with people because it’s a human story about discovering who you really are, what you really want, and what it’s going to take to get there” Chase goes on. “It’s a journey anyone can relate too. It just so happens to have some kick ass guitar playing in it.”

Th e journey Chase speaks of begins with humble trailer park beginnings, before unravelling story of the turbulent rise and demise of a guitar prodigy known only as the Nashville Hurricane. Featuring anecdotes from the young stars’ mentor, mother, manager and

others, a narrative unfolds that weaves outrageous comedy seamlessly into heart-warming tenderness – an approach Chase says captures both his personality and the imaginations of the audience. “Many of the stories are pulled from my own life, and sometimes they can still be a little scary to reveal even when told through a character. However, aft er I fi rst premiered the show I saw how people reacted to these moments and I discovered the real power of vulnerability as an artist. At a certain point an audience wants to know what makes you tick and expressing your fears or shortcomings not only endears the

audience to you but also make the comedy jump out and hit much harder. We see that kind of contrast in other things too. Why do they put salt in candy..? To make the sweetness pop out.”

And of course it’s impossible to even think about Nashville Hurricane without a mention of the centre-piece around which the story is built – the unbelievable, unforgettable, and downright unearthly guitar playing of the Nashville Hurricane – brought to stage by the incredible Chase Padgett! “My favorite thing about Nashville is the storytelling, “Chase concludes, “but also, while the show only features four songs, they are harder than anything I do in 6 Guitars. Trust me - it’s no easy feat to pull off ‘Th e Devil Went Down to Georgia’ by myself!”

So to experience the amazing presence of a performer that has taken the national fringe circuit by storm, to relive the until-now-untold story of a forgotten icon of country fi ngerpickin’ fury, and to more than likely begin a journey of dedication to Chase Padgett’s shows – pick up a ticket for Nashville Hurricane today Tickets are $25 and are available at Th e Centre Box Offi ce, www.ch i l l iw a ckc u l tu r a l -centre.ca or call 604-391-SHOW(7469) for more information.

Canadian fringe storms in with Nashville Hurricane

Chase Padgett returns to Chilliwack Cultural Centre this October with his Nashville Hurricane

Friday, October 23 – Introduce kids to the love of books and language with Storytime! Children and caregivers will enjoy interactive stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Storytime prepares children to learn to read. (10:15 am – 11:00 am)

Th ursday, October 29 – Agassiz Library Society: Friends of the Library is a great place to put your volunteer time if you are a lover of books, libraries and friends! Th is group gathers to raise awareness and funds for our local Agassiz Library. Th eir past activities have provided events such as the annual Know-It-All Quiz Night and the Summer Boot Sale have enriched the community, and funds provide the means to off er unique programs for children and families in Agassiz-Harrison. (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm).

Th e Agassiz Library is located at 7140 Cheam Avenue. For info call (604) 796-9510

Library happenings

In print every Thursdayor see us online 24/7:

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7167 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz

604.796.4300TF: 1.866.865.4460

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Meeting at theAg Hall

6800 Pioneer Ave.

Agassiz CampusSunday, 10:30 am

Kids’ Ministry

HARRISON MILLS COUNTRY

Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2015

10:30 am - 4 pmHave a Quilt you would like to show?For more information please contact

Mary at 604-796-9261 Or Kim at [email protected] Mills Community Hall

1995 School Road, Harrison Mills, BC

Admission

by donation

Raffle PrizesLunch Available

Seniors Friendship House Drop-In - Mon. Seniors Walking to Music at 10 am, Sit & Fit at 10:30 am, Bingo at 1 pm, Seniors Learn to Line Dance at 4 pm; Tues. Bridge and Cribbage at 1 pm.; Wed. Floor Curling at 1 pm.; Fri. Floor Curling at 1 pm. FMI call 604-796-3422.Council of Senior Citizens Organizations (COSCO) is an advocacy group devoted to improving “The Quality of Life” for all seniors. FMI call Ernie Bayer @ 604-576-9734 or email [email protected]

Agassiz Harrison Senior Peer Support - Knit & Natter Group: We meet every Thursday at

Dogwood Manor on Morrow Rd., Agassiz. Everyone welcome. Call Eunice 604-796-9841.Tuesday is Toonie Day Bowling - Agassiz and Harrison seniors are encouraged to come out and join 5 pin bowling every second and last Tuesday of each month starting at 3:15pm at Chillibowl Lanes, Chilliwack. Car pool available. Call Kay FMI at 604-316-3318.

Agassiz-Harrison Senior Men’s Golf Club - Plays Tuesdays at 10 am at the Harrison Resort Golf Course. FMI call Ed, 604-796-2286.

Agassiz Kids At The Cross - Thursdays at the Ag Recreation Centre in Agassiz. FMI call Ettie 604-819-6822.Better Beginnings - Pre/post natal education, nutrition & support. Lunch is provided. Tues. 10 am to 1 pm. 7272 Morrow Rd. FMI call 604-796-0313.Strong Start - Mon. - Fri. 12:30 - 3:30 pm at Kent Elementary School. Free drop-in for kids 0 - 5. FMI call Kent Elementary at 604-796-2161.Preschool Storytime - Fridays at 10:15. It’s Crackle, Ms Terrill and all your little friends together as we listen to stories and have all kinds of fun. Free, drop in, all welcome.

Agassiz Harrison Family Parenting PlaceMeet friends, old and new! Parents/caregivers with their children 0 - 6 are welcome. Mon., Wed. and Thurs. 9:30am - 1pm and Saturdays from 9am - noon. 7272 Morrow Rd. FMI call 604-796-0313.Co� ee Break/Story Hour - A weekly Bible Study for ladies & children 0-5. Weds. 9:30 am Agassiz Christian Reformed Church on Morrow Road. FMI call or text Karen 604-997-4484

1789 The Royal Westminster Regiment Cadet Corps - Westie Army Cadets Training at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No 228 - 344 Fort Street Hope Wed. 6:30 PM - 9 pm. Free for ages 12 - 19. FMI contact Captain M.E. Sam Ronholm, CD at [email protected] or call 604-799-8897.

Agassiz Christian Reformed Church 7452 Morrow Rd. Sun. at 10 am. Cal 604-997-4484

Agassiz United Church 6860 Lougheed Hwy. 604-796-2680 Agassiz United Church Sunday Service & Sunday School at 10:30 am.

All Saints Anglican Church 6904 #9 High-way, Agassiz. Holy Eucharist at 10 am Sun.

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church 7237 Morrow Road. Sunday 9 am & 11 am, Tues. to Sat. 9am. Everyone Welcome. Contact

Rev. Steny Mascarenhas, OCD 604-796-9181.

Central Community Church Meets at the Ag Hall at 6800 Pioneer Ave. Sunday 10:30 am Kids Ministry as well. For more info visit www.central365.orgThe Harrison Gospel Chapel Sunday Worship Service begins at 10:30 am. 514 Lillooet Ave, HHS. Call 604-796-9500 Everyone welcome. e-mail: [email protected] • harrisongospelchapel.com

Groups & Activities for Kids

For Seniors

Join Us in WorshipJoin Us in Worship

Groups & Activities for Kids

Community Events

Community Corner

The Kent Harrison Arts Council hosts a Fence Tile Workshop - Fri., Oct. 23 from 2 - 4:30pm at the Agassiz Public Library. Come and paint a salmon, bear or eagle and hep dec-orate the fence at the Ranger Station Art Gal-lery. For kids of all ages. FMI call (604) 796-2723

Bottle Drive by the AESS Grad Class of 2016 - Oct. 17. To raise funds for Grad.

7th Annual Peace O� cers & First Respond-ers’ Appreciation Day - Sun., Oct. 25 at 10am at the All Saints Anglican Church, 6904 Lougheed Hwy., Agassiz. Join us in celebration along with the Harrison Highlanders. Lunch

to follow service. All welcome. FMI call (604) 796-3103The Mazas Group presents their Annual Halloween Fundraising Event - Oct. 30 at the Harrison Mills Hall, 1995 School Rd. Live music, prizes & more. Proudly supporting the Mazas Children Foundation. FMI call (604) 796-3014

Kilby Kid’s Halloween Party - Sat., Oct. 31 from 11am - 4pm. Dress up to win prizes, join our spooking scavenger hunt, enjoy a magic show & more! Sponsored by the Agassiz-Har-rison Lions Club. 215 Kilby Rd., Harrison Mills. FMI visit kilby.ca


Education

Dr. Garry Fehr has been named Director of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Fehr is a faculty member of the Geography and the Environment department and will work with internal and external advisory committees while reporting to Dr. Adrienne Chan, Associate Vice President of Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies. Th is is a three-year appointment in a newly established role.

“Garry will be working with stakeholders to develop opportunities in the agriculture sector. We must think about agriculture in the broadest sense, beyond crops and livestock,” said Chan. “Th e stakeholders and partners will include municipal governments, industry, provincial and federal government agencies and departments, and Aboriginal organizations. We are very committed to linking our activities and plans in the area of agricultural education, programming, and research to the priorities and needs of our communities and partners. Garry has the relevant experience in community outreach through his private sector experience and his time as a faculty member at UFV. We are very pleased to have him in this role.”

UFV has been providing agricultural education programs for more than 40 years in the disciplines of horticulture, livestock, and integrated pest management. Th e Agriculture Centre of Excellence has an expanded mandate of promoting and championing agricultural

innovation in the areas of education, career development, research, and technology.

Th e ACE will be a hub for agriculture in British Columbia by bringing together and sharing expertise from the university, the agricultural industry, and industry stakeholders.

Th is multi-disciplinary approach will encourage participation in research and program development from a number of disciplines and academic departments, including agriculture, biology, business, trades, geography, health, and social sciences.

Th ere are fi ve broad areas of focus for the Agriculture Centre of Excellence: agribusiness and technology; food ingredients and value-added foods; sustainable production practices; skilled labour development and industry change; and rural entrepreneurship and agritourism.

Th e centre will also work with the UFV Continuing Education department to facilitate the development of programming. Agriculture and the Environment has been identifi ed as an area for program growth in the UFV Strategic Enrolment Management plan.

Fehr is looking forward to his new role and the opportunity for outreach it will provide.

“Th is is a very exciting opportunity to shape the new Agriculture Centre of Excellence,” said Fehr. “As an interdisciplinary entity, the centre will provide UFV with excellent opportunities to engage students in applied research in a variety of areas. Some will be ‘big picture’ research

projects about the future ofagriculture and others will focuson the micro-details.”

Fehr came to his academiccareer as a mature student, aft erhaving worked for 19 years inthe construction and primaryresources services sectorthroughout British Columbia.During this time, he alsoprovided leadership for severalhumanitarian aid projects in LatinAmerica and India.

He completed his Bachelor ofArts in Geography at Th ompsonRivers University in 2003 and hisPhD at the University of Guelphin 2008. He joined the Geographyand the Environment departmentat UFV in 2007.

Th e provincial governmentprovided funding to helpcomplete new Agricultureeducation facilities at the UFVChilliwack campus at the CanadaEducation Park in 2013. At thattime, it directed UFV to create anAgriculture Centre of Excellence.Th e new greenhouses and barnwere offi cially opened by BCPremier Christy Clark in 2014. Aninternal steering committee wasstruck to develop a mandate forthe new ACE. Fehr’s appointmentas ACE director is the latest stagein the process of developing thecentre.

Diploma and certifi cateprograms off ered by theAgriculture department atUFV will continue to report toDean of Applied and TechnicalStudies, John English. UFV alsooff ers a Bachelor of BusinessAdministration in AgricultureManagement, and there is aBachelor of Science in Agriculturein development.

Garry Fehr named Director of Agriculture Centre of Excellence

Dr. Garry Fehr has been named Director of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) at the University of the Fraser Valley.


Community

Jacinta MeirRUSHING RIVERS 4-H CLUB REPORTER

Since 2011 Rushing Rivers 4-H Club has been a part of the Agassiz Community and of the Chilliwack 4-H District. Th roughout those years it has been run by 4-H leaders Gary and Suzannah Meir. Th is September the Meir family (myself included) will be moving up North to buy a farm and live a simpler laid-back lifestyle.

Rushing Rivers will have to fold (close). We are sad to have to fold our 4-H club, but their are no closed doors as our members have many other clubs that they can join to pursue their 4-H careers.

Our club has had many fun and benefi cial years and we are sure that we will always remember the fun, laid-back, “family” atmosphere that our club has created.

Our club has had many exciting memories. Some of which are when Morgan, a member of our club, won the BC 4-H Provincial Public Speaking Competition (two years in a row!),

when our club won numerous awards for stall duty at the Chilliwack fair, when our club went on bird watching walks as a part of the 4-H Find Your Wings program put on by 4-H Canada, when our members showed and displayed their projects at the Agassiz and Chilliwack fairs and when we would fi nd a way to make our club fundraisers fun even though it was rainy and cold for most of them.

Th e Meirs will stay active in 4-H in their new town and maybe eventually start up a new 4-H club. We would like to thank the communities of Agassiz and Chilliwack for welcoming us and helping us out through out these years.

We also would like to thank our club sponsors for helping our club fi nancially. We especially thank the previous and current members and parents of our club for providing it with a unique and fun atmosphere. We wish the best of luck to our members and their families and hope they will fi nd a new 4-H club or activity that will suit them.

The Rushing Rivers 4H Club comes to a close

The Rushing Rivers 4H Club’s final meeting included (from left) Charlie, Ainsley, Ava, Myles, Jessica, Jacinta, Morgan,Marcus, and Matthew.

Seniors warned about online

scamsSocial Media isn’t just for millennials or those

busy, upwardly mobile, young professionals looking to connect with friends and opportunity. More and more seniors are logging on as a way to stay active and connected with family who may be spread out across the country. It also makes them easy targets for scams.

Recently, a 74-year-old woman was robbed of 125 thousand dollars from a man she friended on Facebook. Like a typical Facebook scam, it started with a simple ‘fake’ friendship request from someone she didn’t know. Th e relationship blossoms over several months and then the money requests start coming in. She fi nally became suspicious aft er she was contacted by someone claiming to be from Interpol who was once again asking for money to investigate her ‘Friend’ for fraud.

“Th e bottom line in this scenario is that seniors represent a vulnerable group in the online world,” says Evan Kelly, Senior Communications Advisor for BBB serving Mainland BC. “Th ey tend to be trusting and polite and don’t want to believe someone could be scamming them. As of late we have also been seeing many instances of fake lottery scams popping up in social media as well.”

Th e key is keeping our seniors informed as much as possible and instilling in their family a sense of oversight without being intrusive. Th is is made easier by tech savvy grandchildren who are able to show them what social media platforms are and how to use them.

BBB has a few tips to ensure the seniors in your life don’t get scammed:

• You are not obligated to accept friend requests from people you don’t know.

• Does the request have mutual friends? • Keep your Facebook privacy settings on high. • You do not need to pay money to keep your

information private. (one scam tried this) • Ignore requests for personal information. • Don’t click on links if you don’t know who sent

it. • Ignore Facebook claiming you won a Facebook

Lottery and need to send money to release funds. • If you didn’t enter a contest, it’s likely a scam. • Ignore pop-ups ads.

Internet fraud on the rise

Are you ready to vote? If you’re a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, you can vote in the federal election.

Your voter information card tells you when and where to vote.

If you didn’t receive your card, you can still register and vote at your polling place.

To find out where to vote, and what ID to bring, visit elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 ( TTY 1-800-361-8935).

Elections Canada has all the information you need to be ready to vote.

Federal election day is Monday


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Business

Jeff Nagel BLACK PRESS

Th e provincial government is being urged to freeze rapidly rising Medical Services Plan premiums that critics say have acted like a stealth tax on most families.

Th e recommendation to a budget consultations committee of the Legislature was made by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Jordan Bateman, who cited a 39 per cent jump in MSP premiums over the last six years to $150 per month in 2016 for the average family.

“Taxpayers need a break from unfair, never-ending MSP tax hikes,” said Bateman, who argues it’s unfair because people earning $30,000 a year pay the same amount as someone making millions.

Th e Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services was in Surrey, the latest of several stops around the province to collect public input ahead of the 2016 budget.

Th e CTF also called on the province to open ICBC up to more auto insurance competition, and reduce the $160-million-a-year dividend the government harvests from the public auto insurer.

Th e Surrey Board of Trade also appeared before the budget committee, urging investments on multiple fronts, including early childhood education, health care and social housing.

Th e business group also reinforced its preference for light rail rapid transit in Surrey over SkyTrain, and for “a comprehensive and fair road pricing policy for the Lower Mainland to allow for equitable funding of transportation infrastructure and

transit service.”Th e all-party

committee has also heard from groups urging the province to resume regular increases to B.C.’s carbon tax.

Th e Canadian Diabetes Association has also pitched a new

tax on soda and other sugary drinks on the grounds that they contribute to rising rates of obesity and diabetes.

Th e CTF said it would prefer government not raise any taxes and pay down debt instead.

Many requests for tax reform are recycled year aft er year.

Th e B.C. Real Estate Association again asked the province to lower the Property Transfer Tax charged when homes change hands.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong signaled some interest in reforming the PTT in response to concerns about housing aff ordability.

He has said the province might create a third tier of the transfer tax that would charge more on the sale of a high-end home, while providing some relief for buyers of entry-level homes.

MSP ‘tax’ targeted at budget hearingsSugar drink tax, road pricing also pushed

Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Jordan Bateman

“Taxpayers need a break from unfair,

never-ending MSP tax hikes”

Jordan Bateman

Stay informed! Find us online, all the time: agassizharrisonobserver.com

Agassiz ❖ Harr ison

18 Agassiz Harrison Observer, Thursday, October 15, 2015

blackpress.ca

The Now Newspaper has an opening for an experienced inside advertising consultant. By joining The Now’s award winning community print and online newspaper, you will be responsible for selling into special features and assisting in creating new exciting features.

You should be a strong communicator, well organized, self motivated and enjoy working in a fast-pace environment. A car and a valid driver’s license are required. The Now Newspaper is part of Black Press, Canada’s largest private independent newspaper company with more than 170 community, daily and urban newspapers in BC, Alberta, Washington, Ohio, California and Hawaii. Please send your resume with cover letter by Friday, October 16th to:

Dal Hothi The Now Newspaper#102 - 5460 - 152nd St.,Surrey, BC V3S 5J9Or email to [email protected]

Advertising Inside Sales

7214099

Persons with proven experience on snow plowing equipment are required for temporary employment on an as required basis for snow clearing operations. Individuals must hold a valid Class 3 Drivers License with Air endorsement. The rate of pay is per the current CUPE 458 Collective Agreement, which includes a shift differential premium between the hours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.

Interested applicants must submit a resume and completed driver’s abstract to the District of Hope Municipal offi ce at:

by Friday Oct. 30th, 2015. Previous applicants must submit a new resume as previous application forms will not be considered.

Temporary Winter Truck Drivers

10/15H_DOH8

District of Hope

ATTN: Donna Bellingham, Director of Corporate

Services, PO Box 609, 325 Wallace Street – Hope, BC

V0X 1L0

Phone: 604-869-5671 Email: [email protected]

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

7 OBITUARIES

BARTELWaltraut

May 28, 1920 - October 8, 2015

Waltraut died comfortably, at peace, in her sleep the evening of October 8, in the Menno Home, Abbotsford. She was pre deceased by her husband, H.P. and by her much loved son Rudy. Waltraut will be missed by her large extended family both in Canada and Germany, her many friends in Agassiz, Harrison, and the Eden Church in Chilliwack. Her death will leave a void in the lives of her remaining two sons, George, Fred, wife Betty (nee Spence), Gordon, Karla, Corrine and their families, daughter in-law Brenda (nee Abrams), Ashley, Emily, Alexandria and their families. Much can be said about her life; her determination, willpower, and internal strength to overcome the many obstacles life presented her. However, the greatest memory we all take from her life is her caring, kindness, and forgiveness.A grave side service will be held at the Valley View Cemetery, Agassiz at 10:00am on Saturday, October 17 with a memorial service to follow at the Harrison Gospel Chapel at 11:00am.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

21 COMING EVENTS

Retro Designs/Antiques Fair. Oct 18th 10am-3pm. Croatian Cultural Ctr 3250 Commercial Drive. Adm. $5

33 INFORMATION

CANADA BENEFIT GROUP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assess-ment

TRAVEL

74 TIMESHARE

CANCEL YOUR TIMESHARE. NO Risk Program STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee.FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248

EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATION

108 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESARE YOU PASSIONATE about community? Love smalltown living? Be at the centre with your own weekly newspaper.Call Jennifer Gillis, ReMax Blue Chip Realty 306-783-6666.

GET FREE VENDING MACHINES Can Earn $100,000.00 + Per Year. All Cash-Locations Provided. Pro-tected Territories. Interest Free Fi-nancing. Full Details CALL NOW

1-866-668-6629 Website: WWW.TCVEND.COM

HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restric-tions in Walking/Dressing?Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

109 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

ECONOMIC Development Mgr sought by Kwakiutl Band in Pt Har-dy in N. Van. Isl. Send resume, cov-er LTR & salary expectations to [email protected] or fax 250-949-6066 by 8 AM, Nov. 2. Pls request job description.

GPRC, FAIRVIEW CAMPUS re-quires a Power Engineer Instructor to commence in December, 2015. Please contact Brian Carreau at 780-835-6631 and/or visit our web-site at: www.gprc.ab.ca/careers.

ROBOT TECHNICIANWest Coast Robotics is looking for a qualifi ed individual to join our expanding business. WCR technicians install and service the world’s most advanced robotic dairy equipment and peripherals all over BC.

Apply by email to: [email protected]

START A NEW CAREER in Graph-ic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Edu-cation or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

115 EDUCATION

Excavator & Backhoe Operator Training. Be employable in 4-6wks. Call 604-546-7600. www.rayway.ca

HUGE DEMAND for Medical Tran-scriptionists! CanScribe is Canada’s top Medical Transcription training school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today! 1-800-466-1535 [email protected]

Interior Heavy EquipmentOperator School. Real World

Tasks. Weekly start dates. GPS Training! Funding Options. Already have

experience? Need certifi cation proof? Call 1-866-399-3853 or

IHESHOOL.comMEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION!In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

WANT A RECESSION proof ca-reer? Power Engineering 4th Class. Work practicum placements, along with an on-campus boiler lab. Resi-dences available. Starting January 4, 2016. GPRC Fairview Campus. 1 - 8 8 8 - 5 3 9 - 4 7 7 2 ; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

124 FARM WORKERS

Seasonal F/T Green House Farm Workers

Position includes harvesting and crop work, as well as general maintenance. Must be hard work-ing, physically fi t and reliable & able to work independently, han-dle heat and humidity, follow the food safety program and have no allergies. Starting wage is $10.49 /hr. No experience necessary.Email resume to: [email protected]

or fax to: 604-796-3643Cheamview Greenhouse

1501 Johnson rd., Agassiz BC


130 HELP WANTED

LABOURERS REQUIRED

for lumber re-manufactur-ing facility, must be available for shift work. Wages commensurate with experience. Drop off resume to: 8133 Aitken Rd., between 7-3:30

LOCAL, reputable, craft manufac-turing company looking for reliable, motivated pieceworkers. Training provided at no cost to you. We are VERY busy! Unlimited earning po-tential. Please leave your name and number ONLY at 604-826-4651 or at our email [email protected]. We respond to ALL calls and messages in the or-der they are received.

137 LEGAL

CONVEYANCERMission Notary Offi ce

looking for a conveyancer.

B - 32757 Logan Ave, MissionFax: 604-826-1053 or [email protected]



138 LABOURERS

WALDUN Forest Products is cur-rently looking to hire experienced shingle sawyers and packers. These are full time positions with excellent wage and benefi t packag-es. Qualifi ed sawyers and packers can apply in person at 9393 287th Street, Maple Ridge, BC.

151 PROFESSIONALS/MANAGEMENT

OFF. Manager with 2+ yrs exp. req’d. E:[email protected] for more info.

156 SALES

INSIDE SALESREPRESENTATIVE

No-Cold CallingExperience in moulding, millwork, doors and interior fi nishing detail an asset. Full-time Mon.-Fri.Strong Client Base, Competitive

Wages, Co. Perks & Health Benefi ts After 3 Months. Fax:

604-513-1194 Email: johnh @westcoastmoulding.com

DO YOU OFFER HOME SERVICES? Home Improvements, Landscaping, Rubbish Removal, etc... Call today to place your ad bcclassified.com 604-796-4300

PERSONAL SERVICES

182 FINANCIAL SERVICES

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

LARGE FUNDBorrowers Wanted

Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

NEED A LOAN? Own Property? Have Bad Credit? We can help! Call toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.fi rstandsecondmortgages.ca

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

236 CLEANING SERVICES

Honest, dependable woman with lots of experience, available for housework, laundry or meal prep. If interested please call:1-250-470-2319. avail. immed.

283 GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTSGUTTER & ROOF Cleaning/Power Washing since 1982. WCB/Liability insurance. Simon, 604-230-0627

162 TEMPORARY/PT/SEASONAL


300 LANDSCAPING

320 MOVING & STORAGE

1 As in movers we trust. Same day moves & deliveries. Reliable Hon-est Movers. Starting $45hr + gas. (604)997-0332 / (604)491-8607

329 PAINTING & DECORATING

www.paintspecial.com 778-322-2378 Lower Mainland

604-996-8128 Fraser ValleyRunning this ad for 10yrs

PAINT SPECIAL3 rooms for $299

2 coats any colour(Ceiling & Trim extra) Price incls

Cloverdale Premium quality paint.NO PAYMENT until Job is

completed. Ask us about ourLaminate Flooring.

NORTH STARS PAINTINGwww.northstars-painting.com

AMAZING WORK, AMAZING VALUE!

778.344.1069

338 PLUMBING

Full Service Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area.1-800-573-2928

BRO MARV PLUMBING Plumbing, heating, clogged drains BBB. (604)582-1598, bromarv.com

162 TEMPORARY/PT/SEASONAL

INDEX IN BRIEFFAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS ............... 1-8

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ... 9-57

TRAVEL............................................. 61-76

CHILDREN ........................................ 80-98

EMPLOYMENT ............................. 102-198

BUSINESS SERVICES ................... 203-387

PETS & LIVESTOCK ...................... 453-483

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE........... 503-587

REAL ESTATE ............................... 603-696

RENTALS ...................................... 703-757

AUTOMOTIVE .............................. 804-862

MARINE ....................................... 903-920

AGREEMENTIt is agreed by any Display or Classifi ed Advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes for typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement.

bcclassifi ed.com cannot be responsible for errors after the fi rst day of publication of any advertise-ment. Notice of errors on the fi rst day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classifi ed Department to be corrected for the following edition.

bcclassifi ed.com reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassifi ed.com Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORYLEGISLATION

Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justifi ed by a bona fi de requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHTCopyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of bcclassifi ed.com. Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse by law._____________

Advertise across the Lower Mainland

in the 15 best-readcommunity

newspapers.ON THE WEB:

bcclassifi ed.com


AESS Grad Bottle Drive

Saturday, October 17th9 am to 2 pmor Drop off at the fi rehall

To place an ad,call 604-796-4300

or go onlinebcclassifi ed.com

Thursday, October 15, 2015, Agassiz Harrison Observer 19

DISTRICT OF KENT - BUSINESS LICENCE RENEWALS

Business Owners are reminded that a business licence is required to operate in the District of Kent. Renewal Notices for Licence fees for 2016 will be mailed out to registered business operations in early November.

Business Licence Bylaw (1485) offers a 10% early payment discounted fee if your 2016 licence renewal is paid before December 15, 2015.

2016 Business Licences can be renewed at the District of Kent Municipal Hall, located at 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz which is open on weekdays (except statutory holidays) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. If you are unable to make it to the Municipal Hall you may make a payment by credit card over the phone or by mailing a cheque with your renewal notice and we will mail your new business licence to you.

Additionally, Business Owners are encouraged to contact the Development Services Department prior to expanding or changing their current business, so we may work with you to ensure compliance with District bylaws and regulations. If changes have already occurred to your business, please provide current information to the District so we may update our records accordingly, confi rm that your business is in compliance and to help insulate you for any future insurance claims you may have with respect to Fire and Building Code regulations.

Furthermore, we would like to also extend a reminder that all business signs including portable and sandwich board signs require permit approval and are required to comply with the regulations of the District of Kent Sign Bylaw No. 1397, 2008.

INTER-MUNICIPAL BUSINESS LICENCE PROGRAM

The District of Kent has joined the Fraser Valley Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) Program effective January 2016.

An Inter-Municipal Business Licence, allows eligible mobile businesses to conduct business in any of the participating municipalities listed below without having to obtain a separate business licence at each location.

Businesses eligible for an IMBL include trades contractors or other professional (related to the construction industry) or a contractor who performs maintenance and/or repair of land and buildings from a location other than their business location.

The cost of the IMBL is $250, and is in addition to your regular municipal business licence. *For District of Kent mobile businesses interested in an IMBL, separate applications are available online or at the Municipal Hall and may be submitted and paid in the same manner as your regular business licence. For mobile businesses located outside of the District of Kent, you may purchase your IMBL from the municipality in which your business resides and you purchase your regular business licence.

Participating Municipalities:

District of Kent Corporation of DeltaTownship of Langley City of Pitt MeadowsCity of Abbotsford District of HopeCity of Maple Ridge City of SurreyCity of Chilliwack City of LangleyDistrict of Mission

Thank you for your cooperation and we wish you a successful 2016.If you have any questions, please contact the Bylaw / Licence Inspector at 604-796-2235.Su

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362 SECURITY/ALARM SYSTEMS

We Service all Makes• ADT’s, DSC’s, Brinks

& all others• Medical & Fire• Free* Alarm Systems

604-792-8055 / 854-8055

378 VACUUMS

from $499 (Made in BC)Repairs & Service. We extend

warranties to all makes. Vacuum needs a service every 5 years just like an oil change!

604-792-8055 / 854-8055

PETS

477 PETS

CATS GALORE, TLC has for adoption spayed & neutered adult cats. 604-309-5388 / 604-856-4866

CATS OF ALL DESCRIPTION in need of caring homes!

All cats are spayed, neutered, vaccinated and dewormed.

Visit us at: fraservalleyhumanesociety.com

or call 1 (604)820-2977

ITALIAN MASTIFF(Cane Corso)

1 Female, 2 Male blue Purebred1st shots, tails / d c removed.

ULTIMATE FAMILY GUARDIANPet homes. $800. 604-308-5665

NEED A GOOD HOME for a good dog or a good dog for a good home? We adopt dogs! Call 604-856-3647 or www.856-dogs.com

TOY POODLE PUPS 6 weeks old. 1 black/brown & 3 chocolate brown. $800. 604-820-4230, 604-302-7602

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

509 AUCTIONSAERO AUCTIONS Upcoming Auc-tion. Thurs., Oct. 22, Edmonton. Live & On-Line Bidding. Mining, ex-cavation, transportation equipment, rock trucks, excavators, dozers, graders, truck tractors, trailers, pick-up trucks, misc attachments & more! Consignments welcome!

Visit: aeroauctions.ca1-888-600-9005.

ONLINE AUCTION - Commercial Restaurant Equipment- Opens Wed Oct 14 - closes Wed Oct 21. Bailiff seized pizza equip, bakery & taco equip plus lease returns - incl. Gar-land cooking equip, Berkel Slicers, Hobart 60 Quart Legacy Mixer, Meat Grinder, Sheeters, Walk-ins, Pizza & Convection Ovens, dish-washers, canopies and more!! View Weekdays 10am to 4pm at Active Auction Mart - Unit 295 - 19358 96th Ave, Surrey, BC. View online & register to bid at www.activeauctionmart.com.Tel: 604-371-1190.email:[email protected]

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

560 MISC. FOR SALE

SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD:www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

SEIZED Vehicle Auction - Saturday Oct. 17th @10:30 am. All City Auc-tioneers - 604-514-0194

563 MISC. WANTED

Have Unwanted Firearms?Have unwanted or inherited fi rearms in your possession?Don’t know how to dispose of them safely and legally?Contact Wanstalls and we will come and pick them up and pay you fair value for them.Wanstalls has been proudly serving the Lower Mainland fi rearms community since 1973.We are a government licensed fi rearms business with fully certifi ed verifi ers, armorers and appraisers.

Call today to set up anappointment 604-467-9232 Wanstalls Tactical & Sporting Arms

REAL ESTATE

627 HOMES WANTED

Yes, We PayCASH!

Damaged or Older Houses! Condos & Pretty Homes too!

Check us out!www.webuyhomesbc.com

604-626-9647

RENTALS

706 APARTMENT/CONDO

AGASSIZ 2 bdrm gr fl r corner unit in Woodside Terrace, clean, quiet, well mngd bldg. Refs req. Avail now $750 +utils & D.D. 1-604-588-6665

DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL AGASSIZ

T. Marlowe Manor1755 - #9 Hwy, Agassiz(Under new Management)

Spacious and bright new condo quality

1 bdrm...$650 and 2 bdrm...$800/m

Prkg, coin laundry, elevator & balcony, 5 min walk to all

conveniences, down town. Available now.

Call 604-703-3405

HARRISON - Studio Apartment, Nice quiet & safe building, suitable for single person. Newly renovated, $600 & $650/month incl. utilities. 604-819-6422 or 604-819-6122

736 HOMES FOR RENT

Agassiz- 1/2 duplex for rent. 3 bedroom, 2 bath. N/P, N/S. DD + ref req’d. $1100/mo + util. Avail. to Rent. call: 604-845-2705

Harrison Hot Springs - 3bdrm rancher, attach. gar, 1.5 Bath, wood fp, private yrd, open concept, 15min wlk to beach, avail Nov 1, $975/mo 604-819-5343 or 604 491 8535

741 OFFICE/RETAIL

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR LEASE

1292 Main St., Smithers. 5920 sq. ft. Available Jan. 2016. Please email [email protected] for more information.

747 RV PADS

Rosedale. Bridal Falls Cam-perland RV pads available. $435/month. Water and sewer incl. Hydro metered, and cable/wifi available $$. Laun-dry facilities onsite. Wash-rooms open year round. RV storage @ $75/mo available. Call 604-794-7361

TRANSPORTATION

845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL

pick a part

851 TRUCKS & VANS

KEY TRACK AUTO SALES

Abbotsford30255 Cedar Lane

DL# 31038 604-855-0666

2005 DODGE NEON, auto 4 dr sedan, a/c. STK#701. $1,995.2003 HONDA CIVIC, auto 4 dr sedan loaded STK#666. $4,9002004 ACURA EL 1.7 4dr sedan leather, sunroof, loaded, Only this week! STK#724. $5,900.2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, auto, fully loaded, 4 dr, sedan.STK#699. Only! $5,900.2007 DODGE CALIBER, 4 dr, auto. STK#602. $5,900.2005 HONDA CIVIC, 4 dr, au-to, loaded. STK#710. $6,900.2005 HONDA CIVIC, 4 dr, au-to, loaded. STK#672. $6,900.2009 FORD FOCUS 4dr,sedan loaded, auto STK#687 $6,900.2008 HONDA CIVIC 4 dr auto, loaded. STK#691. $7,900.2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, 4 dr, sedan, fully loaded, auto. STK#697. $7,900.2007 PONTIAC TORRENT 4 dr, AWD, fully loaded, only 99K kms. STK#657 $9,900.2011 NISSAN Versa 4dr auto, h/bk, loaded, STK#721 $9,900.2004 ACURA MDX 4dr auto, 7 psgr, loaded, DVD, Navigation STK#254 $10,900.2010 TOYOTA COROLLA 4dr, sedan, auto, fully loaded, STK# 731. $11,900.2012 NISSAN SENTRA 4dr, sedan, auto, fully loaded, STK#723. $11,900.2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA4 dr, auto, fully loaded. This week only! STK#721 $12,900.2012 HONDA CIVIC 4 dr, auto, loaded, STK#695. $14,900.2008 CHEV 1500 LT. Crew cab, 4X4, auto, short box, fully loaded. STK#600. $16,900.

33166 South Fraser WayDL# 40083 778-908-5888

2004 MAZDA 3 Auto, 4 dr, Only this wk! STK#673 $4,900.2004 DODGE CARAVAN 7psgr, loaded STK#525 $2,900. 2003 FORD FOCUS 4 dr, au-to, Aircared, STK#545, $3,900.2003 HONDA ODYSSEY 7psg full load, runs good, Aircared STK#530, $3,900.2002 FORD F150 crew cab 4X4 auto, fully loaded, short box. STK#686 $5,900.2007 DODGE Caravan 7 psgr, Aircared, STK#524 $5,900.2008 KIA RONDO 4 dr, auto, 7 psgr, leather, runs good, STK#424. $9,900.2009 TOYOTA COROLLA 4 dr sedan, loaded. No trade. STK#504. $10,900.

Financing Availablewww.keytrackautosales.ca

551 GARAGE SALES

Harrison Hot Springs

836 Myng CrescentSaturday, October 17 &

Sunday, October 189 am to 3 pm

Christmas outdoor fi gurines & lights, camping gear,power tools and much more.

All you needin Print

and 0nline

Call theClassifieds

today....

604-796-4300

CHECK CLASSIFIEDS 604-796-4300


Box 70, 7170 Cheam Ave, Agassiz | Tel 604.796.2235 | www.district.kent.bc.ca

,

COMMUNITY NEWS COVERING OCTOBER 2015

GOOD NEWS STORYWe loved your facility! The space is awesome and perfect for what we were looking for. We would love to be back! Maybe next year, we could set-up an exhibition game against another University and get the community out to watch to give your new facility some exposure? We could also run a free skills clinic with our coaching staff and players on the same weekend for the kids in the community. Regards, RAMIN SADAGHIANICapilano University Women’s Basketball, Head Coach

Saturday October 31 6pm-8pm at the Agricultural HallFor more information call: 604.796.8891

A WARM, SAFE, DRY PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENA WARM, SAFE, DRY PLACE FOR FAMILIES A WARM, SAFE, DRY PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN

FREEHalloween Spooktacular

The Museum, gift shop and café are open weekends until December 13.

KILBY HISTORIC SITE

Halloween at Kilby ~ Saturday, October 31 ~ 11 am to 4 pmDress up to win prizes in our costume contest, join our spooky scavenger hunt, play some Halloween bingo (and other games) and make Halloween crafts. Last but not least, this year we have a special treat for you; Magician Damien Carriere will be joining us to delight and amaze you with a live magic show! Sponsored by the Agassiz-Harrison Lions Club!215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills, BC 604-796-9576 ~ www.kilby.ca

AT THE CRCCHave you recently spotted a pokey little puppy at the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre (CRCC)? His name is Hooper. He is a seven month old German Shepard training to become a working police dog. Once or twice a week, Constable Ryan Price brings Hooper to the facility as part of Hooper’s training. Touring the CRCC and other various buildings exposes this inquisitive pup to various sights, sounds and smells as well as many people in the community. This social interaction introduces Hooper to folks of all ages, and helps him learn that not all people are “bad guys”. While Hooper’s visits are work-related, the children attending the various programs at the CRCC are always excited to see him. Having this rambunctious police-dog-in-training greet the kids utilizing our facility helps demonstrate that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are friendly and approachable and most importantly, here to help. Hooper may think he’s just doing his job, but he is also helping to bring together our local residents while encouraging and strengthening relationships within our community and with those who serve to protect it.

The District of Kentinvites you to attend the

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War 2 and the liberation of Holland. It also marks the anniversary of the firstgift of 100,000 Dutch tulip bulbsto Canadians in 1945 as a symbolof appreciation for the role thatCanadian soldiers played in the liberation of the Netherlands and the hospitality provided by Canada to the Dutch Royal Family in Ottawa during the War.

The District of Kent would like to thank:the Canadian Garden Council, Vesey’s Bulbs, Canada Post, Canadian Tulip Festival, National Capital Commission, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association,Garden Making Magazine, Chimpanze,Baxter Travel Media, Enterprise Canada, Gardens BC, Québec Gardens’ Association and the Ontario Garden Tourism Coalition

For making this program possible.

For more information please contact

the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre at 604-796-8891

70th Anniversary Friendship Tulip Garden Planting Ceremony Pioneer ParkThursday, October 22 at 1:30 p.m.

KENT-HARRISON FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATIONS INVITED

Since 2001, Kent-Harrison Foundation has benefited the community by distributing over $134,000 to local organizations

In 2014, grants were awarded to the following groups:

• First Agassiz Scouts • Agassiz-Harrison Senior Peer Counsellorsw • Harrison Festival Society • Agassiz Elementary Secondary School • Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society • Agassiz Harrison Aquanauts Swim Club • Kent Harrison Arts Council

The funds distributed by the Foundation are made available by donations from individuals, the District of Kent, as well as dividends on investments managed by the Vancouver Foundation. Applicants come from areas of Arts & Culture, Family & Youth, Education, Recreation & Environment, Health & Welfare, and Seniors.

Applications and Guidelines are available on-line at www.kentharrisonfoundation.com Email: [email protected]

Deadline for submission of applications is October 31, 2015.

PO Box 618, Agassiz, B.C. V0M 1A0

FALL CLEANUP 2015 • YARD WASTE EVENTNovember 7, 2015 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM

THE FOLLOWING YARD WASTE MATERIALS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT NO CHARGE

Tree branches or limbs up to 5” (125mm) diameter prunings • leaves • soil • discarded shrubs sand or fine gravel • grass sods & clippings

NOTE: Residents will be required to separate wood waste, branches and prunings from soil or similar materials to process through a chipper.

ALL OTHER MATERIALS ARE PROHIBITED

Including tree stumps and branches greater than 5” (125mm) diameter, domestic refuse, animal waste and household hazardous wastes.

For further information contact the Municipal Hall 604-796-2235www.district.kent.bc.ca

Municipal Gravel Pit, Cemetery Road Hosted by the Agassiz Community Gardens Society

Domestic Violence Has NO Place in our Community

Purple Light Nights Agassiz

agassiz observer, october 15, 2015

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