While both communities issued a joint statement emphasizing their shared success in developing large-scale resource projects, the Haisla Nation reaffirmed its opposition to oil pipelines and export facilities, while the District of Kitimat remained neutral on the issue. In an interview following the release, Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth said the District is not ruling out future proposals, including oil, if they align with environmental and community standards.

“I’m not going to say anything is off the table. I wouldn’t say no to anything until something is in front of us so we can see what it is,” Germuth said following the Nov. 25 meeting. “But if someone was to just dust off the old Northern Gateway [pipeline] and put that on the table, you’re probably going to get the same ‘no’ you had last time. But is there another way? I don’t know yet.”

Germuth added the meeting with Smith had been months in the making and was unrelated to Alberta’s current proposal or a pending memorandum of understanding with the federal government. He said the conversation focused on possible collaboration to get Alberta goods — such as food products, ammonia and potash — to tidewater via Kitimat, describing the meeting as a response to broader trade challenges, including tariffs imposed by the United States.

“It had nothing to do with the MOU,” Germuth said. “We didn’t really discuss any pipelines, but talked about everything else we might be able to do together.”

The Haisla Nation, meanwhile, used the opportunity to reiterate its longstanding opposition to any oil pipeline or export terminal in its territory — a stance first taken more than a decade ago during the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline debate.

That message was reinforced in a statement from the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, of which Haisla is a member.

“As the Rights and Title Holders of the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii, we are here to remind the Alberta government, the federal government, and any potential private proponent that we will never allow oil tankers on our coast, and that this pipeline project will never happen,” said Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation.

The joint statement from Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat focused on their track record of supporting “nation-building” developments — including LNG Canada, Cedar LNG, Coastal GasLink and the Rio Tinto BC Works facility — and invited potential partners to bring forward projects that reflect the community’s values of “collaboration, environmental protection, and Indigenous leadership.”

But the statement also acknowledged a clear difference on oil development

“The Haisla Nation, who were firmly against [Northern Gateway] at that time, still maintain that same position today regarding an oil pipeline and export facility in their territory. This position was articulated clearly to Premier Smith during the meeting.”

Alberta’s renewed push to reach tidewater has added urgency to the discussion. Smith’s government recently submitted a pipeline proposal to the federal Major Projects Management Office, seeking to fast-track a project that would require expanded port facilities in either Kitimat or Prince Rupert — and a partial repeal of the federal Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48), which currently prohibits large crude oil tankers from B.C.’s North Coast.

Alberta has allocated $14 million for early-stage planning, including routing and engineering, but has said a private-sector partner would need to take over construction and operation. The province is positioning the project as a national economic priority to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. markets and open access to global buyers.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to travel to Calgary tomorrow, Nov. 27, which is fueling speculation that he will announce a formal agreement on the proposed MOU with Alberta. The B.C. government has said it remains in the dark about the document’s details and has criticized the federal process for excluding affected communities.

Premier David Eby has previously dismissed the Alberta proposal as lacking a route, a partner, or local legitimacy. He called it “not a real project” and said it raises serious concerns around Indigenous rights and environmental protections.

For many on the B.C. coast, the situation recalls the Northern Gateway pipeline — a proposal to transport 525,000 barrels of diluted bitumen per day from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a new marine terminal in Kitimat. That project was overturned in 2016 after the Federal Court of Appeal found Indigenous communities had not been adequately consulted.

A plebiscite held in Kitimat in 2014 resulted in a majority of voters opposing Northern Gateway, and the debate at the time deeply divided the community. Online forums suggest those divisions are resurfacing as speculation grows around the Alberta-Ottawa MOU.

Despite leaving the door open, Germuth said any future proposal would need to meet strict environmental criteria and offer clear local benefits.

“We’re as concerned and protective of our environment as anyone else,” he said. “There would have to be something in there [a proposal] that would bring us from the previous ‘no’ to something we could say yes to. But what is that? I don’t know.”

Ksan Society in Terrace and the Elizabeth Fry Society in Burns Lake will receive a $25,000 share of $400,000 in national funding, distributed as part of the company’s ongoing initiative to assist individuals affected by domestic and family violence.

This marks the sixth consecutive year Rio Tinto has contributed to organizations across Canada providing shelter, counselling, education, training and support services for women, children and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The funding aligns with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Rio Tinto Aluminium and Lithium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said the company’s commitment to safety begins with its own workforce. “This same priority extends to the communities around our operations. Gender-based violence has significant impacts on individuals and families, and organisations across Canada provide critical assistance to those affected. Through this initiative, we are contributing to the work they do to protect individuals and strengthen community resilience.”

Since 2020, Rio Tinto has provided $2.335 million in funding to Canadian organizations through this initiative.

The funding has supported efforts to modernize safety tools and protocols, improve access to information and resources, and amplify public awareness about intimate partner violence. Company involvement is also seen as sending a strong message that victims are not alone and that support is available.

Rio Tinto says it also offers internal support measures for employees experiencing gender-based violence. These include additional paid leave, emergency accommodation, financial assistance, and access to training to help colleagues provide safe and appropriate support when needed.

“Recognizing domestic violence is critical and can help save a life. If someone shares that they have been experiencing domestic violence, it is important to respond in a way to help that is safe, respectful, and centered on their needs,” the company stated.

Resources on how to support people experiencing domestic violence can be found here.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that runs each year from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the campaign is a global call to end violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. It is supported by organizations, governments, and institutions around the world, who use the 16 days to raise awareness, promote advocacy, and share strategies for preventing and eliminating gender-based violence.

The deal, anounced Nov. 5, marks a major step in Pembina’s efforts to commercialize Cedar LNG, which it is developing in partnership with the Haisla Nation. Under the agreement, Pembina will provide transportation and liquefaction services to Petronas through a synthetic tolling structure, which Pembina says supports Petronas’ existing natural gas production operations in Canada.

“This agreement further validates Cedar LNG and highlights the strong demand for global export capacity given the clear advantages of Canadian West Coast LNG, including competitively priced feedstock and advantaged shipping distances to Asian markets,” said Stu Taylor, Pembina’s Senior Vice President & Corporate Development Officer.

Petronas, through its Canadian subsidiary, is already one of the largest natural gas producers in the country. The agreement secures a long-term outlet for its gas, while providing Pembina with a stable, take-or-pay revenue stream.

“This milestone reflects Petronas’ long-standing commitment to our investment in Canada and our continued effort to fortify our global LNG supply portfolio,” said Shamsairi M Ibrahim, Vice President of LNG Marketing and Trading, Petronas Gas and Maritime Business. “We welcome this partnership with Pembina and the Cedar LNG project, as it underscores Petronas’ role as an integrated energy player and demonstrates our dedication to responsibly monetize our gas resources.”

The agreement is also a key part of Pembina’s strategy to re-market 1.5 mtpa of capacity it committed to in June 2024 to help secure a final investment decision on Cedar LNG. With the Petronas deal now signed, Pembina expects to finalize arrangements for the remaining 0.5 mtpa by the end of 2025.

Cedar LNG is a US$4 billion floating liquefied natural gas project with Indigenous ownership through the Haisla Nation. It remains on schedule and on budget, with construction targeted for completion and in-service by late 2028.

Copper Quest Exploration has entered into an agreement to purchase a 100 per cent interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project, located approximately 10 kilometres northwest of Kitimat. The 2,954-hectare property is accessible by logging and exploration roads, and lies close to tidewater, rail lines and high-voltage hydro infrastructure.

“This project is ideally located with exceptional infrastructure, in a proven geological belt known for hosting major copper-gold systems,” said Brian Thurston, CEO of Copper Quest.

The property lies within the Skeena Mining Division, in a mineral-rich zone known as the Stikine Terrane. Copper Quest plans to focus its exploration on the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone, where previous studies suggest the presence of a larger porphyry copper-gold system.

Drilling on the property has revealed consistent copper and gold deposits between roughly 100 and 120 metres below the surface. Three key drill holes showed over one gram of gold per tonne of rock and around half a per cent copper. According to Copper Quest, the results suggest a strong near-surface deposit that remains open at depth and may extend beyond the areas tested so far.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Copper Quest has until Jan. 5, 2026 to complete its due diligence review. If the purchase proceeds, the company will issue two million common shares to the vendor, Bernie Kreft, on Jan. 6, 2026. The agreement includes a 2.5 per cent net smelter return royalty, with 40 per cent of that royalty eligible for repurchase by the company for $1 million. A finder’s fee will also be paid as part of the transaction.

Kreft is a Canadian prospector and entrepreneur known for his appearance on the Discovery Channel’s Yukon Gold television series.

Copper Quest said it plans to use artificial intelligence to integrate historic and modern geological data to guide further exploration. That may include mapping, sampling and geophysical surveys such as ground magnetics, induced polarization and passive seismic methods. A follow-up drill program is also being considered to test priority targets within the mineralized zone.

“A mother lost her son because the system failed him at every stage,” said Rattée, the Conservative Opposition Critic for Mental Health and Addictions.

“He endured severe stomach pain for years, dismissed as constipation. Last month, he waited nearly five hours in the ER while turning blue before a CT was finally arranged in Terrace—but no ambulance was available. He had to wait for one from Terrace. This should never happen in British Columbia.”

According to Rattée, the teen, identified only as Vincent, died at 10:48 p.m. before he could be transferred for the scan that may have detected and treated a congenital hernia. Rattée’s office said she has spoken with the boy’s family and has their permission to speak publicly about the circumstances of his death.

She is now calling on the Ministry of Health to launch an independent review of the incident and to activate the Kitimat CT scanner for emergency use without delay.

“How many more people have to die before this government gets the CT scanner running in Kitimat?” Rattée asked.

The scanner project—widely seen in the community as a vital improvement to local health care—is being funded through a $4.7-million partnership between the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation (KGHF), the Northwest Regional Hospital District (NWRHD), and the provincial government.

KGHF secured most of its $2.4-million share by late 2023 through community donations, including $800,000 from the District of Kitimat, as well as major contributions of $500,000 from the Max Lange Foundation and $900,000 from LNG Canada.

LNG Canada’s funding was contingent on the scanner being installed and operational within 18 months. To meet that timeline, the foundation delayed signing the agreement until the province confirmed its share of the funding.

That commitment did not come until September 2024—nearly a year after local funding was secured. Renovations to house the scanner didn’t begin until August 2025. While the equipment is now on site, it won’t be operational until that work is complete. Rattée has criticized the province’s timeline and is calling for the scanner to be made available for emergency use in the meantime.

“The community stepped up. The government didn’t,” said Rattée. “The equipment that could have helped this boy was sitting behind a construction barrier.”

Asked directly by Black Press Media whether the Ministry would launch a formal review, as requested by Rattée, Health Minister Josie Osborne did not comment. She also did not respond to Rattée’s criticism that the provincial government failed to prioritize the project, but said the province was confident it would be completed by spring.

“The loss of any child is incredibly tragic, and my heart goes out to this family,” Osborne said. “I urge any family in a situation like this with concerns to bring them forward to the Patient Care Quality Office, because it’s incredibly important that matters like this are looked into.”

According to Northern Health, renovations at Kitimat General Hospital are expected to be complete in early 2026, with the CT scanner beginning service for urgent and semi-urgent diagnostic needs. Full operations are anticipated later in the spring. Staff training is already underway, and additional testing and approval processes are required, as this is a new service rather than a replacement. The renovation schedule was designed to minimize disruption to hospital operations.

Between 2018 and 2022, Kitimat residents received an average of about 1,500 CT scans per year—most performed in Terrace. Northern Health says the new scanner is expected to reduce patient travel, ease demand on ambulance transfers, and support recruitment, retention and student training at the hospital.

Computed tomography is a critical diagnostic tool used to assess trauma, stroke, cancer and other serious conditions. The expanded imaging department at Kitimat General Hospital is expected to give physicians faster access to diagnostic information and improve care delivery.

Smithers broke the deadlock late in the first period when Dylan Oud opened the scoring at 12:04, assisted by Kaleb Roy and Kevin Fillier. The Ice Demons held the visitors to a single goal through the rest of the frame, but pressure continued to build in the second.

Drew Stevens doubled the lead at 13:28 of the second, and with one second left in the period, Ian Chrystal capitalized on a power play to make it 3–0. The goal came after Kitimat’s Adam Cabral was handed a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct at 18:00, giving Smithers an extended man advantage that carried into the third.

From there, the game tilted sharply in the Steelheads’ favour.

Just over a minute into the final frame, Riley Coish made it 4–0. Moments later, a string of penalties assessed to Wil DeJong—including spearing, instigating, fighting and a game misconduct—set the stage for back-to-back power-play goals from Ryan Green and Levi Olson, pushing the lead to 6–0.

Kitimat’s lone goal came midway through the period, as captain Derek Wakita scored on the power play at 11:23, assisted by Maddox Medeiros and Ayden Baldo.

Smithers responded with two more goals to close out the game—Kodi Schwarz at 14:53 and Chrystal’s second of the night at 18:36.

The game grew increasingly aggressive as it wore on. Kitimat finished with 71 minutes in penalties, while Smithers racked up 68 of their own.

“We are getting the sport off the ground with some big momentum behind it,” said Nadine Cunningham, president of the Northwest BC Roller Derby League and member of the Bulkley Valley Bruisers. “There’s enough skaters now to flesh out our rec teams, and more skaters are looking to compete beyond their hometowns and play at higher levels now with the travel team. It’s a really exciting time for what roller derby looks like in northern B.C.”

The league’s board voted unanimously at its Oct. 19 meeting to oversee the creation of the travel team — including its management, policies, staffing and funding — following strong engagement from the community that helped shape the team’s direction. The name Northern Nomads was chosen by league members from a shortlist.

While the Northwest BC Roller Derby League itself is relatively new — formed within the past year and a half — the idea of a travel team has been building since day one. The league unites four communities: the Bulkley Valley Bruisers (Smithers), Northcoast Nightmares (Terrace), Coastal Crushers (Kitimat), and the Burns Lake Body Count.

“In forming the league, we wanted to create a healthier rec league in the North with interleague play,” Cunningham said. “Because we’re all so distant from one another it was difficult to get regular games going. Out of that we have more skaters and members want to travel more and play more. Organically, the travel team was born.”

With the centralized league structure now in place, teams can coordinate more effectively — and the Northern Nomads are the result: a competitive squad bringing together players from each community to represent the region and seek out stronger opponents beyond the local scene.

The Nomads played their first game against the Prince George Thrashers, which ended in a loss but marked a new beginning. Since then, they’ve earned their first victory at the Days of Derby competition in Chilliwack.

“As we level up and gain more skill, it’s necessary to branch out and find more teams that match our skill level,” Cunningham said.

The team also acts as a launchpad for skaters aiming to compete at the provincial AA level. Once a member completes their Learn to Skate program and joins their local rec team, they become eligible for the travel team.

Each fall, Learn to Skate programs introduce new members to the fundamentals — standing, skating, stopping and falling — preparing them for local play and, if desired, the Nomads.

Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport played on roller skates between two teams of five skaters circling an oval track. The goal is for a designated “jammer” — marked by a star on their helmet — to lap members of the opposing team to score points. Meanwhile, “blockers” work to stop the rival jammer while helping their own advance. It’s a demanding sport requiring strategy, speed, balance and teamwork — and for athletes joining the Nomads, it’s a chance to test those skills at a higher level.

For Cunningham and many others, the draw of roller derby goes far beyond the action on the track. She said it’s the culture that makes it so powerful for new and returning athletes.

“It’s so much more than one bout,” Cunningham said. “Through its inclusivity, the roller derby community creates something really special. We have a place for all persons, regardless if they are athletic or not.”

The league — and the Northern Nomads — welcomes all body types and gender identities, with both open and women-only rosters available depending on the competition.

“In the north, if you have two legs you can come and skate with us,” she said. “It’s one of the most inclusive sports I’ve ever played, with a huge, supportive community.”

The travel team is managed and operated by the skaters themselves, who cover their own practice costs and tournament fees. However, the board is actively pursuing grant funding — particularly through programs supporting women in sport — to support the team’s sustainability as it grows. The long-term goal is to reduce financial barriers for participation and strengthen the team’s competitive presence.

Looking ahead, the Northwest BC Roller Derby League is exploring opportunities to help launch new teams in Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii — with the hope that one day, those communities may also feed into the Nomads.

His promotion to Superintendent comes after only a short time serving as Operations Support Officer in Nanaimo and follows the August retirement of Superintendent Todd Preston.

“I’m truly honoured and excited to join the West Shore RCMP and to serve these vibrant and growing communities,” Gillespie said in a release. “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated officers and staff, municipal and Indigenous leaders, as well as our community partners to continue delivering safe, responsive, and community-focused policing.”

Gillespie will officially assume his new role in the new year.

Before arriving on Vancouver Island in June, Gillespie served as the Officer in Charge of the Terrace RCMP detachment, where he was commissioned as Inspector in 2023.

His time in Terrace was marked by an ongoing effort to address chronic staffing shortages and secure provincial funding to support targeted enforcement. In 2024 and again this year, he successfully applied for grants to support overtime costs, enabling the detachment to run foot patrols downtown in warmer months and deploy e-bike patrols.

The Terrace detachment also participated in a province-wide campaign focused on repeat and violent offenders.

Prior to his Terrace posting, Gillespie led detachments in Smithers and Haida Gwaii and served as District Advisory NCO for the Kitimat-Stikine region.

He began his RCMP career in 2006 with assignments in Squamish and Burns Lake, steadily rising through the ranks to Staff Sergeant by the time he arrived in Smithers in 2019.

An RCMP press release states that Gillespie has led detachments in communities with some of the province’s highest crime rates, where his work has included efforts to improve morale, staffing levels, and engagement with municipal and Indigenous partners.

The release notes that he has supported operational changes and programs intended to enhance officer safety and public confidence.

Now promoted to Superintendent, Gillespie brings nearly two decades of experience to West Shore RCMP, which serves several fast-growing municipalities west of Victoria, including Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Highlands, and Metchosin.

Gillespie holds a diploma in Business Administration and has completed advanced studies in Police Leadership and Management at Dalhousie University, along with executive development through the RCMP.

– With files from Rod Link

The Assembly of First Nations nominated Luggi for the national honour, formally awarded June 20, 2025.

With a public service record spanning more than three decades, Luggi has long held leadership roles within Indigenous governance, including multiple terms as elected Chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Her first term began in 1987. She returned to office in 2019 and has since been re-elected by acclamation in both 2022 and 2025.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a commemorative honour created to mark the coronation of King Charles III. It is awarded to individuals across Canada who have made significant contributions to their communities, public service, or the country as a whole.

Luggi’s work has spanned political, social and economic spheres across Indigenous communities in the province. According to her biography, supplied by the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, she has served on regional leadership bodies such as the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, the BC Assembly of First Nations and the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Society, among others. Her experience also includes organizations focused on family services, economic development, employment and training, and treaty negotiations.

Luggi’s background reflects a sustained commitment to community-led governance and Indigenous self-determination. Her involvement in treaty processes, public administration and non-profit governance is supported by formal education in Indigenous leadership, conflict resolution and executive management.

She is a member of the Bear Clan (Gitdumden) of the House of Spoax and is of Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en and Stellat’en ancestry.

The Coronation Medal, created to mark the ascension of King Charles III, honours Canadians who have made significant contributions to their communities and the country.

Black Press Media reached out to Chief Luggi for comment, but she was unavailable as of press time.

Fresh off back-to-back losses on Nov. 8 and 9, Hazelton marched into Terrace’s barn on a mission with Jordan Thomas, Ethan Browne, and Daniel Kenaghan banging in markers in the first period. Terrace would get one back making the score 3-1 at the end of 20 minutes.

The Wolverines came out firing again in the second frame, knocking in two more at 1:19 (Sean Maktaak) and 1:26 (Jonah Bevington), before Browne made it 5-1.

Terrace clawed back a couple, to make it 5-3 going into the final period.

Just five minutes into the third, Browne managed to complete the hat trick and Kernaghan added his second of the night to give the Wolverines a commanding 8-3 lead.

A late Terrace goal was far too little, too late for the home team.

The previous weekend, Hazelton came up short in back-to-back road games, with a 9–7 loss to the Williams Lake Stampeders on Nov. 8 before falling 6–4 to the Quesnel Kangaroos the following night.

Friday’s game in Williams Lake was a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Hazelton struck first just two minutes in with a goal from Kernaghan, assisted by Tanner Wort. They went up 2-0 at 6:22 on a goal by Bevington.

But the Stamps answered quickly and forcefully, scoring four straight goals to take a 4–2 lead into the first intermission.

Early in the second frame, Bevington cut the lead by one with his second of the game, but a few minutes later the Wolverines were penalized for too many players on the ice. Williams Lake converted on the resulting power play and added another goal a minute later to put the visitors in a 6-3 hole.

The Wolverines battled back with markers from Dawson McKenzie and Ilijah Colina — cutting the deficit to 6–5 by the end of 40 minutes.

Williams Lake added three more goals in the third making the lead an insurmountable 9-5 despite a late rally by the visitors. Colina scored his second of the night at 16:16, followed shortly by a power-play goal from Wort after Stampeders goaltender Ryan Balbirnie was called for roughing.

The next night in Quesnel, the Wolverines again found themselves in a tightly contested game — this time one marked by a volatile second period.

Quesnel opened the scoring at 6:05 of the first, with Eli Jarvis finishing a play from Alessio Tomassetti and Brody Dale. Hazelton responded at 11:12 with a goal from Ethan Browne to tie the game 1–1.

The first half of the second period was volatile with several penalties for roughing assessed on both sides. The penalty-killers were solid, though, until a high-sticking call put the Roos’ Tanner Cochrane in the box. Hazelton took advantage, pulling ahead on the power play with a goal from McKenzie at 11:06. Less than a minute later, Bevington added another, giving the Wolverines a 3–1 lead.

Quesnel responded with three unanswered goals in the last five minutes of the frame, giving the Kangaroos a brief 4–3 lead before McKenzie replied just 19 seconds later with his second of the night, tying the game 4–4.

The Roos’ Alessio Tomassetti restored Quesnel’s lead halfway through the third with an unassisted goal and sealed the win with an empty-netter at 19:32.

Quesnel now leads the league with 14 points through eight games, holding a 7–2 record.

Hazelton sits in second place with 11 points through eight, followed by Terrace in third with nine points from seven games.

Prince Rupert and Williams Lake are tied at eight points each, placing fourth and fifth, respectively, as the Rampage have two games in hand over the Stampeders.

Smithers holds sixth place with four points, while Kitimat rounds out the standings without a win so far this season.