LeAnn Rimes recovering from surgery /16
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2006

Scientists test linking thoughts to computer /7

Our Lady Peace returns for Sunday show /13
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Home sale values, building permits way up
by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff Strong numbers have been posted for the first half of the year in both home sales and building permits, figures from the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board and the City of Prince George show. According to a report the BCNREB released Wednesday, $153 million worth of real estate from 962 properties of all classifications were sold as of the end of June, a 27.5-per-cent increase from the $120 million over 892 properties by midway last year. Looking at single-family residential, 607 homes were sold through the Multiple Listings Service at an average price of $187,830, compared to 620 homes at an average of $144,039 at the same point last year. Meanwhile, as of the end of June, the city had issued 358 permits for $56.5 million worth of construction, up from $40.5 million on 353 permits over the same period last year. The difference is due largely to the Northern Sport Centre at UNBC. A permit for $25.4 million worth of work on the project was taken out in May. Construction of single family homes continued to play a prominent role as 110 permits for $14.8 million worth of work were issued, compared to 104 permits for $12.8 million for the first half of 2005. For June in particular, 94 permits were issued for $7.7 million worth of work of which 25 were for $3.4 million worth of single-family homes. During the same month last year, 77 permits for $10.3 million were issued, of which 22 were for $2.8 million were for single-family homes and two were for city water projects worth a combined $5 million. Sales have also been brisk in Quesnel, according to the BCNREB, where the total value stood at $29.7 million on 249 properties, up from $18.7 million on 186 properties as of halfway through last year. Single family homes in Quesnel have been selling for an average $140,729 on 144 sales, compared to $110,583 on 99 sales by the end of June last year. In Mackenzie, the average sale price for a single-family home stood at $108,773 on 13 sales, up from $97,942 on 43 sales last year. In Vanderhoof, the average price was $120,532 on 40 sales, compared to $98,669 on 45 sales last year and in

FACTBOX
Single-family homes June 30, 2005 Units Dec. 31, 2005 Units June 30, 2006 Units PRINCE GEORGE $144,039 620 $147,821 1,262 $187,830 607 QUESNEL $110,583 99 $116,061 226 $140,729 144 MACKENZIE $97,942 43 $97,752 61 $108,773 13 VANDERHOOF* $98,669 45 $105,206 90 $120,532 40 *Vanderhoof previously included Fort St. James Source: B.C. Northern Real Estate Board

Fort St. James the average price stood at $128,272 on 11 sales, with no figure available for last year. And in Williams Lake, the average prices was $170,578 on 97 sales, compared to $131,657 on 71 sales last year. Homes in Fort St. John are the most expensive in northern B.C., selling for an average $251,408 over 216 transac-

tions, compared to $186,830 on 239 sales last year. "Almost every community in our board area has seen an increase in unit sales and in dollar volume this year," BCNREB president Ted Shepard said. "Prices have gone up in every town but there are still affordable housing choices for the average family in the North." mnielsen@princegeorgecitizen.com

Coal mine project approved
by GORDON HOEKSTRA Citizen staff Western Canadian Coal Corp. has received an environmental assessment certificate from the B.C. government for its proposed $200-million Brule Mine project, which is part of its coal development in the Tumbler Ridge area. The approval from B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office also OK's the construction of a new loading facility, along with roads and power lines. The plan is for the Brule Mine to allow its coal operations to continue when Western Canadian's Dillon mine, in the same area, runs out of coal later this year. The environmental assessment approval -- which is subject to the company obtaining necessary permits and authorizations -- paves the way for the company to produce up to two million tonnes of coal from the Brule Mine, 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd. We s t e r n C a n a d i a n C o a l s a i d Wednesday it will determine how to proceed with its plans to develop the mine based on coal prices and transportation costs that can support the project. -- See COMPANY on page 3

Home builders struggle with staff shortage
by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff Prince George home builders are agreeing with a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation market analyst's assertion that a shortage of workers is behind the leveling off in the number of starts in the city and surrounding area. "I would say that's a huge part of it," said Prince George Home Builders Association president Kim Forrest on Wednesday. Month-over-month figures from CMHC show a decline in June, to 21 starts from 32 starts for the same month last year, even though year-todate figures show an increase to 114 starts from 111 by halfway through last year. CMHC market analyst Andy Ni said a shortage of skilled labour is impeding homebuilders' progress, and Forrest agrees, saying it's part of a bigger trend that has hit not only construction but other trades-heavy sectors. "We've got a trade shortage, it's a huge trades shortage," Ni said. "And it doesn't matter where it is, everybody is really busy." Framers are most needed, but they're not the only ones. "We've got buildings that are ready and need stucco and we can't find anybody to stucco," said Bic Hayer of Hayer Homes. "Siding is a problem as well, but it's not as bad as stucco, and it's the biggest (shortage) we've ever seen in Prince George." Help may be on the way, at least in terms of getting enough framers. Privately-run Sprott-Shaw Community College is about to start up an accredited 24-week framer program in a location at the Parkhill Centre mall on North Nechako Road (the same mall that holds Theatre North West) after running similar programs in Vancouver and Victoria. Classes start June 26 with further intakes beginning every month or so and there's the capacity to handle up to 45 students per day. "That department might become as big as the ones we have for our academic and business programs," said Sprott-Shaw's Prince George director Alan Timberlake. "That's the projection from some of the experiences and, of course, with all the news about growth for Prince George, it seems like good timing." The Canadian Home Builders Association designed the curriculum, he added, "so it's very transferable and there seems to be such a demand with the economy growing that people are definitely seeking it out." Concern was also raised by builders about the city's ability to handle the growing workload. -- See INSPECTORS on page 3

Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

Colin Schulz and Courtenay Hopson, Tourism Prince George information officers, walk through downtown Wednesday, offering directions to visitors.

Tourism officers hit streets
by STEPHANIE MORGAN Citizen staff Information officers hit downtown streets Wednesday as part of a new program to boost tourism. The tourist information officers will be wearing Prince George hats and carrying backpacks full of information on the area. "Essentially this program will run Tuesday to Saturday," said Deborah Kulchiski, manager of Tourism Prince George. "On any given day, there'll be two hosts walking the downtown core between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m." The hosts will be able to direct people to major events, businesses or simply greet them to the downtown area. These are an extension of the visitor centre. The hosts will also update businesses in the area on major events. "It builds community pride and community awareness," Kulchiski said. The Host PG program is a team effort by both Tourism Prince George and Downtown Prince George. "We're hoping to get people to think of the hosts as a friendly face, giving information to residents and tourists," said Janet Morris-Reade, executive director of Downtown P.G. Kulchiski went out with the hosts Wednesday morning and said the program has been well received in the community. "Visitors to a community will usually go to the downtown core to get a sense of the entire community and we wanted to be sure they were provided with a positive, informative message," said Morris-Reade. Both Kulchiski and Morris-Reade hope to expand the program in years to come, perhaps having the hosts act as ambassadors for major events like conferences.

Abitibi wants lumber deal changes
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INDEX
Annie's Mailbox . . . . . . . . . 16 Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Business . . . . . . . . . . . .22-24 City, B.C. . . . . . . . . . . 3,5,6,13 Classifi ed . . . . . . . . . . . 18-21 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . 16 Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15

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by GORDON HOEKSTRA Citizen staff Abitibi Consolidated Inc., a Quebecbased company which operates a pair of sawmills in northern B.C., says it has several concerns with the softwood lumber agreement it wants addressed. Those include increasing when a termination clause can be triggered to four years from two years, and allowing the carry-forward under quota provisions to be calculated on a quarterly and not monthly basis. Abitibi also wants integrated and independent lumber remanufacturers to be treated the same, and assurances that forestry rule changes that don't impact softwood lumber won't run afoul of the deal's anti-circumvention measures. While the federal Conservative government has said the deal is done and will be put to a confidence vote in Parliament this fall, Abitibi official Seth Kursman said Wednesday there's still time, and a way, to work a deal more palatable to Canadian companies. Kursman said Abitibi is particularly concerned that the two-year escape clause undermines the longevity of the seven-year deal, which can be extended another two years.

He suggested that agreement -- in the form of side letters, or clarification letters to the deal -- could be worked out in the coming weeks. While Kursman praised the efforts of the federal and provincial governments to reach a deal, and said there has been progress, he said industry's concerns need to be addressed to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. "We've gone through this for a long time. Let's make sure we do it in a way that meets the needs and concerns of as many as possible, without letting the negotiations completely fall apart either," said Kursman, Abitibi's vicepresident of communication and government affairs. Abitibi operates two sawmills in Mackenzie, 190 kilometres north of Prince George. The Mackenzie operation, which employs 300 people, is the largest of its 21 lumber mills, the remaining of which are located in Quebec. Abitibi also operates a pair of lumber remanufacturing plants in Quebec. The Conservative government has already indicated that negotiations are finished. The prime minister, Interna-

tional Trade Minister David Emerson, and local MP Dick Harris, have said the deal, outlined in an 80-page text, is a good one. Abitibi's voice joins a growing number of companies, and industry association, including the Quebec Forest Industry Council, that have cited concerns with the deal. Industry groups in B.C., Alberta and Ontario are also protesting the deal. Northern Interior companies have adopted different positions on the deal. Canfor, the largest softwood producer in Canada, and Pope & Talbot, support the deal. Carrier Lumber has reluctantly indicated qualified support. However, companies like West Fraser, Tolko and Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products are opposed. The deal could be blocked if enough companies don't sign on. That's because the deal needs the agreement of companies representing at least 95 per cent of the about $5 billion in tariffs on deposit with the U.S. The federal Conservative government is expected to pressure companies during the summer to sign on. -- See NDP on page 3

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