Local Business

Quesnel River Pulp, one of two pulp plants in Quesnel owned by West Fraser, has been sold to Atlas Holdings and will now be operated by Alberta company Millar Western. (Tracey Roberts photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Quesnel pulp mill sold by West Fraser Timber

Quesnel River Pulp part of a two-factory deal for cash and fibre supply

Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)

Seabridge Gold secures CA$200 million investment to advance gold mine project

It is the second investment by Sprott Resource Streaming in the KSM project

View of the existing AltaGas propane export terminal on Ridley Island from the water. A new bulk liquids export facility is proposed to go up adjacent to this one following an announcement April 26 of a joint venture between AltaGas and Vopak. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)

Vopak and AltaGas combine to evaluate new bulk liquids terminal at Prince Rupert port

New facility would be built adjacent to AltaGas’s existing propane export facility on Ridley Island

Gigantic prefabricated LNG processing units, called trains, are to liquefy natural gas. Phase one of the project will see two of these trains go into operation. Production would double in phase 2 as two more trains go online. (Michael Bramadat-Wilcock photo)

LNG Canada, BC Hydro explore electrification options

Time frame to complete transmission infrastructure raises emission reduction concerns

Gigantic prefabricated LNG processing units, called trains, are to liquefy natural gas. Phase one of the project will see two of these trains go into operation. Production would double in phase 2 as two more trains go online. (Michael Bramadat-Wilcock photo)
The Christmas Parade, like other events, is back on again this year, including the Chamber of Commerce-organized Christmas Parade and Merry Madness. (File photo)

Vanderhoof Christmas events are back on for 2022

Popular events are back after covid

The Christmas Parade, like other events, is back on again this year, including the Chamber of Commerce-organized Christmas Parade and Merry Madness. (File photo)
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
The Kispiox First Nation has reached an agreement with the province of B.C. to pursue commercial cannabis opportunities. (file photo)

B.C.’s Kispiox First Nation strikes deal for commercial cannabis operation

Northwest-based First Nation have entered a new agreement with the province

The Kispiox First Nation has reached an agreement with the province of B.C. to pursue commercial cannabis opportunities. (file photo)
The new Hampton Lumber sawmill in Fort St. James started to take shape during the winter. (Hampton Lumber Facebook photo)

Former Conifex employees invited to apply at new Fort St. James mill; no guarantees

Mill opening in 2022

The new Hampton Lumber sawmill in Fort St. James started to take shape during the winter. (Hampton Lumber Facebook photo)
Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)

From Afghanistan to Fraser Lake: the mechanics of a refugee

Mahdi Taheri shares his unlikely journey from the Afghan army to opening a shop in small-town B.C.

Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)
Larry and Janet Bangs. (Submitted photo)

“Creating opportunity and encouraging creativity”: Vanderhoof Department Store celebrating 30 years

Join the business on June 4 with 30 per cent off store-wide

  • Jun 3, 2022
Larry and Janet Bangs. (Submitted photo)
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce President Lesley Chaisson said there is a staffing and employee crisis in Vanderhoof and beyond. (Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce/website)

2022 Vanderhoof Trade Show cancelled

Northwest businesses experiencing staffing “crisis”: Chamber president

  • May 26, 2022
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce President Lesley Chaisson said there is a staffing and employee crisis in Vanderhoof and beyond. (Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce/website)
From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)

Tahltan business arm named business of the year

The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation honoured by Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference

From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)
Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)

Seabridge to spend $150 million to bring northwest B.C. gold mine project to “substantially started”

Spending made possible by investment by Sprott and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund

Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)
Fraser Lake, B.C. (Fraser Lake and District Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)

Fraser Lake chamber of commerce struggled to get the ball rolling in 2021

The second year of COVID-19 was difficult for the chamber to navigate, which affected them gravely

  • Jan 11, 2022
Fraser Lake, B.C. (Fraser Lake and District Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce said a “Reverse Parade” has been suggested as an alternative by a representative of Northern Health. (Black Press File photo)

Vanderhoof Christmas parade in question, says Chamber

Chamber of Commerce Manager said the event is still under discussion with Northern Health

Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce said a “Reverse Parade” has been suggested as an alternative by a representative of Northern Health. (Black Press File photo)
Vanderhoof residents will be able to participate in the Parade of Lights this year. (Black Press File photo)

Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake going ahead with Christmas parades

Shop local events will also be held

Vanderhoof residents will be able to participate in the Parade of Lights this year. (Black Press File photo)
Magdalena Saito is also an artist, other than being a clinically trained herbal therapist. In this photo she is standing in front of her paintings at the Street Art Show in Vanderhoof opposite the Integris Credit Union building. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Remedy Rebuild is open for business in Vanderhoof

There is a new small business in Vanderhoof providing services around restorative…

Magdalena Saito is also an artist, other than being a clinically trained herbal therapist. In this photo she is standing in front of her paintings at the Street Art Show in Vanderhoof opposite the Integris Credit Union building. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
Richard and Rashelle Martens presenting Ruth McIntosh from the St. John Hospital Auxiliary with a $5,498 cheque on Oct. 29 from the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign held in September every year. (Photo submitted by Ruth McIntosh)

Vanderhoof Tim Horton’s campaign raises over $5K for hospital auxiliary

Tim Horton’s in Vanderhoof has donated money to St. John Hospital Auxiliary.…

Richard and Rashelle Martens presenting Ruth McIntosh from the St. John Hospital Auxiliary with a $5,498 cheque on Oct. 29 from the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign held in September every year. (Photo submitted by Ruth McIntosh)
Raymond and Stephanie Reimer, owners of Vanderhoof Health and Fitness said their business is hurting since the vaccine card mandate for gyms was announced. They are hoping more people get vaccinated and come back to use the local gym for in-person fitness again. (Submitted photo)

Vanderhoof businesses hurting after vaccine card mandate announced for gyms, restaurants

VHF owners say they need assistance from the community

Raymond and Stephanie Reimer, owners of Vanderhoof Health and Fitness said their business is hurting since the vaccine card mandate for gyms was announced. They are hoping more people get vaccinated and come back to use the local gym for in-person fitness again. (Submitted photo)