TD Bank Group (TD) launches the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples, a new scholarship program tailored specifically for students from the Indigenous community, managed by AFOA Canada. TD understands the unique challenges and systemic barriers we face as Indigenous Peoples. Which is why we have worked closely with TD to customize a scholarship program focused on the needs of students from the Indigenous community. 

"It's important that students from Indigenous communities have equitable access to education. The TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples aims to help provide students from Indigenous communities with the financial freedom and stability to explore the benefit of a post-secondary education and work education. I am thrilled to see this program launch and look forward to continuing our relationship with AFOA Canada." – Doris Bear, Vice President, Indigenous Banking, TD Bank Group 

The scholarship program will provide 25 successful applicants with $15k annually (with a maximum of $60k across 4 years) to be put towards tuition costs and living expenses for the duration of their studies. Additionally, recipients will be offered an internship opportunity with TD to gain valuable work experience aligned to their career aspirations. Internship opportunities will be available for students throughout their time as a recipient. 

“The new TD Scholarship program will be transformational in the lives of the Indigenous students” says Terry Goodtrack, President and CEO, AFOA Canada. “It will set them up for success in achieving their academic goals and chosen career path” 

Scholarships are available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit who are members / citizens of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community. You must be a permanent resident of Canada and have applied for or are currently enrolled in a full-time, minimum 2-year program with an approved post-secondary institution in Canada. 

Applications will open Friday, November 18, 2022, at 4:30pm ET, and must be submitted by no later than January 16, 2023, at 5:00pm ET. For complete information about the program, please visit: www.afoa.ca/td. 

Background: 

AFOA Canada 

AFOA Canada, founded in 1999, strives towards their mandate to help Indigenous Peoples better manage and govern their communities and organizations through a focus on enhancing management, finance and 

governance practices and skills. It is the only organization in Canada that focuses on the capacity development and day-to-day needs of those Indigenous professionals who are working in all areas of management, finance, band administration, leadership, and program management—We are Building a Community of Professionals. 

TD Bank Group 

At TD, we recognize there is more work to be done on our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation. Supporting community initiatives that promote a connection to the land, enhance financial education, and foster a sense of belonging is important. We believe society is stronger when we work together and that we can help be a catalyst for dialogue to bring people, communities, and cultures together. 

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COVID-19 vaccinations for children are safe and effective: From a Pediatrician

My name is Dr. Kirsten Miller and I am a pediatrician in Prince George. I am also a parent to three children, aged 10 to 16.

COVID-19 is still present in our region and while most children who become infected with COVID-19 have a mild illness, that is not true for all of them. Also, many children in our region have been affected by seeing loved ones and family members become extremely ill from this virus.

I would like to encourage parents to have their 5 to 11 year old children vaccinated against COVID-19, and to encourage youth aged 12-18 to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for everyone. I am confident in the scientific evidence for the vaccines, and my own children have been vaccinated.

By having your children vaccinated, you are not only protecting them from the possibility of severe illness, but you are also helping your community by reducing the spread of infection. Please, help keep our communities, family members and children safe by ensuring that all those who are eligible, including children, are vaccinated against COVID-19.

For more information on the benefits and safety of vaccines for children, Children and COVID-19 Vaccinations page on the BCCDC website.

To find a vaccine clinic near you, visit the Northern Health website.

Don’t forget to book your booster dose!

Has it been 6 months since your second COVID-19 vaccine? Don't forget to book your booster dose! Booster appointments are available in your community. Follow the instructions from your invitation and please book now.

Even if you've already had COVID-19 and recovered, you should still get your booster dose. Why? Studies show the strength and length of protection from having COVID-19 varies greatly and will leave many people vulnerable to getting COVID-19 again.

f you were recently infected, you can get your booster once your symptoms have passed. Appointments are available in your community.

Learn more about boosters and book yours today!

When to get a COVID-19 test

As COVID-19 activity increases across BC, guidance for when to get a COVID-19 test has been updated.

A COVID-19 test is not recommended if:

• You have no symptoms, even if you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
• You are fully vaccinated (two doses), experiencing mild symptoms and can manage your illness at home. Self-isolate for five days. Notify your close contacts so they can self-monitor for symptoms and give them these instructions. 

A COVID-19 test is recommended if:

• You have symptoms, and:
  • You are at higher risk of severe illness – due to being unimmunized, or immunocompromised
  • You identify with a high risk setting  - such as health care workers, first responders, residents of congregate settings, or live in a remote or rural community 

If you feel unwell and are unsure about your symptoms, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

Still not sure? Use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to determine if you need to be tested.

More details and a full list of eligible symptoms and criteria is found here: When to get a COVID-19 test

For more information, visit our COVID-19 testing and self-isolation page.

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests now in use at many Northern Health testing sites

Rapid COVID-19 tests (rapid antigen tests) are now available as take-home kits at some Northern Health testing centres for people with symptoms, in addition to PCR testing. The type of test a person receives will be based on their symptoms and risk factors. Here’s some info that you need to know:

1. 1. Northern Health Virtual Primary & Community Care Clinic, or contacting their health care provider, and then they will be directed to a testing centre for either PCR testing, or to pick up a rapid test for home use, based on their symptoms and risk. 
   2. All rapid antigen tests used in BC have been scientifically validated and are safe and effective in detecting COVID-19, particularly among those who are symptomatic.
   3. Those who receive a rapid antigen test are provided with instructions for self-reporting a positive result, self-isolation, managing symptoms, and notifying their contacts. They do not require additional testing to confirm their test result.
   4. We want to remind people COVID-19 testing is not recommended if you have no symptoms, or if you have mild symptoms, are fully vaccinated, and can manage your illness at home. 
   5. People without symptoms who require testing for travel purposes can find a private test site here (on the BCCDC site).

For more direction on using rapid tests, contact tracing and what to do after testing positive, visit the BCCDC - Rapid antigen testing for COVID-19.

Northern Health appreciates the continued cooperation, patience, and support of our Northern BC communities! And we want to extend our sincere thanks to our staff providing testing services.

Tested positive for COVID-19?

If you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19, here’s information on what steps to take and how to notify your close contacts. 

Note: If you were given a rapid antigen test at a COVID-19 testing site, please follow the instructions given to self-report your positive result.

How long do I need to self-isolate?

You can end isolation when all three of these conditions are met:

1. At least 5 days have elapsed since your symptoms started (10 days if not fully vaccinated) or from your test date if asymptomatic
2. Your fever has resolved for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
3. Other symptoms have improved or resolved

How do I notify close contacts?

Consider who you were with and where you’ve been in the two days before you started having symptoms up until you started to self-isolate. If you have not had any symptoms and tested positive, consider who you were with and where you’ve been in the two days before your positive test.

Generally, you should notify:

• People you live with
• People you had intimate contact with

Give your close contacts these instructions. For more information see COVID-19 testing and self-isolation.

Coming Together in the Northern way of caring

By Kim Matheson

Since February 2020, throughout the challenging and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, people have shown how resilient they are. In Northern BC, we have seen people come together to help ensure the health and safety of their communities.

In celebration of the work being done, we have developed Coming Together. This publication is a way for us to share a few stories about Northern Health professionals who make a difference in their communities. While we can’t include every story, we hope the ones we were able to share here will help demonstrate the tireless efforts of these dedicated health care professionals.

We will continue to highlight health care professionals, their stories, and communities on the Northern Health Stories site – check back often!

Website: www.northernhealth.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorthernHealth/

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EAT OUT PRINCE GEORGE

Prince George has really become a city that embraces its independent eateries. Ask any local you see, and they’ll easily list a dozen favourite restaurants without even a pause to think. From an exploding array of multicultural cuisines, indulgent gourmet bites, and innovative plates emphasising local ingredients, our up and coming chefs continue to break the status quo. A word of advice... come hungry.

“The food scene here is growing, and it’s changing,” says Chef Warren of Betulla Burning. “There’s definitely a lot of people who are excited for things that are happening in Prince George and a lot of people who are pushing the boundaries.”

SOURCED LOCALLY

With short summers, and abundant wild harvests surrounding Prince George many local ingredients have less than a month to be harvested and picked.

When in season, a visit to a few of these eateries is bound to have you indulging in some of the local produce whether off the feature menu or as raw ingredients.

•  Prince George Farmers’ Market
•  The Bistro at Northern Lights Wintery
•  Birch & Boar
•  Frozen Paddle
•  Betulla Burning
•  Wilson Square Market

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Unique experiences found across the city and leading the way for PG.

• House of Ancestors Café (indigenous)
• Zen Noodle House (fusion)
• Shogun Japanese Steakhouse (teppanyaki)
• Ramen Ya Sendo (ramen)
• Ritual Coffeeworks (vegan)

GRUB ON WHEELS

Just as restaurants morph, so can our definition of a restaurant. These entrepreneurs are taking their bites to you and hitting the pavement to hang at the best of the local event scene. Most trucks run weekly from May-October.

Here are a few trucks we’ve noticed around town lately.

• The Veg Head (vegan tacos)
• Glazed (doughnuts)
• Legendary John’s Spud Truck (potatoes)
• Kusina Tasty Food (Filipino cuisine)

GET THE SCOOP ON WHAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN SAMPLING

Support local and use the hashtag #EatsinPG in your social posts to share your appreciation and love for Prince George’s foodie scene and chefs.

https://youtu.be/TFHLKfWkdBA

Website: www.tourismpg.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tourismpg/

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Perfect Sleep Solutions – One Year in Business

Opening a Business During a Pandemic

When a new business completes their first full year of being opened, it is quite an accomplishment. But, opening a business during a pandemic and staying open for the entire year, now that was absolutely a Herculean feat! At Perfect Sleep Solutions, we opened our doors during this terrible pandemic and have managed to experience growth through our first year!

There were, and still are, many challenges we deal with on a daily basis; staying organized while working out of a second location, social distancing, masking, most businesses and suppliers who were closed for in person meetings, and shipping times to get supplies. These are just some of the hurdles we managed to get over to keep Perfect Sleep Solutions moving forward. But we learned that services received and services rendered can still occur if we remain patient, kind and just slow down a bit.

Small Steps to Positive Results

Perfect Sleep Solutions Quesnel has been well received in the community and is quite busy with appointments, phone calls and walk-ins. We are proud to say Perfect Sleep Solutions is filling a void in sleep information and sleep aids that was previously lacking in the Quesnel area.

We have a certified Medical Director, a Somnologist for sleep study interpretations, a Registered Polysomnography Sleep Tech for test scoring and currently two Registered Respiratory Therapists for Sleep Therapy Application. Both our therapists, Jay and Darren, have been working primarily with Sleep Therapy for over 10 years.

Perfect Sleep Solutions can be the answer to your sleep apnea condition. It is a family owned and operated business dedicated to helping people conquer their sleep disorders. Perfect Sleep Solutions is headed by Jay Wolfe, Registered Respiratory Therapist. With his 30 years of experience helping people overcome obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, and utilizing the latest state of the art diagnostic equipment, Perfect Sleep Solution’s patients receive the best treatment available. He understands and acknowledges the client’s needs, while educating and recommending solutions to their sleep issues. You may need CPAP therapy or an oral appliance may be the best option. Whichever therapy fits you, Jay and the Perfect Sleep Solutions team will help you with choices that are best suited for you and your family.

Continuing to Grow

At Perfect Sleep Solutions, we are meeting or exceeding the standard set out by the College of Physicians for being governed by a Medical Director, Standards of qualifications, methods, charting and policies for Sleep Testing, scoring and interpretation, education and therapy.

And we continue to grow! Working through this pandemic, we have found that it is best to call in and book an appointment but we always welcome walk-ins. If you are ill, we can take appointments over the phone, but an in-person appointment with your equipment is always best though.

The Quesnel Clinic is located at 533 Reid Street Unit 200. Call (778) 414-8444.
You will also find Perfect Sleep Solutions online at https://perfectsleepsolutions.ca

You will find the Prince George Clinic at 575 Quebec Street Unit 202.
Call (236) 423-6244.

A perfect night’s sleep will change your life! Find your “happy sleep place” at Perfect Sleep Solutions. Know the symptoms, find the control, take back your life! Pleasant dreams!

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Kordyban Lodge Feels Like Home

People diagnosed with cancer face many challenges. The financial and emotional stress of making the trek to a distant location for treatment, can be one of them.

For those traveling to Prince George for cancer treatment, the Canadian Cancer Society Kordyban Lodge is an affordable home away from home. Kordyban Lodge welcomes guests from all over the North – offering nutritious meals, easy access to cancer information, and 24-hour support from staff.

Mike Calli heard about the Lodge when he came from Prince Rupert to see his surgeon in Prince George before starting two months of radiation for colon cancer.

“They said I could stay at Kordyban Lodge and I said, ‘what’s that?’ Now I’ve been there so many times, it feels like family,” says Mike. “I met some really good friends. When you meet people in similar situations, you just feel open. You can be honest. And the volunteers and staff – you've never met a kinder, more understanding bunch of people. They really go out of their way to help. It gives you a spark that everyone there cares so much. You can learn to start living again.”

A stay at the Kordyban Lodge helps a person being treated for cancer feel supported, informed and empowered. The lodge has a range of amenities and services, including 3 meals a day, WiFi connectivity and a wig and breast prosthesis bank for those that need it. There’s also easy access to information and Canadian Cancer Society support programs.

The Kordyban Lodge is much more than a place to stay. it’s a place where shared experiences can lead to lasting friendships and relieve some of the stress and anxiety of a cancer dignosis.

Climb For Cancer

The Climb for Cancer is a community-based fundraiser supporting the Kordyban Lodge. September 18 and 19th, 2021 marks the 6th Annual Climb for Cancer. An anticipated 600 climbers will tackle climbing Prince George’s notoriously steep cutbanks.

The climb is intentionally difficult to mimic the challenges that cancer patients face when they’re going through treatment.

Since 2015, the Climb for Cancer has raised $172,000, with this year’s goal being $75,000.00 – a modest increase from last year’s record-breaking $65,000.00.

Many Ways To Show Your Support

There are so many ways to show your support for this year’s Climb for Cancer!

You can register as a single participant, register as a team, or simply go online and make your donation at www.cancer.ca.

By participating in, or donating to the Climb for Cancer, you’ll be touching many lives and hearts.

1100 Alward Street,
Prince George, BC,  V2M 7B1
Reservations: Phone: (250) 562-3535
Email: kordybanlodge@cancer.ca
www.cancer.ca

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COVID-19 Vaccinations

Everyone must register once

Everyone in B.C. must register with the Get Vaccinated provincial registration system once. This includes:

• Seniors and Indigenous people who booked dose 1 through their health authority before April 6
• People who got dose 1 of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD at a local pharmacy
• People who got dose 1 at a workplace clinic, community outreach clinic or whole of community clinic
• People who are clinically extremely vulnerable
• Frontline workers who got dose 1 with the priority populations program

Registration makes sure we have your current email and phone number, so we can contact you to book dose 1 or dose 2. Spread the word and help your friends and family complete their registration, book an appointment and get the vaccine.

Register here: www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/

Vaccines used in Canada are safe and effective

Vaccines (including the COVID-19 vaccines) are developed to meet the highest standards and are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness.

Watch this video to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4N4_1PNtfk

Dose 2 appointments

You’ll get your second dose about 16 weeks after the first dose. If you registered on the province’s Get Vaccinated website, you'll be notified automatically when it's time for your second dose.

• If you got your first dose before the provincial registration system was available, you need to register now at Get Vaccinated. That way, you’re in the system and you’ll get that notification when it’s time for your second dose.
• If you’ve already registered, and you’ve already got your first dose, you’re in the system. You’ll be notified automatically when it’s time for your second dose. You don’t need to do anything else.

Note: If you signed up with a pharmacy or with your local health unit, this is not the same as registering with the provincial system. You should still register now at Get Vaccinated.

Dawson Creek community member Claudette Huber shares why she got the jab:

“I got my vaccine because it’s for the greater good of everybody. I believe in hope and I think it’s the socially responsible thing to do. As Canadian Sioux artist Maxine Noel says, ‘Only in unity will there be hope for the future’.”

Thank you for sharing your photo and words Claudette!

For more information on how to get a vaccine, visit northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid-19-vaccine-plan.

Provincial restrictions are still in place

Provincial restrictions are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Some restrictions are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) under the Public Health Act and others are made under the Emergency Program Act (EPA). Most orders can be enforced by police and compliance and enforcement officials.

Stay up to date with topics like:

• PHO order on gatherings and events
• PHO order on restaurants and bars
• EPA order on masks in public indoor settings
• Enforcement

Mental health resources:

We know for many that this continues to be a unique and trying time. These resources can provide tips for managing COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and depression.

⦁ Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety, & Depression: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/managing-covid-stress
⦁ COVID-19 and Anxiety: www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/covid-19-and-anxiety

If you need help:

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre

• Provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.
  Call 604-872-3311 (Greater Vancouver)
• Toll-free 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
• crisiscentre.bc.ca

The KUU-US Crisis Response Service

• Provides 24/7 culturally-aware crisis support to Indigenous Peoples in B.C.
• Call 1-800-588-8717
• kuu-uscrisisline.ca

Find more trusted COVID-19 information on the Northern Health website at www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/coronavirus-information-covid-19

Website: www.northernhealth.ca

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The Homes That Are Prepared Are The Homes That Are Left Standing

The smell of smoke fills the air. The heat rises and the sky turns yellow with ash. The sounds of wood cracking and the pops and bangs of aerosols exploding can be heard from a distance. The heat sounds like a windstorm as fire tears across the ground.

It is terrifying.

But not uncommon.

Wildfires are natural part of British Columbia’s wildland ecosystems. Without wildfire, the landscape loses its diversity. By extending our communities into forested areas, we become more exposed to the danger of wildfire.

This summer the most important thing you can do is be prepared by using proven FireSmart methods to protect your home.

These simple steps are recommended by the Firefighters who have been on the frontlines and know first-hand what makes homes and communities more resilient to wildfires. To increase the probability that your home will survive a wildfire, it is highly recommend that you do the following:

• Clean your roof and gutters
• Mow your lawn regularly
• Move woodpiles and combustible material 10-30 meters away from your home
• Clean up dry leaves, twigs and branches from your yard
• Download and use the interactive FireSmart Begins at Home Manual

After years of devastating wildfires, firefighters and experts from around the world were asked one question: “What have we learned?” Watch their answers below.

https://vimeo.com/536517089

These are simple tasks that could save your home by giving the fire less fuel. For even more protection, integrate FireSmart into your long-term renovations and upgrades. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when building or renovating your home:

• Choose a fire-resistant material for roofing
• Put a spark arrestor on your chimney
• Consider screening your vents
• Choose siding that offers superior fire resistance like stucco, metal, brick, concrete or fibre cement
• Install tempered, thermal (double-paned) windows
• Plant low-density, fire-resistant plants and shrubs and do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 meters of your home

These recommendations will help reduce the likelihood of you losing your home to wildfire. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. How you prepare today could make the biggest different in what happens tomorrow. For a detailed look at all the things you can do to protect your biggest investment, please download the FireSmart Begins at Home Manual.

And remember: It’s the homes that are prepared, that are the homes that are left standing.

FireSmart BC website: www.firesmartbc.ca
FireSmart BC Twitter: www.twitter.com/BCFireSmart
FireSmart BC Facebook: www.facebook.com/firesmartbc
FireSmart BC Instagram: www.instagram.com/firesmartbc

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In a Time of COVID: Building Thriving Communities

What does a thriving community mean to you? At BC Housing, it means a home for everyone, breaking down barriers to people fully participating in society, and working together on a shared commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and reconciliation.

It became clear early on in the pandemic that people living outdoors or in a shelter were at higher risk – they could not safely distance. Finding spaces to self-isolate was one of the first steps taken by BC Housing as part of their COVID response.

In the northern region of BC, there are now 19 sites offering 161 spaces for people to safely distance. “At these 19 sites, we’re also coordinating daily meals for people. The pandemic has caused food security challenges,” explains BC Housing Operations Director Malachy Tohill. “In addition, as Northern Health recommends regular deep cleaning, we now have enhanced cleaning in BC Housing-managed buildings, and we partner with housing providers to have the same standard in their buildings. Cleaning and essential supplies like masks are an important way we’re helping to protect our social housing tenants.”

Renters in the private market also faced challenges, so the Province asked BC Housing to roll out the BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program, with more than 2,000 households across the north receiving support from April through August 2020.

Housing affordability and homelessness were already a challenge, but the pandemic has added a new pressure. “The impact of the housing crisis on our communities is wide ranging; it affects everything from recruitment and retention to putting a strain on our healthcare system to increasing costs for first responders,” says BC Housing Development Director Amy Wong. “We work hard to provide secure, affordable homes so that communities can thrive, something that has become more important than ever during these challenging times.” In the North, as of December 2020, there are 939 new homes funded by BC Housing Building BC programs and HousingHub that are underway for families, seniors, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Learn more at: www.bchousing.org/publications/Affordable-Housing-Quarterly-Progress-Q1.pdf

A few examples include new homes with supports proposed for members of Lake Babine Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of the Village of Burns Lake; and a new senior and dementia care project underway in Vanderhoof; 19 new homes with supports in the Village of Queen Charlotte (Daajing Giids); and a number of new homes with supports in planning for Prince George.

Building new housing meets a basic need for people in our communities, and it can also support the broader economy. There are direct opportunities for businesses to be part of new housing initiatives, through bidding on the development-related work on BC Bid, supply chain opportunities, or in leasing social enterprise space at BC Housing-owned buildings.

One funding program underway is the Supportive Housing Fund. Supportive housing is an apartment with supports provided on-site so that people can move forward with their lives. People report improvements in access to employment, income, education, addiction issues, mental health, and life skills.

Supportive housing also benefits taxpayers – the cost of providing supportive housing is less than the cost of providing the health and public safety services needed to address homelessness.

“During the planning phases of supportive housing projects, we often hear concerns about how this housing will impact an area. However, once the projects are complete and people housed, communities tell us they clearly see the benefits,” says Wong. “Research shows supportive housing does not negatively affect property values. It’s also a cost-effective solution, with every dollar invested in affordable rental and supportive housing creating between two and five dollars in social and economic value.”

Supportive housing often uses modular construction, which is durable and cost-effective, and can be built quickly – within five to ten months. It can also be disassembled and reassembled, making it easy to relocate for reuse. BC Housing currently works with a range of modular housing providers, which generates economic activity and employment.

Another funding program underway is the Community Housing Fund (CHF.) It supports the creation of affordable rental housing for families, seniors, and low-income singles.

“This next phase of CHF will mean approximately 3,000 new affordable homes across the province. We invited non-profit and Indigenous housing societies, First Nations, housing co-ops and municipalities to propose new affordable housing projects,” says Wong. “Since the program was announced in 2018, we’ve already seen more than 5,000 new homes open.”

To create housing for middle-income earners, BC Housing works with the private sector through their HousingHub division. Working with non-profits and private developers, faith groups, property owners, federal and local governments and Indigenous partners, HousingHub creates new affordable rental and ownership housing by leveraging the commission’s borrowing facility to generate value for the public with no ongoing operating funding required.

“We know how tirelessly people are working on the frontlines – we want to thank everyone for their work and for caring for each other during this challenging time. The pandemic is not over yet, so we’ll continue to support the non-profit sector and our tenants,” says Tohill. “But we can’t lose sight of the long-term work needed to build stronger communities and build new partnerships so that everyone has a home.”

Learn more about BC Housing:

⦁ Community Stories:  www.bchousing.org/news/community-stories
⦁ COVID Housing Sector updates:  www.bchousing.org/COVID-19
⦁ Are you eligible for housing programs?:  www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/program-finder
⦁ Community Benefits of Supportive Housing:  www.bchousing.org/research-centre/library/community-acceptance/community-benefits-supportive-housing
⦁ Engage on new projects in your region: www.letstalkhousingbc.ca/projects
⦁ Affordable Housing Quarterly Progress Report:  www.bchousing.org/publications/Affordable-Housing-Quarterly-Progress-Q1.pdf

Website: www.bchousing.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bchousing.org

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COVID-19 Immunization Plan

The COVID-19 vaccine is saving lives. Vaccines do more than protect the people getting vaccinated, they also protect everyone around them. The more people in a community who are immunized and protected from COVID-19, the harder it is for COVID-19 to spread.

BC's COVID-19 Immunization Plan happens in four phases. The phased approach is based on expert advice and guidance from the NACI, BC’s Immunization Committee and the public health leadership committee. Eligibility for all phases is based on the age you are turning in 2021.

Visit www.gov.bc.ca/covidvaccine to learn more about how the vaccine is being rolled out across the province.

Moving between phases

The timeline for BC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan is dependent on vaccine supply and availability. It's important to understand the timeline for each phase may change due to vaccine availability. All people in BC recommended to receive the vaccine will have the opportunity to get it in 2021.

How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?

Vaccines work by teaching your body's immune system to remember and recognize a virus. Your body can then defend you if you are exposed in the future.
Visit the BCCDC or ImmunizeBC for more details on how the vaccines work!

Many types of vaccines use a weakened or inactivated virus or part of a virus to trigger an immune response inside our body, but the two vaccines being used in Canada at this time are called mRNA vaccines. Instead of using the live virus that causes COVID-19, mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response. Once triggered, our body then makes antibodies. These antibodies help us fight the infection if the real virus does enter our body in the future.

Learn more about mRNA vaccines here.

It’s up to you whether you want a COVID-19 vaccination. Feeling worried or hesitant is completely normal when something is new, however we can be reassured that Health Canada has a thorough approval process that ensures the safety of the many vaccines and medicines we take routinely. This rigorous process will be used before any vaccines are approved for use in Canada.

Several vaccines being developed use the same technology as vaccines that have already been used successfully for other diseases. Approval is happening quickly because Health Canada shortened the administrative and organisational process. The safety approvals have not changed. The requirements for safety data in the clinical trials are as stringent as the regular processes.

You can view more in depth processes of the vaccine approval process on the BCCDC Vaccine approval process page, or ImmunizeBC’s FAQ page.

Nearly everyone will be able to safely receive the vaccine, although a very small number of people may need to avoid vaccination due to severe allergies to parts of the vaccine. While the vaccine manufacturers identify a number of precautions because these populations were not included in the original vaccine trials, in the context of the ongoing risk of COVID-19, most individuals can be offered vaccination.

If you’ve had a reaction to a specific vaccine, try looking at the ingredient list and see if any of the same ingredients are in the COVID-19 vaccine. Most importantly, make sure that your healthcare provider knows about all of your allergies before you get any vaccine.

Provincial restrictions are still in place

Some restrictions are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) under the Public Health Act and others are made under the Emergency Program Act (EPA). Most orders can be enforced by police and compliance and enforcement officials.

Topics include:

• PHO order on gatherings and events
• PHO order on restaurants and bars
• EPA order on masks in public indoor settings
• Travel advisory
• Enforcement

We encourage everyone to review and share these resources to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Information and resources on COVID-19, vaccines, and more, continue to be updated and available at:

• BCCDC
• ImmunizeBC
• Government of BC

Mental health resources:

We know for many that this continues to be a unique and trying time. These resources can provide tips for managing COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and depression.

⦁ Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety, & Depression: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/managing-covid-stress
⦁ COVID-19 and Anxiety: www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/covid-19-and-anxiety

If you need help:

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre

• Provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.
  Call 604-872-3311 (Greater Vancouver)
• Toll-free 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
• crisiscentre.bc.ca

The KUU-US Crisis Response Service

• Provides 24/7 culturally-aware crisis support to Indigenous Peoples in B.C.
• Call 1-800-588-8717
• kuu-uscrisisline.ca

Find more trusted COVID-19 information on the Northern Health website at www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/coronavirus-information-covid-19

Website: www.northernhealth.ca

The post COVID-19 Immunization Plan appeared first on My Bulkley Lakes Now.

Plan Your Next Adventure Right Here in Prince George

Some of the best adventures and greatest discoveries can be made in your own “backyard.”

That’s one of the reasons Tourism Prince George is promoting a variety of ways locals can get to know and appreciate their own community more when they choose from a number of “staycation” packages.

From exploring the wonders of an old growth forest to a girls’ night out, the experiences are out there to meet pretty much every interest.

“We have developed a number of packages designed to cultivate interest from people who live in the region and enjoy what Prince George has to offer,” says Annie Doran, Tourism Prince George’s manager of marketing and brand.

The staycation idea was produced to help support local businesses hit hard by the public health guidelines that limited gatherings and travel during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring. And it has grown in popularity and expanded over the intervening months to include more opportunities to dine, explore, experience and stay in Prince George.

As winter approaches, some of the staycation packages will focus on outdoor adventures, such as a guided snow-shoeing trip followed by a night’s stay in a local hotel.

“You get to see the wonders of the ancient forest during the day, and then come back into town for dinner at Betulla Burning for an appetizer, pizza and glass of Hester Creek Wine or draft beer. Then spend one night at the Marriott Hotel.

“That’s a full day for two and is just $220.”

If you prefer to stay and dine, the $150 package at the Prestige Treasure Cove Resort offers you a $50 credit at one of the hotel’s restaurants, followed by a night relaxing in a double queen room.

“Whatever package you decide on, this is a great way to explore and discover your own community,” Doran says.

For more information about how you can enjoy and book a staycation experience in Prince George, visit tourismpg.com/staycations and select the ones that interest you.

Website: www.tourismpg.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tourismpg/

The post Plan Your Next Adventure Right Here in Prince George appeared first on My Bulkley Lakes Now.