CBC.ca | Daybreak North

Do memorandums of understanding with China have any meaning?

2013-05-24T16:35:36Z

Dan Harris, Lawyer and Public Speaker
(Photo Credit: Harris & Moure)

From the University of Northern BC to Barkerville, organizations throughout northern B.C. are signing Memorandum of Understandings with Chinese counterparts. But what do these agreements actually mean? Lawyer and ChinaLawBlog.com author Dan Harris says, "not much." Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata spoke with him for more..

RCMP say anniversary of Madison Scott's disappearance a time to watch for "odd" behaviour

2013-05-24T16:21:00Z

Madison Scott was last seen on May 28, 2011 (Photo: madisonscott.ca)

Nearly two years ago, Madison Scott disappeared. The 20-year-old was from Vanderhoof. RCMP Corporal Dan Moskaluk says police still believe someone has information in her disappearance, and tells the public to watch for behaviour changes among people they know. Listen to the clip below for more.

Scott's family and friends are holding a poker ride. If you'd like more information, visit madisonscott.ca

Girl Guides gather in Prince George

2013-05-23T19:33:27Z

Badges on Sharron Callahan's poncho (Photo Credit: Andrew Kurjata/CBC)

There's a giant campfire for girls from Quesnel to Mackenzie in Prince George. Daybreak's Betsy Trumpener speaks with Sharron Callahan, Girl Guides of Canada's Chief Commissioner.

Quesnel land slowly slips away

2013-05-23T15:03:37Z

West Quesnel (Photo Credit: quesnel.ca)

Families are hopeful about a solution to stop land erosion that is putting their homes at risk. Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata speaks with Jack Marsh, the project manager for the Land Stability Project.

For more, visit 750 homes sliding away in Quesnel, B.C.

Drug kills unsuspecting users in Prince George

2013-05-22T15:53:25Z

Mark Barnes likens the effect of taking a 72-hour fentanyl patch in one sitting to putting a plastic bag over your head.

It's called Fentanyl and it's now killing unsuspecting street drug users in Prince George, B.C. Betsy Trumpener introduces a piece produced by Daybreak's Adrian Mrdeza.

For more, visit Fentanyl-related deaths spark warning in Prince George

From Alaska to Chicago by dogsled via northern B.C.

2013-05-22T15:45:48Z

A Trail of Two Telegraphs (Credit: Caitlin Press)

From dangerous mules, to fire ballons launched to burn B.C. forests. Daybreak's Betsy Trumpener speaks with Telkwa writer Jane Stevenson about her latest book.

City of Prince George employee suspended as RCMP conduct investigation

2013-05-21T18:16:49Z

The City of Prince George has confirmed an employee is suspended as a result of an RCMP investigation. The written statement from the city is below:

"The City is aware of the ongoing RCMP investigation. Upon learning of that investigation, the City took immediate steps to ensure that public trust was not compromised. While we are unable to comment on individual circumstances due to privacy laws, we can confirm that the City is conducting its own independent investigation. As part of that process, it has suspended one individual without pay, pending completion of its investigation. The City has and will continue to take steps to protect the public interest."

City councillors contacted by CBC indicated this is a matter being handled by city management and would not comment. Fire chief John Lane directed questions to city spokesperson Chris Bone. Bone has stated that beyond the official statement, there will be no new information or interviews available at this time.

RCMP are expected to release an official statement later today.

Motorcycle Tunes!

2013-05-21T16:19:12Z

We're letting our hair flow through the air, and blasting our boom boxes to hear songs that remind us of motorcycle ridin'. Here's the list of songs on our playlist:

Track ONE:   Against the Wind performed by the C-WEED Band

Track TWO:   Steppenwolf with Born to Be Wild

Track THREE:   Freewill by Rush

Track FOUR:   Fire by Kasabian

Track FIVE:   Blue Theme by David Allan & The Arrows

Track SIX:   Tom Petty's Running Down a Dream

Track SEVEN:   1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Track EIGHT:   Neil Young with Unknown Legend

Track NINE:   Karyn Ellis with Motorcycle Ride

Track TEN:   Bob Segar's Roll Me Away

Track ELEVEN:   Arlo Guthrie's Motorcycle Song

Heading to the Dentist's chair for a check-up

2013-05-21T15:51:07Z

Gloria, a grade 3 student at Quinson Elementary poses with College of New Caledonia dental hygiene student Denise Densmore (Photo Credit: Adrian Mrdeza/CBC)

It's time for a check-up! We head to the College of New Caledonia to get our teeths cleaned. Andrew Kurjata introduces a piece produced by Daybreak's Adrian Mrdeza.

Moving from a dark chapter in Williams Lake

2013-05-21T15:47:13Z

Site of former St. Joseph's residential school (Photo Credit: Marissa Harvey/CBC)

Reconciling the past. Hundreds gathered in Williams Lake to share their stories of abuse. Betsy Trumpener introduces a piece produced by Daybreak's Marissa Harvey.

Cutting out bureaucratic bafflegab at city hall

2013-05-17T15:52:20Z

A copy of the Notice of Motion for a Plain Language policy in Calgary.

A "plain language" policy is aimed at cracking down on technical words and acronyms that make most people's eyes glaze over. Alderman Druh Farrell is behind the policy. She spoke with Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata.

Reuniting at site of former residential school

2013-05-17T15:06:11Z

Site of former St. Joseph's residential school (Photo Credit: Marissa Harvey/CBC)

A commemorative monument has been erected in Williams Lake. Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata speaks with northern reporter Marissa Harvey who was there for the ceremony.

Oilsands advocates happy with election, but Alberta should apologize to B.C.: professor

2013-05-16T18:23:48Z

B.C. premier Christy Clark has said her province doesn't need Alberta.

The election of the B.C. Liberals to government on Tuesday is the outcome wanted by oilsands advocates, says University of Calgary political science professor Barry Cooper. But as he tells Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata, not all is well in B.C.-Alberta relations.

See also:

RCMP watchdog investigates abuse allegations in northern B.C.

2013-05-16T15:47:35Z

An RCMP watchdog will be investigating allegations that mounties in northern B.C. have raped and tortured First Nations women and girls. In a statement posted online (external link), the chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) says the investigation is in response to a report by Human Rights Watch entitled Those Who Take Us Away: Abusive Policing and Failures in Protection of Indigenous Women and Girls in Northern British Columbia, Canada (external link).

However, report co-author Megan Rhoad doesn't think the commission will do an adequate job investigating the complaints. She spoke with Betsy Trumpener, as did CPC director of operations Richard Evans.

You can hear an interview with Meghan Rhoad the day the report was released in our archives.

For more on this story, visit cbc.ca/bc.

Fracking, pipelines and forestry with MLAs Shirley Bond, Mike Bernier, Coralee Oakes, Mike Morris and Robin Austin

2013-05-15T18:43:47Z

The story of Tuesday's election was the surprise win from the B.C. Liberal party. They swept most of northern B.C., with the exception of the northwest where the NDP retained three seats.

Mike Bernier: "Best practices" needed for fracking

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier (mikebernierbc.ca)

Mike Bernier is the mayor of Dawson Creek and a first-time B.C. Liberal MLA for Peace River South. He plans on stepping down as mayor. He also says he's committed to supporting "best practices" for fracking. He spoke with Andrew Kurjata.

Bob Simpson says voters will regret their decision, Coralee Oakes wants to be a strong voice for the central interior

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes (coraleeoakes.ca)

Coralee Oakes was elected as the B.C. Liberal candidate for Cariboo North, beating independent incumbent Bob Simpson. While Simpson predicts voters will regret returning the Liberals to power, Oakes told Betsy Trumpener that Simpson has been a great advocate for the region, and she plans on carrying on some of his work.

Shirley Bond says the five conditions for a pipeline have yet to be met

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond (shirleybond.com)

Shirley Bond is a long-time B.C. Liberal MLA and cabinet minister. Despite this, she tells Betsy Trumpener she never felt safe during the campaign. She also recommits to the Liberals five conditions for supporting a northern pipeline project.

Mike Morris steps into Pat Bell's shoes

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris (bcliberals.com)

B.C. Liberal Mike Morris takes on a big role, replacing outgoing cabinet minster Pat Bell in Prince George - Mackenzie. He spoke with Andrew Kurjata about his priorities, as well as how being a MLA is going to affect his work as a trapper.

Robin Austin promises to keep fighting Enbridge

Skeena MLA Robin Austin (robinaustin.bcndp.ca)

While most of northern B.C. voted in the B.C. Liberals, the northwest once again elected NDP MLAs. They include Robin Austin, incumbent in the Skeena riding. He says the fight against the Northern Gateway pipeline will continue, in the legislatures and possibly in the courts.