Al0 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 9, 2002

2001

THE PAST year whipped up
massive uncertainty — amid
fresh hopes — for northwest
businesses.

And in some cases even linger-
ing doubts didn’t stop a number of
operations from expanding.

Skeena Cellulose

Three years of relative stability
for Skeena Cellulose since ‘its
1997 meltdown and restructuring
ended in 2001.

SCI proved to be the only
northwest forest company. unable
to take advantage of-a_ special
northwest specific forest aid pack-
age that allowed increased - log
exports.

Lengthy layoffs in the early
spring were followed by the com-
pany becoming a political football
in the provincial election here.

The Liberals were elected and
quickly set about selling off the
northwest forest company. .

All operations ground to what
was supposed to be an orderly halt
by early September.

But the TD bank seized money
from SCI accounts, triggering
bounced cheques to workers and
contractors — leading to blockades
af sawmills.

The province eventually selec-
ted Mercer International, a Swiss
firm with a record of corporate
scavenging, as its preferred bidder
over NWBC Timber and Pulp
Ltd., led by former Repap exec-
utives.

Christmas passed with no sale.
completed or sure outcome in

sight.

Gas pains
Pacific Northern Gas appeared
to be on the ropes in. gas rate
hearings here in the.spring..”
The uncertain. future of its big-
gest customer, the downturn. plus

skyrocketing” gis ‘rates all’ put’ the 7

utility under intense pressure and
spawned suggestions PNG might
fail.

But within months gas rates
began to decline, giving PNG and
regulators much needed breathing
room to unwind the high rates.

An

TERRACE STANDARD —

Building

Construction in Terrace started
slow early in the year but picked
up pace later on.

Westfair completed its expan-
sion of the Real Canadian Whole-
sale Club in the spring.

And in the summer Overwaitea
began its expansion.

Staples Business Depot looked
at building here but didn’t con-
clude a deal,

By year’s end institutional con-
struction had pushed the city to a
near record for new construction.

Two new schocis are being
built, plus renovations to others.

Also going up is a seniors sup-
portive housing project on the
bench.

lers in other sectors closed down.

- January saw the disappearance
of longtime local retailer Home
Hardware. Owner Henry Stiksma
cited the arrival of Canadian Tire
and the northwest’s. economic
-downturn for his decision-to shut
_ the store,

» Government.

era of optimism for many in ‘the
business community.

Tax cuts delivered immediate
relief and a $6 training wage was
expected to cut costs for some bu-
sinesses despite a backlash from

Jan. 25 &26
Feb. 1, 2
7,8 &9

ech gl a ges

Our official ticket outlet is...

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Presents Dinner Theatre

Norm Foster’s

Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Tickets
$30 At the
Skeena Valley
Available at Golf
Unigtobe Courtesy and Country Club

Reserved seating only .

“Courtesy Travel

Doors Open
at 6:00 p.m.

Cocktails
6:30 p.m.

Show 8:00 p.m.

4718A Lazelte Ave

J

‘Belly
pel

In tern ete Veil

Classes begin
Jan. 30 - March 20

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
2:00 p.m, « 9:30 p.m.
Location = ARENA BANQUET RM.

INSTRUCTOR:
PAMELA HOEKSTAA

5 Vets Veaching Exportonco Ini Verrace
For registration and information call &

Pamela at 638-0305

While some expanded, retai- |

HAWKAIRA Aviation got a second Dash-8 plane (top), allowing
the homegrown Terrace airline to expand service to Smithers
and Prince Rupert. Construction on a seniors supportive housing
project (above) was one of the most visible new projects in town.

The election ushered ina new

_ students.

= SAlso-expected: from the Lib-

erals are more flexibility in em-

ployment standards and major re-
gulatory cuts. ~ all to aid business.

Transport
Our airport, which retagged it-
self Northwest Regional Airport,

saw solid growth, in passenger

traffic through much of:the year. -

That held up surprisingly well
post-Sept. 11.

Behind the success was home-
grown airline Hawkair, which
marked its first anniversary by
petting a second airplane to serve
Smithers and Prince Rupert.

So if at times they fall short, let their editors know.

If they can’t solve the problem, contact the B.C, Press

Council, a voluntary body that looks into and tries to.

mediate unresolved reader complaints about news
and opinion in B.C. newspapers,

@) B.C. Press COUNCIL

201-1290 Broad Street,
Victoria, B.C. V8W 2A5

Ph. 250-384-3344 Fax: 250-384-3346

E-mail: councit@bcpresscouncitorg Wee: bcpresscouncilorg

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