City sails past target for Brier tickets

Stuart NEATBY

process so the more deposits purchased, and the more people who commit to tournament ticket passes, the better our proposal will be.” Individuals can purchase deposits online at

or by phone at 1-888-293-6613. The deposits lock in the chance to purchase a full tournament pass, which reserves a seat to all draws of the Brier including the playoffs and final game. The pass also provides access to the celebrated Brier Patch, the legendary tournament party held every year. Ticket prices are still undetermined, although the price for the this year’s Brier, which recently wrapped up in Regina, was $499.

All ticket deposits will be refunded should Prince George not win the 2020 Brier bid. However, if the bid is successful, deposits will not be refunded.

Prince George’s bid must be submitted to Curling Canada by June 30, 2018. The successful bid is expected to be announced sometime this fall.

The timeline for issuing a $13-million payout to workers who lost their jobs when a Tumbler Ridge coal mine was shut down remains in limbo.

In a decision issued last week, a judge extended the deadline New Walter Canada Group must meet to file a plan of compromise and arrangement to creditors to June 1.

In April 2014, some 280 workers at the Wolverine Mine were put on layoff without receiving 60 days notice. The United Steelworkers Local 1-2017 subsequently took the mine’s owner, then known as Walter Energy Canada, to the Labour Relations Board and in October 2017 said it secured adjustment pay adding up to $13 million for improper closure.

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Workers had expected to get their cheques by the end of 2017 or early January. But the deadline for filing a plan was then extended to Feb. 28, April 16 and now June 1.

Plan structuring issues, related to tax matters in particular, was the source of the latest delay, according to an affidavit from chief restructuring officer William Aziz.

“Accordingly, the New Walter Canada Group is seeking a brief 45-day extension of the stay period to fully document the agreed-upon solution to the plan structuring issues and to consult with relevant stakeholders,” Aziz said.

In a submission arguing against a previous extension, USW Local 1-2017 business agent Dan Will said the delays have caused hardship for the workers.