A TikToker came to Prince George and didn't like it much
Hospital parking without an app - can it be done?
Yassine Nouah is a TikTok user with 17.8K followers who is running a channel about getting from the Arctic to Antarctic without flying. He seems to be driving to the Arctic first and recently had a stop in Prince George, which he described as
The boringest city in all of Canada.
I’m not even going to dispute it, really, because I often say Prince George is a “a great place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit.” The reality is while there are many advantages to life here, and if someone like Yassine were to reach out to me, I could give them a one or two day itinerary, if you travel like many people do and simply pull into the city centre — especially on a weekend afternoon — you’re not exactly going to be smacked in the face with obvious attractions. He enjoyed lunch at Nancy-O’s, but unfortunately when he asked the server for recommendations on what to do on his visit, was apparently told absolutely nothing…
I remember a few years back, Tourism PG was engaging in some sort of ambassador program where they were giving itineraries to people who work at hotels and restaurants to recommend to visitors, and this is an example of why this sort of program is useful. The reality is, many travelers rely on word-of-mouth, and if the people working the front lines of tourism-facing jobs don’t have recommendations to offer, then that’s what you’re going to get when asked. I don’t even necessarily blame the server, who knows how long they’ve been here and whether they’ve had the chance to learn what the city has to offer.
One funny moment in the video is when Yassine gets enraged by the one big recommendation he was given:
He has no idea why he was sent to Mr. PG, which is a pretty good reminder for all the debate we’ve been having about where this guy should go— there are a non-zero sum of people who simply do not care.
Ultimately, I’m not really fussed that a TikTok influencer was not blown away by a few hours in the city, I don’t even think they are necessarily wrong — it is a place of hidden gems that reward you over time, not must-see stops on a continent-wide roadtrip. Our own tourism campaign is about being a basecamp to other, more exciting destinations, to be completely fair. However, I do think that if you’re the sort of person who only does surface-level travel without prior research you’re going to have a bad time driving across the entire world because there’s a lot of places that are like this, so best of luck to this dude overall, it’s a long journey to Antarctica.
P.S. Mr. PG just won the Great Canadian Landmark contest.
Hospital parking without an app - can it be done?
In relation to the new parking rules around the hospital, Roxanne comments:
My parents, who are in their 70s, only have a flip phone with no intention of ever getting a smart phone. They won't be able to pay for parking around the hospital with an app. I'm sure there are lots of people in town who will be in the same boat, either because of age or financial constraints. I haven't seen any alternate method of payment mentioned on their page about it.
I emailed the city about it and this was their response:
"Those who don’t have smart phones can use the hospital parking lot or the perimeter around the hospital that is not paid."
Which seems rather exclusionist for a hospital that often has a full parking lot.
Election roundup
A few new additions:
Prince George-Valemount All Candidates Forum Part 1 and Part 2.
Prince George-Valemount candidates address derogatory online comments (Prince George Citizen).
Candidates differ on future of DRIPA at Prince George-Valemount debate (Prince George Citizen).
Meet the four Prince George-North Cariboo candidates (My Prince George Now).
CKGP did a story on education, with the Conservative platform and critique from the NDP’s Shar McCrory, who sits on the PG school board and previously did so in the northwest. Article ends with ‘CKPG News reached out to Conservative candidates Sheldon Clare and Rosalyn Bird, but did not hear back.”
If elected, Rosalyn Bird ready to represent PG-Valemount (CKPG).
Thousands continue to vote early in Prince George ahead of provincial election.
Also, I got a note from Gerry Chidiac on my newsletter yesterday in which I shared articles about John Rustad’s time on the school board and the discussion around closing Duchess Park. He writes:
Good summary. Those are indeed the articles I found on this issue. It sure takes a lot more digging to find articles from more than 20 years ago! It was funny though that the big meeting at Vanier Hall was not referenced. I distinctly remember it.
I was both a teacher and a parent at Duchess Park at the time (I still teach there). The feeling in the community was, as I expressed, that Rustad was trying to make a name for himself. If there is a bias I have on this issue, that is where it lies.
I could not find the townhall, though it does seem to be referenced in later articles. Odd that there wasn’t an article about the hall itself!
News roundup:
A UNBC history major has won an award for her research on how the 1958 B.C. centennial helped shape Prince George’s identity. NOTE TO MEGAN YASKOW OR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP: I WISH TO READ THIS.
WAAAAY more information about what is going on with the Parkwood urgent and primary care clinic in the Citizen: No closure as doctors end contract with Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Clinic.
Chambers of commerce pan restrictions on international student. PG, Quesnel, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie chambers argue the rules unfairly target the College of New Caledonia.
Statutory release revoked for Prince George man convicted of manslaughter twice.
Two motions, one goal: Council urged to streamline support for Prince George psychiatric facility.
Prince George’s new top cop says officers to do more to protect youth from predatory drug dealers.
Former NHLer a keynote speaker for upcoming Mental Health and Addictions Symposium.
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.