Saskatoon Mountain, BC

As this book goes to press – July 1961 – it is announced from Ottawa that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will install high power television broadcasting stations in the Peace River area within the next few months, bringing "live" TV to local viewers. Hitherto it has been difficult or impossible to bring in television in this area.

There is no government housing available at the 919^th. Private rentals are available but are moderately expensive. The average rental unfurnished is $65 a month for one bedroom, $85 to $125 for two or three bedrooms, unfurnished. Please do not misunderstand the word "unfurnished". When Canadians use this word it does not include a refrigerator or cooking stove. If you have your own furniture, it would be advisable to buy a stove and a refrigerator in the States prior to your coming here.

Utilities are moderate with gas for heating and cooking running $20 to $25 per month, electricity about $10 a month and water $5 per month. These figures are obtained from a family of five (5) living in a three (3) bedroom home.

Trailer Facilities: There is a modern trailer court on base. Trailers may be brought to the site only with the permission of the Squadron Commander, and they must be capable of existing in sustained extreme low temperatures with safety and comfort to the occupants. Each trailer pad is complete with sheltered entrance and room suitable for storage.

Clothing – Almost everything needed may be purchased in Grande Prairie or Beaverlodge. Both centers have modern business establishments which carry complete stocks of men’s and women’s clothing. However, the price of most clothing is higher in Alberta than in the States. The Base Exchange stocks some clothing and other clothing can be ordered through catalogs at the Exchange. This however, takes approximately six (6) weeks to arrive at this station. If you purchase clothing before coming to Canada (an this is money-wise), be sure to buy heavy garments, keeping in mind the severe winters. Buy for comfort and warmth, not looks when coming to this country. Although you may look good, it doesn’t keep you too warm and if you have to walk five miles in sub-zero weather. For summer, rainwear and rubber boots are a must.

Food – Canadian customs allow you to bring two day’s supply of food into Canada. Some varieties of food which you have a taste for will not be found in this area of Canada, but all of the basic foods and some varieties which you may find interesting are on hand. The prices of food run a few cents higher than Stateside prices, while meats and dairy products are normally a few cents lower than most of us are accustomed to paying. Remember, this base does not have a commissary store.

Auto Insurance, License and Repairs –

When you are assigned to duty you will be considered residents for all licensing purposes, including automobile licensing. Persons having current year plates from one of the States may obtain Alberta plates for $2. Which are good for the remainder of the current fiscal year, ending March 31^st. The rate for new plates averages $11 and the highest rate for the biggest cars is $25. You will be required to purchase an Alberta Driver’s License upon arrival at this station. A license, good for five years, costs $5. A refund of $1 for each year the license will not be used will be made before you leave Alberta. Also, be sure you acquire a pink card from your car insurance company to verify that it is recognized in the Province of Alberta Local insurance, good only in the Province, is surprisingly inexpensive. For example, PL & PD for a 1960 Chev costs $23 a year for a year’s coverage at 10, 20 and 5 thousand if over 25 years of age and $60 if under 25. Moreover, many ZI companies will not extend "Resident" coverage once you are stationed here but only on an in-transient basis. Be sure to check your car insurance policy to determine if your car will be covered in Canada.

Auto repair facilities are available for all American cars and some foreign cars, at prices comparable with those you are accustomed to. All main roads are kept open all winter, and everyone uses their cars the year round. By changing over to lighter lubricants in the fall, and installing a motor heater which plugs into an ordinary socket, your car can be used 12 months in the year.

Modes of Travel:

Private Auto – Persons travelling by car should understand that TPA mileage in Canada is paid on the basis of airline miles, which is usually only sufficient if two or more people travel together, sharing expenses. Two routes are available from McChord Air Force Base, the shorter of which, through British Columbia, is occasionally closed in bad weather. That route through Fraser Canyon, the "Cariboo Trail" and Hart Highway ends at Dawson Creek where Highway No 2 connects through to Beaverlodge. The other route is farther and better roads are found. It generally follows the bus route by way of Edmonton. The Provincial Highway from the Canadian Border to the Station via Edmonton is all black-topped. Recommended this route be used if you travel in your own car. Either route will see distances of fifty to one hundred miles between communities and occasionally a community will consist of nothing more than a single establishment offering gasoline, café, garages and possibly cabins. Drivers should avail themselves of the services of AAA for information on route conditions and accommodations. Roads generally from Edmonton west to Vancouver are gravel or black-top.

Persons planning to drive their own cars are advised to have them winterized and equipped with tires designed for mud and snow, such as "Town and County" or "Suburbanite" tread. Equipment carried, particularly during the winter, should include shovel, axe, chains, tow chain, and emergency source of heat such as camper’s stove or sterno, food (candy is well recommended for compact storage, keeping quality and high energy source) and spare cans of gas and oil. Winterizing a car is most popularly taken care of in this country by block heaters and trickle chargers. Although there are no garages for storage of private cars, either in town or on the base, almost all parking facilities are equipped with outlets to which block heaters may be connected.

Travel by Commercial Carrier – The best mode of travel is by commercial air to Grande Prairie. There is a liberty run from the site leaving Grande Prairie at 2330 three nights a week and personnel are authorized to phone the base for transportation to the base. The trip by air involves changing planes at Vancouver and again at Fort St. John, and is by far the quickest and most comfortable trip. Bus is the next best. The trip by bus involves travelling across Washington to Idaho, thence north easterly to Edmonton, then a change to Canadian Coachways bus which serves the Peace River area. When you arrive at Beaverlodge by bus, transportation from the site will pick you up. Call Beaverlodge 19, then ask for the orderly room or the Junior Officer of the day.

All personnel are required to clear customs upon entering Canada. This is usually a very quick and painless procedure. A "temporary admission" report is required at time of entry for automobiles, household goods, sporting goods, appliances, cameras etc., This report is valid for a six-month period and may be renewed upon application every six months thereafter. Items (except automobiles) valued at over $10 brought into Canada at a later date are subject to import tax. Your automobile may be returned to the United States for trade in on a new car and the new car brought in without tax. None of your possessions may be sold in Canada but must be returned to the USA. Exceptions involve payment of taxes to the Canadian Government prior to the sale of the article. Packages valued at not more than $10.00 exclusive of liquor and tobacco, may be received by US military personnel without import taxation.

Prior to departure from home station, a power of attorney for entry of household goods and/or personal effects, together with a list of contents with approximate total value should be accomplished and mailed to this organization. This is necessary should the goods arrive in advance of your arrival as Customs will not release the shipment unless this list and a power of attorney are provided. Of course, if you arrive at this station prior to the arrival of your household goods and/or hold baggage at Customs House in Edmonton Alberta, the power of attorney need not be used as you can sign the Customs Form E-29 yourself here at the squadron. The power of attorney will be accomplished as follows:

____(To be filled in by the squadron)____ ____919^th AC&W Squadron____

(Name and Rank) (UNIT)

is authorized to enter for me at the Custom House at ____Edmonton____

____Alberta, Canada________________________ the following shipment of

personal and household effects.

Date of Shipment: ___________________________________

Name and Address of Exporter: ___________________________________

Value of Goods: ___________________________________

___________________________________

(Signature)

Address: ___________________________________

Dated at: __________________________ 19______

Cats and dogs may be brought into Canada provided they have been inoculated for rabies. Certification that the inoculation will be good for at least six months after entry must be shown. Canaries and other birds are not permitted entry into Canada.

The Air Force Aid Society renders assistance to Air Force personnel and their dependants in times of unforeseen emergencies. Assistance is given in the form of non-interest bearing loans and cash grants. If you have a problem which may be solved by the Aid Society, contact the Personal Affairs Section.