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MCBRIDE – Funding from the Community Development Trust’s Job Opportunities Program is improving McBride’s winter sports and year-round trail network, Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA and Deputy Premier Shirley Bond announced.
“The Community Development Trust is one of our key tools to assist workers and families through these difficult economic times,” said Lekstrom. “We are pleased to be able to assist 14 forest workers, while at the same time improving recreational opportunities in the McBride region.”
The $113,520 is being used to improve a number of trails in and around the McBride Community Forest, including the snowmobile trail and cross country ski trails at Bell Mountain and Camp Creek, and the Beaver Falls, Ancient Forest, Mica Mountain and Dominion Creek hiking trails. The work will include the laying of cedar mulch, the clearing of low hanging branches or trees at risk of falling, general trail and structure maintenance and the construction and installation of a kiosk, boardwalks and an outhouse.
“The Job Opportunities Program is
helping forest workers, the economy and families in McBride by creating
employment in the community forest, and improving the trail network and
pathways,” said Bond. “McBride residents are known for their active
lifestyles and this project is one way the Province can partner with the
Village to create employment and enhance recreational opportunities at the same
time.”
The 60,000-hectare community forest creates employment and economic benefits in and around McBride as well as maintaining four summer recreation sites, interpretive materials, and a network of trails.
“The Job Opportunities program is
using the skills of forest workers to improve recreation experiences for
McBride residents 12 months of the year,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Forests
and Range. “The skiers, snowmobilers and hiking families who enjoy these trails
are part of the growing legacy that the
“Recreation has always been an important part
of the community forest in McBride and the Job Opportunities Program is
employing local residents to develop that,” said Mike Frazier, mayor of McBride. “The employees and
their families benefit from the income the program provides, and the community
benefits from the improved recreational access to our forests.”
The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is helping to reduce the impact of current layoffs on workers employed in the forest industry, retaining skilled forest workers for the anticipated future upturn, and preserving the characteristics of the labour force in forest-dependent communities.
A forest-dependent community or organization and forest licensees or forest contractors working in co-operation with a forest-dependent community are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job Opportunities Program. So far, 51 projects totalling more than $8 million have been approved in communities across the province.
The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, which was announced in May. B.C.’s share of the federal trust is $129 million over three years, with funds also directed to a Tuition Assistance program and Transition Assistance for Older Workers Program.
For more information about the Community Development Trust and Job Opportunities Program, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/
Pictures of the projects in the
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Media Contact: |
Jennifer McLarty Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 |
Leanne
Ritchie Ministry
of Community Development 250 387-4089 |
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Mike Frazier Mayor of McBride 250 569-2229 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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