CANADA, B.C., CHINA SIGN REBUILDING AGREEMENT

BEIJING – The governments of Canada, British Columbia and China today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will support an $8-million wood-frame rebuilding project to assist China in its reconstruction efforts following last May’s devastating Wenchuan earthquake.

“This project will help rebuild facilities and enable residents to move forward after the devastating Wenchuan earthquake,” said Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Regional Minister for British Columbia. “This initiative complements other Canadian humanitarian assistance efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake, including the Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund.”

“As Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway, British Columbia is pleased to be at the forefront of co-operative international assistance to rebuild community infrastructure devastated by the earthquake,” said Ida Chong, B.C.’s minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative. “This agreement strengthens and highlights the tremendous spirit of co-operation we’ve seen from everyone involved in the reconstruction efforts.”

Participating in the signing event were Pat Bell, B.C.’s Minister of Forests and Range, on behalf of the government of British Columbia, and Robert Wright, Canada’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

The Canada-British Columbia Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Project, first announced in mid-June by Premier Gordon Campbell and Canada’s former natural resources minister, Gary Lunn, focuses on the construction of community facilities. The first three projects include a primary school, an elderly care centre, and a rehabilitation centre/school for the disabled, all located in the heart of the quake zone. British Columbia is contributing $5 million and the Government of Canada, through Natural Resources Canada, is contributing another $3 million to the project.

“I want to thank the many officials across the levels of Chinese Government who have helped us identify the first three reconstruction projects,” said Bell. “It is important to focus our efforts on where they are needed most, while demonstrating that North American wood-frame construction can meet the unique mix of building styles in China.”

FII Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (FII China) is working with Chinese government officials and local experts to design and construct new community facilities and will procure the Canadian wood required for this project. The Canada Wood Group, a consortium of industry associations, will provide technical support and training in wood-frame construction. The organizations will work together to ensure the wood-frame structures meet local needs.

The public facilities built through this project will be constructed from 100 per cent high-quality Canadian wood. Studies have demonstrated that wood-frame buildings are a highly suitable construction choice for earthquake-prone regions because of their adaptability and seismic stability when used in compliance with proven construction techniques. Wood construction products also have a smaller carbon footprint than other materials, such as steel and concrete.

Complementary to this project, long-term research partnerships will be established under the current Canada-China bilateral Science and Technology Agreement. Administered by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, these partnerships will focus on developing and applying earthquake-resistant construction technology to meet the needs of China's affected areas.

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Contact:

Gordon Williams

Communications Director

Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development

250 952-0152

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613 992-4447

Sophia Proctor

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-4592

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