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SLIAMMON – Ten forest workers are improving silviculture conditions on two forestry blocks near Powell River as a result of $74,000 in funding through the Job Opportunities Program, Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom and Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.
“The Job Opportunities Program is
helping forest workers across the province pick up their tools and go back to work
in the woods,” said Bell. “Tla’Amin Timber Products is showing leadership and
foresight by focusing on silviculture, as improving the way we grow trees is
key to
The Sliammon First Nation’s Tla’Amin Timber Products is employing the workers to improve tree growth and wood quality by removing brush and undesirable tree species such as alder from young evergreen stands. The stands are mostly 10- to 15-year-old cedar and Douglas fir trees that will benefit from the reduced competition for sunlight, water and soil nutrients.
“The Community Development Trust is one of our key tools to assist forest workers and their families through this difficult time,” said Lekstrom. “We are pleased to be able to provide employment while investing in the future of our forest industry.”
“The silviculture work is providing the benefit of immediate employment to 10 skilled and experienced forest workers and their families, and we value the contribution the Job Opportunities Program is making in these times of economic uncertainty,” said Sliammon First Nation Chief Clint Williams. “The benefits of the silviculture work will also be seen in the future, when we have a greater amount of higher quality timber to harvest.”
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.
Forest-dependent communities or organizations, licensees and contractors working in cooperation 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 across the province.
The
Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust,
launched in spring 2008. The Trust
provides $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/
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Contact: |
Jennifer McLarty Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 Chief Clint Williams Sliammon First Nation 604 483-9696 |
Leanne Ritchie Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Community Development 250 356-0979 |
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