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NEWS RELEASE |
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For Immediate Release |
Ministry of Community
and Rural Development
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$12.4 M INVESTMENT FROM CANADA, B.C. CREATES JOBS
CRANBROOK – An investment of more than $12.4 million in 25 projects through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Job Opportunities Program will help organizations and groups throughout the province of British Columbia to create immediate employment in all industry sectors and communities impacted by the economic downturn, today announced Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay – Columbia, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, and MLA for Kootenay East.
“I’m pleased to announce that our Government, through our Economic Action Plan, is supporting B.C. workers and communities hardest hit by these tough times,” said Abbott. “These important investments are creating jobs immediately, and laying the foundations for an even stronger future.”
“The Job Opportunities Program is just one example of how important government partnerships are when it comes to creating jobs and stimulating local economies,” said Bennett. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting resource-based communities throughout the province as they work to adjust to their economies.”
The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008, as one component of the Community Development Trust through funding provided by the Government of Canada. In July 2009, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia each committed up to an additional $30 million towards the program.
The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Job Opportunities Program supports project costs that meet all the federal requirements for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund. The federal contribution under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will help stimulate the economy and keep Canadians working during the economic downturn.
The Province of British Columbia’s contribution to the Job Opportunities Program is part of its commitment to provide stability for workers and communities, maintain the workforce during the economic downturn, and help British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.
A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries; for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund in the West, the Job Opportunities Program or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.
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A backgrounder follows.
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Contact:
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Marc Black Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Community and Rural Development 250 387-4089
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Donna Howes |
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.
BACKGROUNDER
COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT FUND – JOB OPPORTUNITIES PROJECTS
Cariboo:
o TDB Consulting Inc.: TDB Consulting Inc. will work on a fuel management project in the Prince George area. Work activities will include removal of under story vegetation and dead pine on 100.4 hectares to reduce the risk of wildfire. This project will create employment in an area that has high resource income dependency. The safety of the community will be increased and resource workers from the area will be able to remain in their community.
Federal Funding: $361,390
Provincial Funding: $194,595
Total Funding: $555,985
o Alexis Creek Indian Band: The Alexis Creek Indian Band will remove wildfire risk pine stands across 380 hectares, to improve the safety of the community of Williams Lake. Up to 61 person months of employment will be created through the project. Mountain Pine Beetle killed trees will be felled which will help to improve the health of stands for the future.
Federal Funding: $355,153
Provincial Funding: $88,788
Total Funding: $443,941
o McLeod Lake Indian Band – Two projects:
o McLeod Lake Indian Band will remove approximately 6,000 mountain pine beetle infected, hazard trees within 25 meters of high use areas around Carp Lake. This project will improve the safety and usability of Carp Lake Park, which is currently closed due to risk posed by the dead trees. Once reopened, the park will generate renewed tourism opportunities to help the local economy.
Federal Funding: $232,180
Provincial Funding: $125,020
Total Funding: $357,200
o The second project focuses on the culturally significant Duz Cho Heritage Trail, which connects McLeod Lake to Carp Lake. Work activities including the removal of dead tress and brushing on 23 kms of the trail to make it passable and safe. This trail will contribute to the social and economic well being of the McLeod Lake Indian Band by providing cultural awareness and educational opportunities.
Federal Funding: $93,082
Provincial Funding: $50,121
Total Funding: $143,203
o This project will complete necessary maintenance on 12 recreation sites in the Mackenzie area to improve safety and encourage tourism opportunities. Work activities will include felling of mountain pine beetle killed trees, chipping and burning of debris where required. The safety of a number of recreation sites in the area will be improved and as a result, tourism in the area will increase, helping the local economy.
Federal Funding: $309,022
Provincial Funding: $166,397
Total Funding: $475,419
o This project will complete work activities on ten recreation sites in the Prince George area to improve safety and encourage tourism opportunities. Work activities will include felling pine beetle damaged and danger trees, chipping and/or burning the debris while utilizing as much as possible for the recreation site in the form of firewood. Both local area residents and tourists will benefit from the project.
Federal Funding:
$225,802
Provincial Funding: $121,586
Total Funding: $347,388
o Quesnel Woodlot Association: The Quesnel Woodlot Association will prepare 34 hectares of pine stands for reforestation due to damage from the mountain pine beetle infestation. Project activities will include; felling, piling and burning mountain pine beetle killed stems. As a result of this hazardous tree removal and reduction of fuel loading, community safety will be improved.
Federal Funding: $308,884
Provincial Funding: $166,322
Total Funding: $475,206
Federal Funding:
$213,166
Provincial Funding: $53,292
Total Funding: $266,458
Federal Funding:
$200,000
Provincial Funding: $50,000
Total Funding: $250,000
o Esketemc First Nations: The Esketemc First Nations will begin work activities to improve forest health and productivity and reduce wildfire risk in the Central Cariboo Forest District. Activities include spacing, thinning, falling and burning in required areas, fuel reduction in the community forest and on nine First Nation reserves. As a result, 432 hectares of repressed timber stands will be spaced and thinned, and 50 sites will undergo felling and burning.
Federal Funding:
$164,442
Provincial Funding: $41,110
Total Funding: $205,552
Federal Funding:
$129,655
Provincial Funding: $69,815
Total Funding: $199,470
Kootenay:
Federal Funding: $4,000,000
Provincial Funding: $1,000,000
Total Funding: $5,000,000
Federal Funding:
$82,400
Provincial Funding: $20,600
Thompson-Okanagan:
Federal Funding:
$492,435
Provincial Funding: $204,934
Total Funding: $697,369
Federal Funding:
$270,590
Provincial Funding: $145,702
Federal Funding:
$170,259
Provincial Funding: $91,678
Total Funding: $261,937
Federal Funding:
$169,616
Provincial Funding: $91,331
Total Funding: $260,947
Federal Funding:
$114,880
Provincial Funding: $61,858
Federal Funding:
$86,237
Provincial Funding: $21,559
North Coast:
o Gitxat’in Development Corp.: This project will complete work activities to restore lands adjacent to the traditional Nisga'a Village of Laxgalts'ap. Work activities will include stump removal, pathway clearing, the re-establishment of the riparian ecosystem and the re-establishment of historical interpretive trails. Trail and stream restoration work activities will aid in the improvement of water flow and wildlife habitat.
Federal Funding: $349,328
Provincial Funding: $87,332
Total Funding: $436,660
Federal Funding: $253,271
Provincial Funding: $136,377
Total Funding: $389,648
Nechako:
Federal Funding:
$187,051
Provincial Funding: $46,763
Federal Funding: $157,600
Provincial Funding: $39,400
Total Funding: $197,000
Vancouver Island – Coast:
Federal Funding:
$188,614
Provincial Funding: $47,154
Total Funding: $235,768
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Contact:
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Marc Black Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Community and Rural Development 250 387-4089
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Donna Howes |
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.
