May 22, 2008
Horsefly, British Columbia
An investment from the Government of Canada will enable the Horsefly District Board of Trade to develop an action plan to examine economic trends and identify business opportunities within the community.
Federal funding of $45,000 was announced today by Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. Funding is provided through the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"Our Government is supporting the Horsefly District Board of Trade develop an action plan for local economic diversification," said MP Harris. "This funding will enable the community to perform the research required to make informed decisions about their economic future."
"The project announced today is an example of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding will go forward in two-phases: Phase 1 will assess key economic sectors, local and regional significance, and broader economic trends within the community. Phase 2 will identify specific business opportunities, product development potential, labour force and business training needs. The final report will feature an action plan and specific recommendations.
"The Horsefly District Board of Trade is pleased to receive this funding from the federal government," said Cecil Morhart, Vice President, Horsefly District Board of Trade. "Economic diversification is important, and a plan that will create jobs will be well received by the community."
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.
The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada's $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.'s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications_e.html.
For additional information, contact:
Catherine Brown
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel.: (604) 666-1306
Linda Bartsch
Secretary
Horsefly District Board of Trade
Horsefly, BC
Tel.: (250) 620-3440
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
