The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is helping the community of Fort St. James overcome the economic impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle Infestation by supporting two studies examining opportunities to expand the local economic base.
Funding of $130,000 was announced 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.
"The Government of Canada is helping turn this challenge into an economic opportunity for communities at risk from the infestation," said Harris. "These investments will help Fort St. James plan the future of their local economy."
"These projects announced today are examples 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."
Federal funding will help the District of Fort St. James identify new opportunities in both traditional and non-traditional industry sectors. The two studies will identify ways to expand the region's current farm base, new business opportunities and opportunities to work collaboratively with other communities, agencies and First Nation groups.
"Communities such as Fort St. James have been presented with a great challenge as the Mountain Pine Beetle runs its course in the local forests," said Mayor Rob MacDougall. "These two funding opportunities will allow us to identify and propose actions, which we can take to assist in our diversification efforts. A strong, diversified economy is what Fort St. James requires to remain sustainable and thrive in the future."
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years in communities most at risk from the 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-term 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
Nigel Black
CAO
District of Fort St. James
(250) 996-8233
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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