The Government of Canada is boosting spread-control funding for the Mountain Pine beetle in British Columbia and investing in three local projects at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) which will help ensure the continued prosperity of the local economy.
Federal funding, totalling more than $2.3 million, 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, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.
A federal investment of more than $822,000 will be directed toward three projects at UNBC as part of the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI). Additionally, the Province of British Columbia will receive $1.5 million, under the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, to bolster spread-control efforts on the western slopes of the southern Rockies and in the North Peace River area.
"The projects at UNBC will help identify opportunities to better use forestry products and assess the use of renewable energy at the University, which will help to ensure the local economy continues to prosper," said MP Harris. "The additional investment towards spread control will help the province of B.C. fight the spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle."
"The projects announced today are 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."
Federal funding of $403,720 will enable UNBC to perform research to identify applications for Terahertz (THz) radiation imaging technology. This technology can assist in measuring density and moisture content and defects in lumber, thereby assisting forestry firms to more efficiently allocate wood based on its quality.
An additional $361,301 investment will help UNBC and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada conduct a pilot project comparing wood pellets to natural gas in terms of cost, productivity and emissions. The pellets will be largely derived from pine beetle wood.
A further $57,972 investment will assist UNBC to prepare a background report and host the "Expert Dialogue on Future Forest and Fibre Use Opportunities" forum to be held in Prince George in the fall of 2008.
"Fundamental to the mission of UNBC is its responsiveness to critical issues affecting the northern region," says UNBC President, Dr. Don Cozzetto. "The pine beetle epidemic has been one of these critical issues, and we are keen to be part of the recovery through these projects and others."
The $1.5 million spread control investment is part of the Government of Canada's ongoing Mountain Pine Beetle Program. In addition to economic diversification and community protection activities, $49.5 million has been invested to date to control the spread of the beetle in B.C. and Alberta.
Recent investments have included:
- $6.5 million for beetle spread control in B.C.
- $7.65 million for beetle detection work in B.C.
- $2 million for shared activities between B.C. and Alberta in the South Peace region.
The Mountain Pine Beetle Program is 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.
The Community Economic Diversification Initiative is a part of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program and 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.
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
Cell: (604)-764-9381
Bernadette Murphy
A/Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
Tel: (613) 996-2007
Robert Van Adrichem
Director of Media and Public Relations
University of Northern British Columbia
Tel: (250) 960-5622
Cell: (250) 960-8592
