The Government of Canada is helping the Barkerville Historic Town overcome the local economic impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation, thanks to an investment through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of more than $166,000 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. The funding is provided through the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"This funding will assist in the restoration of Barkerville's antique sawmill for demonstration purposes and teach visitors about the role of the forest industry during the gold rush," said MP Harris. "With the steady flow of visitors Barkerville receives, the sawmill will provide another historic attraction for both tourists and residents to enjoy."
"The project announced today is an example of how our government is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our government is helping communities impacted by the infestation turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding to the Barkerville Heritage Trust will help restore an antique sawmill. The sawmill will be made operational for demonstration purposes. The specialty-sized wood milled that is created as a result of the demonstrations will also be used for other restoration/preservation projects on the Barkerville site.
"The restoration of the historic sawmill will be a significant enhancement to the Barkerville Historic site, bringing into play an element not previously interpreted - the role of the Forest industry during the gold rush," said Judy Campbell, CEO of Barkerville Heritage Trust. "The mill will also play a role in providing specialty sized wood for preservation and restoration projects, providing jobs and generating revenue. The sawmill restoration project will be important for providing diverse interpretation of Barkerville's rich history for both Barkerville residents and visitors alike."
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years in communities most at risk from the 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 Conservative Government'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
Cell: (604) 764-9381
Reuben Berlin
Project Manager
Barkerville Heritage Trust
888-994-3332
