The Government of Canada is helping the Penticton Indian Band study the feasibility of commercial, residential and light industrial development of 1,000 acres of on-reserve land thanks to an investment through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of $342,000 was announced today by the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, 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 under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting local economic diversification efforts by communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle," said Minister Day. "This investment will enable the Penticton Indian Band to make informed decisions about future economic opportunities."
"The project announced today is another 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 communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding will enable the Penticton Indian Band to conduct a detailed preliminary study to examine the planning, design and costs pertaining to development of 1,000 acres on Penticton Indian Reserve #1. Once complete, the research will identify the best opportunities for the Band to pursue.
"This is by far the largest undertaking the band has done with respect to planning and pre-engineering," said Rob Greno, General Manager of the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation. "It is a vital piece of the big picture, and will allow us to continue to adhere to the principals of sustainability and smart growth."
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. The 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:
Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
(613) 943-1838
Rob Greno
General Manager
Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation
Penticton, BC
Tel: (250) 492-3154
