August 12, 2008 - Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia
The Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation will increase the number and quality of f interactive displays at the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of more than $150,000 was announced today by Jay Hill, Chief Government Whip, Secretary of State and Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River, 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 Diversi fication and 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.
"This additional federal funding will enable the Fou ndation to improve the visitor experience at the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery," said Secretary of State Hill. "By showcasing the rich heritage of the area, the Foundation is ensuring that the community of Tumbler Ridge can grow tourism and overcome the econ omic difficulties it is facing."
"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 gov ernment is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding will help the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation to enhance its Dinosaur Discovery Gallery by adding new interactive and educational displays, upgrading sec urity, creating new film footage for the displays, and renovating the public theatre. This will provide a more attractive tourist destination for the area, thereby increasing tourism, diversifying the economy, and reducing its reliance on the forestry sec tor.
"We are very pleased and excited to take this next important step in the development of the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery," said Rich McCrea, Curator of
Palaeontology. "We are grateful that the Federal Government has remained a strong and reliable partner since the beginning of our museum project," said Charissa Tonnesen, Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation President.
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards proje cts 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 C anada'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 and 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/
For additional information, contact:
Jonah Mozeson
Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Af fairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
613-614-9293
Richard McCrea
Curator of Palaeontology
Tumbler Ridge, BC
Tel: (250) 242-3466
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.
