The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is investing in three projects in British Columbia's interior communities that have been impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.
Federal funding of $65 58,000 was announced today by Betty Hinton, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Econ omic 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 Canad a is committed to helping strengthen communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said MP Hinton. "These investments will support the development of new agricultural markets, business expansion and Aboriginal economic opportunities in th e Central Interior."
The three projects will strengthen the Kamloops region economy. WD funding will support the Skeetchestn Indian Band (SIB) and nine Secwepemc Bands to develop a regional value-added incubator site for wood products. An investm ent in the First Nations Agricultural Lending Association (FNALA) will help build a value chain for hormone/additive free beef that is produced under sustainable conditions in the B.C. interior. The third project is an investment in the District of 100 Mi le House for a feasibility study to create of the "Agriculture Enterprise Development Centre."
"The projects announced today are examples of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle in festation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our Government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."
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. 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 comm unities 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:
Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of In tergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 943-1838
WD Toll-Free Number :1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
On September 4, 2008, the Government of Canada announced funding of $658,000 towards three projects located throughout the Central Interior Reg ion of British Columbia.
First Nations Agricultural Lending Association - Kamloops, B.C.
- Funding of $120,000 for First Nations Agricultural Lending Association (FNALA) to build a value chain for hormone/additive free b eef that is produced under sustainable conditions in the B.C. interior.
- Project deliverables include; delivery of seven information sessions in seven regions, developing a refrigerated distribution system, developing potential hormone/additive fr ee beef products and a marketing strategy.
The District of 100 Mile House - 100 Mile House, B.C.
- Funding of $88,000 for the District of 100 Mile House for a feasibility study to create of the "Agriculture Enterpr ise Development Centre." This study will research the creation of a shared-use business development facility that would enable new agriculture product development and business expansion throughout the South Cariboo.
Skeetchestn Indian Band - Savona, B.C.
- Funding of $450,000 for Skeetchestn Indian Band (SIB) and nine Secwepemc Bands to develop a regional value-added incubator site for wood products. The initial phase of the project will establish a steel framed workshop to house the equipment and other resources required to provide a venue for training, product development and testing of First Nation's value-added initiatives.
- Project outcomes include; a permanent, fully serviced workshop with t hree-phase power, water and telephone service, an office, classroom and fuel storage shed, as well as project employment, skills development and a strong foundation for a regional value-added wood facility.
