December 19, 2008
Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Today, Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo - Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding of $136,000 towards the Upper Nechako Wilderness Council to explore wilderness tourism industry opportunities, for the Mountain Pine Beetle affected community of Vanderhoof. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
"Today's announcement is a perfect example of how our Government is helping grow new industry in communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle," said Mr. Harris. "Developing Vanderhoof as a tourist destination will create more jobs and economic spinoff for the community as a whole."
With this investment, the Upper Nechako Wilderness Council (UNWC) will hire a consultant to study wilderness tourism opportunities and develop a strategy for UNWC to promote tourism related activities within the Vanderhoof Forest District Region. The three-phase initiative will increase tourism and international exposure, implement a marketing strategy, and develop a signage program directing visitors to local attractions.
"This project will establish Vanderhoof as a tourism destination and promote the wilderness resources of our community", said Daniel Brooks, President and Chair of the Upper Nechako Wilderness Council. "Tourism has a large role to play in the future of our local economy, and this project will catapult tourism to the forefront of economic diversification in Vanderhoof."
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 in partnership with the provinces, industry associations, and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians 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:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Daniel Brooks
President and Chair
Upper Nechako Wilderness Council
Telephone: 604-629-9836
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.
