March 21, 2009
Penticton, British Columbia
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Member of Parliament for Okanagan - Coquihalla, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced federal support to assess economic opportunities and help build a stronger future for the Okanagan-Similkameen region.
"Today's investment will contribute to the long-term economic stability of the Okanagan Similkameen Region,
" said Minister Day. "This project is just one example of the innovative and resourceful work being done in our region to create new opportunities and new jobs in the communities affected by Mountain Pine Beetle infestations.
"
"Our Government has taken concrete action towards supporting the economic diversification of communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle,
" said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. "Today's announcement creates new and exciting opportunities to attract commercial and industrial business to the community.
"
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will identify opportunities to attract new commercial and industrial ventures to help address a recent sawmill closure. The district will also reassess commercial land use and create a regional economic development strategy and a feasibility study to provide guidance for future economic development initiatives.
"Establishing an economic development strategy and industrial land assessment for Electoral Area D is one of the key components of attracting new basic sector business to the Okanagan Falls area,
" said Bill Schwarz, Electoral Area D Director. "This cooperative funding initiative between Western Economic Diversification Canada, Ministry of Community Development, Regional District, Weyerhaeuser Canada, and Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition will provide resources to establish an Economic Development function for Electoral Area D.
"
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will received a Government of Canada investment of more than $35,000 through Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
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 address 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 and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote 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
Bill Newell
Chief Administrative Officer
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Telephone: 250 490 4104
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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