May 14, 2009
Edmonton, Alberta
Corresponding Document: Audio Clip
Canadian workers, families and businesses in communities that are hardest hit by the global recession will be able to pursue new economic opportunities in their communities thanks to the Community Adjustment Fund, a major job creating investment contained in the Harper Government's Economic Action Plan.
"Our Government knows the challenges western families and communities are facing because of the global economic downturn," said Minister of State Yelich. "That's why our Government is taking action and delivering the Community Adjustment Fund to help create jobs and maintain employment in our communities."
The Community Adjustment Fund will deliver a total of $1-billion over the two years to local economies throughout Canada. The fund will provide $306-million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities.
"Alberta has numerous communities that are dependent on resource-based sectors," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment. "The Community Adjustment Fund will provide much needed stimulus to severely impacted areas and help mitigate some of the existing challenges."
Projects to be funded under CAF could include reforestation activities, investments in machinery or equipment, demonstration of new mining technologies, and initiatives to improve market access for products.
"The Community Adjustment Fund is one of several initiatives from Canada's Economic Action Plan that addresses immediate community needs," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour. "Our Government is committed to ensuring that Alberta's communities are vibrant places to live, work and raise families."
The Community Adjustment Fund will also build on the ongoing work of existing federal programs and initiatives such as the $170-million fund for forest products market diversification and innovation, and programs delivered by Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Western Economic Diversification (WD) will deliver the fund in the four western provinces. Program and applications details may be obtained at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/. Project proposals are due by June 5, 2009 and projects needing more time to develop have until June 26, 2009.
For Broadcast:
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, Lynne Yelich says Canada's Government is taking action and delivering the Community Adjustment Fund to help stimulate western communities hit hardest by the global recession. The two-year fund, which is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, will help create jobs and maintain employment in affected communities across Canada, helping to reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn.
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For media relations enquiries, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications & Corp Liaison
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
A part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment. Priority will be given to single-industry, rural communities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will implement the fund in the four western provinces. The fund will provide $306 million in support to western Canadian communities hardest hit by the current economic slowdown, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture, energy and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry.
Program Eligibility:
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- For-profit organizations (incorporated, sole proprietorships, partnerships or other legally established businesses)**
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- Provincial government departments, agencies and crown corporations
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- Post-secondary education institutions
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- Municipal governments and organizations created by them.
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Projects funded under CAF must:
- Be completed by March 31, 2011 with no obligation for continued support;
- Provide benefits to communities affected by the global economic Recession;
- Create immediate, short-term employment;
- Be able to start quickly; and,
- Be incremental (i.e. CAF funds should be in addition to existing resources and not replace funding available elsewhere).
Applications:
Applicants are required to submit an application form that meets project eligibility criteria.
The application form is available online at http://www.wd.gc.ca. Project proposals are due by June 5, 2009; projects needing more time to develop have until June 26, 2009.
Project Selection:
Priority will be given to projects in and around eligible communities that:
- Are located in rural, single-industry communities;
- Create jobs and maintain employment;
- Leverage funds from provinces, territories and other funding partners;
- Build on partnership arrangements already in place (e.g. federal-provincial/territorial agreements) and existing programs; and,
- Provide a legacy of longer-term economic benefits.
Applications from eligible communities will be assessed against the priority criteria listed above.
For further information, please contact:
WD Toll-Free Number at: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Email at: caf-fac@wd-deo.gc.ca Website: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/
