Today, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack - Fraser Canyon, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support for the New Pathways to Gold Society to increase heritage-themed tourism from Hope to Barkerville.
"Today's investment in the New Pathways to Gold Society is a perfect example of how we can utilize our region's strengths to create new economic opportunities and new jobs,
" said Minister Strahl.
Funding will allow the Society to create a series of heritage tourism displays focusing on the 1850's gold rush era in Fraser Canyon. The displays will become the centrepiece of marketing and promotion initiatives targeted at established tourism organizations throughout the region, as a means of raising awareness and encouraging increased numbers of visitors to tour the area and experience B.C.'s history.
This project will serve to further develop existing and potential tourism attractions, aboriginal tourism, and new eco-tourism initiatives. It will also create seasonal jobs and introduce a number of new products and services to the region. New Pathways to Gold Society will hire First Nations and Multiculturalism researchers to develop historical tourism pieces and innovative approaches to BC's history.
"This helps us to help communities diversify their economies by using heritage resources,
" said New Pathways to Gold Society co-chair Chris O'Connor.
"Sharing our stories helps create a better understanding between First Nations and other communities,
" added co-chair Byron Spinks of the Lytton First Nation.
The Government of Canada is providing $165,000 to the New Pathways to Gold Society. Funding is provided through Western Economic Diversification under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"Projects like this provide individuals and communities with the opportunities to discover and share the history of British Columbia,
" said Keith Henry, CEO of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C. "We're proud to work with the New Pathways to Gold Society and Western Economic Diversification on this project.
"
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million 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 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
Don Hauka,
Communications Consultant/Creative Director
New Pathways to Gold Society
Telephone: 604-787-9155
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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