July 23, 2009
Barriere, British Columbia
Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced a federal investment towards the Simpcw First Nation to develop a comprehensive community plan.
"Our Government's support will assist the Simpcw First Nation to create new opportunities and a stronger economic foundation for the future," said Mrs. McLeod. "This investment will better position our region to respond to the challenges of the mountain pine beetle infestation."
Funding will help the Simpcw Band prepare a comprehensive community plan as a catalyst for economic diversification and as a guide for future community economic decision-making. The plan will articulate local economic objectives while anticipating future technological, capacity and financial requirements. A series of community consultations and planning sessions will be held to identify and refine the medium and long-term economic goals of the community, identify strengths and weaknesses and discuss an implementation strategy.
"Simpcw sees this funding as a means to further diversify and build on long term strategies and goals to enhance the economic viability of not only the community of Chu Chua, but the entire Simpcw territory," Chief Keith Matthew of the Simpcw First Nation.
Federal funding of $53,153 is provided by Western Economic Diversification under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative, a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle program.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/.
For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager- British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (604) 666-1318
Sam Philips
Manager of Sustainable Resources
Simpcw First Nations
Telephone: (250) 672-9995
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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