July 20, 2009
Princeton, British Columbia
Today, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack - Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for a heat and energy project in Lillooet to stimulate and grow the local economy.
" Our Government is working hard to build a more innovative British Columbia, " said Minister Strahl. " This investment will support the T'it'q'et Economic Development Authority research new uses of local forestry products to create new opportunities and a stronger economy. "
The T'it'q'et Economic Development Authority, in collaboration with the Canim Lake Indian Band, will conduct a feasibility study to investigate heat and energy opportunities in the area. The study will include the following information: a fiber supply analysis; a market assessment of potential products using the fiber supply including electrical power, pellets, and heat energy for veneer log treatment; and a cost estimate to produce the proposed products. The feasibility study will be a concrete step towards the creation of permanent and seasonal jobs.
" This study will help us transition to sustainable and renewable energy, and invest in long-term ecological-economic engineering, " said Dean Billy, T'it'q'et Economic Development Authority Board Member. " We hope to engage the community in our efforts and bring back control of our resources and develop a new language of engagement between T'it'q'et and the forestry sector. "
Federal funding of $52,500 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), 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 additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (604) 666-1318
Cell: (604) 505-6616
Dean Billy
T'it'q'et Economic Development Authority Board Member
Telephone: (250) 256-9460
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 .
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
