August 11, 2009
Prince George, British Columbia
Quick Delivery of Funding for Northern British Columbia Communities
Today, the Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, along with Bruce Sutherland, Chair of Northern Development Initiative Trust, announced funding of $10 million for 23 projects in communities across Northern British Columbia through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF).
"Through our Government's support, these 23 community initiatives will create immediate jobs and a build a stronger Northern British Columbia," said Minister Hill.
The Government of Canada, through the Community Adjustment Fund, provided $10-million to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) to support the most affected communities in Northern B.C., helping to reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn.
With the initial $10 million investment, NDIT has supported 23 projects ranging from tourism infrastructure improvements to the expansion of a mobile poultry processor. All of these projects will create jobs in the immediate future, ensuring that British Columbians are able to return to work and provide economic stability to their community and families.
In addition, Minister Hill also announced that the Federal Government would provide an additional $20 million in CAF funding to NDIT to support additional projects in Northern British Columbian communities.
"I'm also pleased to announce our Government's additional contribution of $20 million to the Northern Development Initiative Trust," said Minister Hill. "Together, we're building a stronger foundation for future growth and prosperity."
"There was a huge demand for the Community Adjustment Fund from central and northern BC. I am thrilled that our staff and Board were able make decisions quickly and confirm funding contracts so that many people are now working and completing projects that are long term investments in the diversification of our economy" said Bruce Sutherland, Chair, Northern Development Initiative Trust. "This government has been innovative and responsive in partnering with Northern Development to make regional decisions with local due diligence. It has been a great partnership opportunity, creating immediate results here in the North."
It is anticipated that the additional $20 million will be allocated to job creating projects in the coming weeks.
Canada's Economic Action Plan will provide a total of $1 billion over two years to communities throughout Canada, including $306 million across Western Canada under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF). The fund will help reduce the short-term impacts of restructuring in communities across Canada heavily reliant on resource-based industries, including forestry, mining, agriculture, and fisheries, as well as communities that depend on the manufacturing sector.
Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia.
To learn more, please visit Canada's Economic Action Plan or the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
For media enquiries, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification
Ph: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Janine North
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Phone: 250-561-2525
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
On August 11, 2009, the Government of Canada announced funding of $10 million towards 23 projects located throughout northern British Columbia.
University of Northern British Columbia will see an investment of $1,027,027 to provide First Nations, youths, low income and unemployed people with employment skills, resources and practical business experience in the Cariboo and Chilcotin regions. This project will provide: Business Development Assistant positions with participating First Nations Band Administrations and Tribal Councils; Business Administration skills to enable the students to write proposals and business plans, and to conduct feasibility studies; mentoring and business advice from local Community Futures Development Corporations to develop business opportunities and ventures; university credits for those intending to complete a UNBC degree in future; and University credit courses which meet some of the competencies required for the Council towards the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).
Quesnel Downtown Association will receive $757,250 to create up to 34 jobs over the next two years by undertaking various beautification and improvement projects. These projects will include renovating seven building exteriors in the downtown core, building renovation projects and installing a self watering floral street-scape. These activities will also support tourism-marketing efforts, mitigate local job losses and reinforce the appeal of Quesnel for existing tourism infrastructure.
Cariboo Central Interior Poultry Producers Association will receive $724,865 to develop Phase Two of its mobile poultry processor unit project. The Association has purchased a second trailer to serve as an inspector's station and value-added processing unit. This trailer will travel in tandem with the mobile processing unit, and some docking stations will be enhanced in order to supply the necessary services to utilize both trailers. The second project that the Association will undertake is the purchase of a wood chipping unit to service producers and farmers in the region who lack the availability of vital wood shavings or chips for poultry barn floor covering. Farms in Quesnel and area would utilize unmarketable timber, pine beetle wood, wood waste, stumps, brush etc. in barns, for biomass heaters and composting or to make land improvements.
Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society will receive $517,645 to support infrastructure development for seniors housing in the community of Vanderhoof. With this funding, the Society will build a six-plex and a tri-plex affordable rental housing units for seniors. This housing is much needed in the area; the Society currently has a long wait list, with projected needs in the local area growing rapidly due to the aging population. This project will also create immediate employment in the community due to the short construction season.
Nazko First Nation will benefit from a $498,018 contribution to implement the "First Nations Youth Forestry Training Program" project, which has been developed with input and support from the local community, including Quesnel Continuing Education, and Quesnel Employment Services. Nazko First Nation plans to work with industry and other First Nation communities to provide employees with immediate employment as they gain experience in a wide range of certifications and skills including tree planting, chainsaw safe operation, ATV driver training, forest fire fighting certification and First Aid. This project will create the basis for future partnerships and economic opportunities between First Nations and the forest industry. It is also designed to contribute to the establishment of a skilled workforce through the growth and development of trained First Nations youth.
o Soda Creek First Nations (Xats'ull) will benefit from a $178,000 contribution to Xats'ull Heritage Village tourist facility, along with creating new seasonal jobs in the community. This project will create a cultural tourism experience for visitors consistent with the experiences that Xats'ull elders would share with youth from their community. Activities will include: installing a viewpoint from the road overlooking the site, building a staircase down from this viewpoint to the site., extending a safety fence along the river and a modern recreation of a traditional pit house that visitors could stay in, along with a covered meeting area to be used both by local students and visitors to the area.
Community Futures of North Cariboo will receive $86,041 to create and implement the "Northern Rural & Remote Communities Green Heat Initiative". This project will support the capacity development, relationships and demonstration projects required for the "green energy" sector to initially develop and continue to grow once the project is completed. Project activities will include: developing and maintaining a contact and capabilities list of qualified designers, installers, manufacturers, etc., providing an introduction and liaison function for the sector, creating sales opportunities through market development activities and organizing training and information events.
Punchaw Cattlemens Association will receive $47,000 to construct a 10,000 metre fence and install two cattle guards on Pelican Lake Forest Road which serves as an alternate route to Vanderhoof and Quesnel from Prince George. The project will enhance the distribution pattern of cattle during summer grazing and result in improved management of the wildlife habitat, including protection of all fish bearing streams. The fence will also encourage the livestock to spread out over the area to allow new tree plantations to grow to a freestanding stage with less damage being caused by the presence of livestock.
Bridge River Indian Band will receive a contribution of $197,725 to expand their existing cultural tourism products as identified in the "X'Wisten Experiences" cultural tourism report completed in March 2008. This includes expanding existing services such as offering tours of the Fishing Rocks, Winter Village and Pit House Depressions, as well as hosting salmon BBQs. The existing business employs up to six people seasonally. The new funds will allow this number to double and by doing so will increase market share and create employment opportunities for band members.
Mount Timothy Ski Society will benefit from an investment of $1,074,430 to continue the development of Mt. Timothy Ski Area. Work activities will include: slope maintenance, establishing a first aid station, increasing washroom facilities, creating additional rental equipment space and re-fitting the T-Bar to upgrade it to current industry standards. This work, and the additional tourism opportunities created will generate up to 15 new jobs in the area this winter.
Valemount Area Recreation Development will receive $15,000 to expand its Valemount Mountain Host Program by 100%. The Hosts are responsible for on-mountain education relating to the endangered Mountain Caribou and sustainable backcountry recreation. The Team was originally created due to concerns about the growing popularity of snowmobiling and its close vicinity to endangered Mountain Cariboo habitat. With the continued increasing trend in backcountry use in all seasons and additional visitors to the Valemount area entering the wilderness, the applicant will implement education strategies to guarantee the sustainability and growth for outdoor recreation activities.
City of Prince George will receive $444,000 to expand upon an existing local trail system by designing and building new trails, engineering support structures and facilities and providing new trail amenities. This will include felling of hazard trees, building and placement of log benches, fuel management work, invasive plant removal, tree chipping, trail surfacing works and forest regeneration which overall will create up to 18 jobs.
Village of McBride will receive $347,500 to develop tourism infrastructure, including an info kiosk, washrooms, picnic area and parking lot. The info kiosk will promote local and regional trails, as well as local businesses and accommodations with a special focus on visitors. The design of the visitors stop will include landscaped / hardscaped area for vehicles, benches, picnic tables, and the aforementioned kiosk and washrooms.
Northern Environmental Action Team will receive $144,400 to renew and expand its waste reduction program. NEAT will hire a Project Coordinator to re-assess the role of the Eco-Educators who deliver the Waste Reduction Education Program. The main function of this position is to deliver waste reduction education outreach programs to schools, industry and to the public. With this funding, the position will become more comprehensive, providing additional responsibilities and broadening the scope of topics to encompass all aspects of the urban environment. The Project Coordinator duties will also include budgeting, partnership building, fundraising, grant writing, strategizing and feasibility studies.
Gitxsan Treaty Society will receive $1,007,075 to employ 14 full time people to begin planning sustainable development of the territories. This core group of people will also seek opportunities to create employment, whether it is in the tourism field or silviculture. The core group will also assist in developing business plans for individuals that wish to establish a viable and sustainable business within the watershed territories. They will also assist in locating additional funding resources. The Suskwa watershed is approximately 84,826 hectares in size and is located east and north of the Rocher De Boule Mountains, extending to the Hazelton Area, eastwards to the Blunt mountain range and includes the area from Natlan Peak to Mount Thoen. The area offers multiple economic opportunities for sustainable development.
Lakes Economic Development Association will receive $680,000 to create a trail system on the south side of Burns Lake. The development of a low-impact, non-motorized trail system supports a number of local economic development initiatives, which will lead the rural community from single industry dependency to a diversified economy. Future tourism opportunities include hosting recreational events such as marathons, mountain biking competitions and triathlon events. Business opportunities include bike rentals, kayak and canoe rentals, sports shops, and expansion and development of resorts, as well as cultural and environmental educational expeditions.
City of Terrace will receive $600,000 to revitalize the George Little Park in downtown Terrace. This will include the construction of the Spirit Square band shell, a plaza/town square with landscaping, park pathways including lighting, landscaping and connecting paths, the preparation and installation of a Seniors Fitness Park site, detailed design for Market street and its reconstruction to Emerson street and a children's play area and linkage to "Upper Little" park. These improvements will not only benefit local residents but will add to the allure of Terrace as a tourist destination.
District of Stewart will receive $520,000 to hire 12 new employees over the next 18 months to undertake a variety of trail and campsite improvement activities such as: brushing of public and crown lands within the municipal boundaries for bear awareness programs; rehabilitation and creation of new campsites at the Rainey Creek Municipal Campground; creation of a new nature trail from the Campground to the ski hill; development of the new Spirit Square in the downtown core; construction of new picnic tables, benches, flower boxes, and covered picnic shelters; construction of new tourist information kiosks in the downtown core and landscaping of public lawns in the downtown core. These activities will provide the area with much needed tourist facilities, and at the same time create immediate employment for local residents.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation will receive $405,000 to complete wildfire threat reduction work on the site perimeter of Cheslatta Forest Products.The fuel management work will target dead pine trees and dense understory timber. No healthy merchantable timber will be destroyed during these fuel management treatments. Additionally, no timber harvesting will be conducted. A healthy, stocked forest will be in place, providing future economic benefits.
Smithers Community Services Association will receive $324,454 to create 50-75 jobs by expanding non-profit manufacturing operations and job skills training opportunities at the Moricetown Supported Work and Manufacturing Centre. The Manufacturing Centre will develop survey stakes, re-roofing strips, skirting and interior trim for modular units and log cabin kits. This will directly and immediately benefit the local economy by creating job opportunities for local low-income individuals and unemployed persons.
Smithers Mountain Bike Association will receive $196,695 to develop Hudson Bay Mountain with a range of mountain biking opportunities including shuttle and pedtrails, cross country (XC) loops and dirt jump and skills parks. The Association will upgrade existing trails on Lower Hudson Bay Mountain and technical trail features such as bridges, trestles, jumps and other features in the Bluff Trail Network, so that they meet International Mountain Bike Association trailbuilding standards and safety guidelines. Four new sections of intermediate trail are proposed. On the Upper Hudson Bay Mountain, the Association will create a network of trails centered on a trailhead and parking area near the junction of Hudson Bay Mountain Road and the McDonnell Lake Forest Service Road. This work includes upgrading two existing trails, establishing a parking area and building a new trail using a deactivated, overgrown access road that switches back and forth up the mountain. The final phase will include the creation of cross-country loop trails which will be linked to other downhill and XC mountain biking trails in the Community Forest and on Upper and Lower Hudson Bay Mountain.
Metlakatla Development Corporation will receive $127,875 to initiate a Canoe Quest Tourism Excursion Program. The Canoe Quest Rainforest walk excursion offers a unique perspective on the culture of the Tsimshian people. Visitors, including cruise ship, highway and destination tourists, will meet at the newly constructed covered float, receive safety instructions and receive life vests and rain gear if necessary. They will then board the world's largest North Coast First Nation traditional style replica canoe, and paddle across Prince Rupert Harbour to McNichol Creek beach. Upon arrival there, they will witness a traditional welcoming ceremony. This investment will be used to design and build the world's largest North Coast First Nation traditional style replica canoe, to purchase associated safety related equipment, to construct a concrete float complete with a timber frame roof and shed, and to acquire all related equipment necessary to undertake the initiative.
Skeena Supported Employment Society will benefit from an investment of $80,000 to hire people with mental, developmental and physical disabilities to work or volunteer in the bakery. Workers will be trained in traditional (non-mechanized) baking skills, with the possibility of suitable candidates obtaining a "Red Seal" baking apprenticeship. The retail storefront will include a small seating area for on-site consumption of bakery purchases. Fresh brewed coffee and tea will be sold as part of the retail counter service.
