August 27, 2009
Port Hardy, British Columbia
John Duncan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced Government of Canada support to help the Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association upgrade their Interpretive Centre.
“ Our Government, through the Community Adjustment Fund, is providing a timely, targeted stimulus to western Canadian communities, helping reduce the impacts of the global recession, ” said MP Duncan. “ Today's announcement will help our region emerge from this challenging time prosperous, and stronger than ever.”
With this funding, the Association will undertake an enhancement project for the new Salmon Stewardship Centre, located in Quatse Regional Park. Project activities will include: entrance upgrades; relocating and installing new sanitary facilities; creating and landscaping a greenway in the parking area and visitors entrance; and developing wheelchair access to an existing interpretive trail.
Workers will be trained in landscape design and maintenance, allowing them to upgrade their skills in a growing field. This initiative supports and strengthens ongoing development of tourism, educational and interpretive services in the area, and promises to encourage new business activity related to tourism and education.
Federal funding of $80,000 is being provided under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
" This WD Funding will not only enable the Quatse hatchery to complete the project, it will also put some willing hands to work. Perfect! " said Director, Brian Welchman, North Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association
The Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries such as forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Ken Fuller
Manager
North Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association
(250) 949-9022
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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