August 11, 2009
Chilliwack, British Columbia
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and 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 Government of Canada support to help the Stó:lo Nation Society strengthen economic opportunities for the Stó:lo people and surrounding Chilliwack region.
" 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 Minister Strahl. " This project will help create jobs and maintain employment in Chilliwack, helping our community overcome the challenges currently facing our region. "
Funding will construct the Stó:lo Resource Centre, a new 24,800 square foot, three story office building in Chilliwack. An estimated 386 construction jobs and 16 new staff positions will be created as a result of the project.
Federal funding of $6,758,707 is being provided under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Stó:lo will be contributing the remaining funds for the $11 Million Centre. The project was coordinated by Stó:lo Community Futures on behalf of the Stó:lo Nation Society.
" This funding significantly enhances our ability to showcase Stó:lo culture. Our new Centre will benefit our community members and the general public alike by improving access to a tremendous collection of cultural resources previously out of sight, unrecognized, and underutilized, " said Chief Joe Hall, President of Stó:lo Nation. " For us, recognition of this scale is few and far between. This project represents a legacy to the Stó:lo, their partners, supporters, and neighbours throughout the region that will provide immediate benefits, for all of us now and for all of our future generations. "
The Stó:lo Resource Centre will provide office space for business, cultural, educational and community services delivered by local Aboriginal organizations to community members and partners throughout the region. The facility will feature a library, elder's room, videoconferencing boardrooms, language lab, historical archives, artifact storage/display gallery and multi-media classroom amenities. A final completion date is expected for June 2010.
A part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) 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, for instance 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
Dr. David Schaepe
Stó:lo
Telephone: (604) 824-5124
Cell: (604) 819-1467
WD Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Web Site: WD is online at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/
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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