August 18, 2009
Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Bruce Sutherland, Chair of Northern Development Initiative Trust announced support to help the Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society strengthen economic opportunities while providing housing for seniors in Vanderhoof.
“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 Harris. “This project will help create jobs and maintain employment in Vanderhoof, helping our community overcome the challenges currently facing our region.”
“The Northern Development Initiative Trust Board recognized that all of the construction jobs associated with this much needed senior’s housing would be employing contractors and local tradespeople in the Vanderhoof area. It was important to us to see construction and employment this summer, as well as a lasting legacy for Vanderhoof, and the seniors citizens who have contributed so much to this area,” said Chair Bruce Sutherland.
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.
“This is a very exciting day for the Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society,” said John Murphy, President, Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society. “This very generous injection of funds enables us to continue our commitment to provide affordable self care living units for our senior citizens. This will allow our senior citizens to remain in their home community with family and friends”
Funding of $517,645 is being provided by Northern Development Initiative Trust, as part of the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund, which is delivering fast, effective and targeted assistance to Northern British Columbia communities.
A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1-billion national program that is providing 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.
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 the Community Adjustment Fund, Canada’s Economic Action Plan or the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 614-505-6616
Janine North
Executive Officer
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Telephone: 250-561-2525
John Murphy
President, Nechako View Senior Citizens Home
Cell: 250-570-1751
Gerry Thiessen
Mayor, District of Vanderhoof
Telephone: 250-567-4711
Or: 250-567-2110
For information on program delivery in northern British Columbia, contact:
Northern Development Initiative Trust by phone: 250-561-2525
Email at: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Website: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/
