August 26, 2009
Comox, 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, announced Government of Canada support to help the British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA) promote and strengthen the shellfish industry.
"Our Government is taking action to promote and strengthen Canadian business," said MP Duncan. "This investment will support community development and enable our shellfish producers to reach new markets and increase their competitiveness."
With this investment, the Association will employ a dedicated Business Development Manager who will research international best practices within the industry and provide this information to B.C. shellfish producers. The BCSGA will also facilitate access to new technologies and processes, enhance the Association's website, conduct industry workshops, create marketing materials, and provide prospective investors with information that will help them to pursue opportunities within B.C.'s shellfish industry.
Federal funding of $150,000 is being provided under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
"The monies from the Community Adjustment Fund will be used to increase the shellfish industry focus on marketing, public relations, communications, and technology transfer. The fund will allow the shellfish farmers to become more competitive in the global marketplace which in turn will create more employment opportunities to meet the increased demand for BC product," said Roberta Stevenson, Executive Director, BC Shellfish Growers 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
Ms. Roberta Stevenson
Executive Director
British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association
Tel: (250) 890-7561
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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