September 14, 2009
Edmonton, Alberta
The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Harper Government support for four projects that will strengthen economic opportunities in Alberta.
“Our Government, through the Community Adjustment Fund, is investing in western Canadian communities to stimulate economic activity and reduce the impacts of the global recession,” said Minister Prentice. “The projects announced today will contribute towards creating new sources for long-term economic growth and help ensure these communities remain healthy and vibrant places.”
“I’m pleased to announce our Government’s support for four projects in Alberta,” said Minister Ambrose. “Investments through Canada’s Economic Action Plan are protecting and creating jobs, building stronger communities, and laying the foundations for our future prosperity.”
The Government of Canada is supporting projects in four rural municipalities in Alberta. Federal funding of $7,262,733 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The total investment will enhance services and assist in diversifying the local economies by supporting tourism initiatives in these regions.
The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation is implementing a major site renovation plan and developing new programs that will increase tourism in the Coaldale-Lethbridge region. The project will significantly enhance the capacity to rescue, treat and release injured and orphaned birds of prey.
“This is an important funding announcement that will bring about many benefits for Southern Alberta,” said Colin Weir, Managing Director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. “Our Water, Wings and Wetlands project will provide a long term regional legacy in education, environment and tourism.”
Canadian Badlands Ltd. is partnering with member organizations and municipalities to carry out projects under the Canadian Badlands Community Initiative for Employment. The projects will utilize funding to improve tourism facilities and amenities in communities throughout the Canadian Badlands, as well as provide temporary and permanent employment opportunities to local residents.
“This funding will allow our single industry communities in rural Southern Alberta, in the Canadian Badlands Region, to remain vibrant by continuing to provide employment locally,” said Cindy Amos, Executive Director of Canadian Badlands Ltd. “We are grateful to the Canadian Government for this opportunity to enhance our tourism infrastructure throughout the communities that have been hardest hit by the economic downturn.”
The Crowsnest Pass Economic Development Board is developing an implementation plan to provide recommendations on establishing a Discovery Centre for the Crowsnest Pass area. The implementation plan is considered an essential step towards the development of the larger initiative, which will generate new employment opportunities and increased economic activity for the region.
“The implementation plan will identify how the Crowsnest Discovery Centre could have a significant economic impact on the community and outline how the facility will reduce the footprint on the land by incorporating adaptive re-use of an existing structure,” said Shar Lazzarotto, Manager of Community Futures Crowsnest Pass. “We expect the facility to provide employment opportunities and economic generation to the community, and fit in well with the developers plan for the property and the community’s heritage theme.”
The Town of Ponoka is converting its decommissioned water treatment plant into a community activity centre with a nature and environmental focus. These improvements will benefit the community by creating jobs, providing opportunities to learn about nature and the environment, and attracting visitors.
“We are very pleased with the support being provided to us by the Federal Government," said Larry Henkelman, Mayor of the Town of Ponoka. "This funding enables us to convert an unused structurally sound building into a facility that will greatly enhance our community by meeting the needs and interests of numerous visitors and organizations both now and into the future.”
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 more information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Colin Weir
Managing Director
Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation
Coaldale, Alberta
Tel: (403) 345-4262
Cindy Amos
Executive Director
Canadian Badlands Ltd.
Drumheller, Alberta
Tel: (403) 823-7743
Shar Lazzarotto
Manager
Community Futures Crowsnest Pass
Blairmore, Alberta
Tel: (403)562-8858
Brad Watson
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Ponoka
Ponoka, Alberta
Tel: (403) 783-0129
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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