une 25, 2010
Tofino, British Columbia
Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to the Canoe Creek Hydro Company to strengthen economic opportunities in the Clayoquot Sound area.
"Investing in the Canoe Creek Green Hydro project will create and protect jobs, create a long term revenue stream and contribute to sustainable energy on Vancouver Island," said MP Lunney
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation through its subsidiary, the Canoe Creek Hydro Company, has built and will operate a run-of-the-river hydro electric facility located on Tla-o-qui-aht traditional territory. This project will enable the First Nation to generate and sell renewable energy to BC Hydro under long-term electricity purchase agreements. In the short-term the project will provide opportunities for employment and capacity building. The revenues from hydropower generation will be invested in the community in areas such as economic development, resource stewardship, education and support of cultural initiatives.
"The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation began this project in 2005. With the help of of Western Economic Diversification Canada, Aborigional Business Canada, NEDC and INAC's ecoENERGY programs and its partner Swiftwater Power, this project has become a reality," said Jamie Bassett, Economic Development Office at Canoe Creek Hydro Company Ltd. "It is the first of a number of Green Energy projects that TFN intends to undertake. The benefits to the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation and the Province of British Columbia from this project will continue to flow far into the distant future."
Federal funding of $2,500,000 is being provided as a repayable contribution through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan
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. 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 broadcast use:
The Government of Canada's investment under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is supporting the Canoe Creek Hydro Company in building and operating a run-of-the-river hydro electric facility located on Tla-o-qui-aht traditional territory. This federal investment of $2,500,000 is helping to strengthen economic opportunities in the Clayoquot Sound area.
For more information (media only) contact:
Jaime Burke
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Saya Masso
Councilor, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Director, Canoe Creek Hydro Company
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
Telephone: 250-726-5076
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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