January 7, 2015 - Valemount, British Columbia
In the Village of Valemount, the federal government partnered with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation again to continue to restore salmon spawning habitat along Swift Creek. Member of Parliament Cathy McLeod, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted today the Government of Canada’s investment in the 2014-2016 Swift Creek Restoration Project. Through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP), the B.C. Conservation Foundation will receive up to $230,108 to support both the 2013 and the 2014-2016 Swift Creek Restoration projects.
As part of the National Conservation Plan, the RFCPP was created to restore Canada’s waterways and to ensure sustainability and ongoing productivity of our recreational fisheries. Given its success in ensuring a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country, and high demand, the Government of Canada increased the investment in the Economic Action Plan 2014 to a total of $25 million.
The B.C. Conservation Foundation will contribute to the conservation and restoration of our country’s natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. Under the third round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $2,587,043 has been made available for 30 projects in British Columbia.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to conserve and restore our country’s natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. Details about the program can be found on the Program’s website where you can also sign up for updates.
“The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program allows our Government to support an important economic sector while also ensuring sustainable fisheries. I would like to congratulate the B.C. Conservation Foundation for their continued success through the program. Our Government is proud to support their work and hopes to see more projects to come.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
“I am proud to be a member of a government that recognizes the vital role our recreational fisheries play, both as part of our Canadian heritage and in supporting rural economies in communities much like Valemount, B.C. Together with our like-minded partners, we will continue to advocate for the restoration and conservation of fishing habitat across the nation.”
Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo
“The Swift Creek project is part of an overall watershed restoration plan that has garnered support from the local community as well as the public. Visiting tour groups have been enthusiastic about the work after seeing first-hand sockeye and chinook spawning in these recently restored habitats.”
Barb Waters, B.C. Conservation Foundation
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537
NR-PR-15-01E
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