The Coldwater Indian Band will complete a regional economic diversification and engagement strategy for the Coquihalla corridor, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Federal funding of $97,622 was announced today by the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

"This will enable residents in Merritt and surrounding Coquihalla area to increase their economic opportunities and respond to challenges posed by the Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Day. "Developing the capacity to produce value-added services is a renewal option for Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities seeking to diversify their local economy."

"The project announced today is an example of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our Government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."

Funding will help the Coldwater Indian Band increase its economic participation in the proposed Coquihalla Pass Resort and Gateway 286—a residential development and information booth planned for the area. Project activities will include facilitation of community meetings, engagement with regional stakeholders, and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding.

“The WD CEDI project will assist Coldwater Band to adapt and meaningfully respond to the MPB crisis. The vision and strategy will promote regional economic development which will benefit Coldwater Band members and

Aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents of the Nicola Valley and surrounding communities alike.” said David Bosnich, Band Administrator, Coldwater Indian Band.

Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.

The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada’s $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.’s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.

For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/

For additional information, contact:

Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 943-1838

Deanne Parise,
Economic Development Officer
Community Futures Nicola Valley
Merritt, BC
Tel: (250) 378-3923