The Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society will conduct a bioenergy feasibility study and an analysis of wood markets, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Federal funding of more than $79,920 was announced today by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, 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 the member bands of the Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society to examine opportunities to strengthen bio-energy sector," said Minister Strahl. "Assessing alternative forms of energy and market demand for value added wood 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 Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society to develop two comprehensive reports. The first report is a bioenergy production feasibility study that examines the feasibility of different conversion systems, processes and labour requirements for bio-energy production. A second study will generate a marketing analysis on value-added wood products, identify products in demand both domestically and overseas and expected social and economic gains.

"The objective of the Bio-energy Feasibility Study and the Value Added Wood

Product and Development Marketing Study is to identify emerging opportunities for innovative non-traditional uses for forest and waste material within the Nlaka'pamux Territory.  The Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society / Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council anticipate that these studies will provide a solid foundation for Nlaka'pamux diversification initiatives.  These initiatives are important steps in meeting our responsibility for waste management, environmental well-being and sustainability - a responsibility the Nlaka'pamux take very seriously,” said Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society.

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

Tawnya Durant
Fraser Thompson Indian Services Society/NNTC
Lytton, BC
Tel: (250) 455-2711