The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is investing in three Smithers area projects, a community that has been greatly impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.

Federal funding of more than $531,000 was announced today by Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, 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 the Honourable 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.

“Developing economic opportunities is a renewal option for Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities that need to diversify their local economy,” said MP Harris. “With this investment in the Smithers community, the region will have the tools it needs to strengthen its economy.”

"The projects announced today are examples 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."

The three projects will strengthen the Smithers area economy.  WD funding will support the Northwest Community College develop and deliver a mobile mining and safety skills training program. An investment in the British Columbia Conservation Foundation will assist three conservation projects in the Omineca, Skeena, and Kootenay Regions. The third project is an investment in  Phase 1 of the Smithers Public Library Expansion Project.

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