The Back Country Horsemen Society of British Columbia will expand tourism opportunities in the North Thompson region, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Federal funding of more than $65,000 was announced today by Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

"This funding will enable the North Thompson region to better market its local tourism and recreational activities to a much wider audience,” said Ms. McLeod. "Capitalizing on growing industries in communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle is a major initiative to diversify and strengthen our local economies."

"Expanding our network of back-country trail systems is a great way to get both locals and visitors out to enjoy the abundant natural beauty in our region,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. “The Thompson Valleys are renowned for our excellent horseback riding and mountain biking.  These new trails will build on that reputation and add to our growing tourism industry.”

Funding will help the Back Country Horsemen Society to develop the “North Thompson Trails Guide and Trail Development” project. Phase one of the project will add hiking, mountain biking, winter activity listings, and 10 additional maps to the existing horseback trail guide.  Supplementary trail signage will be installed, and the Fish Trap Creek Rest Site will be cleaned.  Phase two of the project will continue to capitalize on the growing British Columbia horse riding industry. Destination trailheads and campsites for recreational horseback riders will be developed in the Barriere and Kamloops areas.

"Our mandate is to work with all levels of government to maintain existing trails, build new trailheads and other facilities for horsemen and the general public," said Jonathan Driesen - President, Back Country Horsemen Society of British Columbia. "Thanks to this investment, for which we are grateful, we will be able to continue our work and improve tourism opportunities in the area and for the region as a whole."

The Back Country Horseman Society (BCHBC) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1991. The Society has fourteen chapters throughout British Columbia and more than 700 members. BCHBC aims to develop an environment for equestrians interested in trail riding and the back country together with a social and safe learning atmosphere where people can enjoy trail riding and the wilderness experience. BCHBC strives to preserve and enhance the use of public lands for equestrians of all ages and experience levels.

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 in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represent the interests of western Canadians 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:

Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone:  604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616

Victoria Klassen
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and the Arts.
Telephone:  250-356-8177

Connie Falk
Barriere Chamber of Commerce
Telephone: (250) 672-0036