Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray-Athabasca and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help strengthen economic opportunities in High Prairie.

“Today’s announcement is about creating a sustainable economy in our rural communities,” said MP Jean. “Constructing this seed cleaning plant will provide immediate employment opportunities and also support the local agriculture industry, which plays a vital role in the area.”

Today’s federal investment is enabling the High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-Op to replace the existing seed cleaning plant in the area. The new facility’s increased seed cleaning capacity, new sorting technology, and capacity for future expansion will ensure High Prairie farmers continue to have a place to clean and market their products. Further benefits for High Prairie include the creation of immediate job opportunities and production of feed for use by local farms.

Federal funding of $2,004,700 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. In addition, the Municipal District of Big Lakes is also providing $500,000 towards the project.

“The High Prairie Seed cleaning co-op plays a key role in sustaining our community’s strong agricultural presence,” said Alvin Billings, Reeve of the Municipal District of Big Lakes. “Constructing this new, state of the art facility will create jobs and save transportation costs by ensuring that local farmers have access to services within their own community.”

The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

“Thanks to support from the federal government and the MD of Big Lakes, the new seed cleaning plant that our board started looking at ten years ago will finally become a reality,” said High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-op Plant Manager, Bryant Kushner. “This new plant will support agriculture in our community for years to come.”

Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.

For more information, contact:

Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432

Bryant Kushner
Plant Manager
High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-op
Tel: (780) 523-3955

Alvin Billings
Reeve
Municipal District of Big Lakes
Tel: (780) 523-5955
Cell: (780) 523-8774