October 19, 2009
B.C. Supports Workers in Upgrading Trail

SMITHERS - Workers in the Skeena Stikine forest district are benefitting from more than $140,000 in funding to upgrade a trail site and create employment through the Job Opportunities Program, announced Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad on behalf of Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development.

"The Province is taking action to create as many jobs as possible in the near future in order to help workers and their families through this time of economic upheaval," said Rustad. "This funding will create six jobs in the Round Lake area, while at the same time upgrading infrastructure and providing workers with new skills that will benefit them as the economy recovers."

The funding to the Round Lake Community Association makes possible trail construction of a 1.5-km canoe-car path, and 2.5-km ski-hike-bike trail, plus a new parking area, two canoe-launching sites and 12 camping pads. The improvements are underway on Crown land in the rural area around Quick, improving access to the Bulkley River for people travelling by canoe as well as hikers.

"These projects vastly improve local opportunities for both summer and winter," said Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. "Signage around this site will also raise awareness about the We'suwet'en First Nation and various historical points of interest."

The Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008 as one component of the federally-funded $129-million Community Development Trust. In July 2009, the provincial government committed an additional $30 million to the program, which the federal government is matching on a project-by-project basis through the Community Adjustment Fund.

The Province of British Columbia's contribution to the Job Opportunities Program is part of its commitment to provide stability for workers and communities, maintain the workforce during the economic downturn and help British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.

For more information about the Job Opportunities Program, go to www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/.

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