June 18, 2010
$1.03 Million Investment Puts Workers Back on the Job

VANDERHOOF – Workers in the Nechako Lakes region will be back on the job thanks to a $1.03 million investment in six  projects through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Job Opportunities Program.

Dick Harris, federal MP for Cariboo-Prince George, said, “In cooperation with the province, this is part of Canada’s two-year economic stimulus plan. The Community Adjustment Fund was designed to create jobs and maintain employment in our communities including right here.”

“We have weathered some really tough economic times with our highest priority being to keep people working,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “The positive signs of recovery that we are beginning to see are as a result of proactive efforts to carefully manage the province’s economy through federal-provincial partnerships such as the Job Opportunities Program.”

The six latest round of projects for Nechako Lakes include:

• Industrial Forestry Service Ltd.: Through this project, 11 workers will be employed to fall pine beetle damaged and danger trees, buck logs, clear slash by burning or chipping in Vanderhoof. 
  Federal Funding: $152,880.39
  Provincial Funding: $82,320.21
  Total Funding: $235,200.60
• Avison Management Services Ltd.: Six workers will conduct danger tree assessment and removal, brushing aspen and alder and disposing of debris over 200 hectares, located 70 kms south of Vanderhoof at the site of the 2006 Kenny Dam fire.
  Federal Funding: $150,709
  Provincial Funding: $81,151
  Total Funding: $231,860
• Tanizul Timber Ltd.: Twelve workers will conduct manual brushing of four sites in the Fort St. James and Tachi areas, for a total of 203 hectares.
  Federal Funding: $104,475.80
  Provincial Funding: $56,256.20
  Total Funding: $160,732
• Tootikoh Contracting: Thirteen workers will conduct manual brushing of government administered cut-blocks in Fort St. James and Nak'azdli.
  Federal Funding: $65,432.38
  Provincial Funding: $35,232.82
  Total Funding: $100,665.20
• Murray Ridge Ski Area: Seven workers will be employed for brushing 28.6 km, forest glading 12.5 hectares, danger tree falling approximately 580 trees, herbicide treatment of 8.8 kms on crown land near Fort St. James.
  Federal Funding: $148,458.34
  Provincial Funding: $79,939.11
  Total Funding: $228,397.45
• Redfern River Lodge Ltd.: Five workers will conduct danger tree falling, limbing, garbage removal, piling, thinning, and spacing in the Burns Lake and Ootsa Lake West areas.
  Federal Funding: $47,264.20
  Provincial Funding: $25,449.95
  Total Funding: $72,714.15

The three-year $86.25-million Job Opportunities Program, now in its final year, was first announced in May 2008 as a component of the Community Development Trust through funding provided by the Government of Canada. In July 2009, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia each committed up to an additional $30 million towards the program.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Job Opportunities Program supports project costs that meet all the federal requirements for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund. The federal contribution under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will help stimulate the economy and keep Canadians working during the economic downturn.

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.

A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.

Visit the Community Adjustment Fund in the West, the Job Opportunities Program or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.

Visit Dick’s website at www.dickharris.ca

Visit John’s website at www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca

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