QUESNEL, BC – More workers in Quesnel and surrounding area will be back on the job thanks to a $643,307 investment from the federal Community Adjustment Fund and the provincial Job Opportunities Program, Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George announced today.

MP Harris said, “Partnerships, such as these, will help our region continue to recover from the economic downturn.  Our Conservative Government will continue working with the West to help strengthen all communities, to remain strong, healthy and resilient for generations to come.”

Through this funding, the Barkerville Heritage Trust will employ seven workers to complete cutting and burning to mitigate fire hazard in Wells and Quesnel.  In addition, the Quesnel Woodlot Association  will employ seven workers to reduce the immediate and longer term fuel loading in interface areas in Quesnel by cutting, piling and burning standing and downed debris and pruning the lower pole of live trees.  Through Arcturus Enterprises, seven workers will be employed to manually brush trails, falling dead and infected pine beetle trees, limbing, slashing, burning or scattering in Tatla Lake, Redstone, and Puntzi Lake. 
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.
A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, $1 billion national program that is providing an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
 
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.
 
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund in the West, the Job Opportunities Program or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.