The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources today added five prominent British Columbians to the Canada-B.C. Mountain Pine Beetle Advisory Board.

The advisory board will assist the governments of Canada and British Columbia deliver the most effective approaches to combating the beetle infestation and helping affected communities.

During the 2006 election, Conservatives promised to tackle the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestation that had been ignored by the Liberals.

Canada’s New Government fulfilled that promise in last year’s budget with a two-year, $400 million investment to:

• Combat the MPB infestation;
• Strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the forestry sector; and
• Support worker adjustment.

Within that, Canada’s New Government committed $200 million for 2006-2008 in the Canada-British Columbia Mountain Pine Beetle Program with a focus on:

• Controlling the spread;
• Recovering economic value; and
• Protecting forest resources and communities.

By assisting communities affected by the MPB outbreak, Canada’s New Government is building a stronger, safer, better Canada.

Click here for news release containing details on the advisory board members