Williams Lake, British Columbia – Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help the Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association strengthen economic opportunities in the Cariboo region.

 “This Government is taking action to ensure communities succeed at this time of economic slowdown,” said MP Harris. “Today’s announcement will help our region emerge from this challenging time more prosperous and stronger than ever.”

With this investment, the Association will complete forest fire reduction treatments in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. Project activities will typically consist of thinning and pruning tree stands, and chipping or burning debris. This project will reduce the risk of wildfire in several communities, while creating jobs in forestry-dependent communities.

The Association will evaluate forest fire fuel management plans proposed by First Nations and local governments and implement treatment in various Cariboo communities. In total, forest fire fuel reduction treatments will be performed on approximately 125 hectares of land.

Federal funding of $1,010,000 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

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, such as 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.

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