Canfor Contributes to UNBC

February 25, 2005 for immediate release
Canfor today has announced a $300,000 contribution to the Northern Medical Programs Trust (NMPT), bringing the company’s total investment in UNBC to more than $1 million.
Canfor’s NMPT donation is supporting the pledges of every community where the company operates. To date, just over 20 northern BC communities and electoral districts have pledged amounts based on their populations, with the endowment providing financial assistance for students in the Northern Medical Program. Communities benefiting from the Canfor gift are Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, Fort St John, Taylor, Fort St James, Vanderhoof, Houston, Smithers, Mackenzie, Valemount, Quesnel, and Prince George.
“Canfor was one of the first companies to pledge its financial support to UNBC back when the Prince George campus was still under construction,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “Many people involved with the company have also been strongly involved with UNBC: Canfor President Jim Shepherd is on our Board and Canfor Chairman Peter Bentley is currently Chancellor and a strong advocate for the University across Canada.”
"Canfor is honoured to support the Northern Medical Program and its role in increasing access to medical care close to home," says Mark Feldinger, General Manager of Canfor’s Prince George Divisions. "This gift highlights our commitment to enriching the lives of those in communities where we live and work through innovative community programs."
In the past, Canfor has supported capital construction, a public lecture series, research, and student awards. In this academic year alone, 21 students received scholarships and bursaries endowed by the company. Since 1995, 141 students have received Canfor awards, including Heather Smith of Prince George, who completed her degree at UNBC before entering the Northern Medical Program this year.
The Northern Medical Program is a program of the UBC Faculty of Medicine delivered in partnership with UNBC. It has been created to help alleviate northern challenges around physician recruitment and retention and admitted its first 25 students this year. The Northern Medical Programs Trust is a partnership among northern communities and UNBC. To date, $1.7 million has been raised toward the endowment’s $6 million goal.
Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
Adrienne Lockstead, Communications Coordinator, Canfor – 604.661.5416