The Prince George economy will benefit, thanks to two investments by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD).

Federal funding of $443,631 was announced today by the Honourable Jay Hill, Secretary of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Prince George—Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

"Identifying training and commercialization opportunities for Prince George will contribute to solving the ongoing issues of how to best utilize Mountain Pine Beetle damaged wood and develop our mining sector," said Secretary of State Hill. "As a result of this funding, the University of British Columbia and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association will be positioned to strengthen the local economy."

"The projects announced today are examples of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."

CEDI funding of $288,957 will assist the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association, (PGNAETA) deliver a mining training program at two full-service bush campsites in the Smithers area.  The training program aims to provide transferable skills to First Nations interested in exploring mining as an employment option, and to increase the pool of skilled mine workers within the industry.

"Our Association is very pleased with the funding partnership announced by Western Economic Diversification this afternoon," said Karin Hunt, Executive Director of Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association. "One of the pillars and fundamental principles of our labour market strategy, is to prepare the First Nations labour force for increased participation in existing and emerging industries.  With the imminent downturn of the forest industry, our attention has turned to other markets that show growth potential and thus, a growing need for a skilled and safety conscious workforce.  New employment opportunities are rising in the mining industry and in site exploration.  That, coupled with the fact that the First Nations labour force is the fastest growing labour force in Canada, presents a “perfect storm” scenario.  We believe, working in partnership with federal and provincial government agencies, such as Western Economic Diversification, and industry, we can coordinate an effective response. "  

A second CEDI investment of $154,674 will help the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) conduct market research to help commercialize Mountain Pine Beetle Wood Concrete Products. Mountain Pine Beetle Wood Concrete Product (MPBWCP) is a recent innovative material made by mixing cement with water and aggregate. This new environmentally friendly product provides a significant value-added alternative to pulp, and is a highly attractive and unique alternative building product because it combines the structural strength of concrete and the aesthetic quality of wood.

"The development of this beetlewood-concrete product has attracted more public interest than any other UNBC research project to date," says Interim UNBC President, Charles Jago. "This is the sixth CEDI project awarded to UNBC. Together, these investments will enable UNBC to work together with its local and regional partners to realize new opportunities in the wake of the pine beetle infestation."

Managed by WD, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.

The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada’s $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.’s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with WD and Transport Canada.

WD is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.

For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622
 

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Below: Beetlewood concrete inventor, and UNBC graduate, Sorin Pasca.