September 23, 2009
B.C. Supports Prince George Area Workers

PRINCE GEORGE - Workers and two area organizations are benefiting from more than $360,000 in funding for projects that are creating immediate employment through the Job Opportunities Program (JOP), announced Bill Bennett, Minister for Community and Rural Development and Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range.

"This funding means jobs for 14 resource workers hired to carry out improvements at various sites, including falling and disposing of beetle-killed trees, and follow-up silviculture treatments from last winter's JOP-funded work," said Bennett. "During this time of economic upheaval, it's important that we create employment opportunities for laid-off resource workers in rural regions and communities."

Bell shares Bennett's views on the benefits of the JOP.

"These local organizations, as well as citizens and visitors, will benefit from work undertaken by experienced resource workers," said Bell. "Projects like completing beetle trapping at 29 area sites and planting approximately 5,000 replacement trees at Woodlot 272 are just some examples of work that will make a difference now and into the future."

The area organizations - Prince George Woodlot Association and DWB Consulting Services Ltd. - are receiving a total of $362,239 for improvements that include pine beetle trapping adjacent to known infestation sites, and silviculture treatments.

"The Job Opportunities program is making a difference in many Northern and rural communities," said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. "This program allows us to ensure that experienced workers are working on projects that communities or organizations have identified as priorities. We know how important it is to keep people working during difficult economic times and the Job Opportunities program is one way of doing that."

The first project includes silviculture treatments to dispose dead pine stems in a 27-hectare area, followed by gap planting of trees. Through the Douglas Fir Beetle project, funnel traps are monitored and serviced once the captured beetles are collected and labeled.

"I have already seen some positive outcomes through this program," said Dan Rogers, mayor of Prince George. "Linking organizations that need work done, with the workers available to do it meets a number of needs, and the community as a whole is richer."

The Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008 as one component of the federally-funded, $129-million Community Development Trust. In July 2009, the provincial government committed an additional $30 million towards the program, which the Government of Canada matched on a project-by-project basis through the Community Adjustment Fund.

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.

For more information about the Job Opportunities Program, go to www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/.

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