$12.4 M Investment from Canada, B.C. Creates Jobs

An investment of more than $12.4 million in 25 projects through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Job Opportunities Program will help organizations and groups throughout the province of British Columbia to create immediate employment in all industry sectors and communities impacted by the economic downturn, today announced Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay – Columbia, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, and MLA for Kootenay East.

“I’m pleased to announce that our Government, through our Economic Action Plan, is supporting B.C. workers and communities hardest hit by these tough times,” said Abbott. “These important investments are creating jobs immediately, and laying the foundations for an even stronger future.”

“The Job Opportunities Program is just one example of how important government partnerships are when it comes to creating jobs and stimulating local economies,” said Bennett. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting resource-based communities throughout the province as they work to adjust to their economies.”

The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008, as one component of the Community Development Trust through funding provided by the Government of Canada. In July 2009, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia each committed up to an additional $30 million towards the program.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Job Opportunities Program supports project costs that meet all the federal requirements for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund. The federal contribution under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will help stimulate the economy and keep Canadians working during the economic downturn.

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.

A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.

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; for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

Visit the Community Adjustment Fund in the West, the Job Opportunities Program or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.