BC's plan for resource-dependent communities — diversify

Province creates jobs for displaced resource workers.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development.

Workers in communities throughout British Columbia are benefiting from short-term employment as a result of more than $6.5 million in funding for 38 Job Opportunities Program (JOP) projects, announced Community Development Minister Bill Bennett.

“We’re doing everything we can at the provincial level to support resource-dependent communities that have been particularly hard-hit by the economic downturn,” said Bennett. “Creating jobs is our number one priority in the short term, as we help these communities diversify their economies in preparation for longer-term sustainability.” [Read more]

Job stimulus money for East Kootenay

$12.4 million investment from Canada, BC creates jobs.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development.

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. [Read more]

Province pays 6 Ktunaxa workers to pull weeds, cut brush

Province supports workers in Cranbrook.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development.

Workers in the community of Cranbrook are benefiting from close to $140,000 through the Job Opportunities Program for an invasive plant management and fuel reduction project, announced Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett.

“This project has multiple benefits: employing laid-off forest workers; teaching them new skills that could lead to new careers; and removing yet more noxious weeds from our valley, something I am passionate about,” said Bennett. [Read more]

Trench Society to hire 12 forestry workers for ecosystem restoration

Provincial Grant Provides Ecosystem Restoration Jobs.

The provincial government has awarded another Job Opportunities Program grant to the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society. [Read more]

BC pays to pull weeds

Project fights invasive plants, creates jobs.

Workers in more than 20 communities throughout British Columbia will benefit from $1.5 million for a provincewide invasive plant species project, announced Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. The project will create short-term jobs for 50 to 100 unemployed resource workers through the Job Opportunities Program.

“The Job Opportunities Program is about creating immediate employment opportunities for displaced resource workers,” said Bennett. “It’s one of the ways the Province is taking action to support resource-dependent communities at a time when every job counts.” [Read more]

Forest workers to 'practice their skills' on Fort Steele

B.C. supports 40 workers with $1.8M to improve heritage.

Some 40 laid-off resource workers will develop new skills while restoring historic sites at Cottonwood House, Quesnel Forks, Hat Creek Ranch and Fort Steele, thanks to $1.875 million from the Community Development Trust Job Opportunities and Tuition Assistance Programs, announced Bill Bennett, Minister for Community and Rural Development and Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

“Four groups of 10 workers each will practice their skills on some of British Columbia’s most popular historical towns and at the end of their work, some will receive heritage building conservation certificates that qualify them for future work in heritage restoration,” said Bennett. “Whether it’s assembling log buildings at the Cottonwood House Historic Site, or repairing heritage equipment at Fort Steele, these projects will not only use the skills of laid-off resource workers, but ensure we can maintain those historic sites in the future.” [Read more]

Transition assistance for forest workers

Press release –

Trust opens $20M transition opportunity for workers.

VICTORIA – A program designed to financially assist older workers in transitioning out of the forest sector will be accepting applications July 1 to Aug. 31, 2009.

Through the Community Development Trust’s Transition Assistance program, forest workers aged 60 and older as of Dec. 31, 2009 who meet the program eligibility requirements may be able to access up to $35,000 to transition to retirement or other activities. [Read more]