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Several communities in the Cariboo region are benefiting from close to $1.2 million through the Job Opportunities Program for five fuel management and beetle fall and burn projects, announced Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett on behalf of Community and Rural Development Minister Bill Bennett. 

(Image: The Community Development Trust (CDT) is a three-year program helping forest workers, their families and their communities get through challenging times in the forest sector.  Click for more information.)

“The Job Opportunities Program is a vital resource for displaced resource workers during this challenging time,” said Barnett. “These four projects alone are providing immediate employment for 75 people, which will have a ripple effect in the community and on the local economy.” 

Yun Ka Whu-ten Holdings Ltd. is overseeing two of the projects. The company received $534,599 to reduce fire fuel by falling, limbing, spacing, pruning and chipping hazard and beetle-killed pine trees on a 177-hectare parcel of land. Thirty resource workers are being employed through this project. 

The second Yun Ka Whu-ten Holdings Ltd. project, funded through a $199,950 investment, involves fuel mitigation and hazard tree removal activities on a separate 54-hectare parcel, and is providing employment for an additional 30 resource workers. 

The Fraser Basin Council received $249,971 to reduce fuel hazards in the Williams Lake area by falling, skidding and thinning trees. Locations include Douglas Road, Mackenzie Avenue Connector and Russet Bluff. Six resource workers are being employed through this project. 

The fourth project is being led by Envrinity Solutions Ltd. The company received $188,869 to fall and burn 587 beetle-infested fir trees, probe 105 hectares, and to apply a repellent to vulnerable trees on 4.9 hectares to prevent beetle infestation. Seven resource workers are being employed through this project. 

“Communities will be safer during next year’s fire season as a result of these projects,” said Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell. “In addition, the projects improve overall forest health and help 75 families with employment and income.” 

“By receiving this funding, we will not only help mitigate the potential for a repeat of the 2009 fires, but we will be able to help provide work for some of our region’s displaced forest industry workers,” said Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond. “The economic downturn and the mountain pine beetle have had an impact on our communities, however, through projects such as the Job Opportunities Program, we can help renew community pride and spirit and continue building communities together.” 

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 federal government is matching 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.

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