Prince George, British Columbia – Today, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding for the Northern Development Initiative Trust to help communities across northern British Columbia take advantage of the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) aimed at helping create jobs and maintain employment in communities hard hit by the current economic slowdown.

“Our Government understands that northern BC communities and families have been hit hard by the global recession,” said Minister of State Yelich. “That’s why this partnership will allow for the quick delivery of funding to projects that help create jobs and maintain employment in affected communities.”

The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, will provide $10-million to the Northern Development Initiative Trust to support the most affected communities in northern BC, helping to reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn.

“Central and northern BC communities, non-profits, businesses and First Nations will benefit immensely from the federal government’s speed and focus in moving out this economic stimulus program,” said Northern Development Initiative Trust Chair Bruce Sutherland. “Our Board appreciates the opportunity to deliver the Community Adjustment Fund and ensure strong, positive impacts and job creation in our region with this money.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan will provide a total of $1-billion over two years to communities throughout Canada, including $306-million across Western Canada under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF). The fund will help reduce the short-term impacts of restructuring in communities across Canada heavily reliant on resource-based industries, including forestry, mining, agriculture, and fisheries, as well as communities that depend on the manufacturing sector.

Details on the application process will be made available on the Northern Development Initiative Trust website: www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For media enquiries, contact:

Lisa Hutniak
Minister’s Office
Western Economic Diversification
lisa.hutniak@wd-deo.gc.ca

For program related enquiries:

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY) 1 877 303-3388
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca

Backgrounder

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. Priority will be given to single-industry, rural communities.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will implement the fund in the four western provinces. The fund will provide $306-million in support to western Canadian communities hardest hit by the current economic slowdown, 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.

Program Eligibility:

Eligible applicants:

• Non-profit organizations
• Indian bands
• For-profit organizations (incorporated, sole proprietorships, partnerships or other legally established businesses)*
• Provincial government departments, agencies and crown corporations
• Post-secondary education institutions
• Municipal governments and organizations created by them.
• Co-operatives
       * Contributions to commercial enterprises will be made on a repayable basis.

Projects funded under CAF must:

• Be completed by March 31, 2011 with no obligation for continued support;
• Provide benefits to communities affected by the global economic recession;
• Create immediate, short-term employment;
• Be able to start quickly; and,
• Be incremental (i.e. CAF funds should be in addition to existing resources and not replace funding available elsewhere).

Applications:

Applicants are required to submit an application form that meets project eligibility criteria.

The application form is available online at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca. Project proposals are due by June 5, 2009; projects needing more time to develop have until June 26, 2009.

In northern British Columbia, residents can also apply for funding through the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Details on the application process will be made available on the Northern Development Initiative Trust website: www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

Project Selection:

• Priority will be given to projects in and around eligible communities that:
• Are located in rural, single-industry communities;
• Create jobs and maintain employment;
• Leverage funds from provinces, territories and other funding partners;
• Build on partnership arrangements already in place (e.g. federal-provincial/territorial agreements) and existing programs; and,
• Provide a legacy of longer-term economic benefits.

Applications from eligible communities will be assessed against the priority criteria listed above.

About Northern Development Initiative Trust:

Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia.

For further information on the Community Adjustment Fund, please contact:

WD Toll-Free Number at: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Email at: caf-fac@wd-deo.gc.ca
Website: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca

For information on program delivery in northern British Columbia, contact:

Northern Development Initiative Trust by phone: 250-561-2525
Email at: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Website: