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.”

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Job stimulus money for Kamloops

$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.

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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.”

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Job opportunities program responds to needs of displaced resource workers

Job opportunities program supports Okanagan workers.

Workers in Kelowna and Vernon are benefiting from more than $240,000 in funding for a trail upgrade and maintenance project, announced Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster, Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson, Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick on behalf of Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. The project will create short-term jobs for eight unemployed resource workers through the Job Opportunities Program.

“The Province is taking action to respond to the needs of displaced resource workers who have been impacted by the downturn in the economy,” said Foster.

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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.

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