Community forestry relief still in planning stage

April 15, 2008

Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko raised questions in Parliament last Friday, asking what was being done with the $1 billion promised by the federal government for forestry relief. He mentioned the hardships created in local communities by the closure of Pope & Talbot mills.

Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn responded by saying the money had already been delivered to the provinces.

On March 11, the B.C. provincial government announced they were working to develop a Community Development Trust Fund, using their share of the federal money, which totalled $129 million.

Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott said in an interview last week that the money had been delivered to the province and that he understood the desire to get the programs up and running in a timely manner.

Because direct subsidies to the forest industry would run afoul of trade agreements with the U.S., the government is planning to aim the funds at community development.

A B.C. ministry of economic development spokesperson said that a B.C. government representative was currently conducting high level contacts with stakeholder groups including industry, labour and First Nations, and that they are working out the delivery timelines for the program. She expected the consultation to continue over the next few weeks.

Once a preliminary plan is developed, it will be then taken to cabinet for review.

She said community consultations at the municipal levels would likely follow, at which point she expects the provincial government will come forth with ideas on how to use the funding.

The Community Development Trust Fund will be based on a three-year plan that will help forestry workers transition to new jobs through skills training.

British Columbia’s $129-million share will be aimed at helping forest workers in three main areas.

The first is transitional assistance for older forest workers and those who have been laid off.

The second area is tuition assistance for up to a year for those looking do diversify their skills.

The third area is an expanded silviculture and reforestation plan designed to create jobs and restore forests affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation as well as the wildfires of 2003 and 2004.

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Community forestry relief still in planning stage

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