No Shortage of Beetle Announcements

By 250 News

    The Federal Government would appear to be interested in talking about the mountain pine beetle funding.

In the budget this week , the  Harper government  made no mention of the  previously promised  millions of dollars a year  for ten years  that was in the initial budget.  That left a lot of people wondering  if there was to be a continuation of that funding.

Among those asking for answers was the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Committee.  Yesterday, it asked  if there was still a committment by the Federal Government to the  battle against the  mountain pine beetle. 

Before the day was through they had an answer, sort of.

$900 thousand dollars. 

The  announcement was a joint release  from the Federal Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Provincial Ministry of  Forests and Range.  Although it  would appear the Federal Government  isn’t the one writing the cheque.

The  official news release  has Chair of the CCBAC , 100 Mile House Mayor Donna Barnett, thanking the Province for the money:  

 “The CCBAC is determined that our communities will not only survive the mountain pine beetle infestation but that we will prosper. This support and funding from the Province strengthens our ability to meet that challenge.”

The Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition will receive $900,000 to support economic diversification efforts. The Coalition received $1.6 million in 2005. The additional funding will allow the Coalition to complete its Regional Community Economic Diversification Strategy.

There will be at least one more announcement  later this morning.  Minister of Natural Resources, Gary Lunn  will unveil  more details  before noon  today.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us