Help Announced for Displaced Forestry Workers

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - There may be help  for the near 2000 northern  B.C.  forestry workers who have  lost their jobs  due to  mill shut downs.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has announced a new  Community Development Trust  designed to help provinces and territories assist communities and workers suffering economic hardship caused by the current volatility in in the lumber markets.

“The Government of Canada will assist vulnerable communities and laid-off workers by investing $1 billion in the Community Development Trust,” Prime Minister Harper said. “This is a major new national initiative under which our Government will support provincial and territorial efforts to build a stronger, better future for communities and workers who have been hurt by international economic volatility.”

The Community Development Trust will be funded out of the 2007-2008 budgetary surplus. The Trust will have a three-year lifespan starting as soon as Parliament approves the required budgetary legislation. A base amount of $10 million will be allocated to each province and $3 million to each territory. The balance of the funding will be allocated on a per capita basis.

“The program is aimed at one industry towns facing major downturns, or communities plagued by chronic high unemployment, or regions hit by layoffs across a range of sectors,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Among other things, it will support job training to create opportunities for workers in sectors facing labour shortages and community transition plans that foster economic development and create new jobs, and infrastructure development that stimulates economic diversification.”

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