Last week the federal government announced that British Columbia will receive $125.2 million over the next two years as part of a $1 billion dollar fund available to communities and legitimate sponsors across Canada to alleviate the effects of the current downturn.
The federal government wants to see work boots on the ground as soon as possible—as early as this June. The WSCA is now meeting with provincial government officials to draught proposals including silviculture fuels management and plantation tending projects that may qualify for funding. Legitimate sponsors can include non-profit societies like the WSCA. Just what role the association may play has yet to be discussed.
But the fund will need to rely on proposals from communities and other groups, such as contractors, if it is to meet its goals within the tight time frames it has set for itself.
For more information contact Western Economic Diversification Canada: 1-888-338-9378, use the weblink below, or contact the WSCA.
John Betts,
Executive Director
Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association
hotpulp@gmail.com
Ph: 250-229-4380