Government of Canada Invests in New Tourism Opportunities in the Kootenays

April 09, 2009
Creston, British Columbia

Today the Honourable Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay – Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced an investment that will help the Lower Kootenay Indian Band and the International Selkirk Loops Society promote and strengthen tourism in the Kootenays.”Today’s investments will take advantage of emerging tourism opportunities and work to renew the Kootenay region,” said Mr. Abbott. ” Our Government is committed to diversifying and strengthening our mountain pine beetle-affected communities.”

“Our Government has taken concrete action towards supporting the diversification of communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. “Today’s announcement creates new and exciting opportunities for the local economy and encourages growth within the Kootenay region.”

The Government of Canada is providing $300,000 towards two projects in the Kootenay region. Funding is provided through Western Economic Diversification under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

Funding of $180,000 for the Lower Kootenay Indian Band will examine the opportunities for developing a new tourism facility in Osprey Bay. Project work will include a detailed preliminary planning, design and feasibility study. The project aims to develop a campground/RV Park and marina, hotel and convention centre, waterfront golf course, and commercial and residential buildings. The proposed development will complement existing tourist attractions on the International Selkirk Loop, a popular scenic drive. Benefits of the study include increased self-sufficiency and employment opportunities for the Lower Kootenay Indian Band.

“Our dream is closer to becoming a reality,” said Joe Pierre Sr., Administrator for the Lower Kootenay Indian Band. “We are happy and grateful to receive this funding to support our development of Osprey Bay. This development will definitely help us to become more self-sufficient. We realize to make this dream become a reality and sustainable we have to build relationships with others to promote economic growth in our valley.”

An additional investment of $120,000 was also announced for the International Selkirk Loop Society to develop, enhance and expand tourism on the Canadian portion of the Selkirk Loop scenic drive. Project activities will include: marketing research, a business membership survey, new signage for three “Super Side Trips,” and the production of brochures and promotional tourist material.

“We are very pleased to receive this funding for several marketing projects,” said John Reed, President of International Selkirk Loop Society. “This will benefit our member businesses and assist the Loop in becoming more self sustainable.”

Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.

The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada’s $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.’s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada and Transport Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/

For additional information, contact:

Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616

Lower Kootenay Indian Band
Curtis Wullum
ph: 1-250-428-6394

International Selkirk Loop Society
Mike Rowland
Project Manager
Ph: 1-250-505-4741