New Conservative Legislation Will Expedite Funds for Laid-off Workers and Forest Communities

Monday, February 4th, 2008

OTTAWA – The Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, said today that new Conservative Government legislation to expedite delivery of its $1-billion national Community Development Trust is great news for area workers and communities affected by recent layoffs and shutdowns in the forestry sector.

“Forestry workers and their families and entire communities in Prince George-Peace River can celebrate this decision,” said Hill. “One of the only concerns voiced by constituents and municipal leaders about this important fund was that it was contingent on the passage of the upcoming federal budget. Our government listened to those concerns. Through this legislation, we meet the requirement to seek spending authority from Parliament, yet without having to wait for the budget to be passed. The Trust is no longer threatened by partisan politics surrounding our minority government’s federal budget.”

The Community Development Trust is designed to help provinces and territories assist communities and workers suffering economic hardship arising from the current volatility in the global marketplace. The program targets one-industry towns facing major downturns, or communities plagued by chronic high unemployment, or regions hit by layoffs across a range of sectors. Among other things, it will support job training to create opportunities in sectors facing labour shortages, community transition plans that foster economic development, and create new jobs and infrastructure development to stimulate economic diversification.

The Conservative Government is in the process of finalizing agreements with the provinces and territories for the Community Development Trust. Agreements with two provinces have already been signed. Upon passage of the legislation, the funds would be made available to a province upon conclusion of their respective agreement.

“Our Government will seek the unanimous consent of all parties to pass the Bill at all stages so that this funding may flow as quickly as possible,” explained Hill. “I am hopeful that the opposition parties will not block this important initiative to help vulnerable communities and laid-off workers in this time of economic difficulty.”