CRD Forest Capital Gift Basket presented to Canada's Prime Minister

From the Cariboo Regional District:

Last Wednesday, MPs Cathy McLeod (Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo) and Dick Harris (Cariboo-Prince George) presented the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada with a gift basket from the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) commemorating the region’s 2010-2011 Forest Capital of Canada designation. Under the Strong Roots, Green Shoots slogan, the CRD continues to promote all aspects of the forest industry and its economic diversification


“The Cariboo Regional District was named the 2010-2011 Forest Capital of Canada by the Canadian Forestry Association: not for its high concentration of mills and logging operations, but for its plan for action – finding new opportunities in forestry through diversification,” stated CRD Chair, Al Richmond and Forest Capital Committee member. “Our two year Forest Capital program supports the development and promotion of four key non-traditional forest industries; non-timber forest products, value-added wood products, bio-energy, eco-tourism and agriculture.”


“It gave me great pleasure to present the gift basket from the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors to the Prime Minister,” said Cathy McLeod. “It was truly symbolic of the region and its work to diversify the forest industry.”


MP Dick Harris stated “This was an excellent way to show the Prime Minister the spirit, the creativeness and entrepreneurship that makes the Cariboo Regional District so important to Canada.”


The offering from the Cariboo Regional District was presented to Prime Minister Harper as a symbol of diversification within the forest industry which is also creating new opportunities through human ingenuity and innovation. The gift basket included items donated by each of the electoral area and municipal directors representing industry from their respective areas. These included:


• Birch Syrup
• Forest Life – a book published by the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations
• Items made from pine beetle-kill wood
• bowl
• lazy-susan
• napkin holder
• picture frame
• USB Port with a wood casing
• Honey
• Canadian Natural Spa Oils
• Wood Christmas ornament
• Various promotional items from throughout the region
• Picture of a local logger sports athlete
• Promotional materials from the Likely-Xat’sull Community Forest