Burns Lake on Road to Recovery...

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Today marked the first major step in Burns Lake’s road to recovery after the destruction of the Babine Forest Products mill, thanks to a jobs fair with 24 participant booths and maximum capacity attendance from the community.

It’s estimated more than 300 people attended the jobs fair and all impacted sawmill workers had been contacted to participate.

Since the Babine Forest Products mill accident, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell and ministry staff having been working with local MLA John Rustad, mayor and council, First Nations chiefs, union leaders and industry representatives to help the community recover as quickly as possible.

The Province established a cross-ministry leadership group that is co-ordinating the provincial government’s response and recovery efforts. Forest industry veteran Bob Clark, vice-president of forestry consultants J.B. Clark and Co., is leading the provincial government’s on-the-ground Burns Lake economic response.

Pat Bell - Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation says:

“We are moving quickly, bringing together all levels of government, private companies and First Nations to develop strategies for Burns Lake to recover economically from the Babine mill tragedy. This effort is a real testament to the commitment by all levels of government and the private sector in and around the Village of Burns Lake to get these folks back to work.”

Local MLA for Nechako Lakes, John Rustad, said:

“The people throughout the Burns Lake region are really showing how devoted they are to rebuilding this community. It’s extremely encouraging to see everyone coming together to rebuild and give people job opportunities and hope in our future.”