Collaborative EcDev in Quesnel

Joint Release of the Ministry of Jobs/Tourism & City of Quesnel:

The Government of British Columbia, the City of Quesnel and local and regional service providers continue to work collaboratively to offer a number of programs and services to minimize the impacts of the Canfor mill closure expected the week of March 17, 2014.

The province and the city are working with partner agencies including Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC), WorkBC (Quesnel Employment Services), Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition (CCBAC) to support worker transition and skills retraining, by:

· Connecting workers with other opportunities in the community and region;

Providing workers with skills training and retraining through the Northern Skills Training Pilot Program;

· Sponsoring the city and QCEDC to help prioritize and action economic development projects;

· Hosting an economic development for local leaders workshop on March 27, 2014, and a land development workshop later in the spring in Quesnel;

· Organizing a job fair on April 3, 2014;

· Organizing a business walk on March 26, 2014, to support small business

Supports already provided to help workers and the community include:

· Established a worker transition team to co-ordinate support for the impacted workers and the community.

· Produced a Community Resource Guide providing key information on employment, community and social services, job skills and retraining, and financial services available in Quesnel. Led by the City of Quesnel and funded by the province, this guide is available on the City’s website: http://www.quesnel.ca/DocumentBank/CityEvents/13_12_Community_Resource_Guide.pdf

· Hosted an Open House on Nov. 27, 2013, led by the City of Quesnel, to provide an opportunity for impacted employees and community members to obtain information on training and education opportunities, economic development and entrepreneurship as well as available community services.

· Hosted on-site information sessions in December 2013 through Quesnel Employment Services and Service Canada, with additional sessions taking place this week.

Local MLA Coralee Oakes says:

“I am incredibly impressed by the resilience and determination of Quesnel; setting actions in motion immediately following the closure announcement based on planning completed by the municipality, regional district, economic development corporation and many community partners. Our government is committed to continuing our work with the Regional Economic Collaborative to determine new economic priorities for the region and provide support and tools for the impacted workers both on and off site. We are working hard to find a new path for economic growth and development in the Cariboo ensuring Quesnel and surrounding communities will have a bright and prosperous future.”

While Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training - the Hon. Shirley Bond says:

“The City of Quesnel has shown leadership and determination in guiding the community through this challenge. The province sent in its support team as soon as we learned of the pending mill closure to work side by side with the city to explore ways to mitigate impacts on workers, their families, contractors and the community.”

Finally - Mary Sjostrom, the Mayor of Quesnel stated:

“The City of Quesnel is committed to providing a healthy and sustainable community for our residents, both economically and socially. It is vital that we continue to seek out opportunities to grow in order to enhance the wellbeing of our community as a whole. We value the partnership that we have formed with the Province as it is key to Quesnel’s future.”

Quick Links:

Quesnel Community Resource Guide:
http://www.quesnel.ca/DocumentBank/CityEvents/13_12_Community_Resource_Guide.pdf

More information on economic development tools and resources: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/economic_development/index.htm

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/