This release is also available in French.

VICTORIA, B.C. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced Canadas New Government is investing $39.6 million for ongoing work with the province and communities to address the mountain pine beetle infestation in British Columbia. Highlighting the collaboration between the federal and provincial governments in responding to the impacts of the beetle, the Honourable Murray Coell, British Columbia Minister of Advanced Education, joined Minister Lunn for todays announcement at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria.

This infestation is changing the landscape of this province, physically and economically, said Minister Lunn. Earlier this year, our Government committed $200 million to complement and support the efforts of the province and local communities to fight the spread of the beetle, protect communities and address the long-term impacts of the infestation. I am pleased to announce the delivery of the next instalment of that commitment today.

Todays announcement includes the following:

• $26 million to be provided through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) this year for efforts to control the spread of the beetle;

• a further $6.5 million from NRCan this year for actions to protect communities, including First Nations communities, and forest resources from wildfire threats in the zone affected by beetles;

• $6 million to be invested in geoscience projects over the next two years to encourage new economic activity in energy and mineral resource exploration by the private sector; and

• $1.1 million this year to support the development of options for recovering the economic value from timber killed by beetles.

These investments will help us meet the objectives in B.C.s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, w
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Contact: Ghyslain Charron
media@nrcan.gc.ca
613-992-4447
Natural Resources Canada
8-Jun-2007