November 10, 2004

The Pas, MB – Employment opportunities for residents of remote northern communities will improve as the Northern Forest Diversification Centre receives $1.2 million in funding under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Greg Selinger, Manitoba Minister of Finance and the Honourable Oscar Lathlin, Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs made the announcement today.

The Northern Forest Diversification Centre (NFDC) works to link the growing demand for non-timber forest products with the need to create sustainable economic development opportunities for residents of remote communities. Non-timber forest products are wild, natural, organic products derived from the forest other than timber and firewood.

“Northern Manitoba communities have a strong role to play in the economic development of Manitoba,” said Minister Alcock. “The Northern Forest Diversification Centre is ensuring Manitobans from remote northern communities are forging a new path through the forest to enhanced economic security.”

“An industry based on local resources and skills is appropriate to northern Manitoba as it relies on the sustainable use of local products,” said Minister Selinger. “It also meshes well with the skills and uses the knowledge of residents of remote communities.”

Based on a system of sustainable harvesting and use, the NFDC will act as a research, training, marketing, sales and service centre for the provincial non-timber forest product industry. The centre is developing a network of community-based micro enterprises within remote communities supported by modern packaging and marketing infrastructure. The Centre focuses on building awareness, conducting inventories, delivering training and marketing.

“This Centre has proven to be a formula for success, providing residents of northern Manitoba with opportunities for sustainable economic development in their remote communities,” said Minister Owen. “Today’s announcement will ensure the Centre continues to build a pathway to a solid economic future for Manitoba’s First Nations and northern rural communities.”

"Support for this project is a good fit with Manitoba’s Northern Development Strategy as a community-based initiative providing northern residents with training opportunities that will lead to local jobs," said Minister Lathlin. “As well, it allows the community to control its own economic development through the use of products made in northern communities.”

The EPA will provide three-year operating funding to expand and enhance the development of the Northern Forest Diversification Centre from a pilot project to a formal business operation.

The NFDC project is consistent with the “sustainable communities” strategic priority identified in the EPA by encouraging a regional approach to economic development in partnership with other communities, including First Nations communities. NFDC will also assist in the development of northern Manitoba’s human and natural resources to ensure northern Manitobans can take full advantage of the opportunities in the region.

Since 2001, the NFDC has carried out community-based training in eight communities, graduated 116 potential harvesters, created 12 micro-enterprises in communities where training occurred, developed and marketed over 200 individual non-timber forest products, supported the work of 140 new harvesters, and sold and shipped non-timber forest products with a total wholesale value of over $203,000. As of October 2004, there were a total of 261 harvesters/producers doing business with the Centre.

In December 2003, the governments of Canada and Manitoba entered into a
four-year, $50 million Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The two strategic priorities of the agreement are "building our economy" and “sustainable communities."

Together, and in partnership with community stakeholders, Canada and Manitoba are working to strengthen and diversify Manitoba's economy, build on existing economic strengths, enhance the skills of Manitoba's workforce and promote regional development.

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