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Government Investments to Improve Provincial Grazing Reserves and Create Jobs in Rural Alberta |
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Monday, 25 January 2010 |
 Edmonton, Alberta- Communities, farmers and ranchers throughout the province will benefit from a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and Alberta towards enhancing provincial grazing reserve sites and generating immediate employment opportunities.
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Mel Knight, Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, announced a federal-provincial investment of more than $9.2 million towards the initiative. The Government of Canada has committed $5,925,000 and the Province of Alberta, an additional $3.3 million over the current and next fiscal year.
“Today’s announcement is about working with our farmers and ranchers so we can continue to help meet the needs of rural Albertans,” said Minister Yelich.
Funding will be used to refurbish infrastructure on Alberta’s 32 provincial grazing reserves, which provide summer pasture for Alberta's farmers and ranchers on public land. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development will oversee the project, which will include activities such as replacing fences, developing and upgrading trails, and upgrading water systems. In addition to creating immediate employment opportunities in local communities and improving Provincial Grazing Reserve (PGR) areas, tourism opportunities in nearby rural communities will continue by attracting visitors interested in recreational pursuits and sightseeing on the scenic reserves.
“Our shared investment is about protecting an important part of Alberta’s heritage—the natural heritage of our grassland ecosystems, and the agricultural heritage of our ranching community,” said Minister Knight.
Federal funding is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Over the next two years, CAF will deliver a total of $1 billion to local economies throughout Canada, including more than $104 million over two years to support the most affected Alberta communities.
For more information please visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan. |
