The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Employment opportunities for residents of remote northern communities will improve as the Northern Forest Diversification Centre in The Pas recently received $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. 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 foraging a new path through the forest to enhanced economic security." 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.
