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Research and Assessment
for a Kootenay-Boundary Economic Transition Plan
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Authored by: Peter
Levy and Associates
Commissioned by:
Land Use Coordination Office
September 1997
Location of Publication:
"Columbia Basin Trust Collection"
Land Use Coordination Office, Nelson, BC
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The Kootenay-Boundary Economic Transition
Plan (KBETP) has been developed to accompany the Kootenay-Boundary
Land Use Plan (KBLUP), which contains economic transition components
designed to respond to economic adjustments occurring in the region.
The KBETP is both proactive, working with communities and industry
sectors prior to any potential disruptions, and responsive, lending
assistance to communities and workers in need. The report contains
an assessment of the current economic situation in the Kootenays,
and makes preliminary recommendations on the future direction of
economic transition.
Preliminary Assessment
of KBLUP Initiatives -
A summary assessment of initiatives
put in place following the March 1995 KBLUP announcement.
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The
Regional Transition Review Board - established
in 1995 to ensure that the KBLUP economic strategy met the
needs of the people who live and work in the region (it operated
for 8 months).
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The
Rapid Response Team - established in 1995 to assist
communities designated for rapid response action and to assist
in the implementation and refinement of the economic strategy
(it operated for 8 months).
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The
Kootenay Regional Advisory Group - mandated to
provide recommendations on a wide range of issues affecting
economic sustainability in the region and served as a forum
for resolving issues and sorting out regional priorities (it
operated for 8 years until early 1996).
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The
Resources Jobs Commissioner - mandated in 1995
to work with companies, workers, communities and government
to secure stable jobs in the region and to ensure that investments,
initiatives and programs resulted in jobs for workers and
economic benefits for communities. |
Community Economic
Development Priorities -
An overview of community economic development
priorities and projects in the region. The report examines individual
communities in the region, as well as the region as a whole.
In general, community economic development
priorities in the Kootenays are emerging in response to the changing
economy and in response to industry restructuring as a result of
the KBLUP and other forces. They include:
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Value-added manufacturing
- based on the desire to replace declining employment in the
primary sector and create new employment.
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Wood supply - an issue for
both value-added operators and small independent mills without
quota.
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Acquiring forest tenure.
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Tourism - communities are
attempting to respond to the growing adventure tourism and
heritage tourism markets.
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A wide range of infrastructure
needs have been identified to support a stable and growing
economy.
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Supporting small business.
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Energy, mining and agriculture
sectors.
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Developing and maintaining
community capacity.
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Transition programs. Concern
about the effectiveness and responsiveness of land allocation
and regulatory processes. |
Economic Transition Programs,
Initiatives and Funds -
An overview of major and minor programs,
initiatives and funds currently in place which can provide support
in economic transition.
Federal Government
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Canadian Jobs Strategy
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Western Economic Diversification
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Canadian Aboriginal Economic
Development Strategy
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Business Development Bank
of Canada
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Action 21 Fund
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Environmental Innovation Program
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Industrial Research Assistance
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Provincial Government
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Jobs and Timber Accord
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Forest Renewal BC
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Forest Community Economic
Development Program
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Forest Community Business
Program
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Value-Added Advanced
Training Program
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Forest Worker Employment
and Training Program
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Value-Added Training
Program
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Land-Based Training
Program
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Forest Worker Agency
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Watershed Restoration
Program
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Resource Inventory Program
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Recreation Program
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Enhanced Forestry Program
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Woodlot Expansion Program |
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Community Skills Centres
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Job Protection Commissioner
and Resources Jobs Commissioner
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Industrial Adjustment Service
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BC Benefits
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Grazing Enhancement Fund
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Export Loan Guarantee Program
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Partners in Progress Program
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Tourism Workplace Training
Program
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Employee Share Ownership Program
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Employee Venture Capital Corporation
Program
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Equity Capital Program
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B.C./Canada Business Service
Centre
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B.C. Focus Investment Funds
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Natural Resource Community
Fund
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Small Business Forest Enterprise
Program |
Regional Programs
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Columbia Basin Trust |
Regional Economic
Transition Needs and Opportunities -
An overview of regional economic/transition needs and opportunities
from a sectoral perspective. Partnerships amongst ministries, agencies,
industries and communities are suggested for each sector, as well
as possible actions. The following areas are examined:
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Forestry
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Tourism
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Small Business
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Mining
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Energy
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Agriculture
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Workforce assistance
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Infrastructure
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Major Projects
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Crown Lands |
The Transition Plan concludes by
stating that projects that have the most direct and greatest
impact on economic development should be a priority.
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