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Hi all,  

For a couple of weeks now I have been mentioning the good news in Mackenzie but with the focus on other big issues I really have not been able to get into a great amount of detail on all of the different pieces of the equation. After having gone through some of the toughest times any community could possibly endure the time has come for recovery and the recovery is fast. This week’s Top 10 will focus on a number of the key things happening in Mackenzie that gives us all a real sense of optimism! 

I was very happy this past week to table a new piece of legislation, the “ Forestry Service Providers Protection Act”. This act allows logging contractors to place a lien on logs and lumber in the event that they are not paid or, in the event of an insolvency, apply into an insurance fund. This has long been a goal of the logging community and I was really happy to be able to deliver it! 

Have a great week! 

Pat

http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/  

1.       Of course the most recent and exciting news is the Paper Excellence (Sinar Mas) purchase of the pulp mill. This will put about 220 people back to work in the pulp mill as well as up to 350 in the bush logging, planting and contracting. Typically for every direct job you can expect 2 indirect jobs bringing the total employment from this announcement to a potential 1,800 jobs in the region!

2.       Very high on the list is the Conifex purchase of the Abitibi assets. On a two shift basis this mill will add an additional 250 jobs (direct) and again a significant number of logging and support jobs. Conifex has a great reputation in Fort St. James with significant new investments so you know they are here to stay!

3.       The Canfor mill is also seeing good growth and is now operating on 2 shifts and that translates into about 130 direct jobs plus logging and support as identified above.

4.       Wrapping up the employment front is the finger joint plant at East Fraser Fibre with an additional 30 people working and perhaps more to come.

5.       On the 'still coming' side is the Mount Milligan mine project with the potential of 1,000 jobs during the construction period and 400 permanent jobs once the mine is up and running. Those jobs will be shared with other communities but I’m sure we’ll still see a significant chunk come to Mackenzie.

6.       As part of the Milligan project the Residents from Mackenzie and Fort St. James will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding with a $10.75 million upgrade to the Mackenzie/Fort St. James Connector. Construction will be starting in the next few weeks creating a circle route between Mackenzie, Fort St James and Prince George.

7.       Last week I was very pleased to be able to announce a new Physician funding model under which Mackenzie Doctors will be paid on a salary basis rather than a fee for service. This model has worked very well in Fraser Lake and should lead to reduced turnover and a stable three doctor practice.

8.        Residents of Gantahaz Subdivision will soon have the world at their fingertips with nearly $50,000 in provincial funding to bring high speed internet to their subdivision.

9.       The eight new Seniors Housing Units on the Autumn Lodge site will be going under construction as soon as ground conditions permit. This has been a project that has been a priority for many years and it will be great to see it moving.

10.   Finally the planning process is well under way now that Mackenzie and McLeod Lake have their Community Forest Agreement. With the mills re-opening I expect logs will start moving from the community forest bringing more jobs and economic benefit to the community.