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On May 1, 2003 the Federal Government decided to go through and make a call for Expression of Interest to the people in British Columbia that have been impacted by the United States Softwood Lumber Duties. MAG “Ministers Advisory Group” has developed a community-based program that will provide economic development opportunities for BC communities that have been impacted by these duties. The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal and Price George Mayor Colin Kinsley, the Chairman of the “MAG” Ministers Advisory Group decided all this. When this initiative arose the Federal Government had a funding package totalling $246 Million, and of that amount they committed to is $110 Million for a national fund for Canada. It has been said that half of this funding will be allocated to British Columbia, which is estimated at $55 million.
The Misters Advisory Group will be working closely with Western Economic Diversification to review the Expression of Interest and ensure that the guiding principals and criteria of the program are being met. For those eligible under the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative terms and conditions, would be able to send in a full business or project plan for Stage 2 of this Process. There is no determined time what the first stage would take which is the Expression of Interest.
The following guiding principles are to be applied to all proposals submitted to SICEAI:
Not-for- profit groups, municipalities, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations, private businesses; Crown corporations
Awards to not-for-profit groups are non-repayable. The total federal funding cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.