The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, visited numerous business and community leaders in Flin Flon and Thompson, Manitoba, to learn about the economic diversity of Manitoba’s northern communities.

“All Manitobans benefit from a strong and diversified North,” said Minister Yelich. “Northern Manitoba’s abundant natural resources and varied industries are creating jobs and strengthening this province’s economy.”

Minister Yelich had the opportunity to tour several projects supported by Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP). In recent months, Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested more than $4.5 million under the EAP to strengthen economic opportunities in northern Manitoba. The Government of Canada has provided funding through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) and the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) programs. Projects include a broad range of work to create and maintain jobs as well as to invest in the recreational infrastructure of the North.

“It is exciting to see that work is underway, jobs are being created and our Government’s Economic Action Plan is benefitting all Manitobans,” said Minister Yelich.

While in the region, Minister Yelich also announced more than $1.7 million in joint federal-provincial funding for the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy to purchase two state-of-the-art mining training simulators, one of which will be housed at the Academy in Flin Flon and the other at Vale INCO’s Thompson training facility.

As well, the Minister visited the Environmental Test Research and Education Centre (EnviroTREC, formerly CanETREC), which received an investment of $13.4 million from the Government of Canada. EnviroTREC will be a year-round research facility specializing in engine icing certification as well as research and development of new, more efficient and advanced aerospace designs.

In addition, the Minister had the opportunity to meet with stakeholders, community representatives and business leaders in Flin Flon and Thompson to learn about the region’s economic opportunities and challenges.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinate federal economic activities in the West and represent the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For additional information, contact:

Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone:  (613) 957-7855
lloyd.suchet@wd-deo.gc.ca