Canada and Alberta invest $30 million to expand FireSmart, create jobs for forestry workers
pdf/2009-FireSmart.pdf Canada and Alberta are investing $30 million to help Alberta forestry workers hurt by the global economic downturn. The funds will allow the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) to implement additional FireSmart initiatives that reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. By expanding FireSmart, the federal and provincial governments aim to create work for underemployed loggers, helping keep this skilled workforce in place to drive local economies once the forest sector recovers from the current slowdown.
Over a two-year period, new FireSmart projects are expected to create 3000 seasonal positions in Alberta communities affected by the decrease in global demand for forest products. The FireSmart workers will be safeguarding people and property from wildfire while protecting the economic health of the towns where they live.