November 24, 2006

ARNPRIOR, Ontario, November 24, 2006 - Renfrew– Nipissing–Pembroke MP, Cheryl Gallant, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, is pleased to announce Government of Canada funding of $208,500 to the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) in support of bioenergy.  This regional project is being funded through the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP), a $10-million socio-economic development initiative announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in August 2006.

“Canada’s New Government understands the importance of supporting and promoting innovative technologies, which is why we are proud to provide $208,500 to Renfrew County for this bioenergy initiative”, said Member of Parliament Cheryl Gallant on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor.  “The production of bioenergy will provide a wide range of energy, economic and environmental benefits to the people of Eastern Ontario”, said Ms. Gallant.

“The EODP is helping to keep communities strong across Eastern Ontario,” said Minister Clement.  “By working together with these communities our government is helping to develop local solutions to address local priorities.”

Bioenergy is a way of creating useful, renewable energy from organic matter.  Eastern Ontario is rich in forests and farmlands capable of supplying a continuous source of raw material to support the production of bioenergy.

The project will examine the feasibility of building a profitable bioenergy power facility in the region.  This component will be delivered in partnership with the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network (ELORIN).  In addition, the project will seek to establish BioEnergy Focus Ontario to provide information and services to communities, companies, entrepreneurs and investors looking to capitalize on bioenergy opportunities.

The Renfrew County CFDC is leading the bioenergy initiative on behalf of the 15 Eastern Ontario CFDCs.

“We are pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting the bioenergy project through the EODP,” added Ted Barron, Chair of the Renfrew County CFDC.  “Our region can benefit greatly from the production of bioenergy and the development of related technologies.”

Managed by FedNor, the Federal regional economic development organization responsible for the Community Futures Program in rural Ontario, the EODP is being delivered by the 15 CFDCs located throughout rural Eastern Ontario.

To find out more about Ontario CFDCs, visit:  http://cfdc-ontario.ic.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Robert Naud
Senior Communications Officer, FedNor
613-954-3691 or 1-877-333-6673