Over the next few weeks, staff from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation will begin to consult and work directly with a team of community leaders and tourism stakeholders from Burns Lake on tourism planning to strengthen economic opportunities for the area.

The value of British Columbia's softwood lumber exports to China jumped 60 per cent in 2011, surpassing the $1-billion mark for the first time. Since 2003, lumber exports to China have risen by more than 1,500 per cent.

Today marked the first major step in Burns Lake's road to recovery after the destruction of the Babine Forest Products mill, thanks to a jobs fair with 24 participant booths and maximum capacity attendance from the community.

Forest industry veteran Bob Clark, vice-president of forestry consultants J B Clark and Co., has been recruited to lead the provincial government's on-the-ground Burns Lake economic response efforts, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell.

Premier Christy Clark announced today two British Columbians who will chair the BC Jobs and Investment Board and the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council.

The Province will partner with communities in three regional economic development pilot projects as part of 'Canada Starts Here - The BC Jobs Plan'. A decision on a fourth community, a First Nation, will be announced soon.