Residents in the Peace will now find it even easier to access government services with the official opening of a brand-new FrontCounter BC office in Fort Nelson, MLA for Peace River North Pat Pimm announced.

The Fort Nelson location is the seventh FrontCounter BC office to open this year, and the 19th since January 2011. The expansion of the FrontCounter BC program is a key part of the Province's integrated approach to the natural resource sector and will provide residents and businesses in the Peace with a local office to conduct their natural resource business.

The opening also supports the 'Canada Starts Here: BC Jobs Plan' by providing easier access to government services that will help to enable quicker job creation and support regional economic development in the natural resource sectors.

FrontCounter BC is a single-window service for clients of the natural resource sector. FrontCounter BC was created in 2005 with eight locations, a dedicated call centre and online applications.

FrontCounter BC, Mile 301 - Alaska Highway, Fort Nelson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/7039211931/

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"FrontCounter BC embodies the vision of this ministry - it's client-centred and regionally based. Residents of Fort Nelson can now come to this new office and get personalized help with their natural resource inquires and application packages."

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North -

"Resource development is a vital part of our local economy. To create more jobs we need to support new projects. This new FrontCounter BC office will make it easier for natural resource clients in the Northern Rockies."

Fort Nelson Mayor Bill Streeper -

"This is so exciting for Fort Nelson. To know that there is one place where natural resource clients can go to apply for so many permits will make doing business much easier. Having decisions made at a local level will help keep business in Fort Nelson."

Quick Facts:

• FrontCounter BC offers more than 130 natural resource-related permits and authorizations at each location.
• FrontCounter BC provides services on behalf of 16 additional partner agencies.
• Since Jan. 1, 2005, over 47,000 authorizations have been processed.
• The FrontCounter BC call centre handles more than 21,400 inquiries annually.

Learn More:

The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Find a FrontCounter near you: http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/contact/locations.html

FrontCounter BC: http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations: http://www.gov.bc.ca/for/index.html

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261