Contributions from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to the Tohoku Reconstruction Project will support rebuilding of the Yuriage City Public Market, a significant first step in helping the local farming and fishing industry.

"By working together with industry partners, Canada and B.C. have been able to assist our friends in Japan to move past this tragedy," said British Columbia Premier Christy Clark. "And the B.C. wood being used will be a lasting symbol of our province's close relationship with Japan."

"The initiative we are announcing today complements other humanitarian assistance that Canada was proud to offer in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami," said the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources. "We are pleased to have an opportunity to extend Canada's goodwill to the people of Japan, and to demonstrate the many benefits of wood-frame construction that are recognized in Japan and in Canada, and increasingly being accepted globally."

The Yuriage City Public Market, a popular destination for residents of Natori and Sendai, was completely destroyed by the 2011 tsunami. The new market will be built using 2x4 construction and incorporate a wide range of B.C. forest products including western red cedar, coastal hem-fir, and others.

This will be the first project undertaken by the $4.5-million Tohoku Reconstruction Project, which includes $2 million each from both the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and a $500,000 donation from Canada's forest industry.

The funding for the reconstruction project is in addition to the more than $40 million in cash and in-kind donations contributed by Canadians and Canadian incorporations, including $1.5 million that was previously provided by B.C. and the forest industry to the Red Cross for humanitarian aid.

Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104

Patricia Best
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
613 996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613 992-4447

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