A ceremony marking efforts to help reconstruct communities impacted by Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami was a highlight of a busy day for B.C.’s Forestry Asia Trade Mission.

The ceremony, which included the presentation of a plaque commemorating joint effort to build a centre for people with physical and mental disabilities, was followed by trade mission delegates presenting awards in the Japan 2x4 Home Builders Association’s design competition.

Representatives from the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Alberta, as well as the Canadian forest industry, presented a ceremonial plaque to the Iwaki Gospel Association Social Welfare Corporation, the organization spearheading the construction of the Jericho Support Centre in Iwaki City. 

Following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and ensuing Fukushima nuclear crisis, more than 1,000 patients with physical and mental disabilities were evacuated to Iwaki City.

The $1.88-million Jericho Support Centre will feature rehabilitation and life skills training facilities, doctors’ offices and a multi-use meeting hall. The centre is being built with B.C. wood products and is the fourth project to be built under the $4.8-million Canada-Tohoku Reconstruction Project. With the completion of the Jericho project expected early in 2015, the Canada Tohoku Reconstruction Project will have rebuilt public facilities in all three of the tsunami-hit prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima.

Funding is provided by the Governments of Canada, B.C., Alberta and leading B.C. forest companies. The Jericho Support Centre is scheduled for completion in January 2015.

In conjunction with the plaque ceremony, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson and trade mission delegates presented awards to winners in eight categories of the Council of Forest Industries 40th Anniversary 2x4 design awards competition. Over 130 entries were received in residential categories and over 40 entries were received in the non-residential and large-scale construction categories. The design awards are co-sponsored by Canada Wood Japan and the B.C. Council of Forest Industries.

Quotes:

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

“The earthquake reconstruction projects demonstrate the seismic performance and environmental benefits of building with wood. It was also a pleasure to participate in the design awards and view the innovation on display.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario -

“Canada was proud to offer humanitarian assistance to Japan following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Our contribution to this important project enables us to extend Canada’s goodwill to some of society’s most vulnerable at the new Jericho Support Centre, while demonstrating the many internationally recognized benefits of Canadian wood-frame construction.”  

Rick Jeffery, president, Canada Wood Group -

“When we visited the tsunami-hit communities three years ago, we saw a raw and overwhelming sense of devastation, loss and sadness. By bringing together Canadian and Japanese governments and industry, we have not only helped play a small part in rebuilding these communities, we have restored a sense of hope and international friendship between Canada and Japan.”

Learn More:

Photos from the 2014 Forestry Asia Trade Mission are online at: https://flic.kr/p/pp3rc5

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BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Building our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261