VICTORIA, BC (SEPTEMBER 28, 2022) – By the age of 17, René B. Delisle had earned his first trade ticket as a saw filer and over the course of a very full life, went on to gain skills as a Carpenter, Plumber, Electrician, Welder and more. His love of learning motivated him to support apprentices and provide encouragement to aspiring entrants to the industry.
Mr. Delisle left this world in September 2021 and to honour his memory, his children have established the Timber Wolf Legacy Fund to provide tuition assistance and training support for those entering or continuing education in the construction trades.
“We established this fund in recognition of dad’s passion for knowledge and the sacrifices he made as a young apprentice and inspired entrepreneur,” shared his children, Roy, Dawn, Connie, and Amanda. “He demonstrated this commitment to learning throughout his entire life – teaching and encouraging others to take up the craft.”
The Timber Wolf Legacy Fund will provide financial support to Indigenous learners of the construction trades helping remove barriers and give them a real and fair chance at success to obtain skills and training in the construction trades.
Mr. Delisle’s daughter shared, “It’s a natural fit to honour our family’s indigenous heritage and make a real difference to support First Nation, Inuit and Métis applicants across British Columbia.”
The BuildForce Canada 2020–2029 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast reports that from 2020-2029, the construction industry will need to recruit over 300,000 workers; many from underrepresented groups, including youth, older workers, women, immigrants and Indigenous peoples. The Delisle Family is excited to help generations to come.
Eligible applicants will receive up to $500 per semester to be applied to tuition and training support costs incurred at any qualified institution in British Columbia.
To find out more about the fund, visit: https://www.constructionfoundation.ca/timber-wolf
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CONTACT:
Colleen McConnell, Director of Communications
