PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pushing his $1-billion aid fund for struggling communities in a city hit hard by a pulp mill closure.

Harper told a crowd of 100 people in Prince Albert, Sask., that the province will get $36.4 million from the Community Development Trust announced last week.

The fund is aimed at helping unemployed workers in industries such as forestry.

Saskatchewan's government says the money will be used to help biofuels and sustainable energy development and support communities affected by layoffs in the forestry sector.

Premier Brad Wall says while the province's economy is booming, there are regions that can benefit from the federal help.

Harper's announcement comes as campaigning gets underway for a March 17 federal byelection in the northern Saskatchewan riding of Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.