Released on January 3, 1995
Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfelter said today theprovince's Partnership for Renewal economic development strategy
continues to meet its targets and spark economic growth in
Saskatchewan.
Lingenfelter released his annual progress report on the strategy, as he
promised to do when it was introduced in 1992. Partnership for Renewal
is a 10-year plan to improve the economy by working in partnership with
business, workers, producers, communities, and the people of
Saskatchewan.
Lingenfelter said 21 of the 31 initiatives in the strategy have been
developed and are being implemented, and progress is being made on the
remainder. Some of the highlights for 1994 are:
ù the government's plan to balance the budget by 1996-97 is on
track;
ù eight regional economic development authorities were set up, and
another 17 are expected in 1995;
ù the federal and provincial governments are investing $173 million
in major infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan, creating
hundreds of new jobs;
ù the Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation, the new provincial
economic development agency, was created in July and is making
investments;
ù the Saskatchewan Tourism Authority, a new tourism partnership
between government and the private sector, began operation in
October and is doing many functions previously done by
government;
ù Agriculture 2000, the new provincial agriculture and food policy,
is yielding investment and jobs;
ù federal-provincial panels continued environmental assessment work
on three new uranium mines and expansions;
ù new labor legislation was passed;
ù revisions to the oil royalty structure contributed to increased
oil drilling, land sales, and helped create or support 500 jobs
in 1994;
ù a strategy on the commercialization of research and technology is
being implemented;
ù a Northern Business Directory was published and a term-loan
financing program was announced to help northern businesses; and,
ù a $10-million training program called Future Skills is being
implemented to provide for more work-based training and new
opportunities for the unemployed.
"The Partnership for Renewal strategy is working," Lingenfelter said.
"The strides we've made in the past year have helped revitalize
Saskatchewan's economy to where it's among the strongest in the
country."
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For more information, contact:
Peter Phillips
Assistant Deputy Minister
Economic Development
Regina
Phone: 787-1672