A PROGRESS REPORT ON UNITY CONSULTATIONS

Released on November 10, 1997

Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Berny Wiens today

provided a progress report on the province's consultation process on

national unity.



"Public response to date has been very encouraging," Wiens said.

"Over the last few weeks there have been more than 5,700

questionnaires returned, 2300 visits to the website and individuals

have actively participated in face-to-face discussion sessions

province-wide. Nearly half of the total 150 MLA/Co-chair led meetings

have already taken place."



Input will continue to be gathered until November 21 after which

results will be tabulated in time for a televised conference on SCN

involving all MLAs and their citizen co-chairs.



Meetings to date have been held in Saskatoon, Ituna, Balgonie,

Macklin, Rabbit Lake, Radville, Meadow Lake, Goodsoil, Unity, Weyburn,

Mayfair, Lanigan, Paradise Hill, Leader, Redvers, Springside, Wadena,

Cabri, Abbey, Cutknife, Wilkie, Regina, Beauval, Grenfell, Kelvington,

Melville, Oxbow, Tisdale, Leask, Lumsden, Shaunavon, Creighton,

Battleford, Handel, Grayson, Moosomin, Stoughton, Beechy, Hafford,

Hudson Bay, Sandy Bay, Balcarres, Domremy, Foam Lake, Kipling,

Leoville, Melfort, Swift Current, Outlook, Indian Head, Kyle and

Naicam.

Wiens anticipates continued interest throughout the process

through the questionnaire returns, visits to the

www.saskunity.org website, calls to the toll-free line

(1-800-313-6588), participation at approximately 80 remaining

scheduled meetings and through direct contact with local MLAs.



"The process has attracted enthusiasm from seniors to students

alike," Wiens said. "It is clear people want to protect Canada's

hard-won economic turnaround by ensuring we find common ground on

Canada's future."





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For more information, contact:



Lynn Oliver

Public Consultation Coordination Office

Regina

Phone: (306)787-6523