73 PROJECTS APPROVED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS FUNDING IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on November 14, 1997

Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale and Saskatchewan Municipal

Government Minister Carol Teichrob today announced that the

Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program has approved funding

for 73 municipal projects in Saskatchewan.



"Phase Two of the infrastructure program has been very successful as

many Saskatchewan communities have seized an opportunity to partner

with the federal and provincial governments to improve important local

infrastructure and the quality of life for their residents," said

Minister Goodale, on behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for

Western Economic Diversification and minister responsible for

implementation of the infrastructure program in Western Canada.



"Developing our infrastructure fosters economic growth, enhances our

competitiveness and improves quality of life," Teichrob said.

"Workers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and in particular the

taxpayers of the province have received numerous benefits from the

national infrastructure program."



To date, 805 projects have been approved under Phase Two of the

program, totalling $49.55 million and creating an estimated 825 short-term jobs.



The original Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program,

signed in January 1994, is estimated to have created more than

5,200 short-term jobs, while at the same time making essential

improvements to infrastructure throughout the province.



These projects underline the commitment of both governments to

establish spending priorities that will best serve the people of

Saskatchewan through efficient use of their tax dollars. Federal

funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1997

budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.



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For more information, contact:



Joanne Mysak Russ Krywulak

Manager, Communications Sask. Infrastructure Works

Western Economic Diversification Program

Saskatoon Regina

Phone: (306) 975-5942 Phone: (306) 787-8887

Toll Free No.: 1-888-338-9378

Maureen Boyle

Municipal Government

WD World Wide Web site: Regina

English - http://www.wd.gc.ca Phone: (306) 787-5959

French - http://www.deo.gc.ca