Released on July 28, 1998
Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, Natural Resources Minister CanadaRalph Goodale and Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
Minister Janice MacKinnon today signed a multi-million dollar joint
agreement to encourage economic development and job creation in
Saskatchewan.
The Canada/Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA)
will direct $40 million over the next four years toward initiatives
that encourage new jobs and support new economic infrastructure,
tourism products, export and marketing initiatives, and new economic
opportunities, including rural, northern and Aboriginal economic
development.
"Agreements like this will help Canada and Saskatchewan to remain
among the best places in the world in which to live and do business,"
Romanow said. "Creating jobs and economic opportunities builds strong
communities and confidence in the future. When the federal and
provincial governments co-operate to help make jobs and prosperity
accessible to everyone, national unity is strengthened."
The Agreement was originally signed by Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of
State for Western Economic Diversification. Under the terms of the
WEPA, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will each contribute
$20 million each towards joint economic initiatives undertaken
between now and March 31, 2002, when the Agreement expires.
"I am pleased that we are able to provide funding for joint
economic initiatives to be undertaken over the next four years,"
Duhamel said. "We are responding to a call from Canadians who
want their governments to work together. Economic development
provides a perfect opportunity as it is a shared responsibility
and a goal of both the federal and provincial governments to
ensure there is a healthy and sustainable economy in all regions
of Canada."
"The projects to be considered for funding under the WEPA provide
an excellent means to diversify the Saskatchewan economy in
several sectors, including tourism, technology, exporting and
rural and northern development," Goodale said. "In this
Agreement we're concentrating on developing and using innovation
to support growth and improve the quality of life for
Saskatchewan residents."
"The province and the federal government are working in
partnership to make strategic investments that encourage growth,
creating jobs in our communities," MacKinnon said. "Saskatchewan
is poised for tremendous growth in the 21st Century and this
joint investment in people and communities will help move us
forward.
"This Agreement also provides an excellent framework for
Aboriginal economic development, building on the solid foundation
laid by Aboriginal entrepreneurs and economic development
organizations."
Saskatchewan joins Alberta and Manitoba who recently signed
comparable agreements with the federal government. British
Columbia is currently negotiating a similar partnership.
Both federal and provincial funding for this initiative was
provided for in their respective 1998-99 budgets and will not
require incremental funding. The Premier and Ministers said this
announcement is an example of how the federal and provincial
governments are working in co-operation to better serve the
people of Canada and Saskatchewan by making more efficient use of
their tax dollars.
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Joanne Mysak Bob Ellis
Manager Saskatchewan Economic and
Consultations, Marketing and Co-operative Development
Communications Regina
Western Economic Diversification Phone: (306) 787-8983
Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 975-5942
WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
SECD World Wide Web site:
www.gov.sk.ca./econdev
WD World Wide Web site:
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca