Released on March 11, 1999
Premier Roy Romanow, Economic and Co-operative Development MinisterJanice MacKinnon and Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training
Minister Maynard Sonntag, today announced formation of the Youth
Provincial Action Committee on the Economy. The 19-member committee
will act as an advisory body to MacKinnon and Sonntag on developing
the economy and providing job opportunities for young people.
"Youth PACE will give our government excellent advice as we shape new
programming and strategies to ensure young people have full access to
opportunities in our dynamic, growing economy," Romanow said. "The
views and insights of young people must be reflected in our economic
planning."
Goals of Youth PACE are to identify and communicate to government the
current priorities of young people; to provide advice on the
development of a provincial youth employment action plan; and to work
in partnership with government to develop new economic initiatives for
young people.
Youth PACE is structured along similar lines to the existing
Provincial Action Committee on the Economy but is limited to members
ranging from 18 to 28 years in age. Members were nominated by
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development and Saskatchewan
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training after discussions on
candidates with other government departments, Regional Economic
Development Authorities (REDAs), the two universities and SIAST, and
the Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board.
"Saskatchewan has been chosen three years in a row by an
independent Alberta consulting firm as having the best
opportunities for youth," MacKinnon said. "From 1992 to 1998,
the number of young people employed in our province grew by
9.7 per cent, compared to Manitoba's 2.6 per cent. The Youth
PACE members will help us build on our strengths and help us keep
our young people at home."
"Responding to the needs of youth is one of Saskatchewan's
biggest challenges," Sonntag said. "It is also one of our
biggest economic opportunities through our high quality
post-secondary education and training system."
Members of Youth PACE include: Deanna Dubuc, Moosomin; Cameron
Jane Forbes, Regina; Karrie Gohm, Qu'Appelle; Mike Hintze, Moose
Jaw; Sean Junor, Saskatoon; Janece Keisig, Balcarres; Gabriel
Lafond, Saskatoon; Kristin Linklater, Regina; Jessica MacKenzie,
Swift Current; Melanie MacLean, Saskatoon; Sean McEachern,
Regina; Tracey Morbans, Melfort; Dean Onyskevitch, La Ronge;
David Presescy, Mayfair; Gerald Roy, Ile-a-la-Crosse; Andrew
Sedley, Yorkton; Laurie Shalley, Rosetown; Patricia Stroh,
La Ronge; and Anna Tourand, Meadow Lake.
Shalley joins MacKinnon and Sonntag as co-chairs of Youth PACE,
which holds its first organizational meeting today.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis Ken Bartnik
Economic & Co-operative Post-Secondary Education &
Development Skills Training
Regina Regina
Phone: (306)787-1691 Phone: (306)787-9150
Youth PACE Backgrounder
Deanna Dubuc, of Moosomin, is employed with the Sunrise Community Futures Development Corporation in Weyburn. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Regina and is currently working towards an economic development certificate from the
University of Waterloo.
Cameron Jane Forbes, of Regina, is studying first year Arts Education at the University of Regina. She won the Groome Memorial Scholarship in 1998/99 and was a Boy Scouts of Canada volunteer swimming instructor.
Karrie Gohm, of Qu'Appelle, is a Level I Graduate of the Green Certificate Program (Ag and Food).
Mike Hintze is currently enrolled in the Financial Services Program at SIAST Palliser Campus and serves as President of the Palliser Student Association. Mike, who is from Moose Jaw, is also a self-employed farmer and secretary for the Moose Jaw Early Bird Lions Club.
Sean Junor, of Saskatoon, is currently in his fourth year of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. He serves as Vice-President, Government Affairs, of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union.
Janece Keisig, of Balcarres, is currently studying computer information systems at Parkland Regional College. She has a degree in Indian Studies from the University of Regina and has past work experience at Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada in Fort Qu'Appelle; the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina; and Canadian Human Rights Commission, Ottawa. She is currently on a six-month workterm on the Sasktel Y2K Project.
Gabriel Lafond, of Saskatoon, is enrolled in business administration at the University of Saskatchewan. He was recently appointed as a board member of the Metis National Economic Development Steering Committee, sits on the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan Youth Council and
works with the Metis community at the regional level. He has past work experience at Coopers and Lybrand, and SaskTel.
Kristin Linklater, of Regina, has worked at Stone's Throw Coffee House in Regina for the past two-and-a-half years and has been the Manager for one year. She graduated from the University of Regina in 1997 with a degree in English.
Jessica MacKenzie, of Swift Current, is self-employed as a Business Development Consultant for G.E. MacKenzie Management. She has been active in her community, serving as the youth representative for the Swift Current Community Futures Development Corporation and the Swift
Current REDA, Executive Chair for the South West Chapter of Women Entrepreneurs, and Vice-President for Image West Photography.
Melanie MacLean is a teacher with the Saskatoon Separate School Board and a graduate with distinction of the SUNTEP program at the University of Saskatchewan.
Sean McEachern is President of the University of Regina Students' Union. He is a student in the Faculty of Arts.
Tracy Morgans, of Melfort, is a Child Protection Worker with Saskatchewan Family Services. She has a combination Sociology/Bachelor of Social Work degree and has worked at the
University of Saskatchewan and University of Calgary in education and social assessment for students with disabilities. She has also worked for the Cerebral Palsy Association, the Saskatoon Family Support Centre, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and as a counselor for the Rainbow Youth Centre. She has volunteered for the Sexual Assault Centre.
Dean Onyskevitch, of La Ronge, is a General Inquiries Clerk for Human Resources Development Canada. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan.
Gerald Roy is an Aboriginal Courtworker at the Ile a la Crosse Friendship Centre. He sits on the Ile a la Crosse Town Council and formed a Junior Council as a voice for youth issues in the community. Gerald is also involved in Sakitawak Recreational Board, Sakitawak Economic Development Board, and Community Justice.
Andrew Sedley, of Yorkton, is a first year Arts and Science student at the University of Saskatchewan through Parkland Regional College. He is involved in hockey with the Yorkton Minor Sports program and is a participant in the National Scouting Jamboree in Kananaskis.
Laurie Shalley, of Rosetown, is Chief Executive Officer with the Entrepreneurs 2000 REDA. She has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from the University of Regina. Previously a self-employed researcher/consultant, Laurie has experience working with people with disabilities, serves as a Director of the Meridian Community Futures Development Corp. and the Saskatchewan Foundation for Eating Disorders. She has been involved in the local Community
Bond Corporation, and the Community Access Project.
Patricia Stroh, of La Ronge, is currently enrolled in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Saskatchewan. She hopes to continue her studies and obtain a masters degree in Library Science.
Anna Tourand, of Meadow Lake, is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Indian Social Work program at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina. She also studied Youth Care Work at SIAST and at the Dumont Technical Institute. Anna has worked as a
Contract Worker with Saskatchewan Social Services, a youth survey worker with the North West Friendship Centre, a Home School Liaison with the Meadow Lake School Division, and with the North West Family Violence Prevention Program.