Released on March 19, 1999
Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale and Saskatchewan Economic andCo-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon today announced
funding to help launch the Estey Centre for Law and Economics in
International Trade at the University of Saskatchewan. This
unique-in-Canada research and teaching institute for industry and
government will analyze global trade, law and economics affecting the
economy of Canada and the provinces.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Saskatchewan Economic
and Co-operative Development (SECD) will make a contribution of
$2 million, cost-shared under the Canada/Saskatchewan Western Economic
Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
Additional financial support has been obtained from Saskatchewan
exporting companies, from the Estey family and from individuals.
The Estey Centre has embarked on a corporate fundraising campaign
through which it expects to raise additional funding. This will
provide an endowment sufficient to guarantee perpetual existence of
the centre.
"Economic innovation is what this centre is all about," said Minister
Goodale on behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western
Economic Diversification. "Expanding exports and marketing,
through informed trade policy provided by the centre, will help
Canada remain and continue to be competitive in the global
marketplace. This, in turn, means greater prosperity for
Saskatchewan companies and jobs for Saskatchewan people."
"Saskatchewan is very much a trading province, with well over
half of our Gross Domestic Product connected to exports,"
Minister MacKinnon said. "This centre will provide valuable
research intelligence to our government and our export-oriented
companies, which will in turn help our economy grow and create
jobs for Saskatchewan people."
The centre will operate from space provided by the University of
Saskatchewan at 105 North Road on the university campus. The
Estey Centre will be affiliated with the university's Colleges of
Law and Commerce, as well as the College of Agriculture's
Department of Agricultural Economics. Research and teaching
undertaken may include: globalization and market access;
innovation and the protection of biotechnology; the economics,
law and politics of world trade; and studies of the implications
of international trade agreements on Canada.
Professor Ronald Cuming, one of the centre's organizers, stated
that "while Canada now has some comparative advantage in world
trade, the aggressive, and sometimes unfair trade policies of
other nations and the effects of globalization are eroding this
advantage." He said: "These pressures present issues Canadian
trade lawyers and policy advisors must confront, often quickly
and without detailed reflective research. The centre will
provide much-needed studies and expertise to address these
issues."
The centre will offer practising trade lawyers and industry
representatives the opportunity to gain experience and provide
expertise through on-site assignments. Federal and provincial
government policymakers, from departments such as Foreign Affairs
and International Trade Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
and Saskatchewan Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, will
participate in rotational employee assignments. The federal
departments will also continue to fund the salaries and benefits
of staff participating in projects at the centre. Graduate and
under-graduate law students, as well as students from other
disciplines, will be employed on research projects.
The Estey Centre will have a board of directors representing
industry, the university and senior trade officials from the
federal and provincial governments. An executive director will
be appointed to oversee the operations.
Federal and provincial funding for this initiative was provided
for in their respective 1998 budgets. The 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
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306)975-5942
WD Toll-Free No:1-888-338-WEST(9378)
WD World Wide Web site:
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca
Ronald Cuming
Professor, College of Law
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306)966-5883
Bob Ellis
Manager, Corporate Affairs
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306)787-1691