Released on October 5, 2000
The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has a new interim Board of Directors.
Saskatchewan Energy and Mines Assistant Deputy Minister Dan McFadyen will chair
the new three-member board. The other members include Mike Monea, President
of Flatland Exploration, a Saskatchewan based oil company, and Doug Kelln,
Vice-President of SaskEnergy. Monea will serve as vice-chair, Kelln will serve
as secretary.
In addition to directing SRC's current activities, the new board will review
SRC's mandate and initiate some organizational changes. Those changes will
include integrating the management of the Regina-based petroleum research
facilities of the SRC with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC).
"The SRC is a valued institution. The review of its mandate presents an
opportunity to renew and revitalize this very valuable institution and its
contribution to economic development in the province," Energy and Mines
Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "The review will also ensure the SRC
continues to meet the research and technology needs of the private sector in
the province and strengthen its position in the dynamic technology environment."
The PTRC was established by the federal and provincial governments in 1998 to
co-ordinate petroleum research undertaken by the SRC and the University of
Regina and to provide a single focal point for industry. The new PTRC research
facility at the Research Park at the University of Regina was completed earlier
this summer, and the official opening was held on October 2nd.
"As the PTRC and researchers from SRC and the University of Regina have moved
into the new facility, it is a good opportunity to integrate the management of
the PTRC and SRC's petroleum research," Lautermilch said. "This will
streamline the day-to-day administration and management of petroleum research
in Saskatchewan and improve the effectiveness of the PTRC.
"I would also like to express my thanks to the former SRC Board of Directors
for their years of service and dedication to the SRC and the citizens of
Saskatchewan. The fresh perspective of the new board will be useful to set the
future direction of SRC as the mandate review unfolds. Additional members will
be added to the board in the near future."
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For further information, contact:
Anna Arneson
Media Services
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-0850
BACKGROUNDER
Board of Directors of Saskatchewan Research Council
Dan McFadyen is the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Policy and
Economics Division of Saskatchewan Energy and Mines. Mr. McFadyen has
extensive experience with technology and has broad contact with industry,
making him a good candidate to lead the SRC as Chair of the Board of Directors
through the review of its mandate.
Mike Monea is the President of Flatland Exploration, a Saskatchewan-based oil
company active in the southeastern portion of the province. Mr. Monea is a
strong supporter of research and development and new technology. As Vice-Chair
of the SRC Board and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Petroleum
Technology Research Centre, Mr. Monea will be able to strengthen the linkages
between the two boards.
Doug Kelln is the Vice-President, Distribution Utility, with SaskEnergy, the
provincial natural gas transportation and distribution utility. SaskEnergy and
the other Crown Corporations represented by Mr. Kelln are an important client
group for the SRC and have significant potential to increase their use of SRC's
services as their use of new technology increases in the future.
THE SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL
The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is a provincial Crown Corporation
headquartered in Innovation Place at the University of Saskatchewan in
Saskatoon. It employs 210 scientists, engineers, technologists, and
administrative staff in facilities in Saskatoon and Regina.
SRC provides research and development and technical services in seven broad
areas which are economically important to the province:
animal and plant genetics;
biotechnology;
engineering research for the petroleum, automotive, agricultural,
chemical and mining sectors;
small and medium sized enterprises;
enhanced oil recovery and treatment;
mineral exploration; and
natural environment and renewable resources.
REVIEW OF THE SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL
The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) was established in 1947 to provide
financial assistance for research and development activity in the province.
The SRC's mandate has changed and evolved continuously over the last 53 years
and will continue to evolve in the future.
The current review of SRC's mandate is intended to establish a strategic plan
to guide the future evolution of SRC to ensure it continues to provide the best
possible services to its clients and the people of Saskatchewan. The review
will address issues such as:
The changing roles and mandate of provincial research organizations
across Canada.
The respective research roles of the University of Regina, the
University of Saskatchewan and the SRC and the relationship among those
institutions.
The appropriate mix of public and private sector funding.
The appropriate areas of research for the SRC to play a leadership role
in the province.
Avoidance of competition with services provided by the private sector.
The appropriate organizational structure to support the SRC's future
endeavours.
The review will not affect any of SRC's current contractual obligations.
The review will be conducted by a small team of consultants. The members of
the review will be selected later this fall.
The review is expected to be completed by spring.
