IPSCO JOINS ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Released on July 4, 2001

IPSCO Saskatchewan Inc. today became Saskatchewan's 32nd partner under a

successful program to increase Aboriginal employment across the province.



IPSCO and the Government of Saskatchewan signed a formal partnership under

the Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP). The partnership

commits IPSCO to making its workplace accessible to Aboriginal people and

to working with the Aboriginal community to promote employment

opportunities and to provide training linked to employment.



As a result of the Aboriginal Employment Development Program, over 900

Aboriginal people have been hired in Saskatchewan.



"Everyone here shares a common vision of Saskatchewan, one that includes

optimism in our potential, the courage to change the way things are, and

the commitment to work hard at fulfilling the objectives set out in our

partnership agreement," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "Together, we are

making a difference in Aboriginal employment in Saskatchewan."



AEDP partner employers represent more than 38,500 Saskatchewan jobs at 29

accessible workplaces for which Aboriginal people can compete on an equal

basis. IPSCO employs about 1,000 people in Saskatchewan.



"Saskatchewan needs Aboriginal people to participate fully in the social

and economic fabric of our province if we are to achieve our full

potential," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Pat Lorjé said. "AEDP is helping

us achieve that objective."



The AEDP strives to build a representative workforce in Saskatchewan where

Aboriginal people compete for jobs based on their skills and qualifications

and are represented at all occupational levels in proportion to their

numbers in the province's population.



"IPSCO is proud to be the first private sector manufacturing facility in

Saskatchewan to partner in the development of an Aboriginal employment

initiative," Ipsco Saskatchewan Inc. Vice Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer Roger Phillips said. "As a responsible citizen, IPSCO appreciates

the need to facilitate constructive relations with the Aboriginal

community, which makes up a large part of the province's population. We

are pleased to be a leader in recognizing the value of such an employment

program and look forward to other manufacturers following suit."



-30-



For more information, contact:



Wendy Campbell

Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-8008