GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO ACRE

Released on December 3, 2002

The Government of Saskatchewan today released its response to the final

report of the Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE).



Earlier this year ACRE presented its final report to the Saskatchewan

Legislature. A Strategy for Rural Saskatchewan: Responding to ACRE

represents government's plan for dealing with the group's recommendations.



"ACRE has provided a framework for approaching the needs of rural

Saskatchewan," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural

Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said. "The committee told us government

must work to create an environment that encourages development to take

place, but that it is up to Saskatchewan people, working together, to make

that development happen. ACRE has planted the seed of opportunity and with

our communities and province, the future of rural Saskatchewan is wide

open."



A Strategy for Rural Saskatchewan outlines three goals that will enable

government to build the economic environment defined by ACRE: A Competitive

Business Environment; Sustainable and Effective Public Infrastructure; and

Strong and Healthy Rural Communities. The document also identifies

priorities for future government action to achieve each goal, including

16 'next steps' for immediate action.



"This document will change and adapt to reflect our province and our people

as we capture new opportunities and face new challenges," Serby said. "It

will guide government as we work to support the efforts of those

individuals and communities who build rural Saskatchewan."



Copies of A Strategy for Rural Saskatchewan: Responding to ACRE are

available at the Rural Issues Office of Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and

Rural Revitalization or online at www.agr.gov.sk.ca.



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For more information, contact:



Scott Brown

Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4031