PREMIER VISITS GROUND ZERO

Released on January 29, 2002

Following meetings with investment bankers in New York, Premier Lorne

Calvert took a moment to stop and pay his respects at ground zero.



"To actually set foot on the ground where this tragedy happened is a

surreal and humbling experience," Calvert said. "It makes one think of how

precious the gift of life truly is and what we should be thankful for."



Calvert was especially moved by the sheer vastness of ground zero. The

crater extends for about three blocks in each direction, leaving a huge gap

in the heart of New York's financial district.



"What will forever be etched in my mind is the magnitude of the devastation

you sense standing on the public viewing platform above ground zero,"

Calvert said. "I will never forget the image of a man twice my size

standing next to me on the platform, tears streaming from his face as he

looked on at something truly overwhelming."



It was a matter of fate Calvert was not in the area the day the planes

struck the twin towers. Meetings with investment bankers had been re-

scheduled from September 11th to a few days later.



"When I heard the news of the tragedy, I was meeting with Prime Minister

Chretien in his home in Ottawa," Calvert said. "All the serious issues we

had discussed were quickly put into perspective when we heard the fateful

news."



"The people of New York are still mourning – still trying to heal," the

premier said. "Being at ground zero, it makes me think of how precious the

security we know back home in Saskatchewan really is – a sense of safety we

should never take for granted."



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James Millar

Media Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 537-2392