CENTENNIAL HONOURS FATHER OF MEDICARE AND CREATES A TOURISM LEGACY

Released on February 16, 2005

Filming began today on The Tommy Douglas Story, a two-part television production that pays tribute to the Father of Medicare and "Greatest Canadian" while setting the stage for ongoing benefits in the province's film and tourism sectors.

"I am so pleased that The Tommy Douglas Story is being filmed in Saskatchewan and will be broadcast to the nation during our centennial year," Chair of Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "Mr. Douglas is responsible for many achievements that helped to define and shape what Canada is today, including the introduction of Medicare. This mini-series will showcase those contributions, as well as our province and our people, to the rest of Canada."

Much of The Tommy Douglas Story will be shot in rural Saskatchewan, resulting in significant economic activity during the filming and an ongoing opportunity to enhance tourism. Businesses will receive facelifts and streets will be redesigned to reflect Saskatchewan during its earliest years. Many of these communities intend to maintain the sets and props as tourist attractions. Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 will contribute $614,400 toward the production to help cover construction and other costs in these rural settings.

Close to $7 million of the $7.9 million budget will be reinvested back into Saskatchewan, on cast and crew; services, including construction, hotels and catering; and rental of the Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios. Of the approximately 70 cast members, 52 are from Saskatchewan and an additional 2,500 extras will be required. Twenty-two days of filming will occur in Regina, another 26 days will occur in locations in and around the Qu'Appelle Valley, the Kanata Valley, Moose Jaw, Claybank, Pense and Gravelbourg and one day of filming will occur in Ottawa.

"We've been working hard to attract new ventures to Gravelbourg. It's exciting to have a crew in town to film the story about the Greatest Canadian and we'll use this production as an opportunity to promote Gravelbourg as a location for future films," Mayor Henri LePage said. "We also hope to attract tourists to the area. People are really interested in learning more about Tommy Douglas and they'll have a chance to visit a community where the story of his life was filmed."

The film will be produced by Minds Eye Entertainment in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, with the participation of The Canadian Television Fund created by the Government of Canda and the Canadian cable industry, Telefilm Canada; Equity Investment Program, CTF: Licence Fee Program, Saskatchewan Centennial 2005, CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program and the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit.

Additional information on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 is available online at www.sask2005.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Shawna Kelly Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306)787-1547 Cell: (306) 737-2331