Released on January 20, 2006
Leaders from northern Saskatchewan meet today in Buffalo Narrows with oil sands industry representatives and provincial government officials to discuss economic development prospects resulting from a road link to Fort McMurray, Alberta.The Opportunities Identification Workshop, hosted by the Northern Development Board Corp. (NDBC), draws together approximately 100 people - including government officials, industry and community leaders and entrepreneurs - to examine potential opportunities for residents of northwest Saskatchewan resulting from the all-season road to be built between La Loche and Fort McMurray. The deliberations will also touch on employment opportunities.
"I am confident that northwestern residents will see many benefits from the road, from jobs in the Athabasca oil sands to tourism development in Saskatchewan," Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said. "Our two provinces announced more than construction of a mere road last fall. We announced the basis upon which we can build a new economy for the northwest."
"The Northern Development Board is pleased to organize the forum to discuss and explore entrepreneurial opportunities that will result upon the completion of this inter-provincial connection," Northern Development Board Corp. chair Al Rivard said. "Tapping into such a large market will reap many benefits, but we also want to address the tourism, retail and service opportunities on our side of the border."
The NDBC is a non-profit corporation whose 12 directors represent a broad range of northern interests: municipalities, First Nations and the Métis. The NDBC advises governments on northern priorities and helps administer the $20-million Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement.
The all-weather road link was jointly announced September 15th, 2005, and will take three years to complete. Saskatchewan will invest $5 million to upgrade an existing road, while Alberta will invest $40 million to create a 65-kilometre, all-weather link on its side of the border. The project will make it easier for Saskatchewan residents to seek jobs in and do business with the Athabasca oil sands, Canada's largest petroleum resource.
The Opportunities Identification workshop is the result of months of planning. Its agenda includes updates on:
• The Northern Economic Infrastructure Strategy, the province's $65.5-million plan for northern road construction, called Roads to Prosperity;
• A presentation by the Northwest Regional Development Council;
• Bridges to Employment, a program that has already linked more than 200 residents of northwest Saskatchewan with employers in the oil sands;
• Opportunities for youth and in the tourism industry; and
• Job and supply/service opportunities for the oil sands, including representatives from Syncrude, Suncor Energy, the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association.
The workshop organizers hope this forum will lead to a comprehensive regional plan for economic development which promotes co-operation and partnerships.
-30-
For More Information, Contact:
| Scott Boyes Northern Affairs La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-6669 Cell: (306) 425-8869 | Dean Desjarlais Northern Development Board Corp. La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-2444 |