ACRE LAUNCHES NEW PHASE OF WORK ON RURAL ECONOMY

Released on January 19, 2007

The Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE) today announced the creation of two new sub-committees that will lead ACRE's new phase of work, which focuses on defining and enhancing community and developing small business and entrepreneurship.

"The Government of Saskatchewan values ACRE's past contributions and recommendations, many of which have been instrumental in formulating government policy on the rural economy," Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby said. "I welcome the establishment of the new sub-committees and am confident that ACRE will continue to actively engage individuals, associations and communities to strengthen the rural economy and make life better for Saskatchewan families."

The defining and enhancing community sub-committee will focus on envisioning what Saskatchewan's communities will look like in the future; explore the relationship between First Nation and Métis communities and other non-Aboriginal communities; and examine best practices in the area of regional development. The sub-committee will be co-chaired by Yorkton web designer Dick DeRyk and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild.

The developing small business and entrepreneurship sub-committee will focus on building capacity for small business and entrepreneurship by examining the needs of small businesses and identifying gaps in existing programs and policies; researching practices used by other jurisdictions to foster entrepreneurship and examining how these actions could be modified to meet Saskatchewan's needs; and gathering information with respect to current First Nations and Métis participation in the economy as employers, employees, service providers and entrepreneurs. This sub-committee will be co-chaired by Cut Knife spice producer Wanda Wolf and former Pulse Canada chair Germain Dauk.

"ACRE's Phase III work will place attention on the increasingly important role of Aboriginal people in shaping the province's future economy and workforce," ACRE co-chair Audrey Horkoff said. "I look forward to launching ACRE's next level of work and pursuing two very important issues in Saskatchewan."

ACRE's monitoring committee, co-chaired by Thad Trefiak and Deb Ehmann, will also continue to review government progress on implementing recommendations ACRE has presented to the Province.

Formed in 2000 to advise government, industry and rural communities on how to stimulate development in rural Saskatchewan, ACRE's mandate has allowed the committee to engage rural Saskatchewan in ongoing dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in the rural economy.

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Rehirchuk Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Regina Phone: 306-787-2359

Audrey Horkoff Action Committee on the Rural Economy Kamsack Phone: 306-542-7630