Released on January 8, 2008
Members of the new Saskatchewan Party government are joining representatives from both sides of the Canadian-American border today for a Border Community Roundtable in Great Falls, Montana. Government Services Minister Dan D'Autremont, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart and Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles are among city, provincial and state officials from Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan invited to the dialogue on increasing collaboration across the border by the Consulate General of Canada in Denver, Colorado.
"This is an exciting opportunity to develop relationships with our counterparts in the United States," D'Autremont said. "Saskatchewan people conduct regular business and interact daily with their southern neighbours so having a strong association is extremely important. I welcome this opportunity to meet and talk about current opportunities and issues."
Discussions scheduled during this round table include, but are not limited to, transportation, security, emergency preparedness, and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
"Over $65 million in commodities crossed the Canada-Montana border through the Sweetgrass Border Crossing in 2006," D'Autremont added. "That, in conjunction with the more than half million visits made by Canadians to Montana indicates how important this relationship is to communities on both sides of the border."
The Border Community Roundtable intends to promote co-operation, advocacy and improve communication between elected representatives and border-related officials from communities on both sides of the border. Representatives from the City of Great Falls, the Province of Alberta, the Office of U.S. Senator Max Baucus, and Office of the Canadian Consul General in Denver have also confirmed their attendance at today's meeting.
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For more information, contact:
Leanne Persicke
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1321
Email: leanne.persicke@gov.sk.ca