ACRE RECOGNIZES PROGRESS ON RECOMMENDATIONS

The Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE) said today that although the Government of Saskatchewan has made significant progress on its recommendations to revitalize the rural economy more work remains to be done.

Co-chair Audrey Horkoff said the group wants to see a continued commitment from government to the priority policy areas first identified in ACRE's April 2002 report – the document issued at the conclusion of the group's first phase of work.

"We have identified responses from government on each of the 185 recommendations we have made to date," Horkoff said. "However, there remain a number of specific areas in our original recommendations where we would like to see additional effort from government as we begin the task of rebuilding the rural economy."

Horkoff said that ACRE continues to place an emphasis on eliminating barriers to business competitiveness and providing new financial tools for rural entrepreneurs. ACRE also asked government to ensure the sustainability of rural communities through initiatives such as the reduction or elimination of Sask Power demand charges for rural recreational facilities. Horkoff added that it remains important for government to increase its promotion of Saskatchewan in a way that helps attract people to rural areas.

"People beyond our borders have no problem telling us what we do well – it is time that we recognize our own accomplishments," Horkoff said. "We have just begun to get the message out about the opportunities offered by this province."

Horkoff said promotion can be a powerful tool when combined with incentives – an approach advocated by ACRE to attract professionals to rural areas. She is optimistic that this, and other recommendations, will be considered by government.

"Since ACRE's inception in late 1999, and the delivery of our priority recommendations in April of 2002, we have been able to drive changes across government to benefit rural Saskatchewan," Horkoff said.

Horkoff pointed to new farm land ownership rules, reduced royalties and taxes for the oil and gas sector, a lower Corporate Capital Tax, venture capital funds, expanded recruitment of immigrants, and increased access to high speed Internet and digital cell phone coverage in rural areas as signs that government has listened to ACRE. She said those initiatives support ACRE's next steps.

"We know, as rural people, that achieving real economic development will require us to make some tough choices as individuals and as communities," Horkoff said. "The time has come for us to engage in these discussions – to decide how rural Saskatchewan will look in the years ahead."

Horkoff said that ACRE has developed new recommendations on Infrastructure, Crown Land, Employment and Business Development. The group will launch a series of public consultations with rural residents on its recommendations in early December.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Audrey Horkoff ACRE Co-Chair Kamsack Phone: (306) 542-7630