ACRE FINAL REPORTS SUBMITTED TO GOVERNMENT

The Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE) has presented its final reports to the provincial government today. ACRE's mandate expires March 31, 2008.

"I want to personally thank all of the individuals who have been involved with ACRE for almost eight years for their commitment to building Saskatchewan's rural economy," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "We are confident the work you have done will be a guide for Enterprise Saskatchewan as it develops recommendations and policies for both rural and urban Saskatchewan."

The final reports issued by ACRE include 23 recommendations that will be forwarded to the strategic issues councils and sector teams of Enterprise Saskatchewan. The recommendations contained in the reports focus on the importance of community in rural Saskatchewan and on building the capacity for small business and entrepreneurs to thrive in rural areas of the province.

"These final reports come at a very timely point, and I will be asking Enterprise Saskatchewan to carefully review the recommendations in the reports and make appropriate recommendations," Stewart said.

"As ACRE completes the last of its three mandates at the end of March, we encourage the members of Enterprise Saskatchewan to include the work that has been done over the past seven years as they go forward," Acre co-chair Audrey Horkoff said. "Many knowledgeable people have put a lot of work into researching and formulating the recommendations to this point. It is important this work continues, and by using the information that has been compiled, they can move their process forward quickly.

"We wish Enterprise Saskatchewan success in its work that will continue to mold the future of our province. As well we have asked that they continue to monitor the recommendations that haven't yet been completed and hold government accountable on these important items as we did at the ACRE table," Horkoff said.

ACRE was launched in 2000, and has made a valuable contribution to rural policy development, providing government with 243 recommendations. The committee's reports are available electronically at www.ei.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315