NEW PROVINCIAL LABORATORY SITE CONFIRMED

A new provincial public health laboratory in Saskatchewan is a step closer to reality. Today Health Minister John Nilson and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Property Management Deb Higgins officially confirmed the site for the $27 million provincial laboratory. It will be located at Regina Research Park, adjacent to the University of Regina.

"The provincial laboratory helps ensure safer and healthier communities in our province," Nilson said. "A new and improved provincial laboratory will reflect Saskatchewan's position as a health care leader, ensuring a health system that can even better identify, respond to and prevent illness and disease in our province."

"With investments such as a new provincial laboratory we are strengthening our province's infrastructure to further enhance Saskatchewan's competitive advantages," Higgins said. "We are also ensuring a safe and efficient workplace for health care professionals."

The new lab will meet future needs by improving testing capability and speeding up intervention in the event of a public health crisis such as SARS or an influenza pandemic.

Saskatchewan has had a provincial lab for 100 years.

Construction of the facility will start late summer of 2006 with a completion date of March 31st, 2008.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083