NEW LOTTERY AGREEMENT CONTINUES TO BENEFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS

Sport, culture and recreation groups throughout Saskatchewan will continue to benefit from the proceeds of Saskatchewan Lotteries.

A new three-year agreement for distribution of lottery proceeds was signed today in Regina by Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel and representatives of the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.

"Our lottery system is another example of a partnership that enhances our quality of life here in Saskatchewan," Hagel said. "We want to increase the access our young people have to take advantage of sport, recreational and cultural opportunities. We are lowering the licence fee to help ensure our extraordinary voluntary organizations are fully supported in delivering some of the highest quality programs in Canada."

Effective April 1st, the lottery licence fee will be three per cent, down from the current level of five per cent.

The new agreement provides a realistic and sustainable funding plan that lottery organizations can rely on.

"This agreement will provide long-term funding stability for more than 12,000 volunteer sport, culture and recreation groups in the province," Sask Sport Inc. President George Rathwell said. "These groups provide healthy, positive activities for people of all walks of life and in every corner of the province. We appreciate the government's support of our sector and how it contributes to the well-being of individuals and to the vitality of communities."

In renewing the agreement, the parties noted their shared commitment to continue and strengthen full engagement with First Nations, Métis and Northern communities in lottery-funded sport, culture and recreation activities in Saskatchewan.

The new agreement runs April 1st, 2006, to March 31st, 2009. Saskatchewan Lottery proceeds are administered through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund by three organizations – Sask Sport Inc., Sask Culture, and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967