PROVINCE CALLS ON WEYERHAEUSER TO EXTEND PLANNED CLOSURE DATE

Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Forestry Secretariat Eldon Lautermilch has called upon Weyerhaeuser to extend its planned closure of the Prince Albert Pulp Mill until a new buyer can be found. This is in response to Weyerhaeuser giving notice that it will cease operations on April 13th, 2006.

"The Government of Saskatchewan has taken a series of steps to help speed up a sale, and to ensure that Saskatchewan's critical forestry resource will continue to benefit the people of the province," Lautermilch said. "We immediately struck a technical committee to work closely with the company to help attract buyers for its Saskatchewan assets. The Government team of forestry experts has met with a number of interested parties, and many have expressed great interest in investing in our province. We will participate fully in ensuring any potential deal will include wood supply agreements."

"The wood supply on the Prince Albert Forest Management Agreement area is one of the best in Western Canada. The area covers more than three million hectares. Some companies have expressed interest in using that resource to maintain the Prince Albert mills. Others have shown interest in adding more value-added facilities, like engineered wood-products plants," Lautermilch noted.

"To assist in facilitating new investment, the Government of Saskatchewan has contracted with a number of leading forestry experts to work with our technical team to help facilitate a final sale," Lautermilch said.

The Government of Saskatchewan has hired Lee Doney and Don Wright, both former deputy ministers from British Columbia responsible for that province's forest resource. They will work with prospective buyers and Weyerhaeuser to do whatever is possible to facilitate a reasonable bid for Weyerhaeuser's Saskatchewan assets. They will be assisted in their work by Charles Reid, a former Vice President of Pulp and Paper for Canfor Corporation. All of these experts will be supported by the recently announced Saskatchewan Forestry Secretariat.

"The people of Saskatchewan have told us they want their forestry resource used in an environmentally responsible manner that maximizes its value, while supporting the largest possible number of Saskatchewan jobs. We call upon Weyerhaeuser to enable a seamless transition of the pulp mill to new ownership," Lautermilch said.

"Now is the time for full co-operation of all parties," Lautermilch said. "We must work together to protect the jobs of the many individuals employed at the Prince Albert Pulp and Paper Mill."

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For More Information, Contact:

Lee Schultz Minister's Office Regina Phone: (306) 787-9126