CENTENNIAL SUMMIT TAKING SHAPE

Saskatchewan's major economic summit is taking shape, with an exciting range of topics and speakers confirmed to address the province's economic opportunities and challenges.

Business, community and youth leaders from across the province will attend The Saskatchewan Centennial Summit: A New Century of Opportunity, January 23rd to 26th, 2005 at Saskatoon's Centennial Auditorium. Invitations have been sent to a broad cross-section of Saskatchewan and Canadian decision-makers.

"The Saskatchewan Centennial Summit will showcase the opportunities that exist in the green and prosperous economy we are building here," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "We will be doing more, though, than just celebrating our success – this summit will be an important dialogue on how to best provide tomorrow's workforce and our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to ensure Saskatchewan's continued prosperity."

Participants will hear presentations on the province's strengths in key resource sectors, on its tourism potential, and on the economic significance of the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. They will also discuss Saskatchewan's workforce challenges and opportunities as a result of changing demographics.

Profico Energy's Clayton Woitas, Sask Trends Monitor's Doug Elliott, and ABEX award winners Sean Friskey (Ground Effects Environmental) and Murad Al-Katib (Saskcan Pulse Trading Inc.) are among the more than 20 presenters. Noted CBC commentator and Globe and Mail columnist Rex Murphy will also address the summit.

Conference co-chairs are Paul Martin of Paul Martin Communications and Merin Coutts, a young Rotarian who started the Your Future is Here Rotary initiative.

While the summit is an invitation-only event, the general public will have access to its deliberations. Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) will broadcast the summit live, and a facilitated chat room will be set up on the summit website for public comments. The public can also mail comments and ideas to summit organizers.

"We're hoping for many good ideas from summit participants on the way ahead for Saskatchewan," Cline said. "Our province has incredible opportunity in its second century, if we are prepared to show the same courage, vision and will displayed by Saskatchewan people in the past."

Information on the summit will be regularly posted on its website, www.Summit2005.ir.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691