CENTENNIAL MERCHANDISE SUPPORTS YOUTH

With holiday shopping and provincial centennial celebrations coming up quickly, shoppers in Saskatchewan have more options to give commemorative items and wear 100 years of heart on their sleeve.

Premier Lorne Calvert today opened a Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 kiosk that will sell official centennial merchandise and announced the Centennial Legacy Trust Fund in support of youth. Fifteen per cent of product costs will support youth initiatives and will be allocated by the Provincial Youth Advisory Committee.

"Just as visionary pioneers built the province we are proud to call home, today's youth will bring forward that tradition of hard work and big ideas into our second century," Calvert said. "The provincial centennial is an obvious time to reflect on our great province, but it is also time to turn a new page and focus on our promising future."

The merchandise features Saskatchewan manufactured or value-added products, will be sold through the 2004 holiday season at retail kiosks in the Cornwall Centre in Regina and the Midtown Plaza in Saskatoon. In 2005, community groups, homecoming committees and not-for-profit groups throughout the province will have the opportunity to sell the merchandise.

"When you purchase this merchandise, you know that you are getting the official centennial merchandise that is high quality, supports youth and supports Saskatchewan business," Centennial Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "The Centennial Legacy Trust Fund will help our province's youth realize their potential right here in Saskatchewan."

Additional clothing and gift items will be added to the centennial merchandise line. As more products are sold, the value of the trust fund to support youth programs will grow as well.

"Saskatchewan's youth have proven they are bright, talented and committed to building a future in our province," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "By giving the support and the means to grow here, youth will be able to define their own future and chart their own course."

The Provincial Youth Advisory Committee will ensure that funding supports ideas generated and delivered by youth.

"Through this program youth are being invited to lead Saskatchewan into tomorrow," Provincial Youth Advisory Committee co-chair Michael Lothian said. "Youth will have additional opportunities to take on leadership roles, develop lasting partnerships and impact Saskatchewan's quality of life."

Additional information on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 is available online at www.sask2005.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Chris Shauf Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306)787-1254 Cell: (306)530-5775