SOCIAL SERVICES AND SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN COMMUNITIES (NEW NORTH) SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Social Services Minister Harry Van Mulligen today signed a Memorandum

of Understanding with the Saskatchewan Association of Northern

Communities (New North), establishing a joint planning process for

social development in northern communities to ensure the needs of

northern people are being met.



The agreement was signed today at the Northern Municipal Roundtable in

La Ronge.



"This Memorandum of Understanding is another example of our commitment

to working with communities to enhance social development and improve

the lives of Saskatchewan residents," Van Mulligen said. "It outlines

a process for reviewing social development and programming in the

north to make it more relevant to northerners and their families."



The Memorandum of Understanding will guide discussions regarding the

future of social development in the north and may result in

northerners having greater involvement in the development and design

of Social Services' programs and services. It includes the creation

of a joint Northern Services Working Group, with representation from

New North and Social Services, which will work together to address

social development issues identified by community members in the

recently completed joint northern consultation process.



"We are pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding and work

in partnership with the department of Social Services to

influence the development of social programs in the north to

ensure they are meeting the needs of our citizens," Max Morin,

New North Co-Chair said. "As northern leaders, we are optimistic

this process will create opportunities and change policies in the

north to benefit northern residents."



"I want to commend all of those involved in developing this

Memorandum of Understanding and I look forward to working in

partnership with New North on the future of social development in

the north," Van Mulligen added.



The Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North)

represents 35 Northern municipalities.



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For more information, contact:



Bill Carney

Social Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0916



Max Morin,

Co-Chair, New North

Ile a la Crosse

Phone: (306) 833-2122