GOVERNMENT RECEIVES THE FIRST REPORT OF THE SASKATCHEWAN-UKRAINE RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz and Provincial Secretary June Draude received the first report of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relation Advisory Committee today.

"I want to thank the committee for providing government with recommendations that will help us identify the best way forward as we explore opportunities and build greater capacity for economic and educational partnerships," Krawetz said.

The report contains recommendations based on the findings of working groups formed by the committee to identify long and short-term actions for the ongoing relations between Saskatchewan and Ukraine, as well as emerging opportunities. Key areas included in the report include education, justice, agriculture, energy and environment, health and immigration.

There are 129,265 Saskatchewan residents who are reportedly of Ukrainian descent. The 2009 Saskatchewan statistical Immigration Report listed Ukrainians as the third largest group of provincial nominees through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

"Our province has benefited from the cultural contributions of the Ukrainian community for more than 100 years," Draude said. "The committee's work will create increased awareness and understanding of Saskatchewan's Ukrainian roots and how our province continues to welcome Ukrainian immigrants."

Created in 1993, the community-based committee provides advice on government and private sector activities in Saskatchewan and Ukraine. They also monitor and make recommendations on the progress of the 1995 Saskatchewan-Ukraine Memorandum of Co-operation. The committee's term runs until February 24, 2012.

The committee's report is available at www.ops.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Nicole Fellinger
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: nicole.fellinger@gov.sk.ca