SASKATCHEWAN DEMANDS CLARIFICATION ON EQUALIZATION DISCUSSIONS

The Government of Saskatchewan is demanding immediate clarification on media reports that the Government of Canada will exclude only 50 per cent of revenues from its non-renewable resources under its new equalization formula for the country.

"This considered action is entirely unacceptable to the people of Saskatchewan," Finance Minister Andrew Thomson said. "The Prime Minister and Conservative MPs for this province are on record as having promised this province a deal which would exclude 100 per cent of non-renewable resources thus providing an estimated $800 million annually."

A letter requesting a meeting with the Saskatchewan Members of Parliament (MPs) has gone unanswered. The Minister has placed an urgent call to his federal counterpart, Jim Flaherty and is now calling for an urgent meeting with the Saskatchewan MPs later this week.

"The silence of these individuals has been deafening," Thomson said. "They need to speak up for those who elected them to represent our interests with this federal government.

"We will not stand idly by in a matter of critical importance to this province," he said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jay Branch Media Services Regina Phone: 306-787-6349 Email: jay.branch@gov.sk.ca Cell: 306-539-3994

Marie Trafford Media Services Regina Phone: 306-787-0963 Email: marie.trafford@gov.sk.ca Cell: 306-539-0379