SASKATCHEWAN ENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCE WEEK PROCLAIMED MARCH 2-8

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard has hailed March 2-8 as Engineering and Geoscience Week to honour the contribution of more than 6,500 professional engineers and geoscientists in Saskatchewan.

"This important group of professionals are helping to drive the current economic momentum by creating high paying jobs and generating more than $250 million in annual revenues," Elhard said. "This is a week set aside to honour and recognize the men and women who have played such a key role in our growing economy and standard of living."

Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to harvest natural resources, or designing and building the kinds of infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of the growing economy, Saskatchewan's engineers and geoscientists play a vital role in the health and well-being of the province. According to the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS), their membership has grown by nearly 500 in 2007, as more and more professionals move to the province.

"It's no secret that Saskatchewan is leading the country in economic growth, from record oil and gas revenues to construction starts," Elhard said. "This is due in part to the kind of critical thinkers and innovators we're attracting to Saskatchewan. They see Saskatchewan as a land of opportunity and so do we. It speaks to this government's vision of creating a Transportation Centre of Excellence for Saskatchewan which will focus on developing new highway and road construction technologies to make us a world leader."

APEGS is celebrating this year's proclamation by highlighting the role that engineers and geoscientists play in public safety and the environment.

"P.Engs. and P.Geos. are involved in major projects in just about every sector of the economy," APEGS president Rick Forbes said. "Their contributions are evident in new farm technology, improved highway safety, more efficient infrastructure systems, alternative energy sources, innovative mineral, oil and gas exploration and the list goes on and on."

"From a transportation perspective, we owe a debt of gratitude to the engineers and geoscientists who ensure the integrity of the roads and bridges serving the needs of our travelling citizens," Elhard said. "They also ensure best technology is used so that infrastructure can withstand temperature extremes. We rely on these professionals to make sure the roads we drive and the bridges we cross remain safe, efficient and streamlined throughout their serviceable life."

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For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayahsi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: dwakabayashi@highways.gov.sk.ca