GOVERNMENT RECEIVES BOUGHEN COMMISSION'S FINAL REPORT

Learning Minister Andrew Thomson today received the final report of the Commission on Financing Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education. The Commission was established in May 2003 to conduct research and gather public and stakeholder opinions concerning the funding of the province's education system.

"I want to thank Commissioner Ray Boughen and his staff for their work on this issue," Thomson said. "The report provides a substantive, thoughtful, and provocative review of issues related to financing Saskatchewan's K-12 education system."

"Ensuring quality, affordable education is available to Saskatchewan's children and youth is important to the future of our province. As such, we need to ensure that adequate financing is available for our educational programs throughout Saskatchewan while ensuring these funds are raised in a way that is fair and equitable for taxpayers."

"Commissioner Boughen's report will provide a solid foundation for Saskatchewan people to work from in assessing how and if we should rebalance the tax load and restructure our educational delivery system to better reflect today's interests and priorities," Thomson said. "In that regard, I look forward to hearing the views of Saskatchewan citizens and stakeholder groups during the coming months on the merits of the Commission's recommendations."

"Given the complexity of the recommendations and their sweeping nature, my officials and I will take some time to weigh the response in order to fully understand the impact of the proposed changes before we determine how best to formally respond to the recommendations."

Thomson said the government will provide a substantive response in the coming months, after it has conducted a thorough analysis of the recommendations and had an opportunity to review the opinions of the public and stakeholder groups.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609