REPORT IDENTIFIES WAYS TO INCREASE IMMIGRATION

Legislative Secretary and Saskatoon Southeast MLA Pat Lorjé today presented Premier Lorne Calvert with a report identifying a range of opportunities to increase immigration to Saskatchewan.

The report, entitled Open Up Saskatchewan, is the culmination of five months of hard work by Lorjé on the immigration file.

"Since her appointment in April as Legislative Secretary for immigration, Pat Lorjé has consulted broadly," Calvert said. "The many useful recommendations in today's report will help the Government of Saskatchewan in building a plan to attract more people to this great province in the years ahead."

Recommendations focus on how to attract more skilled workers to the province, as well as on options to retain immigrants once they come to Saskatchewan.

"One of the best ways to make sure we have enough people to work and expand the economy is to attract more newcomers, and to keep them here," Lorjé said. "This report is all about recommendations for how to do that. If we attract and retain more immigrants, and if we make sure the Aboriginal population is educated and welcomed into Saskatchewan's economy and labour force, we will keep Saskatchewan strong and vibrant."

"This report is a fitting conclusion to Pat Lorjé's service to the people of this province as a long-time member of the Saskatchewan Legislature," Calvert added. "The report is marked by the same straightforward, pragmatic approach that distinguished Pat during her many years in civic and provincial government."

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For More Information, Contact:

Rob Cunningham Executive Council Regina Phone: (306)787-6349 Cell: (306)539-1126