BUSINESS TAX REVIEW COMMITTEE DELIVERS REPORT TO GOVERNMENT

The Business Tax Review Committee (BTRC) final report was officially provided to the Saskatchewan Government today.

The report examines the province's business tax regime and recommends areas of improvement to further boost the economy and spur job growth. Finance Minister Harry Van Mulligen accepted the report from committee chair Jack Vicq and will begin reviewing its contents immediately.

"I want to sincerely thank the BTRC members for their hard work and dedication to this review and congratulate them on a successfully completed process," Van Mulligen said. "This report provides clear direction in fulfilling our government's vision to continue growing this province, creating jobs and building a future for Saskatchewan youth. We are determined to see this vision through."

The BTRC was formed in late March of this year to independently examine the impact of Saskatchewan's business taxes on the province's economic and business climate. Saskatchewan has made great progress implementing competitive tax reforms including the personal tax reform that resulted in the largest personal income tax reduction in the province's history.

"The work of the Committee is a continuation of our Government's commitment to increasing Saskatchewan's overall tax competitiveness at a national and global level," Van Mulligen said. "This report offers an independent, professional look into our business tax competitiveness and proposes bold new ideas for growing our provincial economy."

The BTRC recommendations will be fully reviewed and assessed by the Government of Saskatchewan as part of its deliberation process leading up to the 2006-07 Saskatchewan Provincial Budget. The Government committed to acting upon the recommendations of the Committee in the current session as part of the 2005 Throne Speech.

You can read the full report online at http://www.gov.sk.ca/btrc/.

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For More Information, Contact:

Vanessa Gooliaff Beaupre Finance Regina Phone: (306) 787-8109