PERRINS OUTLINES DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR CONSULTATION PROCESS

Dan Perrins, Chair of the Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan public consultation process today announced the dates and locations for community consultations and stakeholder meetings.

Perrins' mandate is to conduct public consultations on the key findings and recommendations of the Uranium Development Partnership report, Capturing the Full Potential of the Uranium Value Chain in Saskatchewan, and then draft a report on what he heard from Saskatchewan people, stakeholders and communities by August 31, 2009.

"The opening Stakeholder Conference will take place on May 26 in Saskatoon followed by two full days of stakeholder meetings in Saskatoon on May 27 and May 28 and two more full days of stakeholder meetings on June 22 and 23 in Regina," Perrins said. "I am also planning a number of First Nations and Métis consultation meetings; however, the locations and dates of those meetings have not yet been confirmed."

Perrins also announced that the first of ten community consultation meetings will take place in June starting on June 1 in Yorkton.

Dates and locations of all community consultations and stakeholder meetings are available on the Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan Consultation website at http://www.er.gov.sk.ca/uranium-development. 

"Over the past two weeks, I have been working on refining the consultation framework provided by the government," Perrins said. "Today, I am building on that framework by adding some additional opportunities for public engagement that I believe will strengthen the consultation process."

Perrins noted that he has added two additional stakeholder meetings and an additional community consultation meeting in La Ronge to the consultation program.

"I will continue to develop and finalize the consultation process over the next week including consideration of how community consultations could be enhanced using the Internet and whether further meetings with stakeholders and remote northern communities should be added to the schedule."

Perrins also reminded the public about opportunities to get informed and get involved now:

• http://www.er.gov.sk.ca/uranium-development - the consultation website contains the full UDP report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input;
• Individuals and stakeholders who want to provide input but don't want to attend a meeting or don't have Internet access can send written submissions through regular mail to: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5; and
• Individuals and stakeholders can call toll-free (1-877-791-4667) to request a copy of the Uranium Development Partnership Report or Executive Summary; and
• Stakeholders can call the same toll-free number to register for a one-on-one presentation to the Consultation Chair at one of the stakeholder meetings in May and June.

Individuals and stakeholders can send written submissions either on-line, by email or by regular mail until July 31. Perrins will submit a Final Report to the Government of Saskatchewan on the public consultations by August 31, 2009.

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For more information, contact:

Chris Dekker
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-6744