BUDGET EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTH

Northern Saskatchewan will be better equipped to develop its economy and its communities, thanks to programs detailed in today's provincial Budget.

"In this Budget, the province delivers on northerners' expectations that we will support economic development, protect our environment, and invest in infrastructure," Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty said. "We are determined to close the gap with other areas of our province and improve the quality of life in the North. It is especially important that this Budget create additional training and job opportunities for northern youth.

"With unprecedented levels of mineral exploration taking place, and opportunities arising from the Roads to Prosperity program start-up; this is an exciting time for the North. Our government will continue to expand the prospects for workers and entrepreneurs," Beatty said.

Northern Affairs' specific measures include a 25 per cent increase in the Northern Development Fund (NDF). The NDF will now have $2.5 million available in the coming year for loans to develop northern businesses and assist primary producers.

Furthermore, Northern Affairs is adding two staff to increase its capacity to consult with northerners to ensure they get the best training, employment and business opportunities from northern projects. Similar staff positions in the Environment and Industry and Resources departments will also build government's capacity to consult with northerners.

"This government will work with communities to make sure they share in the benefits of our province's economic expansion," Beatty said. "We will help northerners develop employment and management skills so they can realize their goals for prosperous, healthy communities."

All told, provincial funding for programs, capital and new initiatives will amount to $145.5 million in the North in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, nearly an 11 per cent increase over $131.3 million the year before.

Highways and Transportation will provide $8.55 million this fiscal year to begin work on the five-year, $65.5 million Roads to Prosperity program announced last fall. This year's work includes upgrading Highway 956 between La Loche and Fort McMurray, and initial cutting and clearing for a new all-season road to Wollaston Lake. Northern Affairs is working closely with Highways and Transportation on a capacity-building strategy for the project.

This work is in addition to Highways and Transportation's regular construction and maintenance plan, which provides a further $28 million for northern work.

Other infrastructure highlights in the provincial Budget include $1 million for a project to control water levels on Lac La Ronge, $1.3 million for the Northern Water and Sewer Program, and continued work on the integrated $29 million school/health facility in Ile-a-la-Crosse and the $8 million community school in La Loche.

Other departments are also committing more resources to the North. Health is increasing basic funding to the three northern authorities by $2.93 million, and it is putting $217,000 in new money into the population health promotion unit. In education, more than $2.13 million will be spent on northern skills training, and Northlands College will see its operating grants increase $393,000. The aerial fire-fighting fleet will receive $24.3 million through Environment to replace aging aircraft, up $2.9 million, and it will triple the amount spent on fire observation towers to $800,000.

The Justice department, meanwhile, will spend approximately $1.9 million on the northern portion of its First Nations Policing Policy, an increase of 20 per cent. It also will increase funding for the Cree Translation Program for court hearings to $590,000, and it will spend $50,000 to expand a similar Dene program.

Working with Northern Affairs and Industry and Resources, the Saskatchewan Research Council will continue site characterization of the abandoned Gunnar uranium mine sites. This is the first step in a clean-up plan for such sites that will involve federal and provincial governments and the private sector. The actual clean up is expected to last several years, and will yield more prospects for northern training and employment. The province has already committed $12 million to the project, and last year the federal government announced that it would match this funding, which the province expects this year.

"The legacy of these mines was one of neglect and an outstanding need to ensure northerners' safety and the continued protection of the environment," Beatty said. "Our new legacy will be one that combines responsible stewardship with northerners' desire to extend their expertise into environmental sciences. Furthermore, we are developing a framework which outlines how we will manage other, decommissioned mine sites for generations into the future."

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Boyes Northern Affairs La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-6669 Cell: (306) 425-8869