FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS INVEST IN SASKATCHEWAN MANUFACTURERS

Today, Saskatchewan Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart and Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced a joint investment to establish the Saskatchewan Manufacturers' Resource Centre to support Saskatchewan manufacturing.

Funded under the previous Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), the provincial and federal governments equally contributed to the investment of more than $198,000. The new centre will assist Saskatchewan manufacturing to increase productivity and competitiveness.

"The performance of our manufacturing industry continues to post strong numbers both nationally and in Western Canada," Stewart said. "The support we are offering to this resource centre will keep us competitive and strengthen our economic industries and sectors."

"Our Government is proud to work with the province and local business to achieve a more competitive Saskatchewan manufacturing sector," said MP Boughen. "Supporting the competitiveness of our manufacturers will create new opportunities and new jobs."

Today's investment will allow the Saskatchewan Manufacturers' Resource Centre to hire two full-time specialists. The new staff will increase industry training in manufacturing best practices, help meet human resource needs for Saskatchewan-based manufacturers, and increase the productivity and competitiveness of provincial manufacturing firms.

The work of the new Manufacturers' Resource Centre will also build on previous projects supported by the federal and provincial governments within the Saskatchewan manufacturing community. These projects included training on value stream mapping and management, and manufacturing training.

"The investment and commitment to manufacturing in Saskatchewan by the federal and provincial governments will assist manufacturers in their journey to be competitive in the global economy and expand their exports in the world," Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Saskatchewan Vice President Brian McCready said. "CME is very pleased to be their partner on this initiative."

The objective of the Canada-Saskatchewan WEPA is to develop Saskatchewan's small and medium-sized businesses, support economic and technological innovation, assist in economic diversification, and increase Aboriginal participation in the economic mainstream.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, co-ordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 613-975-5942
Cell: 221-6064

Joanne Johnson
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: joann.johnson@gov.sk.ca

Brian McCready
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-384-5425