SASKATCHEWAN YOUTH LEARN ABOUT ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE

The government and the private sector are supporting four Saskatoon young people representing Saskatchewan on Junior Team Canada (JTC) economic missions to the Asia-Pacific region over the next month.

University of Saskatchewan students Ainsley Robertson, Andrew Chau and Josh Simair will be joining 30 other young Canadians aged 16-25, on a mission to Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, August 14-31. Devin Heroux, also from the U of S, will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Youth Summit in Australia, September 1-8. The missions are designed to show Canadian youth first hand the impact that global trade has on economic development.

"The Junior Team Canada missions are an eye-opening experience for Saskatchewan young people, showing them how vital international trade is to Canada, and how much of a global player their home province is," Industry and Resources Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Saskatchewan is a major exporter, with 70 per cent of our goods and services shipped outside our borders. This program sends a message to young people that careers in world trade can be pursued right here at home."

Each youth ambassador on the missions has a two-fold role, to represent his or her community and to gather market and cultural intelligence for companies and organizations in order to further promote relations between Canada and the host country. The delegation will also hold informal discussions with youth leaders in the host countries on such issues as human rights, education, good governance and private sector development.

Various private and public sector organizations, including the Saskatchewan government, help sponsor Saskatchewan's JTC members. Successful applicants are required to raise funds through community support and corporate sponsorship.

Global Vision, the Ottawa-based, non-profit organizer of the JTC initiative, has three programs that give young Canadians export experience: Global Leaders Centres for youth to learn more about the global economy from industry leaders within their own province; JTC Economic Missions which involve travelling to foreign markets; and Global Youth Ambassador Program which puts youth to work on a local project that will make a measurable difference to the community.

Saskatchewan is among the most trade-dependent of all Canadian provinces. The Province has deep economic ties with the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for almost a third of our international exports including such staples as wheat, canola, barley and resources like potash, coal, uranium and petroleum products.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca