HEPPNER CALLS FOR UNITED CANADIAN APPROACH TO TALKS IN COPENHAGEN

Saskatchewan Environment Minister Nancy Heppner today urged her counterparts from across Canada to unite behind Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice as critical talks continue in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"A single Canadian message is the most beneficial approach as our national government strives toward signing an international accord on reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Heppner said. "Now is not the time for inter-provincial conflict. Canada needs a united approach in order to have success at these historic international talks. Ultimately however, the responsibility and liability for signing any international binding agreement rests with the federal government."

Through Minister Prentice, the federal government has fully engaged the provinces and territories in several individual and group consultations leading up to the Copenhagen conference.

"Each jurisdiction in Canada faces their own challenges and opportunities," Heppner said. "Each province and territory has the ability to address these challenges with the methods that best suit their specific circumstances. I am proud to be a representative from Canada in Copenhagen and I'm proud to put forth the Saskatchewan story on the international stage."

On December 1, Saskatchewan re-introduced legislation that would enable the creation of the Saskatchewan Technology Fund and the Climate Change Foundation as the province's unique approach to meeting Green House Gas emission reduction targets. The province has also committed nearly $1 billion toward carbon reducing technologies such as clean coal and carbon capture and sequestration projects.

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For more information, contact:

Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927