PROVINCE, FORT QU'APPELLE INVEST IN TRANSPORTATION

The Government of Saskatchewan, the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle and the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council have formed a partnership to improve access to the new All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu'Appelle.

The partnership - which is an example of the province's new transportation strategy in action - will see the existing road to the hospital, Sioux Avenue, surfaced at a cost of approximately $800,000. Funding is provided by Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation while construction will be managed by the Town. The partners will also seek training and employment opportunities for First Nations people during construction. On road-construction will take place in the 2007 construction season.

"Unique initiatives like the All Nations Healing Hospital contribute to a better life for Saskatchewan families," Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "The province is pleased to contribute to this project to ensure that the people of the Fort Qu'Appelle region have reliable access to this very important facility."

"This is an example of the province taking into consideration the needs of our rural communities and First Nations communities in assisting us to improve safe access to our medical centre," Fort Qu'Appelle Mayor Ron Osika said. "I am very pleased the province has seen fit to step up to the plate to fund this project."

"This is an excellent example that all levels of government can work together - including the municipal government, provincial government and our First Nations governments - addressing this important issue collectively," File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council Vice Tribal Chairperson Myke Agecoutay said. "By improving the road, it allows all citizens to adequately access the necessary services provided by the All Nations Healing Hospital. We are very pleased by this development and look forward to future initiatives with the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle and the provincial government."

This investment is a component of the province's long term strategy to maximize the transportation system's impact on economic development and ensure social mobility. This strategy will also make a priority of building new relationships between parties with the greatest interest in the transportation network. A key goal of the strategy is to ensure communities and First Nations have economic links and adequate access to services, such as health care.

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4804 Cell: (306) 536-0049