PREMIER'S AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Premier Lorne Calvert announced the 2006 recipients of the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service today.

"This group of dedicated individuals serves the people of our province with distinction," Calvert said. "They make a better life for others and serve as role models among their colleagues and in their communities."

Individual employees or teams from government departments, most Treasury Board Crown Corporations, boards, commissions and agencies were eligible for nomination in three categories: Innovation, Quality Service and Leadership.

Nominations for the award came from the public service, stakeholder organizations, clients and the public. This year, nominations were received from 19 departments and agencies.

The individual recipients are:

- René Archambault, Learning -- Leadership

- Ross Lynd, Culture, Youth and Recreation -- Quality Service

The team recipients are:

- Cumberland House Disaster Response Team, Corrections and Public Safety -- Quality Service

- Saskatchewan Surgical Care Initiative Team, Health -- Quality Service

- TCM 8000 (Transverse Crackfilling Team), Highways and Transportation -- Innovation

- Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods, Justice -- Innovation

An independent selection panel chaired by Sid Bildfell, reviewed the nominations and made the decision on who would receive the award. "This was a difficult decision due to the high calibre of nominations received," Bildfell said. "This experience has highlighted for me the excellence found in Saskatchewan's public service."

The Award will be presented to recipients at a ceremony held in the fall.

For more information about the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service, call toll free 1-877-427-5505, or you can go to the website at www.gr.gov.sk.ca/protocol/Honours/premiers_award.htm.

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For More Information, Contact:

Gladys Wasylenchuk Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-1370