IBEW Local 2067 in talks about Saskatchewan future

News Release - April 3, 2009

Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart and Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff today officially received and released the report of the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) on the future of the uranium industry in the province.

The report, Capturing the Full Potential of the Uranium Value Chain in Saskatchewan, contains 20 recommendations on further development of Saskatchewan's uranium resources focused on further exploration and mining, power generation and research and development.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Florizone and all members of the UDP for all their hard work and commitment to the people of Saskatchewan," Stewart said. "The UDP report has, for the first time in the province's history, put forward a thoughtful, measured and well-researched strategic plan to revitalize and expand Saskatchewan's uranium industry."

Led by Dr. Richard Florizone, a nuclear physicist and Vice President of Finance at the University of Saskatchewan, the UDP committee included strong representation from communities and organizations across Saskatchewan including the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2067, First Nations, the environmental community and representatives from Canada's nuclear industry.

In accepting the report, Minister Stewart said that international concern over climate change is driving world-wide interest in clean energy generation options creating a window of opportunity for Saskatchewan to pursue valued-added development of its uranium industry.

"The UDP has given the province a lot to think about," Stewart said. "The next step is to engage Saskatchewan citizens in a public consultation process that will facilitate thoughtful discussion and consideration about the 20 recommendations contained in the UDP Report."

"Our Province has benefited from its rich uranium resources for many years, and I am pleased to see the Uranium Development Partnership has concluded there are opportunities to add value to Saskatchewan's uranium," Cheveldayoff said. "I look forward to hearing what the Saskatchewan people have to say about the opportunities outlined in the report."

Stewart said the public consultation process will start immediately and will feature several elements including:

o a major stakeholder conference;
o a series of nine community consultation meetings to be held between May 19 and June 5 in Prince Albert, Buffalo Narrows, The Battlefords, Lloydminster, Yorkton, Estevan, Swift Current, Regina and Saskatoon
o an opportunity for individual stakeholder organizations to provide oral and written submissions over two days with an additional day set aside for presentations from First Nations and Métis groups;
o the launch of a website containing the full report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input: www.saskuranium.ca;
o an opportunity for those who do not want to attend a meeting or do not have internet access to provide written submissions: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5; and
o a toll free number (1-877-791-4667) for individuals to leave their name and address to receive a print copy of the Executive Summary.

The UDP report calculates that acting on its high priority recommendations could increase in Saskatchewan's Gross Domestic Product by an estimated $50 billion to $55 billion and could create 6,500 construction and 5,500 long-term jobs.

"I can assure you that no decisions have been made," Stewart said. "The input received will be considered by the provincial government as part of the decision making process. As such, I encourage all citizens to get informed and get involved."

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