Funding approved for three francophone economic development officers in Saskatchewan

[CAWED]

NOVEMBER 30, 1998

_FUNDING APPROVED FOR THREE FRANCOPHONE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS
IN SASKATCHEWAN_

_REGINA, Saskatchewan – Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses
throughout the province now have increased access to business advisory
programs and services through the _[3]Conseil de la Coopération de la
Saskatchewan (CCS)_._

_Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic
Diversification_, today announced a non-repayable contribution of up
to $525,000 over three years for the CCS to maintain the three
francophone economic development officer (EDO) positions established
by the organization during a 1997 pilot project supported by _WD_,
_Human Resources Development Canada_ and _Canadian Heritage_.

"The benefits provided by these officers would be twofold," explained
_Mr. Duhamel_. "Not only would their work increase access to federal
government programs and services - an objective of WD and the
Government of Canada - it will also increase opportunities for
economic spin offs and job creation in francophone communities and the
surrounding areas, fulfilling WD’s commitment to actively promote
and develop _Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs)_ in
Saskatchewan." This project follows up to federal government’s
commitment at the _January 1998 Fransaskois Forum_.

The pilot project focused on establishing committees to discuss
economic development issues and create action plans in francophone
communities in the province. The EDOs will now focus on providing
business advisory services and ensuring that francophone entrepreneurs
have access to the resources available through the _Western Canada
Business Service Network_. In Saskatchewan this includes: offices of
_WD_; _Community Futures Development Corporations_; _Women
Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc._; and the _Canada-Saskatchewan
Business Service Centre_. The officers will also continue to work with
francophone communities to develop and implement long- and short-term
plans to strengthen their economic base.

"This partnership created between WD and the CCS answers a need
expressed by people at the grassroots level," said _Robert Revet,
president of the Conseil de la Cooperation de la Saskatchewan_.
"Without the funding, the CCS could not have continued to offer the
services that the communities requested. The partnership is truly one
that fosters progress where people, business and government are all
winners."

The CCS is committed to assisting francophone entrepreneurs throughout
Saskatchewan. One officer is based in _Gravelbourg_ to cover southern
Saskatchewan, including _Ponteix_, _Willow Bunch_ and _Bellegarde_. A
second officer is based in _Regina_ and is responsible for central
Saskatchewan, including _Saskatoon_, _North Battleford_, _Vonda_,
_Prud’homme_ and _St. Denis_. The third officer is based in
_Prince Albert_ and serves individuals in more northern communities,
including _Debden_, _Zenon Park_, _Bellevue_ and _Domremy_.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1998
federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework. This project is an example of how this government is
prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by
making efficient use of their tax dollars.