March 18, 2005 Regina, Saskatchewan -- Communities affected by the establishment of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range (PLAWR) in northwest Saskatchewan in 1953 will benefit from a $19.5 million investment by the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan. The investment, to be spread over five years, will be used for regional economic development initiatives. The announcement was made today by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger. A discussion process on how to establish a community investment fund or similar vehicle for the funding will begin immediately with an initial community meeting in early April in Beauval. Federal, provincial and community officials will then hold a series of discussions after that date. Under the terms of the proposal, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will each contribute $6 million in economic development funding for a total of $12 million. Western Economic Diversification Canada will also provide a further $7.5 million federal infrastructure component. "We are working to improve the quality of life for residents of northwestern Saskatchewan," said Minister Goodale, who made the announcement on behalf of the Government of Canada. "The funding will help harness the incredible resources and talents of communities in this area¿tapping into these vital sources of economic strength." "The fund will be an investment in future opportunities for the people of Jans Bay, Cole Bay, Île-à-la-Crosse and Beauval," said Minister Belanger. "We will work with the communities to develop accountability mechanisms that ensure the fund provides assistance to elders while supporting the area's vision for a stronger economy and family well-being." The economic development initiatives under discussion are not packages for individuals claiming compensation from the federal or provincial government departments associated with the establishment of the PLAWR. The funding will be used to support economic development initiatives for all residents of the Primrose area. "Our Elders have played an important role in this process from the beginning," said Alex Maurice, community representative from Beauval. "We want to recognize their contributions that have brought us to the point we're at today¿the economic development funding from the federal and provincial governments." "The process has taken a long time, but it is evident there will be long-term benefits to the communities," added Jim Durocher, community representative from Île-à-la-Crosse. The federal investment for this fund will be allocated from the current fiscal framework. "The process has taken a long time, but it is evident there will be long-term benefits to the communities," added Jim Durocher, community representative from Île-à-la-Crosse. The federal investment for this fund will be allocated from the current fiscal framework. - 30 - For additional information, contact: Joanne Mysak Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon, SK Tel: (306) 975-5942 E-mail: joanne.mysak@wd.gc.ca Pat Breton Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Finance (613) 996-7861 Brian Cousins Communications Consultant Saskatchewan Northern Affairs (306) 787-5061 WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca Backgrounder Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range Economic Development Funding Announcement In 1953, the Government established a large bombing and gunnery range - the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range (PLAWR) on Crown land in an area that straddles the Saskatchewan-Alberta border northeast of Edmonton. The federal government has provided funding to the Provinces and First Nations for economic disruptions associated with the establishment and operation of the Range. Saskatchewan still owns the land and retains the rights to the resources on the PLAWR as well as responsibility for forest fire protection. In 1995, the PLAWR Negotiating Committee was created to negotiate a settlement with the federal government for compensation. The group represents Métis individuals in four communities near the range: Cole Bay, Jans Bay, Beauval and Île-à-la-Crosse. The $19.5 million in federal-provincial funding will flow over five years and be used to support economic development initiatives for all residents of the Primrose area. The funding will support a regional economic planning approach to the area. It would not be for individual payments to people affected by the PLAWR. Additional details about the funding will emerge as federal, provincial and community officials develop implementation details over the next few months. Those details will include principles of accountability and transparency for the disbursement of the funding for short-term and long-term community priorities.
