Saskatchewan, November 3, 2005 -- Regional Minister for Saskatchewan and Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, support funding of $106,169 to Saskatchewan for two projects under the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP).A total of $90,000 is being provided to help off-set costs of the province's 2004/05 Emergency Preparedness Training and Education Program. The additional $16,169 will be put towards an essential upgrade at an emergency operations centre located in Carnduff."Emergency preparedness is a high priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Goodale. "I am very pleased we have the tools and expertise needed to step up to the challenge. It's these types of programs and projects that will better prepare us to handle the demands of an emergency."This JEPP funding contribution marks 20 consecutive years of support by the Government of Canada for the Saskatchewan Emergency Preparedness Training and Education Program. Since 1985, over $2 million in federal funding has been committed to help the province in delivering courses, such as: Basic Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Plan Development, Exercise Design, Emergency Social Services and Emergency Operations Centre Management."This program reflects the importance of supporting preparedness at all levels of government in building an effective national emergency management strategy," noted Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety Minister Peter Prebble.To address emergencies in a specific part of the province, the Town of Carnduff and the Rural Municipality of Mount Pleasant #2 share an Emergency Operations-Reception Centre housed in the Carnduff School. The Government of Canada JEPP funding has helped the town and rural municipality to install an alternate power source at the centre in order to supply uninterrupted power during an emergency."The Town of Carnduff and the RM of Mount Pleasant #2 were very fortunate to proceed with this important initiative," said Rodney Audette, Administrator for the Town of Carnduff. "By having this emergency power supply available, and benefiting from support by the Souris Moose Mountain School Division in providing space in their facility, the Emergency Measures Organization Committee will be able to respond and coordinate emergency services from a central location."The JEPP provides funding support on a reimbursement basis for eligible projects focused on enhancing the national emergency response capability. Both JEPP projects have been completed and were funded on a cost-shared basis. The total value of the Saskatchewan Emergency Preparedness Training and Education Program is $183,000, of which $93,000 was covered by the Province of Saskatchewan. The total cost for the back-up power generator at the Carnduff-RM of Mount Pleasant EOC was $32,572, of which $16,403 was covered by the two communities.Since the establishment of the JEPP in 1980, the Government of Canada has committed over $135 million to help fund emergency preparedness projects across the country, including $6.1 million in Saskatchewan.See also: Joint Emergency Preparedness Program For further information: Media RelationsPublic Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada(613) 991-0657Alex SwannDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Honourable Anne McLellanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness(613) 991-2863John EmburyDirector of Communications Office of the Minister of Finance (613) 996-7861Bill DerbySaskatchewan Corrections and Public SafetyRegina, SK(306) 787-5883Rodney AudetteTown AdministratorTown of Carnduff(306) 482-3300
