June 25, 2009
Outlook, Saskatchewan
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification and the Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister, announced joint federal - provincial funding to help expand and strengthen economic opportunities in the South Saskatchewan River Irrigation District (SSRID), Riverhurst Irrigation District and Luck Lake Irrigation District.
These projects will expand irrigation capacity by 15,000 acres in the SSRID, Riverhurst and Luck Lake Irrigation Districts. The resulting expansions will create 60 long-term jobs and 20 to 22 short-term jobs, while also sustaining 223 jobs across the three districts.
"Today's expansion will create more opportunities for our producers and our processors," said Minister of State Yelich. "Our Government wants to help create and maintain jobs on and off the farm and this investment will do just that so our region can emerge from this challenging time prosperous and stronger than ever."
"Irrigation is key to the success and growth of our agriculture industry in Saskatchewan," Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "We are pleased to provide this funding, as well as technical assistance from our Ministry, to help develop these projects, expand our irrigation industry and create employment opportunities in our province."
"This is absolutely great news. Our irrigation district has been attempting to expand for several years, and were almost ready to show significant growth until the financial crisis hit," said Grant Pederson, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for SSRID. "This grant will provide the needed capital to assist us to boost our irrigated acres and provide long-term sustainable growth in our community."
"This funding will help our district further irrigation plans and provide irrigation to younger farmers to develop their land," said Dale Ewan Vice Chair of Riverhurst District. "In the future, the community hopes to attract agricultural industries."
"The community sees a great benefit from irrigation," said Roy King Chairman for the Luck Lake Irrigation District. "Increasing the acreage of irrigated farmland gives more people an opportunity to see these benefits."
Funding for these projects will go towards hiring contractors to design and construct the distribution works and install pipelines and associated materials for water delivery. The individual Irrigation Districts will oversee the purchase and installation of power grids and pumps to service their respective project areas.
Total federal funding of $4.77 million is being provided under the Community Adjustment Fund. This includes $1.44 million for both the SSRID and Riverhurst Irrigation District project and $1.89 million for the Luck Lake Irrigation District. The Government of Saskatchewan is contributing $210,000 to the Luck Lake project and $160,000 each to the Riverhurst and SSRID projects.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1-billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306-million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
For more information on the Community Adjustment Fund, please visit: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (306) 975-5942
Jenna Webb
Media Relations Consultant
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Telephone: (306) 787-2359
jenna.webb@gov.sk.ca
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Community Adjustment Fund - Irrigation Project Announcements
South Saskatchewan River Irrigation District
Federal - $1,440,000
Provincial - $160,000
The SSRID, Town of Outlook and affected Rural Municipalities of Rudy, Loreburn, Fertile Valley and Rosedale will expand their irrigation capacity by 7,000 acres resulting in 28 long-term jobs and sustaining 105 jobs in the irrigation industry.
Riverhurst Irrigation District
Federal - $1,440,000
Provincial - $160,000
The Riverhurst Irrigation District which includes the Towns of Riverhurst and Central Butte, the RMs of Enfield and Maple Bush, south of Lake Diefenbaker will increase its access to irrigation by 4,000 acres. This project will create 10 to 11 short-term jobs,16 long-term jobs and sustain 59 jobs in an area of the province impacted by Canada's economic downturn.
Luck Lake Irrigation District
Federal - $1,890,000
Provincial - $210,000
The Luck Lake Irrigation District and affected Towns of Lucky Lake, Birsay and the RMs of Coteau and Canaan will increase its access to irrigation by 4,000 acres. This project will create 10 to 11 short-term jobs, 16 long-term jobs and sustain 59 jobs in an area of the province affected by the loss of over 60 jobs attributed to business closures in the pork industry.
TOTAL PROJECTS: 3
TOTAL FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION: $4,770,000
TOTAL PROVINCIAL CONTRIBUTION: $530,000
