Premier Bored Walls letter to our group, the Committee For Future Generations as regards our concern of a burgeoning idea of nuclear reactors in Saskatchewan. Thank you for your letter of November 19, 2012, outlining your committees position with regard to uranium mining and nuclear energy. Our government has been clear on our position on nuclear energy and our support for the uranium sector. A full copy of the UDP report and our governments response is available on the Government of Saskatchewan website at er.gov.sk.ca/uraniumdevelopment . In response to the UDP report recommendations and cost considerations, our government has made it clear that we will not go ahead with the construction of a large-scale nuclear reactor for the province. At present, we continue to direct SaskPower to include nuclear power in the range of sustainable energy options available for the provinces long-range energy mix beyond2020. This will be in addition to evaluating a wide range of renewable electricity supply alternatives, including wind and hydro. With Saskatchewan providing nearly 20 per cent of the worlds uranium needs, our government believes that Saskatchewan has an important responsibility to contribute to the dialogue and research of making nuclear technology safer. As part of our innovation agenda, our province plans to move forward with investments in nuclear medicine, material science and research on small-scale reactor technology. The Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation (CCNI) at the University of Saskatchewan will play a vital role in placing Saskatchewan as a global leader in the areas of nuclear research, development and innovation. In tribute to the immense contribution of the late Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk, former Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan to the field of nuclear medicine, we recenly renamed the CCNI in her honour. It is our hope that the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation will carry on her spirit of leadership and innovation. Our governments general strategic direction on uranium also includes actively supporting uranium mining and exploration. Uranium exploration and mining operations have created significant economic opportunities for Saskatchewan residents and communities - through job creatiorl investments in training and development, and in infrastructure offshoots. Employment at mine sites, including long-term contractors, is approximately 3,400. Approximately 48 per cent of those are aboriginal and residents of northern Saskatchewan. Including spin-offs, the industry provides for over 15,000 jobs for Saskatchewan people. This benefits not only Saskatchewan, but is a good news story for the entire country. I have forwarded your letter to the Honourable Bill Boyd, Minister responsible for Uranium Development Partnership, and the Honourable Tim McMillan, Minister Responsible for Energy and Resources, for their information. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, [signed] Brad Wall Premier
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 14:15:55 +0000
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