A new project is receiving federal and provincial funding to help Saskatchewan companies supply goods and services to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development will each provide $90,000 to the Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association (SATA) for the development and implementation of a synchrotron supplier database and a technical library. The $213,450 project will compile a database of Saskatchewan suppliers whose capabilities and expertise roughly match the requirements of the CLS synchrotron. SATA, which is contributing the balance of $33,500 to the project, will also provide information on the various technical requirements of the synchrotron to Saskatchewan suppliers.

"The Canadian Light Source is a now a sustaining force in the provincial economy providing growth opportunities for Saskatchewan advanced technology companies," said Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale on behalf of the Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie). "The Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to innovation by helping those companies connect with opportunities through the SATA project."

"This project will strengthen our ability to give local Saskatchewan companies an opportunity to benefit from Canada's biggest scientific project in 30 years," said Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch. "Having access to the many technical requirements of the synchrotron will give Saskatchewan companies an edge. That will further be enhanced through the supplier database, which will ensure that CLS is aware of local supplier capabilities."

"This project will not only give Saskatchewan companies opportunities during the construction of the Synchrotron, it also will help to ensure that CLS has a local pool of expertise to service its needs over the next couple of decades," said SATA President Larry Cooper. "Beyond CLS, we see this project as helping SATA market the capabilities of Saskatchewan industry and form strategic alliances worldwide."

The supplier database will categorize potential vendors by industrial sector and will contain a brief profile of each company listed. It will assist in matching Saskatchewan expertise with specific needs of the synchrotron and will provide international suppliers with information about the capabilities of Saskatchewan suppliers. The technical library will provide Saskatchewan companies access to policies, procedures, expertise, contractors, and technologies related to supplying products to the synchrotron project.

SATA assists small and medium sized Saskatchewan-based technology companies and organizations to develop, enhance and stimulate the growth of the advanced technology sector in the province.

The WD funding for this initiative was provided for in the 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942

Bob Ellis
Director, Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 787-1691

Anne Ballantyne
First Vice-President
Saskatchewan Advanced
Technology Association
Saskatoon
(306) 931-1129