Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Regional Recognition Event

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Kevin.

Deputy Minister Koch, Mrs. van Burck, honoured guests...

Good afternoon.

I’m pleased to join you today as Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

I’m pleased to be here to recognize and pass along congratulations to the 2010 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmer nominees from the Government of Canada: Gordon and Sonia Decker; Chad and Carissa Haaland; and Lauren and Ryan Maurer.

I want you to know that the reasons you have been nominated—your hard work, stewardship, innovation and contribution to your community—are recognized by our Government as part of the foundation of Canada’s success.

Every day, the power of innovation is seen at work in communities across the country as citizens like you, businesses and not-for-profit groups join forces to tackle local problems.

Canada’s prosperity depends not just on meeting the challenges of today but on building the dynamic economy that will create opportunities and better jobs for Canadians in the future.

The young men and women nominated this year, and every year, are helping us create those opportunities.

WD has a strong history in supporting the Western Canada Farm Progress Show... In 2009, our Government contributed $338,000 to the Western Canada Farm Progress Show to create an export development program that will attract more incoming international buyers to the show.

We supported the project because it complements the Government of Canada’s objective to create a strong, prosperous economy.

My department recognizes that the region’s interests are best served as part of a coordinated national trade agenda, with many trade and investment partners working together on improving international competitiveness and strengthening trade and economic corridors of importance to the West.

I also want to welcome you to the new Cooperator’s Centre. The Government of Canada contributed $20 million to its construction as well as other upgrades around Evraz Place.

I’m pleased to see that the new Centre has helped the 2010 Farm Progress Show be the largest ever.

Best wishes to the Deckers, the Haalands and the Maurers—both today and at the national recognition event.

We’re building the West with the help of people like these nominees, and because of that Canada is poised to emerge from the recent recession powered by one of the strongest economies in the industrialized world.

We will continue our work because a stronger West means a stronger Canada.

Thank you.