Representatives of BHP, the Trade and Export Ministry and the Sylvite Four-Six Regional Development Incorporation (S4-6) gathered at the Uniplex in Humboldt for a pair of special funding announcements.
The province of Saskatchewan announced an investment of $250,000 in the interagency group that is working to provide solutions to meet the demands of up to 900 full-time workers and a potential area influx of 3,000 residents.
The government’s quarter-million-dollar contribution, in addition to previous funding for both S4-6 and the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance, one of the agencies involved in local development work. Trade and Export Minister Jeremy Harrison spoke about the importance of S4-6 and about the positive nature of the challenges ahead.
“We are working toward solutions on challenges around things like skilled trades training, labour force development, housing, childcare and education,” Harrison said. “These are good challenges to have given that there are thousands of jobs being created in the region, but they are still challenges. That’s why we need to continue to work together. The very close integration between different levels of government really does make a difference.”
Additionally, BHP announced an additional $500,000 to S4-6 in a renewed support of its efforts. President of Potash for BHP Karina Gistelinck talked about the injection of dollars to the organization.
“We are really happy to see the provincial government chip in $250,000 of funding, as well as our own funding, to really enable the longevity of the community led initiative that is Sylvite Four-Six.”
She explained that the money would be used to fund the activities of S-46 which is comprised of a group of rural and urban municipalities, First Nations groups and members of the private sector. The organizations mandate is to study the roadblocks to expansion and work together to encourage ongoing solutions.
Gistelinck said that she has been impressed with the work done so far when it comes to encouraging housing development and expansion of daycare seats.
“They (S4-6) have identified a number of priority focus areas: housing, childcare, health care, labour force and infrastructure to name a few. Now they are going to study what solutions they should provide to enable the growth to materialize.”
It’s been the level of cooperation exhibited by the S4-6 members and the public and private sector participants that’s been most encouraging, Gistelinck added.
“I think this is really unique. I’ve lived and worked in over five mining jurisdictions, and I’ve never seen the type of symbiotic relationship that is taking place here. We see representation from First Nations, from local municipalities, as well as from the government and private sector working together to actually solve the challenges ahead.”
Brent Sunshine, chair of S4-6, shared in the excitement of the funding announcements and the work to date. A representative of Fishing Lake First Nation, Sunshine recognized the contributions First Nations communities and governments are making toward the initiatives.
“First Nations have always contributed to the economy here is the province,” Sunshine said. “It’s just now we are finally being recognized for it. This is something our leaders have been working toward for a long time. Now that we are sitting at the same table and contributing the way we are, I think it is a testament to the work our past leaders have done.”
Gistelinck confirmed that the mine is ahead of schedule, past the halfway point of completion, and well on its way to the production target of 2026. With the funding announcements, S4-6 is poised to continue targeting regional economic, social, and educational supports needed to meet what is anticipated to be a rapidly expanding regional population.