CHANGES TO SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCED

Released on September 15, 2000

Premier Roy Romanow announced changes today to the most senior position in the

provincial public service.



Gregory Marchildon, Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary since

January 1, 1997 is leaving effective September 15, 2000.



Marchildon joined the provincial public service in 1994 as Deputy Minister of

Intergovernmental Affairs, returning to his home province from the Johns

Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington,

D.C. He is joining the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy (SIPP) at the

University of Regina as a Senior Policy Fellow. In addition, he will be a

Visiting Fellow at the School of Policy Studies, Queen's University.



This appointment is being made through the Department of Post-Secondary

Education and Skills Training as part of its ongoing support of SIPP. Since

its inception in 1998, the provincial government has provided funding to SIPP

for one senior position dedicated to the research and development of public

policy, particularly in the Saskatchewan context.



"Dr. Marchildon has been one of the longest-serving deputy ministers to the

premier in recent memory and his expertise, advice, professionalism and

leadership have been invaluable to me, members of Cabinet and his colleagues at

the senior executive level," Romanow said. "As head of the public service he

led our efforts to modernize and streamline our decision-making processes. He

also played an integral role in various negotiations and initiatives with both

the federal government and other provinces.



"I deeply regret the loss of Dr. Marchildon's services as my principal policy

advisor but I understand and appreciate his longstanding desire to return to

academic life. Not only I, but the government as a whole, will miss his

counsel, tireless effort and dedication."



Marianne Weston, Associate Deputy Minister to the Premier has been named Acting

Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary.



Ms. Weston has been associate deputy minister since September 1994. In her

current capacity she heads the Cabinet Planning Unit and is secretary to the

Cabinet Committees on Social Development and the Economy.



"Ms. Weston is an extremely well-qualified professional who is highly respected

by ministers and officials," Romanow said. "She is ideally-suited and

positioned to provide much needed leadership and continuity to ministers and

the senior public service and I am pleased that she has accepted this

challenge."



- 30 -



For more information, contact:



Jim Nicol

A/Director of Senior Management Services

Office of the Deputy Minister to the Premier

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-9299