Renewed Lottery Agreement Will Continue To Benefit Saskatchewan Communities

Released on January 30, 2019

A renewed lottery agreement guarantees eligible sport, culture and recreation organizations will continue to receive and benefit from Saskatchewan Lottery proceeds for the next five years.

This morning, the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association signed the agreement.

“Saskatchewan Lotteries is a successful fundraiser for community sport, culture and recreation,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said.  “The Saskatchewan Lotteries provides opportunities to more than 600,000 participants in many communities across our province.  These far-reaching benefits would not be possible without our partners, Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and of course thousands of volunteers.”

“We fully support the new lottery agreement, and look forward to another five years working with our partners to build active, healthy communities in Saskatchewan,” Sask Sport Chair Leslie Blyth said.  “Long-term planning is essential to non-profit organizations and their ability to deliver quality, sustainable programs, services and events.  This agreement will continue to positively impact our communities and provide more opportunities for all.  Together, we all win!”

“The government’s commitment to this new lottery agreement, and its support for the cultural life of Saskatchewan residents, is greatly appreciated,” SaskCulture President James Rose said.  “Lottery funding is instrumental to ensuring that cultural activity, ranging from galleries and museums to cultural forums, festivals and more, fosters the growth of inclusive and engaged communities, individual well-being, and overall quality of life throughout the province.”

“We are grateful for the government’s support of the renewed lottery agreement,” Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President Coralie Bueckert said.  “It creates opportunities for the recreation community to maintain and enhance well-being for all people within this province.  With lottery funding, we can continue to work collectively to build our sector’s capacity to deliver safe, quality and inclusive recreation environments, programs and services for the people of Saskatchewan.”

The lottery licence fee will remain at 3.75 per cent of annual sales, providing continued funding stability and allowing organizations to maintain quality programs and services to the residents of Saskatchewan.  It will also allow continued investments in strategic priority areas, such as promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing barriers to participation.

For the 2017-18 fiscal year, $54.2 million from the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund was granted to sport, culture and recreation organizations across Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Toth
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: jamie.toth@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152

Leah Laxdal
Sask Sport
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-0871
Email: llaxdal@sasksport.sk.ca

Dianne Ell
SaskCulture
Regina
Phone: 306-780-9453
Email: dell@saskculture.ca

Chantel Doerksen
Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association
Regina
Phone: 306-780-9411
Email: cdoerksen@spra.sk.ca