• The project will be built in 3 Phases over 10-years at a projected cost of $4 Billion 
• There is vision to see the long-term economic benefits to this investment 
• Immediate Economic Benefits:
  • directly to agriculture sector (sustainable irrigation) allowing expansion into higher value crops
  • manufacturing and food processing sectors
  • expansion of cattle
  • expanded water conveyance in high population and industrial corridor (several key mining and other industrial companies to also benefit), as well as smaller communities along the conveyance
  • business attraction/investment
  • job creation (5 jobs for every $1 Million invested)
  • broader and more secure tax base
• Long-term Benefits:
  • Food security for North America, (not just Canada, or Saskatchewan).  The southern USA is seeing a rapidly diminishing water supply (the California Central Valley Aquifer and the Ogallala Aquifer in the American mid-west are projected to go dry in 30 years, with irrigation anticipated to be the first to be sacrificed).  Saskatchewan is positioning itself to be the alternative to this western US water supply.  If not addressed, this could significantly reduce the ability for Canada to import table crops. By moving with this project now, it is anticipated to have a payback in the order of 2 to 2.5 times to taxpayers
  • Climate Resiliency, an identified federal government priority

October 5, 2020