Northern Saskatchewan leaders and entrepreneurs met with government and industry representatives yesterday to discuss opportunities in the mining and forestry sectors.
The Northern Opportunities Forum was hosted by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan was one of the guest speakers.
He says there was some valuable information shared about the supply chains — but more importantly, relationships have been built.
McLellan is also optimistic about the outcome of the event, but adds the hope is that real outcomes will be the end result:
“Something specific and tangible. There’s nothing wrong with relationship building through a day like today. But what if it doesn’t result in more business? What if it doesn’t result in more people being trained or employed? And that’s the risk we take. And, in fairness, it’s a fair risk to take because I think that those outcomes will happen.”
The northern Saskatchewan mining industry is forecast to spend an estimated $1.3 billion in goods and services this year alone.