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REGINA — Members of the public service, including the Accelerated Site Closure Team, have been recognized through the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service for 2023. 

One emerging leader, two individuals and four teams from the public service were cited to receive the award.

According to information supplied by the Government of Saskatchewan, the Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP) was launched as a joint initiative, led by the Ministry of Energy and Resources, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, and administered by the Saskatchewan Research Council.

The ASCP provided much-needed support to Saskatchewan’s oil and gas service sector and its workers through funding for the abandonment and reclamation of inactive oil and gas sites across the province. Working together across three government entities, they launched a $400 million program to meet the Government of Canada’s requirements for funding as part of the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. 

A month after the funding was announced, Saskatchewan stood up a ‘quick start’ phase of the project which allocated funding to oil and gas producers that were able to quickly mobilize site closure programs. Shortly thereafter, the full first phase of the ASCP was launched.

"The program design proved to be extremely effective, allowing the industry to efficiently mobilize all available funding in support of Saskatchewan businesses and workers," stated information for the project. "Collaboration with industry and Indigenous leaders allowed the team to adjust quickly and led to a responsive and successful program.

"The ASCP partnered with the First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence through a unique collaboration agreement to drive Indigenous participation. This led to great success for Indigenous oil and gas service companies and helped to deliver funding to conduct site closure work on Reserve lands."

In total, the program saw the completion of over 9,800 well abandonments; over 4,000 flowline abandonments; 66 facilities decommissioned; and over 16,500 site remediation and reclamation activities.

"It supported an estimated 2,500 full-time equivalent jobs, including 1,790 jobs directly in the oil and gas service sector. Over $90 million was spent in support of Indigenous participation."

The other 2023 recipients are:

• Jonathan Carrier, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure;
• Kelly Bettschen, Ministry of Agriculture;
• Lee Kuruliak, Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement;
• The Accessibility Legislation Team, Ministry of Social Services;
• Consumer Disputes Online Dispute Resolution Team, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority; and
• Saskatchewan-Ukraine Crisis Response Team, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

The Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service has been recognizing exceptional work for 20 years. Honourable mentions are provided to third parties and/or private sector partners who have assisted team recipients in their projects.

For more information about the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service, visit .

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