Released on November 29, 2012
The public review of the draft Saskatchewan Environmental Code has concluded and a complete summary of all comments received, along with the ministry's responses, is now available on the ministry of Environment's website at www.environment.gov.sk.ca.
The final Saskatchewan Environmental Code is expected to be presented in the spring as the province adopts a new, results or outcome-based model for environmental regulation that will improve protection of the environment while fostering innovation and supporting sustainable economic development.
The Saskatchewan Environmental Code will provide directions for projects, allowing operators in many situations to proceed in an environmentally-friendly manner without unnecessary permits from the ministry, while holding proponents accountable for achieving important environmental outcomes.
"The code to be introduced this spring will be a first in Canada and will provide the foundation for our government's new, results-based approach to environmental regulation," Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "Ensuring that our stakeholders were involved in each step of this process was key as we meet the challenges of growth while continuing to ensure Saskatchewan's environment remains protected."
In the report, Saskatchewan Environmental Code: Public Review Summary of Comments and Responses, comments and responses received during the review are grouped by theme, such as qualified persons, code development, scope and implementation, as well as by each code chapter. Beside each comment is the ministry's response so readers can see how the input was used to make the draft code better. Overall, the public review revealed strong support for the concept of the code, as well as for the new regulatory model.
Since January 2012, the ministry has met with approximately 1,300 people at more than 20 meetings to discuss the draft code and received 120 written comments. All input was considered by the content committees, whose members are subject matter experts who drafted the various code chapters. The revised code was then sent to the Code Development Committee, a 19-member stakeholder advisory group, for a final review after which the group recommended the code's approval.
"The Code Development Committee has been providing leadership and oversight in the development of the code since the very beginning," Code Development Committee Chair Wayne Clifton said. "Our diverse membership, after two years of productive and respectful discussion, has reached a consensus that the draft code be recommended to the minister as a suitable foundation for a results-based approach to environmental regulation. It is particularly gratifying to see the result of this work by so many volunteers has received such strong public support. It is truly an innovative approach to enhancing environmental protection while supporting growth of our communities and the economy."
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For more information, contact:
Val Nicholson
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2459
Email: val.nicholson@gov.sk.ca