Released on August 14, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan launched a public review of The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act today. The Act establishes guidelines to ensure the rights of landowners and mineral rights holders with respect to accessing land for exploration and development.
“The Act was introduced in 1968 and has remained largely unchanged since that time,” Energy and Resources Minister Tim McMillan said. “The agriculture and oil and gas industries have experienced many changes over those years, so a review of the Act is needed. We want to ensure that the legislation continues to serve the needs of all property holders – surface or mineral.”
The public review will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders – including landowners, rural municipalities, agricultural organizations and the oil and gas industry – as well as members of the general public to provide comments on potential changes to the legislation.
“We believe that Saskatchewan landowners and the oil and gas industry deserve to operate under an efficient and effective system that respects everyone’s property rights,” McMillan said.
People can participate in the review by submitting written comments on the potential changes. An online discussion paper contains an overview of some of the issues raised in recent years, as well as questions to assist participants in the review and initiate discussion. The tentative deadline for comments is November 30, 2013; however, if harvest is delayed in Saskatchewan, the deadline will be extended.
Please visit www.economy.gov.sk.ca/surfacerightsreview to participate in the online review. You can also email surfacerights@gov.sk.ca or call 306-787-5727 for more information on how to participate in the review process.
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For more information, contact:
Paul Spasoff
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: paul.spasoff@gov.sk.ca