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Purpose
The purpose of the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee is to advise government, through the Minister of Natural Resources on provincial activity related to Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) responsibilities in the Province of Nova Scotia, and to monitor and advise on the implementation of the government’s response, Off-highway Vehicles in Nova Scotia, Provincial Direction and Action Plan (October 2005) to the Final Report of the Voluntary Planning Off-highway Vehicle Task Force (November 2004).
In particular the group will:
- Serve as a government advisory and coordination body concerning OHV issues as defined in the Off-highway Vehicles in Nova Scotia Provincial Direction and Action Plan (Action Plan).
- Provide support and assist with the implementation of the Action Plan (see specific roles - pages 4-5 of the Plan).
- Interact, when required, with the Minister of Natural Resources or its designates to coordinate work plans.
- Make recommendations on the allocation of the Off-highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund to the Minister of Natural Resources.
- Establish subcommittees as required and, specifically, a trail development subcommittee to provide advice and recommendations to the Committee on trail development and maintenance projects.
The Action Plan items numbered 21 and 23 have led to the establishment of the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Meetings: At the call of the Chair/or in the Chair’s absence the Vice Chair Frequency: Monthly or as required Quorum: 50% plus one Alternation With prior approval of Chair/vice Chair Guests: With prior approval of Chair/vice Chair Agenda: Restricted to related topics and provided in advance of meeting Action Minutes: Prepared and provided by Department of Natural Resources (Secretariat for the Committee)
Where: central Nova Scotia, or a location approved by the Committee
When: to be determined by the Committee
Membership
The Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee will be composed of the following individuals:
- One representative from All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia (ATVANS) on the recommendation of the ATVANS board;
- One representative from Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) on the recommendation of the SANS board;
- One representative from Nova Scotia Off-Road Riders Association on the recommendation of the Nova Scotia Off-Road Riders Association;
- Up to two representatives from municipalities, one on the recommendation of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM) and/or one from the Association of Municipal Administrators (AMA);
- One representative from the Nova Scotia Trails Federation on the recommendation of the Nova Scotia Trails Federation;
- One representative from the tourism industry;
- One environmental community representative;
- One safety/training community representative;
- One health community representative (government or non-government);
- One private land owner representative;
- One representative from a provincial or municipal police force/enforcement agency;
- One off-highway vehicle industry representative;
- A Chair and Vice-Chair; on the recommendation of the Minister; who will not represent one of the key sectors comprising the Committee;
- Up to two members-at-large; on the recommendation of the Minister, who will not necessarily represent one of the key sectors comprising the Committee and will provide additional expertise in key areas;
- One representative from a provincial OHV enforcement unit or Conservation Officer (ex-officio);
- One representative from the Department of Natural Resources as recommended by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources (ex-officio);
- One representative from Nova Scotia Environment as recommended by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Labour (ex-officio);
- One representative from Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal as recommended by the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (ex-officio);
- One representative from Health Promotion and Protection as recommended by the Deputy Minister of Health Promotion and Protection (ex-officio);
Additional representatives may be added by the Minister on the recommendation of the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee.
See News Release October 11, 2006
Initial appointments for members of the Committee will be for a two-year period or until such time as a successor is appointed. All members are eligible for reappointment up to a maximum of three consecutive terms; subsequent terms may be varied in length.
Provincial government members (except the Health Community member) are ex-officio and their primary functions are as liaison to the Minister and to act in a resource capacity.
Where a person ceases to be a member of the Committee for any reason, including resignation, inability to act or failure to attend three consecutive Committee meetings without just cause, the Ministers may appoint another person representing that same affiliation to the Committee to hold office for the unexpired term of the member.
The funding for the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee will be provided through the Off-Highway Vehicle Infrastructure Trust Fund.
The membership of the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee is appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources and will not exceed 17 voting members including the Chair and Vice-Chair. The authority to change the terms of reference rests with the Minister.
A per diem may be paid to the Chair and Vice-Chair. The per diem rates will be determined by the Minister. Expenses may be paid to the Chair and Vice-Chair, and all members of the Committee based on a reasonable compensation schedule, comparable to the government’s travel policy and guidelines (Human Resources Management Manual 500).
The key roles of the Nova Scotia Off-highwayVehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee are as follows:
General Role
- Be an Advisory Committee to Minister of Natural Resources on provincial activity related to OHV responsibilities in the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Advise government on the allocation and use of the OHV Infrastructure Trust Fund. Identify funding allocations in particular for:
- trail development and maintenance,
- core funding of OHV agency operations (e.g., SANS, ATVANS),
- Health and safety programs and information,
- Self-policing on trails for users (but not regular or special work typically done by enforcement agencies)
- Environmental demonstration projects that showcase trail development; and
- Operating budget for the Nova Scotia Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee
- Review and provide feedback on new legislation being developed to support the Action Plan.
- Develop a mechanism that allows the Committee to communicate with Nova Scotians regarding the progress on the implementation of the Action Plan.
- Make recommendations on the Committee’s structure, terms of appointment, membership etc.
Land
- Make recommendations for the development of mechanisms to address the interests of landowners
- Continue to research and recommend organizations to be accredited for closed courses
Trails
- Oversee (or provide input into) the process for the development and maintenance of the trail/park network in the province of Nova Scotia.
- Establish a trail development sub-committee.
- Develop a process for community consultation for the trail/park network.
- Work with government to support development of provincial construction and maintenance standards for OHV trails.
- Oversee the implementation of a trail permit system for OHVs in Nova Scotia.
- Work with government to create provincial rules of operation on sanctioned trails.
- Work with government to create landowner guidelines for becoming part of the trail network.
Education/Safety
- Work with government to implement province-wide training, OHV safety/training programs.
- Review on a regular basis OHV training programs and operating materials (handbooks, operator manuals, environmental guidelines etc.) appropriate to the relevant OHV to ensure they are current.
- Recommend and review agencies providing courses for accredited training programs.
Enforcement
- Coordinate the implementation of a Trail Warden program in cooperation with existing enforcement agencies, SANS and ATVANS.
Environment
- Make recommendations for the development of mechanisms to protect/respect environmental interests.