News release

Comments Sought on Natural Resources Working Paper

Voluntary Planning Board

Voluntary Planning is seeking feedback on a working paper outlining Nova Scotians' thoughts about the future of the province's natural resources.

Nova Scotians filled 2,000 seats at 27 community meetings in May and June to discuss the province's biodiversity, forests, minerals and parks. About 600 written submissions were also received from individuals and groups.

The volunteers on the Voluntary Planning Natural Resources Citizen Engagement Committee drafted the working paper to share with Nova Scotians before preparing a final report. The committee's work is the first of three phases for the development of a provincial natural resources strategy.

"We want to make sure that we accurately reflect what Nova Scotians value most about our natural resources when we pass on our final report to the Minister of Natural Resources and the phase two advisory and technical panels in December," said committee co-chair Rick MacDonald. "We're encouraging people to review the working paper and give us their feedback."

Nova Scotians have until Friday, Nov. 14 to submit comments on the working paper, which is available on the Voluntary Planning website at http://vp.gov.ns.ca .

Comments can be submitted to Voluntary Planning via email to volplan@gov.ns.ca, by fax at 902-424-0580, or by mail to:

Voluntary Planning Suite 600, 1690 Hollis St. Halifax, N.S. B3J 3J9

Nova Scotians can also call Voluntary Planning at 902-424-8644 or toll-free at 1-866-858-5850 to give comments.