Enforcement, Parks to Stay at Natural Resources

Natural Resources--Enforcement, Parks to Stay at Natural Resources

Responsibility for enforcing Nova Scotia fish and game laws and for managing and operating provincial parks will remain with the provincial Department of Natural Resources.

The decision to keep both operations within the department was announced today by Ernest Fage, Minister of Natural Resources.

"After careful consideration, reviews of the enforcement program and the provincial parks have shown that they are cost-effective in their current location with the Department of Natural Resources," said Mr. Fage. "There would be no savings for taxpayers by moving these two operations to other departments."

A proposal to transfer responsibility for enforcement and parks to other government departments was made last spring as part of government's program analysis and review. Teams reviewed both programs to determine whether savings could be achieved.

The enforcement program is an integral part of managing Nova Scotia's natural resources effectively and efficiently, the minister said. "It is recognized by similar agencies across Canada for being a leader in training, equipment, standards and policy."

The Department of Natural Resources currently employs 49 full- time conservation officers and about 40 assistant conservation officers. They are responsible for enforcing provincial fish and game laws and regulations and other provincial statutes, including the Forests Act and the Crown Lands Act.

The review of the proposal to transfer provincial parks to another department did identify opportunities to improve the market readiness of provincially operated parks for both Nova Scotians and tourists alike. Mr. Fage says those opportunities will be considered. Nova Scotia currently has 127 provincial parks, which attract close to two million visitors each year.