Mineral claims on former provincial park lands Premier Brian Tobin said today that the privatization of provincial parks will not result in mineral exploration or development activity on those former park lands being turned over to private operators. The Premier was commenting on an article which appeared today in the Evening Telegram.

He said there is a requirement in the Mineral Act to notify the public of a change in the status of any Crown land parcel, but it is a legal technicality as it relates to the matter of the former parks. "As a matter of public policy, the government has decided that it will not make these former provincial parks available for the staking of mineral claims, or the development of mineral deposits. Our intent was to preserve those lands for use as recreational facilities, at a minimal cost to the taxpayers. This is the course we set when we announced our plans to turn designated parks over to interested and capable operators. That course has not changed."

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 685-3674.