“The decisions we make about our land today have a direct impact on our quality of life tomorrow,” says Minister Sheridan. “The Land Use Policy Task Force will not only take a hard look at the planning process as it stands now, but will bring Islanders together to discuss how to best address current, and future, challenges.”

The minister is asking interested, community-minded people to put their names forward for the task force.

Forming a task force to lead a public dialogue on provincial land policies was one of the recommendations of the Report of the Commission of Land and Local Governance.

The group will research the present planning system and lead public consultations this spring. It will then examine all findings before recommending land use policies to government in the fall.

“Land use policies touch virtually every aspect of Island life – from water quality to tourism, from subdivision development to farm land,” says Minister Sheridan. “This task force will serve a vital role in facilitating a province-wide discussion about issues that will have a real impact on future generations.”

The task force members will be selected for their experience and skills. Applications can be made online at www.gov.pe.ca/eco/participatepei. The closing date will be March 15, 2012.

For more information, or to review the Task Force terms of reference, please visit www.gov.pe.ca/mapp.