“These groups have an important role, providing an opportunity for people to offer their ideas and suggestions on issues that mean so much to the Island way of life,” says Minister Sheridan. “Land use policies will guide planning and development decisions province-wide, shaping what Prince Edward Island will look like into the future. I want to thank everyone who put their name forward to be a part of this process.”

Today Minister Sheridan announced the members of the Land Use Policy Task Force. They are Janice Harper (Charlottetown), Carol Horne (Charlottetown), Paul Gallant (Souris West) and Marvyn Webster (Kelvin Grove). John Handrahan (Tignish) will serve as chair.

The Report of the Commission on Land and Local Governance recommended that provincial land use policies and a conservation strategy be developed based on sustainable development principles. These policy initiatives are closely related, so the Environmental Advisory Council and the Land Use Policy Task Force will collaborate on a number of consultation activities. They will seek feedback from Islanders on how we choose to use, protect and manage our natural resources. The two groups will then recommend sustainable land use policies to government in the fall.

To assist in the discussion, the Environmental Advisory Council has prepared a discussion document - Planning for a Sustainable Future: A Time for Questions.

“As Islanders we all have an interest in the preservation of our province’s resources. I want to thank the members of the Environmental Advisory Council and the Land Use Policy Task Force for their willingness to take on this work and I encourage all Islanders with an interest in conservation to take part in this discussion,” said Minister Sherry.

For more information on the consultations and the discussion document, please go to www.gov.pe.ca/landandlocalgovernance.