WHEREAS where some Crown lands are designated as wildlife habitat pursuant to The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act; and

WHEREAS some of these Crown lands border water bodies, including lakes, rivers and streams; and

WHEREAS RMs have a stake in the preservation of these lands; and

WHEREAS RMs do not have a say in the sale and impended use of these lands;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to prohibit the sale of Crown lands designated as wildlife habitat under The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act when they border water bodies, including lakes, rivers and streams.

Response from Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture:

Land designated under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act (WHPA) is not available for sale at this time. The only circumstances under which the province is obligated to consider the potential sale of WHPA land is to First Nations under the Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) and Specific Land Claim (SLC) Agreements with Canada and the First Nations in Saskatchewan. Rural municipalities are consulted in the 90 day review process of all TLE and SLC land selections through the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.