Media Release
For immediate release – November 4, 2014

New Environmental Code a Win for the Province

The adoption of the new Environmental Code for Saskatchewan was a success for the province, and one that the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is very proud to have been part of.

“The Saskatchewan Chamber first recommended an improved, results-based environmental management model and code for Saskatchewan in 2004,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan, “We realized then that the old model could not keep up with changing standards, or enable businesses to produce the best results.”

The new results-based regulatory approach will bring greater transparency, enhanced environmental protection measures, and improved compliance, while providing an innovative and responsive tool that can be updated and enhanced as environmental and economic priorities change.

“In the years since this approach was first put forward by the Chamber we have seen experts, industry leaders and government officials dedicate countless hours toward building a code that Saskatchewan can be proud of,” continued McLellan. “From the whole of the business community, we offer a sincere thank you to all those who devoted their time to this.”

“As with any activity that requires consensus, there were significant delays as well-versed professionals worked to find middle ground. In March this year our organization and several others urged the government to proceed with implementing the parts of the Code that could move forward,” stated McLellan.

“While the Code is incomplete, is it designed so that pieces can be added to it as consensus is reached or as new issues emerge. What will be available for environmental protection in the new year is far better then what was available last year, and we will continue to work to make each year after even stronger.”
 

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