A change in provincial cabinet also means a change to two government departments.
The Department of Natural Resources will now be known as the Department of Lands and Forestry.
Mining has been moved from that department to the newly named Department of Energy and Mines.
Premier Stephen McNeil says moving mining to the Energy Department makes sense for economic development and the environment.
“Some of the work that takes place in energy sector and geoscience, we do see in the mining sector, so that was why the move was made originally and it was really to put a focus on, yes how to protect the environment, but at the same time how do we maximize the value of our reserves.”
McNeil says it also changes the focus of the former Department of Natural Resources.
“It’s really a focus on forestry and lands how do we best utilize forestry and at the same time protect it for future generations.”
Minister Iain Rankin is trading spots with Minister Margaret Miller, who is now back with the Department of Environment.
Rankin takes over the Department of Lands and Forestry.
McNeil says he didn’t want Miller accused of conflict of interest, due to her background in forestry.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
