Energy and resources minister Jim Reiter says the government is making changes to help Saskatchewan landowners collect overdue surface lease compensation from oil and gas companies.
Reiter says the government is amending the Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act.
He says the changes will give the minister the ability to suspend the licenses of delinquent operators if Surface Rights Board of Arbitration orders aren’t followed.
The province will be able to prescribe the maximum allowable compensation that can be awarded by the board for off-lease damages.
The government says the move will better align Saskatchewan with surface rights already established in Alberta and British Columbia.
The bill is expected to pass in Spring 2023.
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