Saskatchewan is receiving title to over 34,000 hectares of federally-owned minerals in the Province. Transfer of title also comes with payment to the province of $32.9 million in consideration of revenues earned from these minerals in recent years. On Tuesday, Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd announced a settlement and release agreement with Natural Resources Canada. The agreement resolves an existing lawsuit by the Provincial government related to the ownership of Soldier Settlement Board minerals. This issue dates back to the transfer of natural resources to Saskatchewan under the terms of the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer Agreement .

As part of Tuesday’s agreement, Saskatchewan will relinquish any claim to ownership of an additional 24,000 hectares of Soldier Settlement Board minerals within the boundaries of surrendered Indian reserves. This decision will assist the Government of Canada to honor its commitments to Saskatchewan First Nations. The Provincial Government will also honor federal crown mineral dispositions held by private companies and issued before the transfer of title. Under the terms of the agreement, the provincial government agreed to a full and complete release from its lawsuit related to the ownership of Soldier Settlement Board minerals.