OTTAWA - The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, today announced the appointment of Sara Jane Snook as a member of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NSOPB). "Ms. Snook has a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in the oil and gas industry, that will certainly benefit the C-NSOPB," said Minister Efford. "As an authority on building bridges between industry and government, she represents exactly what the Board is hoping to achieve." From 1997-2003, Ms. Snook served as the Director of Corporate Banking at the Bank of Nova Scotia, managing a portfolio of corporate clients throughout Atlantic Canada. Prior to this, she held several key positions in the region's oil and gas industry, including Chief Advisor for the Offshore Energy Office of the Province of Nova Scotia where she successfully maneuvered the Sable Offshore Energy Projects through the regulaotry process. She was also the Manager of Petroleum Resources at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources where she provided policy advice on petroleum resource issues and coordinated a provincial strategy for industrial benefits from offshore gas development. Ms. Snook has served on several provincial government and industry committees, including the Canadian Offshore Resources Exposition, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Standards Association Council on Oil and Gas. Ms. Snook has strong roots in Atlantic Canada, having begun her career as a petroleum engineer and remaining involved in the oil and gas industry throughout her career. She is also very active at the community level. The C-NSOPB is an independent body responsible for the regulation of petroleum affairs and safe practices offshore Nova Scotia on behalf of the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia. The Board's principal responsibilities include ensuring the safe conduct of offshore operations, protecting the environment, managing offshore oil and gas resources, and issuing licences for offshore exploration and development. The C-NSOPB reports to the Government of Canada through the Minister of Natural Resources, and the Government of Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Minister of Energy. The Board's five members are appointed for fixed terms of office. Two members are appointed by the Government of Canada, two by the Government of Nova Scotia, and the Chairman is appointed by both governments. Further information on the C-NSOPB is available at www.cnsopb.ns.ca/index.html. For more information, media may contact: Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 996-2007 Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 992-4447
