Government of Canada
2005/66
August 31, 2005

Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board: Dalton Appointed Chair

OTTAWA — The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and the Honourable Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia Energy Minister, today announced the appointment of Diana Lee Dalton as Chair of the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (C–NSOPB).

"Ms. Dalton has had a distinguished career in law and consulting on natural resources, both in Canada and abroad, and will be a welcome addition to the C–NSOPB," said Minister Efford. "I believe her leadership and experience will be an asset to the Board in its deliberations and decisions."

"I'm very pleased that we were able to find someone of Ms. Dalton's ability to be Chair," said Mr. Clarke. "Nova Scotia's offshore is at a critical stage of its development and we're counting on the Board to be a responsible steward of that development."

Ms. Dalton, an independent consultant, has worked with governments, the private sector and international development agencies on legal and administrative matters in the natural resources sector. Among the highlights of her career, she was Interregional Advisor in Natural Resources at the United Nations in New York and Acting Assistant Secretary and Senior Policy Analyst with the Department of Minerals and Energy for the Government of Papua New Guinea. She has also held senior positions in the Nova Scotia government and was legal counsel for LASMO Nova Scotia Ltd., an oil and gas company.

Ms. Dalton holds a Law degree from Dalhousie Law School, as well as a Master's degree in Political Science from McMaster University, and an Honours Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Acadia University.

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 Chair is appointed by both governments. Further information on the C–NSOPB is available at www.cnsopb.ns.ca.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Diana Lee Dalton has been appointed as the Chair of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. An independent consultant in the natural resources sector, Ms. Dalton will now oversee the operations of the board, which is responsible for the regulation of petroleum affairs offshore Nova Scotia on behalf of the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.

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