To help the public become aware of the directions being considered for new forest regulations, discussion papers on various regulation topics were prepared, as well as a summary paper. In addition to printed copies, these publications were also available in their entirety on SERM's website. Each discussion paper included a questionnaire to allow people to respond to proposals, identify issues of concern and indicate interest in participating in meetings. The Provincial Forest Policy Advisory Committee was established in spring 1997 to advise the Minister of SERM on strategic development of Forest Ecosystems Branch policies and programs beginning with the regulations. The input of the committee was used at all stages of regulation development.
Many Aboriginal people have strong economic and cultural ties to the forest.
They want forest legislation to respect their constitutional rights and to support their efforts to gain more benefits from the forest resources that surround their communities. First Nations and other Aboriginal people are particularly concerned about issues around self -government, land claims, Aboriginal and Treaty rights within traditional territories and the sharing of resource benefits. Forest legislation must respect Aboriginal rights as defined and interpreted pursuant to the constitution and also provincial agreements such as the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. The province is currently working with many aboriginal and community organizations to develop forest based businesses and will soon be discussing with northern leaders options for some form of increased benefit sharing. To improve on going communications with aboriginal organizations during the development of forest regulations and other related forest policy, Environment and Resource Management has employed an aboriginal liaison officer who has many years of experience working with aboriginal people.