Canadian Rural Partnership

T he Canadian Rural Partnership initiative is designed to support rural community development by adopting new approaches and practices to respond to rural development issues and concerns. Pilot Projects are meant to encourage community-based solutions to help improve the quality of life for Canadians living in rural and remote areas.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:

• rural residents;
• local, municipal, provincial or national rural stakeholder organisations and/or associations;
• community development associations; or
• rural non-profit* organisations.

Summary

The purpose of the Canadian Rural Partnership (CRP) Pilot Projects Initiative is to support rural Canadians as they pursue creative, community-based initiatives that promote sustainable community development. By working in partnership with federal and provincial departments and agencies and community groups operating in rural areas, the CRP helps rural Canadians develop the tools they need to remain in their communities and prosper.

The federal government launched an ongoing Rural Dialogue which, in 1998, elicited the views of some 7 000 rural and remote residents through regional workshops held across Canada, Workbook submissions and a National Rural Workshop. Rural Canadians identified their key priorities: access to financial resources, opportunity for youth, leadership and training, infrastructure, telecommunications and the Internet, access to health care and education, access to information about government programs and services, economic diversification and partnerships. In response, the Government of Canada is developing a cross-government Strategic Action Plan and a federal rural policy, which are being guided by principles developed by rural Canadians during the Dialogue, such as the need to invest in long-term solutions rather than quick fixes, the need to work together in partnerships, and the need to fit programs and services to the unique situation of rural communities.

Rural citizens clearly indicated that they would like to continue the Rural Dialogue. The Canadian Rural Information Service, the Canadian Rural Partnership Web site and the Internet Rural Dialogue On-Line Discussion Group and other initiatives are keeping the lines of communication open.

Initiatives

• The Rural Dialogue - seeking input from rural Canadians - If you would like to participate in the Rural Dialogue, please call 1-888-781-2222 or visit the Web site.
• Rural Secretariat - coordinating the government of Canada's rural strategy (613) 759-7112;
• Canadian Rural Information Service (CRIS) - information for and about rural Canadians 1-888-757-8725.

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Manitoba Contact(s):
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Mr. Darell Pack
Senior Policy Advisor
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Suite 500
303 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 3G7
Telephone: (204) 984-6510
Fax: (204) 983-8357
E-mail: PackD@agr.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.phtml