News release
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS RURAL COMMUNITIES
Brandon, Manitoba - April 29, 2005 - The Government of Canada is investing $1.1 million over three years to test an innovative approach to community development.
Wayne Easter, Parliamentary Secretary with Special Emphasis on Rural Development announced the funding today at Brandon University in Manitoba.
"A proven way of dealing with local challenges is to listen and engage local citizens," explained Mr. Easter. "That is one of the strengths of this particular model: It involves community people working together to develop local solutions for rural areas."
The approach has been developed at Brandon University's Rural Development Institute that puts in place better communication between rural citizens, government and other organizations. The first Community Collaboration Project now involves 26 communities in Manitoba and Nunavut.
"The Community Collaboration Project is about getting communities to explore different ways to better address the changes they face and to work toward becoming more sustainable," said Dr. Robert Annis, Director, Rural Development Institute. "Citizens participate in regional round tables and work with a steering committee to identify regional social and economic challenges, find common solutions and implement programs and projects that address regional needs."
The results are direct; the Bayline Regional Roundtable, found ways for residents of northern Manitoba to provide themselves with healthy, reasonably priced food, a long-standing challenge in northern communities.
"What really interests me in this project," said Mr. Easter, "is that it takes a "community-up" approach to decision making. It's about communities themselves making decisions and taking action."
Through the funding announced today, the community-based approach will be tested in two other provinces/territories. The first confirmed site is central Saskatchewan (communities served by Mid-Sask Community Futures Development Corporation/Regional Economic Development Agency).
The information gained through the Models for Rural Development and Community Capacity Building Program (The Models Program) will contribute to the understanding of what approaches (models) to community development and capacity building work in rural, remote and northern communities. The information we collect will be useful for all levels of government in developing programs, services and policies for rural Canadians. The information will also directly benefit communities.
Funding for this research initiative comes from the five-year, $55-million renewal of the Canadian Rural Partnership, announced in June 2002. The Government of Canada believes that vibrant communities and a sustainable resource base are the foundations for a strong rural Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Rural Communications
Rural Secretariat
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Phone: (604) 666-1677
or: (604) 787-6637
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