News release
Office of the Secretary of State
(Rural Development)(Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario)
SECRETARY OF STATE HOSTS DISCUSSION ON RURAL PRIORITIES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
PORT ALBERNI, B.C., Sept. 12, 2003 - A wide array of priorities for the future of rural, remote and northern Canadian communities were discussed at the latest in a series of roundtable discussions between community leaders and federal representatives, held in Port Alberni, B.C, September 4.
The Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) hosted the event at the Echo Centre in Port Alberni. Representatives from the business and aboriginal communities, youth organizations, government and rural and urban economic development organizations joined together to discuss how communities can adjust and develop solutions to the changes affecting rural Canada.
The discussion focused on such issues as community capacity building, youth, infrastructure and entrepreneurship. It also identified the tools and strategic priorities the Government of Canada can support to help communities adapt to change.
"Meetings such as this roundtable are a way to hear directly from rural and remote Canadians about what issues are important to them, said Mr. Mitchell.
Participants found the roundtable a useful vehicle to express their ideas on life in rural Canada, as well as the future of their communities.
Chad Anderson, a member of the National Rural Youth Network, said, "Thank you for the opportunity to take part in the ongoing Rural Dialogue. Since the Rural Secretariat is currently working on a rural policy for Canada, the opportunity to input into those discussions is certainly not one to be missed."
Andrew Day, executive director of the Regional Aquatic Management Society, added, "(Port Alberni) is a community between where it was and where it can be. This type of process can assist us in planning our strategies to reach our goals."
The Port Alberni roundtable was one of a series to be held across Canada over the next several months. The roundtables are a Rural Dialogue initiative, which engages Canadians from rural, remote and northern regions in a discussion with the Government of Canada on opportunities, challenges and priorities. The Dialogue has engaged more than 16,000 Canadians who have taken the opportunity to help the government understand and react to local and regional issues since 1998. This input has helped shape the Government of Canada's rural agenda.
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For more information, please contact:
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For media enquiries Christine Aquino Press Secretary Office of the Secretary of State (613) 759-1085 |
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For program enquiries Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa (613) 759-7972 |
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