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 --.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.-- April 2001 Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf)
In April 2000, I had the privilege of hosting almost 500 Canadians from rural and remote communities at the National Rural Conference in Magog-Orford, Quebec. The conference was held to follow up on the Rural Dialogue launched in 1998 and the National Rural Workshop held near Belleville, Ontario that year. The result of the dialogue and the workshop was the Federal Framework for Action in Rural Canada, with its 11 priorities. Since then, the federal government has continued to build on this framework as we make progress on rural issues. At the National Rural Conference, participants used the framework as a starting point for discussions on community-led projects, and demonstrated, with exhibits and presentations, what they are doing in their communities. One common thread throughout the sessions was a strong youth component. Youth sent a clear message that they need to be empowered by having a voice in decisions that will affect their future. The participants at the conference set out what they see as the key priorities for government action in rural and remote communities - a plan of action. In my closing remarks, I made a commitment to turn their priorities into a rural action plan to guide me over the next months. The issues listed in this action plan identify the concerns that emerged at the conference. Examples of current government actions are also provided for each of the 11 priority areas. In addition, under the heading "Where do we go from here?" is a list of initiatives that are being put into action using existing government programs and programs under development. Throughout this process we will continue working cooperatively with all levels of government to provide a coordinated delivery of these initiatives as well as to ensure they are aware of citizens' concerns about issues under their jurisdiction. Over the summer I shared a draft version of this action plan with conference participants to get their feedback and to make sure we had captured the essential points raised at Magog. Their comments have helped us ensure that this final Rural Action Plan accurately reflects rural concerns and I would like to express my sincere thanks to them for taking the time to provide their valuable feedback. Some issues that were raised at the conference, or in response to the proposed action plan, require new policy directions and/or additional funding. I will raise these issues directly with my colleagues to determine how they could be addressed. Since the conference, the Government of Canada has announced several key items of interest to rural Canadians. These include:
Secretary of State (Rural Development) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario)
The Rural Action Plan outlines issues that emerged at the National Rural Conference of April 27-30, 2000 and lists examples of current government actions as well as the next steps the Government of Canada willtake in response. The issues are organized around the 11 priority areas of the Federal Framework for Action in Rural Canada that was developed from the Rural Dialogue and the National Rural Workshop of 1998.
Participants at the National Rural Conference discussed progress on the framework over the last two years. They then made recommendations for what they saw as their key priorities and what was required as next steps for the government to undertake.
The Proposed Rural Action Plan was sent to all conference participants. They were asked to comment and to respond to the following three questions:
Improve access to federal government programs and services for rural Canadians Issue: The provision of government services on-line. Examples of what we are doing now: The Government of Canada is working to ensure that rural and remote communities are connected to the information highway (see Priority # 6). Concurrently, it is ensuring that information about its programs and services is available in various formats, including electronic.
Where do we go from here?
 Roll out the $160 million Government On-line initiative to implement government transactions on line in a manner that ensures access to rural Canadians.
 Develop an Internet gateway to provide rural and remote Canadians with one-stop access to federal programs and services, including a new on-line directory of key programs and services geared to the interests of rural and remote citizens.
Improve access to financial resources for rural business and community development Issue: Provide funding for rural enterprises Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Improve Community Futures Development Corporations' services to provide universal coverage throughout Quebec and Ontario, as already exists in other provinces.
 Strengthen existing Community Futures Development Corporations and improve services by increasing operating funds.
 Implement a notice process to govern bank branch closures in rural areas where six months' notice will be required.
 Strengthen the credit union movement so that it can better compete with large institutions.
 Work towards providing over-the-counter financial services through Canada Post outlets where there are no financial institutions in the community.
 Promote and use existing institutions such as the Farm Credit Corporation, the regional development agencies and Community Futures Development Corporations to assist in the delivery of services.
Provide more targeted opportunities, programs and services for rural youth, including Aboriginal youth Issue: Increase rural youth participation in community development Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Encourage youth leadership skills development.
 Include youth in future regional and national Rural Dialogue activities.
 Involve youth in activities of Rural Teams.
 Develop and implement, in partnership with other stakeholders, a comprehensive strategy focussing on the prevention of youth crime and victimization across the country, including in rural and remote regions.
Strengthen community capacity building, leadership and skills development Issue: Empower community leaders and organizations to pursue economic and community development initiatives Examples of what we are doing now: The Government of Canada supports integrated bottom-up community development.
Where do we go from here?  Roll out the Canadian Agricultural Rural Communities Initiative (CARCI) to support, for example, conferences on rural issues organized by non-governmental organizations.
 Create electronic tools to allow communities to interact with each other regionally and nationally.
 Find new ways to support organizations committed to rural development and capacity building.
 Find new ways to support community leadership development.
 Conduct partnership projects with the cooperatives sector.
 North of 60, continue sustainable community initiatives under the Northern Sustainable Development Strategy.
Create opportunities for rural communities to maintain and develop infrastructure for community development Issue: Provide support for municipal and transportation infrastructure Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Ensure the infrastructure program is designed to meet the priorities of rural and remote Canadians.
 Federal/provincial/territorial negotiations on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program will likely lead to the signing of agreements that will take effect in 2001.
 Monitor, through an independent third party, the impact of the changes to the grain handling and transportation system on farmers, the Canadian Wheat Board, railways, grain companies, shippers and ports.
 Compile a list of possible service changes to VIA Rail's national network that would restore previously abandoned services or that would enhance the performance of the corporation.
 Work cooperatively to ensure that the Independent Transition Observer is informed of rural issues related to air transportation in small communities, including those in rural and remote regions.
Issue: Provide affordable housing in rural areas, particularly in the North. Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?
 Consider using some of the new federal infrastructure funds to develop affordable housing.
Connect rural Canadians to the knowledge-based economy and society and help them acquire the skills to use the technology Issue: Provide rural and remote communities with telecommunications infrastructure Examples of what we are doing now: The Government of Canada's Connecting Canadians initiative includes a number of measures to make Canada the most connected country in the world.
Where do we go from here?  Encourage partnerships between the public, private and cooperative sectors to increase the understanding of telecommunications and expand telecommunications infrastructure in rural and remote communities.
 Expand the network of Community Access Program sites to 5,000 in rural and remote Canada.
 Roll out the seven Smart Communities projects in rural or remote areas.
Issue: Help rural businesses develop e-commerce opportunities Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Work with businesses to promote rural applications of new technology including e-commerce applications.
Strengthen economic diversification in rural Canada through more targeted assistance Issue: Develop value-added industries and tourism in regions dependent upon primary production Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Work through government departments, agencies and organizations such as Community Futures Development Corporations to develop and promote programs that encourage diversification into value-added sectors.
 Work with the provinces and territories to ensure that the appropriate agricultural safety nets are in place.
 Implement the new Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative.
 Establish new Partnerships for Community Economic Development in rural Atlantic Canada.
 Develop sustainable and viable new fishing opportunities that reduce the level of dependence on existing fisheries and there by increase their value.
 Roll out the Program for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.
Work with provincial and territorial governments to examine and pilot test new ways to provide rural Canadians with access to health care at reasonable cost Issues: Improve access to health services by supporting the development of innovative models that respond to the health concerns of rural Canadians Promote health status improvement through health promotion and disease prevention in collaboration with the provinces and territories Support provincial and territorial efforts to encourage the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, fund pilot projects in rural areas to develop innovative health care delivery models.
 Support the development of Info-Technology applications in health care for rural and remote areas.
 Promote the inclusion of a rural perspective in national research efforts (eg. Canadian Institutes of Health Research).
Work with provincial and territorial governments to examine and pilot test new ways to provide rural Canadians with access to education at reasonable cost Issue: Provide access to adult literacy and distance learning Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?
Foster strategic partnerships, within communities, between communities and among governments to facilitate rural community development Issue: Strengthen the Rural Lens and broaden the Rural Dialogue Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?  Consider creating an advisory committee of rural citizens to advise the Secretary of State.
 Increase the involvement of rural organizations and individuals from different groups, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, visible minorities, youth, women and volunteers in Rural Team activities.
 Enhance the Rural Dialogue On-line Discussion Group by conducting electronic town halls, such as interactive sessions with the Secretary of State.
 Conduct regional dialogue activities with partners through 2001.
 Host another national rural conference in 2002.
 Include more grassroots material, particularly from youth, in the Rural Times quarterly newsletter.
Issue: Improve the delivery of the Canadian Rural Partnership Pilot Projects Initiative Examples of what we are doing now:
Where do we go from here?
 Target pilot projects to address clearly defined problems, and to meet specific objectives.
 Share pilot project results with rural citizens through various venues, including the Rural website, the Rural Times newsletter and rural newspapers.
Promote rural Canada as a place to live, work and raise a family recognizing the value of rural Canada to the identity and well-being of the nation Issue: Recognize and acknowledge rural Canada Examples of what we are doing now: The Government of Canada has several initiatives to inform all Canadians about rural and remote Canada.
Where do we go from here?  Use parliamentary structures to publicly promote the importance of rural Canada to all Canadians and highlight the concerns of rural Canadians, for example by tabling the Annual Rural Report.
 Continue the Rural Exhibits Program in order to connect rural and remote regions to the Government of Canada, to provide information about federal programs and services to communities outside major cities, and to foster ongoing dialogue with rural and remote Canadians.
 Continue the Secretary of State's dialogue with rural and remote communities in Canada and use the knowledge gained to enhance the application of the Rural Lens.
 Ensure that good news stories about rural Canada are circulated to a wider audience through radio clips and newspaper stories.
 Continue working with non-governmental organizations on initiatives to promote rural Canada.
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Have we identified the right issues?
Continue and expand the current partnership for affordable housing.
Promote the use of new technologies for distance learning.
Process Canadian Rural Partnership 
