Thinking Rural and Remote

Migrant Worker Cultural Program says: "welcome home"

More than 15,000 foreign migrant workers are employed in Canada each year. In Essex County - which has more acres under glass than any other location in North America - the expansion of greenhouses has led to a dramatic increase in the number of migrant workers. About 90 per cent of the 4,000 migrant workers who support that community's agriculture sector are from Mexico, with the remainder from the Caribbean. Due to the seasonal nature of the industry, the workers live in the community for up to eight consecutive months. This separation from their families, friends and homeland can lead to loneliness and depression.

A recent University of Guelph study by sociology Professor, Kerry Preisbisch found that geographical isolation, combined with long work hours, leaves little time for migrant worker to form relationships beyond those with employers and co-workers.

In an effort to alleviate some of that hardship, The South Essex Arts Association partnered with the South Essex Community Council in establishing the Migrant Worker Cultural Program in Leamington. Their goals include building a healthier relationship between the migrant workers and the community; nourishing the workers' mental health; and providing them with an awareness of services. The program is organized and operated by volunteers, with financial and in-kind support from the Government of Canada, the United Way and St. Michael's Church. Sports, social, cultural and arts programs including soccer, board games and music classes, as well as information sessions, English lessons and bicycle repair classes, are coordinated for the workers. They can showcase their talents through art, poetry and short story exhibitions or contribute to "El MensaJero" (The Messenger), a Spanish newsletter.

The Migrant Worker Community Program currently has over 800 registered members. Photo I.D. memberships are sold at $5 per year, permitting statistical information and benefits for cardholders. However, all migrant workers are welcome and the effects of the program have reached far beyond the cardholders. One of the benefits of the membership is free bus transportation on Sundays to church and the other activities. St. Michael's offers a Mass in Spanish to the workers, most of whom are Roman Catholic.

In providing programming, organizers work closely with Mexican Consul General and Consulate staff to ensure the workers' needs are met. Sometimes, the requests from the workers are unexpected. Cooking classes are one example. During their eight-month work contract, the workers - mostly men - reside on the employer's farm property and are responsible for their own meal preparation, but they found their own range of recipes limited. The lessons have been well received. A cookbook in Spanish is soon to be printed, and there may be some pleasantly surprised wives back home. Another request was for a visit to Niagara Falls. A frequent question many of them hear upon returning to their home country is whether they have seen the popular attraction. The request was filled by several successful day trips to the falls. Also popular were visits to Pelee Island.

Last September a "Celebration of Two Cultures" was held on the grounds of St. Michael's Church to coincide with Mexico's independence day. Over 1,000 people - both long-time residents and migrant workers - attended. Program chair, JoAnne Fillimore said, "We are so thrilled that local people are interested."

Celebration of Two Cultures, on the grounds of St. Michael's Church
in Leamington drew over 1,000 people.

She explained that further evidence of this support was the overwhelming response to Spanish-language classes offered at the centre. Local merchants', citizens' and employers' demands have outpaced the availability. There is now a waiting list. "That is a real indication of the support of the local people," she added.

Not only do the workers spend long periods in their host community each year, the majority of them return each year, for many years. Canada is truly their second home. The MWCP volunteers and supporters want to ensure that for the workers, it feels that way.

Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Network creates opportunities for rural youth

Réseau de jeunes entrepreneurs en agroalimentaire (RJEA) Network
members enjoy their tour of a cheese factory.

The Clarence Creek area, where Bussières lives has over 2,000 farms, the vast majority of which are dairy farms. But, he noticed that there was a lack of milk processing facilities and young farmers in the region. "There is a lot of room to develop value-added products in the area and in Ontario, for example, cheeses, organic products and rural niche products, but young farmers must be informed of this, which is what the project aims to do," he explained.

Bussières presented his proposal for at the Rural Secretariat's 2003 National Rural Youth Conference "Young Canadians, Leaders of Today and Tomorrow." He secured initial funding from Agricultural Adaptation Council in Ontario and Human Resources Development Canada, and hired a coordinator to help with the set-up of RJEA.

Network members receive a monthly newsletter and can access valuable information via the network's web site: http://www.lavoieagricole.ca/rjea . The site's bulletin board posts various opportunities for rural youth. The network also collaborates with farmers' market organizations and submits articles to a weekly agricultural publication.

Next on their agenda is a two-day training seminar on weed control. In addition, network staff are busy organizing a Rural Youth Symposium for the spring of 2004 and developing opportunities with local farmers markets. Bussières has secured funding to continue RJEA from the Quebec Department of Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs.

Project Outreach brings telepsychiatry to rural and remote communities

Mental health problems such as mood disorders and related issues like substance abuse and suicide know no geographical boundaries. In rural areas, mental health conditions can go untreated, and may, in fact, be exacerbated by isolation. Telepsychiatry is a natural outgrowth of technology that extends broadband or dial-up videoconferencing to areas that lie outside urban centres. Project Outreach now brings telepsychiatry services to 40 rural and remote communities - including 20 First Nations communities.

The project started by creating a video link between residents of under-serviced areas of southwestern Ontario and mental health specialists. It now also provides printed materials on mental health and related problems, such as depression and domestic violence.

In addition to partnerships with medical facilities that include those at the Departments of Psychiatry at the University of Western Ontario, McMaster University, University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto, and staff psychiatrists in Hamilton, London, Toronto and Ottawa, Project Outreach uses the resources of the economic development corporation of the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation. It also receives funding from Health Canada.

Reflecting the long-standing shortage of mental health providers working in Aboriginal and other rural and remote communities, Project Outreach is designed to assist those communities take responsibility for mental health services. One major benefit of this approach is the development of local support for residents who would traditionally have to be hospitalized in the city, away from the supportive care of their families.

The project also aims to provide services that reflect the cultural beliefs and practices of the First Nations communities within the network. To support the clinical, technical and administrative development of the project a secure Psychiatric Outreach Information System will form a database of patient records that will be integrated with a more comprehensive electronic health record.

While Project Outreach will concentrate initially on providing telepsychiatry, plans are in place to expand it to meet other medical needs, including diabetic care and education. For more information, e-mail: info@hc-sc.gc or call 1-866-999-7612.

Rural Ontario volunteers: A statistical snapshot

"The Rural Charitable Sector Research Initiative - A Portrait of the Rural Voluntary And Non-profit Sector" was designed to aid in the understanding of trends and patterns affecting the rural Ontario volunteer sector. The Foundation for Rural Living formed a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy to develop this recently released report.

• In 2000, almost 22 million Canadians - 91 per cent of the population aged 15 and over - made donations, either financial or in-kind, to charitable and non-profit organizations
• 78 per cent of Canadians made financial donations to an organization, while 41 per cent provided direct financial help to individuals living outside their household
• In 2000, a greater proportion of rural than urban Ontarians donated to a charitable or non-profit organization (85 per cent vs. 76 per cent). However, rural donors gave a lower amount on average than urban donors ($280 vs. $322)*

* Figures are from the Canadian Center for Philanthropy; Barr, McKeown, Davidman, McIver, and Lasby, 2003

For more details, or to obtain a copy of the report, please refer to:

Canadian Centre for Philanthropy:
http://www.ccp.ca
Foundation for Rural Living:
http.//www.frl.on.ca
Or call 519-439-1002

Kuh-ke-nah (K-Net) links communities to the futures to the future

Kuh-ke-nah is an Oji-Cree word meaning "everybody," and that's exactly who the Kuh-ke-nah Network (K-Net) is aiming to assist. Starting out as part of the Community Access Program (CAP), which provides affordable access to the Internet in places like schools, community centres and libraries, the K-Net has evolved into a multi-application service provider. While community access, through its eCentres, is still an integral component of K-Net's services, it also offers a wealth of information technology services.

K-Net continues to develop linkages with other communities in Ontario and beyond, to share knowledge, innovation and best practices. According to services coordinator, Brian Beaton, because Internet services are becoming more available to households - with the help of Industry Canada's Broadband Initiative - K-Net is focusing more on providing the latest IT applications. Established by five First Nations in northwestern Ontario, K-Net uses information and communications technologies for a host of innovative applications. A broadband network is now in place, opening the door to such services as telehealth and distance education.

K-Net services don't end there. A wealth of resources such as Web site tools, e-mail and server hosting are provided. A help desk and training services for various-sized groups are also available along with on-line tutorials and downloads. Between 1997 and 2000, K-Net managed four regional networking training programs, filling over 50 training spaces in 17 communities. In addition, K-Net has provided technology support and training for the First Nations Band Manager Training Institute, the Aboriginal Teacher Assistant Program, and the Native Teacher Evaluation Program. K-Net has also developed on-line training tutorials and provided specialized skills development programs on an as needed basis.

The Web site continues to receive increased hits each month. With support from Industry Canada, K-Net has gained access to satellite space that will open the door to expand broadband services to other First Nations communities in the region. For more information, visit: http://www.knet.ca

Ontario Rural Council: A catalyst for rural dialogue, collaboration and action

Coming soon to a town or city near you is the Ontario Rural Council's "Rural Urban Summit." The Summit was kicked off at the sixth annual Rural Development Conference, held last October in Huntsville. Recognizing the risk that urban and rural communities are increasingly moving toward 'two solitudes' of one versus the other, the summit aims at building upon common goals for the benefit of the entire province. Rural and urban areas share a number of concerns. Encouraged by the participation at its first summit, the Ontario Rural Council (TORC) hopes to nurture that passion at a series of summits in various parts of Ontario in the upcoming year. Already scheduled, are meetings in Chatham-Kent and Greater Toronto Area. Also scheduled for spring 2004 in Peterborough is TORC's spring forum, which will focus on "Energy Alternates and Alternatives: Responding to the energy climate in rural Ontario."

Since April 1998 TORC has worked to create opportunities that bring together other organizations and individuals who share a commitment to building strong rural communities. Today, the organization's activities continue to focus on strengthening rural Ontario. The Council - comprised of 41 private and public sector organizations - has several standing committees and working groups, which are action-oriented in their planning and activities.

"The Government of Canada supports rural community development and capacity building, as evidenced by the ongoing work of TORC," said the Honourable Andy Mitchell, former Secretary of State for Rural Development and current Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. "We believe that vibrant communities and a sustainable resource base are the foundations for a strong rural Canada," he added while announcing Government of Canada funding of $180,000 for TORC over the next three years at the annual Rural Development Conference. The funding comes from the Community Capacity Building pillar of the $180 million four-point rural development plan announced by Mr. Mitchell in June 2002.

Ontario's rural beauty, photo courtesy of Environment Canada

New sports facility in Norwood to attract major tournaments

The Township of Asphodel-Norwood is about to complete construction of a new sports complex that will provide an increased number of recreational opportunities for the community. It will include an ice rink, six dressing rooms, an indoor walking track, a general-purpose room, and a concession stand.

The township, located near Peterborough, will also add two softball diamonds, with lighting at one diamond for night games, and parking for 308 vehicles. The new centre, which offers barrier-free access, will be a focal point for recreational and community events in the region and attract major sports competitions. An official opening is planned for this spring. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each contributed up to $920,000 to this project. The Township of Asphodel-Norwood invested the balance of the project's cost of $4,600,000.

"The completion of our new Recreation Centre is vitally important to the future growth and economic development of our Municipality," said Doug Pearcy, Reeve of Asphodel-Norwood. "The partnership formed by the federal, provincial and local governments along with local fundraisers has enabled our community to prepare for the future with the addition of this important community asset."

This sports and recreational centre represents only one of the 450 projects already announced under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP), a federal-provincial-municipal partnership aimed at improving the quality of life of residents in urban and rural communities through investments in essential infrastructure across Ontario.

The Government of Canada committed $680.7 million to the program over six years. Added to contributions from the Government of Ontario, municipalities and the private sector, it is expected to stimulate over $2 billion in capital investments. A minimum of 15 per cent of the total program funding has been earmarked for rural projects.

For more information on the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/coip-pico or call 1-877-806-7776.

These gifts help preserve Ontario's ecology

Environment Canada's Ecological Gifts Program, also known as Ecogifts, encourages landowners to help preserve Canada's precious wild spaces. Through the program, income tax incentives are offered to landowners who donate ecologically sensitive lands or easements on their land for conservation purposes to qualified charities or the Crown. Since its establishment in 1995, more than 24,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive land have been conserved through the program. As a result, 384 Ecogift properties in Ontario provide habitat for one or more species at risk; 67 certified properties contain wetland habitat; and 10 properties preserve 1,120 hectares of Great Lakes shoreline and/or coastal wetland habitat.

Donors who give land, a conservation easement or covenant through the Ecological Gifts Program can receive a tax receipt for the value of the donation that can be used against up to 100 per cent of annual income to calculate non-refundable income tax credits. The unused portion of the receipt can be carried forward up to five subsequent years. Also, only 25 per cent of the capital gain value of the Ecogift is subject to tax, half of the regular capital gains inclusion rate. For more information, visit: http:://www.on.ec.gc.ca/ecogifts, or call
(416) 739-4286.

Ontario's natural wonders, photo courtesy of Environment Canada

Building rural communities for success in the 21st century

The Government of Canada's commitment to communities - large and small - is clear from the 2004 Speech from the Throne. Rural communities play an important role in the national social and economic fabric, and Canada cannot thrive as a country without strong rural communities. That's why the government finds it so important that it help to provide communities and families with tools to find local solutions to address local problems. Canadians, including participants at the 2002 National Rural Conference in Charlottetown, PEI, have made it clear that they expect their governments to work together for the common good. The Speech from the Throne articulates the Government of Canada's determination to work with provincial and territorial governments, which is consistent with ongoing rural development efforts.

Some of the initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech, which are of particular interest to rural, remote and northern communities are:

• Developing a Northern strategy, ensuring that economic development related to energy and mining is brought on stream in partnership with Northern Canadians and based on stewardship of our most fragile ecosystems.
• Safeguarding access to international markets and ensuring that farmers are not left to bear alone the consequences of circumstances beyond their control.
• Working closely with other levels of government to assist communities of all sizes by putting more money into the hands of municipalities. o Leading in the establishment of a strong and responsive health care system and providing new opportunities to address the health challenges unique to rural areas and improving access to health care.
• Widening the scope of programs currently available to small and medium-sized enterprises to include social enterprises, to enhance the social and environmental conditions in communities.

The Government of Canada's direction, as described in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, will ensure that every region of the country has the opportunity to move forward, socially and economically.

Taste the County™: Partnering for success

While Taste the County™ is the 2003 Outstanding Partnership with Business category winner, the real winner, benefiting from this innovative initiative, is the Prince Edward County community. The Foundation for Rural Living recognized Taste the County™ at its fifth annual Awards of Rural Excellence for developing agricultural and tourism sector partnerships, which has helped to increase economic stability in Prince Edward County.

Taste the County™ is a marketing and quality enhancement organization, which "links together all the wonderful 'tastes' of the County, and offers them as both a lure to visitors...and a reason to stay." The goals were to strengthen the economy of Prince Edward County by building meaningful employment for local young people and better employment opportunities for the entire community; to develop technology and resources to preserve the County heritage and environment; and to develop new products and services, to be marketed globally.

The organization's success proves what can be achieved through a team effort of interested business people - in this case, from the agricultural, tourism, arts and culture sectors. They saw a need to develop co-operative marketing, product improvement and future planning in their community. With the help of the founding partners - the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and the Prince Edward County Federation of Agriculture - they secured funding assistance from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and the Community Futures Development Corporation.

The theme of the marketing campaign is based on all the "tastes" that Prince Edward County has to offer, such as agricultural richness, history and heritage, hospitality, antiques and treasures etc. For more information, visit: http://www.pec.on.ca/tastethecountry

FOR INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES:
Phone: 1-800-0-CANADA (1-800-622-6232)
TTY/TDD: 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.canada.gc.ca
Service Canada Access Centres / Centres d'accès Service Canada

THE THINK RURAL AND REMOTE IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN FRENCH.
LE BULLETIN ACCENT RURAL DISPONIBLE EN FRANÇAIS

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