|
|
|
The activities of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team cover five regional county municipalities: Abitibi-Ouest, Abitibi, Rouyn-Noranda, Vallée-de-l'Or and Témiscamingue.
The team members are:
| Federal departments |
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
| Canada Revenue Agency |
| Canada Economic Development |
| Environment Canada |
| Human Resources and Skills Development Canada |
| Indian and Northern Affairs Canada |
| Industry Canada |
| Justice Canada |
| Natural Resources Canada |
| Public Safety and Emerency Preparedness Canada |
| Public Works and Government Services Canada |
| Rural Secretariat |
| Status of Women Canada |
| Community representatives* |
| The six Community Futures Development Corporations in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and the Matagami Community Futures Development Corporation |
The Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team is co-chaired by Cécile Landry, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Regional Director, and Léo Couture, Canada Economic Development Regional Director.
Co-ordinator:
Gratien Gélinas, Economic Development Advisor, Canada Economic Development
E-mail: gratien.gelinas@dec-ced.gc.ca
Achievements:
Connectivity project in the region
The project is aimed at providing the region with a functional, efficient and rapid infrastructure in terms of communication speed, based on broadband access, in order to:
- allow small and medium enterprises in the region to subcontract work remotely using high-performance tools at reasonable, competitive rates; and
- create projects that will give people incentive to remain in the area and maintain the quality of life in rural areas.
In this project, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team offered a forum for the partners and prompted the participation of federal connectivity experts to assist in the development of the project and its business plan. The project is currently in the implementation phase.
Table Innovation - Synergie de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue
This working group allows all stakeholders involved directly or indirectly with innovation to:
- co-ordinate their efforts (events or ad hoc support);
- share strategic information;
- become more familiar with the programs, services and support offered by each in order to direct entrepreneurs to the proper assistance;
- enter into partnership agreements;
- identify grey areas where no support is available; and
- create tools to become more efficient.
Through this project, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team aims to stimulate and promote the emergence of an innovative culture among businesses in the region.
Liaison between different government departments
Since its creation, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team has acted as a liaison between different government departments to support various regional projects. This work has led to major investments:
- Industry Canada has invested considerable funds to develop promotional tools in certain municipalities;
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has participated in many events related to agriculture and the rural community; and
- the Canadian Rural Partnership has invested more than $20,000, through the Pilot Projects Initiative, to implement a rural transportation project in the Regional County Municipality of Harricana.
Special events
- In October 2003, Rural Team Abitibi-Témiscamingue welcomed the Secretary of State who hosted a discussion between community leaders and federal representatives in a roundtable discussion on such issues as community capacity building, youth, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
- In March 2003, a Rural Dialogue on Internet access to Government of Canada programs and services was held in La Sarre.
- On June 19, 2001, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team organized an information session on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to discuss the knowledge acquired and scientific uncertainties of this issue. The Rural Team invited Dr. Gilles Rousselle, GMO communications officer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; France Perron from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; and Dr. François Belzile from Laval University. They met with a group of 26 people including agrologists, members of the Table de concertation agroalimentaire, development officers, etc.
- On June 11, 2001, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team invited Harry McDougall from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to speak to various community stakeholders about Aboriginal culture and the hierarchical structure in Aboriginal communities.
- On May 9 and 10, 2001, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team, in co-operation with Service Canada, organized information sessions on tax credits for scientific research and experimental development. About 30 people attended the presentation given by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency representatives.
Abitibi-Témiscamingue Rural Team
The Lower St. Lawrence Rural Team
The Eastern Townships Rural Team
The Montérégie Rural Team
top of the page
|
Date Modified: 2004 03 31
|
|
[
|
|
|
| ]
[
|
|
|
| ]
|
|
