Canadian Rural Partnership
Rural Dialogue
YOUTH VOICES WORKSHOP
Rural Dialogue Summary Report
Watrous, Saskatchewan
March 16, 2005
Publication # 10037E
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2005
Cat. No. # A114-20/2005E-HTML
ISBN # 0-662-40712-1
For further information on the Rural Dialogue,
please call 1-888-781-2222 (toll-free number).
This report is a summary of discussions that took place at the Youth Voices Workshop,
held in Watrous, Saskatchewan on March 16, 2005. No limits were placed on the
participants during discussions that took place in brainstorming sessions. In order to
present a true report of the free-ranging discussions, recommendations made by
participants that fall outside federal jurisdiction are also included. Views expressed do
not necessarily represent those of the Government of Canada.
This event was part of the Rural Dialogue, an ongoing, two-way discussion between the
Government of Canada and Canadians from rural, remote and northern regions.
Launched in 1998, the Rural Dialogue is a key citizen-engagement component of the
Canadian Rural Partnership (CRP). The CRP is designed to support a horizontal
approach to rural development within the Government of Canada that responds to rural,
remote and northern priorities. The Dialogue process helps the Government of Canada
to understand local and regional priorities, and provides rural, remote and northern
citizens with an opportunity to influence government policies, programs and services that
affect them.
Participants (12 in attendance, 6 of which were young people between 18 and 29 years
old) included, but were not limited to: representatives of regional rural and youth
organizations; academics; community, economic, and social development officers; and
members of the federal and provincial governments.
The Watrous workshop was the second in a series of three Youth Voices Workshops
being organized to obtain a cross section of views from youth in the north, central and
southern regions of the province. The first workshop took place in Swift
Current on March 1, 2005 and the final one will be held in La Ronge later this year.
Rural Team Saskatchewan conducted the Workshop after having reviewed the results
of various consultations that had taken place with youth groups across the province over
the past few years. The expectation from this workshop was the development of a
concrete action plan that was designed by youth for youth for the betterment of their
community.
Rural Team Saskatchewan also organized two informational meetings in Swift Current
prior to the Youth Voices Workshop in order to design the Workshop's structure and
establish the agenda. Community leaders, representatives from the Health Board and
the local Regional College as well as youth from the Swift Current area attended both
these meetings.
A number of the important issues that were raised during this event are linked to the
following Government of Canada priorities identified in the February 2004 Speech From
the Throne:
- provide long-term funding for infrastructure to support quality of life and sustainable
growth of communities; and
- support regional and rural socio-economic development.
The results presented will help inform the Government of Canada on future actions, and
will contribute to the proposed National Rural Framework (NRF) that will guide the
actions of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The over-arching goal of
this federal-provincial-territorial collaborative effort is to ensure the long-term viability and
sustainability of rural communities by creating an environment which will ensure that
communities and citizens have access to social and economic opportunities.
The NRF is based on five policy areas that affect community sustainability. The issues
and priorities discussed at this event are presented under the relevant policy area
(Section 4 of this report).
3. THE NATIONAL RURAL FRAMEWORK'S (NRF) FIVE POLICY AREAS
Sustainable Livelihoods
A range of activities, economic and social, that enable citizens to support themselves
and their communities in the long-term and through changing circumstances.
Shared Environmental Stewardship
Recognition by governments and communities that all must share in the management,
as well as share the benefits of our natural resources and healthy environment.
Smart Approaches to Infrastructure
Innovative, appropriate and effective means of planning, building, operating and
maintaining physical, social and knowledge-based infrastructure that takes into
consideration the rural context.
Engaged Population and Institutions
The active participation and collaboration of all citizens and their institutions in decisions
that affect their community.
Demographic Adaptation
The ability of a community to accommodate, on an ongoing basis, the impacts or effects
of changes in population, economics and services.
4. ISSUES RELATING TO THE NRF'S POLICY AREAS
The issues and priorities discussed at this event focussed on the following policy areas:
Sustainable Livelihoods; Smart Approaches to Infrastructure; Engaged Population and
Institutions; and Demographic Adaptation. Proposed actions and solutions that could
address the issues discussed are also included in this section.
4.1 Sustainable Livelihoods
4.1.1 Employment
Participants advised that job opportunities should be available in their community as this
is one of their priority issues. They also indicated that existing hiring practices hindered
young families from settling in rural communities. For example, they mentioned that it
was difficult for qualified young teachers to obtain teaching positions due to the fact that
superannuated teachers were frequently called back because of their experience, track
record and seniority.
4.1.2 Entrepreneurship
They felt that there were limited possibilities to start a business in the Watrous area,
particularly for young people. They indicated that they were unaware of the funding,
mentorship programs and training available to acquire the needed skills and to start a
business. They also advised that generally, the youth in the community and the
surrounding area were not willing to stay and start a business.
4.1.3 Economic Development
Participants also mentioned that retaining businesses in rural Saskatchewan is another
of their priority areas. They noted, however, that the community at large seemed to be
happy with the status quo in terms of its own economic development. Additionally, they
felt that there would be very little economic development unless housing and
communication technology infrastructure were available, young professionals were
attracted, and hiring practices were flexible in their community.
4.2 Smart Approaches to Infrastructure
4.2.1 Social Infrastructure
Participants expressed that more affordable housing was needed in rural Saskatchewan,
particularly for youth living in small towns.
They also indicated that more activities for youth should be organized in the community.
They claimed that the limited visibility of youth on local boards was a contributing factor
to the lack of youth activities, particularly for young women.
Participants identified access to education (high school and post-secondary) as another
priority issue. They also expressed that ways for local schools to offer a wider range of
courses should be explored.
4.2.2 New or Knowledge-based Infrastructure
They indicated that information and communication technology is a priority issue and
expressed that these should be improved in small town Saskatchewan.
4.3 Engaged Population and Institutions
4.3.1 Collaborative Relationships
Participants clearly recognized the value of people working together for the betterment of
the community and the population in general. They also expressed their willingness to
work with the council and various community boards if given the opportunity.
They were also concerned that very little collaboration seemed to be taking place in their
community and the surrounding area. They advised that if collaboration was taking
place, they were not aware and suspected that the majority of residents were not aware
either.
4.3.2 Decision-Making and Accountability
Participants mentioned that youth feel excluded from the democratic and decision-making processes which affect them and their families. They advised that they should
communicate their plans and feelings regarding what they would like to see happen in
their community to the local council in order to be part of the solution.
They also indicated that a youth-driven community capacity building workshop should be
developed and offered to youth who want to be involved in community decision-making.
4.3.3 Leadership Development
Participants had a very clear path they would like the community of Watrous to follow in
terms of leadership development, which could also be implemented in other towns or
villages in rural Saskatchewan. This path would include the following actions:
- Develop and pilot tools and implement processes to strengthen the civic leadership
capacities of youth.
- Ensure that tools and processes focus on building sustainable youth leadership on
boards and committees at all levels of civic responsibility.
They expressed that the local Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA)
should consider the above as a community development pilot project that may be
marketed to other partners across the province and beyond.
Participants felt that it was through young people that small town Saskatchewan could
survive. They want the opportunity to take on a leadership role and would welcome the
experience. They would also appreciate receiving some type of mentorship from elders
and professionals within the community.
They indicated that many valuable opportunities existed in the community of Watrous to
build bridges between the older and younger generations, and to create a learning
environment where youth can learn from their peers and the citizens of the community.
Participants advised that mentorship programs, which are relevant to the community and which
would ensure a better representation of youth on local boards and committees, should
be developed. Additionally, they would like to attend a community capacity building
workshop to learn the necessary leadership skills since time is ripe for youth to take
action.
4.3.4 Citizen Engagement
Participants clearly knew the path they would like to take - they very much want to be
involved in their community. However, they expressed that they currently faced a number
of barriers. They recognized that they must become active on local boards, and
indicated that they were not asking for a handout. However, they noted that youth who
had made efforts to participate on local boards had very limited success and strongly felt
that existing board members were not taking them seriously.
They expressed that more opportunities should be provided to youth to actively
participate in the community. For instance, by having youth delegates on all municipal
boards and on the local council, and by organizing community capacity building
workshops for youth. Additionally, they advised that more tolerance of youth, including
support for their ideas, was required.
Participants indicated that they very much wanted to stay in the community; however,
they also wanted all the modern conveniences and tools that youth have in larger
centres. While they acknowledged that they could not have everything, they would like
to set the level of the bar themselves - in terms of initiatives and activities, including the
expectations, within the community and surrounding area - and see if they could reach
their fullest potential.
4.4 Demographic Adaptation
4.4.1 Youth Migration
Participants stated that if more activities were organized and opportunities were available
in the community, they would stay. A few participants commented that their friends were
leaving the community which, in turn, is making them think about whether they should
stay or go.
4.4.2 Immigration
They identified recruiting and retaining young professionals in the community as another
priority issue for them. Participants suggested that incentives for training in trades
should be provided in exchange for a commitment to set up a business in a rural
community.
5. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS
The Youth Voices Workshop was a great opportunity for youth from Watrous and
surrounding area to express their views and to let people know how they felt about small
town Saskatchewan. It was also an opportunity for the participants to build links
between the local Health Board, the Regional College, and economic development
organizations.
The participants were satisfied with the overall event and agreed that it met their
expectations. They did, however, offer suggestions as areas of improvement. They
advised that the event should have lasted two days and should have included the
participation of more youth delegates and community leaders. Other comments worth
noting included: the event was a great opportunity for a small community; they hope
their opinions will make a difference; results should be shared with the community
leaders; and they hope the youth will continue seeking solutions to the issues raised.
The following points summarize the key areas of concern and include specific actions
to address the issues raised during the event.
- Remove the barriers that exist for youth to become involved on boards and committees
and to take part in civic life. For instance, since older people stay on boards for a long time,
it makes it very difficult for young people to join.
- Develop a mentorship program that would ensure a better representation of young
people on boards and committees.
- Plan, pilot and evaluate a capacity building workshop and/or seminar with and for youth
from Watrous who want to be involved in community leadership and decision-making.
- Plan, develop, pilot and evaluate youth leadership and capacity building tools and
processes, as well as mentorship programs in the Watrous area.
- Determine if and how the above programs, tools and processes could be further
developed and marketed to groups and communities in Saskatchewan and beyond on a
fee for service basis.
The youth participants from Watrous indicated that they planned on moving ahead and
knew how they wanted to proceed. They expressed interest in having a discussion with
the Mayor and members of the town council about youth involvement in community
leadership and in decision-making processes. In support of the Watrous youth, the
Rural Secretariat's Regional Advisor for Saskatchewan agreed to plan follow-up
meetings to assist them in moving forward the actions identified. In addition, Rural Team
Saskatchewan committed to provide support as necessary.
Date Modified: 2005-09-16
|
|
[
|
|
|
| ]
[
|
|
|
| ]
|
|