OTTAWA – The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released a report on May 26, 2009 entitled, Wake-Up Call: The National Vision and Voice We Need for Rural Canada.
The report states that industries in rural Canada account for over 50 percent of our national exports, as well as providing agriculture, energy and raw materials used by the rest of the country. At the same time, much of rural and Northern Canada is missing out on the growth and prosperity it helps to create.
“According to the report, a chronically weak rural Canada is not good for a national economy or urban Canada”, stated Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior. “If we want our rural way of life to survive, senior levels of government must play a role. Implementing recommendations of the report would be a positive first step.”
The FCM is calling for coordination across departments so that the money invested is used effectively. The report points to the government’s tendency towards one-off projects, rather than a sustainable plan for the region. The report suggests the appointment of a “rural champion” to the federal cabinet.
“This report raises many of the same questions I have been asking in the House,” said New Democrat Rural and Community Development critic Niki Ashton (Churchill). “Namely, where is this federal government when it comes to rural and northern communities? Where is it when it comes to supporting the most basic things that other Canadians take for granted, like access to clean water and sewer services, recreation, broadband internet, decent roads, drainage and basic healthcare?”
“It is my hope that the FCM report will be a basis to help in creating a vision for rural Canada. The survival of our rural communities is at stake”, concluded Atamanenko.
Tags: rural