Released on October 28, 2005
Federal and provincial government representatives are in Humboldt today asking people to share their views on the challenges and issues facing rural communities at the 2005 Roundtable Series on Sustainable and Viable Communities.Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development Wayne Easter and Deputy Premier and Rural Development Minister Clay Serby will host this roundtable, as part of a series of roundtables being held across the country. The input gathered will become part of a federal-provincial-territorial work plan that is being developed, and will help set government priorities over the next three to five years.
"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting communities in achieving their vision and in finding ways to better co-ordinate actions between governments," Easter said. "It is important to help meet the needs of communities, and hearing first-hand from citizens will help guide governments in improving the quality of life in rural communities."
"We began a provincial consultation process with residents on how best to capture the economic opportunities in rural Saskatchewan through the Action Committee on the Rural Economy, or ACRE," Serby said. "Participating in the national roundtable process will enable residents to make their voices heard on a national level."
The input gathered from the roundtables will assist in defining future actions, determining policies, and delivering programs and services.
Since their first meeting in the spring of 2003, the ministers responsible for rural affairs in Canada have been striving to work more closely together to improve the quality of life of Canadians living in rural communities. Ministers will review the input gathered at the roundtables when they meet in 2006.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Scott Brown Rural Development Regina Phone: (306)787-4031 | Lauraine Watson AAFC - Rural Secretariat Winnipeg Phone: (204)983-8376 Cell: (204)299-7344 |