RMA is sponsoring the emergency resolution titled “Policy Tools for Solving Rural Challenges”
RMA is sponsoring an emergency resolution at the upcoming Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia which starts on May 31, 2018. The resolution, “Policy Tools for Solving Rural Challenges”, supports the need to develop rural-specific tools to address the challenges faced in rural Canada. The text of the operative clauses is below:
RESOLVED that FCM build now on these important gains and call on the federal government to develop a practical, accountable policy framework for rural Canada through the application of a “rural lens” for new federal programs and policies; and be it further
RESOLVED that the “rural lens” reflects the fiscal limitations, diverse challenges and sparse populations of rural communities, with the aim of enhancing rural socio-economic development; and be it further
RESOLVED that the “rural lens” helps address the emerging challenges and champion the urgent priorities identified in FCM’s new report on the state of rural Canada; and be it further
RESOLVED that the “rural lens” be developed in partnership with local governments, who are on-the-ground experts that best understand the emerging challenges facing rural Canada and can help identify possible solutions.
In support of this resolution is a recently released FCM report, Rural Challenges, National Opportunities. The report highlights the importance of rural communities to Canada as a whole, and the need to support policy tools and initiatives that fit the rural context. It also provides a series of recommendations to the Government of Canada about how to support and grow rural Canada. To read this report, click here.
For enquiries, please contact:
Matt Dow
Policy Analyst
matt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com