Deadline for Rural Secretariat nominations extended to April 29

Kathy Dunderdale, minister responsible for the Rural Secretariat, says she is pleased that people across the province are reacting positively to the public call for nominations for the nine regional councils of the Rural Secretariat. To accommodate the number of individuals who are just learning about the nomination process, the minister is extending the deadline for nominations from March 31 to April 29.

"Government wants to work directly with, and learn from, the women and men who are actively engaged in promoting business, cultural, environmental and social initiatives in their areas. The Rural Secretariat is a major step forward in advancing direct community involvement in the development of public policy and I encourage individuals to continue to submit nominations for the regional councils," said Minister Dunderdale.

The councils will bring together 10 to 15 individuals in each region, four times a year, to identify long-term challenges and opportunities and develop a shared vision for each region, to stimulate collaborative and innovative thinking, and to identify policies and programs that foster regional development.

Regional councils will have gender and age balance, reflect both the larger and smaller communities in the region, and include members with a cross-section of business, labour, social, cultural and environmental perspectives. Each regional council will have staff support.

Regional councils will nominate individuals to sit on the Provincial Council of the Rural Secretariat. The provincial council will meet twice a year with cabinet and deputy ministers.

Anyone interested in nominating someone or putting their own name forward can fill out an online application form at www.gov.nl.ca/rural/. They can also send an e-mail to ruralinfo@gov.nl.ca or call the Rural Secretariat at (709) 729-0168 or 729-1617 and a form will be sent out immediately. The Web site also includes information on the Rural Secretariat and maps outlining each of the nine regions.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570 or (709) 690-6290

2005 03 29              4:10 p.m.