NLIS 15
March 30, 2004
(Executive Council)

 

$1.7 Million Allocated to Rural Secretariat

The newly-established Rural Secretariat, supported by a Budget 2004 allocation of $1.7 million, will be the focal point for government to work with local and regional partners to build strong and dynamic rural communities and regions.

Reporting to Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the secretariat will promote the well-being of rural Newfoundland and Labrador through a comprehensive approach aimed at integrating economic, social and cultural aspects of rural and regional development.

"Economic and social development relies on a network of urban and rural communities. Ensuring that these communities, especially those in rural areas, are healthy enough to be partners in growth and development is essential to the province�s future," said Minister Dunderdale.

"Government alone cannot ensure the vibrancy of our communities within the various regions of the province," she said. "Community and government organizations need to come together to develop a strong common vision, agree upon priority areas for development and define common goals for the coming years."

The Rural Secretariat will be the focal point for bringing the various partners together and for ensuring effective follow-up. It will build on the work being done through the partnerships forged by the Strategic Social Plan (SSP). The focus will be on further strengthening those approaches.

Minister Dunderdale said partnerships need to be expanded, work priorities clearly identified and shared, roles and responsibilities co-ordinated and defined, and effective communication channels developed.

"Government is committed to increasing collaboration with relevant stakeholders within government and the community. The goal will be to strengthen our rural communities and develop strong supporting regions," she said.

The $1.7 million allocated for the Rural Secretariat in Budget 2004 will be focused on promoting longer term, sustainable development activities. Minister Dunderdale said the SSP helped develop real partnerships over the past few years, partly through the implementation of a number of regional projects. Government will build on these partnerships and help move beyond a project-based focus to a more integrated approach that effectively uses the resources of government departments and the regional partners. Co-ordinated planning, agreement on key priority areas, and co-ordination of work plans will be the approach.

Funding will be maintained for innovative features of the SSP including, the Community Accounts ( ). This award-winning Web-based system allows for access to a comprehensive range of data upon which to base decisions. Funding for development can now be replaced with funds to maintain the system.

Operating funds will continue to be provided for building strong partnerships in regions across the province.

The Rural Secretariat will work collaboratively with government and community-based partners to ensure that research on topics related to rural economic and social development are co-ordinated and findings shared. The secretariat will also encourage government departments to identify issues of common concern, improve the sharing of resources, and develop policies and programs in a more co-ordinated manner.

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

2004 03 30                                         3:00 p.m.


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