NLIS 6
March 29, 2005
(Executive Council)
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. |