Rural Prosperity Group 2025-05-29 Rural Prosperity Group 2025-05-29

Rural Roundup May 2025: Canada’s to choose: Growth or broken promises in rural communities?

RPG NEWS

Rural Canada cannot be an afterthought in the country’s grand vision for economic growth

Last month, Canadians elected a new federal government with an ambitious mandate: to build “a strong economy that works for everyone.” In his mandate letter to ministers, Prime Minister Mark Carney outlines sweeping plans to redefine Canada’s place in a changing world, addressing everything from geopolitical instability to AI-driven productivity gains and massive infrastructure investments.

And yet, in this bold reimagining of Canada's future, there is one glaring omission: rural Canada.

Nowhere in the list of seven core priorities — ranging from trade diversification to housing affordability and immigration — is rural Canada directly acknowledged. It was also not mentioned in the Throne Speech delivered by King Charles earlier this week. This absence is troubling, not only because rural communities are essential to our national identity, but because they are central to solving precisely the challenges this government has set out to address.

As the Coalition for a Better Future’s 2025 Scorecard Report makes clear, rural Canada is foundational to our economic and social resilience. It “provides vital food, energy and critical minerals needed here and around the world.” These aren't peripheral concerns, they are at the heart of national security, climate policy, and global competitiveness.

Rural Canada is also where much of the infrastructure the government plans to build must happen: energy corridors, critical mineral supply chains, and sustainable housing solutions. It is where immigration strategies must land in real communities, not just urban centres. It is where skilled trades need to be nurtured, and where AI-powered efficiencies could be deployed to enhance service delivery across vast geographies.

The Rural Prosperity Group has urged policymakers and the private sector alike to adopt a rural lens across all decisions. Not as an afterthought or a regional checkbox, but as a strategic imperative. Whether you work on Bay Street or in broadband connectivity, you have a stake in rural success.

The government states that “Canada’s challenges are not small, but we can more than meet them with vigour and a constructive approach.” That must include recognizing rural communities not just as beneficiaries of policy, but as active builders of the country’s future.

The opportunity to connect rural priorities to national ones is not just good politics—it’s good policy. If Canada is to build “a strong economy that works for everyone,” it must start where that economy is rooted: in rural Canada.

CDNPOLI NEWS

Will the Carney government deliver on election promises to rural and remote communities?

**Prime Minister Mark Carney rises in the House of Commons for the first time as an MP. CPAC SCREENSHOT**

Residents of rural and remote communities will be adopting a very cautious wait and see attitude as Prime Minister Mark Carney puts his stamp on the federal government and fleshes out how he intends to fulfill his goal of unleashing a new era of economic growth for Canadians.

During the election campaign, Carney issued hundreds of millions of dollars worth of promises aimed at revitalizing economic and social conditions in the country’s small communities and rural areas.

He describes himself as a pragmatic, results-oriented leader and has shown a willingness to depart from Trudeau government policies. The Liberals’ signature consumer carbon tax was dropped, saving farmers more than $100 million a year, and Carney has expressed an openness to an energy corridor and conventional oil and gas development. He has nixed former finance minister Chrystia Freeland’s planned increase in the amount of capital gains subject to income tax and made a middle-class tax cut his first order of business.

And the prime minister has also expressed a willingness to listen more carefully to voices from outside the country’s large urban centres. He appointed newly elected Saskatchewan MP Buckley Belanger as secretary of state for rural development and for the first time arranged for a First Ministers’ meeting in Saskatchewan on June 2.

The challenges and issues confronting rural and remote Canada should get a hearing in the cabinet Carney announced May 13. Besides Belanger, the Liberal front bench includes Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald, Emergency Management and Community Resilience Minister Eleanor Olszewski, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland.

One economy

An early test for the new government will be its ability to achieve one of Carney’s highly-promoted promises–quickly reducing the interprovincial trade barriers that have historically distorted and weakened the national economy.

With the cost of these impediments estimated to be as high as $1.7 billion annually for the agricultural sector, farmers are among those with the most to gain if this promised restructuring of interprovincial trade is successful.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Policy Advisory Council has identified three trade barriers of most urgent concern:

Trucking and transport regulations
Limitations on the sale of provincially inspected meat
Lack of cross-province mobility of skilled workers and licensed professionals

Beyond the high-priority issue of trying to create one Canadian economy, the Liberals’ election campaign also recognized rural Canada with detailed platform offerings on a wide range of initiatives and support programs. The pledges involve significant spending commitments and significant changes in the federal government’s approach.

Carney has also pledged to provide financial support for businesses damaged by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs while working out a new economic and security relationship with the U.S. At the same time, his government aims to bring about a major shift in Canadian exporters’ reliance on the American market by diversifying trade to Europe and the Pacific.

Cautiously hopeful

Whether the new government will deliver on these pledges is the overriding question. The Carney is up against massive demands–from increased defence spending to bailouts for tariff-stricken industries to much-needed national infrastructure projects–and a $46.8-billion deficit. But some Canadians appear cautiously hopeful about the prospects for improvements under the new federal government.

A recent poll by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said small business confidence is slowly regaining lost ground after crashing to historic lows in March. “Now that the federal election is over, there may be clearer guidance and renewed leadership on tariffs and other federal matters, and this and a somewhat de-escalating trade war may explain in part why small business sentiment is trending in the right direction again,” said Simon Gaudreault, CFIB’s chief economist and vice-president of research. “However, these are just timid beginnings of a rebound.”

Coalition for a Better Future co-chair Anne McLellan holds up the Coalition’s Scorecard, left. Coalition co-chair Lisa Raitt, pictured with advisory council members Paul Genest and Carolyn Wilkins. COALITION FOR A BETTER FUTURE PHOTO

Canada’s rural communities are key to building economic resilience: Coalition for a Better Future event panellists

BY CLARA SILCOFF

Canada’s economy is “off target,” and “developing Canada's rural communities is key to building our resilience,” says the latest Scorecard Report from the Coalition for a Better Future.

Rural communities “provide vital food, energy and critical minerals needed here and around the world. The message is clear. Canada needs to change course,” participants at the Scorecard Reporting Event on May 22 heard.

Carolyn Wilkins, external member of Bank of England’s financial policy committee and senior research scholar at Princeton, said investment is key for rural connectivity and the development of an end-to-end supply chain.

“We know that investment is really the engine of growth, and it’s the engine to our future. It’s what gives us the kind of connectivity that people in rural areas are looking for. It gives us our end-to-end supply chain and infrastructure enablers that allow projects to proceed,” she said.

Anne McLellan, co-chair of the Coalition, identified integration as key to Canadian economic growth. “If you’re going to build one Canadian economy, you really do have to engage all the key parts and get them all pulling in the same direction,” she said.

McLellan said projects should focus on being viable financially and socially accepted in communities, be they Indigenous or rural.

Alex Ciappara, head economist at the Canadian Bankers Association, said he thinks creating new growth in Canada means “building big infrastructure enabling projects to get our good services and people to markets for the 21st century.” He related this to building “dependable broadband for individuals in rural areas and semi-rural areas.”

Ciappara also suggested improving conventional energy security while growing renewable capacity, and supporting critical mineral projects.

Lisa Stilborn, vice president of public affairs at the Canadian Fuels Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“The only way to unlock the inclusive investment that we’re talking about to meet the challenges we’re facing at the moment is to bring the east and the west together, rural and urban communities, governments, industries, and indigenous communities together,” she said.

Stilborn said the energy sector was a “natural partner” to agricultural and forestry businesses. “We work together,” she said.

Stilborn added the Canadian Fuels Association created 10,000 jobs across Canada, most of which are in rural communities. “With the right policy framework, I really think we can unlock many, many more jobs,” she said.

Todd Klink, executive vice-president of marketing and public affairs at Farm Credit Canada, said the agricultural industry, which connects with many sectors, has a generational opportunity to address ongoing challenges.

“We’re across the country—urban, rural, east, west—its everywhere. It's about collaboration. It's about coming together and thinking about some of the foundational industries like agriculture, like food, that employs a lot of Canadians,” he said.

THE Q&A

Grain farmers urge action on trade, infrastructure and innovation to secure rural prosperity

**Grain Growers of Canada executive director Kyle Larkin.**

As Canada navigates growing global demand for sustainable food and agricultural exports, the challenges and opportunities facing the grain sector are more urgent than ever.

“Grain farmers are the backbone of rural Canada,” says Kyle Larkin, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada. “When grain farmers are profitable and when grain farmers are successful, rural communities are successful.”

Canada’s 70,000 grain farmers play a critical role in both the national economy and rural communities, Larkin says, but Canada is falling behind in global competitiveness. In this Q&A with The Rural Roundup, Larkin shares insights on trade uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and the need for targeted policy support to ensure the sector, and rural Canada, thrives.

The Q&A was edited for length and clarity.

RR: What are your biggest challenges right now?

KL: Canada is falling behind in terms of our position as an agrifood exporter on the global stage. Other countries are catching up and there's several reasons for this. I break it down to three silos.

The first one is our research and development and innovation here in Canada. Previously, we used to invest a lot more publicly and privately into plant breeding innovation — where crops are developed with better traits for a variety of different reasons, be they drought resistance or increasing yield. Research and development is hugely important for the grain sector and grain farmers alike. What we've seen on the public side, for example, is a decrease in investment dollars from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. And so we need that to come back up. We've also seen a decrease in private sector investment because of a lag in public sector investment. There's an opportunity for the public sector, for the government to incentivize and attract these private sector investments into Canada.

The second one is infrastructure and transportation. On the transportation side, we have two major railways, CN and CP, who very much act in a monopolistic way. This is very challenging for our supply chains. So, for example, grain farmers who live out west in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta rely over 90 per cent on rail transportation to get their grain from their farm to market — and market could be in Canada or could be globally.

So they're very much tied to these two railway companies. Their service delivery has been challenging year-over-year and it's certainly been challenging since January of this year. On top of that is our infrastructure challenges. Over 50 per cent of the grain that we produce in Canada goes through the Port of Vancouver. Most of the infrastructure was built in the ’40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. It is in need of a dire renewal. The Port of Vancouver would say the same thing. So that's another silo, that needs attention.

And then the third piece is trade — that's both growing the markets we currently have, but also looking at trade diversification. Two of our most primary markets, are the U.S. and China. So we've obviously had recent challenges with both of those countries. China currently has a 100 per cent tariffs on canola meal, canola oil and peas where we usually export over $8 billion worth of grain and grain products.

For the U.S. we export over $17 billion of grain and grain products. They are by far our largest trading partner. They're more than double our second largest trade partner in China and the uncertainty we've seen there has had a pretty large impact on the commodity prices that farmers get for their crops. So when they sell their wheat or their canola, or their barley, whatever it is, we've seen those prices go down. The margins have squeezed farmers.

The second piece of that is trade diversification. The Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific is huge for the sector. We have advocated for years for the government to open an office in the Asia-Pacific, like the US Department of Agriculture has. About three or four years ago, they opened the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agrifood Office (IPAAO) in Manila, Philippines. So now, there's a dedicated staff on the ground staff whose main role is to grow these markets and grow trade within Asia Pacific. The challenge is we have one office, and the USDA has had offices in all these countries for decades. The Indo-Pacific is a huge growth market. There's a big opportunity there.

RR: And what are the short-term challenges?

KL: For the short-term, it's three things: Restarting trade relationships with the U.S. and China. A permanent legislative solution to the carbon tax for on-farm activities. A permanent reversal of the capital gains tax increase. Those are the three things we're looking for in the first weeks of Parliament.

RR: How have grain farmers been affected by the Canada-U.S. trade war?

KL: A farmer in Manitoba will grow oats, and those oats will go down to the U.S. to about four or five states and go to a company like Quaker Oats, then transformed into Cheerios, and shipped back to Canada. The integrated supply chains are highly important. But the massive uncertainty from tariffs has had a big impact on commodity prices. Farmers are seeing input costs go up — fertilizers, seeds, pesticides — while prices for their crops have gone down. Their margins are being severely tightened. Over 90 per cent of farms in Canada are family-owned. When you have too many bad years, that's when you start losing farms.

RR: How does this affect rural Canada?

KL: Grain farms are the backbone of Rural Canada. You drive through any rural community, you’ll see plots of wheat, soybeans, corn. Farmers invest heavily in their communities — through equipment purchases, local agribusinesses, creating jobs and they're involved politically. They're not only there economically benefiting real communities, but they're also there politically benefiting communities and the last piece I would say they benefit their communities culturally. A lot of these farmers are the sixth or seventh generation farmers who have been in their community since the start of their rural townships.

RR: What policies can and should be in place to ensure a thriving sector?

KL: One tool that was helpful was ‘extended interswitching,’ which forced CN and CP to compete. That pilot expired in March 2025. The Liberal platform committed to a three-year extension—we’d like to see that implemented. We also need to look at increasing research dollars and incentivizing private investment from global players.

RR: What are some of the opportunities you see for grain farmers in terms of economic growth and prosperity?

KL: When grain farmers are successful, rural communities are successful. We need the government to implement a rural lens or grain farmer lens in all decisions. An example of where that didn’t happen was the carbon tax.

So if you filled up your combine, for example with diesel, you weren't charged the carbon tax. That was good, but they still charge the carbon tax for natural gas and propane, which is used in grain drying, which is an essential process. After you've harvested your grain, you need to make sure that you dry it so the moisture level is not too high because you'll risk spoilage. Grain dryers use propane or natural gas. That's the only thing people can use, and so they were being charged the carbon tax, because that rural lens wasn’t applied there unfortunately.

We had to fight for years to get natural gas and propane exempted for on farm activity, so that's an example of where there needs to be a lens implemented to some of these challenges, but again, there's massive opportunities. There's huge opportunities in terms of not only grain farmers to be more profitable, but also growing Canada’s economy.

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PROFILE

Ag Minister Heath MacDonald stresses importance of consulting, keeping an agricultural lens on all government decisions

**Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald pictured with staff from** **La Ferme Gillette Inc.in Embrun** **and newly elected Liberal MP Giovanna Mingarelli. FACEBOOK PHOTO**

P.E.I. MP Heath MacDonald, the surprise choice as the new Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, says he understands the importance of putting a rural lens on every decision made by the federal government.

"You have to work closely with the other departments and those ministers and ensure that they fully understand that the decisions that they're making could have an impact on agriculture right across the country," he told CBC TV after Prime Minister Mark Carney named his cabinet on May 13. “That’s my job, to ensure that we’re heard at the cabinet table, and that’s what I intend to do.”

MacDonald, 59, whose favourite word in Parliament is “farmer,” is also signalling he recognizes the importance of reducing the regulatory burden and red tape on agricultural producers and helping find new markets for their products.

Responding to longstanding complaints from farmers, the Liberals have made clear they want the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Canadian Food Inspection Agency to expand their criteria to balance health and safety concerns with the importance of food security and the cost of food. “Currently, these important agencies only look at their respective mandates through a health and safety lens,” the Liberal election platform said pointedly.

The government has to quickly address these regulatory issues, MacDonald says: "The bureaucracy is the bureaucracy, but we need to expedite it. We are in a time in this country that we've never seen before, so we all need to be shoulder to shoulder and working in the same direction."

MacDonald, who has a seat in the important Build Canada cabinet committee, also said it’s critical for the government to make good on its promise to achieve more independence from the U.S. by helping to expand other foreign markets for Canada’s agricultural and food exports, which now total nearly $100 billion annually. And he said the government must follow through on its pledge to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, which would be a major benefit to farmers.

Summing up these goals, MacDonald says: "We need to diversify our trade as quickly as possible. We need to remove our regulatory burdens on the industries and sectors that we're dealing with and we need to continue to invest in innovation and technology. We need to work on those as promptly and quickly as possible to ensure that we are competitive in a global market."

In keeping with the Carney Liberals’ vow to do a better job listening to all Canadians – a goal embodied in the prime minister’s arranging for a First Ministers meeting in Saskatchewan on June 2 – MacDonald says he is determined to spend more time outside Ottawa to consult with those in the ag sector.

“I could sit here and read binders all day, but boots on the ground, I can’t wait to get out of Ottawa, to be quite honest with you, and meet some of these farmers and these provincial ministers as well, to ensure that they understand who I am and what I’m made of, and what I can try to contribute to their success,” he says.

The new minister acknowledged he was surprised to be appointed to cabinet. “In this business, you just never know … where you’re going to land,” he says. Many in the farm sector had expected the job to go to Kody Blois, the well-liked Nova Scotia MP who had previously been agriculture minister. Some expressed disappointment that Blois was passed by, but it was generally felt that the choice reflected Carney’s need to have every province represented at the cabinet table.

MacDonald, who was re-elected in the riding of Malpeque, is the lone voice for the province of Prince Edward Island on Carney’s front bench. The agriculture portfolio was previously held by former P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay, first from 2015 to 2019, and then again from 2023 until March this year.

Before being elected as an MP in 2021, MacDonald held the post of finance minister in the P.E.I. legislature. He suggested that experience could help him in his new role. “It allows me to have a better understanding of the financial resources required to progress the farming community and allows me to speak freely on certain things that maybe some others might not be aware of,” he says.

OP-ED

Reducing trade barriers in Atlantic Canada

BY SENATOR PERCY DOWNE

At long last, outrageously high interprovincial bridge and ferry tolls will be reduced in Atlantic Canada, and especially in Prince Edward Island, greatly assisting our ability to grow our regional economy.

Ten years after Justin Trudeau announced that he would remove the tolls on the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, completely reversing the national user-pay policy for federally owned infrastructure, and eight years after he promised—in response to a direct question about the toll on Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island — that he would “look at what can be done to make sure people are able to travel freely, travel efficiently and openly across this country at modest costs”, Prince Edward Islanders and Atlantic Canadians are catching a financial break.

Prime Minister Mark Carney immediately recognized the regional unfairness of high tolls in Atlantic Canada, as did Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. In their respective platforms, both addressed the burden that represents the $50.25 toll on Confederation Bridge. Prime Minister Carney also committed to reducing “by more than half” the fares for passengers using the Wood Islands Ferry (currently $91 for a passenger vehicle), the Marine Atlantic service connecting Cape Breton to Newfoundland and Labrador (which can run up to almost $500 for a round trip), and the ferry service between Souris and the Magdalen Islands (again, $220 for a round trip by passenger car).

Unfortunately, for the last decade, Prince Edward Islanders have collectively paid millions in unfair tolls. Many Islanders have spoken to me about the impact tolls have had on their family finances, in particular those who had to travel out-of-province for medical treatment, such as parents of sick children, where one parent would stay with their child while the other would travel back and forth, incurring several hundred dollars in tolls.

I also heard many times about the toll driving up prices for consumers and Prince Edward Island businesses. For instance, in 2018, one exporter spent $66,000 on bridge tolls getting his produce to market; expenses his New Brunswick counterpart—and competitor—did not have to pay.

This reduction will help alleviate the cost of living for all Prince Edward Islanders and reduce expenses for our summer visitors. Atlantic Canadians will all benefit from the reduced cost of moving people and goods in the region.

Prince Edward Islanders are not getting any special treatment, only long overdue results. The reduction in tolls for both the year-round Confederation Bridge and the seasonal Wood Islands Ferry in eastern Prince Edward Island still means that the annual federal subsidy to support these vital infrastructures will remain less than federal government support for the Champlain Bridge in Montreal.

Given that both the Champlain Bridge—which cost over $4 billion to build—and Confederation Bridge—which cost $1 billion—are owned by the Government of Canada, Prince Edward Islanders have long wondered why this double standard where some Canadians benefitted from a toll-free bridge, while others were stuck paying $50.25 to cross, was not being corrected.

For one, when the issue was first raised, too many people sat on their hands rather than join the fight. Compare the Prince Edward Island response to what happened in Quebec: the provincial government requested that the federal government replace the aging Champlain Bridge in Montreal and they agreed that tolls were necessary to pay for the new bridge. With the understanding—and only with that understanding—was the new Champlain Bridge to be built.

Both the Governments of Canada and Quebec agreed on the need for a toll to cover the cost of construction, as was the case with the original Champlain Bridge, which had a toll from its opening in 1962 until 1990, when it was ultimately paid off.

This user-pay policy for federal transportation infrastructure was the standard for Canada.

Then the Government of Quebec switched its position and requested that no toll be charged on the bridge. The mayor of Montreal joined the chorus, along with many other individuals and groups. And in the middle of the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau announced that he would make an exception for Montreal and eliminate the toll.

Quebec spoke with one voice and got the result it wanted.

Now in Prince Edward Island, where although there was widespread acknowledgement among Islanders that we were being gouged and treated like second-class Canadians, too many were silent. The defeatist attitude of a small minority was succinctly summarized in a Letter to the Editor in the Guardian newspaper in 2017 which stated, “forget the tolls fight . . . Concentrate on the possible, not the impossible.”

That lack of unity, compared to Quebec, slowed progress on reducing the tolls. But even slow progress is progress. The first success was the freezing of bridge tolls in 2020, eliminating yearly increases based on inflation. The second is the upcoming reduction of bridge and ferry tolls—to $20 for the Confederation Bridge and “by at least half” for the Wood Islands Ferry (currently $91 for a passenger vehicle)—but that amount is not carved in stone; after all, the federal government is still subsidizing the Champlain Bridge to a much higher degree. Which leaves the third step: efforts to further reduce the toll in the future.

As it stands now, Islanders have achieved a double victory, benefitting Islanders east and west. Because as important as the reduction of tolls on Confederation Bridge, the commitment to maintain the Wood Islands Ferry is equally important. The seasonal ferry service is vital to the economy of Eastern Prince Edward Island, providing direct access to Nova Scotia for commerce and tourism between the two provinces. Furthermore, it provides an important fallback in case Confederation Bridge ever becomes inoperable.

Prince Edward Islanders are finally getting the result they have been advocating for. The ultimate lesson of the past decade is in the value of unity when pursuing our provincial and regional objectives.

Percy Downe is a Senator from Charlottetown.

ICYMI

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre. / FACEBOOK PHOTO

Poilievre sets up Economic Growth Council to recommend a new economic strategy

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre announced the creation of a Leader’s Economic Growth Council to study the economy and prepare a report on how the government can unleash the country’s full potential.

The Council will be chaired by MP Greg McLean and co-chaired by MP Gaétan Malette and former MP Rick Perkins.

Maclean, a former investment manager who has represented Calgary Centre since 2019, welcomed the appointment. “Canada has experienced weak economic growth, declining productivity, a rising cost of living, and lower real incomes for workers. People are paying the price, as wages fail to keep up with expenses, leaving an entire generation unable to afford homes or even basic necessities like food,” he wrote on Facebook. “This is an opportunity for me to outline a plan for a better approach.”

Perkins, a business executive and Conservative insider, was considered part of Poilievre’s brain trust. The leader named him the party’s critic for Innovation, Science and Industry in 2022. Perkins lost his Nova Scotia seat in the election.

Malette is the first MP elected in Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk, a new riding that is an expanded version of Timmins-James Bay, which was held for two decades by the NDP’s Charlie Angus, who left politics last year. Malette will draw on 45 years’ experience in forestry, agriculture, and mining in his role on the council.

The Council will consult widely and gather data, feedback and insight from businesses, labour organizations, non-profits, policy analysts, knowledge workers, innovators, and other stakeholders, the Conservatives said.

Members of the Council will be selected from all sectors and regions, and will include entrepreneurs, business leaders, labour leaders, innovators, inventors, knowledge leaders, Indigenous leaders and leaders who work in non-profit industries.

The goals are to study how to create:

Greater buying power with earnings that rise faster than prices so Canadians get better living standards.
More growth to fund stronger defence and borders and better social programs.

The Council will prepare a comprehensive report presenting findings and policy recommendations for Poilievre. The report will also be discussed in Parliament and may be tabled. A presentation of its key findings is planned for the 2026 Conservative National Convention, the party said.

Effective rural policy is critical to Canada’s security, stability and sovereignty

Canada must urgently address rural underinvestment to safeguard national security, social cohesion, and economic resilience amid overlapping crises, writes S. Ashleigh Weeden in Policy Options.

The op-ed highlights that “many of the biggest threats to — and opportunities for supporting — our sovereignty, security and stability can be found in rural and remote places.” Yet rural infrastructure remains neglected, and communities are often treated as “resource banks,” with benefits flowing elsewhere. Internet access, healthcare, and clean water remain spotty, despite long-standing policy promises. Recent tensions with the U.S. and threats like potential misuse of Canadian health and agricultural data underscore the need for stronger rural protections.

Weeden warns: “Your postal code should not determine your quality of life.” Rural decline, Weeden argues, results not from globalization but from political neglect. Canada needs a serious national strategy that empowers rural regions, counters “rural resentment,” and recognizes the interdependence between urban and rural populations to protect the country’s future.

Agri-food workforce strategic plan under development

Canada’s agriculture and food manufacturing sectors are critical to the economy but face mounting challenges, including labour shortages, aging workforces, and global disruptions. To address these issues, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council and partners are developing a National Workforce Strategic Plan (NWSP) aimed at building sector resilience through technology, inclusive HR practices, and collaborative workforce planning. While each province has unique labour challenges, the NWSP is fostering nationwide collaboration to secure the long-term sustainability of the agri-food sector.

Half of Quebecers don't have first responder services in their communities: report

Half of Quebec’s population lives in communities with no first responder service, according to a new auditor general report, The Canadian Press reported. The findings follow longstanding numerous calls to improve access to potentially life-saving first aid.

Recommendations made by a government-mandated committee in 2014 called for the province to take steps to ensure first responders were available across the province. As of September 2024, 70 per cent of communities were without such service.

Rural communities are in greatest need of first responders, Interim Quebec auditor general Alain Fortin said, because there are fewer ambulances compared to urban centres, and the size of the territory can delay response times.

The government’s pre-hospital care plan includes the goal of increasing the percentage of the population who have access to first responders from 50 to 80 per cent by 2028. But agreements have not been made on how to finance these services.

Opposition parties accused Premier François Legault's government of failing to act to improve care. Québec solidaire member Vincent Marissal said the issue is a "failure all down the line."

"If you get sick … good luck. That's what we're telling people," he said.

Rural Ontario MPP opposes landfill expansion amid backlash in Dresden

A Progressive Conservative MPP from rural southwestern Ontario is speaking out against his own government’s plan to cancel an environmental assessment for a controversial landfill expansion near Dresden.

Steve Pinsonneault, who represents Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, said he is "angry" over the move, which is part of an omnibus bill that would also let cabinet override laws for “special economic zones” and weaken endangered species protections.

The proposed 30-fold expansion of a dormant site near the rural community has sparked fears of contamination and ecological damage. Local waterways flow into the Sydenham River, home to endangered species like the spiny softshell turtle.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff warned the landfill would devastate Dresden: “You’re basically signing a death certificate... you might as well just put up the closed for business sign.”

Walpole Island First Nation has called for a moratorium, citing threats to ecosystems, sovereignty, and public health.

Premier Doug Ford argues the change is necessary to shore up Ontario’s waste capacity, as the province currently sends 40 per cent of its waste to the U.S.

'Under a microscope': Cottagers call for wildfire management plans after fatal fires

Cottage owners and disaster prevention experts in Manitoba are calling for governments to develop wildfire management plans following devastating wildfires, The Canadian Press reported.

Almost 1,000 people near the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet were forced from their homes as a wildfire, which started on May 13, burned nearby.

The fire destroyed 28 homes and cottages and caused two fatalities.

"I've never seen fire devastation at that level," said Brad Wood, a Winnipeg firefighter whose cottage was destroyed.

Wood is calling on all levels of government to work with local cottage owners to create or update emergency responses to wildfire dangers. He said emergency plans for every municipality should be “under a microscope review”

Gordon Campbell, president of the Lester Beach Association in the Rural Municipality of Alexander, said he and other members went to officials asking for a wildfire management plan. He said progress has been slow and that municipalities are being reactive instead of proactive.

According to Manitoba’s fire map, which was accessed on May 26, the fire is under control.

Ontario adding 2,600 teacher candidate spaces amid shortage in northern and rural areas

Ontario is adding 2,600 spaces to teacher colleges across the province in the face of a worsening teacher shortage, The Canadian Press reported.

Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn said the money will go towards adding new spaces at all schools offering a bachelor of education program, and will start being available as early as this September.

There is a particular focus on northern and rural areas, technological education and French, which Quinn said are areas in heightened need.

There is a shortage of teachers that is predicted to worsen starting in 2027.

Steve Orsini, the president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities, said though universities welcome funding, the government is not providing needed amounts of operating funding.

Ontario colleges and universities are increasingly struggling with finances in the face of low provincial funding, and say the additional $1.3 billion in funding over three years announced last year by the province does not come close to sustaining the sector.

G7 expected to boost economy and fill hotels in Calgary and mountain towns

The upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis is expected to deliver a major economic boost to the Calgary region, with local leaders anticipating hundreds of millions in benefits.

"This is a huge lift to the Calgary region," Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce told CBC. She estimates the summit will generate $190 million for Calgary’s economy and $240 million for Alberta overall.

Although the summit will take place in Kananaskis from June 15–17, much of the support infrastructure will be based in Calgary. Sol Zia, executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association, said 10,000 hotel room bookings are expected in the region, with an estimated 45,000 hotel room nights and $13 million in accommodation revenue.

“We’re expecting about 2,500 various levels of services … that will be staying in Calgary and region for [an] extended period,” said Zia, noting security services arriving are 2½ times higher than initially planned.

The pressure on hotel availability is heightened by other major events in June, including the Global Energy Show and the Rotary International Convention. As a result, universities like Mount Royal and the University of Calgary are housing visiting personnel.

Meanwhile, Canmore and Kananaskis hotels are fully booked, and local restaurants are seeing increased demand. “We’re hearing many positive anecdotal reports from local businesses,” said Rachel Ludwig, CEO of Tourism Canmore Kananaskis. “Hotels are at full capacity and restaurants are seeing higher-than-usual bookings.”

Leaders from the G7 countries and the European Union are expected to attend the summit.

We want to hear from you

Do you have news, analysis or upcoming events related to rural Canada to share? Are you doing interesting and noteworthy things to unleash rural Canada’s potential? We’d be happy to showcase you or your organization. Please get in touch: info@ruralprosperity.ca.

Rural Prosperity Group 2025-04-16 Rural Prosperity Group 2025-04-16

Rural Roundup April 2025: Are we listening? Canada’s go-forward strategy is rural communities

RPG NEWS

Political parties must recognize Rural Canada is essential to economic growth, expanding trade

Rural Canadians are on the front lines in the growing global trade war touched off by the U.S. use of sweeping import tariffs against friend and foe alike across the globe.

With the exception of the recent pandemic, today’s threat to the livelihoods of Canada’s fishers, farmers, foresters, and others in rural and remote communities is more pronounced than anything seen in Canada in many decades.

Adding to the anxiety is the fact that Canadians are immersed in a federal election campaign with only a caretaker government in place as the mounting impact of the unpredictable, onrushing trade war plays out in the economy.

Rural issues under radar in #elxn45

As the 2025 federal election campaign unfolds, rural issues are not taking centre stage in the national conversation. While debates continue to focus heavily on economic prosperity as it relates to the trade war with the U.S. — too often through an urban lens — the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural Canada remain largely under the radar. This is a concern because rural Canada is critical to driving Canada’s strategy going forward. This only makes our efforts that much more important.

That said, there have been moments of recognition. Some party leaders have acknowledged the importance of rural communities in their remarks, pointing to agriculture, resource development, and rural infrastructure as critical components of Canada’s future.

Speaking in Newfoundland during his first campaign stop, Liberal Leader Mark Carney acknowledged the need to harness “all parts of this country … including the outports and rural Canada” and to ensure “changes benefit the rural economy.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said recently that “expanding our energy production and exports is the single most powerful thing we can do to break our dependence on the Americans.”

Canada cannot succeed without a thriving rural economy

These acknowledgments are welcome, but they must be matched with meaningful commitments and detailed policies. As authors of the analysis, In Canada’s 2025 federal election, is anyone paying attention to rural communities?, note: “Rural Canada is vital to the future of Canada. It is critical that all political parties campaigning for the federal election have a platform that meaningfully includes rural Canada — and refrain from focusing only on sectors that operate in rural Canada.”

Rural Canada is home to industries that drive national prosperity and communities that exemplify resilience and innovation — industries that are key to navigating the trade war and creating future prosperity for all. Yet, persistent gaps in broadband access, labour force development, transportation and healthcare services continue to limit economic growth and quality of life in rural areas.

That’s why the Rural Prosperity Group is asking for commitments that ensure no future regulations or policy initiatives that harm rural Canada, even inadvertently, will be implemented, and that any existing policies and regulations be urgently reviewed through a rural lens, so that they truly support the rural way of life and create real opportunities.

We will continue to monitor party platforms and campaign commitments closely and will advocate for public policy that supports rural economic prosperity. Our message is simple: Canada cannot succeed without a thriving rural economy. It’s time for rural voices to be heard — and for leaders to act accordingly.

Honorary chair, vice-chair continue to engage with private sector leaders

Rural Prosperity Group Honorary Chair Candice Bergen and Vice-chair Dennis Dawson continue to hear from private sector stakeholders and industry leaders as part of ongoing efforts to educate on key issues facing rural communities. These conversations aim to gather valuable insights, foster collaboration and explore innovative solutions to support rural development.

Your engagement and input are greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the conversation, set up a time to chat or propose an event, please reach out to us at info@ruralprosperity.ca

TRADE NEWS

Stumpage stunner: U.S. slaps 34 per cent duty on Canadian wood

The U.S. will hike duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 34.45 per cent, from 14.4 per cent currently, Bloomberg News reported, citing a Department of Commerce memo.

Trump has threatened further import taxes on lumber as he awaits a national security investigation into U.S. imports of wood. The U.S. alleges Canadian sawmills are subsidized, known as “stumpage” rates, to undercut the market.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said the increased tariffs are “an attack on forest workers” and spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney about the issue in Victoria on April 7.

Eby told reporters his government will provide support for the lumber sector and help forestry companies diversify their trade away from the U.S.

“To every forestry worker in British Columbia hearing the news of this impending increase to softwood lumber duties, know this: We have got your back and your government will fight for you,” Eby said adding his government will continue to work with business, labour and First Nations leaders “to seek approaches to defend the hard-working forestry workers of B.C., their families and the industry as a whole from the increasingly hostile actions of our largest trading partner.”

U.S., Chinese tariffs having severe impacts on canola growers

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says China’s 100 per cent import tax on canola is the “most urgent and most significant” impacting Saskatchewan’s economy.

Additionally, for Canada’s 40,000 canola growers, considered most at risk from U.S. tariffs among this country’s farm sectors, the lack of new U.S. trade barriers was considered an important — although possibly temporary — development.

“While the threat of immediate tariffs has been reduced, the risk and uncertainty of tariffs has not been eliminated,” said Rick White, President and CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association. “Concerns over U.S. tariffs add considerable uncertainty for farmers preparing to plant the 2025 canola crop.”

Canola is the single largest contributor to Canada’s farm crop cash receipts, and the U.S. is Canada’s number one market for canola exports, which totaled $7.7 billion in 2024.

Tariffs causing ‘heck of a hit’ for farmers, ag equipment makers

Trump’s April 2 decision not to hike import levies against Canada as part of his “reciprocal” tariffs was also a relief to Saskatchewan’s potash producers, whose $4.2 billion in exports to the U.S. account for the vast majority of the potash used by American farmers. Most potash exports to the U.S. are eligible for zero tariffs under CUSMA, the industry says.

U.S. farmers are feeling the hit, however.

A prime example of the damaging uncertainty from the U.S.’s trade war is the farm equipment manufacturing business. Farmers' appetite for new combines, tractors and other farm equipment has slumped, and manufacturers are pulling back, Reuters reported.

The tariffs on all goods and the specific additional tariffs on steel and aluminum will trigger severe disruptions in our integrated supply chains, inflate costs for U.S. farmers who depend on Canadian-made equipment and raise food costs for families across North America, jeopardizing thousands of good jobs in Canada, Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) said in a statement.

“Tariffs directly threaten jobs, businesses and families across Canada,” AMC President Donna Boyd said. “We have built one of the largest bilateral partnerships and must continue to take decisive action to protect it. The risks to our communities, both economically and ensuring there is adequate food on the table, are too high.”

Doug Sombke, president of the South Dakota Farmers Union, told CBC the U.S. tariffs are a “horrible idea” that make purchases of necessary farm equipment much more expensive.

For example, Canada makes high-quality, no-till drills — specialized equipment that plants seeds without disturbing the soil — but their $1 million price tag would cost a U.S. farmer $250,000 more with the tariff, Sombke told CBC.

"That's a heck of a hit," he said.

$2.2M daily loss: Growers reel from brief tariff hit

The $7.4 billion fruit and vegetable producing sector, which sends 48 per cent of its products to the U.S., remains at risk should Trump re-impose across-the-board 25 per cent import taxes on Canadian exports.

During the brief window of March 4-7, when the Trump tariffs were in full effect, greenhouse growers in Ontario alone reported losses of $2.2 million a day in sales, according to analysis by the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC).

FVGC has recommended the creation of a dedicated emergency fund to provide direct compensation for greenhouse operators and other fruit and vegetable growers, domestic price supports to prevent market collapse during harvest periods and regional support packages addressing unique provincial conditions.

Manitoba facing trade war on two fronts: Kinew

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says manufacturers or oil producers who are “outside CUSMA” will be “sorting this out in real time” to determine what the impact of Trump’s tariffs are.

The 25 per cent border tariff on Canadian goods that are non-compliant with CUSMA, and a 10 per cent levy on oil and potash, all affect Manitoba producers, he said.

Kinew reminded everyone that his province faces a trade war “on two fronts” — not just Trump’s tariffs, but also import taxes from China on pork, canola meal, seafood and other products that Beijing has tariffed in response to Canada’s 100-per cent levy on Chinese EV exports.

The new Chinese tariffs on $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products are deepening the problems dogging many producers.

“These Chinese tariffs could not have come at a worse time as Canadian producers already combat unfair and unjustified trade actions from the United States,” said Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

Among those facing new challenges from Beijing’s trade backlash are Canada’s pork producers. China remains Canada’s third-largest pork export destination, behind the U.S. and Japan, with exports valued at roughly $500 million annually.

‘Buy Indigenous’ campaign launched against levies

The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business responded to U.S. tariffs, saying they were unjustified and threaten to undermine Canadian and Indigenous economic growth and the principles of fair and equitable trade.

The group is launching several initiatives, including a ‘Buy Indigenous’ campaign to encourage consumers, corporations and governments to prioritize Indigenous products and services.

“As Indigenous people, we have a long and proud history of trade that predates any border on Turtle Island. We understand very well how to adapt, advocate, and support one another through challenges. This moment is no different,” CCIB said in a press release.

Showcase your leadership and get your message out

If you have a policy issue that requires a comprehensive deep dive, we would love to hear about it and showcase it to our broader communication audience. Reach out today to partner with us through content contributions or advertising in The Rural Roundup and more. Email us at info@ruralprosperity.ca to set up a time to chat.

ELECTION NEWS

Poilievre vows to build ‘economic fortress’ by unleashing energy sector

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled a strategy April 2 to protect Canada’s economy from potential U.S. trade action, promising to build what he called an “economic fortress” in response to U.S. tariffs.

He announced a three-part plan involving short-term retaliation, renegotiation of the Canada-U.S. trade agreement, and long-term economic reform. The immediate response would include “reciprocal tariffs” and a “Keep Canadians Working Fund” to support impacted industries.

A central theme of his remarks was bolstering domestic production, particularly in the energy sector. “We will remove gatekeepers and green light Canadian energy,” he said, adding that his government would “approve and allow the rapid construction of new LNG export terminals and pipelines” and remove anti-energy laws.

"Expanding our energy production and exports is the single most powerful thing we can do to break our dependence on the Americans," he said.

Poilievre spoke in Saint John, N.B., during a campaign stop and responded to a question on the impact of tariffs on rural communities in N.B.

“We will make sure that businesses have the support they need to keep their workers in their jobs through the dispute,” he said, repeating that it’s time to put Canada first, axe taxes and green light resource projects.

He announced a planned national energy corridor backstopped with regulations to expedite the approval of transmission lines, railways, pipelines and other critical infrastructure.

Canada needs big projects that link its regions east to west as Trump threatens Canada with tariffs, Poilievre said.

The Conservative leader has also noted that his government would “protect our border, our security, our resources, our farmers, including our supply-managed farmers, our fresh water, and our automotive workers.”

Liberals to work with oil and gas sector to reduce emissions’

Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Mark Carney also outlined a plan he says will strengthen Canada’s energy sector as global trade tensions, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, continue to disrupt markets. Carney emphasized that Canada’s energy industry, which supports over 700,000 jobs, is central to the nation’s economic resilience.

The plan focuses on three key areas: energy security, trade diversification, and long-term competitiveness.

Key promises include investing in critical minerals, accelerating exploration with tax credits, and fast-tracking national projects with Indigenous and provincial support. Plans also include streamlining approvals via a new federal office, building an East-West clean energy grid, and boosting both clean and conventional energy to reduce U.S. reliance and expand trade.

“We will work with the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions efficiently while maintaining competitiveness,” a press release noted.

Bloc Québécois promises to reintroduce Bill C-282 as first act when parliament returns

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. / FACEBOOK PHOTO

The Bloc Québécois released its platform, announcing a trade policy focused on ensuring Quebec’s representation in trade negotiations, countering U.S. protectionism, and strengthening the province’s economy.

It proposes aid for companies hit by the trade war, funded by counter-tariff revenues.

As soon as Parliament returns, the party is committed to reintroducing Bill C-282, Protecting Supply Management in Trade Negotiations. This will “ensure that our farmers and processors are not sacrificed yet again by Ottawa in the CUSMA.”

The Bloc said it wants the government to prioritize the bill so that it receives Royal Assent before the summer of 2025. Additionally, the Bloc will push for parliamentary approval of free trade agreements before ratification.

"This is not a rural issue. The quality of milk and the predictability of prices are guaranteed by supply management,” Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said. “Supply management, through legislative avenues, must be irrevocably and concretely protected before the start of any formal negotiations with the Americans.”

Other platform promises include:

Promote Quebec wood use in construction via a federal wood charter.
Request Ottawa transfer cell coverage funds to Quebec, as with high-speed Internet.
Push for a cap on oil and gas sector GHG emissions to ensure yearly reductions through 2030.
Call for an end to all fossil fuel subsidies and public support.
Support carbon pricing nationwide.
Oppose greenwashing in all forms.
Ban thermal coal exports.
Tax oil and gas windfall profits, reinvesting revenues in climate adaptation.

Election news in brief

NDP aims to bring more docs, cheaper food and better roads to region, Sudbury Star, April 14

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh unveiled a Northern Ontario plan focused on improving health care access, lowering grocery costs, upgrading roads, and supporting French-language services. Promises include targeted investments in local doctors, food affordability, infrastructure, and bilingual programs to ensure no Northern community is left behind.

In Manitoba’s Wheat City, uncertainty over tariffs is causing frustration for everyone, The Globe and Mail, April 4

With the local economy tightly tied to U.S. trade, the evolving political landscape leaves residents and businesses anxious, adjusting to a future that feels increasingly unpredictable.

Voters in Osoyoos, B.C., divided over political leadership as federal election nears, The Globe and Mail, March 30

Amid trade tensions, a health care crisis, and climate woes, locals debate whether change or continuity will better secure their future.

Canada’s ‘most notorious city’ weighs in on the federal election, CTV News, April 1

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, known for its rich history, murals, and the famous underground tunnels tied to Al Capone, thrives on tourism, especially from the U.S. and across Canada. Amid curling excitement and historic charm, locals voice concerns over trade tensions, health care, and political division ahead of the federal election.

Liberals unveil agriculture plan focused on protection and investment, Means & Ways, April 4

Liberal Leader Mark Carney pledged to keep supply management out of U.S. trade talks, calling it “part of our economic sovereignty.”

Industrial carbon pricing would kill Canadian steel industry, Poilievre claims, The Canadian Press, April 9

Poilievre argued that many of Canada’s steel producers would “shut down and go south,” and that “there will be no steel industry left in Canada” if the industrial carbon pricing law remains in place.

Federal election 2025: What’s at stake for immigration policy?, iPolitics, April 4

“It’s unclear what Carney or Poilievre would prioritize when setting their respective immigration policies, but, … it is something the next government must address, as the public’s consensus in favour of immigration is largely dependent on welcoming skilled professionals to Canada,” iPolitics reports.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Agnico’s $600K golden ticket to lure docs to northern town

Toronto-based gold mining company Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. is contributing $600,000 to a $1.8 million fund dedicated to bringing more physicians to Timmins, according to a report in Northern Ontario Business. The fund offers $60,000 “start-up grants” and $150,000 interest-free loans to doctors who are willing to relocate to the resource-rich city in northeastern Ontario. Agnico Eagle VP of Ontario Andrew Leite says he hopes other companies in the area will follow suit.

Ottawa targets health gaps with wider loan program

The federal government is also making moves to lure doctors and nurses to rural and remote parts of the country by expanding its student loan forgiveness program. Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon, speaking in Hawkesbury, Ont., said recent changes to the program will make more than 200 additional communities eligible and bring more than 900 more doctors and nurses to under-served areas over the next decade. This expansion builds on existing support, which offers up to $60,000 in loan forgiveness for family doctors and $30,000 for nurses working in eligible communities over five years.

**Murad Al-Katib, CEO of AGT Foods and Ingredients** / UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN PHOTO

From zero to $3.5B: AGT's Al-Katib on surviving trade shocks

Murad Al-Katib, CEO of AGT Foods and Ingredients and widely known as the “Lentil King of Saskatchewan,” says he’s not panicking about the global trade uncertainty because he’s seen it before.

“Protectionism of U.S. domestic agriculture as a policy has been present and prevalent in successive U.S. administrations, no matter the political stripe,” Al-Katib told the Globe and Mail.

He sees tariff threats ultimately being scaled back because food inflation is the primary consideration in the U.S. affordability agenda. “Food and energy security, in my mind, will be the two areas where we’ll have breaks quickest, if not a complete resolution.”

Al-Katib, who led his business from a basement start-up in 2001 to a global company with $3.5 billion in revenue and 3,600 employees, said if he were prime minister for one day, “I would invest $100 billion in trade infrastructure.”

“I’m talking about the linkage of roads, rail and port infrastructure. Canada’s reputation has been that we produce among the highest-quality food in the world, but we are not as reliable in getting it to market,” he said.

Canadian policy has lagged behind the changing dynamics of global trade, he says, because we’ve been caught in “the commodity ghetto for too long.” In 2017, with no warning, India imposed massive tariffs on lentils, chick peas and peas, forcing AGT to adapt. The company shifted focus to other regions, especially North Africa and the Middle East. “We’ve put in a lot of effort to continue to develop those market outlets,” Al-Katib said. “We need to be nimble and able to pivot.”

That also means investing in the future of farming: “Saskatchewan will produce 10 million tonnes of additional agricultural products in the next eight years. So you can’t just have a digital economy in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. You also need it in rural areas where we have production.”

Rural Canada listens

Wheat Pete’s Word is a high-energy, weekly podcast hosted by agronomy expert Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson. Known for his no-nonsense advice and infectious enthusiasm, Pete digs into listener questions and explores everything from soil health and cover crops to crop management strategies that boost yield and resilience.

In the latest episode, he blends wisdom and wit as he tackles the difference between positive and negative reinforcement, shares a powerful story from his ag extension days, and draws unexpected connections between theatre, mental health, and soil testing. His message? Self-care matters just as much as your soil test results — if you want to thrive, not just survive.

We want to hear from you

Rural Prosperity Group 2025-03-03 Rural Prosperity Group 2025-03-03

The Rural Roundup - March 2025

Spotlight on rural Canada: Resilience being tested again

Now more than ever, after hearing directly from stakeholders and Canadians through conversations and submissions, it’s essential for us to take a moment to reflect on our shared vision for rural Canada’s economic prosperity.

Every day, we are reminded that rural Canadians are looking, both personally and through their organizations, for more focus and action on their concerns. These include everything from immigration and workforce integration to connectivity and taxation policies, especially regarding the climate impact on rural communities. One stakeholder summed it up well, saying, “We need a new approach to economic development in Canada.”

Since the launch of the Rural Prosperity Group, we have witnessed the resilience and ingenuity of rural communities. With great uncertainty on the North American trade front, that resilience will again be tested.

Our mission is to highlight the critical importance of rural Canada and the rural way of life to our country’s economic growth and prosperity. We are doing this by:

Bringing together diverse voices to deepen ties and foster dialogue on the unique considerations for rural communities. Our reach currently spans Canadians living in rural Canada and public policy stakeholders at urban and rural boardroom tables. We are meeting Canadians where they are, whether that’s at a Royal Canadian Legion on Fogo Island, Nfld., at a Cercle des fermières in Québec, at a dairy farm in Steinbach, Man., or at a small business in downtown Vancouver, as well as online.
Sharing rural Canadian stories and successes and promoting your initiatives through diverse and effective communication channels.
Asking for commitments that ensure no future regulations or policy initiatives that harm rural Canada, even inadvertently, will be implemented, and that any existing policies and regulations be urgently reviewed through a rural lens, so that they truly support the rural way of life and create real opportunities.

Currently we are focused on reaching out, through our lobbyist, to political parties and transition teams, ahead of the upcoming election to raise awareness about the need to include a focus on rural in their platforms. With Finance Canada Budget 2025 consultations underway, we’re also finalizing a submission and will engage further.

In the coming weeks, you’ll also see more from Rural Prosperity Group as we implement a digital campaign to hear from Canadians and meet them where they are online. Expect our evolved communication to reflect a natural shift post-diagnostique phase of focusing on challenges and gaps, to an equal amount of shedding light on the promise of rural Canada. We will engage Canadians on those opportunities, including sharing the input received to date.

Additionally, as things unfold, and keeping in mind the intricacies of our North American markets, we remain vigilant about any engagement outside Canada. We welcome any thoughts on this at any time: info@ruralprosperity.ca.

This Rural Roundup will keep you and all stakeholders informed of our activities and highlight rural communities' needs and contributions. We would love to hear from you so that we can share your story and the stories of your neighbours. Please send your ideas to us.

You are central to these efforts and we look forward to collaborating!

**Honorary vice-chair Dennis Dawson pictured with honorary chair Candice Bergen at the NAC just after launching the Rural Prosperity Group.**

Honorary chair meets with stakeholders

The Hon. Candice Bergen, honorary chair of the Rural Prosperity Group, met with agriculture stakeholders in Ottawa last month to outline the group’s work and promote rural Canada, which she said is “the jewel of our nation.”

She celebrated the dairy sector’s leadership on rural prosperity, innovation and job creation, and discussed the need to both protect the “rural way of life” and educate urban Canadians about the value rural prosperity brings to not only their own lives but the success of organizations as well.

Separately, in a widely-attended Forest Products Association of Canada event in the fall, Bergen was awarded the Jim Carr Forest Community Champion Award for her commitment to Canada's natural resources and rural way of life over the course of her career.

“It was a privilege to work for Canadians from coast to coast and see the important work they were doing to help make our country a better place. This was especially true in our rural and remote communities, where our forestry sector is often the key driver of economic growth,” she said.

During a panel discussion that she moderated at the same event, Bergen said, “There's a real lack of services that has a direct effect on rural Canadians and how we can operate our businesses and grow.”

She and honorary vice-chair Dennis Dawson are committed to bringing urgency to the issues through public communication.

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Primer on way forward on looming U.S. tariffs: ‘Quite simply, bad business’

As of Monday morning, Donald Trump's tariff plans remain unpredictable.

An executive order issued today lays the groundwork to remove the rule that allows certain low-value shipments from Canada to enter the U.S. without paying tariffs.

On March 4, he has threatened a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian goods, though delays are possible, and experts expect either another postponement or a smaller tariff.

On March 12, a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum is likely, impacting Canada significantly. The scope remains unclear, and enforcement could extend to car parts and construction materials. A delay is also possible.

By April 1, the U.S. will review trade measures, potentially leading to global minimum tariffs or targeted retaliatory tariffs against certain countries, including Canada.

On April 2, Trump has threatened 25 per cent tariffs on auto, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and possibly lumber imports, which could harm Canada’s economy.

Later in spring 2025, Trump may use these tariffs as leverage to renegotiate CUSMA, demanding more access to Canada’s dairy market, changes to digital trade policies, and auto trade restrictions. If Canada resists, Trump could threaten to withdraw from the agreement.

The U.S. has justified these measures as necessary to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged to implement “dollar-for-dollar, matching tariffs” on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods if the U.S. tariffs proceed. The initial phase imposes 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion of American imports, with plans to extend these tariffs to the remaining $125 billion within three weeks. This stance reflects Canada's commitment to defending its economic interests amid the escalating trade dispute.

While many others are, the rural agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable. Canadian farmers export approximately 60 per cent of their products to the U.S., and industry leaders are concerned about the potential impact of tariffs on cash flow and profitability.

Chris Davison, president of the Canola Council of Canada, noted that farmers are likely to be affected across all aspects of their operations. “Certainly, farmers will unfortunately feel the impact,” he said. “We anticipate it will touch virtually all facets of their operations.”

Additionally, U.S. refiners are exploring alternatives to Canadian oil in anticipation of the tariffs, which could disrupt existing supply chains and impact operations.

The potential for a full-scale trade war looms, with significant implications for industries and consumers in both countries. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to resolve the disputes and prevent even further escalation, however, the last thing our rural innovators need is continued uncertainty.

Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, says the tariffs will have negative consequences on both sides of the border. “Our agriculture sectors rely on each other, not just to sell products to one another but also to provide essential inputs to grow food such as fertilizer.”

Our competitors around the world are the only winners in a trade dispute between Canada and the U.S., Currie said, adding, “Tariffs are quite simply, bad business.”

In a joint-statement, the Canadian Cattle Association and the National Cattle Feeders' Association said the beef industry would seek an exemption from the blanket tariffs, and will be advocating for relief support for impacted producers.

Rural Canada is the backbone of our economy. It includes workers in the following industries:

Innovative sectors
Agriculture
Forestry
Natural resources
Telecommunications
Vital infrastructure and supply chains
Technology (delivering healthcare to rural and remote communities) and more!

Rural Canada is a key creator of wealth and opportunity for the entire country and its industries are major drivers of exports to the U.S. Any increase in tariffs or trade restrictions would almost certainly result in reduced market access, lower prices for Canadian products and job losses in rural industries. This will directly impact farm incomes, disrupt supply chains and hurt small businesses that rely on exports to sustain their operations.

POV: Forest group head champions made-in-Canada essentials

By Derek Nighbor
President and CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

While being immediately felt in rural and northern Canada, the current U.S. tariff threat facing Canada’s forest sector has serious implications for the rest of the country. It’s a wake-up call to urgently improve competitiveness and infrastructure, and to diversify export markets — in tandem with our efforts in this new world to evolve our shared economic and security partnership with our American neighbours.

Forestry has long been a cornerstone of the Canadian and North American economies. But it’s not the $87 billion-plus in revenue it generates annually that tells the story. Forestry’s economic, environmental and social benefits come from the more than 200,000 Canadians directly employed in the sector, living and working in hundreds of communities across the country.

In these uncertain times, it would serve us to remember the lessons we learned during the pandemic about the importance of domestic supply chains and the need to ensure we can provide essential products to all Canadians. We must prioritize growing our natural resource industries sustainably, so we are not depending on other countries for basic goods and supplies — and we can reliably generate economic wealth for Canadian families.

Canada’s forestry communities are on the front line providing innovative “made-in-Canada” essentials that can address our most basic needs, including affordable housing, biofuel, paper packaging, diapers and other hygiene products. It’s high time that we recognize these workers and the contributions they make to the rest of Canada by ensuring we have a clear national economic plan that reflects their unique local conditions.

Today, and throughout our history, forestry forms a backbone for Canada by keeping hundreds of communities alive and leading the world. Rural Canadians deserve a clear economic growth plan that can make a positive difference in the lives of the people who call these communities home.

Showcase your leadership and get your message out

Stability in #cdnpoli even more sorely needed today

This has been a tumultuous number of months for Canadian federal politics and the ground continues to shift rapidly. Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney has taken the lead in the race to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Liberal Party leader, following Trudeau's resignation announcement earlier this year. Some would say Carney’s decision to enter the race has revived the outlook for the Liberals in the upcoming election, which could be announced as early as March.

Polls now show that the Liberals, who only weeks ago looked like no-hopers to retain power, have narrowed the once-massive gap with the Conservative Party of Canada to a thin single-digit advantage. Most observers believe this might not have happened without the sense of urgency created by U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariff plan — not to mention his casual comments about annexing Canada — however the picture in Canadian federal politics has changed completely, though it certainly remains chaotic.

As you know, Parliament is prorogued, with lawmakers not due to return until March 24 and as such the state of our government’s finances is in suspended animation. Lawmakers have been deprived of an opportunity to debate the government’s fiscal update which showed a $62 billion federal deficit. Leaders of all political parties, including Pierre Poilievre, are quickly recalibrating messages and platforms to respond to the hardball tactics coming out of Washington.

“Canada’s next Prime Minister must hit the ground running and be laser-focused on strengthening the Canada-U.S. trade relationship,” Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candace Laing has said. “Any business owner knows the dangers of staying in the red year after year. Any homeowner knows that mortgages shouldn’t get bigger over time. The lack of fiscal accountability … combined with a government in total disarray, creates profound instability for Canadian businesses and families at a time when we need the opposite.”

For rural Canadians, there were several areas touched on in the FES that still need to be clarified. Prior to proroguing parliament, the Liberals promised to invest in the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, expand the Canada Carbon Rebate rural top-up, prioritize a new Community Banking Initiative and support the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station to biomass.

These demonstrate a clear recognition of the challenges faced by communities across Canada. The deficit will have a detrimental effect on rural Canada, particularly now that tensions with the U.S. may require a significant shift in how Canadian policymakers prioritize spending, for instance, toward meeting NATO targets or supporting workers whose jobs have been affected by any trade war.

“Canada’s business community remains extremely worried about the government’s lack of a robust plan to tackle the expanding deficit and revive economic prosperity,” said Laing. “From manufacturers to farmers, a strained relationship with the U.S. will be felt across every sector.”

A former senior trade official said the timing of the tariff threat is “very unfortunate” for Canada as our own political landscape is unstable. “We're really not in the kind of position we would like to be in terms of having a clear, coherent strategy going forward, given all that uncertainty,” the official said at a recent conference. “All of these issues, whether it's the issues at the border, trade, deficit concerns, unfair trade practices, all of this is eventually going to turn into some kind of negotiation, and then it's a question of how we can best deal with that.”

The official emphasized the need to have a plan rather than starting off too early by making concessions. “Others have said we may need to make certain obligations with respect to our resources,” he said. “And I'm sure you've heard, as I have, as some have said, we need to put dairy on the table. I think that is completely misreading the situation with the U.S. It was very clear from the negotiation we had with the last Trump administration that resulted in the CUSMA that if you offer the U.S. concessions too early, they're not going to have much value at all. The U.S. is simply going to accept them.”

It is now vital that the government demonstrates the stability and commitment required to deliver tangible results for all Canadians.

**Liberal Party leadership candidates Karina Gould, Frank Baylis, Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney, pictured in Montreal at the English debate on Feb. 25.**

Liberal leadership candidates give shout-out to rural Canada

Two Liberal leadership candidates raised the importance of rural Canada during the English debate on Feb. 25 in Montreal and another did so during their campaign launch.

In response to a question about productivity in the face of tariff threats from the U.S., Chrystia Freeland noted that rural Canada is a key piece of the puzzle.

“I do want to talk about a part of the economy where there have been huge leaps in productivity, which is central to Canada's resilience and economic strength, particularly as we face up to Donald Trump, and that is rural Canada,” she said. Having herself grown up on a farm in Alberta, she said she knows how farmers “are an important source of strength when it comes to this standoff with the U.S.”

Karina Gould said she supports rural Canada’s economies and as prime minister would revive Bill C-282 to protect supply management. “It was a piece of legislation that unfortunately died when we prorogued parliament, but I think it is imperative that we protect our supply-managed sectors,” she said. “One of the frustrations that [audience member] Roland had with us as a government is that we haven't spoken enough about sectors in rural Canada, whether that is mining, whether that is energy, whether that is agriculture, whether that is forestry.”

At Freeland’s campaign launch in Toronto, Liberal Quebec MP and caucus chair Stéphane Lauzon remarked that he’s worked with Freeland over the last nine years and knows she’s engaged with all Canadians “in big cities and small towns and rural regions.”

“We know rural regions are the heart of our economy and our identity,” he said, adding that Freeland understands that all regions in Canada need to be supported.

When she took the stage, Freeland spoke about growing up in rural Alberta. “While Toronto is now my home, I was born in Peace River, Alta., a place in the rural part of our country that Stéphane Lauzon spoke about so movingly. My dad's a farmer and a small-town lawyer and my mother was a Ukrainian immigrant who arrived here with her family as a child,” she said, noting she owes a lot to her parents’ hard work.

At his launch in Edmonton, Mark Carney spoke about some of the issues facing Canadians, including in rural Canada. “Our times are anything but ordinary. The system is not working as it should and it's not working as it could,” he said, adding many Canadians are falling behind, unable to find family doctors or afford their home. “We're living through the two biggest technological revolutions since they split the atom. Our climate is changing in ways that threaten livelihoods from Fort Mac to Fort Smith.”

Many hurdles, but rural and small-town businesses remain optimistic according to StatsCan survey

Businesses in Canada’s rural and small-town (RST) areas faced a complex economic landscape in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a new analysis based on the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions. Key challenges included rising input costs, labour shortages and increasing debt burdens, which also impacted functional urban areas. Despite these hurdles, a majority of businesses expressed optimism about their 12-month prospects.

Report highlights divergence between rural and northern areas

The State of Rural Canada 2024 report by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation highlights challenges and opportunities in rural, remote and northern communities. While some areas face population decline, others are growing through immigration and returning residents. Traditional industries are evolving, and new sectors like renewable energy and technology offer growth potential.

Rural areas face climate risks, aging infrastructure and limited services, but northern communities show resilience, according to the report, which pointed to partnerships with Indigenous communities, digital innovation, sustainable economies and local food systems. It calls for a National Rural Strategy, climate-resilient infrastructure, better healthcare and Indigenous-led initiatives to build a stronger, more prosperous rural Canada.

Despite challenges, there are opportunities to leverage digital technologies, create sustainable economic models and strengthen local food systems, the report says.

Immigration cuts mean rural communities will age faster

Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, released in October 2024, forecasts a 0.2 per cent population decline in 2025 and 2026, followed by a return to 0.8 per cent growth in 2027. During this period, the population aged 65 and older is expected to increase by nearly three per cent annually.

The working-age population (ages 15-64) could shrink by over 450,000 between late 2024 and late 2026, the report said. In contrast, international immigration and non-permanent residents in this age group grew by more than one million in 2024 — about the size of the entire population of Nova Scotia.

Rural communities are aging faster than urban areas, as they lack the influx of new residents from immigration.

“The odds of immigrants moving into rural Canada have actually decreased over time rather than increased,” said Lindsay Finlay, a PhD candidate in sociology at Western University and the lead author of The Places We'll Go: Rural Migration in Canada. “It's the kind of things like a lack of transportation, a lack of employment, academic opportunities. There's also the risk of potential discrimination in these areas.”

Exploring ways to attract more immigrants, invest in workforce training and leverage technology to mitigate labour shortages and sustain economic growth need to be priorities.

Fitbits for cows? How technology can propel rural economies

Karen is a dairy farmer who uses cutting-edge technology, which she likens to a “Fitbit for cows,” to monitor their health and productivity. This technology allows her to track each cow’s activity, food intake and milk production, helping her make informed, data-driven decisions.

“I can honestly say I probably know more about my individual cows than my kids on some days,” she joked. “We track all the components in their milk, their feed intake. And we’re evaluating the data, asking are we doing the best job possible? Is there anything that stands out that we can tweak to make it that much better for the cows?”

A mother of four, she and her husband now run their 400-cow operation supported by eight employees. She fosters a compassionate workplace and takes pride in producing high-quality, nutritious food. “It’s amazing what is actually happening on dairy farms, using data-driven decisions and making the best animal care choices,” she said.

CGI’s AI innovations save lives in rural, remote communities

The inaugural podcast episode of I4 Insights explores how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, particularly for rural and remote communities.

Joy Ardz from CGI highlighted an innovative project originally designed for astronauts that has direct applications for underserved populations: “We developed a smart container that had the ability to check in, guide the patient through this whole interactive experience of self-testing, telemedicine, medical education, and treatment.”

This technology could revolutionize healthcare access in isolated regions, including Indigenous communities.

Andrew Doner, CGI’s VP of AI and Analytics, discussed AI’s role in diagnostics and efficiency, citing a collaboration with Helsinki University that uses AI to detect brain hemorrhages days or weeks before they become critical: “By having the AI solution complement the experts, we’re now able to diagnose and begin to treat those issues in advance.”

Joshua McCutcheon, a senior program consultant from Alberta Health Services asked: “I'm curious, what does this mean for Alberta? What are the next steps and how could we bring some of this work to start affecting our rural communities or individuals who are looking to access their information in a more meaningful way to them.”

Ardz highlighted the need for a human-centred, design-thinking approach in Alberta’s healthcare policy. She compared healthcare data flow to an angiogram, explaining that blockages in patient information and access can be just as harmful as physical health conditions.

Doner reinforced the urgency of adopting AI responsibly to handle growing healthcare demands, stating, “It’s time to be bold, be brave, be courageous and get after it with a bias to action.”

The episode also covered CGI’s work with Indigenous communities, using AI-powered risk assessments for fire safety and virtual assistants to improve healthcare accessibility. These initiatives demonstrate how technology can bridge gaps in rural healthcare, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes. “These kinds of technologies allow us to bring world-class expertise into communities that otherwise wouldn’t have access,” Doner said.

Listen to the full podcast here.