The rural economy and the way of life must be central to every decision Ottawa makes

Rural-based industries and sectors must be centralized in Canadian dialogue and policy. 

These include: 

  • Agriculture and agrifood

  • Energy

  • Mining

  • Fisheries

  • Forestry

  • Tourism

  • Telecommunications

  • Healthcare

  • Supply chain

  • Education

  • Cybersecurity

  • Infrastructure

  • Small business

    … and more

What are we asking?

Apply a rural lens to all future policy, program and regulatory decisions

We must ensure that no future federal regulation or policy — whether intentionally or inadvertently — harms rural Canada. This requires the institutional and consistent application of a rural lens at all stages of federal decision-making, ensuring that new programs or initiatives account for rural needs, challenges and opportunities.

Review existing policies through a rural lens to unleash growth and resilience

An early and comprehensive review of existing policies and regulations to determine how they impact rural communities today — and how they can be retooled on a priority basis to support rural economic success and thriving should be launched.

Proven and nimble avenues already exist for incorporating a rural lens

A rural lens on public policy is a low-cost tool to unlock the opportunities that exist in rural Canada.

Government already has some of examples of these tools at their disposal, such as the inclusion of a rural-specific component in for-decision memorandums, Treasury Board’s impact analysis, and even adapting other existing impact assessments.

Analysis is required at the beginning of decision-making, not as an afterthought. 

Considerations could include:

  1. How will rural residents access this policy, program, or service?

  2. What tangible benefits will this deliver to rural communities? 

  3. Does the policy assume an urban delivery model that may not work in rural settings?

  4. Are supply chain or ecosystem capacities being considered? 

  5. Are the rural assets being maximized, with their prospects realized? 

  6. If structural challenges cannot be addressed, how will rural Canada be supported through innovative, alternative measures?

  7. Are rural communities well-prepared and well-supported to achieve a successful transition? 

  8. Does this genuinely reflect rural needs, or is it a top-down solution that won’t work locally? 

  9. Were unintended impacts evaluated? 

  10. Were rural-specific metrics applied in planning?

A rural lens will yield a significant return on investment. It ensures every dollar the government spends — from infrastructure to innovation and more — works for all Canadians, regardless of postal code.

Tell us your story!

Do you have examples of where a rural lens would have benefited rural Canada and our country’s economic prosperity had it been applied appropriately? 

Do you have policy solutions that need to be amplified? 

We want to hear from you. Tell us your story in the form below.