Rural issues take centre stage in HoC
ISTOCK PHOTO
Policymakers recognize the unique challenges and opportunities facing communities outside urban centres — whether it’s the rising cost of living, a lack of infrastructure or employment concerns — so it makes sense that rural Canada is increasingly taking centre stage in the House of Commons.
As Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer noted earlier this month, “Everything that exists in urban Canada originated from rural Canada.”
This focus comes at a critical time, as Canada navigates ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The Canada–U.S. trade landscape has a direct impact on rural communities, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing and resource-based sectors. Decisions made in Ottawa ripple through local economies, affecting jobs, investment and the sustainability of rural businesses. It has never been more important to apply a rural lens to public policy — ensuring that trade and economic decisions consider the realities and needs of communities outside major urban centres.
As part of our advocacy, RPG has prepared a detailed brief for the upcoming CUSMA consultations, highlighting key priorities for rural communities and offering practical recommendations to support sustainable growth and prosperity in this challenging trade environment.
Clearer picture
We are also looking forward to sharing the results of our recent survey, which gathered insights directly from rural residents and stakeholders. These findings will provide a clearer picture of the issues that matter most to rural communities and help guide future policy engagement.
In recent weeks, RPG has been meeting with numerous Parliamentarians, and the feedback has been encouraging. Many officials have expressed strong support for applying a rural lens to policy decisions, shifting the focus so that rather than being an afterthought, Rural Canada is seen as a true driver of the national economy, one that requires specific approaches to address its needs.
Through these efforts, RPG continues to ensure that rural voices are heard, particularly at a time when trade and economic policy are having a profound impact on rural prosperity.
Do you have any stories about owning the digital podium in rural Canada? We’d love to highlight them in the next newsletter. Reach out to info@ruralprosperity.ca.