Government of Canada launches survey to develop action plan for rural communities

The Government of Canada wants to hear from rural residents in communities across the country about what matters to them.

Running from Dec. 15 to Feb. 6, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will use information gathered from an online survey to create a rural development action plan. The survey follows a series of rural roundtables over the last six months with key stakeholders and partners across Canada; additional roundtables are planned for the new year as well.

Responses will help the government better understand the challenges and opportunities in rural communities and what it can do to increase prosperity and development in those communities. The collected data will also help shape policy, develop programs, and measure supports for rural development in Canada.

“Rural Canada feeds our country. It also powers it, builds it and connects it. With this consultation, we’re asking Canadians in rural, remote, and northern communities to tell us what’s working, what isn’t, and where we need to be more flexible so that federal programs actually match rural realities. If we’re serious about building one Canadian economy, then rural Canada has to be at the heart of that plan. That starts with listening,” stated Secretary of State (Rural Development) Buckley Belanger.

The survey asks three questions: How can existing federal initiatives be improved to better address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by your rural community?; What federal, provincial, territorial or regional programs have been notably successful in promoting rural development within your region?; and What kinds of policy changes or initiatives would make the greatest difference to the long-term sustainability of your region, and how can we measure their success? What nation-building projects could contribute to this sustainability?

In June 2019, the federal government published the first rural economic development strategy. A progress report was released in August 2021, and the new action plan will build from that report.

Canada has more than 4,000 rural communities, which represent more than a quarter of the population and contributes to more than 25 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product.

The survey is open to rural residents; rural businesses and organizations; Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations; local governments; academics and researchers; anyone working or connected to rural communities.

To take the survey visit ised-isde.canada.ca/site/rural/en/help-shape-future-rural-canada-moving-strategy-action. For those who wish to take the survey by email please contact rural@ised-isde.gc.ca.