ECONOMIC REMEDIES MUST SUPPORT RURAL, FARMING COMMUNITIES, SAY MUNICIPAL, AGRICULTURAL LEADERS

National Groups Call on Parties to Strengthen Rural Link in Supply Chain

OTTAWA, Sept. 25 – As the global economy grows more uncertain, Canada’s leading municipal and agricultural associations are calling on all party leaders to endorse a vision for prosperous farms, sustainable communities, and a strongly linked rural–urban economy.

Today Jean Perrault, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Mayor of Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Laurent Pellerin, First Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) sent a joint letter to all party leaders asking them to endorse a four-point plan for prosperous farms and strong rural communities.

“If cities are the country’s economic engines, then rural Canada provides the fuel that fires those engines,” said Mayor Perrault. “At a time when economic uncertainty is growing, Canadians want to know that their government is taking action to secure the foundations of our prosperity and quality of life. That means keeping rural Canada strong and connected to domestic and international markets.”

“Farms employ 250,000 Canadians and contribute eight per cent of Canada’s GDP,” said Pellerin. “Our country’s quality of life — and our day-to-day lives — would be unimaginable without affordable, quality agricultural products.”

“The family farm feeds the economy — and it feeds the country,” Pellerin added.

“Without a commitment to provide the quality roads and bridges that farms need to get their products to market, and without the water systems and recreational facilities that communities need to attract and keep new investment and jobs, the vital rural link in the national supply chain will weaken, hurting our economy and quality of life,” said Mayor Perrault.

In their joint letter to party leaders, CFA and FCM outline a four-point plan to bolster the agricultural sector and build strong, sustainable rural communities:

1. Develop and release a vision for rural and agricultural economic vitality within one year.

2. Dedicate funding for rural communities in all federal infrastructure programs.

3. Revive the National Outlook agricultural conference and establish a timetable for addressing key agricultural issues, including business risk management, public goods and services, strategic growth and trade.

4. Strengthen the Rural Secretariat and appoint a Cabinet champion for rural issues.

Mayor Perrault will be focusing on these issues when he addresses the annual meeting of the members of the Federation of Quebec Municipalities (FQM) in Quebec City at 12:45 this Saturday.

“Canadians understand that this isn’t a rural–urban issue — it’s a national issue with implications for our economy and quality of life,” said Pellerin. “By stepping forward and committing to these principles, party leaders can show that they understand the most fundamental needs of Canadians, and that they’re ready to invest in the country’s rural foundations.”

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Click here to read the letter to all party leaders

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The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. FCM fosters sustainable communities enjoying a high quality of life by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal government. With more than 1,750 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada’s largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

Founded in 1935 to provide Canada’s farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is the country’s largest farmers’ organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations, national and inter-provincial commodity organizations, and cooperatives from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.