Liberals support rural mayors in calling Harper government to action
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Liberal MPs have thrown their support behind rural mayors who are calling on the Harper Conservative government to address the challenges of the four pillars of the rural economy – forestry, fisheries, agriculture and mining.
“As a truly national party, it’s critical that we understand and represent the values and concerns of rural Canadians,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “It’s why I asked my caucus to come out in large numbers to hear from Canada’s rural mayors – because we recognize the importance of the rural economy to the future prosperity of our country.
Over 50 members of the Liberal rural caucus met with rural mayors on Parliament Hill as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released a report highlighting how rural communities are struggling to create economic growth and prosperity during the recession.
“Forestry, fisheries, agriculture and mining have all been hit hard by the recession – and yet this government has no plan to help them protect jobs or create the rural jobs of tomorrow,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Rural mayors and all Canadians affected by the downturn in the rural economy can be assured that the Liberal party stands alongside them in their struggle for government action.”
The four pillars of the rural economy account for more than half of Canada’s national exports, and provide the energy, food and raw materials that fuel growth in the rest of the country. Meanwhile, household incomes in rural Canada are lower than the national average.
“Rural Canada needs a champion at the federal cabinet table and a long-term plan to reverse the decline in our struggling towns and villages,” said Liberal Agriculture Critic Wayne Easter. “If the Harper government can’t provide the leadership necessary – it falls to us to do it for them.”
MP Mark Eyking, Chair of the Liberal Party’s Rural Caucus, said Liberals agree with the FCM that having a long-term strategy for the health and vitality of rural Canada is critical for laying the groundwork to a prosperous post-recession future.
“This short-sighted Conservative government has left us with a flawed softwood lumber deal, a threatened lobster fishery and farmers struggling to keep their generations-old operations alive,” said Mr. Eyking. “We need to work on ways of making the rural economy strong and, most importantly, sustainable for the generations to come.”
Liberal MPs support the FCM’s call for more federal investments in rural communities, working with other levels of government to build a long-term plan for the future of rural Canada and to help build sustainable towns and villages.
“Our rural mayors have spoken loud and clear – and we will work to make sure their voice is heard in Parliament,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff. “Defending the interests of rural Canada is in the interests of all of Canadians, and that’s what a truly national government does.”
