Rural roadmap : Feuille de route pour les régions rurales : la voie à suivre pour l'Ontario

Sincerely, Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs 3 Introduction The Ontario government established the Over the past year, we listened to communities Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) in February and regions from Essex to the Quebec border 2013 to ensure the voice of rural Ontario and in Ontario’s North. [...] Through students in Grades 7 to 10 to the skills its membership the PCYO provides a and mindset of entrepreneurship voice for rural youth in the review and using role models, case studies and feedback of government initiatives. [...] The goals of the strategy include making good asset Meanwhile, the 2013 Ontario budget management planning universal, included a $100 million Small, Rural optimizing use of the full range of and Northern Municipal Infrastructure infrastructure financing tools and Fund to support capital and asset addressing the structural challenges management investments in critical facing small and rural communi [...] Last summer, the Minister These sessions were in addition to of Rural Affairs and the Minister of a number of one-on-one meetings Infrastructure and Transportation with rural leaders at the Rural co-hosted 10 consultations across Ontario Municipal Association and the province, as well as a webinar, Association of Municipalities of Ontario hearing from more than 500 municipal conferences. [...] Ministry of Rural Affairs • MRA will continue to work with the Ministry • Through our ongoing Rural Economic of Aboriginal Affairs to assist in adapting and Development Program, MRA will help developing tools and resources to meet the make even more communities and specific needs of Aboriginal people and find regions investment-ready.