Rose Olfert thinks a federal department of rural affairs is the most important recommendation to come out of a recent Senate report.
The University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist said that would address the problem of nobody being specifically responsible for rural issues.
A single government agency could best handle the health, education, transportation and natural resources policies that rural areas need, she added.
Although she said rural is not Ottawa’s highest priority, it may be moving up the agenda.
“There are some forces at work that draw attention to these issues,” such as increasing interest in the environment and the high costs of food and fuel. These are areas in which rural services affect an urban population.
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Olfert said cities draw workers and materials from rural areas, which should lead to a more regional approach to issues.
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit agreed, saying urban and rural areas need each other.
He said a rural ministry would give a stronger voice to his constituents who have found that programs for agriculture and infrastructure disappear as the rural voice weakens.
