A new government task force has been launched to help revitalize rural Alberta.
The 10-member task force comprising government and rural representatives will advise government on what needs to be put in place to implement the rural development strategy announced Feb. 24.
“Access to the Alberta Advantage should not be contingent on an urban postal code,” said Alberta agriculture minister Doug Horner.
The strategy sets out four priorities that are essential for sustainable growth in rural areas: economic growth; quality of life and infrastructure; health care; and learning and skill development.
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It also outlines nine priority actions for government, which task force executive director Lou Normand said must now be implemented.
“The task force was set up to make sure it’s not bureaucrats that move the initiative forward,” he said.
“This is to ensure rural needs and concerns are heard at very senior levels.”
Part of the strategy is to ensure rural Albertans have a stronger rural voice, which would partly be accomplished by establishing a Rural Alberta Gateway that would provide rural Albertans with one-stop access to information about governmental and other programs.
The strategy also outlines the importance of promoting economic development in rural communities by expanding tourism and supporting regional alliances, improving access to health care and expanding distance-learning opportunities.
The Rural Alberta: Land of Opportunity report that was released two years ago provided the basis for the new rural strategy, said task force chair Doug Griffiths.
“This is not going to guarantee success,” he said. “This is just going to make it possible if communities want it.”
