Prince Edward Island Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair has announced the establishment of the Rural Economic Development Advisory Council to provide advice on the formulation of a rural development strategy for the province. The members of the council are Norma MacNeill of Cascumpec, Russell Gallant of Tignish, Leonce Bernard of Wellington, Jeanette Arsenault of Borden-Carleton, and Denis Thibodeau of Souris.
“I am very pleased that such a group of committed and knowledgeable people have agreed to serve on the council,” said Minister LeClair. “I will be looking to their experience and their understanding of the challenges facing rural communities as we lay the foundation for a development strategy.”
The department will be holding consultation sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to provide input on the strategy. The consultation sessions begin early in July. The first takes place July 6 at Rodd’s Mill River Resort. Further sessions are planned for July 8 at the Montague Curling Club and July 9 at the Crapaud Community Hall. All sessions begin at 7 p.m. Additional community consultations and focus group gatherings will be held at a later date.
Those attending the sessions will review the discussion paper, Renewing Rural Prince Edward Island, which was released during a conference held in April that brought together representatives from the community development organizations as well as from the agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism industries and rural businesses. The public consultations will include a survey questionnaire which will be posted on the department’s website at www.gov.pe.ca/go/renewruralpei.
“The rural consultation sessions are an important step in our public process,” said Minister LeClair. “However, I also encourage every rural Islander to fill in the survey questionnaire and let their ideas help to shape the future.”
The questionnaire will be available online in early July, and hard copies can picked up and submitted at any of the Access PEI sites.
“We are consulting widely with rural Islanders and other interested residents over the coming months to come up with a practical and workable approach to rural economic development,” said Minister LeClair. “There are significant opportunities to create more jobs and growth in rural communities across Prince Edward Island, and this consultation process provides a great chance for people to discuss ideas and strategies.”