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Growing Strong Rural Communities Workbook (Draft June 2004)
Communities across Ontario face financial, economic, social and environmental challenges. Rural communities need a different approach than urban centres to address these challenges because they often cover broad geographic areas, have smaller, more dispersed populations, smaller tax bases and a higher dependency on resource industries. Some rural areas are also without municipal structure making it even more difficult to address the challenges they face. This workbook and the accompanying consultation paper are divided into four themes based on the range and variety of challenges that rural communities face. These four themes are inter-related and together contribute to the development of strong rural communities. The themes are: We want you to help shape a plan for rural Ontario. We need your advice to identify changes to improve the economic prosperity, environmental well-being and quality of life in your community. Your input will help us better understand the priorities of rural communities and key areas for action. We value your input and would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to help us develop a plan for rural Ontario – a plan that will reflect your views and address your needs, issues and concerns.
THEME: SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPAL FISCAL CAPACITY & INFRASTRUCTURE 1a. What is the greatest challenge facing your community? Rank the challenges listed 1b. What are the reasons for your #1 choice?
2a. Municipal Fiscal Capacity What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with municipal fiscal capacity challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to pages 6-7 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. 2b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing municipal fiscal capacity
3a. Infrastructure (water and waste water systems, roads, bridges, cultural, recreational What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with infrastructure challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 8 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. 3b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing infrastructure challenges? You may
4a. Telecommunication Infrastructure What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with telecommunication infrastructure challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to pages 9-10 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Encouraging partnerships 4b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing telecommunication infrastructure
5. Do you have any other comments related to municipal fiscal capacity and
THEME: STRONG ECONOMIES 1a. What is the greatest challenge facing your community? Rank the challenges listed __ Local economies and community capacity 1b. What are the reasons for your #1 choice?
2a. Local Economies and Community Capacity What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with local economy and community capacity challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 12 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. 2b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing local economy and community
2c. How important is the revitalization of downtown areas and/ or the redevelopment of 2d. Rate the importance of each of the following types of support that the Ontario Municipal financing tools (incentives to communities under Community 1 2 3 4 5 Advisory support (e.g. technical assistance and facilitation provided to individual 1 2 3 4 5 Grant programs (e.g. financial assistance to communities) 1 2 3 4 5 Enabling legislation (e.g. heritage designations, business improvement areas) 1 2 3 4 5 Training, education and awareness (e.g. publications, training events, web resources, 1 2 3 4 5
3a. A Skilled Labour Force What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with possible existing and future skilled labour force shortages? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 13 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Providing tools to help identify skill needs 3b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing skilled labour force challenges?
4a. Business Development What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with business development? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 14 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Creating community investment tools
5a. Attracting and Retaining Young People __ Creating a community marketing strategy 5b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing the out-migration of young people?
6. Do you have any other comments related to strong economies?
THEME: A HEALTHY SOCIAL CLIMATE 1a. What is the greatest challenge facing your community? Rank the challenges listed __ Health-care services 1b. What are the reasons for your # 1 choice?
2a. Health-Care Services What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with health-care service challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to pages 17-18 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Supporting partnerships to renovate or provide equipment for local health-care 2b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing health-care challenges? You may
3a. Education What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with education challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 18 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Expanding the availability of courses through distance education 3b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing education challenges? You may
4a. Community Well-Being and Safety What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with challenges to community well-being? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 20 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Supporting the formation and operation of community foundations 4b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing community well-being challenges?
5. Do you have any other comments related to a healthy social climate?
THEME: A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT 1a. What is the greatest challenge facing your community? Rank the challenges listed __ Water quality and quantity 1b. What are the reasons for your #1 choice?
2a. Water Quality and Quantity What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with water quality and quantity challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 21 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Providing information and tools 2b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing water quality and quantity
3a. Waste Management What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with waste management challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 22 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Exploring regional collaboration and partnerships 3b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing waste management challenges?
4a. Air Quality What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with air quality challenges? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 23 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Supporting the development and promotion of alternative energy production 4b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing air quality challenges? You may build on the examples provided above or develop your own.
5a. Protecting Natural Features and Landscapes What are the most effective ways to help rural communities deal with challenges related to protecting natural features and landscapes? Rank the following ideas (#1 being the most effective). Refer to page 24 of the Consultation Paper for a more detailed description. __ Providing tools and resources to assist communities with community revitalization 5b. What additional ideas do you have for addressing natural features and landscape challenges? You may build on the examples provided above or develop your own.
6. Do you have any other comments related to a clean and healthy environment?
A VISION FOR RURAL ONTARIO 1. How well does this statement match your vision of a strong rural Ontario? 1 2 3 4 5 2a. Is there anything you would add, remove or change about this vision? __ YES __NO 2b. If yes, what changes would you make?
COMPLETING THE PICTURE Thank you for sharing your ideas and comments. The ultimate success of Ontario’s Rural Plan will depend to a great degree on the quality and range of suggestions the province receives from rural residents and stakeholders. This workbook is available online, as is the accompanying consultation paper. Respondents can detail their opinions and ideas through the website of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at www.ruralplan.ontario.ca. Submissions can also be sent by July 30, 2004, by mail or fax to the following address: The Rural Plan If you have questions or would like further information, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-588-4111 or (519) 837-6313, or e-mail at ruralplan@mah.gov.on.ca. Our goal is to create a framework that will help Ontario’s rural communities, and the people who live and work there, achieve new levels of prosperity and quality of life for years to come. Thank you for adding your thoughts and proposals to help shape Ontario’s Rural Plan.
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