On Jan. 18, British Columbia's three regional Beetle Action Coalitions trotted out a discussion paper as part of their Rural BC Project.
"Pathway to Prosperity in British Columbia Runs Through its Rural Places" is the final paper in the Rural BC Project series and it makes recommendations to assist with rural economic development throughout the province.
The Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition and the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition are joint sponsors of the Rural BC Project. The project's goal is to increase awareness of the issues faced by rural B.C., and to present constructive and non-partisan recommendations as to what rural communities need to meet these challenges.
The discussion paper, subtitled A Long-Term Strategy for Rural Development, recommends rural communities, the Beetle Action Coalitions, First Nations, economic development organizations, regional development trusts and other stakeholders work in partnership with the provincial government to develop a new, long-term strategy for social and economic development throughout rural B.C.
The paper sets out 20 recommendations, including the formation of a "leadership group" to partner with the province to produce a long-term work plan based on shared principles, the establishment of an ongoing revenue stream to fund that plan and deliver services, and the designation of a cabinet minister with responsibility for rural issues. Until a ministerial authority exists, the paper recommends the development of the long-term strategy should be supported through the Premier's Office.
CCBAC chair Kerry Cook, who is the Mayor of Williams Lake, said the Rural BC Project recommendations are based on extensive background research conducted not only by the Beetle Action Coalitions, but also by organizations, such as the B.C. Progress Board and the Premier's Communities Opportunities Task Force.
Noting the three Beetle Action Committees have been working on the project for a couple of years, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said it's a rural B.C. strategy covering between 60 and 70 per cent of the province.
She adds the project was put together because rural resource communities will be, or have been, affected by the pine beetle.
"We're looking at how were going to sustain these communities. This is to move forward as our allowable annual cut (AAC) decreases in the next few years.
"We have to take care of these communities' infrastructure and socioeconomic needs."
Barnett, who is the parliamentary secretary for Rural Development, notes the Beetle Action Committees put the paper together to show the government what the communities need for the future.
"Rural communities are where the resources are for the revenue for B.C. These communities must continue to be supported in anyway we can through initiatives and working with all levels of government and citizens."
She adds it's exciting because it is an initiative the Beetle Action Committees have done.
"It's not something government bureaucrats or a political party are telling the communities 'this is something we think should do.' This is citizens telling government what should be done."
Noting the AAC is going to decrease eventually, Barnett says communities are going to have to look at being proactive to be sustainable.
"We have to start now to look after the future. That's why it's so important to open mines and new initiatives.
"Mining is one of our biggest sources of revenue and one of our biggest employers. Unfortunately, mines are only where the ore is, and if you don't have the ore, there is limited opportunity to have diversification."
More information on the Rural BC Project is available at www.ominecacoalition.ca/Strategies/RuralBCProject/index.html.