Finance committee  In terms of the Rural Secretariat, we no longer have access to information, knowledge and expertise that will help us shape the future of our communities.

Finance committee  The fact is we're seeing a number of local initiatives being undermined. People in the communities are looking to foster development and they are putting innovative solutions in place. Those solutions, however, are being derailed by decisions being made elsewhere, by governments,

Finance committee  A slew of decisions are completely at odds with measures and initiatives being taken by the communities. That's why we are calling on the government to adopt a federal rural policy, a Canada-wide policy that would make it mandatory to give careful consideration to the unique feat

Finance committee  In closing, I would like to mention some key considerations for rural regions: tax measures, local education and graduates, workers' funds—which are being cut drastically—Internet coverage and postal service. All of these elements are critical not just to the vitality of rural co

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, for inviting Solidarité rurale du Québec to take part in your consultations. Solidarité rurale du Québec, or the SRQ, is a coalition of major organizations, national agencies, and local and regional organizations in the province