Manitoba Rural Works and Rural Development

Brandon University Rural Development Institute: Brandon University Rural Development Institute identified six recommendations intended to inspire ongoing conversations and actions about development in rural Manitoba at "'Rural Works!". More than 70 participants -- representing most provincial departments involved in rural development and academics, leaders and business organizations from rural Manitoba -- brainstormed workable solutions to problems at the Keystone Centre in November."'Rural Works!' was an important occasion to share and exchange knowledge on supporting prosperous rural communities across Manitoba," says BU president Gervan Fearon."I am proud of our university involvement with this think-tank, as well as our rich history of supporting rural research and development."Some of the recommendations included: initiating and sharing conversations about the many dimensions of rural development with all levels of government to articulate a Prairie rural economic development strategy; applying energy and resources to collaborative approaches for economic development in rural areas; and asking questions to better understand how government departments are involved in development to help improve service delivery."Rural Manitoba is dynamic and rural Manitobans want to have a say in the future of their communities," says RDI director Bill Ashton."Strengthened by their diversity, participants shared their vast knowledge and experience with a common focus on how to work together to create a successful future for rural Manitoba."» Brandon Sun End Related Items Four of the six communities that were studied in Manitoba were in Westman, including Brandon, Dauphin, Neepawa and Virden, according to Brandon Sun. In Brandon, nine per cent of the population are newcomers who arrived between 2001 and 2009 with the largest proportion of immigrants coming from Central America and employed by Maple Leaf Foods or in another capacity in the hog industry. The study, which was funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, examined 29 rural areas and centres in Western Canada identifying opportunities for improved services to better serve newcomers. Westman Immigrant Services was one of the providers surveyed for the study. WIS executive director Richard Bruce said he takes issue with the statement that locals aren’t accepting of immigrants. "I have not been any place where I have heard anyone talk ill of immigrants," Bruce said. WIS is unique as it offers a type of "one-stop shopping" when it comes to settlement services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.