Small Town Efficiency in the Big City

This Saturday, November 2nd, we are excited to host the highly anticipated Rural Summit, a pivotal event aimed at enhancing the rural way of life in our city. My primary objective for this summit is straightforward: to foster meaningful improvements for our rural communities.

Since assuming political office, one of my greatest challenges has been shifting the mindset of my urban colleagues and public servants regarding the distinct needs of rural residents. This summit represents a unique opportunity; it's the first time in 15 years that City staff, rural residents, and Councillors, will come together to discuss the evolving landscape of rural Ottawa. Our goal is to collaboratively identify solutions that address these changes.

In my articles, I've often spoken about “fighting” for rural residents, emphasizing the significant differences in experiences and challenges across Ottawa depending on where you live. Our rural communities share more similarities with neighbouring townships than with urban Ottawa. Many programs and services available to urban residents are not as accessible to those in rural areas. Moreover, the needs of rural residents often diverge significantly—while some urban services are unnecessary, we require others in greater measure, such as ditch maintenance.

Adapting to the dynamic growth and changes in our rural areas presents challenges that affect everyone.

Key priorities for our communities include repairing our roads, enhancing policing, and investing in village infrastructure to accommodate ongoing growth. Achieving these priorities necessitates a recognition that, for rural Ottawa to thrive, City services and programs must be tailored to fit our specific context.

The decision to host the summit on a weekend is intentional, aimed at encouraging maximum participation from rural residents. I genuinely hope that as many interested individuals as possible will attend to discuss how the City can go about better addressing the issues facing rural Ottawa.

I am eager to engage in discussions during the summit and to work toward tangible outcomes. My aim is to advocate for greater autonomy in decision-making for rural areas, ensuring that the priorities of rural Ottawa are determined by those who live and breathe our communities. The public consultations leading up to this summit have provided invaluable insights; now, it’s time to turn those ideas into actionable plans that truly matter to our residents.

To participate in the summit, please make sure to register.

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