Rural Canada is an essential part of Canada’s future. It’s an honour to be appointed Deputy Shadow Minister of Rural Economic Development and Rural Broadband Strategy, where I will have the opportunity to work with Leader of the Official Opposition, Erin O’Toole, and Shadow Minister Lianne Rood to fight for rural interests. I appreciate the opportunity to expand the scope of issues I have been fighting for since first being elected. This column will focus on some of the issues that will be of priority as Parliament returns.
From recent crises to regulatory burdens and red tape, it’s difficult to grow a business in rural Canada right now.
Further, many businesses and producers have struggled to get their products to market with the current supply chain challenges we have faced over the last couple of years.
Liberal economic and fiscal mismanagement is pushing inflation to a multi-decade high. Canadians pay for it with higher costs on food, gas, and many other essential commodities, products, and services. This is further compounded, as many parts of rural and remote Canada face higher costs for commodities and transportation already.
Rural Crime and the rampant rise of criminal activities in communities across Canada must be addressed. Rural Canadians have some of the greatest qualities of life in the world, but the revolving door of the justice system, challenges with policing, lack of access to mental health services, and weak-on-crime federal legislation are putting our way of life at risk. Additionally, the targeting of law-abiding Canadian firearms owners needs to stop.
Many of you have reached out regarding the need for broadband in rural areas. For our economy to reach its fullest potential, broadband service must be easily accessible to all Canadians. Whether it is using e-commerce to expand small businesses, or connecting with loved ones amidst a pandemic, the internet now plays a greater role in our lives. There is far more work needed to ensure that every Canadian can get connected.
In Canada, the hunting and angling industry provides over 37 thousand jobs, $2.7 billion in GDP nationwide, and is a part of rural Canada’s identity. My commitment to you on both these fronts is simple: let’s look past the politics and use evidence-based approaches.
By Damien C. Kurek, MP
Battle River – Crowfoot
