Continuing to build on economic development resources for small rural communities is a big priority for Hastings, Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio, heading into 2017.
MP Bossio said in 2017 he would like to see the reestablishment of a rural secretariat.
He explained one of the biggest obstacles of 2016, and will continue to be moving forward, is educating his predominately urban colleagues about the unique challenges that exist in rural areas.
MP Bossio explained on a local level the focus will be getting some of the $2 billion in federal dollars earmarked for smaller communities to flow to his riding for infrastructure and social infrastructure projects.
MP Bossio also touched on the great strides that continue to be made with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“We have to get it right and it’s only going to happen through the consultation process,” admitted Bossio. “That’s what makes me so proud of our government is the level of consultation we have taken with so many groups in our country. We need to continue that in that direction because it’s highly complex. You can’t build the long term solutions necessary to solve this problem if you don’t achieve a nation to nation relationship.”
He said what really needs to be achieved in this process is self determination where the programs that are being developed are defined by the community.
“That helps to build that level trust, accountability, optimism and hope in the future.”