Canada’s shared prosperity depends on the strength, resilience, and sustainability of its rural communities. While the challenges facing rural regions are well known, the opportunity to turn strategy into meaningful action is now — and your voice is critically important.

On December 15, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), announced the launch of a national public consultation to inform a new Rural Development Action Plan for Canada. This consultation provides a direct opportunity for rural communities, organizations, and partners to influence federal policies, funding models, and program delivery.

The Action Plan aims to:

- Make federal initiatives more inclusive for rural people and communities
- Improve the design and implementation of programs that reflect rural realities
- Strengthen engagement and collaboration with rural stakeholders and partners
- The consultation is open from December 15, 2025, to February 6, 2026.

You can access the consultation here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2025/12/canada-launches-public-consultation-to-develop-action-plan-for-rural-communities.html

At the same time, FedDev Ontario announced a 15% funding reduction for the 37 Community Futures offices serving Southern Ontario, with contracts renewed for only a one-year term. Concurrently, FedDev announced an investment of over $6 million in downtown Toronto. This contrast highlights the growing imbalance between urban and rural investment and reinforces the urgent need for strong rural advocacy.

This consultation is an opportunity to collectively advocate for:

Sustainable and predictable long-term funding for rural service delivery
Equitable regional investment across Ontario and Canada
Policies that recognize the economic, workforce, and community contributions of rural regions

We strongly encourage you to participate in the consultation and to share your perspectives, data, and lived experience. Your engagement will help ensure rural Ontario’s priorities are heard and reflected in future federal decision-making.

Together, we can help shape a stronger, more inclusive future for rural communities.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment.