Motion to establish Rural Ontario Week receives all-party support

There is a move afoot at Queen’s Park to designate a week in September as Rural Ontario Week.

The idea comes from a Progressive Conservative MPP from the Nipissing area.

Billy Denault says not many people fully recognize the contributions rural Ontario communities make towards the province’s economy.

“Too often the contributions of rural communities are underrepresented in the broader conversation,” says Denault.

“That is why this motion matters. Rural Ontario Week is about recognition. It’s about education. And it is about connection. It creates a dedicated time each year to highlight the importance, vitality and opportunities that exist within rural Ontario.”

Denault says it will also provide an opportunity to showcase the innovation, economic power and sense of community that define small towns and communities.

The proposal has the support of the Minister of Rural Affairs.

Lisa Thompson says it is important to have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate rural Ontario.

“It’s important to understand that across Ontario, there are people, there are businesses, there are organizations, there are events that get staged year in and year out to celebrate the heart of every community throughout rural and northern Ontario,” says Thompson.

“And that’s the purpose of Rural Ontario Week. It’s to embrace the heart that really keeps the pulse, not only within our rural ridings, but the economic pulse of all of Ontario, thumping and thriving.

The opposition is also throwing its support behind the motion.

Liberal MPP Ted Hsu says while it provides the ability to showcase the contributions made by rural Ontario, he hopes it goes beyond that.

“I hope that Rural Ontario Week is a week that not only celebrates rural Ontario, but draws attention to the problems and the needs of rural Ontario, and it’s not just a fluffy tourist kind of holiday,” says Hsu.

MPPs gave the proposal unanimous support at Queen’s Park last week.