Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) Partnering with Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM): New Governance for Rural/Urban Linkages Mike Stolte & Craig Pollett Presentation to FCM – Rural Forum Calgary, Alberta - June 1, 2007

2 What is CRRF? 1987 incorporated not-for-profit with charitable status Public benefit partnership among Researchers, Policy- Makers, Business People, Activists, Rural People Building an endowment fund for independent research and education Workshops, Annual Conference  Twillingate, NL  Gatineau, PQ/Lanark County, Ont. – Rural Canada in 25 Years  Vermilion, Alta. (October 11-13, 2007)  Coordinate National Rural Research Network (NRRN) Motto: Building rural economies for the 2000s

3 FCM – CRRF Alliance: Launched April 2004 Partnering with StatsCan: defining urban & rural; understanding urban-rural inter-dependence Leveraging the New Rural Economy Project  Governance and Capacity  Urban perceptions of rural and vice versa Launching new research: Local Governance of Rural – Urban Interaction  Innovations in Municipal Collaboration  Inter-community Governance Innovations  Tools and Data to Support Innovation

4 CRRF-FCM Research Project (1) Assess the Rural-Urban Common Bond  3 “rurals” 1. Rural Adjacent (metropolitan regions) 2. Rural Non-Adjacent (mostly primary resource) 3. Rural Remote (mostly single industry, plus aboriginal)

5 CRRF-FCM Research Project (2) Rural-Urban Linkages are multiple and complex Trade and commerce Goods, Finance, Services, People, Information Functional integration Carbon sequestration, water protection, recreation Institutional integration Health, education, social economy, NGOs, family Common environments Water, air, climate Common identities Local, regional, national, international

6 CRRF-FCM Research Project (3) Where we plan to start: Economic interrelationships Goods & Services and Labour flow both ways  Service area regions (retail, producer services)  Commuting Governing and service delivery  Infrastructure  Zoning  Economic Development  Revenue Sharing

7 CRRF-FCM Research Project (4) These mutual economic interests form basis of one form of regional governance/collaboration  If $ are at stake, people find ways of enhancing their mutual benefit in economic development  If families and community livelihoods are at stake, it is easier for people to see common bonds & gains from cooperation  Easier to identify other common needs: planning, zoning, containing sprawl, transportation, future growth There could be multiple governance structures—one for each issue

8 Possible Types of Regional Governance Arrangements Informal assistance/support Mutual aid – formal/written Contracted/purchase of service Formation of a joint service provider/organization  Incorporated and unincorporated Joint Councils (eg. B.C. Regional Districts; Quebec MRCs) New regional municipal structures  Mergers/regional municipalities Legislative options: Regional Councils or Services Boards

9 N&L Case Studies: Key Success Factors Communication Building relationships, sense of community Leadership and commitment – time and resources Necessity (need) Agreements – not always written Persistence/patience Provincial/government support Equity/fairness in benefits, costs & governance Cooperative spirit: respect, inclusion

10 Organizing for rural/urban governance Form should follow Function Check list of key organizational attributes: 1. Fiscal Resources 2. Human Resources  Leadership  Skilled Staff  Community Participation 3. Authority 4. Legitimacy 5. Geography 6. Time

11 Thank You! Comments? Questions? Ideas? Mike Stolte –