The world needs rural Canada
From energy, food, critical minerals and the open spaces both for clean tech and infrastructure to connect it all, rural Canada holds what the world needs.
Rural Canadians are the unsung heroes of Canada’s extraordinary success story.
Canadians depend on exports from rural Canada to fuel our growth — Canada’s natural resource exports were valued at $422 billion in 2022, comprising 58 per cent of the value of Canada's total merchandise exports. Overall, rural Canada already accounts for 30 per cent of our national output.
If Canada is to build lasting economic prosperity, it will be through fully unlocking the potential of its rural regions.
Rural Canada must be central to every decision Ottawa makes
To realize the vision of one Canadian economy and to become the strongest G7 economy, governments must apply a rural lens to all policy, program and regulatory decisions.
Rural Canada is not peripheral — it’s essential.
Bring it into focus by reading our latest Rural Roundup newsletter.
Our mission is to highlight the critical importance of rural Canada and the rural way of life to our country’s economic growth and prosperity.
We are doing this by:
Deepening ties and fostering dialogue on the unique considerations for rural communities. Our reach currently spans Canadians living in rural Canada and public policy stakeholders at urban and rural boardroom tables. We are meeting Canadians where they are, whether that’s at a Royal Canadian Legion on Fogo Island, Nfld., at a Cercle des fermières in Québec, at a dairy farm in Steinbach, Man., or at a small business in downtown Vancouver, as well as online.
Sharing rural Canadian stories and successes and promoting initiatives through diverse and effective communication channels.
Asking for commitments that ensure no future regulations or policy initiatives that harm rural Canada, even inadvertently, will be implemented, and that any existing policies and regulations be urgently reviewed through a rural lens so that they truly support the rural way of life and create real opportunities.
Meet our team
Get involved
Hon. Candice Bergen
Honorary Chair, Rural Prosperity Group
The Honourable Candice Bergen brings over 15 years of public service experience to the Rural Prosperity Group, including her time as Minister of State for Social Development in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet and as Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. First elected to the House of Commons in 2008 representing the riding of Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba, Candice has always been an outspoken advocate for the rural way of life and a proud champion for Canada’s natural resource sectors.
Reach out at info@ruralprosperity.ca for more information on how to get involved.
Hon. Dennis Dawson
Honorary Vice-Chair, Rural Prosperity Group
The Honourable Dennis Dawson devoted nearly 25 years of his life servicing Canadians in the House of Commons and then later in the Senate of Canada, and brings a distinctive lens to the Rural Prosperity Group.Dennis, first elected to the House of Commons in 1977, represented the riding of Louis-Hébert in Québec, and later served as a Senator from 2005-2023. He brings his experience working at almost every level of government to deliver for Canadians.