Building resilience in the Saugeen Region.
The Two First Nations, The Métis, and Our Region's Status
Any thought of mapping, developing wider public awareness, experimenting and implementing transitional strategies and action plans here needs to be fully engaged with the two First Nations, and the Métis and aboriginal citizens/neighbours in the general regional population and municipalities. Surely the full, constructive and just resolution of the outstanding land claims is a core part of any transitional developments in this region.
There have also been long-standing questions about how this region, and our characteristics, needs and potential, relate to our neighbouring Counties and Regions, north, east and south. We have been grouped into larger units with many different neighbours for different purposes and government services, policies and planning.
Coming out of the first Community Foundation Grey Bruce Environmental Forum in 2003, a Steering Committee was formed to research and plan the follow-up actions. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) review was conducted as part of that process. One of the proposals for further research and public discussion coming out of that review was the revival of an idea that has floated around here quietly for at least a couple of decades: The amalgamation of Grey and Bruce Counties and the seeking/declaration of provincial status.
This is not a frivolous proposal. Grey Bruce is too often left out or served the dregs of federal and provincial programs aimed at the larger population centres in the other regions and counties with which we are too randomly and too often grouped. Grey/Bruce is about the geographic size and not that far from the population of the Province of Prince Edward Island. They have a university, a capital city with full cultural facilities and many other features missing currently in Grey Bruce. They also have enjoyed 4 member of the Canadian Parliament and Senate representation.
Here then are two key stimuli to full discussion of all potential solutions to the transitional issues we are researching and discussing, and to re-definitions and specific governance reform proposals. I look forward to everyone's thoughts and contributions on these two in particular.
There have also been long-standing questions about how this region, and our characteristics, needs and potential, relate to our neighbouring Counties and Regions, north, east and south. We have been grouped into larger units with many different neighbours for different purposes and government services, policies and planning.
Coming out of the first Community Foundation Grey Bruce Environmental Forum in 2003, a Steering Committee was formed to research and plan the follow-up actions. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) review was conducted as part of that process. One of the proposals for further research and public discussion coming out of that review was the revival of an idea that has floated around here quietly for at least a couple of decades: The amalgamation of Grey and Bruce Counties and the seeking/declaration of provincial status.
This is not a frivolous proposal. Grey Bruce is too often left out or served the dregs of federal and provincial programs aimed at the larger population centres in the other regions and counties with which we are too randomly and too often grouped. Grey/Bruce is about the geographic size and not that far from the population of the Province of Prince Edward Island. They have a university, a capital city with full cultural facilities and many other features missing currently in Grey Bruce. They also have enjoyed 4 member of the Canadian Parliament and Senate representation.
Here then are two key stimuli to full discussion of all potential solutions to the transitional issues we are researching and discussing, and to re-definitions and specific governance reform proposals. I look forward to everyone's thoughts and contributions on these two in particular.
Views: 1
© 2012 Created by Shane Jolley.
Powered by
