Consensus-building and communications mechanisms key to rural economic development

The South Saskatchewan River looking West
near the Saskatchewan/Alberta border

(originally published in the Rural Councillor)

“Her Valley of Saskatchewan alone, it has been scientifically computed, will support eight hundred millions.”

W.D. Lighthall, Songs of the great Dominion, 1889, xxii

One my most vivid impressions of west central Saskatchewan stems from an archaeological field survey with the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society to document tepee ring configurations on the north bank of the South Saskatchewan River, south of Eatonia. The abundance of archaeological sites in this part of the world attests to the level of sophistication in economic activities around bison resources prior to European settlement in the region. The ancient societies that earned their livelihood over this territory had well-established trade and communications networks that relied on a collective willingness to keep corridors open, and agreed to common rules of engagement and diplomacy.

I’m always baffled at how little we invent beyond the tools themselves. The fundamental choices we make as communities are based on age-old principles: gathering support for successful survival strategies and desired outcomes. In that, rural communities today are no different. They seek the kind of economic development that will allow them to survive and maintain a quality of life that brings fulfillment. Rural communities also know that there is greater strength in numbers.

The West Central Municipal Association (WCMA) represents 90 members and usually manages to motivate around 60 people to come to its meetings. The area it covers encompasses a good chunk of the province from the South Saskatchewan River in the south; east to Outlook; Rosetown and Biggar to the north; and back northwestward to North Battleford and Lloydminster.

The WCMA is one of those organizations that have grown by osmosis, out of an expressed need to create a rural-based forum to develop aligned policies aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural communities in the region, says Committee Rural Co-Chair Stew Severson, who is also the Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Mariposa #350.

“It started out as an urban group about 15 years ago. My counterpart is Alma Dube, the Mayor of Rosetown. At one point they figured they should invite RMs to join. I have a lot of respect for the organization and the quality of people who are involved in it. We have all sorts of governments coming together here: urban; rural; school divisions; health authorities and other bodies. The West Central Transportation Committee, for instance, plays an important role in our activities. We get committee reports at each meeting. We have a report from SUMA. We have an Education Committee dealing with school amalgamation. From these proceedings, concrete actions emerge.”

Severson and his counterparts know that rural sustainability can only be achieved through the kind of rural economic development that resonates with local populations and authorities. When asked what he feels the greatest contribution of his WCMA organization is so far, he answers this:

“Really, it is the communication between the municipalities. We know what is going on. Basically the problems that urban municipalities have are the same as those of rural municipalities. And keeping lines of communication open allows us to move forward as a region. Hey! people talk to us. We have had MLAs and representatives from crown corporations working with us try to figure out what we can do.”

Severson mentions as an example how with SaskTel and SaskTel Mobility, being able to speak with one voice about the telephone exchange issue gives all the more credibility to the WCMA position. “Would it not make more sense to have larger areas so we are not in long distance all the time here? Take a look at the size of Saskatoon where you have nearly 300 people in one exchange, and it goes from 20 miles south of Saskatoon to 20 miles north, east and west too. Why should I have to pay long distance to call to Luseland which is 15 miles away? We are getting gouged. With our committee we can talk to SaskTel and SaskTel Mobility and they listen to us.”

Severson’s view seems the voice of common sense when he states: “who knows better than us the issues on the ground.” He is right. His group has the best vantage point and the power of communication does indeed transcend distance and isolation.

The ability of these member communities and local government bodies to sustain dialogue across the region on crucial topics will inevitably allow them to articulate a vision about their journey toward sustainability together. It will allow them to explore their collective identity; and tap into it to articulate projects that resonate among them. This will impart a renewed sense of confidence and cohesion to how the member communities portray themselves to the outside world as an attractive destination for investment in new industrial and, generally, economic endeavours.

While the South Saskatchewan River valley is not likely to welcome the hundreds of millions projected by Montreal lawyer and author W.D. Lighthall back in 1889, it is not unrealistic for the communities established north of the South Saskatchewan today to hope for the kind of development that fosters economic successes and bright futures.