Downloading of bureaucracy slows rural development: Dexter

It’s time for the Province of Nova Scotia to give rural communities due recognition, says Opposition leader Darrell Dexter.

And with the House of Assembly slated to open later this month, Dexter plans to ensure the concerns of rural municipalities are represented at legislature. His NDP caucus was in Windsor Thursday, Sept 25, to host a round table discussion with West Hants community leaders and hear from them what the real issues are.

“We want to be as well informed as possible about rural concerns,” Dexter said. “In order for rural communities to thrive rather than just survive we need to pay more attention.”

The common theme from rural municipalities across the province has been the need for improved infrastructure, he said. Here in West Hants many emphasized a lack of accessible funding has had a direct impact on everything from travel and tourism to education and employment. “It’s a down-loading of bureaucracy and that’s a problem.”

West Hants Community Health Board coordinator Sandra Milbury says there needs to be a more stable form of funding for seniors and adult education programs. She noted the red tape associated with grant applications has left volunteers and staff drained, and even then, money is not always forthcoming.

“We apply for every blessed grant on the table when we should be spending the time on implementing programs, she said. “This just shows there is disrespect for those volunteers who are the backbone of our community. We also need to support those underpaid employees in more equitable terms.”

Heather Deveaux helps manage the Avon River Heritage Museum and says volunteers there are burnt-out trying to secure regular funding. “If we didn’t have to go through this circus every year, we would have the manpower to plan ahead,” she said. “That museum is the only thing we have in our community; without it we are finished.”

Pat Gould-Thorpe, a Hants RDA community development officer, notes the poor condition of rural roads have also had a negative effect on tourism in this region. “The Glooscap Trail is almost impassible.”

She said there needs to be more support from government in all aspects of rural development. “The world is a changing place and rural jobs are at risk.”

Dexter said he understands those frustrations and the need to make programs administratively less burdensome.