Rural RootsA Strategy to Re-Engage Rural

Ontario

What is Rural Roots?• An outreach campaign lead by former MPP Lou

Rinaldi• Objective to reconnect with rural Ontario by

engaging the grassroots in discussions on the development of policies and the delivery of services better suited to meet the unique needs of rural communities

Goals of Rural Roots1. Outline process for rural platform development 2. Set service guidelines to engage and support rural

communities3. Develop a better riding services package for rural

ridings4. Strengthen caucus relationships with rural

communities

Why Are We Doing This?1. We need to better connect with rural Ontario 2. We need to develop a mechanism that allows rural

Ontarians to connect with government and gives rural communities a voice at caucus

3. We need to maintain an open and productive dialogue with rural Ontario

4. We need to better understand rural issues

Engagement Process Phase One• Engage Ontario Liberal Party members in meaningful

conversations through:• In-person consultations• Webinars• Virtual telephone town halls• Written feedback• Riding association events and consultations

• This process will help to develop our consultation process for Phase Two

Engagement Process Phase Two

• Engage broader rural communities and stakeholders• Phase One consultations will determine who to

reach out to and how to reach out to them• Consultation tools may include:

• In-person consultations• Virtual telephone town halls• Written feedback• Local events and consultations

Rural Roots Timeline

• One year

• Interim report presented at AGM in Ottawa in

September, 2012

• Final report unveiled at the 2013 AGM

Questions or Feedback?Contact us at ruralroots@ontarioliberal.ca