About the Secretariat

Linking rural communities

The Province of British Columbia and local governments have worked hard over the past seven years to build strong, healthy communities.

At the 2008 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the creation of the RuralBC Secretariat, which is working hand-in-hand with rural B.C. communities to ensure they each have the tools to achieve their unique vision for the future.

The RuralBC Secretariat within the Ministry of Community Development provides a direct service and information link between the provincial government and B.C.'s rural communities.

For example, this website offers local governments, regional districts, communities and families access to funding and assistance programs on-line.

Additionally, the Secretariat's regional managers are there to assist communities access the most appropriate programs and sources of provincial and federal funding and to identify opportunities to diversify local economies.

To learn more, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section.

The Secretariat works with rural communities to:

• assist local governments to apply for provincial and federal government infrastructure funding programs;
• diversify regional economies;
• assist resource-based workers in transition;
• increase community socio-economic health and sustainability; and
• enhance response to opportunities and urgent needs of communities.