Faithfully yours - Let the people help you

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Published on Saturday, June 4, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

The tragic forest fires in northern BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan have left a trail of destruction that will take years to rebuild. The forests will grow back quickly. As for businesses and homes, some will be rebuilt. Others won’t. Local politicians in Fort McMurray have said that the burnt out parts of their city will be rebuilt and that it will be “a better and stronger city” than before.

As a native Albertan, I have no doubt that the people of Fort McMurray will bounce back from this disaster. They are resilient and resourceful people; and they have been greatly encouraged by the outpouring of support that has come from ordinary people all across Canada.

Government leaders (provincial and federal) have reacted to this tragedy with varying degrees of shock and dismay. And for good reason—no premier, no prime minister and no government or combination of governments has the resources or expertise it takes to address the economic, environmental and emotional impact of such a disaster.

The best they can offer is moral and some financial support—and that is precisely what they need to offer. Tell the people you will stand with them. Set aside funds to help people rebuild their homes and businesses. Ensure that those funds are distributed in an equitable manner and that full value is received for every dollar spent. Then—get out of the way and let the people of Fort McMurray and those they invite to help them do the work they are prepared to do.

I was born, raised and have lived over two thirds of my life in rural communities; so I have a deep love of rural people and an immense appreciation for the community spirit I see in rural Canada. Rural communities are strong communities—that’s how they have always been.

Our pioneers learned very quickly that in order to survive, they needed to work together. No farmer ever parked a piece of equipment until every neighbour’s crops were planted, hay was made or harvest was in the bin. Threshing crews and barn raisings were common activities in pioneer communities. The same commitment helped build and maintain schools, churches, community halls and recreational facilities in the villages and towns that dotted rural Canada.

That community spirit is as alive today as it has ever been. Just ask those whose homes have been destroyed by fire, torn apart by a tornado or had to be gutted and refurbished following a flood. As caring communities, we take responsibility for those in our area who suffer loss and we each offer what we can to help them rebuild. Our message to our leaders is a simple one—you don’t have to do this alone. We are here to help. Let us—let the people help you.

But we have far more to offer our leaders. We have treasure troves of knowledge and decades of experience in farming, operating businesses and building community infrastructure. That knowledge and expertise is available and will gladly be shared with leaders who seek it.

The message from rural Canada to all levels of government is the same. The people are not the enemy. Sometimes (maybe more often than you would like to admit) they are smarter than you. So before you propose legislation or draft regulations, talk to the people. Get to know them and understand their concerns. Listen to everyone—not just to those who will tell you what you want to hear. Governments are elected to serve the people; so trust the people and let the people help you.