Local MP Dave Epp’s job just got a lot bigger.
The Conservative MP for Chatham-Kent–Leamington has been appointed as the Shadow Minister for Rural development.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful for the confidence placed in me to serve as Shadow Minister for Rural Development,” said Epp in a media release. “It is a welcome opportunity to now advance, and advocate not only for the people of Chatham-Kent–Leamington, but for rural and remote Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Rural Canada is the backbone of our country, whose communities feed the nation, power our economy, steward our natural resources, and reflect the values of hard work, resilience, and innovation that define Canada.”
As a shadow minister, Epp will advocate for the millions of Canadians who live, work, and raise their families in rural, northern, and resource-based communities. His focus will span the full range of issues that shape rural life, including infrastructure, agriculture and agri-food, environmental conservation, economic development, Indigenous partnerships, Internet and cellular connectivity, post-secondary education and skills training, access to health care, affordable housing, and more.
“Too often, rural communities are treated as an afterthought in federal policy. Whether it’s aging infrastructure, unreliable broadband, accessibility issues, housing challenges, unemployment levels, or barriers facing farmers, foresters, miners, energy producers, and small businesses, rural Canadians deserve a government that understands their realities and delivers practical solutions.”
Epp emphasized that rural prosperity is essential to Canada’s long-term economic success.
“When rural Canada succeeds, all of Canada succeeds,” he said. “Canadian farms feed the world. Our natural resource sectors drive economic growth. We need to add more value to the agricultural and natural resources here in Canada – and often the business that add that value are located in our municipalities.”
