Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett is hoping local citizens will consider becoming part of the province’s new rural advisory council.
“I’m inviting anyone who is interested, whatever walk of life to apply,” Barnett said Friday in Williams Lake as she announced the deadline for applying to be on the council is Jan. 9, 2015.
“It will be an exciting opportunity and for the first time in my career of being in politics, which I won’t tell you how long that is, we will have a rural voice within cabinet and government in B.C.”
Barnett as parliamentary secretary for rural development, will chair the council once members are appointed early in 2015.
Citizens interested in applying are asked to submit a resume and cover letter identifying relevant business and economic development and community experience.
The council will be made up of 10 to 18 members representing different backgrounds, perspectives and regions with a mandate to provide independent and impartial advice to government on matters related to rural development.
Those matters initially will focus on avenues to support greater rural access to capital, stronger business development support for rural entrepreneurs and businesses and moving forward on the rural dividend.