Welcome to the Canadian Rural Partnership Rural Team NWT Home Page!

The Canadian Rural Partnership is an initiative led by the Government of Canada in partnership with other levels of government and non-governmental partners across the country. The Partnership works with citizens from rural, remote and northern Canada to improve their quality of life. In the NWT, territorial and federal departments and agencies are key partners.

Terms of Reference

Mandate
The Rural Team North West Territories (RTNWT) is part of a Canada-wide network supported by the Canadian Rural Partnership to strengthen collaboration on community development efforts in the NWT.

Vision
Empowered communities that manage the challenges and changes they face in achieving sustainability.

Mission
To facilitate collaboration between all four levels of government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that support community development.

Principles

• Interdependence, respect, diversity, inclusiveness, accountability, individual autonomy, collaboration, and responsibility are fundamental Canadian values.
• Northern political, economic, social and cultural development, operating within an ecologically sound environment, is the foundation of community wellness.
• Respectful collaboration across and among governments and society can achieve a shared vision of northern communities and help realize a community's potential.
• Local governance capacity and leadership are necessary to foster community pride and a culture of constructive individual engagement in community life.
• Local business and entrepreneurship are essential to community viability and economic development.

Strategic Intent
To enhance collaboration between all levels of government to:

• Support community capacity building initiatives;
• Strengthen the economic, social, cultural, environmental foundations of northern communities;
• Co-ordinate and integrate government policies, programs, services, and information; and
• Support inter-governmental agreements between Canada and the Government of the NWT that may also include Aboriginal governments.

Thematic Focus
To focus resources on achieving its strategic intent, the RTNWT will build on national research that includes the following themes:

• Sustainable livelihoods.
• Sustainable environment.
• Appropriate infrastructure.
• Citizen engagement.
• Demographic change.

Team Functions

• Provide a forum for broad information sharing and dialogue.
• Facilitate bilateral and multilateral collaboration agreements.
• Facilitate and advocate shared northern positions in the development and implementation of policy and program initiatives.
• Identify, promote, and communicate research on, and or by, northern communities.

Key Results

1. Increased bilateral and multilateral partnerships in community development initiatives.
2. Meaningful participation and representation on the RTNWT.
3. Increased access to government policy, programs, services impacting northern communities.
4. Increased northern and local influence on the development of community development policies and programs.

Membership Structure

Members
Officials from federal and territorial departments, representatives of Aboriginal governments, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, and NGOs engaged in community development.

Co-Chairs
A senior official from the Government of the Northwest Territories, and a senior federal government official.

Executive
Both co-chairs, in addition to one member representing each of the following groups:

• Aboriginal governments
• Local governments

Secretariat Support
Provided by the Rural Secretariat with voluntary contributions from other partners.