This week the Community Futures Network of Canada held its 7th national conference in Winnipeg. The event takes place every three years, bringing together more than 600 community volunteers and staff from the 269 Community Futures organizations across

Ken Pawlachuk from Flin Flon Canada.

The delegates explore ideas around economic development, and had a choice of attending one of eight tours in the area, which showcased Manitoba's culture and successes.

Forty-four delegates chose to be part of the Rosenort tour. The tour, led by R.M. of Morris CAO Larry Driedger, showcased the Silverwinds Hutterite Colony near Sperling and local manufactures.

"We became involved when Debbie Fortier, the GM of Tripe R Community Futures in Morris, asked if we'd be interested in hosting a tour," Driedger explained.

Driedger added that Shane Kroeker, the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Rosenort, also arranged to put on a trade show after the delegates returned from their Silverwinds Colony tour.

The federal representative on the tour was Barbara Motzney, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy and Strategic Direction. Motzney is with Western Economic Diversification, a sponsor of Community Futures.

Motzney made the trip out from Ottawa, and enjoyed the tour of the colony.

"It was fascinating and beautiful. I was so impressed with the school creating such a wonderful welcoming, creative environment," she said.

Motzney was asked why she chose the Rosenort tour over the other options.

"It was the chance to see a colony, which I've never had the opportunity to do before, but also to come here to Rosenort, and see the interesting manufacturing that's going on located outside of a major city," said Motzney.

Wendy Smitka, from British Columbia, is President of the Community Futures Network of Canada.

"We're a volunteer-led, grass roots organization. We look for local solutions to local problems, in partnership with the federal government. They provide our core funding, and with that we work on projects that support the ecosystem and the entrepreneurs in our area," Smitka explained.

Also on the tour was Ken Pawlachuk, a Flin Flon city councillor and Community Futures Greenstone board member.

"I've never been on a Hutterite Colony, I was really impressed," said Pawlachuck. "It was very educational for me because we don't have Hutterite Colonies up north."

Pawlachuk also noticed similarities between his community and Rosenort's.

Dale Colbourne from Newfoundland"When I drove up here I saw the Midland trucks, well, I see one of those on the highway south of Flin Flon every 20 minutes, it was interesting to me to see where they're built," he explained.

Dale Colbourne, is the mayor of St. Lunaire-Griquet in Newfoundland, and a board member with CBDC Nortip. She woke up at 5 am fly to Manitoba.

"As they mayor of a small town you need to explore every possibility you can for fundraising, money ideas, and be on the leading edge," said Colbourne.

Colbourne also enjoyed visiting the area. "Manitoba is beaufitul," she said.

 

Wendy Smitka, President of the Community Futures Network of Canada (left) with Barbara Motzney, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy and Strategic Direction in Ottawa (right)

 

(left to right) RM of Morris Deputy Reeve Stan Siemens, RM of Morris CAO Larry Driedger, Pearl Plett and Grace Loewen who provided lunch.