In these challenging times, we need to again recognize the core values that brought prosperity to this last frontier of settlement in southern Ontario. Once known as “The Queen’s Bush” or “The Saugeen Territories”, this place we call Bruce-Grey is home to citizens with the resilience, endurance, and perseverance to find new opportunity in the face of difficulty. This requires a recognition of our personal and community responsibilities in the following 7 areas. 

Democratic Responsibility 

We must renew, reform, and protect the democratic mechanisms that give voice to every citizen. We must demand genuine representation, free of party interference, and we must participate to fullest of our ability in the democratic process or risk losing our voice. 

Fiscal Responsibility 

We must bring respect back to the relationship between government and its taxpayers. We must understand that for every tax should come a service, and expect the government to deliver it effectively, efficiently and equally amongst all citizens. 

Social Responsibility 

We must look to the interests of others as well as ourselves, starting with our closest neighbours. We must work together as a community to ensure the well-being of our citizens. 

Ecological Responsibility 

We must be stewards of our local land and resources for the long-term. We must manage our affairs in interest of future generations so that they can have equal or better opportunity than this generation. 

Cultural Responsibility 

We must return to our roots as a Canadian and Ontarian people, and as a Bruce-Grey community. We must respect and recognize everyone's differences, as well as our similarities, in order to become more united as a people and a community. 

Economic Responsibility 

We must consider the impact of our purchasing decisions on both the quality and quantity of local jobs.  We must return to understanding economics as “mutual provision”, rather than an abstract system that is outside of our control. We must look to our strengths, skills, and wisdom as a caring local community to find our way forward in this time of global economic contraction. We must live within our means, personally and collectively.  

Constitutional Responsibility 

We must demand greater jurisdiction over the policies that affect our unique rural economy, environment and culture. We must re-organize our regional governance to safeguard our local interests. We must not abdicate responsibility to upper levels of government for key policies affecting our future well-being, particularly in the areas of planning and taxation.