Canada has no greater competitive advantage than our rural communities. Rural Canada is critical to many of the nation’s vital economic sectors including agriculture, energy, forestry and manufacturing - contributing over one-quarter of our nation’s economy. Yet, the voices of rural communities are often lost in the national conversation. Join us for a meaningful conversation on the importance of rural Canada to the nation’s economy and discussions on ways to foster dialogue to ensure rural perspectives properly inform public policy making. Emceed by Hon. CANDICE BERGEN, former Conservative Party leader Remarks by Hon. GUDIE HUTCHINGS, Minister of Rural Economic Development Remarks by DAN MAZIER, Conservative Shadow Minister of Rural Economic Development Keynote speech by DEREK NIGHBOR, Forest Products Association of Canada CEO Multiparty MP panel featuring Liberal MP FRANCIS DROUIN, Conservative MP BLAINE CALKINS and NDP MP TAYLOR BACHRACH Panel featuring ROBERT GHIZ, Canadian Telecommunications Association President and CEO, CATHY JO NOBLE, VP Policy and Government Relations, National Cattle Feeders' Association Moderated panel discussions by Means & Ways publisher THEO ARGITIS and managing editor KATHLEEN HARRIS.