A letter from Edward Humphrey (Cultural development advisor, CLD Brome-Missisquoi) explaining MRCs and CLDs in the Eastern

Townships: In Quebec, the regional government run by the Conseil des Maires receives a portion of municipal tax money, and that is handed out to the 86 administrative divisions called MRCs, (Municipalits rgionales de comt). The MRCs deal with the big budget items for the region, and are in charge of items like land use for example. Municipalits rgionales de comt (MRC) An MRC is a supramunicipal institution whose main mission is to provide the framework for regional development. It also has a role in supporting cooperation and regional planning. Its main mandates are planning and implementing a Regional Development Plan (Schma d'amnagement et de dveloppement), a Fire Safety Cover Plan, implementing a Residual Material Management Plan, calculating and keeping up to date property evaluations, working with the Sret du Qubec to plan and organize adequate public security services and to support socioeconomic development through the Centre local de dveloppement (CLD). The CLD are generally financed by the MRC and are often in the same building as well. In the case of Brome-Missisquoi, the two organisations share the same building and work together on many projects. Centre local de dveloppement (CLD) The CLD of Brome-Misssiquoi for example, is a grassroots not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to stimulate local economic growth, to implement development and entrepreneurship strategies, and to bring together important players from the fields of rural development, culture, tourism, and industry. At the service of entrepreneurs, the CLD team can help find the resources needed to start or expand a business in the MRCs territory. The organization offers front-line services to companies, including accompaniment and technical and/or financial assistance, as well as services to potential entrepreneurs or those operating in priority sectors as determined by the Board of Directors. Always seeking to serve the community as a whole, the CLD also offers various types of projects aimed at promoting Brome-Missisquois economic development and the well-being of its population. The CLD is at the heart of a network that includes various government and municipal

bodies, the business, corporate, and union communities, the social economy, tourism, culture, and agriculture and food industries. This allows the CLD to play a leadership role in local development. This leadership is expressed in many ways, including:

The implementation, in cooperation with our partners, of an economic diversification plan; Support for large-scale community projects that promote the areas revitalization; The CLDs status as a respected presence at the bargaining table, alongside various government bodies, which allows it to voice the areas concerns and to defend its interests; The CLDs position at the nucleus of a dynamic network of local private sector players, which facilitates progress on the areas shared priorities.

CLD Brome-Missisquoi and culture CLDs and MRCs often employ cultural development agents who work with municipalities, cultural organisations and groups, artists and art galleries (to name a few). In Brome-Missisquoi, the cultural agent works through at the CLD. It is important to note that while the MRC and CLD work on a regional level and deal with municipalities on a daily basis, several towns in Brome-Missisquoi also have their own cultural development agents (Cowansville, Sutton, Lac-Brome, Bromont) Objectives: Develop artistic and heritage programs and projects in the region; Identify and provide access to provincial and federal funding opportunities for cultural initiatives; Create and nurture collaborative projects that reflect the cultural portrait of Brome-Missisquoi; Promote the area as a cultural destination for visitors; Create an atmosphere that facilitates networking and collaboration between the cultural organisations, artists, and entrepreneurs of the region. Cultural policies For quite some time now, many MRCs and CLDs have developed cultural policies for their areas which clearly articulate their short and long term cultural priorities and objectives. Generally speaking, these policies

provide direction for cultural development and provide access to local, provincial and federal funding. Brome-Missisquoi is presently in the process of updating its cultural policy which was created in 2001. Once the policy and action plan are completed, the MRC will be eligible to negotiate a new 3 year cultural development plan with the MCCF (Ministre de la culture et des communications et la condition fminine) which could represent significant financial support to the cultural initiatives of the region. Municipalities can also write their own individual policies. Of 22 towns in the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi, Sutton, Bromont, Cowansville and LacBrome have developed their own policies, and it has made a huge difference in terms of their growth. Funding Based on the objectives and orientations of their cultural policies, several MRCs and municipalities have developed cultural funds that are distributed on an annual basis to deserving projects in their respective areas. While the characteristics and size of funds can vary from one city or one MRC to the next, the main goal remains the same supporting artistic and heritage initiatives. Cultural funds (cont) Here are a few examples: (for more information, contact the various MRCs or visit their web sites) MRC of Brome-Missisquoi: $25,000$ per year for artistic and heritage projects 10 to 12 projects funded each year The MRC is beginning a campaign to at least double the amount in the coming years. MRC of Memphrmagog $20,000 per year for cultural projects $6250 specifically for heritage projects City of Lac-Brome $20,000 per year for cultural projects Ville de Sutton Indexed from one year to the next

In 2011, around $60,000 for cultural programs and initiatives

Other funding Pacte Rural Non-profit organizations, municipalities, education and health networks can apply to this social economic funding program. In 2012, the MRC will inject more than $464 420 into thsi program The funding can be cultural or industrial. Example: In its 1st year, WordFest (Knowlton) received $6000 from this program This fund is made possible through an agreement between the provincial government and rural MRCs; it is the main element of the Politique Nationale de la ruralit. Conseil rgional des lus (CR) Composed of representatives from MRCs who sit in a greater region, i.e. 4 or 5 MRCs. Centres jeunesse Can sometimes give fees for events involving youth. Sunshine has also received help from the Townshippers Research and Cultural Foundation.