Although the conference will not be held this year due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, please feel free to read more about what the expectations for the conference were. Innovation • People • Action The year 2020 is a great time to look ahead and explore what change might look like in the year 2040. Read More ...
The Rural Development Institute wants to acknowledge the individuals and organizations that have been working towards evolutionary reform regarding challenges and opportunities faced within Canadian rural communities, and rural policy design. It is this curiosity and evolutionary mind-set that is inciting change to enhance the rural way of life. Please feel free to check out Read More ...
Stepping outside the box in Ag…
The agricultural industry is so much more that laborious field work, and with the immense shift towards technology – especially in 2020 – has proven the importance of understanding and utilizing technologies and program writing in rural communities. Dubbed Ag Tech STEAM, the program was created to ensure that individuals within rural communities have the opportunity to learn about the technologies of today, and the importance of education in multiple disciplines. This advancement in the industry can lead to a whole new standard of work within the agro-business. Read more >>
The hit to the hospitality industry…
The Sprout has released a study regarding how many individuals are working from home, and what can be expected within the next year or so due to the social distancing measures, and changed attitudes towards food. Consumerism has changed drastically within the last 6 months of 2020, and it has been predicted that these changing social norms will have a lasting impact on the hospitality industry because individuals are changing their relationship with food as precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic. How this will impact smaller communities with their limited industries is still to be determined. Read more >>
Misleading hopes in vaccine development…
While many individuals are holding onto hopes of normalcy being reclaimed with a successful COVID-19 vaccine, government officials are stating that there is still a long road ahead in terms of getting back to “business as usual.” While many are wanting to reopen the next phase in hopes that the economy can find its’ footing, it has to be understood that the vaccine is experimental, and even with this precaution, there will still be a need to enhance social distancing measures, and cognitive restrictions on what was once considered “normal” in the workforce. Though everyone is wanting to get back to work, and attempt to reclaim financial stability, safety measures must be taken seriously. Read more >>
Innovative work creation…
With flourishing interest in the shift to more renewable energy sources for rural and urban communities, it is becoming clearer and clearer that not only would this be a positive change for environmental sustainability, but it is also a potential avenue to revamp the Canadian economy. The transition to utilize biomass as a means of energy, and it is predicted that this shift would create up to 132, 000 jobs in remote areas. With the concerning state of the Canadian economy, this innovative project for future sustainability also represents an opportunity to rebuild what was lost through the 2019-2020 pandemic. Read more >>
Global assistance for a post-COVID world…
While Canada is still working to ensure the financial security of many local communities and agriculturalists, the country has still committed to supporting a newly developed United Nations program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This program in particular will focus on acquiring funds and allocating them to international communities who are in desperate financial need due to the extenuating pressure the COVID-19 has put on not only their food production and allocation, but their overall economic structures while adapting to the effects of the pandemic. Read more >>
Potential outcomes of shifting EI requirements…
While the increased financial assistance has allowed for alleviated tension across Canada, it must be recognized that these reduced restrictions and qualifications for EI will in fact have negative impacts on the economic status of Canada in the years to come. A study from the Fraser Institute has recently reported that while the reduced criteria in order to access financial assistance from The Government of Canada has aided in many individuals living situations, that should the restrictions remain lessened, and pay periods are extended, this financial assistance may enable many individuals to remain reliant, and impact unemployment rates for years after this pandemic subsides. Read more >>
Beneficial assistance within Indigenous communities…
This article in Policy Options discusses a recent report released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation Development (OECD) covering economic development within Indigenous communities. Rather than creating policies, the OECD had covered very specific recommendations, and potential steps that can be taken to assist with some contemporary issues regarding economic sustainability. Read more >>
What to make of contemporary restrictions…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the government has improvised on provisions and recommendations for stores, grocers, and businesses across Canada. As the cases of COVID-19 beginning to slow in numbers, there are many people who are beginning to question when Canada can transition “back to normal.” However, these inquires from the public are only putting more pressure on government faculties. There is still the need to be cautious on what should be done in regards to restarting the economy, while also being mindful on how to not open a sort of flood gates to a second wave of the 2019 pandemic. Read more >>
Innovative steps to rebuild the economy…
The Women and Gender Equality and Rural Development Minister, Maryam Monsef, has recently opened up about the gender gap that has been faced in job losses across Canada. Her assessments are drawing the need to thoroughly reevaluate what type of support will be given to the women who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as more women have become unemployed then men across the country. In these extraordinary circumstances, Canada must look at how to rebuild the economy with inclusive measures. Read more >>
Summer events & persisting effects…
The Radio Canada International (RCI) has been keeping the world up to date with ongoing concerns of COVID-19, and a recent piece is shedding light on how rural and city events being canceled for the upcoming summer will have lasting effects. Many organizers of these beloved summer events claim that the temporary hold on fairs, rodeos and shows will inevitably lead to unrecoverable financial situations, and will influence permanent closure to annual activities. Read more >>
Northern Community Alienation…
Job losses across Canada have exemplified economic vulnerability, and identified concerns for the years to come. Northern regions of Canada have always been at a disadvantage in regards to job security and resources due to geographic isolation. Many smaller communities in Manitoba are reliant on very specific organizations and companies such as the paper mill in The Pas, or the HudBay mine in Flin Flon, but there must be innovation in the northern work field. One Thompson citizen, Joseph Quesnel, has made it clear that it may be the necessary time to re-evaluate negotiations on implementing a pipeline from Alberta to assist with economic development for the years to come. Read more >>
Northern economic support…
There have been many steps taken to ensure the support of local businesses and rural communities, but recently there has been financial aid designated specifically for northern communities to ensure that the limited resources and businesses will make it through the pandemic. Read more >>
CRRF still at work…
The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) was established in 1989, and has since then been working to contribute to rural revitalization and sustainability. Addressing all types of topics and concerns in terms of rural development, CRRF is currently calling for submissions for the 2020 conference this upcoming October. Exploring into themes of Creating Inclusive Economies, the conference is expecting an excellent turn out, and intends to share ideas for future development in terms of connecting public, private, and civil societies. For more information, click here!
The company of the future…
In the past 50-100 years, we have created immense prosperity. In 2019, global GDP is expected to reach almost US$ 90,000 billion, compared to just over US$ 1,000 billion at the start of the previous century. Economic growth and globalization have brought enormous prosperity for many: global life expectancy, for instance, has doubled since then. In many ways, our lives have never been better, which applies to many, though not to all. Still, there is a cost as well: today, the wealthiest 1 billion people use nearly half of global resources and produce the same percentage of global waste. However, we don’t live on this planet with 2 billion people, but with more than 7 billion. This inequality isn’t sustainable. Read more >>
Spark Podcast: 460 – The Future…
If we’ve learned anything in the tech world over the last decade, it’s the folly of not taking the long view. So the start of a new decade seems like a good time to talk “big picture” with Lord Martin Rees, one of the world’s most prominent scientists. His most recent book is called “On the Future: Prospects for Humanity.” In a full-episode interview, Sir Martin and Nora don’t just look decades ahead, but also millions of years into human future. Tune in to their podcast here!
CED Network…
Since 1999 the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CEDNet) has been working to enhance social and economic development throughout communities across Canada. With foundational themes of inclusivity, economic sustainability through job creation and environmental prosperity, CEDNet has been funding and working with rural organizations to increase job opportunities, while reinforcing initiatives with positive environmental impact. Visit the CEDNet webpage here!
Bob Simpson on “how to transition…”
As sawmills across B.C. shut down or curtail operations, hundreds of people are losing their jobs and communities are losing the major source of their economic growth. Daybreak took a closer look at how this happened, and what needs to change. Read more >>
Manitoba Economic Profiles…
The Manitoba Economic Profiles were constructed in order to provide an overview of the economic landscape across various regions of Manitoba. This information can help inform strategic economic development initiatives and evaluate the desirability of an area for investment opportunities. The data and analysis presented in these reports provide basic information about the economy of a region. Reports contain demographic, job and business data. Read more >>
Farm families adapt as coronavirus measures impact Sask.-Man. border communities
This piece written by Jenalene Anotny discusses some of the concerns citizens of rural communities are facing in terms of adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. With interviews from Canadians across southern-central regions, she has delved into how families are adjusting to the new legislations, and how community bonds have persisted during these times of stress. Read more >>