Did you miss the recent online panel discussion on changing patterns in people and products at the 2020 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation's Supporting Rural Recovery and Resilience conference? Great news - the recording of the discussion is now available online! The discussion features Karen Foster speaking about supply chains, Emily Sousa and Sara Epp discussing agriculture and agri-food, Louis Helps and Ray Silvius speaking about immigra...
What are the key trends in local economic development and what are the implications for small communities? As rural and northern communities plan for COVID-19 recoveries they need to be aware of the broader trends in local economic development. On November 6, 2020, Prof. Ryan Gibson shared local economic development insights with the Community Futures Northeastern Ontario Conference. The presentation outlined key macro-level themes influence local developm...
COVID-19 has greatly influenced rural communities throughout Canada. To better understand the impacts, recovery strategies, and how to build long-term resilience the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation is hosting a free online conference from October 1-2, 2020. The Supporting Rural Recovery and Resilience online conference will features a series of discussions enhancing our understanding of the impact of the global pandemic on rural communit
On February 25, 2020, in partnership with the Ontario Good Roads Association, the Building the Future research team launched a survey for rural municipal officials and staff to learn more about their experiences in planning for and connecting infrastructure initiatives and economic development strategies.
Ashleigh Weeden (PhD Candidate, Rural Studies) launched the survey to a standing-room-only session of more than 75 delegates at the 2020 Ontario Good
Rural communities throughout Ontario are struggling with addressing both economic development and infrastructure. During the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference Dr. Ryan Gibson participated in a panel discussion exploring the realities communities are confronted and the strategies being pursued across Ontario. The panel included Delia Reiche from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, Kate Burns Gallager from the Western Ontario Warden
What are the key drivers of the economy in southwestern Ontario? What are the some of the 'myths' related to our economy? Dr. Ryan Gibson shared perspectives at the recent Libro Credit Union meeting in London, Ontario on October 29 on the economic realities. The presentation highlighted six themes: (i) workforce transitions and business succession planning, (ii) Indigenous economic contributions, (iii) uncertain international trade relationships, (iv) infr
The October newsletter of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation is hot off the press. The October newsletter contains rural development updates from across Canada and internationally, including recent updates from the 2019 Sustainable Communities Conference, new publications, and call for papers. You can read the October CRRF newsletter here.
The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) was established in 1989 to contribute to th
Ashleigh Weeden (PhD Candidate, Rural Studies) won the poster competition at the 2019 Sustainable Communities Conference, which was co-hosted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation and the North Atlantic Forum in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The poster competition was decided by vote by conference participants, which included rural leaders, community-based organizations, government policy makers, businesses, students, and researchers fr...
The Senate is a key institution in the Canadian parliamentary system. Composed of representatives from across the country, the Senate provide a complementary review of government bills before they become the law and undertakes investigations on important social and political issues. A key role of the Senate is for the representation of regional interests. During the Sustainable Communities Conference in St John's on October 5, Dr. Ryan Gibson moderated ...
The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development was well represented at the recent Sustainable Communities Conference, which brought together rural leaders, community-based organizations, government policy makers, businesses, students, and researchers. A total of 16 presentations and posters were delivered by students and faculty from the School! Details of each contribution are listed below:
Power in Policy: Measuring Farmland Los
