Learning from other jurisdictions can greatly enhance our understanding of rural policy and rural development. To facilitate comparative rural studies, faculty members from across North America and Europe host a two-week international summer institute for students. The International Comparative Rural Policy (ICRPS) Summer Institute provides a unique opportunity for students to meet and work together on comparative rural policy issues and make inv
One of the largest international networks focused on regional development has a strong voice for rural development and early career researchers in the appointment of Dr. Gibson to the Regional Studies Association. Based in Brighton, United Kingdom, the Regional Studies Association works with its international membership to facilitate the highest standards of theoretical development, empirical analysis and policy debate of issues at this sub-natio...
What makes a healthy rural community was the central question and discussion at the inaugural RuralTalks session held in Exeter on June 23. RuralTalks was designed to bring community leaders, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community residents together to facilitate conversations on how to build vibrant, robust, and sustainable rural futures. The RuralTalks event was co-hosted by the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity and the Gateway C...
How do rural regions recognize the labour force requirements for future developments? What opportunities are there regarding future labour force developments that could increase the competitiveness of rural businesses? On June 19, 2017, over 50 delegates from across the Kootenays Region of British Columbia gathered to discuss these issues. The workshop was part of a larger research initiative led by Dr. Terri MacDonald (Regional Innovation Chair
On June 9, 2017, Neil Stoop and Ryan Gibson joined Marty Rops to enhance the understanding of the current economic and community development landscape in Perth Couny. Marty Rops (Perth-Huron regional manager for Libro Credit Union) arranged a tour of the region with several meetings in place. The day started bright and early at a small café in downtown Stratford. Over breakfast, Ryan Erb from the Perth-Huron United Way joined us. Ryan had great i
Over the years, Canada has accumulated many lessons learned when it comes to developing and implementing policies in rural areas. These lessons were shared with parliamentarians on June 6, 2017 when Dr. Ryan Gibson presented to the Scottish Parliamentary Cross Party Committee on Rural Policy. The presentation reflect on Canada’s rural policies and programs, what has worked, what has not worked, and what lessons emerged from the various experience
On May 30, 2017, Dr. Ryan Gibson contributed a guest blog posting to the Rural Ontario Institute's website. The blog focused on the recent presentation to the Senate Committee on National Finance on rural infrastructure. You can read the blog on the Rural Ontario Institute's website.
Congratulations to Jodi-Ann Francis for graduating with her Master of Arts in Geography from Saint Mary's University! In addition to graduating, Jodi-Ann delivered the valedictorian address at the spring convocation.
Jodi-Ann's research focused on understanding the motivations of international students studying at Halifax universities as they are about to graduate. The research strived to understand how international students make decisions of...
What is the future role for the Government of Canada in rural infrastructure? Dr. Ryan Gibson presented to the Senate Committee on National Finance regarding rural infrastructure investment. The Senate Committee has been studying the design and delivery of the government’s infrastructure commitment, and has asked for comments to address the effects of future infrastructure investments on rural development in Canada. The presentation pulled on res...
On Friday, April 28th, the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health hosted an eclectic mix of academics, health professionals, businesses, bank community representatives, health unit and hospital administrators, elected officials, creative cultural community representatives, and Research Chairs. The purpose of the meeting was to explore and discuss opportunities for connecting the various sectors to advance health research in rural southweste
