This research examines the current labour shortages being experienced in rural Ontario with an aim to identify potential solutions in the form of policy and practice. The research will used a mixed methods research approach to connect with rural business owners from a variety of economic sectors, newcomers (both new Canadians and new resident in rural), and rural economic development agencies. Specific research methods will include a content analysis and evaluation of rural workforce strategies, case studies of innovative practice selected through a positive deviance framework, and key informant interviews/focus groups. The research will focus on the three main sources of human capital: newcomers from urban, immigrant newcomers, and temporary migrants. The research will identify innovative solutions to attract, retain, and welcome newcomers to enable rural businesses to meet their employment requirements.
Project Team and Partners
- Dave Guyadeen, University of Guelph
- Heather Graham, University of Guelph
- John Dale, University of Guelph
- Louis Helps, University of Guelph
- Niju Mathew, University of Guelph
- Paul Nichol, Community Futures Huron
- Kalind Patel, University of Guelph
- Paul Sitsofe, University of Guelph
- Ryan Gibson, University of Guelph
- Sarah-Patricia Breen, Selkirk College
- Silvia Sarapura, University of Guelph
Resources
- Empowering the Workforce: First Work’s Pioneering Approach to Addressing Labour Shortages in Ontario’s Rural Communities (2025 | Niju Mathew, Ryan Gibson)
- Case Study of Economic Development and Immigration – The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program in Sudbury, Ontario (2025 | Niju Mathew, Ryan Gibson)
- Innovative Rural Labor Force Planning: A Case Study of Thunder Bay’s Northern Immigration Pilot Program (2025 | Paul Sitsofe, Ryan Gibson)
- Building Economic Strength through Workforce Development: A Case Study of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Workforce Development Strategy (2025 | Paul Sitsofe, Ryan Gibson)
- A Business Response to Labour Shortages and Refugee Crisis: A Case Study of Titan Trailers’ Response to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis in Ontario (2025 | Niju Mathew, Ryan Gibson)
- Enhancing Early Childhood Education in Dufferin County: A Case Study on Collaborative Workforce Development and Diversity Initiatives (2025 | Niju Mathew, Ryan Gibson)
- Workforce Development Challenges and Opportunities: Findings from Business Walk Discussions in Seaforth, Ontario (2024 | Paul Sitsofe, Ryan Gibson)
- Help Wanted: Innovative Approaches to Workforce Development in Rural and Northern Ontario (2024 | Ryan Gibson, Heather Graham, Paul Sitsofe, Niju Mathew, Sarah-Patricia Breen)
- Work Force and Labour Force Development: An Overview of Concepts and Models (2024 | Kalind Patel, Ryan Gibson)
- Labour Force Dynamics in Rural Ontario – Perspectives from Ontario’s Workforce Planning Boards (2024 | Heather Graham, Ryan Gibson)
- Addressing Rural Labour Shortages: Innovative Ontario Case Studies (2024 | Rural Ontario Institute Blog | Paul Sitsofe, Mathew Niju, Ryan Gibson)
- Labour Force Dynamics in Rural Ontario – Perspectives from Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations (2024 | Heather Graham, Ryan Gibson)
- Addressing Rural Labour Shortages: Innovative Ontario Case Studies (2024 | Sitsofe, Mathew, Gibson)
- Engaging Newcomers in Rural Ontario to Address Workforce Challenges (2024 | Graham, Gibson)
- Agri-Food Industry Discourses on Temporary Foreign Workers (2024 | Helps)
- From Policy to Practice: Housing for International Agricultural Workers in Ontario (2024 | Oyewale)
Funding
This research is funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.