The latest report from the Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review (SRCPR) has set its sights beyond Scotland’s borders, drawing on a detailed case studies from four countries to inform how Scottish rural support systems might evolve. The report explores how community-led development, grassroots movements and local-government partnerships operate in four international rural settings: Canada, England, Finland, and Ireland. The report aims to glean lessons for Scotland’s rural and island communities.

Prof. Ryan Gibson shares the Canadian experiences in rural policy approaches as part of the four international case studies. The case study describes the legislative, policy, and support infrastructure for rural communities at the local, provincial/territorial, and federal levels in Canada. One of the key take-aways from the Canadian experience is that rural community support cannot be “one-size-fits-all”. The Canadian context illustrates how local agencies, community networks and funding structures must reflect the unique geography, demography and service-challenges of rural life.

This research was coordinated by the Scotland’s Rural College.