BC Rural Centre
Rural Voices: Why Regional Economic Development Can’t Just Be a Metro-Centric Afterthought
The recent commentary in the Times Colonist, “Regional economic development matters now more than ever,” strikes a chord that often vibrates differently depending on whether you’re sitting in a boardroom in downtown Victoria or a community hall in the North Peace or the Kootenays. For those of us living in BC’s rural and remote regions,…
Read MoreWhat Canada’s Rural Development Action Plan Consultation Means for Rural British Columbia
The federal government’s recent summary of themes from the Rural Development Action Plan consultation outlines priorities that align closely with many of the challenges and opportunities facing rural British Columbia. Housing, broadband, local economies, health and childcare, climate resilience, Indigenous-led development, and streamlined, place-based funding emerged as top themes, and each presents actionable opportunities for…
Read MoreUnlocking Rural Resilience: How Collective Ownership is Shaping Our Energy Future
At the BC Rural Centre, we are always looking for innovative ways to help our communities thrive in a changing climate. Recently, we had the privilege of being invited to participate in a pivotal research project led by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). This collaboration focused on a critical question for rural B.C.:…
Read MoreRural BC at a Crossroads Supporting Seniors to Age in Place
Rural British Columbia is aging rapidly. Keeping seniors safe, healthy and socially connected where they live, “aging in place,” requires more than goodwill: it needs targeted housing, transportation, home‑support and health workforce responses built for rural realities. This article synthesizes recent evidence and practice, highlights Alert Bay as a BC example, and sets out pragmatic…
Read MoreThe SEED Model for Sustainable Economic Development in Small Rural Towns via Outdoor Recreation
Abstract Rural small towns continue to face serious challenges, including population decline, high poverty levels, and insufficient infrastructure, among others. The sustainable ecosystem economic development (SEED) model provides a framework for remote rural communities to work collaboratively with government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits facilitated by project champions to develop and maintain healthy, sustainable economies. While…
Read MoreThe State of Rural Canada
The State of Rural Canada report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse challenges and opportunities facing rural, remote, and northern communities across the country. While each region has its unique context, several overarching themes emerge from this fifth version of the report that paint a picture of rural Canada as a complex mosaic of…
Read MoreRural Resident Retention and Attraction Guidebook
Introduction to Rural Resident Retention and Attraction What is Resident Retention and Attraction? Resident retention and attraction (RRA) initiatives position communities to address issues associated with population size (e.g., low or declining number of residents) or population composition (e.g., aging population) — whether that be a shortage of skilled workers, low school enrolment, or a…
Read MoreIndigenous food sovereignty is key to resilient farms, gardens and communitie
Communities are working toward food sovereignty one morsel at a time. Meet the experts bringing food to people’s plates and pushing for societal change… Gitxaała farmer Jacob Beaton says his Tea Creek project is more than just a farm: it’s a hub of programs and supports designed to propel the Indigenous food sovereignty movement. This…
Read MoreRural Voice Missing from Emergency Task Force
An expert task force on emergencies that will weigh in on revising the province’s emergency legislation lacks representation from the Cariboo Region and rural communities as a whole, say critics. Comprised of 14 experts appointed by the provincial government, the purpose of the panel is to provide recommendations to help B.C. be better prepared for…
Read MoreStrongerBC for everyone – Investing in Rural Communities
The B.C. government has released StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, a new vision that outlines investments to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home. “If you’re looking for people to help cut through the noise and get a job done, my bet will always be on…
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