News
Cariboo Chilcotin Forestry Leaders Unite Around Regional Solutions
More than 60 forestry, Indigenous, government and economic development leaders gathered in Williams Lake on July 23 for the Cariboo Chilcotin Forestry Forum, hosted by the City of Williams Lake. The forum focused on practical solutions to strengthen the region’s forest economy, support sustainable jobs, improve wildfire resilience and advance long-term forest stewardship. Participants emphasized…
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 MoreThe Forest Will Burn
In Canada, forests burn regardless of human presence. In the face of climate changing, natural cycles of forest wildfires are being affected in ways we don’t yet understand. We must therefore prepare our communities as best we can through improved forest management techniques. Besides, utilizing the byproducts from sustainable and responsible forest management techniques –…
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…
Read MoreBudget 2026 – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The quick context Budget date: Feb 17, 2026. Provincial operating spending up $3.9B over the plan; deficits: $13.3B (2026/27), $12.2B, $11.4B. Taxpayer‑supported capital $37.7B over three years; taxpayer‑supported debt rising to ~$189B by 2028/29 (Budget tables summary, Part 1, pp.1–2, 11–12, 17). 2026_Budget_and_Fiscal_Plan The good (positive for rural, remote & First Nations): First Nations equity…
Read MoreDark Sky Tourism and Rural Development: Lessons From The Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Journal of Rural and Community Development Dark Sky Tourism and Rural Development: Lessons From The Jasper Dark Sky Festival Authors: Clark Banack & Glen Hvenegaard Publisher:Rural Development Institute, Brandon University. Editor:Dr. Doug Ramsey Open Access Policy:This journal provides open access to all of its content on the principle that making research freely available to the…
Read MoreExploring the Use of Ai in Health & IHSTS
THE RURAL HEALTH LINKED SECTORS Presentation Overviews: The Institute for Health System Transformation and Sustainability (IHSTS) presents the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Network: Uniting communities, healthcare providers, and partners across British Columbia to support type 2 diabetes. The presentation will explain why the T2D Network exists, how it operates, what programs and initiatives it oversees,…
Read MoreVirtual Health Supports | Webinar
This engaging session will spotlight innovative virtual health solutions transforming rural care in British Columbia Discover how virtual health services, including HealthLinkBC 8-1-1, are transforming rural care by improving access, reducing Emergency Department congestion, and enhancing health outcomes across British Columbia. Guest Speakers: Dr. Kendall Ho is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the…
Read MoreNew Draft Guidance Released for Rural Initiatives in British Columbia
The BC Public Service has released draft guidance to help ensure government policies, programs, and services are responsive to the needs of rural communities. This guidance introduces a consistent approach for assessing the impact of proposed measures on rural areas, considering factors like population size, remoteness, and access to transportation. Key Changes and Initiatives: Rural…
Read MoreBuilding Climate-Resilient Rural Communities
CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT Scientific evidence shows that our climate is warming. Global average surface temperatures have risen by 0.9°C in the last 100 years, which can be attributed to increases in human driven greenhouse gas emissions (for example, by burning fossil fuels). This rise in temperature has been accompanied by observed increases…
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