The News
The latest articles and news relating to rural living...
Rural Seniors Summit on Long-Term Care (Video)
The BC Rural Centre is pleased to share the recording of the Rural Seniors Summit on Long-Term Care, held on September 25 at the Kaslo Golf Club. This community conversation brought together local speakers and…
Rural Local Government: More Than a Vote
Local government is often described as the level of government closest to the people. In rural, remote, and First Nations communities, that description is especially true. In a small municipality or regional district, elected officials…
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…
New Resources Support Climate-Resilient Renewable Energy Projects in Rural BC
As rural and remote communities across British Columbia explore local renewable energy solutions, climate resilience needs to be part of the conversation from the beginning. Community-scale solar and biomass projects can support local energy security,…
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…
What 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…
Unlocking 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…
The 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…
Rural 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…
Budget 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…
Dark 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…
Exploring 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…
Virtual 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…
New 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…
Rural Health Linked Sectors | Community Acupuncture
How Community Acupuncture Can Help our Rural Health Care System
Illahee: Bears
In Indigenous cultures, bears play a significant role. For the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation, bears uphold the laws of their ancestors, helping preserve language, traditions, and values. In the ecosystem, bears help feed the birds, nourish…
Building 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…
Economic Resilience Action Plans: Toolkit for Plan Development
How to Use this Toolkit This toolkit was developed to accompany an in-person economic resilience planning process and help communities to fill gaps, expand their thinking about particular issues, and keep track of relevant questions…
The 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…
The 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…
Keeping it Clean – Video
The forested watersheds of British Columbia’s Interior are a primary water source for aquatic ecosystems and human populations. The mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation and associated salvage harvesting have the potential to affect the amount,…
Getting the most out of B.C.’s challenged wood fibre base
It was in early-2023 when British Columbia Premier David Eby announced the Forest Enterprise Society of B.C. (FESBC) was to receive an additional $50 million in funding for forest enhancement projects in the province. The…
Study on Supply Chain and Community Benefits of the Forest Sector
A new economic study focusing on local communities across BC was released today by the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI). This study highlights the vital role of British Columbia’s forestry industry, as it touches…
Virtual Care on the Front Lines
How Real-Time Virtual Support is helping to save lives and transform healthcare for remote, rural and Indigenous communities across B.C. Dr. Dean Johnston was in his neurology clinic in downtown Vancouver when he received a…