The News
The latest articles and news relating to rural living...
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…
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New Draft Guidance Released for Rural Initiatives in British Columbia
The BC Public Service has released draft guidance to help ensure government policies, programs, and services are responsive to the needs of rural communities.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…
Facing Fire: Building Resiliency to Wildfire | VIDEO
WILL WE MANAGE FIRE OR WILL FIRE MANAGE US? The question isn’t if fire will happen, but rather when it will strike. Fire is an intrinsic part of our ecosystem’s evolution. For over a century,…
Leadership & Governance Resources
It’s been said: If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail. In my world, this phrase can mean: If the only tools you have are rules of…
Rural 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)…
Strategic Planning for Economic Development
Using the Strategic Planning Toolkit as a foundation, we’ll explore in-depth a handful of stages in the strategic planning process. You’ll hear from your peers in B.C. communities who have used the Strategic Planning Toolkit…
Wildfire Risk Reduction and Enhanced Fibre Utilization Project Funding
FESBC Welcomes Applications for Wildfire Risk Reduction and Enhanced Fibre Utilization Project Funding Kamloops, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) continues to accept applications to fund forest enhancement projects, year-round. In the…
Increasing Rental Housing in Rural Communities | Video
Watch the recording of the housing forum: Learn more about Cortes Housing Society
Supporting Rural and Remote Economies: What Canada Must Do Now
Rural, remote, and northern regions are important and should be supported, not just because of their economic contributions (they contribute to over a quarter of Canada’s GDP) but because people in all parts of Canada…
Indigenous Education as the Impetus to Economic Resilience
Originally Written and Posted By Indigenous Prosperity Centre As we navigate the complex landscape of Indigenous procurement and economic development, a question that consistently occupies my thoughts is: What does economic resilience truly mean for Indigenous…