Population Attraction
Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres
Introducing: A Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres Purpose This toolbox is intended to help communities that wish to attract and retain newcomers. Within its pages, you will find ideas and illustrations designed to stimulate discussion about the benefits of incorporating immigrants and refugees into your community’s overall population strategy. Resources and best practices…
Read MoreHousing Shortages and Rural Migration
When non-metropolitan communities do not have enough housing supply, or not enough appropriate housing, community and economic development faces challenges, and social and economic momentum can be lost. Attracting new residents, housing a larger workforce, and enabling seniors to comfortably age in place, all while maintaining a high quality of life for all residents, becomes…
Read MoreLocal Immigration: Assessing the Policy Capacity of Smaller Communities
Who should decide whether a smaller community is ready to welcome foreign-born residents? Who should participate in the design and implementation of a local immigration strategy? There has been an increasing policy interest in encouraging immigration settlement in smaller communities, as evidenced by the introduction of Rural and Northern Immigration pilots and soon-to-be Municipal Nominee…
Read MoreAttracting Young People to Rural Communities
Many rural BC communities find themselves growing every greyer. The need to attract young, urban, entrepreneurial newcomers to communities facing a demographic crisis looms as increasingly important. In this presentation, BC Rural Centre communications director Randy Morse, joined by Kaslo, BC mayor Suzan Hewatt and Escape the City contest winner Rochelle Longval discuss what it…
Read MoreWorkforce & Resident Attraction Strategies Webinar
Do you live in a beautiful, unique spot in B.C.? Or maybe your community has a budding industry or development opportunity and you’re finding it hard to get the word out there or to attract new entrepreneurs, specialized workers and families? Every rural community has assets and lifestyle options that make them attractive places to…
Read MorePilot Pairs Immigrants & Rural Communities
New federal immigration pilot is pairing remote northern cities with newcomers who need jobs An article by Clare Hennig, first published by CBC News on January 28, 2019 Some small rural communities in Northern B.C. facing a looming shortage of workers are hoping a new federal immigration program might help fill the employment gap. Right…
Read MoreSmall Towns Refuse to Die
Some small towns offer $1 lots, tax breaks and guaranteed loans to win over newcomers for a chance to prove they are islands of growth that matter to Canada’s future, says Joe O’Connor in this Financial Post article. Jay Patel decided about four years ago he wanted to buy a motel. He was living in…
Read MoreCape Breton Business Offers ‘Land for Jobs’
Angela Antle is a producer who works from St. John’s and is the host of Atlantic Voice, a Sunday morning documentary program on CBC Radio. In the following blogpost and podcast, Angela describes one Cape Breton business’ novel way of attracting new staff. Cape Breton business woman Heather Coulombe says it was…
Read MoreUrban-Rural Divide Widens in Sweden
The urban-rural divide is as real in Sweden today as it is in British Columbia, and North America generally. The Nordic country’s cities continue to grow and develop, while rural communities shrink and unravel. “Young people are moving away, and that carries with it disastrous consequences,” says Charlotte Mellander, professor of national economy at the…
Read MoreAttracting Young People to Rural Communities
Attracting young people is one of the toughest challenges facing rural communities. The outflow of young people from rural to urban hits small towns and rural regions in a variety of ways, including stripping communities of badly needed tax revenue, threatening the viability of local schools, depressing local and regional economies, and stripping fraying towns…
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