2009

By Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth

Communities across northern BC have been exposed to mounting pressures stemming from fluctuating commodity prices, the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, social and economic restructuring, job losses, and poor conditions on Indian Reserves. Despite these pressures, there is no national or provincial poverty strategy for rural and small town places, and little research has explored the complexity of rural poverty across Canada. This presentation explores the spatial relations that drive coping strategies around rural poverty.  After reviewing the unique characteristics of rural poverty, we assess who is at-risk for living in poverty in resource towns that are typically known for having high paying jobs. This is followed by a discussion of key issues that drive rural poverty, including exclusion, power, and infrastructure.  The presentation ends with a look at the institutional barriers to addressing rural poverty

Visit https://www.unbc.ca/greg-halseth/presentations to learn more.