Rural development and rural economic development are diverse, complex, and evolving processes. Before and during this pandemic, communities have been and continue to be engaged in innovative policy development with the goal of enhancing the economic and social well-being of rural citizens. However, issues related to sustainability and the environment, rural-urban interdependencies, access to information, and the instability of both global and local markets are changing the way we think about rural development. As a result, the public, private, and civil society sectors are developing new and innovative ways to collaborate and enhance economic activity in rural communities.

The CIE conference will explore these themes through panels and presentations led by a variety of stakeholders including community or non-governmental organizations; the private sector; academics; local, regional, provincial, territorial, and/or federal governments; Indigenous governments and/or organizations; and other policymakers. Click on the button to learn more about this year’s conference, or to view videos and other highlights from last fall’s conference.

At our fall conference, CRRF launched their report State of Rural Canada (SORC): Opportunities, Recovery, and Resiliency in Changing Times.

This time, we visit the chapter on Saskatchewan. In this video, Jolena Leader, PhD, University of Saskatchewan, talks about the state of rural in her province.

Stay tuned to upcoming newsletters as we journey across the country and explore how each province is addressing key issues shaping their rural realities and how they are finding resilience and opportunities among change.