vlgeo439019-blog

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello, Beacher! 

Great commentary this week! To infinity and beyond is quite right - we’ve all been through quite the journey this semester, especially you I would think. You’ve quite literally travelled hundreds of kilometres just to be here in Canada and will be returning home soon! You’ve seen so many things and will hopefully have the opportunity to apply your new found knowledge to your continued learning in Singapore. 

I really enjoyed your section focusing on smart villages! In a blog I posted a few weeks ago I chose to focus on a lack of broadband internet access in Canadian rural communities. I never stumbled across this topic at all! Mainly the only suggested solutions I could find in regards to this issue focused on creating internet hotspots in the downtown areas of towns or villages struggling with broadband access. Unfortunately this apparent “solution” is wrought with problems. 

Some towns or villages, especially Indigenous reserves, do not have access to public space. Some communities have difficulty providing reliable employment opportunities. As such, the hours of operation of many stores isn’t substantial enough, forcing many internet-users to travel long distances in order to procure information surrounding health care, education, and new employment possibilities in the evenings or on weekends. In addition, accessing these resources costs both money and time - what about mothers and fathers who have a responsibility to their children? What about the elderly, those individuals who may not be able to leave their homes without the proper assistance? These times are simply inconvenient and fail to adequately support the lives of day-to-day people.  

This is why I think that investing in smart villages is a great idea. As you’ve illustrated above, the whole purpose of smart villages is to create opportunities in rural communities by enhancing the services that are already provided or use various technological platforms to bring in those services that are not present in these communities at all. This not only optimizes people’s time, but improves the quality of life that exists. Additionally, people are encouraged to contribute, share ideas, and further include themselves within their home communities. 

I thought that these little videos summed up everything quite well!

By using technology to bridge the gap between the rural and the urban, people have the chance to truly be apart of their communities and our growing globalized world.

If you’ve read my most recent blog, you’ll know that I had a rather pessimistic view in regards to rural changes in the future. You’ve really changed my frame of mind! Smart villages are definitely a way in which some of the issues plaguing rural communities could be solved. Of course this isn’t a flawless solution, but it does offer isolated towns and villages the ability to both better themselves and survive. 

Again, great job, Beacher! I wish you the best of luck for the remainder of the semester here in Guelph and throughout your travels! 

- Vanessa

Last Post: To the Infinity and Beyond.

Hi all 

I guess this would be my last post. Firstly, some reflections of this course, I am really thankful for the field trip to the two rural locations (okay maybe St Jacobs isn’t that rural). I learnt a lot from the weekly seminar sessions and sharing by my fellow peers. It is a pity because I feel like I did not participate much in the discussion mainly because I am still rather fearful of saying incorrect things during class. It was really an eye-opener to be exposed to a seminar styled class which I have never experienced before. I hope in the future I would be more active in class and actively participate in the in-class discussions.

Alright back to the topic at hand: the future of rural places. I think I mentioned in another previous post about the future of rural places. I am glad that the topic given reinforced the importance of future thinking for the rural place because they are the fuel for the urban. For this post, I would discuss some of the trend and issues of future rural places. I will end off by introducing the idea of smart villages which I think would be what I imagine most future rural places will transform into.  

Demographics

I feel that future demographics of the rural is a pressing issue for policy-makers that it would continue to be a significant issue for the future. With regards to my version of rural Ontario for the population size, to be honest, I am uncertain. This is due to the high variability of the balance between rural and urban population growth. Currently, we are seeing the ‘life-cycle effect’ within rural Canada. It describes the movement of people between the urban and the rural, younger population would move the cities in pursuit of better opportunities whilst the aged would migrate to rural areas. Future of rural demographics is highly dependent on the continuation of this cycle. If the life cycle effect proceeds as with current trends, the rural would age more rapidly than the cities. This could have several implications on the rural communities, one salient implication would be the availability and accessibility of public service for these communities. Hence, I think it is also certain to say that the future liveability of the urban would have implications on the cycle, ultimately determining if the cycle will continue.

For those that are left behind, the impacts are massive. As the population slowly diminishes, all sources of incoming for social spending as well as the continuation of cultural activities will gradually dwindle. With each decrease in spending, closure of stores and cancellation of events, each step further erodes the quality of life of the rural. As mentioned, the local government would face more difficulties in the provision or maintaining the quality of various social services. Cost of these services is also expected to increase if the trend continues. The Canadian Council on Learning reported in 2006 that students in rural Canada significantly underperform their urban peers. Secondary school dropout rates are nearly twice that of metro regions and the percentage of 25- to 54-year-olds with at least some post-secondary education is 10% below that of urban areas.

Of course, there are some abnormalities for some of the rural areas. Those communities that are proximate to urban centres suffer fewer consequences of demographic issues. Those with scenery, cultural or recreational attractions can balance local enterprise with income from tourism. Proximity also draws out the issue of connectivity which would be discussed in the next section.

Connectivity

Although connectivity between the rural and the urban has been mentioned multiple times throughout this term, I feel that it is important to reintroduce it to illustrate its importance for the future of the rural. Improving both physical (transport networks) and virtual connectivity is paramount to support rural economics as well as the provision of public services. This connectivity is especially important for more isolated rural areas as they are in dire need of services and resources to sustain themselves. In order to ensure a sustainable future for rural Canada, the topic on connectivity is therefore significant. In terms of physical connectivity, in the future, I think there would be an improvement in physical infrastructure to improve connectivity. This is especially important rural communities that are dependent on a market-based delivery method for their economy. The lack of transport networks creates natural barriers for rural business to break into the increasingly concentrated markets in the urban. Therefore, I feel it is important to fill in these gaps in the transport networks. One suggestion I feel that would greatly improve transport would be inter-provincial and federal level collaboration to plan for high-speed rail throughout Canada. This idea is mainly based on the success in the development of similar high-speed rails in other developed countries like Japan, China and other European countries.

Source

With regards to virtual connectivity, I think broadband communication (3G and 4G) is going to be an issue of growing importance. This is so because, in the digital age that we live in today, the absence of such connectivity would lead to unwanted problems like digital exclusion. The rural is deprived of crucial information which can further worsen existing problems in the rural. With the improvement of digital connectivity, I argue that it can bridge the gap between the rural and the urban. As such digital connectivity should be addressed in rural communities in the future. However, looking at current trends for internet penetration, I am optimistic that future rural place would not lack digital connectivity. With better virtual and physical infrastructure, I think rural places are slowly transitioning into what should be known as “Smart villages”.

Source

Smart Villages

 Rural communities are slowly closing the gap with the metro by applying their “smart city” concept to smaller rural places. Although one difference between smart cities and smart villages would be the forms of implementation. Smart cities used interrelated digital technologies to transform the different functions of cities with top-down implementation.

On the other side, smart villages are created through the focus on local communities taking their futures into their own hands, often, but not exclusively, with the help of digital technologies.

Although there is still contention for the meaning of While the idea of smart villages may mean different things to different people, several key features of smart villages have, in fact, been articulated and clarified through the European Commission’s EU Action for Smart Villages (April 2017).

“In Smart Villages traditional and new networks and services are enhanced by means of digital, telecommunication technologies, innovations and the better use of knowledge, for the benefit of inhabitants and businesses. Digital technologies and innovations may support quality of life, a higher standard of living, public services for citizens, better use of resources, less impact on the environment, and new opportunities for rural value chains in terms of products and improved processes. The concept of Smart Villages does not propose a one-size-fits-all solution. It is territorially sensitive, based on the needs and potentials of the respective territory and strategy-led, supported by new or existing territorial strategies.”

Source

Personally, I think smart villages will be the general morphology of future rural place. I am a strong supporter of information and communication technologies development. I concur with the statement mentioned in the same article by European commission which states that “Technology is important as are investments in infrastructure, business development, human capital, capacity and community building. Good governance and citizens involvement are also key.”

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello, Emma! 

I hope that you’ve enjoyed your weekend! The snow isn’t so great, but I’m sure that spring will come back! 

Overall, great final blog post for the week! It’s been awesome having the chance to read all of your thoughts and ideas regarding rural issues in Canada.

This week your discussion surrounding Bill 66 really caught my eye. For awhile now I’ve been hearing whispers of this kind of thing in the news, but at the time I really didn’t think that Doug Ford serious about it. With all of his ruthless cuts to education planning and healthcare however, now I’m not even surprised. I’m just very concerned at this point. 

Bill 66 doesn’t just bypass the Green Belt Act, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, the Great Lakes Protection Act, the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, and the Clean Water Act - no, it also serves to eliminate the need for public participation, as well as the requirement for proposed development initiatives to receive public notice or input. 

Sure, cutting away all of Ontario’s “red tape” will open up jobs for the public and create the revenue that this province apparently needs, but is it worth it at the expense of our democracy? Shouldn’t we, the people, have an opinion even after an election is complete? 

Apparently not. 

Even worse, Doug Ford has somehow come to the conclusion that his government should not be held accountable to any sort of environmental change. Recently, this winter in fact, he chose to remove Ontario’s environment commissioner from their position in government. No longer will the Ford government be provided with independent, non-partisan oversight, that which seeks to monitor public spending and the government’s compliance with laws and regulations. 

Ford has quite literally shut down the voice of the public and ensured that his government isn’t held accountable to any of their actions. This lack of transparency is startling and doesn’t exactly lend positive insight into Ontario’s future in regards to rural areas. 

Hopefully this comes to a conclusion in the next four years. As I stated in my most recent blog, it’s our responsibility as students and educated citizenry to advocate for rural spaces. If we don’t have the ability to do this, we’re all going to be in for a very wild ride. 

- Vanessa 

The Future of Rural Canada

Canada has been reliant on rural landscapes and communities for many centuries.  Rural Canada is responsible for the primary industries such as agriculture, forestry, and mining which have been and continue to be the backbone of the nation’s economy. In recent decades there has been a shift towards the manufacturing and technological industries, and Canada has been rapidly developing in order to adapt to the economic shifts. As a result, rural communities are struggling to survive because there is less national reliance on primary industries. Canada is outsourcing to other countries because its is often cheaper and more convenient.  This is very detrimental to the rural communities who rely on natural resources for their livelihood. 

This is occurring more and more frequently which is very concerning for rural Canada. In southern Ontario, urbanization is taking over prime agriculture land and important natural features to accommodate their growing population. Overall, I am scared to think about what rural Canada will look like in the future.

In the past 10 years alone, I have witnessed farmlands and forests be turned into subdivisions and plazas across southern Ontario. Fields that I used to play in are now covered by apartment buildings. All of this seemed to happen so quickly, and I know that this urban sprawl will not stop any time soon. 

Source 

All of this development is putting serious strain on the ecosystems that are present on this landscape. Species are becoming endangered because their habitats are being demolished and the reduction in vegetation is worsening the effects of climate change. If this continues, the natural landscapes of southern Ontario will be lost to the urban influence. 

In the media it seems as though many people are aware of the issues that face rural Canada. If that is the case, why isn’t it being properly protected? 

Governments are supposed to be responsible for ensuring the protection of rural Canada. Unfortunately, government officials are not implementing management plans and policies committed to preserving rural land including farmland, forests, and wetlands. Instead it is more common for them to create management plans that encourage population growth and development. 

An example of this is the Ontario “Open for Business” Act (Bill 66) proposed by Premier Doug Ford. The goal of this act was to allow large-scale commercial, industrial, and residential development in various areas across Southern Ontario. In doing so, it would bypass several environmental protection acts and policies including the Greenbelt Act, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, the Great Lakes Protection Act, the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, and the Clean Water Act. These plans were created to preserve sensitive natural landscapes, and Bill 66 would have destroyed these environments. It also would have put millions of people at risk of contaminated drinking water. 

Source

Thankfully, many citizens of Ontario strongly opposed this act, and voiced their concerns by signing petitions, protesting, and informing others of the negative impacts of the act. Many environmental groups and local organizations also joined together to stop Bill 66. In the end, they were successful. 

Source 

Bill 66 was stopped thanks to the actions of passionate Ontarians, and now farmlands, forests, wetlands, and communities are safe. This was a very significant victory for environmental protection, however it is likely that bills similar to Bill 66 will be created in the future, and there is no guarantee that those will be stopped. Therefore, it is important to elect government officials who are committed to preserving the natural landscapes of Ontario and preventing excessive development. I believe that this is the most effective way of spreading information on the importance of environmental protection to communities all over the province. Hopefully this would motivate people to care more about the environment and be more sustainable. 

If proper actions are carried out by our government, there is a chance rural Canada can be revitalized and protected. Environmental concerns are being voiced a lot more regularly in public discussions and political meetings which gives some hope for the future of rurality. If this continues, hopefully more plans and policies will be established which promote the preservation of natural landscapes and encourage sustainable development.  

Canada is still heavily reliant on rural areas as sources of food, raw resources, and energy. If these were taken away, Canada would not be able to economically thrive. Rural communities are also a huge part of the Canadian identity. This country is graced with having so many unique landscapes such as rivers, mountains, farmland, forests, and wetlands and all of these have a deep connection to our history. Therefore these need to be protected to preserve our heritage, and they also offer incredible tourism opportunities to Canadians and non-Canadians. Ecotourism is an amazing way to generate income while also protecting significant natural features across the country. 

Conserving rural Canada will definitely be a lengthy and challenging process. However if Canadians are committed to protecting these landscapes, it is something that is definitely possible. My hope is that within the next few years the proper steps are taken to establish the necessary acts to protect our environment for present and future Canadians. 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

What is the future of rural spaces?

Anna Mae’s Bakery & Restaurant in Millbank, Ontario.  

At the beginning of this course I had a pretty vague understanding as to what rurality was. As most naive young folks believe, I had this impression of rural spaces that was very much agricultural-based, leaving little wiggle room for other ideas and different perceptions of the countryside to exist, those of which were very much inspired from nature and the outdoors. I am now entirely a believer in the diversity of rural spaces in Canada, those of which range from small, quaint little towns such as Millbank, Ontario to what one could call the vast wilderness in both Banff and Jasper National Parks. 

With all of these landscapes, rural by nature of course, one must beg the question - what is their future? In the next 50 years what will become of these places, the vast diversity of rural spaces that we have all come to know and love?

I found this question a little disheartening, to be truly honest. Not the question itself, but the direction my answer was going. Based on what I’ve learned throughout this class, rural spaces are far from appreciated within society. Not only is the rate of urban expansion and sprawl growing, but there are no measures to prevent this from occurring. Land preservation initiatives are overall very ineffective in Ontario and other areas in Canada. In addition, with an increased number of people moving into cities, urban areas are pressured to expand despite perceived barriers such as green space. 

For the purposes of the blog prompt this week, I will discuss each of these issues in detail.

Urban Expansion, Sprawl, & Population Growth: 

As I’ve illustrated in other blog posts previous to this, urban expansion is a serious issue in Ontario. In a report released by the University of Guelph titled “Protecting Southern Ontario’s Farmland” (I’ve definitely referenced this before), a significant amount of land, more particularly the agricultural landscape, is continually threatened due to urban development and sprawl.

Between 1981 and 1986 prime agricultural land represented 59% of all land in Canada that has been converted to urban uses. In 1996 19% of all Class 1 agricultural land in Canada was occupied by urban development - this percentage increases each year. In fact, urban centres consume land equal to the size of Hamilton, Ontario every year. 

At the current rate an additional 260,000 acres (1,070 square kilometres) will be urbanized by 2021 in areas north of Toronto, a space almost double the size of Toronto currently. 

How do we combat this? How do we inspire change to protect our farmland and precious green spaces? 

I don’t know if there is an adequate solution to this problem. In Toronto for instance, census data from 2016 indicates that this city grows at a rate  exceeds the national average. Since the last census in 2016 the population of Toronto increased by 6.2 percent, representing nearly 2 million people. City planners are encouraged by legislation and the creation of the Green Belt to build upwards rather than outwards, but at some point these restrictions will not be enough. This is especially the case with a growing immigrant population. 

Nearly half of Toronto’s population is represented by new Canadians, those of which move to the city for the resources, jobs, and the pockets of familiar communities this urban centre provides. Homes need to be built, apartments need to be raised - the need for housing will not vanish any time soon, not in Canada’s largest city and most substantial immigrant ‘magnet’ so to speak. Toronto remains as Canada’s top destination for migrant populations, despite a growing interest in the prairies. 

Lack of Land Preservation:

Some people believe that a growing movement to protect and preserve rural landscapes will help to prevent urban expansion and sprawl. The Greenbelt for instance, is considered as a great success in southern Ontario. With over two million hectares of valuable farmland, forests, wetlands, and watersheds protected in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, development initiatives are virtually non-existent. The Places to Grow Act, developed alongside the Green Belt, legally reinforces and encourages the growth of major cities where it is needed most - downtown cores. 

The Green Belt.

Or so people think. 

Yes, both the Green Belt and Places to Grow act are successful, but what about those spaces beyond the Green Belt? Areas like Shelburne, Guelph, and Barrie? 

Leap-Frog Effect: 

This legislation has unknowingly curtailed the development of new subdivisions and housing complexes to the edges of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) - to those communities and municipalities that have access to major highways such as 400 and 401, but are not necessarily prepared for a new commuter population. This anomaly is recognized as the leap-frog effect.   

 Changing Land-use in Southern Ontario. The large red area in the centre of the map is the Simcoe County area.

The above map is from a research project conducted by Jonathan Scida using GIS technology. According to this figure, many municipalities within the southern half of Simcoe County, just outside the reach of the Green Belt, have experienced increased levels of urban sprawl and development. This is a result of close access to major highways and arterial roads, those of which are viable transportation options to access Toronto for employment purposes. 

Developers are drawn to this land because it’s largely unprotected, land is cheap, and people will flock to these areas for a chance to live in homes that are within reach of the city. As a result of this, those communities outside of the Green Belt are largely ignored and are forced to face continued development and loss of agricultural land. This is a problem as 70% of Ontario’s prime agricultural land lies outside of the Green Belt boundary. 

No Legislation to Protect Agriculture:

What about legislation? 

As I’ve mentioned before in previous blogs, this is largely ineffective as well. Currently the protection of agricultural land isn’t legislated in Ontario - in Canada. The Green Belt may exist, but it does very little to change how agricultural land is treated in regards to its land use. Yes, this land may be used to produce food, but on a legal-level it is considered the same as land that is used for purely commercial or residential purposes, all the result of the Planning Act, 1990. 

As illustrated within a report released by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, “Ontario’s current land-use planning system is geared towards the accommodation of urban (residential) development and other urban-related land uses within the framework of “good planning principles”. Within this framework, farmland is typically viewed as a background landscape upon which development is to be painted, or in other words, as tarmac in-waiting”. 

As this continues to occur other policy tools such as land easements, stewardship programs, and land trusts prove to be inadequate. These tools are largely undeveloped and depend on volunteers for their successful functioning.

In addition, decisions are routinely made that negatively impact agricultural interests and often act to ignore the needs, wants, and demands of farmers. Plans are often put forward that undermine agricultural interests and there is very little pressure and motivation for planners and developers to evaluate the true impacts of their activities on the ability farmers have to preserve and act as stewards of their lands. Parcels of land are often divided as a result of construction and serve as barriers between farmed lands. 

Despite the fact that agriculture is integral to Canada and Ontario’s economy, policy and decision-makers are deaf to the needs of farmers. Farmers have no voice, and this is only going to increase in the near future if legislation and planning does not change. 

Tourism & Creative Destruction:

Finally, in the future rural tourism is likely to increase across Canada and within the province of Ontario. Rural areas offer tourists an assortment of unique experiences that are not easily replicated elsewhere in the world. Not only does the countryside offer people the ability to relax, experience nature, and the great outdoors, but allows people to develop an appreciation for a culture, history, and heritage that is unlike their own. 

St. Jacobs Market.  

St. Jacobs for instance, a community 20-30 minutes north of Waterloo in Ontario, offers tourists the chance to experience the local Mennonite culture and purchase local foods, goods, and produce from an internationally recognized farmer’s market, one that is home to over 300 vendors offering a good deal. If people have the desire to do so, they may partake in a horse and buggy ride, walk on some of the local trails alongside the Conestoga River, or check out the model railway downtown.

Although these experiences are largely successful in bringing tourists into the area, generating jobs for the local population, and a surge of wealth that acts to help renew the community, it must be mentioned that many rural towns and villages that become tourist hubs often succumb to what is known as the “tourist gaze” or “creative destruction”. 

What do these terms mean?

Rural spaces such as St. Jacobs are heavily transformed and commodified to meet the needs of tourists, largely urbanites. Heritage is over-exaggerated and buildings and destinations are designed to appear as though they originate right from a time in the distant past. A perfect example of this is the Tim Hortons in St. Jacobs. This building, as seen below, is purposefully designed to look very similar to a ranch. 

St. Jacobs Tim Hortons

Yes, this may act to preserve rural areas and St. Jacobs in a sense, but it must be argued that the authentic aspect of rural communities is lost as a result of this. The opinions, stories, and views of local populations are lost as a result of continued changes that reflect the urban view of what constitutes as rural (rural idyll). 

Will this be the case for all rural towns and villages in the future? I really hope not, but I have my doubts.

As I mentioned a bit earlier, I’m more than a bit disheartened. The future of rural communities and landscapes is looking pretty bleak, especially based on all the research we’ve had the opportunity to conduct in class. Fortunately, I haven’t lost all hope.

I think that it’s our responsibility as educated citizens and students to play a role in advocating for rural spaces. We need to fight for the voices of farmers and open up the metaphorical political, social, and economic doors that act as barriers to their speech and allow them to be heard within society. We need to fight for better land-use laws and legislation to protect farmland and green spaces. We need to fight for the better management of tourism - authentic tourism if that’s even possible. We need to be spokespeople for our home and native land (insert Canadian national anthem here).

I know that I’m hardly inspiring, but I think that my point has been made. We need to do better and make better decisions if we plan on improving the future of rural spaces in Canada. We can’t expect positive change to happen - we need to be advocates and make positive change happen!

 - Vanessa 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello, Maddy!

I hope that your trip to Thunder Bay was fun! I’ve never been before, but within the next few weeks I’ll be prepping for a road trip to the west coast, so I’ll finally get the chance! 

I really connected with your blog post this week. I also think very deeply in regards to the environment and the outdoors. Ever since I’ve been young I’ve had the opportunity to hike, canoe, kayak, snowshoe, and simply enjoy my time in different outdoor spaces. At first I took it for granted, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that I genuinely have a passion and love for the environment. I’ve even made more of an effort this semester to get outside and enjoy the snow!

I recommend this! There’s nothing better than taking a leap of faith into a giant pile of snow!

More importantly however, I recognize how crucial it is to get outside, especially for mental health. I’m at my happiest when I’m in the outdoors and I honestly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy being outside.

Unfortunately this is not the case. Studies have shown that individuals with a higher income and an increased level of education tend to have a greater access to green space in urban areas, despite the fact that the environment plays a critical role in mental and physical health for everyone, regardless of their level of affluence within society. As illustrated by Lorien Nesbitt, vegetation keeps our cities cool, helps to improves air quality, reduces storm water runoff, and decreases stress. When access to greenery isn’t equitable, those benefits are not fairly distributed, reducing access for the marginalized citizens who need them the most. 

In Indianapolis for instance, the effects of education and income were significant. People without a high school diploma had a lower access to green space in their home neighbourhoods. Those individuals with a post-secondary education and a higher income had a higher level of access to the outdoors. This situation was identical in Los Angeles and New York, although racial and ethnic factors played an important role as well. Nesbitt further explains,"People from Hispanic backgrounds had less access to vegetation in Chicago and Seattle, while people identifying as African-American had less access to green spaces in Chicago and St. Louis. Those identifying as Asian-American had less access in New York."

The fact that inaccessibility exists in this way is crazy to me. Shouldn’t everyone have access to green space, regardless of their income, race, background, or sexuality? Can it not be argued that access to the environment is a basic human right?

I don’t think urban areas can mirror rural and green spaces perfectly, but people are definitely making an effort to do so. Green walls and green roofs are being used to stimulate the effects of nature. As Emma has discussed, even Toronto is making an effort to design the urban environment in a manner that better reflects the outdoors. This provides easier access to green spaces for residents, especially those individuals coming from backgrounds that are not entirely as privileged as the rich and wealthy. 

Maybe not a flawless solution, but does give more people access to the environment and the benefits green spaces have on both mental and physical health. I do think that it’s important however, that city planners make an effort to better connect people to the environment via improved transportation and education. 

Retrieved from the Parks Canada website. 

The learn to camp program offered by Parks Canada for instance, gives new immigrants and those individuals from the city that are not familiar with camping or rurality the opportunity to connect with nature. Better yet, it gives these individuals the chance to learn how to be in outdoors and take advantage of the benefits generated by the environment without remaining in the city.

Perhaps not a flawless solution to this problem either by any means, but at least it gives people get the chance to take their health into their own hands and make decisions that are not a product of their income.

Great post, Maddy! 

- Vanessa 

Thoughts from the boreal...

Hi all,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

As the seasons change and school starts kicking into high gear, I have been thinking at length about the personal importance of getting outside. Doing so to both take advantage of the warmer weather, running waters and emerging buds as well as to take mental breaks during this busy time.

Thinking about how important those times in nature are in terms of my own health. As most of you know, I have been spending this weekend up north in Thunder Bay. Time with the boreal for me is important and grounding. It has therefore profoundly impacted my being to head into the last three weeks of my undergrad.

Ground cover in the boreal. From late summer 2017 in Quebec. 

Time in natural space is immeasurably important for our mental health. Reduced stress, anxiety, depression… and so forth. It is something I keep hearing about time and time again, folks integrating outdoor time into their daily lives in order to improve their overall wellbeing. It is also something I have grown up with which is possibly why I feel more comfortable sitting by a river than in a room full of people. Why I feel more held by plant allies during tough times than any other being(s). Connecting with nature is something I wholeheartedly believe does contribute to our well being as humans.

I do not think I am alone. The other day in a separate geography class, I was in the midst of a full week dedicated to ecohealth and its benefits. I learned how the mere access to looking at green space for hospitalized patients through the window leads to faster healing, shorter hospital stays and administration of less pain medication.

Additionally, we chatted about the indirect positive effects that natural spaces can have on one’s physical wellbeing. For example, benefits of breathing clean air that green space can purify. Further, there is a growing relationship with access to green space and physical activity level. All in all, the literature seems to point to the fact that being in green space is extremely positive for both our mental and physical wellbeing.

As I said, I think about these things as I agree and see the benefits and legitimacy in these claims. Additionally however and more in relation to this class, I think about these things as I am scared that access to these natural spaces are dwindling. Along a similar vein, I am worried about the negative impacts that losing access to these spaces will have on folks. I worry about the impact it has on me when I do not have access to the river, to the spruce or to the blueberries.

The reality is we are losing these spaces. Rural spaces, remote spaces, wilderness spaces. I feel this is something I have touched on several times in earlier posts and therefore will not illuminate on that further. What I have been wrestling with today is thinking about land use and how access to “nature” will look in the foreseeable future.

A few steps from the patch of labrador tea… Quebec 2017

Will it look like going to a park in the middle of the city instead of to the forest? For me, it’s not enough. Land preservation is therefore something near and dear to my heart and hopefully is engrained in the fabric of my day to day actions. This class has taught me a lot about valuing rural spaces and the different forms that can take up. Ultimately, how we value these spaces indicates how they will be used. I hope myself and others will continue to value them for their positive impacts on our wellbeing.

What do others think? How do they engrain access to nature while living in rural spaces?

Happy sunny Sunday!

Maddy

[vlgeo439019-blog]

There’s no internet?! (Insert screaming 12-year old)

Our world revolves around the internet. Banking, politics, social movements, education, reading, access to medical care, booking appointments, or purchasing products online - you name it, the internet is 100% involved. As people who always have access to the inter-web, we often forget that there are remote areas in the world that are internet “immune”, so to speak. While we sit down, drinking a cup of coffee, and work on a assignment online on campus or in a cafe, we don’t really think about the people out there that are living their day-to-day lives without the internet. 

Of course this isn’t a bad thing, but when the world is so dependent on using the internet, it makes life significantly harder for those individuals who live without it. 

For the purposes of my blog this week, I’m going to write about low broadband internet accessibility in rural areas. I've spent a lot of time in the past few weeks focusing on agriculture and farming - it's time for a refreshing change!

Low internet accessibility in isolated areas isn't a new phenomena. Since the early 2000′s internet use has been growing - in 2009 usage increased by over 700% and further increased by 400% in 2013. By 2023 it is predicted that internet usage will skyrocket. The number of users is predicted to reach 33 million users, nearly 99 percent of the Canadian population. 

Unfortunately, I have difficulty believing in the authenticity of this statement, especially considering the fact that only 85% of Canadian citizens are adequately serviced with a reliable internet connection. This may seem like a considerable number of people, but when you look at a map of Canada the stark reality is that there is a technological divide between the north and south, even in Ontario!

Partial map of northern & southern Ontario.

The green areas on the map represent those regions with an adequate level of internet connection, more specifically fixed wireless access. The yellow colour represents those areas that have access to cellular data or cell service. As I’m sure you all can see, this represents a majority of Canada’s urban population in southern Ontario. 

Those areas without colour have no cellular service at all. 

Partial map of northern & southern Ontario.

The red dots represent those areas that are largely under-serviced, communities with anywhere between 1000 to 7000 people. Although generally more common in northern Ontario, there are some locations in the south that are suffering due to a lack of service as well. 

Why is this a problem? 

A farmer in the Ottawa Valley explains, “I live ten minutes from the town of Renfrew and I’m in a blackout zone with no hopes of getting high speed internet. I pay nearly $200 dollars a month for only 100 gigabytes of data - enough data for only 20 hours of internet. Watching videos is impossible.”

This may not seem like a problem, but with children who rely on the internet for school projects and assignments, it really puts a damper on things. The additional costs for poor internet are pretty unbelievable as well. 

A man from Elgin County can’t even pay his bills reliably. Don Miller, a farmer and business owner, says that he was put out of service for ten days without warning, just narrowly regaining his connection in time to pay off $8000 dollars in pesticides and fertilizers. He’s unable to use internet in the evenings; too many people use it at once. Miller is unable to stay up to date on cattle and grain prices as well. 

In northern, remote communities this is even worse. There are massive issues of affordability and accessibility. In Thessalon First Nation for instance, a reserve outside of Sault. Ste. Marie, satellite internet service is provided by Xplornet. Unfortunately this system has been criticized for being inconsistent, expensive, and lags in times of high traffic. Without proper monitoring, bills can quickly add up and cost hundreds of dollars each month. 

Public wifi hotspots are a suggested solution to this problem, but for many communities this is inadequate as well. Some towns and villages lack public spaces or have inconsistent hours operation, forcing people to tailor their lives around accessibility. People are forced to travel long distances just to receive important information regarding health care, education, and employment. This costs money, time, and a considerable effort, which translates into a geographical advantage. Individuals in urban areas do not have to deal with this at all, creating the digital divide I mentioned above. 

In terms of economic activity, small communities in isolated regions are also at a disadvantage as well. There is little opportunity for digital industries or businesses to be established in these areas as low access to high speed internet could easily destroy a young or brand new entrepreneur. People are not willing to risk the possible loss. 

Even access to digital health care is a problem with poor internet. For those individuals who rely on digital forms of medical care, it’s a challenge to receive help if it is desperately needed. 

Recently there have been conversations surrounding possible solutions to this problem, the Canadian government being a major actor in the discussions of such solutions. In 2016, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) deemed basic internet service as a human right and set aside over $750 million for infrastructure investment to provide services where market forces have fail, primarily rural and northern communities as we have discussed.

Unfortunately the plans released do very little to improve the lack of accessibility in these areas. Two years ago the CRTC proposed that with improved infrastructure internet speeds would reach 50 megabits per second. Today, the Commission has gone back on its word; speed targets will be cut in half, reaching 25 megabits per second. This means that as each household in these areas adds additional internet-connected devices to their bill, there will be an increased number of connectivity issues. This is amplified in Indigenous communities where access to high-bandwidth connections is expensive and where multiple families share a single dwelling.  

Solving internet accessibility in Canada is going to be a challenge, that’s for sure. It’s difficult to say whether this is going to be possible in the first place. Many communities, even those in close proximity to Guelph have poor internet. One of my housemates currently relies on a very poor satellite connection at her family home due to the topography in her area. Her home is surrounded by drumlins, large glacial remnants, that act as giant barriers to a reliable internet signal. 

I currently live outside of Midland and experience very poor internet. If you guys look at either of the maps I’ve linked above, there’s a small peninsula that’s right across from the Bruce Peninsula to the east. In that area there’s a little spot surrounded by red dots. That’s approximately where I currently live and the internet is horrible. There are times when my youngest sister can’t complete assignments for her school because of it. 

Despite all of this, it seems to me that Indigenous communities seem to suffer the most when it comes to issues of rurality. They continue to be forcefully isolated, especially by the Canadian government and big-box internet companies due to poor bandwidth. There is little room for change, growth, and independence in these communities when the lack of internet is forcefully caging people to a number of social, economic, and political issues, continuing a cycle of dependency created as a result of colonization. 

What do you guys think? Is internet a basic human right in our time and day? Is there an adequate solution to addressing a lack of internet accessibility in a timely manner?

- Vanessa 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Happy Sunday! 

Great post, Taylor. I also thought that this presentation was particularly interesting, especially Jenn Adam’s focus on people’s perceptions of wind turbines. Most of the studies that I’ve encountered look at turbines from a scientific standpoint, focusing on the economic and medical explanations for the public’s distaste for wind machines. 

Explanations supported by science always deem to dominate the conversation surrounding wind energy; people’s ideas and impressions regarding this form of technology are largely ignored. By focusing on the people living within rural communities themselves, a new perspective regarding this form of research in brought forward, illuminating the need for a social or human viewpoint when studying the impacts of turbines.

Despite encouraging green forms of technology within society, people do not support wind turbines for a number of reasons, be it aesthetics, economic impacts, noise, and disturbance to wildlife. Some people simply don’t want to see wind turbines in their own backyards (NIMBY movement). These individuals are more than happy to see sustainable, technological alternatives in action, but would rather keep their distance from all of the fuss. 

Understanding all these different issues is important, especially from a rural perspective. 

Why you may ask?

Our society values and recognizes the fact that rural communities are closely knit. People in these villages and towns know each other, and support one another at a personal level. This is a major aspect that defines rurality and often plays a dominant role in what constitutes as the rural idyll and Canadian culture.

Due to a lack of understanding however, some rural communities are being torn apart due to wind turbines, Amherst Island in Prince Edward County being a prime example of this. Members of the community who despise wind turbines refuse to talk to those individuals that support them, destroying the sense of ‘family’ that exists in the small island. At a large scale this may impact the sense of rurality that exists in Ontario, leaving communities scarred and socially damaged over time.

The results of this study may reflect the perceptions of a different region in southern Ontario, but can be used as a framework for other rural communities experiencing social unrest due to wind turbines. In fact, the results of this study may play a role in giving rural communities the tools to better mitigate unrest and offer people the opportunity to better comprehend the issue at hand via public education and engagement. 

Kaleigh, you also make an excellent point. Many people in rural communities are also adverse to change - it is in their nature to be more conservative and reluctant to accept change. This can be seen in the chart I’ve included below. 

Ontario ridings & votes.

As you’ve stated, people may be more worried about change rather than the issue at hand. These individuals may not fully comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of wind turbines either. Due to this it’s possible that entire perspectives of this issue are being ignored, those of which have the ability to impact rural communities in a positive way.

Individuals in rural areas have a right to believe in whatever they’d like of course, but I’m an advocate for education and outreach. I’m of the inclination that people should make an effort to correctly educate themselves in regards to an issue, rather than be influenced by social media or the radio in the case of Orno, Ontario. 

- Vanessa 

Winds of Change: Rural Attitudes Matter

I’m glad that we were introduced to Guelph’s Rural Symposium because I got to listen to a variety of topics and get an idea of what is expected by graduate students in their master’s research (which I’m sure some of us are considering for the future). Before attending, I knew that there would be a good turnout because Guelph is very involved with Southern Ontario agriculture, but I didn’t realize that there are so many studies and support for rural Ontario- on social, economic, environmental, and spiritual spectrums. After attending the morning session, the presentation that I found the most interesting was the very first one, “Perceptions of Wind Turbines in Rural Communities: A Case Study in Orono, Ontario”, by Jenn Adams. I think this is because I was introduced to the impacts and controversial topic of wind turbines last semester in a FARE Land Economics course. In this course, we spent a few days discussing the wind turbine developments in Melancthon, Ontario and how it influenced people’s property values based on proximity and visibility of the turbines, as well as resident’s opinions. Below I have provided the link to a podcast in which our FARE class recorded in November 2018 with Professor Brady Deaton, interviewing Dr.Richard Vyn, who is the author of the article “Property Value Impacts of Wind Turbines and the Influence of Attitudes Toward Wind Energy”.

Podcast: https://www.uoguelph.ca/fare/institute/podcasts#propertyvalue

Article: http://le.uwpress.org/content/94/4/496.refs

This presentation reminded me of the complications faced with renewable energy development in rural Canada. Like the Melancthon township, Orono is predominantly a farming community, who generally have negative perceptions around wind turbines due to their aesthetics, noise, economic influence, environmental effects, and accused “health” effects on humans and livestock. In the Melancthon case, while some residents are largely against wind turbines, some have shown interest and are excited about having additional energy, as well as a possible return of funds. In Orono, Jenn mentions that there is no lack of support for renewable energy, so why are there negative attitudes towards wind turbines? Using the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) theory, Jenn made an important realization that rural community member’s perceptions on wind turbines will determine the support for turbine developments in Orono. This is interesting when you consider other Canadian rural towns, such as in Alberta, who have had very different experiences. Residents here don’t have large controversy because wind turbines have been around much longer than in Ontario. Similarly, when turbines first went up in mid-2000s in Ontario, community attitudes were neutral. I think that over time, the possible increase of media attention and development may have shifted attitudes towards turbines in rural jurisdictions. It’s almost like a ripple effect; the more that the message gets out that people think turbines are bad, the more people will consider that mindset (hetero-thinking becomes homo-thinking).

This has made my understanding of rural Canada more complex, coming to terms that not only do these communities face environmental and economic barriers, but also forms of social and psychological barriers. Perhaps being disconnected by large innovations that would be experienced in more urban centers has caused rural residents to develop a sense of nervousness and lack of trust, worried that innovations, such as wind turbines, will reduce their living and agricultural conditions. This idea is touched upon in the article form class, “Canada’s Rural Problem (1923)”, under the section, Work of Socialization.

I thought that Jenn’s research was interesting because it explores the attitudes of rural communities on development. It gave me the impression that rural residents are hesitant and passionate about technological developments occurring within their townships. I think these communities have a right to be ‘on alert’ about developments on the land, as rural Ontario is sensitive and must be protected with sustainable strategies to ensure it isn’t taken advantage by large companies. However, in class, we often talk about rural spaces as being the victim, but perhaps in cases such as these, where falsely lead perceptions discourages rural support of clean energy, they are unintentionally victimizing themselves.  

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Farming in Northern Ontario?

I love a good adventure. In the past two years I’ve travelled more than I have in my entire life. I’ve been to the east coast of Canada, scrambled up mountains in the west, lived in Cornwall, England for several months on exchange for school and canoed on more lakes and rivers that I can count on my fingers and toes. Most importantly however, I’ve had the privilege of camping, hiking, and exploring northern Ontario for most of my life. 

I grew up with the opportunity to spend a few weeks every summer at a cottage on Whitestone Lake in Dunchurch, Ontario. Although the cottage has been gone and sold nearly ten years now, I still get the opportunity to travel to the same area on occasion. Just last weekend for instance, I planned a cabin trip with the Outdoors Club and naturally spent hours of my time snowshoeing and hiking all around this area yet again. 

I’m privileged to have had each of the opportunity to explore the north in my lifetime. Still, this begs the question - what does all of this have to do with the blog topic this week?

While taking part in the Rural Symposium this past Wednesday, Sara Epp’s presentation regarding northern Ontario and the barriers to livestock production in the clay belt region really got me thinking. As I’ve illustrated in countless other posts, agriculture is something that has been thoroughly engrained in my life. Primarily in southern Ontario of course, but there was a time when I once experienced the realities of farming and travelling in the very same area in which Epp’s chooses to discuss - the great and cold Canadian north. 

Sound familiar? 

Two weeks ago I chose to focus my blog topic on the importance of value in agriculture. I discussed the fact that my family relocated to New Liskeard for a year as a result of an extensive gravel pit outside of Shelburne. Although this project was merely proposed at the time, my family made the decision to pack everything up, jump ship, and take a massive leap of faith, hoping that life in this remote community would be a little more forgiving and less impactful on the land. 

Map of southern and northern Ontario, particularly the locations of Guelph (blue) and New Liskeard (red) in relation to one another. 

I don’t want to be a negative Nancy - I really don’t - but there’s no beating around the bush with this topic. Although I spent most of my time hiking, canoeing, and exploring the outdoors in the north as per usual, I find it difficult to think back on my experiences with agriculture in New Liskeard with a positive frame of mind. As I reflect back to this particular time in my life I sincerely sympathize with Epp’s focus on the barriers to agriculture and livestock production in this region.

As Epp’s discusses throughout her presentation, there’s a number of barriers farmers must face when choosing to pursue agriculture in northern Ontario, those of which touch base with the environment, economics, and the array of social issues rural communities typically face. 

In terms of the environment, the success of agriculture in areas such as New Liskeard is unpredictable; the weather in the north creates a high risk for a wet spring and early fall accompanied with frost. This creates a growing season that’s significantly shorter when compared to those particularly fertile lands in the south. This creates an increased likelihood of crop failure, reduced yields, and soil damage. 

In the brief year that I spent in New Liskeard my family experienced this, particularly my Dad. I remember the look on his face when he’d come home from work defeated, so frustrated with the fact that the weather wasn’t cooperating. Intense rain was making the harvest nearly impossible, forcing farmers to face large losses in yields. Even worse, the quality of the top soil was being heavily affected - despite the weather many farmers in the region continually attempted to harvest their crops. Wet clay and heavy farming equipment are not a great combination, so naturally the top soil was sheared away and severely damaged.

Weather aside, economics are a challenge as well. Facing low yields is one thing, but the costs of clearing land in such a forested area? Drainage in soil that is so prone to containing excessive amounts of water? The costs of supplies? Access to agricultural markets in an area where Highway 11 is the only reliable gateway to southern Ontario? Costs quickly add up!

The social scene isn’t terrible of course, but communities in isolated areas do face a lack of access to resources that are easily available in the south, those of which relate to poor health care, lacklustre opportunities for employment, and education. Unfortunately New Liskeard doesn’t fall out of reach of this particular phenomenon. 

For medical emergencies individuals must travel over two hours to reach North Bay or be air-lifted via helicopter to Toronto. In order to provide adequate health services, many of the communities in this area - Kirkland Lake, Englehart, Timmins, and Cochrane specifically, work together and collaborate to offer programs that tackle substance abuse, mental health, and minor injuries.

Employment opportunities are limited as well, jobs largely restricted to the mining or forestry industries, much like other small, rural towns or villages in Ontario. Farming is common, but has yet to grow in popularity due to the issues illustrated above. With the lack of chances for young adults to have a reliable income or learn new skills in different fields of work, it’s of no surprise that many of these individuals retreat to the south. 

Epp’s discusses all of this throughout her presentation, perfectly framing my family’s year long experience into what I would constitute as one giant mess. 

Photo of New Liskeard.

If someone was to ask me right now whether or not I would recommend farming in the north I’d likely laugh, shake my head, and offer a loud “no” as a response. Even my father agrees me, a fully certified crop advisor who has been working in the field for over twenty years. In a conversation I had with him after the conference he told me, “It’s still too much of a risk to grow many acres in the north, especially corn and soybeans - common cash crops. With the potential of a late spring and late summer frost its a gamble.”  

At the conclusion of Epp’s presentation however, I was forced to think over my resounding negative opinion a bit more. 

Why? 

She briefly mentioned the importance of perceptions within society and how they shape our choices, especially in regards to rural communities and opportunities. In many ways we are not even aware of how our opinions and biases can shape the way that we may think of something. In my case, this is agriculture in the north. 

Yes - it’s a bit of a mess at the current moment, but that doesn’t mean that my positive perceptions of agriculture in southern Ontario should overshadow any developments and changes in agriculture that are occurring in the north. I have no right to glorify rurality in the south to make up for what’s lacking in New Liskeard. Neither does anyone else for that matter. 

As Epp’s illustrated throughout her presentation, land in the north is under-utilized. There is unknown potential in the landscape, potential that should be actively explored. Unknown to me until now, but the University of Guelph is making an effort to do this. There is currently an active agricultural research station in New Liskeard, one that tracks the success adapted plant species and perennial forages, those species of plants like alfalfa and clover that act to absorb water and reduced the need for tilled landscapes. 

University of Guelph New Liskeard research station. 

Research such as this paves the way for farmers to better tackle the challenges associated with agriculture in the north. Solutions may be generated that eliminate the problems associated with the environment and economics, those of which were illustrated a bit earlier within this blog. It may be possible to also open doors to new employment opportunities and forms of learning as well. 

As Epp’s suggests, it may even be possible for farmers to take a different approach and focus on livestock production instead, rather than focus entirely on agriculture alone. My father agrees. I didn’t even have to mention this topic in our conversation - he merely stated, “There should be more sheep and cattle in the area. Hay and other cereals grow best in this area in a long rotation with canola and grass pasture.”

It is clear that the discussion surrounding agriculture in the north is far from over. There are certainly many issues associated with farming in this region, but hidden behind all of this negativity are opportunities for positive agricultural development, especially in New Liskeard. With more research and eyes opened to the possibilities, it’s more than feasible for northern communities to experience some level of change - change associated with the creation of new jobs, an influx of people to a remote areas where people are desperately needed, and a new source of income, ending a complete reliance on natural resources. 

Hiking to and up Beaver Mountain.

Despite the faults associated with my year away from my traditional home, I can say with certainty that it was another crazy adventure to add to my list. I saw some pretty amazing things and experienced a season of agriculture that was completely unlike the norm in southern Ontario. I may have considered this as pretty negative at one point in time, but Sara Epps’ presentation gave me the opportunity to criticize my own beliefs and consider agriculture in the north with a more positive lens. 

- Vanessa 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello, Emma!

I love how you connected John Smither’s guest lecture to your blog post this week! The “Three C’s of Countryside Change” are a great way to frame a discussion and are certainly relevant to assigned blog topic.

You are certainly correct in saying that rural Canada’s landscapes are being consumed - based on data collected between 2011 and 2016 Ontario lost 175 acres of farmland every day to urban development and sprawl. This is only going to increase in the near future, especially with projected population increases and a higher demand for housing. If communities and urban centres refuse to build up instead of continuing to expand outwards, our valuable agricultural land will truly be lost, especially those that are fertile and offer extensive opportunities for tourism.

People also envision the countryside in different ways, those of which glorify rural spaces. More often than not, these ideals are valued by predominately urban environments. People are drawn into the beauty, safety, and allure of rural spaces - they are convinced that landscapes such as this purely exist for visual appeal alone. A majority of the Canadian population forgets that rural areas are the backbone of our society. These spaces produce food, provide jobs, and are a major component of our heritage and culture. By paving over these spaces and enforcing the rural idyll we continue to put these important areas at risk for further destruction. 

The Niagara Wine Region is a great example of both of these concepts. A friend of mine recently took me on a tour of the area in which he grew up, which happened to be right smack in the middle of the Niagara region. After driving around for about an hour or so in amongst the vineyards we came across a newly constructed subdivision. I was awestruck - these homes were enormous and apparently costed upwards of one million dollars in the real-estate market due to their location and views.  

Awe quickly changed to sadness however; at the time I was told that this particular parcel of land used to be apart of a peach and apple farm, one that was successful in the past and one played a large role in my friend’s life, particularly in relation to their family history and heritage.

This rural land had a value that was beyond the scope of visual beauty. This land was used to create food and served to bring a family together. It provided the income they needed to survive. It was fertile and valuable in so many ways, and yet was destroyed for the purpose of providing a select few people a ‘nice view’. 

People need to remember that rural landscapes are more than what they appear. These spaces are not merely places that are destined to become cities or subdivisions, These spaces are a component of all of our lives, from the food we eat to the memories, histories, and heritages these spaces create. 

- Vanessa 

Three C’s of Countryside Change

Throughout this course we have discussed many issues involving rural Canada. One of the issues that troubles me the most is the potential threat of urbanization and urban influence. 

I am reminded of John Smithers’s presentation in week 3 when he discussed the “Three C’s of Countryside Change.”

Consumed, Commodified, and Contested. 

Rural landscapes are unfortunately often viewed as open areas where development could easily occur. To a developer, it is believed that this space could be used more effectively if it was supporting the urban expansion. To support Canada’s growing population, residential development has increased greatly, spreading outwards from city centres and into rural areas, creating suburban landscapes. Then the growth continues with the increase of commercial and industrial development in these suburban areas. Rural Canada has been consumed by urbanization. Developer’s fail to realize that rural Canada is very important for the agricultural industry, food security, and the natural environment. 

This has occurred in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of Southern Ontario for the past several decades, and this urbanization still continues to expand to new boundaries. The increase of subdivisions in the urban outskirts is heavily reliant on proper transportation methods to and from the city centres. This therefore results in more construction, development, and harmful land use which threatens the rural landscape even more. 

Source

Another way rural Canada is developing is through the commodification of the countryside. Developers are promoting rural Canada as “cute, quaint, and close-knit” in order to appeal to the rural idyll. These promotions create an idea of what the countryside should be like and almost create a false sense of rural image, compared to how rural communities actually are. When people see these images they are instantly intrigued and want to visit these places. This greatly increases rural tourism because visitors are “buying into” these exaggerated images and ideologies. 

Source

When rural tourism occurs, it is common for visitors to become motivated to live in these rural areas. This therefore also causes an increase in permanent housing developments. The tourists now become the residents of rural Canada.

From my own experience, I have witnessed this happen in the Niagara Wine Region. My family and I have been visiting the Niagara region for my entire life, whether it was for visiting Niagara Falls, bike riding, hiking, or visiting wineries. It is an area that we have always loved for its landscape, culture, and recreation. However, in the past few years there has been a steady increase of subdivision development across the wine country. Posters for new subdivisions are located on so many roads, and of course they all promote the vineyard sceneries of the region. It is clear that the appeal of Niagara wineries and culture has succeeded not only in tourism, but also in motivating people to live there permanently. This has increased the commercialization of Niagara Wine Country, and could also take a serious toll on the landscape. The soil and land of Niagara is incredibly prime for agriculture and it is very important to protect it for food production. It saddens me to think about how the region will look in 50 years from now, but hopefully the trend of urban growth in Niagara will not mimic the effect that urban growth has had in the vast majority of Southern Ontario over the years. 

Source 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Double, Double, Toil, & Trouble

There are a number of things that are troubling in regards to rural Canada today, those of which generally highlight the lack of resources accessible to communities in isolated areas. Many towns and villages located in rural landscapes struggle due to a lack of access to health care, poor transit or transportation options, and the absence of fresh, healthy food.

For the purposes of this discussion however, I’m going to stick to my agricultural roots and take a look at the lack of legislation protecting farmland in southern Ontario, as well as a number of possible solutions to this troubling problem. 

As illustrated in a discussion series released by the University of Guelph titled “Protecting Southern Ontario’s Farmland”, a large proportion of Canada’s agricultural landscape is threatened due to urban development and suburban sprawl. In fact, in two decades 150,000 acres of farmland in the Greater Toronto Area has been extensively developed. Currently more than 2000 local farms have been lost. More will continue to face the chopping block if Ontario legislators, government officials, and leaders fail to incentivize the protection of agricultural land. 

The problem? 

Currently the protection of agricultural landscapes fails to be legislated. 

Agricultural land - despite its value for food production - is treated the same as any other landscape despite its vastly different use in comparison to those areas with strictly commercial or residential purposes. This is all due to the  Planning Act, RSO 1990.  

As a result of this many communities rely on rural planners to make decisions to protect the landscape. Planning can generally be effective for the most part; generally decisions of this kind highlight the importance of sustainability, efficient growth, and the need to manage all landscapes in a manner that preserves their future integrity. Unfortunately, despite having the best intentions at heart, these individuals frequently fail; the pressures on planners to accept more lucrative development initiatives is very high. More often than not the importance of farmland is placed on the back-burner to make way for development. 

In many ways this is why legislation protecting farmland fails to be established; it is seen as a barrier to development, a barrier to decision-making, and a barrier to capitalism and the growth of a global economy. 

How can we solve this? 

There are a number of suggested solutions that act to mitigate development, all of which in some way protect farmland.  For the purposes of this discussion however, I’m going to focus on two - the possible use of land stewardship programs and agricultural easements to defend land. Although these solutions are far from perfect, they offer new insights and ideas to those individuals dedicated to maintaining the quality of farmland in Ontario. 

1. Land Stewardship Programs

A large component of agricultural land in Canada and Ontario is owned privately. As a result of this, it is challenging to maintain the quality of the existing farmland. By giving famers the choice to participate in programs that promote the improvement of soil health, plant growth, and the traditional agricultural practices or tools used in farming, it is possible to ensure the quality of the land remains high over a long period of time, potentially acting as a barrier to development and alternative land uses. 

There are several government-based organizations that offer these programs, the most common being the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Federation of Agriculture. 

As an individual that’s played a small role in the farming industry I’m also familiar with the stewardship programs offered by Fertilizer Canada, those of which motivate farmers to work their crops in a manner that better preserves the nutrients in the soil. 

Creemore Agriculture Conference, 2017

In fact, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship offered by Fertilizer Canada specifically urges farmers to mitigate soil nutrients loss by using sustainable farming practices in day-to-day agricultural activities. After attending the Creemore Agricultural Conference in 2017, I am very familiar with this process; farmers are asked to ensure that the fertilizers and products used to aid plant growth are applied in the right places at the correct times. In addition, the use of certain fertilizers must be used at the right rate and come from the right source. By participating in this program farmers work to actively increase the productivity of their land, acting to ensure the future of the agricultural industry as a result. 

Although stewardships such as this act to bring awareness to the protection of agricultural landscapes, it is important to remember that they are only voluntary. If landowners refuse to corporate or participate, activities such as this are largely ineffective overall. Due to this, it is unlikely that this strategy will successfully mitigate development initiatives overall and prevent the loss of farmland. 

2. Agricultural Easements

As illustrated within “Protecting Southern Ontario’s Farmland”, an easement is defined as a legal agreement that places restrictions on property use in perpetuity. The land remains in private ownership, but is subject to the restrictions highlighted in the easement. 

This strategy can be used to successfully mitigate urban expansion as there is legislation in place in Ontario that legitimizes land easements, that of which is located within section #28 of the Conservation Land Act, RSO 1990. The only problem is that this piece of legislation does not yet account for agricultural land, as areas such as this are not recognized as being biologically or ecologically significant. 

If the Ontario government was to recognize the importance of the agriculture landscape in terms of it’s historical, cultural, economic, and social importance via consumption of food, it’s possible that farmland may be accepted under this piece of legislation over time.

3. Land Trusts 

In the event that laws and regulations fail to account for this in the future however, it’s possible for land trust organizations to band together and protect Ontario’s agricultural landscapes.

Currently this is being done by the Ontario Farmland Trust. As of now there are 10 farms being protected by this organization, one of the farms actually originating from the Guelph area - the Ignatius Jesuit Centre as a matter of fact.

Image retrieved from the Ignatius Jesuit Centre website. 

These non-government organizations act to protect the landscape through ownership and other formal legal agreements, those of which are very similar to agricultural easements. 

Yes - many of these ideas are still in development and are far from flawless, but as as an adequate starting-point for the protection of agricultural spaces in the near future. Flaws simply signify the beginning of progress and change. We can take comfort in the fact that despite inadequate legislation and the continual loss of Ontario farmland, these problems are being discussed in academic, legislative, and community-based circles. As a result of this I have no doubt that we will find ways to overcome the threat of urban expansion and finally recognize the value of agricultural landscapes in the near future. 

- Vanessa 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello, Maddy!

Excellent post, once again. I have to agree with you - there’s no question that after all of the hardships Indigenous and First Nations people have faced as a result of European settlement, these individuals deserve to have some level of peace and harmony within their day-to-day lives. These people deserve to live in areas that have access to the resources required to live comfortably. These people deserve to have unrestricted access to their traditional lands. 

Unfortunately I can’t adequately offer any solutions to the problems these communities continue to face. In what way can we unravel what our dominant, white society has done to these people? How can we separate ourselves from years of superiority and privilege and account for the harm we’ve done to thousands of people? All of this connected to a tangled and twisted spiderweb of law and legislation, all of which further complicate an issue that appears so simple on the surface. 

In a course I had the other day my class discussed the concept of privilege and how each of us individually encounters it every day. The main topic discussed was how each of us realizes this privilege and accounts for it. The answer unfortunately is negative; most of us don’t realize how privileged we are. Yes, we can acknowledge that we live privileged lives, have access to specific resources, and opportunities, but this is all superficial - we don’t understand how engrained it is within society to be privileged. At this point it is apart of our lifestyles and how we act daily.

If a solution is to be found, our society will have to abandon our ideals surrounding liberalism, property, and ownership; we will have to generate a new kind of lifestyle, one that respects the land, focusing on the importance of shared resources and spaces. We will have to focus our energies on better integrating Indigenous knowledges and believes into our own lifestyles. 

Is this possible? I have no idea, but I like to believe that things will get better with time. 

In terms of how I honour the spaces in which I live, I take the time to show people the places that I know and love, whether that’s through hiking, walking, snowshoeing, or skiing. I spend as much time outside as possible, appreciating the landscape and the people that have touched base with the land long before my ancestors settled here. 

I think that it’s important to be in nature. In that way it is possible to understand the importance of the outdoors and the spiritual connections Indigenous and First Nations people have with the varying landscapes all across Canada. All of us come from the land - if we can find a shared passion for it, it may be possible to come up with solutions we’ve never thought of before. 

- Vanessa 

Free Your Mind & The Rest Will Not Follow

Hi hi,

As a settler to these lands, I am almost always thinking about what sort of impact I am having on this space. Not only how I am having an impact but how through my benefitting from day to day life is disadvantaging others. It is not enough for me to just live with radical kindness when others are being actively marginalized by these actions.

Based on an increasing visibility on topics of ‘reconciliation’ and ‘decolonization’, I do not think I am alone. While I think this is wonderful, it is also important to address what these things mean. It is important to not lose sight of that when increasingly using these terms. It is important to not allow these terms to become empty signifiers for folks to use to absolve their guilt by just dropping these words instead of truly reconciling/decolonizing.

Repatriation, the pillar of decolonization, is something that I feel is important to talk about. Especially in a course on rural geography as a lot of these rural lands we speak of encompass traditional Indigenous territory that is no longer available to Indigenous people. In this class, we have talked a lot about people both migrating out of and into the ‘countryside’. However, we have not yet talked about whose land this is and how occupation on stolen lands is the pillar of the settler-colonial system at large in Canada. Further, this topic is also relevant to myself on a more personal note then already mentioned as I too dream of one day living somewhere private, remote and rural. This therefore comes with certain responsibilities as a settler if I indeed ever want and feel like it is appropriate to live out this dream.

Giving back this land (repatriation) has therefore come up during these conversations. This would mean legally transferring ones land to Indigenous peoples. Of course this is rife with challenges. For example, dealing with conflicting legal structures, tax confusions, land use and so forth. However, if folks want to talk about and consider decolonization seriously, they have to be open to discussing repatriating land as that is what decolonization is at its core. Of course this is extremely difficult in todays day and age where our ideas of private property and land tenure are extremely rigid. Perhaps it is time then to consider and shift our ideas and ideals about this.

Decolonization is about giving up power and privilege. Learning about these systems, while a necessary first step, cannot be the end goal. Of course these topics are unsettling, that does not mean shying away from them. I personally believe we therefore need to shift conversations away from generally educational to include reciprocal idea exchanges of how we can work towards decolonizing. 

What do folks think about the idea of repatriating land? What does this look like to you? How do you honour the land that you currently occupy?

Along the Musquash River (ON). 

I think these are all really important questions to consider in our day to day lives and I am curious to know how other folks consider and answer them. Lets all learn from each other as we all attempt to live in this place harmoniously.

In warmth,

Maddy

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Digging up the Importance of Value

Retrieved from The Globe and Mail. 

This is where I once lived, the lazy, but steadily growing town of Shelburne. I did not live right in the middle of town however - no, I lived in the outskirts, right smack in the centre of countless acres of farmland. Not familiar with the sight? 

Well, feast your eyes on this photo of endless rows of potatoes. 

Potatoes, barley, wheat, corn - you name it, I lived through it outside the town of Shelburne. As I’ve illustrated in other posts, I’m very familiar with rural settings. In fact, I grew up in the breadbasket of Ontario, learning at a young age the importance of rural spaces in our growing urban world. 

With a father deeply involved in farming, it’s of no surprise that I have a profound respect and interest in the agricultural industry. I’ve worked in the fields scouting potatoes, further familiarizing myself with the agricultural landscape; I’ve picked volunteers and biked to work with only the surrounding farmland to keep me company.

I know and recognize that farming should be valued as it’s been such an integral component of my life. 

In a forever globalizing world however, our traditional rural landscapes - those associated with agriculture, are not necessarily respected despite generating food for millions of people on a day-to-day basis. Development is pervasive; more often than not, urban landscapes or the resources needed to create those landscapes such as stone or gravel are considered as more valuable than those areas perceived as being rural. Despite being released in 1923, nearly 90 years ago, W. C. Good’s paper offers valuable insight in regards to this issue. 

Good describes how globalization will become the end of all Canadian industries, particularly agriculture. He explains that world trade eliminates the need for rural communities to rely on one another for survival, or trade locally produced products. Good describes how the Canadian farmer no longer lives a largely self-contained and satisfied life. “He is drawn rapidly into the world’s currents, his products marketed in distant lands”. Due to this cities expand, sharing goods and wealth internationally. The value of rural spaces - those green, bright, and thriving areas filled with heritage, history, and families are thrown away. Those lands dedicated to farming are lost and eventually give way for development of every kind, simply for the purpose of benefiting those individuals in far away places.  

In my life I never thought that I’d face a situation like this, but alas I was mistaken. 

In high school I distinctly recall a time when the value of the rural landscape surrounding me was questioned. After spending a number of years living in an area enveloped by some of Ontario’s most fertile land, my father - after immense deliberation - chose to move my family to New Liskeard, Ontario, a close-knit settlement nearly six hours north of Guelph. 

New Liskeard, Ontario: Image from Wikipedia

At the time I didn’t understand my father’s decision. I was overwhelmed with grief; I was going to lose my family home and the agricultural backbone that was my life at the time. Little did I know however, that this was what exactly what my father was trying to preserve in the first place.

You see, a significant portion of land outside of Shelburne was in the process of becoming a rather large gravel pit. In fact, the largest of its kind in Ontario, drawing more than one billion tonnes of limestone from the ground. 

A large company with origins from Saskatchewan was buying up land for this extensive development project, consequently destroying the land my father had cultivated and sustained for over twenty years. Rather than recognize the importance of farming and the creation of food, the extraction of limestone was considered as more valuable.

Unknown to me at the time, but my Dad didn’t want to watch that happen. He didn’t want to watch his kids loose the land that was a major component of their identity. He didn’t want to watch some of Ontario’s most fruitful land become a gravel pit, the second largest rock quarry in Canada. 

As such we moved, my ideals surrounding southern Ontario remaining intact. I may have lost my home at the time, but not my beliefs as to what my home should always be or my aforementioned agricultural backbone. 

Shelburne mega quarry community advertisements. Retrieved from CTV News. 

Stop the Quarry sign. Retrieved from Huffpost. 

Fortunately the land north of Shelburne has remained intact and continues to be used for agricultural purposes today, largely due to an extensive amount of community engagement. My Dad chose to preserve the value of agriculture in my family by moving to a different town in the far north and continuing his work there. Perhaps not a large scale solution, but it served my family well. Other individuals in the Shelburne area however, took a more direct and aggressive approach in doing this. 

As you see in the photo illustrated above, local community members and citizen action groups embraced the argument of value and created a campaign that literally juxtaposed the importance of agriculture to that of a giant pit in the ground. People argued that local food and agricultural production was far more significant and meaningful to the community when compared to a mining operation with plans to export gravel, rock, and dirt to locations outside of Canada, one company reaping the financial benefits alone.  

The residents of Shelburne believed this so strongly that a collaborative project was established honouring the value of food in regards to Melanchthon Township’s farmland. Over 160 chefs and culinary experts took part in a fundraising event in order to protest the proposed quarry, embracing and celebrating local food, the production of agricultural goods, and culinary creativity. 

Even better, this project took place on the land threatened as a result of the mining project, acting to bring all aspects of the community and food together, from its production, purchase, and use to its eventual consumption. This allowed those individuals within and outside of Shelburne to better understand the importance and value of agriculture, as well as the enormous impact the so called mega quarry would have on the landscape. 

With over 28,000 people attending the event, this protest was successful, acting to support the voices of both farmers and local people in regards to the value of the agricultural landscape in comparison to development and resource extraction. 

Perhaps only a small protest in the grand scheme of things, but acts as an excellent reminder that we must fight for what we value in society. It’s important to note however, that the importance of rural landscapes for food production is one perspective in regards to the issue at hand - what about the importance of these areas in relation to our identity as Canadians? What about the significance of these spaces in terms of our family lives? Or how we develop and grow as individuals?

There are endless streams of value that exist within society. We must continually remember this and make decisions regarding the rural environment with each of these different perspectives in mind. Additionally, we must take part issues that impact our own localities. You never know - by getting involved you may help pave the way for change, just as the community members of Shelburne did in regards to the suggested quarry.

- Vanessa

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Hello, Beacher. 

Excellent post! I really enjoyed your connection between stakeholders and super heroes. Although these concepts appear unrelated on the surface, they actually have a lot in common. The individuals involved in development initiatives often act like super heroes; these people make tough decisions, those of which often help and sometimes hinder communities overall. In a rural context this could not be more important, especially in the context of transportation. 

More often or not, these communities rely on various transportation outlets to receive food, valuable resources, and even access to the economy, which are generally located in southern Ontario. The stakeholders involved in a development initiative have the ability to quite literally make or break a rural community. That is why it’s important to ensure that the people involved throughout the process have the opportunity to share their voice and opinions on an equal platform. In fact, I’d argue that people play the most important role in the development process. 

Yes, I agree that the government, planners, and interest groups are important, but I find that local people wear their hearts on their sleeves; these individuals have honest opinions, those of which are often unburdened from bias, personal interest, and corruption. I know that this isn’t entirely the case for everyone of course, but people generally have the power to hold big corporations, businesses, and the government accountable to their actions. In order for a democratic government to function and impact all levels of our society, every day citizens must always play a part in the development process. We must be our own superheroes, if you will. 

Again, great post!

- Vanessa

The Fantastic Five

Pardon the clickbait title, this post will not entirely be about space travellers gaining superpowers after travelling to an alternate universe. However, I would like to postulate that various stakeholders for a planning project can be a juxtaposition to a group of superheroes. In any group tasked with an objective, we can always see varying outcomes (be it good or bad) with differentiating group dynamics. Therefore, in the scenario of deciding on a significant transportation development in the rural community, it is paramount that we involve enough stakeholders to make the right decisions for the good of the people.

The following are my choices of lineup and justifications for my fantastic five:

Random graphic idea that came to my mind while writing this, see you can spot the hidden gem!

Local Representative/Local Authorities

I think since the development project is related to a rural northern Ontario community, it makes perfect sense to involve the local representative or the local municipal authorities. Having the local representative involved is important due to two major reasons, (1) they act as the middle man to liaise with the rest of the community (2) the local government is experienced with regards to the geography of the place. Having the local authorities allows the co-creation of the developing rural.

Environmental Specialist

Of course, when considering the developing rural transportation networks, we need to bring in the expertise of the environmental specialists. As the project involves the clearing of rural land for development, we need to conduct environmental impact assessments on the place. When considering transport development (or any kind of development), we need to constantly be conscious of the human-physical interaction. This is especially true for human communities fringing the natural environment. The need to include non-statutory consultees such as environmental specialist here is then largely justifiable. Hence it would be beneficial for the environment if there can be development with minimal environmental degradation.

Special/Minority Interest Groups 

Besides the environment, we also need to be mindful of land disturbance of the indigenous people living there.  Furthermore, the developing of a transportation network may interfere with some sacred sites for these group of people. Therefore, stakeholders of this development plan should include the representative from the minority in order to preserve the integrity of local culture and heritage sites.

Development Planner

Personally, I feel that this role is the most neglected/ undermined. Effective planning is what ensures a successful development project in any area. As the saying goes: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Planners help to convert the inputs of the various stakeholders to provide options for the transportation development plan. Although my discourse is based mostly on urban planning, I think it is still applicable in this context because transportation development can be regarded as the urbanization of the rural. Therefore, development planner is important because they input determines the future landscapes of the rural community and the plans made by them will control the outcome of the development project.

Governmental Representative

Overseeing the entire operation would be a well-established governmental organization such as the Ministry of Transportation, ON. Having relevant statutory involvement for the project is important because they have the technical and financial capabilities to undertake such a large project within the rural community. Therefore, the ministry’s role in the development project would be to provide strong leadership, effective implementation and funding for the project. Not a strong argument but having statutory member also gives legitimacy to the project, I guess?

Balance of power

In making decisions for transportation development in a rural northern Ontario community, stakeholders in the project may not all have the identical objectives, their objectives might even be conflicting. Hence, it is imperative to recognize areas of convergence and conflict of interests between the stakeholders. This so that we can manage the expectations that are unlikely to be reached. The final outcome should therefore be a comprehensive, compromised and unconflicted decision from the group of stakeholders that bring positive externalities to the rural community. 

Actually, after researching on the various development programmes in Ontario, I found out that my guesses are somewhat similar in the sense there is some collaboration do happen between the locals and the pronvincal government for development. The Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy supports the transportation development in rural areas and it actively seeks feedbacks and suggestions from the ground. This helps to create a more sustainable development transportation strategy in Northern Ontario.  

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Development Dilemma - Who Takes a Seat?

This is the main question for the week - in a round table discussion with only five seats available, who gets to discuss and make the final calls regarding a proposed transportation initiative in northern Ontario?

This is a particularly tough question as there are so many people that typically play a role throughout the development process. In fact, so many people are involved that a number individuals are often excluded from the process all together. As such, there are voices that are not always heard or recognized in discussions surrounding development.  

It will be a challenge to tackle this question, but it’s a challenge that I’m willing to accept! For the purposes of this blog I’m going to focus on a case study. Although the project I will be examining is not yet complete, it serves as a sufficient example of a development initiative that requires the extensive involvement of various groups or parties. 

https://www.transcanadahighway.com/Ontario/Map.asp 

The 400 highway in Ontario runs from Toronto to Parry Sound. This road was established over 80 years ago in order to better connect the isolated and remote areas of the north to those resource-rich communities in the south.

See that yellow section of road that runs from Parry Sound to Sudbury? That’s Highway 69. It’s not traditionally recognized as a major component of the 400 as it’s only comprised of two lanes, but since 1987 it’s undergone a significant amount of development - a construction process with the sole purpose of creating a new four-lane highway, a connection if you will, to the original 400 highway. 

In the past five days I’ve had the pleasure of driving on this road twice in order to get to and from the French River. Construction is far from complete despite plans that have existed for the past 32 years, mainly as a result of the enormity of the project, as well as debates with First Nations communities, environmental barriers such as rock, marsh, sand, and stone, and a lack of finances. 

With such a myriad of problems it’s no surprise that this project is still in the works. If this undertaking is to ever be completed, it’s important that a number of people come together to discuss the above issues and adequately plan for failure in the event that this project does not succeed. As such, here are the five individuals, groups, or parties that I believe should have a say in the completion of this project. 

Magnetawan First Nation Land

 1. Aboriginal or First Nations Peoples:

There are three First Nations communities along Highway 69 from Parry Sound to Sudbury - the Shawanaga, Magnetawan, and Henvey Inlet First Nations. Ontario, as the Crown, has the legal obligation to consult with Aboriginal peoples in the event that decisions or actions may adversely impact asserted or established Aboriginal and Treaty rights. The construction occurring on Highway 69 not only directly interferes with such rights, but actively destroys reserve land and impacts a landscape that is closely connected to Aboriginal culture and traditional practices.

Consultation is a requirement that is legislated and protected under the Constitution Act 1982, section 32. The crown is responsible for:

Providing timely and accessible information to the Aboriginal community on the proposed project, activity, or decision. 

Obtaining information on any potentially affected rights. 

Listening to any concerns raised by Aboriginal communities. 

Determining how to address these concerns, including how to avoid or minimize impacts on treaty rights. 

If consultation is successful, Aboriginal communities will have a voice in development schemes and will have the ability to share in decision-making power. 

2 & 3. Voices of the people: Members of Parliament

There are two constituencies that need to be represented throughout the process of constructing Highway 69. The first is the Nickel Belt, an area spanning well over 30 kilometres and houses approximately 90,962 people. The second constituency is the Parry Sound - Muskoka region with a population over 91, 263 people. Permanent residents aside, it is important to note that a large portion of these areas contain seasonal housing, indicating an significant influx of visitors and tourists in the summer months. 

With fluctuating populations and tourists moving throughout the regions in the summer months, there needs to be people included during the construction/decision-making process that represent the voices and needs of the lay population, as well as the seasonal visitors that tour northern Ontario. 

Marc Serré

Tony Clement

Both Marc Serré and Tony Clement are Members of Parliament for the Nickel Belt and Parry Sound - Muskoka regions accordingly. It is their responsibility to not only voice the opinions and concerns of the people in their constituencies, but offer solutions to problems that may threaten communities within those constituencies, a possible example being the continued development of Highway 69. 

4. The Ministry of Transportation:

This ministry is responsible for the movement of goods and people, as well as managing the integrity of the infrastructure that supports the successful functioning of all roads and major highways. In addition, this ministry has goals to improve the quality of life for individuals living all across Canada, often by maintaining the connections that exist between northern and southern Ontario.

By being involved in the decision-making process, the ministry would be able to provide all of the background information needed in regards to the project, all of the benefits and risks associated with construction, and help enforce the laws and legislative requirements involved in a large-scale construction project such as constructing a four-lane highway. 

5. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:

Finally, the environmental assessment agency should be involved in the decision-making process as well, especially in regards to the construction of a four-line highway in the place of highway 69. Large scale projects such as this often have a significant impact on the environment, especially in northern Ontario as rock needs to be blasted to make a safe path for the road. This possibly interferes with the migration patterns of animals and physically alters the landscape for a long period of time. 

In addition, as illustrated above, dramatic changes in the environment also affect the movement of people. There will be traffic delays and alternate routes established, all of which may direct traffic to area that may not be accustomed to consistent traffic.

 As a result of these issues, it will be necessary to conduct an environmental impact assessment. The positive and negative impacts associated with development will be determined, as well as any mitigation strategies that may need to be employed in the event that the construction of the highway creates serious problems. 

These are my selections of groups and individuals that should be involved in the decision-making process in terms of the development of Highway 69. Realistically there are an innumerable amount of people that should be involved, those of which come from various backgrounds, professions, and areas all across Ontario. All input is valuable, but the most important has to be people. In a world filled with corruption and a desire to profit above all else, normal, every day people help hold corporations, the government, and other businesses in check. 

- Vanessa

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I’ve done a bit more thinking about the potential solutions that could possibly work towards bettering the quality of life in the community I chose to focus my blog post on this week - Moosonee. With a little digging, I found a few videos containing some creative solutions to the lack of resources and transportation routes that plague this community. As you all may see in the above video, there is discussion occurring surrounding the potential use of drones in this community, as well as the use of internet-based networks that provide health advice and expertise in remote, rural areas (Telehealth).

It’s not entirely certain as to whether these solutions will be perfectly viable considering the remoteness of the area, unstable internet access, and unpredictable weather patterns, but overall these ideas are an excellent starting point for discussion and debate, especially with an uncertain future on the horizon. We need to confront our problems with adaptive solutions, those of which are able to provide some form of stability in times of constant change (the success of tourism in remote areas being an example). 

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Happy Sunday!

I really appreciated your dialog today in response to the proposed development in the area surrounding and within the Eabametoong territory. I took a similar approach this week, choosing to discuss Moosonee, a predominantly Cree community close to James Bay in Ontario. Although this community isn’t facing a significant amount of development in the near future, I also had difficulty coming up with proposed solutions in regards to sustainability. 

Like you, I do not feel as though I had enough experience to suggest a feasible solution to the problems this community faces on a day-to-day basis. Do I really have a right to say how this town should approach it’s concerns, be it a lack of access to medical care, transportation, and the possible impacts of tourism? Do I really have a right to intervene with a cultural history strewn with political and social turmoil? Solve a problem that has essentially remained unsolved for hundreds of years?

In addition, it’s challenging to apply sustainable thinking in communities such as this, those of which typically rely on resource extraction or tourism which are known to be rather unsustainable over time. Although sustainability is incredibly important, there are issues that these communities that need to be confronted before this can be achieved. 

For instance, isolated, rural communities need adequate access to medical resources, food, adequate transportation, and a good quality of life. People have a basic right to life and to the resources that make life possible, like clean and correctly filtered water for instance. Sustainability should not be a priority until this is accomplished. 

I do believe however, that sustainability can be included in the processes and decisions that help solve the problems that I illustrated above. 

- Vanessa 

A Typical Development Rant from a Development Student... Apologies in Advance

Eabametoong First Nation is a rural fly in community in Northern Ontario. It is located about 350 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and has a population of around 1,500 people (Barrera 2018). 

They are about to undergo significant demographic changes. Due to development of the Ring of Fire, a mineral depository in Northern Ontario, an all season road is now undergoing an environmental impact assessment. This road is meant to open up the North. It has been framed as a move to bring in development, opportunity and connections between Northern communities (Northern Ontario Business 2018). This will increase mobility of persons in and out of Eabametoong First Nation and therefore a slew of effects from that.

Proposed all season road routes (CBC News 2017). 

While I don’t see it as my place or qualification to recommend how to remedy this situation to ensure the longevity or sustainability of the area, I will offer some opinions I have. The first one being for the government to adequately consult with those whose lands they are developing on and deeply impacting. Not only is it their legal obligation but it is the right thing to do. Who knows more about a community than those actually living there? These are the voices that should and need to be looked to in terms of how to support communities.

Barrera (2018), outlines in an article that the community is unable to even think about this development as their lived experiences of no running water and inadequate heat and housing are pressing. Moreover, there is currently a strong need in the community for adequate mental health and land-based healing programs. This need would only increase to deal with the inevitable destruction and disruption this development project will bring to the community (Barrera 2018). These issues therefore need to be taken seriously, especially in light of the incoming changes that will impact the community greatly.

The example of Eabametoong First Nation is not an anomaly by any means. The settler colonial system has largely impacted life for Indigenous nations all across Canada. Northern Ontario is particularly interesting especially in light of Fords vested interest in opening up the North for business. Centuries of displacement, attempted assimilation, genocide and theft of land have left these communities particularly vulnerable. This vulnerability is a direct link to actions of Canada’s settler colonial government

Map of the Ring of Fire development area and surrounding First Nations communities (CBC News 2017). 

And now in a time where development on these territories is moving forward, no regard or thought is given to why these communities are in the conditions they are in. Development cannot be separated from the colonial system that continues to oppress and needs to be addressed.

Development will bring a multitude of stressors that will further marginalize these vulnerable communities. It is therefore sensible to explore these further prior to moving forward with unsustainable in every sense of the word development projects on stolen lands without consent.

General human rights are a necessity. These issues need to be brought into conversations on developing in these areas.

To conclude, I find it necessary to address the roots of a problem when dealing with things such as demographic changes. In doing so, holistic approaches can emerge that have the potential to rectify instead of further entrench issues. Additionally, it is crucial to involve the people that are occupying these spaces. They most likely have incredibly useful information and suggestions as they are rooted deeply in these places. 

Thanks & happy Sunday!

Maddy

Works Cited:

Barrera, J. (2018). ‘Overwhelmed’ Ontario’s Ring of Fire development is far from a top priority for Eabametoong First Nation, as it struggles with a housing crisis and additions. Retrieved from https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/eabametoong-ring-of-fire

Northern Ontario Business. (2018). Lack of consultation on Ring of Fire development frustrates First Nation communities. Retrieved from https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/mining/lack-of-consultation-on-ring-of-fire-development-frustrates-first-nation-communities-1117466

CBC News (2017). Monday’s Ring of Fire road announcement ‘premature’ says area First Nations. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ring-of-fire-road-premature-1.4261877

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Road Trip!!!

When I was a little girl I distinctly remember my first road trip. I was very young - maybe eight at the time? I was a little crazy, very immature, and a slight trouble maker. Regardless of all this, I remember.

I recall shaking with excitement when my brother and sisters were all bundled into the car, my Aunt and Grandmother telling us to all behave as we slowly backed out of the driveway. I remember driving north - for what felt like hours, hours, and hours, listening to all kinds of music, asking how long it would take until we arrived at our destination. I remember going to the Dairy Queen, shovelling mouthfuls of ice cream into my face as we waited for a train, the Polar Bear Express to be exact. 

No, I wasn’t going to the North Pole, but to me at the time - that’s exactly what it felt like. 

Why you may ask?

I was going to visit Moosonee. 

See that blue dot? That’s Guelph. 

See that red marker? That’s Moosonee. 

Located on the Moose River 20 kilometres south of James Bay at a latitude of 51 N 07′ and longitude 80 W 35′, Moosonee sits on the largest wetland area on earth, the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Originally settled as a fur trading post by Revillion Freres of Paris as a result of a competition with the Hudson Bay Company, this small town exploded in popularity in 1903, not only becoming a hub for trade, but transportation as well. Today Moosonee largely serves as gateway to the north, a launching point for further destinations, some examples being Moose Factory and neighbouring First Nation communities on the west coast of James Bay.

Unfortunately this community does not benefit too largely as a result of the above activities at this moment in time. In fact, this community suffers as a result of out migration, a concept discussed in class this past Tuesday. “A Profile of Self-Employment in Rural and Small Town Canada” - the report deliberated during the lecture - describes the problems that typically plague rural towns, ranging from population decline, lack of resources, social services, and healthcare among many others. 

As recorded by Statistics Canada between 2011 and 2016 (the last two census years) the population of Moosonee declined from 1,632 to just under 1,400 people, a statistical decline of -13.9 percent. Reports from the Globe and Mail explain that this small town additionally suffers due to a lack of resources. The lack of medical care and social services being a primary concern. 

This snazzy photo graph is from CBC. 

There is only one hospital located in Moosonee and it is located on Moose Island, which is across the Moose River - not even located within Moosonee. If people need medical care there are two options people can choose from.

Pay $5 dollars to travel by boat. 

Pay $25 dollars to travel via helicopter lift.    

And if your injuries or medical concerns are serious? You have the option of paying nearly $2000 for a 2.5 hour flight to reach Toronto - did I mention that the only way to reach this community is by air or train?

Combined with the poor access to medical resources is the tension between those who identify as First Nation and those remaining individuals who are predominantly ‘white’. In a community where over 80% of the population is Cree, there is a cultural misunderstanding that continues to persist, one which does very little to remedy the infrastructure decline in the surrounding area and continual drops in government funding. The people of Moosonee can’t even afford to run their own water filtration system for goodness sake!

How does this community even survive?

Currently tourism is what keeps Moosonee afloat. As a child I distinctly recall learning about the cultural heritage of the Cree people. I made bannock for the first time, explored the remnants of the Cree culture at the Interpretation Centre, admired the Northern Lights, searched for whales and seals in James Bay, revered the craftsmanship of local products or trinkets - I toured the area with my family and enjoyed my entire experience, applying what I learned in my life, respecting Canada’s Indigenous history and voice. 

If this community is to continue thriving, it is imperative that this form of tourism continues, but with the addition of hiking and outdoor activities, those of which attract individuals that love being outside. Additionally, the heritage of these people MUST be better recognized and addressed. Colonialism must not be understated - it plays a significant role in the fur trade AND the development of Moosonee historically. Perhaps an improved understanding of the past will help to bring the community together. 

More importantly however, the infrastructure in Moosonee MUST be improved. It is unlikely that this town will continue to support people in the future if better connections are not created to southern Ontario, those of which not only allow people to travel at an affordable and increased rate, but provide access to the medical resources that are desperately needed in the community. 

In terms of sustainability, I don’t know if this is possible to be honest. Small towns such as this rely on the environment and the influx of people to make change. Although tourism is a booming industry, it’s unsustainable, especially in sensitive environments. If some level of success is to be achieved, a great deal of policies, practices, and initiatives need to be organized and put together. Rural planners need to come together and make decisions that include all stakeholders. 

If anything, Moosonee should really focus on survival before sustainability becomes the main focus - again, this community faces challenges filtering their own source of water! How can we expect them to become sustainable without focusing on the root of their struggles first?

Now by no means are these solutions clear cut. Various figures in the area have tried to address them continually, but simply continue to fail. Still, there needs to be more additional effort - especially by government figures - to help manage northern, isolated, and rural communities, those of which are in a serious state of decline. People have a right to a good quality of life, despite the location in which they choose or are forced to live (if we take Indigenous histories into consideration).

- Vanessa 

[vlgeo439019-blog]

Hello Paige! 

I have to agree - a large part of rural Canada’s is tied to county music. More often than not, the identity of our country is reflected in the music - discussions surrounding country life, farming, and hockey - oh boy, hockey. There’s nothing quite more Canadian or even rural than that I don’t think. 

Did you know that there are actual playlists of Canadian songs that are strictly discuss hockey? If you don’t believe me just check out this link here. There are literally hundreds, and this list only brings up ten! I’d say that the most famous song however is by Stompin Tom Connors - it’s literally called the Hockey Song. 

Here are some lyrics: “Hello out there, we're on the air, it's 'Hockey Night' tonight. Tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice. The goalie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane. Someone roars, "Bobby Scores!", at the good ol' Hockey Game. Oh! The good ol' Hockey game, is the best game you can name. And the best game you can name, is the good ol' Hockey game.”

The fact that a song exists like this, is pretty telling. Like you’ve illustrated above, Canada’s identity has largely been constructed as a result of music. People know and understand that hockey is a key aspect of every small town Canadian community as a result of this. It’s everywhere and plays such an important role in bringing people together through thick and thin or the good and bad. It’s just an all round, standard Canadian thing to do. 

Not surprisingly, media outlets use the various songs people create to further reinforce the assumptions people have regarding what constitutes as Canadian or not, indirectly solidifying people’s beliefs associated with rural and Canada’s ‘community culture’.   

Don’t believe me? 

A Statistics Canada report released in 2013 highlights the general public’s top choices as to what national symbols adequately represent Canadian society. As illustrated in the picture below, hockey - I repeat, hockey was in the top five choices.

After checking out some other media sources besides music, this really isn’t all the surprising. The video I’ve linked below is an advertisement for Molson Canadian. Titled “I am Canadian Hockey Fight Commercial”, it utilizes every Canadian stereotype that exists and then highlights the fighting aspect of hockey to wrap everything up, a fight that only acts to reinforce Canadian pride in being rural, in being isolated, and in being profoundly different. 

Besides the craziness of advertising and media, you’re right in saying that Canada is more than this. Our national identity is so much more than what these advertisements may describe. Yes, we all may enjoy a bit of hockey now and again, but there is so much more to our character! We have a rich rural history and a vibrant multicultural background, something that the media doesn’t always focus on as a whole. 

 - Vanessa 

Canada, eh?

With respect to the media and popular culture, rural Canada is largely portrayed through country and folk music. Canada has a long history with country music and has bred legends such as Neil Young, Shania Twain and Bryan Adams. In film, Canada and Canadian culture be seen in works such as Gunless (2010), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Les Boys (1997) and Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006). Canadians are stereotypically polite and friendly people who are always willing to lend a stranger a hand. However, life in Canada is more than hockey, maple syrup and weak beer. Canada is the second largest country in the world, yet its population is disproportionally distributed – over 80 percent of its citizens reside in urban environments. This discrepancy causes rural municipalities to be overlooked in political debates as they simply lack voting power. Agricultural workers are at the mercy of decisions made several hundreds of kilometers away by individuals who have likely never lived outside of a large metropolitan centre. Canada relies on the countryside for food and natural resource production including forestry, mining and energy, yet these regions often have the least amount of say regarding allocation or price. Canada’s reputation for multiculturalism has broadened the terms of acceptance as policy-makers are tasked with appeasing citizens from an increasingly range of cultural backgrounds. Canada proves it is possible to have an incredibly diverse, yet distinct national identity.