Rural Areas Rural Areas Areas with low population

Rural Areas

Rural Areas: Areas with low population density located in the countryside outside towns and cities Canada is a vast country covering over 9. 5 million square kilometers. Of that, 95% of Canada's land mass is considered rural or remote. Rural areas are not just low populated farm land. A rural area is any area with low population and low population density.

Rural Areas Each rural community is unique in size, population and distance to a major urban centre and each face different social, health and economic challenges.

Resource-based Communities Twenty per cent of Canadians live in communities that are scattered in rural areas. Many of these rural communities have grown around a primary industry such as fishing, forestry, or mining. Resource-based communities often provide excellent opportunities for employment. As well, the economic spinoff creates opportunities for other businesses to help serve the needs of the primary employer. However, much of the profit from the sale of the resource may leave the community and go to shareholders of the company that owns the resource production facilities. There is little accumulation of capital in resource-based communities. Also, if the resource runs out or if market demand for the product declines, the community will face significant economic challenges.

Collapse of an Industry In 1992 when the cod fishery collapsed in Atlantic Canada, many communities that depended on this fishery were seriously affected. The federal government placed a moratorium (ban) on cod fishing, leaving many fishers and fish plant employees out of work. The fishing industry has changed to focus on more plentiful species such as shellfish and on aquaculture. In 2010 the fishery employed more than 20 000 people mostly in rural areas and was valued at $942 million. Overall the fishery employs fewer workers than it did in 1992 though the total value of the fishery has increased.

Resource-based Communities Other resource-based communities in the province, such as Labrador City, are experiencing significant economic growth. Demand for iron ore, used for making steel, has soared based on demand from rapidly industrializing countries such as China and India. The arrival of new workers has led to intense competition for housing, causing rents to increase dramatically.

Rural Challenge - Population Declining rural populations have led to a reduction in economic activity and infrastructure development, as well as lower tax revenues.

Rural Challenge - Population

Rural Challenge – Service Availability Due to low population density, government services are expensive to maintain. This has led to a reduction in government services, with closures of hospitals, school, and government buildings.

Rural Challenge – Service Availability Rural areas lack public transportation. High car dependency Accessing basic goods and services can require traveling long distances

Lab Urbanization in Canada Questions: 1. Identify three factors that account for the high percentage of rural residents in 1851. 2. What factors account for the declining number of rural increasing number of urban residents in 1911? residents and the 3. B y the 1970 s, there was a significant decrease in rural Residents. Why is percentage of rural residents decreasing? the 4. I n 2011, almost 20% of Canadians remained in rural areas. Suggest reasons why Canadians remain in rural areas. 5. The Atlantic Maritime and Boreal Shield ecozones have CMAs that are smaller than those found in the other ecozones. What might account for this? Consider both natural and human systems.