News/Nouvelles : Rural Canada News Scan - June 2011

Source: Compiled by the Canadian Rural Research Network.
Compiled articles for the month of June, 2011. Click on the heading to access the online article.


Older, rural workers OK with non-standard jobs, research shows
Vancouver Sun – June 5, 2011
A team of Canadian and Irish researchers are studying urban and rural workers in Newfoundland, Ontario and Ireland, and they’ve found that the non-standard work often called a “dead-end job” has little impact on the happiness of older rural workers.

Comparison of Urban and Rural Participation Rates for the Canada Learning Bond
HRSDC
In some jurisdictions, the urban and rural participation rates are very close. This is true for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Yukon. In other jurisdictions, the spread is a little wider, with Ontario and Manitoba having significant gaps between the urban and rural participation rates.

Nova Scotia's NDP government faces rural resentment two years after election
The Canadian Press - June 8, 2011
When Atlantic Canada's first NDP government swept to power two years ago, it did so on a promise of change, buoyed by hopes that it would listen to people who felt their voices weren't heard by previous Liberal and Conservative administrations.

Dr. Whittle receives Rural Service Award
BC Local News - June 8, 2011
At the 19th Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Course, Dr. Michael Whittle of Princeton, was honoured by fellow rural doctors with an award for long and meritorious medical service to his community.

Post Office remains open for now
The Bridge River Lollooet News - June 8, 2011
Canada Post says rural post offices (non-CUPW) will operate as usual. They will continue to accept and deliver mail and perform their regular daily tasks. This will only change if a nationwide strike is declared.

Rural outlets suffer
Edmonton Journal – June 17, 2011
Post offices in rural communities, such as Redwater, have staff who are not in the union currently at odds with Canada Post.

Harper to intervene in mail dispute
Postmedia News; Times Colonist – June 16, 2011
The federal government moved Wednesday to end a second major work stoppage in as many days, prompting accusations from opposition parties and one labour expert that the young majority government is setting an alarming precedent for labour relations.

Rural Alberta bus service opening up to competition
The Associated Press – June 27, 2011
Alberta is parking its decades-old bus service policy that relied on Greyhound Canada to move passengers to smaller communities and is throwing the door open to competition.

German farmer touts wind co-ops in rural Ontario
Ottawa Citizen – June 27, 2011
Farmers in Hans-Detlef Feddersen’s neighbourhood in northern Germany make $2.5 million in a good year growing wheat. They make $15 million harvesting the wind.