1 Rural/Urban Relations: Building Alliances Bill Reimer – with a lot of help from my friends

2 Montreal Gazette March 3, 2002

3 How should we respond? As Victims As Victims As Critics As Critics As Strategists As Strategists Requires multiple responses Founded on analysis Focused on common interests

4 Argument The Old Economy and its institutions reflected Rural-Urban distinctions The Old Economy and its institutions reflected Rural-Urban distinctions In the context of the New Economy these are inappropriate In the context of the New Economy these are inappropriate We need new institutions for the New Economy We need new institutions for the New Economy Our research agenda can facilitate the creation of new institutions for the NE Our research agenda can facilitate the creation of new institutions for the NE

5 The Rural Economy Old (Recent) Economy Rural as commodity base Rural as commodity base Urban control Urban control Sector focus Sector focus Successful in limited markets Successful in limited markets Undermined rural communities Undermined rural communities New Economy Increased competition for commodities Knowledge and services paramount Multifunctional Interdependent

6 The new rural economy needs new institutions Multifunctional Multifunctional Reflexive Reflexive Flexible Flexible Interdependent Interdependent Institutions that build rural capacity Institutions that link rural and urban Institutions that build rural capacity Institutions that link rural and urban

7 Strategies Identify existing examples Identify existing examples Understand contributing conditions Understand contributing conditions Build on common interests Build on common interests It is already happening

8 Miramichi Watershed Management Committee Inc.....dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment of the Miramichi river system.... Bowater Pulp & Paper Canada Inc. Burnt Church First Nation Cains River Enhancement Assoc. Eel Ground First Nation Noranda Inc. Heath Steele J. D. Irving Ltd.. Fraser Papers Canada Inc. Miramichi Angling Adventures Inc. Miramichi Fisheries Management Ltd. N.B. Guides Association Inc. Miramichi Headwaters Salmon Federation. UPM - Kymmene Miramichi Inc. Miramichi Salmon Association Atlantic Salmon Museum N.B. Outfitters Assocation N.B. Council of Atlantic Salmon Fed. Northumberland Salmon Protection Assoc. Red Bank First Nation Tabusintac Fish and Game Assoc. White Rapids Brook & Other Streams Enhancement Assoc.

9 Key Elements Focus on common interests (rural-urban) Focus on common interests (rural-urban) Use multiple capacities: Use multiple capacities:  Started with strength (associative) to build bureaucratic and market capacities Used bonding and linking social capital Used bonding and linking social capital

10 Can take multiple forms and foci Water Water  Catskill mountains and New York City  Japan Food Food  Direct marketing  Quality control in production and processing Environmental amenities Environmental amenities  Ducks Unlimited  Aboriginal communities

11 NRE 2 Activities re. Rural-Urban Relations Review of the literature Review of the literature Development of the framework Development of the framework Analysis of community identity Analysis of community identity Municipal financing analysis Municipal financing analysis CSD trajectory analysis CSD trajectory analysis Rural/Urban Values Rural/Urban Values

12 % Municipalities with high discretionary finances (per capita)

13 Context Matters: % Municipalities with high per capita discretionary finances

14 Rural-Urban Relations: Building alliances The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation /04/28 Become a member today!