1. Rural Ontario Foresight Papers Public Release October 19th,
Series of 6 discussion papers + northern commentaries
Informed perspective from knowledgeable experts, looking ahead at how to respond to rural challenges
Purpose: to stimulate discussion among rural advocates, policy makers

3. In this map all the pink and red shades are declining
In this map all the pink and red shades are declining. The blue areas are growing. The darkest blue at over twice the provincial average of 5%. The lightest blue is slower than provincial average but still positive at between 0 and 5. Rural jurisdictions both growing and declining… heterogenous situation means rural places need place based policy/solutions. There is no single strategy suitable for all places.

4. Proportion of Population 65+
Darkest green over 50%
Lightest green is under 10 %
The three darkest shades are all over the provincial average. Very few rural places have the same age structure as the province as a whole.

5. 230 Thousand Rural Businesses in Ontario in 2016

6. Estimating # of Ontario Rural Businesses Undergoing Succession
232,251 number of rural businesses in 2016
48 % will exit in five years from CFIB survey
Total Estimated number in 5 years…
111,480

7. Top Ten Concerns Cost of electricity
Local economic development ... supporting growth of new businesses and entrepreneurs
Improving broadband - higher speed and wider access
Local economic development ...retaining businesses and supporting ownership succession 
Regulatory burden on the municipal sector
Protecting water quality in lakes, streams, rivers
Access to quality health care services nearby
Aging population
Tourism promotion, managing tourism
Attracting/retaining new residents
A range of broad concerns are listed below crossing a spectrum of economic, environmental or social matters and types of services. On a scale of 1 to 5 rank each concern regarding your perspective on the impact this matter is having in your community and the priority of responding to it. 
Rank each of some 48 concerns – impact it is having in your community and the priority of responding to it
Not necessarily concerns that local government is solely responsible for … e.g. demographic change/aging population … health

8. Growth Beyond Cities: Place Based Rural Development in Ontario
David Freshwater
University of Kentucky

9. Fenn Advisory Services Inc.,
The Impact of Megatrends on Rural Development in Ontario: Progress through Foresight
Michael Fenn
Fenn Advisory Services Inc.,

10. Broadband Infrastructure for the Future: Connecting Rural Ontario to the Digital Economy
Catherine Middleton
Ryerson University

11. Rural Business Succession: Innovation Opportunities to Revitalize Local Communities
Paul Chamberlain
CCEDNET

12. The Visitor Economy and Rural Cultural Amenities
Christopher Fullerton
Brock University

13. Rural Volunteerism: How Well is the Heart of Community Doing?
Tracy Birtch
Perth Huron Social Planning Board

14. Adapted from: European Foresight Platform www.foresight-platform.eu/

16. Rural Transportation Challenges Exchanging Solutions

17. Rural Ontario Foresight Papers 2019 Topics/Themes?