A professor of economic development at Guelph University says the overall impact of the pandemic on immigration into rural communities won't be known for some time. Ryan Gibson is a Libro Professor in Regional Economic Development.
But he says there has some immediate impacts.
“The immediate impact we saw, challenges for businesses to recruit new employees, we see challenges for newcomers in how they access language or settlement services, because often those aren't available in rural communities, but rather in neighbouring urban communities,” stated Gibson.
There was also a focus on technology, and a lack of it in some areas.
“We also know that broadband, as we've moved everything online, not all rural and small towns have equal access to broadband connectivity. And so some people, in some communities, might have had different access to services and opportunities than others,” explained Gibson
And communities had to be creative in attracting new workers because some of the traditional methods, particularly job fairs, weren't possible during the pandemic.
That included going virtual and Gibson says that's also meant putting more information about rural communities and their quality of life online. So that when potential employees are looking for job opportunities, they can also see what that community has to offer them.
Gibson says there has also been re-commitment and investment to bringing broadband to more communities because the pandemic has highlighted some the current discrepancies.
