BC Rural Network

The BC Rural Network strives to build stronger rural and remote communities across the province and promote a better understanding of rural issues.

The Network connects BC’s rural communities in several ways:

• disseminating information, tools and resources of importance to rural and remote communities in BC
• creating links between communities, rural organizations and policy-makers that work on issues of importance to rural and remote communities
• providing a forum for rural and remote communities and organizations to voice concerns and issues, and learn from each other.

The Fraser Basin Council is one of the founders and a proud partner of the BC Rural Network, and our Cariboo-Chilcotin office serves as secretariat.

Project Comeback:
Communities Look at Ways to Have Young People Stay

If you’re curious to know what young people think about living in BC’s rural communities, be sure to read the final report of Project Comeback: Project Comeback: Creating vibrant rural communities by retaining and attracting a young adult population.

Project Comeback was a two-year (2012-2014) project in BC rural communities, aimed at better understanding and meeting the needs of younger citizens. Many rural communities are struggling with the twin demographic trends of youth out-migration and an aging baby boomer population. These trends trigger concerns, including the prospect that some local businesses will close because there are fewer young people to take them over. Through Project Comeback, communities connected with youth through surveys, interviews and workshops for their views, and launched innovative pilot projects designed to help attract, engage and retain youth.

The project was managed by the BC Rural Network, with support from the Fraser Basin Council. Participating communities were:

• Williams Lake (City of Williams Lake)
• Smithers (Smithers District Chamber of Commerce)
• Northern Vancouver Island communities (Regional District of Mount Waddington)
• Chase (Village of Chase)
• Kaslo (North Kootenay Lake Community Services Society).

The Project Comeback report is a valuable read for everyone in business, industry and government in BC’s smaller communities. Participating communities each faced some unique issues in attracting and retaining youth, yet common themes emerged. Young people said they value “a sense of community” and social activities and events, as well as opportunities for employment, training, recreation, access to health services and quality of life.

Thanks to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, primary funders of Project Comeback.