Service Provision in Rural and Small Town Canada

Service Provision in Service Provision in Rural and Small Town Rural and Small Town

CanadaCanada

Greg Halseth and Laura RyserGreg Halseth and Laura RyserUniversity of Northern B.C.University of Northern B.C.

INE Spring WorkshopINE Spring WorkshopSpring 2004Spring 2004

Challenges for Service Challenges for Service Provision in Rural and Small Provision in Rural and Small

Town Places ITown Places I Large distances & low population Large distances & low population

densitydensity Higher costsHigher costs

Questions of quality:Questions of quality: Residents may by-pass local providersResidents may by-pass local providers

Urban-based service standardsUrban-based service standards Specialized services rarely justified in rural Specialized services rarely justified in rural

placesplaces

Challenges for Service Challenges for Service Provision in Rural and Small Provision in Rural and Small

Town Places IITown Places II Challenges obtaining resourcesChallenges obtaining resources

Human & financial resources controlled by Human & financial resources controlled by large urban centreslarge urban centres

Changes in demographics add new Changes in demographics add new pressures pressures Newcomers, urban commuters, elderlyNewcomers, urban commuters, elderly

Methodology IMethodology I

Site Profiles: 1998, 2000, Site Profiles: 1998, 2000, 20032003

2003 Site Profile: 22 sites2003 Site Profile: 22 sites 6 sites in Atlantic Canada6 sites in Atlantic Canada 4 sites in Québec4 sites in Québec 4 sites in Ontario4 sites in Ontario 8 sites in Western Canada8 sites in Western Canada

11 non-adjacent sites11 non-adjacent sites 11 metro-adjacent sites11 metro-adjacent sites

Methodology IIMethodology IIRural Observatory includes data for:Rural Observatory includes data for:

•• Education Education • Health• Health•• Protection servicesProtection services • Legal• Legal•• Financial servicesFinancial services • •

CommunicationCommunication•• Elderly and childcareElderly and childcare • Government• Government•• CommunityCommunity • Transportation• Transportation•• RecreationalRecreational • Shopping• Shopping•• Economic dev. orgsEconomic dev. orgs • Housing• Housing

Educational ServicesEducational ServicesTable 1: Educational ServicesTable 1: Educational Services

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003 % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.Adj N.Adj

Pre-sch. / kindergartenPre-sch. / kindergarten ** ** ** ** 63.663.6 36.436.4Elementary schoolElementary school 92.392.3 58.358.3 66.766.7 72.772.7 72.772.7 54.554.5High schoolHigh school 30.830.8 33.333.3 72.772.7 45.545.5 18.218.2 36.4 36.4

N=10-13N=10-13**new category: data not collected for this service this year**new category: data not collected for this service this year

Health Services IHealth Services ITable 2: Availability of Health ServicesTable 2: Availability of Health Services

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003 % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj

HospitalHospital 15.415.4 36.436.4 11.111.1 27.327.3 9.19.1 27.327.3Health centre / CLSCHealth centre / CLSC ** ** ** ** 27.327.3 27.327.3Medical clinicMedical clinic ** ** ** ** 36.436.4 45.545.5

PharmacyPharmacy ** ** 44.444.4 54.554.5 36.436.4 45.545.5AmbulanceAmbulance 53.853.8 70.070.0 11.111.1 45.545.5 18.218.2 54.554.5Emergency servicesEmergency services ** ** 55.655.6 63.663.6 9.19.1 27.327.3


Health Services IIHealth Services IITable 3: Availability of Health ProfessionalsTable 3: Availability of Health Professionals


DoctorsDoctors 46.246.2 45.545.5 44.444.4 54.554.5 27.327.3 45.545.5NursesNurses 38.538.5 54.554.5 44.444.4 63.663.6 27.327.3 45.545.5DentistsDentists 38.538.5 27.327.3 33.333.3 36.436.4 27.327.3 27.327.3OptometristsOptometrists 7.77.7 18.218.2 0.00.0 9.19.1 9.19.1 27.327.3Social workersSocial workers 36.436.4 41.741.7 50.050.0 36.436.4 18.218.2 27.327.3

N= 9-13N= 9-13**new category: data not collected for this service this year**new category: data not collected for this service this year

Protection ServicesProtection ServicesTable 4: Availability of Protection ServicesTable 4: Availability of Protection Services________________________________________________________________________________________________ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003

% Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj

________________________________________________________________________________________________

PolicePolice 57.157.1 70.070.0 44.444.4 45.545.5 9.19.1 36.436.4Fire dep’tFire dep’t 100.0100.0 90.090.0 100.0100.0 72.772.7 81.881.8 54.554.5911911 69.269.2 50.050.0 88.988.9 45.545.5 81.881.8 90.990.9________________________________________________________________________________________________N=9-13N=9-13

Legal ServicesLegal Services

Table 5: Availability of Legal ServicesTable 5: Availability of Legal Services

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003

% Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes

AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj

LawyerLawyer 30.830.8 50.050.0 22.222.2 36.436.4 18.218.2 18.218.2

NotaryNotary 45.545.5 45.545.5 44.444.4 36.436.4 45.545.5 36.436.4

CourtCourt 9.19.1 20.020.0 12.512.5 18.218.2 9.19.1 27.327.3

N=9-13N=9-13

Financial ServicesFinancial ServicesTable 6: Availability of Financial ServicesTable 6: Availability of Financial Services________________________________________________________________________________________________ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003

% Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes % Yes AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj N.AdjN.Adj AdjAdj

N.AdjN.Adj________________________________________________________________________________________________Banks**Banks** 53.853.8 66.766.7 55.655.6 45.545.5 36.436.4 36.436.4Credit UnionCredit Union ** ** 44.444.4 54.554.5 36.436.4 63.663.6ATMATM 50.050.0 33.333.3 44.444.4 63.663.6 54.554.5 45.545.5Insurance officeInsurance office 46.246.2 41.741.7 44.444.4 54.554.5 45.545.5 54.554.5________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ N=9-13N=9-13**In 1998, banks and credit unions included in one category.**In 1998, banks and credit unions included in one category.

Child and Elderly ServicesChild and Elderly Services

Table 7: Availability of Child & Elderly ServicesTable 7: Availability of Child & Elderly Services


DaycareDaycare 61.561.5 36.436.4 44.444.4 54.554.5 54.554.5 36.436.4Senior nursing homeSenior nursing home ** ** ** ** 0.00.0 36.436.4Sr. retirement homeSr. retirement home 38.538.5 45.545.5 55.655.6 36.436.4 36.436.4 27.327.3


Government ServicesGovernment ServicesTable 8: Availability of Government ServicesTable 8: Availability of Government Services

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003



Employment Ins.Employment Ins. 15.415.4 25.025.0 0.00.0 18.218.2 0.00.0 9.19.1

Prov. Auto LicenseProv. Auto License 15.415.4 36.436.4 22.222.2 36.436.4 9.19.1 27.327.3

Social AssistanceSocial Assistance 23.123.1 41.741.7 11.111.1 36.436.4 18.218.2 27.327.3

Town hallTown hall 84.684.6 81.881.8 88.988.9 90.990.9 72.772.7 63.663.6

Post officePost office ** ** 77.877.8 81.881.8 81.881.8 81.881.8

N=9-13N=9-13

**new category: data not collected for this service this year**new category: data not collected for this service this year

Community ServicesCommunity ServicesTable 9: Availability of Community Table 9: Availability of Community

ServicesServices

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003



Food bankFood bank 15.415.4 18.218.2 22.222.2 18.218.2 45.545.5 18.218.2

Second hand storesSecond hand stores 33.333.3 27.327.3 33.333.3 36.436.4 36.436.4 45.545.5

Half-way houseHalf-way house 27.327.3 12.512.5 25.025.0 27.327.3 0.00.0 9.19.1

Personal aid servicesPersonal aid services 38.538.5 36.436.4 33.333.3 36.436.4 18.218.2 45.545.5

N=9-13N=9-13

TransportationTransportationTable 10: Availability of Transportation ServicesTable 10: Availability of Transportation Services


Train – passengerTrain – passenger 0.00.0 0.00.0 0.00.0 18.218.2 0.00.0 9.19.1Train – freightTrain – freight 33.333.3 30.030.0 33.333.3 18.218.2 27.327.3 45.545.5AirportAirport 7.77.7 0.00.0 11.111.1 18.218.2 27.327.3 9.19.1TaxiTaxi 14.314.3 22.222.2 22.222.2 27.327.3 27.327.3 27.327.3Gas stationGas station ** ** ** ** 90.990.9 81.881.8Automobile repairAutomobile repair ** ** ** ** 63.663.6 63.663.6


Recreation Services IRecreation Services ITable 11: Availability of Outdoor Recreational AmenitiesTable 11: Availability of Outdoor Recreational Amenities


Outdoor skating rinkOutdoor skating rink ** ** ** ** 36.436.4 27.327.3Comm. playing fieldComm. playing field 84.684.6 81.881.8 100.0100.0 81.881.8 90.990.9 72.772.7Municipal parksMunicipal parks 91.791.7 50.050.0 100.0100.0 72.772.7 90.990.9 63.663.6Tennis courtsTennis courts ** ** ** ** 36.436.4 27.327.3Skiing trailsSkiing trails ** ** ** ** 45.545.5 54.554.5Hiking trailsHiking trails ** ** ** ** 72.772.7 54.554.5Golf coursesGolf courses ** ** ** ** 36.436.4 27.327.3CampgroundsCampgrounds ** ** ** ** 72.772.7 63.663.6


Recreational Services IIRecreational Services IITable 12: Availability of Indoor Recreational Table 12: Availability of Indoor Recreational

AmenitiesAmenities


Curling rinkCurling rink 62.562.5 62.562.5 44.444.4 45.545.5 36.436.4 27.327.3Indoor swimming poolIndoor swimming pool ** ** ** ** 9.19.1 18.218.2Indoor skating rinkIndoor skating rink ** ** ** ** 54.554.5 45.545.5Community gymCommunity gym 54.554.5 50.050.0 44.444.4 54.554.5 63.663.6 36.436.4

N= 9-13N= 9-13**new category: data not collected for this service this year**new category: data not collected for this service this year

Recreational Services IIIRecreational Services IIITable 13: Availability of Cultural AmenitiesTable 13: Availability of Cultural Amenities

ServiceService 1998 1998 2000 2000 2003 2003



Community centreCommunity centre 84.684.6 90.090.0 100.0100.0 90.990.9 90.990.9 72.772.7

Theatre-liveTheatre-live 27.327.3 25.025.0 22.222.2 27.327.3 9.19.1 18.218.2

Cinema-movie theatreCinema-movie theatre 9.19.1 8.38.3 11.111.1 18.218.2 0.00.0 9.19.1

MuseumMuseum ** ** 33.333.3 45.545.5 45.545.5 27.327.3

LibraryLibrary 83.383.3 66.766.7 88.988.9 81.881.8 81.881.8 72.772.7

N=9-13N=9-13

**new category: data not collected for this service this year**new category: data not collected for this service this year

Challenges and Challenges and Opportunities IOpportunities I

Few services available in a majority of Few services available in a majority of sitessites 24 / 116 services in more than 50% of sites24 / 116 services in more than 50% of sites Limited service areas: health care, legal Limited service areas: health care, legal

services, childcare and elderly services, and services, childcare and elderly services, and community servicescommunity services

Service provision is decliningService provision is declining 63.5% of services previously tracked declined63.5% of services previously tracked declined Larger declines: ambulance, emergency Larger declines: ambulance, emergency

services, policing, fire departments, social services, policing, fire departments, social workers, lawyers, banks, town halls, curling workers, lawyers, banks, town halls, curling rinksrinks

Challenges and Challenges and Opportunities IIOpportunities II

Service declines in metro-adjacent Service declines in metro-adjacent sites:sites: Emergency, protection, & community Emergency, protection, & community

servicesservices Service declines in non-adjacent sites:Service declines in non-adjacent sites:

Recreational servicesRecreational services Over 90% of services accessible within Over 90% of services accessible within

30 minutes30 minutes Some services are growing:Some services are growing:

911, ATMs, 2911, ATMs, 2ndnd hand stores, airports, and hand stores, airports, and taxistaxis

Next StepsNext Steps

LinksLinks To modelTo model

Tools for capacityTools for capacityFacilitating capacityFacilitating capacity

2005 Site Profile Inventory2005 Site Profile Inventory

Documents

Service Provision in Rural and Small Town Canada