Rural Ontario Institute

The impact of COVID-19 on rural employment up to December, 2020

Date: January 13, 2021

We are making available another issue in our special series of “Focus on Rural Ontario” with extensive tables related to economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as reflected in employment statistics. This release takes the data analysis up to December when the second wave was upon us.

In Ontario, the estimated gap in rural employment due to COVID-19 has remained less than in urban areas. Importantly, the COVID-19 employment gap is continuing to close. In December, the estimated gap due to COVID-19 was -1.7% which represents a job loss of 11 thousand workers.

Find fact sheet highlights in the December Fact Sheet Infographic.

COVID-19 impact on rural employment in Ontario to November, 2020

Date: December 22, 2020

COVID-19 Impact on Rural Employment: Ontario in the Canadian context up to November, 2020 highlights the impact on rural Ontario with a comparison to the impact on rural employment in other provinces.

Explore What's Happening at AALP

Date: December 1, 2020

Similar to many of your organizations, businesses and families, AALP Class 18 created a new journey as a result of the pandemic. In July, we took a cautionary approach and decided to extend Class 18 by 6 months, conserve the resources so many supporters have contributed and use those resources when the time is right to deliver the full AALP experience. As we move into 2021 we are excited to announce AALP Class 18 will resume programming virtually in true leadership fashion, embracing the spirit of resilience and innovation! With COVID cases still on the rise in many parts of Ontario and around the world, participants will be challenged to lead through an unprecedented situation. Like the 17 Classes before them, your journey will be unique and one remembered your life long!

AALP Class 18 Leadership Profile – Maria Ramirez

Date: December 1, 2020

The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program is now running its 18th cohort of people dedicated to an experiential program of leadership development that will provide leadership principles, a template for future growth, and a growing network of engaged leaders in Ontario agriculture. The program is well-known, and well-loved, for the broad array of people it attracts from every corner of agriculture. This year’s class is dealing with a global pandemic and working to continue their journey through unforeseen disruptions and challenges. We spoke to Class 18 participant Maria Ramirez Giraldo about her leadership journey.

Exploring the Leadership Challenge

Date: December 1, 2020

The theme of our first Class 18 seminar was Leadership: Theory and Application. We explored this topic in many ways. Our journey began with a presentation by Ann L. Gordon, leadership consultant and AALP Class 2 grad, on the global leadership competency framework. Ann has composed this framework as a setting off point on the leadership journey, and indicated many traits needed to effectively lead in today’s global context.

Prior to our first AALP seminar, we were tasked with completing a Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). Guided by Kelly Ann McKnight and George Pinho of Stoneridge Consulting Inc., each AALP participant answered a series of questions about the frequency of their own common leadership behaviours. Managers, co-workers, friends, and others were also recruited to help provide outside perspective for the LPI. It was certainly eye opening for many.

Feeding the Hungry by Fighting Food Waste

Date: December 1, 2020

The entire AALP Class 18 will agree that we were beyond impressed and inspired from our trip to Second Harvest in Toronto. The tour began with presentations by Rose Barcarse, Program Coordinator, and Madison Maguire, Executive Coordinator, followed by a tour of the warehouse facility from Ian Macleod, Fleet and Warehouse Supervisor. It is evident the pride and satisfaction the team has in the work they are doing.

Filling the gap left by traditional food banks, Second Harvest specializes in perishable foods that are traditionally wasted in our food system. They provide a bridge between wasted food and social agencies. In 2018, Second Harvest programs redirected 12.3 million pounds of food, the equivalent of $32 million, or 34,000 meals/day!

Bill 229 and Implications for Regional Conservation Authorities

Date: November 24, 2020

Commentary by Tim Lanthier, Chief Administrative Officer for the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority.

As a rural stakeholder, you may have heard recent media reports about the Province’s intent to change the Conservation Authorities Act in an effort to create transparency and reduce red-tape. These most recent changes were introduced in the 2020 budget implementation bill (Bill 229).

The impact of COVID-19 on rural employment up to September, 2020

Date: October 21, 2020

New special issue of “Focus on Rural Ontario” highlights the impact of Covid-19 on rural employemnt in Ontario with a comparison to the impact on rural employment in other provinces.

In rural Ontario in September, 2020, the calculated employment gap had closed: September rural employment was 2.5% above the level in September, 2019 -- but was 4% below the level in September, 2018.

Institute for Research on Public Policy Article on the Urgent Need for an Agri-food Labour Strategy

Date: October 2, 2020

The article written by Sen. Rob Black, Mary Robinson (Canadian Federation of Agriculture), and Portia MacDonald- Dewhirst (Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council), shows the need for a resilient national labour strategy that will not only stabilize the availability of workers throughout the pandemic and beyond, but will also include strategies for introducing widespread skill development measures, labour saving technologies and better labour market intelligence.

The impact of COVID-19 on rural employment up to August, 2020

Date: September 8, 2020

A special issue of Focus on Rural Ontario entitled COVID-19 Impact on Rural Employment: Ontario in the Canadian context up to August 2020 highlights the impact on rural Ontario with a comparison to the impact on rural employment in other provinces.

In August, the rural employment gap in Ontario (-0.6%) was less than the COVID-19 impact in urban areas (-6.3%). The rural gap of -0.6% is less than one-third the Canada-level gap of -7.7% and much less than the rural gap in Alberta (-20.5%) and in rural Quebec (-13.3%).

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