Climate Change and Rural Issues: Le plus ça change le plus c'est la même chose

Abstract

Concerns about the sustainability of rural Canada are not new, whether they arise from changes in climate and weather conditions, economic forces related to markets and trade, demography, or general environmental stress. Ensuring the viability of water and land resources in rural regions is important for the entire country, not only for supplying raw materials as the basis of production and widespread economic benefits, but also for a number of environmental services, including potable water, clean air, and recreation and leisure opportunities. The advent of climate change and all its associated environmental, economic and social impacts means rural Canada faces yet more challenges; it is a familiar refrain.