2012 On-going

Labour mobility presents numerous opportunities and challenges for communities in rural and small town settings. Opportunities exist in terms of addressing needed services for workers, while also presenting the possibility for community growth and stability by attracting new residents and businesses. However, workers can also challenge the limited service and support capacity available in rural and small town communities.  Over the next five years, the Community Development Institute at UNBC, in partnership with Sean Markey at Simon Fraser University, is conducting research as part of the national project On the Move: Employment-Related Mobility.  The purpose of this research is to provide an integrative lens through which to view issues related to labour mobility, such as recruitment and retention of workers; capacity gaps in the workforce; key pressures facing the community; supports provided to long distance labour commuting workers on site and in the community; workers’ experiences with commuting and being away from home; and additional investments needed to support workers, families, and community stakeholders. The research will examine differences and similarities in preparation for and management of mobile workers at mines in two communities: Williams Lake (Gibraltar) and Mackenzie (Mt. Milligan).

Project reports include:

• On the Move: Executive Summary Report
• On the Move: Final Report
• On the Move: Policy Synthesis
• A Review of Socio-Economic Characteristics in Mackenzie
• On the Move: Community Impacts of Long Distance Labour Commuting Summary Report for Mackenzie
• A Review of Socio-Economic Characteristics in Williams Lake
• On the Move: Community Impacts of Long Distance Labour Commuting Summary Report for Williams Lake
• On the Move: Mitigating Impacts – A Local Workers’ Perspective