Our Research

The CDI maintains a clear focus on research and on providing access to valuable resources toward the goal of increasing knowledge and understanding and building capacity around community, regional, and economic development. Our goal is to balance both applied and basic work so as to maintain academic credibility and to be of practical relevance to communities.

The information in this section is organized by topic. Please contact us if you need help finding information or have a question about any of the research or resources included here.

  • Sunrise Ridge Senior Housing Society: Seniors Housing Needs Assessment

    • Housing
    In the spring of 2013, Sunrise Ridge Senior Housing Society (SRSHS) approached the Community Development Institute (CDI) with an inquiry into the seniors housing needs for Fraser-Fort George Electoral Districts D and E, and especially the communities of Blackburn, Hixon, and Pineview. SRSHS felt that there are many seniors in the region who would like to retire in the community, but the options for seniors housing are limited.

    Previous CDI research has shown that many older adults want to remain in their home communities because they enjoy the quality of life and have developed the strong social networks that are common in rural areas. Their concern is that they will have to leave because of failing health and mobility, a lack of support and services, or both.

    The purpose of this project is to gain an understanding of the housing needs of seniors in Blackburn, Hixon, and Pineview. The CDI worked with SRSHS during the winter of 2013-2014 to survey seniors housing needs. The findings from this survey are contained in this report, and will be used by SRSHS to inform the future development of seniors’ housing in their region.

    The project objectives were to:
    • Collect information on the current needs for seniors housing and support services;
    • Collect information on the expected needs for seniors housing and support services;
    • Develop a report which demonstrates the seniors’ housing and support needs in Blackburn, Hixon, and Pineview to inform SRSHS’s plans for a seniors housing development.
    Sunrise Ridge Senior Housing Needs Assessment                                  Sunrise Ridge Senior Housing Needs Assessment Appendices

  • Career Training Available in Northern BC

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Workforce Deployment and Development

    2013

    In December 2013, the CDI examined the availability of career-oriented training programs, including skilled trades programs, at four educational institutions in northern British Columbia. These institutions were:

    • The College of New Caledonia,
    • Northern Lights College,
    • Coast Mountain College, and
    • The University of Northern British Columbia.

    This report shows the length, location, and prerequisites of the training programs offered, as well as the certification received upon completion.

    Final Report

  • Lessons from Economic Upswings: A Case Study of the Peace River Region

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Major Project Development

    2012

    When industrial investments come to small communities, the impacts can be significant and transformative. These impacts occur in all sectors – social, community, service, economic, and governance. The Terrace and Kitimat region of northwest BC has been home to a range of large industries since the early 1950s.  The region is now on the cusp of new and large industrial construction projects that will change and renew the local and regional economies. The projects will also impact and change the communities.

    Other regions in BC have considerable experience with large industrial projects. Most notable is the Peace River region in northeast BC which has recent and continuing experience with major coal, oil, and gas developments. This project was designed to collate lessons and experiences from the Peace River region so as to inform decision-makers and community economic and social development organizations in the Terrace-Kitimat corridor on effective responses to the opportunities and pressures of large industrial projects.

    The project work was carried out by a research team from the UNBC Community Development Institute in the spring of 2012.

  • NEV2 - Updating Our Northern BC Development Vision and Strategy Project

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    2009-2012

    Completed in 2004, the community driven “Northern BC Economic Development Vision and Strategy Project” changed the way we approach community and economic development in northern BC. It provided the foundations for regional collaborations, enhanced resource revenue sharing programs, consideration of new energy issues, relationship building among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and attention to the key foundations (human, community, physical, and economic) needed for our communities to be flexible and responsive in the global economy.

    In September 2009, the CDI launched NEV2. The economic downturn is forcing public and private sector interests to make difficult choices and adopt what they think are the best coping strategies so that they are poised, equipped, and ready to take advantage of the next economic upswing. In partnership with selected small local governments in northern BC, we will explore:
    •    the choices and decisions being made in response to the 2008/2009 economic downturn
    •    the impacts of those choices / decisions as the economy begins to recover
    •    recommendations on how small local governments can and should respond to dramatic
         economic change   

  • On the Move: Impacts of Long Distance Labour Commuting

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation

    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:

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