Partnerships in place: Facilitating rural local government entrepreneurialism in Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

Rural local governments across Canada, including those in Newfoundland and Labrador, struggle with many of their day‐to‐day operational activities, including providing appropriate drinking water, wastewater, and garbage collection services, among other essential services, and rarely have capacity to facilitate local economic development activities. In recent times, entrepreneurialism has been noted as having potential for rural local governments, yet little research has been completed to determine its presence and relevance for municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador. In response, we examined eight case study local governments in Newfoundland and Labrador to determine if, and how, entrepreneurialism was present in municipal efforts to increase economic prosperity in their communities. Findings suggest that while rural local governments continue to face challenges due to declining support for rural development from provincial and federal governments and increased downloading of responsibilities, some communities have established ways to remain resilient through partnerships and building on place‐based assets. This exploratory study provides a basis for further in‐depth research to determine the extent and approaches to entrepreneurialism in local government in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Relying on LEADER? A place-based policy approach to the rural development of Finnish municipalities

“…For example, barriers to the use of this development approach have arisen from the wider institutional environment, such as outdated municipal legislation, as noted in Canada by Barrett and Vodden (2023). Similarly, in Sweden, Hermelin and Trygg (2022, 309) note that the conditions for place-based rural development have been characterised by "the mandatory and strongly institutionalised task of local authorities", which has led to "a precarious and unstable status for local development policy".…”

The rural municipality in Canada: A critical overview of recent research and some perspectives on the development agenda

“…This introduces theoretical perspectives from Habermas, and others, pressing us to unpack and make sense of the power relations, and especially the processes of their reproduction (Forester, 1989). What power relations were evident in the extended legislative vacuums evident in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Alberta, as just two examples (Barrett & Vodden, 2022; Hallstrom, 2023)? Does the concept of communicative action, a centrepiece of Critical Theory, explicate the meagre results of lengthy years of representation by numerous municipal organizations (e.g., Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, FCM, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association), and individual municipalities, on an extended roster of pressing topics?…”

“…This municipality invested in an innovative and timely multi‐community collaboration for broadband internet services delivery, involving some four municipalities and five First Nations—a collaborative approach celebrated in the annals of rural development (e.g., Beattie & Annis, 2008; Korsching et al, 1992), and currently being rearticulated in so‐called New Regionalism (Daniels et al, 2019). Most cases, Newfoundland and Labrador being an example (Barrett & Vodden, 2022), bring forth stimulating stories of place‐based development, connecting and integrating economy and local society, and searching the possibilities of various collaborations. In many of these cases, the received geography of place is not taken as a static fact, a neutral and inaccessible datum (Daniels et al, 2015).…”

“…Another small proportion live off seasonal cottage populations, major skiing facilities, substantial institutions (e.g., colleges, hospitals), specialized service functions (e.g., retirement communities), and other niche functions. For rural and remote communities, the Bonavista and St. Anthony's experiences presented in the case study by Joshua Barrett and Kelly Vodden (2022) would be exceptional. As the authors note, they are an exceptional 8 out of Newfoundland and Labrador's 276 incorporated municipalities.…”

Effectiveness of wood ash and paper sludge as liming and nutrient sources for annual ryegrass grown in podzolic soils of Newfoundland

“…The Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. (CBPPL) mill spends $69 Mg −1 on dump waste byproducts at landfill site located 44.5 km away from the production site. Moreover, these costs are expected to rise further due to the consolidation of landfill sites at the provincial level and the need to transport these wastes over greater distances (Barrett & Vodden, 2023). To reduce disposal costs and potential environmental pollution, WA and SL can be used as valuable alternative sources of nutrients for crop production (Camberato et al., 2006; Quaye et al., 2011).…”