Rural Employment Access Ontario

Why This Matters

Employment policies influence more than where people work.

They also influence where people choose to live, where families establish roots and where communities are able to grow and thrive.

The recent Ontario Public Service return-to-office requirements have created new challenges for some residents of rural and northern Ontario. For many qualified people, geography is becoming an increasingly important factor in whether some Ontario Public Service careers remain practical or accessible.

The effects of those decisions often extend well beyond individual employees.

When a family spends an additional $1,000 each month on commuting costs, what does that mean?

For many households, it means less money available to spend at local businesses, restaurants and service providers.

For others, it means difficult decisions about where to live, where to purchase a home and whether remaining in a rural community continues to make financial sense.

When a resident spends three hours commuting each day, what does that mean?

It may mean less time to volunteer, coach youth sports, participate in community organizations or support local events.

It may also mean fewer opportunities to shop locally, participate in community life or contribute to the organizations that help rural communities thrive.

When a young family begins considering a move closer to an office, what does that mean?

It can mean fewer young families putting down roots in rural communities.

It can mean fewer students in local schools and fewer future volunteers, coaches and community leaders.

These decisions shape communities for years to come.

When future applicants decide not to pursue Ontario Public Service careers because of geography, what does that mean?

It may mean that talented young people leave rural communities in search of stable employment opportunities closer to major centres.

It may mean graduates who would have preferred to build their careers close to family and community instead establish roots elsewhere.

For some residents, it may mean accepting lower-paying or less stable employment locally because comparable opportunities are no longer practical to access.

When our young people need to leave rural communities to access opportunity, what does that mean?

It can mean fewer young families putting down roots in rural communities.

It can mean fewer future community leaders, business owners and volunteers choosing to build their futures locally.

It can also affect the informal support networks that help rural communities thrive.

When adult children move away for employment opportunities, aging parents may have less family support available close to home and communities may become increasingly reliant on formal services to fill those gaps.

The Broader Community Impact

Strong communities depend on more than jobs alone.

They also depend on families, support networks and the ability for generations to remain connected to the places they call home.

Employment policy is about more than workplaces.

It is also about workforce accessibility, economic development and protecting future opportunity for rural Ontario.