1. TRIAGE AT THE PERIPHERY:
PLACE-BASED POLICY IN RESOURCE-DEPENDENT RURAL COMMUNITIES
M. Rose Olfert
Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
rose.olfert@usask.ca
Samira Bakhshi
Department of Bioresource Policy, Business & Economics
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Mengis Chokie
Department of Bioresource Policy, Business & Economics
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Sara E. Olfert
Department of Bioresource Policy, Business & Economics
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Abstract
The increasing concentration of economic activity makes urban areas the Core of local
economies, leaving the Periphery with fewer options and the possible target of place-specific
policy intervention. Using the example of resource dependent communities we ask which
communities may be most likely to receive place-based policy. We cast the policy decision as
one of 'triage' where those lagging communities that are likely to have positive responses to
intervention are of primary interest. We find that resource-dependent communities are a
statistically significantly distinct group of rural communities and that policy intervention in the
form of job creation will indeed be effective in improving their economic performance. Further
within resource-dependent communities, those most likely to require place-specific intervention
are shown to be especially responsive.