When people think of Ontario, they quickly think of Toronto, of the rich cultural opportunities, of Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Ontario is much more than just its urban centres. With its vast geography, many Ontarians live in areas that can be described as rural and/or remote. These rural and remote regions are found in all parts of the province, in the southwest, the east, the north. These are areas often without any public transit, where transportation and distance become serious barriers. There are fewer social services than in the cities, as the population density often doesn’t justify funding the services.
To better understand the needs and characteristics of these rural and remote areas of Ontario, the Rural and Remote Boldness Project worked with the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice to produce the document: Rural and Remote Access to Justice – A Literature Review. This document examines some of the issues around defining both rural and remote, and the legal needs of people living in rural and remote situations.
The Forum identifies six areas where they believe that rural and remote communities present with distinct needs. The areas are:
● Serving Aboriginal Communities
● Youth Justice
● Mental Health
● Family Law & Domestic Violence
● Elder & Disability
● Employment & Social Assistance