Economic Development in Canada's Resource Towns: Bottom-Up Approach

This essay examines the effectiveness of 'bottom-up' self-help initiatives in fostering sustained local economic development within Canada's single-industry resource towns. It explores how these initiatives, which prioritize community involvement and microfinance, can catalyze economic growth and reduce poverty. The essay highlights the importance of local participation and accountability in development projects, using examples like Bangladesh to illustrate successful implementation. It also discusses the role of government support through microfinance and infrastructure development, focusing on the fishing and forest industries, which significantly contribute to Canada's economy. The essay further analyzes the challenges and benefits of the bottom-up approach, contrasting it with top-down strategies and emphasizing the impact on labor force changes and the integration of local communities in policy decisions. The study references the case of Blacks Harbour and its reliance on fishing and packaging industries, as well as the impact of self-help initiatives on the local economy, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

In relation to Canada’s single
industry resource towns, discuss
the proposition that ‘bottom-up’
self-help initiatives can provide the
catalyst to sustained local
economic development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Canada's economy has been fundamentally shaped by a is highly depended upon the fur,
fish and forest industry. In the year 1977 Canadian government has paid focus on extending its
fishing business from 12 to 200 miles (Reaidy, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2015). This has
helped the authorities in raising their employment and investment opportunities in the nation.
Present study will discuss effectiveness of bottom up and self help initiatives in order to develop
economic of the country.
MAIN BODY
One of the main aim of the government is to develop the nation and improve economic
position of the country. For that authorities make new rules and encourage the local business to
grow well. Canada has high dependency on the fish, forest industries. These sectors contribute
well in enhancing economic position of the country (Navarro, Woods and Cejudo, 2016). In
order to achieve the objective authorities take support of two main approaches: top down and
bottom up approach. These approaches help the authorities in improving the condition of the
nation. In the top down approach entities concentrate more on reducing issues so that overall
condition of the destination can be improved. On other hand bottom up approach is another type
of approach in which authorities provide micro finance facilities and concentrate more on NGO-
based development initiatives (Community self-help projects and rural development in Ohafia
local government area, 2012). This approach supports in improving condition of the country and
reducing poverty as well.
Bottom-up approach is the technique that emphasis more on increasing participation with
the local communities in order to enhance development opportunities. In this respect, these
people ensure that accountability remain maintained in each project. In the recent times bottom-
up institutions have become the essential part and contributing well in the economy development
of the region (The impact of the bottom-up approach towards economic development on
population mobility across Mexican municipalities, 2017). One of the great example is
Bangladesh which has gained huge success by implementing this approach. In this method local
communities make strategies so that poverty can be reduced and more employment opportunities
can be generates in the region. This is the way that can help Canada in it sustainable economic
development. Canadian government is paying attention on increasing micro finance facilities for
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the local people (Top-Down versus Bottom-Up Macroeconomics, 2009). This technique and
strategy help the small business in gaining moire opportunities and expanding their business.
This is the practical solution that is now implementing by the developing nations in which they
are encouraging the people to go get funds in order to start new business and living a healthy life.
With the assistance of this, many small and big organization can be able to contribute well in
economy development of the region and will help in providing more employment opportunities.
Canada is the country which is highly depended upon the fish and forest industry (‘Bottom Up’
Economic Development Gains Traction, 2011). These are the business that generate more
opportunities and pay more tax to the government. This money is utilized by the Canadian
government in developing infrastructure facilities and giving boost to the local business.
It is very difficult to implement bottom-up model. In this, each people is required to
understand their responsibilities and have to contribute in the success of the nation. These
emphases on that if each individual population concentrate on the basic growth and contribute to
each others well then it may help in improving condition of the nation to great extent. It is fact
that development of the nation can be done by implementing this approach through constructing
informal economics institutions (Bottom-up" vs "'top-down, 2012). This is the way that bring
informal changes in the societies so that development of the local people can be done.
Government has given strength to the many local business and private firms those which are
giving tough competition to the international brands. Involvement of local people assist in
gaining innovative ideas and generating more effective results so that people can coordinate well
with each others and can contribute in the success of the firms. Bottom-up approach has
supported nations in brining positive labour force changes in the 38 fishing communities from
1981 to 1986. Canadian government has taken action where authorities have increased labour
force. By this way single sector labour force dependency has been increased to great extent
(Reaidy, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2015). Thus, now this sector accounts for 10%
employment and hiring more than 100000 people every year ion the country. In the year 1989
government of the Canada has taken decision of reducing fishing pricers and declining fish
stock. But due to this, crises situation has been occurred in the Canada that has affected local
people to great extent. Thus, in the year 1990 Canadian government has announced five year 584
million Atlantic fisheries' adjustment programs where this industry has got funds for the
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development. After that 15% employment opportunities have been increased in the region which
has improved GDP rate in the Canada (Navarro, Woods and Cejudo, 2016).
Bottom-up approach is the model that emphases on utilizing the such geographical area
which has more potential. If strength of the nation is being utilized in effective manner then it
will help in improving condition of the nation and development more opportunists in the regions.
This is the approach in which Canadian government integrates with local gents and involve them
in public policy decisions (Community self-help projects and rural development in Ohafia local
government area, 2012). This supports the authorities in identifying the improvement areas and
making such policies through which poverty can be reduced and per capita income of the people
can be raised. This is the way that support in the alteration of economy condition of the nation.
Bottom-up approach believes in effective collaboration between local people and higher
authorities and developing such ideas that can be beneficial for improving situation of the place.
It is the best tool that not only helps in social welfare but also assist in economic development of
the nation (The impact of the bottom-up approach towards economic development on population
mobility across Mexican municipalities, 2017). The main reason behind this is that in this
approach people get benefit to take advantage of tax polices and public services so that they need
can be fulfilled. Bottom-up approach believes that main stream macroeconomics is able to
stabilise the economy position of Canada and by this way Canadian government can become able
to raise its financial position globally. This give strength to the free market system and by this
way more revenues is generated by the single industry resource town of the Canada (‘Bottom
Up’ Economic Development Gains Traction, 2011).
Over a period of time new market players have come into existence in the Canada. They
have applied self-reinforcing, bottom up approach. This has given rise to the industrial clusters.
This process assist in rising capitalism in the Canada that has helped in stabilising the economic
position of the country. That is the main reason that now Canada is able to perform well and now
it is more ahead in import and export as compare other developing countries. Bottom -up
approach is the method that enhances export activities of the business that gives strength to the
business. This has helped many nations in increasing foreign currency and raising their economy
positions.
Self help initiatives are another approach that provide catalyst to the sustained local
economic development of Canada. Government of the nation continuous try to improve
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condition of rural population. For that they offer them attractive facilities that can minimize their
problems and can enhance their capabilities. Community help projects have been introduced by
the government in this respect (The impact of the bottom-up approach towards economic
development on population mobility across Mexican municipalities, 2017). These programs have
been made with the purpose to improve quality of life of the rural people and provide them more
development opportunities. Self help approach is considered as new paradigm which has been
introduced for the rural development. The main objective of implementing this method is to
enhance well-being of rural people and offer them more effective infrastructure facilities so that
they can live a quality life. Self help strategy is the approach in which some voluntary people
come together with innovative ideas. Under this strategy concern persons develops more
effective economic programs in order to develop more employment opportunities in the country
(Community self-help projects and rural development in Ohafia local government area, 2012).
These programs are helpful in managing the business operations and improving condition of
societies. This strategy inspire people to determine their goal and make changes in the working
areas. This concentrate on the development of communities so that each person can get more
opportunities that can be effective for their development and growth. Canadian government can
advised to the people to share their problems with the concern person and authorities so that
higher authorities can identify their issues and can provide them good solution of this. This
provision concentrate more on technical and social support services (Navarro, Woods and
Cejudo, 2016). This assists in developing infrastructure and other facilities. That gives boost to
the local people that to live a healthy and secure life. Resource towns are small isolated
communities built around resource based industries and transportations. Canada is rich with
many resources such as coal, petroleum, uranium, etc. The small towns that has been developed
around the resource based areas or industrial areas are known as single resource based towns.
Bottoms up approach is opposite from tops down approach in which individual does not
comprehend the whole situation completely (Costa, Eaves and Ang, 2016). Each individual
understand the different parts of the scenario. These systems function as a result of the
application of simple rules by the individuals populating the system. Blacks Harbour is a
Canadian village in Charlotte County, New Brunswick (Kotter, 2018). The village is highly
depended on fishing and packaging. Due to its geographical locations, the place is optimum for
fishing industries. There are three types of communities which are Deadmans Harbour, Tunaville
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and Wallace Cove. These communities are highly depended on the fishing and packaging
industries in order to get adequate resources (Tong, Fux and Anderson, 2015). These
communities have limited knowledge regarding what the fishing industries do in order to
generate ample of profits. Though there are only few fishing industries established in the locality
the locals have been provided with employment opportunity. The management utilised bottom
up approach in order to take helps from them and conduct their business activities. In order to
sustain local economic development, the management of the fishing industries and as well as
communities used bottom up approach. Due to its geographical locations, communities living
nearby Blacks Harbour are totally relied on fishing and packaging (Tong, Fux and Anderson,
2015). Self help initiatives are another approach that provide catalyst to the sustained local
economic development of Canada. As Blacks Harbour is the small village with population less
than 1000, majority of people depend on the fishing and packaging (Blake, Knowles and
Messamore, 2017). It is the tradition of the Blacks Harbour to earn from fishing as in early times
people in Blacks Harbour sustain on the fishing and mostly spend their time in fishing. Due to
the very successful fishing in the area led to the establishment of the world's largest sardine
industry, Connors Brothers Limited (BLACKS HARBOUR. 2018). It was established in 1889 by
Pattrick and Lewis Connors. Since the establishment of the industry, local communities has been
greatly benefited (Costa, Eaves and Ang, 2016). The industry provides employment to the local
people and helps them to sustain the environment. This not only helps in raising their standards
of living, but also helps in developing local economy. The local communities act as catalyst that
helps in enhancing the productivity and profitability of the industries established in Blacks
Harbour and also helps local economy to thrives (Papachlimitzou and et.al., 2015). Over a period
of time new market players have come into existence in the Canada. They have applied self-
reinforcing, bottom up approach. This has given rise to the industrial clusters. This process assist
in rising capitalism in the Canada that has helped in stabilising the economic position of the
country. Bottom Up approach is used by the management of fishing and packaging industries
where they utilise the local communities in order to enhance their business productivity and
profitability. With the help of local communities, the fishing industries thriving in Blacks
Hunters (Damborg, Danson and Halkier, 2017). The industries not only aid in providing the
basic amenities to the communities but also contributing towards the growth and development of
the area. The industries contributes adequate amount of their profits earned in the growth and
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development of the communities living nearby. In return the communities and local people helps
the management of fishing industries by providing cheap labour. As 1986 fishing communities in
Canada was one of the most stable in terms of proportion of workforce. In the evolution of new
technologies and industries, the population has been declining and people seek other source to
earn revenue. Due to lack of education and knowledge, communities living nearby Blacks
Harbour following the old traditions by doing fishing activities. Due to success in fishing
activities in Blacks Harbour one of the largest fishing industry in the world establish its
organisation there (Bosworth and et.al., 2016). The organisation aims to provide adequate
employment facilities to the local communities and by using bottom up approach, the
management of fishing industry able to utilise the help of local communities in order to develop
and sustain in the local environment. Bottom up approach is most effective and efficient
approach which has been used by the organisation in order to sustain and develop in the local
economy and town (Kotter, 2018). Under this strategy concern persons develops more effective
economic programs in order to develop more employment opportunities in the country. These
programs are helpful in managing the business operations and improving condition of societies.
This strategy inspire people to determine their goal and make changes in the working areas.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be understood that bottom-up approach is the technique that
emphasis more on increasing participation with the local communities in order to enhance
development opportunities. Self help initiatives are another approach that provide catalyst to the
sustained local economic development of Canada. Government of the nation continuous try to
improve condition of rural population. For that they offer them attractive facilities that can
minimize their problems and can enhance their capabilities. In this context, with Canada's single
resource town i.e. Blacks Harbour has been studied and how the fishing activities helps in
thriving both the industry and local communities has been identified. Eventually, the discussion
on the proposition that ‘bottom-up’ self-help initiatives can provide the catalyst to sustained local
economic development has been made in the report.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Blake, R.B., Knowles, N.J. and Messamore, B.J., 2017. Conflict and Compromise: Post-
Confederation Canada. University of Toronto Press.
Bosworth, G., and et.al., 2016. Identifying social innovations in European local rural
development initiatives. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science
Research, 29(4), pp.442-461.
Costa, I., Eaves, A. and Ang, K.P., 2016. Documentation of cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)
cleaning behaviour in tanks with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts infested with sea
lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). Fisheries and Oceans Canada= Pêches et océans Canada.
Damborg, C., Danson, M. and Halkier, H., 2017. Regional development agencies in Europe.
Routledge.
Kotter, R., 2018. Making Geographical Connections–via Nova Scotia, Canada. International
Journal of Research in Geography, 4(1), pp.27-36.
Navarro, F. A., Woods, M. and Cejudo, E., 2016. The LEADER Initiative has been a Victim of
Its Own Success. The Decline of the Bottom‐Up Approach in Rural Development
Programmes. The Cases of Wales and Andalusia. Sociologia Ruralis. 56(2). pp.270-288.
Papachlimitzou, A., and et.al., 2015. Organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and plasticisers
in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during
2012. Marine pollution bulletin, 98(1-2), pp.328-334.
Reaidy, P. J., Gunasekaran, A. and Spalanzani, A., 2015. Bottom-up approach based on Internet
of Things for order fulfillment in a collaborative warehousing environment. International
Journal of Production Economics. 159. pp.29-40.
Tong, M., Fux, E. and Anderson, D.M., 2015. Characterization and comparison of toxin‐
producing isolates of Dinophysis acuminata from New England and Canada. Journal of
phycology, 51(1), pp.66-81.
Online
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‘Bottom Up’ Economic Development Gains Traction. 2011. [Online]. Available through
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BLACKS HARBOUR. 2018. [Online]. Available through
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Bottom-up" vs "'top-down . 2012. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-252290>
Community self-help projects and rural development in Ohafia local government area. 2012.
[Online]. Available through
<https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/55c5/625236da5a46a6e3c65b41147016ea91ede5.pdf>
The impact of the bottom-up approach towards economic development on population mobility
across Mexican municipalities. 2017. [Online]. Available through
<https://old.aecr.org/web/congresos/2012/Bilbao2012/htdocs/pdf/p589.pdf>
Top-Down versus Bottom-Up Macroeconomics. 2009. [Online]. Available through
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macroeconomics.html>
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