Helping communities help themselves: Industry-community relations for sustainable timber-dependent communities

Abstract

Social, political and economic conditions are changing in rural Canada. The forest industry has operated in rural communities throughout the nation for several centuries and the relationships between forest companies and communities have evolved over that time. This paper outlines a model for company-community relations that will foster sustainable communities given the new realities that exist in rural Canada. The model will benefit forest industry firms as well as the communities that host them. Six problems that inhibit sustainability in timber-dependent communities are outlined and several ideas for corporate action to address these challenges are offered. Among these are supporting human capital development, leadership development, and entrepreneurship; nurturing healthy communities; and ensuring that costs and benefits associated with timber-dependence are distributed evenly across regions where specific companies have a sphere of influence and within specific communities where companies operate. Key words: Company-community relations, human capital, entrepreneurship, leadership development, equity, corporate responsibility.