News & Updates

It is no surprise that with the skyrocketing cost of living and the beginnings of a national housing crisis, homelessness has become a major problem across Canada. Homelessness is very visible in urban areas as it is common to see individuals sleeping in the streets, which is easier to identify than rural homelessness. Rural homelessness […]

TO ALL OF OUR RDN FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES:  Following an extensive search process, the Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Lisa Bélanger as RDN’s Chief Executive Officer.  Lisa has been with RDN for nearly six years, and most recently served as Director of Operations. She is passionate about the organization and committed to its […]

ALBERTA – Oct. 3, 2023 – Earlier in 2023, the Rural Development Network (RDN) partnered with 21 communities across the province to capture a comprehensive picture of rural, remote, and Indigenous homelessness. The results indicated that women, 2SLGBTQIA+, and Indigenous people are disproportionately at risk of being or currently experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness across rural […]

TO ALL OF OUR RDN FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES:  We wanted to share the news of Dee Ann Benard’s departure from her position as Chief Executive Officer at RDN. We previously shared this news in our newsletter and more recently at our Annual General Meeting.  After almost fifteen years with RDN, Dee Ann has decided to […]

The Rural Development Network’s Rural Roots program has thrived in its second year, leaving a lasting impact on rural communities across Canada. With a focus on empowering post-secondary students and rural employers, the program has achieved impressive milestones and overcome challenges through creativity and collaboration. In this blog, we explore the highlights from the past year […]

The Qalipu First Nation is trying to improve its housing strategy by getting more information from the people who need it most. Members of the Qalipu Nation have been travelling across western Newfoundland with the Rural Development Network, a non-profit organization from Alberta that aims to support and amplify voices in Canada’s Indigenous communities. Qalipu […]