A Powerful set of Actors - Growth and Globalization in the High North
Professor Gary N. Wilson from Department of political Science of the University of Northern British Columbia explores in the book “Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region”, the changing economy of Northern British Columbia and its evolving relationship with China and other Asian economies during globalization. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Professor Gary N. Wilson at the University of Northern British Columbia has done a study examining the political, economic, social, and historical impacts of globalization in one of Canada´s most forgotten places.
Professor Gary N. Wilson at the University of Northern British Columbia has done a study examining the political, economic, social, and historical impacts of globalization in one of Canada´s most forgotten places. A framework on how things change, and about what happens in the north regions during globalization.
From new mines and resource development projects that will fuel the national economy to ports and pipelines that will link North America with Asia, northern British Columbia’s significance to the global economy is entering a new and potentially dynamic stage.
- A diverse and powerful set of actors and interests has been important for developments in this sparsely populated and remote region, including the provincial government of British Columbia, says Wilson.
Now, as the global appetite for oil, gas, hydroelectricity, wood, and minerals intensifies, this resource-rich and geographically important region in Canada is being pulled onto the national and international economic stages. And by looking at how this regions change during globalization, Wilson hopes to have created a framework for similar arctic regions.
- I hope to have made a framework on how things change, and about what happens in the north regions during globalization. A lot is similar in the Arctic regions, and I have seen possesses similar to the one in British Columbia, he says.
Professor Gary N. Wilson at the University of Northern British Columbia has done a study examining how a grassroots movement within the small regions of Northern British Columbia, after a long period of having a cyclic economy, saw globalization as an opportunity for constant flow and places to work. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Globalization – not only from the outside
-The book «Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region» begins by describing physical, political, and social features of northern British Columbia as a distinct region within the province of British Columbia and in Canada, says Wilson.
It then examines the history of the region from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, with various «waves» of globalization over the last couple of centuries.
Gateway to Asia
The port of Prince Rupert is an example on how globalization has had an increasing impact on communities across northern British Columbia, creating new, well-paying job opportunities.
- It was a small city, but has become a big hub, a global trade corridor "gateway" between North American and Asian markets. Prince Rupert did not exist twenty years ago, and Prince Rupert wouldn’t have existed without local lobbyists and local actors who struggled to make it happen, says Wilson.
The book describes how a grassroots movement within the small region, after a long period of having a cyclic economy, saw this as an opportunity for constant flow and places to work.
- When we think about globalizing, we often think about outsiders affecting us, says Wilson.
-The book «Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region» begins by describing physical, political, and social features of northern British Columbia as a distinct region within the province of British Columbia and in Canada, says Wilson.
It then examines the history of the region from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, with various «waves» of globalization over the last couple of centuries.
Gateway to Asia
The port of Prince Rupert is an example on how globalization has had an increasing impact on communities across northern British Columbia, creating new, well-paying job opportunities.
- It was a small city, but has become a big hub, a global trade corridor "gateway" between North American and Asian markets. Prince Rupert did not exist twenty years ago, and Prince Rupert wouldn’t have existed without local lobbyists and local actors who struggled to make it happen, says Wilson.
The book describes how a grassroots movement within the small region, after a long period of having a cyclic economy, saw this as an opportunity for constant flow and places to work.
- When we think about globalizing, we often think about outsiders affecting us, says Wilson.
As debates about pipelines, mines, and hydroelectric projects intensify in local coffee shops, distant boardrooms, and the halls of "Parliament, the book "Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region" explores how governments, Aboriginal peoples, organized labour, NGOs, and the private sector are adapting to, resisting, and embracing change. Professor Gary N. Wilson recently visited Nord University in Bodø to talk about his research. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
In change
The book describes how regions change, and examines how creative minds coming together can make things happen.
- Still, because of Prince Rupert, which promised much, it´s mostly the larger towns that live well of the profits. The small towns don’t have the capacity to benefit much from the trade corridor. Many people are dissatisfied, and they move to larger cities, says Wilson.
Recently, many small communities have begun to demand to be heard when major projects are planned. One example is the battle against the tar sands pipeline development, which would lead to the industrialization of a vast area of Indigenous territories, forests, and wetlands in northern Alberta.
- People show resistance. They are starting to demand a social license before someone starts to develop and they have a need to be asked first. It´s a movement, and in Canada the Indigenous people have rights. They see the environmental risk and think “What’s in it for me?”, says Wilson.
The book describes how regions change, and examines how creative minds coming together can make things happen.
- Still, because of Prince Rupert, which promised much, it´s mostly the larger towns that live well of the profits. The small towns don’t have the capacity to benefit much from the trade corridor. Many people are dissatisfied, and they move to larger cities, says Wilson.
Recently, many small communities have begun to demand to be heard when major projects are planned. One example is the battle against the tar sands pipeline development, which would lead to the industrialization of a vast area of Indigenous territories, forests, and wetlands in northern Alberta.
- People show resistance. They are starting to demand a social license before someone starts to develop and they have a need to be asked first. It´s a movement, and in Canada the Indigenous people have rights. They see the environmental risk and think “What’s in it for me?”, says Wilson.
Professor Gary N. Wilson of political science at the University of Northern British Columbia and Paul Bowles, professor of economics and international studies at the University of Northern British Columbia wrote the book "Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region", a key reading for anyone seeking to understand the tensions between resource-rich regions and global market demands. It opens with an examination of the theories underpinning neoliberal globalization, provides an overview of northern BC and its history, and introduces local stakeholders and their experiences with globalization. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Prince Rupert is situated on Kaien Island, just north of the mouth of Skeena River. (Illustration: Wikipedia)