New standard helps assess the well-being of rural communities
Rural communities are vital to Canada’s economic success and, according to Infrastructure Canada, contribute 30% of the country’s GDP. However, due in part to inconsistencies in the availability, collection, and sharing of rural data, there are challenges in measuring and assessing many aspects of rural communities, from economic and social well-being, the state of infrastructure, to the environment.
CSA Group, with support from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), has developed a new standard that will help address these challenges. CSA R113:22, Indicators for Rural Community Well-being, Services, and Quality of Life provides definitions and methods to identify and measure the well-being, services, and quality of life of rural communities in Canada, along with requirements and recommendations for data access and utilization. This new National Standard of Canada is intended to promote the consistent use of common definitions and the measurement of seven key indicators of healthy conditions in communities, including; economic, environmental, health, housing, institutional, population and social & culture.
“Community leaders need reliable and consistent data to make decisions that will help secure a sustainable future for municipalities,” says Michael Leering, Director, Environment & Business Excellence, CSA Group. “This new standard will help enable rural municipalities and organizations to develop evidence-based decision making necessary to move forward on policies and programs in key areas of importance for healthy communities.”
“This standard will help unlock the potential of data analysis for driving innovation in rural administration and business settings,” says Chantal Guay, CEO of SCC. “This creates more opportunities to enhance competitive advantages for small businesses, and make life safer and better for small communities across Canada.”
About CSA Group
CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. We are a leader in Standards Development and in Testing, Inspection and Certification around the world including Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. Our mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard.
About the Standards Council of Canada
Established in 1970 as a federal Crown corporation, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is Canada’s voice on standards and accreditation on the national and international stage. SCC works closely with a vast network of partners to promote the development of effective and efficient standards that protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians while helping businesses prosper. As Canada’s leading accreditation organization, SCC creates market confidence at home and abroad by ensuring that conformity assessment bodies meet the highest national and international standards. SCC advances Canada’s interest on the international scene as a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) by connecting thousands of people to global networks and resources, opening a world of possibilities for Canadians and businesses.