Randall and Ironside Study Questions

Question 1

what are some assumptions about resource-dependent communities that are being challenged?

Answer 1

• community labour forces and economic structures are homogenous
• non-resource sectors play an insignificant role in the communities
• these communities are found primarily in isolated Northern regions

Question 2

what is labour segmentation theory?

Answer 2

• labour force is expected to be segmented into primary and secondary components (“good jobs” vs. “bad jobs”)
• men dominate the field and get paid more than women

Question 3

Are resource-dependent communities homogenous?

Answer 3

• No

- People work in other sectors besides resources

Question 4

Are women working in industries?

Answer 4

• Yes
• Although women are absent in some industries, they are playing more of a role in certain industries (ex. food-processing
• Women are important in these industries, and the more resource-driven the town is, the more women get involved

Question 5

Part-time vs. full-time labour

Answer 5

• Part-time labour is increasing regardless of community type/sector
• there is evidence of restructuring -> cutting full-time employment

Question 6

Community dependency

Answer 6

• the farther away a community is from a CMA (census metropolitan area), the higher the dependency
• median distance = 300km (ie. from Vancouver to Merritt)

Question 7

Economic restructuring in GVA

Answer 7

• employers want to replace full-time workings with part-time
• women are more likely to work part-time, especially as they get older (secondary sector)
• University graduates may have to work part-time before getting hired into a full-time position