Scott

For many years I worked at Alberta Distance Learning Centre. We were forced to re-locate to Barrhead. When an academic institution is forced to live and work in a community, that does not build community cohesiveness. It is unfair to highly educated university staff to live in a small community; it is unfair to the good people of Athabasca who chose to live there. It creates an “us” “them” community.
It means that AU staff will likely be a one-income household unless spouses work at the local grocery store or gas station.
If the government wants to promote growth for small communities, it must carefully choose the resources that would be best suited for this. A self-contained plant of some kind would be appropriate, not a highly academic institution. Good luck with your cause!!