Core/Periphery Areas, Obstacles to Transition, and Required Conditions
The core-periphery model distinguishes between urban (core) areas that are better developed and the less developed rural (periphery) areas. The core-periphery model can examine countries, provinces, and cities’ economic, social, and political relations. The core-peripheral relationship is built on exploitation, where the core regions gain an unfair amount of political, economic, and social power primarily due to the influence of capitalism.
The core areas predominantly have a high population due to immigration. Most of the youthful population moves to the core areas in search of better opportunities in terms of well-paying jobs due to a vibrant capitalistic economy and social life (Stadel, 2009). On the other hand, periphery areas are inhabited mainly by the elderly and have lower living standards, slower economic growth, lower wages, and fewer social welfare. The periphery regions’ resource dependency on the core regions brings out the power imbalance between the two.
However, the economic growth rate in core areas and the living expense force people to migrate from the core to the periphery. The core areas often face pressure to satisfy a growing population’s demands. The transition process is riddled with several obstacles. Considering that huge developments mark core areas, there has to be the necessary infrastructure, including adequate land for expansion and accessibility to resources such as roads, water, electricity, and sewage (Papachristou, 2021). Periphery areas with vast resources attract government investment that makes the transition process easy. Accessibility to trade power is another barrier that could hinder a periphery’s growth.
Alberta is an example of an area transitioning from a periphery to a core region. The region is endowed with vast oil and gas resources that have attracted investment and a surge in people looking for jobs. This recent heartland growth is propelled by the “Lethbridge – Calgary – Red Deer – Edmonton Corridor.” In particular, Calgary and Edmonton have emerged as two rapidly growing core areas (Stadel, 2009). In Vancouver and the British Columbia regions, ports and canals have played a significant role in driving the part to urbanization. British Columbia has managed to develop and maintain trade relations spanning into the United States and other countries because of the canals.
Some periphery regions may have adequate resources but need help to grow into core areas. These regions could have limited prospects of striking business relations at the national or global level (Kostoska et al., 2020). International trade can harm export-dependent core areas, such as Ontario. Nonetheless, with an ever-changing economy, the core and periphery areas can shift, given that the current state is not fixed and regions rely on each other. Every obstacle must be overcome, provided viable offerings in any peripheral area can transform to the core.
Areas of Tension or Divisions in Canadian society and their Significance for Canada’s Present and Future
Bone argues that Canada’s present and future state depend upon four aspects that can either foster growth or cause disunity. The four aspects, English/French, centralist/decentralist, Indigenous/non-Indigenous, and newcomers/old-Timers, are each based on one specific element (Bone, 2018). These are language, power, geography, and duration of stay in Canada. These four elements have been under sharp focus as they have triggered ongoing debate locally and globally. Bone argues that they represent the boiling tension within the broader Canadian society, threatening the country’s current and future cohesiveness.
Canada comprises two antagonistic official languages; the French Canada and English Canada. French Canadians form considerable minorities in all other provinces apart from Quebec and British Columbia. Newhouse (2017) states that three out of every ten Canadians speak French, and the language has refused to dissipate. The government has implemented measures that dub Canada a dual nation such that both languages are officially used concurrently in the currency, postal stamps, Supreme Court, and parliament. The action helps to ensure that each group is catered for to avoid contestation between the two groups.
The centralists or decentralist fault line emanates from the divergent views on the form of administration. The centralists support a solid central system of governance, while decentralists favor a devolved system. The divergence is based on regional interests, economic stature, and political culture. However, the current system of governance involves both federal and provincial administration. People continue to provide their opinions of the administration of different aspects, such as healthcare and education. The governance structure can be improved to cater to the interest of all parties.
The relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people presents the central fault line threatening the current and future cohesiveness of the Canadian community. The Aboriginal people have endured genocide, exploitation, and pain christened in decency and cultural “acceptance.” Most of Canada’s Aboriginal people dwell on society’s fringes. The natives reside mainly in the rural areas and the Territorial North and struggle with low living standards due to limited access to clean drinking water and irrational education funding (Gilmore, 2017). A better and cohesive Canada should strive to improve the lives of the Aboriginal people. The creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been a significant step towards reclaiming their lost hope.
Canada has been open to newcomers from all over the world, including Europe, France, and the United Kingdom. They have contributed to Canada’s healthier economic, political, and social structure. Older immigrants have established the norms and rights that must be obeyed making it challenging for newcomers, particularly non-white immigrants, to prove themselves. The English and French speakers have found it easier to get work and establish relationships in a new country. Bone (2018) states that those who cannot make amends are forced to leave the country or work in low-wage occupations. The Canadian government has declared Canada a multicultural country with new immigrants expected to bring unique cultures, demanding compromises on both sides.
Identifying Regions – Physical, Historical, and Social/Economic/Demographic Characteristics
Image 1: Western region of Canada
The glacial front and color of the water show that it looks like a glacier area in the Western Canada Region. It could be the border between British Columbia and Alberta’s rocky mountain area in the National Parks. The high, snow-peak mountains look to be a part of the small piece of the Cordillera along the Rocky Mountains. The mountainous landscape and parks attract many national and international tourists. It is a magnificent geography with mountains covered in blankets of a snow and a lake, both of which are distinct attributes of the Rocky Mountains. There are three critical passes used for transportation that cut through the Rocky Mountains: Kicking Horse, Yellowhead, and Crowsnest. The region is predominantly inhabited by English-speaking immigrants who were attracted by the vacant lands and fertile soils of the prairie provinces. The farmers largely practice wheat farming where they use mechanization to reduce reliance on human labor as the rural population densities remain low.
Image 2: Atlantic Canada
The picture depicts Atlantic Canada, which was once a prosperous region. However, it has fallen behind the rest of Canada in economic development. The region’s geography is remarkably diverse and lacks large, uniform areas. Atlantic Canada’s economies primarily rely on one resource, which is fishing seen in this image. Atlantic Canada’s historical dependence on the fishing industry determined settlement patterns that changed with the industry. The Atlantic Canada region is the economic anchor for the fishing industry, and this picture also shows a large body of water with boats that seem to have traps set or nets.
Image 3: British Columbia
The image looks like it would be in British Columbia, possibly near or on one of the west coast Islands, like Vancouver Island. The fog seen off the distance in the waters shows that it could be a mild west coast climate, which is unique to the area. British Columbia is part of the Cordillera region, and the picture looks like it could be situated within them, defined by the alpine tundra, coastal rainforests, and dry interior. The part has beautiful pacific coastlines and natural areas like the Glacier National Park, which offers the residents campgrounds, biking, and hiking trails. British Columbia is home to the Whistler Blackcomb, a dominant ski resort that played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler is linked with Vancouver by the picturesque Sea-to-Sky Highway. Vancouver City is renowned for its film industry, involving movie productions near the province’s southern boundary with the United States. Only 2% of British Columbia’s soil is arable, but the region is an expanding powerhouse within Canada with a sizably growing population, finance, and business activities. Many people have been attracted to the area for its many advantages, making it Canada’s third-most populous province.
Image 4: Western Canada
The image captures a region busy with industrial activities reminiscent of an agriculturally productive area, as evidenced by a refinery plant that can be seen from afar. The interior Plains of Western Canada are densely populated with some level of urbanization spanning most of Alberta and parts of British Columbia, Manitoba, Yukon Territory, and Saskatchewan. The Fertile Belts provides farmers with reputable nutrient-rich soils with deeper ancient roots within the region. The vacant land with a train rolling through looks like the scenery a person would see riding the train through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or parts of Alberta. Another reason to think it might be the prairie area is the uniform landscape that appears more like farming.
Image 5: Territorial North
Canada’s Territorial North has abundant natural resources but remains slow to develop. The region appears to be more on the Artic side than the Subarctic. With a widely dispersed population, the Territorial North is the largest region within Canada. However, it hosts a small population of Canada, about 3%, which majorly includes the Aboriginal people. The specific area is a Labrador in the Torngats Mountains. The soggy sponge-looking site makes it look like parts have melted, and the frozen permafrost would prevent water from fully draining. This led to the creation of the small pools seen in the photo.
References
Bone, R. M. (2018). The regional geography of Canada (7th ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Gilmore, Scott. (2017). The North and the Great Canadian lie. Maclean’s. Web.
Kostoska, O., Mitikj, S., Jovanovski, P., & Kocarev, L. (2020). Core-periphery structure in sectoral international trade networks: A new approach to an old theory. PLoS ONE, 15(4), 1-24.
Newhouse, D. (2017). Using our good minds to foster reconciliation: A story of optimism. Canadian Review of Sociology, 53(4), 482-487.
Stadel, C. (2009). Core areas and peripheral regions of Canada: Landscapes of contrast and challenges. In J.L. Luzon & M. Cardim (Eds.), Estudio de casossobre planification regional (pp. 13-30). Barcelona, Spain: University of Barcelona.
Papachristou, M. (2021). Sublinear domination and core-periphery networks. Nature News.