Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Geography & Environmental Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Brenda L. Murphy

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

This dissertation examines how spatial inequities, governance structures, and local agency shape the pursuit of climate resilience in rural Ontario. Drawing from Critical Environmental Justice Studies (CEJS), it advances the concept of just resilience—a framework that connects environmental justice to spatial and institutional dimensions of rural adaptation. The research addresses a central question: how do small, resource-constrained communities navigate climate change within systems that both demand and restrict local resilience? Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, the study compares two rural municipalities—King Township and Woolwich Township—that represent contrasting capacity and governance conditions. Data were collected through an environmental scan and 58 semi-structured interviews with municipal staff, elected officials, conservation authorities, community organizations and policy experts. Findings reveal that resilience is unevenly distributed across space and power. Structural inequities—such as policy downloading, underinvestment, and capacity constraints—create injustices in waiting. Yet rural communities continue to demonstrate ingenuity, cooperation and strong place-based stewardship. Six themes of analysis (determined voices, structural inequities, capacity constraints, mainstreaming, working together, and growth pressures) illustrate how justice and resilience interact within rural governance systems. This research introduces the Rural Ontario Just Resilience (RO-JR) Model, which spatializes CEJS by showing how multi-scalar governance relations, institutional power and local agency intersect to shape adaptive capacity. Ultimately, the research argues that achieving resilience in rural contexts requires confronting the spatial organization of power that sustains inequity.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Spring

Download

Available for download on Monday, November 23, 2026

Share

COinS