All elements of this data-gathering process followed strict, ethical guidelines and considerations. Employers were asked to recommend participants for the study, and these individuals were sent a Participant Letter of Invitation, (see Appendix A). The Employer Letter of Invitation (see Appendix E) clearly described the requirements of the project to the employers in this project and asked for approval to seek participants from their staff. All information from interviews was and will be kept confidential. Research informed consent forms (see Appendix F) were obtained from all participants, as was confirmation from their employers of the availability and support required to participate in this project.
One hour was scheduled with each participant during October 2006. Upon signing a Research Informed Consent form (see Appendix F), the first contact was a telephone interview and focussed on the life and work conditions of the rural and northern EC and what they believed they needed to be more effective. The phone interview questions are attached as Appendix B. The second step in the research process was to bring all research participants together for two face-to-face focus group sessions. The group was brought together for a one-day workshop in The Pas, Manitoba. The group had a lunch break between focus groups and were led through a review to help them re-focus on the next session. The audio discussion was digitally recorded as granted by signing of consent forms (see Appendix F). Questions for the first focus group centred on the work and employment systems of the EC and what they felt they needed in order to be more effective (see Appendix C: Focus Group One questions).