I've seen those things cycle from successful to very poor - it depends very much on support and leadership. In any event its a hard job administratively to support.
Portage La Prairie has a population of 13,000 and 13 Bty (which has a long distinguished history) has always struggled to put more than a dozen folks in the field. And they are the only game in town. In the 2022 Canadian Gunner 10th Fd Regt from Regina (with a battery in Saskatoon), 26th Fd Regt from Brandon (which includes Portage and where the arty is the only game in town as well) and 116 Ind Fd Bty in Kenora numbered 119 all ranks (That's not just actively parading; its 119 total counting everybody). Five batteries do not have enough people to even man one full battery. Brandon has 40,000 folks but is a catchment area for 250,000. Regina has 225,000 and around another 50,000 in the area (leaving aside Moose Jaw and Saskatoon which are nearby and constitute another 350,000+)
It goes beyond the guns though. SK, MB, and NW ON which includes Thunder Bay has a population of around 2.7 million mostly in a line along the Trans Canada and Yellowhead highways. 38 Bde which covers that area has a total of a mere 1,200 all ranks. You'd think it could be a lot stronger based on its mix of urban and rural communities.
I'm really of mixed minds on this issue. IMHO these rural areas should be doing much better. There's enough of a population base to support more. I'm really guessing here but I have to believe its the poor resourcing and marginal training. I'm not sure if the model I keep touting is the answer. Essentially my model would turn the five battery 38th Arty Tac Group into two batteries and a troop which would serve combined with a RegF gun battery and an FOO battery out of Shilo consolidated under a RegF CO and training on the RegF equipment (plus all the other recommended prerequisites for the reserves). I can't help but things would get better.
It couldn't really get worse.
Canada needs better incentives for recruiting and retention.