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Out-migration plight should immediately
top Premier's agenda advises Opposition Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank and Liberal Opposition Critic for the Departments of Innovation, Trade & Rural Development and Business, says the accelerating and disastrous rate of out_migration can no longer be dismissed by this government and calls on the premier to make it a top priority in the coming weeks and months. Foote was reacting to the news from the town of Burgeo that 300 people have left since Christmas to head off to Alberta to seek work. The mayor has publicly stated that the current out_migration was the largest he has ever seen and is worried that such an escalating trend would eventually topple the town. "Unfortunately, Burgeo is only one community of many throughout our province where out_migration is fast robbing families, workers, taxpayers and youth of a future in our province," says Foote. "Even more alarming is the apparent lack of any serious will on the part of this government to acknowledge, talk about and address this decline in our population and in our rural regions. Even groups like the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and others, such as employers and labour unions, have come together to express their concerns which lends credence also that this is a significant matter. "While this government may have been motivated to address rural issues when they were seeking election, their silence and lack of any real initiative in the areas of fishery and economic development have led many to view moving away as the only solution to securing a better future. This government promised the electorate that they had a plan for rural revival. What has been exposed since 2003 is that they had no plan. Worst still, they have no passion nor any drive to confront and address the issue. The sad and tragic consequence of this lack of effective leadership is that we are now into a crisis; and it is quite worrisome for current and future generations that our social and economic fabric is being permanently allowed to die without even as much as a whimper of concern from this government. "It is evident that the serious issues facing rural Newfoundland and Labrador are not lessening. I caution the premier that while he may be inclined to address higher profile issues, unless he faces up to this rural plight, the collapse of rural Newfoundland and Labrador will be his lasting legacy. It is imperative that he take action to ensure there will be a future in our province for those who want to remain here. Without such action soon, the opportunity to do the right thing will be lost."
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