Is Rural NL Dying?

Newfoundland and Labrador has a population problem.

Back in 1992 the federal government imposed a cod moratorium. A move that ended a 500-year-old economic activity.

That move but about 30,000 people out of work. It was the largest layoff off of workers in Canadian history.

Since then the lack of work has caused a mass exodus of people from rural Newfoundland.

Some estimates say that 70,000 people have left outport Newfoundland since then.

The province also has crippling debt. Maintaining services to all these isolated communities is costly.

Which brings up the possibility of resettlement. When resettlement happens, the government withdraws all services, such as garbage collection, health care, schools and electricity.

While people may choose to live in the community, they have to apply to keep their property must provide their own services.

The population is expected to drop drastically in the next 10 to 20 years.