Demographic Trends and Implications for Public PolicyThis Page Should Be

• Main Author: Craig Brett
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.200.5654; http://www.gov.nf.ca/royalcomm/research/pdf/Brett.pdf

The population of Newfoundland and Labrador is declining due to falling birth rates and persistent outward migration. The population that remains is ageing and becoming more urbanised. This report examines the co-evolution of settlement, settlement policy and economic development initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is argued that out-migration is not unique to rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and that rural economic development initiatives are unlikely to result in substantial population gains in outlying areas. Moreover, there is no compelling argument that increases in rural population are desirable for their own sake, or as a way to improve overall economic efficiency. The motivation for a policy response to demographic change is based on the entitlement of all citizens to reasonable levels of public services, even those residing in small, rural communities. If no attempt is made to alter the delivery of public programmes, it will become increasingly difficult to provide medical care and municipal services to the more thinly populated, rural areas of the province. Even if it were desirable, it is very difficult for policy makers to exert direct control over the evolution of population structure. However, policy makers need to be aware of