The solution is certainly that when Nippers Harbour votes en masse for relocation, the Province says yes. Even if moving them costs a few million more than keeping them going for 10 years where they are. Such measurements don't take into account the symbolic value or the potential benefits those people will bring to their new, larger community.
Beyond that... There's not a lot we can justly do. We can start by regionalizing hospitals and schools. We should be able to service the entire province with 5-10 large hospitals. Not 15. Then we need to have community clinics in regionalized schools. They should be attached like a booze store on a Sobeys. Minimal staff for triage, light treatment, and referral if necessary.
We need to provide an incentive for individuals to move to a town with, say, 3,500 people or more. You should have some financial incentive to move from Goobies to Clarenville.
It's a good time to make big moves. Old folks love moving to the nearest town with a hospital. And these especially rural areas are aging fast.
And then we also need some consideration for heritage. A place like Bonavista needs to survive no matter what. It is who we are.
Beyond that I don't know. But healthcare and education are more than half of our budget. If we can get those working, we will be fine for a generation or more.
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Note to self: "The plural of anecdote is not evidence."
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