DOCSLIB.ORG

Demographics, Social Change and Outmigration on Digby Neck

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Demographics, Social Change and Outmigration on Digby Neck Learning to stay: Demographics, social change and outmigration on Digby Neck Submission to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Environmental Assessment Panel Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project June 27, 2007 Michael Corbett Acadia University Introduction In our last submission to the panel Tony Kelly and I critiqued the methodology of the socioeconomic analysis presented in the Bilcon Environmental Impact Study (EIS). We raised several concerns, none of which was addressed in any follow-up material from Bilcon that I have seen. It is my hope that the panel will take very seriously our critique of the social science methodology. I am resubmitting this document because it fits together with the analysis contained in this piece. I continue to believe that the social science components of the Bilson EIS are deeply flawed. Since this critique is already a matter of record, I would like in this presentation to present some data and analysis from my own surveys and from Census Canada microdata. Reference to the slides in this presentation should be cross-referenced with the Power Point document that I have included with this presentation. All references, tables and the framework of my analysis here come from my book Corbett (2007a). I submitted a copy of the book to the panel at the time of my presentation. I should also like to point out that this study has also been documented in a number of peer-reviewed education and social science journals which I can provide to the panel upon request (Corbett, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007b, 2007c). 1 Demographic change on Digby Neck The general nature of the socioeconomic argument in the Bilcon EIS is fairly simple to summarize. Digby Neck is in permanent decline due to the collapse of the fishery. There is no analysis of this phenomenon, it is presented as a fact of life. The argument then continues with the claim that this basket-case rural economy could be rescued by the Bilcon quarry project. Then finally, and this is the bulk of the EIS documentation, Bilcon argues that things will all be fine and the project will result in virtually no significant environmental damage that cannot be mitigated. So, nature will be protected, and the plants, trees, animals, fish, ground water, etc. etc. will be just fine. As for the people, things will be much better because they will be put to work. (Slide 1) However, the demographic changes on Digby Neck are not quite as simple as Bilcon suggests. The population of Digby Neck overall was relatively stable from the 19th century until the early 1980s when it began to decline. Slide 1 shows village level population change between 1951 and 1991 when Census Canada ceased publishing the Bulletin detailing population counts for unincorporated places. My questions were: who left, who stayed, why, and where they go when they left? I expected to find that by the 80s and 90s when the crisis in the fishery was the news story about coastal communities, that most young people would be long gone. (Slide 2) Well yes and no. What I found is that from the early 1960s to the late 1990s that while only about 30% of people who grew up on Digby Neck remained there, a little more than 60% overall remained living within 50 km of where they were born. It is indeed a fact that Digby Neck, like many other parts of rural Canada, has undergone a radical transformation in the past half century. (Slide 2A) Part of this change has been a change in the numbers and types of people found in the communities. A number of factors are in play here including the list on the slide on the screen. These transformations have indeed had demographic implications. People no longer tend to live in the communities in which they were born. New people arrive from other places. Jobs are created and others are lost. Each of the above forces has created new challenges and new opportunities. In some ways, there is nothing new here. The Stirling County Study found the same pattern in the early 1950s when outmigration was a principal concern for the people of Digby County. It is still the case today. (Slide 3) To connect my analysis to these historical transformations I separated the 36 graduating classes I studied into 3 cohorts. These cohorts represent three distinct periods in the modern socioeconomic history of the community from the point of view of local people. The cohorts reflect the transition from a primarily small boat fishery (early 1960s through early 1970s) through the industrialization of the fishery (mid 1970s to the late 1980s) through to a period of decline in the ground fishery (late 1980s and 1990s). 2 What I found is that throughout the period a cadre of “survivors” remained on Digby Neck. (Slide 4) In terms of raw demographics, I have found this group to be a minority, but an important and resilient one. Surprisingly, the size of this group actually grew from 26% in Cohort 1 to 33% in Cohort 3. This core group has been augmented by another group with which the panel has become acquainted. These people are known locally as the “summer people” and some of them have actually become full-time residents of Digby Neck. Like the resilient 30%, this group of people defends the way of life and the natural beauty, peace and quiet that drew them to the Neck in the first place. There is a third group representing another 30% of the population I studied. (Slide 5) These are people who no longer live on Digby Neck proper, but who remain living within 50 km of the Neck. Combined with the 30% core, approximately 60% of the total group I studied still lives within 50 km of where they were born, mostly in and around the town of Digby. In fact, the cohort of the 1980s and 90s is actually less likely to migrate further than 50 km than older cohorts. In the youngest cohort I studied, those who reached high school graduation age between 1987 and 1998, more than ¾ of males were still living in the 50 km zone. I resurveyed this group in 2005 and found that this percentage was around 74%. So while there is outmigration, much of it has been quite localized, particularly in recent years. To me this does not suggest a broken economy, but rather, one which has transformed spatially from a highly localized village-centric fishery to a more dispersed regionalized one. Parts of this economy have grown in parallel with the expansion of government and private sector services. Health care workers, teachers, social services people, insurance people, accountants, and others whose work is concentrated in the regional service centre of Digby have been part of this demographic. In terms of actual population, Census Canada provides the most complete picture available. Before sharing Census Canada microdata I want to show you how these data are constructed. (Slide 6) The smallest demographic unit available is what is now known as the census dissemination area (enumeration area in 1996). I want to issue a caution here because the dissemination area I call western Digby Neck, which includes the communities most directly affected by the quarry project, also includes part of Long Island. You can see the actual boundaries on the map. In this area, it is difficult to separate Digby Neck from Long Island. (Slide 7) In the case of Digby Neck, Census Canada microdata provide a picture of a community that is declining in terms of population like most of rural Nova Scotia. This should be expected. Family size has decreased and the number of people employed in the fishery has declined. As I pointed out above, due to the transformation of the local economy, many services and jobs have now migrated to Digby and three-quarters of the men in the youngest cohort and 55% of the women remain within 50 km. 3 Actual population in the villages adjacent to the quarry is really a matter of speculation, at least from the point of view of the data I have been able to gather. So let’s assume that half of the population in what I’m calling Western Digby Neck is living on Long Island between Tiverton and Central Grove. The other half is living on Digby Neck between Mink Cove and East Ferry. My guess is that more people actually live on the Digby Neck side given that there were 467 people living in the villages of Mink Cove, Little River, Tiddville, Whale Cove and East Ferry in 1991. Given my assumptions, this would mean that about 956 people are now living on Digby Neck, about 10% fewer than the 1055 living there in 1991. This is a significant decline but not a precipitous one for an isolated community in rural Nova Scotia. It is one thing to say that people have survived. (Slide 8) But how well have they survived? The panel has heard conflicting testimony about this. Some of this testimony fits in with the general discourse of rural decline that is very familiar in the media. But I think most of the testimony you have heard comes from people who seem to feel as though things are not totally desperate on Digby Neck. This slide illustrates average individual incomes for each of the three subregions of Digby Neck. As you can see, average incomes for men in Western Digby Neck are well above those of the town of Digby and the West Nova federal riding which encompasses everything from Argyle on the South Shore to Waterville in the Annapolis Valley.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2019 Bay of Fundy Guide
    VISITOR AND ACTIVITY GUIDE 2019–2020 BAYNova OF FUNDYScotia’s & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY TIDE TIMES pages 13–16 TWO STUNNING PROVINCES. ONE CONVENIENT CROSSING. Digby, NS – Saint John, NB Experience the phenomenal Bay of Fundy in comfort aboard mv Fundy Rose on a two-hour journey between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Ferries.ca Find Yourself on the Cliffs of Fundy TWO STUNNING PROVINCES. ONE CONVENIENT CROSSING. Digby, NS – Saint John, NB Isle Haute - Bay of Fundy Experience the phenomenal Bay of Fundy in comfort aboard mv Fundy Rose on a two-hour journey between Nova Scotia Take the scenic route and fi nd yourself surrounded by the and New Brunswick. natural beauty and rugged charm scattered along the Fundy Shore. Find yourself on the “Cliffs of Fundy” Cape D’or - Advocate Harbour Ferries.ca www.fundygeopark.ca www.facebook.com/fundygeopark Table of Contents Near Parrsboro General Information .................................. 7 Top 5 One-of-a-Kind Shopping ........... 33 Internet Access .................................... 7 Top 5 Heritage and Cultural Smoke-free Places ............................... 7 Attractions .................................34–35 Visitor Information Centres ................... 8 Tidally Awesome (Truro to Avondale) ....36–43 Important Numbers ............................. 8 Recommended Scenic Drive ............... 36 Map ............................................... 10–11 Top 5 Photo Opportunities ................. 37 Approximate Touring Distances Top Outdoor Activities ..................38–39 Along Scenic Route .........................10
    [Show full text]
  • In the Matter of an Arbitration Under Chapter Eleven of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Uncitral Arbitration Rules
    Bilcon v. The Government of Canada Amended Statement of Defence December 18th, 2009 IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION UNDER CHAPTER ELEVEN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND THE UNCITRAL ARBITRATION RULES BETWEEN: WILLIAM RALPH CLAYTON, WILLIAM RICHARD CLAYTON, DOUGLAS CLAYTON, DANIEL CLAYTON, AND BILCON OF DELAWARE, INC. Claimants and GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Respondent AMENDED STATEMENT OF DEFENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA STATEMENT OF DEFENCE: May 4, 2009 AMENDED STATEMENT OF DEFENCE: DECEMBER 18, 2009 Departments of Justice and of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Trade Law Bureau Lester B. Pearson Building 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2 CANADA TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ..................................................................................... 1 II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND........................................................................................... 2 A. Digby Neck, Nova Scotia and the Claimants’ Proposal for a 152 Hectare Quarry and Marine Terminal............................................................................................... 2 1. Digby Neck – Environment, Community and Economy............................ 2 2. The Claimants’ Proposal for a 152 Hectare Quarry and Marine Terminal. 4 B. Environmental Assessment in Canada.................................................................... 4 1. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act........................................... 5 2. The Nova Scotia Environment Act............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geological Map of the North Mountain Basalt from Cape Split to Brier Island, with Comments on Its Resource Potential
    Report of Activities 2005 39 Geological Map of the North Mountain Basalt from Cape Split to Brier Island, with Comments on its Resource Potential D. J. Kontak Introduction preparation and will be published elsewhere (Kontak, in prep.), where it is demonstrated that the sequence corresponds to other continental flood The Jurassic North Mountain Basalt (NMB) forms basalt provinces (e.g. 65 Ma Deccan Traps, 17- a prominent cuesta along the southern coastline of 15 Ma Columbia River Basalt Group) that have the Bay of Fundy, and is contiguous with outliers analogues in the active flows of Hawaii. This along the northern side of the bay (Fig. 1). This correspondence provides a basis for interpreting the prominent topographic feature, roughly 200 km in volcanological features of the NMB (see Kontak, length, is the focus of this paper and the topic of 2002, for discussion). field studies over the past few years (Kontak, 2000, 2002; Kontak et al., 2005). One result of this work is the first geological map of this unit over the Geological Setting length of the North Mountain (Kontak, 2005, 2006), which provides a basis for assessment of the Numerous, early Mesozoic continental tholeiitic area’s resources. Previous work indicated that the basalt flows, dykes and sills formed along the NMB contained three distinct flow units, referred eastern margin of North America, concurrent with to as the Lower, Middle and Upper flow units the infilling of basins with non-marine sedimentary (Kontak, 2002), and the results of this work have rocks during Pangean rupture, as a prelude to the shown that this subdivision can be extended over opening of the present-day Atlantic Ocean.
    [Show full text]
  • Landform Generated: Nova Scotian Example
    Landform Generated: Drumlin (an oval or elongated hill) Nova Scotian Example: Halifax Military Heritage Preservation Society Kuowaqe’jk, Big Pine Hill (Citadel Hill, Halifax) MAIN CULPRIT: WATER & ICE Halifax is known for this large drumlin overlooking the city, dropped by this culprit. Made of unsorted sediment, the drumlin was soft enough to carve Citadel Hill into it. This culprit also left behind a partially submerged drumlin in the harbour. Mélanie Léger, Radio-Canada, 2019 Landform Generated: Erratic (a rock that does not match the rocks of the area) Nova Scotian Example: Kjipanu’pek, Great bay opening out to the sea (Areas along St. Margaret’s Bay) MAIN CULPRIT: WATER & ICE These large granite boulders likely came from the North Mountain batholith and were deposited and exposed by this culprit around 10,000 years ago. Striations scraped into the boulders tell us the direction of the culprit’s movement. Michael C. Rygel, Wikimedia Commons Landform Generated: Lake Basin (the indent where the water of a lake collects) Nova Scotian Example: Pitu’pok/Pitu’paq, Long dish of saltwater/To which all things flow (Bras d’Or Lakes, Cape Breton) MAIN CULPRIT: WATER & ICE This culprit carved the basins of the Bras d’Or lakes, leaving behind stratified sediment. As the lake basins formed, they filled with fresh water, but as the sea level rose, they filled with sea water and marine life. Joseph Apaloo, Research Gate, Jan 2010 Landform Generated: Roche Moutonée (a bare rock with a smooth gentle slope side and a steep, rough cliff side) Nova Scotian Example: Nukumkikewe’jk, At the soft place (Taylor Head Provincial Park) MAIN CULPRIT: WATER & ICE This culprit slowly travelled up the soft sandstone bedrock, making the gradual slope on one side.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Brier Island
    PROCEEDINGS of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA Volume 46 2011 Part 1 SPECIAL ISSUE BIRDS OF BRIER ISLAND By Eric L. Mills and Lance Laviolette © Nova Scotian Institute of Science Affiliated with Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency http://www.accesscopyright.ca Date of Publication, September 2011 The Proceedings of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science are supported in part by a grant from the Department of Tourism Culture and Heritage, Government of Nova Scotia, with the support of the Nova Scotia Museum. Publication of articles, principally but not exclusively in the area of natural and engineering science, will be considered as well as papers emanating from studies in the health professions. Both regular issues and special issues devoted to topics of current Nova Scotian or Maritime interest are published. EDITORIAL BOARD Peter G. Wells (Dalhousie University) ................................. Editor David H.S. Richardson (Saint Mary’s University) ............... Associate Editor Sarah Stevenson (Dalhousie University).............................. Production Editor Gail LeBlanc ........................................................................ Layout and Production Halcraft ................................................................................. Printing Roby Austin (Saint Mary’s University) ................................ Physics Nola Etkin (UPEI) ................................................................ Chemistry Mike Dadswell (Acadia University) ...................................
    [Show full text]
  • Bilcon of Delaware, Inc
    IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION UNDER CHAPTER ELEVEN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND THE UNCITRAL RULES OF 1976 (“UNCITRAL RULES”) - between - WILLIAM RALPH CLAYTON, WILLIAM RICHARD CLAYTON, DOUGLAS CLAYTON, DANIEL CLAYTON AND BILCON OF DELAWARE, INC. (the “Investors”) - and - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA (the “Respondent” and, together with the Investors, the “Parties”) AWARD ON JURISDICTION AND LIABILITY 17 MARCH 2015 ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL: Judge Bruno Simma (President) Professor Donald McRae Professor Bryan Schwartz SECRETARY: Dr. Dirk Pulkowski Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Case No. 2009-04 PCA 122204 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. I GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS ......................................................................................................... VII I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 A. THE PARTIES...................................................................................................................... 1 B. THE ESSENCE OF THE INVESTORS’ CASE ........................................................................ 2 C. THE ESSENCE OF THE RESPONDENT’S CASE ................................................................... 8 II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY ..................................................................................................... 11 A. COMMENCEMENT
    [Show full text]
  • Characterisation of the Sublittoral Habitats of the Brier Island/Digby Neck Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area, Nova Scotia, Canada
    Characterisation of the sublittoral habitats of the Brier Island/Digby Neck Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area, Nova Scotia, Canada J. Andrew Cooper, Claire Goodwin, Peter Lawton, Torben Brydges, Crystal Hiltz, Shelley Armsworthy and Quinn McCurdy Coastal Ecosystem Science Division St. Andrews Biological Station 125 Marine Science Drive St. Andrews, New Brunswick Canada, E5B 0E4 2019 Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3327 1 Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Technical reports contain scientific and technical information that contributes to existing knowledge but which is not normally appropriate for primary literature. Technical reports are directed primarily toward a worldwide audience and have an international distribution. No restriction is placed on subject matter and the series reflects the broad interests and policies of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, namely, fisheries and aquatic sciences. Technical reports may be cited as full publications. The correct citation appears above the abstract of each report. Each report is abstracted in the data base Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts. Technical reports are produced regionally but are numbered nationally. Requests for individual reports will be filled by the issuing establishment listed on the front cover and title page. Numbers 1-456 in this series were issued as Technical Reports of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Numbers 457-714 were issued as Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Marine Service, Research
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix G.PDF
    Expert Report of David Estrin APPENDIxG CEAA CASE STUDY COMPARISON: TIVERTON HARBOUR PROPOSAL IN TIVERTON, NOVA SCOTIA (CEAA SCREENING, 2003/04) WITH THE WPQ Appendix G Comparison ofthe CEAA Processing of Two Proposed Projects in Digby Neck and Islands, Nova Scotia: Tiverton Harbour Proposal (Tiverton, Nova Scotia) (CEAA Screening, 2003/04) White Point Quarry and Marine Terminal (Review Panel Report, October 2007) Summary The Tiverton Harbour project provides an important contrast to the WPQ project. The marine environment (including the species of fish and whales in the vicinity) were similar in both locations. But the potential for disruption and destruction of fish habitat was greater at Tiverton because of underwater blasting and the deposit of a large volume of rock on the harbour floor. At WPQ no underwater blasting would take place. The proponent was the Government of Canada. The Tiverton project was approved in a timely fashion after going through only a screening level environmental assessment under CEAA. Analysis This was a proposal of the Government of Canada (the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to develop a new harbour facility at Tiverton, Nova Scotia, approximately 10 km from the proposed location of the Whites Point Quarry. (Tiverton can be seen on the map on p. 2 of the WPQ Panel Report, just down the road to the south of the WPQ location.) In fact, Tiverton is directly opposite East Ferry, which is on the western tip of Digby Neck. The Tiverton Harbour project required blasting of rock at the bottom of the harbour depositing approximately 65,000 tonnes of rock and stone to create a new breakwater.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment Findings and Suggestions Report Digby/Annapolis Shore, Nova Scotia
    Assessment Findings and Suggestions Report Digby/Annapolis Shore, Nova Scotia Fall 2009 Introduction Community Assessment use in planning a trip: travel books, brochures, the Internet, calling visitor information centers, review IntroduCtIon of marketing materials, etc. - just as you might in planning a trip to an unfamiliar destination. In July and August of 2009, a Regional Assessment of the Digby/Annapolis Shore area of Nova Scotia The region has five opportunities to close the sale: was conducted. The findings were presented in a 1) Personal contact (visitor information centers, two-and-a-half-hour workshop in late September. trade shows, etc.) The assessment provides an unbiased overview of the communities - how they are seen by a visitor. 2) Websites This follow-up report includes our review of local 3) Brochures and printed materials marketing efforts, signage, attractions, critical 4) Publicity (articles) mass, retail mix, ease of getting around, customer service, visitor amenities such as parking and public 5) Word of mouth - the most effective means washrooms, overall appeal, and the communities We tested all of these methods by contacting ability to attract overnight visitors. area visitor information services and attractions, searching the internet for activities, requesting and In performing the Assessment, we looked at the reviewing printed materials, looking for articles and area through the eyes of a first-time visitor. No third-party information, reading online reviews, and prior research was facilitated, and no community questioning regional contacts. We reviewed both representatives were contacted except to set commercial and organizational websites promoting up the timing of the workshop. The towns and the area, provincial and local tourism websites, and surrounding areas were “secretly shopped.” Any read travel articles and guidebooks.
    [Show full text]
  • Fundy Coast ~ ~ ~ Fra
    ~ r"" .............................................................. PAGE F' 169 F F ~ F ~ ~ (F' ~ Fundy Coast ~ ~ ~ fRA ~ ~ ~ fi'A [j) 710 .720 ~ r' ~ ~ I F' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (i5iJ' ~ ~ ~ F ,..~ ~ ~ F' Figure 24: Region 700, Fundy Coast, and its component Districts. ~ Thane Regions: Natural History of Nova Scotia, Volume II ~ ~ PAGE " ...................................................... 170 • 700 FUNDY COAST The Fundy Coast Region has two Districts: During the glacial period the Bay of Fundy was 710 Basalt Headlands deeply scoured by ice and then thickly covered by 720 Basalt Ridge glacial debris. From 12,000 to 6,000 years ago the sea was probably excluded from the Bay. Before this time REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS the sea had covered the Bay and adjacent land areas up to the ice front, forming beach deposits. These old In the central sections of the Bay of Fundy, the beaches are the "raised beachesJJ found throughout coastal zone is protected from the extreme climatic this Region, up to 40 m above present sea level. Then, conditions of the Atlantic Coast. Cape Blomidon on as the ice load was removed, the land began to re­ the south coast and Economy Mountain on the north bound more rapidly than sea level rose and the Bay mark the inland limits of this oceanic influence. The floor was exposed. During this period (12,000 to Fundy Coast is a climatic and vegetation transition 6,000 years ago) the rivers flowing into the Bay in­ zone dominated by basaltic rocks. Coastal sediments cised their valleys down to the new base level. are locally abundant, forming small areas of salt When the last inundation by the sea began 6,000 marsh, gravel beaches, and mud flats.
    [Show full text]
  • Digby Neck/Islands Economic Profile
    DIGBY NECK/ISLANDS ECONOMIC PROFILE Submitted to: Bilcon of Nova Scotia Submitted by: Gardner Pinfold Consulting Economists Ltd. February 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. ECONOMIC PROFILE 1 1. Background 1 2. Digby Neck/Islands 1 3. Population 2 4. Labour Force 3 5. Employment 4 6. Housing Characteristics 6 7. Education 7 8. Impact Analysis 7 II. DIGBY NECK/ISLANDS FISHERY 9 1. Background 9 2. Important Ports and Number of Vessels 9 3. Licensed Fishers 10 4. Value of Fish Landings 11 5. Fish Processing and Aquaculture 13 6. Quarry Impacts on Fishing Industry 13 III. DIGBY NECK/ISLANDS TOURISM INDUSTRY 15 1. Background 15 2. Tourism Assets 15 3. Tourism Businesses 16 4. Scale of Tourism Industry 17 5. Estimated Tourism Economic Impact 21 6. Quarry Impacts on Tourism Industry 21 IV. ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE WHITES POINT QUARRY 23 1. Background 23 2. Summary of Impacts 23 3. Methodology 23 4. Construction Impacts 24 5. Quarry Operation Impacts 25 Appendix A: Community Case Studies Bibliography Gardner Pinfold I ECONOMIC PROFILE 1. BACKGROUND Many parts of rural Nova Scotia are facing changing economic conditions. There has been a decline of the fishery, challenges in the fish processing sector, lack of economic growth, aging population and deteriorating service infrastructure. These circumstances have been complicated by two general population trends: increasing migration to urban areas and a low birth rate. Rural areas are now hard-pressed to retain youth and rejuvenate stagnating economies. Digby Neck/Islands in most respects faces these same challenges. A socio-economic profile of Digby Neck/Islands follows.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to the Geological History of Nova Scotia
    .............................................................. PAGE 13 ▼ T2.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA The geological history of Nova Scotia spans more To explain the causes and pattern of this move- than 1.2 billion years. The major events in this his- ment, the theory of crustal movement called “plate tory are summarized in Figure T2.1.1. A fundamen- tectonics” has evolved. The main arguments for this tal assumption in geology is that the natural laws theory are outlined below. T2.1 operating today also operated in the past. This im- Introduction to the Geological PLATE TECTONICS plies that the physical laws governing rates of History of evaporation of water from the sea, for example, are Nova Scotia the same now as in the past; it does not say that the A century ago, geologists realized there was a prob- rates of evaporation over the Atlantic Ocean are lem in the past distribution of plants and animals. the same now as in the past. Understanding how For example, coal occurs in Spitsbergen and in the laws act today to produce modern climate, Antarctica, where one would hardly expect it; the however, allows one to interpret the record in the Permian reptile Mesosaurus is restricted to South rocks to make deductions about the climates of America and South Africa, and marsupials are re- the past. Application of this principle to the rocks, stricted to Australia; the Permo-Carboniferous flora and to the features preserved in them, shows that of Europe is found also in the United States, in Iran the materials of the earth’s crust have been re- and in Turkistan; the Glossopteris flora of Brazil is worked continuously in the cycle of erosion, found in Antarctica, Africa, India, Australia and deposition, burial, alteration, uplift, exposure and northern Russia; Permian glacial deposits occur in erosion again.
    [Show full text]