| Last updated at 9:46 AM on 25/11/09 |
Bring Prince Edward Island back to the land 
OPINION
RYAN O'CONNOR
One of the enduring problems facing Prince Edward Island is the exodus of young people from rural communities. Seeking jobs and other opportunities not available in the countryside, they flock to Canada's urban centres. This problem has existed for generations and, although an assortment of solutions have been attempted, rural flight continues unabated.
Perhaps we ought to try a new approach to sustaining these communities.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to interview members of the province's back-to-the-land community. Most came in the 1970s, choosing life in rural Prince Edward Island over that in the cities of Canada and the United States. They were young - most were in their 20s - and they were idealistic. They were attracted by the beauty, the sense of community, and the plentiful, cheap land. These were the days, after all, when you could buy 50 acres for $6,000.
Thousands came during the '70s. Some stayed a few months. Some stayed a few years. Others never left. One thing that is certain is that these people contributed greatly to the province, not just economically, but also culturally. A talented group, they have helped shape Prince Edward Island through their music, their stage productions, and their handicrafts. We would be the lesser without them, and I think it is important to recognize this fact.
While we tend to associate the back-to-the-land movement with the 1970s, many continue to espouse its core values. What has changed, however, is that land prices have skyrocketed to the point that a young person interested in pursuing this lifestyle can no longer afford to do so.
Herein lies an opportunity for the leaders of this province. Why not promote Prince Edward Island as a destination for a new generation of back-to-the-landers? The government could provide a combination of grants and loans to young people interested in settling areas of the province that have been ravaged by out-migration. Enable them to purchase a few acres and to erect shelter in exchange for a commitment to develop sustainable, eco-friendly enterprises. Make their funding contingent on maintaining residence for a minimum period of time, such as five or 10 years. Some will leave before that, but others will stay longer. In the meantime we'll have attracted young people - many of whom will have children - that will help revive communities that may otherwise perish.
In addition to the funding, the government could provide classes and workshops on small woodlot management, operating tools such as chainsaws, organic farming and marketing. Provide these people with the skills they need to succeed in their new environment.
There would be costs involved, but they would be minor compared to the potential benefits. What it will take is political leadership. But when it comes to the rural communities of Prince Edward Island, how can we afford not to act?
Ryan O'Connor is a PhD candidate in history at the University of Western Ontario. A native of Prince Edward Island, he and Prof. Alan MacEachern created a digital history project, 'Back to the Island: The Back-to-the-Land Movement on P.E.I.', based on the interviews he completed in 2008. This website can be found at http://niche-canada.org/backtotheisland
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