Resettlement (Newfoundland)

The ferry Hopedale calls at a remote outport on La Poile Bay in southwestern Newfoundland in 1971. Such communities as this were depopulated through resettlement programs of the provincial government between 1954 and 1975.

Resettlement in Newfoundland and Labrador terms refers to an organized approach to centralize the population into growth areas. It is used in the current context when referring to a voluntary relocation initiated from isolated communities themselves.[1]

Three attempts of resettlement were initiated by the Government between 1954 and 1975 which resulted in the abandonment of 300 communities and nearly 30,000 people moved.[2] Government's attempt of resettlement has been viewed as one of the most controversial government programs of the post-Confederation Newfoundland and Labrador.[2]

In the 21st century, the Community Relocation Policy allows for voluntary relocation of isolated settlements. From 2002 to 2020, nine communities relocated.[3]

  1. ^ "Provincial Government Announces Changes to Community Relocation Policy". Releases.gov.nl.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  2. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, Volume four, p. 585, ISBN 0-9693422-1-7.
  3. ^ "An emotionally fraught decision: Should residents of remote Newfoundland outports resettle?". Nationalpost. Retrieved 2021-03-15.