Island Mobility, Migration and Population Issues: a public symposium
The current dynamics of population change in Prince Edward Island will be the subject of a public symposium at UPEI. The event begins at 7:00 pm, January 21 in the Alex H. MacKinnon Lecture Theatre, Room 242, Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The storm date is January 22.
Population change has always been at the core of the development of small islands, and it is no different on Prince Edward Island. Every day, the public media deliver news about some aspect of population: youth outmigration, rural depopulation, an aging workforce, temporary foreign workers, refugees, wealthy immigrant investors, or numerous other trends. The symposium will provide an opportunity for the public to hear about and contribute to the debate on several of the population issues that are crucial to the future of Prince Edward Island.
This event is sponsored by UPEI’s Institute of Island Studies, in conjunction with UPEI Research Services.
Speakers:
Dr. Jim Randall is a geographer by training and a professor in the Island Studies program at UPEI. He is also Chair of the Institute of Island Studies and Co-ordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies. Dr. Randall will provide an overview of the major population changes taking place on PEI from a “small islands” perspective.
Katie Mazer is a PhD Candidate in Geography at the University of Toronto. She researches the movement of workers between the Maritimes and natural resource industries 'out west.' Ms. Mazer’s presentation will focus on Islanders going west and migrant workers coming into the province through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Looking at government policies and economic forces that pressure people to leave home for work, her presentation asks: Why do so many workers have to go so far to make a living?
Tony Wallbank is a retired business owner and draft-horse enthusiast who has spearheaded the upcoming migration of two communities of Amish farmers from southern Ontario to eastern Prince Edward Island. The first Amish settlers will arrive next spring. He will tell us about the Amish, explain why they find rural PEI attractive, and review some of the challenges in this process of community resettlement.
Members of the public are cordially invited to attend. Admission is free. Following the presentations, there will be ample time for discussion and questions from the floor.
For further information, contact Laurie Brinklow, Co-ordinator, Institute of Island Studies at brinklow@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.
