Nova Scotia stems youth out-migration.

• Date: 01 September 2019
• Author: Robinson, David

Younger people are leaving the North in droves to find work and better education, according to well, just about everyone. Youth out-migration and the brain drain has been a concern since the 1980s. No one has really tried to do anything about it. Now the aging population and a growing labour shortage have added to the problem.

Most are putting their money into attracting international immigrants. You know, people who will travel tens of thousands of miles to an area where locals don't see great opportunities. It might work. Or it may be time to think more seriously about Northern youth. Retaining their slightly used brains may be more efficient than importing new ones.

The main causes for youth out-migration are a lack of employment, education opportunities and fun. In fact, far more leave for jobs than for education and fun, together, according to a report by Stats Can.

Economic development is the only long-term answer to...