Huron Expositor, 2007-03-21, Page 2Page 2 March 21, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
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Rural population drop causing concern
Seili, Dykstra hoping economic development will
by savings.
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bring higher population to local municipalities
Jennifer Hubbard
While they are concerned
about declining populations
in rural areas, Central Huron
Reeve Bert Dykstra and
Huron East Mayor Joe Seili,
aren't taking last week's cen-
sus results to heart.
Released last week by
Statistics Canada, the 2006
census results show a signifi-
cant population decline in the
two neighbouring municipali-
ties.
Huron East's population
dropped to 9,310 from 9,680
or 3.8 per. cent.
"I have a hard time believ-
ing the census. I'd like to
know the percentage of peo-
ple that didn't fill out the
forms. Is this really a true
reading?" Seili asked.
"If you look at our housing
statistics over the last few
years they have gone up.
More homes are being built,
but we're not demolishing all
the old ones."
In fact, Huron East was
awarded a third seat on coun-
ty council following the 2006
municipal election because
its ratepayer numbers
increased.
However, Seili said even a
perceived decrease in popula-
tion would be detrimental to
Huron East.
"We get our funding from
the federal and provincial
governments based on a per
capita assessment. If our per
capita goes down, so does our
funding," he explained.
Business owners looking to
move to the area and banks
considering a funding appli-
cation for local projects
would look at the same
statistics, Seili added.
In Central Huron, the
population decrease
was 2.1 per cent, with
a drop to 7,641 from
7,806.
"Agriculture is a big
issue in Huron County
and it has a significant
impact on the popula-
tion," he said.
"Farmers are getting
older and farms are
getting bigger, so we're
seeing less people
involved in farming."
Looking to his own
experience, Dykstra
said he now farms 800
acres, but his father
farmed 100 acres of
land.
"Agriculture also
seems to be taking a
back seat in our federal
and provincial govern-
ments. Without strong
leadership and invest-
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ments on their behalf, it's
hard for young people to see a
future in farming."
Central Huron also earned
a third seat on county council
in the 2006 municipal elec-
tion.
Dykstra attributed the
jump in ratepayer numbers
to seasonal residents at area
campgrounds that were
included in the most recent
assessments.
Depending on the results of
an ongoing appeal into that
decision, Central Huron may
see a further population
decrease if the campground
residents are taken off the
assessments.
Regardless of the accuracy
of the census results, both
Seili and Dykstra listed eco-
nomic development as a pri-
ority within their respective
municipalities.
"We're trying to bring eco-
nomic development into our
community to focus on keep-
ing the existing jobs, while at
the same time creating high-
er paying jobs, but so is every
other small community in
Ontario," Seili said.
"It's a tough market. I
know at least half a dozen
youth in this town alone
(Brussels) that has gone to
the western provinces to
work."
And while the benefits of
economic development can be
hard to quantify early on,
Dykstra noted "there are a
lot of good things happening
in our schools to let young
people know what opportuni-
ties are available locally."
Central Huron is also in
the midst of creating a busi-
ness plan for an Equine and
Agricultural Training Centre
to be located in Clinton.
"I think we're on the right
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