Grant, Walter V.

Parks, D.L.

English

Research Papers in Economics

RURAL DEVELOPMENT  IN NOVA  SCOTIA
D. L. Parks, Deputy Minister, and
W.  V.  Grant, Director, Extension and Economics
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing
In  1965, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Mar-
keting  initiated  a  rural  development  program  as  part  of its  rural
extension  effort.  Studies  showed  that  in  the  future,  the  basic
industries  of agriculture,  forestry,  and  fishing  would  not  be  able
to employ productively all of the available manpower in rural Nova
Scotia,  due to increasing technology in the production process and
a farm consolidation  program.  It was agreed that there was a need
to  assist  people  in  training  for  new  jobs  associated  with  these
industries  or for employment  in other areas.
A joint committee of provincial and federal officials agreed that
a  counseling  service  should  be  established  to  advise  and  assist
rural residents  on  training and  new job opportunities.  The  initial
problem  was  to  motivate  people  to  identify  their needs  and  seek
all possible  assistance  to  overcome  their  deficiencies.  Household
surveys  were  conducted  by  "resource  development  representa-
tives," mature  individuals with a high degree  of training  in human
relations.  It  was  found  that  many  residents  would  not  move  to
established  training  centers  for  training.  As  a  result,  basic  and
vocational  courses  were  organized  within  the county.  This  local
availability  resulted  in increased participation  of students.
The  resource  development  representatives  established  a close
relationship  with  other departments  of government,  both provin-
cial and federal.  This enabled them to counsel people  on all avail-
able  assistance  programs.  A  close  working  relationship  was  es-
tablished  with  Canada  manpower  officials,  as  representatives
searched out  and directed  rural people  to their offices for training
and  employment.  In  1970,  about  650  clients  received  counseling
and assistance.
The  second part  of the rural development  program  was in the
area of community  development.  Councils,  associations,  or other
local organizations  of people  were formed into action groups.  The
first problem  the resource development  representatives  faced  was
to  gain  identity  with  local  action  planning  groups.  Such  groups
were  organized  in  all  areas  and  were  composed  of people  con-
cerned with local development  programs.
The resource development  representatives  provided  assistance
117in organization,  completed surveys,  developed resource materials,
and gave direction in the process of community development.  The
process  emphasized  the  development  of people  in  solving  their
own problems.  A major role of the representatives  was to become
acquainted  with  all government  assistance and technical  programs
so  the  communities  concerned  could  be  made  aware  of  these
services.
The  results  achieved  in  this program can  be  broadly classified
as  follows:
1.  Development  of village sewer and  water systems.
2.  River  control  work  to  develop  rivers  for  fishing,  recrea-
tion,  and  protection of agricultural  lands.
3.  Land use  planning and  mapping.
4.  Development  of recreational  complex.
5.  Establishment of cottage  craft industry.
6.  Development  of community  halls  and facilities.
7.  Establishment of community youth  programs.
8.  Tourist industry  promotion.
Each representative worked  with unique county situations  and
helped  the  local  people  reach  some  of their  goals  to  make  their
area a better place  in which  to  live.
The  rural  development  program  in  Nova  Scotia  is  based  on
the  principle  that  the  resources  owned  by  people  in  rural  Nova
Scotia have many alternative uses. The problem is to develop these
resources  further  and  employ  them  more  effectively.  The  rural
development program is further based on the concept that the local
people  must  be  motivated  to  change,  and  hence  the  process  of
assisting  people  in  their  development  becomes  most  important.
Our department  is committed  to  this challenge.
118

RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NOVA SCOTIA

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