Mayor Jim Ryan Celebrates Loss of Hundreds of Jobs
Town of Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan celebrated the loss of hundreds of forestry jobs. The Town of Pictou didn’t receive tax revenue from Northern Pulp, so the mayor’s statements are unsurprising.
He called the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs “transformational” and added, “We have a fair bit of both housing and commercial development happening in the town since then.”
Just how well is the Town of Pictou doing?
Town of Pictou Struggles
Image from Town of Pictou report.
The Town of Pictou published a draft of its Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. The document is a snapshot of the town’s financial and economic health. Things are not good.
According to town staff, “Generally, the Town of Pictou has a declining population, has seen a recent substantial residential assessment growth (relating mainly properties selling/removal of cap), has a slowly growing commercial tax base, consistent tax rate, improving but still deficient asset replacement program and a divergent population age.”
This means:
Fewer people shoulder an increasing tax burden
More commercial development is needed
The latest Financial Condition Indicators Report, produced by the Province of Nova Scotia, says the Town of Pictou is aging and notes a five-year population decline of -7.3 percent.
The report states, “Pictou’s median household income is lower than the provincial town average, and it has decreased since 2011.” The report also noted, “The Town of Pictou’s employment rate is below the provincial town average.”
The report concludes that the town is a moderate risk: “This means that while the Municipality has some challenges, it is considered moderate risk for fiscal instability.”
This means the Town of Pictou is in worse shape than most towns in the province.
Poverty High in Pictou County
Chart taken from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report.
According to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, over 21 percent of children in Pictou County live in poverty. That number is up by 10.7% since 2020.
In September 2023, Barb O’Hearn from the Pictou County East Food Bank told Saltwire, “It’s the working-class man that is coming to the food bank and has never had to come before.” Last year, the organization helped approximately 2,000 people monthly.
Development Subsidized By Other Regions, Behind Schedule
The mayor told CBC about the development underway in the town. However, he told XFM that the town’s largest development project is behind schedule.
“Looking ahead, Ryan said the council hoped to be a bit further ahead with some of its major projects with respect to the waterfront plan in the town, noting they are behind.”
Moreover, the town has repeatedly noted it will rely on funding from other levels of government to fund its development plans. According to a presentation the town’s staff developed, its total development plans will cost $35.9 million.
Chart taken from Town of Pictou report.
Its plans depend on receiving $22 million in grants from other levels of government. This means the town needs 61% of development funding from elsewhere to meet its goals.
It is common practice for towns and municipalities to use funds from other levels of government. However, this mayor celebrated the loss of jobs and industry. It is very hypocritical for a mayor to celebrate the loss of industry while expecting other levels of government, who benefit from industry, to dedicate money to its projects.
Good-Paying Jobs Needed
Here’s what we know:
The province says the Town of Pictou is in worse shape than most towns.
The Town of Pictou itself says things aren’t good - more people will have to shoulder a larger tax burden, and there isn’t enough commercial development.
Child poverty is a growing problem.
Its development plans depend on seasonal, service and tourism-focused jobs.
This is not a plan that will solve the town’s problems.
The mayor celebrated the loss of hundreds of forestry jobs. These are full-time, year-round jobs that pay well. The direct employees at mills are well-paid, with an average income of $66,500. The average income for those employed in indirect activities, including forestry and support services, is $58,200. Nova Scotia’s average income is just over $43,000.
Instead of celebrating the loss of these jobs, the town should be looking to attract industry.
