The Eastern Townships were a special case in Quebec. Before confederation, they were an English-speaking part of the province, with a very strong economy. Even after confederation, the Eastern Townships had more than 50% of the population of Quebec, and were strongly politically represented at the national level.
However, the lure of Western prosperity proved strong, and many of the anglophone families left the Townships for more lucrative opportunities over the past century. There was also a huge drop that occured between 1970 and 2000, when almost 30% of the English-speaking population left. In a story repeated throughout Quebec, the youngest generation has abandoned Les Cantons De l’Est, and it may be that within 50 years all that will remain of them will be historical buildings.
The economy is no longer particularly strong either. Even within the city of Sherbrooke, which is the economic heartland of the Townships, the average income in 2001 was $26,886; nearly $5000 less than in Montreal. The unemployment rate is at 8.3%, nearly 29% higher than the national rate. (Source: Statistics Canada [Employment Data], [Income Data]). The employment picture is much brighter for Health professionals, whose skills will be needed to deal with the aging population. Perhaps they will be so kind as to turn off the lights when the last elderly patient passes away.
Yeah that was well put, short and simple and to the point. I am from Sherbrooke and I am also an anglophone. I have also heard over a year ago by an unemployment agent that the average income for the eastern townships is also around $26,000 a year. However keep in mind that this includes the population in general, including francophones as well. We both know however that francophones have better jobs and make higher incomes then their english counter-parts. As an anglophone I have never been able to find real work, or work that pays more then $20,000 a year.
Yes, there has been a major decease in the english population here in the townships and I do agree with you fully that in another 50 years from now there will be no angloohones left in the eastern townships. If so then the population will be next to nothing. The older generation of anglophones majorly out weighs the population of anglophones in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s. Any idiot knows that if the death rate in any civilization is much greater then the birth rate then there is trouble on its way. Obviously that means that the population will continue to decrease, not considering all the anglophones that are already leaving the province. The problem also lays in the high unemployment and poverty rate amongst the anglophone community here in the townships. High unemployment and poverty in any community equals low birth rates which then gives way to a domino effect. I remember Sherbrooke when I was a child and I have to honestly say that we were strictly a white town. I think the first time I had ever meet an immigrant was when I was 7-8 years old. Since that time Sherbrooke has had a major increase in the immigrant population. This is strictly due to the government trying to replace the missing population that has been declining here in the townships in the past years. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with immigrants. I was just making a point that if you see a major increase in immigrantion then that is also an obvious sign that there is social economic weakness in our community due to a drop in our population due to low birth rates or people leaving to find work in other provinces or countries.
Well lets put it this way, after 29 years of living with my parents, being single, having no real income due to poor job opportunities because I am english, etc… I am seriously thinking of leaving the eastern townships too. Why continue to live in a place that holds you back and has nothing real to offer you?
Comment by Seabrooke — June 30, 2006 @ 6:05 pm