I want to share with you my submission to the UARB regarding the unique hardships Arthur caused rural residents when it made its visit in July.
Receipt has been verified. It can also be accessed through the Board's website www.nsuarb.novascotia.ca by clicking on "Cases and Evidence", "Find Cases by Case Number" and inserting in "Search Term" Matter ID No. "M06321". Lots of other interesting submissions to read there too.___________________________________________________
Dear Board Members: I understand that today is the last day that your board will officially receive comments regarding Arthur's impact. With apologies for this last minute submission, please find my comments below.
In Kings County residents of District 3 experienced power outages lasting as long as 5-days.
There can be little doubt that the length of the outage had a great impact on the overall economy. It was surely particularly hard for businesses (large or small) already operating on slim profit margins; very difficult for workers who do not have guaranteed hours and who worked for businesses that were closed for an extended period; and all those already struggling to stretch limited dollars beyond their elastic limit.
It would be worthwhile for the board to determine if there was any increase in the numbers of companies or individuals asking for credit counselling or entering receivership or bankruptcy in the months immediately following Arthur.
Where there more loan defaults?
More young families finally throwing in the towel and moving West?
While the social and economic impacts likely impacted all groups in Nova Scotia, I would like to emphasis the need for the board to look at the impact on those living in poverty and those who live a more traditional rural lifestyle.
Here in rural Nova Scotia among seniors and lower-income families there is a tendency to use “the freezer” as a way to increase food security. Through the use of a freezer, food can be obtained at economy prices and sometimes even for free, for use at a future date.
This food includes vegetables grown in backyard gardens; poultry raised at home; meats from game hunting; surplus food donated by charitable neighbours, etc.
Each of these economical sources of food require planning and/or the goodwill of neighbours. Unlike wealthier individuals who can use disposable income to go to a supermarket and replace what is lost, this food cannot be easily or quickly replaced.
First, there may be no disposal income.
Second, home grown vegetables cannot be replaced until the next growing season and/or the deer meat in the freezer cannot be replaced until the next hunting season. It is notable too that the loss of deer, moose meat, etc., from the freezer can also make the traditional foods of Mi'kmaq and First Nations families unavailable for an extended period.
Third, some of a freezer's contents may have been a gift from a concerned neighbour wishing to help a struggling neighbour or senior---replacement will depend on a future ability of that neighbour to help again.
The loss of such food can be devastating to a family's economic security and overall sense of well-being.
I trust the board will take a very hard look at appropriate compensation for all those who have been negatively impacted by Arthur. But, I would ask the board to be especially mindful of those who are already struggling to meet their family's needs.
As a municipal councillor for a rural municipality I urge you to take into consideration the impacts that are unique to rural Nova Scotia and additional to those encountered by urban residents.
Sincerely, Pauline Raven
Pauline Raven
No comments:
Post a Comment