To The Editor,
I call your attention to the recent articles published by “The Review” namely “A look at the Trump tariffs in Prescott-Russell (dated July 24th) and “School Profiles tells a story about UCDSD school enrolment, facility costs and more” (dated August 8th).
Both of the articles illustrate the fragile nature within our community and how influences inside and outside our community potentially change the landscape of our economy.
Local industries are having to weigh the possibility of product price increases thereby reducing their competitive nature or consider relocating to more favourable areas which inevitably effect employment.
Technology has provided a multitude of innovations in almost everything we do today and it is forecast thirty (30%) of jobs will eventually be replaced with robotics. Some effects will mean job losses and reduced wages for those menial jobs to support the robots and sustain the profitability of companies.
The reduction of our youth within the school system clearly demonstrates we are a maturing population. The lack of opportunity locally, dictates that upon graduation students’ futures are not in our community. This too, is justification for young families not to locate here thereby directly affecting the opportunity for necessary renewal and growth. (Footnote: It would be interesting to examine the Separate School Boards version of the School Information Profile (SIP) for additional insight on the future of education in the region.
Ultimately, these factors contribute to a greater reliance upon social programs and an increased burden on our tax base.
As an old fart, yours truly included, one may say, I’ve lived my life so let the next generation look after the future. However, we did not grow up with a defeatist attitude. We did everything we could to provide our children with every advantage.
This impacts us all. Rest assured your cost of living will inevitably increase through taxation at all levels of government. Depleting pension incomes, investments and raising costs. The everyday expenses we take for granted will require our serious consideration of their importance. Food, gas, electricity, prescriptions, clothing and accommodations shall need to be prioritized according to individual incomes.
As an old fart, yours truly included, one might say, I’ve lived my life so let the next generation look after their future; however, our parents instilled us with a positive attitude and we likewise have done everything we could to provide our children with every advantage.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge and concur with the comment expressed in the “Letter to the Editor” submitted by Kerry Franklin of August 8th and encourage YOU THE VOTER to challenge those seeking election to provide their plan and commitment for the future of our community.
Our community has to be progressive and aggressive to thrive.
Jim Walsh,
L’Orignal.