And there are so many interconnected issues here that increase the problem in a cyclically compounding way. As people leave, the tax base shrinks. However, CBRM expenditures don't. We don't like layoffs, and we don't like not seeing wage increases. People are leaving at the rate to 450-500 student bearing families per year. As they leave, growth in the tax base either stagnates or contracts. Note: Lacking statistics here. Assumptive heuristic. The only way to fund the CBRM is to increase its revenues, as we may continue to see increased taxes. A secondary unmitigated factor is high energy costs, which are exacerbated in the many homes that are old and energy inefficient. Holding all other (and numerous) adverse economic factors aside, high energy costs and rising taxation further discourage home ownership here (even for new home builds). That builds a business case for leaving that it doesn't take an economist-type thinker to understand. They feel it every time they get an oil bill, a power bill, a tax notice, or have to book another trip to fly back out West, etc. And these are the factors that over time are so evident to people that they realize that moving is in their best interest, to make a better life, and that living in a depressed socioeconomic environment shouldn't be a requirement for patriotism to an island. Without digging down and doing the research and number crunching, I've pondered whether living as a snowbird for 6 months in Florida or other affordable destination outside Canada might actually be more cost effective than staying here during our highest energy consuming months of the year.