The current dynamics of population change in Prince Edward Island will be the subject of an Institute of Island Studies Public Symposium at MacKinnon Lecture Theatre, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Thursday, January 21, 7‒9 pm (Storm date is January 22).

Population change has always been at the core of the development of small islands–and it is no different on Prince Edward Island. Every day the public media deliver news about some aspect of population: youth outmigration, rural depopulation, an aging workforce, temporary foreign workers, refugees, wealthy immigrant investors…. This Symposium provides an opportunity for the public to hear about and contribute to the debate on several of the salient population issues that are crucial to the future of Prince Edward Island.

Featured speakers include Dr. Jim Randall, geographer and Chair of the Institute of Island Studies and Co-ordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies; Katie Mazer, PhD Candidate at University of Toronto, who is researching the movement of workers between the Maritimes and natural resource industries “out west”; and Tony Wallbank, retired business owner and draft-horse enthusiast who has spearheaded the upcoming migration of two communities of Amish farmers from southern Ontario to eastern Prince Edward Island this spring.

Included is time for discussion and questions from the floor.

Everyone is invited and admission is free. This event is sponsored by UPEI’s Institute of Island Studies, in conjunction with UPEI Research Services.

For further information, contact Laurie at brinklow@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.