Signs of the Times.

There are times in the life cycle of any civilization when a major shift takes place, a fork in the road that moves everything in a different direction. These are recognizable in history by certain sign posts along the way. Markers of a clear transition from one way of life to another.

In prehistoric times, perhaps the first such sign post was the discovery of fire. From that day forward ancient people could ward off attack by animals, purify food by cooking, settle into small communal groups and populate the colder regions of our planet.

There have been many such events that have changed the course of history for one civilization or another.

The discovery of the new world, the industrial revolution in Europe, the American Revolution, both world wars, the list goes on and on. At the time these events were taking place it’s doubtful that those closest to them clearly understood the impact they would have on the populace. It is only the clear perspective hindsight provides that allows these moments in time to become clear.

For the province of Newfoundland and Labrador one event that can clearly be defined and examined has to be our entry into Confederation on March 31, 1949. It was an event that changed how we lived, how we saw ourselves and to some degree, who we were.

For better or worse, that particular fork in the road would forever change our lives. But did we know we were making such a fundamental change at the time? One has to wonder if there were any clearly identifiable clues to be seen. Was there some way, ten or twenty years before Confederation, to have sensed the change in the air or recognized that some major event in our history was about to happen?

Let’s examine the situation at the time.

Prior to Confederation, the future province, with the exception of the St. John’s area, was lightly populated and many small communities were scattered throughout the land. This made it difficult for the central government to manage social and economic issues. Not to mention the cost of maintaining infrastructure.

Much of the population was poor.

A myriad of health issues existed and it was next to impossible to meet the medical needs of such a widely dispersed population.

The education system was spotted at best and in some cases practically non-existent.

Many villages and communities along the coasts were all but left to fend for themselves and to survive if they could.

The smallest of communities depended on the fishing industry and cod for their survival.

In the capital city some of the poorest begged in the streets for a scrap of bread.

These were the conditions at the time we entered into Canada and it was these conditions that led the population from many of the hardest hit parts of the land to adopt Confederation as a desperate attempt to improve their lot in life. These were the sign posts of change if you like.

Need brings change. It was true for the cave man, the people of America during the revolution, the countries involved in both world wars and it was true for Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1940s.

Now that we have identified some of the more common signs of change, perhaps by looking around today, we can predict when such major events might happen again. Perhaps we can predict when a shift will occur.

Perhaps, but of course things are not the same today. After 56 years of Confederation we have new shiny buildings, an oil and gas industry, stable government and social programs.

Today, with the exception of the St. John’s area, the province is lightly populated and many small communities are scattered throughout the land. Of course, this makes it difficult for the central government to manage social and economic issues. Not to mention the cost of maintaining infrastructure.

Much of the population is poor.

A myriad of health issues exist and it is next to impossible to meet the medical needs of such a widely dispersed population.

The education system is spotted at best and in some cases practically non-existent.

Many villages and communities along the coasts have been all but left to fend for themselves and to survive if they can.

The smallest of communities depend on the fishing industry for survival.

In the capital city some of the poorest beg in the streets.

Things have clearly changed. No longer do people beg for a scrap of bread, now they beg for loose change or play a guitar for pennies and quarters. The smallest of communities still depend on the fishing industry for survival but now there is no cod to be had.

Nope, no signs here I guess.