Hollowing out (I)

Using stats available at the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, a cleverly colour-coded map showing the percentage change in the number of business enterprises, by Economic Zone, between 1998 and 2006. (The latter year is the most recent for which stats by Economic Zone are made available.)


Only the St. John's area (not quite, but almost exactly like, the St. John's CMA) has shown an increase over that span of time.

Note, in particular, that the four zones hardest hit by this "hollowing out" are the two southern Labrador zones which enjoyed new access via a new highway, and the economic activity associated with its construction; the Gulf coast of the Northern Peninsula, home to one of the province's major tourism draws (Gros Morne); and the southwestern lobe of the Avalon Peninsula, where half of the Voisey's Bay megaproject is slated to take shape.

Those where the relative decline has been less, approximate the distribution of the mid-sized centres, where single large primary industries are coupled with regional service hub functions, along the Trans-Canada Highway.