Moncton — For the first time in two decades in New Brunswick, the population has declined for nine straight months — or roughly the gestation period of a human being.
“Population decline is a huge issue in New Brunswick, because it leads to a downturn in the economy and our prosperity as a community,” said economist David Campbell of Moncton. “That’s why we need women to stop having so many arts and humanities students, and start focusing on creating people who can work with their hands in practical ways.”
Jim Mehan, Deputy Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, said that many high school grads are choosing the path of least resistance: a four-year degree at STU or UNB, or just staying home with their parents.
“An aging population alone is tough to combat, but to fight the impending labour shortage, one thing we can do is pressure women to consider having more useful kids instead of those who are destined to work in HR or middle management. We don’t need any more public servants, writers, bloggers or whatever — we need people who can build things, make things…and I’m not talking about crafts.”
Mehan said a new incentive will help encourage women to give birth to more skilled tradespeople.
“Starting in 18 years, if your child studies a trade, we will retroactively reimburse twenty per cent of the cost of raising them, provided you keep all the receipts. This will means thousands back in the pockets of families who raise these useful members of society!”
Like elsewhere in Canada, we are facing a housing deficit in New Brunswick, and costs of new builds are increasing, partly due to a lack of skilled workers.
Paige Richardson, 33, of Moncton is pregnant with her first child, and said she intends to help out her province by making sure her child become a skilled tradesperson.
“Some of my friends have kids who are definitely not going to help when it comes to the labour shortage — I can already tell,” said Richardson. “My child will have toy tools, not Barbies. Band saws, not books.”
Richardson said to ensure her unborn child grows up to pursue a skilled trade, she’s been playing lots of Metallica and AC/DC on her headphones. “Then I hold them up to my belly and let the baby hear the sounds of the working class. I hope it helps!”