Recent comments from a local municipal council illustrate the problems which could result from the federal government’s ill-advised decision to declare some lighthouses, marine beacons and other signals surplus.
Last year, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans declared 25 active and 10 inactive lights in the Strait area surplus to their needs following the passing of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
During a recent meeting of Antigonish Municipal Council, one councillor mentioned that fishermen in Antigonish County feel there is a real value to lighthouses, they rely on them and there is a strong cultural and heritage attachment to the structures.
Noting that the same issue arose during the recent Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities meeting, the councillor said the costs, maintenance and upgrades for lighthouses will now be downloaded unfairly from the federal government.
Since many municipal units are facing financial challenges, she said it is impossible to ask them to assume full responsibility for lighthouses.
And given that the Province of Nova Scotia has already agreed to protect certain popular structures, like the Peggy’s Cove lighthouse, and also faces fiscal limitations, it’s clear they too cannot take on this challenge alone.
That means residents and local organizations will be on their own in finding the money, resources and time to keep the structures working, or risk losing them altogether.
As if some groups don’t already have enough pressures on them, with the scarcity of younger families, good paying jobs, and the disposable income to fund them locally, they also have to contend with an aging population, fewer resources and volunteer burn-out.
To now expect these same groups will be able to find the funds, volunteers and ideas to keep some of these historic lights running, is expecting far too much.
Beyond the limitations of local groups, communities and residents, is it too much to ask that government plays some role in preserving these structures for the public?
If the federal government could establish a fund to which provincial and municipal government could also contribute to help these groups bridge funding gaps, and if all levels could provide knowledge, skills and technical assistance to these groups, there might be hope.
So to answer the question; no, it’s not asking much.