Actually, I attended because I had all but given up on rural development here in New Brunswick. Since I
returned home in 1964 to start my own business, I have been involved in many community initiatives along the Fundy coast. But still, viewed from the perspective of 50 plus long years, our rural areas, towns, villages and the environment that sustains them, have continued to be diminished. This year (2023) they are being absorbed by the towns and cities.