The only business owner in the once bustling but isolated town of Gaultois on the south coast is suspicious about what sparked the latest debate on resettlement.

The residents of Gaultois, which is only accessible by ferry or helicopter, are once again voting on whether or not to accept a relocation package. The town voted against resettlement in 2015.

According to Statistics Canada, as of 2021, the town had a population of 100. Gaultois saw a huge decline through the 1980s and 90s and lost most of its population after the cod moratorium in 1992.

Ron Simms of Ronnie’s Groceries told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly the latest debate began after a visit to the community by the premier last summer.

He says the premier and their MHA met with council members at that time, and he believes “this is where it all stems from.”

Simms wants to stay, and he believes the push is coming from council itself. He says resettling the residents now is not the right decision.

She says most of the residents are seniors and he fears that uprooting them at this stage in their lives will be “damaging.”