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Over time, much way of life in these coastal towns remained unchanged, even as modernization sought to improve everyday life. Even the fishing industry was changing, as it moved away from salt-cod and towards a fresh-frozen market. Due to this, most communities gradually saw a population decline, and the government of Newfoundland introduced the Centralization and Resettlement programs. These programs sought to relocate the small populations of isolated towns towards nearby, larger communities. In 1965, the Resettlement Act was the final push.

Pressured by the government, a decline of population and the hardships of isolated life, the people of places like Pushthrough, Round Harbour and the like, made the hard decision to leave their homes and ways of life behind for promises of a better future.

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Wreckage of an abandoned boat
Pushthrough Reunion, 1991
Pushthrough, Newfoundland, Canada