Residents of ‘Canada’s smallest town’ are moving out
Don Collins, the mayor of Tilt Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, is facing a bittersweet moment as he prepares to leave his idyllic hometown. For years, he has enjoyed the simple pleasures of feeding birds on his front deck, exploring the area in his recreational vehicle, and watching birds and seals go about their daily routines. But now, the time has come for Collins and the other residents of Tilt Cove to relocate.
Collins, who moved to Tilt Cove at the age of six and has lived in the same house for 45 years, never imagined leaving. The secluded community, nestled under the copper-stained hills that once housed a thriving mine, has been his home for decades. Only two couples, who are siblings married to siblings, remain in the town, surrounded by hills on three sides and the ocean on the other.
As Newfoundland and Labrador cuts off power to the homes in Tilt Cove, Collins is faced with the reality of moving to King’s Point, a town on the same coastline. The relocation is necessary for health reasons and to escape the harsh winters that make life in Tilt Cove difficult. While the two families received compensation for their move, the amount remains undisclosed.
Despite the sadness of leaving behind his home and the memories it holds, Collins looks forward to being closer to family and amenities in King’s Point. He plans to return to Tilt Cove as long as the road is passable, as he wants to be laid to rest in the town where he has spent most of his life. The three graveyards in Tilt Cove, including one on a mountain behind Collins’ home, serve as a reminder of the community’s history and the people who have come before.
As Collins and the other residents of Tilt Cove prepare to say goodbye to their homes, they will carry with them the memories of a town that once thrived but is now fading into history. The quiet beauty of Tilt Cove, with its old saltbox homes and modern bungalows, will always hold a special place in their hearts.
