The dictionary defines schizophrenia as a mental disorder that causes a separation between the thought processes and the emotions. In the last couple of weeks we have witnessed government-style schizophrenia around the issue of Employment Insurance. On the one hand,…
Continue ReadingOne more thing on GM
I find it kind of interesting that when Ontario (and Montreal last week) want to do economic development, they don’t fool around with ‘innovation’ or ‘skills development’ or ‘capacity building’. The just give GM $400 million and let them worry…
Continue ReadingHo hum. $750 million for Bombardier
I hear this morning that Bombardier will most likely receive a government incentive package worth some $750 million to expand in the Montreal area (cash, tax breaks, etc.). What’s amazing about Bombardier is that it is starting to look a…
Continue ReadingThose darn multipliers
One of the main ways that economic developers convince government to invest in new economic development projects is by using an economic multiplier analysis. The logic is that for every new private sector dollar invested in a local economy, the…
Continue ReadingNews Flash! Great News!
I can’t believe it! This is wonderful news! The Government of New Brunswick and the Federal Government have partnered and attracted a $2.5 billion auto plant to Moncton! The two levels of government are investing $400 million! No, wait. I…
Continue ReadingEbb and Flow – right out of New Brunswick
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that a central theme of mine is the need for the public to become more engaged in the process of economic development. To start taking this issue…
Continue ReadingDon’t raise the ire of the T&T
We all know what can happen when you get the Times and Trashscript mad. Just ask the proponents of the Fredericton-Moncton toll highway. Or the auto insurance industry. Or, more recently, the provincial decision not to build a ‘cath’ lab…
Continue ReadingThe Town needs an enema
I was recently watching one of Jack Nickelson’s best performances of all time (in my opinion) as the colourful Joker in the original Batman movie. During one of his many profound rants during the film, the Joker yells out ‘This…
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