It's The Economy, Stupid

Just a quick follow up to my previous, somewhat forceful, blog on auto insurance. I am not advocating that governments do nothing when a key cost of living component such as auto insurance (or electricity or gas for that matter)…

In this blog, I sometimes can be quite critical of government – particularly when it comes to economic development. Today, I turn the gun on the opposition – namely, the Liberal Party of New Brunswick. Today, I read a press…

Just finally got around to reading Lucien Bouchard et. al’s manifesto Pour un Québec lucide. http://www.pourunquebeclucide.com I even like the use of the word ‘manifesto’. It has a vigorous tone to it like the ‘communist manifesto’ or something. Essentially, this…

Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it. I am spending a lot of time holed up in a hotel room in Toronto working on a research project while the TV provides ambient noise in the background. However, one social activist caught…

Sorry, not a provocative narrative here. Just bought Bruce Cockburn’s latest CD – Speechless – a totally instrumental recording. I have every CD he ever produced. Elegant stuff. For me, Bruce is the quintessential Canadian and among the best song…

Once again I find myself in Toronto – the epicentre of all things Canadiana. If Al Hogan thinks Moncton is ‘multicultural’, he should walk down Yonge Street. But, as usual, when I visit TO, I have ran into three people…

Quebec’s Economic Development Minister Claude Bechard outlined a plan last week to make Quebec more competitive and attractive to investors. “The standard of living must rise faster than the Canadian average over the next five years,” Bechard said at a…

Fraser announces the closure of a paper mill in Edmundston. Premier Lord will ‘do everything they can’ to help the workers and ‘we need to diversify’ the economy. Same week: Quebec announces $450 million in funding from the provincial and…

I just finished reading another article about Equalization and the subsidization of ‘have not’ provinces. It was written by Lorne Gunter, another conservative thinker from Western Canada. What annoys me most about the ‘right’ in Canada falls in two areas:…

I have recieved several emails about this issue of who has the mandate for economic development. I say all levels of government – particularly local government – have a mandate for economic development. Remember one of my central theses. I…