There were two studies out recently both with basically the same findings but from two different perspectives. The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council study finds urbanization in Atlantic Canada – the six main cities are growing – something like 50,000 increase…
Continue ReadingYour’s truly, the soothsayer
There was a lot of talk about my woeful ability to predict the Saint John Harbour by-election this week but one thing you can be sure of, I can predict the content of the ‘We Say’ section of the Times…
Continue ReadingPass the smoke, lend me a mirror
*In millions $$ One of the government’s favourite statistics these days is the ‘record’ growth in exports from New Brunswick. They toss this around in every speech and report on the economy. What’s interesting is that they fail to mention…
Continue ReadingDon’t ask me for predictions
I write on these pages using stats, charts and graphs. I pretend to know a thing or two about economic development. But last night I got more confirmation that you shouldn’t ask my predictions when it comes to politics. I…
Continue Reading‘The’ issues in Saint John Habour election
I know I have covered this before but I think it’s worth repeating. Saint John has lost 2,000 people (population decline) since 1999, many of its traditional industries are tanking and the economic future of the city is in jeopardy…
Continue ReadingOld Russian Joke
Alberta’s economic prosperity has translated into virtually every area of life in that province. From the highest rates of literacy and numeracy and the best educational test scores to among the highest rates of charitable giving, Alberta is booming. Here’s…
Continue ReadingA quick word on Equalization
Just another quick chart on Equalization – this time a comparative one on a per capita basis. Only PEI gets more Equalization than New Brunswick and NB is closing the gap. By the end of Premier Lord’s mandate, we should…
Continue ReadingOn Nackawic and literacy
It’s funny how the media hammered the Molson deal in Moncton (mostly) but all but glossed over the biggest New Brunswick incentive to industry in years – namely the $67 million in loans and loan guarantees to India’s Aditya Birla…
Continue ReadingEqualization and ACOA
The Telegraph Journal is reporting that New Brunswick’s Equalization payment from the Federal government for the next fiscal year will be $1.43 billion – an $84 million increase from the previous year. Now to put that in perspective, that’s about…
Continue ReadingMargaret-Ann Blaney seems encouraged
You will recall my annoyance in previous blogs at Training and Employment Development Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney using the word ‘encouraged’ every month to describe the New Brunswick labour market. Well, she agrees with me on this in her latest press…
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