The TJ ran a very positive front page story on Saturday about the small population increase in New Brunswick over the last year. It was filled with gushing quotes from politicians. It’s not time to roll out the ticker-tape-parade just…
Continue ReadingA word on spin
For those of you who have been reading this blog awhile, you will know my position on political ‘spin’ but for those who don’t here is a primer (I got a couple of emails yesterday saying that the role of…
Continue ReadingBroken Record
It’s official. The NB Liberal government is now the former Tory government when it comes to spin. From Statistics Canada: 4,400 decline in employment in MayBiggest decline in the country month over monthFive straight months of well below average employment…
Continue ReadingThe grand bargain starts to fray at the edges
I just heard that Jim Flaherty says there is $250 million in federal funds for GM to open a new plant in southern Ontario. Throw in a match from the province and you are looking at serious coin in terms…
Continue ReadingMore on taxation
I haven’t read the white paper yet on proposed tax reform in New Brunswick but, notwithstanding, two points as a follow on to my previous post on this. 1. They are talking about shifting around the tax burden, not reducing…
Continue ReadingWe’re not gonna take it, no we ain’t gonna take it
I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a politically astute guy who thinks that uranium mining will be the top wedge issue in the next provincial election. It does seem to me, although I don’t claim to understand the body…
Continue ReadingPop quiz time
What do you get when you see a $148 million drop in the value of seafood exports from New Brunswick? A new plan.
Continue ReadingAnother bypass
Take a look at the last sentence in this article. The very last one. That seems to be the story of our life here in Atlantic Canada.
Continue ReadingIt’s the economy, stupid podcast edition (June 2)
Here is the latest edition of the audio version of the blog. You will find in it commentary on taxes, carbon taxes, community branding, among other things.
Continue ReadingTax considerations
Caveat emptor. Similar to environmental issues, I have an equally superficial level of knowledge about tax policy. However, I have made it a bit of an issue to try and understand the intersection of tax policy and economic stimulus. So,…
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