Want a high level view of the difference between the New Brunswick and the national economy? Take a look at the employment by industry data. The chart shows the number of workers by topline NAICS industry code per 1,000 workers.…
Continue ReadingIt’s the economy, stupid podcast (Aug 4)
A special treat this week. A clip of one of my favourite songs for your edification. I know – stick to my knitting and all that jazz. Hope you enjoy it.
Continue ReadingOn R&D again
We talk a lot about R&D on this blog so this theme may seem redundant to some but I think it is well worth fleshing out. I was talking to a senior government official the other day and he said…
Continue ReadingWho is AIMS speaking for?
The TJ is running an article today quoting AIMS calling for New Brunswick to scrap the corporate income tax rate altogether. Brian Lee Crowley, president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, told an all-party provincial committee that toured New…
Continue ReadingExport Trends
A few people prefer when this blog focuses on hard data rather than theory or commentary. So, to keep those data crunchers happy, I will be a little more focused on statistical analysis just like the olden days. The following…
Continue ReadingDefining small to medium sized business
Somebody sent me this article about a new program designed to attract, retain and develop small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan. The Invest Michigan program is financed with $300 million of the state’s $58 billion in pension fund assets, divided…
Continue ReadingBringin’ in the old timers
The Province has retained a bunch of the economic developers from the 1990s to help them with investment lead generation. I worked with most of these guys during my time at the Dept. of Economic Development and Tourism. I wish…
Continue ReadingDon’t mess with farmers and seniors
Those of you who have read my blog for awhile will have heard this story before. I was reminded of this theme when chatting with someone recently about biofuels. He told me that New Brunswick was one of the worst…
Continue ReadingAsymmetricalism makes sense
From Wednesday’s Globe and Mail: Ottawa drafts new deal for provincesTories willing to extend greater economic autonomy – such as allowing Quebec to negotiate unilateral labour deal with FranceJuly 30, 2008 at 4:00 AM EDT QUEBEC — The Harper government…
Continue ReadingTaxation and economic development
My TJ column this week discusses the proposed tax changes in New Brunswick. In a nutshell, I believe that the government should control spending – within the rate of inflation, try to keep corporate and personal income taxes competitive with…
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