One of the biggest arguments to support the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec is that it addresses the looming issue of cap and trade or carbon taxation and helps NB reach its greenhouse gas emission targets. I realize this…
Continue ReadingAn innovation agenda
I like David Brooks the NYT columnist. This opinion piece he wrote talks about the need for an innovation agenda in the US. I think there are learnings here for New Brunswick – particularly his talk of promoting regional innovation clusters…
Continue ReadingFraser Institute take on NB’s investment climate
Fraser is out with their latest report on investment climate in the provinces. New Brunswick is ranked 7th out of the 10 provinces but ranks 9th for Fiscal Prudence and 9th for Burden of Regulation. We rank 3rd on the…
Continue Reading2010 Business Survey
If you are a biz owner, this is an interesting survey to get your opinion on issues and challenges. NEW BRUNSWICK BUSINESS OUTLOOK 2010 – Decision-makers like to speak on behalf of the province’s business community, but often hear only…
Continue ReadingCivility in the Legislature
Just read about the ruckus in the Legislature. It’s not particularly funny but I can tell you from personal experience that the Leg can be a fairly uncivl place. I was a Page almost 20 years ago (serving coffee and passing…
Continue ReadingThe Janice Harvey Magic Show
What amazes me is that smart people such as Janice Harvey would quote something like this in her column this morning. She is talking about that unbiased Maine consultant hired by AIMS (who states right in his report about the…
Continue ReadingAmbition
I had lunch with Ron Gaudet today. He’s the former CEO of Enterprise Greater Moncton that is going to run the Windsor, Ontario economic development group. He’s walking into a pretty tough spot – 15% unemployment, lots of other problems…
Continue ReadingEnergy policy
The NB Power/Hydro-Quebec MOU clearly states that New Brunswick retains full control over its energy policy and its industrial policy. I take that to mean what is stated. However, upon reading Nova Scotia’s concerns once again in the media, I…
Continue Reading18-k Filing
I used to spend a fair amount of time searching through U.S. SEC filings for clues about company expansion potential and then pass that on to a client. I don’t do that work anymore but I had ocassion to be…
Continue ReadingThe vagaries of the labour force survey
One month you’re up a little and the next you are down. Canada had a huge increase in employment over the last month according to Statistics Canada. New Brunswick was the only province to see a decline in employment month…
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