CBC is quoting APEC’s Elizabeth Beale suggesting that the NB Power deal is supporting a small group of large companies with limited growth potential. Maybe so but when I go through the top 20 export industries from New Brunswick making…
Continue ReadingNB Coal
Since we are talking energy policy these days I was reminded of an idea a few folks (including myself) floated a few years ago. The idea was for the NB government to take a stake in the Sussex natural gas…
Continue ReadingFightin’ for the status quo
One of the things you have to admit about the NB Power/HQ situation is that a lot of people will fight tooth and nail against something. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we saw the same level of passion about doing…
Continue ReadingNERA Report
I said I wouldn’t comment any more on the NB Power thing until new information came to light. Jim A. sent me the link to the consultants report on rates that is posted on the CBC site. This report is…
Continue ReadingThe Communitech Hub: Digital Media & Mobile Accelerator
The Province of Ontario is supporting a new commercialization centre that will help digital media entrepreneurs build new companies and create jobs. The province plans to invest more than $26 million in The Communitech Hub: Digital Media & Mobile Accelerator,…
Continue ReadingAin’t democracy fun?
For you long time readers, we revisit this issue of democracy and economic development on occasion – not because I have any particular insight into the area but it certainly is fun. Take the issue of protests on the Legislature.…
Continue ReadingPopulation decline
New Brunswick has failed to meet population growth projections set about a decade ago by a regional economic think-tank, and actually recorded a reversal in its population count. The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) said shrinking population numbers hit…
Continue ReadingRon Gaudet leaving New Brunswick
Ron Gaudet was my old boss at EGM a decade ago. He was head of the organization for 10 years or so right in the middle of the resurgence of the 1990s and early 2000s. He is now the new…
Continue ReadingPutting a bow and a metaphor on the discussion for now
Regarding the NB Power discussion, I am going to move this blog back to other economic development topics until there is new information that we can chew on. I have always viewed this blog as a place where people can…
Continue ReadingThe elevator pitch
I finally got to hear the elevator pitch on the NB Power sale yesterday. Mike Murphy was at a Chamber of Commerce event and was quite convincing. He says the MOU is only a roadmap and there will definitely be…
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