It's The Economy, Stupid

I remember when I first became a dad, one of the shocking things is that your mind gets filled with kiddie stuff – Barney, Teletubbies, etc.   You find yourself listening to kids music and watching kids movies and TV.  You…

One of the things that kind of gets lost in the conversation about spending cuts is the secondary impact of the cuts.  Premier Graham is asking the Tories what hospitals they will close or what schools will they downsize and…

I just fed Feijoada to a group of Moncton’s Brazilian community (25 in total) at my house over the weekend.  It was a bit odd for a Canadian to cook a relatively complex Brazilian dish but they were kind in…

I think this could turn out to be one of the most contentious national public policy issues in Canada over the next 20 years.  Whenever I discuss it, Equalization and transfers, the comments range from agreement with the West and…

The Conference Board says that the high Canadian dollar (specifically currency fluctuations) will have more impact on SMEs than global corporations.  I think that is true in the short term but a high Canadian dollar will have detrimental effects on…

Despite the fact that many of you disagree with me, you have to admit I do make an effort to uncover relevant and interesting data.  For example, much of what the Auditor General reported this week about NB reliance on…

Three examples of economic development or economic development gone wild.  First, Alberta cuts its oil & gas royalties to the bone again to stimulate new development.   Depending on how you read this article, it looks like over $2 billion worth…

This thing about only 50% of people in that poll saying they understand the difference between the original MOU and the revised deal on NB Power and only 17% (less than one out of five) saying they feel they have a…

I haven’t commented much on the deal lately because my opinion is well known but I did find the results of the new Radio Canada poll interesting. Particularly the set up question. Now it is possible that my French is…

My wife pointed out yesterday the obituary of a woman we knew from church.  She was a nice lady and lived a long and seemingly happy life.  But as I read the obit it was amazing to see that every…