I have always struggled to understand why people seem to think that cutting corporate tax rates is so important to economic development. There is no data to back that up – beyond the need to have reasonable/average levels of corporate…
Continue ReadingWe will likely never eliminate equalization
I am quoted in a National Post article this morning entitled Movement grows to end Maritimes’ ‘dependency syndrome’. I think it is a good article and I think this conversation needs to be on the national stage. However, I think…
Continue ReadingLiteracy and job creation
The TJ has a good editorial today talking about the link between literacy and job creation. This is an important – vital issue to the economic and social development of the province. But, and I think this is an important…
Continue ReadingSeeking tax clarity
This is another recurring theme but as governments grapple with taxes and spending in fresh new ways these days, I think it is a good time to throw in my two cents. I think there needs to be far more…
Continue ReadingWhere’s Anne Murray when you need her?
After reading Richard Currie talking about New Brunswick as a failing state sucking money from a fed up rich uncle, I figured it was likely time for a bit of a reset. There is nothing wrong with Equalization or efforts…
Continue ReadingSome like their Currie hotter than others
Richard Currie gave a fairly painful speech this week at UNB. His comments are summarized here. He said New Brunswick is a “failing province,” “The rest of Canada has been too indulgent towards it.” “And like all indulged people or…
Continue ReadingAt what point does this become a concern?
Comparing October 2009 to October 2010 total employment is down 7,800 (seasonally adjusted) in New Brunswick. At what point does this become a concern? The only other province in Canada with a declining employment year over year is Nova Scotia…
Continue ReadingNumber crunching fatigue
I have been crunching so much data in the past few weeks and months that I am getting fatigued. It seems to me we have ample evidence from all sides as to the challenges ahead. The following is the percentage…
Continue ReadingHarper the Pragmatic
Say what you will but Stephen Harper has become the ultimate pragmatist. You see it in his dealings with Quebec, and Ontario, and on the stimulus and now with the potash acquisition. The ‘conservative’ is supposed to be a free…
Continue ReadingFinn and politics
An economic development consultant colleague from outside New Brunswick asked me the other day about the Finn report – he had read about it in the paper while in the province. He asked me what the big deal was. 35%…
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