It's The Economy, Stupid

I never really understood the federal-provincial government relationship.  Lately I’ve been thinking about this more and more.  I’ve talked with folks who are worried the Senate will be abolished and New Brunswick will lose any sense of balance (although I…

I attended university in Virginia and after I would tell people I came from “north of Maine” they would respond with “isn’t it ocean north of Maine”?  It may sound like a Rick Mercer sketch but it is true.  More…

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to be part of the team looking at the new vision for Fredericton’s economic development.  The overwhelming consensus was that local stakeholders wanted the city to be “the start-up capital of Atlantic…

The recently thawed out Dr. Evil in Austin Powers asks for a ransom of ……$1 million dollars! and then is told by the suave Robert Wagner that his companies make a billion in profit each year.   Someone asked me…

  I am now under the belief that the New Brunswick provincial budget is in a structural deficit and we will not be able to grow or trim spending to get out of it.  We will either need sizable new…

I finished Malcolm Gladwell’s new book David and Goliath last night.  I was hoping, given the title, that I would be able to extrapolate lessons for New Brunswick (David) as it competes with larger jurisdictions (Goliath).  I didn’t glean much…

I have been hearing a lot about the problems with the regional service commissions.  The lead story in the TJ details many of the challenges. I continue to believe the real issue here is the weakness at the municipal level…

I don’t want any snide or snarky comments to this post as this is an issue for which I am truly saddened. The median family income on the Richibucto 15 Indian reservation is 62% below the provincial average at only…

New Brunswickers spend a lot more on satellite TV, electricity, funerals, gambling, out-of-pocket health spending, RVs, child care, trucks, landline telephone services, etc.  At the same time we spend a lot less compared to the rest of Canada on air…