The Economist magazine has an excellent primer this week on the start-up revolution and why this time is different from the Dot.Com boom of the late 199os. One of the articles is on the importance of accelerators – a space in…
Continue ReadingConfessions of a proud herring choker
My mother tells me her uncle used to make fun of New Brunswickers. He was from Nova Scotia and was a ‘bluenoser’ while New Brunswickers were ‘herring chokers’ (pronounced ‘heron chokers’). I googled this term and sure enough, my great…
Continue ReadingDeeper dive need: Growth from within
At the Greater Moncton Economic Summit a number of speakers reiterated the now well worn refrain about “growth from within”. “Eighty percent of all new jobs come from within and not by attracting industry”. This or some variance is widely…
Continue ReadingWhat government should want from economic development (wonkish)
I recently read a report written by a respected consulting firm in the Maritimes where it discussed the leverage ratio of government investment in a sector to the amount of GDP created. It concluded the $100 million+ invested by government…
Continue ReadingThe elephants in the room (s)
Another dire warning in the TJ this morning from a political commentator out of Nova Scotia. He claims if we (in the Maritimes) don’t do something fast on the economic front ……. we are headed for disaster. If you have read this…
Continue ReadingIs manufacturing making a comeback?
From a recent TJ column: According to Statistics Canada, manufacturing sales in New Brunswick were up 7.7 per cent to $1.9 billion in October, the highest level on record. Compared to September, sales rose in 16 of 21 industries. Compared…
Continue ReadingRedefining the federal government’s ‘tough love’ relationship with NB
From a recent TJ column: I was surprised to hear the reaction of pundits and politicians to the recent news that the federal government will increase New Brunswick’s equalization payment by $153 million in the 2014-2015 year versus 2013-2014. Equalization…
Continue ReadingICYMI: Leveraging serendipity: The life and times of Harrison McCain
Without question my favourite Christmas gift this year was a copy of Donald Savoie’s new biography of Harrison McCain. I could hardly put this book down. It is a fascinating exposé of one Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs. Donald J. Savoie…
Continue Reading