I’m not sure where this term, skin in the game, comes from – I won’t google it because I may not like its origin but I do like the concept. I think it applies to economic development here in New…
Continue ReadingEnsuring there are workers across the labour market spectrum
The new immigration pilot worked out with the feds is unique because the Atl. provinces can now attract needed workers across the labour market spectrum – from fish plant workers to engineers. I have had more than a few people…
Continue ReadingMillennial self-employment in export-oriented industries: An NB challenge
I have been thinking a lot lately about entrepreneurship among Millennials. If we want a vibrant and durable economy moving forward we need the next generation of ambitious and growth-focused entrepreneurs to step up. Over the past decade we have…
Continue ReadingNew Brunswick’s missing 35 to 44 year olds: A lesson in demographics
There is a view that youth out-migration is something that can be fixed – like you would fix an old car. The reality is much more nuanced. The following chart shows the New Brunswick population by age cohort relative to the…
Continue ReadingNew Brunswick’s $250,000 problem
New Brunswick has 59% fewer people who earn $200,000 per year and 63% fewer people who earn $250,00 per year compared to Canada as a whole. To put that into some kind of context, you would have to look far and…
Continue ReadingEnergy and mining export values down, gypsum, aquaculture and peanut butter up
A quick look at the international export data for the first four months of 2016 reveals that the value of energy-related exports is down significantly this year so far. The total value of refined petroleum exports, gas exports (mostly LNG)…
Continue ReadingLearning from Leicester City
I think there are lessons to be drawn from the Leicester City Foxes who recently won the 2015-16 English Premier League. The Foxes were 5,000 to 1 to win on the season’s opening day. I can’t help but take a little jab at…
Continue ReadingBrasileiros em New Brunswick: Will a wave of Brazilians help rebalance our demographics?
A YouTube channel that describes itself as “dedicated to Brazilians wish to one day live in Canada” recently featured an hour and 12 minute conversation with Sergio and Kaísa who recently moved to Moncton where Sergio is taking a course at…
Continue ReadingGrowth in the provincial workforce and GDP by Premier
Between 1987 and 1997, the years when Frank McKenna was Premier the provincial workforce expanded by 32,000 people and total employment increased by 29,800. Real GDP grew by 11.3%. Between 1999 and 2006, when Bernard Lord was Premier, the workforce…
Continue ReadingAre women or men more at risk from the coming automated economy?
After a Davos conversation there have been a number of stories recently about which gender is most ask risk from the coming automated economy – driverless cars, robots, etc. It’s an interesting conversation. I took at look at the occupational…
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