The journalist Jacques Poitras likes to do his little “Where is this place” on Twitter. Because originality is challenging these days, I’ll borrow his game with a twist. I’ll ask – when is this? To be specific what was happening…
Continue ReadingTo diversify or not to diversify – the economy – that is the question
Jock Finlayson, from the Business Council of British Columbia, recently wrote a commentary where he suggested Canada’s export mix was not sufficiently diverse and too tied to the American market in the Trump era. He states that “Most other advanced…
Continue ReadingThe Tantramar Marsh export strategy
Donald Savoie made another pitch for Maritime Union or at least better Maritime cooperation in a recent Halifax Chronicle Herald commentary. He focused his message at business leaders suggesting they should do a better job of promoting regional…
Continue ReadingEmbrace and celebrate your inner snowman
This may not be the best time of year to bring it up but…. New Brunswick has long, cold winters. There, I said it. I know that some of you will have your hands over your ears while chanting nah,…
Continue ReadingStartups: The Serengeti Plain or a fun summer camp?
It is interesting to see how government and economic development groups have evolved their view on start-up companies over the last 2-3 decades. Government has always given money to support people who want to start their own business. I’ll…
Continue ReadingAre you a peacock or an ostrich? The thorny world of community rankings
For those of you that may have missed it the annual ranking of best places to live in Canada came out recently. This type of ranking is- to say the least – controversial but is it relevant? It seems to…
Continue ReadingThe difference between federal, provincial and local economic development: A primer
If a national government wants to grow and strengthen its economy, it would like to foster: -More international exports (or import substitution where beneficial) -More capital investment -More international tourists -National population growth -Innovation and productivity gains If a provincial…
Continue ReadingNB ICT industry resurgence?
For those of you following this blog you will recall my concern over the state of the ICT industry recently. Its GDP contribution dipped from $921 million (real GDP) in 2011 to $852 million in 2015. In fact, in real…
Continue ReadingFredericton’s engineering cluster: At a fork in the road
There are basically two possible trajectories when a national or international firm buys a local one. They either grow it or they let it whither away until they eventually close it. I have seen this pattern play out many times…
Continue ReadingThe puzzling focus on expanding the number of Atl. Canada exporters
I’m a big fan of the Atlantic Provinces working together to address challenges we have in common and pursue opportunities where there is alignment of interests. The idea of the Atlantic Growth Strategy is a good one – therefore –…
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