The early to mid 1970s might have been know for social, economic and geopolitical upheaval around the world as well as bell bottoms, wide ties and Watergate but there seems to have been something interesting going on in New Brunswick.…
Continue ReadingNew Brunswick’s population conundrum in six charts
The following is a summary of New Brunswick’s population conundrum in six charts. New Brunswick’s population increased for the most part every year between 1926 and the 1990s. Lots of young people = lots of young families = lots of…
Continue ReadingAvoiding the binary decision trap in public policy development
A few days ago I was reading a screed about the evils of the forestry industry. To the writer cutting down trees was immoral, wiping out animal habitat forever and for what? Greed and avarice. The symbolism was stark. How…
Continue ReadingWhy can’t New Brunswick benefit from the ‘a-marketing’ sector?
When I was a kid my parents used to read me a nursery rhyme that included the phrase “went a-marketing” which I took to mean go buy stuff at a store. The term has evolved over the decades to mean…
Continue ReadingEconomic development: Deeper truths
Sunday morning sermons can be a little bit frustrating for people who actually pay attention. You will hear a steady stream of counter-intuitive axioms such as “the first shall be last”, “to live you first have to die”, “to be…
Continue ReadingWant a strong economy? Don’t mess with the Serengeti Plain
There has been a few stories in the media recently about business closures in New Brunswick. Does it portend doom? Is the economy about to collapse? Relax. Within two years of starting, 11.4% of all businesses across Canada go out…
Continue ReadingInsuring New Brunswick’s economic development
Statistics Canada surveys businesses to assess employment levels. Guess the fastest growing industry in New Brunswick in the past five years? No, you cynic, it is not funeral services business. In fact for some reason employment in the funeral services…
Continue ReadingOut of gas: Sable R.I.P.
A little over 20 years ago I was asked to a meeting at Moncton City Hall where Bud Bird and the gang at Gas NB were going to present on the exciting new opportunity that natural gas would present for…
Continue ReadingEnd of year miscellany: The Big Apple, incentives and the role of government grudge match
The big apple On relatively short notice I decided to take the family to the Big Apple between Christmas and New Years. I knew it would be busy but in fact it was downright crazy. Everything was teeming with mostly…
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