I got a few sharp comments on the Calgary post from a few days ago (comments on LinkedIn and direct messages). The gist is that Calgary is in deep economic trouble and I am cherry picking my facts. Let me…
Continue ReadingPutting the ‘development’ in economic development
I got a few comments on the recent post about focusing economic development and strengthening the value proposition for economic opportunities where your community or province has some core attributes. The comments fall into two camps: 1) business incentives are…
Continue ReadingShifting away from firm-focused economic development
Question: At the most conceptual level what is the best model for government and community-supported economic development? Do you a) offer programs and services to help individual firms invest and grow or b) do you work on broader actions that…
Continue ReadingCalgary’s lament: Don’t cry for me, rest of Canada
The new Labour Force Survey data finds Calgary has the highest unemployment rate among large urban centres in Canada at 7.4%. This fact has led to an outpouring of angst on social media and in the press. How could the…
Continue ReadingDon’t care about your legacy? That’s can be a self-fulfilling prophecy
One of the things that bugs me about New Brunswick politicians is just how many of them will tell me “they aren’t interested in their legacy”. “I’m not worried about that.” is the common answer when I ask the question. …
Continue ReadingThink immigrants don’t stay in NB? There are 25,000 examples proving you wrong.
Over the past few years I have received a fair amount of feedback from New Brunswickers about immigration. Among those that have concerns about immigration, when I scratch the surface a little I usually find what they really think is…
Continue ReadingRespectful debate, open minds and democracy
When thoughts rush by And your signals seem to fly Keep it open Keep it open And help me keep mine open too Some will lie behind But we needn’t be unkind Keep it open Keep it open And help…
Continue ReadingWhile it is harder to track, New Brunswick’s services exports are critically important
While in Brazil on vacation recently I decided to look up New Brunswick exports to South America’s largest country. As I suspected the total value of exports from New Brunswick is minuscule – the total value of merchandise exports has…
Continue ReadingNew Brunswick needs more charity
Charity may begin at home but it certainly doesn’t end there. The latest Statistics Canada data on charitable donations is concerning. I have to start by saying religious institutions account for the bulk of charitable donations in Canada and the…
Continue ReadingShould Toronto be worried about retention?
The conversation about ‘retention’ – whether referring to immigrants or those born in Canada – is virtually the first thing that comes up when trying to have a conversation about efforts to expand the number of people in the New…
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