The Canadian work force grew in April, adding 36,000 positions, mainly through self-employment, Statistics Canada says. As a result, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.0 per cent last month, the highest in seven years. You have to admire how…
Continue ReadingExports Trend
For those who like data, here is a look at how exports from New Brunswick are holding up. Overall, in the most recent six months, total exports are down 11% – not bad comparatively. Obviously, the refined oil skews the data. Without…
Continue ReadingGovernment PR efforts
I have a different view, maybe than some others, on the topic of the role of provincial government ‘communications’ activities. It seems to me that the bulk of the PR/GR work done by government spinners is targeted at New Brunswickers. …
Continue ReadingReport on the ICT industry in NB
I find this a well written report with cogent analysis and detailed insight. It’s factual and points out key issues that influence the growth of the ICT sector. Of course, I may be a little biased because I wrote it :-).
Continue ReadingProfiling Intelligent Cities
Want to read about the Intelligent Cities? Click here. The ICF has written a white paper on its seven finalists. The profiles of Moncton and Fredericton are quite interesting – the story is as told but with a little perspective…
Continue ReadingComment Moderation
Folks, I have to go back to full comment moderation. I wanted to avoid this because your comments will only appear after I have a chance to view them. I can do so on the BlackBerry so you shouldn’t have…
Continue ReadingThe Toronto Star slams Irish Miracle
This stuff is just amazing. The Toronto Star really did a hatchet job on the Irish Miracle. But it’s an absolute joke. It is about the same as saying the ‘Ontario miracle’ of the past 15 years was a mistake…
Continue ReadingLet’s step things up a notch
Instead of low level sniping and drive by smears, how ’bout sinkin’ your teeth into this. It’s an academic paper on New Brunswick’s IT industry that “estimates a structural model of an industrial innovation cluster”. I hadn’t seen this before.…
Continue ReadingBroadband itself is not an economic development driver
We have talked about this before but I found this blog on the subject particularly interesting. The Washington Post article is particularly interesting. I think that, like roads, many politicians believe that spending money to build a broadband telecom network…
Continue ReadingDoes NB need a GamePlan?
Prince Edward Island’s GamePlan, an economic development strategy targeted at the island’s gaming industry, is helping local game developers score big in the province. Launched by the PEI government, GamePlan offers a combination of tax and labour credits for businesses…
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