I see that Canada is opening up six new trade offices in China. I guess if you are from New Brunswick (and the Maritimes) you could see this one of two ways. If you are a pessimist you will wonder…
Continue ReadingTechnology-based economic development
Think of this as PropelICT on a massive amount of steroids. Or better yet, PropelICT, the NBIF and the folks doing ICT development at BNB all rolled into one. Maybe something like NSBI but just for the technology-based industries. The…
Continue ReadingMusing on wages
One of the most complicated issues in economic development – believe it or not – is the issue of wage rates. Specifically, I am talking about the effort to try and foster business investment at a relatively high wage rate. …
Continue ReadingThe swarm of workers is coming – watch out
Everyone has Maclean’s disease these days – I guess that should make Andrew Coyne happy. The Globe & Mail has a story this morning entitled “Job Seekers Swarming to Atlantic Canada” even as it reports there is still a net out-flow…
Continue ReadingOn the scarcity mindset
Just to follow up on that last post I want to make clarification. I believe that in general when it comes to economic development in Atlantic Canada there seems to be scarcity mindset. I have blogged on this before. What…
Continue ReadingPicking at old scabs
One of the first things I remember when I moved to Moncton to work for the Greater Moncton Economic Commission was a long talk I had about the ‘rivalry’ between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the area of economic…
Continue ReadingLockheed Martin is expanding in Nova Scotia
Lockheed Martin is expanding in Nova Scotia. Lockheed Martin Canada plans to create up to 100 new jobs within the next five years. The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc., is supporting the company’s growth with a payroll rebate to…
Continue ReadingTerms of (dis)Union
Memorial University is putting on a forum entitled: Terms of (dis)Union – Confederation 60 Years On. I heard George Baker and two former NL Premiers on The Current this morning debating NL inside Confederation. Whenever this discussion comes up, the…
Continue ReadingLessons from Northern Ireland
It’s dangerous to comment on economic development elsewhere and draw some learnings for New Brunswick because there are inevitably folks around that have a disparate view. But at the risk of that, I’ll say that I am reasonably impressed with…
Continue ReadingThe gravy train
The Telegraph Journal ran a story yesterday detailing the spending from a northern New Brunswick development fund. It chronicled how funds were used to build statues, renovate historic train cabooses and renovate golf course clubhouses. It was one of those…
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