I have been saying for years now that the slavish adherence to balanced budgets in New Brunswick is a false security. That balancing NB’s books because of the largess of the federal government is not good public policy over the…
Continue ReadingRethinking Moncton
While I am based in Moncton, New Brunswick I have the privilege of working with communities all over New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Ontario and the State of Maine. But an important client of mine over the years has been…
Continue ReadingAutos and economic development
Someone asked me yesterday about the problems in the auto sector and the implications on the economy of New Brunswick. They also asked about the bailout request. This is a complicated issue but here are my thoughts. On the one…
Continue ReadingNot the way to go
I like Bruce Fitch. I run into him occasionally at church. His commentary against upping the HST has been published in at least the T&T and the Gleaner. In the commentary he hammers the idea of raising the HST and…
Continue ReadingIt’s the economy, stupid video version
A bunch of folks have been asking me to consider a video version of the blog. I tried it before but found it too cheesy. But the good folks over at iCommunications said they would dress me up like Anderson…
Continue ReadingA little ED primer for you
A little primer on economic development for you. A case study if you will. Bell Aliant is trimming its workforce by laying off more than 100 non-unionized managers across Atlantic Canada, CBC News has been told. Bell Aliant has been…
Continue ReadingBlogroll, please
Stumbled across this blog http://albert-county.blogspot.com/ today. It’s hard to keep up with local blogs that have interesting content on the province or a community in the province. Send me the link to any that you think are interesting. I have…
Continue ReadingFinding a niche for NB ports
It seems to me that the Port of Belledune and other Maritime Ports need to figure out what their niche is within the Atl. Gateway concept. Complaining about Halifax won’t help. Halifax will always be the dominant port in the…
Continue ReadingDon’t worry, be happy
“Here’s a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it not for note, don’t worry – be happy.” “In every life we have some trouble, if you worry you make it double, don’t worry – be happy.” It…
Continue ReadingParlez-vous why can’t we attract French immigrants and investment?
I see Saint John is in France trying to woo immigrants to the port city. One of my little curiosities in life relates to how we can spend tens of millions of dollars each year to promote bilingualism, embed it…
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