Statistics Canada is out with its latest data on Internet shopping but doesn’t give any detail about Atlantic Canada in its summary. I’d like to crunch the numbers but you have to buy the data and it would cost a…
Continue ReadingLocal versus provincial
An age old problem when it comes to economic development is the issue of local versus provincial (and in come sense even federal). In other words, who has the mandate? Who has the responsibility for economic development? I have constantly…
Continue ReadingBe… profitable in this place
I hear that BNB is rolling out a national advertising campaign with the message “Be profitable in this place”. Generally, the message of profitability is a saleable one when it comes to business investment. However, I do think that these…
Continue ReadingNova Scotia is a ‘low-wage ghetto’?
From an article today: Nova Scotia is a “low-wage ghetto,” according to a co-author of a report released today. Larry Haiven, a professor at Saint Mary’s University, said the report he wrote for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows…
Continue ReadingFredericton the next CMA?
I read an article in the DG where the head of the Fredericton Chamber says: One aspect is the approval of Fredericton as a census metropolitan area and I know that various organizations in the city, including the chamber and…
Continue ReadingThat whole export thing
I don’t know why the media just doesn’t come out and state that exports – not including energy – continue to decline in New Brunswick. Part of the problem is Export Development Canada. Like any organization, they want to get…
Continue ReadingWho is Margaret Conrad?
Have you ever read a book or an article or watched a movie and as the words unfolded on the page or the screen you could just sense that this was going to be a phenomenal work of art? Even…
Continue ReadingMegaprojects give a lot upfront but…..
The Conference Board’s prediction for New Brunswick: New Brunswick’s work force will lose more than 3,000 jobs next year as the economy takes a nosedive and construction of megaprojects draws to a close, the Conference Board of Canada reports. About…
Continue ReadingA cut rate one
There’s a great line in Casablanca where Rick says “I don’t object to a parasite – just a cut rate one”. I know I haven’t complained much about Al Hogan lately but I can’t help but do so this morning.…
Continue ReadingFostering immigration
I spoke at an immigration conference yesterday in Moncton on the subject of retaining immigrants. Based on research that I had done with another company, we concluded that better targeting of immigrants was the best way to reduce the region’s…
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