I don’t know much about how government decides how to spend its money. I study it probably more than most – but I still don’t understand the mechanics of how money is spent. For example, it seems relatively easy to…
Continue ReadingThe straight talk tax express didn’t stop in British Columbia
I guess the Jack Mintz Straight Talk Tax Express didn’t make it to British Columbia. What was it Jack said just last week in New Brunswick? Oh, that’s right. He said that tax credit programs were what “poor nations, less…
Continue ReadingTaking the easy way out
Sometimes I can’t believe I am the guy arguing against tax cuts in New Brunswick. It seems, on the face of it, to be counter to a pro-economic development mindset. But after reading Al Hogan’s 743rd editorial asking for deep…
Continue ReadingRodney Weston’s grin
I read Rodney Weston’s op-ed piece in the TJ this morning. He basically was telling Shawn Graham “I told you so” – it easy to lob softballs from the opposition benches but much harder to make decisions once in power.…
Continue ReadingProvince exceeds business envoys target
Shipley’s got a piece in the TJ today saying that the province has exceeded its target for 100 business ambassadors. While in general I think this is great, I do have to say that I remain a little suspicious of…
Continue ReadingMilk that for all its worth, you jerk
How’s that for a title? Moncton is the most polite city in Canada according to new Readers Digest research. Ottawa is the least polite. In a world of increasing acrimony and rancour – blogs, talk shows, politics, etc. – I…
Continue ReadingA back of the napkin economic develpment business case
Chalk this up to the “inside the mind of a madmen segment” – here is my Ipod list for my dog walking this week:– Rossini’s The Barber of Seville opera ( you gotta like Figaro)– A weeks worth of The…
Continue ReadingDo you get what you pay for?
It’s good to know that in the midst of the debate over post secondary education in New Brunswick, it’s comforting to know that the rates keep going up. We are well on the way to charging Harvard type fees –…
Continue ReadingI humbly bow in your esteemed presence, but you are wrong
I admit it stretches the limits of credibility. Me, with my dime store degree and “not much for book learnin'” going up against the most esteemed business expert in Canada but, I guess that’s what blogs are for. Here’s a…
Continue ReadingThe stat no one wants to own
Yowsa. The OECD has released its famous statistic – total tax revenue as percentage of GDP. 33.4% of our Canada’s GDP goes to taxes. In the U.S., it is 28.2%. On the low side we have Mexico at 20.6%, Korea…
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