Maybe it’s because I have worked with 11 different economic development agencies (federal, provincial, local and U.S) over the past 12 months. Or maybe it’s because I leave this Sunday on a three week vacation. Or maybe it’s because I…
Continue ReadingBlue sky, green trees, hmmmmm
I had dinner last night with a few of the region’s top economic developers (in my humble opinion) – at least the top thinkers about this stuff. And I posed a question to this gang. Take away all the perceived…
Continue ReadingCourting Mission Impossible
The TJ’s running a story this morning called “Courting Club Fed” about attempts to attract federal government employment to New Brunswick. The article states: In 2005, it [the percentage of all federal government workers in Ottawa] was precisely 31 per…
Continue ReadingLet he who is without a vested interest cast the first stone
I was reminded again recently about how easy it is to criticize attempts to attract industry and grow the economy. An economic developer friend of mine was commenting on a certain corporate interest in the province and why they have…
Continue ReadingHealth care ‘voodoo’ economics
Would somebody please explain the New Brunswick (and while you are at it the Canadian) health care system to me? Specifically, the economics of it. I have an MBA and graduate level education in economics but I can’t figure it…
Continue ReadingRekindling local agriculture
This is interesting. The 100 mile diet – eating only food grown within a 100 mile radius of home – as a way to help save the planet. The proponents of this diet cite a study in Iowa found that…
Continue ReadingComparison junkie
For those of you that like comparing Canada to other countries, fill your boots. There are literally hundreds of comparative statistics for the world’s countries. A sampling: Canada’s military expenditures as a % of GDP: 1.1% – 57% in the…
Continue ReadingSame ol’ same ol’
I had a conversation a few years ago with a friend who is a strong Conservative. He was ‘disgusted’ after reading a report that showed Liberal Cabinet Ministers’ ridings were the recipients of considerably more ACOA funding than Conservative ones.…
Continue ReadingThe Bridge on the River Croix
One of my favourite movies of all time is The Bridge on the River Kwai. Every year or so I dust it off and try to see it again from a slightly different angle. However, I just can’t figure out…
Continue ReadingToronto – taking a page from Atl. Canada?
For several years now, a number of folks including me have been pushing to position Atlantic Canada as a ‘nearshore’ alterative to U.S. companies offshoring IT and back office services to India. The cost structure here is much higher than…
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