This is good news. A Montreal-based company is investing nearly $50 million and re-opening two mines in the Bathurst area. Blue Note Metals announced Wednesday that the mines in Restigouche and Caribou, which shut down 10 years ago, could be…
Continue ReadingClearing up a little confusion
The government’s favourite mantra these days is the low unemployment rate of 8.9%. Here’s a couple of meaty stats to chew on: 1. It’s still the third highest unemployment rate in Canada. 2. As the chart shows below (hope it’s…
Continue ReadingAvoid the sensationalism trap
One of the most annoying thing about politics in 21st Century New Brunswick, is that we have substituted sensationalism for good, long term policy and thinking. This started with the famous and now vanishing Prosperity Plan which made outrageous goals…
Continue ReadingFears grips Canadian town in "Black Eyed Dog"
There’s an old saying that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. But I think when it comes to some movie characterizations of Atl. Canada, I think that logic breaks down. Consider the highly popular The Shipping News a lovely…
Continue ReadingThe political advantage of out-migration
Another reason to call an early election is this issue of Alberta out-migration. This has sort of come out of left field but it could become a real political issue. It started with Newfoundlanders moving to Fort McMurray but more…
Continue ReadingWe are definitely entering the Twilight Zone
twilight zone, n.Definition: An area of ambiguity between two distinct states or conditions There’s an election coming. That’s almost a sure thing. What this election is to be fought and won on is already being discussed with the Tory’s claiming…
Continue ReadingGame, set & match
A while ago, I wrote a blog entitled Why I don’t trust entrepreneurs in which I was trying to make the point that foreign investment has been critical to the development of the ICT sector in Canada. I mentioned Waterloo,…
Continue ReadingThe difference between optimism and having your head in the sand
Today’s We Say in the Times and Transcript: N.B. can meet the challenges it faces and has every reason to be optimistic about our special corner of the world Future bright for province It is easy for people to get…
Continue ReadingAnti-economic development
I have come across this term, anti-economic development, a few times in recent months. It is typically used to describe a government action that seems to be against the goals of economic development. For example, one commentator recently critized a…
Continue ReadingOne in, one out
You know that line from Casablanca? When Rick’s tying one on after seeing Ilsa? First they take Ugarte and then she walks in. Well, I guess that’s the way it goes… one out and one in. SalesBridge lays of 270…
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