I think it must be tough to be a politician in this time of abject cynicism and distrust. I acknowledge that much of this blog projects a fairly negative view of politicians particularly regarding how they are handling economic development…
Continue ReadingGaining some traction
The winds of change may just be blowin’in New Brunswick (reference my last blog). Traditionally, there have been two schools of thought when it comes to economic development in the province. One says bring on the pogey, more EI, more…
Continue ReadingWinds of change are blowin’
Perhaps contrary to the word’s definition, revolutions don’t happen over night. They tend to be the result of years and perhaps generations of pent up angst that finally manifests itself as a quick ‘revolution’. I spent six years in university…
Continue ReadingCost of living – eye of the beholder
I am fairly certain that I am not the only one grumbling about the 7-8% increase in electricity rates this year. And now the Premier is warning of an addition 4%-6% if they refurbish the Lepreau power plant. One of…
Continue ReadingBring back Connect NB
A New York Times article last week discussed a new strategy in Brazil that provides incentives for low income Brazilians to buy computers and gain access to the Internet. The Brazilian government believes that wider access to computers and the…
Continue ReadingDon’t confuse politics with economics
In this blog you will find me vigorously defending the use of taxpayer dollars to support economic development. For example, you will find me passionately supporting government spending tens of millions of dollars to support a billion dollar auto plant…
Continue ReadingThere is no shortcut to prosperity
“There is no shortcut to prosperity.” These are the words of New Brunswick Finance Minister Volpe yesterday. Well, the province has one of the slowest rates of growth in Canada, and is predicted by some analysts to be dead last…
Continue ReadingThe Lord’s Immigration Strategy
For a number of years, the N.B. government has been ‘talking’ about immigration but doing almost nothing. In the last five years, we have received only about 1/3 of the immigrants that came to New Brunswick in the early 1970s…
Continue ReadingThe myth of tax cuts
I know I have talked about this subject before but after the new Lord budget promising additional small tax cuts to individuals and small businesses, I felt it appropriate to raise the point again. Bernard Lord was elected in 1999…
Continue ReadingPop quiz
Today, we test your knowledge of government subsidization of industry (AIMS, Frasier and CTF employees ineligible to take this test). Only one answer is correct. The question is: What is Canada’s most subsidized industry (by governments)? A. Aerospace/transportation equipment (Bombardier,…
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