A few observations about the new government. First, I am kind of glad that there are some older farts in there. I have said here on many occasions that it is not a particularly good thing to be electing Premiers…
Continue ReadingDavid in Wonderland
Somebody please pinch me, I must be dreaming. I went to the government website and saw something that could only mean the world has ended as we know it. It must be some kind of parting shot from a disgruntled…
Continue ReadingA new Cabinet?
Premier Alward has said he will cut the Cabinet to 15 posts. With himself, there are 12 Ministers from the Lord government and many more that have been MLAs for a while and will want their piece of the Cabinet…
Continue ReadingAnother plug for thinking about New Brunswick
I guy came up to me today at church and told me one of the things he liked about my TJ column was the interesting data and trends that I use to help me make my points. He made the…
Continue ReadingWe need true believers
I cycle back to this every few months but I think it is a theme that we rarely consider. I had a few meetings recently that reinforced my suspicion that if you hooked up most of our politicians and economic…
Continue ReadingCluster thinking still matters
I am crossing my fingers that the new government will finally understand the critical importance for New Brunswick to take a very serious cluster-based approach to economic development. In the past, we have not done this – I challenge you…
Continue ReadingRandom thought on gas taxes
I have an interesting point on gas taxes – more specifically on the relationship between gas taxes and fuel efficiency. Gas (for cars) is about 60% more expensive than in Canada (per liter converted to Canadian dollars). Over a two…
Continue ReadingBack in the saddle
Just back from an eight day vacation in Spain. After six months or so of heavy lifting, it was good to get away. I come back to a few hundred emails and a backlog of project work – but that’s…
Continue ReadingShould seniors work more?
In my column today, I mention the potential of raising the retirement age in New Brunswick. According to the data (I only have 2006 figures which are getting a little stale), New Brunswick only has slightly fewer people aged 55-64…
Continue ReadingDispatches from the road: Barcelona
My wife and I decided to spend a few days in Spain. I’ve been working like a dog for about six months or so and we needed a little break. When we arrived, there was a general strike – so…
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