During the Hydro-Quebec debate, many of the opponents of the deal that I talked with were adamant that this was a deal cooked up just for the large industrial users and that NB Power should not be sold just to…
Continue ReadingThe elusive third way – complex math
Simple math for economists is a little harder to grasp for us mere mortals. The TJ has a good story today on the need to bring the NB government a strong measure of fiscal discipline. I don’t disagree one bit…
Continue ReadingRiddle me this
We have a paradox on our hands. The Canadian Learning Index used by Macleans magazine to tell us what places are smart and dumb is saying New Brunswick has the lowest percentage of household with access to broadband. The NB…
Continue ReadingInterdependence
Sometimes my blogs here get a little esoteric but bear with me. I just finished a wide ranging review of the NB economy over ten years. I can’t share the data here – or my client might not cut me…
Continue ReadingA few thoughts for the Tories
I think David Alward’s idea to legislatively reign in spending increases is a good one particularly since spending growth under the Tory government he was a part of grew by almost three times the rate of inflation. Government outspending the…
Continue ReadingWhat ever happened to GIS?
This ties into my TJ column today about research. When I came back to New Brunswick in 1991, the province was already becoming known for its geomatics and GIS expertise from the excellent work at UNB. So the question is…
Continue ReadingNobel prize in economic development
Someone sent me an email asking for practical ways that New Brunswick could become the Davos of economic development. I’m not the most creative guy around but why not pull from other examples? How about finding some CEO or whomever…
Continue ReadingThe Davos of economic development
There is an interesting story in the Financial Post about a summit held in Fredericton recently on the topic of entrepreneurship. The title of the piece is “Can New Brunswick become the Davos of entrepreneurship?”. We have discussed the topic…
Continue ReadingA kind of moral hazard
KPMG is out with their tax competitiveness model (building on their operating cost model from earlier this year). You will find that Moncton and Fredericton are the lowest cost jurisdictions in the word (among the jurisdictions compared) for several industries…
Continue ReadingIt’s the Economy, Stupid and elections
My third post this morning – a little overkill but I had promised to write this one for someone who asked. Because we are heading into an election in the fall, I was asked if I endorse specific parties or…
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