The federal Liberal party issued a press release on Monday called: Atlantic Economy Thrives! [emphasis added] In which it states: With an adaptable and skilled working population, Atlantic Canada is becoming a hotspot for research and development. Knowledge-based industry clusters…
Continue ReadingDonald Savoie on RIM
Savoie was quoted in the Toronto Star on Monday wondering why no one questioned $40 million in federal grants that Blackberry-maker Research in Motion won from Ottawa for the Waterloo facility, but a recent $14 million provincial grant for a…
Continue ReadingConstitutional subterfuge
There wasn’t much in the New Brunswick Government’s speech from the throne kicking off the legislature yesterday. I read the speech on the Web last night. Lot’s of preening and posturing but limited substance. There was one statement, however; that…
Continue ReadingHalifax on a roll
Is it just me or is Halifax on a roll right now? I just read that Bermuda-based West End Capital Services is adding 50 more jobs to their Halifax office. Jobs paying between $70K and $80K per year. West End…
Continue ReadingOn politics and economic development
Finally, one of the parties has made comments directly related to economic development in Atlantic Canada. And yours truly will take a swipe at them. First up. Prime Minister Paul Martin. In a press release yesterday, the Liberals state: Point:…
Continue ReadingLiteracy and Internet Usage
Stats Canada released a study today that confirmed a strong link between literacy and computer usage and the use of the Internet. So it should not come as any surprise that we have the lowest rates of literacy and the…
Continue ReadingThe productivity – foreign investment link
If you want another reason why Atlantic Canada has to get a whole lot better at attracting foreign firms, Statistics Canada has a good reason for you. According to a study released today, foreign-controlled plants accounted for most of the…
Continue ReadingOn the political campaign
A few of the regular readers of this blog have suggested that I delve more deeply into the current political campaign. Warren Kinsella, the Grand Poobah of political bloggers, said on CBC yesterday that 90% of all new blogs are…
Continue ReadingDeterminants or detriment?
I know it’s not an economic story but I just had to share this. Here’s an excerpt from a story that ran in the Time & Transcript on Saturday: Miramichi City councillor Coun. John (Jake) McLaughlin expects a strong turnout…
Continue ReadingFDI – Redux
A couple of people have correctly stated there has been some foreign direct investment into New Brunswick in the last six years. My previous post was a bit of an exaggeration. India’s Birla Group bought the mill in Nackawic (with…
Continue Reading