There is an excellent article on the front page of the NY Times on the rise of these multi-player video games as a spectator sport. From the article: The video game Dota 2, like so many across the Internet, transports…
Continue ReadingWas the New Brunswick journalist crap-o-meter broken last week?
Around the time of elections going back to 1999, I have been asked to provide input into various economic development-related party platforms and campaign ideas. In this election cycle, I was asked by the Liberals to conduct an independent economic…
Continue ReadingThree cheers for free trade! Now let me see, do I actually have anything to trade?
Some of the Premiers – mostly the western Premiers – are pushing for more free trade between the provinces. It’s outrageous we are told that it is easier to trade with some other countries than between provinces. I’m a believer…
Continue ReadingWho is telling the little, white lies?
We love to scrutinize the pols to see who is telling the truth and who, shall we say, is not telling the truth. The media has ‘fact check’ initiatives. The parties accuse each other of falsehoods. I accuse us of…
Continue ReadingLet the games begin: Campbell versus Bruce Round One
Alec Bruce is one of my favourite NB writers on public policy issues. He has been skewering politicians and bad ideas for over 20 years – part Fotheringham – part Wells – all relevant to our public debate. But in his latest screed,…
Continue ReadingCurious: CFIB election priorities do not include economic growth
It’s a bit counterintuitive that the CFIB’s six focus areas for the NB provincial election do not include anything about growth – economic growth, population growth, nothing. The six are: 1. Improving tax competitiveness 2. Reducing “red tape” 3. Achieving…
Continue ReadingVoodoo job creation schemes: NDP edition
I have said before that I am a fan of Dominic Cardy. He is a sharp guy. Cut his teeth outside NB (always a good thing) and speaks with authority about his ideas. But I worry he falls into the…
Continue ReadingTruth in economic impact advertising
An organization called Resource Works tweeted today the image below. I thought I would post it as an example of what not to do when messaging the economic value of a sector such as forest products. The graphic says “Last…
Continue ReadingShould we tax the rich to help reduce the deficit?
Tax policy in New Brunswick is always interesting. Because the New Brunswick economy is weaker than most, we have to carve off a greater share of our GDP to pay for public services. These day’s provincial government spending is roughly…
Continue ReadingAttracting Amazon women, and men, of course
I have read several articles recent about the increasing number of big e-commerce fulfillment centres popping up all across North America. In fact, this is becoming a serious real estate trend. Amazon.com alone has invested $14 billion in them since…
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