Monthly Archives: January 2008

A couple of weeks ago Macleans magazine ran a story on the secret U.S. dossier about the Airbus affair that everyone in Canada is familiar with by now. I’d like you to read this quote and then my comments below: … Continue reading →

There are only a few ways that government can impact economic development. Admittedly, they can have profound effects – positive or negative – but you can boil down the options: Direct funding of economic development (incentives, R&D, direct training, marketing, … Continue reading →

I had a long conversation with someone today who expressed considerable frustration with what he called the lack of good public policy analysis in government these days. He complained about the lack of internal public policy analysis skills and was … Continue reading →

Just got back from my trip to the States. It continues to fascinate me, the US of A. It’s by far the most affluent and successful place in the world and yet everyone seems angry. For my periodic dose of … Continue reading →

The City of Edmonton has just published its 2007 Residential Property Taxes and Utility Charges Survey. Moncton is not included but Fredericton and Saint John are included. Here is how they fare according to the survey (these are quotes): St. … Continue reading →

I guess I am getting too old and/or to cynical because when I saw this, my first instinct was a sense of dizziness. The New Brunswick Community College is out with its latest graduate follow up survey and they are … Continue reading →

I am in Portland, Maine today. Toronto the last couple of days. Not much time to look around. I, like most economic developers, am following the continuing saga of the auto industry in Ontario. It is, behind oil & gas, … Continue reading →

A couple of good news economic development stories this morning for Nova Scotia. Port Elgin’s Atlantic Windows is expanding in Amherst and nearly $300 million in contracts from Boeing and Lockheed Martin is flowing to Atlantic Canadian firms. None of … Continue reading →

I was talking to someone yesterday about the closure of mills and attempts to replace these mills with tourism. He was citing several examples of rural NB mayors touting tourism projects. I have followed this trend but I have a … Continue reading →

A poster asked me to comment on Richard Florida’s blog called Guess who is buying America? So, I will. First, foreign acquisitions by themselves are not greenfield foreign direct investment. I don’t have a problem per se with what you … Continue reading →