The monthly labour force survey put out by Statistics Canada is an estimate of employment in any given motnh and, in fact, on a monthly basis, there can be fairly wide swings (remember 1,000 jobs as a percentage of 350,000…
Continue ReadingDraft Frank McKenna: Part 1
I think the government should ask Frank McKenna to be the first chairman of Invest NB. He is unique in that he has been on both sides of the decision – as the person selling NB and the person being…
Continue ReadingThoughts on rural economic development
In the past year or so I have been doing more work in smaller communities and rural regions. I’m in Nova Scotia this week on a project to help a rural area figure out a better way for its economic…
Continue ReadingStickin’ it to the Richie Riches?
According to Statistics Canada, in 2008, 390 people in New Brunswick had an after tax income (from all sources – employment, dividends, capital gains, etc.) of $250,000 or more. New Brunswick had the fewest people in Canada reporting income (after tax)…
Continue ReadingBehavioural economics
I just listened to another podcast featuring a debate between a devout Keynesian and a devout Hayekian about whether or not the U.S. stimulus worked or was large enough or even if we can know if it worked. They lightly…
Continue ReadingIgnored or coddled?
I am always reluctant to wade into areas where I have limited knowledge but I am trying to understand this broader link between ‘pride of place’ and economic development – or lack thereof. So like most folks, I suspect, when…
Continue ReadingA little more bigger can be better
My assertion that we need a few more big, exporting firms in our manufacturing, ICT and other sectors where there are exporting opportunities – generates a lot of criticism – many times from some of the people I have the…
Continue ReadingAre we better off?
It’s quite common to hear that Americans (and Canadians) are not much better off today than they were in the 1970s. This assertion is based on income levels in real terms among the lower and middle income segments of the…
Continue ReadingThe comforting world of Constantinople
I really enjoy the writings of UNB economist Constantine Passaris. The dismal science in New Brunswick seems to be heavy laden with left wing economists and I find Passaris to be a breath of fresh air. Specifically, he doesn’t seem to…
Continue ReadingAsk the right question
From Yarmouth to the Miramichi politicians are running around trying to reassure communities that the government is committed to help them. Then comes the train of solutions – new cash, small business support, bailing out questionable companies, building infrastructure –…
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