Monthly Archives: April 2011

Premier Alward seems to understand the challenges facing NB on both the economic and demographic fronts.  I could have written his speech and it wouldn’t have been much different (including the reference to Frank McKenna). However, using substantially different language, … Continue reading →

My column yesterday reviewed highlights from a report published 15 years ago warning of grave consequences if the province’s demographic challenges were not addressed.    Most of the reports demographic predictions were right on the money – but the fiscal … Continue reading →

I am on the record saying that the subsidy and tax incentive battles that rage between states and provinces to attract business investment is biased against small provinces such as New Brunswick.  Further, I have said I would approve of … Continue reading →

When I got my MBA 20 years ago McGill’s Henry Mintzberg was considered to be one of the top management and strategy thinkers of the time.  His books on management were required reading in many MBA programs.  He continues to … Continue reading →

I don’t dip much into politics on this blog because I don’t understand the mechanics of the political process – every time I think I have it more or less figured out – some new twist emerges.  I’m at the … Continue reading →

I see that Asurion is expanding its Moncton call centre.   There have been a number of downsizings in recent months and years but some of that has been offset by expansions.    It’s hard to have a completely accurate … Continue reading →

For anyone who follows the energy discussion in New Brunswick, you know that the distribution rate for large users of natural gas is the highest in North America – by a wide margin.    The largest industrial users are paying … Continue reading →

I see that Halifax ranked second in the large cities category for “Large Cities of the Future” in FDI Magazine’s 2010/2011 ranking.   The city ranked /1 for quality of life and 6th for infrastructure. Fredericton ranked #1 at the … Continue reading →

Daulton McGuinty was on CBC’s The House today and asking for a fair deal from the feds on green energy support.  He argued that if the feds were getting in on the NL-NS Muskrat Falls project, they should be helping … Continue reading →

Missouri has a new economic development strategy.   I am particularly interested when states such as Missouri go through this type of exercise because they have a tough time differentiating themselves in the pack of U.S. states (sound familiar?). While … Continue reading →