My column this morning in the TJ discussed an idea that I have been kicking around in recent months. We know that a lot of really bright young New Brunswickers leave the province because they “can’t find a good job…
Continue ReadingComplaining about economic development: 7 themes
Just about every time there is a new jobs announcement (there were two this week related to IT companies expanding in New Brunswick), I’ll either get disgruntled emails, have cranky conversations or read about why this is a bad thing…
Continue ReadingMaking wise decisions in an age of information overload: 21Inc edition
From a recent column in the TJ: A few months ago Nadine Duguay, Executive Director of 21 Inc., asked me if I would be interested in speaking at the Emerging Leaders Summit. The 50 Emerging Leaders program is an initiative…
Continue ReadingIs the best yet to come in New Brunswick?
From a recent column in the TJ: The latest jobs numbers from Statistics Canada underscore New Brunswick’s ongoing economic challenges. In October 2007, on a seasonally adjusted basis, there were 356,900 people working in the province. Fast forward six full…
Continue ReadingAldea, the Biz Hall of Fame and Ambition
I was happy to see Aldea Landry inducted into the JA Business Hall of Fame last night. She’s not a traditional candidate – someone who built a large and successful business in New Brunswick – but she has had an…
Continue ReadingBrushing up on your economics lingo
Here are a few common mistakes when it comes to economics data. I hear these mistakes made quite a bit particularly by journalists but also by others. 1. When an economist says something like “public spending as a percentage of…
Continue ReadingThere will be gas, regardless
I talked with someone not that long ago about Irving Oil’s move into natural gas using CNG (compressed natural gas). Large manufacturers such as McCain and others are switching from higher cost oil to lower cost and cleaner natural gas…
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