For me the potential gypsum mine in Upham is an ideal example of the challenges we face in this province particularly with rural economic development. As I have stated many times before, I believe there will be cases where a…
Continue ReadingShould NB communities have more control over their destiny?
In 1921, there were 4.3 million acres of farmland in New Brunswick or about 11 acres per person living in the province. By 2016, according to Statistics Canada, the total area of farms had dropped to only 835,000 acres –…
Continue ReadingThe “tell me something I don’t already know” problem
You ever feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? You keep waking up and its the same day all over again? How many times can you read in the paper, hear on the news or read on social media…
Continue ReadingNow we know. Paramedics are responsible for the longest period of economic stagnation in recent NB history.
The paramedics are responsible for the longest period of economic stagnation in New Brunswick in recent history. And, they have caused the provincial labour market to start shrinking after decades of strong growth and, to top it off, they are…
Continue ReadingThe Golden Girls helping to attract newcomers
The Miramichi New Conversations tour stop last night was very well attended. I counted over a hundred folks in the room. There was a lot of good discussion and testimonials and some frank, straight-talk express stuff about the challenges. After…
Continue ReadingLeadership: Perspiration versus inspiration
I’m not exactly Dave Veale, but I do understand the importance of leadership to successful organizations. As I see it there are leaders who are the hardest working people you will ever meet. They are also usually smart. They have…
Continue ReadingLet’s have a fact-based conversation about property taxes
It would be kind of cool if we could use facts when debating public policy options in New Brunswick. I’m not a big fan of property taxes. I pay something like $4,500 a year on my house and it is…
Continue ReadingPutting down roots in a transient world
I have been thinking a lot lately about how we encourage people to put down roots in a specific geography even as societies are becoming more open. One way is to encourage a kind of Trumpian nativism where people long…
Continue ReadingThe curious economic development example of Dorchester, NB
My go to book when I want a snapshot of what went on in New Brunswick in a specific year or during a particular administration is Richard Wilbur’s New Brunswick: An Annual Review, 1960-2006. Unfortunately it only covers the period between 1960…
Continue ReadingGetting over the blues: The berry edition
We have been talking now for the last three years about the state of the blueberry industry in New Brunswick. On the one hand it is a great success story of farmers, government and industry coming together – weaving in…
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