I don’t usually follow threads on social media but someone I appreciate posted something that I would describe as moderately controversial a few days ago and they got over 10,000 tweeted responses. So, bracing myself, I started to read the…
Continue ReadingShould we be striving for inclusive and sustainable economic growth?
Of the (limited) negative comments I get to my writing on this blog, probably the top theme is a condemnation of my obsession with economic growth. Even when I was Chief Economist in government, I would have colleagues questioning why…
Continue ReadingNBers spending more on pets, booze, cigs and health care. And less on charity. Here’s to us.
New Brunswickers are spending a lot more more on pets, booze, cigs, RVs, personal care services, home repairs, garden supplies, trucks, financial services and health insurance. We are spending a lot less on child care, cars, mortgage payments, education, charitable…
Continue ReadingSorry, Halifax is not Canada’s 2nd fastest growing municipality. It’s not even 2nd fastest in NS.
According to a recent Global News headline “Halifax rated Canada’s second fastest growing municipality”. Nope. Halifax is not even Nova Scotia’s second fastest growing municipality. Setting aside what the word ‘rated’ means, Halifax actually ranks sixth among Nova Scotia municipalities for…
Continue ReadingAfter 2040 in New Brunswick: There be dragons
In the last few months I have been thinking more about the longer term in New Brunswick. By the longer term I am talking about after 2040. This actually doesn’t seem that ‘long term’ given that many of us were…
Continue ReadingGovernment should take over the Picadilly mine
Nutrien is in the paper today saying it will probably never mine potash in New Brunswick again. Fine. That’s their decision. Now the provincial government should take over the site and market it to other potash producers around the world…
Continue ReadingEstimating population growth for the calendar year 2020: A few ideas
After reading the annual population growth figures for CMAs/CAs out last week was only to the end of June 2020, I was asked if there is any way to estimate the population growth figures for the calendar year 2020. One…
Continue ReadingEverything (almost) you wanted to know about New Brunswick urban centre population growth in 2020
The new population estimates are out for large and small urban centres (CMAs and CAs). I have already seen articles and posts from city managers, etc. talking about how well their population growth did during the pandemic. Probably wise not…
Continue ReadingCan we learn anything from 1846 New Brunswick?
I mentioned before the break that I would be reading a book over the holidays written in 1846. The author claims it to be a comprehensive review of the New Brunswick’s history, population and economy at the time. There is…
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