Just about everyone is apoplectic about what is happening with our airport sector in the province (and region). We have to differentiate between a short term – Covid-19-driven response and the longer term impacts. People are speculating that airports will…
Continue ReadingThe rational optimist: Thanksgiving edition
I went to university in the States in the mid-to latter 1980s. Before that I had almost no exposure to politics. I have to say looking back it was a politically tumultuous time. As one example, President Reagan just fired…
Continue ReadingCan babies help solve our short-term workforce needs? An argument for pro-natalist policies.
When asked in the past why don’t we encourage more births as a way to rebalance our demographic situation my standard answer was that we don’t have enough time. The wave of Boomer retirements is well underway in New Brunswick…
Continue ReadingWhat is the role of the unemployment rate? Part 1 of a series on EI reform
What is the purpose of the unemployment rate? According to Statistics Canada the unemployment rate is the “number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force” which isn’t particularly helpful. The agency defines unemployment as follows: “Unemployed…
Continue ReadingDon’t let Covid-19 derail New Brunswick’s progress
Keep your eye on the ball. Keep your stick on the ice. Keep your head up. We can’t led Covid-19 derail New Brunswick’s progress. The new population figures from Statistics Canada are out. These are provincial figures and are based…
Continue ReadingIs NB running a $75 million economic development spending deficit?
I have received a little bit of negative feedback on my post recently that suggested New Brunswick is spending $75 million less today on economic development than it was 20 years ago as a share of total provincial government spending. …
Continue ReadingCongratulations on your victory, Premier Higgs. Now a few thoughts on economic development.
The good news when a party wins a second mandate – particularly after the first one was truncated – is continuity in government. The last Premier to win and complete two full mandates was Frank McKenna – and he left…
Continue ReadingMy lament for the translation sector in New Brunswick (Part 71)
I recently got my hands on the latest business counts data from Statistics Canada (June 2020). The business counts provide a count of all the firms in each of several hundred industries (NAICS) and their employment level. The data includes…
Continue ReadingAdvice to the politicians: Double down on cybersecurity
I get real nervous when politicians ‘politicize’ economic development. This is not to say they shouldn’t critique each others’ economic development programs. They absolutely should – this is a democracy and we want political parties to be very clear about…
Continue ReadingA little advice for those starting out in their careers
In the past few months I have had a larger number than usual of people reaching out to seek my advice or to ask about job opportunities at Jupia Consultants. Many hope I can refer them to someone that has…
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