Quote:
Originally Posted by Waye Mason
I hope we get it, and yet..... It is so much money that the various power elites, cliques, special interest groups and old bous won't have to change ANYTHING, we can use the cash to paper over our fundamental, foundational issues as a society and a province.
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There are problems but I think you are mixing up cause and effect. I believe the problems are in part caused by a lackluster economy (perennial problem) that has led to outmigration of many of the most talented. At the same time the "power elite" who benefit from the system tend to remain and become increasingly conservative because their options are limited. This sort of downward spiral is taken to extremes in Third World countries, where a tiny kleptocracy feed off of a giant pool of oppressed, unproductive workers. The NS equivalent is to have a bunch of monopolists and government bureaucrats taxing a Wal-Mart economy. NS is not quite there but that's what failure will look like if it happens.
The absolute best thing for NS would be to promote a variety of economic activity that would encourage the best and brightest to stay behind. Shipbuilding could do this to some degree, especially to the extent that it promotes local technological development. Tech startups themselves (software companies, biotech, etc.) are an excellent spot for NS to invest money. Dalhousie is already churning out some startups but the effect could be much larger.
I am actually pretty optimistic simply because of a couple of factors that should have positive effects but are not really influenced much by poor local management. The biggest factor is technological improvements that are equivalent to bringing NS closer and closer to other areas, making it an easier place for people and businesses to locate in.
A smaller factor is continued population growth; as Halifax becomes a medium-sized city it will appeal to a wider range of people and will lose its parochial small town feel.
Some other environmental factors also make Halifax a pretty nice spot. The city is historic and walkable, it has pleasant, pretty tolerant inhabitants, transportation connections are pretty good, and the climate is not too bad. The overall quality of life stacks up very well against other North American cities. Traditionally the sticking point has been the lack of jobs.