Events

Despite long-standing gaps in standard measures of living standards, like per capita GDP, Maritimers (unlike Newfoundland and Labradorians) have shown little excitement for policies to raise GDP and productivity through traditional industries. Growth in new private sector industries has been weak. This presentation suggests that conventional policy targets, like raising GDP growth, may not be seen as central to well-being by residents of the region. Since 2010, high levels of well-being in the Maritimes has been supported by federal transfers, federal spending, and income earned by residents working elsewhere. In 2025, proponents of economic growth must answer a key question to overcome residents’ complacency: “what problem for the region does economic growth solve?”