If you listen to people who are trying to explain the rise of Trump, Brexit, far right parties in Europe and beyond (although I think the term ‘far right’ has been overused) and even in many emerging economies they will point to the large numbers of ‘left behind’.
The massive decline in the pulp and paper industry over the last 20-30 years and its spillovers to indirect economic activity likely explains a lot of that. I do wonder if those areas have no "hit bottom" and growth will resume, albeit slowly.
I do agree, natural resources have to be part of the growth agenda for our region. Glad to see Premier Houston make those overtures. Hopefully, Premier Holt follows suit and that the broader population gets on board, though that might be the more difficult part of the process.
Bravo David!
The massive decline in the pulp and paper industry over the last 20-30 years and its spillovers to indirect economic activity likely explains a lot of that. I do wonder if those areas have no "hit bottom" and growth will resume, albeit slowly.
I do agree, natural resources have to be part of the growth agenda for our region. Glad to see Premier Houston make those overtures. Hopefully, Premier Holt follows suit and that the broader population gets on board, though that might be the more difficult part of the process.