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Donald Hache's avatar

Mr. Campbell, while your article underscores talent as a cornerstone of interprovincial trade, it tends to favor a narrow view of what really drives prosperity. Beyond attracting high-caliber professionals, we must also support businesses and entrepreneurs who can build and engage talent that stays and works here. In New Brunswick, our abundant natural resources and skilled trades and entrepreneurial mindsets offer immense potential, potential that isn’t fully realized when we chase high-tech companies that bring little long-term prosperity due to limited local talent and a reliance on “cheap imported” skills.

We have much to learn from the Nordic countries, where stakeholder engagement models integrate a broad spectrum of talent, from university graduates to skilled tradespeople while leveraging natural resources to boost productivity. Their approach fosters sustainable economic growth and ensures that the benefits of development are deeply rooted in local communities.

A word to the wise: if our policies continue to favor a narrow definition of “talent,” we risk deepening regional disparities and stifling the full potential of our economy. Embracing a broader talent pool one that values natural resources, trades, and innovative stakeholder engagement is essential for long-term success. Thank you for your commitment to our communities David.

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