Labour Tug of War

Originally posted 12/16/06 on PersonPlaceorThing.blogspot.com

That National Post (December 16, 2006) featured an article about the labour demand of the westernm provinces and the attempt to bring people home to Atlantic Canada and keep them here.

The article is a long feature that covers many angles, but the Saint John Energy Hub and Atlantica are sited as being strong draws for bringing people back to the region to work in good jobs.

"For the first time in a long time we have a real chance of repatriating some talent with good-paying jobs that are not a one-shot deal," said Tim Curry, president of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, a group in Saint John, N.B., that is promoting the region as a blossoming energy hub.

Capitalizing on new development is key for our region to prosper.


Exerpt from feature:
"We know there are expatriate Maritimers who really like the lifestyle back home," Mr. Curry said. "They have a network that they feel decoupled from. The Prairies and the Foothills are beautiful, but they are a long way from the ocean, and that's important to some people."

The latest salvo was a glossy-covered, 40-page publication distributed this month in Alberta's major cities that was supported by provincial governments and major employers in Atlantic Canada. Created by a company owned by New Brunswick's powerful Irving family and titled Come Home to a career in Atlantic Canada, the publication pits Alberta's high cost of living and stressful cities against Atlantic Canada's affordable housing and laid-back lifestyle.