Getting Real: There's no plan in the economic plan

A couple of weeks ago New Brunswick’ Economic Growth Plan was released. The document is 24 pages long. Where’s the plan Mr. Premier?

 http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/eco-bce/Promo/Economic%20Growth%20Plan/PDFs/EconomicGrowthPlan2016.pdf

People, Innovation, Capital, Infrastructure, and Agility are key components of the plan.

Message from the Premier: “Our government understands what matters to you and all of New Brunswicker’s.”

“We know how important creating jobs, growing the economy, and securing health care and education are to New Brunswickers and their families. We are working hard on these priorities.”

Do you really Mr. Premier?

The Vision for New Brunswick: 2020 (page 5)

“If the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan is successful, what are we hoping to achieve in the short term?”

Mr. Premier what do you mean by “IF” this plan is successful? The very first sentence under this plan does not give me assurance you are confident in your own economic plan. You do not start off with the word “if” in any plan. When leaders do not show confidence in their own plan, do not expect people to jump on board and get warm fuzzy feelings.   

“What will a growing and vibrant New Brunswick look like in 2020?”

The above image is what is in the plan, apparently for short-term.

Did I miss something? I don’t see ANY short term plan/goals. I see words giving me information for each category, but this is NOT any sort of short-term plan or goal within the categories of People, Innovation, Capital, Infrastructure, and Agility.

Why? THERE IS NO BAR! There is no HOW the Province plans to achieve the goals.

 This is not a new concept. This is in the business world, athlete’s world, and all aspects of LIFE.

The goals should be attainable and realistic.

How should a plan look?

Current Goals (within the year)

                List of goals under each category - People, Innovation, Capital, Infrastructure and Agility that is attainable within the first year. Then disclose HOW you plan to reach each and every goal you have set to achieve, within this first year.

Short-Term Goals (within 1-5 years)

List of goals under each category - People, Innovation, Capital, Infrastructure and Agility that is attainable within 1-5 years. Then disclose HOW you plan to reach each and every goal you have set to achieve, within this time frame.

  

Long-Term goals (5 plus years)  

List of goals under each category - People, Innovation, Capital, Infrastructure and Agility that is attainable within 5 plus years. Then disclose HOW you plan to reach each and every goal you have set to achieve, within this time frame.

The Vision for New Brunswick: Beyond 2020 (page 6)

Again, there are “goals.” However, absolutely no thought in how the Province is going to attain the goals they have set.

 Mr. Premier HOW are you going to grow the work force in the 1-5 year time frame? HOW do you plan to achieve an innovative, competitive and an entrepreneurial economy? “Fostering” is NOT going to cut it. HOW are you going to attract private-sector investment in the Province?

Selected Opportunities being pursued (page 9):

Smart grid, Boosting new farmers, Cybersecurity, Blueberry Development, home-based work, business support services, marijuana, local food and beverage strategy, tourism, maple syrup and maple syrup tourism, Energy East, Sisson Molybdenum/Tungsten Mine are all listed.

Again it comes down to the HOW for each of these categories. How does the Province plan to achieve goals under each of these sections they have highlighted on, for Current Year Goals, Short-Term and Long-Term Goals?

Page 14 starts the talk of “People: Strengthen our Workforce.”

“Government must focus on attracting talent:”

It lists, “by keeping New Brunswickers here; by bringing back expatriate New Brunswickers; and by attracting new Canadians to the Province.”

I fall under the “expatriate New Brunswicker.” Mr. Premier HOW do you expect to keep, bring or attract New Brunswickers?  I have read this economic plan. There is nothing in this 24 page document that is attracting me to come back to New Brunswick, at this moment in time.

Would a plan like this be acceptable if a company, start up business presented this to the Province of New Brunswick, a bank, investors etc.? Absolutely not.

So, why would you expect, this plan to be acceptable for residents of New Brunswick (current, expats and new), or potential businesses/companies wanting to start up or come to New Brunswick? Because……it’s pretty? Get Real!