Lessons in Governance

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Lessons in Governance Economic Development from
Small Remote RegionsCRRF- Tweed- Oct 2004

• Godfrey Baldacchino
• Canada Research Chair (Island Studies)
• University of Prince Edward Island
• gbaldacchino_at_upei.ca

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Big Cities growing bigger
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Observations

• Concentration population, employment, economic
  capacity, knowledge capacity
• Geography as Proximity Matters
• Peripherality being too far away from large
  cities?

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St Johns 173,000
x
x
x
Moncton 118,000
x
3x
x
x
x
Halifax 363,000
x
x
x
x
x
6x
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The Insular Edge (NAIP) Looks Familiar?

• Diseconomies of Scale, worse with isolation
• Dependence on narrow range of goods
• Distance to markets High Transport costs
• Value of Imports higher than Exports
• Narrow range of Local Skills
• Human Fiscal Capital Drain
• Exposure to Hazards Market Changes
• Absence of Specific Data
• Scenario Pleasure Periphery? Washroom?

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Lessons from the Periphery how not to become a
ghost town

• People Luring Talent Here/ Home
• Resources Promoting good environment
• Overseas Tapping Diaspora Tourism
• Finance Low / No Tax Regime
• Trans-Local Relations Para-Diplomacy
• Transportation - (Control over Air/Sea)
• Jurisdiction as Economic Resource

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Integrating Economies, Splitting Polities,
Exploding Governance

• Ex-Colonies, Indigenous People, Cities,
  Communities, Regions, Minorities
• seek autonomy in governance.
• value environmental resources.
• search for the power of being small.
• crave specific status by design, by convention
  - with larger players.

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• Small Remote Places can be
• A Safe Place to Work from/Raise Families
• A Safe Partner for Business
• Well Supported by Relational Networks
• Staffed by Good, Loyal Employees
• Communal Cooperative Competition
• An Attractive Magnet for Outsiders
• Competitive, Quiet yet Linked