New Brunswick (and some comparisons with Nova Scotia) D Brown St Francis Xavier University Pols 322 November 2010

New Brunswick (and some comparisons with Nova Scotia) Historical Factors Historical Factors Social Factors Social Factors Evolved Economic Structure Evolved Economic Structure Parties, Ideologies and Political Cleavages Parties, Ideologies and Political Cleavages Leadership and Current Issues Leadership and Current Issues Role and Reform of the State Role and Reform of the State

Historical Factors New Brunswick was severed from the British colony of Nova Scotia in 1784 to accommodate major immigration of Loyalist refugees. New Brunswick was severed from the British colony of Nova Scotia in 1784 to accommodate major immigration of Loyalist refugees. Acadian French scattered along Gulf coast. Acadian French scattered along Gulf coast. New Brunswick politics for first century dominated by “Tory” politics of Loyalist elite –Acadiens were “late bloomers” New Brunswick politics for first century dominated by “Tory” politics of Loyalist elite –Acadiens were “late bloomers” One of the original and most enthusiastic partners in Confederation One of the original and most enthusiastic partners in Confederation Province did well in the old international marine economy (Saint John a major centre), and had the potential to do well in an east-west continental economy Province did well in the old international marine economy (Saint John a major centre), and had the potential to do well in an east-west continental economy

Social Factors New Brunswick has emerged into a bilingual and bicultural political community: Acadian renaissance a major change factor New Brunswick has emerged into a bilingual and bicultural political community: Acadian renaissance a major change factor Much of NB politics in past 50 years defined around this dualist conflict/cooperation Much of NB politics in past 50 years defined around this dualist conflict/cooperation Most population growth has been in the “south” and in the three cities of Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton. Most population growth has been in the “south” and in the three cities of Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton. North vs. south a continuing sub-regional fault- line, reinforcing linguistic divisions. North vs. south a continuing sub-regional fault- line, reinforcing linguistic divisions.

Traditional Economic Structure New Brunswick traditionally more resource- oriented: forest industries, mining, fisheries and farming –but important in NS too New Brunswick traditionally more resource- oriented: forest industries, mining, fisheries and farming –but important in NS too Nova Scotia had more of a heavy manufacturing focus: (iron and steel, historically) Nova Scotia had more of a heavy manufacturing focus: (iron and steel, historically) Consumer goods manufacturing rose, then declined in both provinces: 1880s-1920s Consumer goods manufacturing rose, then declined in both provinces: 1880s-1920s Defence and marine transportation big sectors in past 100 years Defence and marine transportation big sectors in past 100 years

Emerging economic structure Halifax growth based on government and business services Halifax growth based on government and business services Moncton and the call centre phenomenon Moncton and the call centre phenomenon Significance of the Irving empire and role of the family-owned firm (oil refining and retail, forest products, newspapers, engineering, etc.) Significance of the Irving empire and role of the family-owned firm (oil refining and retail, forest products, newspapers, engineering, etc.) Energy development: nuclear power, oil refining in NB; offshore gas in NS Energy development: nuclear power, oil refining in NB; offshore gas in NS Who is winning the “new economy” race? Who is winning the “new economy” race?

Parties, Ideologies and Political Cleavages New Brunswick New Brunswick Tradition Dominance of Liberals and Conservatives, integrated with federal parties Tradition Dominance of Liberals and Conservatives, integrated with federal parties No sustained third party breakthrough No sustained third party breakthrough French/English divide: reinforcing or cross- cutting of party support? French/English divide: reinforcing or cross- cutting of party support? Largely non-ideological politics? Largely non-ideological politics? Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Tradition Dominance of Liberals and Conservatives, integrated with federal parties Strong emergence of third party: NDP Religious and ethnic cleavages in decline? Geographic cleavages: three regions: Metro, CB and rural mainland. Greater degree of ideological positioning?

Leadership style and dynamics New Brunswick New Brunswick The Robichaud and McKenna model: aggressive, persuasive, big vision The Robichaud and McKenna model: aggressive, persuasive, big vision The Hatfield and Lord model: accommodating, red tory The Hatfield and Lord model: accommodating, red tory Almost all NB Premiers have been players on the national scene Almost all NB Premiers have been players on the national scene Nova Scotia Nova Scotia The MacDonald and Stanfield model: “patrician, integrity, sincerity”, but oriented to change The Buchanan model: patronage, personality, incremental brokerage Only rarely players on the national scene Where does Dexter fit?

Role and Reform of the State … New Brunswick New Brunswick Greater concern with equity and need for central control / weaker municipal structure Greater concern with equity and need for central control / weaker municipal structure Stronger central public service, more autonomous State Stronger central public service, more autonomous State Major reforms driven by dualist politics: “Equal Opportunity”, education and health rationalization Major reforms driven by dualist politics: “Equal Opportunity”, education and health rationalization Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Traditionally stronger towns and counties Weaker public service, dominated by Halifax business/commercial elite Emphasis on voluntary planning Yet innovative on economic development

Role and Reform of the State …2 Since 1985 New Brunswick New Brunswick McKenna government an early leader in ‘new public management’ and fiscal reform McKenna government an early leader in ‘new public management’ and fiscal reform Sees role of state as catalyst for knowledge- based economy Sees role of state as catalyst for knowledge- based economy More innovative in social policy More innovative in social policy Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Savage government reforms come late but effective in fiscal terms, less so for management (e.g. health, education) More laissez-faire in terms of economic development Slow to reform social policy

Continuing Dynamic These two provinces: always comparing one another in terms of policy outcomes. These two provinces: always comparing one another in terms of policy outcomes. Where their interests coincide, one usually sees regional cooperation…should there be more? Where their interests coincide, one usually sees regional cooperation…should there be more? Halifax and Moncton: competition or cooperation ? Halifax and Moncton: competition or cooperation ? Is there a race for innovation, and who is winning it now? Is there a race for innovation, and who is winning it now?