Lessons in Governance & Economic Development from Small & Remote Regions CRRF- Tweed- Oct 2004 Godfrey Baldacchino Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) University of Prince Edward Island

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The Periphery in the Knowledge Economy (Polese & Shearmur) 2002) INRS, 2002) 3 Big Cities growing b i g g e r …

4 Observations Concentration: population, employment, economic capacity, knowledge capacity ‘Geography as Proximity’ Matters Peripherality = being too far away from large cities?

Halifax 363,000 St John’s 173,000 Moncton 118,000

6 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?

7 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

8 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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13 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