Comparing New Brunswick and Nova Scotia D Brown St Francis Xavier University Pols 322 February 2009

Comparing New Brunswick and 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 Nova Scotia developed earlier, and has had a wealthier economy Nova Scotia developed earlier, and has had a wealthier economy New Brunswick dominated by “Tory” politics of Loyalist elite –Acadiens were “late bloomers” New Brunswick dominated by “Tory” politics of Loyalist elite –Acadiens were “late bloomers” Both provinces original partners in Confederation Both provinces original partners in Confederation Both provinces did well in old international marine economy, and had the potential to do well in an east- west continental economy Both provinces did well in old international marine economy, 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 Nova Scotia society a (vertical?) mosaic, dominated by Anglo-Celts Nova Scotia society a (vertical?) mosaic, dominated by Anglo-Celts

More social factors Rural and small town demographics still very important in both provinces Rural and small town demographics still very important in both provinces Urban-rural split in NS: Halifax growth and diversity the main change factor today Urban-rural split in NS: Halifax growth and diversity the main change factor today Sub-regional conflict: compare CB/Mainland in NS with North-South in NB Sub-regional conflict: compare CB/Mainland in NS with North-South in NB

Evolved 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: 1880s-1920s Consumer goods manufacturing rose, then declined: 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 The Irving empire and role of the family- owned firm The Irving empire and role of the family- owned firm 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: NDP in Halifax, PCs 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 All seen as players on national scene All seen as players on 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

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