I have been here 7 years and agree that the majority of people in NS don't like change & are stuck in their ways, however as the Howefamily points out I think once a lot of people retire this will HAVE to change as their hand is forced too.
I too am incredibly happy here, all boils down to good job, no traffic, sea, beaches, lakes etc.. my children I have never thought they would stay once requiring work as basically, too quiet & small but that's their life not mine - I will have done my bit & raised them in a quiet, peaceful, pleasant environment which is what we were desperate for when leaving the UK.
What the future holds for us..who knows but currently NS is my happy place despite the mounds of snow & ice

But that won't be the case...very soon

I don't think it's just a problem with the geriatrics though, lots of younger people -I'm talking about people in their 30's - who are well educated and working, have zero desire for change, and will argue against it vociferously. A more conservative bunch would be hard to find.

Entrepreneurship is actively discouraged and blocks are put in place to hamper growth in Fredericton, and I don't give a damn about what ever government department is saying otherwise. The Chamber of Commerce agree with me. A couple of businesses I know have closed down here and started again in PEI with lots of grants and incentives.

I 'feel' that Moncton is better, it seems to be more thriving and feels more industrious to me?

My kid is doing so well here he needs his own social secretary and fan club and it's Fantastic! He wasn't happy in our last home and is taking Canada by storm. Everything is worth the confident happy teen he has become. He tells me he has no desire to stay in the Maritimes, nor do any of his friends...how sad is that?

I will get my Citizenship this year, and am going to do my very best to change this place, the problem being that all of the oily politicians here seem equally horrid, so who might one get behind? I'm going to be around here for a while yet and the frustration of this impasse is starting to get to me. Nobody in Government sees the urgency for rapid change, they get in a government position and then do their best not to rock any boat in case it causes them to have to work harder

Do you know about our shortage of doctors? It's dreadful, they just won't come to work here.

Moncton does seem to have bucked a lot of NB trends - lots of luxury type apartment buildings, new retail centres springing up, brand new schools, unemployment around 6% rather than NB's 10%, population increases...(the river is still fugly though)

Not sure how long that will last

I suppose it might change when they're older and if the bubble out west bursts. Not to mention the costs.

Don't a lot of surveys suggest that most Brits would flee the UK?

I'm a little more optimistic in that respect. There's still tons of corruption and cronyism but when we first moved here the major political topic was ambulance charges.

The Conservatives were against them and the Liberals wanted them. I really couldn't get my head around that. I can't imagine any political party being publicly in favour but if they were it should surely have been the other way around.

But there seems to be a change. Last year the Conservatives introduced - FINALLY - the new Prescription Drug Plan but the premiums and co-pays were ridiculous.

Even at the lowest income level it was a monthly premium of $66 plus up to $30 per prescription. My doctor has been obtaining insulin for me and my oral meds have been cheaper at full price than they'd have been with the rates in the new plan. It was to be made compulsory this April with loads of people facing penalties for not paying the $66 (or more) a month.

The Liberals won the election late last year and they have removed the compulsory participation and fees are now as low as $16 a month with $5 to pay per prescription. $33 and $10 with more income.

They also brought NB into line with the rest of Canada regarding abortions - no longer are two doctors needed to say it's medically necessary.

This is more like you'd expect and it's within months of coming to power whereas you'd expect the drug plan change to be the sort of thing introduced shortly before a coming election.

[/QUOTE] in Government sees the urgency for rapid change, they get in a government position and then do their best not to rock any boat in case it causes them to have to work harder
.[/QUOTE]

That is do true! I wonder is that a maritimes issue or a country wide conundrum?

That is so different to here where entrepreneurship is alive and well - even in the Bible Belt of the Fraser Valley. It keeps me off the streets. (And we don't have mounds of snow, spring flowers out for months etc, etc, etc, etc.)

in Government sees the urgency for rapid change, they get in a government position and then do their best not to rock any boat in case it causes them to have to work harder
.[/QUOTE]

That is do true! I wonder is that a maritimes issue or a country wide conundrum?[/QUOTE]

Can only speak for BC but it's not true here.

It's my biggest pet hate....and I don't see that changing, like ever....

Its almost the only way to make a living in this town if you don't have a nice job in Vancouver....lol

If only it didn't require one to be basically wealthy to open a business...

News report in today's paper. Canada Bread closing its Halifax bakery. Moving to Moncton.

In one of several new retail parks opening is something called Cabela's. I've never heard of them but CBC describes them as an outdoor equipment giant. "Cabela's currently has four stores in Canada in Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg"...does that qualify as giant?

Perhaps not all of the Maritimes is anti business?

This is where someone comes on and says all you need is a business plan.

And the balls to give it a go

Think broader horizons than just Canada.

Cabela's Official Website - Quality Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Outdoor Gear at competitive prices. : Cabela's

Cabelas and Bass Pro are a bit of a disaster for the economy of wherever they open shops. Firstly they have the local tax base distorted to pay them as "attractions" rather than them paying taxes as shops. Secondly, they put the local shops out of business. I'd think a Cabelas shop to be as valuable to the local economy as a clap clinic.

http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/201...-cabelas/2906/

One wonders if the Bass Pro north of Calgary has been a disaster for the local economy?

Would there have been a CrossIron Mills without the Bass Pro, not that that is a good thing?

I can't say I've ever wondered. My guess is that one shop doesn't much alter an urban economy one way or the other but it might make a major difference in a small town.