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Articles By John Risley
Fishing for change
At the time of this writing there is much buzz and consternation about a new Fisheries Act or changes to the existing legislation. Regardless of how much opposition it brings, change is long overdue. The current Fisheries Act is sorely outdated and contains a lot of nonsense. It creates little benefit for anyone and adds costs and complexity to an …Continue Reading
Missing the mark
In the previous issue of Atlantic Business Magazine, my fellow columnist — Stephen Kimber — attempted to explain the Occupy movement. Unfortunately he got it all wrong. Rather, he completely missed the point, as do most ‘occupiers’ I suspect. I will give Mr Kimber credit for some valid observations. There is disenchantment with the system and a lot of folks …Continue Reading
Home of the brave?
Shared problems require shared solutions from native and non-native communities This will be a very difficult article for me to write. Difficult because I am very anxious that the native community view my comments as they are intended, which is to be helpful and supportive — not to criticize for the sake of criticizing and especially not to blame. Canada’s …Continue Reading
Let’s get started
There is so much I would love to deliberate over, from the continuing political failure in Washington to the escalating crisis in Europe, but I have delayed long enough the promised second idea for rural economic development. In some ways, recent troubles in the pulp and paper business and the impact on communities throughout the region make such ideas even …Continue Reading
Up, down or sideways
Once again I am exercising editorial privilege in delaying a promised piece on rural development. The current macro-economic environment is just too important to ignore. The U.S. is mired in what seems to be a hopeless political gridlock which is sapping business and consumer confidence. Greece will and must restructure; capital markets must be assured that Spain and Italy will …Continue Reading
Get understanding
Once again, I am lucky enough to be exercising my writing responsibilities from my camp in Labrador. Lucky is the operative word because Labrador is so amazing. For the uninitiated, it’s… well… grand, magnificent, awe-inspiring. Most come here for the fishing but come back because it is just such a special place, and being able to experience it repeatedly makes …Continue Reading
Get this right… please
Aug. 2 is such an important date for the global economy that I am using editorial licence to delay my promised “idea number two” for generating unique economic activity in rural Atlantic Canada (it’ll be back next issue, guaranteed.) This date is when the United States government will have run out of its ability to manage its financial obligations without …Continue Reading
Some Ideas (humbly presented)
To be visionary, an initiative must be imaginative and unique to competing jurisdictions. It must also be sustainable absent subsidies, require broad-based public support and have an effective communications plan. People must understand and believe in what they are being asked to support. Furthermore, any such initiative must be capable of producing measurable benefits over the short, medium and longer terms. Short-term …Continue Reading
The Next Great Debate
The last great debate which engaged the country was that around the wisdom of signing the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Inevitably, as in any debate on a subject having such profound effects, there were many spurious arguments, most of which were against proceeding. These were promoted on behalf of various vested interests (in some cases for political …Continue Reading
Think!
I worry we seem to have forgotten or dismissed the value of careful and considered thought. Common sense seems to be in very short supply. Examples of this are everywhere. We send an email, one which is important (at least to the sender) and we expect a reply virtually instantly. Indeed, if one is not forthcoming within 15 minutes we …Continue Reading
