For the past four years I’ve lived and worked as a volunteer in Saigon, Vietnam.
I’m originally from Vancouver Island.
However in recent months as I’ve begun contemplating a return to Canada I’m looking more closely at Atlantic Canada.

It seems in Atlantic Canada there is a possibility of being part of a small, ecologically sustainable community in a region that seems less complicated than the western region.
I’ve just read a number books on bio-regional development, local food, alternate currencies and small scale economies.
I’m excited at the prospect of shopping for fresh local food produced on small sustainable local farms and sold at a farmer’s market, eating local seafood that isn’t on the endangered species list and comes to the table fresh, and by being able to hike and cycle in sensibly harvested forests.

I’ve just finished browsing the website on the New Brunswick Self Sufficiency report you refer to above.
I think a model that favours growth and the support of large corporations is a mistake.
I was impressed by your statement: “It appears that the foundation for self-sufficiency is that we need to export our stuff and we need to get bigger companies (corporations) to locate here so that they can sell our stuff. So what’s new? Corporations create jobs based on shipping stuff that belongs to the people, especially our grandchildren.”
The world can no longer afford corporations that behave this way. Is it possible that government and business leaders in New Brunswick aren’t aware that great business minds like Peter Senge of MIT, Joseph Stiglitz, former chief economist of the World Bank and Jeremy Rifkin are pressuring corporations into a rethink.

I’m not an economist either but I can see three converging events that will affect the shape of our future:
One is the upcoming IPCC meeting in Bali. The message to governments will be – take radical action or perish.
Second is the declining (recession, depression, collapse – choose your label) American economy.
Third is peak oil. Peak has been past; higher oil prices will push the need for alternate, local, renewable energy sources.

It seems the time has come for us to pay attention to EF Schumacher’s book, Small is Beautiful. I hope people in New Brunswick realize this and speak up.

When you receive this I would appreciate a response.
I would like to do anything I can to support your efforts.

CW Taylor
Saigon, Vietnam