Abstract
In New Brunswick, in the early nineties, the Liberal government of Frank McKenna embraced both globalization and neoliberalism in the creation of a call centre industry. It seems a classic case of the adoption of a globalization and neoliberal strategy. However, further examination of the discourse of the period shows a very particular positioning vis-à-vis globalization and neoliberalism. It is one adopted by a ‘have-not’ province as a kind of desperate economic development strategy. Given recent attention in the literature to the various meanings and implications of globalization and neoliberalism, the New Brunswick case gives a particular vantage point from which to reflect on these debates.
Highlights
In New Brunswick, in the early nineties, the Liberal government of Frank McKenna embraced both globalization and neoliberalism
Full page ads were placed in the Globe and Mail with a huge picture of Frank McKenna declaring “New Brunswick is Open for Business!” Back in the province, there were cuts to social programs, lowered corporate tax rates and regulations and active promotion of New Brunswick as a low cost investment destination
The situation has changed in certain respects and new contradictions have emerged. These changes and resulting contradictions involve the growth of the industry; working conditions; the closure of centres; the opening up of rural centres; the entrance of Business Process Outsourcers; globalization, neoliberalism and a new, enhanced self-sufficiency agenda for New Brunswick under the current Liberal premier, Shawn Graham; and a Statistics Canada prediction for the demise of the industry in its present form
Summary
In New Brunswick, in the early nineties, the Liberal government of Frank McKenna embraced both globalization and neoliberalism. The New Brunswick government’s call centre initiative was developed as a set of neoliberal policies to accentuate the advantages to employers of operating in this labour market by: (i) lowering non-wage payroll expenses; (ii) increasing the available labour supply; and (iii) maintaining a non-union work environment in the province.
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