Insights
In this episode of The Port Podcast, Craig Bell Estabrooks interviews Monica Justason, President & CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council. They discuss the current economic landscape of New Brunswick, focusing on trade diversification, the importance of infrastructure, and the role of the Business Council in advocating for economic growth. Monica shares her personal journey and insights on how the council aims to connect economic development with community well-being, emphasizing the need for a coordinated strategy to leverage New Brunswick's assets for a competitive future.
Watch the full episode online.
The NB Power Comprehensive Review arrives at a consequential moment. The province is navigating real economic pressures like rising costs, a tightening labour market, and global uncertainty that makes planning harder than it used to be. Against that backdrop, the energy system's ability to support long-term growth demands serious attention.
The world around New Brunswick is changing fast, and not always in our favour.
Canada is entering a period of serious economic uncertainty: productivity has stalled, investment is moving slowly, and businesses are facing rising costs and regulatory complexity that make growth harder than it should be.
New Brunswick's economy sits at an inflection point.
The pressures feel familiar. Labour is tight. Costs are real. Global uncertainty keeps shifting the ground under our feet. But there is also momentum in places we do not always stop to measure clearly.
What is the dirty word, you might ask?
We often have a peculiar mindset in New Brunswick. We build brilliant products. We develop innovative solutions. We create world-class services. And then we whisper about them apologetically, as if success requires permission rather than celebration.
You guessed right, we've made sales a dirty word. And it's costing us dearly.
At the New Brunswick Business Council, we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what productivity means and more importantly, what it looks like on the ground. That’s why we developed the Productivity Levers Framework.
It’s a simplified take on the complex topic of productivity that helps clarify the many moving parts that influence this vital business objective.
We see seven key areas that drive productivity:
Some of these are squarely within the control of businesses. Others depend on partnerships, good public policy, and support from institutions. The real opportunity lies in pulling on the right levers at the right time to have the greatest impact. This would allow New Brunswick to lead regionally and nationally.
This isn’t theoretical. It’s practical.
In fact, it’s what we already see in the businesses that are quietly and persistently moving the needle.
At the New Brunswick Business Council, our purpose has never been more clear.
For our members, this work is deeply personal. They care about their communities and the future of our province. Our new Strategic Plan is about sharpening that focus.
New Brunswick faces challenges that require thoughtful, long-term solutions rather than short-term quick fixes. Whether we consider our changing demographics, ongoing labour challenges, complex regulatory environment, or productivity opportunities, these factors have shaped our economy for years. When we address them deliberately and work collaboratively with a long-term perspective, they become pathways to building a stronger and more resilient New Brunswick.
The Strategic Plan represents the shift in conversation we want to drive.
Our members lead some of the province's largest and most dynamic organizations. What unites them is their shared commitment to New Brunswick. Their success connects directly to the success of the province. When the province thrives, businesses thrive. And when businesses thrive, communities flourish.
New Brunswick Business Council Names Monica Gaudet-Justason as President and Chief Executive Officer, Denis Caron as its next Chair.
FREDERICTON, N.B., July 11 2024 – The New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) is pleased to announce that Monica Gaudet-Justason has been named its President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Gaudet-Justason will assume her new role on a full-time basis effective September 1, 2024.
Andrea Feunekes, Chair of the NBBC Board of Directors and CEO of Remsoft, a forestry software company, stated: “The Council is thrilled that Monica has accepted to lead the Council’s next Chapter. Monica is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in business transformation, strategy, stakeholder relations, and organizational change management. She is fluent in English and French and has built a distinguished career marked by leadership roles in consulting, economic development, business transformation and stakeholder engagement. Monica's most recently served as Vice-President of Transformation at Mariner Innovations.
The Council is also pleased to announce that Denis Caron, CEO of the Port of Belledune, will assume the role of Chair of the Council - also effective September 1, 2024, upon the end of Ms. Feunekes’ two-year term.
Dieppe, NB, June 24, 2024
In February the New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) commissioned David Campbell of Jupia Consulting to perform an analysis of the province’s export and manufacturing sectors, its historical impact and its declined position in today’s economy. Mr. Campbell presented the findings of the report before nine of the province’s leading business and economic development agencies.
These include:
- The Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick.
- The province’s leading chambers: Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton.
- The leading economic development agencies: Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency, Ignite Fredericton, Economic Development: Southeast Regional Service Commission
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Mr. Campbell’s Report, Growing the export economy: Key to New Brunswick’s future prosperity (NBBC Campbell Report), is a call to action for government and the private sector that business investment is vitally needed to improve productivity in our export and manufacturing sectors. The NBBC is concerned by the state of the provincial economy. Economic growth has been lackluster in recent years and private sector investment is insufficient to foster growth.
The New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) is concerned by the state of the provincial economy. Economic growth has been lackluster in recent years and private sector investment is insufficient to foster growth.
In February the NBBC commissioned David Campbell of Jupia Consulting to perform an analysis of the province’s export and manufacturing sectors, its historical impact and its declined position in today’s economy. The NBBC’s Campbell Report is a call to action for government and the private sector that business investment is vitally needed to improve productivity in our export and manufacturing sectors.
“The Council is troubled by the ongoing absence of discussion on economic issues within the public discourse, which, in part, caused the Council to engage Jupia Consulting to undertake this work,” stated Denis Caron, CEO of the Port of Belledune and next Chair of the NBBC .
On Thursday, David Campbell will present the findings of the NBBC’s Campbell Report before the province’s nine leading business and economic development agencies.
FREDERICTON, N.B., Nov. 15, 2023 – The New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) is pleased to announce John Herron has been named its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 7, 2023.
“We are very excited to welcome John as our new President and CEO,” said Andrea Feunekes, Chair of the NBBC Board of Directors and CEO of Remsoft, a forestry software company. “John’s extensive experience working at the intersection of the public, private and non-profit sectors will be very valuable in helping us bring positive change to New Brunswick.”
The NBBC is a non-partisan group of leaders and CEOs committed to ensuring New Brunswick meets its full potential. It collaborates with business, government and community partners to find meaningful, fact-driven solutions to the province’s challenges.
MONCTON—The New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) partnered with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Government of New Brunswick to announce 1.6M in funding for a new provincial non-profit housing development organization called the Housing Hub of New Brunswick (HHNB).
The HHNB is being created to develop housing to support workforce attraction, population growth, and other local needs in rural and smaller communities across New Brunswick.