The Maritimes.

So in 1989 with various ACOA grants/low interest loans in hand my family business moved to the Maritimes to start up a factory and provide (eventually) about 200 jobs.

Two days, just two lousy days after we moved into our new house and were still unpacking Elmer McKay (Peter's father and Minister for ACOA) called us up and told us we would only be getting half the financial assistance we were promised. My father pointed out we had a signed contract. Elmer's response was essentially "tough shit. Sue us and you'll delay what you are getting by a couple of years if at all."

Rather than packing up immediately we somehow stuck it out for three years before moving back to Ontario.

About 3 weeks before I moved back old Elmer apparently didn't read us very well because he wanted us to help convince a German firm to move in. Once I was alone with the main German guy I told him he'd have to be nuts to move there. Although I had some incredibly great employees, I had employees with the most massive chips on their shoulders who would drag their feet at every opportunity. One employee stole my dog and another threatened to burn my house down after rifling through my desk when I wasn't there. I never had any of that in Toronto. The list of failed initiatives and job creating business is massive in the Maritimes.

The Maritimes is filled with lovely people, but don't move there and don't ever open a business there. Visit instead. Tourism is their best gig and they're pretty good at it.

Personally, I think the Albertans have a point, and besides, it isn't a competition to see which Province has it worst. If people need help, they should get some regardless of where they live even in the Maritimes.