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Across New Brunswick, momentum has been building behind the development of new economic sectors. To make the most of this momentum, the Graham government needs a provincial strategy - one that builds on the strengths of many communities, to advance the province as a whole.

Without such a strategy, growth in New Brunswick's economy will be defined and undermined by parochial political interests. That's not the return on investment New Brunswick taxpayers are looking for.

Consider the potential in medical research. There are tremendous opportunities for growth in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton and also in smaller centres, such as Sackville, Substantial research is already carried out at major hospitals. Provincial universities have developed their own areas of specialization, from medical engineering at UNB Fredericton to bio-prospecting at Mount Allison. Non-profit institutes and private-sector companies have added to the province's research capacity. The creation of new medical training programs in Moncton and Saint John will raise health research in the province to a new level.

The government has an opportunity to co-ordinate these diverse efforts into a research network. This would advance New Brunswick's reputation in medicine and foster new growth overall. Unfortunately, that's not the pattern of development some people are pushing for.

New Brunswickers are beginning to see intense regional competition, driven by political lobbying. It's an extension of the long-standing competition between regional hospital corporations. Government must not encourage it. It does not serve the public interest.

New Brunswickers don't want to see the rivalry in health care extended into economic development. And they don't want development to be an all-or-nothing proposition, with government investing exclusively in certain locations. That would turn research funding into political patronage.

The Graham government must bring understanding and vision to economic development. It must stay above parochial politics. And it must develop a strategy to nurture new business clusters wherever research is taking place.

It makes no sense to undermine growth that is already taking place, or to privilege growth in one centre over growth in another.