2008 and the end of 2012, the region added the equivalent of 216 full-time employees — an increase of 8.8 per cent. Between 2008 and 2011 the total cost of compensating regional employees increased by 19 per cent to hit the $226.6-million mark

Between 2008 and the end of 2012, the region added the equivalent of 216 full-time employees — an increase of 8.8 per cent. Between 2008 and 2011 the total cost of compensating regional employees increased by 19 per cent to hit the $226.6-million mark.

During this period, of course, Canada and the world went through the worst economic recession in 70 years. Private sector firms were closing, slashing staff, freezing pay. In the last two years, BlackBerry cut its local workforce by more than 3,000. Even in recent months, big local companies such as Babcock &Wilcox Canada, Economical Insurance and Manulife have downsized.

This is a big part of the region\'s tax base. These are the people who pay the region\'s taxes. And the region absolutely must start recognizing how much has changed.