Rob Moir
Encyclopedia
Rob Moir is a professor of economics and social activist from Clifton Royal, New Brunswick
, Canada
.
In 2008, he was a candidate for the New Democratic Party
in the riding of Fundy Royal
, and finished second with 23.7% of the vote. He currently serves on the University of New Brunswick Saint John
Senate and is a member of several Senate committees. He is the President of the Atlantic Canada Economics Association, and a member of the American Economic Association
, the Economic Science Association and the International Association for the Study of Common Property.
before pursuing his Masters of Economics (1990–91) at Queens University. For his doctoral studies in Economics, Moir returned to McMaster to examine Econometrics and Development, with a specialty in Experimental Economics. He was awarded his PhD in Economics in 1996.
Moir's research focuses on human behaviour in environments where competition and cooperation clash, such as donations to charities, the funding of public goods, and our use of common-pool resources (e.g., water, air, forests, and the fisheries). In these situations, Moir contends that while self-interest leads to free riding, cooperation can enhance welfare. Behaviourally, he argues that people are less competitive than theory would predict, but not cooperative enough to be socially efficient.
Moir's continued research concentrates upon policies and institutions which enhance cooperation and improve economic welfare. This work naturally extends to environmental issues, reduction of domestic and global poverty, and community economic development.
's natural resources. He ran as a candidate for the first time in the 2006 election, and finished third, garnering 21% of the vote. In that campaign he gathered extensive media attention, in particular for his advocacy of an "Energy Park" concept in the Sussex
area. This concept involved using a portion of the known natural gas
deposits that exist in the area for local economic benefit and environmental improvement, as opposed to the exclusively private benefits seen from export. During the 2006 campaign, he was also praised in a national CBC article for his environmental consciousness, as he carpooled to the debates and election functions with another candidate.
Dr. Moir continued his activism after the 2006 campaign, presenting as an Intervenor at National Energy Board
hearings against the proposed Irving Oil
/Emera
Liquified Natural Gas pipeline route through populated areas of Saint John
. His work on this issue with the Friends of Rockwood Park earned the group a letter of support from NDP leader Jack Layton
.
During the September 2006 New Brunswick Provincial election
Dr. Moir appeared as an NDP analyst for Rogers Television
and radio coverage.
In February 2007, he was once again nominated as the candidate for the New Democratic Party
in Fundy Royal due to the minority government
situation.
Kingston Peninsula
The Kingston Peninsula is a peninsula in southern New Brunswick, Canada, located between the Saint John River and the Kennebecasis River in Kings County.The peninsula was the site of the first United Empire Loyalist settlement in New Brunswick in 1783....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In 2008, he was a candidate for the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
in the riding of Fundy Royal
Fundy Royal
Fundy Royal is a federal electoral district in southern New Brunswick, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968...
, and finished second with 23.7% of the vote. He currently serves on the University of New Brunswick Saint John
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
Senate and is a member of several Senate committees. He is the President of the Atlantic Canada Economics Association, and a member of the American Economic Association
American Economic Association
The American Economic Association, or AEA, is a learned society in the field of economics, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It publishes one of the most prestigious academic journals in economics: the American Economic Review...
, the Economic Science Association and the International Association for the Study of Common Property.
Research focus
Moir achieved his Bachelor of Arts and Science (1986–90) from McMaster UniversityMcMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
before pursuing his Masters of Economics (1990–91) at Queens University. For his doctoral studies in Economics, Moir returned to McMaster to examine Econometrics and Development, with a specialty in Experimental Economics. He was awarded his PhD in Economics in 1996.
Moir's research focuses on human behaviour in environments where competition and cooperation clash, such as donations to charities, the funding of public goods, and our use of common-pool resources (e.g., water, air, forests, and the fisheries). In these situations, Moir contends that while self-interest leads to free riding, cooperation can enhance welfare. Behaviourally, he argues that people are less competitive than theory would predict, but not cooperative enough to be socially efficient.
Moir's continued research concentrates upon policies and institutions which enhance cooperation and improve economic welfare. This work naturally extends to environmental issues, reduction of domestic and global poverty, and community economic development.
Political positions and issues
Dr. Moir has been an outspoken proponent of improved local usage and of New BrunswickNew Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
's natural resources. He ran as a candidate for the first time in the 2006 election, and finished third, garnering 21% of the vote. In that campaign he gathered extensive media attention, in particular for his advocacy of an "Energy Park" concept in the Sussex
Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex is a Canadian town in Kings County, New Brunswick.Sussex straddles the Kennebecasis River, 70 km northeast of Saint John, and is a major dairy products producer in the province...
area. This concept involved using a portion of the known natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
deposits that exist in the area for local economic benefit and environmental improvement, as opposed to the exclusively private benefits seen from export. During the 2006 campaign, he was also praised in a national CBC article for his environmental consciousness, as he carpooled to the debates and election functions with another candidate.
Dr. Moir continued his activism after the 2006 campaign, presenting as an Intervenor at National Energy Board
National Energy Board
The National Energy Board is an independent economic regulatory agency created in 1959 by the Government of Canada to oversee "international and inter-provincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries"...
hearings against the proposed Irving Oil
Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a gasoline, oil, and natural gas producing and exporting company. It is also one of the few energy companies in Canada to publicly support the Kyoto Accord. Irving Oil operates one large oil refinery...
/Emera
Emera
Emera Incorporated is a Halifax, Nova Scotia based energy and services company with 570,000 customers.It operates three utility subsidiaries:* Nova Scotia Power* Bangor Hydro Electric Company* Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited...
Liquified Natural Gas pipeline route through populated areas of Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
. His work on this issue with the Friends of Rockwood Park earned the group a letter of support from NDP leader Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
.
During the September 2006 New Brunswick Provincial election
New Brunswick general election, 2006
The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
Dr. Moir appeared as an NDP analyst for Rogers Television
Rogers Television
Rogers TV, are community channels owned by Rogers Communications Inc. Many of these channels share common programs. Rogers TV broadcasts into the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. Rogers TV is available only in communities served by Rogers' cable and...
and radio coverage.
In February 2007, he was once again nominated as the candidate for the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
in Fundy Royal due to the minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
situation.