OCTOBER 24, 2007

       Wow, what a difference a couple weeks makes. You’ll undoubtedly remember the excitement when the Canadian dollar approached and then surpassed the value of the American dollar. At the time it was all smiles but now the reality of having money with value (or at least comparable value) isn’t such a great thing for everybody.

       Because the Canadian dollar is worth more it’s believed Canucks will be flocking with the geese down south this winter. In doing this, our country’s economy would suffer. Stores in Canada will be “forced” to slash prices and be just as comparable to the competition in the States.

       Apparently this is bad for companies doing business in Canada. They won’t be making as much money if they have to cut prices. Of course, this will affect employees’ wages as the big corporations want us to think they aren’t making the billions they once did.

       But really if prices are cheaper and consumers can now buy more stuff with the almighty dollar, aren’t we likely to buy more stuff with the same amount of money?

       It doesn’t concern me that the Wal-Marts the Safeways and all the other mammoth corporations have to reduce prices – deal with it. It’s competition, it’s called being in the business of sales. And last I checked these companies weren’t hurting when people were wanting to throw Canadian dollar bills in the clearance bin.

       Now because Canadians don’t feel trapped as though we have no place to go and people actually want our money, the Americans are loving all the visits from their northern neighbours. It was the same thing when Travel Manitoba and all the other tourist outlets across the country welcomed the Yankees who came wanting to spend, spend, spend.

       All of a sudden when the scale is tipped in our favour we don’t know how to react and we must find the negative in the whole situation. I guess I’m not ready to get back into the pity party of feeling we’re not at par with that big country… you know, the south one that’s better than us.