But it seems the Canadians are kicking their southern neighbor's ass in one regard; trade.
Not that I have seen much statistics on the Canadian consumer, but I'd surmise they are a bit more fiscally responsible than their southern American counterparts. That and with the run up in commodity prices, their western provinces have (high time) been kicking the eastern provinces' asses.
They are also kicking the US' ass in trade and it is reflected in our exchange rate.
And I can only surmise what would happen when they manage to get that oil out of their sands there for under $90/ barrel.
Regardless, fishermen and hockey players may give way to future oil barrons and currency raiders, eh?
(future oil barrons?)
(Currency raiders at the gates?)
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If only we weren't flagging in labour in productivity - our living standards are about 75% of the Americans, and that gap is growing.
In 2004, the American productivity growth was 4%, while the Canadian productivity growth was nearly 0. This statistic has been relatively constant for the last 10 years, causing the standard of living gap to grow.
We also have one of the most repressive medical systems in the world, where it is *illegal* for provinces to sanction private healthcare. Any province doing so gets it's funding cut by the Federal Government. So there's always a line, no matter whether you have an uncomfortable eye itch or liver cancer. To my knowledge, we are the only country in the world that makes the national health system the *only* system.
Also, from what I understand the current strength of the Canadian Dollar is largely due to the prices of commodities like gold, silver, and, of course, oil. Canada is doing well not so much because of sound economic policy but because we're fortunate enough to have a lot of natural resources.
Heh, just thought of something funny: the main reason that the prices of natural resources have gone up recently is because of uncertainty in the mideast; uncertainty caused at least in part by America's actions there. Many Canadians have been vocally (and often irrationally) critical of American "Imperialism", but now our economy is benefitting from it. If the loonie manages to become more valuable than the greenback, I have a feeling that left-wing Canadian patriotism will become even more stupid than it already is.
Canadian patriotism? We have no patriotism, just rabid America bashing. Ask a Canadian what it means to be Canadian and they will invariably tell you how they are different from Americans.
Canadians are generally unhappy people who revel in their mediocrity. Do you think it is an accident that all exceptional Canadians end up living in the United States?
Bear in mind that the Captain and myself live in what can best be described as Baja Manitoba.
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