ExKiwilass

Western Canada, in particular BC, is closer to Asia. I think that's an advantage that has yet to fully play out.

immichaelcaine

This is definately an important factor considering the direction of future Western free-market economies; the Port of Vancouver has trebled in size/capacity in the past ten years. When one considers that Montreal is the only other major seabord port in Canada, the Vancouver location could be the deciding element viz the growth and development of BC/AB (and overall Canadian) economies.

DaveLovesDee

The Port of Vancouver has major improvements planned in readiness for the anticipated 300%+ increase in Asia goods being shipped to Canada in the next few years.

geedee

And cheese. We'll be alright....

Alan2005

Great - more Chinese tat

A couple of points:

- 300% might be a tad over optimistic (The Baltic Dry Index is still well down on last year, tho it is improving)

- And shouldn't Canada be looking at sending goods the other way?

DaveLovesDee

Canada should start with sending Steven Harper there. Or anywhere.

Alan2005

Seems a fair swap for some toxic milk, lead based paint, and toys with spikes instead of eyes.

Dave+Jules

Here in NB we have hardly noticed the recession. It seems a permanent position for NBers

Honestly we have little major industry to close down, no mass manufacturing to speak of and the forestry industry has already been decimated (without federal bailouts).

The government has been suffering through a drop in revenue so there must be some effect. They have cut 500 government jobs, announced a pay freeze for government employees.... Aliant laid off about 500 across atlantic canada. These are probably the biggest of the announced layoffs.

islandboy

A lot of good points one commodity Canada has in abundance which in the future will be more important than oil is water.It is already being eyed with envy by our southern neighbours.There has already been proposals to divert rivers to increase flow to the U.S. I hope Canada dose not give this valuable resource away.

MikeUK

What choice does it have,
if it doesn't give it away at the right price our neigbour to the south can just take it if it wants

Butch Cassidy

I would suggest you re-assess this comment. Perhaps SOME areas\provinces\territories have an abundance of water Central\Sothern Alberta however DOES NOT

DaveLovesDee

Apparently, there are groups trying to get the UN to designate water as a human right, in which case the US and any other country would be allowed to take ours.

We'll trade you. Water from the Great Lakes for oil.

islandboy

Sorry I was talking about Canada in general.