The Canada US border seems to be growing more and more “thick” – causing disruptions in our free trade. Canada’s International Trade Minister David Emerson blames United States’ protectionism and aggressive security bureaucracy for the erection of new obstacles to our cross-border commerce.
Emerson said he is hearing more and more “horror stories” of companies forced [...]

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Toronto has recently passed two new controversial taxes in city hall – a tax on land transfers, and another one on vehicle registrations. It has been months since this long debated issue came arise. (Originally posted on July 18/07, here)
Mayor Miller’s take: “it is a very difficult decision.” he said the vote poses a “fundamental [...]

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How many pennies have you dropped… how many did you bother picking up? That’s why some are pushing for Canada to drop the penny from our money circulation. The Royal Canadian Mint, along with the Department of Finance recently conducted a study on this issue – 64-percent of us wouldn’t dig into the couch to [...]

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“Free markets do not mean a free pass. Canada is open for business, but it’s not for sale. And like other countries around the world, it’s important that we have safeguards in place to protect our interests.” –Jim Prentice, Industry Minister
(Some strong words huh…)
Canada’s industry minister, Jim Prentice, said the federal government will be looking [...]

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Although Canadians, in general, seem to be more comfortable with the Conservatives, they hold mixed feelings when asked about Prime Minister Stephen Harper. A poll conducted by the Strategic Counsel shows the Conservatives and the Liberals deadlocked, with each being named as the first choice of 33 percent of respondents.
In general though, Canadians seem satisfied [...]

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Quebecers may be soon be face a 20-cent tax on on plastic bags at grocery and other stores. Montreal environmental activist Jacques Lalonde recommended the idea to Montreal Environment Minister, Line Beauchamp. Beauchamp reportedly said she was seriously considering the idea.
Lalonde said Quebecers use about 1.5 billion plastic bags a year, and most of them [...]

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Ontario is trying to help smokers quit by providing all residents a PST (Provincial Sales Tax) break on smoking cessation aids in two weeks. Beginning August 14, those who wish to quit smoking won’t have to pay the 8 percent sales tax on nicotine replacement therapy products (patches, gums, inhalers, pills…). The credit will be [...]

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Vancouver’s civic strike of 1,800 outside workers escalated Monday. At about 8 a.m., 2,500 inside workers (CUPE 15 members) took to the picket lines across 124 city sites. Later in the day, almost 800 librarians also poised to walk off the job.
The strike revokes the ability to run city fitness centers, pools, rinks, day camps, [...]

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Canada’s Department of National Defense hit the news Monday as accused Paul Champagne pleaded guilty to fraud and breach of trust. During his term as bureaucrat, a course of nearly a decade, Champagne had funneled more than $100 million into his controlled bank accounts.
Champagne’s scheme was complicated, and it built over time. He supposedly saved [...]

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