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A huge factor that I don't see any comments about yet, is the exchange rate. Look at this chart of the USD/CAD in the past 3 years: http://www.xe.com/currency

A huge factor that I don't see any comments about yet, is the exchange rate. Look at this chart of the USD/CAD in the past 3 years: http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=USD&to=CAD&view=10Y http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=USD&to=CAD&view=10Y A 35-40% swing in the purchasing power of the currency is a pretty big deal.

ahmeni 10y ago
This was still an issue when the currencies were closer to parity but the swing only makes things worse.
- cylinder 10y ago
  It'll never stop being an issue. You're in tech you go to SV, you're in entertainment you go to LA, you're in international criminal law you go to The Hague, you're in particle smashing you go to Europe, you're into iron ore mining you go to Perth, etc. Countries will just blow tax money trying to change things. Focus on your core competencies.
  - twblalock 10y ago
    What are Canada's core competencies? Where does it have a comparative advantage?
    - aianus 10y ago
      Potash, diamonds, gold, seal fur, oil sands. We basically dig things out of the ground and sell them to the US, it's really lame :(
      - wstrange 10y ago
        You forgot maple syrup. We have even have a strategic supply of the stuff
    - Tyr42 10y ago
      Rocks and Trees (and trees and rocks)