Now a high dollar can be said to be bad for Ontario and Quebec. Bad for our exporting companies and then bad for the employees who work for those companies. However we have free trade with the US and part of this free trade is to let the Canadian $ fluctuate and let the market dictate the value of the currencies. Now today, our dollar is worth more-over $0.97. It could be said by American companies that when the dollar is too low that Canadian exporters are getting an unfair advantage over its US competitors. So the fact of the matter is the dollar is back up again - some are predicting parity by year-end - I say parity by the end of October, just like in 2007.
If you are shopping for a car, tires, car parts - do yourself a favor and check out the US pricing. In most cases there is an advantage and many times a LARGE benefit. At CarsWithoutBorders we are trying to help consumers to level the playing field. Companies are scaring Canadians into buying at home at higher prices but you know several hundred thousand cars are imported from the USA every year, so it is something that is doable and worthwhile.
Stay tuned.
MARY CIARALLO-LAMB September 13, 2009 It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of the loving and devoted wife and best friend of Robert U. Lamb, beloved mother of Melissa Marie and Jessica Robin. Loving daughter of the late Adamo and Elisa Ciarallo. Dearest niece of Anthony and Eugenia Ciarallo and family, Albert and Connie DiGregorio (Ottawa) and family and her many other aunts who loved her. Loving daughter-in-law of Robert and Shirley Lamb. Sister-in-law of Brenda Lamb, Julie Anne Hughes (Richard), Graham Lamb (Linda) and families. Devoted friend of Andree Thibodeau. Also survived by many friends and relatives across Canada and the U.S. Mary was a devoted employee of Nortel Networks for over 35 years. She never missed one day of work, always multitasking and ensuring the job was done well and with a smile. Ready and willing to provide a helping hand to anyone in need. Her kindness and generosity touched everyone she met. May her laughter and joy echo forever in our hearts and minds. An angel on earth and now in heaven! All her loved ones and friends are invited to celebrate Mary’s life at the Rideau Funeral home, 4275 Boul. des Sources, Dollard Des Ormeaux, 514-685-3344 on Friday, September 18, 1 to 4 and 7 to 10 p.m. Funeral Mass to be held at St. Thomas A Becket, 4320 Ste. Anne St., Pierrefonds on Saturday, September 19 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. A special thank-you to everyone who has helped and comforted us at this difficult time. “Forever in our hearts, until we meet again.”
It is with deep regrets that I learned this morning the passing of Mary Lamb - Bob Lamb’s wife on September 13, 2009. Our thoughts and prayer are with you Bob, Jessica and Melissa.
We will advise of the arrangements as we are informed.
Today the Canwest follow-up story to the 3 part series concerning the Bathhurst tragedy focuses on Transport Canada’s lack of leadership and its inability to adopt CSA standards to protect human lives on our roads.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has been after Transport Canada to adopt school-bus transportion standards that they had spent years working on.
Spokesman Ron Campbell stated “The CSA wouldn’t have gone into this if we felt those vans were providing the safety that was needed” , he went onto state “I don’t understand why, after the Bathhurst tragedy, this hasn’t been changed”.
It appears that Transport Canada - sticks its head in the sand as Canadian Citizens die needlessly on our roads. How much time and $$$ have Ford lobbyists spent in the offices of Transport Canada.
John Baird mintc@tc.gc.ca , Lawrence Cannon….. same fishy smell, different name.
Since Ford is appearing to be bouncing back, promoting a new stable of safety focused cars maybe they should either spend some time and funds to modify the Vans to the CSA standard or just stop production.
For full story: 2009-09-10gazette.pdf
Almost two years after the tragic accident that took the lives of 7 New Brunswick high school athletes Transport Canada continues to dodge the public and has not followed any of the major safety recommendations that were adopted by an inquest into the accident.
CanWest has let one of it’s top reporters, Richard Foot, out on a 3-part story concerning the accident, the repercussions and the inactions of Transport Canada and all levels of Govts in Canada to protect Canadian citizens.
The 15 Passenger Ford van - referred to as a “death trap” has been “outlawed” in the United States for several years, yet only Quebec and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick has enacted laws to ban the use of these vehicles to transport school children.
Transport Canada won’t even respond to requests from Canwest reporter Richard Foot to be interviewed.
Again we see that the “lobby” groups in Ottawa appear to be pulling all the strings. We wonder when our politicians will wake up and start doing the right things!
The U.S. , despite its failings in many areas always appears better tuned into consumer safety issues.
Please take a moment and call or write your local MP or MPP(MNA). This 15 Passenger van is a dangerous vehicle and should not be on the road period.
Canwest Articles 2009-09-08
How can Transport Canada expend so much in resources and $$$ to prevent Canadians from importing cars that meet U.S. safety standards, when such serious life taking issues remain unattended.
