kkgg7
Banned
Maybe our companies don't have enough of a stake in this country to keep the jobs here? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Caterpillar just move their operations from London to a state that is fairly anti-union? I would agree that the issue isn't exactly that our labour is too expensive, but rather than because they can get it cheaper elsewhere they will in order to turn a bigger profit for shareholders. Again, I'm just guessing.
I think you are completely correct. Caterpillar, or GM etc are for profit companies and will always find places where they can maximize profits. With strong Canadian dollar, we will continue to see that trend. We may ask ourselves, what should keep Caterpillar in Canada? Caterpillar is not in the business of contributing to Canada's economy or jobs, it is here to make money. If it can make money elsewhere, of course it will leave.
Canada's dependence on the US economy is so sad yet many don't seem to realize until today. Canada's small market is almost insignificant to American companies, and Canada is losing the cost advantage these years as well. Americans will not hesitate for a second to abandon Canada if there is a better place to be, let's not kid ourselves. Between two countries, there is no permanent friendship. All this "buy-American" movement and Keystone project already showed that the US doesn't respect Canada the way we think they do, and they can turn protectionist instantly as long as there is such a need, despite all the preaches it did to other countries. Canadians are essentially on our own.
It is not about national pride. It is about survival. Canada is not such a small country as many seem to underestimate itself to be. It is still one of the world's top 10 economy and it can be a lot self-sufficient if it wants to be. Plus, there is the whole world outside North America. I don't see the point of tying Canada's fate firmly with America's.