Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
FYI Canada has a poverty rate of about 10%. The US is 15%.
Depends on how you measure poverty. From inexmundi regarding Canada. So I'd take these stats with a grain of salt.
"National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations."
Depends on how you measure poverty. From inexmundi regarding Canada. So I'd take these stats with a grain of salt.
"National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations."
Unlike the US, the Canadian gov doesn't provide official stats on poverty in what looks like an attempt to bury its existence from the world. However, all signs point to Canada having a 10% poverty rate.
Apparently, because the US is a more open country, misconceptions and over exaggerations surrounding issues such as poverty frequently occur.
Rather than a governement provided figure the use of "absolute measure of poverty" is considered more relevant and accurate by even illustrious entities such as the CIA in the measure of Canada's poverty rate and they peg it at less than 10%.
So rather than the government publishing a misleading figure in a feigned approach to appear open, as in other countries that shall remain nameless; Canada relies upon the truth being published by unprejudicial orgs. Hardly an attempt to "hide the facts from the rest of the world".
Rather than a governement provided figure the use of "absolute measure of poverty" is considered more relevant and accurate by even illustrious entities such as the CIA in the measure of Canada's poverty rate and they peg it at less than 10%.
So rather than the government publishing a misleading figure in a feigned approach to appear open, as in other countries that shall remain nameless; Canada relies upon the truth being published by unprejudicial orgs. Hardly an attempt to "hide the facts from the rest of the world".
Are you saying Canada's poverty rate of about 10%, and US 15% are incorrect?
What about Canada joining the European Union? In many ways, I think Canada is almost like a European country, certainly moreso than the United States is. If Canada was part of the EU it would be part of a more competitive market; if it were part of the US it would also give them that benefit but at a huge cost to their sovereignty.
The problem with Canada joining into an American economic union would be that it would have to give up many of its regulations, for example how Canada bans bovine growth hormone, they would have to start allowing American milk into the country. It would also lead to the possibility that the United States might annex Canada politically some time in the future.
Forget this idea. The EU does not endorse fair competition. Based on what they did to, say Latvia's sugar industry (basically annihilated it), then my guess is - if there is a Canadian producer that threatens to out-compete, say a French or Belgian firm, then the EU toadies will legislate it out of existence. There was nothing wrong with Latvia's sugar beets nor their processing, the EU put many farmers out of work. The EU will be a monkey on Canada's back, IMO. And...supporting the huge EU bureaucracy will cost Canadians as well. Then watch your prices go even higher.
You know what I'm saying as do all the other readers of this thread.
No I don't. What I'm saying is that there is a continued over exaggeration of America's problems, which the facts don't support. With a poverty rate difference being about 5%, Canada and America's "large permanent oppressed underclass" are relatively the same.
There was a recent episode of Marketplace discussing the reason why Canadian prices are higher than the U.S. prices for the same merchandise. The full episode can be viewed online here, but perhaps only if you're located in Canada:
Bottom line: There is often no reason for the high price difference. Many U.S. manufacturers charge more simply because they can get away with it and there's nothing Canadian retailers can do about it.
Are they more dominated by corporations than the US? It seems like everything costs more in Canada, including Canadian items such as Molson beer.
I know it's tempting to blame Canadian "socialism" but I actually think the problem is globalization. It's not the fact Canadians have national healthcare but more the fact free trade has allowed all the rich of Asia to buy up the real estate in the big cities, especially in Vancouver.
It also seems like individual corporations have more dominance of the marketplace in Canada.
What's a good solution in your opinion? Should Canada be more economically protectionist? Would it benefit Canada to permit free travel and exchange of people and personal goods between them and the United States, much like the Schengen Zone countries of the EU?
I'd hate for Canada to become so fed up with their consumer good prices that they vote to dismantle their safety net and health system just so they can have cheaper stuff (it probably won't help anyways). The end result will be them becoming like the United States, with a large permanent oppressed underclass, and large numbers of people clinging to their guns and Bibles.
I thought Canada was much much cheaper than a lot of countries especially European ones.
Also, don;t forget the exchange rate in Canada used to be $2 to $1US and now it's at parity...I'm sure that explains a lot of the differences.
I thought Canada was much much cheaper than a lot of countries especially European ones.
Also, don;t forget the exchange rate in Canada used to be $2 to $1US and now it's at parity...I'm sure that explains a lot of the differences.
The rate was never 2:1. At its worst it was $.60 some cents to a USD.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
