Do you look?

[Patrick]

What I don't understand is why? (...) Canada can't be in much worse shape than we are now.

Actually own fundamentals in Canada are definitely better than US. But Tony hits it right on.

I'm happy I bought my pair of skis a few weeks ago, however I haven't had time to find bindings yet. :roll:

Strength of Canadian currency is most sensitive to commodity prices, particularly oil. U.S. dollar tends to strengthen during any geopolitical turmoil. Interesting this is happening when the U.S. is the main source of the current problems. But currencies of countries exporting much here (including Canada) rate to decline if our recession is deep or prolonged.

I mentioned it above, the high Canadian dollars has been hurting many industrial sectors like Manufacturing which are mainly based in the East. Canadian Products sold on the US Market were less competitive. 80% of all Canadian export head to the US, the hurting US economy is definitely going to be felt. The high Canadian dollar was strongly driven by Oil, the problem with this is the other sectors weren't advantaged by it. Oh yeah, Canadian General Election in on Tuesday, they might be a few surprises. Conservatives are favoured into getting re-elected with another minority government, however the interest in the electorat is extremely low as this is the third General Election since 2004. The government decided to go to the polls before the turmoil, but the TSX has started falling fast on the week of the debates.

 

[Patrick]

I think Patrick's got the right idea. Instead of investing money in the stock market and watching it evaporate before our eyes, it's better to cash out and use it for extravagent trips to South America.

We don't much of a retirement fund, a bit more for the girls education...the positive is that we are virtually debt free (however the car (1997 with 227k km needs to be changed very soon).