Aristides

So what were the most serious crimes they were let in for? You don’t know. I told you why? If you had a highly skilled person who committed an indiscretion in their youth and nothing since, why wouldn’t you let then in. The article says it has to be a minimum of 5 years since completing a sentence for them to even apply. You see a number and use it to make up whatever you want.

Quebec is always a convenient excuse. We'll see how fine everyone in the east is if Quebec gets onside. There will have to be a business case for any pipeline or no one will want to build it. There is probably more case for a gas pipeline and LNG plant than for a bitumen line.

The link you posted was quite clear about how it is being applied. You just want to believe serious criminals are being admitted with nothing to back it up. If a person has a minor crime on their record years ago and nothing since, why not let them in if they have skills that are in demand.

As the article says, it depends on the severity of the crime. A DUI 20 years ago can get you disqualified because it is a criminal offence in Canada.

In 2023/24, Marine Atlantic got 192 million in federal subsidies. BC ferries got 35.6 million. I really don't like the idea of buying Chinese either but there are financial realities. Korea builds lots of ships if we must buy Asian.

Sure, let me know when it happens. Until then, BC is the only province exporting oil or gas to anywhere other than the US.

Ya, that's always what they tell you to justify tax cuts for the most wealthy. Some people never learn. You are supporting your consumption on borrowed money. https://www.investopedia.com/gdp-growth-by-president-8604042

Well if it does, your debt will become a huge problem for you. Far larger than it is now.

The world will find one and it won't ask for your permission.

BC already has a pipeline to tide water carrying over 800,000 barrels a day. It also has a natural gas pipeline and LNG plant exporting gas. The East has done SFA to facilitate exports so until it does, put a sock in it.

Your interest rates have to be higher to attract investors because they see more risk. Like many, I have a fair amount of my portfolio in USD investments but I have told my adviser that I'm not interested in increasing my exposure. Certainly not when Trump is threatening things like 50% withholding on foreign investors. The man is just too unpredictable to have any confidence in putting money into the US. Debt servicing is your #2 expense after social security, eventually 100% of your tax revenue will go into servicing debt. No investor will want your paper when that happens. They are shying away from it already.

So why is your dollar declining even though your interest rates are higher? The USD is increasingly being seen as unstable. World markets will decide the trustworthiness of the USD, not MAGATS. There doesn't have to be a single currency to replace the USD as a safe haven, it can be several as long as they are seen as more stable.

Only as long as the rest of the world has confidence in your dollar, which has taken a beating against other world currencies since Trump took office. It is even down 10 cents on the Canadian dollar in spite of your five year bond paying 1.5% more than a Canadian 5 year. Why would I buy anything in USD when you currency's value is dropping? I would have to factor in the devaluation to any return I might be making. If Trump hits foreign investors with a big withholding on capital gains and dividends, no foreign money will be coming to the US.

US debt to GDP is 120% and the Great Big Beautiful Bill will drive it up to over 130%. Debt servicing is now your governments second biggest expenditure. You are only solvent as long as someone is willing to buy your debt. Who would want to join that house of cards.