Argus Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 How much is vacationing in Turks and Caicos going to cost once minimum wage is brought in and they have to start abiding by Canada's labour laws (among other things). Canadians travel to countries that are cheap to vacation in, I doubt T&C will be competitive as an inexpensive tourist destination as a Canadian territory. Right now about 500,000 Canadians spend the winter in Florida every year. And all the money they spend down there is money not spent up here. How much do you think that is on average? Billions, certainly. More Canadian snowbirds flee to Arizona or other points south. Imagine if a sizable chunk were to instead buy homes in the T&C, where there'd be Canadian laws, Canadian health care, Canadian food? On top of the vacation resorts which could draw Canadian vacationers who would appreciate the safety and security of not going into a third world country for their vacation, and the ease of not needing passports, currency conversions, etc. The place would wind up booming. Hell, build a casino too and you'd wind up with a vacation resort other nations would be sending people to as well. It would probably wind up becoming the richest territory/province in Canada in terms of per capital income. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlived Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) Minumum wage is still regulated provincially. "Under the Constitution of Canada, the responsibility for enacting and enforcing labour laws, including minimum wages in Canada, rests with the ten provinces" TCI would not join Federation as a Territory they have their own culture. Territorial status is just a backdrop to the days of Ruperts land and no people. Techincally the territories should be made full fledge provinces too. Edited February 10, 2013 by shortlived Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 It could be done, make some attractions and provide a secure, safe vacation and Canadians will go. Right now Mexico is a virtual warzone and not safe for tourists as seen in the gang rape of 6 Spanish women, Cuba is one step away from becoming unaffordable if Americans start vacationing there so if Canada has its own vacation spot we can keep our vacationers in Canada at the same time though we could also compete for more tourist dollars. I don't see how we could provide a $1000 all expenses paid trip, but okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Right now about 500,000 Canadians spend the winter in Florida every year. And all the money they spend down there is money not spent up here. How much do you think that is on average? Billions, certainly. More Canadian snowbirds flee to Arizona or other points south. Imagine if a sizable chunk were to instead buy homes in the T&C, where there'd be Canadian laws, Canadian health care, Canadian food? On top of the vacation resorts which could draw Canadian vacationers who would appreciate the safety and security of not going into a third world country for their vacation, and the ease of not needing passports, currency conversions, etc. The place would wind up booming. Hell, build a casino too and you'd wind up with a vacation resort other nations would be sending people to as well. It would probably wind up becoming the richest territory/province in Canada in terms of per capital income. I would live in Florida for the winter, I would not consider going to a small island in the Caribbean though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlived Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) I would live in Florida for the winter, I would not consider going to a small island in the Caribbean though. I would take a small island in the Caribean over Florida. There is 9 months of winter where my house is at. flight return is easily priced at about $500 First off a modernization plan to lower the cost of living would need to be implemented. sustainable aquaculture -- eg. hydrofoils... desalination facilities etc.. drip irrigation local produce/greenhouses ect.. to lower food costs and create basic essentials. An absence of deep water ports does not entail that goods could not be shipped but rather things such as ferry craft able to act as intermitten cargos would need to be utilized. aquatic fertalizers paired with poutlry farming which could be done with elevated coops could both produce energy, and fertilizer.. since the base calcium of eggs would lower the natural sea based aquiculture fertilizer. Methane from the coups could be used as a natural gas heating source. http://holdren.com/m...e/operation.php The big drawback on TCI is the cost of living but by implementing desalination... greenwater intermitten cargo ferry's and some basic drip irrigation farming .. the islands costs would drop and it would be a mroe attractive vacation point. The self sustaining element would need to be driven, and this could be part of the trade off, supplying the island with infrastructure as part of it joining confederation. Human and Animal Waste could be night soilized and used in offshore farming barges or multilevel "grow houses that would utilize natural sunlight but be very high and ventelated to capture methane via sequestration which could then be used for other purposes. The chickens themselves could live on fish wastes (skin etc.. and flys so no need for animal foodstock. Edited February 10, 2013 by shortlived Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signals.Cpl Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I don't see how we could provide a $1000 all expenses paid trip, but okay. We don't need to provide a $1000 all expense paid trip, we need to provide a safe and secure environment where Canadians can to vacation without any of the hassles of vacationing in other nations and its a winner. I can go to Mexico for under $1000 dollars but going to a war zone on the cheap is not my idea of a vacation, a vacation on Canadian territory means that they have access to healthcare on par with the rest of Canada, police is Canadian and laws are Canadian which means that we don't wait for the Mexican authorities to solve crimes associated with Canadians we do it ourselves. It might be a little more expensive but the advantages would outweigh the disadvantages and people will like the appeal of staying in Canada for a vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest American Woman Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I would live in Florida for the winter, I would not consider going to a small island in the Caribbean though. Just out of curiosity, why not? - Why would you prefer Florida over a Canadian Caribbean island? The Turks and Caicos look gorgeous, and you would have access to health care there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) I would live in Florida for the winter, I would not consider going to a small island in the Caribbean though. Why not? If it's Canadian, has Canadian hospitals, Canadian food stores, etc., but Caribbean weather. Personally, I'd far rather retire to a Canadian T&C islands. I'd maintain my health care status, operate in Canadian dollars, not have to worry much about violent crime... Hell, what's not to like? Edited February 10, 2013 by Argus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Why not? If it's Canadian, has Canadian hospitals, Canadian food stores, etc., but Caribbean weather. Personally, I'd far rather retire to a Canadian T&C islands. I'd maintain my health care status, operate in Canadian dollars, not have to worry much about violent crime... Hell, what's not to like? More Canadians would still retire and vacation in the U.S. A health care wait list in paradise is still a wait list, and would probably be even longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Derek L Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 More Canadians would still retire and vacation in the U.S. A health care wait list in paradise is still a wait list, and would probably be even longer. Indeed, Maricopa County alone is nearly as big as the Turks & Caicos Islands………There certainly won’t be middle age Canadians flocking there in droves to buy monster homes for a quarter of a million dollars………. If Canada is going to “take over” an Island in the Caribbean, we’d be much better served with the Bahamas…..Or Bermuda…….But I suppose Canadian tax law would apply, so what’s the point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldo Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Why not? If it's Canadian, has Canadian hospitals, Canadian food stores, etc., but Caribbean weather. Personally, I'd far rather retire to a Canadian T&C islands. I'd maintain my health care status, operate in Canadian dollars, not have to worry much about violent crime... Hell, what's not to like? I haven't read anyone posting say they've been to the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI). I have - several times... the best diving I've ever encountered, particularly off West Caicos. The (Provo) beach is 'world class', the outer island reefs incredible... but the islands themselves are desert like, they're small and a few are uninhabitable. Most of the tourists I encountered, if not Canadian, were European. It definitely is not a Hawaii like experience (which might be a good thing depending on your perspective).I haven't been for a few years, well before the recent global economic downturn that truly highlighted the TCI dependency on tourism. The TCI hasn't been self-sustaining; the EU has been providing monetary support to TCI with direct grants financed from European Development Funds. These EU grants were stopped in 2009 in conjunction with the UK suspending the TCI Constitution - due to the financial crisis attributed to the downturn in tourism (as well as fiscal mismanagement). That downturn in tourism was partly due to the global economic downturn; however, it also reflected directly on the devastating damage from the 2008 hurricane, 'Ike'. The 2011 EU assessment report, in consideration of renewing funding, states that the hurricane damage remains to be repaired (infrastructure, housing, schools, government buildings, etc.). I might look towards an island outside the hurricane zone - perhaps uncle Chavez might consider one of islands off the northeast coast of Venezuela! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleipnir Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 I’m not arguing fore or against, but Hawaii is still a viable tourist destination…….As is Florida and the rest of the Redneck Rivera States……. Try annexing those places and see what kind of reaction you'll get... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Just out of curiosity, why not? - Why would you prefer Florida over a Canadian Caribbean island? The Turks and Caicos look gorgeous, and you would have access to health care there. Amenities. You can relax in the sun but still live a life of shopping and eating out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 We don't need to provide a $1000 all expense paid trip, we need to provide a safe and secure environment where Canadians can to vacation without any of the hassles of vacationing in other nations and its a winner. I can go to Mexico for under $1000 dollars but going to a war zone on the cheap is not my idea of a vacation, a vacation on Canadian territory means that they have access to healthcare on par with the rest of Canada, police is Canadian and laws are Canadian which means that we don't wait for the Mexican authorities to solve crimes associated with Canadians we do it ourselves. It might be a little more expensive but the advantages would outweigh the disadvantages and people will like the appeal of staying in Canada for a vacation. How much are people willing to pay, or can afford to pay, to stay in canada? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Derek L Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Try annexing those places and see what kind of reaction you'll get... I haven't suggested annexing any place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signals.Cpl Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 How much are people willing to pay, or can afford to pay, to stay in canada? How much do you think the cost would increase if the minimum wage increased from $5/h to $10? And would it increase? It would depend on the Islands themselves if we use the US as an example where they have minimum wage starting from $5.15 to about $9.20 in the states and $4.10-$8.25 in the territories. If we let them decide on their minimum wage while the government encourages investment on the island we could see the number of tourists increase exponentially with a variety of options for hotels and prices. Keeping in mind that tourists that go will also invest substantial amount of money in to the local economy including tips. Are there going to be challenges? Sure, but the benefits if developed properly would be worth the challenges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacee Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 I believe Turks and Caicos is no longer interested in joining Canada, if it ever was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 More Canadians would still retire and vacation in the U.S. A health care wait list in paradise is still a wait list, and would probably be even longer. The Canadians who spend winters in Florida still make sure to maintain their status in Canada so they can get health care and not be driven into bankruptcy by American insurance costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Amenities. You can relax in the sun but still live a life of shopping and eating out. You don't think that would quickly follow becoming a part of Canada? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 The Canadians who spend winters in Florida still make sure to maintain their status in Canada so they can get health care and not be driven into bankruptcy by American insurance costs. The U.S. is Canada's best tax haven....the richer the better it is. Apparently the U..S. has better weather too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guyser Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Apparently the U..S. has better weather too. Shhh....Fox News does not agree . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacee Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Try annexing those places and see what kind of reaction you'll get... I agree. I think the thread title is poorly chosen as it implies "to take over", highly unlikely, rather than to invite to join Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 You don't think that would quickly follow becoming a part of Canada? Hundreds of takeout restaurants, fine dining, outlet malls, amusement parks? Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 How much do you think the cost would increase if the minimum wage increased from $5/h to $10? And would it increase? It would depend on the Islands themselves if we use the US as an example where they have minimum wage starting from $5.15 to about $9.20 in the states and $4.10-$8.25 in the territories. If we let them decide on their minimum wage while the government encourages investment on the island we could see the number of tourists increase exponentially with a variety of options for hotels and prices. Keeping in mind that tourists that go will also invest substantial amount of money in to the local economy including tips. Are there going to be challenges? Sure, but the benefits if developed properly would be worth the challenges. All provinces and territories have minimum wages over $10, do you think Canadians in T&C are going to accept making $7 just so we can travel their for cheap vacations? I'm not that up to date with T&C but what are their labour laws like? Are people in resorts actually making minimum wage? These people will want, and deserve, the same standard of living as the rest of Canada. As well how many will want to remain there if they can now go to any province, get a good education and get a well paying job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signals.Cpl Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 All provinces and territories have minimum wages over $10, do you think Canadians in T&C are going to accept making $7 just so we can travel their for cheap vacations? They will do what is necessary to attract tourists if they want jobs, the minimum wage for those serving alcohol in ontario is around $2 less than the regular minimum wage, if people in Ontario can do it why can't the people in T&C in order to attract tourists. I'm not that up to date with T&C but what are their labour laws like? Does it matter? If they become part of Canada they will reform them to reach our level... Are people in resorts actually making minimum wage? In many places the people who are most likely to make tips have a lower minimum wage, the majority of the workers in resorts would make in and around minimum wage with some pretty good jobs making substantially more. These people will want, and deserve, the same standard of living as the rest of Canada. And no one is denying that they would deserve the same standard of living as the rest of Canada but like servers in Ontario bars an restaurants they could make less due to the fact that they will be making tips. As well how many will want to remain there if they can now go to any province, get a good education and get a well paying job? I am pretty sure they have British passports now so what is stoping them from moving to the UK? Some will leave but many will stay and jobs will undoubtedly increase exponentially and not just the minimum wage jobs but better and higher paying jobs. If the islands were to become Canadian and security is improves thats an advantage now throw in investment in attractions and hotels and people will be willing to pay a little more to vacation there. If the government introduces strict quality controls where the vacationers know exactly what they are getting when booking a hotel rather than guessing and hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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