Quote from Mnphats:
I was wondering what you thought.
Ah. My mistake. My thoughts on the Canadian economy:
Positives
1. Strong financial system is the key to the entire strength of the economy. See Q3 earnings from BMO and CIBC, increased profits over last year and decreasing provisions for loan losses. Banks are just that, BANKS, not financial engineers coming up with complicated derivatives etc. and putting massive amounts of money at risk on "trading desks".
2. Abundant natural resources. Second largest proven oil reserves in the world. Largest Uranium company in the world (Cameco).
3. Tons of land, few people. Long term there is unlimited growth potential with proper immigration policies. Development in the north will be huge if natural resources become accessible as expected.
4. Increasing diversification of trade partners. Increasing trade with China and EU, recent trade agreements with Latin America as well.
Negatives
1. Rising Loonie will kill exports to USA, especially in Ontario. Partially offset in the West by higher oil prices due to the correlation between USD and oil prices.
2. Still way too dependent on the USA economy for exports. If USA fails to properly recover, Canada will also be hurt.
