A number of recent news stories, combined with some things I have heard from several business owners, has all led to the same conclusion – Canada is on a very problematic path at present. The stories from business owners are interesting but disturbing.

Dumping has been an ongoing practice in the international trade world for some time. Dumping is simply defined as the practice of a country or a company exporting a product to a foreign market at a price lower than the price charged for the product in its home market or below what would be considered a normal price. Sometimes exported goods are sent to other countries at lower prices than the cost of the raw materials that go into the manufacture of these goods.

The Canadian manufacturing sector has been shrinking for some time. Manufacturing production volumes are currently at their lowest levels in over five years. Since 2018, manufacturing as a percentage of GDP declined by five per cent, while the comparable U.S. number increased by 10 per cent. This is important because the manufacturing sector in any country is a key source of innovation, productivity and well-paid employment.

Recent developments in Venezuela and Iran could lead to a very new set of circumstances for the Canadian oil and gas sector.

This author is getting fed up with Canadian governments blaming every problem Canada faces on U.S. President Trump. The reality is many of our own governments have implemented policies that have damaged our economy and our society.