Campbell's Comment

One of the most remarkable stats of the year is that the majority of Canadian Oil sold for under $16 a barrel on Friday, which means that most businesses in the oil sands are losing money after taking into account all their other costs.

On today's business comment, Michael takes the time to encourage you to tune into Money Talks on Saturday morning to hear his conversation with Economic Forecaster Martin Armstrong. If you are having a difficult time figuring out the world of finance, tune in.

Is there any level of financial mismanagement in local governments that would get you involved in the civic election? What about a wage gap between public and private sectors? What about taxes? What needs to happen to get people out to vote?

Why do politicians endorse bad economic policy?  A big reason is that the definition of a good policy, for politicians, is about getting votes and staying in power.  The policy should be based on promoting the public good.

When you look at the news these days there is one aspect of the daily cycle that you need to keep in mind and that's how fast the most complex issues are getting reduced to a simplistic, political tribalism.

Tarrifs on goods always impact the consumers which is why the government doesn't want you to be informed about them.  Politicians flirt with companies and don't care about the consumer who ends up footing the bill.

The CO2 emissions that are going to be the result of the new LNG project, are going to get more coverage than the reduction of emissions from the trans mountain pipeline.

The moral lesson from the LNG Deal that was announced yesterday is that taxes make a difference as to where investment capital goes.

It's surprising that some of the reaction toward the new trade agreement seems to focus only on the uneasy feelings of the poultry and dairy industry.

No official details of the new NAFTA deal (not being called the USMCA) have been released yet, but there are some rumors about access to the dairy market and duty free limits. But will the deal be beneficial to Canada?

Do you like the idea of government mandating prices on consumer goods?  Imagine if there is a rise in the price of fruits and vegetables in the winter.  Is it a good idea for the government to step in an cover the additional costs so Canadians keep paying the same?

Will you start caring about the private vs public healthcare system if you are presented with a situation where you would benefit from one over the other?  

As US trade representatives continue to suggest that they will not reach a deal with Canada by the deadline,  which side is to blame for not being able to negotiate a fair deal in the NAFTA talks?

The federal government is feeling the blowback of the carbon tax.  People are fed up with paying more tax and not knowing where the money is actually going.

It's hard trying to reconcile the lack of interest in municipal politics and the upcoming municipal elections, with the outcry over affordable housing.  If the issue of affordability is so big, why aren't more people engaged in voting?

Why aren't eligible voters more interested in civic elections?  Afterall, municipal governments provide the services most of us use on a daily or weekly basis.

There are a few lessons from Donald Trump's trade protectionism that we should not forget.

Is there an arguement to be made that slowing growth around the world will lead to a happier environment?

Are Canadians too concerned about political gossip and drama that they are overlooking some big issues that should be thought about in order to come up with real life solutions to the problems?