Huron Expositor, 2007-11-07, Page 4r
Page 4 November 7, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
Opinion
Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO
Lowering prices a
matter of survival
Even before Finance Minister Jim Flaherty high-
lighted the issue this week, most Canadians knew
that prices for the same goods are often cheaper in
the United States.
That's why, even when our dollar was worth con-
siderably less, Canadians within driving distance
still streamed across the border to buy things like
gas, groceries and clothing.
So it's a little ironic that only now that the loonie
is soaring above the American greenback is the
issue of buying power getting our attention.
Still, Flaherty deserves some credit for raising
the matter in his meeting with the Retail Council
of Canada and representatives from big retailers.
"There should not be large discrepancies between
similar products just because they're being sold on
different sides of the border," he noted.
Some economic analysts have estimated
Canadians may be paying in excess of 20 per cent
more for many products than Americans.
Of course, the retailers said little and promised
even less after the meeting, but at least the issue
was thrust into the spotlight. At least we're paying
attention now.
And Flaherty had one important piece of advice
for consumers looking to find the best price for
merchandise: shop with your feet.
"Now consumers also have a responsibility. If
they don't think they're getting a fair deal, they
should compare prices and shop around," he said.
We agree.
While some have suggested Flaherty should use
legislation as a means of levelling the retail playing
field, we think the market should be left to its own
devices.
If enough Canadians choose to buy in the U.S.,
Canadian retailers will be forced to adjust their
prices if they want to stay competitive. That, or
offer added value for the goods they're selling.
Of course there are valid reasons for some price
discrepancies. The entire distribution chain has an
impact on the price we pay at the checkout counter.
And retailers will tell you that costlier regulations
and higher business taxes come into play as well.
Still, now that the Canadian dollar is worth
around $1.07 US, there seems to be some room for
adjustment.
In the end, bringing prices down to reflect the
increased buying power of the loonie is not only a
matter of good business for retailers -- it could be a
matter of survival.
The Stratford Beacon Herald
It's important to celebrate our
freedom on Remembrance Day
Every year, the Huron
Expositor honours its local vet-
erans at Remembrance Day,
both with stories of those who
served and in recent years,
with a special edition filled
with the Seaforth-area faces -
many of them extremely young
- who went to war, many of
whom made the ultimate sacrifice and never
returned.
As we stand at the cenotaph or at the
Legion remembering the men and women and
the horrors they endured on our behalf every
Nov 11, we concentrate - and rightly so - on
images from both world wars and the result-
ing loss of human life.
But, rarely, it seems to me, do we take time
to itemize and celebrate the freedoms we
enjoy daily because of their sacrifice.
Newspapers exist because the democratic
rights to freedom of thought, belief, opinion
and expression, including freedom of the
press, were successfully defended.
They are rights that newspapers continue
to defend daily just by exercising them.
As often the only members of the public
present at meetings of the various public bod-
ies that run our local governments and insti-
tutions and spend our tax dollars, reporters
do their jobs to inform the community but
also just to ensure that those wielding power
do so under public scrutiny.
It never ceases to amaze me when newspa-
pers are criticized for their "negativity" when
they report on any sort of dispute in the com-
Susan
Hundertmark
munity.
Healthy democratic communi-
ties are filled with curious,
involved citizens who aren't
afraid to publicly question the
decisions of their leaders. And,
the leaders aren't afraid to
question each other.
Because they don't live in dic-
tatorships, they aren't afraid of speaking up
for fear of being "disappeared" in the middle
of the night, rounded up by secret police and
shipped off to concentration camps to be tor-
tured and killed.
And, the result - while it can be tedious - is
differing opinion and conflict splashed on the
front pages of newspapers throughout the
free world.
In Seaforth, the ongoing discussion about
the best location for a family health team
building is a good example of the conflict
that's sometimes necessary for democracy to
function.
Since the day Huron -Bruce MPP Carol
Mitchell came to town announcing Seaforth
would be one of the first recipients of a family
health team, there has been a push and pull
between private and public meetings to dis-
cuss its organization.
Private meetings became public when it
appeared that Seaforth may lose its family
health team to Clinton.
Private meetings became public when it
seemed no agreement could be reached
See EXERCISING, Page 6
Ron & Dave
Did you know Remembrance
Day is next week?
It's the day that we're
supposed to remember
the soldiers.
ditompub.1
THIS JUST IN
War continues to rage in
the Congo, Vietnam, the
Middle -east, Central
America, Angola, Laos,
India and Pakistan
by David Lacey
Your Community N.wspaper One* 1860
E-mail us at seaforthObowesnet.com
Visit our home page at
www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com
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