Summary
Most of us know what's up with Stratford today -- North America's largest classical repertory theatre. The main stage, the Avon, is set in a large, verdant park, one of the few in Canada that's in a downtown. Nearby is a jaunty collection of boutiques, bars, fine restaurants and places to stay.
As debates on the province's Oct. 10 election have shown, not all is well this year. The higher Canadian dollar has made exports to the U.S. more expensive. Low-cost imports from the hot economies of India and China are competing successfully for markets in Canada and the U.S. As well, Statistics Canada reports that Americans hit by a housing recession and accompanying turmoil in mortgage and credit markets are staying away in droves, sending travel statistics from the U.S. to Canada in July to their second-lowest level since record-keeping began in 1972.Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has encouraged Canadian manufacturers to buy better machinery in the U.S. now that our dollar has reached parity with the greenback for the first time in 31 years. He's hinted he'll try to boost productivity by giving manufacturers some tax relief -- specifically by sweetening the capital cost allowance program that allows manufacturers to write off the cost of new equipment.See the full content of this document
Extract
Getting Its Act Together
Stratford has overcome adversity, found success
Tom FordSTRATFORD -- This southwestern Ontario city has a lesson for all of Canada: Embrace change like a favourite, rich uncle.Most of us know what's up with Stratford today -- North America's largest classical repertory theatre. The main stage,...See the full content of this document
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