Canadians just keep on trucking

[Cybergal]

Canadians just keep on trucking
8/15/08

OTTAWA — According to the headlines, Canada is in the grip of an energy price crisis that is radically altering consumer behaviour as people strive to reduce their energy bills. It's a helluva story. But is it true?
It seems to be happening in the United States. A Wall Street Journal article this month produced a wealth of evidence, some of it anecdotal, showing that Americans were driving less and in smaller cars, buying more energy efficient appliances, and hopping on the bus instead of taking the car for their daily commute. Demand for gasoline was actually falling, the item said, as Americans curbed their thirst for oil.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...BNStory/energy

[InMyDreams]

The reason is simple: the Canadian economy is doing a lot better than the US. Gas prices have gone up steadily for us too and we had no problem with it until our "recession-that's-not-a-recession" this year. Plus, Canada has ONE STRONG dollar now compared to years past - that's gotta help a little.

Personally, I'm all for Canadian economic growth. How's the trucking industry up there?

[Wildkat]

Well, I would have said until this month that we are humming along like we've been for the last 15 years or so. Alberta's economy is pretty energy based & we didn't feel any slow down for years, but now this month things seem to have slowed some & I personally think that has alot to do with the high fuel costs. People just aren't buying as much as they used to. They certainly aren't travelling. I think the tourist industry has been hit hard this year. But with the kids going back to school in a couple of weeks I'm pretty sure things will pick up again