There is nothing wrong with a stronger dollar, even a currency at par with the US dollar. But it needs to be when the Canadian economy is thriving. The complaints now made against the current situation are because (a) the economy is not on a strong footing (b) the manufacturing sector is suffering (c) household debt is at record levels with Canadians owing $2 trillion (d) unemployment at 6.6% is unacceptable (e) inflation at 1.01% is virtually non-existent (f) GDP while satisfactory did not reach analysts' expectations in the first quarter and (g) exports in the first the quarter slipped to an annualized rate of 1.3 per cent.
A stronger dollar? When the boat is sinking the wise captain plugs the holes and levels the craft. A stronger dollar should be accompanied by a gradually improving economy so that everything rises in tandem. A recovery cannot be lopsided. Everything must tick in unison.