I doubt the negativity regarding the Canadian tourist industry will have much affect on the value of the Loon. The Canadian dollar pretty much tracks now with the value of oil, particularly since Canadian oil has to be bought in Canadian dollars, not US dollars as is the case in a lot of other oil producing countries. There has been recent threats from American companies investing in the Alberta oil patch about collecting their marbles and going home. This was in response to a report advising the government of Alberta to raise royalties on Canadian oil, which would cut into the profits of large oil companies and also raise uncertainties. Some pundits have responded to the threats by saying, "Go ahead, go home and get your oil from Iran or Nigeria if needs be, there are other customers and investors waiting in the wings." Think Japan and China. Considering that it will probably take all the royalties raised, just to get the Athabasca River flowing again after they are through with it and have drained it dry, perhaps raising royalties would be prudent. BG
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