For those of you who don't speak Canadian, the Loonie, is our Canadian dollar, named after the coin with a loon on the back.

Just today, for the first time since 1979, the Canadian dollar is equal to the US dollar.

Whoo Hoo, I'm going to order something from Landsend this afternoon. (just kidding).

Ok, but what I'm wondering is....
1) Why do we still pay 30% more for books (and have been for years). I want to pay the same now.

2) Why is the Canadian economy doing so well now while the American economy seems to be struggling to hold on? Does it really have all that much to do with the housing fall out?

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Wow, I knew the Canadian money was gaining but I guess I didn't realize how much -- that's going to be a bummer when we go to the bakery.

I'm glad. We're going to Disneyland in December - it will be nice to get American funds now. I remember in about 2001 or so I went to the bank to get my boss $100 US for a day trip he had to take to Bainbridge Island. It cost over $160 Canadian. I nearly choked. I wasn't going to the US anytime soon back then I'll tell you. When he brought back his receipts I couldn't believe how expensive it was there too. He had a burger at Dairy Queen and a pop and it was more expensive than it would have been here. I was stunned. I remember going to Seattle in the early 80's a few times. Even though our dollar was worth about 80 cents on the American dollar back then, things you would buy down there would be cheaper (making it worthwhile). I've noticed in recent years that's no longer the case. I go down there and spend as much on a restaurant meal as I would here, but it's in American. Cars are a lot cheaper though. I'd consider going down to buy a car if I were in the market for one.

I guess for me it would be a pain to go up to Canada to buy things 3 hour drive and or a ferry ride to Victoria. No I am much happier taking my drive and my shopping south to Oregon the land of no sales tax (plus I get to visit my sister)

No I don't know why books are more, I know that there are some big differences when it comes to health care.
As for the housing thing I think it affects different areas differently. My area is a big military community so lots of VA loans still going out and housing prices have not budged

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006