LETTER

The American Economic Miracle 

Today, the USA economy is growing at 6.7% and has the lowest unemployment rate since 1969.  Why?

Consider this:  in Quebec, today:

- Cutting down seven trees on your lot (no matter how big) is illegal without provincial Government authorization, requiring a professional  forester’s report.

- You can’t open a restaurant without buying an expensive computer as billing your diners by hand is illegal.

- If someone vandalizes your vending machine, you, not the vandal, are liable to punitive fines under laws written to stop drunk oil tanker captains crashing their ships on rocky shores.

- Rollerblading or playing hockey in the street is strictly illegal under provincial laws.

- A Quebecer can be billed $56 if he uses the toilet in an Ottawa Library.

- A newspaper is liable to a $16,000 fine if it offers cheaper advertising rates to someone advertising in their competitor.

- You can’t buy your friend a beer for helping you put up your garden gazebo unless they are a union member.

- Anyone from Shawville can freely use the internet in the Aylmer Library, but Aylmer residents must have photo ID, because they can’t be trusted not to run out the door with the computer.

- Newspaper vending boxes are illegal in Gatineau under the Mayor’s “war on literacy” policies.

- Even if your delivery truck has a dead battery, you can’t leave it running while you load/unload it, no matter how important that contract is  that you will consequently default on.

Every one of these rules and regulations has been passed in the last 22 years and every rule had a purpose at the time that has long been forgotten.  

Over-regulation only benefits big multinationals who can afford to keep lawyers on their full-time payroll.  Isn’t it time we learnt - you can’t regulate your way to success?  

Robert L Thompsett

Aylmer