North America Works -- Part III: Detroit/Windsor border-hopping nurses

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North America Works -- Part III: Detroit/Windsor border-hopping nurses

Lee Anne Raper is living the North American life along another border, the one that separates Canada and the U.S. A nurse at the Henry Ford Hospital close to downtown Detroit, Raper doesn’t live in Detroit. Actually, she doesn’t even live in the United States. For the past 19 years, she has driven to work every day across the Ambassador Bridge from her home in Windsor, Ontario, a trip of only about six miles.

“I can see where I live from the 17th story of the hospital,” she says. “I actually know some of the (border) guards. They call me by name and ask me if I’m going to work.”

Raper is just one of about 800 Canadian nurses who cross the border every day to work in the U.S. These border-hopping nurses highlight some of the similarities but also the differences between the economies of the two North American neighbors that share a 5,525-mile border and enjoy one of the world’s longest-standing and most amicable relationships.

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The consequences of Justin Trudeau’s Chinese trade decision

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The consequences of Justin Trudeau’s Chinese trade decision

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a tough decision on Canada’s relationship with China: Will Ottawa agree to Beijing’s demand that Canada stop treating China as a “non-market” economy under the World Trade Organization?

The stakes are high. Refusing the Chinese would likely end the chances of a far-reaching trade deal with Canada’s second-biggest trading partner. A recent report puts the value of a Chinese trade deal at $7.8 billion in new economic activity for Canada. But experts say China will come to the table only if Canada first grants it market economy status.

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Canadian companies have a big new ally in the fight against cyber crime

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Canadian companies have a big new ally in the fight against cyber crime

Businesses in Canada will soon have a new network to guard against cyber crime, which is costing them more than $3 billion a year.

Nine major Canadian companies, including the big telcos and some of the Big Five banks, along with the Canadian Council of Chief Executives on Friday announced they are forming the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX), a non-profit organization that will allow firms to share information amongst themselves, government and research institutes about cyber attacks.

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How TPP could make things sticky for Quebec’s maple syrup producers

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How TPP could make things sticky for Quebec’s maple syrup producers

Sugaring season is still several months off yet, but American maple syrup producer Emma Marvin is already thinking about selling her syrup into the Pacific. “Japan and South Korea certainly offer really interesting markets,” she said. “There is considerable opportunity there.”

Marvin is a second-generation owner of Butternut Mountain Farm, one of the largest producers and distributors of maple syrup in Vermont. Her business is just one example of an American firm that stands to gain under the recently announced Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the trade agreement among 12 countries that surround the Pacific, including Canada and the United States, which is currently awaiting ratification.

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