The question that stumps most people when they project their future into the decades beyond work is, "How much is enough?" Do you need a million plus to keep you in the style you are accustomed to, or would a few C$100,000 do it?

It does not seem to occur to Canadians that, since they typically pay too much for most things, that if they stopped overpaying, a significant amount of the pressure of financing an unknown future could be relieved. Past centuries have taught us to expect costs to continually rise, but how much of that pattern is based on perpetuating inefficiencies, bureaucracies and expensive programs that are no longer cost-effective or even necessary? How much is "we've always done it that way" costing us at the grocery store, the gas pump, the retail outlet ... and in taxes on all levels?

Canadians had a rude awakening when the Loonie first hit par with the American dollar in 2007. Turned out, that even with a strong Loonie, consumers are still expected to pay too much for almost everything just because they always have. The cross-border price difference is just one reason that snowbirds like overwintering in the United States and other countries where their Loonies go further. What if that affordability were available at home, too?

An interest in discovering what could be possible is all that is required for online investigations of meaty issues and mind-expanding content.

For example, the One Issue, Two Voices series, presented by The Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, The Canada Institute On North American Issues, and The Canada Imperial Bank of Canada, examined 8 issues relevant to trade, productivity and the economic relationship between Canada and the United States -- and, therefore, to your bottom line. On February 8, 2008, presentation of the eighth issue, Free Trade in Free Fall? Canada-U.S. Non-tariff Barriers followed the same format as the previous seven issues: a publication (print and PDF), drawing on expertise from both sides of the border and written by two experts with differing viewpoints, and a live panel discussion featuring these two authors.

Authors and international trade experts Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington D.C. and Canadian Michael Hart of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Ottawa's Carleton University examined the extent to which non-tariff trade barriers are restricting the flow of goods and people across the border, and the resulting impact on the two economies. Their publication and presentations offer clear, accessible information designed to stimulate Canadians into thought and action.

Don't be intimated by the complexity of a topic. Taken issue by issue, step by step and from a few clearly-expressed points of view, the relevance to daily living becomes evident:

• Hufbauer stated that even with a combined gross domestic product of more than US$14 trillion in 2006 and bilateral trade totaling US$550 billion, the two economies are far from integrated. "Perhaps the most important consequences of this gap are productivity differentials and salary disparities -- both to the disadvantage of Canada ... ."

  He also stated the border reduces the volume of trade by about half and observed that "little progress has been made in compressing price differentials between U.S. and Canadian cities" since 1989. Post-911 security has placed an emphasis on "thickening" the border rather than reinforcing the North American perimeter. "Super-imposed on pre-existing [border] congestion, these new [security] procedures can only result in higher costs for moving cargo, longer crossing times, and missed business opportunities ... . With more efficient technology, and with inspections calibrated to risk, the security tax on Canadian merchandise can be reduced."

  Hufbauer emphasized that "the payoff from serious regulatory convergence would be substantial" but the challenge lies in balancing these gains against what "would be caricatured in Canada as a mass surrender of sovereignty." High-profile regulatory barriers regarding rules of origin, food safety and [carbon dioxide] emissions may prove to be the most effective meeting ground for extended cross-border economic cooperation.

• Hart felt the "incremental agenda of the last 10 years is not good enough" and urged audience members to become "actively engaged" in transmitting this message to Ottawa. He advocates a bolder approach that would involve "a renewed security partnership, better border management, greater regulatory cooperation, infrastructure integrity and institutional capacity."

  At the heart of this strategy is rethinking the processes involved, re-building mutual trust, eliminating bureaucratic redundancy and enabling innovative leadership. "For consumers, regulatory divergence is tantamount to a concealed 'inefficiency tax' that citizens pay on virtually everything they purchase. This tax is the sum of the costs of duplicate regulations, border administration delays, and other regulatory impediments."

To read the entire dialogue between these trade experts or PDF's on the other 7 issues.

Both Hart and Hufbauer agree that Canada must take the initiative ("do the heavy lifting") since it has greater knowledge of the United States than visa versa, and because Canadians have very definite ideas concerning acceptable solutions and outcomes.

When asked what individual Canadians could do to hasten improvement and achieve desired outcomes, Hufbauer suggested searching out a specific issue or "slice" which has personal or work relevance and that builds on existing experience or knowledge. Become "a gadfly" on that issue by writing letters or emails to government ministers and elected representatives. When you or your group become known as experts with justified concerns and concrete solutions, the dialogue begins.

This is not a "somebody ought to do something" time in history, but an "everyone has a voice and a lot to gain" reality.

Published: February 12, 2008

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Strategist and Futurist is The Catalyst -- intent on "Helping The Best Get Better." An internationally-recognized "new retirement" authority, PJ's research, writing and speaking programs focus on decisions Baby Boomers face to achieve a successful future. Author of 6 books, PJ knows that, since home is headquarters for the "new retirement," professionals and consumers need relevant knowledge and insights, along with solid decision-making skills, to protect and enhance this private oasis. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors -- and the clients they serve. A frequently quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking -- a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more, visit TheCatalyst.com.