Anyone who thinks the Occupy Wall Street movement has no relevance for Canadians may be surprised to see former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney offering his sympathetic take on the protests. Mulroney understands how Canada's economy is driven by what happens in the U.S.
As prime minister, Mulroney saw first-hand how Canadian fiscal policy is defined by the international money markets, leading him to champion free trade as a means to achieve global competitiveness.
Small wonder that Mulroney has joined Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney in raising a supportive voice on behalf of the protests.
Marginal living standards are becoming the great leveller in North America as the middle class is hollowed out after putting all its faith in free markets. Ironically, while its equal opportunity they want, Americans -- and Canadians to a lesser degree so far -- are finding equality at the bottom of the income spread.
Some commentators dismiss the occupations as copycat displays, preferring to credit the prudence of Canada's chartered banks for sparing us from the fate that has befallen our U.S. neighbours.
But they only need to look at the soaring debt load in this country to understand how Canadian consumers are poised to share the same fate.
How can you claim to speak for 99% of people?
10 years ago
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