It was just the other day and some business associates and myself were dscussing the Economy, Transportation and what difficulties we face. One was a Lawyer, One was a Stock Broker, One was a Self Employed Management Consultant and then me a Transportation LIFER.

It occured to me that not only we each faced difficulties, but they were all related, connected and yet distinctly different at the same time. Talk about SIX DEGREES OF SEPERATION. The lawyer was representing a company, who had declared themselves bankrupt. yet they owed carriers HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. The management consultant, was stuck with a major problem HOW TO HANDLE THE PASSING OF THE TORCH (since it is Olympic year and here in Canada) from generation to generation to generation. The company not only did not have a succession plan in place, the children were not remotely interested in the business. They were involved only because their parents wanted them to be. The Stock Broker sat back listened and then told us, well we never had a recession and we are better off than most countries, we have a great economy. Then they looked at me.

I am neither the Oracle of Mississauga, nor am I an Economist or a Banker or Lawyer. However, I am a pragmatist and deal with the result of the problem. As those of us in this industry realize, if it is your house, on your house you are wearing it, or eating it, it arrived by truck. We are the first to see any and all problems of the economy. I went on to explain, that transportation is not that complex really and yet it is ONE HECK OF A BELLWEATHER TO USE. My first comment was that the Canadian Dollar Is way to high, for the good of our economy. Our major trading partner is the United States of America. For us to succed we cannot afford for the Dollar to be any hgiher than $0.80 to $0.85 exchange. Why ? Simple! The American public do not need to buy form us or deal with us with goods costing so much. The result we export less to the United States. Impalance of trade. Less exports to them, yet our Imports are still fairly stable from them. This means of cousre, we have more goods coming home and less goods going down. The rates should reflect it. DO THEY? IF NOT, WHY NOT? Well I will let all the experts figure that out.

The stock broker laughed again and he told us all, Transportation stinks as an industry to invest in, it is a loosing propostion from the word go. I beg to differ. I think it a great place to invest in. If you are investing in your company. I am not convinced that stocks in the Transportation Sector are that great an investment, however. Funny enough the stock brokers comment was coming of course from someone who gets our money when we buy and when we sell. Sort of a built in market. Even on line investing they still charge both ways. They get your money no matter what. Then the lawyer and I discussed a couple matters.

I guess the first was, his take on the LACK OF PROTECTION FOR CARRIERS, FROM COMPANIES GOING BANKRUPT. He wondered why Carriers are not secured creditors. I wonder, if shipments travel on a B/L and Transfer of Title of the goods does not occur until the Transportation Charges are paid in full, why we are not considered Secured creditors? Perhaps the government should take a look and change the rules somehow. Then he discussed Contracts and shipper versus broker, versus Insurance claim contracts. Funny enough he agreed with me, Any claim whatsoever, it is illegal to offset the amount of the claim against any past freight charges owing to the carrier. The amount of the claim itself is one and the same. It becomes and is integral to the claim. It is included in the amunt of the claim. We then discussed DUE DILIGENCE DEFENSE with regards to many issues, facing carriers today in Ontario courts.

All I can say is "MAKE SURE IT IS DOCUMENTED , MAKE SURE IT IS IN WRITING, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PROOF, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CLOSED AS MANY LOOPHOLES AS YOU CAN, LISTEN WHILE IN COURT AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO PROVE. For the most part, if you can prove you have done as much as pssible to inform, enforce and reenforce time after time after time, you have a chance. Of course it is always up to the court to decide who, what, when, where, and why. Do not be afraid to ask for their proof, ask for all of their evidence, ask for them to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. Of course this is COMMON LAW, in Ontario, in Quebec CIVIL LAW prevails, which means you are guilty until proven innocent. Even worse Due Diligence does not hold water, in United States.

What could Mr. Harper really do? Well I know I have a great idea. Instead of relying on his economists, bankers, cabinet ministers, and his very close confidantes, for information and then of course closing down parliament. Why not come to us? The people who see day to day what is really happening. Ask us for Ideas, suggestions (Polite ones), our take on the economy, our take on what really ails the economy. Get into the real world. However, when was the last time a Politician actually did what they promised, while running for office. Talk to some of us in the business world who see the real matters, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.