Yes, it would appear that I had my head up the proverbial on that one.
Apologies and retractions humbly offered. I guess what one cranky customs
official says should not be taken as government attitude. I've no doubt the
US has a few (or more) similar dolts in similar jobs.

I'm surprised about your softwood lumber comment though. I often must stop
for a train at a nearby Burlington Northern/Santa Fe grade crossing, see
car after car of lumber go by with big red maple leaf logos on the covers.
Looks like someone has figured out how to do it. I wish I knew where it
was going. I think my local Menard's imports from Outer Twistovia or
perhaps Warpland....


"Ted Edwards" wrote in message
...
Don Foreman wrote:

If your government creates impediments to trade that cause you
inconvenience and discourages US vendors, perhaps you should direct
your rants at them. Perhaps they're convinced that your
inconvenience serves the greater overall economic benefit of Canada
by keeping Canadian money in Canada as much as possible.

You are unusually ill informed for you on that one, Don. Try checking
into US impediments to trade. e.g. softwood lumber. "Free trade" seems
to mean that the US should be allowed to export anything anywhere.
Imports are an entirely different matter.

Ted