Tuesday 25 March 2014

Business Reflection #8: Mexican Drug Cartel Behind Increase In lime Price

Business Reflection #8: Mexican Drug Cartel Behind Increase In lime Price
Date: March. 25th,2014
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mexican-drug-cartel-behind-increase-in-lime-prices-1.2584437

       In some cases, Canadian supermarkets are now charging well over a dollar for a single lime.

The cold weather and agricultural pests have played a part in curtailing lime production and so raising the cost to consumers. But there is another factor at work here as well: In fact, the price of limes in Canada is closely tied to one of Mexico's infamous drug cartels.

While 
these cartels are known for their tight control of drug production and export, they are also branching out into other businesses, limes being one of them.Limes are an essential ingredient in much of Mexican cuisine, and one of the country's key exports. 
  


 Personally, I believe as a restaurant worker I believe paying so much for just one lime is crazy! having it being tied with a drug cartels is unacceptable. I believe that we should have a different country or provider of limes in our country if its tied to such activity's. What do you think: do you think our main provider of limes in our country should be Mexico even with the close drug cartels?

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Business Reflection #7: South Korea trade deal to benefit Canadian agricultural producers

Business Reflection #7: South Korea trade deal to benefit Canadian agricultural producers
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/south-korea-trade-deal-to-benefit-canadian-agricultural-producers-1.2568476
Date: March.12th,2014

     Prime Minister, Steven Harper announced today that Canadian consumers can expect lower prices on South Korean vehicles, appliances, and electronics because of the new Canada- South Korea free trade agreement. The Canada-South Korea free trade agreement, which is expected to remove nearly all tariffs between the two countries, has been well received by various sectors of the Canadian economy — with the exception of the automotive industry, which has raised concerns about the potential for tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs lost.
    In the deal, this is what as Canadians we should expect to pay less for:

  • Vehicles: Canada will drop its 6.1 per cent tariff on imports of South Korean vehicles over a three-year period, with the first cut coming once the agreement is in force. Two years after the agreement is in effect, tariffs will be completely eliminated, which means Canadians can expect prices to come down on South Korean-made makes such as Kia and Hyundai.
  • AppliancesCanada will eliminate tariffs that currently run up to eight per cent on major appliances within three to five years. That means Canadians can expect to pay less for refrigerators, stoves, washes and dryers made by LG and other South Korean brands.
  • Electronics: Duties run up to 14 per cent on consumer electronics imported from South Korea. Under the new free trade agreement, Canada will drop its tariffs over three to five years, and Canadians can expect to see prices come down on degital cameras, video camcorders and TVs made by Samsung and others in South Korea.
  • Apparel and footwearCanadians can expect to pay less for clothes and shoes made in South Korea once duties that currently run up to 20 per cent are removed over a period of three to 11 years.
       
       While Canadians will be saving money with this agreement the South Korean consumers will be seeing a bigger savings on products such as:

  • Vehicles: As soon as the agreement comes into force, South Korea will drop all existing tariffs on imports of Canadian vehicles. Current duties run up to 8%.
  • Fish and seafood
  • Leather clothing
  • Beef, pork , canola, and grains
  • Frozen french fries 
  • Maple sugar
  • Rye Whisky
  • Ice wine
  • Chickpeas and lentils
        Consumers will not be seeing the savings for some time to come, as there will have to be legal review in final trade agreement followed by translation into Korean, English, and French before it is tabled to the parliament and is excepted by both governments. As consumers, we don't know when this agreement will take place as the government is saying "as soon as possible".
   So what do you think... is it worth it to get all these everyday products discounted in the future or to forget about the agreement and keep the thousands of employees employed?


Tuesday 11 March 2014

Business Reflection #6: Average Student Debt Difficult to Pay Off, Delays Life Milestones

Business Reflection #6: Average Student Debt Difficult to Pay Off, Delays Life MilestonesDate: March 11th, 2014http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/average-student-debt-difficult-to-pay-off-delays-life-milestones-1.2534974    


         As a second year college student, I understand the huge amount of cost it is for secondary education. But as a teenager, I didn't realize how difficult paying off an average Canadian graduate debt load really would be.    In the article I read from CBC news, it tells us the story of an average Canadian University graduate Brittany Verge who is 5 years out of University and still struggling with the debt of student loans. High debt loads are not only a financial stress but can delay the time it takes individuals or couples to reach certain milestones, such as having children, getting married or owning property, according to recent research in North America. 
  Being 19, this makes me worry about my future. wanting to have a family, get married and own property someday and not having the chance to do this because of secondary schooling debt makes me angry. should today's society be forced to not get these milestones because they chose to go to college?  what do you think?

   

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Business Reflection #5: Housing to get less affordable as mortgage rates rise, RBC warns

Title: Housing to get less affordable as mortgage rates rise, RBC warns
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/housing-to-get-less-affordable-as-mortgage-rates-rise-rbc-warns-1.2550370
 Date: February.5th,2014

          The Royal Bank of Canada says the ability of Canadians to keep up with housing costs has been improving lately, but warns that about to change. RBC's latest housing affordability messures show home servicing costs relative to incomes dipped slightly in the last 3 months of 2013 after rising the previous2 quarters. With this in mind the relief will be temporary, the bank says, because mortgage rates are due to start rising this year. The bank then goes on to state that the longer term interest rates will begin to moderately rise, which will cause the cost of owning a home will increase.
         Personally, this worries me. Due to the fact that being only 19 and not owning a home yet, knowing all the increases  makes me feel by the time I get the opportunity to own a home it will be too expensive.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Business Reflection #4: Cherry Brook Zoo Faces Financial Crisis

Business Reflection #4: Cherry Brook Zoo Faces Financial Crisis
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/cherry-brook-zoo-faces-financial-crisis-1.2542876
Date: February.19th,2013

            Saint John's Cherry Brook Zoo is under a lot of stress this year dealing with the money situation. Having had it's  sign destroyed by vandals and having to pay $11,000 a year in property tax's alone. The Zoo is asking for any volunteers to help with the snowplowing, pothole repair and paying for health benefits.  The zoo opened in 1978 and covers 35 aces in the northern section of  Rockwood Park. It is home to exotic and endangered species, including a Siberian Tiger, a golden lion tamarin and a Goeldi monkey. The site brings many tourist to the area increasing the population during the summer months.
           Personally, I believe that the Cherry Brook Zoo should be helped financially during the winter so it can stay open in the summer. It's great distribution to the city of Saint John during the time it is open and brings family from all across the province.

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Business Reflection #3: Neknomination: Dangerous drinking game goes viral

Title: Neknomination: Dangerous drinking game goes viral
Link: http://www.digitaljournal.com/life/health/neknomination-dangerous-drinking-game-goes-viral/article/368551
Date: February 2nd,2014

Being a teenager, I strongly hate the stereotyping I get due to that fact but I'm starting to understand why it is that way. Neknomination is a new online game played by teenagers and young adults all over the world. The game is relatively simple. a person chugs as much alcohol as he or she can while doing something outrageous such as just haven bitten off the head of a chicken. After downing the alcohol, the person " nominates" or dares someone friend, family, ect. to drink more than they did and keep the game going. The drinking of course is filmed and uploaded to Facebook, twitter, YouTube or any popular websites. This dangerous drinking game is believed to have started in Australia and resulted in at least 1 death in Ireland.
      I as a teenager, think that this is absolutely absurd! I don't understand why people believe this is "cool" or feel like they have to do it cause they were " nominated". I personally, would never engage in this activity due to the simple fact that it has no point and it's dangerous. Is it really worth risking your life over a stupid dare? would you do it?

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Business Reflection #2: Husband of pregnant woman wants her off life support

Title: Husband of pregnant woman wants her off life support
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/23/health/pregnant-life-support-texas/
Date: February 4th,2014

    In this article, it tells the story of a Fort Worth, Texas man who is fighting to get his wife off life support; the problem is : she's pregnant .Marlise Munoz, 33, is in serious condition in the intensive care unit at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, hospital officials said. She is unconscious and on a ventilator. Knowing his wife's living wish was to never have  her life sustained by a machine it makes him want to fight for what he knows his wife would have wanted .Complicating an already difficult situation with his wife being about 18 weeks along . Texas state law prohibits withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment from a pregnant patient, regardless of her wishes.
     This being a very ethical topic, it makes me nervous to write my opinion. In this case, I believe that if it was Marlise's wishes to not be held alive by electronic devices then I would grant her that wish. With that being said, I do see the side of keeping her artificially alive to save the life of her unborn baby. What do you think: should the law be broken for this case or held no matter the situation?