Tarrifs bad.................... bras good

I have a theory. The customs and duty we pay as Canadians when we buy something from another country is actually bad for our economy. Let me explain.

I like to use bras as an example. Bras are a very particular consumer item. Women are very picky about their bras because of the importance of their fit, comfort, suitability for the activities that will be performed while wearing the bra and quality - sometimes even the look of a bra comes into play. The problem is that Canada manufactures bras. Which means that if the bra you want isn't made in Canada, you're going to pay extra. The extra is supposed to help offset the fact that by purchasing a bra from another country, you are affecting the Canadian bra industry in a negative way.

But this logic assumes that all bras are created equal. And any woman will tell you that is just not so. I know from the experience of others that sometimes you just have to get a bra from another country when your very specific needs are not being met by domestic products. Even retailers complain about the huge expense and logistic hassle they go through trying to import items from outside the country (even the US), let alone individual consumers who want to buy stuff on eBay for example.

Customs and duties have a very undesirable yet inevitable effect. They force us to buy domestic or pay through the nose to get imports. Which leads to domestic producers not having to make quality product. Because they don't have to compete. They get subsidized even when they're making crap. It's time to do away with tarrifs - at least on items that can possibly be made better elsewhere.

Are you listening government of Canada?