[guavadelic]

Also, everytime an asset is in public hands, the public then wants discounts. People complain about the pricing of the 407. But their tolls actually reflect demand and road consumption. They charge heavier vehicles substantially more. And they keep tolls high enough to keep traffic flowing. Meanwhile, I've taken toll highways in the US which are parking lots during rush hour.

I don't think privatizaton is ideal. I would prefer public ownership. But I also don't want stagnation where nothing else gets built because nobody wants to raise taxes or price infrastructure appropriately.

Not sure how Carney can keep avoiding the raising of some form of taxes with all the future bills coming due, like defense spending and infrastructure upgrades. It's either that or a dramatic increase in deficits, which in theory is an option. He could also eliminate a chuck of social programs, but that would be political suicide.

The Federal Government is launching a pilot project to see if those granted temporary study or work permits actually leave when they expire.

From Robyn Urback's piece above (with her trademark snark) :

A pilot program? This makes it sound like our immigration system is based on the honour system.

 

[kEiThZ]

If we're being purely political, he shouldn't raise taxes. Just manage the deficit best he can. Eventually when the CPC takes over, let them wear the disastrous austerity they are going to impose anyway.

 

[urbanclient]

our immigration system is based on the honour system.

It literally is... We don't have entry/exit controls.

Going way back in time, passports weren't a thing until World War 1.

 

[Northern Light]

It literally is... We don't have entry/exit controls.

Going way back in time, passports weren't a thing until World War 1.

We do have 'entry' controls; you must pass through customs at all borders.

However, we do not have exit controls.

You don't pass through Canada Customs (CBSA) when exiting the country.

But that isn't required as such, in order to know if people have exited.

Anyone boarding a plane or train has a ticket/boarding pass, and that data set can be used; for land borders Canada can easily exchange data on who was admitted from where.

Its a choice to collect the data..........

And its a separate choice to take enforcement action based on same.

****

Worth noting, the EU literally just activated full exit control as at April 10, 2026.

Japan, Singapore, China, and Australia all have exit controls.

The conspicuous list of countries that do NOT have exit controls as of today:

Canada, the United States, the U.K.

Hmmmm

I wonder what countries make extensive use of cheap, undocumented labourers in large numbers? Could there be a connection?

 

[urbanclient]

We do have 'entry' controls; you must pass through customs at all borders.

However, we do not have exit controls.

Semantics, I wasn't clear. But yes, you're right.

I wonder what countries make extensive use of cheap, undocumented labourers in large numbers? Could there be a connection?

But, but, it's only capital C Conservatives that do wage suppression Northern Light!

 

[Northern Light]

But, but, it's only capital C Conservatives that do wage suppression Northern Light!

That is certainly not the case; the Trudeau government was big on it; now, in fairness, the Harper gov't was too until they got caught.........

It seems to be a common feature of Teams Red and Blue at the least. We can't say that with certainty about the others as they've never held power...........but certainly the cause of undermining wages and productivity improving investments is one that has been common to both 'governing' parties of the last 20 years.

 

[urbanclient]

But that isn't required as such, in order to know if people have exited.

What about ground transportation? Buses, rental cars, etc... Hard to keep track of those. Maritime is another story, but a miniscule percentage.

 

[Northern Light]

What about ground transportation? Buses, rental cars, etc... Hard to keep track of those. Maritime is another story, but a miniscule percentage.

If you have to clear U.S. Customs, we can ask for that information; that's one option. That covers anyone coming in by car or bus etc unless U.S. customs waves them through w/no check, that doesn't happen very often anymore.

That said, we can also impose direct exit controls, and make you pass through customs on exit in one form or another. We don't need to have you talk to someone either. Scan your passport or travel document/ID, if its not flagged, you go through. Either way, we know you left.

Boats can be more difficult if they're of the personal watercraft type size. The procedure opportunities are there, but enforcement is more of a challenge.

Still, I don't think, numerically, that's an issue right now. I'm sure it happens, but not a volume that is unduly alarming.

Far more people enter legally and simply don't leave when their permission to stay expires.

 

[urbanclient]

Far more people enter legally and simply don't leave when their permission to stay expires.

To track that, I think we both agree that we need exit controls. Otherwise how do we know who left and who didn't?

Regarding plane/train ticket data, how feasible would it be to get access to that data? I'm sure there would be some push back from privacy advocates, maybe the airlines as well.

I personally think having a passport/ID scanner at the port of (entry and) exit would be more foolproof. I've experienced this extensively in Paris and Amsterdam. It's normal there to scan your passport to enter and leave the airport. This was well before the EU activated full exit controls. At Paris CDG, the line to leave the airport for non-EU friendly countries is faster than the line for EU citizens LOL.

 

[Northern Light]

Regarding plane/train ticket data, how feasible would it be to get access to that data? I'm sure there would be some push back from privacy advocates, maybe the airlines as well.

We already have access, we merely need to use it and reconcile it. (and then employ enforcement as appropriate)

I personally think having a passport/ID scanner at the port of (entry and) exit would be more foolproof. I've experienced this extensively in Paris and Amsterdam. It's normal there to scan your passport to enter and leave the airport. This was well before the EU activated full exit controls. At Paris CDG, the line to leave the airport for non-EU friendly countries is faster than the line for EU citizens LOL.

Perfectly fine as an option as well.

 

[Coolibop]

list of countries that do NOT have exit controls as of today:

Canada, the United States...

The U.S. uses the i94.

I remember having to surrender it when I was travelling on a U.S. visa. Most Canadians are exempt from receiving one (and the only foreigners that are), but I can still look up my old departures online — they were recorded when I handed the i94 to Canadian customs officers, and that data is still visible today.

Now that the i94 is electronic, most people don’t realize it’s automatically issued and collected.