Well if Vancouver isn’t in debt after the Olympics, the tourists will be. Spending in British Columbia (including debit and credit cards) soared 93 per cent compared to the same 17-day span last year, reaching $115 million US. Apparently, foreigners spent $6.8 million per day, between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28. Visa reported over 1 million transactions.

Unsurprisingly, visitors from the U.S. spent more than half of that ($61.1 million); the Chinese were next, spending $7.8 million; third on the list was the U.K., spending $5.1 million.

Congratulations to British Columbia. Don’t spend it all in one place.

I have been researching the Olympics a lit for the cover story in this month’s CBJ. More specifically, I have researching the costs and subsequent debts associated with hosting such events. Not surprisingly, a lot of cities overspend and go into billions worth of debt. I’m not breaking news. This isn’t a hidden fact. Yet we find fierce competition between cities aching to bring the Games home.

Why? Easy: attention, glory and patriotism.

The Olympics are a blast to watch and I’ll admit to the swell of pride I feel when Canada wins gold in something. But at the end of the day, it’s a series of sports events.

As a recently wed woman, I can draw a parallel between the Olympics and a wedding. Like a bride before her wedding, host cities await the attention and legacy of their special day(s), enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime party, and ignore the imminent bill until the after the honeymoon.

Is a wedding important? Sure. It’s a fabulous celebration. But is it worth going into huge debt over? No. I would say the same about the Olympics. I believe the Games are a great time to unite the world in peace, but I wouldn’t say the billions in debt are worth it.

What do you think?

What started off as a Facebook page, objecting to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament, sparked into a nationwide protest that attracting people by the thousands. CBJ staffer Antonia McGuire was there to participate in a protest for the first time in Toronto.

Carrying signs with messages ranging from No to Proroguing, Yes to Democracy to Harper Go Back to Work, the crowd dressed warmly and shouted loudly for all the cameras—and ultimately, Stephen Harper to hear. As a news reporter, I used to mock those clichéd chants that went something like this: “hey, hey, ho, ho!” In lieu of a camera and note pad, I picked up a sign to participate in the politically neutral event. And come they did by the thousands from Antigonish, Nova Scotia to Montreal, Quebec and Yellowknife.

When asked why protest in the first place when clearly the big wigs aren’t listening, I said, it’s part of our civil duty. And it’s that simple. When governments prepare new policies they must consult stakeholders that will be affected, it is equally our right and duty to be engaged, to care and participate in the democratic process. Who else is better equipped to bring attention the issues to the House of Commons, where our elected politicians represent us?

The coolest thing about social media is that it’s a great tool, when used right, to effect change. So tweet your heart out or post a blog with your thoughts and stand for your rights, but golly just don’t sit there. Millions around the world aren’t given the chance to have a say.

Personally I believe Mr. Harper’s decision to suspend or prorogue Parliament is nothing but a public relations stunt to save face during a major international event, Vancouver 2010 next month. With the Conservatives neck to neck with the Liberals in the polls, tension is stirring. Spring election anyone?

It’s not business news, but it is worthwhile. As I read the news and receive updates about the conditions in Haiti, I am reminded that as members of a developed country, we steward a great deal of the world’s economic resources.

I am encouraged that people and organizations are stepping up to help. For example, International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda just announced today that the Canadian government is pledging $80 million to humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.

This Haitian disaster is devastating, but it provides us with a tremendous opportunity to practice giving. I’m sure you’re aware of a million aid groups, but in case you’re moved now, here’s a link to the Red Cross: http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000043&tid=016

Be well!

The print world flinches again, as CanWest looks for buyers for its newspaper division.

As someone who writes in the digital realm, I am thankful for the job security. But as someone who likes to feel the newspaper in my hands, I mourn for the state of print.

I used to think that people simply wouldn’t abandon that morning coffee and paper routine. Judging by the web traffic of online news sources and magazines–including our own site–Canadians are adjusting. But are we okay with it?

My question is: Are people just as happy to read stories online or are they just accepting the seeming fate of print media, giving up and moving with the trends?

One day, a few years from now, we will look back on the metal detector used for airport security with the same puzzled look that creeps on our faces when we recollect smoking in bars, or, in the Neolithic era, in hospitals.

The metal archway will be a relic.  Transport Canada announced this week that they will be start installing full-body scanners in major Canadian airports starting this month, after American airports did the same in response to the attempted terrorist attack where a single lunatic tried to blow up a plane with powders sewn into his underwear.

Underwear is a running theme in this issue. People are getting theirs in a bunch over the issue of privacy. What makes the scanners attractive as security tools is that they give a very accurate and precise image of the body. Even though the monitor of the scanners will be in another room, and the identity of the patron will be indiscernible, it will still mean that someone, somewhere, will be seeing passengers in their birthday suits.

I think those concerned about privacy have a point. It’s a very slippery slope we are on. Cameras are on the street, googlemaps monitor our homes and streets and the internet has become a photography purgatory. If someone’s body scan were to wind up on the internet, time would be helpless in assuaging the embarrassment, as it would be online for eternity.

That said, as surveillance and the internet evolves, so do our security needs. No longer does detection fit the bill. Passengers must be scanned and virtually stripped in order to (hopefully) prevent more crazed people with the modern-day terrorist’s predilection for using planes as weapons in being successful.

Personally, I am willing to go through the new machines since it means augmented security overall. As surveillance becomes more prominent, I figure my privacy will be likely maintained as I am lost in the volume of data generated by all these tools.

What makes Canada an economic leader in the coming year? The next 5 years? This coming decade?

CBJ just published our January 2010 edition of the magazine, which features a look at Canada’s economic strengths going forward. But we want to hear from our readers.

Why do YOU think we will be at the top of the class in 2010?

Ah yes, it is back-to-school time. You may have read the Globe and Mail’s editorial in its Report on Business section about how Canadian innovation starts in the classroom.

I couldn’t have agreed more with both contributors-senior vice-president and chief economist of Bank of Nova Scotia, Warren Jestin, and vice-president of research and innovation at York University,  Stan Shapson-who argue that “fresh thinking about our ‘innovation ecosystem’ is needed for adapting to a rapidly evolving global economy.”

According to Jestin and Shapson, innovation means it’s time for governments, community leaders, schools and families to go back to the drawing board and come up with new ideas on how to integrate our K-12 sector, those  young, bright minds, into our innovation agenda. Even though governments have invested in skills training and post-secondary education, there is a pink elephant in the playground. In other words, if we really want Canada to be a leader in new economy, there needs to be collaboration across all sectors, chambers of commerce as well as schools, universities, colleges and families to foster an integrative educational platform for children-our future leaders, entrepreneurs and bright minds.

But I can’t help but wonder what all levels of governments are doing to reinforce their committed support especially when it comes to improving our educational infrastructure. I know there have been so-called improvements. I have friends who are teachers, young, experienced and even retirees, who say the curriculum is continually being reviewed and modified as the ministry sees fit. Almost to the point, in fact, that has become a nuisance, say many young teachers. Interestingly, during a dinner party with several teachers on the verge of retirement, I discovered their frustration with “keeping up with technology” and modifying their seasoned teaching styles to accommodate technologically-advanced students who live and breathe in a hyperactive, social networking-obsessed environment.

And yet, I find it ironic that there are literally thousands of grads fresh out of school that are highly-qualified, if not more technologically-savvy than the close-to-retirement teachers who are desperate to get back in the classroom. But too many are forced to work on-call, as supply teachers, for years before seeing a permanent posting. Meanwhile, retired teachers reap the rewards by calls to supply, depriving the newbies of gaining valuable experience.  If seasoned teachers are truly tired of the ‘system’ and ready to leave the classroom, why don’t they embrace this new stage in the careers?

Is the teacher’s pension not enough of an enticement for these retirees to give the younger generation a break? It’s the Gen-Y’s turn to rule the block.

Apparently the credit crunch has affected more than just bank accounts– now it’s after waistlines. A recent German study showed a strong correlation between indebtedness and obesity.

You’d think it would be the other way around (less money, less food), but researchers found 25 per cent of the 949 indebted participants were medically obese, as compared to 11 per cent of the other 8,318 study participants who weren’t.

Over-indebtedness was associated with a 1.97 times higher odds for being overweight and 2.56 times higher odds for obesity (after adjusting for age, sex, education, income and health factors such as depression and smoking). The authors speculated those deep in debt may gain weight since their ability to choose nutritious foods is limited by their budget.  Fatty, low-yield foods are often less expensive compared to healthier options.

What does this mean for Canadians? Now that we’re tightening our expenses, let’s not loosen our belts. Personally, I choose to consider this study a friendly warning.

I just read this article in the Financial Post about the aging workforce in Canada and how the employment gap will affect our industries.

In a brain-storming session, a prominent think tank, C.D. Howe Institute said the changing demographics have to be dealt with because left unchecked, growth in the workforce and economic output will slow. Couple that with higher taxes to account for pension benefits and health-care for Baby Boomers.

The following solutions are what they came up with:

1)     Increase immigration levels to over 600,000 new people per year-although, even they thought it was unrealistic

2)     Delay the normal age of retirement from 65 to 70

3)     Persuade Canadian families to have more children

As resident nay-sayer, these solutions seem bleak. I don’t think you’ll get many volunteers interested in adding five more years to their career. As for the having more children, it’s a nice idea but consider the resistance that female professionals are encounter now when they have to take maternity leave.

Maybe this a take-one-for-team situation. If not, how else can we solve this imminent challenge? I don’t have any ideas to contribute, all I know is if we’re supposed to recreate Jon and Kate Plus Eight, most of us won’t even make it to 70.