In response to Shawn’s post about how business ethic sometimes doesn’t apply, I deem that business ethic should always apply to firms, and it is very important to firms that have huge marker power, especially for Apple.

Shawn define ethic as a “merely perception without certain clear definitions“, yet I find a precise definition online says: business ethics deal with any moral or ethical issues arise in a company. From my perspective, unethical practices can negatively affect a business. Apple’s stock price has went down because of the news which revealed its working condition in China.

Shawn also argues that: “Criticizing each giant in industries seems to become the most popular fashion trend nowadays“. While I agree that multimedia likes to report negative news just to attract readers, the criticism that they make is also an alert to the firms, warning them not to make the same mistake again.

“The fact is, without Apple’s contribution, most of the workers would not even get the chance to be paid. In this way, Apple’s conduct was obviously favouring the helpless” quoted Shawn. If this is the fact, then most of the workers will be unemployed if Apple did not hire them. However, numerous workers had health problems because of the prolonged hours they worked. Would people still believe that Apple’s conduct was favouring the helpless when they see those poor workers ended up in hospital while their low earning can’t probably cover the full cost of medical treatment.

Last but not least, Shawn claimed that: “We also know, that there is no such enjoyment as healthcare or social insurance or minimum wage in China. And this is the exact answer of why we can purchase a pair of comfy Jordan with the price of $125 not $500, and we can afford a fancy Mac Air with the price of $1000, not $3000.” I’d like to see statistical proof indicating that China lacks of efficient healthcare or social insurance. In fact, I went to Apple China’s official website and only found out that they charge at the same price if not higher. And I observed the same phenomenon with Jordan’s shoes. So, if us consumer is not enjoying this price advantage due to lower cost, who is then? The answer is obvious- Apple.

The news which revealed working condition of Apple China really saddens me, and I hope Apple take business ethics in a more serious manner.

There has been much disagreement over the topic of Obamacare in recent time, one of the questions under debate is whether it is beneficial to the society by providing everyone a affordable health care or does it actually harm the society by hindering the employment rate？

After reading Nicola’s blog about Obamacare, I had few skeptical remarks about the consequences of implementing the system. While I agree that Obamacare does add more cost to firms, I question will the firms actually be devious enough to actually reduce hours of their employee to make them not eligible for Obamacare? My reason is that such unethical behaviour can negatively affect a firm by losing its reputation and the trust from its employees. Which could result in a huge decrease in the performance of the company.

Also I believe the unemployment caused by Obamacare is temporary, because a business cannot survive without its employees. After Obamacare have became the industry rule, firms will find other solutions to deal with the increase in cost.

The government of British Columbia has became the first Canadian government to sell bonds into China’s market.

On November 4th, 2013 at 6;00PM, the BC government legally signed a contract with China, issuing over a total of $400 million bonds at a rate of 2.25% per year. Interestingly, the bond was issued in China’s currency, also called the Renminbi (RMB), sold just over $2.5 billion RMB. This one year bond contract also has a nick name called “dim sum”, and it is expected to pay out in November, 2014.

The B.C debt is rated at AAA level, which makes its debt attractive to international investors looking for perceived safety. Although it doesn’t contribute a large proportion of money in the province’s operating costs, it’s a telling move for a province trying to ally itself more closely with the Asian market.

As a Chinese immigrant in Canada, I am really happy to see the increasing in trade between Canada and China. Not only does this indicate the growing power of China, but also shows the better friendship between two countries. I really look forward to the economic growth of both countries.

A woman from North Dakota is being criticized for her plan to give an obesity reminding letter to the parents of those trick-or-treaters whom she thinks are overweight.

“I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight”, claimed by Cheryl who is the letter sender

She also added that: “It’s just these kids, I see them and they are struggling to stay healthy and they want to play with other kids and I think it’s really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just ‘cause all the other kids are doing it.”

Last but not least, she believes that she is contributing the society as a whole to address the health problem of child obesity.

Personal opinion: The letter does reflect some honest opinion from the woman, while I wouldn’t criticize this woman with harsh words, I do think it is hurtful to young children who are being judged base on their appearance. A better solution could be sending out low-sugar candies, or prepare other healthier food such as raisins….

Great Toronto Area residents are being urged to shop at Canadian-owned businesses during American “Black Friday”.

Yellow Pages Group launched an initiative named “Shop the Neighbourhood,” on Monday, asking people lived in Great Toronto Area to buy from local stores between the popular American “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” events held on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 this year.

Hundreds of stores participated in this event and urged Canadians to but from local, in order to support local community and economy.

This article indicates that increasing number of Canadian businesses are aware of the fact that supporting from their own country is very important. Economic growth also relies heavily from local supports, that being said, the future of many Canadian owned businesses is in our hand.

Nevertheless, it is known by the public that for the same goods, buying in Canada is usually more expensive than that of the US. As a customer who wants to minimize the cost, there is a significant advantage of shopping in the US. It remains a controversial topic whether to support our local businesses or to save money and shop at our neighbour.

Hi guys, I went to PNE last weekend for the Fright Nights event and I just want to share something I observed during the event that is related to business

1: Residents near PNE make profit from private parking during Fright Nights event. (Since the parking is usually really overloaded, people would stand beside the road and ask you to park at their house for $10 per night, which is cheaper compare to $15 parking fee at PNE parking lot)

2: The Fright Nights ticket is sold as two separate prices. One being twice expensive as the other, and the benefit you get from the more expensive ticket is that you do not have to wait for the line up. (For every haunted house, there is a fast lane and a regular lane. Surprisingly, I saw no one waiting in the fast lane…failed marketing strategy?)

3: A big thumbs down for the Triple O’s at PNE, not only is it more expensive than other places, but they actually charged me $3 for a cup of hot water, I tried to argue with them but they said they don’t supply hot water and I ended up paying the price of a cup of coffee…(I guess the demand is high during Fright Nights so they could be careless of their reputation anyway).

Overall I think it was a great experience, I strongly recommend people to go there!!!

According to a new survey, majority of Canadians feel they are in a better economic position than the 2008 pre-recession period.

The statistic provided by BMO Harris Private Banking indicated that 54% of high-net-worth individuals  feel they are more secured financially. On the other hand, 36% shows their financial status did not change much and only 11% claimed that they are in a worse financial situation.

As for people from U.S: 61% had a positive answer and only 7% said they are in a worse financial situation.

High-net-worth individuals: People with $1-million assets and above

Almost half of Canadians have voted:47% look forward to an improvement in Canada’s economy while 61% expresses their optimism for U.S economy.

On the other hand, 61% Americans believed that Canada will become more prosperous in the future.

“High-net-worth Canadians clearly feel they have bounced back well from the 2008 downturn and are fairly upbeat about what the future has in store for Canada’s economy,” said by Alex Dousmanis-Curtis in a Thursday news release, who is the senior vice-president and head of BMO Private Banking.

Despite the fact that majority of Canadians are feeling better at present, in my opinion, one should still be prepared and observe carefully for any economic fluctuation.

Rogers Communications Inc. is planning to invest $700-million for its local network in the province of Alberta

Rogers found out that on average, Albertans have the highest monthly bill (including voice and date services) than subscribers in any other part of the country, making the province a key battleground as Canadian cellphone carriers try to expand its users in the increasingly fierce cellphone market. Statistics have indicated that the revenue per Albertan is $75.26, which is far greater than the national average of $57.94. In addition, the province also has the highest household income.

On Tuesday, Rogers  claimed that the money would be spent to upgrade its wireless network across the province, add 50 more stores to bring its total to 150 (Telus has more 200+, while Bell will have 150 by the December, 2013), and sponsor the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers.

Despite the fact that Rogers is the largest national wireless carrier, Telus currently owns more than 50% of the market shares in Alberta, with Rogers and Bell sharing the equal amount of the rest. While Rogers is said to invest $700 millions within the next 4 years, Telus will spend the same amount this year alone! (although its spending also includes the infrastructure needed to expand its IPTV television service). It says its network reaches 99 per cent of Alberta’s population, which is where Rogers hopes to be at the end of its four-year investment.

Facing such a strong competitor, Rogers will have a hard time in the future. Will Rogers grab users away from Telus in the future and successfully become the biggest shareholder in Alberta? We shall wait and see.

It is reported by TransLink that Golden Ears Bridge loses 45 millions per year, in that fewer people are driving through than expected.

The Golden Ears could possibly  $35 million to $45 million annually for the next few years although the transportation amount is increasing 2-3% each year.

“There could be many factors why fewer people are using the bridge than originally forecast,” said in an emailed statement of Sany Zein, who is TransLinl’s director of roads.  “One of the major factors is that the original forecasts were prepared well before the recession of 2007/08, at a time of extremely robust economic growth and lower gas prices.

“The recession, slower economic growth, and high gas prices have all contributed to less demand than originally expected.” Zein added that.

Originally, the company expects a increase in the number of drivers gain in the future years that are “consistent with the economic growth in the market area of the bridge,” Zein said.

After the project was completed in 2009, TransLink agreed to subsidize $800-million Golden Ears Bridge for the private operator — which replaced the original plan of the company（The Albion ferry） — until it reach projected ridership figures. Tolls from the bridge linking Langley to Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge have become cheaper of traffic projections each year of its young life except last year.

With the economic recession happened in 2008/09, the lagging transportation growth did not bring TransLink the expected profit. Currently, the fee for passing the bridge is $3, should TransLink change its price tactics to compensate for the loss of money each year?

As the modern rail transportation developes rapidly, oil producers and refineries start to shift their attention away from the Keystone XL pipeline, in other words, the once money and labour consuming project is now seen as unneeded, a report from Canaccord Genuity Inc. says.

Here is the historical background of the Keystone Pipeline Project:

TransCanada Corporation purposed the project in 2005, most people who vote against this project mainly argue that it will cause serious damage to the environment, while others argue that it creates much work opportunities for the US but benefits a little for Canada. Despite much voice of opposition, the project became operational in June, 2010. One of the horrifying accidents related to this project was the lac megantic derailment, which causes numerous death and a great deal of damage to the environment.

That being said, the project is now considered to be abandoned because of the developement of rail transportation. Nevertheless, there remains many questions to the stakeholders and to the public.

1: If the project was never approved, why spend so much money in the first place?

2: Who is going to compensate the loss of lives and environmental damage caused by the project?