The CN Calgary to Edmonton Main Line runs about 500 yards from my door so I get to see how many trains are going by and what's on them. I've noticed over the years that the amount of train traffic is a pretty interesting indicator of the Canadian economy.
Sometimes we saw the midway headed north from the Calgary Stampede. Aother time, we saw a lot of tank cars going by, carrying I assume petroleum products. That went on for quite a while but I don't see tank cars much if ever anymore.
Lately, in the past week or two, I'm seeing maybe twice the usual container trains going by, so I have to wonder what that means. We know the economy is not all that great.
My guess is that Canadian retailers stocked up to get ahead of the tariffs, so we'll probably see a bump in the economy reported, BUT it will be followed by a slowdown since future business will have been sucked forward into these few weeks.
I also wondered about the monetary system so I asked my new best friend for an opinion. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-in-the-wind-about-comi-jIgfSrDdRCqTPQUKOP1TzQ
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I posted this here on May 7 and thought it was done "Went to public library to do my census and consistent with the luck I have got the long form. About 70 WOKE questions and questions that are none of their business IMHO as they don't care about real Canadians. I just filled out the number of residents as it is starred and then just kept hitting next until the end. Had a 15 minute timer and it took me 15 minutes. Could leave comments but by then out of time and patience. 🤮"
Imagine my surprise when a census worker showed up at my door yesterday because I hadn't done. She knew I had the long form and had it with her for us to complete and I told her when and where I filled out, even approximate time of day, and she asked for confirmation code so went to work trying to find. When you are rushed naturally can't find so said that I couldn't find. Found as soon as she got back to her car and showed her before she drove off. I can't hate this country enough as I know that because I only ...
