Florida's "love affair" with Canadian visitors; Governor announces discount deals

   Canada column for Sunday, Nov. 5/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   While expressing his “love” for Canadians, Florida Governor Rick Scott was in Toronto to launch a discount program for visitors from the north.

   The new Canadian Power Play Program features 20-percent discounts on airfare, rental cars and lodging to counter the colorful currency’s recent weakness.

   This will “help even out the dollar value,” Scott said at a news conference at Union Station.

   “We love Canadians – you’re a big part of our state and our biggest group of international travelers,” he said.

   The governor stressed that Canadians are “so important to Florida’s tourism industry and the 1.4-million jobs it supports for families.”

   There were 3.3-million Canadians visiting Florida last year, accounting for 23 percent of the state’s international visitors and they spent $3.6 billion.

   “We are doubling down on our efforts to bring more Canadians to the Sunshine State with our new Canadian Power Play Program,” said Ken Lawson, Visit Florida president and ceo.

   Twenty-six Florida businesses and tourism partners including Air Canada are participating in the program, with details at LoveFlorida.ca

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   Ontario Provincial Police are putting transport truck drivers “on notice” after an ongoing series of fatal collisions blamed on inattention.

   The worst collision was a firey14-vehicle pileup that killed three people and closed Highway 400 north of Toronto for more than a day on Tuesday night.

   The crash started when the driver of a loaded gasoline tanker truck slammed into the rear of another truck and vehicles that had slowed for an accident ahead involving a drunk driver.

   One gas truck exploded, sending a fireball of flames down the highway with the vehicles “completely destroyed, melted into the asphalt," said Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.

   “This series of horrific collisions is driver inattention at its worst,” said OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes.

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   News in brief:

   - Clark Kent, otherwise known as Superman, appeared for work on Halloween at Canada’s Parliament building. Was it a “bird, a plane?” No, it was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who flashed his Superman costume beneath the meek, mild Kent alter ego as he appeared for question period. He dressed as Han Solo from “Star Wars” two years ago and a pilot from the French children’s book “Le Petit Prince” last year.

   - Canada’s economy added 35,300 jobs last month while the jobless rate inched higher as there were more young people looking for work. Statistics Canada said the number of full-time positions jumped by 88,700 and part-time employment dropped by 53,400 jobs. The unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent, up from 6.2 percent in September.

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   Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 78.37 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.275 in Canadian funds before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 1 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.2 percent.

   Stock markets are higher, with the Toronto exchange index at 16,020 points while the TSX Venture index is at 791 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.21 a liter or $4.59 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto 6/49: (Nov. 1) 1, 23, 29, 32, 45 and 49; bonus 16. (Oct. 28) 8, 15, 25, 30, 31and 32; bonus 1. Lotto Max (Oct. 27) 1, 14, 15, 16, 24, 39 and 49; bonus 5.

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   Regional briefs:

   - Negotiations have resumed in an effort to end a three-week strike by faculty and staff at Ontario’s 24 community colleges. The walkout by the 12,000 workers has cut classes for 500,000 students. Major issues are job security and limiting the number of part-time workers. The colleges have offered a 7.75-percent raise over four years.

   - Former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney has been elected leader of the new United Conservative Party in Alberta. Long-time politician Dave Rodney of Calgary Lougheed is resigning so Kenney can seek his seat in the legislature in a by-election. Kenney was critical of the current government of New Democratic Premier Rachel Notley and said he would end the provincial carbon tax, reduce spending and restart the Alberta economy.

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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com