The Canadian dollar became worth the same or more than the U.S. dollars in September 2007. Yet, four years later Canadians are still paying substantially more for the same consumer goods as their American counterparts.

Most Consumer Goods Cheaper in U.S.

Some examples:

  • The 2011 book Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs published by Simon & Schuster Canada - $26.99 in the U.S./$29.99 in Canada.
  • A KitchenAid food mixer - $269.99 at Costco in U.S./$379.99 at Costco Canada.
  • 2011 Toyota Corolla LE - $17,600 at Marina del Rey Toyota, California/$22,055 at Cambridge Toyota, Ontario (just over five kilometres from the plant where the vehicle is assembled).

According to the Ottawa Sun (September 6, 2011) “In April, the Bank of Montreal reported Canadian consumers pay about 20 percent more than American shoppers on a wide variety of goods. In 2009, that price gap was around seven percent.”