Canadian banks have gradually been deregulated and now are getting bigger than ever before. They can sell insurance, make investments and take deposits where previously they had been just boring depository banks. They are also getting bigger through acquisitions of other banking institutions.
Mark Carney gets credit for keeping Canadian banks from failing during the crisis but it was mostly luck ("horsehoes") or previous regulation that actually kept the financial system stable. Carney and Finance Minister Flaherty frequently warn Canadians to get out of debt even though savings earn very little interest with our low interest rate policy and wages are stagnant or decreasing while prices continue to increase. Debt levels in Canada reflect the conditions of our economy. At the same time, the government has decided to impose austerity on the population by reducing expenditures across the board by 10% including loss of government jobs.
Here's a little song for Mark Carney as he leaves Canada to become Governor of the Bank of England:
"When I was a Lad" (Carney Style)
By Polemic - Macro Man
Monday, February 25, 2013
After prompting from a reader and getting bored of guessing Italian election outcomes, we have adapted Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan's "When I was a Lad" from "HMS Pinafore". Instead of the Queen's Navy, we think the B.o.E is more topical.Posted by Polemic at 3:5
"When I was a Lad" (Carney Style)
When I was a lad I served a term
As a junior trader at the Goldman firm.
I cleaned the books and soon wasn't poor,
As I traded debt and made the profits soar.
Chorus.
He traded debt and made the profits soar.
I traded debt so carefully
That now I am the Governor of the B.o.E
Chorus.
He traded debt so carefully
That now he is the Governor of the B.o.E
As trading boy I made such a fee
That they gave me a post in the ministry
As Canadian minister with no recourse
I introduced a tax on income trusts at source.
Chorus.
He introduced a tax on income trusts at source
I introduced the tax when at the ministry
So now I am the Governor of the B.o.E
Chorus.
He introduced the tax when at the ministry
So now he is the Governor of the B.o.E
In raising tax I made such a name
That a central bank governor I soon became
I saw a crash, chose policies to suit
To prevent Canada becoming destitute.
Chorus.
To prevent Canada becoming destitute.
I passed so well through the G.F.C
That now I am the Governor of the B.o.E
Chorus.
He passed so well through the G.F.C.
That now he is the Governor of the B.o.E
Of central bank skills I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership.
Bernanke, Merve and then Draghi
All showed me the way to play the great Q.E.
Chorus.
All showed him the way to play the great Q.E.
Balance Sheet Constraint won't apply to me
Now that I am the Governor of the B.o.E
Chorus.
Balance Sheet Constraint won't apply to he
Now that he is the Governor of the B.o.E.
I grew so known that I was sent
By a select committee into Parliament.
I always voted for the strong growth call,
I never thought of thinking of inflation at all.
Chorus.
He never thought of thinking of inflation at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Governor of the B.o.E
Chorus.
He thought so little, they rewarded he
By making him the Governor of the B.o.E
Now bankers all, (don't look at me Moody)
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn't bothered by a ratings fall
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Chorus.
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Preach growth, restraint yet huge Q.E.
And you all may be Governors of the B.o.E
Chorus.
Preach growth, restraint yet huge Q.E.
And you all may be Governors of the B.o.E
See the original post and the video of the song here
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