One question.. do we follow the Asian markets or do the Asian markets follow us... if Asia had a blip after the North American markets did Friday..is that just a sign that Asia follows suit with North American markets.  I was under the impression that was how it worked.  That being said who is to say we don't do today like we have many other times and have a rally to compensate for the beating NA markets took on Friday? 

I like to think that the economy in Canada is on fire, but of course we are part of the big world picture.  I would hazard a guess that given the next few years Canada will be playing more and more of a role in the stock market for a number of reasons, those being:

1.  Oil Sands (billions and billions of barrels of recoverable oil). Another Middle East stockpile??!!

2.  Precious metals (gold, silver, nickel)...just look at the mining companies coming up with wonderful finds in Ontario and Quebec alone, get along other areas like BC.

3.  Manufacturing metals (copper, moly, etc).  Same as 2.  Nuf said.

4.  The economy in general.  The Canadian dollar is steamrolling over the US dollar right now...will it last..I think we will continue to get stronger dollar wise..rather than weaker.  Why!!  Commodities and plenty of them.... One thing..we have to sell them at fair value worldwide...

5.  Canada's political and socialogical issues.....none that should become issues like the Middle East.

6.  Technology companies like Ballard, RIM and energy giants maintaining their share value or in the case of RIM technology companies that are exploding to new levels.

7.  Media....no one will hold back information...our media has too much freedom if anything...the government will be hard pressed to entertain manipulative measures in the form of royalties and taxes or measures that restrict the growth of the growing sectors.  This of course does not mean they won't get their share either.

I could go on..but I think I have made enough points for now.