Charest wants a premiers' meeting on soaring loonie
Last Updated: Thursday, November 8, 2007 | 3:58 PM ET
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Premier Jean Charest has asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a meeting with all premiers to discuss the economy and rising loonie.
Charest said he's contacted his provincial counterparts to discuss the strong dollar and its local impact.
"It's one thing to see the dollar increase in value, it's another thing to see it increase at such a rapid rate," the premier said in Quebec City Thursday.
"I believe it's important we be able to sit down and try to better measure the impact, and what we should be doing, to ensure that our economy is not adversely impacted by these changes.
The dollar climbed above $1.10 US on Wednesday for the first time ever, but dipped three cents before closing.
The Canadian currency reclaimed parity with the American dollar in late September, and is up a stunning 25 per cent for the
year to date on steady economic growth, high commodity prices and a rapidly weakening U.S. currency.
The dollar's rally is already pinching the province's industries, which for the most part rely significantly on exports to the U.S., said Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand in a speech to the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce.
"The dollar will have, at $1.10, will have a profound impact on our exports because it's too quick an adjustment to make," he told those gathered.
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