Same ski jacket. $360 in U.S. $490 in Canada. Why?

With the Canadian dollar now worth $1.04 in U.S. currency, why are the same products still selling for considerably more in Canada? This past week, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was leaning on Canadian retailers to lower their prices.

With the Canadian dollar now worth $1.04 in U.S. currency, why are the same products still selling for considerably more in Canada?

This past week, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was leaning on Canadian retailers to lower their prices.

But are the price discrepancies really their fault?

This morning's edition of the Toronto Star has an interesting article that traces Karbon ski jackets from a factory in China to retail shelves in the U.S. (360 greenbacks) and Canada (490 loonies).

The Star article hints that the difference might have less to do with retail price-gouging, and lot more to do with import duties that are firmly under Flaherty's control.

To read the Star's article, please click here.