Bbb 4M – Unit 3 Lesson 5 Handouts Political Systems

BBB 4M – Unit 3 Lesson 5 Handouts

Political Systems

Many factors affect a country’s political and legal environment. International trade is difficult with a country that discourages trade and commerce with foreign countries. Some countries may view foreign businesses with suspicion. Countries that impose strong quality and safety standards in the interest of consumer protection may also be preventing foreign competitors from venturing into their domestic market. Countries that promote private ownership and support foreign investment will be easier to enter.

Political considerations impact economic choices. Tax policies influence how businesses invest. If a company can find jurisdictions where taxes are lower, they tend to locate in those areas. Some countries have created enterprise zones to foster foreign investment and job creation in less economically developed regions. Tax concessions in these areas could include lower corporate income tax rates, wage and other subsidies, more liberal write-offs, lower or no value added taxes, and lower payroll taxes.

An example of an enterprise zone is the Maquiladoras of Mexico and Latin America. These are factories that import raw material and equipment on a duty-free and tariff-free basis for assembly or manufacturing. They then re-export the assembled product, usually back to the originating country. Maquiladoras may be foreign-owned or operated as joint ventures with local partners.

There are no Maquiladoras in Canada, but there are depressed regions of the country that receive special support. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal government department responsible for helping to build economic capacity in the Atlantic Provinces by working with the people of the region – in their communities, through their institutions and with their local and provincial governments and businesses – to create jobs and enhance earned incomes.

ACOA seeks to provide people with encouragement, advice and information, and the capital and technology they need to start and expand their own businesses. New employment is the direct result of business growth, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While there have been changes made to its financial support programs for SMEs since it was begun in 1987 its vision for Atlantic Canada in terms of increased self-sufficiency and increased earned incomes is still central to its operations.

Assignment 1: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal government department responsible for helping to build economic capacity in the Atlantic Provinces. Use websites, such as The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, to learn more about the ACOC. Answer the following questions based on your research:

1. 
   Who is the Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency?
   
2. 
   What is one of the agency’s most recent projects?
   
3. 
   How does the development of an Atlantic gateway help strengthen Canada’s position in international commerce?
   

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/Pages/welcome-bienvenue.aspx

Red Rock
New mill owner, new hope?

When the paper mill in Red Rock, Ont., closed last November, many residents feared the close-knit community on the north shore of Lake Superior would become a ghost town. But recent job prospects and new faces are bringing cautious optimism to the community.

"There's hope where there was none before," says Red Rock's Lisa Cates.

At a press conference held at the Red Rock Inn on Sept. 7, Hubert Bolduc, vice-president of communications and public affairs for Cascades Inc., announced the sale of Red Rock's idled mill to Brampton Ont.– based shipping company, North American Logistics.

The Red Rock mill, which employed 450 people, was idled indefinitely in October 2006 because of economic conditions, including the rising Canadian dollar. The reopening promises to bring 110 jobs back to the town, though according to North American Logistics president Robert Van Patten that won't happen until October 2008.

Shelley Boudreau, co-ordinator at the Red Rock Job Action Centre, says she has an "I'll believe when I see it" attitude.

Boudreau says that after the Red Rock mill closed and the sawmill in neighbouring Nipigon burned down several weeks later, many residents didn't wait for good news and instead started seeking new employment opportunities immediately. According to the Job Action Centre, at least 24 former mill workers and their families have packed up and left the area so far this year.

Many of the smaller, cheaper homes in Red Rock sold quickly as younger people with fewer ties to the region found work elsewhere. But almost half of those who moved either chose not to sell their homes or couldn't find buyers.

Assignment 2: Red Rock

1. 
   What problems does a small community face when the major industry closes?
   
2. 
   What opportunities were there in Red Rock when the mill stopped operating?
   
3. 
   Describe the factors that resulted in the economic problems in the Red Rock area.
   
4. 
   What impact do you think the current value of the Canadian dollar will have on Red Rock’s recovery?
   

Assignment 3: Maquiladoras

Synonymous with Mexico manufacturing, Maquiladoras are Mexican assembly plants that manufacture finished goods for export. Use websites, such as Maquila Solidarity Network (http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/) to learn more about Maquiladoras. Create a slideshow presentation of your research. Use the questions below as a guide to your slide content.

1. 
   How did the Maquiladoras get started?
   
2. 
   Do you need a Mexican partner to operate a Maquiladora?
   
3. 
   What are the benefits of Maquiladoras to foreign businesses?
   
4. 
   What is transfer pricing?
   
5. 
   Are Maquiladoras subject to tariffs?
   
6. 
   Maquiladoras are sometimes described as sweatshops. How are they described by the Maquila?
   

Rubric

Maquiladoras Rubric
Categories	Level 1 (50 - 59%)	Level 2 (60 - 69%)	Level 3 (70 - 79%)	Level 4 (80 - 100%)
Knowledge and Understanding Subject knowledge is evident throughout the presentation.	- subject knowledge is limited.	- there is some evidence of subject knowledge.	- there is considerable evidence of subject knowledge.	- subject knowledge is evident to a high degree.
Thinking The sequence of information is well organized.	- limited organization of the information.	- some organization of the information.	- considerable organization of the information.	- high degree of information organization.
Communication Presentation addresses slide content questions.	- presentation addresses slide content questions in limited detail.	- presentation addresses slide content questions in some detail.	- presentation addresses slide content questions in considerable detail.	- presentation addresses slide content questions in extensive and thorough detail.

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