I saw quite a lot of media coverage of a BMO report that Canadian retail prices are 20% higher than in the U.S. despite exchange rate parity. There were allegations of price gouging and references to the allegedly much more intensely competitive U.S. retail environment.

I hesitate somewhat to say so in case the argument is misused, but there are good and defensible reasons why the retail cost structure is higher in Canada.

I have no religious attachment to Easter or Christmas. They were once pagan festivals, co-opted by Christianity, and then, relatively recently, largely secularized. For many of us, they are about egg-laying bunnies and fat, chimney-sweep guys in red suits. Fa-la-la-la-la and all that.

I like these holidays, not because I observe holy days or go on buying binges but because I get time off. No phones ringing, no emails waiting (or at least not ones I'm going to answer).