GW, that is a very good question. Canada is supposed to have a pretty good relationship with VZ and I am surprised that there isn't a bigger effort on both sides to foster more cooperation, trade etc. etc.

Maybe it has something to do with Canada's having elected a Conservative gov't which is perceived as being more closely aligned with the U.S. than the previous liberal gov'ts.

The conservatives were elected, in my opinion, because of a kind of liberal fatique, rather than as a result of any major change in fundamental political beliefs. Unfortunately, Canada may no longer be viewed by someone like Chavez as a more or less benign, neutral and socialist sympathetic country.

Not sure if this is impacting our permit situation but it's possible.