Canada Eliminates The Penny

In a welcome, albeit long overdue attack of common sense, Canada Eliminates Penny Costing Penny-and-a-Half to Make.

Canada will withdraw the penny from circulation this year, saving taxpayers about C$11 million ($11 million) annually and forcing retailers to round prices to the nearest nickel, the government announced in its budget today.

The Royal Canadian Mint, which has produced 35 billion pennies since it began production in 1908, will cease distribution this fall due to the coin’s low purchasing power. Production and handling cost for the one-cent coin are a C$150- million drag on the economy, according to a 2006 study by Desjardins, a Levis, Quebec-based financial institution.

Business groups welcomed the move, which follows other countries such as Australia, Brazil and Sweden, and economists said it would have little impact on inflation.

The penny, with two maple leafs on one side and Queen Elizabeth II on the other, can continue to be used in payments. As they are gradually withdrawn from circulation, price rounding on cash transactions will be required, the government said.

Retailers and other businesses can continue to price goods and services in one-cent increments and there will be no need to reprogram cash registers, according to the government.

Catherine Swift, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the move will increase efficiency.

“It has been a long time coming,” she said. “It’s been a real pain more than anything else. We’ve actually polled our members on this and they’re supportive.”

Economists said there would be "little" impact on inflation. Actually, there will be "no" impact on inflation. The penny has not been discarded as a pricing point, rather final transaction costs will be rounded to the nearest nickel.

The US needs to follow suit. Dealing with pennies is a nuisance.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
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