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...but the situation is hardly as draconian or all-encompassing as you make it out.

Uhh... Mr./Ms. Toronto, try doing a web search on Google. Notice it saysGoogle.ca The "ca" limits your searches through a Canukian server. Try to buy or sell on eBay. Its a Canukian version - a reduced market.

The CBC is a "Crown Corporation". Owned and operated by your federal Liberal government in Ottawa. CTV is Canukia's second largest broadcasting network owned by Baton Broadcasting in YYZ ... err, Toronto. Baton Broadcasting is owned by the Bassett family. Douglas Bassett Junior runs the day to day operations. Douglas Bassett senior however, runs the day to day operations of Canukia's security and intelligence agency CSIS. Tell us there's no connection. Global Broadcasting (owned by Standard Broadcasting and Canukia's third largest broadcaster) is run essentially by two share holding families, one whom was the formerly into major government loans and the other is married into a not so distantly former Prime Minister's family. (And while this is being ignored, don't mention the Power Corporation, out of Quebec and who runs that.

Now I could go on about Stentor, Canukia's Government and Bell Telephone oligarchy that rules the telephone and cell telephone systems but, I sorta doubt you'd find anything wrong with that either. And I won't go on about your current unelected Prime Minister, Paul Martin who owns Canada Steamship Lines (Canada's largest shipping company) and the fact that every single ship in his fleet is flagged with an offshore flag.

You're correct. Its not that draconian, its incestuous. Its not that all-encompassing, its pervasive and incideous. And besides, Americans don't know squat about Canukia, right ?

It only does the google.ca thing if you don't go to google.com. I still can't rid of SBC on my yahoo account, despite how hard I try, and despite I don't even live in a country where they have their service!

Incidentily, know ANY countries out there not run by rich guys with strong corporate ties, ethical and otherwise?

P.S. Paul Martin could not be P.M. if not elected to his ridership, or have the endorsment of the elected members of Parliment. Given the fun that both countries have in the potical realm, I doubt that either one is in any position to be riding a high horse neither....

P.P.S. Plenty of cell phone options where I live. What percentage of the US suscribes to AT&T, or buys it's software from microsoft! (Which unlike AT&T, did not end up having a dint in it's monopoly yet...)