[grandalf]

In spite of the language, cultural and historic similarities between the two nations, the US and Canada do not enjoy free economic relations across borders.

This is the fault of both nations. The frictions are imposed by elected officials that limit the freedom of people to cross the border to work, dictate how taxes are paid, etc.

This also applies to investors, as investors must deal with the regulatory regime in the company's location.

I'd say things like this reflect a big failure of both the US and Canadian governments to make the borders transparent for business. All the moving expenses, severance packages, wasted training, visa fees, etc. etc. is all a total economic loss.

The people who suffer are those on the margin who get laid off or who can't afford lawyers to do immigration paperwork, or who don't quite meet the standards that bureaucrats outlined for a work visa.

Economic freedom is just as important, just as relevant to people's lives and futures as the other freedoms we value.