Pullman wasn't the only handler of shady funds who was interested in Canada. Canada, as we'll see, has long been attractive from an international money laundering perspective for a number of reasons. First, there is Canada's reputation as a stable economy with a relatively strong currency and a banking system whose efficiency, stability and security is second to none. What has also helped make Canada attractive both as a site for long-term investments using already laundered funds and as a useful location for laundering operations themselves are: A lack of controls in Canada over cross-border movements of currency; The existence of a long, undefended border with the United States; The huge volume of commercial and financial trade between Canada and the United States; and Light supervision by the federal government of foreign investments and of wealthy foreign investors who may also want to emigrate to Canada. |