Great discussion. Far more sophisticated and enlightening than discussions of the same topics among hobbyists who frequent underdeveloped countries, like
Thailand, the DR or
Costa Rica.
But the platitudes about price being a function of supply and demand misses some some of the critical market dynamics.
Laws shape markets. The same "product" is worth a fraction, or multiples. once you cross a border.
Under Canada's legal regime, I would take a 90% salary cut were I to move from NYC to Canada to ply my trade as a lawyer representing victims of negligence.
If I go to Pattaya of Jaco, I can have women as beautiful as any in the world for US$200. But they don't speak English, the trip is exhausting, expensive, time consuming. Frankly, the experience is fleeting.
What it appears to me you have in Montreal (Disclosure: haven't gone hobbying yet in Montreal, but looking forward to visit in Feb!) is *very special*--bright, articulate, beautiful French- and English-speaking SPs with a strong service orientation, and a a robust market with *great* transparency (thanks to merb), for CAD$200-400. Plus, no crime, very little disease, all the modern first world comforts.
You have all this 1.5 hours and US$200 away from New York City.
NYC, where the going rate for the same "product", due to the different legal regime, is about $1,000 per hour, and where US$1,000/hour is not an unusual salary.
I can't believe any of you are complaining about the difference between CAD$220 and CAD $350!
See you in February!