Yet More Factory Layoffs

I have to disagree with the people saying that it is the value of the dollar hurting local manufacturers. It is not something that is going to be fixed with tax incentives either although those are nice. This trend in manufacturing has been happening long before the value of our dollar went up. Canadian workers can't compete with workers making 50 cents an hour or less.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/12/20/4733413-sun.html

What are the true costs of Free Trade other than social costs? Is it really cheaper in the long run. If we ship products from far away places, aren't we hurting the environment even more? How about our health? Are the imports that we recieve safe? Can they be inspected better? Is there any accountability?

I think that we are going to cease producing our own goods and we are going to be dependent on imports. Perhaps something else will replace manufacturing as a way of supporting families but I don't know what.

Right now I got my old part time job back and because of my living arrangements I can get by just fine. I share a house with other people and in a way that is good. Less land is being lost to development if we do use what we have more wisely. Perhaps the days of single family dwellings will disappear and alternative living arrangements will take their place. I would not want to share a room with twelve other people which is often the arrangement for workers in China though.