thanks for all the helpful comments and the guide

Great to hear. That’s pragmatic backup. I don’t like backup solution that are overly complex and essentially doubling the costs or worse … my favourite exemplar …

the year round average temp is 5C. Extreme in winter can go to -40 C but never for long. there is a company in Winnipeg called Arctic Heat Pump. I'll contact them. In the ground source heat pump would work but it's expensive and disruptive to the garden.

you don't need any backup? I live in Canadian North, and am concerned that I might need some extra heat at times

when Trump is gone (I know it's hard to imagine) most of the problems with democracy will remain.

OSFI has relied entirely on the lenders to check on this. so maybe what they are saying is that the banks can't be trusted to enforce the rules. this would by a 180 degree turn from the "light touch" regulatory environment that's been in place in Canada since the 1990s.

since about 1959 as a Canadian youngster I remember hearing about "checks and balances" in the US system of government. I guess that was just talk.

it's irritating to see that, once again, regulators tighten up when it's way too late to do any good.