High-wire artist Nik Wallenda has volunteered to cross Niagara Falls between Ontario and New York on a wire the width of a nickel.  The death-defying performance was an idea aimed at boosting the quiet economy of Niagara Falls.  Not everyone is sold on a made-for-reality-TV event as the solution to the city’s economic problems however – especially one so dangerous.  Nonetheless, city council members voted 4-1 to endorse the wire walk.

At the same time there is worry about copycats seeking to stimulate activity in unrelated areas.  While balancing lumber inventory requirements could be perceived as walking a tightrope these days, as far as we know no one is threatening to cross the Fraser Canyon on a high-wire with hopes of spurring demand.