Jim Flaherty vs The Mall

Perhaps the Conservative blogworld has been all over this, but why is a Tory government getting invoved in the prices that retailers charge Canadian consumers?

The Canadian dollar is up against the US$, so yes, some prices should go down. But retailers don't need the government's permission to raise or lower prices, so why is it Ottawa's business whether retailers pass on the savings or not? Surely the marketplace is competitive enough that consumers can find alternatives to retailers who decide to keep this windfall for themselves?

Come on, Jim Flaherty, where's that old Common Sense when you need it?

The prices I worry about are taxes and other regulated government charges and fees that are competition-free. Maybe Parliament could do something about that.