What would Queen Elizabeth I think of Canada’s crazy spending? 

Give the highest priority to finance. That was Queen Elizabeth I’s top rule of her famous “nine principles of power.” Aside from “never marry” — she was the “Virgin Queen” after all — QEI’s rules are as relevant today as they were 500 years ago. Pick wise counsellors. Avoid war. Beware new-fangled innovation for the sake of it. Improve the usefulness of existing institutions. Before her reign began in 1558, modern ledger accounting had just been invented. Investment banks were in their infancy, and Britain was still partly reliant on barter. Even more astounding, then, is that Elizabeth prioritized “opening opportunities to create wealth.” What would she make of Canada’s stultified wealth creation and shameless spending? Aside from the tariff turmoil, daily debt-building body blows a