THE ECONOMIST...

 When General Motors and Chrysler were on the brink of collapse in 2009, Canada’s government committed C$13.7 billion ($11 billion) to rescue the carmakers. This week it decided to sell the remaining 73.4m shares it holds in General Motors to Goldman Sachs, ending an unusual foray into state ownership for the country's Conservatives. Though some are unhappy with the timing of the sale, the proceeds will help the government balance the books. Although the bail-out was a success it was never going to save an industry in slow decline