Since we're talking Waterloo, what are local hackers' opinions on how a downward slide for RIM will affect the area/scene? I've been wondering this lately, especially since I've been considering looking for work in the area.
On a related note, we're hiring at Top Hat Monocle! http://jobs.startupnorth.ca/job/insanely-smart-web-developer...
Granted, last time I was in Waterloo was 2 years ago - but all of the (admittedly very cool) things going on there are little cakes compared to the hulking behemoth that is RIM - or soon, was RIM.
It's a little like Redmond - there are startups in the Bellevue/Kirkland/Redmond area, but if you remove MSFT none of that means terribly much.
Sure RIM laying off all employees would kill Waterloo but they have a lot of cash in the bank ($8 Billion?) and have been ramping up R&D -- they aren't going anywhere for a while.