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OTTAWA/TORONTO — Craig McIntosh’s company exports half of what its Canadian plastics factories produce, so he should be rejoicing in the Canadian dollar’s slide to a four-year-low. But he’s not.

The chief executive officer of Acrylon Plastics, which made the plastic parts in the children’s play set on the White House south lawn, says his business is suffering from President Barack Obama’s policy of encouraging American firms to open factories at home.

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McIntosh’s operation also relies more on imported raw materials than it did 10 years ago, meaning costs rise more than in the past when the Canadian dollar slips.

While McIntosh believes the weaker currency will ultimately be a help, the inability of exporters like him to benefit more from the soft currency and improving U.S. demand has surprised many forecasters.

Tiff Macklem, senior deputy governor at the Canadian central bank, said on Friday it was “a bit of a puzzle” why exports were not picking up along with the economic recovery.