Numismatic Values: Is It Time For A Standard?

I hope this can encourage some proactive dialog; and I'm certain I would not be the first to open this subject matter with my quasi-controversial question/statement.

About a year ago an American coin dealer said to me, "There is no rhyme or 'reason' to Canadian coin guides. They're completely pointless. A waste of money and time."

At first, the Canadian-now-in-America transplant in me was slightly offended. But after some time, and the deep rooted desire to 'prove him wrong', I began to look for ways to do so (prove him wrong).

Conclusion: (in my humble opinion), he's right. There is no 'rhyme or reason' to the various numismatic published/online pricing guides to Canadian coins.

It appears that we don't even have a 'pretty close'. A RedBook if you will? We haven't had an author worth his/her salt since the likes of Zoell (or one to refute). Or one in the pricing realm to Zoell's variety. Heck, we can't even generally agree on varieties at times. We have got nothing but a vast amount of 'maybe' in our numismatic realm of Canadiana.

Now, I am the BIGGEST advocate of Canadian coin collecting. I feel that our coinage has a much greater history than most of the 'modern' world (colonial era on). There is a great story to tell for each coin, series, denomination. But taking into account the (my phrase) dreaded Charleton which I personally believe serves no purpose to collectors; to the CCD newsletter; to ebay, Heritage, TeleTrade Auctions et al., websites (private and public); there are SO many discrepancies that the most seasoned collector(s) are left to only shake their heads.

In Canadian collecting, what is 'too much'? What is a 'great purchase'? To cite the American RedBook again, at least that is a 'pretty close', as it were. Our's, so all over the board it often times defies logic.

So here is/are my question(s):

-Where do you see the potential for standardized pricing ever becoming a reality?
-Do you even see any need for it?
-Is/are there any guides you specifically rely on? How accurate do you feel they are?
-Other thoughts/views?

Again, I hope this begins some proactive dialog. I would like to eventually write a piece, on my own time (I'm not a professional), about this subject and would love to hear other's opinions. I hoping to hear all opinions: Pro, con, and otherwise.

Cheers.