Important Facts on Canada's Natural Resources
- Figure 1. Natural resources sectors and Canada's gross domestic product in 2009
- Figure 2. Gross domestic product in 2002 constant dollars by major manufacturing industry sectors, 2009
- Figure 3. Balance of trade by major manufacturing industry sectors, 2009
Important Facts on Canada's Natural Resources - PDF Version [2.75 mb]
Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future
Natural resources – our forests, minerals and metals, and energy – are fundamental to the daily lives of Canadians. How Canada harnesses and uses these resources has a significant impact on our global competitiveness, the health of our environment and our overall quality of life. The natural resources sectors and earth sciences industries have been an engine of economic growth and job creation for generations. In 2009 alone, the sectors generated 11 percent, or $133 billion, of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and directly employed close to 759 000 people. These numbers are significant in light of the recent global financial crisis that unleashed a worldwide economic recession.
As a leading exporter of natural resources and resource-based technology and knowledge, Canada contributes to the wellbeing of people in many countries and promotes the sustainable development of natural resources in today’s investment climate. The new global context for natural resources demands that Canada continue to adapt, act strategically and challenge itself to maintain and enhance its status as a world leader in sustainable development and the management of natural resources.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), a department of the Government of Canada, has a mandate to ensure the sustainable development and responsible use of the country’s natural resources. NRCan aims to strengthen conditions for Canada’s economic success, sound environmental leadership, and safety and security. This goal requires working innovatively with its partners to provide a prosperous, sustainable and secure natural resources future for Canadians.
This brochure provides a statistical snapshot of the importance of Canada’s natural resources industrial sectors in 2009. Please provide us with your comments on the brochure at nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/stat/contact-eng.php.
Figure 1. Natural resources sectors and Canada’s gross domestic product in 2009
Canada's total GDP was $1,194.2 billion.
Note: Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
|
Facts for 2009 * |
Forest | Minerals and metals | Energy |
Total Natural Resources |
Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product (GDP) | $20.9 B (1.8%) | $31.9 B (2.7%) |
$80.2 B (6.7%) |
$133.0 B (11.1%) | $1,194.2 B (100.0%) |
|
Direct employment** (thousands of people) |
195 (1.3%) | 307 (2.1%) | 257 (1.8%) |
759 (5.2%) |
14 554 (100.0%) |
| New capital investments | $1.6 B (0.5%) | $9.8 B (3.2%) |
$62.2 B (20.1%) |
$73.6 B (23.8%) |
$309.5 B (100.0%) |
| Trade | |||||
| Total exports | $23.7 B (6.6%) | $66.4 B (18.5%) | $77.9 B (21.6%) | $168.0 B (46.7%) | $360.0 B (100.0%) |
|
Domestic exports (excluding re-exports) |
$23.6 B (7.1%) | $64.1 B (19.2%) | $77.5 B (23.2%) | $165.2 B (49.4%) | $334.7 B (100.0%) |
| Imports | $9.3 B (2.6%) | $55.2 B (15.1%) | $34.0 B (9.3%) | $98.5 B (27.0%) | $365.2 B (100.0%) |
| Balance of trade | +$14.4 B | +$11.2 B | +$43.9 B | +$69.5 B | -$5.2 B |
* The data reported for each of the natural resources sectors reflect the value of primary industries and related downstream manufacturing industries as of October 2010. “Minerals” includes uranium and coal mining. “Balance of trade” is the difference between the total exports and the total imports of goods. Services and capital flows are not included.
** Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH).
Note: All dollar amounts shown are in current Canadian dollars, except GDP, which is shown in 2002 constant dollars.
Figure 2. Gross domestic product in 2002 constant dollars by major manufacturing industry sectors, 2009
* Natural resources includes energy, forest and mining sectors.
** Major manufacturing industries include automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, food manufacturing, information and communications technologies, aerospace product and parts manufacturing.
Source: Statistics Canada, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at basic prices, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS 2002), monthly (dollars).
In 2009, the major manufacturing sectors’ contribution to the Canadian trade balance totalled $207.3 billion. The natural resources sectors (energy, forest and mining) had a trade balance of $69.5 billion (33%), followed by the automotive sector with a balance of $41.1 billion (20%) and the chemical manufacturing sector with a balance $26.4 billion (13%).
* Natural resources includes energy, forest and mining sectors.
** Major manufacturing industries include automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, food manufacturing, information and communications technologies, aerospace product and parts manufacturing.
Source: Statistics Canada, merchandise trade data (special extraction), monthly data.
In 2009, the major manufacturing sectors’ contribution to the Canadian trade balance totalled $207.3 billion. The natural resources sectors (energy, forest and mining) had a trade balance of $69.5 billion (33%), followed by the automotive sector with a balance of $41.1 billion (20%) and the chemical manufacturing sector with a balance $26.4 billion (13%).
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