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Economic and political outline

Economic indicators | Foreign Trade in figures | Sources of general economic information | Political outline

Economic indicators

Canadian GDP growth was stable during this decade, but the country was hit head-on by the international crisis. Consequently, growth was weak in 2008 and Canada went into recession in 2009. Even so, recovery of business was noted in the last two quarters of 2009, which should extend into 2010 and enable Canada to get its growth back.
With regard to the rate of inflation, it was near 0% in 2009 and should be near 2% in the second quarter of 2011. The unemployment level has increase considerably since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, and should continue to raise until 2011. It is currently at almost 9%.

Main indicators	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
GDP (billions USD)	1,278.97	1,436.09	1,510.96	1,229.37e	1,244.60
GDP (constant prices, annual % change)	3.1	2.7	0.5	-2.5	1.2e
GDP per capita (USD)	39,314	43,674	45,428	36,589	36,768e
General government balance (in % of GDP)	1.3	1.4	0.4	-3.4e	-3.6e
Inflation rate (%)	2.0	2.1	2.4	0.0	0.5
Unemployment rate (% of the labor force)	6.3	6.0	6.2	8.4	8.8
Current Account (billions USD)	17.84	12.73	9.65e	-10.90	-8.37
Current Account (in % of GDP)	1.4	0.9	0.6	-0.9	-0.7

Source: IMF - World Economic Outlook Database

Note: (e) Estimated data

Main sectors of industry

The agricultural sector accounts for a little more than 2% of the GDP and employs less than 2% of the population. Canada is one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the world, wheat in particular. It produces 10% of the world's GMO harvests. Fishing is an important sector. Canada is one of the main producers of minerals, namely nickel, zinc and uranium. The country also has large reserves of oil and natural gas. Canada has 6 strong sectors of primary industry: renewable energies (mainly wind), forestry sector, hydrogen and fuel cells, mines, metals and minerals, fishing, oil and gas .
The manufacturing sector represents approximately a third of the GDP and the tertiary sector represents about a two-third. The most dynamic sectors are: telecommunications, tourism, Internet (almost 65% of households use Internet regularly) and aeronautics.

Breakdown of economic activity by sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Employment by sector (in % of total employment)	2.7	22.0	75.3
Value added (in % of GDP)	2.2	31.7	66.1
Value added (annual % change)	-2.2	1.2	3.9

- last available data.

Monetary indicators	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Canadian dollar (CAD) - Average annual exchange rate for 1 USD	1.30	1.21	1.13	1.07	1.07

Source: World Bank - World Development Indicators

Indicator of economic freedom

Score:: 80.5/100
Position:: free
World Rank:: 7 out of 179
Regional Rank:: 2 out of 3

Distribution of Economic freedom in the world
Source: 2008 Index of Economic freedom, Heritage Foundation

Country risk

See the country risk analysis provided by Ducroire.

Foreign trade in figures

In 2008, Canada was ranked 11th in the world for exports and imports. Exports represent around one third of the GDP. The United States takes about 80% of Canadian exports. Canada is the United States' biggest foreign energy supplier, including supplying oil, gas, uranium and electric power. Its other main trading partners are the European Union and Japan.
Until July 2008, when it reached a record level, Canadian foreign trade was doing very well, with an increase of exports and imports and a surplus trade balance. Subsequently the crisis considerably affected international transactions and the general trend has since been downwards. Since the beginning of 2009, Canada is even showing a trade deficit with exports having decreased by 8%.

Foreign trade indicators	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Imports of goods (millions USD)	244,904	279,508	320,181	356,514	387,665
Exports of goods (millions USD)	285,186	330,011	371,899	400,056	432,028
Imports of services (millions USD)	52,454	58,776	65,434	72,295	80,837
Exports of services (millions USD)	44,242	50,286	55,444	59,330	62,988
Imports of goods and services (annual % change)	4.1	8.3	7.5	5.0	-
Exports of goods and services (annual % change)	-2.3	4.8	2.2	0.7	-
Imports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	34.4	34.1	34.0	33.7	-
Exports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	38.1	38.4	37.8	36.3	-
Trade Balance (millions USD)	40,283	50,503	51,717	43,541	44,363
Trade Balance (including service) (millions USD)	32,070	42,013	41,727	30,576	26,515
Foreign trade (in % of GDP)	72.5	72.5	71.9	70.0	-

Source: World Bank

Main partner countries

Main customers (% of exports)	2008
United States	77.7%
United Kingdom	2.7%
Japan	2.3%
China	2.1%
Mexico	1.2%
Germany	0.9%
South Korea	0.8%
Netherlands	0.8%
Belgium	0.7%
France	0.7%
Norway	0.6%
Brazil	0.5%
India	0.5%
Italy	0.5%
Australia	0.4%
Hong Kong	0.4%
Russia	0.3%
Indonesia	0.3%
United Arab Emirates	0.3%
Switzerland	0.3%
See more countries	14.0%

Main suppliers (% of imports)	2008
United States	52.4%
China	9.8%
Mexico	4.1%
Japan	3.5%
Germany	2.9%
United Kingdom	2.9%
Algeria	1.8%
Norway	1.4%
South Korea	1.4%
France	1.4%
Italy	1.2%
Canada	0.9%
Malaysia	0.7%
Switzerland	0.6%
Angola	0.6%
Brazil	0.6%
Thailand	0.6%
Peru	0.6%
Saudi Arabia	0.5%
Iraq	0.5%
See more countries	27.2%

Source: Comtrade

Main products

Main exports (% of exports)	2008
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	27.8%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	11.1%
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	7.6%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	3.9%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	2.8%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	2.7%
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	2.7%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	2.4%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	2.1%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	2.0%
Iron and steelIron and steel	1.9%
CerealsCereals	1.8%
FertilizersFertilizers	1.6%
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic...Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	1.5%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	1.5%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	1.4%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	1.3%
Ores, slag and ashOres, slag and ash	1.3%
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous...Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder	1.2%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	1.2%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	1.2%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	1.1%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	1.1%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	1.0%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.9%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	0.7%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.7%
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubersEdible vegetables and certain roots and tubers	0.7%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.6%
Live animalsLive animals	0.5%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.5%
Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;...Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products	0.5%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	0.4%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	0.3%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.3%
Zinc and articles thereofZinc and articles thereof	0.3%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.3%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.3%
Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and...Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof	0.3%
Miscellaneous articles of base metalMiscellaneous articles of base metal	0.2%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.2%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	0.2%
Other base metals; cermets; articles thereofOther base metals; cermets; articles thereof	0.2%
Products of the milling industry; malt; starches;...Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten	0.2%
Residues and waste from the food industries;...Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder	0.2%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.2%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.2%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.2%
Cocoa and cocoa preparationsCocoa and cocoa preparations	0.2%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.2%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.2%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.1%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.1%
Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans,...Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates	0.1%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted	0.1%
Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile...Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use	0.1%
Lead and articles thereofLead and articles thereof	0.1%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.1%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted	0.1%
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or...Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or melons	0.1%
See more products	46.8%

Main imports (% of imports)	2008
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	14.9%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	14.6%
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	12.4%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	9.6%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	3.3%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	2.7%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	2.5%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	2.5%
Iron and steelIron and steel	2.2%
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	2.1%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	1.9%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	1.8%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	1.7%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	1.4%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	1.3%
Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and...Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof	1.2%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	1.0%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	0.9%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	0.9%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	0.9%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted	0.9%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted	0.9%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.8%
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or...Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or melons	0.8%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	0.8%
Ores, slag and ashOres, slag and ash	0.7%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	0.6%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	0.6%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.5%
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubersEdible vegetables and certain roots and tubers	0.5%
Miscellaneous articles of base metalMiscellaneous articles of base metal	0.5%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.5%
Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;...Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products	0.5%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.5%
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such...Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles	0.4%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.4%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.4%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.4%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.4%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.4%
Residues and waste from the food industries;...Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder	0.3%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.3%
Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel...Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut)	0.3%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.3%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.3%
Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn...Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags	0.3%
Cocoa and cocoa preparationsCocoa and cocoa preparations	0.3%
Coffee, tea, maté and spicesCoffee, tea, maté and spices	0.3%
Ceramic productsCeramic products	0.2%
FertilizersFertilizers	0.2%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.2%
Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans,...Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates	0.2%
CerealsCereals	0.2%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.2%
Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues;...Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes	0.2%
Carpets and other textile floor coveringsCarpets and other textile floor coverings	0.2%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.2%
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous...Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder	0.2%
Miscellaneous manufactured articlesMiscellaneous manufactured articles	0.2%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.1%
Other base metals; cermets; articles thereofOther base metals; cermets; articles thereof	0.1%
Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible...Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included	0.1%
Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine,...Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof	0.1%
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic...Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	0.1%
Photographic or cinematographic goodsPhotographic or cinematographic goods	0.1%
Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile...Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use	0.1%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	0.1%
See more products	45.3%

Source: Comtrade

See more products: More imports (Intracen Data)
More exports (Intracen Data)

Sources of general economic information

Ministries: Treasury Board of Canada
Department of Finance Canada
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
Industry Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAC)
Statistical Office: Statistics Canada
Central Bank: Bank of Canada
Stock Exchange: Montreal Stock Exchange
Canadian Stock Review
TSX Group - Toronto Stock Exchange
Search Engines: Altavista Canada
Yahoo! Canada
AOL Canada
Canada 411
CAN Links
Francité
La Page Montréal
La Toile du Québec
Maple Square
Sympatico (Lycos)
The Canadianeh
Trouvez
Economic portals: Quebec social economy
Canadian Arboriginals Portal
Libraries of the UQAM
Canoe - Portal for information on news and entertainment

Political outline

Executive Power: Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State. She appoints the Governor General of the country for 5 years. The Governor General appoints the Prime Minister as well as the Ministry (however, this is chosen by the Prime Minister). The Prime Minister is the head of the government. He holds the executive power. The leader of the majority party or coalition in the House of Commons is automatically chosen to be Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and his Ministry stay in power as long as they have the support of the majority in the House of Commons.
Legislative Power: The legislative power in Canada is composed of a two-chamber federal parliament made up of: the Senate (upper house) whose members are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister; the House of Commons (lower house), whose members are elected by universal suffrage. The Governor General calls a general election when the Prime Minister advises him to do so. Most legislative practices are derived from the British Parliament.
Main political parties: The four main parties in Canada are: the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC), the New Democratic Party (NDP), and the Bloc Québécois.
Current political leaders: Governor General: Michaelle JEAN (since September 2005)
Prime Minister: Stephen HARPER (since February 2006) – Conservative Party
Next election dates: House of Commons: January 2011

Indicator of freedom of the press

World Rank:: 13/173
Evolution:: 5 places up compared to 2007

Source: Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007, Reporters Without Borders

Indicator of political freedom

Ranking:: Free
Political freedom:: 1/7
Civil liberties:: 1/7

Map of freedom 2007
Source: Freedom House

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