Natural Resources Canada
www.nrcan.gc.ca
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Statistics and Facts
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Important Facts on Canada's Natural Resources
Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future
Natural resources – our forests, energy, and minerals and metals – 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 2008 alone, the sectors generated 12 percent, or $147.5 billion, of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and directly employed close to 859 000 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 well-being 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’s aim is to strengthen conditions for Canada’s economic success, sound environmental leadership, and safety and security. This goal requires working innovatively with our 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 2008.
Figure 1. Natural resources sectors and Canada’s gross domestic product in 2008
Canada’s total GDP is $1,233.7 billion
Note: Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
| Facts for 2008* | Forest | Minerals | Energy | Total Natural Resources |
Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product (GDP) | $23.8 B (1.9%) |
$40.1 B (3.3%) |
$84.2 B (6.8%) |
$148.1 B (12.0%) |
$1,233.7 B (100.0%) |
| Direct employment** (thousands of people) |
231 (1.6%) |
351 (2.4%) |
276 (1.9%) |
859 (5.8%) |
14 818 (100.0%) |
| New capital investments | $2.2 B (0.6%) | $11.3 B (3.3%) |
$80.6 B (23.3%) |
$94.1 B (27.2%) |
$346.0 B (100.0%) |
| Trade | |||||
| Total exports | $30.2 B (6.2%) |
$95.1 B (19.7%) |
$128.4 B (26.6%) |
$253.8 B (52.5%) |
$483.6 B (100.0%) |
| Domestic exports (excluding re-exports) |
$30.1 B (6.6% ) |
$92.3 B (20.3%) |
$127.7 B (28.0%) |
$250.1 B (54.9%) |
$455.4 B (100.0%) |
| Imports | $10.2 B (2.4%) |
$69.3 B (16.0%) |
$52.9 B (12.2%) |
$132.4 B (30.5%) |
$433.5 B (100.0%) |
| Balance of trade | +$20.1B | +$25.8 B | +$75.5 B | +$121.4 B | +$50.1 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 2009. “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.
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