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 2010 alone, the sectors generated 11.5 percent, or $142.5 billion, of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and directly employed close to 763 000 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 in 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 2010.
This brochure provides a statistical snapshot of the importance of Canada’s natural resources industrial sectors in 2010.
Figure 1. Natural resources sectors and Canada’s gross domestic product in 2010
Canada's total GDP was $1 234.9.
Note: Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
Table 1. Natural resources facts
| Facts for 2010* |
Forest |
Minerals
and
metals |
Energy |
Total natural resources |
Canada |
| Gross domestic product (GDP) |
$23.5 B
(1.9%) |
$34.7 B
(2.8%) |
$84.3 B
(6.8%) |
$142.5 B
(11.5%) |
$1 234.9 B
(100.0%) |
| Direct employment** (thousands of people) |
191
(1.3%) |
308
(2.1%) |
264
(1.8%) |
763
(5.2%) |
14 701
(100.0%) |
| New capital investments |
$1.6 B
(0.5%) |
$12.6 B
(3.7%) |
$80.3 B
(23.8%) |
$94.5 B
(27.9%) |
$338.1 B
(100.0%) |
| Trade |
| Total exports |
$26.1 B
(6.5%) |
$84.5 B
(21.2%) |
$90.0 B
(22.5%) |
$200.6 B
(50.2%) |
$399.4 B
(100.0%) |
Domestic exports
(excluding
re-exports) |
$26.0 B
(6.9%) |
$81.4 B
(21.8%) |
$89.7 B
(24.0%) |
$197.1 B
(52.6%) |
$374.3 B
(100.0%) |
| Imports |
$9.5 B
(2.3%) |
$66.6 B
(16.5%) |
$40.3 B
(10.0%) |
$116.4 B
(28.8%) |
$403.7 B
(100.0%) |
| Balance of trade |
+$16.6 B |
+$18.0 B |
+$49.7 B |
+$84.3 B |
-$4.3 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
Table 2. Natural resources facts: percentage change between 2009 and 2010
| |
Forest |
Minerals
and
metals |
Energy |
Total natural resources |
Canada |
| GDP |
8.6% |
8.8% |
5.1% |
6.5% |
3.6% |
| Direct employment |
-2.1% |
0.3% |
2.7% |
0.5% |
0.9% |
| New capital investments |
12.7% |
28.6% |
29.1% |
28.7% |
10.3% |
| Trade |
| Total exports |
10.1% |
27.7% |
15.5% |
19.4% |
11.0% |
Domestic exports
(excluding
re-exports) |
10.0% |
27.0% |
15.7% |
19.3% |
11.9% |
| Imports |
1.7% |
21.0% |
18.5% |
18.1% |
10.5% |
| Balance of trade |
15.4% |
57.2% |
13.2% |
21.3% |
19.3% |
Figure 2. Gross domestic product in 2002 constant dollars by major manufacturing industry sectors, 2010
* Natural resources includes energy, forest and mining sectors
** Major manufacturing industries include automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, food manufacturing, information and communications technologies, and 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%).
Figure 3. Balance of trade by major manufacturing industry sectors, 2010
* Natural resources includes energy, forest and mining sectors.
** Major manufacturing industries include automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, food manufacturing, information and communications technologies, and aerospace product and parts manufacturing.
Source: Statistics Canada, merchandise trade data (special extraction), monthly data.
In 2010, the natural resources sectors (energy, forest and mining) contribution to the Canadian trade balance totalled $86.1 billion. The major manufacturing sectors' had a negative trade balance of -$64.4 billion.
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