Key Industries in Canada | Life in Canada

Updated: April 7th, 2021

Service Industry

How important is the service sector to Canada? From its healthcare, transportation, construction, banking tourism, and more. Discover why Canada is called the Hollywood North and how the service industries are making Canada’s economy flourish more than ever before!

Manufacturing

Learn which main manufacturing industries in Canada make each province flourish from seafood to lumber and aerospace manufacturing. Uncover how heavily Canada depends on the manufacturing sector and if Canada really has labor short of skilled workers.

Natural Resources

As the second-largest country in the world, Canada is largely underpopulated and offers a vast source of natural resources. The sector is driven largely by forestry, fishing, agriculture, mining, and energy sectors. Canada is the world's 8th largest exporter of

Mining Sector

There are currently over 800 mines across Canada, employing more than 363,000 workers. The country ranks as the top producer of potash and uranium, with a ranking in the top 5 for nickel and diamonds...

When looking at the major key industries in Canada from a business point of view, then industries vary as look across Canada. For example, British Columbia on the west coast has historically relied on natural resources such as mining and timber. Manufacturing is now becoming much more important to the economy. Alberta has benefited from considerable natural resources including oil and natural gas. It also has an abundance of Zinc, silver, nickel, and uranium.

On the other hand, the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and parts of Alberta produce more than 20% of the world’s wheat. In this part of Canada, there are also other notable forms of farming that contribute to the country’s economy.

Importantly, Ontario and Quebec form the industrial center of Canada. They have a variety of manufactured goods. In the lower part of Ontario is very rich farmland, housing a number of orchards. The Niagara area is also widely known for its wine production.

Lastly, the maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland rely heavily on fishing and natural resources such as timber. Interestingly, Prince Edward Island is also known for its potatoes.

With that in mind, here’s a list of the top five industries that are huge and prospering in Canada.

1. Agriculture
When it comes to wheat and grains, Canada has it covered. In fact, Canada is one of the largest suppliers of agricultural products in the world. Due to its strategic location, Canada exports most of its crops to its big brother of the south, America. As part of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada practices fair trading and ensures that whatever is put on the market agriculturally doesn’t have any influence on the price of crops in other countries. Canada’s agricultural sector is steadily growing every year and accounts for 8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

1. Agriculture

When it comes to wheat and grains, Canada has it covered.

In fact, Canada is one of the largest suppliers of agricultural products in the world. Due to its strategic location, Canada exports most of its crops to its big brother of the south, America.

As part of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada practices fair trading and ensures that whatever is put on the market agriculturally doesn’t have any influence on the price of crops in other countries. Canada’s agricultural sector is steadily growing every year and accounts for 8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

2. Energy
Due to its abundance of oil and natural gas, Canada has quickly become a world leader in energy resources. Canada not only has the third-largest oil reserve in the world, but it’s also a world leader in hydroelectric power with Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan all using vast amounts of hydroelectric energy. Because of the abundant energy resources available, Canada’s oil-exporting and other energy-related products make up for 2.9% of the country’s GDP. Additionally, Canada has adopted solar and wind energy production as the next major industry in the energy sector ensuring continued prosperity.

2. Energy

Due to its abundance of oil and natural gas, Canada has quickly become a world leader in energy resources.

Canada not only has the third-largest oil reserve in the world, but it’s also a world leader in hydroelectric power with Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan all using vast amounts of hydroelectric energy.

Because of the abundant energy resources available, Canada’s oil-exporting and other energy-related products make up for 2.9% of the country’s GDP. Additionally, Canada has adopted solar and wind energy production as the next major industry in the energy sector ensuring continued prosperity.

3. Technology
Although it’s for the most part undervalued, Canada’s technology industry is one of the strongest in the world. And, in part thanks to the Canadian Start-up Visa, which is a government Visa aimed at bringing in new tech companies from all over the world, Canada will continue to change the world’s technology landscape. The government Visa will undoubtedly bring the brightest minds to Maple Leaf Country and give places like Silicon Valley and India a run for their technology. Canada’s technology industry is currently prospering the most in areas such as digital media, wireless infrastructure, E-commerce, and general Internet services.

3. Technology

Although it’s for the most part undervalued, Canada’s technology industry is one of the strongest in the world.

And, in part thanks to the Canadian Start-up Visa, which is a government Visa aimed at bringing in new tech companies from all over the world, Canada will continue to change the world’s technology landscape.

The government Visa will undoubtedly bring the brightest minds to Maple Leaf Country and give places like Silicon Valley and India a run for their technology. Canada’s technology industry is currently prospering the most in areas such as digital media, wireless infrastructure, E-commerce, and general Internet services.

4. Services
Accounting for an incredible 80% of Canada’s GDP and employing nearly three-quarters of the entire country is Canada’s service sector. And, within the sector itself, industries like retail, business, education, and health make up the largest portions. Although the strength of the Canadian dollar has hurt tourism numbers, Canada still has a strong tourism industry with most of its international travellers hailing from the United States. In fact, Canada’s retail sector, which directly relates to tourism, accounts for 12% of the GDP and that percentage is steadily growing.

4. Services

Accounting for an incredible 80% of Canada’s GDP and employing nearly three-quarters of the entire country is Canada’s service sector. And, within the sector itself, industries like retail, business, education, and health make up the largest portions.

Although the strength of the Canadian dollar has hurt tourism numbers, Canada still has a strong tourism industry with most of its international travellers hailing from the United States. In fact, Canada’s retail sector, which directly relates to tourism, accounts for 12% of the GDP and that percentage is steadily growing.

5. Manufacturing
Although the global financial crisis took its toll on Canada from 2008 to 2010, the country’s manufacturing industries recovered well and make up for 14% of Canada’s GDP. And, like never before, Canada’s automotive branch plants are back in full swing. American and Japanese auto industries are attracted to Canada’s highly educated workforce and low labour costs making it a go-to destination for automobile manufacturing. Automotive parts production is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing sectors in the country. It’s hard to ignore the fact that Canada’s key industries are booming. With the abundant natural resources, government incentives, and stellar workforce, it’ll continue to prosper for years to come.

5. Manufacturing

Although the global financial crisis took its toll on Canada from 2008 to 2010, the country’s manufacturing industries recovered well and make up for 14% of Canada’s GDP. And, like never before, Canada’s automotive branch plants are back in full swing.

American and Japanese auto industries are attracted to Canada’s highly educated workforce and low labour costs making it a go-to destination for automobile manufacturing. Automotive parts production is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing sectors in the country.

It’s hard to ignore the fact that Canada’s key industries are booming. With the abundant natural resources, government incentives, and stellar workforce, it’ll continue to prosper for years to come.