Canada's Economy
A trading nation
- Canada has always been a trading nation and commerce remains the engine of economic growth.
- We could not maintain our standard of living without engaging in trade with other nations.
- In 1988, Canada enacted free trade with the United States. Mexico became a partner in 1994 in the broader North American Free Trade Agreement.
- Canada has one of the ten largest economies in the world and is part of the G7 group of leading industrialized countries with the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Japan.
Canada's industries
- Canada's economy has three main types of industries: service industries, manufacturing industries and natural resources industries.
- Service industries provide jobs in transportation, education, health care, construction, banking, communications, retail services, tourism and government. More than 75% of working Canadians have jobs in service industries.
- Manufacturing industries make products to sell in Canada and around the world: paper, high technology equipment, aerospace technology, automobiles, machinery, food and clothing.
- Natural resources industries include forestry, fishing, agriculture, mining and energy. A large percentage of Canada's exports are natural resources commodities.
Canada and the United States
- Canada and the United States are each other's largest trading partner, and together have the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world.
- Over three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the U.S.A.
- Canada exports energy products, industrial goods, machinery, equipment, automotive, agricultural, fishing and forestry products, and consumer goods every year.
- Millions cross what is traditionally known as "the world's longest undefended border" every year, in safety.
- At Blaine, Washington, the Peace Arch is inscribed with "children of a common mother" and "brethren dwelling together in unity".
Question 1 of 10
How does Discover Canada describe the Canada-U.S.A. trading relationship?
Correct answer: The biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world
Source from the guide
“In fact we have the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world.”
The biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 2 of 10
What share of Canadian exports is destined for the United States?
Correct answer: Over three-quarters
Source from the guide
“Over three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the U.S.A.”
Over three-quarters.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 3 of 10
Which of these does Canada export billions of dollars worth of every year?
Correct answer: Energy products
Source from the guide
“Canada exports billions of dollars worth of energy products, industrial goods, machinery, equipment, automotive, agricultural, fishing and forestry products, and consumer goods every year.”
Energy products — along with industrial goods, machinery, equipment, automotive, agricultural, fishing and forestry products, and consumer goods.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 4 of 10
In what year did Canada enact free trade with the United States?
Correct answer: 1988
Source from the guide
“In 1988, Canada enacted free trade with the United States.”
1988. Mexico became a partner in 1994 in the broader North American Free Trade Agreement.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 90
Question 5 of 10
Which group of leading industrialized countries is Canada part of?
Correct answer: The G7
Source from the guide
“Canada … is part of the G7 group of leading industrialized countries with the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Japan.”
The G7, with the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Japan. Printed copies of the guide say "G8" and include Russia, which was suspended in 2014.
Question 6 of 10
What does Discover Canada say integrated Canada-U.S.A. supply chains do?
Correct answer: Compete with the rest of the world
Source from the guide
“Integrated Canada-U.S.A. supply chains compete with the rest of the world.”
They compete with the rest of the world.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 7 of 10
Who is Canada's largest trading partner?
Correct answer: The United States
Source from the guide
“Canada enjoys close relations with the United States and each is the other's largest trading partner.”
The United States. Each is the other's largest trading partner, and together they have the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 8 of 10
What is the Canada-U.S.A. border traditionally known as?
Correct answer: The world's longest undefended border
Source from the guide
“Millions of Canadians and Americans cross every year and in safety what is traditionally known as "the world's longest undefended border."”
"The world's longest undefended border". Millions of Canadians and Americans cross it every year in safety.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 92
Question 9 of 10
Which of these is a manufactured product named in Discover Canada?
Correct answer: Aerospace technology
Source from the guide
“Manufactured products include paper, high technology equipment, aerospace technology, automobiles, machinery, food, clothing and many other goods.”
Aerospace technology. Manufactured products also include paper, high technology equipment, automobiles, machinery, food and clothing.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 91
Question 10 of 10
For manufacturing, who does Discover Canada name as Canada's largest international trading partner?
Correct answer: The United States
Source from the guide
“Manufacturing industries make products to sell in Canada and around the world … Our largest international trading partner is the United States.”
The United States.
Discover Canada · about page 42Discover Canada — Large Print · page 91
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