Business Environment Advantage

World-class Performer

If you're in the business, chances are, you already know that Canada is a great place to do business—one of the very best in the world. Name an international study and, odds are, Canada ranks as the top choice for its many competitive advantages.

Nexus for International Business Opportunities

US:  Canada is America's largest trading partner. The United States does more business with Canada than with all the countries of the European Union combined!

Europe: Canada’s roots trace back to Europe and this longstanding relationship continues to flourish today. Some of the most important exports to the European Union are chemicals, machinery, transport equipment, computer electronics products and minerals.

Asia: A maritime nation, Canada has exceptional access to Asia-Pacific markets. With its geographical location, strong immigration links and membership in APEC that reduces trade barriers, Canada is well positioned to capitalize on the long-term growth potential of Asian economies. To maximize its strategic access and enhance its competitive position, Canada has launched the $590 million Pacific Gateway Strategy to support stronger infrastructure links among Canada, NAFTA and Asia-Pacific markets.

Magnet for the Best and the Brightest

Canada is world renowned for its beauty and abundance of natural resources, but it is increasingly recognized for its brainpower.  Canada has invested billions of dollars over the last decade to create a robust research and development (R&D) climate that is second to none. University R&D in Canada is almost twice that of any other G7 country.  Universities are on track to double their R&D activities and triple their commercialization successes by 2010. Twenty-one Networks of Excellence and 52 community research alliances foster collaboration. The Canadian Foundation for Innovation funds technology clusters across the country in domains ranging from pharmaceuticals to fuel cells to information and communications technologies (ICT). 

• Canada's ICT sector has grown three times as fast as the entire Canadian economy since 1997 (77% versus 26%).
• Technological Infrastructure: Canada ranked ahead of Japan and far out front of Germany, UK and France. Source: World Competitive Yearbook, 2006.
• The US and Canadian telecommunications and automobile industries are virtually integrated across the Canada-U.S. border.
• Cutting-edge American producers recognize Canadian leadership in industries such as fibre optics, aerospace and biotechnology.

Information in this section is provided by the Government of Canada