Information and communication technologies: contribution to the economy

The recent explosive demand for cell phones, personal computers and Internet access has propelled the growth of industries producing information and communication technologies (ICT) goods and services. With Quebec and Ontario accounting for over 85% of ICT manufacturing, the 'high-tech meltdown' was damaging to both provinces, dragging down an otherwise growing manufacturing sector in 2001 and chopping the growth in the 2002 recovery. Unlike manufacturing, the production of ICT services in all provinces exhibited robust growth rates from 1997 to 2002, providing a major source of growth to the service sector, as well as to the total gross domestic product (GDP).