National balance sheet accounts

Second quarter 2006

Note to readers

The national balance sheet accounts are statements of the balance sheets of all of the various sectors of the economy. They consist of the non-financial assets owned in the various sectors of the economy and of financial claims outstanding. National wealth is the sum of non-financial assets - produced assets, land surrounding structures and agricultural land - in all sectors of the economy. National net worth is national wealth less net foreign liabilities (i.e., what is owed to non-residents less what non-residents owe to Canadians). Alternatively, it is the sum of the net worth of persons, corporations and governments.

National saving is the sum of saving of persons, corporations and governments. National saving and investment contribute to change in national net worth. The revaluation of assets and liabilities is also responsible for changes in national net worth. The causes of revaluation include changes in share prices, interest rates, exchange rates and loan allowances.

Quarterly series, both book and market value, run from the first quarter of 1990; market value estimates have been available since June 2004. Additional annual market value data from 1970 to 1989 will be available upon request on September 29, 2006. In addition, expanded sector detail for the market value estimates will be available at the same time. These new data will be available on CANSIM at a later date. For more information on the market value estimates, consult Balance sheet estimates at market value.