Foreign Control of Canada’s Merchandise Exports, 2002

By Craig Byrd, International Trade Division, Statistics Canada

Foreign control of a country’s economic assets is of great interest to industry and policy makers alike. The lowering of barriers to trade with the United States (U.S.) has made it easier, not only for Canadian exporters to do business and invest in the U.S., but also for foreign enterprises to establish a physical presence in Canada in order to gain better access to the lucrative North American market.

In 2002, foreign controlled enterprises held approximately one-fifth of corporate assets in Canada and generated 30% of total operating revenues;¹ by comparison, 45% of Canada’s merchandise exports came from foreign controlled exporting establishments in 2002. With Canada’s merchandise exports representing 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2002,² the extent of foreign control in this area is important.

Notes

1. Corporation Returns Act, 2001 & 2002. Statistics Canada, Industrial Organization and Finance Division (IOFD). Catalogue 61-220-X.

2. Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 380-0030, GDP at Market Prices.