● History
● The Canada-US Free Trade Agreement
● Natural Resources
● Agriculture
● Manufacturing Industries
● Service Industries
● Canada's Place in the World Economy

Manufacturing Industries

Canada has a variety of industries, but it remains mainly an exporter of raw resources and an importer of manufactured goods. Furthermore, Canada has probably the highest degree of foreign ownership of its industry of any industrialized country. Nevertheless, this has not negatively effected Canada's high standard of living overall. Canada's manufacturing products include paper, technological equipment, automobiles, food, clothing and other goods.

Manufacturing Industries in Canada

In terms of research and development of advanced technology, Canada has had some notable successes. One such success was the adoption of nuclear technology for peaceful means with the development of the CANDU heavy water nuclear reactor, which has proved to be one of the safest and most reliable generators of nuclear electricity. Canada has supplied its nuclear technology to other countries, including India and China. Canada also has produced advanced technology in hydroelectricity production, not surprising given the importance of its vast hydroelectricity resources. Also not surprising is Canada's mastery of telecommunications, given that such communications are crucial to linking the vast Canadian territory. Canada is currently heavily involved, for example, in developing the Chinese telecommunications industry.

In terms of very advanced technology, Canada has contributed to the American space program, most recently by providing a robotic arm (the "Canadarm") to space shuttles. Canada also has a quite innovative aerospace industry.

The Made-In-Canada "Space Arm" aboard a U.S. Shuttle

On the other hand, critics say that the government has not supported research and development of industry enough and that Canada lags far behind other countries in this regard, given the quality and resources it has available. A great deal of technology is imported and Canada is seen as not making the most of technology. It lags far behind other major industrial countries in terms of spending on research and development.

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