PERFORMING BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
IN CANADA
WHERE THE BOTTOM LINE ...
...meets a robust and growing economy. For the eighth consecutive time,
the Canadian federal government produced a budget surplus in the 2004-05
fiscal year – the only G7 country to do so. With an average five-year
inflation rate of 2.3 percent, Canadian interest rates remain lower
than the U.S., creating an ideal investment climate in which to grow.
The country’s GDP continues to record the second fastest growth
rate in the G7, projected to grow in 2006-07 by 3.2 percent according
to the OECD’s Economic Outlook.
WHERE DOING BUSINESS ...
...is simpler. The Economic Intelligence Unit, rated Canada as the No.1
place to do business in the G7 for the next five years. According to
the World Bank’s 2005 Overall Trade Restrictiveness Index, Canada
is the least restrictive trading partner among G7 nations. And Canada
has the best overall ranking compared to G7 locations for the least
number of days and procedures required for setting up a business. That’s
nearly twice as fast as the U.S.
WHERE THERE’S EASY ACCESS TO MARKETS
...
...worldwide. Canada has strong historical trade ties with Europe, while
geography, immigration and active involvement in APEC ensure unique
access to Asia-Pacific markets. More importantly, Canada is an ideal,
low-cost base from which to access the NAFTA marketplace of 435 million
consumers with a combined GDP of US$13.4 trillion. Many Canadian production
hubs are actually closer to major U.S. markets than many American production
sites. A well-integrated, sophisticated transportation network links
the two countries and the border is one of the most efficient in the
world, with wait times usually less than 10 minutes.
WHERE TALENT FLOURISHES ...
...with one of the best education systems in the world. The IMD’s
World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005 says that Canada invests the most
in the G7 for public education as a percentage of its GDP, and Canada
has the highest percentage of individuals achieving at least college
or university education. Ranking second in the G7, Canadian managers
are among the best educated in the world, and the OECD says that Canada’s
workforce has an average of 12.95 years of schooling. Canada also boasts
one of the most culturally diverse workforces in the global economy,
with more than 100 languages identified as the mother tongues of its
citizens.
WHERE A SAFE AND JUST SOCIETY...
...is a given. Canada ranks high among G7 leaders as a safe place to
live and conduct business, with one of the most fairly administered
judicial systems. Corporations face far lower threats of lawsuits and
other legal costs in Canada than in the U.S. The IMD World Competitiveness
Yearbook 2005 also ranks Canada second among G7 countries for its protection
of personal and private security.
WHERE GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE...
...includes low energy costs, low construction costs and low office-lease
costs, according to Competitive Alternatives: KPMG’s Guide to
International Business Costs, 2006 edition. Canada leads G7 countries
as a net producer of energy (recording 188 million tonnes of oil equivalent
in 2003). The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005 notes that Canada’s
technological infrastructure is top-notch, ranking above the U.S. in
terms of Internet users and first in the G7 for broadband usage. Our
famed national health care system ensures a healthy workforce and healthy
profits, drastically reducing employee benefit costs. According to KPMG’s
Competitive Alternatives study, the comparative costs of statutory benefits
plus other employee-sponsored plans are lower in Canada than any other
G7 country.
WHERE QUALITY OF LIFE...
...is unparalleled. Canada has the lowest cost of living and the best
overall quality of life among the G7, according to the IMD World Competitiveness
Yearbook 2005. Five Canadian cities were among the top 25 of 215 world
cities ranked recently in an annual quality-of-life study by Mercer
Human Resources Consulting. Between 1997 and 2004, Canada’s standard
of living grew faster than any other G7 country, while the country maintained
its strong environmental record, ranking highest among the G7 in addressing
air and water pollution, according to the Yale Centre for Environmental
Law and Policy 2005.
Canada is the complete deal, offering you all the necessary
investment advantages to ensure a successful business venture.
SO WHEN YOU THINK INVESTMENT, THINK CANADA.