2 TRANSPORTATION AND THE ECONOMY
INTERNATIONAL TRADE2 AND TRADE FLOWS
At the end of 2002, Canada's trade surplus with the rest of
the world fell to its lowest level since 1999, as exports of merchandise
fell and imports rose.
Trade with the United States
In 2002, the United States was by far Canada's most important
trading partner, capturing 76 per cent (in value) of Canada's
total trade with the world (70 per cent in 1991). Canada's exports
to the United States represented more than 87 per cent of Canada's
total exports to the world (75 per cent in 1991). By contrast,
Canada's imports from the United States oscillated between 63
and 68 per cent of total imports from the world during the period
1990 - 2002. As a result, Canada's annual surplus with the United
States has enjoyed an annual average growth of 17 per cent since
1991.
Figure 2-4 tracks the value of trade with the United States
from 1990 to 2002.
FIGURE 2-4: VALUE OF GOODS TRADED BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, 1990 – 2002
Note: Customs-based trade data; Preliminary data for 2002.
Source: Transport Canada, adapted from Statistics Canada, International Trade database
In 2002, Canada's trade with the United States totalled $564
billion. Trucks carried almost 66 per cent of this trade ($1.5
billion on a daily basis), followed by rail (17 per cent), pipeline,
air and marine. Trucking was the dominant mode for exports (57
per cent) and for imports (80 per cent). By volume, pipelines
ranked first, at 32 per cent (mainly in exports), followed by
trucks (29 per cent) and marine (20 per cent).
The most important trade flow between Canada and the United
States involved Ontario and the U.S. Central East Region (bordering
the Great Lakes area), totalling $168 billion. Four of the top
six Canada-U.S. trade flows involved Ontario. Nearly 80 per cent
of the Canada-U.S. trade carried by trucks (value) was concentrated
at six border crossing points: Windsor/Ambassador bridge, Fort
Erie/Niagara Falls, Sarnia and Lansdowne in Ontario, Lacolle in
Quebec and Pacific Highway in British Columbia.
Trade with Other Countries
Canada's trade with other countries totalled $180 billion in
2002. This trade registered a deficit in 2002, as imports from
other countries generally exceeded Canada's exports to these countries.
As Figure 2-5 shows, trade deficits have grown at an annual average
rate of 18 per cent since 1991.
FIGURE 2-5: VALUE OF GOODS TRADED BETWEEN CANADA AND COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES, 1990 – 2002
Note: Customs-based trade data; Preliminary data for 2002.
Source: Transport Canada, adapted from Statistics Canada, International Trade database
In terms of value as of volume, marine and air were the dominant
modes, capturing more than 90 per cent of the trade with the oversea
countries. In 2002, six trade flows accounted for nearly 75 per
cent of Canada's total trade with countries other than the United
States. Four of these were two-way flows between eastern provinces
and Europe ($14 billion in exports, $41 billion in imports) and
between western provinces and the Pacific Rim countries ($13 billion
in exports, $18 billion in imports). The other two-way flows were
import-oriented, moving to eastern provinces from the Pacific
Rim countries ($33 billion) and Mexico ($11 billion).
For more detailed information on Canada's trade with the United
States and other countries, see tables A2-1 to A2-9 in the Addendum.
2 Customs-based trade statistics are used in the present report, as detailed information on commodity, modes of transport and geographic region is presented
on a Customs basis only. Back to text
Canadian Economic Performance
Urbanization and Travel to Work
International Trade and Trade Flows
Tourism
Employment
Energy Consumption
Productivity and Price Performance of Transport
Importance of Transportation to the Canadian Economy
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