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Lesson 11 · Discover Canada p.90–92
Canada's Economy
Three pages, and really only four things to remember.
The shortest lesson here — do it on a bus.
The three types of industry
- Service industries — transportation, education, health care, construction, banking, communications, retail, tourism, government. More than 75% of working Canadians work in these.
- Manufacturing industries — paper, high technology, aerospace, automobiles, machinery, food, clothing.
- Natural resources industries — forestry, fishing, agriculture, mining, energy.
p.91
Trade
| 1988 | Canada enacts free trade with the United States |
| 1994 | Mexico joins, forming NAFTA |
| G8 | Canada is a member, with the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Italy, France, Japan and Russia |
| Top ten | Canada has one of the ten largest economies in the world |
The United States
- Each is the other's largest trading partner
- Over three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S.A.
- It is the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world
- The border is traditionally known as "the world's longest undefended border"
- The Peace Arch at Blaine, Washington reads "children of a common mother" and "brethren dwelling together in unity"
Commerce, the guide says, remains the engine of economic growth —
Canada has always been a trading nation.
Drill
Primary source: Discover Canada, pages 90–92.