Canada’s economy (Gross Domestic Product) increased at an annual rate of 1.9 % in 2018.
- The Yukon Territory takes the top spot for Economic Growth with an increase of 8.0 % in 2016.Government expenditures account for almost half the territorial GDP. Infrastructure investment has helped bolster the territory, and exploration of resource assets continues.
- Alberta saw the 2nd largest increase with a 6.1 % increase in 2017. Strong oil prices and foreign demand triggered the growth. Activity in the energy sector increased demand for related machinery and equipment, and the influx of workers increased demand for services.
- British Columbia supplies wood products for the Canadian and US homebuilders. They benefited from the tide of heightened residential construction in the North American market. Investment growth was strong with home building experiencing double digit growth in three of the last four years. British Columbia’s Gross Domestic Product increased at a rate of 2.6 % in 2018.
- Saskatchewan saw an increase of 3.9 %. Strong foreign demand contributed to higher exports of potash and fertilizer. Saskatchewan’s oil-patch, much smaller than Alberta’s, struggled in terms of volume, but the healthy prices ensured an ongoing profitability and higher corporate profits
- Ontario growth was down slightly to 2.8 % in 2005. The increase in commodity prices hampered production in Ontario. The export driven economy felt the pinch of a rising Canadian dollar and the impact of higher fuel costs. Demand for the cars and trucks being produced by Ontario remained strong, but overall the province below the national average of 2.9 %
Canada as a whole experienced an economic growth of 1.9 % in 2018. In 2002 much of Canada’s growth was due to investment and manufacturing in the Eastern half of Canada. In the years following a shift has become notable, the growth in the economy is shifting west. Due to the increase in energy and commodity prices the oil-patch in Alberta, Saskatchewan’s wheat fields and mines and British Columbia’s forests all profited from increased export demand.
