<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Canada<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s, Canada registered one of the highest rates of real growth among the OECD nations, averaging about 3.2%. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has excellent economic prospects, although the country still faces high unemployment and a growing debt. Moreover, the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas has observers discussing a possible split in the confederation; foreign investors have become edgy.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$617.7 billion (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 2.4% (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $22,200 (1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>commodities:</hi> crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts
<item>• <hi format=ital>partners:</hi> US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 17,900 kWh (1992)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for about 3% of GDP; one of the world's major producers and exporters of grain (wheat and barley); key source of US agricultural imports; large forest resources cover 35% of total land area; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>donor:</hi> ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $7.2 billion
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 Canadian dollar (Can$)=100 cents
<item><hi format=bold>Exchange rates:</hi> Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1—1.3174 (January 1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989)
<item><hi format=bold>Fiscal year:</hi> 1 April–31 March