Taking action in support of our vital natural resource sector

The manufacturing industry is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy with a massive contribution to the national economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), while accounting for nearly two-thirds of all exports made out of the country.

In short, Canadians across the country rely on a prosperous and thriving manufacturing sector to put food on the table and provide for their families. If there's any way to show just how important an industry is, it's without a doubt by the numbers.

With that in mind, here’s 10 facts you should know about the manufacturing industry in Canada.

Canada’s Manufacturing Sector: 10 Facts

#1 – The manufacturing sector accounts for approximately $174 billion of GDP, or 10% of the national economy each year (2016)

#2 – A whopping 68% of Canada’s total exports are accounted for by the manufacturing industry annually (2016)

#3 – Total exports by the sector are valued at a whopping $354 billion annually (2016)

#4 – Over three-quarters of exports from Canada’s manufacturing industry were sent to the United States

#5 – About 1.7 million well-paying, full-time jobs are created across the country by the sector (2016)

#6 – In 2016, the manufacturing industry spent $6.6 billion on business enterprise research and development investments, or 32% of the total amount spent nationwide (2016)

#7 – Canada’s manufacturing sector accounts for 21 sub-industry groups that produce goods for both consumer and industrial use

#8 – In 2016, there were approximately 89,925 businesses across Canada involved somehow in the manufacturing sector

Auto-Manufacturing Sector Statistics

#9 – In 2018, wholesale sales of motor vehicles and parts totalled $132 billion, down 5% after hitting a record-high in 2017

#10 – Motor vehicle assembly plants in Canada produced 2.04 million vehicles in 2018, totalling $60.7 billion in sales

Sources: Government of Canada, Statistics Canada

Canadian Industry & Prosperity

The manufacturing sector is just one of many that contribute immensely to our country's prosperity.

Whether it be the financial, manufacturing, energy, fishing or forestry sectors (to name a few), as Canadians we should all rally behind our national industries that provide the opportunities and prosperity we enjoy on a daily basis.

For more facts and statistics on other important Canadian sectors, also see:

• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): By the Numbers
• Mining Industry: By the Numbers
• Petroleum Industry: By the Numbers
• Agricultural Sector: By the Numbers
• Forest Industry: By the Numbers
• Fishing Industry: By the Numbers