• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 832,250 California jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canadians made more than 1,148,600 visits to California, spending $937 million
• California residents made 875,700 visits to Canada, spending $586 million

A Close Relationship

Canada and California traded more than $35.4 billion worth of goods in 2007, a 10% increase from 2006. California’s natural gas ($3 billion) and electricity imports ($275 million) contributed to the total. Services, which are not reflected in these numbers, accounted for enormous flows from Hollywood film and media production, technology transfers and financial transactions. Canada is California’s largest foreign buyer of agricultural products — $2.6 billion in 2007.

Planes, trains and automobiles

Exports to Canada in the transportation sector jumped to $1.9 billion in 2007. Increases in the categories of auto, truck, boat and railway rolling stock contributed to this significant number. Also having an impact was the delivery of two C-17 aircraft to the Canadian Armed Forces, from Boeing’s Long Beach plant. Two more C-17s will be delivered in 2008.

High-tech expertise

Home to Silicon Valley and many of the world’s leading computer software and electronic product manufacturers, California exported almost $1.7 billion in telecommunications equipment to its northern neighbor. Computer sales, California’s number one export commodity, surpassed a billion dollars.

Integration and global value chain

Because of the high degree of integration between U.S. and Canadian economies, a large portion of the trade is in goods and materials needed to manufacture finished products. Trade in manufacturing and test equipment, parts, components, engines and containers is also significant.

Canada–California Success Stories

Expanding Canada’s presence in California

Canada opened a new Consulate in Palo Alto in December 2007. Part of the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, the Palo Alto office will focus on trade and investment, as well as academic relations. A dynamic place of creativity and innovation, Palo Alto is a jumping off point for many Canadians looking for collaboration and investment opportunities in California.

Developing Canada–California cleantech

British Columbia-based Western Geopower signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement in May 2008 with Northern California Power Agency of Roseville, for 265,000 megawatt hours per year of clean, renewable electricity scheduled to be delivered by early 2010.

B.C.-based Western Wind Energy Corporation is North America’s largest producer of pure wind energy. In California, they currently produce 34.5 MW from 500 wind turbine generators located in Tehachapi (Windridge) and San Gorgonio Pass (Palm Springs). In February 2008, they announced a new 100 MW wind energy and solar site near Barstow.

California-based Optisolar plans to build a 150 MW solar farm in Southwestern Ontario.

B.C.-based Westport Innovations Inc. is supplying 50 LNG T800 Class 8 trucks to California’s Southern Counties Express Inc. for use in the San Pedro Bay Ports complex.

Innovation and investment

The Canada–California Strategic Innovation Partnership has produced important results in the areas of cancer stem cell research and broadband connectivity. New initiatives are underway in infectious diseases and clean energy which will further enhance our innovation connections. On the investment front, Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil announced, late in 2007, the finalization of a 10-year deal to share the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles with the Academy Awards. Its new $100 million production will make 368 performances per year beginning in 2010, stepping aside for a brief period each year for the Academy Awards ceremony.

June 2008

Tourism

• 1,148,600 California visits by Canadians, $937 million spent
• 875,700 California visits to Canada, $586 million spent

Jobs

• California jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 832,250

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $12 billion
• Imports from Canada: $23.4 billion
• Bilateral trade: $35.4 billion

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Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.0749. Merchandise trade is based on total exports and imports for the year 2007. Job numbers are based on 2005 data from a 2006 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy. Canada’s export ranking is from the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). All figures are in U.S. dollars. Figures may not add up due to rounding.