• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 206,750 New Jersey jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is New Jersey’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 290,900 visits to New Jersey, spending $105 million
• New Jersey residents made 400,900 visits to Canada, spending $233 million

A Close Relationship

New Jersey and Canada enjoyed a profitable relationship in 2007, as bilateral trade flows climbed to $14.9 billion. Two-way trade in merchandise increased by 24% from the previous year and cross border exchanges surpassed $41 million on a typical day. Moreover, Canada has been the state’s leading foreign market for more than a decade and purchased 20% of New Jersey’s worldwide exports in 2007.

A reliable source of energy

New Jersey has a lengthy energy relationship with Canada. In 2007, it imported $4.8 billion in Canadian energy, a 68% increase from the previous year. The shipments consisted primarily of crude petroleum, $3.8 billion worth, most of which was supplied by tankers from the eastern Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The state noted for its dominant petroleum refining industry has six oil refineries and processes Canadian crude for itself and the heavily-populated northeastern states.

Pharmaceutical expertise

New Jersey and Canada — with two important clusters around Toronto and Montreal — are noted for their prowess in the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Trade in packaged medicines accounted for $988 million in cross border sales, an increase of 68% from the previous year. The state also purchased $93 million in Canadian medical, ophthalmic and orthopaedic supplies.

Canada–New Jersey Success Stories

In March, 2008, Carmanah Technologies Corporation (Vancouver) announced a two-year contract to supply the State of New Jersey’s Lottery Division with LED edge-lit signage. The contract, valued up to $500,000, extends from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2010. Under the terms of the contract, Carmanah will provide custom edge-lit hanging window signs and instant ticket dispenser signs that will be used to help New Jersey Lottery retailers promote the sales of both instant ticket and online lottery tickets throughout the state. This order follows a previous contract from 2006 to supply up to $336,000 in signs, and an order from 2005 for 1,000 edge-lit signs.

In April, 2007, Molecular Biometrics LLC (Chester NJ) opened a research and development facility in Montreal to focus on the development and enhancement of the company’s novel technology platform, based on breakthrough metabolic, bioinformatics and biospectroscopy sciences. Molecular Biometrics is a privately held metabolics company which develops highly specific and sensitive analytical methodologies for molecular and monitoring applications in medicine, and for drug discovery and development through pharmacodiagnostics.

In January, 2007, 20-20 Technologies Inc. (Laval QC), a world leader in 3D design and sales software, computer-aided design and manufacturing solutions for the interior design industries, successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of the assets, business and software solutions of Pattern Systems International, Inc. of Mount Arlington, New Jersey for US$ 775,000, plus US$ 225,000 in additional consideration conditional upon the delivery of certain projects in the future. Pattern Systems International develops computer software products for distribution through dealers and sales representatives, with some direct sales, mainly for the cabinetmaker, architectural millwork, and woodworking industries.

June 2008

Tourism

• 290,900 New Jersey visits by Canadians, $105 million spent
• 400,900 New Jersey visits to Canada, $233 million spent

Jobs

• New Jersey jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 206,750

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $4.4 billion
• Imports from Canada: $10.5 billion
• Bilateral trade: $14.9 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

PDF Format

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.