• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 88,750 Oregon jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is Oregon’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 359,300 visits to Oregon, spending $91 million
• Oregon residents made 248,900 visits to Canada, spending $124 million

A Close Relationship

Friends, neighbors and partners, Canada and Oregon continue to build a prosperous trade relationship built on a commitment to collaboration on the secure and efficient movement of people, goods and services across our shared borders. The ability of our North American economy to compete globally depends on our joint commitment to a border that is secure and which also facilitates the timely processing of goods and services moving between our two countries.

Canada was Oregon’s top foreign partner in 2007, purchasing nearly 16% of the state’s merchandise goods. In fact, Canada and Oregon enjoyed a profitable exchange worth more than $5.4 billion. Oregon supplied its northern NAFTA partner with $2.6 billion in goods and purchased $2.8 billion worth, making this growing partnership an important driver in the Pacific Northwest economy.

Motoring forward

The State’s transportation sector was most valuable at $783 million in sales to Canada with the export of trucks at $439 million. During the same period, the partners exchanged $107 million in motor vehicle parts, excluding engines. The integrated marketplace in transportation goods coupled with “just in time” inventories benefitted consumers and vehicle manufacturing industries on both sides of the border.

Strong metal market

In 2007, Oregon’s export of metal products continued to increase, reaching $518 million, compared to $384 million in 2006. The state’s leading export commodities included significant sales of steel plate, sheet and strip ($284 million) and aluminum, including alloys ($38 million).

Powering up

Oregonians relied on their northern partner for $221 million in energy supplies. Canada sent $123 million in petroleum and coal products followed by $86 million in electricity sales.

A chemical fusion

Oregon purchased $637 million in chemicals and chemical products from Canada in 2007. Fertilizers, the state’s leading import commodity totaled $497 million.

Canada–Oregon Success Stories

High performance, cost-effective solar electric modules manufactured by Day4 Energy from Burnaby, BC will be installed in a new solar installation at the Portland Habilitation Center Northwest, a non-profit organization that trains and employs individuals with disabilities throughout the states of Oregon and Washington. The innovative green building project will feature 4,830 advanced Day4 Energy 48MC solar panels, making the 870-kilowatt solar installation the largest solar electric system in the Pacific Northwest.

Finavera Renewables Inc., from Vancouver, BC, chose a site off the coast of Oregon for development of a wave energy park that potentially will produce enough power for 60,000–70,000 homes. Finavera is working on its third generation AquaBuOY 3.0 to harness the vertical motion of waves and to transfer the power to shore via a secure underwater transmission line. Deployment for this new buoy is planned for 2009. A Memorandum of Understanding between Oregon and British Columbia seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to improve renewable energy sources and technologies.

Oregon and Canada share a relationship that is more than just business. Our shared history, geography and culture bring us together as one community committed to security and prosperity for all our citizens. Canada’s commitment to defense makes us a key military partner both here in North America, as we celebrate 50 years of NORAD, and abroad where we lead the NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Canada Days in Oregon celebrate that relationship each year at the political, business, cultural and community levels as well as continue to increase partnerships in our academic institutions.

June 2008

Tourism

• 359,300 Oregon visits by Canadians, $91 million spent
• 248,900 Oregon visits to Canada, $124 million spent

Jobs

• Oregon jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 88,750

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $2.6 billion
• Imports from Canada: $2.8 billion
• Bilateral trade: $5.4 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.