Canada

Overview

America's largest trade partner.
Canada boasts one of the largest industrial economies of the world.
The government is in the process of further reducing its intervention in the economy, which should result in lower taxes and a reduction of its rising budget deficit.
The U.S. accounts for nearly 70% of Canada's trade.
Canada is growing trade relationships with many Pacific Rim nations.

Opportunities

Agricultural machinery
Building products
Chemicals
Computer products
Electronic components
Fresh fruit
Industrial machinery
Medical equipment
Motor vehicles and parts
Telecommunication products
Plastic materials and resins
Pollution control equipment

Links

The NationalTrade Data Bank - www.stat-usa.gov/tradtest.nsf
The ultimate source of business information, including up to date currency exchange rates.

Marketing Tips

Given its geographic proximity and inclusion in treaties like NAFTA the Canadian economy is heavily dependent on the U.S.
Regionalism remains a barrier to trade; trade is complicated between provinces.
Many firms deal exclusively within their own province.
Country has an emphasis on producer-to-user distribution.
Franchising is becoming increasingly effective, primarily because it is almost completely unregulated.
Canada has two official languages - English and French. English is most commonly used in business.
A high percentage of Canada's 29 million people live in rural areas.
Direct marketing has had good success in Canada.

Business Culture

Very similar to that in the U.S., although people are generally more formal and less likely to be on a first name basis as quickly.
Behavior tends to be more formal in eastern Canada.
Initiative, independence, and efficiency are all highly valued.
Canadians admire self-reliance and original thinking.
Canadians have a great deal of national pride and encourage each other to buy Canadian.
Because efficiency is valued in meetings, they tend to be to the point and effective.

DOs	DON'Ts
Use the term French-speaking Canadian instead of French Canadian. Use the term Inuit instead of Eskimo. Conservative business suits are the preference of most corporations. Native Americans are also called first people.	Do not view Canada as an extension of the U.S. Do not talk with your hands in your pockets. Do not bring up cultural tensions between French and English speaking Canadians in conversation. Do not make the thumbs down gesture in Quebec.

Legal Environment

Legislative and regulatory jurisdiction in Canada is divided and sometimes shared between thefederal parliament and the legislatures of the 10 provinces and two territories. All except Quebechave a British-based common law system.