5 industries helping support jobs, services and communities

(NC) Across Canada, workers, families and communities are seeing changes as the country expands trade into new markets. Canadian products are reaching more places, with new trade agreements and new customers. Here are some of the industries this is reshaping:

Forestry. Canada’s forest products are finding new customers in Europe and Asia. High-quality lumber and mass timber are providing strong, zero- or negative-carbon building materials for projects ranging from homes to highrises. They’re produced sustainably under strict forest protection laws, with harvesting and forest regeneration driven by scientific research. Canada also has the world’s largest market share of the paper industry’s gold-standard material, Northern bleached softwood kraft pulp. Access to new markets makes the forest sector more resilient to events such as trade disruptions.

Fuels. For years, Canadians have benefitted from this country’s diverse range of fuels, from coal and crude oil to natural gas, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and biofuels. They power this country’s homes, vehicles, businesses and communities, along with hundreds of thousands of jobs. New key infrastructure, including pipeline expansion and the ability to safely ship LNG, is helping satisfy growing international demand.

Clean energy. Whether it’s Alberta’s solar farms, wind projects in Atlantic Canada or Quebec and Ontario’s hydroelectric power, clean energy sources are a key part of life in Canada—hydro generates over 60 per cent of our electricity alone. Much of the technology making new green energy possible is being developed here, and is finding customers overseas. More diverse trade can help grow the clean energy sector, supporting jobs at home while working to reduce global emissions.

Critical minerals. Many of the key materials powering the digital age come from Canadian mines. Lithium, cobalt and nickel are all essential for the production of modern rechargeable batteries. These minerals enable everything from smartphones to electric vehicles to the energy storage for entire power grids.

This country produces dozens of critical minerals that the world relies on, including aluminum, potash and rare earth elements. By selling them in new markets, Canadians are increasing their opportunities while helping create jobs to support that demand.

Nuclear. Did you know that the highest-grade uranium ore on Earth comes from Saskatchewan? Canada is the world’s second-largest supplier of the mineral. Today, domestically-designed CANDU reactors are providing power to millions here and in five other countries.

The nuclear sector is a major employer, with high-skill engineering and technical positions, mining and metallurgy, inspectors and health and safety specialists working together to keep nuclear power safe and reliable.

What Canada exports comes back home. By trading with more partners, Canada becomes less vulnerable to shocks from supply chain disruptions, market downturns and trade disputes. It helps grow businesses here and support reliable jobs across the country. The revenue funds programs and services communities rely on, such as schools, healthcare, pensions, roads and bridges. You can learn more about the communities benefitting from more diverse trade at canada.ca/whattheworldwants.