EDC Report Highlights $100B Opportunity for Canada in High-Value Exports
Event summary
- Export Development Canada (EDC) released a report on September 17, 2026, outlining a $100 billion opportunity for Canada to capture more value from global trade by 2035.
- The report, 'From Resources to Resilience: How Canada Can Capture More Value Through Trade,' emphasizes moving up the value chain in sectors like agri-food, critical minerals, defence, and aerospace.
- EDC President and CEO Alison Nankivell highlighted the need for coordinated efforts across governments, businesses, and investors to build economic complexity.
- The report identifies enabling conditions such as access to growth capital, skilled talent, and trade-enabling infrastructure as critical for Canada's long-term success.
The big picture
Canada's long-term prosperity depends not only on where it trades but also on how it competes. The EDC report underscores the need for a coordinated effort to build economic complexity, which could add nearly $100 billion to GDP by 2035. This strategic shift aligns with broader industry trends towards higher-value exports and diversified trade relationships, positioning Canada to capture more value from global trade.
What we're watching
- Value Chain Upgrade
- How Canada's shift from raw resource exports to sophisticated, knowledge-intensive goods will impact its economic resilience.
- Trade Diversification
- Whether Canada can successfully double its non-U.S. exports and diversify its trading relationships.
- Economic Complexity
- The pace at which Canada can increase its economic complexity to compete globally in high-value sectors.