Econnections: Natural resource stocks

Natural resource stocks

Roughly 30% of Canadian exports are resource-based commodities. The production of these commodities represents more than 10% of the Gross Domestic Product. Impressive figures, yet until now little attention has been paid to natural resources in the measurement of Canada's wealth.

Sprucing up our measurements of wealth

Econnections sets the record straight. The natural resource stocks theme includes an indicator that measures Canada's natural resource wealth. Also included under this theme are indicators of:

• Physical quantities of natural resource assets
• Total resource base

These indicators offer insights into a broad range of issues:

• How much do natural resources contribute to our wealth?
• Are we maintaining the value of our natural resources?
• If we are depleting natural wealth, are other forms of wealth increasing fast enough to offset the decline?

Did you know...

Wealth is the foundation on which our standard of living is built. Produced wealth (like buildings and factories) and natural wealth (like forests and minerals) are the mortar and stone of this foundation. That's why preserving both produced and natural wealth is an important goal for sustainable development.