Canada's international trade in services

Detailed data on international trade in services for 2004 are now available. Data by country, geographical and economic areas for commercial services, travel, transportation and government services are available up to 2003. Imports and exports of commercial services by category and industry based on the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 2002 have been updated from 1999 to 2003.

The services trade deficit increased by $1.3 billion to $12.7 billion in 2004. Growth in imports of services outpaced the rise in exports leading to the highest deficit in services since 1993.

Most of the variation in 2004 came from commercial services where the deficit rose by almost $1.0 billion. Exports of commercial services were lower in 2004, notably in management services and in insurance services, while imports did not change.

Travel deficit remained high in 2004. Revenues rebounded after the substantial drop of 2003 but this was offset by larger expenses as more Canadians travelled abroad in 2004.

Note: Trade in services covers transactions in travel, transportation, a range of business and professional services referred to as commercial services, and government services.

Available on CANSIM: tables 376-0031 to 376-0033, 376-0036 and 376-0062.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1536.

The 2004 issue of Canada's International Trade in Services (67-203-XIE, $35) should be released in September.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Denis Caron (613-951-1861; denis.caron@statcan.gc.ca) or Nicole Charron (613-951-3789; nicole.charron@statcan.gc.ca), Balance of Payments Division.