Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
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Provincial showdown
Overview
Simulating a team of marketing specialists, students research and develop a presentation on a particular province or territory, to convince companies that it provides the best possible investment environment. This activity is suitable for geography, business studies and consumer education classes at the intermediate and secondary levels.
Background
Canada is the world's second-largest country (9,093,507 km2). It is a nation that actively promotes a culturally, socially and economically diverse and healthy environment.
"An independent study comparing the costs of doing business in North America and Europe rated Canada as the number one country. For every industry surveyed, overall costs are lower in Canada than either the United States or Europe.
Canada's competitive advantages include low land and construction costs, which combined with low interest rates, result in the lowest initial investment costs among the countries surveyed. Labour, electricity and telecommunications costs, as well as income tax rates and R&D tax incentives are all highly competitive." (Why Invest In Canada?)
The reasons for companies to invest in Canada are compelling and benefit all of Canada. But no company invests in Canada as a whole. The final decision about where in Canada a company might locate is made by people who have been persuaded that a particular region, province or territory will provide the best possible investment environment to ensure that company's success. And while Canadians might all be working toward a common goal—attracting investment to Canada—the internal competition between the provinces and territories is intense. For each province or territory, attracting new business and investment is critical.
