Statistics Canada
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International investment position
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Note to readers: Second quarter 2008
Definition
The international investment position presents the value and composition of Canada’s foreign assets and liabilities to the rest of the world. Canada’s net international investment position is the difference between these foreign assets and liabilities. Canada is a net debtor nation meaning that our international liabilities are greater than our assets. This excess of international liabilities over assets can be referred to as Canada’s net international liabilities or Canada’s net foreign debt.
The valuation of the assets and liabilities in the international investment position are measured at book value, unless otherwise stated. Book value represents the value of assets and liabilities recorded in the books of the enterprise in which the investment is made.
Currency valuation
The value of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are converted to Canadian dollars at the end of each period for which a balance sheet is calculated. Most of Canada's foreign assets are denominated in foreign currencies while less than half of our international liabilities are in foreign currencies.
When the Canadian dollar is appreciating in value, the restatement of the value of these assets and liabilities in Canadian dollars lowers the recorded value. The opposite is true when the dollar is depreciating.
