Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy : 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 866, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone : [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
Flag description: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band
Economy
Economy - overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the 1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces high unemployment - especially in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces - and a large public sector debt. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the confederation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $721 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 31% services : 66% (1996)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.4% (1996)
Labor force: total: 15.1 million (1996) by occupation : services 74%, manufacturing 15%, agriculture 3%, construction 5%, other 3% (1994)