GDP and trade

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GDP

• Cleantech GDP has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, despite rising 3.7% from the previous year and reaching $34 billion in 2021. Over the same period, Canada's total real GDP grew 5%.
  • Ontario was the largest contributor to cleantech GDP (41% in 2021), driven by strong output of cleantech services (e.g. R&D, management, and administrative services).
  • Notably, while Alberta contributes over 16% to the overall GDP in Canada, its contribution to cleantech GDP was 10%.
• For the environmental sector GDP, Quebec was the largest contributor, accounting for 36% in 2021. This is largely attributable to the province's clean electricity output.
  • Quebec and Manitoba were the only two provinces whose contribution to the environmental sector GDP significantly outperformed its contribution to the overall GDP.

Trade

• Cleantech exports increased by 9.9% to $9.2 billion in 2021, outpacing the growth of cleantech imports (8.4%).
  • Ontario made up the majority of Canada's cleantech exports, representing 64% in 2021.
  • For cleantech imports, Ontario led by 45%, followed by British Columbia (17%), Alberta (13%), and Quebec (13%).
• For environmental exports, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia led the rest of Canada by contributing 36%, 25% and 20%, respectively.
  • Ontario also made up the majority of environmental imports into Canada, contributing 68% to the total in 2021.