Newly published report charts a path to higher-value Canadian exports

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 17, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada could add nearly $100 billion in the next decade to its economy by capturing more value from exported goods, services and innovations, according to research from Export Development Canada (EDC).

Today at the Canadian Club Toronto, EDC President and CEO Alison Nankivell will discuss findings of the organization's first in a series of reports examining how Canada can build on its existing trade strengths to become more resilient, diversified and competitive.

"Capturing more value from trade is one of Canada's greatest economic opportunities, not only in terms of adding billions to our GDP, but also in terms of increased capabilities and higher productivity," Nankivell said, citing the EDC report, From Resources to Resilience: How Canada Can Capture More Value Through Trade.

"Our success as a trading nation has long been rooted in the strengths of our resource-rich economy. The opportunity is in scaling these capabilities to produce unique, complex products that give Canada a competitive advantage. Through this report, we hope to broaden the conversation about what is possible for Canada in a rapidly changing trade environment, and to help ambitious Canadian companies see how they can start moving up the value chain by building on their existing strengths."

As Canada seeks to diversify its export markets, the report argues that Canada's long-term prosperity depends not only on where it trades, but also on how it competes. It examines Canada's declining economic complexity – a framework that measures a country's ability to produce sophisticated, knowledge-intensive goods and services –which has trended downward since the mid-1990s. Despite this, the country still possesses many of the capabilities needed to strengthen its economy. Moving toward exporting more sophisticated goods and services could, conservatively, add nearly $100 billion to GDP in 2035.

"As we move to double our non-U.S. exports and diversify our trading relationships, we're focused not only on where we sell, but what we sell," said The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade. "From aerospace to defence to AI to clean technology, Canada has the talent and the capabilities to secure more high-value opportunities and create more good-paying jobs for Canadians. We will continue leveraging our strengths to build a more competitive, resilient, and diversified trading relationship with the world."

EDC's analysis found that the greatest economic gains come from moving up the value chain into processing, refining and advanced materials production, rather than exporting raw resources alone. Sectors like agri-food, critical minerals, defence and aerospace are primed to capture the highest value-creation opportunities. By supporting globally competitive sectors, Canada can generate benefits that spill over into other sectors and driver broader gains across the economy.

Canada's enabling conditions to capture more trade value

To help Canada capture more value from trade, the report outlines several enabling conditions needed to increase its economic complexity:

• An integrated trade framework that strengthens connections between goods, services, imports and investment in Canada and abroad.
• Access to growth capital that can create more Canadian global champions.
• High-value services and intellectual property (IP) commercialization, as they play a central role in product innovation and value creation.
• Skilled talent to support Canadian companies as they build the capabilities required to produce more sophisticated, higher-value goods and services.
• Trade-enabling infrastructure, including physical and digital networks, to support both the movement of goods and the expansion of services exports.
• Targeted regional trade diversification strategies that help Canadian businesses adapt to global customer needs and continuously upgrade their products and processes.

"Capturing more value from Canada's trade strengths will require a coordinated effort across our trade and economic ecosystem. Governments, businesses, investors, academic institutions and organizations like EDC each have a role to play in building the capabilities needed for Canada's long-term success. Through collaboration and sustained investment in talent, capital, innovation and infrastructure, Canada can create a more diversified and resilient economy," said Nankivell.

For more information, visit EDC.ca.

About EDC 

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC has the financial products and knowledge Canadian companies need to confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk and grow their business as they go from local to global. Together, EDC and Canadian companies are building a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable economy for all Canadians. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-800-229-0575 or visit www.edc.ca. 

SOURCE Export Development Canada