Culture Services Trade (2005)

June 17, 200817 June 2008

Issue

Culture, international trade and foreign policy

Article Link

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/87-213-XIE/87-213-XIE2007000.htm

Statistics Canada provides raw data annually on trade in culture goods and services. The most recent culture services trade tables, providing data from 2005, have been analyzed by Hill Strategies Research for this issue of the Arts Research Monitor.

In 2005, total exports of culture services amounted to $2.9 billion, slightly higher than the $2.8 billion in imports in that year. This is only the second time in 10 years that Canada has had a trade surplus in culture services. However, the 2005 trade surplus should be viewed with some caution, since it depends heavily on estimates of trade in film production and distribution services that have a relatively high margin of error.

Other than the film sector, culture services with a trade surplus are advertising services, architecture services and the publishing sector (which had a very small surplus). There are substantial trade deficits in broadcasting and sound recording services.

Over the past 10 years, culture services exports have more than doubled, while culture services imports increased by 92%. Film production and distribution services were a leading growth sector over the 10-year timeframe. It will be interesting to see subsequent estimates of changes in film production and distribution, given the strong Canadian dollar and other mitigating factors.

Culture services trade with the United States represents 81% of total culture services trade, including 73% of exports and 88% of imports. In 2005, Canada had a culture services trade deficit with the United States of $317 million. Trade with the European Union represents 11% of total culture services trade. In 2005, Canada had a culture services trade surplus of $191 million with the European Union. Trade with the rest of the world represents 9% of total culture services trade. In 2005, Canada had a culture services trade surplus of $248 million with the rest of the world.