CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF LIVING STANDARDS MEASURING THE CONTRIBUTION OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY TO THE CANADIAN ECONOMY

Biotechnology to the Canadian Economy The role of modern biotechnology in agriculture, medicine, and industry has increased dramatically since the 1970s. Despite its growing importance, few efforts have been made so far to estimate the economic contribution of modern biotechnology to the Canadian economy. This report provides an overview of biotechnology activities in Canada, and, using an income-based approach, estimates that biotechnology activities accounted for approximately $15 billion in 2005, equivalent to 1.19 per cent of Canada’s GDP in that year. The report also forecasts that the role of biotechnology in the economy will increase substantially in the next twenty years