Considering that December is just around the corner that means that the snow will begin flying in the not too distant future. Although we all get stuck in the snow and have to deal with wind chill, this harsh climate and vast terrain of ours actually is an asset on the world stage.

The Export Development Corporation (EDC) released its Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure report showing that the ability of Canadian companies to deal with harsh climates and geographically diverse landscapes has resulted in Canadian companies snapping up infrastructure projects the world over. Canadian companies are contributing builders, equipment suppliers, engineers, architects and environmental specialists to many of these projects, and there are Waterloo Region companies involved in some of these projects.

To get an idea of how much the international infrastructure market will be worth, between 2010 and 2030, close to $10 trillion (yes, trillion) will be invested in infrastructure projects worldwide, and that's not including oil and gas and telecom projects. Canadian companies, in 2007, were already involved in 1,100 infrastructure projects that totaled $17 billion. The EDC hopes that this share will continue to rise as the market for Canadian exports to developed countries is expected to decline in 2009 and 2010, by 27% and 7% respectively.

According to Françoise Faverjon-Fortin, Vice-President of Infrastructure and Environment of the EDC, this year's list of projects is really "a testament to the breadth of knowledge Canadians have built and the extent to which they have penetrated markets around the world". 

And you thought the snow and rocks made us boring!

To see the full report, visit http://www.edc.ca/english/publications_15510.htm

If you have any comments or thoughts you'd like to share, do not hesitate to contact me at carol@workforceplanningboard.com