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SIZE MATTERS | THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC REPORT.

Protect Our Winters Canada is excited to share our first-of-its-kind economic report measuring the size of the outdoor recreation economy in Canada…and trust us, it’s big! 

From coast to coast to coast, the mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, parks and green spaces are a core part of our shared Canadian identity and the foundation for outdoor recreation which contributes massively to healthier Canadians, thriving communities, and a prosperous economy. By combining the best available information on the collective economic activity generated by 23 outdoor recreation activities in Canada, POW has estimated Canada’s outdoor recreation economy at over $101 billion annually.

Outdoor Recreation is a growing sector of Canada’s economy, built from thousands of small to large Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. Outdoor Recreation is helping many small, rural, and Indigenous communities transition away from resource-based industries to build our future economy. Outdoor Recreation provides over 1 million diverse jobs for Canadians, ranging across product design, manufacturing, retail, sustainability, finance, tourism and hospitality.

The outdoor recreation industry is a critical part of Canada’s economy and the lifeblood of thousands of small businesses and direct livelihoods of over 1 million Canadians.

1,096,8492 CANADIAN JOBS (FULL TIME EQUIVALENT) $101.6 B2 IN ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION ANNUALLY

The Outdoor Industry's massive contributions to the economy are only part of the story. Outdoor Recreation delivers enormous personal and social benefits on which healthy, happy communities thrive8. Study after study document how outdoor recreation improves physical and mental health, including youth development9; reducing stress, anxiety & depression, and assisting healthy ageing. Healthy, active lifestyles associated with outdoor recreation are estimated to reduce public health care costs in Canada by $3.9 to 23 billion annually.

78% OF CANADIANS participated in outdoor recreation activities in 2021, up from 75% in 2011

THE $101 BILLION OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY IS WORTH PROTECTING Investing in Outdoor Recreation is an investment in our future collective health, communities and our economy. Government investment in the outdoor industry is currently comparatively lower than other sectors on a per job and contribution to GDP basis. For example, a study in Alberta found government investment in outdoor recreation and related tourism per job created was only 10.3% of that in energy and 8.4% of agriculture and forestry.

The outdoor industry is particularly threatened by the impacts of climate change including forest fires, reduced snowpack, melting glaciers, floods and droughts. Our natural assets are the foundation of the outdoor recreation economy and are crucial for future generations. To ensure a sustainable and prosperous outdoor recreation economy, Canada must meet its international commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement in a just and equitable way.

For more information please visit https://www.protectourwinters.ca/economicreport or contact David Erb, [email protected]

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