Electronic Commerce in Canada

Highlights from the 2005 Survey of Electronic Commerce and Technology (SECT)

Based on The Daily, April 20, 2006, Statistics Canada

Canada's Internet Sales Up 39%

Value of Canada's Total Internet Sales 1999 - 2005 (billions)

1999=4.2; 2000=5.7; 2001=6.5; 2002=11.1; 2003=18.9; 2004=28.3; 2005=39.2

  • E-commerce accounted for 1% of total operating revenues for private firms- unchanged since 2001

E-Commerce Sales High, ICT Adoption Low

  • Internet use by firms unchanged at 82%
  • Firms with a website stagnant at 38%
  • Firms engaged in e-commerce unchanged since 2001 at 7%

Broadband Use Keeps Rising

Private Firms Using High Speed Internet

2000=35%; 2001=48%; 2002=58%; 2003=66%; 2004=72%; 2005=81%

  • Firms using broadband technology are more likely to adopt other advanced information and communication technologies

Four Sectors Account for 68% of Private Sector E-Commerce

  • Wholesale, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing and retail accounted for 68% of private sector online sales
  • Wholesalers reports $7.2 billion in e-commerce sales
  • Transportation & warehousing also reported $7.2 billion in e-commerce sales

Barriers to Adoption Largely Unchanged

Firms that believe that their goods/services do not lend themselves to internet transactions

2001=52%; 2005=50%

Firms that prefer to maintain current business model

2001=36%; 2005=35%