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Soundings TradeOnlyToday Magazine
The National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada said a study showed that the recreational boating industry had estimated revenue of $10 billion in 2016 that generated $5.6 billion in gross domestic product and supported nearly 75,000 jobs in the country.
“This new economic impact data reinforces the importance of recreational boating in Canada and the significant contribution our industry makes to the Canadian economy,” NMMA Canada executive director Sara Anghel said in a statement. “Boating is a favorite pastime of millions of Canadians, and the 8.6 million boats on the water in Canada stimulate jobs, revenue and taxes.”
The study’s release coincided with the fifth annual Recreational Boating Day on the Hill in Ottawa. Day on the Hill is a gathering of leaders from all sectors of the Canadian recreational boating industry on Parliament Hill to advocate for 4,792 Canadian marine companies.
The annual legislative event provides the marine industry with an opportunity to communicate with Parliamentarians on key issues affecting recreational boating.
“Findings from this study provide vital boating data we can deliver directly to Parliamentarians to illustrate the important role recreational boating plays in the Canadian economy and lends further support to our industry efforts to protect and grow recreational boating in Canada,” Anghel said.
The study, The Economic Impact of Recreational Boating in Canada: 2016, defines the core recreational boating industry as boat and accessory manufacturers, boat and accessory dealers, marina operators, repair and maintenance shops, schools and boat clubs and other related companies.
The study was conducted by Hickling Arthurs Low on behalf of NMMA Canada and in cooperation with the recreational boating industry’s national marketing program, Discover Boating Canada and Canada’s regional marine trades associations. The complete study is available for NMMA members at nmma.org and nmma.ca.
Highlights include:
- The core recreational boating industry was directly and indirectly responsible for $10 billion in revenues in 2016, a 12.4 percent increase from 2012.
- That revenue contributed $5.6 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2016, a 12 percent increase from 2012.
- The core boating industry supports about 75,000 jobs, generating $2.9 billion in annual salaries and wages, an 11.5 percent increase from 2012.
- The economic activity supported by the core recreational boating industry contributes $868 million in annual taxes and subsidies to Canada’s economy, a 12.1 percent increase from 2012.
- Forty-three percent of Canadians went boating in 2016.
- Canadians own about 8.6 million boats.
Originally published here.