Least Risky Industries in Canada in 2021

1. Cannabis Production in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 2.61

The Cannabis Production industry in Canada has blossomed over the five years to 2021 as a massive market was introduced into the industry, driving up revenue late during the period. Since Health Canada opened up medicinal cannabis production to more players in 2013, the industry has grown continuously as operators invest in production capabilities to produce quality products. However, the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 has been the primary driver of the industry boom during the period. As consumers shifted from illegal cannabis purchases to the licensed recreational market, the industry has grown significantly, with revenue growing 52.8% in... Learn More

2. Foreign Currency Exchange Services in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 3.46

Revenue for the Foreign Currency Exchange Services industry in Canada is expected to decrease over the five years to 2020, as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic significantly depresses international travel. In addition, pressure from external competition by banks offering foreign exchange services has aided in the industry's decline. However, more operators are offering services to financial institutions by participating in the supply chain of foreign exchange, supplying banks with banknotes in wholesale or providing the service directly as an outsourced agent. Alongside favourable economic trends during the majority of the five-year period and the proliferation of online services, operators have expanded... Learn More

3. Chicken & Turkey Meat Production in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 3.77

As with most other industries under the supply management system, the Chicken and Turkey Meat Production industry in Canada exhibits a low degree of volatility. Fortunately for farmers, effective supply management has helped offset dips in revenue. The industry's revenue growth is expected to be relatively steady over the five years to 2020, with profit rising steadily. Overall, industry revenue is estimated to rise at an annualized rate of 1.1% to $3.2 billion over the five years to 2020. Due in large part to the high margin enforced by the supply management system, industry profit, defined as earnings before interest... Learn More

4. Public Transportation in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 3.87

Operators in the Public Transportation industry in Canada operate passenger transit systems over fixed routes and regular schedules within a metropolitan area. Transportation systems involve multiple modes of transportation, including subways, streetcars and buses. Due to the high capital costs associated with running a large public transportation system, most industry operators rely on government subsidies. As a result, government funding is a key driver of industry revenue. Government stimulus programs, such as the Building Canada Plan and the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, fuelled industry revenue growth over the five years to 2020. Ultimately, industry revenue is expected to increase an annualized... Learn More

5. Scientific Research & Development in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 3.95

The Scientific Research and Development industry in Canada includes organizations conducting physical, engineering and life sciences research, but does not include private research and development (R&D) conducted in-house at corporations. Private enterprises represent most industry clients and funding. However, due to the low corporate profit margin over most of the five years to 2021, enterprise investment remained low during most of the period.

Government funding for R&D has grown as the current administration has made investment in Canadian research a priority. New enterprises have entered the market, encouraged by targeted funding toward technological and innovative research areas. This has led to... Learn More

6. Real Estate Investment Trusts in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 4.00

The Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) industry in Canada has grown consistently over the five years to 2020, as solid operational efficiency and a low interest rate environment laid the foundation for growth. The industry benefited from a low level of revenue volatility that is backed by a steady stream of income from rentals amid stable economic growth. Long-term rent contracts in the commercial segments and the rise of rental rates in the residential segment have enabled the industry to maintain stable growth rates year-over-year during the period, even amid an economic slowdown in 2015 and 2016. Overall, the industry... Learn More

7. Pharmaceuticals & Pharmacy Supplies Wholesaling in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 4.10

The Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy Supplies Wholesaling industry in Canada has benefited from its integral role in the pharmaceutical supply chain without the plague of external competition from manufacturers, which is endemic to most wholesale industries. Pharmaceutical wholesalers and self-distributing pharmacy chains, which are excluded from the industry, account for 95.0% of total pharmaceuticals distributed to pharmacies and to long-term and specialized healthcare facilities. Pharmaceuticals have comprised one of the fastest growing segments of healthcare expenditures over the past two decades. Due to the burgeoning elderly population's sustained need for pharmaceuticals, many downstream markets have sought out wholesalers to provide quick... Learn More

8. Tractors & Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 4.11

The Tractors and Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing industry in Canada has grown slowly but steadily despite fluctuations in demand over the five years to 2020. The industry manufactures a variety of products, such as tractors and harvesters, that are essential to modern-day farming. Inconsistent demand from downstream farms has complicated operating conditions for the industry over the past five years. While industry products are ubiquitous on farms, revenue remains exposed to the volatility of farm income, which affects farm demand for new equipment and consequently influences industry revenue. Industry operators endured poor demand from farms in Canada and the United States... Learn More

9. Mining, Oil & Gas Machinery Manufacturing in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 4.15

Canada is one of the world's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas, as well as a range of other metal and mineral commodities, and this has traditionally benefited the Mining, Oil and Gas Machinery Manufacturing industry in Canada, which produces goods used by extraction industries. Revenue is closely tied to commodity prices, as these can dictate levels of investment and activity by extraction companies. Commodity prices have been hugely volatile over the five years to 2020, with the prices of many goods tanking, causing exploration activity and demand for industry products to fall. While the prices of many... Learn More

10. Dairy Farms in Canada

2021 Overall Risk Score: 4.17

The Dairy Farms industry in Canada consists of farms that primarily raise cattle for milking, and the majority of industry revenue comes from the sale of milk to dairy processors. Industry performance has been slow, with revenue stagnating at $8.2 billion over the five years to 2020. Industry revenue is forecast to decline 1.7% in 2020 alone, primarily associated with the economic slowdown attributed to COVID-19 (coronavirus). While consumer spending has risen, fluid milk consumption has fallen in recent years in favour of substitutes, cutting into demand for one of the industry's primary products. However, downstream demand for other dairy... Learn More