A low government debt burden. We believe net general government debt is unlikely to surpass 35% of GDP in 2010, less than half its 1996 level, despite fiscal stimulus and financial sector liquidity provisions A relatively diversified, export-oriented, high-income economy. Good recent fiscal performance has helped reduce external indebtedness, with net public-sector external debt projected at 52% of current account receipts in 2010, compared with 79% in 1996 Prudent monetary policy, as more than 15 years of annual inflation of 3% or lower demonstrate A stable political and judicial system, including competent civil servants and well-established property rights High dependence on the U.S. economy. About three-quarters of Canadian goods exported and about two-thirds of those imported are traded with the
