10 Shocking Facts About Canada's Hidden Resources:Why We're a'Resource Superpower' Living in Poverty
10 Shocking Facts About Canada's Hidden Resources: Why We're a "Resource Superpower" Living in Poverty
10 Shocking Facts About Canada's Hidden Resources
Map of major natural resource deposits in Canada
Major natural resource deposits across Canada
Why a "Resource Superpower" Still Has Millions in Poverty
As of 2025, Canada possesses some of the world’s largest reserves of oil, potash, gold, lithium, forests, and freshwater — yet over 4 million Canadians live below the poverty line and national debt exceeds $2.3 trillion.
This article explores the paradox of Canada’s immense natural wealth existing alongside persistent poverty, soaring debt, and economic inequality. The 2025 "Buy Canadian" procurement policy has renewed public debate on this decades-old issue.
Canada's Resource Riches
- World's Largest Potash Reserves – ~1.1 billion tonnes (31% of global reserves)
- 3rd-Largest Proven Oil Reserves – ~170 billion barrels (mostly Alberta oil sands)
- 3rd-Largest Forest Cover – 369 million hectares (9% of world total)
- 3rd-Largest Renewable Freshwater Supply – 7–9% of the planet’s renewable freshwater
- 5th-Largest Unmined Gold Reserves – Over 3,200 tonnes still in the ground
- 6th-Largest Lithium Reserves – 930,000 tonnes, critical for EV batteries
- Longest Coastline on Earth – 202,080 km of marine resource potential
- Top-10 Global Producer of nickel, cobalt, uranium, diamonds, and more
- Natural Capital Value – Estimated $1.7–$3 trillion CAD
- Boom-Bust Revenue – Provinces heavily dependent on volatile commodity prices
The Poverty & Debt Paradox
Despite the riches:
- ~10.2% poverty rate (over 4 million Canadians)
- Food-bank use up nearly 90% since 2019
- Combined federal + provincial debt > $2.3 trillion (2025–26)
- Debt-interest payments now rival health-care spending
2025 "Buy Canadian" Policy
Budget 2025 introduced:
- $186 million to prioritize Canadian steel, aluminum, wood, and manufactured goods in federal contracts
- Projected $70 billion economic injection over the next decade
- Goal: stop exporting raw resources and importing finished products
Why the Disconnect?
Commonly cited reasons:
- High foreign ownership of resource companies
- Lengthy regulatory delays
- Interprovincial trade barriers
- Classic "resource curse" effect