Historically those of us “south of the border” (the Canadian border) estimate that the Canadian electrical market is about 10% of the US market. We’re close.

According to the latest Pathfinder report, compiled by Kerrwil Media in partnership with Electro-Federation Canada, the Canadian electrical distribution market represents 12.3% of the US market.

I know most distributors and reps will say “who cares” as it does not affect them, however, ElectricalTrends has a number of manufacturer readers who are responsible for Canada. This includes executive management, a number of VPs of Sales, some VPs of Marketing, and a few regional managers whose responsibility is “north of the border.”

And yes, we have some Canadian readers.

More importantly, however, when you read the summary findings of the report you may see a close mirror of the US market … or where it may be heading.

Notice the:

• Business challenges
• Growth rate
• Consolidation in the market
• Product mix
• Regional differences

Pathfinder 2026; Canadian Market = $17.6B

“The Canadian electrical distribution market closed the 2025 reporting period at $17.6 billion in sales, according to the newly released Pathfinder Benchmark Study, Volume 41. Covering July 2024 through June 2025, the study charts the industry’s moderate 3.9% growth amid shifting customer demand, commodity price pressure, and continued distributor consolidation.

Ontario retains its position as the largest regional market with 36.5% of national volume, with Quebec and Alberta following. Across the country, 1,536 branches employ 21,886 people—figures that tell a story of scale, but also of structural change. Multinational distributors now command more than 82% of the market, extending their dominance in full-line distribution while independents face increasing pressure to specialize or consolidate. (And if you combine AD, it’s now close to 98% of the market!)

Full-line distribution remains the backbone of the channel, generating $12.8 billion—about 73% of total market sales. But it is automation and control that stands out as a growth driver, expanding 5.6% year-over-year and reflecting Canada’s growing investment in automation technologies. Lighting, meanwhile, declined 9% as technology shifts and changing priorities eroded sales. Wire and cable, heavily tied to copper price swings, reported modest gains, while the utility segment continued steady growth.

Digital transformation is also accelerating. Online platforms are now approaching $4.0 billion in sales, highlighting the shift in procurement practices and customer expectations. The rise of redistributors in categories like wire and circuit breakers points to new models of efficiency in procurement and logistics.

Economic forces shape much of this performance. Inflation eased to 2.4% and GDP grew at 1.6% in 2024, but copper soared to record highs on global demand linked to renewables and electric vehicles. Tariffs pushed electrical equipment costs up by 10–25%, and currency volatility added further pressure to import costs.

The study also maps customer demand across residential, commercial, industrial, utility, and OEM segments. Here, the strongest drivers include renewable energy adoption, grid modernization, automation and control, and the integration of communications and security technologies into electrical infrastructure.”

Developed by Kerrwil Media in partnership with Electro-Federation Canada, Pathfinder remains the sector’s definitive benchmarking resource. Its mix of financial metrics, segmentation detail, and competitive analysis continues to guide the industry’s planning, channel development, and long-term strategic decisions. If your company is a member of Electro-Federation, you can contact them for a copy of the report.

Thoughts

Many similarities, although a more consolidated market

For those seeking visibility to the Canadian market, Kerrwil offers nine (9) different publications – Electrical Industry, Le monde de l’électricité en ligne (to cover Quebec!), Canadian Electrical Wholesaler, Lighting Design & Specification, Panel Builder & Systems Integrator, Drives & Controls, Mechatronics Canada, EV Equipment + Systems, and Power & Telecom Industry – some focus on distribution, some specifiers, some niche end-user segments of the market. If you’d like to learn more, let me know and I’ll get you an intro to John Kerr (and the CMG discount!). Some may know that some of our ElectricalTrends articles have appeared in Canadian Electrical Wholesaler over the years.

Kerrwil Media partners with Channel Marketing Group in the production of US Lighting Trends.

So, between the US and Canada, the electrical distribution market is about a $160 billion business (combining the findings from DISC and the Pathfinder report.)

Manufacturers … what’s your share?

With our relationship with Kerrwil, Channel Marketing Group can conduct, and coordinate, North American market research for manufacturers.