"Once written off as a 'sunset' industry, North American railroads are making money hand over fist. In short, the railways are benefiting from a rising tide and the companies have a lot going for them," notes Canadian analyst Tom Slee.

The contributing editor with Internet Wealth Builder explains, "Here's a look at my newest recommendation, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), as well as my long-time favorite, Canadian National Railway (CNI).

"Last year the six major carriers posted a 45% average growth in earnings as they booked increased volumes and increased rates.

"The Canadian economy performed much better than the U.S. economy during the past two and a half years," says J. Royden Ward.

The editor of Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter explains, "We believe many outstanding buying opportunities still exist and investors should continue to buy undervalued Canadian stocks."

Here, he looks at a trio of Canadian-based resource plays: Barrick Resources (ABX), Pan American Silver (PAAS), and Teck Resources 'B' (TCK).

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Canadian Oil Sands Trust (COSWF) has clearly lagged broad-based and energy-sector benchmarks alike over the trailing 12 months," says David Dittman.

The contributing editor to Canadian Edge explains, "A series of unplanned turnarounds at the Syncrude operation, of which Canadian Oil Sands owns 36.7 percent, have analysts questioning whether rising costs will ever allow Canadian Oil Sands to really benefit from elevated oil prices.

"With a superior dividend yield, reliable cash flows, and great growth prospects Atlantic Power Corp. (AT) is a solid income investment," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The company operates 12 hydro, gas, and coal power generating projects in eight states and an 84-mile transmission line in California. It sells power to major electric utilities under long-term purchase agreements, which provide steady and reliable cash flow.

"Earnings were solid in the third quarter. EBITDA rose 15% in the third quarter and 7% in the first nine months of the year compared to the year-ago periods.

"Cameco (CCJ) is a Canadian miner and the second largest producer of uranium in the world," says Brendan Coffey.

The editor of the Cabot Green Investor explains, "However, the company is more than just a uranium miner. It also operates further up the nuclear supply chain, and has a goal of continuing to expand its related services.

"The company delivered 16% of world demand in 2009 and is aiming to double production by 2018. It has 'proven and probable' uranium reserves of 480 million pounds, enough to meet nearly three years of current global demand.

"Despite more than doubling since we first recommended it just shy of two years ago, Sprott Resources (SCP), a Toronto-listed resource company, remains a strong buy, selling at a discount to a reasonable asset value," says Adrian Day.

The money manager and editor of The Global Analyst explains, "Sprott makes direct and indirect investments in the resource sector, frequently with new businesses which it subsequently takes public after nurturing them.

"One such is Orion Oil & Gas, of which Sprott still owns 78%, and remains undervalued. After more possible acquisitions, Orion could increase in value and more shares be spun off.

"You've undoubtedly noticed gold's run up; but you may have missed the serious gains coming from gold's underappreciated sister -- silver," suggests Keith Fitz-Gerald.

The editor of The New China Trader explains, "To play this trend, we are buying Silvercorp Metals (SVM), which engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of silver mining properties in Canada and China.

"High gold prices and low debt costs make now a great time for major gold producers to seek and acquire junior gold companies," says Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "I have singled out what I believe could be a potential takeover candidate: IAMgold (IAG), a mid-tier Canadian gold miner.

"Although we emphasize that this is a speculation, we believe the company could be a takeover candidate by large South African miners, perhaps by such companies as Gold Fields or AngloGold Ashanti.

"The most appealing investments are those that offer several ways to profi; that's definitely the case with TransCanada Corp. (TRP), our northern neighbor's largest pipeline and utility company. Here's a look at the Canadian pipeline company," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report explains, "Here is what the blue chip stock offers U.S. investors: First, TransCanada provides an easy way to take a position in the strong Canadian dollar.

"I think the loonie will hold its value much better than the U.S. dollar over the next few years. In fact, the loonie may rise about the greenback within a few months.

"Given the fact that Canada is looking pretty stable and smart these days, I thought it was time to feature a Canadian stock," suggests Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to Internet Wealth Builder explains, "Below, we look at Teck Resources (TCK), a highly diversified resource business based in Vancouver. With Teck you get good copper exposure plus coal and zinc as well as oil sands.

"This is a pretty good time to be in the natural resources business particularly if you are seen as a reliable and politically neutral trading partner such as Canada.

Canada stocks and Canadian investments are coming into favor, as the specter of inflation rears its ugly head and the fate of the recovery is anything but certain. That's because Canada's financial system is stable, it is rich with natural resources, and it can keep plugging along even if consumers don't open up their wallets again anytime soon.That means Canadian stocks could be big in 2011.

"Canada right now boasts one of the world's most compelling targets for investors' hard-earned money," says Peter Krauth.

The contributing editor to Money Morning reviews three ways to play Canada: CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (FXC), the Royal Bank of Canada (RY), and energy distribution and pipeline operator Enbridge (ENB).

"If the safety of a nation's banks is an indication of its economic well being, then Canada gets a clean bill of health, without the need for stress tests.

"Silver Wheaton (SLW) remains an undervalued stock on our buy list," says resource expert Adrian Day.

The money manager and editor of The Global Analyst explains, "We note that Silver Wheaton is not a mining company. Instead, in a business model similar to a royalty model, it acquires the stream of revenue from the silver output of other miners.

"The company usually enters these arrangements with miners for whom silver is a by-product. In a typical arrangement, Silver Wheaton pays a certain amount up-front plus a per ounce payment in exchange for all the revenue from the silver output.

"Canada's tar sands are in fact the largest proven oil reserves outside of Saudi Arabia. Tar sands are already 65 percent of overall Alberta oil output and are expected to hit 88 percent by the end of the decade," says Roger Conrad.

The editor of the specialty newsletter, Canadian Edge, reviews a trio of oil sands producers -- Penn West Energy Trust (PWE), Suncor (SU) and Cenovus Energy (CVE) -- that he states "truly worth investing in."

The advisor continues, "Starting with the most conservative, Penn West Energy has inked a joint venture with giant sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp (CIC) to deploy the latter's capital to develop its oil sands properties.

"The Canadian economy has rebounded from global recession faster than the U.S. economy, owing to its substantial natural-resource reserves, relatively stronger banks and milder and faster-recovering unemployment," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The ETF Report explains, "We are adding iShares MSCI Canada (EWC) to our ETF Foreign Picks speculative grouping this month, and detail that nation's strong economic and market fundamentals below.

"Canada's economy is expected to see faster real GDP growth in 2010 compared to most developed nations, including the U.S., Western Europe and Japan.