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.

"NovaGold Resources (NG) -- my top pick for 2011 -- is an up-and-coming mining outfit that owns a pair of world-class deposits," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "It has partnered with a couple of industry heavyweights to develop these projects, and it has the backing of some of the savviest investors around, giving it the wherewithal that will enable the company to transition from junior explorer to mid-tier producer in a few short years.

Canadian banks weathered the financial crisis much better than their American counterparts. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Canada's second largest, has a strong balance sheet and is rated triple A by Moody's.

The Financial Times reports that TD bank bought the loan book of Chrysler Financial from Cerberus Capital Management for $6.3 billion. When Chrysler went bankrupt, Cerberus retained Chrysler Financial, which it has now sold to TD Bank.

There aren't many companies that can't produce enough product to meet demand in these tough times, but here's one of the exceptions: Gildan Activewear (NYSE: GIL). It's a Canadian company, based in Montreal, with production facilities in the Caribbean and Latin America that turn out a wide range of low-priced clothing from socks to sportswear.

It seems people can't get enough of what Gildan has to offer and profits are soaring. The company earned $0.50 a share in the third quarter, up from $0.32 a year ago and then announced it would begin paying quarterly dividends of $0.075 a share in 2011. Gildan also announced a buyback program for up to one million shares.

"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.

"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.

The Russians are coming. A Russian state-owned company will control almost half of U.S. uranium production in the next few years.

The Financial Times reported on a partial takeover deal between AMRZ, the uranium mining division of State-owned Rosaton and Toronto's Uranium One. Uranium One controls mining operations in Wyoming, which would give AMRZ a footprint in the U.S.

Before the deal was struck, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) gave its approval. In addition, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also gaveit the go-ahead.

"China produces roughly 95% of the global supply of rare earth elements and the Chinese have managed to corner the market on rare earth element," says Glenn Rogers.

The contributing analyst to Internet Wealth Builder explains, "Why you should care? Because without them, many of the high-tech devices we take for granted wouldn't exist.

"It turns out there are 17 rare earth elements (REEs) which are critical to the manufacture of numerous high-tech products such as color TVs and flat-panel displays.

"RioCan REIT (RIOCF), the owner of high-quality shopping malls across Canada that's used the last two years to dramatically boost its portfolio growth potential," says Canadian trust expert Roger Conrad.

The editor of Canadian Edge explains, "Its 6 percent yield has consistently grown since I first added it to the Portfolio as an original member back in July 2004. And growth is accelerating again as recent investments pay off.

"Even the most conservative investors will find much to like in RioCan's reliability, unrecognized growth potential and 6 percent yield.

I am maintaining a buy recommendation on Shaw Communications (SJR) despite an underwhelming year-end financial report.

I originally recommended Shaw in my Internet Wealth Builder newsletter on Feb. 4, 2008 at $20.64. Calgary, Alberta-based Shaw, is a telecommunications company, which dominates the rich Alberta market. It recently also purchased the bankrupt CanWest Global television empire. Shaw is a low-risk company that won't suddenly shoot up in price but that compensates with limited downside, steady cash flow, and long-term growth potential.

Black Friday has come and gone and the holiday shopping season is off and running. In addition to keeping on eye on how retailers are doing, there will be plenty of other economic data for analysts and investors to peruse on this week.

• Monday: Chicago Fed's Midwest Manufacturing Index
• Tuesday: Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, S&P/Case-Schiller Home Price Index for Q3, Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index

Welcome to my new Canada Report blog. Here's where you'll find information about profitable investing in America's northern neighbor.

Why should you care? Start with this fact, which may surprise you. Over the five years to Oct. 28, Canada's benchmark stock index, the S&P/TSX Composite, has gained 21.8% -- and remember this period includes the worst market meltdown since the 1930s. What did the S&P 500 do in that time? It lost 1.2%.

There's more. Those figures are in local currencies. In fact, the Canadian dollar has been steadily appreciating against the U.S. greenback since 2002 and is now up more than 60% since that time. So Americans who put some of their money in Canada not only enjoyed stock market profits but they also benefited from exchange rate gains.

"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.

The grain markets are highly weather dependent. The slightest whisper of a weather change can move grains by large magnitudes. And with crops in Canada and China in danger of freezing, some grains recorded two-year highs.

Western Canada experienced frost last week, damaging the region's crops, including wheat, canola and barley. Similarly, parts of China also experienced freezing weather, threatening some grain crops there. Meanwhile, in Russia, the severe drought, which caused the country to ban wheat exports, is continuing. Russian farmers have planted 39% less winter grains this year, according to Bloomberg.