After decreasing in February and March, Canada’s real gross domestic product edged up 0.1 percent in April, according to Statistics Canada. Widespread gains, notably in manufacturing, utilities and the public sector, were largely offset by a significant decline in non-conventional oil extraction.
The output of goods-producing industries edged down 0.1 percent in April, mainly as a result of a decrease in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Manufacturing and utilities posted notable increases, while the agriculture and forestry sector was down.
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction fell for a third consecutive month in April, declining 1.4 percent.
After two consecutive monthly decreases, manufacturing output rose 0.4 percent in April, attributable to non-durable goods manufacturing (+0.9 percent), up for the third consecutive month.
After decreasing for two consecutive months, durable-goods manufacturing was unchanged in April. Gains were notable in transportation equipment manufacturing, primary metal manufacturing and, to a lesser extent, miscellaneous manufacturing. On the other hand, machinery manufacturing and wood product manufacturing posted notable declines.
Wholesale trade increased 0.2 percent in April, although output of wholesalers of machinery, equipment and supplies, building material and supplies, and motor vehicles and parts decreased.
Construction was unchanged in April. An increase in engineering construction was offset by a decrease in residential building construction, which declined in April after four consecutive gains. Repair construction was down, while non-residential building construction was unchanged.
Transportation and warehousing services grew 0.4 percent in April. Pipeline transportation of natural gas rose, as demand from the northeastern United States increased, due to below-average seasonal temperatures. Output from trucking and postal services advanced, while rail transportation declined to its lowest level since November 2014.