February GDP Stable Following January Decline

GDP

 

Real gross domestic product (GDP) was unchanged in February following a 0.2% decline in January. An increase in the output of service industries, primarily retail trade, was offset by an overall decline in goods-producing industries.

Real GDP growth was revised down to a 0.2% decline in January 2015 and revised up to a 0.4% increase in December 2014. Revisions to January and December result from the incorporation of updated information on Canadian industries.

The output of service-providing industries edged up 0.1% in February, after declining 0.2% in January. Increases were recorded in retail trade and the finance and insurance sector as well as the public sector (education, health and public administration combined). On the other hand, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing services as well as accommodation and food services posted declines.

Goods production declined 0.2% in February, after edging down 0.1% in January, primarily as a result of declines in manufacturing and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction. Construction also declined in February. In contrast, utilities and the agriculture and forestry sector were up.

Chart 1: Real gross domestic product is unchanged in February 

Economy Chart 1

Retail trade rises while wholesale trade falls

After declining for two consecutive months, retail trade rose 1.5% in February as most subsectors posted growth. There were notable increases at 

• general merchandise stores

• food and beverage stores

• sporting goods and hobby, book and music stores

• motor vehicles and parts dealers

Activity was down at gasoline stations and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers.

Chart 2: Retail trade rises in February

Economy Chart 2

Manufacturing output decreases

Manufacturing output declined 0.8% in February after decreasing 0.7% in January.

Following a 1.5% decline in January, durable-goods manufacturing fell 2.5% in February. There were notable declines in the manufacturing of transportation equipment as well as of primary metals, non-metallic mineral products, and fabricated metal products. In contrast, miscellaneous manufacturing was up.

Non-durable goods manufacturing rose 1.4% in February, mainly as a result of a notable increase in the manufacturing of chemical products and, to a lesser extent, of food.

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction falls

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction fell 0.6% in February, mainly because of a contraction in support activities.

Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction contracted 15.4% in February, after falling 10.8% in January, as rigging and drilling services retreated. Crude oil prices, while up in February from January, have been significantly lower in recent months compared with their mid-year 2014 levels. Natural gas prices were down again in February, their sixth decline in seven months.

After rising 1.4% in January, oil and gas extraction edged up 0.1% in February, primarily as a result of gains in non-conventional oil extraction. The growth was pulled down by a decline in conventional crude petroleum extraction, while natural gas production was up.

Mining and quarrying (excluding oil and gas extraction) increased 3.0% in February. An increase in metallic mineral mining outweighed a decline in non-metallic mineral and coal mining.

Finance and insurance sector grows

The finance and insurance sector grew 0.7%, a third consecutive monthly increase. Financial investment, banking, and insurance services all posted gains.

Construction declines

Construction declined 0.2% in February. Residential and non-residential building construction fell, while repair construction was up. Engineering construction was unchanged.

After falling for five consecutive months, the output of real estate agents and brokers rose 3.3% in February, as activity increased in the home resale market, mainly in British Columbia and Ontario.

Other industries

Utilities grew 2.3% in February, after increasing 1.7% in January. Electricity generation, transmission and distribution as well as natural gas distribution were up, partly a result of colder than usual temperatures in some parts of the country.

The public sector (education, health and public administration combined) increased 0.2%.

The agriculture and forestry sector was up 1.1% in February. Growth in crop production and the forestry sector outweighed a decline in animal production.

Chart 3: Main industrial sectors’ contribution to the percent change in gross domestic product, February 2015

Economy Chart 3

Source: Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150430/dq150430a-eng.htm.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    March 28. 2024 As demand for skilled trades professionals rises, Skills Ontario is commending the government for continued investments in skilled trades and technology programing, working to address the shortfall and need to build the workforce of the future in Ontario.  The skilled trades shortage is costing Ontario approximately $25 billion in foregone GDP. A… Read More…

  • IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

    IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

     IVRY Technologies, a division of IDEAL Electrical, is launching seven new virtual reality (VR) lessons in Canada as part of its Virtual Electrical Training (VET) Series 2 training module. The cutting-edge training will serve as a learning resource for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centers across Canada. Read More…

  • PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    March 28, 2024 Hon. Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance, presented government’s 2024-25 operating budget to the legislative assembly, outlining $3.2 billion in investments for Prince Edward Island with a continued focus on healthcare, housing and affordability measures. “This budget signals where we’re headed as a province and shows Islanders where we will be making key… Read More…

  • BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    March 28, 2024 Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, met with community climate leaders in Nelson to discuss how Budget 2024 can help support people in the region to transition to a low-carbon economy and meet shared CleanBC goals. “Our government’s budget this year reflects the… Read More…