Statistics Canada announces that sales in the manufacturing sector increased by 0.7% in February, to reach $71.6 billion, thanks in particular to increased sales of oil and coal.
The federal agency says manufacturing sector sales increased in 13 of the 21 subsectors it tracks.
Oil and coal sales increased 4.3% to $8.7 billion, driven by higher prices and, to a lesser extent, volumes. Sales of electrical equipment, appliances and components increased 12.6% to a record $1.5 billion in February.
Overall manufacturer sales in constant dollars increased 0.1% in February.
In a separate report, Statistics Canada reported that wholesale sales – excluding petroleum, petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, as well as oilseeds and cereal grains – were essentially unchanged in February at $82.2 billion. dollars.
Expressed in volume terms, wholesale sales increased 0.2% in February – again excluding petroleum, petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, as well as oilseeds and cereal grains.