Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Gross domestic product by industry
Real gross domestic product increased 0.7% in July after advancing 0.1% in June and retreating 0.1% in May. The energy sector, which has been trending down during the last four quarters, accounted for almost half of the July increase. Manufacturing and wholesaling industries also contributed significantly to the advance.
Output of the energy sector rises significantly
Output of the energy sector increased 3.1% in July. Oil production grew following the completion of maintenance at petroleum production facilities in Eastern and Western Canada in June. Following three consecutive monthly declines, natural gas extraction was up sharply, as storage levels were being replenished.
Services to oil and gas extraction facilities were up significantly as rigging activities surged in July, while contract drilling dipped slightly.
Note to readersThe monthly gross domestic product (GDP) by industry data are chained volume estimates with 2002 as their reference year. This means that the estimates for each industry and aggregate are obtained from a chained volume index multiplied by the industry's value added in 2002. For the 1997 to 2005 period, the monthly estimates are benchmarked to annually chained Fisher volume indexes of GDP obtained from the constant-price input-output tables. For the period starting with January 2006, the estimates are derived by chaining a fixed-weight Laspeyres volume index to the prior period. The fixed weights are the industry output and input prices of 2005. This makes the monthly GDP by industry estimates more comparable with the expenditure-based GDP data, chained quarterly. Revisions This release of monthly GDP by industry incorporates the revised 2004 and new 2005 input-output annual benchmarks, revised data sources and improved methodologies resulting in revisions to the monthly series back to January 2002. For more information, contact the dissemination agent (toll-free 1-800-887-4623; 613-951-4623; IAD-Info-DCI@statcan.gc.ca). |
Manufacturing activity advances
The manufacturing sector advanced 1.3%. The increase was broadly based, with 17 of the 21 major groups posting a gain.
Significant gains were registered in the production of primary and fabricated metals products, and machinery. Exports of primary iron and steel products, and industrial machinery were particularly strong during the month. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing also posted a robust gain. Declines were recorded in beverage and tobacco, and petroleum and coal products manufacturing.
Wholesale trade increases
Wholesaling activity advanced 1.9% in July. Increases were widespread within the sector, notably in the wholesaling of automotive products. Food products wholesalers were the only sub-sector to record a decline in activity in July.
The finance and insurance sector moves forward
The finance and insurance sector advanced 0.3% in July on the strength of banking. There was a notable increase in fixed-term deposits. Conversely, the volume of activity of stock brokerages and the sales of mutual funds both decreased.
Construction is unchanged
After two consecutive monthly increases, construction was unchanged in July. The increase in repair and engineering works was offset by the declines in both residential and non-residential building construction. A substantial decline in construction of single-family homes more than offset the increases in the other categories of residential construction.
After a general downward trend over the last few months in the home resale market, the real estate agents and brokers industry posted a 1.1% gain in July.
Retail trade is stable
Value added in the retail trade sector was unchanged for July, following three consecutive monthly advances. There was higher activity at gasoline stations, computer stores and alcoholic beverage vendors and significant declines in the volume of sales of building materials and convenience stores. The volume of activities of new and used car dealers was down.
Other industries
A decline in the number of overnight travellers from the United States and abroad contributed to a drop in the accommodation and food services sector. Air transportation fell for a fourth consecutive month.
Available on CANSIM: table 379-0027.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1301.
The July 2008 issue of Gross Domestic Product by Industry, Vol. 22, no. 7 (15-001-XWE, free), is now available from the Publications module of our website.
Data on gross domestic product by industry for August will be released on October 31.
For more information, or to order data, contact our dissemination agent (613-951-4623; toll-free 1-800-887-4623; IAD-Info-DCI@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Bernard Lefrançois (613-951-3622), Industry Accounts Division.
Table(s).