Gross domestic product by industry: Provinces and territories

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In 2009, real gross domestic product (GDP) fell in every province and territory except Prince Edward Island and Yukon. Nationally, real GDP declined 2.9% in 2009, following a 0.6% increase in 2008.

Provincially, the largest GDP declines occurred in the resource-intensive economies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Manufacturing output fell in every province except Prince Edward Island. Manufacturers in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador experienced double-digit declines in production.

Atlantic provinces

The GDP of Newfoundland and Labrador fell 10.2% in 2009, following an increase of 0.7% in 2008. The decline was mostly due to a sharp drop in oil extraction and metal ore mining operations, with the latter affected by a strike.

Fish products manufacturing declined in tandem with a drop in fishing output. The permanent closure of a paper mill precipitated a large drop in forestry activity.

Residential and non-residential building construction advanced, leading to an overall increase in construction. Engineering construction weakened after several construction projects were completed.

In Prince Edward Island, GDP grew by 0.6%, down slightly from a 0.7% advance in 2008. Increased output in aquaculture and higher lobster landings more than offset a decline in agriculture. Output rose in government service industries and retail trade. In manufacturing, transportation equipment industries' GDP advanced, while a plant closure hampered production in food industries. Several tourism-related industries retreated.

In Nova Scotia, GDP declined 0.5%, following a 2.4% increase in 2008. Significant decreases in mining, oil and gas extraction, and manufacturing outweighed the increases in engineering construction and government-related industries.

Output in forestry and forest products manufacturing declined sharply as export demand fell. A mine closure and lower gas extraction led to a sharp drop in the output of mining, oil and gas extraction. Services advanced 1.0% as output rose in hospitals, education and public administration.

In New Brunswick, GDP fell 0.8%, following a 0.1% rise in 2008. The 2009 drop was largely attributable to a decline in construction, as work neared completion on several engineering construction projects. A decline in residential construction was partially offset by an increase in non-residential building construction.

Falling commodity prices hampered mining output as well as exploration activities. Forestry and forest products manufacturing fell sharply in the wake of lower export demand. The public sector (health care, education and public administration combined) expanded. Retail trade advanced as labour income increased.

Central Canada

In Quebec, GDP fell 1.0% after a 1.3% increase in 2008. The forestry and logging, and manufacturing sectors recorded significant declines. Wholesale trade also fell. Advances in construction, retail trade and the public sector partly offset these declines.

Output in transportation equipment manufacturing (which includes aerospace) fell 12%, while manufacturing output declined 9.4%. Transportation construction and electric power engineering construction advanced, more than offsetting declines in residential and non-residential building construction.

Growth in retail trade decelerated from 2008 to 2009, mirroring slower growth in labour income.

In Ontario, GDP fell 3.1% in 2009 after a 0.3% decline in 2008. The production of automobiles and auto parts dropped more than 20%, matching the decline recorded in 2008. Weak export demand led to sharp declines in the production of wood, metal and machinery products.

In all, 17 of 21 major manufacturing industry groups contributed to an overall 15% decline in manufacturing. This was accompanied by decreases in wholesale trade, utilities and transportation industries.

Construction activity weakened as residential construction dropped 11%. Output in retail trade and many service industries fell as labour income declined. The public sector and financial services industries as well as the offices of real estate agents and brokers recorded growth.

Western provinces

In Manitoba, the economy edged down 0.2% in 2009, compared with a 2.2% gain in 2008. After a bumper harvest in 2008, crop production edged down, while animal production declined as world demand fell.

Manufacturing fell 9.0% as output retreated in most industries. Construction activity continued unabated with non-residential building and engineering projects contributing to increased output. Retail and wholesale trade also advanced.

In Saskatchewan, GDP fell 6.3% in 2009 after a 4.4% increase in 2008. Mining, oil and gas production fell 18% as potash production fell by more than 50%, mainly as a result of weak export demand. Oil and gas extraction continued its recent downward trend and mining exploration fell 35% as commodity prices decreased.

Crop production remained high, although down from record levels in 2008. Construction activity edged up 0.1% as non-residential building construction increases were offset by declines in residential and engineering construction.

Manufacturing activity in Saskatchewan declined, with most of the drop coming from industries which supply materials to mining industries. Retail trade advanced.

In Alberta, GDP fell 5.1% following a 0.3% increase in 2008. Construction activity dropped 23% after several engineering construction projects were put on hold. Falling oil and gas prices also affected mining exploration, which fell 30%.

Manufacturing GDP fell 17% with chemical, machinery, wood and metal products production all declining more than 20%. In contrast to the last several years, retail trade declined sharply, largely as a result of falling auto sales. Wholesale trade recorded a double-digit decline.

With the drop in construction and mining activity, output in business service and transportation industries fell for the first time in several years.

Following a 0.2% increase in 2008, British Columbia's GDP fell 2.3% in 2009, largely attributable to a drop in the goods-producing industries, notably manufacturing. Falling export demand resulted in large declines in the forestry industries. Logging production fell 19%, while wood products manufacturing declined 18%. Job losses throughout the forestry sector contributed to a decrease in labour income and retail trade.

A sharp drop in residential construction contributed to a decline in total construction, although this was mitigated by construction projects related to the 2010 Olympics. The buoyant home resale market led to a 22% increase in the output of real estate agents and brokers.

The territories

In Yukon, GDP increased 1.4% after a 4.3% increase in 2008. Mining activity and construction associated with a new mine contributed to the growth. Completion of work on transmission lines allowed more electric power generation. In service industries, the public sector expanded while retail trade edged down.

In the Northwest Territories, GDP fell by 5.9% following a 7.7% decrease in 2008. Diamond mining output dropped sharply as world demand slumped. Non-residential building construction advanced. Engineering construction declined as several mining projects were put on hold in the uncertain economic climate. Retail trade declined as gains in labour income slowed markedly.

Nunavut's economy fell 10.6% after an 8.9% increase in 2008. Construction activity declined by 41% with work finishing at the Meadowbank gold mine. By year's end, the mine had not begun production, and Nunavut had no producing gold or diamond mine for the first time since the territory was formed. The public sector as a whole advanced.

Products, services and contact information and detailed analysis and tables

All of Statistics Canada's information and data on the System of National Economic Accounts are available from the Key resource module of our website.

Provincial gross domestic product by industry, 2009 preliminary data

Available on CANSIM: tables 379-0025 and 379-0026.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1303.

To purchase data on provincial gross domestic product by industry at basic prices, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-800-887-4623; iad-info-dci@statcan.gc.ca), Industry Accounts Division.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Bruce Cooke (613-951-9061; cookeb@statcan.gc.ca), Industry Accounts Division.