Gross domestic product by industry: Provinces and territories

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Real gross domestic product (GDP) advanced in every province and territory in 2010, rebounding from 2009 when output declined in all jurisdictions except Manitoba and Yukon. Nationally, real GDP rose 3.3% in 2010, following a 2.6% decline in 2009.

Among the provinces, growth rates surpassed the national average in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. GDP increased 14.8% in Nunavut, the fastest pace of any region.

In most provinces, construction, mining and oil and gas extraction as well as manufacturing spurred goods production to outpace growth in services.

Atlantic provinces

In Newfoundland and Labrador, GDP advanced 6.0% in 2010, the fastest pace among the provinces. This followed a 10.4% decline in 2009. The increase in 2010 was led by a rebound in metal ore mining following a strike which began in 2009. Increased output of oil and gas extraction and other engineering construction also contributed to the gain.

Output in construction rose 20% in 2010, as work began on a new mineral ore processing plant and residential construction increased 14%. Increased goods in circulation contributed to advances in wholesale trade and transportation services.

In Prince Edward Island, GDP increased by 2.0% in 2010 after falling by 0.2% in 2009. Residential construction and retail trade picked up. Crop and animal production increased after a decline in 2009. Additional capacity resulted in higher output by utilities. Manufacturing production retreated 8.6%, as output of food, transportation equipment and chemical products declined.

In Nova Scotia, GDP increased 2.1% in 2010 following a 0.3% decline in 2009. Manufacturing led the way with a 6.8% gain, following a 6.6% contraction in 2009. Output also increased in residential construction, wholesale trade and transportation services. Mining and oil and gas extraction decreased.

Manufacturers of rubber and forest products increased output. Transportation equipment manufacturers advanced with work on Coast Guard vessels and naval frigates.

In New Brunswick, GDP rose 3.3% following a 0.5% decline in 2009. Growth occurred mainly in manufacturing, forestry, fishing and mining. Wholesale trade and transportation services increased together with goods production.

Manufacturing output increased, led by seafood and forest products. Construction output fell in 2010 as several engineering projects neared completion.

Central Canada

In Quebec, output rose 2.7% in 2010 following a 0.5% contraction in 2009. Residential construction, manufacturing, and to a lesser extent support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction, and logging and forestry, contributed to the overall advance. In services, notable gains occurred in wholesale trade, truck and rail transportation and financial services.

Increases were reported by manufacturers of wood and rubber products, chemicals (including pharmaceuticals) and primary metal products.

In Ontario, GDP increased 3.4% in 2010 following declines of 3.5% in 2009 and 0.7% in 2008. In the goods-producing sector, output rose 8.4% and contributed more to growth than services. Higher manufacturing output and increased construction, notably of residential structures, contributed to the overall growth.

Wholesale trade and transportation services advanced in tandem with goods production.

Overall, manufacturing output increased 8.0% after two years of significant declines. Production rose in 18 of 21 major manufacturing industries in Ontario, led by a 38% rise in motor vehicle production. Gains were also reported by manufacturers of primary and fabricated metals, rubber and plastic products and machinery.

Western provinces

In Manitoba, GDP grew 2.0% in 2010 after showing no growth in 2009. Construction, wholesale and retail trade, and transportation services contributed to the growth. Crop production fell sharply as a result of bad weather.

Output in construction advanced, as work continued on major engineering projects. Residential building construction increased 15%. Oil and gas extraction rose as did support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction (mainly exploration activities).

Manufacturing activity edged up 0.1% as increases in primary metals and transportation equipment were largely offset by declines in output of frozen food products, chemicals and agricultural equipment.

In Saskatchewan, GDP increased 4.4% in 2010 after falling 4.2% in 2009. A rebound in mining (which includes potash) led the recovery. Gains in support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction and other engineering construction also added to the advance. However, bad weather affected crop output and at the same time, manufacturers of agricultural equipment reduced production.

Overall manufacturing output declined 0.8%, as output of food and fabricated metals fell back. Production of primary metals, chemicals and wood products increased.

Services production expanded with increases reported in financial, health care and accommodation and food services.

In Alberta, GDP increased 3.8% in 2010 after contracting 4.8% in 2009. Strengthening energy prices led to increases in support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction. Manufacturing and crop production also advanced.

Crop production increased significantly, as Alberta experienced more favourable weather than its Prairie neighbours. Gains in residential and electric power engineering construction were partly offset by declines in non-residential construction and oil and gas engineering construction. Oil and gas extraction increased 0.7%.

In British Columbia, output rose 4.0% in 2010 following a 1.8% decline in 2009. Strong export demand led to growth in forestry and logging and manufactured wood products.

Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction expanded 33% and coal mining increased 27%, as energy prices strengthened. Construction output rose 11%, as work began at new mine sites and on oil and gas engineering projects. Utilities output declined as a result of lower export demand.

The Olympic Winter Games had a positive impact on industries such as performing arts and spectator sports, accommodation and food services.

Residential construction advanced. Conversely, the resale house market retreated in 2010, leading to lower sales and output for real estate agents and brokers.

The territories

In Yukon, GDP increased 2.1% in 2010 following a 3.6% increase in 2009. Non-residential construction advanced, as work began on a number of community and health services buildings.

Mining and oil and gas extraction declined, as strength in support activities to mining was more than offset by lower output in total mining. Output in the services sector was up, with gains in retail trade, accommodation and food and government services.

In the Northwest Territories, output increased 5.8% in 2010 following an 11% decline in 2009. Construction and mining activity were the main contributors and led to increases in wholesale trade and transportation services.

Higher commodity prices led to increases in support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction and diamond mining. Oil and gas and other engineering construction increased. Non-residential construction also contributed to growth.

In Nunavut, GDP advanced 14.8% in 2010 following a 6.2% decline in 2009. With the opening of a new mine, mining output increased while engineering construction activity declined.

Heightened exploration activity led to higher output of support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction. Non-residential construction, mainly of institutional buildings, also contributed to the advance.

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Detailed analysis and tables

All data on the System of National Economic Accounts are available from the Key resource module of our website.

Provincial and territorial gross domestic product by industry, 2010 preliminary estimates

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

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1303.

To purchase data on provincial and territorial gross domestic product by industry at basic prices, contact Client Services (toll-free-1-800-887-4623; iad-info-dci@statcan.gc.ca). For more information, to obtain a table containing weights used in the calculation of provincial and territorial chained volume measures by industry, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Art Ridgeway (613-951-0439; art.ridgeway@statcan.gc.ca), System of National Accounts.