Fast Facts Friday: December 8, 2023

Catch up on the latest facts and read more via the links below in case you missed them this week!

1. Canadian farmers reported producing more corn for grain and soybeans, but less wheat, canola, barley, and oats in 2023. - The Daily — Production of principal field crops, November 2023
2. In 2022, 81,141 Canadians registered in an apprenticeship program, an increase of 11.6% (+8,430) from 2021. Certifications remained below pre-pandemic levels, declining 0.8% (-354) to 46,777. - The Daily — Registered apprenticeship training programs, 2022
3. In October 2023, Canada's merchandise imports fell 2.8%, while exports edged up 0.1%. – The Daily — Canadian international merchandise trade, October 2023
4. Labour productivity of Canadian businesses decreased 0.8% in the third quarter of 2023, after edging down 0.1% in the previous quarter. - The Daily — Labour productivity, hourly compensation and unit labour cost, third quarter 2023
5. In 2022, foreign and Canadian multinational enterprises operating in Canada generated $197.1 billion in capital investment (+9.0%). - The Daily — Activities of multinational enterprises in Canada and abroad, 2021 (actual) and 2022 (preliminary)
6. The total value of building permits in Canada increased 2.3% from September 2023 to $11.2 billion in October. - The Daily — Building permits, October 2023
7. The Canadian telecommunications subsector reported total operating revenues of $66.8 billion in 2022, up from $65.7 billion in 2021 and an all-time high since we began tracking its operating and financial detail in 2011. - StatsCAN Plus — Record mobile revenues dial telecom numbers up to new heights in 2022
8. One in six Canadian tax filers claimed a charitable donation on their tax form in 2021, giving a record high $11.8 billion, thanks in part to a growing share of large donors. - StatsCAN Plus — Record high charitable giving in 2021 by the fewest donors ever
9. While grocery prices remained at elevated levels in October, they also continued their trend of slower year-over-year growth, with a 5.4% increase following a 5.8% gain in September. StatsCAN Plus — How much does it cost to make your favourite sandwich?
10. Canada was home to 1.6 million sheep and lambs during the first six months of 2023, up 1.4% from a year earlier and the highest number of sheep and lambs counted over this period in a decade. StatsCAN Plus — A Christmas sweater story spun from sheep data