The Weekly Review, April 27 to May 1, 2026

Real gross domestic product was up 0.2% in February, with goods-producing industries driving the growth for the second consecutive month. Goods-producing industries grew 0.4% in February, driven by expansions in manufacturing and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (+0.4%). The manufacturing sector led the growth in February, rising 1.8% in the month. This was the largest monthly growth in the sector since January 2023 (+2.2%).

Source: Gross domestic product by industry, February 2026

The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer decreased by 60,200 (-0.3%) in February. Meanwhile, payroll employment in retail trade fell by 5,900 (-0.3%) following a decline of 7,000 (-0.4%) in January. On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in retail trade was down by 26,400 (-1.3%) in February. The year-over-year decline was broad-based, with the largest losses being recorded in clothing and clothing accessories retailers (-9,500; -5.6%), grocery and convenience retailers (-5,900; -1.4%), department stores (-5,800; -5.9%) as well as building material and supplies dealers (-3,200; -2.3%).

Source: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, and job vacancies, February 2026

The median after-tax income of Canadian families and unattached individuals was $75,500 in 2024, relatively unchanged from 2023, after adjusting for inflation. The median after-tax income among Canadian families was $108,900 in 2024, up 1.8% from the previous year. Families and unattached individuals in the Northwest Territories ($116,100) had the highest median after-tax income in Canada. Provincially, those in Alberta ($85,300) continued to have the highest median after-tax income, while those in the Atlantic provinces had the lowest.

Source: Canadian Income Survey, 2024

The stock of foreign direct investment in Canada increased 6.9% to reach $1,600.5 billion by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the stock of Canadian direct investment abroad rose 2.8% to reach $2,428.9 billion by the end of the year, the lowest increase in value since 2020. In 2025, the growth in the stock of foreign direct investment in Canada outpaced that of Canadian direct investment abroad for the first time since 2022. Canada's net direct investment position with the rest of the world dropped for the first time since 2012, down by $37.1 billion to $828.4 billion by the end of 2025.

Source: Foreign direct investment, 2025

The 2026 Census of Population is just around the corner. Beginning May 4, households across Canada will be receiving an invitation letter in the mail with instructions on how to complete their census questionnaire. The data collected will help plan for programs and services that matter most to people, in their communities and across the country.

Source: It’s time to be counted!