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December 01, 2020CANADA GDP BY INDUSTRY, SEPTEMBER 2020 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Canada increased 0.8% in September following a 0.9% increase the previous month. The economy has grown for five consecutive months, recovering from the steepest drops on record in March and April. Real GDP is still 4.6% below the February 2020 pre-pandemic level.
For September 2020, the Canadian economy is 3.9% smaller compared to September 2019 with an annualized value of $1,911 billion (chained 2012 dollars).
Statistics Canada preliminary estimate for real GDP growth in October 2020 is 0.2%.
Goods-Producing Industries
Output for goods-producing sector increased 0.7% with gains in manufacturing, Agriculture, forestry and mining.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector output increased 1.9% with gains in crop production and forestry and logging.
The manufacturing sector output increased 1.0%, the fifth consecutive month of growth but at a slower pace. Gains were reported both in durable and non-durable manufacturing. Gains were seen in fabricated metal products, furniture and related products, electrical equipment, petroleum, coal, plastic and rubber products, and paper manufacturing. Declines occurred in miscellaneous, primary metal and computer, electronic products, printing and related support activities, textile, clothing and leather, and food manufacturing.
Construction GDP was down 1.2% mainly on decline in non-residential construction and was 6.3% below February's pre-pandemic level. Non-residential construction declined 9.5% in September 2020, along with decline in engineering and other construction. Residential and repair construction were up.
Oil and gas extraction was up with oil sands extraction (+8.8%) led by higher synthetic oil production in Alberta. Mining (except oil and gas) activities were lower with a decline in potash mining offsetting higher metal ore and coal mining. Utilities declined 1.9% in September 2020.
Services-Producing Industries
Output of services-producing sector increased 0.8% in September 2020.
The public sector (educational services, health care and social assistance, and public administration) grew 0.8% this month and has seen strong recovery growth the last five months. The public sector activity remains below February 2020 levels in educational services (-3.7%), health care and social assistance (-6.0%) and public administration (-1.4%). Education sector was up 1.4% in September with increase at elementary and secondary schools. Health care and social assistance was up 0.7% with all subsectors were up while hospital activities were down in September 2020. Public administration was up 0.7% in September 2020.
Professional services were up 1.3% with management, scientific and technical consulting services and computer systems design and related services contributing to growth. Legal services were up as real estate and leasing was up with higher level of activity at offices of real estate agents and brokers amid strong home resales. Administrative and support activities were up 3.5%.
Accommodation and food services down 0.2% in September but remains 27.3% below February levels. Arts, entertainment and recreation increased 5.2% amid continued reopening.
Retail trade increased 1.0% and wholesale trade declined 0.2% in September 2020. In September 2020, retail trade is 1.5% above pre-pandemic February 2020 levels.
Transportation and warehousing increased 1.4% with gains in rail, transit, ground passenger and scenic and sightseeing, and support activities for transportation.
Year-to-Date (Jan-Sep 2020 vs. Jan-Sep 2019)
For the first nine months of 2020, the Canada economy has been 5.8% smaller than in 2019. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, the largest declines in activity have been in arts, entertainment and recreation (-38.0%), accommodation and food services (-31.7%) and transportation and warehousing (-19.1%). Finance and insurance (+3.9%), agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (+3.7%) and real estate and rental and leasing (+1.6%) have grown in 2020.
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 36-10-0434-01 Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by industry, monthly (x 1,000,000)