Real gross domestic product (GDP) was essentially unchanged in December, following two months of growth, despite 14 of 20 sectors increasing in the month. Goods-producing industries contracted 0.2% in the month with the utilities, construction and manufacturing sectors accounting for all of the decline in this industries grouping. Meanwhile, services-producing industries were largely unchanged in December as growth across most sectors was offset by declines in educational services and healthcare and social assistance. The public sector (consisting of educational services, health care and social assistance, and public ... (full story)

Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized rate of one per cent in the fourth quarter. That follows a decline in real gross domestic product in the third quarter of 0.5 per cent annualized. The federal agency says growth was driven by a rise in exports, while housing and business investment both fell. In December, real GDP was flat as goods-producing industries contracted and Quebec's public sector workers' strike weighed on growth. The federal agency says outside of 2020, economic growth in 2023 rose at its slowest pace since 2016. A preliminary estimate suggests real GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in ... (full story)