Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Canada’s economy was flat in August, with a September decline forecast
Canada’s economy stalled for a second month in August, Statistics Canada says.
Real gross domestic product was essentially unchanged, even though retail trade rebounded and more than offset its July decline.
Wholesale trade fell 1.4 per cent, with most subsectors contracting.
Public administration also weakened as work to prepare for the 2026 census wound down.
Manufacturing grew in five of the past seven months, while gains in rail helped transportation and warehousing.
Early estimates point to a 0.1 per cent GDP decline in September, amid losses in manufacturing, mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction.
Statistics Canada said Canada’s real gross domestic product was essentially unchanged in August.
The economy stalled for a second month in a row, with weakness in public administration and wholesale trade.
Retail trade rebounded, more than offsetting its decline in July.
Statistics Canada’s early estimate points to a 0.1 per cent GDP decline in September.
- Who
- Statistics Canada reported the figures.
- What
- Real GDP was essentially unchanged in August, and an early estimate points to a 0.1 per cent decline in September.
- When
- August 2026; the early estimate is for September 2026.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- Weakness in public administration and wholesale trade weighed on August activity. The September estimate reflects losses in manufacturing and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Real GDP was essentially unchanged, as a rebound in retail trade offset its July decline.
Statistics Canada’s early estimate suggests real GDP declined 0.1 per cent.
- August GDP
- Essentially unchanged
- Wholesale trade
- Fell 1.4 per cent in August
- September early estimate
- GDP declined 0.1 per cent
- Retail trade
- Rebounded, more than offsetting its July decline