Thanks Ontario/minimum wage increases/carbon taxes/Liberals.
Strong Canadian trade, productivity data bolster economic recovery
Canadian exports climbed to a record in April and first-quarter labor productivity approached a three-year high, further evidence that the economy is recovering after a long slump caused by low oil prices.
Statistics Canada said on Friday that the April trade deficit narrowed to $370-million as exports outpaced imports for a second straight month on shipments of motor vehicles and parts.
After struggling for years to adjust to sharply lower prices of crude oil, Canada's economy appears finally to be on a sustainable path to recovery.
In particular, the export sector, long a cause of concern for the Bank of Canada, is showing strength.
For subscribers: Canada's manufacturing rebound shows signs of sticking around
"The Bank of Canada has been looking for that for the length of 2016 but has been largely disappointed, but maybe it is starting to materialize as we move into 2017," said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada.
Exports, which jumped 3.2 per cent in March, increased by 1.8 per cent in April to $47.69-billion. Exports of motor vehicles and parts grew 4.4 per cent while energy shipments posted a 2.5 per cent gain.
"It's a very strong trend... we see this continuing because there is strong U.S. growth," said Ross Prusakowski, a senior economist at Export Development Canada.
Imports also hit a record high, edging up 0.6 per cent to $48.06-billion – the fifth consecutive monthly increase – thanks in part to increased inflows of consumer goods, electronic and electrical equipment and parts.
In a note to clients, CIBC economist Nick Exarhos said "trade is likely to be a more significant source of growth in the second quarter than it has in recent quarters."
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Strong Canadian trade, productivity data bolster economic recovery
Canadian exports climbed to a record in April and first-quarter labor productivity approached a three-year high, further evidence that the economy is recovering after a long slump caused by low oil prices.
Statistics Canada said on Friday that the April trade deficit narrowed to $370-million as exports outpaced imports for a second straight month on shipments of motor vehicles and parts.
After struggling for years to adjust to sharply lower prices of crude oil, Canada's economy appears finally to be on a sustainable path to recovery.
In particular, the export sector, long a cause of concern for the Bank of Canada, is showing strength.
For subscribers: Canada's manufacturing rebound shows signs of sticking around
"The Bank of Canada has been looking for that for the length of 2016 but has been largely disappointed, but maybe it is starting to materialize as we move into 2017," said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada.
Exports, which jumped 3.2 per cent in March, increased by 1.8 per cent in April to $47.69-billion. Exports of motor vehicles and parts grew 4.4 per cent while energy shipments posted a 2.5 per cent gain.
"It's a very strong trend... we see this continuing because there is strong U.S. growth," said Ross Prusakowski, a senior economist at Export Development Canada.
Imports also hit a record high, edging up 0.6 per cent to $48.06-billion – the fifth consecutive monthly increase – thanks in part to increased inflows of consumer goods, electronic and electrical equipment and parts.
In a note to clients, CIBC economist Nick Exarhos said "trade is likely to be a more significant source of growth in the second quarter than it has in recent quarters."
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/re...ttps://www.theglobeandmail.com&service=mobile
