Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Economy grew 0.3% in April, Statistics Canada reports

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Share
OTTAWA -

Canadian economic growth rebounded in April, but early indications suggested it failed to maintain the momentum into May.

Statistics Canada said Friday real gross domestic product grew 0.3 per cent in April -- matching its initial estimate for the month -- after remaining essentially unchanged a month earlier.

However, the agency's early reading for May suggested the pace of growth did not continue and slowed to 0.1 per cent for the month.

BMO chief economist Doug Porter said growth on balance was holding up a touch better than widely expected in 2024, but remained generally lacklustre.

"For the Bank of Canada, this doesn't change much, as growth is still a bit below potential, which likely means some further backup in the unemployment rate and some further moderation in underlying inflation," Porter wrote in a report.

"As long as the latter holds true, more rate cuts are coming, eventually. We continue to look for the next move in September."

The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate target earlier this month for the first time since the early days of the pandemic and while it is expected to cut its key interest rate again, the timing is uncertain.

Statistics Canada reported inflation ticked higher in May to 2.9 per cent compared with 2.7 per cent in April, a result that prompted changes on the financial markets to suggest that expectations of a rate cut in July were lower.

The growth in the economy in April came as 15 of 20 sectors grew for the month with both goods-producing and services sides of the economy showing growth.

Services-producing industries grew 0.3 per cent with the wholesale trade industry up two per cent in April. Retail trade also gained 0.5 per cent for the month.

The arts, entertainment and recreation industry posted an increase of 0.9 per cent, while accommodation and food services gained 1.2 per cent. The finance and insurance industry added 0.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, goods-producing industries posted growth of 0.3 per cent as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction rose 1.8 per cent.

The manufacturing sector grew by 0.4 per cent in April, while the construction industry fell 0.4 per cent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2024.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Police say a toddler in Cambridge, Ont., who was reported missing early Monday morning, has since died.

On Sept. 20, Justice R.E. Nation of the Alberta Court of King's Bench found Craig McMorran guilty of fraud, money laundering and stealing a cottage from its rightful owners.

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered WestJet to refund a family in full for their diverted flight and compensate them for associated costs.

The City of Montreal has issued a lockdown notice for residents in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough due to smoke from a fire in a container storing 15,000 kilograms of lithium batteries in the Port of Montreal.

Local Spotlight

Giant gourds took over a Manitoba community this weekend.

Fire has destroyed a barn and 17,000 plants at a family-owned business in Lower Coverdale, N.B.

Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

A Nova Scotian YouTuber has launched a mini-truck bookmobile.

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

Stay Connected