OTTAWA - The gross domestic product fell 0.5 per cent in May, a faster rate of decline than in the previous three months.
Over the last four months, the goods-producing industries have contributed the most to the decrease in GDP, while the output of the service sector has remained essentially unchanged.
Statistics Canada reports the energy and manufacturing sectors were the main contributors to May's decline; construction and wholesale trade also decreased.
Meanwhile, the agency says the activities of real-estate agents and brokers as well as retail trade advanced.
The output of the energy sector dropped a further 2.3 per cent in May as oil-and-gas extraction as well as associated support activities posted significant declines.
StatsCan says both petroleum and natural-gas production were victims of falling export demand.
The manufacturing sector continued to fall in May, down 1.6 per cent, with about half the decrease due to a 21 per cent drop in motor vehicle manufacturing after three months of recovery, and an 8.2 per cent decline in parts production.
Output was also down in primary metal, fabricated metal products, and machinery manufacturing. Overall, 16 of the 21 major groups retreated in the month. However, the manufacturing of chemicals and petroleum and coal products advanced.
Construction activity was down 0.7 per cent in May.
Declines in residential building construction (down 2.4 per cent) and engineering and repair work (down 0.2) outweighed a 0.9 per cent increase in non-residential building construction.
The home resale market continued to show upward momentum in May, leading to an 8.2 per cent increase in the output of real-estate agents and brokers.
Value-added in retail trade was up 0.6 per cent in May as the volume of activities in all retail categories, excluding building and outdoor home supplies, rose.
Notable increases were posted by new car dealers, furniture, home furnishings and home electronics, and food and beverage stores.
The volume of wholesaling activities fell 0.4 per cent in May. Declines were led by the wholesaling of food, beverage and tobacco products, grains and automotive products.
