Canadian manufacturing sales up in May

Manufacturing sales in Canada increased for the eighth time in nine months, advancing 0.4 percent to $44.8 billion in May, according to Statistics Canada’s May 2010 Monthly Survey for Manufacturing. The motor vehicle and parts industries were the primary contributors to the higher sales.

Increased sales were reported in nine of 21 industries, representing 48.9 percent of total sales. Industries manufacturing durable goods saw sales rise 1.6 percent in May, more than enough to counterbalance the 0.7 percent drop in the non-durable goods sector. Lower industrial prices in petroleum contributed to the decrease in non-durable goods.

In the transportation equipment sector, which posted a 3.1 percent increase overall, the motor vehicle industry was up 4.6 percent, while motor vehicle parts manufacturing increased 2.8 percent.

Ontario (up 1.5 percent) and British Columbia (up 2.1 percent) led the five provinces posting higher sales in May. Nova Scotia (up 2.9 percent), Alberta (up 0.3 percent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (up 0.6 percent) also posted gains.