Real GDP up 0.3 per cent in February, helped by manufacturing: StatsCan

Statistics Canada says the economy grew by 0.3 per cent in February, keeping pace with January’s growth.

The federal agency says mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction were the largest contributors to the increase in real gross domestic product—up 2.2 per cent —in a fifth consecutive month of growth.

Goods production grew 0.9 per cent in February, mainly because of the increases in mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction as well as in manufacturing.

Construction, utilities and the agriculture and forestry sectors also grew.

The output of service industries rose 0.1 per cent, mostly because of growth in arts and entertainment, the public sector and the finance and insurance sectors.

However, accommodation and food services, administrative and professional services and wholesale trade declined.