Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.4 percent in May, Statistics Canada said on Friday.
Advance information showed that the growth in May was led by the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors, as well as by offices of real estate agents and brokers, the national statistical agency said.
There was also a rebound in federal government public administration after the public sector contracted as strike by federal workers reduced activity in April, the agency said.
According to the agency, a strike by federal government workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada labour union that began in April, resulted in a 4.3 percent contraction in federal government public administration.
The country’s real GDP was essentially unchanged in April, following a slight uptick in March. Oil and gas extraction, except oil sands, led the growth with a 2.1 percent expansion in April following a tepid start to the year.
Crude petroleum extraction contributed the most to the increase as increased production off Canada’s North Atlantic coast more than offset lower crude production in the west. Natural gas extraction, led by Alberta, continued to expand, reflecting continued natural gas storage replenishment, Statistics Canada said.