According to Statistics Canada, after a slight decline in January, real gross domestic product rose 0.4 percent in February, as 15 of 20 industrial sectors increased. The growth was led by a rebound in the mining and oil and gas extraction sector.
The output of goods-producing industries grew 1.2 percent as manufacturing and construction rose in addition to the rebound in mining and oil and gas extraction. The mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction sector expanded 2.4 percent in February.
Metal ore mining declined (-0.9 percent) for the fourth month in a row, as growth in iron ore (+8.2 percent) and gold and silver ore (+1.4 percent) mining was more than offset by a sixth consecutive decline in copper, nickel, lead and zinc mining (-6.2 percent) and lower other metal ore mining (-3.9 percent).
Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction declined 0.9 percent as a result of lower rigging services in February.
The manufacturing sector rose 1.0 percent in February as durable manufacturing was up 1.8 percent, while non-durable manufacturing was essentially unchanged.
Durable manufacturing (+1.8 percent) was up for the third time in four months on broad-based growth as 8 of 10 subsectors grew. Transportation equipment led the growth, expanding 2.7 percent, as motor vehicle (+4.2 percent) and motor vehicle parts (+3.4 percent) manufacturing began returning to normal production following atypical plant shutdowns in January. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing rose 1.2 percent as exports of aircrafts contributed to growth. Fabricated metal products manufacturing grew 4.4 percent as the majority of industry groups expanded.
The construction sector was up 0.7 percent as activity in the majority of subsectors increased. Residential construction grew 1.3 percent from increases in row, apartment-type dwellings, and home alterations and improvements. Non-residential construction expanded 0.6 percent as industrial, public and commercial construction increased. Repair construction rose 1.6 percent, while engineering and other construction activities declined 0.2 percent.
Rail transportation edged down 0.1 percent after a 3.4 percent decline in January, as lower carloadings of grains and fertilizers were mainly offset by increased rail movement of other goods such as minerals and manufactured goods.