So far this year, the Canadian economy has followed the same steady, if unspectacular, trend seen in 2005. Below is some economic data as it has become available.
Unemployment: 6.6% in January (7.0% in Jan. '05)
Consumer Price Index: + 2.8% in January (2.0% in Jan. '05)
Production prices: + 2.2% in January (3.7% in Jan. '05)
Currency Exchange Rate to US$: $1.14 as of March 1 (C$1.24 one year ago)
Steel Production year-to-date Feb 25: 2'348'762 mt, down 7.4% from the same period last year.
Car Sales: + 0.7% for the first two months this year compared to same period last year
The mild winter has helped to achieve a very moderate energy consumption, though manufacturers are concerned about the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, which could have an adverse impact on US-bound exports.