OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 3.6 per cent to $71.2 billion in February as several auto assembly plants ramped up operations following planned maintenance and retooling shutdowns.
The increase came as sales rose in 12 of the 21 subsectors, led by the transportation equipment which gained 18.8 per cent as auto production increased.
In constant dollars, total manufacturing sales rose 3.4 per cent in February.
In a separate report, Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, climbed 2.0 per cent higher to total $86.8 billion in February.
Wholesale sales increased in five of the seven subsectors, with the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector up 6.1 per cent.
In volume terms, wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 1.1 per cent in February.
Statistics Canada has started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade, but is excluding the data from its monthly analysis until there is enough historical data for comparison.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2026.
