OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the country posted a merchandise trade deficit of $5.7 billion, its largest deficit since August last year.
The result compared with a deficit of $4.2 billion in January as imports rose faster than exports for the month.
Total imports rose 8.4 per cent to a record $72.1 billion in February.
Imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products increased 45.6 per cent in February as imports of unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys more than doubled.
Meanwhile, total exports gained 6.4 per cent to $66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, as exports of motor vehicles and parts rose 24.2 per cent and metal and non-metallic mineral products climbed 11.2 per cent in February.
In volume terms, total imports rose 7.1 per cent, while exports increased 4.8 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.
