Manufacturing sales rose for the fourth consecutive month, up 0.6% to $64.8 billion in January on higher sales in 14 of 21 industries, according to Statistics Canada data.
On a year-over-year basis, total manufacturing sales were up 13.4% in January.
Manufacturing sales increased in five provinces in January, led by Quebec and British Columbia. Meanwhile, Ontario and Saskatchewan posted the largest declines.
In Quebec, sales increased 3.9% to $17.0 billion in January on higher sales in 15 of 21 industries, led by the petroleum and coal product, fabricated metal product and transportation equipment industries. Sales of primary metals decreased the most, down 4.4% to $2.5 billion in January.
In British Columbia, sales increased 4.3% to $5.5 billion in January.
Sales in Ontario decreased 1.3% to $27.7 billion in January, mainly on lower sales of motor vehicles (-17.2%), primary metals (-7.6%) and motor vehicle parts (-7.1%). Motor vehicle and part production was impacted by shutdowns at some auto assembly plants due to semiconductor shortages. On a year-over-year basis, sales declined 20.7% in the motor vehicle and 6.6% in the motor vehicle part industries in Ontario.
Sales in Saskatchewan decreased 6.0% to $1.7 billion in January, the third consecutive monthly decline, primarily on lower sales of chemicals.
