Statistics Canada reports real GDP essentially unchanged in July

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA -

 Canadian economic growth was stuck in neutral in July as the manufacturing sector pulled back for a second consecutive month.

Statistics Canada said Friday real gross domestic product was essentially unchanged for the first month of the third quarter, following a 0.2 per cent decline in June.

The result came as services-producing industries gained 0.1 per cent in the month, while goods-producing industries contracted 0.3 per cent.

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"The GDP growth backdrop in Canada continues to soften, in contrast to sticky inflation prints that are still running above the Bank of Canada's two per cent target," RBC economist Claire Fan wrote in a report.

Nine of 20 industrial sectors posted increases for July.

The manufacturing sector was the largest negative contributor for July as it fell 1.5 per cent. Non-durable manufacturing industries fell 1.4 per cent, while durable manufacturing industries declined 1.7 per cent.

After moving lower in June due to forest fires, Statistics Canada said, the mining and quarrying sector, excluding oil and gas, as well as the accommodation and food services sector rose in July.

With oil and gas excluded, the mining and quarrying sector increased 4.2 per cent in July, while accommodation and food services gained 2.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, Statistics Canada said its early estimate for August pointed to an increase of 0.1 per cent for the month with increases in the wholesale trade and finance and insurance sectors, partly offset by decreases in the retail trade and oil and gas extraction sectors.

"All told, assuming growth remains modest in September as the impact of high interest rates continues to bite, that leaves the Canadian economy on track for a flat-to-very low positive print for all of Q3," BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic wrote.

"Recall that the Bank of Canada had assumed 1.5 per cent growth in the July monetary policy report, so we're on pace to see another undershoot of the near-term forecast."

The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold in September, but said it was prepared to raise rates again if needed to bring inflation back to target.

The central bank's next interest rate announcement is set for Oct. 25 when it will also release its fall monetary policy report.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2023.